CH 52

They all talk and asked Vicky questions about Pete which she answer them and ask them questions about Nikki. When they or Nichole answered them which cause every one to laugh at different answers that both Vicky and Nichole said.

Every one had a great time, Vicky talk to Andrew and Nichole during the late afternoon and evening while watching Pete and Nikki having fun with either the kids or adults.

That evening after dinner every one relax around the tables that put together. There was wine glasses, bottles of beer, cans of drinks and snack food on the tables.

Pete just walk back out side after being to the loo. He stop and watch Nikki then his mum, then his son. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out the box and look at it then to Nikki. He knew that ET was also interested in Nikki and he didn't want to lose her again.

Plus there was only nine months left before Hammersley is decommission. After that he doesn't know where he or Nikki going to be posted. But where ever it it is he hopes that it at the same base and not miles apart.

He also knew that he loves her and he want to marry her, but he doesn't know if she want to marry him. He knew it now or never. Pete walk over to where Nikki is. She look up and smile at him which he did in return

"Are you ok Pete" Nikki asked

"Yes I am" Nikki frown at him which made him smile. Then he look around

"Can I have every one attention please" Pete said in command voice. Every one stop talking and look at Pete

"On behalf of my mum and my self thank you for inviting us to your family Christmas dinner. Since you all here, I've been doing a lot of thinking in the past few months and to get to know you all even though my first meeting with Andrew for the first time was a shocker" They all laugh knowing what Pete talking about.

"After Andrew and I talk alone and we both survive with no injuries which Nikki was worried about" they laugh.

"I've decided the time is right... here and now" then he turn to Nikki and got down on one knee while holding one of her hands while looking at her.

"Nikki you are the best thing that ever happen to me in my life. The day we both meet at Perth navy base Security guard house when you were trying to find your ID. When we look at each other for the first time, I knew you are the one whom I wanted to get to know, to spend the rest of my life with. Those two and half years we had together to becomes friends, lovers. They were the best. When we lost contact with each other, it broke my heart. It chance me, you know that till that fatefully day you walk on the wharf and stop in front of Hammersley. It was like loving you all over again but I never stop loving you. I know it hard for us now with us being on Hammersley. I know we broken rules. But all I care about is you. And when you told me about Nick, I was shock at first and being happy at the same time...Thank you for being the love of my life, for Nick, every thing. I love you Nikki and there one question I want to ask you" he show her the box, he manage to open it with his free hand "I don't want to lose you again and I do have your dad's approval...will you Nikki marry me" Nikki got tears falling down her cheeks

"Yes Pete I will marry you"

Pete got the ring out of the box and slip it onto her finger then they lean forward to kiss then they stood up hug and kiss once more as there families cheer them on. When they broke apart there families gather round to congratulated them both.

"Peter I'm so prod of you"

"thanks mum" they hug then nick ran over to give them a hug.

"Pete you said to me today to be truthful right" Pete crouch down

"Yes to be honest why" Nick put his head down

"Hey what wrong" put put his hand on nick shoulder. Nick raise his head

"Pete... I know that your my dad" Pete and every one was shock

"Nick how did you know?" Nikki asked as she sat down in chair next to where Pete and Nick are

"I over heard you two talking about me, why didn't you tell me mum" Pete stood up and move chair closer then he sat down and pull nick onto his lap

"Cause son there a number of reasons. One is if the navy finds out about you your mum and I will get into trouble and they will split us up"

"but aren't you in trouble now?"

"Yes and no. We not suppose to be in a relationship while being on the same ship. There are rules to stop that from happening"

"your braking them now"

"We keeping it quiet. The ship we on it going to be decommission in nine month. When that happens we don't know where the navy going to send us. That is why we keeping quiet and for Nikki and I to talk about when we want to get married"

"If you to get married, the navy can't split you up"

"some thing like that. If and when we do get married, the navy will have to keep us together at the same base if possible, different ships but hopefully same base"

"Like in Cairns"

"Yes" Pete said

"Why don't you two get married when Hammersley decommission?" tom said

"i was thinking the same thing Tom but I need to talk to Nikki about it first" he turn to her

"It a great idea, it give us time to save up for the wedding"

"what about the crew" Nikki groan causing every one to laugh

"that can be a big problem"

"Well we got nine months to think of some thing up" Pete said

"True"

"So I can call you dad now" Pete turn to his son

"Yes you can" they both hug

"Are you going to move in with us"

"No, we will wait till we are married, ok"

"ok... dad"

"Hey Pete it will give us time to sort out bucks night" Dave said

"and Hens night for Nikki" Heidi said causing them all to laugh Nikki turn to Pete

"we should elope"

"Oh no you not" Andrew said giving Nikki the look she knows all to well.

"It was just an idea dad"

"your not getting out of your hens party Nikki" Heidi said

"I know, got no choice now"

"It would be worse if the Hammersly crew joins in" Pete said.

"that would be a nightmare"

They started talking about hens and buck night ideas which had every one in fits of laughter.

Few hours later Pete and Vicky left in a taxi since none of Nikki family fit to drive since they had a few drinks. Pete and Nikki hug and kiss before Pete got into the taxi then the taxi left. Nikki let out her breath then turn around and walk back in side the house since that is where the rest of the family is.

Over the next couple of days Pete and Vicky go to Nikki parents place for meals and talk more while getting to know each other. At one point Nikki and Pete sneak out of the house and went for a walk alone together. They needed to get away from Nikki crazy brothers and sister in laws for a while. They talk about what they going to do, who they going to tell when they leave for there next patrol.

On the twenty eighth Nikki showed up at Vicky place in her parents car, she was taking Pete to the air port. When she arrived Pete was closing the door and walking down the path carrying his duffel bag. He put it in the back seat before getting in and leaning over to kiss Nikki.

"you smell so good" Pete said as he started kissing her neck which made her giggle

"Pete"

"Yes" he look at her while grinning

"Behave your self and you don't want to be late for your flight"

"Yeah, shame though" Nikki shook her head as she drove to the air port while Pete put his seat belt on

"how Vicky"

"Good at the moment but I do worry about her"

"I'll pop around when I can to see if she needs any thing and I know Nick would love to spend time with her"

"I know he would"

"Pete what wrong" Nikki could tell some thing was wrong

"This morning my sisters called mum up. They asking her for money"

"what. What did she say?"

"I was in the room when she talk to them, she told me why they calling. I said to her to say no to them. So she did. I don't know what they said but it was starting to up set her so I took the phone from her hand when I could hear them asking why so I hung up. We talk about it. I told her that they earn more money that I do and they have a nerve to call her for money when they didn't even call on Christmas day or come to spend Christmas with her. We decided not to tell them about our engagement cause we got a fair idea what they will try to do"

"I under stand Pete" They talk about other things till they arrived at the airport.

When Nikki park the car, they got out and walk towards the terminal with Peter carrying his duffel bag with one hand and hold Nikki hand with the other. Nikki spent half an hour with Pete before he left to get on the plane. Nikki watch him leave then she turn around and walk back the way she came while smiling.

Over the next two days Nikki, Nichole and Nick showed up at Vicky place to talk and to see if she needs any help with any thing even though Vicky got a care giver who showed up twice a week do so cleaning of the house and well do the washing since some days Vicky tired after have chemo plus when that happens the care giver showed up every day to cook and help Vicky till she can manage by her self.

On new years eve Nikki called Pete since it was almost midnight "Hey miss you" Nikki smile

"miss you to, are you with the crew, what there?" Nikki could hear music and laughter in the back round

"Yeah, having new years party, you?"

"Same here with my crazy family and friends"

"Ah, have you seen mum?"

"Yes mum, and Nick went with me, you mum show us the video camera footage of you singing in the navy" she said giggling

"she didn't"

"she did, we laugh so much, I thought it was funny and cute"

"cute"

"Yes, she showed us photos of you, your sisters, your dad. You look like him"

"i know, so when are you returning?"

"the third"

"ok let me know"

"Why?"

"Well I got gut watch on the third so I was thinking you could come around to my place for breakfast on the fourth" Pete said smiling

"Breakfast, just you and me?"

"Yes so what do you think"

"I like that idea, what time?"

"eight"

"that fine by me" then they could hear the count down in the back round then every one cheered

"Happy new year Nikki"

"Happy new year Pete." they talk for couple more minutes before they both hung up.

In England Mike and Kate made sure that the kids had an afternoon nap since it going to be a long busy night. Since it was snowing out side Mike, Kate and her family keep the kids busy with games during the past few days. That night all of the guests arrived and was having a great time.

Mike got Kate and him self a glass of champagne then he walk over to where she is since she was talking to one of her aunties on her mother side whom just turn to walk away.

"Kate" He pass her the flute glass

"thanks mike"

"enjoying your self?" Mike asked

"Yes, you"

"yes, you know I'm looking ford to taking that dress off you tonight" He said smiling as he sip his drink

"Really, well I'm looking ford to removing your suit my self" she said smiling back to him

"So what do you say we go to our room for an hour"

"mike it almost midnight"

"So" Kate shook her head then her face drop when she some one she knows.

Mike turn to see who she looking at "do you know him"

"Yeah that Ted McGregor, my cousin"

"Ted McGregor, have I met him before?"

"no he the one I was telling you about, how he thought he would inherent all of dad money since there was no other family left" Mike thought about it

"He the one who though you were the spoil kid when you were younger"

"Yes"

"Well you don't look spoil to me" Kate smile

"i know, here he comes" Mike turn to see Ted walk over to them

"Hello, I'm ted."

"Mike" they shook hands

"How to you know my uncle Ed?"

"Family" Ted frown

"Family, he hasn't got any family by sides his spoil brat daughter"

"Why do you say that about her?" Mike asked

"Cause she is, I can't believe she show up in his life after what almost fifteen years. From what I heard she like her mother a whore..."

then before mike could say a think Kate punch Ted in the nose causing him to fall on the floor. Mike turn to Kate to see she didn't look happy. Guests who was close by where shock with what they saw.

"Why did you do that to me, do you know the brat?" He said as he got up from the floor

"Yes I do and don't you dear let me here you talk like that about any one especially when you know nothing about your cousin" Kate said in command tone while looking at him

"Gee chill you don't have to get all defensive like that. So you know her?"

"Yes I do, I'm the brat you talking about" Kate said yelling at Ted. Ted look at Kate in shock just as Ed walk over to them

"don't you ever call me a spoil brat or a whore. I'm neither. I'm lieutenant in royal Australian navy and what you said about me you lucky it was me who hit you" Kate said angry

"Why that"

"Cause Mike would of more than hit you in the nose" Ted look from Kate to Mike then back to Kate

"He your date, where did you get him from how much is she paying you" Ted look at mike with a smirk

"Ted that enough" Ed said in command tone

"I can handle this dad" Kate said looking at him then turn to Ted

"Ted McGregor, this is lieutenant commander Mike Flynn royal Australian navy, my husband" Kate said in cool angry tone

"your husband, gee is she that good in..." Kate slap ted on the face

"don't you dear talk to me or my husband like that" He went to hit Kate only for her to stop him

"Don't you try to hit me or another women like that ever again" Then she turn around and walk out of the room.

"You got off lucky Ted" mike said then he turn and went looking for Kate

"Ted I want you to leave right now and I don't want to see you till you willing to come back and apologies to Kate and Mike for the way you spoke to them tonight"

"sure thing uncle, boring party any way" he turn and walk out of the room then every one started talking once again.

Mike went looking for Kate when he did find her she was in the consistory "Hey, are you ok" Kate turn to mike, so he pulled her into his arms.

He held on to her as he rubs her back while waiting for her to make the next move. When she did pull back, she look up at him "I'm ok"

"He really up set you didn't he?"

"He did, but I'm fine now"

"Hey you shouldn't be up set it not a good way to end the new year Kate"

"I know, sorry Mike" he pulled her into his arms for another hug.

When they pulled apart "I know a way to bring in the new year and to cheer you up?"

"You do" mike smile and held onto her hand

"Yes I do"

Then he pulled her out of the conservatory and to the stairs and up them then down the hall way till he stop at a door and open it then he pull Kate into the room turning the lights on

"mike"

He turn to Kate closing and locking the door behind him then he turn to Kate and pull her into his arms then he kiss her which became passionate. Kate notice his hands were going up the zipper then she felt him pulling it down.

Then she felt the dress fall down to her feet then he pick her up in bridal stile and walk over to the bed and lay her down then he lay down on top of her kissing her once more.

They remove each other clothing and made passionate love till they heard the count down and every one singing the new year song as fire works went off out side. "Happy new year Kate"

"Happy new year Mike, what a way to end the new year" mike smile

"Yes it is, now let us start off the new year with this" He bend down and kiss Kate then they roll over till Kate was lying on top of him. They made passionate love once more before falling asleep in each other arms.

Ed went looking for Kate and mike so he look every where for them till he went to check there bedroom. He listen against the door and heard nothing so he went to try to open the door when he notice it was lock so he walk away smiling knowing where they are and what they might be doing in there.

Few hours later Mike and Kate walk into the dinning room "morning" Kate said

"Morning sleep well" Ed asked

"Yes we did thanks dad, did you kids enjoy your selves last night?"

"Yes mummy we had heaps of fun" Connor said

"that is great" Mike said as he got him self some breakfast then join the family at the table. They talk while enjoying breakfast and what happening for the day.