CH 42
When Pete return to the ward room He saw Nikki in her uniform that he wash and iron for her.
"Nikki what are you think your doing"
"flipper told me what was going on so I ask her to get my uniform"
"but why, I got to be on the docks in couple of minutes and the ambulance will be here in about five minutes to take you and Vicky to the hospital"
"Pete trust me" Pete look at Nikki who was grinning then to Nick who was doing the same which got him worried.
When it was time the crew was on the wharf when a navy car pulled up and stop then two doors open and two men got out. One was Steve the other was rear admiral towers from Fleet command
"Hammersley up" Kate said they all stood at attention.
Mike step forward and saluted the two men then he shook the rear admiral hand.
"Welcome to Cairns sir" Mike said
"thank you lieutenant commander"
Then they walk over to where the podium is where the rear admiral step up to the microphone. He was just about to start his speech when every one heard part of
'up where we belong' song being played over the PA system that was coming from Hammersley. Mike look at Kate in shock she look shock as well then he see flipper grinning, she nudge her head to the back of the ship.
He turn then smile when he saw Pete walking from behind the HRIBS in his uniform carrying Nikki who was in her uniform in his arms. Then he saw pink blanket in her arm and Nick behind them.
They saluted as they walk part way down the gangway till they were on the wharf when the music stop. Nick ran over to where Heidi and Tom is. He told them about Nikki idea which made them grin. Pete walk over and put Nikki down on her feet then he look at her, she gave a nod then he went to his spot. Pete saw mike shake his head slightly while grinning.
The media took heaps of photos of what just happen and record it is as. The rear admiral turn to Mike, Mike shrug his shoulders lightly then the rear admiral turn to the media and Hammersley crew. He said a small speech in congratulating the crew for the job they done and he even read out letter form the president of samurai which shock the crew but they were happy. When he finish his speech. He turn to mike and Steve and grin.
Then he turn to the media. "today is the last time that lieutenant commander Flynn will captain Hammersley" all the crew including mike was shock
"With the work lieutenant commander Flynn has done in the past few years it has given me the honor and privilege to promoted lieutenant commander Mike Flynn to commander Flynn"
The media and others guest who was there clap just as Steve and the rear admiral change Mike shoulder ensign and hat that was in a box that the driver got in his hand. He step forward where Steve pick it up and pass it to Mike while grinning. Mike change hats then the driver step back to his spot once Mike old hat was in the box. Then they saluted each other before the rear admiral walk back to the podium
"Congratulations commander Flynn. With his new ranks and new responsibilities he will be transferred to Cairns NAVCOM as the new CO where he will be taking over... the new promoted captain Steve Marshal" Steve was shock with the news.
The rear admiral step in front of Steve and change his shoulder ensign then they saluted each other. Then the rear admiral return back to the podium where he said a few more words then he step back
"Hammersley up... about face" they turn one way
"Dismiss" Kate said.
The crew relax just as the ambulance showed up. Pete walk over to where Nikki is who look like ready to drop cause of the pain she was in. Pete pick her up in his arms
"Your in pain aren't you"
"Yeah"
"ambulance is here"
Then he carry her towards the ambulance when the two guys got the gurney out of the back. Pete carefully lay her on it since part of it was tilted. Then the paramedics put a blanket over her when swain walk over with the paper work that was in his hand then the crew did. Swain spoke to one of the paramedics while Pete and Nikki talk to the crew when Mike, Steve and the rear admiral walk over to them
"Buffer, Nav, who idea was it to play that song over the PA system" mike asked
"Mine sir, sorry sir"
"Why Nav" Kate asked
"We all know Hammersley is full of surprises X so why not one more" they laugh
"that was some entrance Buffer" spider said grinning
"It was all Nikki idea" then they look down at Vicky who woke up.
"Rear Admiral Towers this is Vicky Nikki Caetano Tomaszewski" Nikki said while looking down at her.
He step forward to have a closer look at her "your daughter is very lucky to be alive from what I've been told lieutenant"
"Yes sir, we both are. Would you like to hold her"
"just for a minute" Nikki past him Vicky when the blanket came apart. The crew laugh when they saw that Vicky was wearing a baby sailor uniform
"cute out fit lieutenant"
"thank you sir." He look down to see Vicky looking up at him. Kate laugh when she saw what Vicky did.
"What funny X" mike asked.
"did you see what Vicky did sir" Kate asked the rear admiral
"No, what"
"she try to saluted you sir" the crew laugh
"Ah I though she was rubbing her eye brow"
"Defiantly a sailor" Charge said
"I agree" ET said
He pass Vicky back to Nikki. "you did good lieutenant, your family would be prod of you"
"Yes they are sir" Pete reach over and held onto Nikki hand.
"and I must say that was some exit off Hammersley you two. As you said lieutenant Hammersley can be full of surprises"
"Yes it can be sir"
"We better go lieutenant" one of the paramedics said
"I'm coming with you" Pete said.
"Ok"
They push the gurney back into the ambulance then Pete got in. they wave to the crew just as the doors close. Then they crew walk over to the media to answer there questions.
Mike turn to Kate "shore posting, I hate them"
"Things would be different now mike"
"like what?"
"our family" Mike smile
"That is a good thing"
"Yes it is"
"but I hate shore postings"
"Let's go and talk to the media"
"ok" they walk over to the crew is while rear admiral and Steve watch the crew talk to the media.
"sir you know mike will find a way to stay on Hammersley"
"Yes I know, but the new captain will be here when Hammersley leave for it patrol in two weeks"
"and my posting sir"
"Fleet command with me captain. You got a month, two weeks of that you help settle commander Flynn in on his new job"
"Yes sir"
then Kate walk over to them and saluted them which they did in return "Lieutenant" rear admiral said
"Sir I would like to talk to you about an idea that I got in mind that would keep you and commander Flynn happy"
"what your idea lieutenant" rear admiral asked.
"I know what commander Flynn is like. He hate shore postings" Steve grin
"Well he dose deserve the promotion"
"Yes sir I agree. He rather be in charge of a ship that behind a desk sir. No a fence"
"no you just being honest"
"I was thinking sir how about Have some one else as CO and commander Flynn his or her right hand officer. That way if some thing happens to another captain of a ship that station here in Cairns. Commander Flynn would offer strait away to captain the ship while he still got his sea legs. That way it would be less pressure of you sir to find another officer to take over on short notice sir"
"you got a good point there lieutenant. What dose the commander think of your idea"
"I haven't told him that yet sir"
"I'll think about it"
"Yes sir" they saluted then Kate turn around and walk over to the gang way where Mike is waiting for her. They both walk on board and walk behind the HRIBS.
Steve and the rear admiral walk over to the waiting car and got in them they return back to NAVCOM to talk some more before rear admiral leave to fly back to Canberra.
Couple hours later crew showed up at the Barry general hospital carrying gifts for Nikki and Vicky. Soon as they knew which room she was in, they all walk in quietly to see Nikki asleep and Pete holding on to Vicky. He look up and smile when he saw them and what they were carrying.
"Hey, I see you been shopping"
"yeah" spider said.
Swain walk over to the IV and read what it said. Pete look at him as he turn to Pete
"One of the stitches got infected and had to be remove and she got blood poisoning from it. They got her on some sort of antibiotic for them both."
"that not good" bomber said
"No but the doctors got to it in time"
"Will she still be able to feed Vicky" ET asked
"Yes she still can"
"Here we brought your sea bag plus Nav and Vicky bag" Charge said when he show buffer the bags
"thanks" they talk for half an hour before leaving Pete and Nikki alone even though she still asleep.
Hour later Mike and Kate walk in, Nikki just woke up few minutes earlier. "Nav, buffer, I see the crew already visit" mike said when he saw the flowers, pink bears and helium balloons around the room
"Yes crew came for a visit"
they sat down and talk for half an hour before Mike and Kate left since visiting hours were almost over. Pete stayed for few minutes before he kiss Nikki and Vicky forehead since she was asleep in the glass bassinet before he pick up his bag and walk out of Nikki room since she was almost asleep.
The next morning Pete walk into Nikki private room carrying dozen red roses. When she saw him she smile then she saw the roses. "Pete they beautiful"
Pete lean over and kiss Nikki then he put them on the bed side draws then sat down on the edge of the bed and look down at Vicky who was having her feed. Pete stroke her check then bed over and kiss her fore head then he look up at Nikki then kiss her once more.
"did you manage to get some sleep"
"Yes I did you" Nikki asked
"Yes, I call your parents they received your e-mail and planing on coming up in two days time, they looking ford to meeting Vicky"
"I bet they are and knowing mum she would go out and buy a lot of things for Vicky"
"she love spoiling her grand children"
"Yes she dose, have you contacted Victor"
"Yes he still coming next week as plan. He looking forward to meeting Vicky"
"I bet he dose" they look down to see Vicky enjoying her feed.
"So what did the doctors say about the infection"
"they will do daily blood tests to see if I still got the blood poisoning. And they will be checking every two days to make sure there no build up of puss in the infected area. They did say that they think they caught it in time"
"that is good news"
"Yes it is and it will be a while before I start having milk shakes again" Pete grin
"Well we still got four litters of syrup and eight litters of ice cream in the freezer"
"i know"
"Did you watch the news last night" Pete asked Nikki grin
"Yes I did, I couldn't believe that they show part where you were carrying me off Hammersley"
"Well it was your idea"
"Yeah I know that, I hope I didn't give any other sailors ideas" Pete laugh
"you never know Nikki. Heidi said that Nick told her and Tom that it was your idea, they laugh and Heidi thought it was romantic like at the end of the movie what was it called"
"Officer and gentlemen" Pete smile
"Yes that movie"
Nikki look down to see Vicky had move her head away knowing she was full. So Nikki move Vicky to her should and rub it since there was a towel there. They heard her burp which made them smile
"Feeling better aye" Nikki said as she kiss the side of Vicky head.
That same morning Mike was called to NAVCOM. He was in bed snuggling up to Kate sleeping when they called. So he got up and dress with out waking Kate up, he left a note on the pillow then he walk out of the bedroom and down stairs where he made him self a brew and put it in a traveling mug before leaving for NAVCOM.
When he arrived he went into the ball pen then Steve office. "Steve"
"mike sorry for calling you in here while on leave, please sit down" mike then sat down after putting his hat on the edge of Steve desk
"what going on"
"Lieutenant McGregor"
"Kate" mike said confused
"She spoke to rear admiral towers and me yesterday about you"
"Me why?"
"She didn't tell you"
"no, but I did ask her all she did was smile at me. Care to tell me what she said"
"It was an idea of hers and rear admiral Towers and I talk about it and we like her idea"
"Which is what"
"you won't be the CO of NAVCOM"
"I won't be do I'll be still on Hammersley" Steve smile
"yes, no" Mike frond
"you will be second in command here and if need be fill in captain on any of the boats here and in Darwin for a patrol or two. So you will be not just working here but every now and then out at sea and your wife said you still got your sea legs" Mike laugh
"Kate knows me all to well. And I have to agree with her on that. That sounds bit better for me"
"and fleet command since it hard to find temporary captains" Mike smile
"Sounds like it and I'll except fleet command decision"
"Will it make you happy"
"Yes it would, Kate did tell me yesterday it would be great to have the kids with us"
"Yes it would Mike"
"So what happens now"
"fleet command looking at who would be CO of here"
"Ok" then Steve phone rings so he pick it up
"Captain Marshal... yes sir... you have... transferred to here... who is he sir... sorry she sir... ok... no that fine... He with me now" mike raise his eye brows
"Yes he agree with lieutenant McGregor idea sir" Mike grin knowing who Steve talking to
"Yes sir, I'll tell him... yes sir" then he hung up while smiling.
"Steve"
"He found a CO to take over me. Apparently this officer been trying to get a transferred to her for some time"
"Really and you said a she, who is it"
"Commander Maxine white" Steve saw the shock look on mike face
"Maxine white"
"you know her" Mike let out his breath
"Yes I do Steve. Remember when were were on Albany fourteen years ago just after Kate and I got engage"
"Yes"
"Remember a blonde headed women came up to me for hug and kiss"
"Yes I remember her, you didn't look happy to see her"
"Shock more like it, that Maxine white"
"Oh so why aren't you happy now like back then"
"the reason why she trying to get a transferred to her is cause of me"
"you, she got a thing for you"
"she has been for years and there more. Kate knows about it"
"you know you can talk to me mike"
"i know"
mike tells Steve how he met Maxine, they dated couple of times when they were at ADFA. She married Stewart and the two times he sleep with Maxine and what affect it had on him plus what happen the day before Albany return to Darwin how she showed up at his place with two bottles of wine when Jane answered the door. By the time Mike finish telling Steve. Steve was shock.
"what are you going to do Mike"
"Tell Kate. I know she won't be happy about it but what choice dose Kate has"
"Your right about that. But she might use her Persuasion to get what she wants"
"that is what I'm worried about"
"Talk to Kate"
"don't worry I will. But telling the rest of the family not going to be ease" Steve smile
"they will support you and Kate"
"I know they will it what they might say and do to Maxine"
"That can be a worry"
"i know. Thanks for telling Me Steve, I'll go and let Kate know"
"Good luck" they stood up at the same time just as mike pick his hat up
"Thanks, I'm going to need it" they walk out of Steve office and went different directions.