The New Ship
Chapter 3
Mike would never be glad to arrive back in Norfolk. Too many memories for his liking. He and Senator Montgomery had talked almost every day via email and even a few phone calls, talking about what the new ship should be named. He was surprised to see her on the dock when he finally disembarked.
"Ah, Senator Montgomery. I am surprised to see you here, especially on a Sunday. And who is this?" Mike pointed at the little girl standing next to her.
"This is Liv. Or…Olivia actually but she's Liv to us. Liv, can you shake Admiral Slattery's hand like Grandpa showed you?" Senator Montgomery asked. The little girl gave Mike a broad smile before shaking his hand.
"Its nice to meet you, Liv." Mike told the little girl.
"Mama, I'm hungry." Liv told Senator Montgomery.
"Admiral Slattery, would you join us? I think there's a diner nearby." Senator Montgomery offered.
"Sure. Let me throw this in my vehicle." Mike said, indicating his garment bag and rucksack. He quickly stowed the items and rejoined Senator Montgomery and Liv, who skipped along between them. "This is unexpected." Mike remarked.
"You don't mind?" Senator Montgomery asked.
"No, not at all, Senator…" Mike started.
"Just Grace. At least personally." Senator Montgomery said. They walked into a small diner and were seated immediately. Liv had good table manners. She ordered chicken nuggets, French fries, macaroni and cheese and chocolate milk. While Mike made conversation with Grace, she colored on the page the waitress gave her.
"So, is she your only one?" Mike asked, gesturing at Liv.
"No. I have a son, Eli. He just turned fourteen and doesn't enjoy spending time with his mom." Grace said.
"Fun age. My oldest…Katie was fourteen. She would go from hating our guts to wanting to spend as much time as possible with her mom and I." Mike said.
"That pretty much sums up Eli. He's a good big brother, though." Grace said as she brushed Liv's curls with her fingers.
"Katie was good with her siblings too." Mike said.
"So, now that you are back in Norfolk, what now?" Grace asked.
"I'll stay here for a few days or so, and go where I'm needed next. Maybe visit a few friends in the meantime." Mike answered.
"Would you like a home-made meal?" Grace asked.
"Sure, I would but I haven't had many offers." Mike answered.
"You can come to our house and eat." Liv said.
"Liv…" Grace warned.
"You were gonna ask." Liv answered. It made Mike chuckle in response.
"Sure." Mike answered. Grace grabbed a notebook from her purse and wrote down an address.
"Tomorrow night at six?" Grace suggested as she handed him a paper with an address on it.
"Can I bring anything?" Mike asked.
"Chocolate pie." Liv said.
"Liv." Grace warned again.
"Yes, Miss Liv." Mike answered. He found the little girl very endearing, as much as her mother was. She gave him a messy smile and went back to her food.
"She's obsessed with chocolate and my mom is happy to oblige her. She's a bit spoiled." Grace said as she tried to clean Liv's face.
"I like chocolate too, Liv." Mike answered.
"So, of the names you submitted, the committee is going between Carlton Burke and Alicia Granderson…but they are nervous due to Baltimore and then Mayport." Grace explained.
"Unfortunately, Alicia's last name haunted her. She was so much more than her mother's reputation. As far as Mayport is concerned, she made a mistake. Loved the wrong person. A lot of us have made the same mistake, but with less catastrophic results." Mike said.
"I agree, but there could be political ramifications if we named the ship after her. I am sure we will find a way to honor her." Grace said.
"And you are keeping this on the down low? The general consensus among the James crew is they don't want the new ship named after the original. A lot of the crew died, but my thought was that Burke could be a representative of all those." Mike asked.
"Yes. And once we are ready to release the final name, we will have you and possibly other members of the crew at the press conference." Grace said.
"Perfect." Mike answered.
"And I understand that Commander Burke has a brother whose surviving. Cameron, I believe?" Grace asked.
"Yes. He was the TAO when Rota, Spain was attacked. Lost a leg. For a good long while, he stayed in the Navy, raising money for the war effort and being a public face. He has since retired and is teaching high school history. Got married and I believe his wife is expecting their first baby." Mike explained.
"Will he be opposed to the new ship being named after his brother?" Grace asked.
"I don't think so but I don't want to bring it up until it's a for sure thing." Mike answered.
"Good." Grace said.
"I know politically you can't right now, but once this is over; would you want to go out to dinner?" Mike asked.
"More than a diner on a Sunday afternoon with a seven-year-old?" Grace asked.
"Yeah, not that I mind any of that." Mike answered. He had no idea what he was doing. He hadn't dated in twenty-five years. Christine and he had a very comfortable relationship and she honestly was the only woman he had ever been interested in.
"It would be something that I would like to do, once the new ship is named officially." Grace answered.
"Is that before or after it's at sea tests?" Mike said.
"Oh, we'll have her named before then." Grace answered with a charming smile.
"I'm done!" Liv said as her fork clattered to the floor.
"LIV!" Grace scolded. Mike did his best to hide his smile. Having had kids, he understood why it was important not to smile, but it was hard. Liv was adorable. He wondered about Grace's son.
"That was good mac and cheese." Liv said. Mike chuckled into his hand.
"I know, you are wearing it. Let's go clean up." Grace said as she helped Liv out of the bench and led her to the bathroom. While he waited, Mike looked at the picture Liv had colored. It was of a puppy that she had colored purple. It made Mike smile. Liv reminded him of Hannah, but it didn't invoke sad memories as usual. Mike paid both tickets and smiled when Grace and Liv walked back to the table.
"Do you want that puppy?" Liv asked.
"Sure." Mike answered.
"Say thank you, Liv?" Grace prompted.
"Thank You, Liv." Liv said. Grace just hung her head and Mike chuckled.
"You're welcome, Liv." Mike answered. He stood up and helped Liv into her jacket. "Let me walk you to your car?" Mike suggested.
"The ticket?" Grace asked as she searched for her and Liv's bill.
"Its paid." Mike answered as he threw a cash tip down on the table and led them out.
"Thank you." Grace replied.
"You're welcome." Mike answered. They walked through a parking lot to a very normal SUV. Mike had anticipated Grace driving something more luxurious. Grace seemed to pick up on that.
"I am not like most senators. This is my first term and I went into this, determined that the lobbyists with their money, wasn't going to change me. So far, so good. I am just a normal single-mom, paying bills. Washington D.C. is not an unexpensive city, even now. Fortunately, my parents help me with the kids. I was able to find a townhouse with a guesthouse in the back for them. But, I only ever take my salary." Grace explained.
"You don't need to explain yourself to me." Mike said. He respected her honesty and transparency. He wasn't from Texas but if he was, he would be proud to have a senator like Grace.
"Good. Liv, tell Admiral Slattery goodbye." Grace said.
"Liv, tell Admiral Slattery goodbye." Liv parroted. It made Mike laugh.
"Goodbye, Liv. I hope to see you soon." Mike said as he helped her into the backseat and her booster seat. Grace buckled it.
"I will see you tomorrow at six. And you don't need to bring anything." Grace said.
"Yes, he does." Liv said. Grace shut the back door to the SUV.
"I need to find a chocolate pie." Mike answered.
"If you insist, there is a bakery on K Street in DC that is amazing." Grace said.
"Sounds good. Thank you." Mike said as he backed away.
"No, thank you. You were wonderful with Liv." Grace remarked.
"Ah, kids are easy. Its adults I struggle with. Kids, I have patience for." Mike said as he walked away.
Mike made sure that Grace got her vehicle started and followed her out until he found a nice hotel. He checked in, got to his room and showered. Maybe coming to Norfolk wouldn't be too bad this time?
He was certainly attracted to Grace. Christine had been gone for years and she would have wanted him to be happy again. He wasn't sure if Grace was the person, but he enjoyed her feisty personality. Liv was a character and he could see himself enjoying having kids around again. He missed his kids. Missed the laughter and the cuddles. Of course, he had to be professional and keep his distance until the ship was officially named but after?