AN: Here is new chapter for 2024
CH 31
Few days later Pete and Nikki were in there uniforms for the funeral. Vicky wanted a church funeral it was the same church that where she and her husband got married in and had his funeral in. There was a lot of people showed up that knew Vicky for years. Most of them are from the RSL since she been a member since her husband went to Vietnam war in the nineteen sixties and carry on being a member when Pete join the navy.
Victor, Nikki, Pete and Nick were up sitting in the front pews when they look around when Nikki saw who walk into the church. "Pete" "He look at Nikki then turn to see who walk in. he stood up and walk over to the guy who step ford
"commander sir"
"Petty officer" they saluted each other
"I'm here on behalf of NAVCOM and Hammersley crew"
"thank you for coming sir"
"We will talk after wards"
"Yes sir" Pete turn around and walk back to his seat.
Nikki turn to him "he here on behalf of NAVCOM and Hammersley" Nikki nodded
"that is good of him"
"Yes it is" Then they turn around when the minster step forward to the microphone.
Every one sang songs that Vicky choose for the service and the bit from the bible. For her eulogy Nichole was the one who read it out so every would know what sort of person she was. Pete put his arm around Nikki shoulder as she lean against him when Nichole read out about what Pete done with his life, she mention Nikki and Nick and about there wedding day.
Nikki and Pete turn to each other when Nichole read that part out. Nikki and Pete smile a little at that memory. Then they turn and listen till Nichole walk back to her seat.
Few minutes later six men carry the coffin out of the church with Pete, Nikki and nick following, follow by Nikki parents, brothers and there families. Then every one else. They all got into cars where they follow the Hurst to the cemetery where she would be laid to rest next to her husband at the R.S.L plot.
When that was over people walk over to them to give them there condolences before walking away. Nick walk over and look at the different flowers till he saw a wreath so he had a closer look to do so he had to move couple of the large bouquets when Nikki walk over to him
"nick leave them alone"
"mum look" he move the third large bunch a side showing a forty center meter round wreath full of roses and a ribbon across the middle with the word 'Hammersley' on it.
Nikki over her mouth as she started to cry. "mum what wrong" nick was getting worried he look around as he stood up
"Dad some thing wrong with mum" He yell out Pete turn to where Nikki and Nick is and ran over to them.
"Nikki" he turn her around then pull her into his arms as she cry even harder
"Dad she cry cause of this" nick pointed to the wreath. Pete close his eyes as he held onto Nikki when Andrew and Nichole walk over to them
"Is Nikki ok" Nichole asked
"Yes"
"Grand ma, look" nick said pointing at the Wreath
"Hammersley that the ship you work on"
"Yes it is. The crew must of put money together and some how paid for it" Pete said
"that was good of them"
"Yes it was"
When Nikki pulled back a bit she look at Pete wet uniform then up at him "Hey, are you ok"
"Yes, it was a shock that all"
"I know. It was good of them to do that since they can't be here" He rub her back.
"come on, let's go" Andrew said Pete and Nikki took one last look at the coffin while Nikki patents and Nick walk over to the car
"Rest in peace mum" Pete said
"Rest in peace" Nikki said then they turn and walk away with there arms around each other.
When they return to the church hall for some thing to eat and drink. Pete made sure Nikki was sitting down then he went and got her a drink and some finger food then he walk over and pass it to her
"what about you Pete, I should be looking after you"
"You are Nikki, you being here for one and I'm here to look after you and our baby, I I told mum I would"
"I know"
"You look after me in the past few day, you hold me in your arms at night"
"i know" he bend over and kiss her
"i love you Nikki"
"i love you to Pete" Pete straiten up and walk over to get a drink and some thing to eat.
"Dad" he turn to Nick
"Yes Nick"
"Can I have some money please"
"what now"
"Please. I know how to cheer mum up"
"ok" he put his plate and cup on the table then he got his wallet out and pass him some money
"I'll be back"
then he turn and ran out of the hall. Pete shook his head as he put his wallet away then pick up his cup and plate then he walk over to where Nikki is and sat down next to her. He notice she hasn't touch her drink or food he got her. He put his down next to him then he put his arm around her shoulder so she lean against him
"Are you ok, you have tough a thing"
"sorry Pete"
"don't be" he kiss the side of her head just as Steve walk over to them
"lieutenant" she look up at Steve
"sir, thank you for coming"
"your welcome. You two take what you need off"
"thank you sir" Pete said.
"From the eulogy you mum was prod of you petty officer"
"Yes sir she was prod of me"
"not many mothers or fathers are prod of there children"
"that true sir" Nikki said.
They talk for couple of minutes when Nick walk into the hall and over to where Nikki and Pete is
"Here you go mum" nick said smiling passing her a milkshake which made her smile
"thank you Nick"
"Here dad" nick pass him the change
"thanks son but a milk shake"
"Ah ha, when she feeling down when you were with grand ma she makes up her self a milk shake, either that or baby wanted some" Nikki, Pete and Steve grin
"i think baby trying to cheer her up or telling her she need to eat and drink more" Pete said
"Pete do you want me to look like charge"
"no"
"well" she gave him a sustain look which made him smile as she drink her milk shake.
"Nick why don't you go and get some thing to eat and drink"
"Ok dad" then he turn around and walk away from them.
Pete turn Nikki to see her still drinking "Better" she move the drink away and then cover her mouth when she burp
"sorry and yes" Pete kiss the side of her head
"you must of needed it"
"I do" then she turn her head and pick up a sandwich and started eating it.
"It good to see you eating" Pete said
"what about you Pete, I know you haven't eaten much in the past few days"
"Your right" He pick up his drink and took a mouth full the screw up his face which made Nikki laugh
"It cold, I'll go and get a fresh one" then he stood up and walk over to where the drinks are.
"Lieutenant if there are any items that needed to be move from your mother in laws place to Cairns let me know, the Navy will take care of the transport"
"thank you sir. I'll let Pete know. The reading of the will is in two days time. We will know then on who getting what between Pete and his sisters"
"Ok I under stand"
"Pete and I have received messages from the crew. They even offer the help if we need any"
"that good of them, although it hard if they are out at sea" Nikki smile
"True, Kate... XO been filling me on on what been happening with the crew, she told me about the SAS and that the captain is in trouble with her"
"mike in trouble with his XO" Steve raise his eye brows
"Yep, from what XO told me he yell at the captain of the SAS cause the crew notice how he been asking crew question about the X. Captain found out about it from rumors, so he ask the captain about it. XO didn't know what the captain of the SAS said to Mike when he yell at the captain. XO had to step in before matters got worse"
"I'll have a talk to mike about this. He has no right in yelling at the captain of the SAS like that"
"I think he dose sir, he told the captain that the XO is his wife. That is why he got into trouble with the XO, cause he broke one of there rules. I don't know what punishment she got in mind for him when they return. But she did have words with him about what he done and isn't happy knowing that she right"
"sounds like she the captain and he the XO" Nikki laugh
"that is what it was like some days, but she has keep him in line especially when it came to deal with the feds"
"that true but they do work as a great team"
"the whole crew dose sir" They talk some more before Steve had to leave to fly back to Cairns.
When he left Pete walk over to her with his drink "you must have been hungry" he said smiling
"Why did you say that" she she look at the two plates then back up to Pete
"sorry"
"I notice you were eating from the plate I brought over for my self so" he sat down and put a plate full of food on it in the seat between them. Nikki laugh
"thanks" she said smiling.
Then she drink more of her milk shake when some of the people walk over to talk to them for a few minutes before walking away.
Hour later Pete, Nikki and Victor talk to a lot of people while having some thing to eat and drink. When every one left the staff pack up the remaining food into boxes then pass them to Nichole and Andrew before they took Nick back home with them. When they were out side they pass victor the boxes before they left.
He got into the back seat of the rented car and waited for Nikki and Pete to show up. When he saw them walking out side Pete was holding Nikki hand. When they reach the car.
Pete open the door for her so she could get in then close it before walking around to the drivers side and got in. then Pete drove them back to Vicky place.
When they arrived there, they all walk in side. Victor put the boxes on the bench before he went and got change, while Nikki and Pete went and got change them selves. Then they walk into the kitchen where they sat down around the table.
"What are you two going to do" victor asked
"don't know uncle. Till the reading of the will, things stay as they are" Pete said
"that understand able. Have you spoken to Karen or Lisa"
"not since I call them to give them the bad news and sent them a text to let them know when the funeral is" Nikki said
"Those two should be a shame of them selves" Victor said
"We know" Pete said
"I'm glad that they didn't come, sorry Pete" he turn to her and put his hand into hers
"Why they are my sisters"
"i know that but remember what happen on our wedding day, look at what they were wearing. Do you want them to show up at your mum funeral looking like hookers"
"no I guest your right"
They spent the afternoon talking about different things, including victor sharing some stories about what he and Vicky use to get up to when they were younger causing Pete and Nikki to laugh
"Now we know where Nick get that from" Nikki said
"I though he got if from your side of the family" Pete said looking at Nikki, she slap his arm while Victor laugh
"now we know he gets it from your side" Nikki said to him
"Now we know"
"Pete have you check the answering machine at all" Nikki asked as she just remember it
"no" he stood up and walk over to it.
He press button and turn the volume up do Nikki and victor could hear the messages. There was number of them that knows Vicky, they send there apologies to Pete, Nikki and Victor that the person couldn't make it to the funeral. There was number of them. Pete wrote down the ones that called do he could call them back.
Then there was one more left so they listen to it "hi mum it..." there was giggling and voices in the back round
"It's Lisa, I call to let you know that Karen and I are coming to Sydney this weekend we wounder if we can stay with you..." then she giggle again and the heard in the back round
"come on Lisa we waiting for you" a male voice was heard
"Ok, I'm coming, got the shots set up" she said
"Yes and we waiting to deal the cards"
"what are we playing this time"
"loser got to spin the bottle it would land on wither shots or clothes" the guy said
"what strip poker sure, give me a sec" then they heard noises
"You got my number mum, give Karen or me a call ok, bye" then the beep.
Nikki could see that Pete was getting angry so she stood up and walk over to him "Pete" he turn to her
"Unbelievable, they didn't get any of your messages Nikki"
"I know and I know where you can get rid of most of that angry" He turn to her
"no Nikki, not you" Nikki smile and cup his face
"running, remember when you said to me you take your anger out on running before we meet up again"
"that true and your right" He kiss her
"I'll go and get change" then he turn around and walk out of the room.
Nikki turn to victor who raise his eye brows at her "you don't want to know"
then she turn to the answering machine where she play it again for the time then she stop it and turn to victor and walk over to him and sat down
"Nikki what is it"
"Lisa called her at eleven forty this morning"
"what are you going to do"
"Talk to Pete about it after he had his run"
"good idea, he gets his temper from his father"
"I know and love and compassion from Vicky"
They talk while Nikki munch on some of the food from one of the boxes while Pete went for a long run. When he return Nikki could see how sweaty he look when he walk over to her and kiss her
"yuck, Pete" Nikki said screwing up her face
"what" he said while his uncle laugh at them
"you all sweaty, go and have a shower"
"Yes ma'am"
he saluted her while smiling before turning around to walk out of the kitchen so she slap his back side which cause him to turn around and give her a look she knew all to well
"Pete, shower"
"ok, but your in trouble later" He turn around and walk out of the kitchen.
"it seams that the run help"
"It has" Nikki walk over to the fridge and got bottle of water out
"I'll give Pete this he going to need it"
then she walk out of the kitchen and down to the bathroom where she heard the shower running so she waited till she knows he in the shower before opening the door and walking in closing it behind her then she step forward and she took the lid off the bottle and put it on the bench next to the sink then she step forward and quietly open the door since Pete got his head under the shower head.
Victor was walking into the toilet which was next to the bathroom when he heard Pete scream and Nikki laughing "Nikki that was blood freezing"
"Well you need cooling off, Pete, what are you doing" then Nikki squeal while Pete laugh.
Victor went to use the loos. When he finish and was walking out he could still hear Pete laughing when he heard
"now I'm all wet I hope your happy now Pete"
"Oh yes, you would win the wet tee shirt contest"
"Very funny now I'll have to get change out of these wet clothes"
"Here let me help you"
"Oh I know your help alright" Victor walk away smiling
"Well Vicky it looks like they going to be just fine" he walk into the kitchen to make him self a drink.
When Pete and Nikki walk into the kitchen Pete finish drinking the last of the cold water.
"Nikki where was the clothes you were wearing an hour ago" Victor ask with a strait face"
"that got wet" she said giving Pete a look
"Well you did pour some of that cold water on me"
"Well you needed cooling off"
"Really, I thought you wanted to join me in the shower" He said grinning
"not fully clothed"
"Well I did help you out of those wet clothes"
"I know you did" she said smiling as she sat down.
"You two are like an old marry couple"they look at victor who was smiling at them both
"Really uncle" Pete said
"Yes" They talk for an hour then Nikki went and cook some thing up for dinner for the three of them.