I don't own M*A*S*H. This is setting up a much bigger story, so I hope you keep with me as I keep going.
Charles knew that this day would come, but he hadn't expected it to happen while he was away in Korea.
He stared at the letter from his grandmother, reading it again for what felt like the 15th time. She had written that she had chosen a young lady for him to marry, a lady she felt would suit him best. She had made this decision based on a variety of different factors, the main one being that this lady could play the piano beautifully.
Grandmother had always understood his love for music. In fact, she was the one who started him down that path to begin with when he was very young. Honoria had learned the piano but, like him, did not possess the talent to pursue it as a profession. This young lady his grandmother had chosen had the talent it seemed, but did not want to pursue it as a career, instead choosing to remain in Boston as his wife. Choosing to marry him instead.
What kind of woman was this Elizabeth Jacobs anyway? What kind of woman would agree to marry a man she had never met?
He didn't know the Jacobs family. They weren't part of the upper crust society that he frequented in Boston, which meant that they must have come to Boston after he was stationed in Korea. This family was probably looking for a way to blend into their new social circle and marriage was the easiest way.
Charles took a deep breath before folding the letter back up and placing it back in the envelope. Regardless of the strangeness of the whole situation, he knew that Grandmother would never make a mistake when it came to choosing his wife.
He had known since he was very young that he would never have a marriage based in love. His parents had been arranged as his was and how Honoria's would be one day as well. There was respect and understanding, even a strong friendship, but no love. He would never say that his parents were madly in love with each other.
Still, it didn't help his feeling that there must be something wrong with this girl to marry a man sight unseen.
He picked up a pencil and started writing out his response to his grandmother. He would agree to this marriage. At worst he could end it after meeting the girl if he didn't find her to be up to his standards.
Once finished he addressed the letter and stood. He would drop this letter off to be mailed and then head to Post-OP. It was almost time for his shift anyways.
Three months past before Charles heard anything new regarding his engagement. He received a recording from his dear sister Honoria, congratulating him on the engagement and how lucky he was to have Elizabeth be his wife.
She had been excited for him, stating firmly that there was no way he could have found a better bride on his own. Elizabeth was perfect for him in every way and she couldn't be more excited for them both.
Charles again wondered about his bride-to-be. He had learned that she was around Honoria's age, making him a bit younger than him. She was an accomplished pianist and had actually played for a charity event in Boston last week She seemed to enjoy volunteering her time to several different charities.
It seemed that to all, his future wife was some kind of saint. She didn't seem to have any flaws that anyone was sharing with him, which again raised suspicions about her.
No one was that perfect, not even a Winchester.
So again, why? Why would she agree to marry him when she had never met him before? It made no sense to him at all.
After listening to Honoria finish talking about everything going on in Boston, Charles put the recording away and laid on his cot, staring at the ceiling.
Once the war was over he would have all his answers.
The was was over.
Charles was glad that it was, even if he would never be able to forget about his time here.
Befriending that group of Chinese musicians, who all had perished as a result of this stupid war, was the turning point in his life. Music no longer offered an escape, but a tragic reminder. It didn't matter the melody or the tune, it only lead to anger and pain.
He could feel his grandmother's letter in his breast pocket as they bounced out of the compound in the garbage truck. How was he supposed to return home to a wife who played music, probably constantly?
He wouldn't be able to bear it. It would never work.
When he returned, he would meet with Grandmother and dissolve the engagement. It was the best for all involved. Being with a woman who loved to play the piano would do nothing but bring him unending pain, pain she would likely never understand.
It would be best to end it all now and find another woman instead, one with a lack of musical talent.
Somehow, the thought of doing that made him sad.