Chapter 4: Remember the Maine

On her trip to Crabapple Cove, Maine, Margaret was greeted with rain, and plenty of it. She used her suitcase as a cover when she walked into the practically only hotel in town semi jogging in the process.

Hawkeye's been there already, unaware of Margaret coming, of course. He went back to the Victorian house which he grew up in and lived with his father after the war. His father refused to move out of it, since it possessed the memories of his late wife, the both of them built the house with the little they had.

"May I help you?" The clerk asked as she entered.

"One room please," she said in a hurried voice as she looked herself over looking soaked and drenched. She was disgusted at the sight, her shoes officially ruined and the outfit officially soaked from all of this.

The clerk handed her the key to the room and announced her room being 214 right down the hall. She grabbed her suitcase and slowly walked down to her room, getting in there quickly. Margaret threw her suitcase on the bed flipped off her shoes and took off her wet clothes leaving her in her undergarments.

At the moment, she didn't care knowing that this journey had a purpose behind it. Plus the window blinds were closed so there were no worries. Her hair was matted on her shoulders as she just stood there bracing herself to take bath or shower. It was a hard decision. A bubble bath sounded tempting at the moment so decided to do that.

She made way through the small hotel room to the only other opening door which was the bathroom. She knelt down and started the warm water, finding and surprised that there actually was bubble solution at the hotel. She took advantage and put the perfect amount in.

Margaret's undergarments were stuck to her from the rain making it frustrating for her to try and take them off, but she managed, and stepped into the perfect temperature bath. Her whole body went limb and she enjoyed every minute not wanting to get out. She closed her tired eyes letting everything soak. A grin painted itself across her face as she sat listening to the silence.

When the time finally did come to get out of the bath, she slipped her nightgown on and went straight to sleep. It was already late and sleep is what the ex Major needed for tomorrow her mission consisted of finding Benjamin Franklin Pierce. She wasn't scared or worried, she just dreamed.

At approximately eight o'clock that morning Margaret woke from slumber feeling much better and ready to go. She washed and dressed and started out to the beautiful town of Crabapple Cove. The sun was out today, but that didn't help the roads much; they were flooded with puddles. Thankfully, the guest was wearing pants and combat boots and didn't bother her.

By memory she was remembering that Hawkeye has once said he lived in a Victorian House, so the obviously way was to find a Victorian House. She asked around getting directions and started on it. She walked, since many did say that she could walk to it in about ten minutes. She didn't mind the walk she was taking her first breaths in the state of Maine and noticing that there were a lot of people for lobster and fishing. Didn't surprise her; Crabapple Cove was right near the Atlantic Ocean and many streams, of course they would fish.

She finally stumbled onto the only Victorian house in the town: white with black shutter and a picket fence, knowing perfectly well that this was the Pierce home… but the mailbox also said: Daniel &Elizabeth Pierce. That was the dead giveaway. Obviously, his father never changed their mailbox once his wife died. Didn't matter.

Their walkway was made of cobblestone and looked very old fashioned and she loved the way it sounded against her shoes. The door was a big brown door with a traditional bell. Margaret took a deep breath, and rang the doorbell. "Dear God have mercy," silently she prayed.

The door was opened and in front of her stood who she thought would be there. His face was priceless.

"Remember when you told me about that invitation?"

The man nodded.

"I'm about to take you up on that." She replied, with a beautiful smile.

"Don't stand out in the cold then," Hawkeye said. He stepped aside with the door open, "Come on in."

And that, she did.

"That's the basis of it," Margaret says. "I stayed there for awhile, actually, but I'll tell you another time."

Charles nods. "A very moving story, Margaret."

She smiles, thankful someone listens. Her attention goes back to the window as Charles figures out what to say.

"Did you two ever marry?"

"Oh heavens no! We tried planning one, but no such luck." Margaret says laughing at the memory. "How I wish though." She says daydreaming.

"I know." Charles consuls. "Well, I better be going, I promised my grandchildren Elizabeth and Honoria that we'd spend the day together. " Margaret looks upset and sad for the moment. He smiles. "Don't you worry, I will be back. I promise." He gets up and heads for the door but before doing so, he kisses Margaret on the cheek. "I promise." With that he leaves.

"Bye," she whispers once again being alone. She notices the piano and she carefully walks over to it and starts to play a tearful lullaby from her youth. This she keep time going fast.