Norma had taken Hawkeye all over Crabapple Cove until finally...
"This is it. This is the one."
"Ok. Let's go back to the office and begin the paperwork."
Later that evening, Hawkeye was finishing up dinner. Daniel had called and told him not to worry about picking up Margaret and that he'd bring her home. He just pulled the lasagna out of the oven when they walked through the door.
Margaret set her things down and called to him in the kitchen.
"It smells incredible in here. What are you cooking?"
She walked into the kitchen and before she could utter another word, Hawkeye's arms wrapped around her.
"Miss me?"
"Always."
She smiled and gave him a quick peck on the lips as Daniel walked in.
"Alright you two. Break it up. I'm starving!"
They ate their meal and Margaret began to clear the table when Hawkeye stopped her.
"why don't you go take a nice long bubble bath? Dad and I will take care of this."
"We will?"
Hawkeye shot his dad a look.
"I mean, yes. Of course we will. Enjoy your bath, dear."
"Ok. Are you sure? It's no trouble."
Hawkeye smiled at her before shooing her upstairs.
Daniel and Hawkeye began to clear the table and do the dishes.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Well, aren't you going to ask me how it went??"
"Am I to assume by that, that you've found something?"
"Yes! And it's beautiful, dad. I hope Margaret loves it because I bought it."
Daniel laughed at his son's enthusiasm.
"Well, when are you surprising her with it?"
"Saturday. The house is beautiful but the yard needs some work. I'm having flowers put in the flower boxes out front. Just a little landscaping before she sees it."
"I'm sure she'll love it!"
The two men finished the dishes and went and sat in the den. Margaret joined them after her relaxing bath and the three spent a lovely evening chatting about work and wedding details.
The next week went by fast for Margaret. Work and wedding plans had kept her plenty busy. Hawkeye, unfortunately, had a terribly slow week. Sure, he was busy with work and meeting with the landscapers. But is building anticipation and excitement over the surprise made him unusually antsy.
Saturday morning, Hawkeye made breakfast for everyone. When they'd finished, he told Margaret she needed to get ready.
"For what? I thought we would just have a lazy day together. I haven't seen much of you this week."
"Trust me, Margaret. It'll be worth it."
She sighed, not sure what her husband to be was planning. But over the years, she'd learn to pick her battles so she made her way upstairs to get ready for the day.
As the warm water fell on her, she began to wonder what they were doing and became increasingly excited and nervous. She hopped out of the shower and continued her normal routine.
About 30 minutes later, she came downstairs and Hawkeye escorted her out the door and into the car.
"So where exactly are we going?"
"If I tell you, that would ruin the surprise."
"At least tell me how far it is."
"Not far."
She rolled her eyes at him and stared out the window. She sort of zoned out, not thinking of anything in particular, when she was jolted from her thoughts.
"Margaret, we're here."
She looked at Hawkeye and then in front of her. It was a stunning two story red brick house with a beautiful Chestnut door. The front porch was spacious and the supporting columns where white. It was surrounded by trees and two beautiful flower boxes on each side with yellow and white lillies in them. She got out of the car and stood admiring it.
"W-where are we?"
"About 10 minutes outside of town. Would you like to see the inside?"
"Yes! Who's house is this?"
He led her into the house, without answering her question. When the door swung open, a beautiful forier was revealed. The stairs and banisters were made of the same wood as the front door. She took a few steps into the house and found the living room. There was ornaornate crown moulding and a stunning brick fireplace.
"Do you like it?"
"Hawkeye, this house...it's..it's stunning! But why did you bring me here?"
He reached into his shirt pocket and held up a key.
"It's ours."
Margaret could feel a familiar sting in her eyes and a tear rolled down her cheek.
"I did my very best to pick the one that I thought you'd love. But if I missed the mark, say something...say anything!"
"You picked the one I liked? But what about you? what about what you like?"
"Margaret, in case you haven't figured it out yeyet, I am completely, crazy in love with you. I don't give a damn what the house looks like. Home for me is Crabapple Cove. Home is also wherever you are and if I'm lucky enough to have both, then it's perfection."
Margaret was staring out the kitchen window that faced the backyard. Hawkeye walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Can't you see it? Kids playing in the backyard...maybe a dog. Growing old together here."
Margaret turned to face him.
"This is the most amazing gift I've ever gotten. I don't know what to say."
Instead, she grabbed him and kissed him. And that was all the response he needed.
