See first chapter for information!
As she took her first few steps she felt very unsteady on her feet. She grabbed tightly to her escort's arm and took a deep breath. She looked around the small church at the people in attendance. There were just a few people from the community; loyal patients and those who had been long time friends of the Pierces. They hadn't invited too many people, partly out of want for an intimate ceremony, partly out of the knowledge that their situation could be labeled as sinful by a tightly knit community. No one had approached the couple with their concerns, but Margaret couldn't help but notice the stares and whispers that sometimes occurred when they went out.
Trying to push those thoughts out of her mind, she looked forward and met the eyes of her husband-to-be. He was grinning like an idiot, and she realized her own smile mirrored his. After what seemed like an eternity, they had reached the altar, and the music softened to a stop.
"Who gives this woman's hand to this man in marriage?" Father Mulcahy shouted. BJ turned to him and motioned his volume down with his hands.
Sherman cleared his throat. "I do." He turned to the bride and kissed her cheek, then took Hawkeye's hand. "I'm so happy for you, take good care of them."
"I will, Sir." Hawkeye shook his hand and then watched as the older man turned to take a seat next to his wife, wiping away a lone tear. He then held out his arm for Margaret to take and lead her up the two steps to stand in front the Priest. Margaret handed her small bouquet to Peg, and then took both of Hawkeye's hands in her own.
The Priest started again, at a much lower volume. "We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite Benjamin and Margaret in marriage. Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace."
After a short pause he smiled, and continued. "Benjamin and Margaret, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family or by our friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life - and is the shared goal of a married life.
"Benjamin, do you take Margaret to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?"
Hawkeye smiled at Margaret. "I do."
"Margaret, do you take Benjamin to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?"
She grinned through her tears. "I do."
"Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace, signifying to all the uniting of this man and this woman in marriage. Can we have the rings, please?" BJ reached into his pocket and produce a small box pulling the rings from inside and handing them to Father Mulcahy. "As you place the ring on the other's finger, please repeat these words; 'With this ring, I thee wed.'" He handed Margaret's ring to Hawkeye.
Struggling against his shaking hands he slid the ring on her finger. "With this ring, I thee wed."
Margaret received Hawkeye's ring and slid it on his finger. "With this ring, I thee wed."
"Benjamin and Margaret, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the giving of these rings and the joining of your hands, I now declare you to be husband and wife. Congratulations, you may kiss your bride."
The room erupted into cheers as Hawkeye leaned his bride back and kissed her, much as he had done in Korea. When they came up, Margaret took her flowers from Peg and dabbed viciously at her tears with a tissue, trying to keep her make-up from running.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Pierce." Hawkeye held out his arm to his wife, and escorted her back down the aisle as the recessional played.
When the limo carrying the newlyweds pulled up in front of the community center turned reception hall all of the guests lined up on either side of the sidewalk. He got out first, and then offered his hand to his bride. Everyone cheered as they walked towards the building while tossing handfuls of rice at the couple. After everyone made it inside, offered congratulations, and helped Margaret pick most of the rice from her hair they all sat at the tables adorned with white tablecloths and small flower centerpieces.
Once everyone who wanted had a glass of champagne, BJ stood up to make a toast. "Excuse me, if I could have a moment of your time, I'd like to say a few words." Hawkeye groaned, but smiled at BJ. "First of all, I want to thank-you all for coming and celebrating with our newlyweds. I've known Hawkeye and Margaret for a long time now, and I have to tell you that if you would have told me when I first arrived in Korea that we'd be sitting here at their wedding, I probably would have laughed at you.
"But honestly, now that we're here, I couldn't be happier. Hawkeye and Margaret are great people. As a doctor and nurse, respectively, they have dedicated their lives to helping people. They even set it up so they could help people on their honeymoon. I guess that's what they're doing, Margaret packed her nurse uniform, and I don't know what else they would need it for." Margaret blushed, and Hawkeye punched him in the thigh from his seated position.
"But seriously, if there are two people in the world that deserve happiness more than these two, I want to meet them, because they would be too good to be true. These two have been through so much together already, it's only fitting that they stick it out with each other. So here's to Hawkeye and Margaret, may you always remember that you married not because you can live with each other, but that you can't live without each other." Everyone held up their glasses in a toast, and enjoyed their champagne.
"Thanks Beej," Hawkeye said as he stood up and hugged his friend. "I also want to thank-you all for coming, and invite you to enjoy in our feast; buffet style." Everyone laughed and then made their way to eat.
After about a half hour someone called for dancing. In keeping with the tradition, the bride and groom took the first dance. The song they picked came over the speakers and Hawkeye led Margaret to the center of the dance floor, and held her close as they rocked back and forth.
Hold me in your arms, dear, dream with me
Cradled by your kisses tenderly
While a choir of angels from above
Sing our melody of love
Heart to heart forever, lips entwined
I am yours and you are mine, all mine
Heaven wrote the music up above
For our melody of love
Everyone clapped as the song finished and then entered the dance floor for a lindy. Hawkeye and Margaret kept dancing, although it didn't turn out very graceful. The song after was a bit slower, and Sherman cut in to dance with Margaret. Daniel took Mildred out on the floor, so Hawkeye found one of his elderly patients and danced with her.
They danced out about 5 songs before turning their attention to the wedding cake made for them by a baker in Spruce Harbor. It was a beautiful three tier cake; white with little blue flowers that matched Margaret's dress. The newlyweds each cut a small piece of cake and Margaret fed a bite of hers to Hawkeye sweetly. He, however, shoved the whole piece into her mouth, smearing frosting all over her face.
"Pierce!"
He laughed and pulled her close. "Are we back to using last names? Alright, Pierce, let me lick that off."
She pushed his arms down. "Let me go!" she exclaimed laughing.
After the cake, Margaret tossed her bouquet. There weren't many single women in attendance, but they gathered anyways. She tossed the flowers over her head before turning around to see who caught them. In the middle of the group was a very shocked Patti. Suddenly a blushing Radar was surrounded by his friends, congratulatory words swirling around him.
The rest of the night was a terrific celebration, which in a way served as a homecoming for the Korean veterans. None of them could remember a more joyful time, or when Hawkeye and Margaret had looked happier.
A/N: I'm not thrilled about the way this came out, but I hope you enjoyed the wedding anyways. The song is "Melody of Love" by Frank Sinatra, which actually came out in 1954, the year this wedding happened. I thought that was interesting. Thanks for reading, let me know what you think!