"They seem to be getting on pretty well in there," Sidney said referring to Rita and the elder Pierces as he entering the kitchen, where Margaret was cleaning up.
"Your wife is a very nice woman. Great fun," Margaret complimented as she put away the last of the dishes.
"You're not too bad yourself," Sidney said sitting down. "The men in your life are doing well, by the way."
"Really?" Margaret said with relief as she too sat down.
"Yep. Preston's fine. As I told Hawkeye, he's adjusting very well. He's so young, I honestly don't think that stuff will leave too severe of an impact. Especially with the two of you raising him."
"I'm glad," Margaret replied smiling.
"And in regards to your question about what he should call you. If your fine with it - I'd advice you let him know he can call you Mom. It feels soon for us, as adults, but because he is so young waiting would only be more confusing."
"Okay," Margaret said becoming uncomfortable. "How is Ben?"
"He'll be okay."
"Be okay? What's wrong with him?"
"Nothing," Sidney assured.
"Please tell me," Margaret begged. "I - I have to know."
"Margaret you know I can't. Doctor-patient confidentiality."
"We're not paying you," Margaret reminded.
"In that case…" Sidney said smiling at Margaret's creativity. "He's scared he's populated the state of Maine."
"What?"
"If Preston is his, he doesn't know that he doesn't have other children out there that he doesn't know about," Sidney explained.
"Oh," Margaret said becoming nervous.
"Are you alright Margaret? You've put on quite a front tonight but I can't believe all this is as easy for you as you'd like me to think."
"I'm fine," Margaret said standing up. "There's nothing wrong with me."
"Now, come on Margaret are we going to play these games again?" Sidney asked. "You had no problem with my talking with Hawkeye."
"You know as well as I do why that is?"
"It's okay for Hawkeye to need help but not you?"
"I don't need help?"
"Come on, Margaret. A month ago you were Head Nurse and Major. Now you're a wife and mother."
"I was that in Korea too." Margaret said flippantly.
"You were a wife but not like you are now. You have to admit you and Hawkeye didn't have a conventional marriage in Korea."
"It's hard," Margaret admitted. "But not because I don't want it. I do. More than I thought. I just don't know if I can do it. I know how to be a nurse and Major and I'm damn good at both. I could do my job and have a good deal of control over both. I don't have control over this. Especially being a mother. I don't know how to."
"You seem to be doing a pretty good job. Preston is really very fond of you," Sidney assured.
"I'm not worry about Preston-"Margaret began and stopped suddenly.
"You're not?"
"I didn't mean that. I am but- but-"Margaret stammered.
"Are you pregnant?" Sidney asked shocked.
"You can't tell Hawkeye," Margaret said suddenly. "I don't even know. I mean….I don't know."
"Have you thought about finding out?"
"I was going to have a test but then everything….. I didn't have time."
"Margaret, I hate to break this to you but this is a time sensitive matter," Sidney reminded.
"I know. I know," Margaret said sitting down again. "I'm scared. I really scared."
"You should tell Hawkeye."
"I even more scared to do that," Margaret admitted. "With everything that's going on….I don't know if he can handle it. I mean….you were with him in Tokyo, you know how he was. I'm so scared its going to happen again."
"I can't make guarantees Margaret but I think he'll be okay. He's a nut but a tough one. He's not going to crack up that easily."
"It's just so soon. We just got back and now we have Preston. We're going to move to Boston and …" Margaret trailed.
"Life's full of little surprises."
"Yeah," Margaret said leaning back in her chair.
"We better get going back to the party or my wife will let me have it. Sneaking off alone with a beautiful blonde," Sidney said standing up.
"Yeah," Margaret said rolling her eyes.
"Hey, by the way, if its necessary - congratulations."
"Thanks," Margaret said with a weak smile as she followed him out of the kitchen.