Suddenly, Margaret's heart began to beat normally again
Suddenly, Margaret's heart began to beat normally again. Ray and Hawkeye were more than a little relieved. They knew the complications that arose from that operation and so did Margaret, but there was no choice. Now that Margaret was back, Hawkeye began to relax a bit.
"Ray, we better close asap."
"You're telling me Hawk. That was way too close for my liking."
"I know. I felt like I was going to lose her."
"But you didn't. She's ok now. Look, let's close."
A couple of hours later …
Margaret woke up in a room she didn't recognise. Everything was white and smelt like disinfectant. She was in hospital. Suddenly, it all came back to her.
"Hawkeye? Hawkeye? Are you here?"
Hawkeye appeared from out of nowhere to sit by her side.
"I'm here Margaret. How are you feeling?"
"A little groggy. Guess the anaesthesia's wearing off."
"Yeah, it is. We had a bit of a close call in the OR."
"You mean …?"
"Yeah, you weren't with us for a few minutes. I was so scared."
"I'm here now Hawk. I'm not going anywhere."
Hawkeye smiled and gave Margaret's hand a gentle squeeze.
"I know that now."
"So, am I gonna be ok Hawk?"
"You'll be fine. We'll still be able to get married in three weeks and we can still organise everything."
"How? I'm gonna be in bed for at least a week. The church, the priest and all that have to be booked now."
"Margaret, this is Crabapple Cove. The Catholic Church is not all that popular, so if I book it tomorrow it should be available."
"I guess… But how about your baptism?"
"What about it?"
"When are you going to get baptised?"
"Do I have to?"
"You're lucky I'm not Jewish because that would REALLY hurt you!"
"Ok, ok. I give in. I'm grateful that I'm not marrying a woman who would have me circumcised. I'm marrying one who simply wants me to have water put on my head."
"So, when's that big day?"
"How about as soon as you can get out of bed. I want you to be there."
"Ok, next week then."
"Margaret, please get some sleep. It was a long and complicated operation. Your body must be tired."
"I'm not (yawns) tired at all!"
"Oh yeah, I can totally see that."
A few seconds later, Margaret was fast asleep. With that, Hawkeye decided that he had a very important phone call to make.
30 minutes later at the Pierce home …
"Hello, could I please speak with Father Francis Mulcahy? … Thank you."
Hawkeye knew that Margaret had invited the Father to the wedding but what she did not know was that he had called the good Father a few hours later and explained to him that he'd like him to perform the ceremony.
"Father Mulchay speaking."
"Hey Father, it's Hawkeye."
"Hi my son, how are you doing?"
"Better than a few hours ago."
'What happened?"
"Margaret had to have an operation and we lost her for a few minutes there. It was so scary. For once I didn't really know how to react."
"I'm sorry Hawkeye. Is she ok now?"
"She is. She's at the hospital sleeping. Father, can I ask you for a favour?"
"Of course. Anything."
"Can you come up to Maine at the end of next week?"
"Why so soon? Are you getting married earlier?"
"No, no. I just have something I need you to do for me."
"What is it?"
"I need you to baptise me."
"To baptise you? Are you both getting married Catholic? You did not tell me this. I was preparing a Methodist ceremony."
"It's a very long story, but Margaret's Catholic and I wish to be too."
"Because of Margaret?"
"Yes and because of my mother. Can you make it?"
"Of course I can. I just have to find Father McGarry to see if he can take over with the deaf children."
"Thank you so much. Of course you're welcome to stay with us until the wedding."
"Thanks Hawkeye. Well, I better go. The children wish to play and I just can't say no."
Hawkeye gave his warm laughs.
"Well Father, hop to it. Bye."
"Bye my son. I'll pray for Margaret."
As Hawkeye hung up, he really began to realise the enormity of what he was about to do. He was about to get baptised AND to get married under Catholic faith. This was huge. Not because of Catholicism, but because he was showing a greater commitment than he had ever shown before. A commitment to a faith and to Margaret. As he was thinking this, Dr Pierce senior walked into the house.
"Hawk? Hawk? Wake up!"
Hawkeye had been so involved in his little world that he had not even heard his Dad walk in.
"Hey Dad."
"Hey, where's Margaret?"
"Oh, she's in hospital. Serious case of gall stones."
"Is she ok?"
"She's fine. We almost lost her on the table, but we got her back after a few minutes. She's asleep now."
"I'm glad she's ok now."
"Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"Would you come to my baptism?"
"You're getting baptised?"
"End of next week. Margaret and I want to have a Catholic wedding. I think Mum would have been proud of that."
Daniel Pierce smiled.
"She would have been son. Of course I'll go."
A week later …
As Margaret sat at the front of the little Church, she was in awe at its beauty. The stained glass, the cross at the front, the candles for lighting out of respect for loved ones. It was beyond Margaret's dream. This was where her wedding was to be in 2 weeks time.
But now, she was waiting for her husband to begin his baptism. She was getting worried because there was no priest yet.
"Daniel, where do you suppose the priest is?"
"He's here, but getting ready. He'll be out soon."
Margaret seemed to calm down when she saw an all too familiar red head man coming out dressed in a priest's robe.
"Daniel, is that … ?"
Just as she said that, Father Mulcahy turned around and smiled at Margaret. She could not believe it. She was so happy to see him.
At that moment, Hawkeye came in and the ceremony began with an awe-struck Margaret watching from the pews.