A week and a half later, everyone had gathered at Hawkeye's place for the big wedding. As Margaret prepared herself, she couldn't help but laugh. Not that a wedding was particularly funny, more like funnily ironic. Who would have ever guessed that she'd be marrying Frank Burns of all people? Not her, that was for sure.

But the more she thought about it, the more it made sense to her. Oh, sure, no one from the 4077 had understood their relationship in Korea, but Margaret had always seen a side to Frank that no one else possibly could have. He'd always been misunderstood, even by his own family. But there was a sweetness to him that she'd never really found in another man. And as the days had progressed leading up to this big day, she'd found that they'd come to a new appreciation and understanding of each other that couldn't be explained. And she was so grateful to have found him, more than ever, no matter how rocky their relationship had once become.

She fidgeted with her hair, trying to make sure it was picture perfect. She knew Frank, for some reason, had thought she was perfect anyways, but she felt she owed it to him to put on her best face. (Or hairstyle, in this case). He'd never gotten anything that he'd really wanted from life. His kids hated him. The promotion he'd gotten a long time ago had quickly been reversed. He'd never really talked about that time in his life, only that once again, Frank Burns had his dreams crushed from under him.

But today all of the events of their checkered collective pasts no longer mattered. They were marrying, and for better or for worse, she'd be Mrs. Frank Burns. She began to smile; that smile turned to a fit of the giggles, then for some unknown reason, those giggles led to tears. Hawkeye, on cue, came in to check on her.

"Hey hey hey...don't tell me you're getting cold feet," he smiled.

"No. Yes. I don't...I don't know," she threw the hairbrush down in frustration. "I don't know why I'm feeling the way I do. You must think I'm nuts," Margaret sighed, wiping the tears away from her face.

"I don't think you're nuts...well, no moreso than I always thought there was something a bit funny about you," Hawkeye cracked.

"You think I'm nuts for marrying him, don't you?" It was a statement more than a question.

He sighed. "Listen, kiddo. I was the biggest playboy in camp. There wasn't a nurse in camp who I hadn't had or wanted to have my way with. Then...something funny happened. I fell in love. And it wasn't with any woman in Korea, or America, or in the world for that matter. I fell in love with my best friend. If that's not nuts, I don't know what is."

"I don't think you're nuts, Hawkeye. I think it's wonderful that you and BJ found each other. I don't pretend to understand everything, but all I know is that love's love. Sometimes you can't help who you fall in love with."

Hawkeye smiled. "And I share that sentiment for you. If Ferret...If Frank is who your heart wants, then I wish nothing but the best for you."

She grinned. "Hawkeye..."

"Margaret...I never told you this, but I..."

"You don't have to say it. I feel the same way about you, buster." With that, Margaret embraced Hawkeye.

Father Mulcahy knocked on the door, then they welcomed him in. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but Frank is getting a bit, how shall I say it? Anxious? And Klinger's out there taking bets on whether or not Margaret gets cold feet."

Hawkeye and Margaret both laughed. "That Klinger. Some people just won't change, thank God," Hawkeye commented.

Just then Radar knocked. "There's a lady and a baby here. They say they're here for Major Burns."

"I think you can call him Frank, Radar," Margaret grinned. "A lady and a baby?" she turned to Hawkeye. "Who could have ever found him here? Who are these people?"

"Come on, Margaret. This is a moment I have a feeling you won't be sorry you witnessed."

With that, Hawkeye, followed by Margaret and Radar, went off to find Frank.

0000

"Daddy?"

Frank looked hesitantly at the stranger. "Louise? How'd you get so young?"

The lady laughed. "No, Daddy. It's me. Colleen. Your daughter."

Frank's eyes widened and he looked around. "How did you find me here?"

"Your friend Hawkeye found me. He told me you were getting married. So I brought your granddaughter, Marian, here to meet her grandpa. Would you like to hold your grandchild?"

Frank, more confused than ever, looked at Hawkeye. "Why would you do this for me? I thought you hated me."

"I don't hate you, Frank. You came for me in my time of need. One good turn deserves another, right, Margaret?"

She smiled at Hawkeye then nudged Frank. "Don't you want to hold your granddaughter?"

"I was...I'm not good with babies. Of course, your mom probably told you all about that."

"Daddy...I...didn't understand. I was a kid. So was Mary. But we're older now. We've both fallen in love. We know things we didn't know when we were kids. Mom, she got married ten years ago. I finally figured out that if she had the right to be happy...when your friend called me, I admit I was confused. But it's Margaret. All our lives we heard how much Mom hated her. But if you've loved her all this time...well...I think that's romantic," Colleen said, smiling and presenting Frank with baby Marian.

He was obviously quite uncomfortable at first, but as he gazed into the face of his grandchild, Frank was full of questions, of emotions, of things he'd always wanted to say to his daughter.

Even Charles had to turn around. He'd always heard nothing but terrible things about Frank, but in Korea Charles had developed an affection for Margaret. This man apparently made her quite happy, and even he could appreciate the sentiment of the moment.

Margaret leaned over and kissed Frank's cheek, and while he took in the sight of the baby, Margaret held out her hand to Colleen. "I believe an introduction is in order. My name is Margaret Houlihan, your father's fiancee. And it is an honor to meet you...finally."

They all laughed, then Father Mulcahy spoke up. "I don't want to break up this very happy occasion. But there is a wedding to be performed. Are we all ready to begin?"

A tearful Frank looked at Margaret and didn't hesitate in responding. "I've never been more ready for anything in my life."

tbc