The Newest Arrival
Author's note: The characters are property of 20th Century Fox.
Korea, February 28, 1953. It is a bitterly cold day. Hawkeye is trying to keep Margaret warm since she is 9 months pregnant. Hawkeye and Margaret have been married almost a year and Hawkeye moved into Margaret's tent after the honeymoon. They've been inseparable ever since Margaret was told be headquarters that she was allowed to stay at the 4077 to give birth and to go back to being the head nurse after the baby is born. She owes it all to her loving husband for his fight with headquarters to let her stay.
"Margaret, are you warm and comfy enough?" Hawkeye asked his wife as he was getting out of bed and getting dressed
"I'm fine, but I'm a little scared. I've never had a baby before, so I'm not sure what to expect", answered Margaret
"Don't worry, Margaret, just remember, I've been doing all your prenatal checkups and I will be delivering my own child", Hawkeye said as he was reassuring his wife
"That does make me feel better. You know, I'm glad that my mother send me her old maternity clothes to wear and that the nurses bought me some baby clothes for boys or girls and some bottles, cloth diapers, safety pins, and we even have a crib for the baby to sleep in. I feel like I'm prepared", replied Margaret
"Well, since you feel ready, how about coming over to the mess tent for some breakfast. Remember, you're eating for two", answered Hawkeye
"I have to get dressed first. Why don't you wait for me and we'll go together", said Margaret
"That sounds fine to me", answered Hawkeye
They hold hands and kiss as they walk toward the mess tent. They sit with B.J., Charles, Klinger, Colonel Potter, and Father Mulcahy after they got their food.
"Good morning Margaret and Hawkeye", said Colonel Potter
"How are you feeling, Major?" asked Klinger
"I'm fine and thank you for offering to make baby clothes for me. That's so sweet of you, Klinger", answered Margaret
"It's my pleasure, Major", replied Klinger
"Hawkeye, are you nervous about becoming a daddy?" asked B.J.
"Beej, that's why I have a friend like you. You have Erin, so you went through the process with Peg. You can counsel me and pick out what I'm doing wrong", answered Hawkeye
"You'll be fine Pierce, take my word for it!" exclaimed Charles
"Charles, you don't know what it's like because you don't have any children of your own. In other words, you're not speaking from experience", said B.J.
"Hunnicutt, I was just trying to be nice!" said Charles
"Thank you. Well, I better get over to Post-Op since I'm on duty. Now Margaret, if you have the slightest paint, if your water breaks, or if the pain is coming every five minutes, come and get me!" said Hawkeye as he finished his breakfast
"I will, Hawkeye", answered Margaret
"Oh, before you leave, Hawkeye, I wanted to know if you're still playing poker. Sidney, Rizzo, and Igor are going to play. The games begin at 7 p.m.", said Colonel Potter
"Count me in!" replied Hawkeye
Margaret leaves the mess tent with Hawkeye. She decides to stay off her feet today and goes to lie down in her tent. She feels the baby kicking and has a nap.
Later that evening in the Swamp, the poker game begins.
"Good evening, Sidney. I hope you've got lots of cash on you tonight!" said Colonel Potter
"Why's that, Colonel?" asked Sidney
"Because I feel lucky tonight!" answered Colonel Potter
"I've got a rabbit's foot on me!" exclaimed Rizzo
"Oh, yeah, well I happen to have a horseshoe on me!" exclaimed Igor
"I think you should both be quiet and start dealing!" order Colonel Potter
"Sir, I think we should have a betting pool on whether Hawkeye's baby's gender, weight, and the time and date of birth!" exclaimed Klinger
"Count me in Klinger", said Father Mulcahy
"I'll put some money on that", replied B.J.
"I can use that money to buy my son a present", said Rizzo
"Oh, yeah, well I can use that money to buy a present for the little woman", answered Igor
"How much, Klinger?" asked Colonel Potter
"Five dollars. Winner take all", answered Klinger
"Well, this makes the game more interesting. Count me in too!" exclaimed Charles
"Well, I might as well be in on the fun too", said Sidney
"Lets play!" said Klinger
Hawkeye finishes Post-Op duty as Nurse Able came to relieve him. He walks into the Swamp and questions everyone's behavior. "What's going on?" asked Hawkeye
"Klinger decided to have a bet on your baby. You know, the gender, the weight, and time and date of arrival. By the way, Hawkeye, congratulations on the arrival", replied Sidney
"Thanks Sidney. I told Margaret that if she needed me to come and get me here", answered Hawkeye
Back at Hawkeye and Margaret's tent, Margaret had been lying down, but not sleeping ever since Hawkeye went on Post-Op duty. The baby has being kicking her all day. Suddenly, she felt her water break and the baby kicking again.
"Ooh, I must go and get Hawkeye. I think I'm having the baby. Maybe that's why the baby was kicking me all day. I'm in labor!" Margaret said to herself as she put her winter coat and boots on to go get her husband
She walks over to the Swamp because that's where Hawkeye told her he would be.
"Hawkeye! I think I'm in labor. My water just broke a few minutes ago, I've been having pain all day, my contractions are roughly five minutes apart and I think I'm having another contraction. Ooh, ooh, ooh, it hurts!" exclaimed Margaret
"Sorry gang, but I've got a baby to deliver!" replied Hawkeye
"Good luck, Hawkeye and keep us posted", said Colonel Potter as Hawkeye and Margaret were leaving the Swamp to head over to the O.R.
Hawkeye and Margaret walk over to the O.R. Margaret lies down on the table in her nightgown and a blanket draped over her as Hawkeye scrubs his hands. Nurse Baker is assisting in the delivery. Hawkeye is dressed in his usual white surgical hat, gown, and mask.
"Ooh, Hawkeye, are you almost done scrubbing up? Please hurry! I don't think the baby can wait!" exclaimed Margaret has she was having another contraction
"I'm coming, Margaret! I'm just getting my gloves on!" Hawkeye said as he was entering the O.R. with his gloves on and Nurse Baker followed him in after she scrubbed up
"Hawkeye, I must be fully dilated because I feel like I need to push", answered Margaret
Hawkeye does a vaginal exam just to be sure.
"Okay, Margaret, spread your legs apart, breathe and push on the next contraction because your cervix is fully dilated!" said Hawkeye
"Ooh, ooh. Do you see a head?" asked Margaret as she was pushing
"Yes, the head is out. Push again. Yeah, now the baby is out. Margaret, it's a girl and she looks just like you! I can't believe I just delivered our first child. It's a miracle!" exclaimed Hawkeye as he was cleaning the fluids out of his new daughter's mouth
"Wah, Wah", cries the baby as Hawkeye cuts the umbilical cord and hands the baby over to Nurse Baker to get weighed and cleaned off
"She's beautiful. Oh, Hawkeye, I feel like I need to push again!" exclaimed Margaret
Hawkeye does another vaginal exam and saw another baby's head
"Margaret, there's another baby coming out! It must have been hiding while I was doing the prenatal checkups. Push, darling. The head is out! One more push and the baby is out! Margaret, it's a boy and he looks just like me! The placenta is out, so there is no more babies inside you!" exclaimed Hawkeye as he cleared fluids out of his newborn son's mouth
"Wah, wah", cried the second baby as Hawkeye cut the umbilical cord and handed the baby over to Nurse Baker to be weighed and to be cleaned off. Hawkeye cleans the blood and fluids from the babies off of Margaret's vaginal area. Nurse Baker hands the twins back to Margaret after they were cleaned off.
"Oh, Hawkeye, we have not one, but two beautiful children. I'm naming them Benjamin Franklin and Margaret Jean Jr., but we'll call them Ben and Maggie for short", said Margaret as she held her new twins in her arms as she was being carried to Post-Op.
"I think those names are perfect. I'll try to get through to my father and your parents to tell them the good news!" said Hawkeye as he was leaving the O.R. to tell his friends at the Swamp about the newest arrival.
Hawkeye walks into the Swamp. "Gentlemen, walk with me to Post-Op. I want you to meet Maggie and Ben Pierce, my children, and both babies are healthy", Hawkeye said to the poker crowd who were waiting for the word.
"Hey, Hawkeye, congratulations!" echoed the poker gang
"How's Margaret?" asked Father Mulcahy
"She's fine and she wants to see everyone!" answered Hawkeye
The poker gang followed Hawkeye to Post-Op where they comment on how tiny the twins are and how much they resemble their parents.
"Father Mulcahy, will you baptize our children in a month or so? It's just that I need my rest and need to get used to the twins", asked Margaret
"It will be my pleasure, Margaret and Hawkeye", replied Father Mulcahy
"Thanks, Father", said Hawkeye
"Now, no one is left out. All the men and women of the 4077 are honorary uncles and aunts of the twins. We'll need these people to look after the twins when Hawkeye and I are in surgery", said Margaret
"Agreed", said all the men in unison
"Oh, by the way, what time were the twins born and how much did they weigh?" asked Sidney
"Well, Maggie weighed 5 lbs 2 oz and was born at 7:30 p.m. and Ben weighed 5 lbs 5 oz and was born at 7:35 p.m. Why do you ask, Sidney?" said Hawkeye
"Don't you remember, we had a baby pool during the poker game. Now, lets find out who won. Klinger, hand me that clipboard", said Charles
"And the winner is", said B.J.
"Colonel Potter. He was the only one who guessed that Margaret was having twins", said Charles
"Yippee, I won, I won! Well, I think I'll use the money to buy my honorary grandchildren a present", replied Colonel Potter
"That's very thoughtful of you, Colonel. You are a good Christian" said Father Mulcahy
"Thanks, Padre!" replied Colonel Potter
"Thank you for the gesture. Our twins will appreciate whatever you give them. Incidently, how did you know I was having twins?" asked Margaret
"I could tell by the way you were carrying the babies and you had gained more weight than a woman with just one baby in her womb", replied Colonel Potter
The twins were passed around Post-Op and all the wounded there got a chance to hold one of the twins. The 4077 staff also got to hold the twins. All is well in Korea.
The End
Author's note: The characters are property of 20th Century Fox.
Korea, February 28, 1953. It is a bitterly cold day. Hawkeye is trying to keep Margaret warm since she is 9 months pregnant. Hawkeye and Margaret have been married almost a year and Hawkeye moved into Margaret's tent after the honeymoon. They've been inseparable ever since Margaret was told be headquarters that she was allowed to stay at the 4077 to give birth and to go back to being the head nurse after the baby is born. She owes it all to her loving husband for his fight with headquarters to let her stay.
"Margaret, are you warm and comfy enough?" Hawkeye asked his wife as he was getting out of bed and getting dressed
"I'm fine, but I'm a little scared. I've never had a baby before, so I'm not sure what to expect", answered Margaret
"Don't worry, Margaret, just remember, I've been doing all your prenatal checkups and I will be delivering my own child", Hawkeye said as he was reassuring his wife
"That does make me feel better. You know, I'm glad that my mother send me her old maternity clothes to wear and that the nurses bought me some baby clothes for boys or girls and some bottles, cloth diapers, safety pins, and we even have a crib for the baby to sleep in. I feel like I'm prepared", replied Margaret
"Well, since you feel ready, how about coming over to the mess tent for some breakfast. Remember, you're eating for two", answered Hawkeye
"I have to get dressed first. Why don't you wait for me and we'll go together", said Margaret
"That sounds fine to me", answered Hawkeye
They hold hands and kiss as they walk toward the mess tent. They sit with B.J., Charles, Klinger, Colonel Potter, and Father Mulcahy after they got their food.
"Good morning Margaret and Hawkeye", said Colonel Potter
"How are you feeling, Major?" asked Klinger
"I'm fine and thank you for offering to make baby clothes for me. That's so sweet of you, Klinger", answered Margaret
"It's my pleasure, Major", replied Klinger
"Hawkeye, are you nervous about becoming a daddy?" asked B.J.
"Beej, that's why I have a friend like you. You have Erin, so you went through the process with Peg. You can counsel me and pick out what I'm doing wrong", answered Hawkeye
"You'll be fine Pierce, take my word for it!" exclaimed Charles
"Charles, you don't know what it's like because you don't have any children of your own. In other words, you're not speaking from experience", said B.J.
"Hunnicutt, I was just trying to be nice!" said Charles
"Thank you. Well, I better get over to Post-Op since I'm on duty. Now Margaret, if you have the slightest paint, if your water breaks, or if the pain is coming every five minutes, come and get me!" said Hawkeye as he finished his breakfast
"I will, Hawkeye", answered Margaret
"Oh, before you leave, Hawkeye, I wanted to know if you're still playing poker. Sidney, Rizzo, and Igor are going to play. The games begin at 7 p.m.", said Colonel Potter
"Count me in!" replied Hawkeye
Margaret leaves the mess tent with Hawkeye. She decides to stay off her feet today and goes to lie down in her tent. She feels the baby kicking and has a nap.
Later that evening in the Swamp, the poker game begins.
"Good evening, Sidney. I hope you've got lots of cash on you tonight!" said Colonel Potter
"Why's that, Colonel?" asked Sidney
"Because I feel lucky tonight!" answered Colonel Potter
"I've got a rabbit's foot on me!" exclaimed Rizzo
"Oh, yeah, well I happen to have a horseshoe on me!" exclaimed Igor
"I think you should both be quiet and start dealing!" order Colonel Potter
"Sir, I think we should have a betting pool on whether Hawkeye's baby's gender, weight, and the time and date of birth!" exclaimed Klinger
"Count me in Klinger", said Father Mulcahy
"I'll put some money on that", replied B.J.
"I can use that money to buy my son a present", said Rizzo
"Oh, yeah, well I can use that money to buy a present for the little woman", answered Igor
"How much, Klinger?" asked Colonel Potter
"Five dollars. Winner take all", answered Klinger
"Well, this makes the game more interesting. Count me in too!" exclaimed Charles
"Well, I might as well be in on the fun too", said Sidney
"Lets play!" said Klinger
Hawkeye finishes Post-Op duty as Nurse Able came to relieve him. He walks into the Swamp and questions everyone's behavior. "What's going on?" asked Hawkeye
"Klinger decided to have a bet on your baby. You know, the gender, the weight, and time and date of arrival. By the way, Hawkeye, congratulations on the arrival", replied Sidney
"Thanks Sidney. I told Margaret that if she needed me to come and get me here", answered Hawkeye
Back at Hawkeye and Margaret's tent, Margaret had been lying down, but not sleeping ever since Hawkeye went on Post-Op duty. The baby has being kicking her all day. Suddenly, she felt her water break and the baby kicking again.
"Ooh, I must go and get Hawkeye. I think I'm having the baby. Maybe that's why the baby was kicking me all day. I'm in labor!" Margaret said to herself as she put her winter coat and boots on to go get her husband
She walks over to the Swamp because that's where Hawkeye told her he would be.
"Hawkeye! I think I'm in labor. My water just broke a few minutes ago, I've been having pain all day, my contractions are roughly five minutes apart and I think I'm having another contraction. Ooh, ooh, ooh, it hurts!" exclaimed Margaret
"Sorry gang, but I've got a baby to deliver!" replied Hawkeye
"Good luck, Hawkeye and keep us posted", said Colonel Potter as Hawkeye and Margaret were leaving the Swamp to head over to the O.R.
Hawkeye and Margaret walk over to the O.R. Margaret lies down on the table in her nightgown and a blanket draped over her as Hawkeye scrubs his hands. Nurse Baker is assisting in the delivery. Hawkeye is dressed in his usual white surgical hat, gown, and mask.
"Ooh, Hawkeye, are you almost done scrubbing up? Please hurry! I don't think the baby can wait!" exclaimed Margaret has she was having another contraction
"I'm coming, Margaret! I'm just getting my gloves on!" Hawkeye said as he was entering the O.R. with his gloves on and Nurse Baker followed him in after she scrubbed up
"Hawkeye, I must be fully dilated because I feel like I need to push", answered Margaret
Hawkeye does a vaginal exam just to be sure.
"Okay, Margaret, spread your legs apart, breathe and push on the next contraction because your cervix is fully dilated!" said Hawkeye
"Ooh, ooh. Do you see a head?" asked Margaret as she was pushing
"Yes, the head is out. Push again. Yeah, now the baby is out. Margaret, it's a girl and she looks just like you! I can't believe I just delivered our first child. It's a miracle!" exclaimed Hawkeye as he was cleaning the fluids out of his new daughter's mouth
"Wah, Wah", cries the baby as Hawkeye cuts the umbilical cord and hands the baby over to Nurse Baker to get weighed and cleaned off
"She's beautiful. Oh, Hawkeye, I feel like I need to push again!" exclaimed Margaret
Hawkeye does another vaginal exam and saw another baby's head
"Margaret, there's another baby coming out! It must have been hiding while I was doing the prenatal checkups. Push, darling. The head is out! One more push and the baby is out! Margaret, it's a boy and he looks just like me! The placenta is out, so there is no more babies inside you!" exclaimed Hawkeye as he cleared fluids out of his newborn son's mouth
"Wah, wah", cried the second baby as Hawkeye cut the umbilical cord and handed the baby over to Nurse Baker to be weighed and to be cleaned off. Hawkeye cleans the blood and fluids from the babies off of Margaret's vaginal area. Nurse Baker hands the twins back to Margaret after they were cleaned off.
"Oh, Hawkeye, we have not one, but two beautiful children. I'm naming them Benjamin Franklin and Margaret Jean Jr., but we'll call them Ben and Maggie for short", said Margaret as she held her new twins in her arms as she was being carried to Post-Op.
"I think those names are perfect. I'll try to get through to my father and your parents to tell them the good news!" said Hawkeye as he was leaving the O.R. to tell his friends at the Swamp about the newest arrival.
Hawkeye walks into the Swamp. "Gentlemen, walk with me to Post-Op. I want you to meet Maggie and Ben Pierce, my children, and both babies are healthy", Hawkeye said to the poker crowd who were waiting for the word.
"Hey, Hawkeye, congratulations!" echoed the poker gang
"How's Margaret?" asked Father Mulcahy
"She's fine and she wants to see everyone!" answered Hawkeye
The poker gang followed Hawkeye to Post-Op where they comment on how tiny the twins are and how much they resemble their parents.
"Father Mulcahy, will you baptize our children in a month or so? It's just that I need my rest and need to get used to the twins", asked Margaret
"It will be my pleasure, Margaret and Hawkeye", replied Father Mulcahy
"Thanks, Father", said Hawkeye
"Now, no one is left out. All the men and women of the 4077 are honorary uncles and aunts of the twins. We'll need these people to look after the twins when Hawkeye and I are in surgery", said Margaret
"Agreed", said all the men in unison
"Oh, by the way, what time were the twins born and how much did they weigh?" asked Sidney
"Well, Maggie weighed 5 lbs 2 oz and was born at 7:30 p.m. and Ben weighed 5 lbs 5 oz and was born at 7:35 p.m. Why do you ask, Sidney?" said Hawkeye
"Don't you remember, we had a baby pool during the poker game. Now, lets find out who won. Klinger, hand me that clipboard", said Charles
"And the winner is", said B.J.
"Colonel Potter. He was the only one who guessed that Margaret was having twins", said Charles
"Yippee, I won, I won! Well, I think I'll use the money to buy my honorary grandchildren a present", replied Colonel Potter
"That's very thoughtful of you, Colonel. You are a good Christian" said Father Mulcahy
"Thanks, Padre!" replied Colonel Potter
"Thank you for the gesture. Our twins will appreciate whatever you give them. Incidently, how did you know I was having twins?" asked Margaret
"I could tell by the way you were carrying the babies and you had gained more weight than a woman with just one baby in her womb", replied Colonel Potter
The twins were passed around Post-Op and all the wounded there got a chance to hold one of the twins. The 4077 staff also got to hold the twins. All is well in Korea.
The End