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It was only a little while later that Hawkeye decided it was time to talk to Sabrina. He had already bought the ring and was thinking about the perfect time to give it to her. He wanted to get some quality time with Sabrina first, just to make sure she was okay with it.
Hawkeye knew Margaret wouldn't mind him taking Sabrina after dance, so he picked her up one afternoon. He took her out for ice cream.
Sabrina loved to spend time with her mother's boyfriend. He was more like a big kid then an adult. He would pick her up from dance, and talk with Judy while she changed. Judy owned the dance studio and was a friend of his. They always talked when he came to pick up Sabrina, Katelyn and Kamilia.
After Sabrina was ready to go, Hawkeye took her. He needed to talk to the young girl. And with ice cream was even better. After he bought the ice cream they went walking around the park.
"Sabrina honey, can I ask you something?"
"Yup." She smiled.
"You know I love you're mommy right?" Sabrina nodded as they continued walking. "Well I was thinking about maybe asking her to marry me. What do you think?"
"You want to marry my Mama?"
"I do. But I wanted to ask what you thought first. I know your mommy wouldn't do anything that wouldn't make you happy."
"Would you be my daddy then?"
"I would."
"Then I want you to be my daddy!" Hawkeye smiled at the six year old and picked her up.
"I love you Rini."
"I love you too. Do I get to call you Daddy?"
"If you want."
"I want to." Sabrina smiled brightly. Hawkeye gave her a kiss on the cheek and put her down.
"Do you want to help me pick out the ring for your mom?" Sabrina nodded her head and together the two walked into a jewelry store.
Inside Sabrina and Hawkeye picked out the perfect ring for her. Hawkeye didn't tell Sabrina it was hers. He knew that if Sabrina picked out a ring it would be one she wanted. So while Sabrina was looking at earings Hawkeye told the sales woman to get it in Sabrina's size. He would give it to her when he proposed to Margaret. Sabrina ended up picking out a small tear drop diamond. Perfect for her.
Sabrina thought her mother would love it and she had to promise Hawkeye that she wouldn't say a word to her. Even though Sabrina and Margaret shared everything, this could not be let out.
They planed out everything. Hawkeye was going to take them all out on a picnic and propose. Sabrina wanted to be there and he knew Margaret wouldn't say yes unless she talked with Sabrina. And he wanted his children there. Family was the most important thing and he wasn't going to do anything without family.
After he dropped Sabrina off at home, he and Margaret talked for a little bit on the front porch. Sabrina watched from the kitchen window. She couldn't wait till Saturday.
"So Saturday picnic?"
"Yup. Sabrina and I'll make lunch."
"Vincent will never live if he can't help."
"Well send the boy over and we'll make lunch." Margaret smiled.
"Speaking of Vincent. I better get going."
"Okay, bye honey."
"Bye baby." Hawkeye said giving her a quick kiss. Margaret smiled and kissed him back. He gave her another kiss before leaving. Margaret watched him and waved when he got into his car.
After he was gone Margaret walked into the house and she spent the rest of the night with Sabrina. They talked about her day and how she was doing at school. It took all Sabrina had not to tell her mother about the coming engagement. The hardest part was at bedtime. That was when Sabrina would tell her mother everything that she never found the opportunity to tell her during the day.
Margaret put her six year old daughter to bed. She was sitting on the edge of the child's bed tucking her in. "Honey," she said. "Are you sure there isn't something you want to tell me?"
Sabrina didn't want to say anything. She had promised her soon to be daddy that she wouldn't say anything and she had to keep that promise. "No Mama. I'm okay. You wanna tell me something?"
Margaret smiled and gave her daughter a kiss. "Just that I love you with all my heart."
"I love you too."
"Hey, you never told me about your afternoon with Hawkeye. What did you do besides have ice cream?"
"Not much. Mama, you love him with all your heart too?"
"I do."
"What about all his kids?"
Margaret smiled. "Push over." She laid on the bed on top of the covers while Sabrina was underneath. "I do love them. Don't you?"
"Yeah. They're like my brothers and sisters. Maybe one day.they could be?"
Margaret smiled at her. "Are you ready for that?"
"I don't know. I never met my brother before. I don't know if I like having brothers and sisters. Did my brother want a sister?" Sabrina had started to ask more questions about her brother and her father lately. She was getting older and getting curious about them. She had seen some pictures of them and Margaret would talk about them sometimes, but not too often with her daughter. It was hard for her to do that.
Margaret smiled with a mixture of happiness and sadness. She could see and feel her son. "Michael was excited. He would lay his head against Mommy's tummy and listen to you and he would get excited if he felt you kick." Margaret remembered how the little boy would squeal in delight and say 'baby!' She was almost in tears and Sabrina knew that. She gave her mother a hug.
"I never met him, but sometimes I miss him. Is that okay?"
"Oh, honey, that's okay. He's your brother and he and your father watch out for you and I all the time. They're our angels."
Sabrina smiled and pulled away from her mother and looked into her eyes. "Do you think they gave us Hawkeye?"
"I think they did. He makes me happy."
"Me too."
"It's time for you to get some sleep. You have school in the morning and a spelling test."
"I know. I always have one on Friday."
"I know," Margaret stood up and gave Sabrina a kiss on the head. "Goodnight baby. I love you."
"I love you too, Mama. Mama?"
"What is it honey?"
"Where's Bernard?"
"In the laundry room sleeping. Don't worry now sleep."
"Love you."
Margaret shut the light off and went downstairs. She told Hawkeye that she would call him after all the kids were in bed. She looked at the clock and was pretty sure that he got all his little monsters in their beds for the night. She picked up the phone in the kitchen and dialed the number. She needed to pack Sabrina's lunch for school the next day, so she used the phone in the kitchen with the extra long cord.
"Hey baby," Hawkeye picked up the phone.
"Hi," she said cheerfully. "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Working and then spending time with the kids. You?"
"Rory's gonna be with me all day, but after that I told Sabrina I would take her to an early dinner and maybe a movie. You wanna come?"
"I don't know. I have to see how Finn and Dorby do on their spelling and math tests tomorrow."
"Okay." The two oldest boys were putting up a fight with their school work. They hated it and were more interested in playing outside and climbing trees. "Don't let them get away with anything," she said.
"Why can't they live with you? They're more afraid of you than they are of me."
"That's because you don't do anything to them except lecture them. After that they can run free."
"Hey, I'm a single dad with six kids," he said lightly. "I need help."
"In more ways than one," she laughed.
Hawkeye smiled on the other end. He could see her smiled and loved her laugh. "You're a funny lady. I should come over there and give you a swift kiss on the mouth."
"I would like that, but as you pointed out, you have six kids and are a single father."
"That I am." He wanted to tell her to marry him right there and fix that problem, but he held his tongue. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to see her Friday night. He didn't think he could keep his mouth shut. He was worried about Sabrina too. He didn't want her to say anything. "You think Rini would want to spend the night over here tomorrow?"
"I'm sure she would, but we were going to go out. Do you think you want to do that?"
"Like I said, it depends on the boys. Maybe we could all do it Sunday. That would be better for me."
"That's fine. You want me to take any of yours?"
Hawkeye smiled. He knew that she was going to ask that. "You can keep Rory if you want, and maybe I'll drop Vincent off and you two can start on lunch early. Then you won't have to do all of it Saturday morning."
"Sure," she said. "I'd love to have the two of them."
"Okay. If it's okay with Rini, we'll do that."
"Okay. I have to go now. My laundry is backed up."
"Okay baby. I'll see you in the morning when I drop the baby by."
"Yep. I love you."
"I love you too." Margaret smiled and hung up the phone. After she put Sabrina's lunch in the fridge she walked into the laundry room and started more laundry. It was around eleven or so that Margaret decided to head to bed. Hawkeye would be there in the morning to drop the two little ones off and take Sabrina to school
Hawkeye planed to talk to his kids in the morning during breakfast. He wasn't sure if he would tell Rory about it right then. That little girl had the biggest mouth in the world. She told everyone everything. And he knew Vincent would probably spill the beans while they cooked. But if he didn't tell them when, then that would be okay. After making sure everything was put away he went for his final round at checking on his kids.
Baylee and Katelyn were first. He looked at the girls, sleeping soundly in their own dream land. It was something that he always loved to do when they were little, was stand and watch them sleep. Next was Vincent, Hawkeye found him lying half off his bed. Hawkeye walked over, and put the sleeping four year old back into bed. After the father of six made sure that Vincent was safely in bed, he went to check on the other two boys. Dorby and Finn, as usual they were in their pig sty state. Finn liked to sleep with his feet on the pillows and Dorby with the pillow over his head. Hawkeye left them and went to check on the baby of the family. Rory was sleeping like an angel. The perfect little girl made him smile. How he loved her. He walked over to her bed and brushed a curl off her face. He kissed her cheek and went to bed.
The next morning was the usual routine. No matter what the whole family ate breakfast together. Rory was the first one up as usual. She would be the one that would wake Hawkeye up with her bright smile.
"Daddy?" Rory said softly walking into his bedroom. She saw her father sleeping soundly and decided that she wanted him awake. After all she was hungry. Slowly Rory walked over to the bed and climbed on and crawled over to him. She sat on his stomach and started to poke his face. "Daddy ake up. Daddy, Daddy?"
Hawkeye smiled and opened his eyes to see the three year old smiling at him.
"Moning Daddy." She smiled brightly flinging herself down on his chest.
"Morning sunshine." He said kissing her on the head. "You ready to get some breakfast before we head over to Mags?"
"Yup. 'Ake up ofers?"
"We sure are. Lets go." Rory smiled and stayed clinged to her father. Together they woke the rest of the kids up and walked downstairs. After they made the kids breakfast as they got dressed Hawkeye sat them all down and decided he should talk to them about his plans.
"Daddy can I have the syrup?" Katelyn asked, Hawkeye handed her the syrup and looked at them.
"I want to ask you guys something." All the kids looked at their father waiting for him to speak again. "I know you all like Margaret." The kids nodded in agreement as they put more food in their mouths. "Well I was thinking that maybe one day she would marry me. How would you feel about it?"
The kids stared at each other. They never really thought about Margaret marring their father. Only that they wanted her to be their mommy, but they guessed it could only happen if they got married. Hawkeye watched his children as they thought. He wasn't too worried about the boys or Rory. Baylee was a little different and Katelyn was a totally different story. He would have to talk to her.
"Daddy does that mean that my real Mommy will never come back?" Baylee asked. Hawkeye looked at her.
"Baylee baby, you know that your real mom loves you with her heart."
"No she doesn't. She left; she left me and Dorby, and Finn and Katelyn and Vincent and Rory. She doesn't love us." Hawkeye looked at the little girl who was close to tears the other children had become silent as they started at their father. He felt so bad. He knew that deep down Amanda did love them, and would come back to them. But those odds were slim to none.
"Baylee she does love all of you. She just couldn't make you happy."
"If she was here I would be happy."
"Baylee come here." Baylee went straight into her father's arms and hung on for her life.
"Daddy, why did she leave?"
"I don't know honey, I just don't know." Hawkeye whispered. Rory watched her oldest sister as she cried and started to cry herself. Baylee stopped and looked at her sister.
"Daddy, Rory needs a hug." Hawkeye smiled and picked the little girl up. Rory smiled as soon as she felt her father's arms around her. A simple hug could cure all her problems. Hawkeye looked at the clock and ushered the kids up to brush their teeth. Baylee helped Rory do her hair as Hawkeye took Katelyn aside.
"Katie baby, what's the matter?"
"Daddy I don't want you to get married."
"I thought you wanted Margaret as your mother?"
"I do. But I don't want you to get married. Cause then you wont love us."
"Who told you that?" Hawkeye asked a little bit angry. Katelyn looked at her father and lowered her head.
"Karen. She said when her Daddy remarried that he spent more time with her step-sister and brother and she moved in with her mother cause he didn't want her."
"Katelyn Emmy Pierce, you know that no matter what happens I wont love you any less, I'll love you even more."
"I know Daddy, but I don't want you to forget me."
"I'll never forget, ignore or anything. You are my life. You and the rest of you brother's and sisters. No matter what happens you'll still be my life."
"Promise?"
"Promise. Now go brush your teeth." Katelyn smiled and hugged her father before running into the bathroom.
After the kids teeth we're cleaned Hawkeye got them all to pile into their vehicle and drove off to drop the baby off at Margaret's and pick up Sabrina. When they got their all the kids jumped out and ran into the house. They had ten minutes or so before they needed to go to get to school. Margaret answered the door and smiled. Hawkeye had Rory in his arms and she took the two and a half year old. Hawkeye leaned over and placed a kiss on her lips before saying anything.
"Hey."
"Hi. What time does Vincent need to picked up?"
"Eleven thirty. I'll tell his teacher you're coming to get him."
"Okay. You want a cup of coffee?"
"Sure, I'll take a quick one. Where's Rini?"
"Brushing her teeth."
"Oh. I had a talk with Katelyn."
"Oh?"
"She doesn't want me to get remarried."
"We're you thinking about it?" Margaret asked curiously.
"I don't know. Just something I asked the kids if one day if I found the right girl, I might want to get married. But you know what she said?"
"No what?"
"She said that she's afraid that I'll stop loving her."
"You're joking."
"No and you know who told her that?" Margaret shook her head as she took a sip of her coffee. "Karen Umbridge." Margaret rolled her eyes in response.
"I know Karen. That little girl has major problems. Her parents divorced and six months after they split her father remarried and two months after that he step mother had a baby."
"That's horrible."
"Well her father is. I was picking up Sabrina and he came and picked her up and she asked him if he would come to the recital and he said 'why would I?' I was so mad."
"What a bastard. I'm taking time off work to see them in their recital. What kind of parent wouldn't?"
"I have no clue." Margaret said softly as Sabrina walked in. Hawkeye looked over at the curly red head.
"Hey Rini. I got a question for you. How would you like to sleep over tonight? Your mom is going to take Rory and Vincent so I was thinking I could help you with your piano."
"Can I Mama?"
"Sure. I'll have her things packed by the time you pick up the others. They are coming her right?"
"Yup. I got called in to work until four so if you could keep them and look over Finn and Dorby's tests."
"No problem. You should get going."
"That I should. Rini get the kids ready to go now please. Make sure they all have their shoes on. And get Baylee to put your bag in the trunk." Sabrina nodded and ran off. Hawkeye stood up and took Margaret's hand and they walked out to make sure all the kids were ready. When they discovered that they were all ready Hawkeye gave Rory a kiss and then Margaret.
He drove the kids to school and then made his way to work. He spent the entire day thinking about Margaret and Sabrina. Sabrina already knew that he was going to propose to Margaret but never knew that he was going to ask Sabrina to be his daughter.
Margaret spent the morning with Rory. They did laundry and cleaned up the house. Rory smiled and helped fold towels. At eleven thirty Margaret and Rory picked up Vincent and went for lunch.
At two thirty Margaret picked the rest of the kids from school. It was a rare thing that Margaret picked Sabrina up from school. And it was welcomed. Sabrina ran into her arms and hung on until she saw Peg. Margaret and Peg talked for a little while then they all headed to their separate houses.
On the way home Sabrina and Katelyn told her about their day. Baylee didn't talk, which was unusual. Margaret would have to talk to her later. Finn and Dorby stayed quite about their day. Vincent told his brothers and sisters all about his day, and they listened with eger faces. Then Rory told them how she and Margaret folded laundry and cleaned the house. They all laughed at the baby and Rory smiled and put her sucker back in her mouth.
When they got home Margaret immediately made the children start their homework. She took Dorby aside and talked to him about his test. He had failed another one and his marks were going down hill.
"I just don't get it." Dorby whined sitting down on Margaret's lap. Margaret wrapped her arms around the eldest boy and hugged him.
"What don't you get honey?"
"All of it. It makes no sense."
"No sense? Does your teacher help you?"
"He tries. But I just don't get it. Its too hard." Dorby said looking down. "Can you help me?"
Margaret smiled and kissed his head. "Sure I'll help. Can you start on your other homework while I talk to the rest of the kids?" Dorby nodded and kissed Margaret on the cheek and walked off. Margaret smiled at the young boy, he was growing up.
Finn was the next to come into Margaret's office. He looked sorry and handed her the test. He just barely passed. Margaret sighed and looked at him.
"I'm sorry Margaret."
"Did you try?"
"Yes. "
"Then what are you sorry for?" Margaret asked. Finn looked at her and ran into her arms burring his face into her chest. "Oh honey, its okay." Margaret said rubbing his back. Finn wasn't usually like this, something must have happened at school. After Finn calmed down Margaret sat him on her lap and rubbed his back. "What happened today honey?"
"I had a sub today. And she said I was stupid." Margaret looked at him in pure shock.
"She said you were stupid?"
"Yeah. And she said she was going to call my mom and I said I didn't have a mom cause she left and the teacher laughed." Margaret felt truly horrible for the child. She hugged and held him close until he was completely settled down.
"Honey, you need to tell your father this."
"No he's going to get mad."
"No he wont sweetie. He's going to talk to the principle."
"I told Mrs. Ciders, she said she would talk to Dad and the teacher."
"Okay. Do you need a hug?" Finn nodded and hugged Margaret. Margaret hugged him back tightly feeling that he needed more than a hug. She kissed him on the head and held on until he was ready to let go.
'I need a mommy.' Finn thought as he held onto Margaret. When he let go Margaret kissed him on the head. They talked a bit more until Finn felt good enough to go and do his homework.
Katelyn came in next. She was happier than usual. She sat on Margaret's lap and handed her the spelling test.
"I got one wrong." Katelyn said proudly.
"Which one?"
"Um...Butter. I spelled it was one 't' its spelled with two."
"Do you know how to spell it now?"
"Yup. B~U~T~T~E~R." Katelyn said emphasizing the second 't'. Margaret smiled at her.
"Very good." Katelyn beamed and hugged Margaret. Margaret hugged her back. Katelyn told Margaret about how much fun her teacher was.
Katelyn loved talking with Margaret, she never had her own mom to talk with after school, but loved that Margaret was willing to do that with her.
After they talked Margaret sent Katelyn to start on her homework, Katelyn gave her a kiss and ran off to join Sabrina on the porch.
Baylee was the next one to come it. She had her backpack and wasn't smiling that much. Which worried Margaret.
"Baylee what's the matter?" Margaret asked picking up her hand. Baylee looked at the hand holding hers. She felt tears start to form and sat down on the couch. "Sweetie, do you want to talk about it?"
"Daddy said my real mom left and I'll never see her again. Margaret, she left me. She didn't love me."
"Honey, she loved you, she just couldn't make you happy."
"That's what Daddy said."
"Your father's right."
"I don't want him to be right! I want a mommy!" With that Baylee broke down in tears. Margaret took a hold of her and held her close. "Its not fair! She didn't have to leave!"
Margaret just stayed silent and held the ten year old. Baylee had become more sensitive about her mother leaving lately. Margaret figured it was because she was going through a very delicate stage in her life. Margaret held her until Hawkeye walked in. He picked his daughter up and held her tightly.
Margaret gave her a kiss on the head before heading out to start dinner. Sabrina was on the counter getting cookies when her mother walked in.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting cookies. Want one?" Sabrina asked holding out a cookie to her mother. Margaret smiled and took the cookie.
"Thanks baby."
"Welcome Mama." Sabrina smiled eating a cookie.
"So what did you do at school?"
"We started a family picture. And I drew you and me and then Michael and Daddy in the sky as angels. My teacher smiled and told me that I'm very lucky."
"Why did he say that?"
"Cause I got two angels looking over me."
"Mikey will always look over you. Same with your father."
"Mama, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure." Margaret said with a smile.
"If you get married again, will he take Daddy's spot?" Margaret stared at the little girl and sighed. She knew that one day this day would come.
"No baby he wont. Because your daddy is your only daddy. And no one will ever replace him."
"If I call him Daddy, do you think my real daddy would get mad?"
"No. Because he wants you to be happy. That's all he ever wanted was for you to be the happiest little girl in the entire world." Sabrina smiled and looked at her mother. She had tears forming.
"Do you miss them Mama?"
"I do. I miss them a lot."
"I miss them too." Sabrina said hugging her mother. Margaret hugged her daughter tightly. As she tried not to cry. Thinking about the two men she lost made life hard, but with Sabrina it made it a little easier.
Hawkeye walked in and saw that Margaret was closed to tears. He stood there until Sabrina noticed him. She let go of her mother and looked at her future daddy.
"How you two doing?" He asked walking over to them. Margaret had told him about how Sabrina had been asking more questions about Michael and Joseph. He knew that she would, and he knew that it would make Margaret remember
"Me and Mama miss Michael and Daddy. That's good right?"
"Sure is honey. Missing them makes them seem real again." He said picking Sabrina up off the counter. She leaned her head down on his shoulder and looked at her mother. Margaret smiled and ran her hand over Sabrina's hair. Sabrina smiled and cuddled closer into her future daddy.
"Baby why don't you go play with the kids while we cook dinner." Sabrina nodded and kissed Hawkeye on the cheek before he put her down. She ran outside where the other kids were all playing or doing their homework. Hawkeye walked up to Margaret and wrapped his arms around her.
"How you doing?" He asked softly.
"Okay. I knew Sabrina would ask these questions. But it seems harder then I imagined."
"Its always harder."
"I know." Margaret said resting her body on Hawkeye. "How's Baylee?"
"Better. She's growing up and turning eleven in January."
"I know. She's growing up."
"Oh I told her that you wouldn't mind if she came to you with the female problems."
"What problems?"
"You know, the monthly problem."
"Monthly problem? Hawkeye honey, what are you talking about." Margaret asked in a confused tone in her voice. She knew what he was talking about, and just wanted to tease him.
"That time of the month."
"What time of the month."
"Margaret, you are making this very difficult."
"What's so difficult honey?"
Hawkeye took a deep breath. Time to be a doctor. "Margaret, I have told Baylee that when she starts menstruating that she can come to you. Since I know that you wouldn't mind."
Margaret smiled and kissed him on the lips. "Was that so hard?"
"YES!" He said in an exaggerated voice.
"You're a baby." Margaret laughed disentangling herself from him.
"I am not!"
"Yes you are. And don't argue with me, or I'll ground you." Margaret said with a evil smile.
"You wouldn't?"
"Wanna make a bet?" Hawkeye looked at her and realized she really would 'ground' him as it were. He couldn't take that chance since tomorrow he was going to propose.
"Lets get off that subject. How was the boys tests?"
"They're on the counter." Margaret said pointing to the two tests sitting there. Hawkeye picked them up and sighed.
"Did they even try?"
"I think they did. Dorby says he doesn't get it, and I'm inclined to believe him. Look at it, its like he knows what he's supposed to be doing, but doesn't get it."
"I agree. Do you think its time for a tutor."
"Yeah, I think its time."
"And I know about Finn. I'm going in on Monday to talk with the teachers."
"What time?"
"Nine."
"I'll be there." Margaret said quickly. That's what he was hoping for.
"Thanks. Peg is going to take Rory for the morning, she has a check up at the dentist."
"Don't you want to be there?"
"Its not till eleven, and we should be out of there around ten."
"Okay."
"Don't you work Monday?"
"I work the night shift. Could you take Sabrina?"
"Sure will. Why are you working the night shift?"
"I don't know. They asked if I could fill in for Melanie Crockshanks, and I said yes."
"Oh. Well what we having for dinner?"
"Oh I don't know, what ever is on the counter." She said pointing to the package of sausages. "Here peal some potatoes."
"It'll make me feel like I'm back in the army."
"You never pealed potatoes."
"That's besides the point."
"Do it or no more. For I don't know, two weeks?" Hawkeye looked at her and rolled his eyes. "I saw that."
"I'm only doing this because I love you."
"Or do you just love mash potatoes."
"Those too, but I love you more."
"I love you too." Margaret smiled giving him a quick kiss on the lips. Hawkeye kissed her back before he went back to pealing potatoes.
"So tell me about your day?"
"Well me and Rory did some laundry then cleaned the house, we picked up Vincent went out for lunch. Then we came back here and I put Rory for a quick nap and helped Vincent with his reading, then we went to pick the other kids up from School. I talked with Peg, and that's my day."
"Did you have fun?"
"Of course." Margaret smiled putting potatoes in a pot.
The two made dinner with out a problem, the kids kept running through the house to get things or whatever. The two talked as they made the food. Once it was done everyone sat down and ate. Hawkeye decided it was time to show Dorby how to really shoot peas out of his nose. Margaret let him try to shoot peas out of his nose, because she knew that it would get stuck. And Hawkeye tried to prove her wrong. That was until the poor pea got stuck. Margaret made him leave it in there until they finished dinner. All the kids thought it was immensely funny that he had a pea stuck up his nose.
After dinner and the kids left to do their own thing, Margaret sat Hawkeye down so she could take the pea out.
"You think this is funny."
"Oh very. Hopefully this will teach you not to stick peas up your nose."
"I love you too." He mumbled. Margaret laughed and kissed him.
"There."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. What time are you planning to go home?"
"Oh I don't know, after Rory's asleep. That way she cant see me leave." Rory had been having trouble watching her father leave since he took the kids to Maine.
"Good idea. Did you get Vincent and Rory packed this morning?"
"I did. Don't worry about it. Is Rini packed?"
"Yes." Margaret smiled handing him a dish. Hawkeye took the dish and put it away. After dishes were finished the two went to the porch and talked until Rory decided she was tired.
"Daddy, me sleepy." She yawned crawling onto his lap. Hawkeye smiled and placed her so she was lying against his chest.
"Do you want me to put her to bed?" Margaret asked looking at the two.
"Naw, I'll do it, Rini's room?"
"Yup. Tell the girls to come downstairs, or they can watch TV in my room."
"Kay. Say goodnight to Mags honey."
"Night Night." Rory smiled weekly waving. Margaret stood up and kissed the child on the cheek.
"Night honey, I'll see you in the morning." Rory smiled and closed her eyes. Margaret smiled and gave her boyfriend a kiss. "I'll get the kids ready for you."
"Don't worry about it, we'll leave in about a half an hour."
"Okay, I'll get the things out for desert." She said noticing the two year old was fast asleep in her father's arms.
"Okay, I'll be right back." He said giving her a quick kiss. He always loved kissing her, one simple kiss could make the worst day in the world, bright and cheery. "Love you."
"Love you." Margaret smiled walking into the kitchen. The man had the power to make the worst day in the world seem a whole lot better with two simple words.
After desert they got all the kids ready to go home. When all the kids except Vincent and Sabrina were already outside waiting Margaret looked down at the red head.
"Have fun and behave."
"I will Mama. I love you."
"I love you too sweetie. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yup. Bye."
"Bye." Margaret waved as the little girl ran off to see the other kids. "Vincent, why don't you get your jammies on and we'll watch a movie."
"Kay." Vincent smiled. "Bye Daddy."
"Bye Buddy." Hawkeye smiled. He turned to Margaret and smiled. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Yup."
"I love you, you know."
"I know and I love you too." Hawkeye smiled and kissed her sweetly. He brought his hand up to her face and gently caressed her cheek with his thumb.
"You have no idea how much I love you." He said before kissing her again. When he pulled away he saw her smile. "I should get going."
"Yeah."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"I'll be here around ten or so."
"Okay."
"Bye baby."
"Bye." Margaret smiled watching him walk away. He turned around and waved as he climbed into the drivers seat.
That night, Vincent and Margaret spent the night thinking of what they could make for lunch. He fell asleep around ten, she brought him into the spare room and then walked into her bedroom. Just in time for the phone to ring.
"Hello." She smiled knowing who was on the other end.
"Hey baby. How you doin?"
"I'm good. You only saw me less than two hours ago."
"I know, but I miss ya." Margaret smiled and leaned back on the bed. "So, what did you and my son do tonight?"
"We spent the night talking about what we wanted to make for lunch."
"What ya going to make?"
"Food." Margaret answered cheekily.
"Hey!" He smiled. "How would you like me to come over there right now and give you a swift kiss in the mouth." 4 "Oh I would love it."
"Well in that case, you'll have to wait for the morning."
"I can wait. Can you?"
"You bet I can. I got a bottle of condition and a shower."
"Oh don't you even think about that!"
"I wont don't worry." He smiled. "So what movie do you want to see on Sunday?"
"I don't know. What's playing?"
"We have to see a kids movie. Disney has a new movie out. Dick Van Dyke is in it. Called Mary Poppins, with Julie Andrews."
"I saw her in The Americanization of Emily."
"Yeah, the girls are watching that in the den. Sabrina was looking at the movies on tonight and she saw it."
"Its her favorite movie." Margaret smiled.
"It was Amanda's. The girl had never seen it, your little girl is making a big difference on my rugrats."
"I noticed. Also on you."
"How do you figure?"
"I don't know, you seem different since we first reunited last year."
"Wow, last year. Have you noticed we haven't been together a year?"
"I know. It seems longer than that."
"It really does. You know why?"
"Why?"
"Because we're in love. And love lasts forever."
"Who told you that?"
"My dad. Right after my mom died. I asked if he still loved her. And he sat me down and said, 'Ben, I will love your mother till the day I die and longer than that. You see love lasts forever, not mater what happens, you can be in love for a week, but seems so much longer, because you're in love."
"He actually said that?"
"Sure did. Dad was the greatest. He actually asked my permission to date Betsy."
"I have never met your father, but he seems like a very nice man."
"Well he and Betsy invited us for Christmas. You want to come with us?"
"We couldn't impose."
"You wouldn't. Besides he would love to meet you. We'll talk about this later when Christmas gets closer okay?"
"Okay." Margaret smiled.
"But listen, I must go now. I'll see you in the morning. I love you."
"I love you too. Bye."
"Later babe." Margaret smiled and hung up the phone. She decided to call it a night, since she was going to be up early with the baby.
She was right. It was around seven or so that Rory awoke and went looking for Margaret. She smiled brightly when she saw her sleeping. Rory ran over to the bed. And climbed on she sat next to Margaret and shook her shoulder.
"Mags up." She smiled. Margaret opened her eyes and saw the chubby little brunette smiling at her. "Hi."
"Good Morning. Did you sleep good?"
"Yup. Me hungy now."
"Okay, lets see if Vincent is up."
"Vicet no up yet." Rory smiled as she held onto Margaret.
"Did you check?"
"No."
"Lets go check then." Rory smiled and wiggled out of her arms and ran for the door.
"Us go." Rory smiled grabbing Margaret's hand. Margaret smiled and walked out of the room.
The morning went by pretty fast, Hawkeye came shortly after ten with the kids. Sabrina was so excited. Today was the day that Hawkeye was going to propose to her mother. She was so happy that maybe now she'll have someone to call 'Daddy'. After never actually having a father, she wanted one more than ever.
Margaret and Vincent already had lunch packed and ready, so they sat in the kitchen talking. Hawkeye was ready to bust out and propose right now, but he had to wait, whenever he thought about asking her he would think how happy Sabrina would be when he asked her.
They left a little while later to head to the park. It was a warm November day, so all they needed was a light jacket. As soon as they got there all the kids ran off to play on the playground. Hawkeye took Margaret's hand and they walked to the picnic table. Then over to the swings.
"Here sit down." He said dragging her to the swing. Margaret smiled and sat down, he moved behind her and started to push her gently. They watched the kids play, the older ones were watching out for Rory and catching her when she went down the slide. Sabrina looked over and smiled. He gestured for Sabrina to come over. She smiled and ran over to her mother. Hawkeye walked around and picked her up and placed her on Margaret's lap.
"I have something to ask you two." He said falling down to one knee. "Sabrina, I know you never knew your father and I know I'll never replace him, but would you do me the honor of becoming my daughter?" He asked pulling how a pink velvet box and opening it up to revel the tear drop diamond that she picked out. Sabrina had tears in her eyes and looked at her mother. Margaret also had tears and nodded to her.
"I will." Sabrina smiled. Hawkeye smiled brightly and slipped the ring on her finger. The other kids had crowed around and were all smiling. Sabrina threw herself into Hawkeye's arms. Margaret just sat on the swing crying. Hawkeye kissed Sabrina's cheek and set her aside.
"Now my Margaret, I have loved you for a very long time. And even more lately. You are the reason I keep going. I love everything about you. No matter what happened I knew you would be there. I know you had one failed marriage, and then you became widowed, but I would like to make this your third and final marriage. Margaret will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, best friend, and forever more the only woman I'll ever lay eyes on?" Margaret sat there with tears falling freely down her cheeks, Hawkeye pulled out the black velvet box and pulled out the beautiful crafted heart shaped diamond. It was mounted on a plain 24K gold band. "Will you marry me?"
"Yes." Margaret said through tears. Hawkeye slipped the ring on her finger and stood up slightly and kissed her soft lips.
Strangers in the park all burst out clapping. The Pierce children all hugged Margaret who was now their soon to be their 'Mommy'. Rory looked up and Margaret and held her arms out. Margaret picked her up and smiled.
"Me call oo Mommy?" She asked innocently. Margaret's smile got even bigger.
"Of course." Rory smiled and hugged her new mother. The rest of them all hugged Margaret who hugged them all back.
Life had turned out pretty good. Sabrina had a father and the Pierce children had a mother to call their own.
-+=-+=-+=-+=-+=-+=-+=-+=-+=-+=
Assilem's Rant! Okay this is going to be the last chapter for a while. My Uncle Bill just died and I need to sort some things out. So this is the last chapter for a little while. So enjoy it. I'll be back later. Enjoy! ~Assilem Oh and the song that the Pierce children sang last chapter is from the Loveable Rugrats Movie that my sister made me watch..It's a cute song.Well ttyl!
It was only a little while later that Hawkeye decided it was time to talk to Sabrina. He had already bought the ring and was thinking about the perfect time to give it to her. He wanted to get some quality time with Sabrina first, just to make sure she was okay with it.
Hawkeye knew Margaret wouldn't mind him taking Sabrina after dance, so he picked her up one afternoon. He took her out for ice cream.
Sabrina loved to spend time with her mother's boyfriend. He was more like a big kid then an adult. He would pick her up from dance, and talk with Judy while she changed. Judy owned the dance studio and was a friend of his. They always talked when he came to pick up Sabrina, Katelyn and Kamilia.
After Sabrina was ready to go, Hawkeye took her. He needed to talk to the young girl. And with ice cream was even better. After he bought the ice cream they went walking around the park.
"Sabrina honey, can I ask you something?"
"Yup." She smiled.
"You know I love you're mommy right?" Sabrina nodded as they continued walking. "Well I was thinking about maybe asking her to marry me. What do you think?"
"You want to marry my Mama?"
"I do. But I wanted to ask what you thought first. I know your mommy wouldn't do anything that wouldn't make you happy."
"Would you be my daddy then?"
"I would."
"Then I want you to be my daddy!" Hawkeye smiled at the six year old and picked her up.
"I love you Rini."
"I love you too. Do I get to call you Daddy?"
"If you want."
"I want to." Sabrina smiled brightly. Hawkeye gave her a kiss on the cheek and put her down.
"Do you want to help me pick out the ring for your mom?" Sabrina nodded her head and together the two walked into a jewelry store.
Inside Sabrina and Hawkeye picked out the perfect ring for her. Hawkeye didn't tell Sabrina it was hers. He knew that if Sabrina picked out a ring it would be one she wanted. So while Sabrina was looking at earings Hawkeye told the sales woman to get it in Sabrina's size. He would give it to her when he proposed to Margaret. Sabrina ended up picking out a small tear drop diamond. Perfect for her.
Sabrina thought her mother would love it and she had to promise Hawkeye that she wouldn't say a word to her. Even though Sabrina and Margaret shared everything, this could not be let out.
They planed out everything. Hawkeye was going to take them all out on a picnic and propose. Sabrina wanted to be there and he knew Margaret wouldn't say yes unless she talked with Sabrina. And he wanted his children there. Family was the most important thing and he wasn't going to do anything without family.
After he dropped Sabrina off at home, he and Margaret talked for a little bit on the front porch. Sabrina watched from the kitchen window. She couldn't wait till Saturday.
"So Saturday picnic?"
"Yup. Sabrina and I'll make lunch."
"Vincent will never live if he can't help."
"Well send the boy over and we'll make lunch." Margaret smiled.
"Speaking of Vincent. I better get going."
"Okay, bye honey."
"Bye baby." Hawkeye said giving her a quick kiss. Margaret smiled and kissed him back. He gave her another kiss before leaving. Margaret watched him and waved when he got into his car.
After he was gone Margaret walked into the house and she spent the rest of the night with Sabrina. They talked about her day and how she was doing at school. It took all Sabrina had not to tell her mother about the coming engagement. The hardest part was at bedtime. That was when Sabrina would tell her mother everything that she never found the opportunity to tell her during the day.
Margaret put her six year old daughter to bed. She was sitting on the edge of the child's bed tucking her in. "Honey," she said. "Are you sure there isn't something you want to tell me?"
Sabrina didn't want to say anything. She had promised her soon to be daddy that she wouldn't say anything and she had to keep that promise. "No Mama. I'm okay. You wanna tell me something?"
Margaret smiled and gave her daughter a kiss. "Just that I love you with all my heart."
"I love you too."
"Hey, you never told me about your afternoon with Hawkeye. What did you do besides have ice cream?"
"Not much. Mama, you love him with all your heart too?"
"I do."
"What about all his kids?"
Margaret smiled. "Push over." She laid on the bed on top of the covers while Sabrina was underneath. "I do love them. Don't you?"
"Yeah. They're like my brothers and sisters. Maybe one day.they could be?"
Margaret smiled at her. "Are you ready for that?"
"I don't know. I never met my brother before. I don't know if I like having brothers and sisters. Did my brother want a sister?" Sabrina had started to ask more questions about her brother and her father lately. She was getting older and getting curious about them. She had seen some pictures of them and Margaret would talk about them sometimes, but not too often with her daughter. It was hard for her to do that.
Margaret smiled with a mixture of happiness and sadness. She could see and feel her son. "Michael was excited. He would lay his head against Mommy's tummy and listen to you and he would get excited if he felt you kick." Margaret remembered how the little boy would squeal in delight and say 'baby!' She was almost in tears and Sabrina knew that. She gave her mother a hug.
"I never met him, but sometimes I miss him. Is that okay?"
"Oh, honey, that's okay. He's your brother and he and your father watch out for you and I all the time. They're our angels."
Sabrina smiled and pulled away from her mother and looked into her eyes. "Do you think they gave us Hawkeye?"
"I think they did. He makes me happy."
"Me too."
"It's time for you to get some sleep. You have school in the morning and a spelling test."
"I know. I always have one on Friday."
"I know," Margaret stood up and gave Sabrina a kiss on the head. "Goodnight baby. I love you."
"I love you too, Mama. Mama?"
"What is it honey?"
"Where's Bernard?"
"In the laundry room sleeping. Don't worry now sleep."
"Love you."
Margaret shut the light off and went downstairs. She told Hawkeye that she would call him after all the kids were in bed. She looked at the clock and was pretty sure that he got all his little monsters in their beds for the night. She picked up the phone in the kitchen and dialed the number. She needed to pack Sabrina's lunch for school the next day, so she used the phone in the kitchen with the extra long cord.
"Hey baby," Hawkeye picked up the phone.
"Hi," she said cheerfully. "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Working and then spending time with the kids. You?"
"Rory's gonna be with me all day, but after that I told Sabrina I would take her to an early dinner and maybe a movie. You wanna come?"
"I don't know. I have to see how Finn and Dorby do on their spelling and math tests tomorrow."
"Okay." The two oldest boys were putting up a fight with their school work. They hated it and were more interested in playing outside and climbing trees. "Don't let them get away with anything," she said.
"Why can't they live with you? They're more afraid of you than they are of me."
"That's because you don't do anything to them except lecture them. After that they can run free."
"Hey, I'm a single dad with six kids," he said lightly. "I need help."
"In more ways than one," she laughed.
Hawkeye smiled on the other end. He could see her smiled and loved her laugh. "You're a funny lady. I should come over there and give you a swift kiss on the mouth."
"I would like that, but as you pointed out, you have six kids and are a single father."
"That I am." He wanted to tell her to marry him right there and fix that problem, but he held his tongue. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to see her Friday night. He didn't think he could keep his mouth shut. He was worried about Sabrina too. He didn't want her to say anything. "You think Rini would want to spend the night over here tomorrow?"
"I'm sure she would, but we were going to go out. Do you think you want to do that?"
"Like I said, it depends on the boys. Maybe we could all do it Sunday. That would be better for me."
"That's fine. You want me to take any of yours?"
Hawkeye smiled. He knew that she was going to ask that. "You can keep Rory if you want, and maybe I'll drop Vincent off and you two can start on lunch early. Then you won't have to do all of it Saturday morning."
"Sure," she said. "I'd love to have the two of them."
"Okay. If it's okay with Rini, we'll do that."
"Okay. I have to go now. My laundry is backed up."
"Okay baby. I'll see you in the morning when I drop the baby by."
"Yep. I love you."
"I love you too." Margaret smiled and hung up the phone. After she put Sabrina's lunch in the fridge she walked into the laundry room and started more laundry. It was around eleven or so that Margaret decided to head to bed. Hawkeye would be there in the morning to drop the two little ones off and take Sabrina to school
Hawkeye planed to talk to his kids in the morning during breakfast. He wasn't sure if he would tell Rory about it right then. That little girl had the biggest mouth in the world. She told everyone everything. And he knew Vincent would probably spill the beans while they cooked. But if he didn't tell them when, then that would be okay. After making sure everything was put away he went for his final round at checking on his kids.
Baylee and Katelyn were first. He looked at the girls, sleeping soundly in their own dream land. It was something that he always loved to do when they were little, was stand and watch them sleep. Next was Vincent, Hawkeye found him lying half off his bed. Hawkeye walked over, and put the sleeping four year old back into bed. After the father of six made sure that Vincent was safely in bed, he went to check on the other two boys. Dorby and Finn, as usual they were in their pig sty state. Finn liked to sleep with his feet on the pillows and Dorby with the pillow over his head. Hawkeye left them and went to check on the baby of the family. Rory was sleeping like an angel. The perfect little girl made him smile. How he loved her. He walked over to her bed and brushed a curl off her face. He kissed her cheek and went to bed.
The next morning was the usual routine. No matter what the whole family ate breakfast together. Rory was the first one up as usual. She would be the one that would wake Hawkeye up with her bright smile.
"Daddy?" Rory said softly walking into his bedroom. She saw her father sleeping soundly and decided that she wanted him awake. After all she was hungry. Slowly Rory walked over to the bed and climbed on and crawled over to him. She sat on his stomach and started to poke his face. "Daddy ake up. Daddy, Daddy?"
Hawkeye smiled and opened his eyes to see the three year old smiling at him.
"Moning Daddy." She smiled brightly flinging herself down on his chest.
"Morning sunshine." He said kissing her on the head. "You ready to get some breakfast before we head over to Mags?"
"Yup. 'Ake up ofers?"
"We sure are. Lets go." Rory smiled and stayed clinged to her father. Together they woke the rest of the kids up and walked downstairs. After they made the kids breakfast as they got dressed Hawkeye sat them all down and decided he should talk to them about his plans.
"Daddy can I have the syrup?" Katelyn asked, Hawkeye handed her the syrup and looked at them.
"I want to ask you guys something." All the kids looked at their father waiting for him to speak again. "I know you all like Margaret." The kids nodded in agreement as they put more food in their mouths. "Well I was thinking that maybe one day she would marry me. How would you feel about it?"
The kids stared at each other. They never really thought about Margaret marring their father. Only that they wanted her to be their mommy, but they guessed it could only happen if they got married. Hawkeye watched his children as they thought. He wasn't too worried about the boys or Rory. Baylee was a little different and Katelyn was a totally different story. He would have to talk to her.
"Daddy does that mean that my real Mommy will never come back?" Baylee asked. Hawkeye looked at her.
"Baylee baby, you know that your real mom loves you with her heart."
"No she doesn't. She left; she left me and Dorby, and Finn and Katelyn and Vincent and Rory. She doesn't love us." Hawkeye looked at the little girl who was close to tears the other children had become silent as they started at their father. He felt so bad. He knew that deep down Amanda did love them, and would come back to them. But those odds were slim to none.
"Baylee she does love all of you. She just couldn't make you happy."
"If she was here I would be happy."
"Baylee come here." Baylee went straight into her father's arms and hung on for her life.
"Daddy, why did she leave?"
"I don't know honey, I just don't know." Hawkeye whispered. Rory watched her oldest sister as she cried and started to cry herself. Baylee stopped and looked at her sister.
"Daddy, Rory needs a hug." Hawkeye smiled and picked the little girl up. Rory smiled as soon as she felt her father's arms around her. A simple hug could cure all her problems. Hawkeye looked at the clock and ushered the kids up to brush their teeth. Baylee helped Rory do her hair as Hawkeye took Katelyn aside.
"Katie baby, what's the matter?"
"Daddy I don't want you to get married."
"I thought you wanted Margaret as your mother?"
"I do. But I don't want you to get married. Cause then you wont love us."
"Who told you that?" Hawkeye asked a little bit angry. Katelyn looked at her father and lowered her head.
"Karen. She said when her Daddy remarried that he spent more time with her step-sister and brother and she moved in with her mother cause he didn't want her."
"Katelyn Emmy Pierce, you know that no matter what happens I wont love you any less, I'll love you even more."
"I know Daddy, but I don't want you to forget me."
"I'll never forget, ignore or anything. You are my life. You and the rest of you brother's and sisters. No matter what happens you'll still be my life."
"Promise?"
"Promise. Now go brush your teeth." Katelyn smiled and hugged her father before running into the bathroom.
After the kids teeth we're cleaned Hawkeye got them all to pile into their vehicle and drove off to drop the baby off at Margaret's and pick up Sabrina. When they got their all the kids jumped out and ran into the house. They had ten minutes or so before they needed to go to get to school. Margaret answered the door and smiled. Hawkeye had Rory in his arms and she took the two and a half year old. Hawkeye leaned over and placed a kiss on her lips before saying anything.
"Hey."
"Hi. What time does Vincent need to picked up?"
"Eleven thirty. I'll tell his teacher you're coming to get him."
"Okay. You want a cup of coffee?"
"Sure, I'll take a quick one. Where's Rini?"
"Brushing her teeth."
"Oh. I had a talk with Katelyn."
"Oh?"
"She doesn't want me to get remarried."
"We're you thinking about it?" Margaret asked curiously.
"I don't know. Just something I asked the kids if one day if I found the right girl, I might want to get married. But you know what she said?"
"No what?"
"She said that she's afraid that I'll stop loving her."
"You're joking."
"No and you know who told her that?" Margaret shook her head as she took a sip of her coffee. "Karen Umbridge." Margaret rolled her eyes in response.
"I know Karen. That little girl has major problems. Her parents divorced and six months after they split her father remarried and two months after that he step mother had a baby."
"That's horrible."
"Well her father is. I was picking up Sabrina and he came and picked her up and she asked him if he would come to the recital and he said 'why would I?' I was so mad."
"What a bastard. I'm taking time off work to see them in their recital. What kind of parent wouldn't?"
"I have no clue." Margaret said softly as Sabrina walked in. Hawkeye looked over at the curly red head.
"Hey Rini. I got a question for you. How would you like to sleep over tonight? Your mom is going to take Rory and Vincent so I was thinking I could help you with your piano."
"Can I Mama?"
"Sure. I'll have her things packed by the time you pick up the others. They are coming her right?"
"Yup. I got called in to work until four so if you could keep them and look over Finn and Dorby's tests."
"No problem. You should get going."
"That I should. Rini get the kids ready to go now please. Make sure they all have their shoes on. And get Baylee to put your bag in the trunk." Sabrina nodded and ran off. Hawkeye stood up and took Margaret's hand and they walked out to make sure all the kids were ready. When they discovered that they were all ready Hawkeye gave Rory a kiss and then Margaret.
He drove the kids to school and then made his way to work. He spent the entire day thinking about Margaret and Sabrina. Sabrina already knew that he was going to propose to Margaret but never knew that he was going to ask Sabrina to be his daughter.
Margaret spent the morning with Rory. They did laundry and cleaned up the house. Rory smiled and helped fold towels. At eleven thirty Margaret and Rory picked up Vincent and went for lunch.
At two thirty Margaret picked the rest of the kids from school. It was a rare thing that Margaret picked Sabrina up from school. And it was welcomed. Sabrina ran into her arms and hung on until she saw Peg. Margaret and Peg talked for a little while then they all headed to their separate houses.
On the way home Sabrina and Katelyn told her about their day. Baylee didn't talk, which was unusual. Margaret would have to talk to her later. Finn and Dorby stayed quite about their day. Vincent told his brothers and sisters all about his day, and they listened with eger faces. Then Rory told them how she and Margaret folded laundry and cleaned the house. They all laughed at the baby and Rory smiled and put her sucker back in her mouth.
When they got home Margaret immediately made the children start their homework. She took Dorby aside and talked to him about his test. He had failed another one and his marks were going down hill.
"I just don't get it." Dorby whined sitting down on Margaret's lap. Margaret wrapped her arms around the eldest boy and hugged him.
"What don't you get honey?"
"All of it. It makes no sense."
"No sense? Does your teacher help you?"
"He tries. But I just don't get it. Its too hard." Dorby said looking down. "Can you help me?"
Margaret smiled and kissed his head. "Sure I'll help. Can you start on your other homework while I talk to the rest of the kids?" Dorby nodded and kissed Margaret on the cheek and walked off. Margaret smiled at the young boy, he was growing up.
Finn was the next to come into Margaret's office. He looked sorry and handed her the test. He just barely passed. Margaret sighed and looked at him.
"I'm sorry Margaret."
"Did you try?"
"Yes. "
"Then what are you sorry for?" Margaret asked. Finn looked at her and ran into her arms burring his face into her chest. "Oh honey, its okay." Margaret said rubbing his back. Finn wasn't usually like this, something must have happened at school. After Finn calmed down Margaret sat him on her lap and rubbed his back. "What happened today honey?"
"I had a sub today. And she said I was stupid." Margaret looked at him in pure shock.
"She said you were stupid?"
"Yeah. And she said she was going to call my mom and I said I didn't have a mom cause she left and the teacher laughed." Margaret felt truly horrible for the child. She hugged and held him close until he was completely settled down.
"Honey, you need to tell your father this."
"No he's going to get mad."
"No he wont sweetie. He's going to talk to the principle."
"I told Mrs. Ciders, she said she would talk to Dad and the teacher."
"Okay. Do you need a hug?" Finn nodded and hugged Margaret. Margaret hugged him back tightly feeling that he needed more than a hug. She kissed him on the head and held on until he was ready to let go.
'I need a mommy.' Finn thought as he held onto Margaret. When he let go Margaret kissed him on the head. They talked a bit more until Finn felt good enough to go and do his homework.
Katelyn came in next. She was happier than usual. She sat on Margaret's lap and handed her the spelling test.
"I got one wrong." Katelyn said proudly.
"Which one?"
"Um...Butter. I spelled it was one 't' its spelled with two."
"Do you know how to spell it now?"
"Yup. B~U~T~T~E~R." Katelyn said emphasizing the second 't'. Margaret smiled at her.
"Very good." Katelyn beamed and hugged Margaret. Margaret hugged her back. Katelyn told Margaret about how much fun her teacher was.
Katelyn loved talking with Margaret, she never had her own mom to talk with after school, but loved that Margaret was willing to do that with her.
After they talked Margaret sent Katelyn to start on her homework, Katelyn gave her a kiss and ran off to join Sabrina on the porch.
Baylee was the next one to come it. She had her backpack and wasn't smiling that much. Which worried Margaret.
"Baylee what's the matter?" Margaret asked picking up her hand. Baylee looked at the hand holding hers. She felt tears start to form and sat down on the couch. "Sweetie, do you want to talk about it?"
"Daddy said my real mom left and I'll never see her again. Margaret, she left me. She didn't love me."
"Honey, she loved you, she just couldn't make you happy."
"That's what Daddy said."
"Your father's right."
"I don't want him to be right! I want a mommy!" With that Baylee broke down in tears. Margaret took a hold of her and held her close. "Its not fair! She didn't have to leave!"
Margaret just stayed silent and held the ten year old. Baylee had become more sensitive about her mother leaving lately. Margaret figured it was because she was going through a very delicate stage in her life. Margaret held her until Hawkeye walked in. He picked his daughter up and held her tightly.
Margaret gave her a kiss on the head before heading out to start dinner. Sabrina was on the counter getting cookies when her mother walked in.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting cookies. Want one?" Sabrina asked holding out a cookie to her mother. Margaret smiled and took the cookie.
"Thanks baby."
"Welcome Mama." Sabrina smiled eating a cookie.
"So what did you do at school?"
"We started a family picture. And I drew you and me and then Michael and Daddy in the sky as angels. My teacher smiled and told me that I'm very lucky."
"Why did he say that?"
"Cause I got two angels looking over me."
"Mikey will always look over you. Same with your father."
"Mama, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure." Margaret said with a smile.
"If you get married again, will he take Daddy's spot?" Margaret stared at the little girl and sighed. She knew that one day this day would come.
"No baby he wont. Because your daddy is your only daddy. And no one will ever replace him."
"If I call him Daddy, do you think my real daddy would get mad?"
"No. Because he wants you to be happy. That's all he ever wanted was for you to be the happiest little girl in the entire world." Sabrina smiled and looked at her mother. She had tears forming.
"Do you miss them Mama?"
"I do. I miss them a lot."
"I miss them too." Sabrina said hugging her mother. Margaret hugged her daughter tightly. As she tried not to cry. Thinking about the two men she lost made life hard, but with Sabrina it made it a little easier.
Hawkeye walked in and saw that Margaret was closed to tears. He stood there until Sabrina noticed him. She let go of her mother and looked at her future daddy.
"How you two doing?" He asked walking over to them. Margaret had told him about how Sabrina had been asking more questions about Michael and Joseph. He knew that she would, and he knew that it would make Margaret remember
"Me and Mama miss Michael and Daddy. That's good right?"
"Sure is honey. Missing them makes them seem real again." He said picking Sabrina up off the counter. She leaned her head down on his shoulder and looked at her mother. Margaret smiled and ran her hand over Sabrina's hair. Sabrina smiled and cuddled closer into her future daddy.
"Baby why don't you go play with the kids while we cook dinner." Sabrina nodded and kissed Hawkeye on the cheek before he put her down. She ran outside where the other kids were all playing or doing their homework. Hawkeye walked up to Margaret and wrapped his arms around her.
"How you doing?" He asked softly.
"Okay. I knew Sabrina would ask these questions. But it seems harder then I imagined."
"Its always harder."
"I know." Margaret said resting her body on Hawkeye. "How's Baylee?"
"Better. She's growing up and turning eleven in January."
"I know. She's growing up."
"Oh I told her that you wouldn't mind if she came to you with the female problems."
"What problems?"
"You know, the monthly problem."
"Monthly problem? Hawkeye honey, what are you talking about." Margaret asked in a confused tone in her voice. She knew what he was talking about, and just wanted to tease him.
"That time of the month."
"What time of the month."
"Margaret, you are making this very difficult."
"What's so difficult honey?"
Hawkeye took a deep breath. Time to be a doctor. "Margaret, I have told Baylee that when she starts menstruating that she can come to you. Since I know that you wouldn't mind."
Margaret smiled and kissed him on the lips. "Was that so hard?"
"YES!" He said in an exaggerated voice.
"You're a baby." Margaret laughed disentangling herself from him.
"I am not!"
"Yes you are. And don't argue with me, or I'll ground you." Margaret said with a evil smile.
"You wouldn't?"
"Wanna make a bet?" Hawkeye looked at her and realized she really would 'ground' him as it were. He couldn't take that chance since tomorrow he was going to propose.
"Lets get off that subject. How was the boys tests?"
"They're on the counter." Margaret said pointing to the two tests sitting there. Hawkeye picked them up and sighed.
"Did they even try?"
"I think they did. Dorby says he doesn't get it, and I'm inclined to believe him. Look at it, its like he knows what he's supposed to be doing, but doesn't get it."
"I agree. Do you think its time for a tutor."
"Yeah, I think its time."
"And I know about Finn. I'm going in on Monday to talk with the teachers."
"What time?"
"Nine."
"I'll be there." Margaret said quickly. That's what he was hoping for.
"Thanks. Peg is going to take Rory for the morning, she has a check up at the dentist."
"Don't you want to be there?"
"Its not till eleven, and we should be out of there around ten."
"Okay."
"Don't you work Monday?"
"I work the night shift. Could you take Sabrina?"
"Sure will. Why are you working the night shift?"
"I don't know. They asked if I could fill in for Melanie Crockshanks, and I said yes."
"Oh. Well what we having for dinner?"
"Oh I don't know, what ever is on the counter." She said pointing to the package of sausages. "Here peal some potatoes."
"It'll make me feel like I'm back in the army."
"You never pealed potatoes."
"That's besides the point."
"Do it or no more. For I don't know, two weeks?" Hawkeye looked at her and rolled his eyes. "I saw that."
"I'm only doing this because I love you."
"Or do you just love mash potatoes."
"Those too, but I love you more."
"I love you too." Margaret smiled giving him a quick kiss on the lips. Hawkeye kissed her back before he went back to pealing potatoes.
"So tell me about your day?"
"Well me and Rory did some laundry then cleaned the house, we picked up Vincent went out for lunch. Then we came back here and I put Rory for a quick nap and helped Vincent with his reading, then we went to pick the other kids up from School. I talked with Peg, and that's my day."
"Did you have fun?"
"Of course." Margaret smiled putting potatoes in a pot.
The two made dinner with out a problem, the kids kept running through the house to get things or whatever. The two talked as they made the food. Once it was done everyone sat down and ate. Hawkeye decided it was time to show Dorby how to really shoot peas out of his nose. Margaret let him try to shoot peas out of his nose, because she knew that it would get stuck. And Hawkeye tried to prove her wrong. That was until the poor pea got stuck. Margaret made him leave it in there until they finished dinner. All the kids thought it was immensely funny that he had a pea stuck up his nose.
After dinner and the kids left to do their own thing, Margaret sat Hawkeye down so she could take the pea out.
"You think this is funny."
"Oh very. Hopefully this will teach you not to stick peas up your nose."
"I love you too." He mumbled. Margaret laughed and kissed him.
"There."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. What time are you planning to go home?"
"Oh I don't know, after Rory's asleep. That way she cant see me leave." Rory had been having trouble watching her father leave since he took the kids to Maine.
"Good idea. Did you get Vincent and Rory packed this morning?"
"I did. Don't worry about it. Is Rini packed?"
"Yes." Margaret smiled handing him a dish. Hawkeye took the dish and put it away. After dishes were finished the two went to the porch and talked until Rory decided she was tired.
"Daddy, me sleepy." She yawned crawling onto his lap. Hawkeye smiled and placed her so she was lying against his chest.
"Do you want me to put her to bed?" Margaret asked looking at the two.
"Naw, I'll do it, Rini's room?"
"Yup. Tell the girls to come downstairs, or they can watch TV in my room."
"Kay. Say goodnight to Mags honey."
"Night Night." Rory smiled weekly waving. Margaret stood up and kissed the child on the cheek.
"Night honey, I'll see you in the morning." Rory smiled and closed her eyes. Margaret smiled and gave her boyfriend a kiss. "I'll get the kids ready for you."
"Don't worry about it, we'll leave in about a half an hour."
"Okay, I'll get the things out for desert." She said noticing the two year old was fast asleep in her father's arms.
"Okay, I'll be right back." He said giving her a quick kiss. He always loved kissing her, one simple kiss could make the worst day in the world, bright and cheery. "Love you."
"Love you." Margaret smiled walking into the kitchen. The man had the power to make the worst day in the world seem a whole lot better with two simple words.
After desert they got all the kids ready to go home. When all the kids except Vincent and Sabrina were already outside waiting Margaret looked down at the red head.
"Have fun and behave."
"I will Mama. I love you."
"I love you too sweetie. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yup. Bye."
"Bye." Margaret waved as the little girl ran off to see the other kids. "Vincent, why don't you get your jammies on and we'll watch a movie."
"Kay." Vincent smiled. "Bye Daddy."
"Bye Buddy." Hawkeye smiled. He turned to Margaret and smiled. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Yup."
"I love you, you know."
"I know and I love you too." Hawkeye smiled and kissed her sweetly. He brought his hand up to her face and gently caressed her cheek with his thumb.
"You have no idea how much I love you." He said before kissing her again. When he pulled away he saw her smile. "I should get going."
"Yeah."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"I'll be here around ten or so."
"Okay."
"Bye baby."
"Bye." Margaret smiled watching him walk away. He turned around and waved as he climbed into the drivers seat.
That night, Vincent and Margaret spent the night thinking of what they could make for lunch. He fell asleep around ten, she brought him into the spare room and then walked into her bedroom. Just in time for the phone to ring.
"Hello." She smiled knowing who was on the other end.
"Hey baby. How you doin?"
"I'm good. You only saw me less than two hours ago."
"I know, but I miss ya." Margaret smiled and leaned back on the bed. "So, what did you and my son do tonight?"
"We spent the night talking about what we wanted to make for lunch."
"What ya going to make?"
"Food." Margaret answered cheekily.
"Hey!" He smiled. "How would you like me to come over there right now and give you a swift kiss in the mouth." 4 "Oh I would love it."
"Well in that case, you'll have to wait for the morning."
"I can wait. Can you?"
"You bet I can. I got a bottle of condition and a shower."
"Oh don't you even think about that!"
"I wont don't worry." He smiled. "So what movie do you want to see on Sunday?"
"I don't know. What's playing?"
"We have to see a kids movie. Disney has a new movie out. Dick Van Dyke is in it. Called Mary Poppins, with Julie Andrews."
"I saw her in The Americanization of Emily."
"Yeah, the girls are watching that in the den. Sabrina was looking at the movies on tonight and she saw it."
"Its her favorite movie." Margaret smiled.
"It was Amanda's. The girl had never seen it, your little girl is making a big difference on my rugrats."
"I noticed. Also on you."
"How do you figure?"
"I don't know, you seem different since we first reunited last year."
"Wow, last year. Have you noticed we haven't been together a year?"
"I know. It seems longer than that."
"It really does. You know why?"
"Why?"
"Because we're in love. And love lasts forever."
"Who told you that?"
"My dad. Right after my mom died. I asked if he still loved her. And he sat me down and said, 'Ben, I will love your mother till the day I die and longer than that. You see love lasts forever, not mater what happens, you can be in love for a week, but seems so much longer, because you're in love."
"He actually said that?"
"Sure did. Dad was the greatest. He actually asked my permission to date Betsy."
"I have never met your father, but he seems like a very nice man."
"Well he and Betsy invited us for Christmas. You want to come with us?"
"We couldn't impose."
"You wouldn't. Besides he would love to meet you. We'll talk about this later when Christmas gets closer okay?"
"Okay." Margaret smiled.
"But listen, I must go now. I'll see you in the morning. I love you."
"I love you too. Bye."
"Later babe." Margaret smiled and hung up the phone. She decided to call it a night, since she was going to be up early with the baby.
She was right. It was around seven or so that Rory awoke and went looking for Margaret. She smiled brightly when she saw her sleeping. Rory ran over to the bed. And climbed on she sat next to Margaret and shook her shoulder.
"Mags up." She smiled. Margaret opened her eyes and saw the chubby little brunette smiling at her. "Hi."
"Good Morning. Did you sleep good?"
"Yup. Me hungy now."
"Okay, lets see if Vincent is up."
"Vicet no up yet." Rory smiled as she held onto Margaret.
"Did you check?"
"No."
"Lets go check then." Rory smiled and wiggled out of her arms and ran for the door.
"Us go." Rory smiled grabbing Margaret's hand. Margaret smiled and walked out of the room.
The morning went by pretty fast, Hawkeye came shortly after ten with the kids. Sabrina was so excited. Today was the day that Hawkeye was going to propose to her mother. She was so happy that maybe now she'll have someone to call 'Daddy'. After never actually having a father, she wanted one more than ever.
Margaret and Vincent already had lunch packed and ready, so they sat in the kitchen talking. Hawkeye was ready to bust out and propose right now, but he had to wait, whenever he thought about asking her he would think how happy Sabrina would be when he asked her.
They left a little while later to head to the park. It was a warm November day, so all they needed was a light jacket. As soon as they got there all the kids ran off to play on the playground. Hawkeye took Margaret's hand and they walked to the picnic table. Then over to the swings.
"Here sit down." He said dragging her to the swing. Margaret smiled and sat down, he moved behind her and started to push her gently. They watched the kids play, the older ones were watching out for Rory and catching her when she went down the slide. Sabrina looked over and smiled. He gestured for Sabrina to come over. She smiled and ran over to her mother. Hawkeye walked around and picked her up and placed her on Margaret's lap.
"I have something to ask you two." He said falling down to one knee. "Sabrina, I know you never knew your father and I know I'll never replace him, but would you do me the honor of becoming my daughter?" He asked pulling how a pink velvet box and opening it up to revel the tear drop diamond that she picked out. Sabrina had tears in her eyes and looked at her mother. Margaret also had tears and nodded to her.
"I will." Sabrina smiled. Hawkeye smiled brightly and slipped the ring on her finger. The other kids had crowed around and were all smiling. Sabrina threw herself into Hawkeye's arms. Margaret just sat on the swing crying. Hawkeye kissed Sabrina's cheek and set her aside.
"Now my Margaret, I have loved you for a very long time. And even more lately. You are the reason I keep going. I love everything about you. No matter what happened I knew you would be there. I know you had one failed marriage, and then you became widowed, but I would like to make this your third and final marriage. Margaret will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, best friend, and forever more the only woman I'll ever lay eyes on?" Margaret sat there with tears falling freely down her cheeks, Hawkeye pulled out the black velvet box and pulled out the beautiful crafted heart shaped diamond. It was mounted on a plain 24K gold band. "Will you marry me?"
"Yes." Margaret said through tears. Hawkeye slipped the ring on her finger and stood up slightly and kissed her soft lips.
Strangers in the park all burst out clapping. The Pierce children all hugged Margaret who was now their soon to be their 'Mommy'. Rory looked up and Margaret and held her arms out. Margaret picked her up and smiled.
"Me call oo Mommy?" She asked innocently. Margaret's smile got even bigger.
"Of course." Rory smiled and hugged her new mother. The rest of them all hugged Margaret who hugged them all back.
Life had turned out pretty good. Sabrina had a father and the Pierce children had a mother to call their own.
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Assilem's Rant! Okay this is going to be the last chapter for a while. My Uncle Bill just died and I need to sort some things out. So this is the last chapter for a little while. So enjoy it. I'll be back later. Enjoy! ~Assilem Oh and the song that the Pierce children sang last chapter is from the Loveable Rugrats Movie that my sister made me watch..It's a cute song.Well ttyl!