Disclaimer: I don't own anything from MASH, no matter how much I would love too, I don't so please don't sue me!
A year went buy them very quickly, and suddenly Christmas was upon them. They now had a 4 year old and a 16 month old to buy for. BJ was anxious for Christmas and so were Peg and the kids. This year, Daniel would be joining them for Christmas, and that thrilled the kids. They both love him as if he was there actual Grandpop, and vice versa. If it wasn't for Erin calling him Grandpop when she was 2, he would have probably just been Dr. Pierce.
"Peg? I'm going to go pick Dan up at the Airport." BJ called to her from the first floor of our house. She was in Ben's room, changing his diaper.
"Alright." She says.
"Can I go too daddy?" Erin asked.
"Sure honey. Go get your shoes! Hurry up!" She nods and runs to get her shoes on.
"Peggy, I'm taking Erin with me."
"Alright. We'll see you two in a bit."
"Come on Erin..."
"Daddy, I can't tie it." She says, walking towards him with her shoelaces untied.
"I thought mommy taught you how." He says, sighing and squatting to tie her shoes quickly.
"She did, but I forgot."
"That's ok, lets get your jacket... it's a bit chilly out."
"Is Grandpop Pierce there already?"
"No, but he will be there soon, if the plane is on time." He tells her as they walk out the door. "Get In and buckle up kiddo."
BJ was very eager to see Daniel. They haven't seen one another since Ben's first birthday which was about five months ago. As soon as they get to the airport, Erin sees Daniel getting off the plane and quickly runs over to him.
"GRANDPOP PIERCE!" Erin shouts, running into his arms.
"Hi there Erin."
"I missed you!" She says. "Guess what?!"
"I missed you too, and what?"
"Santa coming in four days!"
"Have you been a good girl?"
"Yup!"
"Has Ben been a good boy?"
"Yup!"
"Well then I guess you two are going to be getting a lot of presents."
"I got you something too!"
"You did? What did you get me Erin?"
"I can't tell."
"Well, I got you and Ben something too, but I also can't tell."
"It's a good thing Christmas is coming." Erin says, smiling.
"Yes it is." He says, carrying her over to where BJ stood. "Hi BJ."
"Hi Daniel, how are you?" He asks.
"I'm well, and how are you?"
"Well also." The two men embrace quickly.
"Daddy, let's go home. Ben needs me."
"She's a little mother still isn't she?" Daniel asks.
BJ laughs, "That she is. Shall we head home?"
"Sure." Daniel says as BJ gets his bags.
"Erin, why don't you walk honey."
"She's fine."
"I'm fine daddy."
"Alright..." He says, smiling.
As soon as they get in the door of the house Ben runs full speed into his father, "DADDY!" He says, smiling. BJ bend's down and picks up the 16month old.
"Hey there Ben. Who's that?" He asks the baby, pointing at Daniel.
"POP!" he says smiling as he flings himself onto Daniel.
"Hi there Little Hawk! How are you buddy?"
"Did you find Grandpop Pierce Ben?" Peg asks, as she walks into the living room.
"Hi Peg, how are you dear?"
"I'm well, thank you. How are you?"
"Well also." He smiles at her.
"I'm glad you could come for Christmas." She says, as he kisses her cheek.
"So am I. Thank you very much for inviting me."
"You are always welcome."
"Mommy, can we decorate the tree please!"
"I suppose." She says, smiling.
"You haven't decorated yet?"
"Erin wanted to wait for you."
"Yeah! Come help us Grandpop Pierce!"
"Alright." He says, as they all head into the living room where BJ had the tree standing already.
"Here, you hang up this one!" Erin says, handing him an ordainment.
"Ok, where should we hang it?"
"Um, I think there." She says pointing to the front of the tree.
"That's a good place." He smiles and places it on the higher branch where Erin was pointing to.
"No." Ben says.
"No?" BJ asked his son.
"No NO NO!" He says, reaching for the ordainment.
"Benjamin! Do Not Touch." Erin said in a very demanding voice.
"Erin..." Peg scolded her. "Don't yell at him. He didn't do anything."
"Are you sure she's not Margaret's daughter?" Daniel laughs.
"I would think that too if I wasn't there for the birth."
"Ben you put this one on the tree." Erin says, handing him a Christmas ball. He scrambles down off of Daniel and over to the tree. Peg runs over and helps the baby with the ball as BJ stands back and watches. He smiles as he watches his two kids; his wife and his best friend's father interact. This was going to be the best Christmas in a long time.
It was the summer of 1959, seven years since Hawkeye had died, and five years since the trio became a family of four. Five years had passed by with the blink of an eye. Erin was nine, and Ben was going to be six, he was starting kindergarten in September and Erin would be heading into fourth grade. Today, August 5th, everyone was excited. Margaret was getting married for the second and final time. She was marrying Dr. David H. Monroe, a friend of BJ's. He had introduced the two of them three years ago, and they were now getting married. Most of the 4077th would be there for the event, which was also exciting in itself. It was a reunion in a way.
"Dad, do I have to wear a tie?" Ben asked his father.
"Yes you have to wear a tie." He says, smiling at his son.
"Why?"
"Because you're the ring bearer, and Aunt Margaret wants you too." He says, laughing.
"Dad, I hate ties."
"Well you can take that up with Aunt Margaret later."
"Fine, can you put it on for me?"
"Of course." He says, tying his son's tie. "Alright, you look great."
"I feel like a penguin." He says, frowning.
"I want you on your best behavior ok?"
"Dad..."
"I mean it Benjamin. No practical jokes today ok? Otherwise Aunt Margaret will kill you and me."
"Ok dad... no practical jokes." He says, smiling.
"I'm not kidding Ben..."
"Dad, I know! No jokes! Sheesh!" he says, grinning from ear to ear.
"Alright, how about you and I go over and see your mom and your sister."
"Ok." He says, following his father out of there 'dressing room' and over to the girls. BJ knocks on the door and says, "How's it going girls?"
"Come on in BJ." Margaret calls.
"Margaret, hold still." Her sister says, sighing. "I can't zip you when you're... Margaret!"
"What Kate?!"
"Aunt Margaret, you need to relax." Erin said to her, smiling.
"What she said." Kate smiles.
"Hi Daddy."
"Hi Erin, you look pretty." He says, admiring her lavender dress.
"Thank you." She smiles.
BJ bends down and whispers, "How's Aunt Margaret doing?"
"She's freaking out. Maybe you should go talk to her."
"I think I will." He says, laughing at his daughter. He stands up and heads further into the room where he sees Margaret and Peg. "Wow, Margaret you look great." He looks her up and down, taking the dress in.
"Thanks." She says smiling.
"It beats Klinger's dress by a million points." He laughs.
"Very funny Beej." She says smiling.
"I thought so. You look great too Peg."
"Thank you. Where's Ben?"
"With Erin. Hey Lil Hawk, come here." He calls to his son.
"Aunt Margaret you look pretty." He smiles.
"Thank you."
"Dad told me that I can't play any jokes or you'll kill me."
"He is absolutely right..." Margaret says grinning, "My god, you are more and more like your Uncle Hawk every day."
Ben just smiles and beams. He loves hearing stories about his uncle whom he was named after. "Really?"
"Yeah, but I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing."
"Aunt Margaret...." He says, smiling.
"It must come with the name." Peg says, laughing.
"Did Colonel Potter get here yet?" Margaret asked.
"I don't know. I haven't seen him yet, but don't worry... I'm sure he'll be here soon." BJ says, kissing his friends cheek. "I'm going to go head out now; I'll see you girls later. Let's go Hawk." He then kisses the two most important girls in his life and heads out.
"Bye!" Ben says, and follows his dad out. "Dad, where's Grandpop Pierce?"
"He's already seated."
"Can I go see him?"
"Sure, let's go in the church and find your Uncle David too."
"Ok." Ben says as they head in the church. They look around and he says, "There's Grandpop Pierce!"
"Go see him, but don't run."
"Ok!" He says, quickly making his way down to his Grandpop. "Hi Grandpop Pierce."
"Hi there Little Hawk. You look very nice."
"Thank you! You do too!" He says smiling. "Aunt Margaret made me wear a tie though, and I don't like ties."
"Well, you can deal with one for a day." He says, grinning. "Your Uncle Hawkeye hated ties too."
"Your Uncle Hawkeye hated anything to do with dressing up... unless it was in a tux I hear." Colonel Potter says smiling.
"Colonel!" Ben says, smiling.
"How are you Ben?"
"Good sir, how are you?"
"I'm good too." He says, hugging the lad.
"Hi Mrs. Potter."
"Well hello Ben. My goodness you have gotten big."
"Yup!" He says, before saying, "DAD! Colonel Potter is here."
"How are you Colonel?" BJ says, turning his attention away from David, and over to the Potters."
"I'm doing great. Can't believe that Margaret's getting married again."
"Me neither, but it's good for her."
"That it is. It's been a long time Son."
"Almost two years." BJ says, hugging the elder man. "Mrs. Potter, you are looking very well."
"Thank you dear." She smiles at him.
"Daniel, how have you been?"
"I've been good Sherman, how about yourself?"
"Fine thanks. Do you mind if we sit with you?"
"Of course not, slide on in."
"Well we'll see you after the wedding... Margaret wanted to know when you were here, so I better go tell her."
"Alright BJ, we'll see you soon." Potter says.
The wedding went very well. Margaret was the happiest anyone has ever seen her. David was a godsend to her, and she would be happy for a very long time. The reception was full of laughter and music. BJ and Margaret spent a lot of there time with the 4077th.
"BJ, do me a favor." Margaret says.
"What's that?"
"Don't cast my husband today... please."
BJ, Margaret and Potter start laughing. "Ok, I promise, no plaster will be going near David."
"Thank you."
"Besides, that was Hawkeye who did it... I only gave him the idea and helped a bit." Erin walked over and stood between her father and Aunt, smiling. "Erin, every time I see you, you get prettier and prettier." Potter says to her.
"Thank you Colonel." She smiles.
"Did you pick out the color of your dress?"
"Yup! Aunt Margaret said that I could have Blue, Purple, Pink or Green, but I like Purple the best."
"Well it's very pretty." He says, fishing around his pocket, "You are what, nine now Erin?"
"Yes sir."
"Well, I have something for you that I have been saving for about seven years now. I was going to give it to you when you were old enough to understand, and I think a nine year old can understand this."
"What is it?" She asked, as he handed her a thick envelope.
"Your Uncle Hawk had this in his will." He began as she opened it. "He wanted to you understand why your daddy had to be away the first two years of your life." BJ knelt down next to his daughter as she took out the papers. "These are names of all the men your daddy treated while he was in Korea."
"You saved all these men?" She asked, looking at the list.
BJ scanned over the list and saw some that he did not save, "Not all of them." He says.
"I put little stars next to the men who daddy could not save."
"Daddy, you helped a lot of people..." She says.
"Yes, I did."
"Daddy, there's hundreds of men here!" She says, amazed that her dad saved so many people.
"A thousand, at least." Potter says, smiling.
"There's Uncle Hawk's name." She says, pointing at the name in bold.
"Yeah..." BJ says, sighing.
"I was only two when he died wasn't I?"
"A year and a half." He sighs, looking at Margaret.
"That is the best gift..." Margaret says, wiping a tear away from her eyes.
"I kept this from your daddy and your aunt and everyone else, because I wanted to keep toll of everyone who he fixed or tried to fix."
"Thank you Colonel Potter." Erin says smiling, "I knew daddy was important, but he saved a lot more people than I thought."
"You're welcome sweetheart." He says, smiling.
"Thank you Colonel." BJ says, smiling, trying not to cry.
"You did good work out there..."
"So did you two." He says, smiling. "You hold onto those Erin, and we'll read through them sometime. I'll see if I remember any of them."
"Ok Daddy... I'm going to go show Mom!" She says as she runs to the head table.
"The handwriting changes with Pierce's passing..."
"I appreciate it Colonel, thank you so much."
"You're welcome. Margaret, may I have this dance?"
"Of course Colonel." She says, as they move to the dance floor.
That weekend was the last time they saw the Colonel alive. He died a short seven months after the wedding. The phone call was one of the worst one's BJ had ever gotten.
"Hello?"
"Yes, can I speak to Dr. Hunnicut please?"
"Speaking."
"Dr. Hunnicut, this is Jeannie Potter, I'm Sherman's Daughter-in-law."
"Oh, yes hello! What can I help you with?" BJ said, fearing the worst.
"I was calling to let you know that he passed away last night..." She says, holding back the tears.
"Oh... wow... um..." BJ started. He just couldn't find the words. "How..."
"Heart attack. The funeral is in three days, the viewing is then too. We would like for you to come."
"Of course. I'll be there." He says.
"Could you tell the Major?"
"Yes, I will. Thank you for calling Jeannie. We'll see you in three days." And with that he hangs up.
"BJ, who was that?" Peg calls. "BJ?" She calls again, walking into the kitchen. "What's wrong?"
"Colonel Potter died." He says, a tear slipping from his eye.
"I'm so sorry..." She says, sitting next to him. "How?"
"Heart attack."
"When is the funeral?"
"Three days... I have to call Margaret." He says, standing up to get the phone.
Three days later they were in Hannibal Missouri.
"Jason..." BJ says, walking over to his best friend's replacement.
"BJ." He says, hugging his friend. "How are you?"
"Ok, how about you?"
"I'm doing alright." He says, sullen. "It's been a long time Jason."
"Almost eight years."
"We lost touch..."
"I knew we would." Jason says... "Let's not do that again."
"Deal." BJ says.
"How's Margaret?"
"She'll be fine. She's strong."
"Daddy..."
"Jason, this is my daughter Erin, and my son Ben."
"Hi, nice to meet you two. I was in the war with your dad."
"You came after Uncle Hawk was killed."
"That's right." Jason says, standing back up as he sees Margaret. "How are you Major?"
"I've been better..." She says as she embraces her friend. "How are you?"
"I'm alright. BJ, I just saw Charles..."
"I already saw him too." He tells her. "We are all going to go to the bar tonight and have a drink in memory of the Colonel and Hawkeye."
"Alright." She says, "Count me in."
That night, at the bar they each have a whiskey in memory of the Colonel and a martini in memory of Hawkeye. BJ and Margaret look up to the skies when they walk back to the hotel. "Do you think there's a Heaven BJ?"
"I hope so..." BJ says, shaking his head. "No, there has to be because it's where the colonel and Hawk are... there is... there has to be..." He says, the alcohol making his brain a bit fuzzy.
"I hope so, otherwise I have complaints when I get up there."
"There is one."
"Yeah, there's a heaven." Margaret agrees.
"Take care of him Hawk. Show him the ropes." BJ says aloud as they get to the front doors of there hotel and head in for the night. This was the last weekend for a while that they saw there friends in the 4077th.
Four years later, Ben was in fourth grade, and he had an assignment from class that was of particular interest to him. The teacher sent home a paper that said for them to write about someone who they never met, but really want too. They must find out information about the person and write a paper on him or her. He came right home and shouted,
"DAD?!"
"I'm in my office." He called back, as he put his pen down.
"Dad, guess what?"
"What?"
"Today in school we got a really neat assignment!"
"Oh yeah? What is it?"
"It's a report on someone who we want to know about, but we never met them."
"Oh, that's great, and who did you pick?"
"I want to do it on Uncle Hawkeye."
"Are you sure?!" BJ asked, extremely excited.
"Yeah! I want to know all about him! Will you help me?"
"I can only help you to a point, but I'm sure Grandpop Pierce and Aunt Margaret will help you out too."
"Great! When does Grandpop Pierce come?"
"In two days. When is your report due?"
"In two weeks." He says, smiling. "I'm going to go tell mom and Erin!" He says running out of the den.
For a week and a half, Ben was eager to learn everything he could about his Uncle. He would ask questions all the time, and put them together into the report. All the adults were happy to help him, and did just that.
"Dad! My report's done! Would you like to read it?"
"I would." BJ says, taking the paper from his son.
"The person I want to meet more than anything in the whole world is my Uncle Hawkeye. My full name is Benjamin Franklin Pierce Hunnicut, and the reason that my name is so long is because I am named after my Uncle. My first three names was his full name, but everybody called him Hawkeye. His nickname was given to him by his father Daniel Pierce. It was the main character in the book, "The Last of the Mohicans" which was also the only book his father ever read. Ever since I was a baby, my Dad and Grandpop Pierce call me Little Hawkeye or Little Hawk because of my name. Uncle Hawk was born on March 8, 1920 and died on April 19, 1952. I was born on April 19, 1954, exactly two years after he died. He was my dad's best friend when they worked in a MASH Unit in Korea. A MASH Unit is a Mobil Army Surgical Hospital, which means that they can move away from danger quick.
Uncle Hawk was born in Crabapple Cove Maine. His mom died when he was only 10 from cancer, and his dad raised him. His dad is named Daniel Pierce, but we call him Grandpop Pierce. My Uncle was always called Hawkeye He told me that Hawkeye really liked getting into trouble by playing practical jokes, just like I do. Everybody says that we are a lot alike because we like a lot of the same things.
Uncle Hawkeye was over in the Korean War from the very beginning. He hated the army and drove my Aunt Margaret up the wall. He was always pulling tricks on everyone, or dating all the nurses or making fun of the higher ranked officers. Uncle Hawkeye was only a Captain and my Aunt Margaret was a Major, but he never listened to her. He never followed the rules. My dad met Uncle Hawkeye when Trapper went home and they became best friends. Aunt Margaret told me that they were closer friends then Uncle Hawkeye and Trapper ever were. My dad was drafted, just like my Uncle and he also did not like the army too much. They had to work sometimes for three days straight. Both of them were surgeons, but Uncle Hawkeye was the Chief Surgeon, which means he got to boss the other Doctor's and Nurses around. Dad said that he like to be in charge of things even though sometimes he said he didn't. Aunt Margaret told me that dad and Uncle Hawk were inseparable from the time my dad came to Korea.
I never got to meet my uncle because he died when he was trying to save two men from an ambulance. He was shot twice, once in his back and once in his stomach. My dad was in charge of trying to save him, but Uncle Hawkeye was hurt too bad. Dad said that his liver and his heart had a hole in them that he could not fix, and then he died. Everyone was very sad when he died because he was the best surgeon anyone had worked with and he was a good friend. Everyone tells me how alike I am to him and I really wish I could have met him. I think we could have had a lot of fun together. This is why I really wish I could meet him.
Then End,
By Benjamin Franklin Pierce Hunnicut
BJ smiled at his son when he was finished reading it and said, "This was a very good report Ben. I am glad you chose to write about your Uncle."
"Me too dad! Everyone else was writing about famous people who they never met, but I didn't want to do that because I had someone real who I wanted to meet."
"Well, you did very well. I think Aunt Margaret would want to read this and so would Grandpop Pierce."
"Yeah, I think so too!" He says. "Ok dad, well I have to go to bed now! Night."
"Good night Little Hawk." He says to him, giving him a hug.
TBC...
Please R&R, but please be kind... I haven't been writing fic's that long. Thanks for all the reviews! Keep them up! Forgive the minor mistakes... This is the second to last chapter! The last one is an epilogue, very short. Thanks for everything! I had a blast writing this! Don't forget to review!!!
STARY
A year went buy them very quickly, and suddenly Christmas was upon them. They now had a 4 year old and a 16 month old to buy for. BJ was anxious for Christmas and so were Peg and the kids. This year, Daniel would be joining them for Christmas, and that thrilled the kids. They both love him as if he was there actual Grandpop, and vice versa. If it wasn't for Erin calling him Grandpop when she was 2, he would have probably just been Dr. Pierce.
"Peg? I'm going to go pick Dan up at the Airport." BJ called to her from the first floor of our house. She was in Ben's room, changing his diaper.
"Alright." She says.
"Can I go too daddy?" Erin asked.
"Sure honey. Go get your shoes! Hurry up!" She nods and runs to get her shoes on.
"Peggy, I'm taking Erin with me."
"Alright. We'll see you two in a bit."
"Come on Erin..."
"Daddy, I can't tie it." She says, walking towards him with her shoelaces untied.
"I thought mommy taught you how." He says, sighing and squatting to tie her shoes quickly.
"She did, but I forgot."
"That's ok, lets get your jacket... it's a bit chilly out."
"Is Grandpop Pierce there already?"
"No, but he will be there soon, if the plane is on time." He tells her as they walk out the door. "Get In and buckle up kiddo."
BJ was very eager to see Daniel. They haven't seen one another since Ben's first birthday which was about five months ago. As soon as they get to the airport, Erin sees Daniel getting off the plane and quickly runs over to him.
"GRANDPOP PIERCE!" Erin shouts, running into his arms.
"Hi there Erin."
"I missed you!" She says. "Guess what?!"
"I missed you too, and what?"
"Santa coming in four days!"
"Have you been a good girl?"
"Yup!"
"Has Ben been a good boy?"
"Yup!"
"Well then I guess you two are going to be getting a lot of presents."
"I got you something too!"
"You did? What did you get me Erin?"
"I can't tell."
"Well, I got you and Ben something too, but I also can't tell."
"It's a good thing Christmas is coming." Erin says, smiling.
"Yes it is." He says, carrying her over to where BJ stood. "Hi BJ."
"Hi Daniel, how are you?" He asks.
"I'm well, and how are you?"
"Well also." The two men embrace quickly.
"Daddy, let's go home. Ben needs me."
"She's a little mother still isn't she?" Daniel asks.
BJ laughs, "That she is. Shall we head home?"
"Sure." Daniel says as BJ gets his bags.
"Erin, why don't you walk honey."
"She's fine."
"I'm fine daddy."
"Alright..." He says, smiling.
As soon as they get in the door of the house Ben runs full speed into his father, "DADDY!" He says, smiling. BJ bend's down and picks up the 16month old.
"Hey there Ben. Who's that?" He asks the baby, pointing at Daniel.
"POP!" he says smiling as he flings himself onto Daniel.
"Hi there Little Hawk! How are you buddy?"
"Did you find Grandpop Pierce Ben?" Peg asks, as she walks into the living room.
"Hi Peg, how are you dear?"
"I'm well, thank you. How are you?"
"Well also." He smiles at her.
"I'm glad you could come for Christmas." She says, as he kisses her cheek.
"So am I. Thank you very much for inviting me."
"You are always welcome."
"Mommy, can we decorate the tree please!"
"I suppose." She says, smiling.
"You haven't decorated yet?"
"Erin wanted to wait for you."
"Yeah! Come help us Grandpop Pierce!"
"Alright." He says, as they all head into the living room where BJ had the tree standing already.
"Here, you hang up this one!" Erin says, handing him an ordainment.
"Ok, where should we hang it?"
"Um, I think there." She says pointing to the front of the tree.
"That's a good place." He smiles and places it on the higher branch where Erin was pointing to.
"No." Ben says.
"No?" BJ asked his son.
"No NO NO!" He says, reaching for the ordainment.
"Benjamin! Do Not Touch." Erin said in a very demanding voice.
"Erin..." Peg scolded her. "Don't yell at him. He didn't do anything."
"Are you sure she's not Margaret's daughter?" Daniel laughs.
"I would think that too if I wasn't there for the birth."
"Ben you put this one on the tree." Erin says, handing him a Christmas ball. He scrambles down off of Daniel and over to the tree. Peg runs over and helps the baby with the ball as BJ stands back and watches. He smiles as he watches his two kids; his wife and his best friend's father interact. This was going to be the best Christmas in a long time.
It was the summer of 1959, seven years since Hawkeye had died, and five years since the trio became a family of four. Five years had passed by with the blink of an eye. Erin was nine, and Ben was going to be six, he was starting kindergarten in September and Erin would be heading into fourth grade. Today, August 5th, everyone was excited. Margaret was getting married for the second and final time. She was marrying Dr. David H. Monroe, a friend of BJ's. He had introduced the two of them three years ago, and they were now getting married. Most of the 4077th would be there for the event, which was also exciting in itself. It was a reunion in a way.
"Dad, do I have to wear a tie?" Ben asked his father.
"Yes you have to wear a tie." He says, smiling at his son.
"Why?"
"Because you're the ring bearer, and Aunt Margaret wants you too." He says, laughing.
"Dad, I hate ties."
"Well you can take that up with Aunt Margaret later."
"Fine, can you put it on for me?"
"Of course." He says, tying his son's tie. "Alright, you look great."
"I feel like a penguin." He says, frowning.
"I want you on your best behavior ok?"
"Dad..."
"I mean it Benjamin. No practical jokes today ok? Otherwise Aunt Margaret will kill you and me."
"Ok dad... no practical jokes." He says, smiling.
"I'm not kidding Ben..."
"Dad, I know! No jokes! Sheesh!" he says, grinning from ear to ear.
"Alright, how about you and I go over and see your mom and your sister."
"Ok." He says, following his father out of there 'dressing room' and over to the girls. BJ knocks on the door and says, "How's it going girls?"
"Come on in BJ." Margaret calls.
"Margaret, hold still." Her sister says, sighing. "I can't zip you when you're... Margaret!"
"What Kate?!"
"Aunt Margaret, you need to relax." Erin said to her, smiling.
"What she said." Kate smiles.
"Hi Daddy."
"Hi Erin, you look pretty." He says, admiring her lavender dress.
"Thank you." She smiles.
BJ bends down and whispers, "How's Aunt Margaret doing?"
"She's freaking out. Maybe you should go talk to her."
"I think I will." He says, laughing at his daughter. He stands up and heads further into the room where he sees Margaret and Peg. "Wow, Margaret you look great." He looks her up and down, taking the dress in.
"Thanks." She says smiling.
"It beats Klinger's dress by a million points." He laughs.
"Very funny Beej." She says smiling.
"I thought so. You look great too Peg."
"Thank you. Where's Ben?"
"With Erin. Hey Lil Hawk, come here." He calls to his son.
"Aunt Margaret you look pretty." He smiles.
"Thank you."
"Dad told me that I can't play any jokes or you'll kill me."
"He is absolutely right..." Margaret says grinning, "My god, you are more and more like your Uncle Hawk every day."
Ben just smiles and beams. He loves hearing stories about his uncle whom he was named after. "Really?"
"Yeah, but I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing."
"Aunt Margaret...." He says, smiling.
"It must come with the name." Peg says, laughing.
"Did Colonel Potter get here yet?" Margaret asked.
"I don't know. I haven't seen him yet, but don't worry... I'm sure he'll be here soon." BJ says, kissing his friends cheek. "I'm going to go head out now; I'll see you girls later. Let's go Hawk." He then kisses the two most important girls in his life and heads out.
"Bye!" Ben says, and follows his dad out. "Dad, where's Grandpop Pierce?"
"He's already seated."
"Can I go see him?"
"Sure, let's go in the church and find your Uncle David too."
"Ok." Ben says as they head in the church. They look around and he says, "There's Grandpop Pierce!"
"Go see him, but don't run."
"Ok!" He says, quickly making his way down to his Grandpop. "Hi Grandpop Pierce."
"Hi there Little Hawk. You look very nice."
"Thank you! You do too!" He says smiling. "Aunt Margaret made me wear a tie though, and I don't like ties."
"Well, you can deal with one for a day." He says, grinning. "Your Uncle Hawkeye hated ties too."
"Your Uncle Hawkeye hated anything to do with dressing up... unless it was in a tux I hear." Colonel Potter says smiling.
"Colonel!" Ben says, smiling.
"How are you Ben?"
"Good sir, how are you?"
"I'm good too." He says, hugging the lad.
"Hi Mrs. Potter."
"Well hello Ben. My goodness you have gotten big."
"Yup!" He says, before saying, "DAD! Colonel Potter is here."
"How are you Colonel?" BJ says, turning his attention away from David, and over to the Potters."
"I'm doing great. Can't believe that Margaret's getting married again."
"Me neither, but it's good for her."
"That it is. It's been a long time Son."
"Almost two years." BJ says, hugging the elder man. "Mrs. Potter, you are looking very well."
"Thank you dear." She smiles at him.
"Daniel, how have you been?"
"I've been good Sherman, how about yourself?"
"Fine thanks. Do you mind if we sit with you?"
"Of course not, slide on in."
"Well we'll see you after the wedding... Margaret wanted to know when you were here, so I better go tell her."
"Alright BJ, we'll see you soon." Potter says.
The wedding went very well. Margaret was the happiest anyone has ever seen her. David was a godsend to her, and she would be happy for a very long time. The reception was full of laughter and music. BJ and Margaret spent a lot of there time with the 4077th.
"BJ, do me a favor." Margaret says.
"What's that?"
"Don't cast my husband today... please."
BJ, Margaret and Potter start laughing. "Ok, I promise, no plaster will be going near David."
"Thank you."
"Besides, that was Hawkeye who did it... I only gave him the idea and helped a bit." Erin walked over and stood between her father and Aunt, smiling. "Erin, every time I see you, you get prettier and prettier." Potter says to her.
"Thank you Colonel." She smiles.
"Did you pick out the color of your dress?"
"Yup! Aunt Margaret said that I could have Blue, Purple, Pink or Green, but I like Purple the best."
"Well it's very pretty." He says, fishing around his pocket, "You are what, nine now Erin?"
"Yes sir."
"Well, I have something for you that I have been saving for about seven years now. I was going to give it to you when you were old enough to understand, and I think a nine year old can understand this."
"What is it?" She asked, as he handed her a thick envelope.
"Your Uncle Hawk had this in his will." He began as she opened it. "He wanted to you understand why your daddy had to be away the first two years of your life." BJ knelt down next to his daughter as she took out the papers. "These are names of all the men your daddy treated while he was in Korea."
"You saved all these men?" She asked, looking at the list.
BJ scanned over the list and saw some that he did not save, "Not all of them." He says.
"I put little stars next to the men who daddy could not save."
"Daddy, you helped a lot of people..." She says.
"Yes, I did."
"Daddy, there's hundreds of men here!" She says, amazed that her dad saved so many people.
"A thousand, at least." Potter says, smiling.
"There's Uncle Hawk's name." She says, pointing at the name in bold.
"Yeah..." BJ says, sighing.
"I was only two when he died wasn't I?"
"A year and a half." He sighs, looking at Margaret.
"That is the best gift..." Margaret says, wiping a tear away from her eyes.
"I kept this from your daddy and your aunt and everyone else, because I wanted to keep toll of everyone who he fixed or tried to fix."
"Thank you Colonel Potter." Erin says smiling, "I knew daddy was important, but he saved a lot more people than I thought."
"You're welcome sweetheart." He says, smiling.
"Thank you Colonel." BJ says, smiling, trying not to cry.
"You did good work out there..."
"So did you two." He says, smiling. "You hold onto those Erin, and we'll read through them sometime. I'll see if I remember any of them."
"Ok Daddy... I'm going to go show Mom!" She says as she runs to the head table.
"The handwriting changes with Pierce's passing..."
"I appreciate it Colonel, thank you so much."
"You're welcome. Margaret, may I have this dance?"
"Of course Colonel." She says, as they move to the dance floor.
That weekend was the last time they saw the Colonel alive. He died a short seven months after the wedding. The phone call was one of the worst one's BJ had ever gotten.
"Hello?"
"Yes, can I speak to Dr. Hunnicut please?"
"Speaking."
"Dr. Hunnicut, this is Jeannie Potter, I'm Sherman's Daughter-in-law."
"Oh, yes hello! What can I help you with?" BJ said, fearing the worst.
"I was calling to let you know that he passed away last night..." She says, holding back the tears.
"Oh... wow... um..." BJ started. He just couldn't find the words. "How..."
"Heart attack. The funeral is in three days, the viewing is then too. We would like for you to come."
"Of course. I'll be there." He says.
"Could you tell the Major?"
"Yes, I will. Thank you for calling Jeannie. We'll see you in three days." And with that he hangs up.
"BJ, who was that?" Peg calls. "BJ?" She calls again, walking into the kitchen. "What's wrong?"
"Colonel Potter died." He says, a tear slipping from his eye.
"I'm so sorry..." She says, sitting next to him. "How?"
"Heart attack."
"When is the funeral?"
"Three days... I have to call Margaret." He says, standing up to get the phone.
Three days later they were in Hannibal Missouri.
"Jason..." BJ says, walking over to his best friend's replacement.
"BJ." He says, hugging his friend. "How are you?"
"Ok, how about you?"
"I'm doing alright." He says, sullen. "It's been a long time Jason."
"Almost eight years."
"We lost touch..."
"I knew we would." Jason says... "Let's not do that again."
"Deal." BJ says.
"How's Margaret?"
"She'll be fine. She's strong."
"Daddy..."
"Jason, this is my daughter Erin, and my son Ben."
"Hi, nice to meet you two. I was in the war with your dad."
"You came after Uncle Hawk was killed."
"That's right." Jason says, standing back up as he sees Margaret. "How are you Major?"
"I've been better..." She says as she embraces her friend. "How are you?"
"I'm alright. BJ, I just saw Charles..."
"I already saw him too." He tells her. "We are all going to go to the bar tonight and have a drink in memory of the Colonel and Hawkeye."
"Alright." She says, "Count me in."
That night, at the bar they each have a whiskey in memory of the Colonel and a martini in memory of Hawkeye. BJ and Margaret look up to the skies when they walk back to the hotel. "Do you think there's a Heaven BJ?"
"I hope so..." BJ says, shaking his head. "No, there has to be because it's where the colonel and Hawk are... there is... there has to be..." He says, the alcohol making his brain a bit fuzzy.
"I hope so, otherwise I have complaints when I get up there."
"There is one."
"Yeah, there's a heaven." Margaret agrees.
"Take care of him Hawk. Show him the ropes." BJ says aloud as they get to the front doors of there hotel and head in for the night. This was the last weekend for a while that they saw there friends in the 4077th.
Four years later, Ben was in fourth grade, and he had an assignment from class that was of particular interest to him. The teacher sent home a paper that said for them to write about someone who they never met, but really want too. They must find out information about the person and write a paper on him or her. He came right home and shouted,
"DAD?!"
"I'm in my office." He called back, as he put his pen down.
"Dad, guess what?"
"What?"
"Today in school we got a really neat assignment!"
"Oh yeah? What is it?"
"It's a report on someone who we want to know about, but we never met them."
"Oh, that's great, and who did you pick?"
"I want to do it on Uncle Hawkeye."
"Are you sure?!" BJ asked, extremely excited.
"Yeah! I want to know all about him! Will you help me?"
"I can only help you to a point, but I'm sure Grandpop Pierce and Aunt Margaret will help you out too."
"Great! When does Grandpop Pierce come?"
"In two days. When is your report due?"
"In two weeks." He says, smiling. "I'm going to go tell mom and Erin!" He says running out of the den.
For a week and a half, Ben was eager to learn everything he could about his Uncle. He would ask questions all the time, and put them together into the report. All the adults were happy to help him, and did just that.
"Dad! My report's done! Would you like to read it?"
"I would." BJ says, taking the paper from his son.
"The person I want to meet more than anything in the whole world is my Uncle Hawkeye. My full name is Benjamin Franklin Pierce Hunnicut, and the reason that my name is so long is because I am named after my Uncle. My first three names was his full name, but everybody called him Hawkeye. His nickname was given to him by his father Daniel Pierce. It was the main character in the book, "The Last of the Mohicans" which was also the only book his father ever read. Ever since I was a baby, my Dad and Grandpop Pierce call me Little Hawkeye or Little Hawk because of my name. Uncle Hawk was born on March 8, 1920 and died on April 19, 1952. I was born on April 19, 1954, exactly two years after he died. He was my dad's best friend when they worked in a MASH Unit in Korea. A MASH Unit is a Mobil Army Surgical Hospital, which means that they can move away from danger quick.
Uncle Hawk was born in Crabapple Cove Maine. His mom died when he was only 10 from cancer, and his dad raised him. His dad is named Daniel Pierce, but we call him Grandpop Pierce. My Uncle was always called Hawkeye He told me that Hawkeye really liked getting into trouble by playing practical jokes, just like I do. Everybody says that we are a lot alike because we like a lot of the same things.
Uncle Hawkeye was over in the Korean War from the very beginning. He hated the army and drove my Aunt Margaret up the wall. He was always pulling tricks on everyone, or dating all the nurses or making fun of the higher ranked officers. Uncle Hawkeye was only a Captain and my Aunt Margaret was a Major, but he never listened to her. He never followed the rules. My dad met Uncle Hawkeye when Trapper went home and they became best friends. Aunt Margaret told me that they were closer friends then Uncle Hawkeye and Trapper ever were. My dad was drafted, just like my Uncle and he also did not like the army too much. They had to work sometimes for three days straight. Both of them were surgeons, but Uncle Hawkeye was the Chief Surgeon, which means he got to boss the other Doctor's and Nurses around. Dad said that he like to be in charge of things even though sometimes he said he didn't. Aunt Margaret told me that dad and Uncle Hawk were inseparable from the time my dad came to Korea.
I never got to meet my uncle because he died when he was trying to save two men from an ambulance. He was shot twice, once in his back and once in his stomach. My dad was in charge of trying to save him, but Uncle Hawkeye was hurt too bad. Dad said that his liver and his heart had a hole in them that he could not fix, and then he died. Everyone was very sad when he died because he was the best surgeon anyone had worked with and he was a good friend. Everyone tells me how alike I am to him and I really wish I could have met him. I think we could have had a lot of fun together. This is why I really wish I could meet him.
Then End,
By Benjamin Franklin Pierce Hunnicut
BJ smiled at his son when he was finished reading it and said, "This was a very good report Ben. I am glad you chose to write about your Uncle."
"Me too dad! Everyone else was writing about famous people who they never met, but I didn't want to do that because I had someone real who I wanted to meet."
"Well, you did very well. I think Aunt Margaret would want to read this and so would Grandpop Pierce."
"Yeah, I think so too!" He says. "Ok dad, well I have to go to bed now! Night."
"Good night Little Hawk." He says to him, giving him a hug.
TBC...
Please R&R, but please be kind... I haven't been writing fic's that long. Thanks for all the reviews! Keep them up! Forgive the minor mistakes... This is the second to last chapter! The last one is an epilogue, very short. Thanks for everything! I had a blast writing this! Don't forget to review!!!
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