Saturday 26th July 1958, Portland, Maine
The arrivals lounge at Portland's airport was crowded, but BJ had no trouble spotting his old friend – Hawkeye was wearing his blue Hawaiian shirt, and was waving like a maniac. Margaret was less flamboyantly dressed, but no less enthusiastic in the waving stakes.
"Hey, how are you?" said BJ, as they hugged, "Good to see you again, Hawk. How are you, Margaret? You look terrific!"
"Good to see you too," said Hawkeye. He slapped BJ on the shoulder, pulled away to hug Peg.
BJ hoisted four-year-old Ben into his arms. "Remember your uncle Hawkeye, son? And auntie Margaret?"
The youngster shook his head, but his sister was much less inclined to be reticent, ran forward into Hawkeye's arms. "Hi, uncle Hawk," she said. "Hi auntie Margaret. I like your dress."
"Thank you, sweetheart, you look very smart too."
"Hey, Erin, look how you've grown!" Hawkeye took her hand and collected one of the cases with his free hand. "Let's get you back to my house, shall we? Your auntie Margaret's going to wait here for a while." He looked over at BJ. "The Potters' plane's arriving in a half-hour or so."
"Great!" said BJ, "See you in a little while then, Margaret."
Hawkeye led the way through the airport to the car park, helped BJ put the bags in the trunk. while Peg and the children settled into the back seat
"So, who else is coming?" said BJ, getting into the car.
"Max and Soon-Li said they wouldn't miss it, and they'll catch a lift from Boston with Charles."
BJ laughed. "How? I mean, assuming Ellie and the kids are coming too – does he have a station wagon or something?"
"You're kidding – Charles? More likely a stretch limo, I should think!" said Hawkeye. He shrugged, steered the car onto the main road toward the coast and Crabapple Cove. "I don't know, Beej, I'm just telling you what Max said. We'll find out soon enough, he said they were aiming to get here mid-morning. How was your journey anyway? Kids behave?"
"Ben got a little airsick," said Peg, "But otherwise they've been pretty good, on the whole."
The trip passed quickly as they caught up on each others news and reminisced about old times. Before long, they were turning onto the track that led to Crabapple Cove.
"Hawk," said BJ, "Did you know there's a ship in your harbour?"
"What?" Hawkeye glanced out over the bay, braked to a halt at a spot where a break in the trees gave a clear view of the cove, and the impressive-looking boat that lay at anchor there. He looked at BJ. "He wouldn't."
BJ quirked an eyebrow at him.
"He would," they both said together.
"I don't believe it," said Hawkeye, putting the car back into gear and turning off the main track and down toward the quay.
By the time they drew to a halt and climbed out of the car, a small launch carrying some very familiar figures was already approaching. BJ could see the Klingers waving, gave a hearty wave back, and led the way along the jetty to catch the rope thrown up to him by the crewman in the stern of the boat. He helped little Lee and Soon-Li step out, gave her a quick hug before turning his attention back to the launch. Charles took off the children's lifejackets and passed the youngsters up to Hawkeye, then helped Ellie, who was carrying their youngest in a sling. "How do you like the yacht?" he said, as he stepped ashore himself and picked up his twins.
"Yacht?" said BJ, giving Ellie a hug, "I thought you'd hired the Queen Mary for the weekend!"
Charles grinned, obviously pleased that their entrance had made an impression, but was then distracted by the small figure tugging at his shirt. "Go with mommy, Beth, I don't have a spare hand at the moment," he said. "Now, what do you two have to say to uncle BJ and uncle Hawkeye?" he prompted the twins.
"'nk you for the presents."
"For our birthday."
"They were lovely," said Ellie, "It was real kind of you."
"Ah, it's nothing," said BJ, "But what we should have bought them was labels - I still can't tell them apart."
"This," said Charles, hefting the girl on his left arm, "Is Laura. And this," – repeating the process with the one on his right – "Is Lauren."
"And this is the new boy!" said Hawkeye, letting go of Klinger's handshake, and wandering over to take a peek at the baby in Ellie's arms, "Elliot, isn't it?"
Ellie nodded. "Elliot Timothy," she said, "We thought three Charles Emersons was enough."
"Personally, I'd say one of them was enough," smiled Hawkeye, gently taking the baby's right hand in his and pretending to give him a handshake. "He's a cute little fella, isn't he? I see he's got your hair, Charles."
Charles pulled a face and rolled his eyes. "As ever, your wit and originality continue to astound me," he said.
BJ smiled at the familiar banter, and turned his attention to Beth. "Hi there. Remember me?" he asked, kindly.
"You're…um…JB," she said, gazing up at him.
BJ grinned. "Close enough. What do you think of your baby brother?"
"He's okay," she said, with a shrug, "But he cries real loud." She looked thoughtful for a moment, then asked: "Is Erin with you?"
"She sure is," said BJ, holding out his hand for her to take, "Come on, we'll go find her, shall we?"
-
Behind him, Charles lowered the twins to the ground. "You're getting heavy," he told them, before turning to Hawkeye. "I'm sending the launch back to collect a few supplies. How far is it to the house?"
"Half a mile or so," said Hawkeye, "You know, you didn't have to bring anything, Charles, we've got it all in hand."
"Really?" said Charles, "Including a decent wine or six, smoked salmon canapés, duck rillettes, quail salad?" He smiled. "I had the cook throw together a few snacks – I don't want to tell him he's laboured in vain."
"Ohh…okay," said Hawkeye, "Let me get Beej and Peg up to the house. I'll send dad back for Max and Soon-Li, then I'll come back for you and Ellie, and whatever else you've brought."
"Don't trouble your father, Hawkeye," said Soon-Li, picking up her son, "Max and I can walk it from here if you show us the way."
"I'll come with you," said Ellie, "Be nice to get my land legs back. Beth can come with me, Charles, will you be okay with the twins?"
"Yes, I think I can manage to make sure they don't wander off, or fall in the water or something," he replied, "There appears to be plenty of beach for them to run about on. Go ahead."
By the time Hawkeye returned in the car, the launch was back with a big box of toys, Elliot's carry-cot, crates of wine and trays of food – and both the twins and Charles were covered in damp sand.
"How'd you get so dirty so fast?" laughed Hawkeye, depositing the wine in the trunk while Charles brushed himself down and attempted to clean up the two little girls.
"One of the joys of fatherhood," he said, dryly, "Finding out that telling them something doesn't necessarily mean they take any notice of it."
"You should be used to that, Charles, BJ and I never listened to a word you said either," said Hawkeye.
"Hah! How true," said Charles. He coaxed Laura out of her shoes, tipped the sand out of them and cleaned the leather against his trousers as best he could, then repeated the process with Lauren. "Good thing your mother wouldn't let you wear your birthday ones," he chided, gently, "Don't go chasing after any more crabs, okay?"
"'Kay, daddy," they chorused, buckling their shoes back on.
"How do you tell them apart?" said Hawkeye, as Charles lifted them into the car.
Charles smiled. "Practice," he said. "Took me a lot longer than Ellie, but once you see the difference, it's easy enough."
As they parked up on the grassed slope near the house, Margaret's car pulled up next to them, and Sherman and Mildred Potter climbed out.
"Hawkeye! Charles!" Potter exclaimed, rushing across to shake the two men by the hand. "Hot diggedy, but it's good to see you both." He looked down at the two small figures who had climbed from the back seat of Hawkeye's car. "Jeez Louise, I'm seein' double here! Hello!"
"Hello." "Hi."
"Sherman, these two rather grubby little specimens are my daughters," said Charles, "This is Lauren, and this is Laura."
"Speaking of grubby," said Ellie, who had come across to them with BJ and Max, "What happened to you?"
Charles looked sheepish, and pointed down at the two youngsters, while the others got reacquainted.
"Figures," she said. "Mildred – good to see you. You remember our Beth?"
"Sure do," said Mildred, "But she was a lot smaller when we last saw her. Hello, Beth. And hello, little chap."
"That's my brother, Elliot," said Beth. "He cries a lot."
"Well, I expect you did too when you were two months old," said Mildred, "It's what babies do."
Carrying the food, wine and the Potters' luggage between them, they all walked slowly up to the house, the children racing in circles around them as they went.
"So, are we expecting anyone else?" asked Potter, as they reached the porch and Daniel Pierce came out to greet them.
"The O'Reillys," said Hawkeye, "They're coming by Greyhound bus, would you believe. So we won't get to meet little Henry - they're leaving him with Patty's parents. But we're sure going to have a house full."
"There are a couple of spare berths on the Clare de Lune if it helps," said Charles.
"Charles brought his own ocean liner," Hawkeye explained to the Potters.
"Yacht," corrected Charles, with a grin.
"Charles, I've got a yacht," said BJ, "It's about thirty feet long and has a little sail on the top."
"That's a dinghy," said Charles, squashingly.
"Nothing changes," chuckled Potter, as Daniel Pierce led them all around to the back of the house, "They're back together for five minutes and the bickering's started already!"
"Ellie, are you going to be making any records this year?" asked Peg, as they all settled themselves into the deckchairs on the lawn, "I loved that Chopin selection you did last Fall."
"Thanks," said Ellie, taking a seat under one of the sunshades. She unfastened the straps of the baby sling and settled Elliot on her lap. "I'm going to re-record David's Korean in stereo next month – and he's written a new piece I'm going to play in Washington in September. I guess we'll record that some time soon too."
"So, Charles, how do you like having a famous musician in the family?" called Hawkeye, who was on the porch behind them sorting out the drinks.
"Which one?" said Charles, "My wife, or my brother-in-law?" He grinned. "It certainly saves me a fortune, getting all those free records from Decca." Noticing a squabble developing over the toybox in the middle of the lawn, he raised his voice: "Lauren! Let that go right now! Lee had it first."
The little girl stamped her foot. "I'm Laura!"
"No, you're not," called Ellie. She stood up and plonked the baby onto Charles' lap. "Here – hold my wrap," she said, with a grin, "I guess I'd better go and referee."
"I'll come with you," said Peg, getting to her feet.
"Ohh – perfect timing, Ellie," called Charles, about three seconds later. Holding Elliot up, he wrinkled his nose at sight of the little damp patch on his trousers. "You just had to wait till you were on my knee, didn't you?" he reproached him, playfully, "It wasn't enough for you that your sisters had already managed to get me covered in sand?" Tucking the boy under his arm, he rummaged in Ellie's bag to find a towel to put across his lap, and sat Elliot on top of it. "Now do your worst!" he said.
"You're not going to change him then?" teased Margaret, laughing at Charles' scandalised expression.
"Margaret, please! I will hold him, burp him, amuse him, kiss him and even, should occasion arise, sing to him," said Charles, "But I draw the line at -" he pulled a face "- changing him. I have never changed a diaper in my life, and I have no intention of starting now."
"Oh, for heaven's sake, give him here then," said Margaret, walking over, "I'll do it. You come to your auntie Margaret, Elliot – ooh, you're a heavy boy aren't you? Charles, could you at least find a clean diaper for him?"
"That I can do," he said, reaching into Ellie's bag again. "On second thoughts, you're going to need most of the stuff that's in here." He stood up and picked up the bag. "Lead on, I'll bring this."
She led the way around to the front of the house, and they were just about to go inside when Margaret spotted a car coming up the track. "Hey, I think it's Radar and Patty," she said.
The cab pulled up by the porch steps, and the O'Reillys climbed out.
"Radar, hi! Nice to see you again, Patty," said Margaret, descending the steps to greet them, while the driver got their bags from the trunk.
"Major Houlihan, ma'am," said Radar, awkwardly, "I mean – er –" He looked from Margaret to Charles and then at Elliot. "Uh – did you two sirs get married?" he ventured.
"You know we did, Radar," she laughed, "But not to each other."
"Oh," he said, "It's just that the baby looks kinda like Major – doctor – Winchester is all."
"Of course he does," said Margaret, "Charles is his father." She realised what she'd said when she saw Radar's eyes boggle, and heard Charles chortle. "Oh, for heaven's sake, he's not mine," she explained, hurriedly, "I'm just changing him because his mother's busy and Charles won't… ohhhh – everyone's around back," she said, giving up on the explanation and flapping her free hand in the direction of the path, "Go on ahead. I'll see you when I've finished sorting young master Winchester out!"
The garden was a cacophony of children's squeals and laughter, and adult chatter, but Hawkeye spoke quietly as he drew Charles aside on the porch: "Charles, I hate to ask, and I know this is your weekend and all, but..."
Charles sighed and folded his arms. "Go on."
"I just need a second opinion," said Hawkeye, "Or, rather, a third one, since dad and I have both taken a look at the X-rays already."
"What, and the two of you don't know which way is up?" teased Charles.
"Are you supposed to be an expert or not?" said Hawkeye, needled. "Look, we can drive over to the surgery right now, we'll be back before anyone misses us. Come on, how often am I likely to ask your opinion on anything?"
"Hmm, that is a good point," said Charles. "Alright. Lead on then."
-
"Well?" said Hawkeye, as they checked the X-rays, "Is it operable?"
"In a case this advanced?" said Charles, "Hawkeye, I'm good, but even I'm not that good." He looked across at his old tent-mate. "But I think you knew that before you asked me – didn't you?"
Hawkeye sighed. "Yeah, I knew. I was just kinda hoping that perhaps in that big city hospital you might've come up with some new technique us Hicksville hacks hadn't heard about yet." He shook his head. "Actually, no, what I was hoping was that you'd tell me my entire diagnosis was wrong. But it isn't, is it?"
"You know it isn't," said Charles, quietly, "I'm sorry."
"So am I," said Hawkeye, "These X-rays belong to the teacher who had the kids write us - you remember?"
"Yes, I do. I seem to recall she was a friend of yours."
Hawkeye sighed. "Since we were at school," he said. "Damn it, why does it always happen to the nice ones?" He shook his head. "Come on, bad news'll keep till Monday. Let's get back to the party.
-
As they climbed out of the car, three bundles of energy ran down the slope toward them and flung themselves at Charles:
"Where've you been, daddy?", "We missed you!", "Where did you go?"
"I just went for a little ride with uncle Hawkeye," said Charles, squatting down so that they could reach him with their kisses, "But I'm back now, so I hope you've been behaving yourselves." He tried to sound stern, but knew he couldn't really kid them – they all seemed to be able to read him like a book.
"We've been good," said Lauren, taking her twin's hand.
"We found a butterfly, and we wanted you to tell us what it was," said Laura.
"But we couldn't find you, and it flew away," said Beth, sadly.
"Well, never mind – what colour was it?" said Charles.
"Sort of black with white dots round the edges," said Laura.
"And it had blue and red bits too," added Lauren.
"Sounds like a Red-spotted Purple," said Charles, "If you see him again, you show me."
"Beth tried to catch it," said Lauren, "And she trampled all over uncle Hawkeye's flowers."
"Did not," said Beth.
"Did too!"
"Did not."
"Did too!"
"Didn't, didn't, didn't."
"Did, did…"
"Enough!" yelled Charles, standing up and putting his hands on his hips. "Beth – if you did do it, don't do it again. And you two – stop ganging up on her and telling tales. If I see any of you misbehaving, you'll all go back to the boat."
"Aw, but…"
"No 'buts'," he said, bracing his hands on his knees, "Now go on back and play with the others and be good."
"'Kay, daddy." The twins giggled up at him for a moment, before turning and running back up the slope, hand-in-hand, their auburn pigtails flying.
Beth loitered behind, looking miserable and scuffing at the grass with her right shoe.
"Come here," said Charles, holding out a hand, and lifting her into his arms as she took it, "What is it, angel?"
"I'm sorry, daddy. I won't do it again," she said, wrapping her arms about his neck.
"Mm-hmm. Okay," said Charles, "But what do I usually ask for when you say sorry?"
"A kiss." She smiled, planted a smacker on his cheek and he grinned at her.
"I think you should give uncle Hawkeye a kiss too, don't you, since it was his flowers that you trampled?"
"Mmm, yeah," she agreed, dutifully kissing the proferred cheek as Charles held her in Hawkeye's direction.
"Go play now, sweetie," said Charles, lowering her to the ground and watching her skip away.
"Thanks, Charles – I needed that," said Hawkeye, touching his cheek where Beth had kissed it.
Charles smiled at him, switched his gaze back to his children. "They do make a tough day easier to bear," he agreed, tucking his hands into his pockets as they walked slowly back toward the house.
"And they've got you wrapped round their collective little fingers," observed Hawkeye, with a grin.
"Nonsense," said Charles, "I'm a very strict father."
"Yeah – I just saw," said Hawkeye, laughing. "Bet you get as boring about them now as BJ used to be about Erin," he said.
"Oh, God, I hope not," said Charles, "How did we manage not to kill him? Or ourselves?"
"Or at least rip his tongue out!"
"Or tear up his letters between the fifth and sixth times he read them to us!"
They made their way around to the back lawn, where Potter was busily instructing BJ on how to light the barbeque. Charles watched the column of smoke climb skyward, and shook his head, pityingly. "And to think you didn't want me to bring the canapés ashore," he said.
"So, who's for dessert?" said Margaret, putting the bone from her chicken drumstick onto her emptied plate, and licking her fingers.
"Margaret's made what may possibly be the Biggest Trifle in the World," said Hawkeye, as he munched another stuffed olive.
"Plus there's chocolate cake, ice cream, and jelly for the kids," said Margaret, wiping her hands on her napkin and getting to her feet. "Charles, that paté was to die for, could your cook let me have the recipe do you think?"
"It was my mother's recipe," he said, leaning over to tickle Elliot, who was lying in his carry-cot beside Charles' chair, "And I'll be sure to let you have it before we leave. It's easy enough – even Ellie can make it!" He made a choking noise as Ellie stood up and pretended to throttle him. "Remember the insurance isn't valid if you kill me!" he grinned.
"That thought is all that's saved you on a number of occasions!" she retorted, dryly. "I'll come help you, Margaret. Who wants what?"
"Is Charles really okay about listening to music now, or is it just your playing he likes?" said Margaret, as she spooned trifle into the two remaining bowls on the table, and handed one to Ellie.
"Oh, he's mostly alright with it these days," said Ellie, "He's still not ever played that Mozart Quintet you and Hawkeye gave us, but just about everything else he's fine with."
"He used to listen to Mussorgsky a lot, back in the Swamp, and Mahler."
"Yeah, he still does. Though personally, I prefer something a bit lighter – Delibes maybe, or Vivaldi. So usually, we compromise with Beethoven or Tchaikovsky."
"I love that Pastoral symphony," said Margaret, putting the remains of the chocolate cake into a tin and looking around for the lid. "Charles introduced me to that during the time he shared my record player."
"Oh, yes, that's a lovely piece," said Ellie, "It was a part of the first concert Charles took me to. But I guess if I had to choose just one, I'd have to go for Ravel's Bolero."
"Don't think I know that one," Margaret confessed.
"Sure you do." Ellie hummed her a few bars. "It starts off real slow and builds to a terrific climax. Actually," she said, giving Margaret an impish grin and a wink, "It's a great piece of music to make love to."
Margaret goggled, then giggled. "Really?"
"Oh yeah." Ellie licked her spoon, and smirked with evident relish.
"Lucky you," said Margaret, grinning, "Some of the guys I've known would have needed a real short piece that started with a bang."
They both dissolved into snorts of hysterical laughter, which continued for several minutes. Just as they were hiccupping their way back to sanity, Charles walked in, holding a crying baby. "Ellie, I think he's hungry, could you..." He stopped, glanced worriedly from Ellie to Margaret and back again, while they fought to keep their faces straight. "What? What did I do?"
Margaret, shaking with suppressed mirth, heard Ellie blurt: "Nothing, darlin', 'sjust girls talk."
"That's what worries me," he said. He handed the wailing infant to his wife and turned to go, then glanced back at her, his eyes alight with amusement. "If I find out you've told Margaret about the caviar, I will divorce you," he said, before continuing on his way.
The suppressed giggles burst out of them the moment he was out the door, though Ellie sobered up when Margaret looked at her and said "Caviar?"
"No! Absolutely not!" she said, cuddling Elliot and sitting down on one of the kitchen chairs. She couldn't mask a grin though, and even allowing for the colour she'd acquired from laughing, Margaret could see she was blushing. "I've said way too much already! Charles finds out what I told you, he'll be consulting his lawyer Monday morning."
"Okay," said Margaret, making a mental note to ply Ellie with a little more drink later on. "I think your marriage is safe though – he's still head over heels. No-one ever looked at me the way Charles looks at you."
"That I don't believe!" said Ellie, unfastening her blouse and guiding baby to breast, "What about Hawkeye? He gets that kind of pathetic puppy-dog look when you're near him."
"Sure. Me and most other females," said Margaret. She picked up her trifle and moved to the door, "But I love him anyway - damn him!"
"Boy, it's quiet out here," said Ellie, as she rejoined the party, Elliot dozing on her shoulder as she sat down, "Where'd the kids go?"
"They're just over the gate in the field," said Hawkeye, pointing "Dad's keeping 'em occupied looking for fairy-rings, and Peg's gone with 'em. Don't worry, they'll be fine."
"While it's quiet, how 'bout we revisit that last dinner we had together at the 4077th," said Potter, "I've been tellin' Radar how we all stood up and said what we'd be doing with our lives. I reckon I pretty much nailed it - a little doctoring, a little fishing-" he caught Mildred's eye "-okay, and a few little tasks Mildred saved up for me too. But I reckon there's a few of you found things didn't go quite the way you planned - how about we all catch up together now?"
"That's a great idea," said Hawkeye, "And bags Margaret and I start, 'cos we've been bursting to tell you our news all day!"
Margaret nodded, smiling broadly. "BJ knows about this already, but we swore him to secrecy! We're adopting a baby!"
When the congratulatory noises had died down, Hawkeye resumed: "Not just any baby either. Father Mulcahy put us on to a place called Welcome House, in Pennsylvania. They find homes for Asian and half-Asian kids, and we've just got all the paperwork signed for a little girl we both fell in love with." As he spoke, he pulled a photograph from his pocket and handed it to Radar to pass round. "Isn't she cute?"
Margaret added, a little sadly, "She reminded us so much of that baby girl we couldn't find a home for in Korea."
"Does this mean you're going to be spending more time at Crabapple Cove, Margaret?" said Ellie, kneeling down to gently place the baby in his carry-cot again.
"Sure does." Margaret smiled. "I promised a certain Colonel that once I'd got my career in order I'd make sure I was happy. I guess I'm finally ready to put my nursing on hold."
"Don't worry, you'll be doing plenty of nursing," said Soon-Li, "Just a different sort!"
"We had a letter from Mulcahy for all of us," said Hawkeye, "Guess this is a good moment to share it." He hunted through his pockets, eventually locating the rather creased envelope in his shirt pocket. "Ah! Here we go!
My dear friends,
I'm so sorry I'm unable to be with you today but, as some of you may know, Trapper is due a court hearing anytime now, regarding the restoration of access to his children. He's very nervous about it, and I've promised that I'll accompany him, and speak on his behalf if necessary. He's come so far, I do hope he won't have his hopes dashed again.
We'll both be thinking of you all over the weekend, of course, and I'll be able to visualise the scene quite well, thanks to all the photographs Trapper has shown me of his time there.
I'm very proud of the work we're doing here at the Institute, and it's amazing how many medical supplies seem to arrive just when they're needed, with never a name or an invoice attached. I'd thank God, but I suspect that - thanks to Him - I actually need to thank a few of you. So - thank you, and God bless you for your generosity, doctors.
Yours in Christ
Francis John Patrick Mulcahy'"
"Gee, I hope it works out okay for Trapper," said Radar, "I know he did a lot of stuff he shouldn't have an' all, but he did love his kids."
"Well put, Radar," said Potter, "Now - you were lucky enough to get home before the rest of us, so you weren't at our 'last supper'. But how about you go next?"
"Oh, uh, okay sir. Well, um, have I mentioned that the baby's on solids now?"
A chorus of good-natured groaning assured him that he had. Several times.
"Oh. Sorry. Uh, well, he's being Christened in a coupla weeks, and Mrs Blake's going to come and see him, and she says she'll be his Godmother an' all."
"That's real nice, Radar," said Potter, tolerantly. Radar had mentioned that to him several times already too. "And how's the farm doing?"
"Not so bad. Both the cows Major - uh, Doctor Winchester and his family sent had calves. And if the weather holds, I reckon we'll have a real good harvest again this year. It's kinda tough still, but at least it's working out now."
"And on the 'working out' front," said Potter, "You're probably the only other one here, BJ, who's done exactly what he said he'd do."
"Yeah, well, I didn't need much of a crystal ball!" agreed BJ, grinning. "As far as the future's concerned though, you may not all have heard that I'm training to be a consultant Paediatrician. And so far, I'm loving every minute!"
"Don't suppose you'd consider moving to Toledo?" said Max, "We could supply your first patient!"
"No thanks, Max," laughed BJ, "Not unless you can promise me a view to rival the one of the harbour that I have at the moment!"
Max shook his head. "Sorry. But I know where you can get a great view of Tony Packo's!"
"Can't say I'm tempted," said BJ, "But come on - tell us your news! How's the business going?"
"Booming," said Max, "The workmanship on some of these TV sets, you wouldn't believe. Need repairing every other week - I'm delighted to say!"
"We're even thinking of opening another branch on the other side of town," said Soon-Li.
"All I need to do is persuade - er - my financial backers to stump up the capital for the shop," said Max.
"You didn't just whimper, did you, Charles?" said BJ.
"No - it was him," said Charles, quickly, pointing at his son, "Wind, probably."
"Yeah, well, you'd know all about that!" said Hawkeye.
"And I was about to say the same of you," retorted Charles.
"Come on, children, play nice," said Potter, mildly. "Charles, it's your turn anyway."
"Yeah, and as I recall, Charles, you said something about your life continuing as before," said BJ. He glanced at the baby. "Guess you got that wrong huh?"
Charles smiled. "Yes, I did. I also said that music would always be a reminder of... what happened. But thanks to Ellie, I'm happy to say I got that wrong too." Reaching over, he took Ellie's hand and pulled her onto his knee, saying: "It's a Winchester tradition..."
Everyone groaned again, and Charles shushed them with a "Quiet, you'll wake the baby!" before continuing: "As I was saying: it's a Winchester tradition, on the birth of a first son, to present your wife with an eternity ring." He reached into the pocket of the jacket that was slung over his chair and pulled out a small box. "This is a little late, but I thought it would be nice to wait till we were with our friends," he finished.
Ellie stared at him, then at the ring he had bought for her. "I don't know what to say," she gasped, "Except... it's beautiful! Thank you!"
"No. Thank you. For everythingsaid Charles, sliding the ring onto her finger, and kissing her.
"Ah," said Potter, "I love happy endings!"
The End.