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By Christmas, Margaret wasn't that sure that she wanted to have Haylie meet Donald. Her mother had been talking more and more since Donald had first called her. Margaret even called her father who was in Germany. To say the least he was more shocked and worried on how if his daughter allowed his granddaughter to see and come attached to a man that would most likely end up leaving and hurting her.
About four days before Christmas, Hawkeye, Lily, Margaret and Haylie arrived in California. Haylie couldn't wait to see her grandmother again. Lily never had a grandmother and was somewhat excited to have someone who could eventually be her grandmother. Hawkeye was anxious to finally meet the mother of the woman he loved. Margaret couldn't wait to spend sometime with her family. Elaine was now expecting her third baby, and Margaret wanted to see her five-month pregnant sister before the baby was born. Mercy was now four and loved the fact she was going to have a baby brother or sister again. Shawn was two and he wasn't as excited as his sister, but he was a boy.
When they arrived in the airport Margaret made Hawkeye get the bags while she and the girls went to the bathroom. They were meeting David and then all going out for brunch. After everyone was back together and both girls had gone to the bathroom, they went to meet David.
"Maggie!" David yelled as he saw his sister-in-law walk out of the airport.
"David!" Margaret smiled brightly. She picked Haylie up and held onto Lily's hand and walked over to him.
"Hey honey, how are you doing?"
"Good. How about you?"
"Great."
"What about the kids and Elaine?"
"Good. They're all good. Mercy is waiting to see you. And Shawn cant wait to see his favorite Aunt." Margaret smiled brightly and looked at Hawkeye.
"Oh David, this is my boyfriend Hawkeye. Hawk is this my brother-in-law David."
"Hi Hawkeye." David smiled offering his hand to Hawkeye. Hawkeye smiled and shock David's hand.
"Hey there. This is my daughter Lily." He smiled gesturing to Lily who was clinging to his pant leg now.
"Hey there little lady." David smiled bending down to her height. "How old are you?" Lily held up two fingers and smiled.
"Dis many."
"Wow! My son is almost two too. His name is Shawn." Lily smiled at David. She didn't really know him so she was being shy. "You're not shy are you?"
"Of course you aren't are you Angel?" Her father asked picking her up. Lily smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "She's tired."
"Its okay. What do you say we go meet everyone for brunch and head back for nap time?" David suggested as he started putting the suitcases in the trunk.
"I love it. Where are we meeting Mom and Elaine?"
"The Café on Central. I don't know what its called." Margaret laughed. He had lived here for three years and still didn't know what the café was called.
"Lets go." Margaret smiled as she got Haylie settled into the car. David smiled at Margaret. He had to admit he was hungry.
The five all made their way to the café, where they met Elaine, Kate, Mercy and Shawn. The two kids were excited to see their aunt. Mercy wanted to tell her Aunt everything that was happening. Shawn just sad comfortably on his Aunt's lap watching as his sister talked. Haylie was on Kate's lap talking merrily about random things. Lily was talking with Elaine about her baby. She thought it was the best thing that both her and Bess were having babies. Hawkeye and David talked about football. After brunch they decided it was for the better to get all the kids home and down for naps.
Shawn was crying but wouldn't go to his parents. Haylie wanted to be in her grandmother's arms, Lily wanted to be with her father, and Mercy wanted to help everyone. It was driving everyone insane. They needed to get the kids home right away.
Once they got home the kids were put down for naps and asleep in no time. Mercy wasn't tired so she stayed with the adults and they went outside on the patio. Mercy sat in her play house playing with her dolls while the five adults talked.
"So Hawkeye, why are you dating my sister?" Elaine asked casually. "Besides the sex."
"Elaine!" Margaret yelled in embarrassment. Hawkeye laughed and hugged Margaret closer to him before answering.
"Well, Margaret does something to me. Something that I cant describe. She makes me feel incredible, warm, and well, I cant describe that either." Elaine laughed and nodded. She understood exactly where he was coming from. David made her feel the same way.
"Same reason honey?" Kate asked knowing that her youngest daughter was going to ask the same question. Margaret nodded.
"Aww, isn't that cute. Maggie is in love."
"Elaine, shut up." Margaret shot back to her sister. It started the war between the sisters.
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The next morning, Margaret walked into the kitchen to the phone ringing. She sighed and lifted the receiver.
"Hello?" She smiled answering.
"Hello, I was wondering if I could speak to Margaret."
"This is she, may I ask who this is?" Margaret asked a little confused. The only people who knew her mother's number was the Head of the Nursing Staff, Charles and Bess, Head of the Hospital and Hannah.
"Margaret, its Donald. I was wondering if I could talk to you."
"What do you want to talk about?" Margaret asked sharply. She already knew that he wanted to talk about Haylie.
"Margaret, this would be a lot easier to talk in person."
"Fine. Meet me at Winston's at noon and we'll talk." Margaret agreed. She didn't have the energy to argue with him, well on the phone at least. In person was a different story.
"Thank you Margaret." Donald said sincerely.
"Yeah. Bye." She said hanging the phone up. She sighed and closed her eyes tightly. She wasn't sure of her emotions, she was angry at Donald for wanting to finally be in her life. She was scared at the pain that Haylie might get from him hurting her. She was scared of how he would hurt her again. Because when your child is hurting, that's the worst thing in the world to any parent.
"Hey honey," Hawkeye said walking into the kitchen. Margaret looked at him and went directly into his arms. She leaned her head into his chest and hugged him. "Hey, its okay."
"No, no its not." Margaret said shaking her head. Hawkeye knew how she felt. He would feel the same way if Sybil came back and wanted to know Lily. No matter what, they were both single parents and the only parents to their children.
"Ssh. Everything will work out. I promise." Hawkeye said lifting her head. Margaret nodded and hugged him again. "When are you meeting him?"
"Today. At noon." Margaret told him.
"I'll take care of Haylie. Don't worry."
"Thank you. I don't really want her to get her hopes up before anything is for sure." Margaret told him. Hawkeye nodded in agreement. He loved Haylie, and if he saw her get hurt that it would break his heart.
That afternoon, Margaret left shortly before noon to meet Donald. She told Haylie that she needed to get some things done, and would be back after nap. Haylie wanted to come with her, but Margaret told her no, which almost reduced the child to tears.
Margaret walked into the restaurant and waited to be seated. She was early and now had to wait for Donald to arrive. She ordered a drink and waited patiently.
"Margaret," Donald said walking up to the table. Margaret gestured for him to sit and watched as she did so. She didn't see what she used to see in him, he was something of a charmer back when she met him, but now, now it seemed that he turned into maybe a grown man that could be responsible. "Thank you for coming."
"What did you want to talk about?"
"Well, I wanted to talk to you about the baby."
"What about Haylie?"
"Well I've done some serious thinking,"
"Did it hurt?" Margaret mumbled under her breath.
"And I want to be in Haylie's life." Donald said. Margaret looked at him like he was crazy.
"Are you nuts? Donald, if you haven't noticed, Haylie is almost three years old. You left before she was even born, and you decide now, that you want to be her father. Come off it Donald."
"I know I made a mistake."
"You made a huge one. And I don't know if I want to allow you to see her."
"Then I'll take it court." Donald said looking at Margaret without blinking.
"You must be joking. Now after three years. Three years Donald. You know what happened in those three years? Well I'll tell you. Haylie was born, she had colic, she then learned to sit up by herself, then her teeth came in, she learned to crawl, then to walk. Then she learned to run, and put her own shoes on, then she got potty trained and she did ALL that, and tons more without you in her life. What do you think she'll accomplish after the first three years in her life?"
"Well I'll be there when she starts ridding a bike and learning to read and tie her shoes." Donald started. He knew that this wasn't going to be easy.
"She may know you, but how in hell do I know that you're going to be there for all those things? What about when she graduates from high school, are you going to be there just because its your duty or because you want to and you love her more than anything. Because I can think of another person who loves her, and not just because he should, but because he does."
"I do love her."
"How in hell am I suppose to believe that? You were never there for her!" Margaret said firmly, but not yelling, she didn't really want to cause a scene.
"I had some things to think about. At least I wasn't the one who was screwing around."
"Oh don't give me that crap. You were the one that was screwing everyone you could get your hands on. I know I meant nothing to you."
"Margaret don't even start. You did mean something to me."
"Yeah, I was the wife you had on the side who was only good for a tumble in the sheets huh?" Margaret said as she felt herself getting angrier. She honestly didn't know how much longer she could take without yelling.
"Let's not get into that. You know what, if you don't want Haylie to know her father, than fine. I bet you already have someone all ready to step into that role huh?"
"Don't you even start with me. My relationship with my boyfriend is personal, and I know at least he'll be there for us. Not like a husband I had."
"I was there for you."
"Sure you were. That's a bunch of bull."
"Let's not get into our marriage Margaret. We came to talk about Haylie." Donald said firmly. He was getting upset and didn't want to get into their failed marriage.
"Fine. But I still don't want you to have visiting rights."
"You may not want it. But think what's best for our daughter." Margaret sighed.
"She may only be your daughter because you're her father. But nothing else. And I mean nothing else. She doesn't even know you exist."
"You never told her?" Donald asked a bit surprised.
"No. I remember when she was born, David, Colonel Kings," Margaret quickly corrected herself. "Phoned you and told you about the birth. And he told me that you never wanted her to know about you."
"Back then I didn't know what I wanted."
"You sure didn't want a family. A wife and a daughter, without your mistresses on the side."
"I made some mistakes. I admit it, but its not something I'm proud of. I want to make everything right."
"Well its a little late for that now isn't it? If you wanted to make things right, you could have been there in the beginning, and not just decided to show up now. Think about that."
"Margaret, you know that I would never want to hurt you."
"Well you did. What a surprise there! Donald Pennobscott hurt Margaret Houlihan. At least now I know that the man I'm seeing wont hurt me or Haylie."
"Margaret, please. At least let me see her." Donald practically begged. He knew this whole thing was a long shot, but he had to try. He had to get to know his daughter. Now, before it was too late.
"I still don't know if I want to let you. How do I know you wont leave again?" Margaret asked seriously. She needed to know, even if it was only for the time being. She needed to know.
"I wont. I know I already did that once and it hurt you and hurt my baby, but I'm giving you my word, I'm not going to leave." Margaret sighed. She didn't know if she could trust his word. Since he gave her his word that they would try and work things out, and that failed. His word almost meant nothing to her. And wouldn't. He had to give her more than that.
"I want more than that. You gave me your word once and you broke it."
"I know, I'm sorry. But this time you're going to have to trust me this time." Donald said looking at her in the eye. Margaret looked at him and sighed. She didn't know if she should trust him or not. Instead she looked at her watch.
"Donald, I have to go. I have to do some Christmas shopping."
"Alright. But please, just think about it. Do me that." Margaret stood up and nodded. It was the least she could do. "Goodbye Margaret." Donald said handing her a card. Margaret took it and placed it in her purse.
"Bye Donald." Margaret smiled slightly before leaving the restaurant. She now had a lot to think about.
But what exactly was there to think about. What was best for Haylie? Or if she should was best for her and Donald? Or just for Donald. She didn't know. She never imagined that something like this would ever happen to her. She knew she would have to make decisions as a mother, but never one like this. This was one of the biggest decisions she ever had to make. Should her daughter know her biological father, or not? Or should she just go through out knowing nothing. Margaret couldn't do that to her. She wasn't going to let her baby go without at least knowing her father. She nodded to herself and walked off towards the store that sold baby clothes and other items. She wanted to have Donald get back to his office and think more before she called him.
After an hour or so shopping, Margaret headed to the pay phones and called his office.
"Hello. This is Lieutenant Colonel Donald Pennobscott's office. I'm Daisy." A chipper voice answered the phone. Margaret sighed, well it seems all the men have dumb blondes as secretaries.
"Hi. I was wondering if you could leave a message for Donald."
"Of course, just let me get a pencil out. And what is your name?" Daisy asked.
"I'll spell it for you honey. Capital M, little a, r, g, a, r, e, t. Capital H, little o, u, l, i, h, a, n."
"Okay. And what do you want your message to say?"
"Donald, I thought about it and I think that Haylie would benefit from knowing you. Call me at my mothers later tonight. You got that?"
"Yup. Who's Haylie?"
"His daughter Honey."
"Donald has a baby. How cute. Who are you his other girl friend?" Daisy asked in a happy perky tone.
"I'm his ex-wife." Margaret explained.
"Oh he didn't say that he had a wife. He told me that he has another girl friend besides me." Margaret sighed. It looked like he was screwing his secretary, what was new. "Donald said I'm his work girl friend. I'm only an interim. He said that no one can know about us, because he doesn't want to make everyone jealous." Daisy smiled. It seemed that this little girl was falling for him. And well, Margaret wasn't quiet sure she wanted to hear anymore.
"Yes. Well I must go. Make sure that gets to Donald right away. Or as soon as you stop having sex." With that Margaret hung up the phone and sighed. She would be amazed if the message actually got to him.
Margaret looked at her watch and decided to head back to her mother's. She wanted too spend time with Haylie before her mother got home and took her, which, had happened ever since the baby was born. Her father did that too, this would be almost her fifth Christmas that he wouldn't be there. And she hated to. Even when she was growing up, Alvin always made it home on Christmas to be with his daughters. And since her parents divorced it hadn't been the same. Hopefully one year, her family would be together, that was her only Christmas wish.
When she arrived back at the house, she was attacked by a charging toddler. Margaret gladly picked her up and hugged her tightly.
"Hi baby, did you have fun with Hawkeye?"
"Yup. We payed o fish an me won." Haylie told her mother proudly.
"Wow. Did you go easy on him?" Margaret asked Haylie as Hawkeye and Lily walked into the hall to meet her.
"Yup." Margaret smiled and set Haylie down. Hawkeye grinned and walked over giving her a kiss on the lips.
"How did it go?"
"I'll tell you later." Margaret said kissing him again. Hawkeye smiled and took her hand and walked with her into the living room where the four spent the rest of the afternoon playing until Kate came home and they all had dinner. Then Margaret and Hawkeye bathed and put the girls to be by eight o'clock.
"Are you going to let him?" Kate asked looking at her daughter. She already knew the answer, but wanted to hear it from her daughter's mouth.
"Yeah, I mean I'm not going to stop him from seeing his daughter. He may have been a complete ass and left us, but I'm not going to let Haylie go without a father."
"I know honey, but are you sure? He did leave you and wanted nothing to do with the baby."
"He may be a complete ass, but I hope and pray he'll be smart enough to be responsible." Margaret told her mother as she handed her mother a cup of tea.
"Thank you baby girl."
"Welcome." Margaret smiled. She loved her mother more than life itself, she may have been a total Daddy's girl, but her mother was always there no matter what watching out for her.
"But back to what I was going to say. If you think he'll be smart then I'm behind you."
"Mom don't worry okay?"
"Okay honey. But I'm your mother, it's my job to worry."
Christmas was spent together with everyone. Haylie was the most excited little girl ever. Not only did she have Hawkeye, Lily, her mother and Grandma, but she had a father. She didn't exactly understand why he just came, but she didn't mind. She now had two men to spoil her rotten, and her grandfathers.
Christmas morning was something else. Haylie ended up getting up and running straight to the Christmas tree, bypassing her mother. Margaret couldn't help but laugh, Haylie was cutest thing alive.
"Mommy pesents!" Haylie smiled as she looked at her mother.
"You want your presents?"
"Yes." She said clearly.
"Did Santa come?" Hawkeye asked her as he watched the little girl toddle over to the fire place where her stocking was hanging.
"Uh huh. Mommy pen pesents?"
"We have to wait till Lily wakes up." Margaret told her daughter. Haylie frowned and sat on the floor. She wanted to open her presents now, not later.
"Why don't I got get Lily?" Hawkeye suggested. Haylie nodded, she didn't want to wait any longer to see what Santa bought her.
"Kay." Haylie smiled brightly as she tried to get her stocking down. "Mommy, ocking." Haylie told her mother. Margaret smiled and stood up and handed Haylie her stocking. "Tank you."
"You're welcome honey." Margaret smiled as she watched her daughter take the small stocking stuffers out of the sock.
"Gamma me hungy." Haylie told Kate. She knew that her grandmother would give her food when she was hungry.
"I guess that's my cue to go make breakfast." Kate laughed standing up. "Pancakes sounds good to you?"
"Banana ones?" Margaret said hopefully looking at her mother.
"Its Christmas, of course I will." Kate smiled walking out of the living room. Margaret smiled and watched as her daughter amused herself with the nic-nacks in her stocking.
"Hey there," Hawkeye smiled carrying Lily into the room. She had her head resting on his shoulder and looking at the other people in the room. When she saw the Christmas tree and all the presents, she smiled and started to wiggle down from her father's arms. She ran over to the fire place and tried to get her stocking.
"Daddy elp." Lily smiled turning around looking at her father. Hawkeye smiled and took the stocking down giving it to her. He sat down beside Margaret, wrapped his arm around her shoulders and watched as his daughter and Haylie play with their stockings, that they found more fun than the toys.
The rest of the day was spent chasing the kids around and making sure that the children didn't go into the kitchen where Elaine, Margaret and Kate spent the day cooking. Leaving David and Hawkeye to take care of Mercy, Shawn, Haylie and Lily by themselves.
Christmas was something that everyone loved and enjoyed more than anything. Margaret still wished her father was there to make it a complete Christmas, and was disappointed when he didn't show. But she knew that he was still in Germany, and even if he was in the states, he probably wouldn't come.
When the time came to leave, Margaret still hadn't told Haylie about Donald, she didn't want to till she was sure he was going to move to Boston. They were going to tell Charles and Bess when they got back to Boston. Hawkeye even had to promise Margaret that he wouldn't breathe a word of anything to Haylie. Margaret didn't want her to get her hopes up.
"Mommy, me no wanna go." Haylie whined as she and Margaret waited out on the front porch swing.
"I know Baby. But we have to go home."
"Mommy, you go home, me say wif Grammie." Haylie grinned. Margaret laughed and hugged her baby.
"I don't think so Baby. You'll miss me too much. Besides I'm never leaving you." Haylie smiled and hugged her mother.
"Wuv oo Mommy."
"I love you too Baby." Margaret smiled kissing her daughter on the cheek.
"Molly, I would like to say goodbye to my niece, if you'd stop monopolizing her." Elaine smiled walking out of the house.
"Okay, but we have to leave soon.
"That's why you have to let me say goodbye. Go get Hawk and bring Lily to me." Elaine said shooing Margaret into the house.
"Auntie." Haylie smiled holding her arms up to her aunt. Elaine smiled and sat down bringing the child to her lap.
"I'm going to miss you Sweetie. You tell Mommy to let you come and visit me soon okay?"
"Kay." Haylie smiled as the rest of the house walked out. Lily was taken right away while Margaret went and talked with her mother and the two men talked by the car.
"Lily, I'm going to miss you. Make sure you and Daddy come visit me. Okay?"
"Kay. Lane me miss oo." Lily smiled hugging her.
"I'll miss you too honey. You just keep being yourself. Promise?"
"Promise."
"Good. Come see me when the baby is born okay?"
"Kay." Haylie smiled. She leaned into her aunt and hugged her. Elaine hugged the two girls and looked at her husband and Hawkeye talking.
"David, stop talking and say goodbye to your nieces." David smiled and jogged to the porch, he leaned over the railing and smiled.
"Look at you two. I'm sure going to miss those smiles." The two girls smiled. "Yeah come here you two lovelies." The two girls climbed down and walked to the stairs, where David picked them both up. He kissed them both and carried them to Kate, who was waiting for them.
"Ah my two little beauties. I'm going to miss you two."
"Miss Grammie too." Haylie smiled.
"Miss oo." Lily told Kate. She was the only grandmother that she had and would be the only one she knew.
"Well make sure Mommy and Daddy bring you back."
"Me will." Haylie promised.
"Well be good, and I love you two."
"Wuv oo too Grammie." Haylie grinned from ear to ear. Lily looked at her and then at Kate.
"Me too. Wuv oo." She smiled hugging Kate. Kate smiled and hugged the two girls. Hawkeye and Margaret put the girls in the car and stood there.
"Bye baby girl." Kate smiled hugging her daughter. "Remember to come back soon."
"I will Mom. Maybe we'll fly here for Easter." Margaret told her mother. "Bye Mom."
"Bye honey." Kate smiled. "Hawkeye, it was a complete pleasure to meet you. You are just like your father."
"Thank you Kate. It was a great pleasure meeting you too."
"Make sure you get my daughter to come see me, or I'll beat you." Kate joked hugging the young man. Hawkeye hugged her back and stepped away to allow Kate the others have a chance to say goodbye.
"Hawk, well I can certainly see what Molly sees in you." Elaine smiled hugging him. "See you again soon right?"
"Of course. Just make sure you take it easy you don't need to put that baby in any danger."
"I promise." Elaine smiled. "Bye Hawk."
"Bye Elaine." Hawkeye smiled kissing her cheek. Elaine smiled and looked at her sister.
"Molly, I'll miss you. It felt good to have you back home. Just come back more often."
"I will Elaine. Don't you worry. Just take care of yourself and the baby. I want my new niece or nephew happy and healthy. You hear?"
"I hear ya, I hear ya." Elaine smiled "Bye Big sis."
"Bye lilttle sis." Margaret grinned. "Bye baby." She smiled leaning down to her sister's stomach.
"Molly," David smiled hugging her. "Its been great. Come back."
"I will bye." She smiled.
"Hawk, its been a blast. Al would never chew the fat with me. I'm glad there's now someone in the family that will."
"Same here Dave. I'll see ya," The two men shock hands and then went to the Kings children. "Bye Mercy, bye Shawn."
"Bye bye." Shawn waved. He was sitting contentedly playing in the sand box. Mercy smiled and waved too.
"Bye babies. Be good for Mommy and Daddy." Margaret smiled kissing each of them on the head. The two smiled and waved.
"Let's go." Hawkeye said taking her hand. Margaret nodded and waved as they got in the car. Christmas with her family was the best time, but she needed to get home and back to her life. Even though she knew that it might change for good.