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Boston; March 1957
"Hawkeye!" Margaret yelled from the living room of his apartment. Hawkeye walked in and looked at Margaret. "Bess and Charles will be here really soon." Margaret smiled tiding up. Bess was due really soon, she was over nine months pregnant, and due any day.
"What can I do for you honey?" Hawkeye asked. Margaret was more sensitive these last few weeks and he was trying to make her life a lot easier.
"You can help me get the girls dressed." Margaret smiled. The babies were playing with some blocks in the livingroom while waiting for their Uncle and Aunt to come.
"Sure. Lil come on lets get changed." Hawkeye smiled picking his baby up. Lily giggled and wiggled away. Hawkeye chased her into her bedroom with Margaret and Haylie behind them.
After the girls were changed the doorbell rang.
"Me get it!!" Lily said excitedly. She ran to the door and reached up to the doorknob. "Bess! Arles!" Lily squealed as Charles opened the door.
"Hey little girl." Bess smiled bending down. Hawkeye and Margaret were standing waiting to help her back up.
"Bess. Wen baby come?" Lily asked noticing that her Aunt was still rather large.
"The baby is going to come very soon." Bess smiled.
"Ess wat!" Haylie smiled running towards Bess. "Auntie Laine had baby."
"Did she?" Bess asked with the same tone as Haylie had.
"Yup. Ight Mommy?" Haylie smiled.
"Yes. My sister Elaine had her baby." Margaret smiled. She and Bess hadn't spoken in a little while. She had been in California taking care of everything, and this was her first day back in town. Hawkeye had picked up Haylie last week and brought her back to Boston, leaving Margaret in California to finish up with the odds and ends.
"Really? What did they name the baby?" Bess asked. She was still looking around for names for her baby.
"Colleen-Tristen Amanda." Margaret said. "Elaine named her after Dad." Margaret said softly. Bess stuck out her arm and Charles helped her up.
"I'm sorry about your father Margaret." Bess smiled softly hugging the other woman. Margaret hugged her back and jumped away when the baby kicked.
"She kicked me." Margaret laughed.
The six spent the evening talking and laughing, until something so unexpected happened. Bess went into labor and they all rushed to the hospital.
Haylie and Lily were excited and wanted to see 'their' baby. They tried to stay awake but didn't succeed, they were both asleep by nine. Hawkeye and Margaret were sitting down in her office. Haylie and Lily were sleeping on her couch and she and Hawkeye were sitting talking.
"So how are you doing?" Hawkeye asked pulling Margaret onto his lap. Margaret sighed and leaned into him.
"I'm doing better. But if I didn't have Haylie, I don't know what I would do." Margaret told him. Hawkeye nodded and hugged her tighter. He kissed the back of her neck and rubbed her arms lovingly. "Hawkeye, thank you."
"You don't need to thank me Margaret. I love you, I'll do anything." Hawkeye told her softly. Margaret smiled and kissed him.
"I love you too."
"Good. Cause I'm head over heals in love with you." Margaret smiled brightly and kissed him again. He always knew what to say to make her feel incredible.
"You know what? I think, no, I know you are the sweetest man in the world."
"Aww, you're just saying that." Hawkeye smiled.
"I mean it Hawkeye." Margaret told him seriously.
"I know you do." Hawkeye smiled and kissed her on the lips. He loved making that women smile, she had a smile that could light up the room. He didn't care that they haven't been dating for a while. He was in love, and felt it was almost time to make her his wife. For good.
It was then that there was a knock on the door and one of Margaret's nurses came in with a large smile. She and Hawkeye both knew that Bess had given birth then.
"What is it?" Margaret asked with a large smile.
"Its a girl. Dr. and Mrs. Winchester are upstairs. They wanted me to tell you the name of the baby."
"What is it?" Hawkeye asked.
"Emmaline Elizabeth Annabelle Lanchester Winchester." The nurse replied. Margaret and Hawkeye both smiled and looked over at the sleeping babies.
"We should probably tell them." Hawkeye said watching his two favorite little girls sleep.
"Let them sleep." Margaret smiled looking over at her daughter. Haylie was her life and she loved every bit of her.
"Okay. Why don't you head up and see Emmaline. I'll stay with the girls." The nurse smiled. She was one of Margaret's favorite nurses, and she trusted her.
"Okay."
The two smiled and walked out of the office. They wanted to get up to see Bess and the baby. Hawkeye immediately took Margaret's hand and dragged her upstairs to the maternity ward. They spotted Charles in the hall with a large smile on his face.
"Congratulations Charles." Hawkeye smiled holding out a hand. Charles gratefully accepted it and smiled brightly.
"Thank you Pierce." Charles smiled. He looked at Margaret with a smile and hugged her tightly.
"Congratulations Charles."
"Thank you very much Margaret. Elisabeth is waiting for you." Charles told Margaret. Margaret smiled and walked into the room. Bess was sitting up in the bed cradling the new born baby.
"Hi," Margaret smiled softly walking towards Bess. Bess looked up and smiled brightly. You could tell from her appearance that she was very tired, but very happy.
"Hi. Isn't she gorgeous?" Bess asked. She had been waiting for this time to come for a long, long time, and it was finally here.
"She's adorable." Margaret smiled sitting down beside Bess, she ran a finger across the baby's cheek.
"Do you want to hold her?" Bess asked passing the baby into the other women's hands. Margaret smiled and took the baby into her arms.
"You're so small Emmaline. I remember when Haylie was this small. Haylie is your cousin. Yes she is. You're so cute." Margaret smiled. Emmaline just watched the woman holding her. "She's adorable Bess."
"Who's adorable? Certainly not Charles. He's bald." Hawkeye joked walking into the room. He walked over to Margaret and leaned over her. He looked at the infant in her arms and couldn't help but smile. "Bess honey, she's gorgeous."
"I know." Bess smiled brightly.
"Well my little munchkin, guess what. I'm going to name you."
"Pierce, she already has a name." Charles smiled.
"Your name is very pretty. Yes it is. Do you know what it is? It's Emmaline Elizabeth Annabelle now those are very pretty names, but you're my niece, so you get a better name. Emma. Or Eww. What do you think? Emma is prettier huh? I thought so." Hawkeye said talking to the baby.
The two stayed a little while longer and decided they better get the girls home. It was around ten thirty or so that Margaret walked into her apartment with Haylie in her arms. Haylie was so big compared to Emmaline, but Margaret remembered how small Haylie used to be. While she put the little girl to bed, Margaret couldn't help but remember what Hawkeye said in one of his letters. Those meant a lot to her while she was pregnant.
Margaret looked at Haylie once more and walked out into the living room. She smiled and sat down on the couch curling her legs so that they pressed against her. She grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her legs and picking up her book.
She opened and began to read, she was reading, for what seemed the thousand time, Little Women, would have to be her favorite book. She had read it countless times and still wasn't sick of it.
She was at the part where Amy March was receiving letters from Teddy, which got her thinking, of the time when Hawkeye sent letters and how it made her feel.
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Margaret walked into the kitchen to see her mother busying herself. She smiled, Kate had been helping her since she got home and Margaret loved her for it.
"Morning Mom." She smiled. Kate turned around and saw her pregnant daughter. She was about six months pregnant now and showing quite nicely.
"Morning honey. How are you feeling?" She asked handing Margaret a cup of tea. Coffee wasn't allowed in the house, as Margaret threw up at the smell of it.
"Okay. The baby started to kick though. She kept me awake." Margaret smiled sitting down. Kate had already brought in the paper and mail and Margaret started to sift through it. It was while she was sifting that she noticed a bundle of letters all tied together. She looked at the return address and smiled.
"What do you have there?" Kate asked walking over to her daughter. Margaret looked up and smiled.
"Letters, from everyone at the 4077th. There must be one here from everyone." Margaret laughed pulling the first letter out of its envelope.
"Why don't you read one to me dear." Kate smiled. Margaret grinned and opened the letter.
"Dear Margaret, Its Colonel Potter here, how are you feeling dear? We all miss you here. Radar was sent home a couple weeks back, and Klinger is now doing his job. We're pretty much staying busy here, and wish we didn't. You know what I mean. We had a kid a few weeks back that was no older than eighteen went and shot himself. What a war isn't it darlin. Christmas is coming soon, and everyone is getting in the spirit of it. We all wish we could be home for this one, but as it's looking, we wont be. Hopefully for the next one. That way I can see my honorary grandchild. How is the little one doing anyway? Everything alright, making sure you don't strain yourself?"
"Colonel Potter cares for you doesn't he honey?" Kate asked sitting down. Margaret smiled and nodded.
"He does, a lot. In some ways more than Daddy. But other ways Daddy is better." Margaret told her mother with a smile. Kate grinned and looked at her.
"That's the way it should be honey. What else does he say?" Kate urged. Margaret smiled and looked back down at her letter.
"Just more stuff about me keeping myself and the baby out of danger and how the baby's presents should arrive by next year." Margaret laughed, knowing how long it took for mail to get across the ocean.
"That's great dear. I have to run out to the store. I'll be back in an hour or so."
"Okay Mom. I'll see you." Margaret smiled as she finished reading the letter. Kate smiled and walked out. Margaret was one strong woman.
After Margaret finished Colonel Potter's letter, she sifted through the rest and noticed one in Hawkeye's writing. She smiled brightly and picked it up, pulling it almost excitedly out of its envelope.
My Dear Margaret
It's been a while since I've talked to you. I kinda miss it. Your yelling at me, telling what to do, or even hitting me. It had become the highlight of my day. Haha! Things are going here, I would rather be back in the states with you. Well you know what I mean. Korea is no picnic, but I know you already know that.
Radar was sent home, but I'm pretty sure someone else have already told you that. Christmas is among us, and you're all the way back in California, this would be the first Christmas we had without you. It wont be the same you know. I mean you're a fun drunk. Just kidding. Christmas has always been my favorite time of year, but for some reason, it's not as joyous as it used to be.
Remember our first Christmas here? It sticks out in my memory just like yesterday. Well that's just because I got to kiss you. I know you like it. Haha!
But we had a ton of fun that year, the kids were all so happy. Actually this year we're having a Christmas party for them, the Colonel is Santa since BJ was last year and I was the year before that. But if I recall, I never got to make my appearance as Santa Claus. Very sad, I know. But what can you do?
What else is new here. We got a couple new nurses, and a new head nurse, not as sharp as you, but she does the job. The other nurses are pretty good too, but they don't give me the respect you did. I mean the yelling, and screaming was all the respect I could ever need.
I wrote Dad a little while back, he said that he loved the party, and you were a doll. I still can't believe you danced with him, let alone kissed him on the cheek.
But we all miss you here, I cant believe you're only six months pregnant, (by the time this letter gets to you, Father Mulchay thinks around Ash Wednesday) It's felt longer then it really is. Believe me I would know. I'm an expert on time.
Well I hate to write and leave, but wounded just came in. Take care of yourself Honey,
Love you always
Benjamin Franklin 'Hawkeye' Pierce
Margaret wiped a tear and looked down at the letter, and then at her pregnant stomach. As each day progressed, she thanked god that she had so many people worrying about her. Normally it would piss her off completely, but she loved it.
Margaret flipped through the other letters and smiled as she saw letters from her nurses. One form BJ, and a couple other from the other members. She smiled and noticed yet another one from Hawkeye. She looked curiously at it and picked it up. Opening it she smiled. Incased as a picture of the entire camp with Hawkeye standing in the middle saulting. She unfolded the letter and began to read.
Margaret
Thought you might like a little reminder of where we all fell in love with Margaret Houlihan, not Major Houlihan, or Hotlips, but Margaret. Just a thought of course.
From
Love you! Benjamin Franklin 'Hawkeye' Pierce
Miss you! BJ Hunnicut
Sherman T Potter
Maxwell Q Klinger
Charles Emerson Winchester 111
And the rest of the nurses, and men here at the Korean Theatre!
Margaret smiled brightly and folded the letter back up leaving the picture sitting on the table. It was to her, one of the greatest gifts she had ever received.
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Hawkeye smiled and laid Lily done in her bed. The little girl was still in her clothes, and he wasn't going to change that. Lily was a hard little girl to change. After he made sure she was safe in her bed, he walked out and into his bedroom. He couldn't help but smile at the picture on his nightstand. It changed monthly, and this month it was a picture of him and Margaret. He had his arms wrapped around her and his head resting against hers.
Hawkeye smiled and started to take his clothes off. It was late and he was tired. Yawning he stripped down to his boxers and crawled into his bed. He loved his bed, three years sleeping on a cot or wherever he could, his bed was the best place to sleep.
Once his head hit his pillow, he closed his eyes and sighed, pulling his blanket over his head he fell asleep. Dreaming of everything he loved.
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Hawkeye opened his eyes looking around his surroundings. Almost three years after he arrived to this hell hole, he still couldn't believe he was waking up each day in hell. And this was hell. He had once told Father Mulchay, that war was worse than hell. And in this case everyone saw exactly what he meant.
Yawning he sat up and pulled his blankets around him tighter. It was to cold to even be a temperature. Shivering he slipped on a pair of slippers that Margaret had sent him. She was his angel, that was for sure.
Just then there was a knock on the door. Hawkeye groaned and yelled, "Enter if you have heat!" The door opened and Sybil smiled, she walked over to Hawkeye and sat on his lap, trying to keep warm.
"You coming to breakfast?" She asked trying to warm up.
"I don't think so. I'm not exactly in the mood for the slop they feed us. And knowing the cook its cold." Hawkeye complained.
"Yeah I know what you mean. Well I'm going to go get something to eat. I'll see you later okay?" Sybil smiled. Hawkeye smiled and kissed her. "Bye."
"Bye honey." Hawkeye smiled covering himself up in a blanket as Sybil walked out. A gust of cold air came in and Hawkeye shivered. As soon as she left he pulled a box out from under his cot and smiled at the contents.
He had received a care package from Margaret. She to his surprise, was an amazing cook. She had made fudge, cookies, cake, something that was very crummy, and muffins. And had sent it all to him. BJ received some of the treats, but most of them Hawkeye was eating. He pulled out a couple muffins and smiled as he took off the wrappers.
"Yum yum yum. Margaret, you are a god!" He smiled taking a bite. Picking up the letter that came with the package he started to read.
Dear Hawkeye
Hi, thank you for the last letter. It really brightened my day. The names were are pretty, its going to be hard to decide what to name the baby. Mom thinks it's a girl, she she's been buying things for her granddaughter. My brother-in-law David, thinks it's a boy, so he's been buying things for a boy. He says if it does turn out to be a girl, then he'll give everything to his son-to-be. David is trying to convince my sister they should have another baby.
I was actually thinking of names for the baby. Tell me what you think. For a little girl, I want to name her after my grandmother, Madylin. And for a boy, Benjamin, since I did tell you I would name the baby after you. You mean a lot to me Hawk.
Anyway I'll fill you in on whats going on here in the states. I met Peg Hunnicut at the party that BJ set up. She's truly a sweet woman, and Erin is as cute as a button. She was sitting in front of the picture of BJ the whole time. I cant imagine how hard it is for her not to know her father. But that's another casualty of war I suppose. Dad came to see me last week, he even stayed for a little while and he and Mom didn't fight. Which is great. Him and Mom, have been divorced for about a year and a half now. I think they only stayed together for the companionship, but when that got tiring, they divorced.
They keep on telling me that they did love each other, and that's why Elaine and I are alive. Even though Elaine was an accident. All little sisters were accidents. Haha! Elaine would hit me if she read this.
Anyway Hawk, hope you're home soon, I cant wait to see you.
Love you always
Margaret Lilian Houlihan formally known as 'Major' Margaret Houlihan
Hawkeye smiled and folded the letter back up. Margaret was sure something else, and she meant more to him than, well Sybil. But he loved Sybil…didn't he?
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A week later
Winchester Residence
Boston MASS.
"Remember when the baby was left on the doormat of the Swamp. She turned Charles into a babbling idiot. It was so funny!" Hawkeye laughed as the four adults sat around talking. Emmaline was right now in the arms of Margaret, were she was quite content to stay for the moment.
"As I remember Pierce, she also turned you into a babbling idiot, even though you were already one." Charles shot back. Margaret laughed knowing what Charles was getting at.
"I am not! Besides, as Colonel Potter said, all men turn into babbling idiots when a baby is around." Hawkeye shot at Charles.
"Fair enough Pierce. Now Margaret, when is Pennobscott dropping Haylie off?" Charles asked changing topics. Bess was lying back in her chair, she was still tired, and both Hawkeye and Margaret knew what she was going through. A week old baby was more of a chore than pleasure.
"He said before dinner." Margaret told Charles.
"Pennobscott may be a rat, but I will admit, he does take pride and effort into seeing his kin." Margaret nodded. Charles was right. Ever since Donald had decided to be in Haylie's life, he had always been on time to see her.
"I better check on Lil. Be right back." Hawkeye said standing up. Lily was at home with her aunt. Ashleigh had sent Hawkeye out of the house. Lily had the sniffles and wanted to stay at home.
A few minutes later Hawkeye had returned with his jacket in hand. Everyone looked at him oddly.
"My dad had a heart attacked. I have to go home. Charles, I wont be able to come in for the next little while."
"Understandable Pierce. Just take care of your father." Charles told him. Hawkeye smiled and turned to Bess.
"Contrgrats honeydew. If you need any help, just ask. I'll talk to you soon." Hawkeye told Bess. He kissed her on the cheek and looked at Margaret.
"I'll call you later." He said kissing her. Margaret kissed him back and nodded.
"Okay. Bye."
"Bye."
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When Hawkeye arrived back at his apartment, he could hear Lily screaming at the top of her lungs. That made his heart drop, he always hated seeing his baby in pain. He quickly opened his door and saw Ashleigh walking the floors with the baby.
"Hey." Ashleigh said walking over to her 'brother' she handed him his daughter and gave a soft warm smile.
"What's the matter Angel?" Hawkeye asked holding her up so they were face to face.
"Grampy sick!" Lily told her father.
"I see that. Good thing Daddy is a doctor." Hawkeye smiled.
"We make Grampy better?" Lily asked her father. Hawkeye gave her a warm smile and nodded.
"We'll make Grampy all better. Don't you worry baby."
"I'll get my things packed. Do you want me to do yours?" Ashleigh asked.
"Please. Thanks Ash." Hawkeye smiled walking with Lily into her bedroom.
"Daddy?" Lily asked softly. Hawkeye pulled back a little bit so he could see his daughter.
"What is it Angel?"
"Does me have a Mommy?" Lily asked. She had never known her real mom, but presumed that she must have a mommy, all her friends have mommys'. And it seemed Lily was the only one without one.
"Lily, your Mommy knew she couldn't make you happy. But she knew that I could make you happy." Hawkeye told his daughter. Lily looked down and then at her father again.
"Wen me get a mommy?" Lily asked.
"I don't know Lil. I just don't know." He told Lily truthfully. He laid her down on the floor and grabbed a cotton t-shirt. "Lets get these off of you." He said refering to her wet clothes. It looked like she and Ashleigh were doing dishes.
"Me do Daddy."
"You're getting to big for my liking. You could have stayed a baby your entire life." Hawkeye smiled handing Lily her shirt. Lily just looked at her father oddly, she didn't know what he was saying. "You have no idea what I'm saying. But that's alright, you never have."
"Yup." Lily answered. She was three and still didn't know what was going on in the world.
"You're too precious." Hawkeye laughing picking her up.
"We going to see Grampy?" Lily asked as her father set her down on her bed.
"We sure are. Do you want to help me pack your things?" He asked pulling out her bag. Lily nodded with a smile.
After the three were packed, they made their way to the airport. Ashleigh had made plan arrangements and everything before Hawkeye found out about his father. She wanted to have him get back to Maine as quick as he could. Daniel meant a lot to her too, and she knew how it felt to lose a father.
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Hawkeye closed his eyes and gently eased himself onto the couch; it had been a long week. Daniel was still in the hospital and was very cranky about the whole situation. He didn't think he needed to be in the hospital.
Hawkeye sighed and closed his eyes, this couldn't be happening. He needed Margaret's help now. Sitting up he picked the phone up and dialed the number that he had memorized.
After two or three rings the receiver was picked up and a little voice answered.
"Hello. Dis is Haylie." The voice said cheerily.
"Hi Haylie, can I talk to Mommy?"
"Um. Kay. Et me get Mommy." Haylie told him. Hawkeye smiled, Haylie was always the cutest when she answered the phone. He could hear Haylie call Margaret; since she kept the phone to her ear.
"Hello?" Margaret asked with a little laugh.
"Hey. How are you?" He asked cheerfully.
"I'm not to bad. How are you doing?"
"I am exhausted. Lily wont stop crying, I finally got her down for the night. And my Dad is being as cranky as ever. Its like he doesn't care about his health."
"Sounds like you're having a rough time with them." Margaret said softly. She knew how little girls could be. After all she had one of her own. And as for a cranky father, she used to have one of those as well.
"I am. Its not like he's sick any more, he's just throwing his terrible twos. Even though she is seventy-five." Hawkeye sighed.
"He'll grow out of it. I promise." Margaret smiled. She figured Hawkeye could use a joke. "But I have to let you go. I have to put Haylie to bed. I'll call you in about a half an hour okay?"
"Sure. I love you."
"Love you too." Margaret smiled before hanging up the phone. Hawkeye smiled and hung up the phone. He might as well take a shower.
Hawkeye walked through the living room and into the room that Lily was sleeping in. The little girl looked so peaceful. Ever since Lily asked him when she would get a mother, he kept thinking and thinking and thinking.
As soon as he got back home, he would buy a ring and ask Margaret to marry him. The time was right. They were in love and they both knew they couldn't live without each other. Margaret treated and loved Lily like her own, and he did the same with Haylie. No matter what happened Hawkeye and Margaret belonged together.
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