In The Eye Of The Beholder Chapter 20, last chapter, a m*a*s*h fanfic

CHAPTER 20

Everyone walked back into the house two hours later. They noticed right away that Hawkeye and Margaret weren't there, but came to the conclusion they must have gone for a walk to be together. They hadn't had a moment to themselves in two days.

Erin was pretty comfortable in the house now. She knew everyone there pretty well and was a lot more open than she had been when she first arrived in Maine. She ran around the house like she owned the place. It was a lot nicer for BJ and Peg because they didn't have her attached to them all the time.

"Erin honey," Peg said. "What are you doing?"

"Playin'." She had some of Dan's knick knacks in her hands.

Peg took them from her. "You can't play with these, sweetheart."

She looked up at her mother. "Why?"

"Because they're not toys. Why don't you go grab some of your toys out of the bedroom?"

"Okay."

"I'll come with you."

"No. Me do it." She jumped to her feet and headed for the stairs.

"Be careful." Her mother called after her.

Erin climbed the stairs carefully. When she reached the top landing she ran off for her toys. She gathered some of them in her arms and ran back to the top of the stairs. In her hurry to get everything she dropped some of her toys and fell backwards into one of the bedroom doors. It was part way open and she opened it a little more. She stood up and looked inside. She had never been in that room before. When she did she saw Hawkeye and Margaret sleeping peacefully. Being three years old she didn't do anything except keep quiet and leave the room. She wasn't supposed to wake people up. Her mother often told her not to wake her father up when he was taking a nap.

Dan was passing by the bottom of the stairs when he saw Erin at the top. He stopped and looked at her. "What are you doing honey?"

"Shh." She put her finger to her lips.

"Why?" He chuckled. It was cute having kids around again.

"Sleeping."

"Sleeping?" He looked at her oddly. Everyone was downstairs. "Honey, why don't you come downstairs and play with your toys?"

"Okay," she picked up as many toys as she could carry and attempted the stairs one at a time.

Daniel met her half way and picked her up. He carried her to the landing and set her down. "There you go."

"Thank you," and with that she walked off.

Daniel watched her for a moment then started up the stairs again. He was going to find out who was sleeping. As he neared the top of the stairs he could see that Margaret's bedroom door was partially open. Daniel pushed it open a little more and peered inside. He should have known, who else would it have been? He opened the door all the way and stood in the doorway. He shook his head, those two...

"Good afternoon!" He shouted.

Margaret's body jumped and Hawkeye sat straight up as fast as he could. He knew that voice all too well. "Dad," he groaned rubbing his forehead. "What the hell? You scared me half to death."

"Good."

Margaret looked at Dan wishing she had the energy to get up, but she didn't. Hawkeye lay back in the bed and wrapped his arm around her. "We were napping. Nothing else. She won't let me."

"I'm sorry," Margaret managed to say. "I should have made him get out."

"No," Hawkeye said. "You're didn't do anything wrong."

"Just get the hell out of bed you two. You have company, remember?"

"Yes sir." Margaret nodded.

"Sir?" He smiled. "I think I like that. Hawk, take some lessons from her."

"How can I if you don't let me be around her?"

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Get up. If you're not down there in ten minutes, I'm coming after you." He looked directly at Margaret. "You can stay if you want. You need some rest."

"I'm fine, but thank you."

Daniel nodded and left the room. "Ten minutes, Hawk." He yelled back.

"I know!" Hawkeye sighed with frustration. "He drives me crazy."

Margaret smiled and relaxed on him again. "He's just being a dad. Be glad you have a father that cares."

"I draw the line when he starts caring when I have sex."

"He's just old fashioned, you know that."

Hawkeye rolled over and forced her onto her back. "I don't care," he said as he lay on top of her and buried his face in her neck.

Margaret threaded her fingers through his hair. "You better go downstairs." She didn't want Daniel to come back up and find them like that. They usually started out in a position like that before they made love.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Please Hawkeye," she could feel the temptation growing. His entire body was pressed against hers; she could feel the mild ache in her belly building.

He lifted up so he could see her face. "Let's go for a ride."

"What?"

"We'll go some place secluded and take our time getting reacquainted," his hand moved to the inside of her thigh. "We'll say we have to go sign something for the house."

Margaret had to resist moaning, it had been a long time since he touched her like that. "We haven't done anything with them all day."

"We haven't done anything together all week."

She had to stop his hand from moving up to her crotch. "The Potters are flying in this evening."

"We'll leave early."

"No."

"Yes."

"Honey, no."

Hawkeye moved to kiss her neck. "We'll be fast."

Fast was not what she wanted. She wanted to hold out for one more day. It would make their wedding night more special to her. Getting to know one another all over again. "No." She pushed him off of her. "Tomorrow night. Not before."

He sighed as he watched her get off of the bed. The door was still wide open and anyone that walked by would have been able to see the two of them. "What time do we leave for the honeymoon?"

"Eight."

"At night?"

"Yes. You're the one that booked everything."

"We'll be spending all night on a plane."

"You have no room to complain this time," she pointed out. "You made all the arrangements, not me." Margaret stood looking in the mirror. "I look like hell."

"You look fine."

"No I don't." She tried to fix her hair and bring some color back into her face. "Let's go downstairs and get this over with. As long as my mind is occupied I don't worry so much."

"Fine." Hawkeye stood up reluctantly. "I'm never getting married again."

"You better not." She pushed him out the doorway faster than he wanted to go. "Let's get something to eat. I'm so hungry."

"You're always hungry."

"You're the one who always has a sandwich in his hands."

He caught her on the stairs and put his arm around her. "You're the one who always has to have something after we make love."

"You know that's not true. Not every time," she grinned.

"That's only when I manage to keep you in bed," he whispered.

"Shh..."

"They can't hear."

Margaret moved out of his grasp and finished making her way down the stairs. "Come on."

When she disappeared into the living room he went into the kitchen and grabbed himself a beer. He needed to cool off for a minute before he went and joined the others. He took s few sips of his beer and then joined them all in the living room. Margaret was sitting in a chair; it was the only spot left in the room. He walked over to her and sat on the arm of the chair.

Daniel looked at his son. He didn't offer anyone else anything. "Could I get anyone anything?" He said for his son.

"I'll take a beer." BJ said.

"Anyone else?"

"I'll take one," Margaret said.

"Okay. Two beers. You two ladies want anything?" He looked at Katie and Peg.

"No thanks," they both said.

Hawkeye sat there listening to the conversations take place. He didn't have much interest at the moment and focused on the entertainment. At the moment that was Erin playing with five month old Janie. It was pretty entertaining for the moment. At least he could pretend he was occupied with them and didn't have to answer anymore questions about the wedding or the future.

Margaret carried on with the conversation for a little while. She noticed Hawkeye's disinterest in everything. He was sitting there looking for a way to get comfortable, but it just didn't seem possible. Finally after Dan left the room again Margaret got up and let Hawkeye take the chair. Then she sat on his lap. They were both more comfortable. Her arm was draped around his shoulders and his hand was resting on her thigh.

They couldn't get married fast enough. All this ceremonial stuff was killing them. They each had to fight with themselves to keep some amount of self control. Hawkeye's self control didn't work too well so Margaret had to make up for it. It was getting really tough now. She had gone too long without being able to feel him, and she didn't want to do it anymore. They were getting married and she should be able to sit on his lap without being made to feel like she was doing something wrong.

Hawkeye was content for a while like that. Sitting in a comfortable chair made being there more bearable; however the blonde sitting on his lap did not. As time passed he found himself becoming more and more antsy. As they continued to talk about flowers and cakes the only thing he could think about was taking her right there on the living room floor. It was becoming harder and harder to restrain himself from touching her.

"Does anyone want anything else?" He sat up and Margaret rose to let him stand. "BJ, do you want another beer?"

"Sure."

"I think there are some more in the garage." He turned to Margaret, "I'll be right back."

She nodded and gave him a kiss. "Get me one too."

"Okay." He looked at Peg and Katie. "Do you need anything?"

"I'm fine," Katie told him.

"Me too."

Hawkeye nodded and then left the room. He just needed some time to calm down. Her sitting on his lap hadn't helped him, if anything it had made it worse.

Margaret knew what had happened. She had felt him start to shift in his seat after a while. It was too much for him at the moment. He did the right thing. At least he didn't take her by the hand and drag her somewhere to beg for sex.

When he walked back into the room Margaret had vacated the chair and was sitting on the floor playing with her niece. Hawkeye knew it was only a matter of time before she did that. She could never resist a cute baby for long. Sometimes that could be cute, but other times it made him nervous.

"Here honey," he handed her the bottle of beer.

"Could you set it on the table for me?" She didn't bother to look up at him.

"Yeah."

"Beej," Hawkeye passed the beer to him.

"Thanks. What are we doing tonight? Having a wild bachelor party?"

Margaret looked up from the baby to hear what Hawkeye had to say to that. "My wife to be here is making me leave for the night. She said I can't stay in the same house because I can't see her before the wedding."

"Everyone knows you can't." She stated.

Katie and Peg both nodded. "She's right, Hawk. You can't."

"Yeah, well at least I'll get some sleep tonight. In a real bed."

"You do look like hell." BJ said. "Maybe you should go now."

"I can wait." He didn't want to be without Margaret. It was still early.

Margaret looked over her shoulder and smiled warmly at him. She could see how tired he was, he would have fallen asleep in the chair if he could. The only sleep he was going to get tonight, if any, would be from exhaustion. Maybe it was a good idea they were leaving right after the wedding, they could both do with a little sleep before they got there.

"Nervous Hawk?"

Hawkeye shook his head calmly, "Not at all."

Margaret moved so she was sitting between his legs on the floor. She brought her hand up and put it on his knee. "Should he be?"

BJ smiled, "It's just hard to imagine Hawkeye Pierce married."

"We're doing it for my father. He'd die if we started having children without a license," Hawkeye said.

Everyone in the room chuckled. "He's just sick of sleeping on that couch," BJ told them.

"Damn right," Hawkeye grumbled.

The room erupted with laughter again. When the laughter died down BJ said, "Seriously, what are we doing tonight?"

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I've been designated to pick the Potters and the Klingers up from the airport," he said with little enthusiasm. It wasn't that he didn't want to see them, he was just too damn tired.

"That reminds me," Margaret interrupted. "Don't let me forget to give you their flight numbers."

"Yes ma'am."

"Do you mind if I tag along Hawk?" BJ asked.

"Not at all. I'll need someone there to take over in case I fall asleep at the wheel."

"I can drive if you want, but you have to stay wake to tell me where to go."

"Are you kidding? I'm a better driver than you with my eyes clothes. I don't want you to flip my car like you did that jeep."

BJ laughed. "That wasn't my fault."

There was some noise heard from Janie. She was looking at her aunt crying. It startled Erin who was playing with her. "What happen?" She asked her own mother.

Peg looked at Margaret. She was in a better position to see what Erin was doing. "Was she too rough with the baby?"

"No," she shook her head. "Is she hungry?"

"No," Katie said. "You were just playing with her, Maggie. She wants you."

"Aww." Margaret reached over and picked up the baby. "You're such a sweetheart."

Katie smiled. "Tell Aunt Maggie that you're a spoiled brat. Doesn't she remember?"

Margaret sat the baby on her lap and played with her. Just as the baby had done in South Carolina, she relaxed her. Made everything else disappear for a few minutes. It would have stayed that way had people not insisted on turning the conversation to always center around her and Hawkeye. At first it was nice because it was nice to know people cared, but now they both had enough.

"What time do you have to leave?"

Hawkeye looked down at his fiancé. "Margaret. Margaret." She turned her head and looked up at him. "What time do I have to leave?"

"Not for another hour."

"Oh, okay."

"Where did your father go?"

Hawkeye guessed he left because he was sick of entertaining company. It wasn't his duty. "He's out back probably trimming the bushes."

Margaret looked back at him. "You were supposed to do that."

"I did. My father just goes back over it when I do. The only thing he doesn't do that to is lawn and that's only because it's so big."

Margaret turned around and handed the baby to Hawkeye. She stood to her feet. "Excuse me. I'll be right back." She wanted to check on Dan.

"I'll come with you," Katie stood up. "Are you okay with Janie?"

"Yeah," Hawkeye nodded. After the two of them had gone he turned to BJ and Peg, "Was I speaking in a foreign tongue or something?" He knew where she was going.

BJ laughed, "She's just worried about him."

"She has nothing to be worried about, he's just doing it so he doesn't have to sit here and listen to us."

"Well you said that things weren't going so well between her and her father right now. Maybe it's her way of getting some of that back."

"I know it is," he told them. "It's a really sensitive subject." Janie started to laugh and Hawkeye held her up so he could look at her. "What's so funny?" Her only response was to laugh louder.

"You're just a funny looking guy," BJ quipped. Peg laughed and so did Erin.

"Watch what you say Hunnicutt," Hawkeye narrowed his eyes. "Best Men aren't hard to replace."

BJ laughed. "I'd like to see you try."

Margaret and Katie stopped in the kitchen before they made it outside. They hadn't had a moment together since Katie arrived. Katie and Hawkeye were the two people that could read Margaret the best, and even that wasn't often. "Maggie, have you talked to mom or dad?"

"I sent them each an invitation and asked them to call me, but they didn't."

"Neither one of them?"

Margaret shook her head. "It's fine. Really."

"You don't fool me for one second."

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it. I really don't care," she lied.

"Who's giving you away?"

She had hoped her father would show up, she hadn't asked anyone else yet. "I would like to ask Colonel Potter tonight."

"You think he'll do it?"

She smiled and nodded. "Yeah. He's not like our father."

Katie saw the tears hiding in the corners of her sister's eyes. "He'll come around."

Margaret sighed. "I don't know. Let me go check on Dan."

"Do you think I can use the phone to call Rick?"

"Yeah, go right ahead. Hawkeye's fine with the baby. You can go into den for privacy if you want."

"Thanks." Katie walked away to call her husband. Rick hadn't been able to get the time off with such sort notice. The two of them were working on their marriage still and Katie just wanted to call to tell him she loved him.

Margaret poured a tall glass of iced tea and walked out the back door to check on Dan. He wasn't trimming the bushes or going over any of Hawkeye's work. He was sitting on the steps looking out into the ocean. Margaret walked up next to him and took a seat beside him. "Hey, honey. What are you doing out here?"

"Checking on you." She handed him the glass.

"Thank you. Why are you checking on me?"

"Just making sure you're okay."

"I haven't been this happy in a long time. You've made my son a very happy man."

She smiled. "I don't know about you, but Hawk and I can't wait until all this is over."

"If I know him he just wants the two of you to be out of here and be in the same bed."

Margaret chuckled. "I'm sure that has something to do with it, but that's not the only reason. We're ready to be married. I can't wait until we can move in to our house. Things have been so stressful lately."

"But how many times do you get married?"

"This is my last time," she vowed.

"I know it'll be, you two look very happy together."

Margaret smiled warmly, "We really are."

"Come on," he stood up and held his hand out to her. "Hawk's probably drowning in there all by himself."

Margaret accepted his hand and together they walked back into the house.

The wedding was absolutely beautiful. It was everything that Margaret had hoped it would be and so much more. Her parents weren't there, and yet she couldn't remember a time when she had been so happy. Colonel Potter gave her away in place of her father, something which in turn she didn't regret at all. Katie and Hawkeye were her family now, she didn't need any more then that.

Hawkeye had looked so handsome as he stood there. His tuxedo fit wonderfully, his hair was combed in that precise way that accented his eyes. The entire time the Priest was talking he was watching her intensely, his eyes fixated on her own. She couldn't help but cry when he slipped the ring onto her finger and they exchanged vows. When it was over he pulled her close and kissed her lovingly.

The reception was beautiful and everything went nicely. Every person there was happy for them and the whole event turned out to be well worth the stress. Hawkeye let Margaret out of his arms a few times that day because people were asking to dance with the bride. He didn't want to, but he had to. It ended up being worth it to be able to see her out on the dance floor smiling and laughing.

That evening after they both changed and were ready to leave for the airport Dan had BJ drive them there. He stayed at the house with some of the guests that remained. All of them were leaving the next day. On the ride there BJ asked them about where they were going and made some small talk. He remembered the day he got married and the last thing on his mind was talking. He just wanted to get on with it and get to the destination to officially start the honeymoon. Hawkeye and Margaret were even worse than he was. It made him feel very awkward and he understood why Dan had asked him to do it.

The plane ride was relaxing if nothing else. Hawkeye had lifted the arm rest that was between them so that they could be closer together. He pulled her to him and they both closed their eyes and fell asleep. Neither of them could have asked for a better day and it wasn't over yet. It would be late when they arrived on the island, but that didn't matter to them. As long as they got there.

Hawkeye knew where the place was and told the cab driver the directions. Margaret sat back leaning against him and looked at as much as she could with it being so dark out. They seemed to go outside of town and she got a little curious. Then they turned down a long road that lead to a single house. It was the first time she was seeing a house that she now owned.

Margaret's reaction was indescribable. It wasn't anything like she'd imagined it would be. From every room, large French doors opened up to expose the ocean from all sides. Margaret could tell that he never intended to bring anyone else there, it was the ideal place just for the two of them and nobody else. The living room was the first room she saw. There was no main door, it was all just meant to be left open. He had some older family photographs that she had never seen, the occasional knick knack from his childhood, and surprisingly enough the odd photo of her when she was a girl. Most of the furniture was an unvarnished wood, giving the small house a very island feel.

The bedroom was just off the living room with not even a door connecting them. Nearly the entire room was open, giving her another wonderful view of the beach. The house wasn't right on the water, it was situated on a hill that rose above the taller trees and gave her a bird's eye look at the island. From there it was only a short walk down to a private stretch of beach.

There was a large bed against the back wall that was cascaded with white silk sheets and a canopy from which a sheer netting could be let down. All the bedroom furniture was antique she assumed, it had the old, fragile look to it. Margaret turned and looked at her husband; he was standing in the doorway watching her.

"What do you think, honey?"

She smiled brightly. "It's gorgeous!"

He nodded. "Freshly cleaned and fully stocked with food."

"Food? How did you manage that one?"

"I have my ways." He walked over to her and wrapped her in his arms. "We're married."

She looked into his eyes. "It feels wonderful."

He nodded with a grin that seemed to be permanently pasted on his face since the cab driver pulled up to the house. "What do you want to do?" He knew what he was hoping for, but he didn't know if she wanted to look around a little more or maybe unpack.

"It's our wedding night. What do you think I want to do?"

"I knew there was a reason I loved you."

"There better be more than one." Her hands moved to the back of his head and she pulled him down for a kiss. "You should show me the bedroom. I can't see it very well from here."

Hawkeye smiled and scooped her up in his arms taking her off guard. "You may not see it very well tonight, but you'll get a good look at the ceiling." When they walked into the bedroom Hawkeye put her down on her feet. "Don't move." She watched him go to the dresser drawer and pull out a box of matches. He lit the white candles all around the room and then turned down the sheets on the bed. "This is better."

"I love you so much." She started to kiss him again. He wanted this so badly, but he wanted her to feel wanted, not used. It had been a long time since they had been together, but he wanted this to be a night to remember. Margaret's hands moved to the buckle in his pants surprising him.

"What happened to taking this slowly?" He grinned as he watched her hands. "I was hoping to undress you one piece at a time."

"We just spent four hours on an airplane," she told him. "I'd like to spend our honeymoon doing more then undressing." Her hands moved around to push his pants down.

After waiting for so long Hawkeye was genuinely anxious. "We'll have plenty of time for that, I promise."

"I know, there isn't a TV in this whole place," she said. Then with a smile she added, "You're very good."

Hawkeye kissed her deeply and then started working on the button on her pants. "Tell me that again in an hour or two."

Margaret slowly undid his shirt buttons one by one. "If you do your job right then I won't be able to," she whispered in his ear.

He unzipped her zipper, "I'm sure we can work something out."

After she undid the last button she pushed the shirt off his broad shoulders and let it fall to the floor. She kissed his naked shoulder and wrapped her arms around his chest and shoulders. "I love you..." she breathed as she kissed his collarbone.

Hawkeye pushed her pants off and hoisted her up. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he carried her over to the bed. The bed was raised high off the ground, so high that she might have needed a step stool to get up there. He set her down on the edge and stood motionless between her legs. They looked at one another in the dark. His hands moved to her waist and he pulled her shirt off over her head. Margaret ran a hand across his chest and down to his stomach. He nuzzled her lightly before moving to push her back.

He started kissing her collar bone and slowly moved down across her chest and stomach. His hands moved her panties down and took them off tossing them to the pile of clothes. She was left in her bra now. He climbed up on the bed over top of her and started to kiss her. Her hands felt so good as they gently ran up and down his back. Occasionally she would let her nails scratch him a little sending chills up his spine. Her hands slipped down and tried to push his boxers off of him. She pushed him onto his back and pulled them off all the way and then climbed on top of him. Hawkeye's hands moved to the back of her bra to unhook it. The only thing they were wearing was their wedding bands.

They made love for the first time as a married couple. The week they spent on the island was the most relaxing week either of them had ever experienced. They barely left the house and when they did it was just to go down to the beach where they were still alone. They didn't have any little spats that week and for the first time it was just the two of them that existed in the world.

Hawkeye was very attentive to her every need and want. She made it pretty easy by telling him that all she needed was him. Despite that he ordered her flowers everyday and even made breakfast in bed for the two of them a few times. Margaret was the same way to him. She didn't send him flowers, but she took care of him. She made most of the meals for the first time in their relationship. It was everything that either of them had ever dreamt of. Nothing could have been better.