Margaret walked downstairs. She was wearing her pyjama's and her dressing gown.
Hawkeye was lifting the last of the French Toast onto a plate.
"Smells delicious!" said Margaret.
Hawkeye was too busy eating to answer.
When he swallowed he walked to the fridge.
"Want a drink? We got coke, lemonade, milk, water, soda, scotch, wine, beer-how did that get in there? And gin. We don't normally drink beer," said Hawkeye.
"Could I have a coke please?" asked Margaret.
"Sure," Hawkeye grabbed two cokes and set one in front of Margaret.
"Thanks for everything Hawk," said Margaret gratefully.
"No problem. Now, sleep in, you look exhausted. I need to work tomorrow morning, but I'm free during the festival, barring accidents which dad would normally patch up but he's not here, so that will be relegated to me," said Hawkeye.
Hawkeye woke up at one o'clock. Margaret. She drove him crazy. He lived for her smile and died with her frown. He was acting like a love-sick schoolboy.
Margaret was also up. She couldn't stop thinking about him. When he was close, she just went numb. Damnit! She was acting like a love-sick schoolgirl.
CRABAPPLE COVE
Margaret did indeed sleep in. She woke up at nine.
Downstairs in the kitchen, Hawkeye had left a note.
Margaret,
Hope you had a good sleep. In the fridge is some leftover French Toast if you want to heat it up. There's some bread, so you can have toast. Or, raid the fridge! I'm in the surgery. Just go out into the street (don't bother to lock the door) and turn left. Walk for a block, turn right and you'll see the sign! PIERCE PRACTICE. Just come right in to my office. If you get lost, ask people for directions, they'll be more than happy to point you in the right direction.
Love, Hawkeye
Margaret reached the Pierce Practice. Walking in, she headed for the door marked 'Dr Hawk's office.'
Walking in, she saw Hawkeye bending over a patient. A middle aged man was leaning anxiously over his shoulder.
"Hello Margaret! Would ya mind giving me a hand here?" said Hawkeye without turning around.
Margaret jumped. Walking around, she saw the patient was a little boy and Hawkeye was having some trouble applying the antiseptic.
"Here," she said softly, taking the tube from him.
"Thanks Margaret," said Hawkeye.
Hawkeye was the picture of professionalism with his white coat and stethoscope, at least until Margaret looked at his feet and smothered a laugh. He was wearing pink fluffy boots with a chicken beak.
"Pierce! Why must you wear those slippers?" she asked laughing.
"For fun. Besides, little Anita gave them to me, she's one of the patients. Cutest little thing under five years old. I wouldn't survive if I didn't wear them at least once a week. Got different shoes for each day-and I'm babbling again aren't I? I'm making a habit of that," said Hawkeye.
"How did you know I walked in?" asked Margaret.
"I have my ways!" said Hawkeye, tapping his nose.
"Ahem!" said the little boy indignantly.
"And I got little Tommy Wilder here to grin if any beautiful ladies walked in. Well done Tommy! For identifying the majorly beautiful Margaret you get some mega big jelly beans!" admitted Hawkeye.
Tommy grinned.
"Now Toby, Tommy can't climb trees, but anything else is fine ok. He's all right buddy," said Hawkeye to the man.
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your girlfriend Hawk?" asked Toby.
Hawkeye and Margaret blushed.
"She's not my girlfriend," came at the same time as "He's not my boyfriend."
"Sorry, my mistake. Toby. Toby Wilder," said Toby, offering his hand to shake.
Margaret took it.
"Margaret. Margaret Houlihan."
"Margaret Houlihan! We've heard a lot about you! In Crabapple Cove, your beauty is legendary, you are the best nurse ever to walk this planet and more," said Toby shooting a sly glance at Hawkeye. Hawkeye's whole face was red with embarrassment, mirroring Margaret's.
"So, Margaret, you are staying for the Lobster Festival aren't you?" asked Toby, switching the subject much to Hawkeye and Margaret's relief.
"Yeah, Hawk invited me to it. At the 4077th, every week that the Lobster Festival was on, Hawkeye would be such a grouch to be around," said Margaret, shooting a tender glance at Hawkeye.
"I'm Tommy Wilder. He's my dad and Dr Hawk is the best doctor in the world-except for Dr Dan," said Tommy, one hand full of jelly beans and the other offered to Margaret.
Margaret took it and smiled at Tommy.
"I'm Margaret and because you are such a brave little patient, you get a present from me too," said Margaret kissing the little boy's cheek. She shot a sly glance at Hawkeye.
"Not fair! I want one too," said Hawkeye.
"Hah hah! She likes me better than you!" said Tommy grinning.
"That's it buddy! That's the last time I give you my green jelly beans!" teased Hawkeye.
Tommy's face fell until Hawkeye winked at him.
"Tommy, we have to go, say goodbye and thank you," said Toby, shaking hands with Margaret once more.
"Ok Dad. Bye Dr Hawk, thanks for the jelly beans! See you around cutie," said Tommy, winking at Margaret who smiled at him. Tommy skipped out, waving.