Disclaimer: I don't own anything from MASH, no matter how much I would love too, I don't so please don't sue me!
Summary: Follow Hawkeye and Margaret's life, together from the beginning!
"I really would like to be married before we move in together, but if you want to wait, I'll wait with you." Margaret says, propping herself up on her elbow."Do you want a large wedding?"
"I want something, even if it's small. I don't care about the dress or anything, look where that got me last time."
"Margaret, do you want a wedding or do you want to elope?"
"I say, lets have a small wedding here. What do you think?"
"I think I can deal with that." Hawkeye says, smiling, "When would you like to do this?"
"When can you get a priest?"
"Well... I highly doubt we can get Father Mulcahy on such short notice, but I can get someone probably soon. My father has connections."
"I should probably tell my family." She says, smiling.
"That would be a good idea, but we can deal with that tomorrow."
"So we're getting married soon..."
"Yeah, we are. Who would have thought that you and I would be married."
"Not me..."
"Me neither. Let's get some sleep." He says, as Margaret yawns.
"I think that's a good idea."
And with that both of them sleep the night away. The next day was Saturday and Daniel's office was closed. Hawkeye and Margaret decided to sit down and talk to him about their arrangements.
"Dad, Margaret and I were thinking."
"About what?"
"Well, we want to get married before we move." Margaret said smiling.
"I thought you wanted to have a large wedding?"
"It doesn't matter anymore. I'd rather us get married with our family and then move."
"Well that sounds good." He says smiling at his soon to be daughter-in-law. "When do you want to get married?"
"As soon as possible." Hawkeye says. "Do you think Father McAllister would do it?"
"I don't see why not. You'll have to call him up and make sure he isn't too busy."
"I'd still like to get Father Mulcahy." Margaret says sighing.
"We can try him first. See if he is available to come up here."
"We could go to Philadelphia. Do you have his number there?"
"Yeah, I do." Hawkeye says smiling, "I'll give him a call soon."
"Ok." Margaret says smiling.
"Well, when do you two intend on moving?"
"March 10th. It's a little over three weeks."
"Ah, and are you two going to head out there to look for a place to live?"
"Dad... we just decided that we were going to move. I have only had time to think about the wedding... nothing else yet."
"Ok, ok." Daniel says smiling, "But you two do need a place to live Hawk."
"I thought for the first few years we could live on the streets. What do you think Margaret."
"I think you are calling BJ and having him find us a Realtor."
"Fine, we'll take the easy way." He says, standing up, "I'm going to go call Father Mulcahy."
"Ok." Margaret says, smiling, taking a sip of her coffee.
Hawkeye gets on the phone and puts a call into Saint Michaels Rectory. Father Mulcahy has devoted half his time to the church and the other to the school for deaf children. Thankfully his hearing has returned to the point where he can hear people talking to him without needing them to shout, thanks to the invention of the in the ear hearing aid, which had just come about. He had missed hearing the confessions more then he had originally thought when he came home from Korea. The phone rings for a few times before Hawkeye hears, "Saint Michaels Rectory, Father Kilpatrick speaking."
"Hello Father, I was wondering if Father Mulcahy is available."
"Yes he is. Could I ask who is calling?"
"Yes, tell him it's Hawkeye Pierce."
"Of course. One moment please."
A minute later, Hawkeye hears a familiar voice, "Hawkeye? Is that you?"
"Yes Father, how are you?" He asks in a louder voice.
"I'm fine. No reason to yell my son. I just invested in hearing aids."
"Well that's wonderful! How are they working out?"
"Wonderfully. I haven't talked to you in a while. How are you?"
"I'm doing well thank you. I'm sorry you couldn't make the reunion in August."
"Yes, so was I. I unfortunately was on a mission to Ireland that month, but I heard all about it from Radar and Colonel Potter."
"Well then I won't bore you with all the details."
"It could never be boring. Strange isn't it? You think when you leave the war zone everything will be grand, but you forget how close you become to those in the zone and how much you really miss them."
"This is true." Hawkeye says smiling, "Listen Father, I have to ask you a favor."
"Ok."
"I'm moving to San Francisco on the 10th of March."
"Oh? That's wonderful! What for?"
"I got offered a job at BJ's hospital and I couldn't pass up an opportunity like that."
"I think it will be good for you two to work together again. BJ and you were quite the team."
"Yeah, we were. It will be great to work with him again."
"So what's the favor?"
"Well, my fiancée and I want to get married before we move. She isn't too big on the whole living together without being married."
"Your WHAT?"
"My fiancée."
"You mean to tell me that you are engaged?"
"I am." Hawkeye says laughing.
"I never thought I would see the day when you would settle down with ONE woman."
"We all have to grow up sometime." He says smiling. They had only been engaged for a few months, and not everyone knew about it just yet.
"So who is the lucky lady?"
"You know her actually."
"I do?"
"Yes, she was one of our nurses."
"Really?"
"Yup."
"Well, that could be one out of ten nurses."
"She would have been the eleventh nurse."
Father Mulcahy scratches his head a bit, thinking about who the eleventh nurse was, until it clicked, "You mean you and the Major?"
"Yes."
"Margaret?"
"Yes." Hawkeye says smiling.
"When did this happen?"
"A few months ago. I saw her at the reunion and I realized how much I had missed her, then she came for a visit in November, and one thing lead to another and we are engaged."
"Well congratulations! I wish you had told me sooner."
"I'm sorry Father, but the only ones who really know so far are BJ, the Colonel and our families. We really haven't had a chance to tell many people with everything that is going on."
"Understandable." He says smiling on the other end of the phone, "Well, when were you planning on getting married?"
"Well, I was hoping for not this Saturday, but Saturday the first of March. We would be willing to come to you, but Margaret and I really want you to marry us."
"Hmm, let me see what is going on that weekend. Can you hold on for a second please?"
"Of course."
Father Mulcahy looks in the books to see if his church is open that week, and lucky for them it was, "That day would work out splendidly my son."
"Really? You'll do it?"
"I'd be honored to do it."
"Margaret and I owe you one Father. Thank you."
"Now, are you having a large wedding?"
"No, we don't think that there will be time to call everyone, so it is just going to be our families who will be there."
"Ok." He says, smiling. "Well, is Margaret with you?"
"Yes, she is, hold on." He says, taking the phone away from his mouth, "Margaret... the Padre would like to talk to you."
She quickly comes into the living room and Hawkeye says his goodbyes before Margaret grabs the phone from him, "Hi Father."
"Hello Major... I just heard the wonderful news! Congratulations!"
"Yes, thank you."
Hawkeye smiles and lets the two of them talk. "March fifth."
"That seems like a good day. In Philadelphia?"
"Yeah. I'll make reservations for the few who will be going."
"That sounds good." Daniel says smiling at his son. "You're glowing again."
"I have no idea why... I'm getting married in two weeks and moving in a bit over three, I should be scared to death."
"No, you are scared to death when you have kids; marriage is a walk in the park."
"Good to know. Oh, and I'll pay for this months phone bill." Hawkeye says, knowing that he is going to be paying a fortune for the long distance phone calls he has completed over the past few days.
"How about we just split it."
"That sounds even better."
"Consider it you're early anniversary present." He says smiling, "This calls for a celebration... let me make you a martini."
Hawkeye smiles and nods, even though it was only 11 in the morning, he wasn't one to pass up a stiff drink.
"Do you think Margaret will want one?"
"Sure, make her one and if she doesn't I will drink it." Hawkeye says grinning.
"If she won't drink what?" Margaret asks as she walks back into the kitchen.
"My dad wanted to know if you wanted a Martini."
"Sure." She says smiling, "Thank you."
"So was the Padre surprised?" Dan asks.
"Yeah, he was really taken off guard." Margaret said smiling.
"We should probably let everyone know that we are getting married."
"Yeah." Margaret says, taking the glass presented before her. "We also have to get out to San Francisco to look for a place to live."
"And you also have to call your parents and let them know that we are going to be married in Philadelphia on the fifth."
"Yeah." She says smiling.
"Go call them now." Dan says smiling.
"Ok." She says getting up off the chair for the second time that morning and heading into the living room to make the call. They have a phone in the kitchen, but she knew this should be a call done in private.
"Hello?"
"Hi Annie." Margaret says smiling. She decided to let her sister know what was going on first. She was easier to talk to.
"Hi Maggie. How are you?"
"Fine, thanks, how are you?"
"Also fine. Where are you?"
"Up in Maine. I have something to tell you... actually I have two things to tell you."
"Ok... shoot."
"Well, Hawkeye and I are going to be moving."
"Moving? Where?"
"San Francisco."
"When?! Why?!"
"He got offered a job at BJ's hospital... it's his best friend, he was in Korea with us. We leave on the tenth of March."
"You're kidding me?! So you are just up and moving away from me? Leaving me here with mom and dad?"
Margaret laughed a bit and says, "Yes. Sorry, but I have to go where my fiancée goes. I'm transferring to the VA in San Francisco."
"Wow... Margaret, this happened so quick."
"I know."
"So what is your other news?"
"He and I are getting married on the fifth of March."
"I thought you were going to be married in July?"
"We decided to change that. I want to be married before we move in together. You know how I am."
"Yeah. So where are you getting married?"
"In Philadelphia, Saint Michael's."
"Philadelphia? Why there?"
"Because, Father Mulcahy is there and we want him to marry us. He was also..."
"In Korea with you."
"Right. I want you in my wedding."
"You know I'll be there."
"Thanks Annie. Hawkeye's going to get hotel rooms for everyone, so you don't have to worry about that."
"When are you going out to look for a house?"
"Next week I hope."
"Did you tell mom and dad?"
"They are next on my list..."
"Good luck with that."
"I need it." She says sighing. "Well, I better go call them... Wish me luck"
"Good luck Margaret."
"Thanks. Bye."
"Bye."
Margaret sighs, and picks the phone back up dialing her parent's numbers, silently praying that her mother would be the one to pick up first. She let out the breath she was unaware of holding at the familiar, "Hello?"
"Hi mom."
"Hi Margaret... how are you?"
"I'm fine." She says. "How are you?"
"Fine."
"And daddy?"
"He's fine too. He is sitting right here."
"Mom, I have to tell you two things that I will be doing in the upcoming weeks..." She says as she tells her mother exactly what she had told her sister. She got the response she thought she would get from her mom, which...
"You're moving on the tenth and getting married on the fifth?!"
"Yes."
"Margaret, you are rushing this just a bit aren't you?"
"We are just having a small wedding, family only. I'm going to come home, pick out a dress, and next week we are hopefully flying out to San Francisco to pick out a place to live."
"Why so far?"
"I told you already..."
"Couldn't he have found a job closer to home? I mean he was a Captain, he could get a job in the VA."
"HAWKEYE?!" Margaret asked, almost laughing. "Mom, Hawkeye is the most un- military person I have ever met! He would never lower himself to making the army part of his life again, not to mention his career."
"Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Mother... of course this is what I want! I love him."
"So, Philadelphia on the fourth is when you want us."
"Yes. I would really appreciate it if you called the family because I am not going to have much time."
"That's fine honey. I want to be there to help you look for your wedding dress."
"Ok. I come home on Tuesday."
"I'll be up to help plan."
"Thank you mom."
"I just want you to be happy Margaret, and if this is making you happy then I respect everything you are doing. I am going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too, but mom I have to do this. It is a great opportunity for Hawk." She hears her father mumbling something to her mom and asks, "What does dad think?"
"You know your father... he is happy for you, but he thinks you can do better."
"He always has. I just want the two men I love more than life itself to get along."
"Maybe one day they will... but right now everything is moving very fast, and we just have to keep up with it."
"I know... does dad want to talk to me?"
"Al... do you want to talk to your daughter?" After a moment's pause Kate smiles and says, "Here he is Margaret. I love you, and I'll see you in a few days."
"Right mom, I love you too, bye."
"Margaret..."
"Hi dad."
"So you are getting married and moving."
"Yes."
"Are you happy?"
"The happiest I have ever been."
"Does he treat you well?"
"Yes. He would never do anything to hurt me."
"Well then, I am going to respect your decision."
"Thank you."
"I'll be there to walk you down the isle."
Margaret smiles and says, "Thanks."
"Right, see you soon."
"I love you dad."
"You too honey." He says and they hang up. "He better treat her well."
"He will." Kate says, quite sure of herself. "We have always trusted Margaret's judgment."
"I know..." He says sighing. He still could not stand Hawkeye, but would try and respect his eldest daughter's judgment. It would be hard, but he had to do it for her.
Margaret smiled as she walked into the kitchen where the Pierce men stood, "Everything's set with my family." She says smiling.
"That just leaves our side." Hawkeye says smiling.
"And you have to call BJ and see if he can get us a good realtor."
"Right. That will only take a few minutes."
"Hawk, you have to do it... we only have three weeks to find a place and move in... actually we only have about three days to find a house because that is going to be about the amount of time they are going to let me out of work for."
"I know Major." He says starting to laugh. "You worry too much."
"I think it's because she knows you too well Hawk." Dan says smiling.
"Yes, I know you too well, and we only have three weeks!"
"Relax. I'll call BJ later on tonight. I'm sure he's at the hospital right now, but if you want to call Peg go right ahead. BJ will find us a realtor rather quickly, we'll fly out there for a few days look at houses, buy a house, come back here get married and go back there again."
"We also need tickets..."
"Margaret... stop. Everything will be fine, you just have to relax."
"Ok..." She says sighing, "I'm going to go get a shower."
"Alright." Hawkeye says, and she walks upstairs.
"You have a little spitfire on your hands son."
"Tell me about it." He says smiling. "And I love every minute of it."
"I never thought I'd see the day when you decided to settle down."
"I didn't either dad, but she's one of a kind."
"To put up with you, she has to be an angel." He says laughing.
"I assure you, she's no angel.... 'Hotlips' isn't a name you give an angel."
"But her putting up with you cancels out all actions which could have brought the nickname about." Dan says laughing at his son. "So, you two are getting married... does this mean I'll get grandkids too?"
"Eventually." Hawkeye says smiling. "You'll have to ask Margaret about that one... she decides."
"I hope you have a son just like you."
"Perfect?"
"Hah." Dan says smiling, "You gave me a heart attack every time I looked at you! I never knew what you were going to do."
"You still don't." Hawk says smiling at his father, as he sees Margaret walking back into the kitchen, "Margaret, my dad wants to know when you are ready to have kids?"
"After everything else in our life is settled." She says smiling.
"So that's never. Sorry dad..."
"Pierce..." Margaret warned. "I'm guessing in a year or so. It could change, I haven't thought about that much. With everything moving so fast, I'm trying to take one step at a time."
"That sounds good." Dan says.
"But it doesn't sound like the Major." Hawkeye says grinning.
"I always take one step at a time." She says trying to defend herself.
"Margaret, you always take ten steps at a time, but I wouldn't have you any other way."
"You still have to call BJ." She says trying to change the subject. Hawkeye laughs, "I told you, he's working today. You can call Peggy if you want."
"I think I will... do you know the number?"
"San Francisco 555-3893."
"Ok."
"Tell Peg I said hi."
"I will... 555..."
"3893."
"555-3893." She says to herself before placing the call. Hawkeye and his father sat there for a minute before they heard, "Hi Peg, its Margaret."
"I think I'm going to grab a shower."
"Right Hawk."
Hawkeye walks into the living room, giving her a quick kiss on the neck, "I'm going to grab a shower."
She waved him off, smiling and continued talking to Peg, "Yeah, it is kind of sudden, but we want to get married before we move in together... at least I do. The wedding's March fifth. It's probably going to be only family since its short notice. I know that BJ couldn't get off that soon."
Hawkeye walked upstairs and took a long shower. He knew Margaret wouldn't be off the phone that quick, and he wasn't going to rush her. He was amazed at how close Peg and Margaret had gotten over the week of the reunion, but he was glad. He got out of the shower thirty minutes later, and quickly got dressed. Margaret knocked on his door, "Come in." He says, pulling on his shirt.
"I talked to Peg, and she is going to call her brother. His cousin-in-law or something is a realtor and she says she will call us back when she knows the dates and times he can work with us. It's February 15th, so we should probably be heading out late next week or early the week after."
"Ok." Hawkeye says smiling. "What did she say about us getting married?"
"She said that it was great, but she knows that BJ can't get off that soon."
"That's ok. I knew this would happen."
"Yeah." She says, wrapping her arms around his waste, "I can't believe that we'll be married in about 20 days."
"I can't wait." He says kissing. "I can't wait to get back to surgery too. I feel like I am forgetting how to do it."
"You aren't." She says, stretching her neck up to kiss him. "You are the best surgeon I have ever worked with. It's in your blood... you can't forget how to do it."
"I guess your right."
"Of course I'm right."
"I just can't wait to get back in there. I miss it."
"I know you do. When I heard you talk about working as a physician up here, I knew you wouldn't be happy."
"Well you could have let me in on that information."
"I would have but you were attached to my lips!" She says smiling at the memory.
"I remember you weren't pulling away."
"Neither did you." He says, leaning down to kiss her.
"I love you..."
"I know." He says smiling. "Are you hungry yet?"
"We only ate two hours ago."
"I know, but I was just checking. Come on, let's go for a walk."
"Ok." She says, grabbing her coat from her room and heading downstairs with him.
"Dad, we are going to go for a walk, we'll be back."
"Ok. Have fun."
"Where are we going?"
"Down to the beach."
"Ok." She says smiling. She was leaving again tomorrow and wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.
He takes her hand and walks down side of the cliff with her, "Watch your step."
"It looks like its going to start snowing." Margaret says, looking at the clouds.
"It may... we haven't had snow since Christmas." He says, "Which is shocking that you are actually walking on sand and not snow."
"Are you going to miss it here?"
"Maine?"
"Yeah."
"Yes, very much, but sometimes you have to move on. I am going to miss my father and the weather and the people but we are starting a new life."
"Do you think you will ever want to move back here?"
"Do you?"
"Honestly, I love it here." Margaret says sighing, "I am thrilled to move to California, but this is like a second home to me."
"Well, if I get the Portland job that I wanted, I would consider moving back here. Right now, I can't wait to marry you and move back into surgery. I'm taking one step at a time."
"I don't care where we live or go as long as it's together." Margaret says smiling up at him.
"Ditto." He says grinning. They continue walking down the coast of Maine and talk about what is going to happen in the next month, "So, do you want an apartment or a house?"
"Well, I guess I'd really like a house if we could afford it or find one that we like."
"We can definitely afford a house if you want one."
"What do you want?"
"I'd like a house with a yard."
"I definitely want a yard" Margaret says smiling. "I would like a fenced in back yard, for when we do have kids."
"How many do you want?"
"I don't know... it depends on how old I am. I'm thinking three." Margaret says. She would never do anything to harm herself of the baby, and while she was only thirty she knew the years would pile on sooner then she had wanted. Margaret's birthday was in April, and Hawkeye's in November. He was two years older then Margaret. "How many kids do you want?"
"I'd have twenty if it was up to me... but I'll have as many as you want." He says smiling.
"Well that is so nice of you giving me the choice of how many kids come out of me." She says laughing.
"I am just a nice guy in general."
"Uh huh." Margaret says rolling her eyes. "I'm getting cold... let's head back." They had been walking for about an hour and it was really starting to take toll on both of them.
"Good idea." He says, as they turn around and head back up to the Pierce's House.
When walk get in, Dan is sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee, "How was your walk?
"Cold." Margaret tells him taking off her coat.
"There's coffee in the kitchen."
"Thank you." Hawk says as the two of them head in for a cup.
"Oh, Hawkeye, BJ called about twenty minutes ago."
"Oh? What did he want?"
"To know why he had to hear about the wedding through his wife."
"I'll call him later."
"No... he says he'll call you tomorrow after Margaret goes home. He is going to be at the hospital till three today."
"Right. Margaret, grab me the sugar please."
For the rest of the night, the three of them planned the wedding together. Daniel made calls to his family and his wife's family to tell them what was going on. They all said they wouldn't miss the wedding for the world. It was looking like they would have at least 40 people at the wedding, including Margaret's side. When Margaret went home on Monday, Hawkeye decided he should start planning who he wanted to stand up with him at his wedding. Hawkeye had asked his friend Jack to stand in as his best man. The two men's friendship goes back to their grammar school years and stayed close through adulthood. He wanted BJ, but there was nothing that could be done. BJ had to work. Hawkeye didn't even ask him to be the best man in fear that he would feel bad for not attending.
Margaret was busy trying to find a dress. Even though she said the dress didn't matter, she wanted one. She wanted to have the perfect wedding, even a small one. Her mom and sister came up and helped her plan. One night, she was trying to figure out her wedding party and decided to ask Lorraine. She got right on the phone and called her.
"Hello?"
"Hi Lorraine."
"Hi Margaret, how are you?"
"I'm well thank you, how are you?"
"Also well. How's Hawkeye?"
"He's doing fine also."
"That's great to hear." Lorraine says smiling. She was happy for Margaret. She knew how unhappy she was with Donald and wished her the very best. She listened to Margaret as she told her what was going to be happening in her life and she was shocked, "You are getting married when?!"
"March fifth, in Philadelphia."
"That's so soon!"
"I know... but we are moving to San Francisco on the tenth, so it had to be quick."
"Margaret, I am so happy for you."
"I know I'm going out on a limb, but I would love to have you in my wedding party. It's only a small wedding because it's so quick, and I know you're working, but..."
"Margaret... you should know me better than that, of course I'll be at your wedding. I would be honored. I have a few days of vacation time coming to me, so I'll take that."
"Really?!"
"Really."
"Thank you so much... you don't know how much this means to me."
"Just remember this if I ever get married."
"Of course!"
"You sound like a new woman Margaret. I think he has done wonders for you. This is exactly how I remember you before the war."
"I didn't think I could love someone this much."
"He sounds like a really great guy. I'm looking forward to meeting him."
"I can't wait till you meet him Lorraine."
"So when do you want me?"
"How about the second."
"In DC?"
"Yes, then we'll head up to Philadelphia."
"Why Philadelphia?"
"Father Mulcahy, our Chaplin at the 4077th is going to be marrying us."
"Oh ok! Well listen Margaret, I have to go. I'll see you on the second."
"Alright."
"I love you, you know?" Lorraine says smiling.
"I know." Margaret replies laughing, "I'll see you soon."
"Bye."
"Bye." Margaret was all smiles by the time she hung up the phone. That morning, she had put in her two weeks notice, and used up her last vacation time for their trip out to San Francisco on February 23 till the 27th. She and Hawkeye told the Hunnicut's that they would stay in a hotel, but they insisted that they stayed with them. During these four days, Margaret and Hawkeye would be looking for a place to live, close to the hospital and close to the Hunnicut's. Margaret knew that the two friends would not have it any other way, and Hawkeye would also be going into the hospital one day to work with BJ while Margaret and Peg went shopping to accessorize the house. They would be flying to DC for a day and finish up the final wedding plans before Hawkeye and Margaret went back to working for the last few days.
Margaret had decided to call the Father and talk to him about the wedding that night. She wanted to let him know how many people would be attending,
"Saint Michaels Rectory, Father Collins speaking."
"Hello Father, this is Margaret Houlihan, is Father Mulcahy available?"
"Of course. One moment please."
"Thank you."
"God Bless." The Father says.
About a minute later a familiar voice comes on, "Margaret?"
"Yes father, how are you?"
"I am doing well, how are you?"
"Good. Busy."
"I would think so. I was talking to Hawkeye about two hours ago and he says you two are going to be seeing BJ in a few days."
"Yes, we leave in two days to go look for a house and spend time with the Hunnicut's."
"Well, that sounds wonderful."
"It is. I was just calling to tell you, there are going to be forty-five people attending our wedding."
"Very good." He says smiling. "Anyone else from the 4077th going to be attending?"
"Unfortunately, no. We really haven't asked either because we felt we would be imposing. I have gotten a lot of 'Margaret, I wish I could go,' but I know that it's too soon to be planning a trip to Philadelphia. Hawkeye really wanted BJ as his Best Man, but you know..."
"Yes..." The Padre says, with a smile on his face, "So forty-five people you say?"
"There about."
"That sounds wonderful Margaret. Did you get your dress?"
"Yes, and my bridesmaid's also."
"Excellent."
"We'll be there on the fourth for the rehearsal."
"Excellent. I am looking forward to seeing the both of you."
"Likewise father. Well I have to get going. I need to be back at the hospital in about thirty minutes."
"Alright Margaret. I will see you in a few weeks."
"See you then Father."
"Good bye and God bless."
"Thank you Father, good bye." She says hanging up. She runs out the door and heads over to the hospital.
Father Mulcahy sat in his room, thinking. He knew that both of them would love to have there friends come to their wedding. He also knew how short of notice this was, but he had to try, he had to try to bring the 4077th to them on their wedding. He knew he would be going out on a limb, but that didn't matter. They were good friends, and he wanted them to be happy on their wedding day. At that moment, he decided to make a few calls, his first caller picked up and he said, "Colonel Potter... It's Father Mulcahy..." and the rest would be up to them.
Tuesday the 23rd came very quick, and Hawkeye and Margaret were on there way to the Pacific Coast. They got off the plane and were greeted by the Hunnicut's. Erin was thrilled to see her honorary Uncle and Aunt and clung to them like a third skin. She was now three and a half years old and a joy to have around.
"Welcome to the Pacific Coast." BJ says smiling as he embraces the two.
"How've you been Beej?"
"Well Hawk, you?"
"Also well."
"Uncle Hawkeye!" Erin says, holding her arms up to him.
Hawkeye smiles and picks the child up, "Erin, I think you've grown since the summer kid." He says, hugging her.
"Yup!" She says. She already gave her Aunt Margaret a hug and could not wait to show them her house.
Hawkeye puts Erin back down on the ground and gives Peg a hug before she says, "Well, shall we?"
"Sure."
They drove the short distance to the Hunnicut residence and the house and land was everything BJ said it was when he decided to buy the piece of land. The back of the house overlooked the ocean in the west so they had a breathtaking view of the sunset. The house had five bedrooms, two ½ bathrooms, a large kitchen, a family room, a living room, a dining room, a large deck and a fenced in porch.
"Well Beej, I definitely think a little manual labor from Charles wasn't too costly when you got a house like this out of the deal."
"Yeah, I agree... though it really did feel like hell when we were in Korea."
"You're realtor is named Jack." Peg begins, "He will be ready for you at his office tomorrow at nine thirty."
"We really appreciate you doing this for us." Margaret says.
"It's nothing. I'm really looking forward to having you live close to us." Peg says smiling.
"And I can't wait to work with this guy again." BJ says.
"Hmm... I guess I should pay a visit to the hospital then." Margaret says grinning.
"Why?" Hawkeye asked his fiancée, a bit confused.
"Because... I worked with the two of you before... they haven't... they don't know what they are getting into." She says laughing.
"This is true." Peg says smiling.
Hawkeye and BJ look at each other and smile.
The rest of the night, they all stayed up and talked. BJ and Peg wanted to know all about the wedding and their move to California, and Hawkeye and Margaret just wanted to catch up with them. It had been a while since they saw one another and they really missed it. Both the Hunnicut's and Pierce's could not wait for the move because they would be together. They decided to get some sleep around 1am.
"Well, I guess I'm going to turn in." Margaret said.
"Yeah... we have to be up by 7:30." Hawkeye says groaning.
"Wait till you have Kids." BJ says smiling, "7:30 is sleeping in."
"I guess I'll be finding that out eventually." Hawkeye says smiling.
"I doubt you two will be home tomorrow by lunch, but what say we go out to dinner, just the four of us?" Peg asked.
"That sounds great." Margaret says smiling.
"Ok." Both men say.
"Let's say 7:00."
"Sounds good Peggy." BJ says as they head up to bed. "See you guys in the morning."
"Night Beej." Hawk calls as they walk down the hallway to their room.
"I love it out here." Margaret says smiling.
"It is nice." Hawk says, getting changed. "I'm going to miss Maine, but I really do love it in San Francisco."
"I can't wait to go looking for a house. That's going to be fun."
"Fun... if you call walking around gods creation and into a million peoples houses, I guess that would be fun."
"It will be." She says, getting into bed. "Good night." She says.
"What... no good night kiss?" He asks in a hurt playful voice. Margaret smiles and leans up, kissing him before laying back down. She was exhausted from the flight so she went right to sleep, and so did Hawkeye.
At seven thirty the alarm rang, waking Margaret and Hawkeye up. Margaret go up and jumped into the shower quickly so Hawkeye could do the same. When she got out of the shower she head Erin downstairs and smiled. She could not wait to have a child of her own, even thought it probably wouldn't be for a year or so more. "Hey." She says shaking Hawkeye awake again, "It's your turn."
"Ok." He says, getting up and hitting the shower. He was just about as excited as she was, but he wouldn't show it. He could truly not wait to go around and look at the place they were going to live in and have a family in, but of course he had a reputation to protect and wouldn't get that excited about it on the outside... but inside... he was like a child on Christmas. He got a shower in record time and dressed. Margaret smiled at him when she was putting on her make-up. "What?"
"Nothing." She said smiling.
"So what's with the smiling?"
"You're excited about this aren't you?"
"No... I hate looking at houses."
"Uh huh." She says still smiling, looking at the clock on the nightstand, "It's 8:15."
"What time do we have to be out of here by?"
"Probably nine. Peg says it takes about fifteen minutes to get to the realtors office, and we need to call a taxi and rent a car." She says, putting on her shoes.
"Right." He says as he finishes up dressing. They hear a knock on their door which was only partially closed. "Yeah?"
"Hi!" A cheery voice says.
"Good morning Erin." Margaret says smiling.
"Morning. Want breakfast?"
"Are you cooking?" Hawkeye asks the child playfully.
"Nope! Mommy is. I too little."
"Did you eat yet?"
"Nope I wait for you."
"Well then I guess we should go down and eat."
"Yup! Come on Aunt Margaret." Erin says, pulling her up.
"Ok." She says smiling at the little girl. They all head downstairs.
"Good morning." Peg says smiling.
"Morning." Margaret says, sitting down at the table. Erin immediately climbs into her lap and smiles.
"How did you sleep?"
"Well thanks." Hawkeye says before adding in, "Where's Beej, working?"
"Yeah, they called him in but he'll be home by two."
"Daddy working." Erin says, smiling.
"What time are you two heading out?"
"About nine. We have to call a cab so we can go pick up a rental car." Margaret says.
"You can use one of ours cars."
"No, it's fine, we have one ready for us anyway."
"Ok..." Peg says smiling at her two friends. "Erin, sit in your own chair so Aunt Margaret can eat."
"She's ok." Margaret says, smiling at the child.
At nine, they head over to the rental place, pick up their car and drive over to the realtor's office. They walked in and were greeted by Jack, "Hello, how can I help you?"
"I'm Dr. Pierce... we have an appointment with Jack to look at some houses?"
"Ah yes, Dr. Pierce. I am Jack. It's nice to meet you."
"You too."
"And you too Mrs. Pierce."
"Hi." Margaret said smiling. Mrs. Pierce, she could get use to this.
"Well, we have some very nice homes in the area. Mill Valley is an extremely nice place to live, as is San Francisco."
"We need something close to the San Francisco VA and Hospital. I'm a surgeon and Margaret is going to be Head Nurse at the hospital. We also need to have a place which we can be moved into by March 10th."
"That is not a problem Doctor." Jack says smiling. "We have several places that will suite your needs. Here is a list with pictures of houses in your price range that I think you will like to look at. Take your time and browse through the list."
Hawkeye and Margaret spend about thirty minutes picking out a few houses that would suite them just fine before having the realtor take them out to walk through them.
"This first one is about ten minutes from the VA and about fifteen from the hospital." Jack says, smiling as they walk up the steps to one house that they did not ask to look at.
"There's no back yard." She says to Hawkeye.
"I know." He says.
"The back yard is small but the front yard is large." Jack says. "It's a three bedroom house..."
"We told you that we want a back yard, and at least four bedrooms in the house." Margaret said as politely as she could.
"You did, didn't you? Ok well we'll go to the next house."
"Go by what we have marked down if you don't mind." She said slightly annoyed. Hawkeye smiled and took her hand as they headed back to the car and on to the next house.
"You will find this one an excellent choice." Jack said, "Complete with a fenced in back yard, and four bedrooms." He said.
Margaret and Hawkeye walked through that house, which was the first one out of seven.
They took there time looking at the houses, but none of them were jumping out to Margaret. She wanted the perfect house and just couldn't find it. "No, I don't think so." She said a bit forlorn at the final house they walked back outside.
"Did you like any of them?"
"I liked them all, but none of them really stood out." She said, sighing.
Jack looked on his files of which houses were up for sale and saw one that he thought the Major would like, "There is one more, its more expensive then what you had originally told me to look for, but I think you will really like it. It has everything you had asked for."
"What do you say Margaret, would you like to look?" Hawkeye asked. He wanted to find her the best house, and wouldn't stop till they found it.
"Sure." She says, looking at her watch. It was 12:30, "After this house I want to go and eat though."
"Sounds good to me."
Jack takes the two over to the final house, and pulls into the drive way. The house was stone with a good size front yard and a fenced in back yard which was very large. Margaret smiled when she saw this house and looked up at Hawkeye who was also smiling. Margaret thought this house was absolutely beautiful on the outside and was still in awe with it when they went inside. When you first went in, the house had a staircase going to the upstairs. To the right was a smaller room with two windows, to the left was a dining room with hard wood floors. In the foyer there was a large closet, right by the front door, and a powder room. When you walked further into the house you reached a large room that had several windows in it and the door to the finished basement. Windows were a big thing for Margaret. She always loved to look outside and let the sunlight in. The kitchen was to the left, attached to the larger room and the dining area. The kitchen was rather large and had a place to put a table. Off of the kitchen was the wash room and the door to the back yard, complete with a patio. Upstairs there was a master bedroom with a bathroom in it, and four other bedrooms and another bathroom. The rooms were a great size and at the end of the hall there was an attic. Margaret fell in love with this house and Hawkeye did too. He looked down at his fiancée and smiled, she was taking in everything the realtor said. They were fifteen minutes away from the VA and ten minutes away from the Hospital, and even better only five minutes down the road from BJ.
"The school district here is also quite good." Jack says, smiling at the two. "And it was only built three years ago. The people here are moving back east for a job offer."
"Well?" Hawkeye says to Margaret.
"I love it." She says smiling. "It's perfect... absolutely perfect."
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes... do you like it?"
"I love it. It's exactly what we wanted."
"Ok... how soon can we move in?"
"The eighth of March." Jack says. "It is a bit more expensive, but only by about 600 dollars."
"Price isn't a problem." Hawkeye says smiling.
"I guess not with the salary of a surgeon." Jack says smiling. "Well then, shall I put the paperwork through?"
"You don't have to check with the owners or anything?" Margaret asked almost surprised.
"No, this house has been up for a while. The family had to move as quickly as possible which was almost six months ago. The only thing they said was not take any price lower then they were offering. It looks like the house was waiting for you." He says smiling. "Let's just go back to the office and sign the first papers, and then on Thursday I'll ask you to sign the rest... does that sound ok?"
"Sounds great." Hawkeye says, as they head back to his office. It wasn't until 1:30 when they were finally done with the realtor and got to go eat.
"I'm starving." Margaret said smiling.
"Me too. What do you say we head into San Francisco and see what we can find?"
"I'd say that sounds great." She says smiling.
"What are you hungry for?"
"The first thing we see."
"I see a little restaurant."
"Ok, let's go."
Throughout the meal they discuss how they are going to fix up the house. Margaret knew exactly what she wanted and Hawkeye knew enough not to challenge her when it came to decorating. Her tent looked nice, her apartment looked great, and this house would look even better. After they finished talking about the house the moved onto what they were going to be doing tomorrow.
"What time are you and BJ heading into the hospital?"
"I don't know, early. I'm going to stay the entire shift with him. I really want to get to know the hospital and what I am getting myself into."
"Understandable."
"What time are you heading in?"
"They asked me to work from nine till twelve. I said that would be fine. It's not really working, more like seeing how I will be handling the nurses and everything."
"Uh-huh. Well just make sure you aren't too tough on them the first day Major."
"I have to be tough! Otherwise they get soft, and you know it."
"Yeah, but it isn't Korea anymore. You can let up a bit."
"You told me that my nurses were the best you have ever worked with."
"And the best I ever had worked 'ON.'" He says laughing, before getting slapped.
"Well... I was tough, they were good, and it's the same way here."
"Ok, ok." He says smiling, "Just cut them some slack the first day."
After a few more minutes, Hawkeye pays the tab and they head back to the Hunnicut's. They walk in and immediately Erin is attached to Hawkeye and Margaret.
"Hey there shortie." Hawkeye says smiling.
"Hi Uncle Hawk! I missed you!"
"Well I missed you too."
"Did you find a house?" Peg called over.
"Yes we did." Margaret said smiling as she watched Hawk play with Erin.
"Where is it?"
"About five minutes from here, on Sycamore Lane." "Oh! I know exactly where that is, which house?"
"It's the fourth one on the left, right before you hit the circle, 843."
"It will be nice living on a street that has no exit. We love it. Erin will be able to ride her bike without us worrying about her crossing a street."
"Yeah."
"Well tell me about it!" Peg says, anxiously.
"Well..." Margaret starts, and eagerly tells her about every aspect of the house. "It reminds me a lot about your house." She finishes.
"Well it sounds beautiful." Peg says smiling. "I can't wait to see it."
"Me neither. I have to really start shopping for furniture and everything."
"Well, what time are you at the hospital till tomorrow?"
"Noon."
"Why don't we go out after? We can get some lunch and then I'll go out with you. Take Hawkeye's credit card."
Margaret laughed, "That sounds good."
"What sounds good?" Hawkeye asks as he walks through the kitchen.
"Me taking your credit card to go shopping for the house tomorrow."
Hawkeye rolls his eyes and says, "I guess I have to start getting use to that."
"Mommy..."
"What?"
"Daddy's home!" She says, looking out the window to the driveway.
"He is? Well, go see him and tell him to play with you outside for a little while."
"Take Uncle Hawk with you." Margaret says laughing.
"Ok! Come on Uncle Hawk! Let's go see daddy and play outside!"
"Ok, lead the way shortie... I feel I'm not wanted here anyway." He says scowling at the girls.
Erin intercepts BJ at the door, who instantly scoops her up, "Hey Hawk."
"He Beej. We were kicked out of the house for a while."
"We?! Why we?!"
"The women are bonding."
"Ugh, I'd be glad to stay out here." He says, putting his brief case on the doorsteps.
"Daddy, come play with me!"
"Ok Erin, come on Hawk." He says. "So, did you get a house?"
"Yeah we did."
"Well congratulations... that was quick."
"Yeah, but we needed one. It's Margaret's dream house."
"Where is it?"
"On Sycamore Street... 843 Sycamore Street."
"That's only five minutes away from here, if that!"
"Yup. We'll be a hop skip and a jump away!"
"That's great. How are you getting all your stuff here?"
"The truck is leaving my house three days early so they will arrive here around 2:30 in the afternoon on the 10th. We'll be getting here by plane at around 12 and then we are meeting the realtor for the keys, and then heading to our new house."
"Sound's good. I'll be there as soon as work is over to help you settle in."
"I come too Uncle Hawk." Erin says smiling.
"You'll help me move all those heavy boxes in too?'
"Yup!"
"What about the furniture Aunt Margaret is going to be buying tomorrow with my credit card?"
"That too!"
"Wow, you'll be the biggest help!"
"Yup!" Erin says smiling.
"Are you excited that Uncle Hawk is going to be living close to us?"
"Yup! Are you daddy?"
"Yup." He says smiling at his daughter.
The next day, Hawkeye and BJ were out the door by 8:00 sharp, Margaret was out by 8:15, which left Peg and Erin to have the morning to themselves. Peg was thrilled to have the soon to be Pierce family living practically right down the street from them. She and Margaret get closer every time they see one another.
Hawkeye assisted BJ in every operation he had, and some BJ asked Hawkeye to do because they were too tricky. They were a pair again, and loved every minute of it. Hawkeye got to know the nurses and doctors, and they all loved him. They were shocked at his exceptional surgical abilities and respected the new doctor greatly.
Margaret got in a few minutes before nine and met with her nurses, telling them exactly what she was going to be expecting of them. She told them flat out she was strict and wanted the best nursing staff, anything less she would not tolerate. This made all the nurses nervous, but they listened to the Major and thanked the heavens they had a few more days without her. They realized quickly how tough she was, and would soon realize that she meant well. They would only see the Major for a few weeks until they got use to the new head nurse, then she would soften up a little bit and let up on her nurses a bit. Margaret even had a chance to assist in surgery before she had to head back to the Hunnicut's. As soon as she got back the girls were out the door. They went to lunch first and then to the shops to look for furniture.
"So, do you think the boys are having fun?" Peg asked.
"Are you kidding? They are absolutely loving it. Hawkeye is just thrilled to be back in surgery and working with his best friend, and I'm sure BJ is the same."
"So am I. How was your first day?"
"Fine... though I really couldn't do too much with the nurses in only three hours."
"Understandable. So, are you just going to pick out things and buy them now or are you going to show them to Hawkeye?"
"I know his taste, so I think I'm just going to go with my instinct."
"That's the easiest way. Getting BJ out shopping is like pulling teeth."
"Same with Hawk."
"Well, those two can entertain themselves when we go shopping."
"Sounds like a plan." Margaret says smiling. "Erin, do you like shopping?"
"Yup!" She says smiling.
The girls all spent the day shopping and had dinner at one of the local restaurants because the guys would not be home till around 8pm. Margaret ended up picking some things up and having them delivered to the house on the 10th, but she still had a lot to pick out. She got maybe two rooms done and needed to find stuff for the bedrooms which Peg and her would be doing on Friday. BJ was off and they girls thought that they would go out and leave Erin with the two men.
By the 27th, Margaret had pretty much gotten all the furniture for the new house, and they were ready to go home. They flew back to DC where Hawkeye had his car. He stayed over one night before driving back up to Maine and finish up his days as a physician. He worked every day and found it to be torturous. He had a taste of surgery in his mouth and did not want to go back to something so boring. He was counting down the days till he was married and moving.
Finally the day came when Hawkeye and his family and friends would be heading down to Philadelphia. He couldn't wait to see Margaret, and the Padre. Little did either of them know, the Padre had a little wedding gift of his own up his sleeve. Hawkeye met Margaret at the Airport along with both his and her group. They then proceeded to the hotel where they spent time with one another's families. Both sets of families seemed to get along quite well... and Hawkeye and the Colonel spent most time away from one another to not provoke any fights during the next few days. They did respect each other, but it was hard when one was army and the other not.
The Rehearsal went exceptionally well. Father Mulcahy was thrilled to see the two and wanted more to talk to them then rehearsal, which neither of them minded, but they decided to hold off till the rehearsal dinner.
"I don't believe that you two are still to be married tomorrow."
"Well believe it Father, because you are going to have to do it." Hawk says smiling.
"I've missed you Father."
"I've missed the both of you too, very much. It's not quite the same without you two."
"Likewise Father." Hawkeye says smiling.
"So how's BJ?"
"He's doing great."
"That's good to hear. Are you two living close to each other?"
"Right down the road." Hawkeye says smiling. "I can't wait."
"I would guess not. And the two of you have a house?"
"Yes, it's a beautiful house with enough bedrooms in it to hold a reunion." Margaret says smiling.
"Excellent! It sounds like the two of you are starting out right. I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
"So are we." Margaret says smiling, as Hawkeye kisses the side of her head. "I just wish The Colonel, BJ and the others could be here." Margaret says sighing a bit.
"I'm sure they would have been here if they could." Father Mulcahy says smiling.
They all talk for about a half an hour more and intermix between the wedding party. Hawkeye and Lorraine get to know each other during this time and instantly click as did Jack and Margaret. She also met Alex ad Mark, Hawkeye's friends from Med School that night who would also be in the wedding and Hawkeye got to meet Tess who was one of Margaret's closest cousin, and a bridesmaid. Annie was thrilled that her big sister was going to be married tomorrow and couldn't wait to see her in the wedding dress. After another hour the Father says, "Well, I guess I should give you my wedding present."
"Father, you marrying us is enough." Margaret said.
"No, I felt I had to do something for an occasion like this. I'll be right back." He says, getting up from the table and walking out of the dining room.
"What is he up too?" Margaret asked her fiancée.
"Who knows?" Hawkeye responded, before turning his attention back to his groomsmen.
After a few minutes Father Mulcahy walks back into the room and says, "Hawkeye, Margaret... here is your wedding gift from me to you."
Margaret and Hawkeye look up from there conversations and watch the door.
"Well, this isn't too much of a party without us." They hear as a familiar face walks through the door.
"COLONEL!" Margaret says smiling, running over to Potter and giving him a big hug.
"That's because we didn't get here yet." They hear another voice say.
"I don't believe it1! This is great!" Hawkeye says smiling as he sees BJ walk through the doors, followed by Klinger, Radar, and lastly Trapper. "What are you all doing here?!"
"Well, I don't know about these two clowns, but I certainly wanted to see the marriage of one Benjamin Franklin Pierce to one Margaret Houlihan." Trapper said smiling. "I won't believe it till I see it."
"Well believe it Trapp." He says hugging his friend. "Klinger how the hell are you?"
"I'm doing great Hawkeye, how are you?"
"I'm doing good too. Look at you, out of uniform."
"Yeah, I decided to make dresses and not wear them. I own a dress shop in Toledo."
"You're kidding me?"
"Nope." He says smiling before hugging Hawkeye, and then the Major.
"Radar, how are you?"
"Swell sir. I'm looking forward to the wedding tomorrow." He says smiling.
"Well, I'll be looking forward to yours too someday." Hawkeye says before turning his attention to the Father, "I don't know how to thank you for this."
"It was nothing. The only one I couldn't get here was Charles, and that was because he was in Europe on a conference."
"This is the best gift ever." Margaret whispers to the father, smiling.
"Believe me, we all wanted to be here." Potter says, hugging Hawkeye.
"Well come on in, where are the girls?"
"They'll be here soon." BJ says about all there wives and girlfriends.
"Sit down, have a bite to eat, let me introduce you to everyone." Margaret says breathless.
"Now we already have the bridal party, but... BJ, Trapp, Radar, Klinger, it would be an honor to have you in our party."
"And Peg, Erin and Soon Lee." Margaret says, looking towards her friends.
"We don't have the same dresses." Peg's voice flows from behind.
"We'll go tonight. My friend owns a store in town that I got the dresses from." Margaret smiles. "I'll have them for you tomorrow."
"I'd be glad to wear a dress for this occasion too Major." Klinger says smiling.
"I don't think so." She says smiling. "Let me go call Jill and tell her I need three more dresses by tomorrow. I just need your sizes." She says, writing down the sizes as they are told.
"Talk about your changing wedding plans." Daniel says smiling.
"It's always an adventure with these two." The Colonel says smiling, "I don't know how you did it with him all those years with Hawkeye as your son Dan."
"Sometimes I don't either." He says laughing.
Margaret goes out quickly to make the phone call and comes back in smiling, "She'll drop off the dresses tomorrow."
"Great!" Peg says smiling.
That night the men all went out for a drink, while the girls just headed upstairs for a while. The guys did not get drunk, just a bit tipsy. The groomsmen all got along which was great.
"So Hawkeye, are you excited?"
"Trilled... absolutely trilled."
"Nervous?" BJ asked, downing his martini.
"Scared to death, yes."
"Good... that's how you know you love her." Trapper says smiling.
"Being scared to death?" Hawk asked surprised.
"Sure!" Potter said, "I was scared silly when I married the misses because I though I wasn't going to ever be good enough for her."
"Well, that's how I feel... but I have never loved someone more then I love her."
"I still can't believe it... you and Margaret... I mean you two drove each other up the wall for a year!" Trapp says smiling.
"Yeah, but then something changed..." Hawkeye says.
"I'm happy for you Hawkeye."
"So am I." Jack says smiling at his childhood friend, "I never thought you were going to settle down Hawk."
"Me neither." Hawkeye says, downing another drink. "I am so glad you all could be here. You don't know how much this means to me."
"Like Trapper said before," Klinger starts, "We wouldn't miss it for the world."
The next morning at 12:00 they were ready to be married. There were a few more people then they had originally intended, but everything went smoothly and it was the best wedding the two could ever ask for. The sun was shinning and it was relatively warm for the month of March, reaching 53 degrees. Hawkeye got more nervous as he stood in the front of the church, but his friends were all there to keep him calm. When he saw Margaret come down the isle it was like he fell in love with her all over again. Her dress was beautiful... she was beautiful. No one has ever seen the two of them that happy before. The ceremony seemed to fly by and finally they reached the end,
"Do you Benjamin Franklin Pierce take Margaret Elizabeth Houlihan to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do." He says smiling at her.
"And do you Margaret Elizabeth Houlihan take Benjamin Franklin Pierce as your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"Well, by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you Man and Wife." Father Mulcahy says smiling, "You may kiss the bride."
Hawkeye gives her a soft yet passionate kiss before they exit the church as husband and wife.
The reception was wonderful full of eating, dancing and drinking, but what made it so wonderful was everyone being there for them. Charles even made a call to the place they were at to wish them well and he hopes to see them soon. Finally the night was over and Hawkeye and Margaret went back to their room. Margaret and Hawkeye stepped out onto their patio in the cool March air and looked up at the skies.
"Can you believe that we are married?"
"No." Margaret says, smiling, "But I'm glad we are. I don't think I could have asked for a better wedding. It was perfect."
"I think so too. I am so glad that just about everyone could be there for it. We went from a small wedding party of six to one of what, 13?"
"Yeah, but we couldn't not have them." Margaret says smiling, "They are a big part of our lives... sometimes I think they were closer to us than anyone."
"This is true. I'm just glad we are married..."
"And we are moving in five days." She says, turning around in his arms. "I love you."
"I love you too." He says, leaning down to kiss her. "Shall we take this to the bed room?"
"I think that's a good idea." She says smiling.
"God, do I love being married to Hotlips Houlihan." He says, as they walk back into the room and get into bed. "I love you."
"I love you." She says, leaning into kiss her husband.
Finally they were together, and nothing would break them apart. This was just the beginning of there lives together though, they had much more ahead of them. On big change will be the move occurring in a short five days. They have a lot to get done in a short amount of time, but tonight they forgot all about that... tonight it was just the two of them.
TBC...
I'm just trying out something different. I always wanted to read a story that followed the way through Hawkeye and Margaret's life together so I figured I'd have a go at writing one. I know there are some mistakes in this and you'll have to forgive them, Insomnia is a killer! It's 3:45 when I got done this! There is PLEANTY MORE CHAPTERS TO GO!
Thanks for all the great reviews! Please keep them up! Please R&R!
Thanks
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