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!
A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews! Keep them coming! I hope you enjoy the this chapter!
They very next day Margaret called her parents and sister to let them know the news.
"Hi Mom."
"Hello Margaret, how are you honey?"
"I'm fine, how are you?"
"I'm doing very well thank you. How's Hawkeye?"
"He's fine. He's working right now."
"Why aren't you?"
"I took a few days off."
"You?!" Her mother asked, almost shocked. She knew her daughter was a workaholic and could not imagine her taking off a day, let alone a few days. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." She said smiling. "I have some news for you though."
"What's that?"
"I'm pregnant."
"You're pregnant?! Margaret that's wonderful! When are you due? I thought you and Hawkeye were going to wait a while!" Her mother said smiling, and talking a mile a minute. "AL! Margaret's pregnant! We're going to be grandparents!"
Margaret laughed a bit and said, "I'm due in May, and yes we were going to wait, but some times you can't plan these things."
"No, you can't. Oh Margaret this is so great! Congratulations."
"Thanks mom."
"Does Annie know?"
"Not yet. I called you first. Hawk's father hasn't even heard. The only ones that know are Peg and BJ."
"Oh Maggie, this is so exciting! Now, your father and I are planning on coming up sometime in November, if that's ok with you."
"You should come up for Thanksgiving." Margaret suggested, "Hawkeye's father's coming up, and we have the room in our house... I can ask Annie too."
"That sounds good." She says smiling. "I can't believe that you are going to have a baby."
"Me neither." Margaret said smiling. They talk for a while longer before Kate has to leave.
"Well Dear, I have to get going. Your father wants to go to the store before it gets too late. He says congratulations and that he loves you."
"I love him too." She says grinning. "I'll talk to you soon Mom."
"Please, congratulate Hawkeye for us too."
"I will. Talk to you soon."
"Love you honey."
"You too mom, bye."
"Bye."
Margaret smiles and sighs. Right as she was going to pick up the phone, it rings, "Hello?"
"Maggie!"
"Hi Annie. I was just about to call you."
"You were? Well, I should have waited... I could have saved a few bucks." She says smiling on the other line. "I have such news for you Margaret!"
"So do I..."
"Not as big as mine..."
"We'll see... you go first."
"I'm engaged!"
"Oh my gosh that's great!" She says smiling. "Annie, when did this happen? I though you two were going to be waiting a bit longer?"
"Well, he got his orders and they were to stay on a base in Texas. We decided that it would be best if we got married."
"Well that's wonderful! When's the wedding?"
"March 17th."
"This March?!" She said almost shocked.
"Yeah, why is that no good for you? Because if it isn't then I can switch it because I really need you there Margaret."
"No, that's fine... the only problem is I'll be extremely fat in the pictures."
"What?" Annie says not catching on to what her big sister was telling her. "Margaret, you don't have an ounce of fat on you."
"I will..."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm pregnant."
"You're... WHAT?! Oh my god Margaret that's wonderful!" She says smiling, before adding in... "It is wonderful isn't it?!"
"Of course it is!" She says, snapping at her sister a bit. "Why on earth wouldn't it be?!"
"I thought you and Hawk were going to wait till next year to begin working on a family..."
'We were, but it just sort of happened. The pregnancy was a surprise."
"Well, that's great! When are you due?"
"May."
"I'm gonna be an Aunt! You're gonna be a mother.... That poor kid..." She says smiling.
"Hey!"
"I'm playing. Do mom and daddy know?"
"Yes, I just called them. They are both trilled."
"So, I guess I better find you a Maternity dress..."
"I think I'm going to have to come out with you and pick it out."
"That's fine too. You will be my Matron of Honor right?"
"Of course I will. Annie I am so happy for you... now, do mom and daddy know about you?"
"Not yet... you were the first one I told." She says smiling. The two sisters talk for almost an hour. Margaret looked at the clock hanging in the kitchen and says, "Well, I better get going Annie... Hawkeye's going to be home in about an hour and we are going to be going out to eat."
"Ok, well I love you and congratulations."
"I love you too, and the same goes for you."
"Talk to you soon."
"You bet. Goodbye."
"Bye." Annie says and the two girls hang up the phone.
Margaret goes upstairs to get ready. She puts on a dress that would surely not fit her in a couple months. It was one of her favorites and she wanted to get as much wear out of it as she could. She sat down at the vanity and started to do her makeup when she heard Hawkeye come in.
"I'm home!"
"I'm up stairs."
"I know." He says, walking into the room, kissing her on the cheek.
"You're gonna mess up my makeup!" she says, playfully pushing him away.
"Well, Hello and I love you too." He says smiling.
"How was work?"
"Fine... I only had three surgeries to perform today, so I got to catch up on a lot of paperwork and charts. How was your day at work... oh wait, you took some time off and did absolutely nothing again..." He teases.
"Ok... how about this... you take throwing up all morning and I'll do the surgeries... and you have a child growing inside you, and I'll work... how does that sound?" She asks, looking towards the bed where he sat.
"No, I like surgery." He says smiling. "So what did you do today?"
"Cleaned up a bit... went to lunch with Peg... and called my mother and sister and told them that I was pregnant."
"What did they say?"
"There coming for Thanksgiving and can't wait to see their first grandchild."
"So your parents are coming too? That sounds like fun. We'll have a houseful for that... your parents and sister, my father, and BJ's clan."
"But it will be worth it." She says smiling. "Oh! And guess what?"
"What?"
"Annie's getting married!"
"Really? That's great. When?"
"March 17th. We are going to head back home for that... but I'm a bit worried about flying and being seven months pregnant..."
"We'll talk to the Doctor... and if we have to, we'll drive back east."
"Yeah."
"It will all work out... now, I'm going to jump in the shower really quick, and then we can go."
"Ok, but you may want to include putting clothes on before we go out..." She says smiling at him, "I don't think people will appreciate you eating naked."
"Funny." He says, coming over to her, and kisses her smearing her lipstick all over her mouth.
"Hey!" she says, pushing him away.
"You deserved that." He grins, as she pushes him towards the bathroom.
Both Margaret and Hawkeye were looking forward to going out to dinner. It was the first time they had gone out to dinner, just the two of them since before they moved. Margaret finished getting dressed and put her shoes on. She smiled when she looked at herself in the full length mirror hanging on their wall. She pushes a piece of hair back behind her ear and hears Hawk come out of the bathroom.
"You look great." He says smiling.
"Thanks... you better get ready." She says smiling back at him.
"I don't look great?" He asks, "I thought the towel was the new fashion statement."
Margaret laughs, "I'm heading down stairs. Don't take too long."
"Right Major." He says smiling as she walks out the door. Within minutes he was dressed and downstairs. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah... you look really nice." She says to her husband.
"Thanks... you clean up pretty good too." He says, holding her coat up to her. "Shall we?"
"Thank you, yes." She says as the two of them get into Hawkeye's car and drive into San Francisco to enjoy a dinner. The two have been so busy they have barely had time to sit down and talk. They got to the restaurant and sat down. Hawkeye had made reservations a few days prior so they were seated immediately.
"Can I get you a drink Ma'am?" The waiter asked.
"Water please." She says smiling.
"And for you sir?"
"A Martini please... painfully dry."
"Of course. I'll go get them and give you a few minutes to look at our menus."
"Thank you." Margaret said smiling as the waiter turned to leave. "Everything looks good."
"Yeah it does." Hawkeye said smiling. They read over their menus for a few more minutes before the waiter comes back with there drinks, and takes there orders. After he leaves for the second time, Hawkeye and Margaret can finally sit down and talk, "So how are you feeling?"
"As soon as one o'clock comes around I am perfectly fine... before that it's not that good. I mean even if I'm not throwing up its just feeling completely nauseated."
"I could only imagine." He says.
"I can't wait till that part is over. The doctor says it should only last a little longer."
"Are you working tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I'm forcing myself in to do paperwork. I'll start surgery at around two... and then I'm home by six. What time are you due home?"
"I start tomorrow at six, and hopefully it will only be a twelve hour shift, but I'm not sure. We are a surgeon short, so Beej and I may be there longer then we would like."
"Why are you short?"
"Jack... Jack Lewis, he went home yesterday with the flu."
"Yuck."
"Yeah. So, we may have to pull in an extra hour or four..."
"Ah, the life of a surgeon." She says smiling.
"Have you given any thought on when you want to stop working?"
"Yeah..." She says sighing. "I'm going to stop on January tenth. This gives me time to finish my job and also train a new person."
"Did you talk to them?"
"Yes."
"Are you going to miss it?"
"I can always go back to nursing if I choose to. I mean yeah I'm going to miss it, but raising our children is much more important to me. My mom stayed home with me, and I see Peg staying home with Erin, and she's happy. Do you think I'm stupid for completely giving up nursing?"
"Like you said, you can always go back to it. No I don't think you're stupid. I'm glad you're staying home with the kids."
"Really?"
"Believe me. I'm happy if you're happy."
Margaret smiled, "Thanks." She felt so lucky to have him as her husband. He meant the world to her, and she meant the world to him.
"So your sister is getting married in March?"
"Yeah... and I'll be huge."
"No you wont..."
"Yes, I will." Margaret said smiling.
"But you'll still look absolutely beautiful."
"You've always had a way with words..."
"I know." He says smiling.
"We probably should start preparing for the baby."
"Margaret, it's only October 1st."
"Yeah, but May comes really fast."
"Let's start getting everything in a few weeks. I'll take off a few days and we can go."
"Ok."
"And I know that you and Peg will be going out to get things too." He says smiling.
"Yeah, we will... but I want you there to pick out furniture with me."
"I will be."
They spent the rest of the night eating and dancing before they went home and relaxed together. It was nice for the two of them to be able to spend more than an hour together and they relished in the time they had.
Margaret went back to work the next day and told her nurses that she would be leaving in the beginning of the New Year. They were all thrilled to hear about Margaret's pregnancy and wished her the best. Margaret also reminded them that just because she was leaving didn't mean that they could slack off or disrespect her in any manor. She was still their boss until the tenth of January. All the nurses saw a change in their head nurse. They were not exactly what it was, but they knew she had changed... maybe softened up on them a bit.
October was a rough one for Hawkeye because the flu had struck almost everyone in the hospital. They were three surgeons short out of six. The only ones left were BJ, Steven and himself. He was pulling long hours and the two of them hardly saw each other. Hawkeye was lucky if he got home before midnight and was able to have a good five hours of sleep. Most of the time he was on call, so he stayed at the hospital. Margaret was a good sport about it and met him for dinner when he could.
Hawkeye headed into the hospital and went to his office seeing a stack of charts already on his desk. "You've got to be kidding me." He says sighing.
"One more Doctor Pierce." The secretary says walking through the open door.
"What is this Judy? Am I the only doctor left?"
"No, there are three of you still."
"This flu is really spreading."
"It is. I hope we don't get it."
"Yeah, so do I. Have you seen BJ?"
"He's in surgery. He should be almost done. He has done about four surgeries in the period of six hours."
"That sounds about right." Hawkeye says, looking at his watch. "Well, my first surgery starts soon, so I better meet with the patient and start scrubbing. I expect all these charts burned by the time I get back." He says smiling at Judy.
Hawkeye went into the scrub room just as BJ was coming out, "Hey."
"Hey." Hawkeye says looking at his friend. "You alright?"
"I feel like I'm back in Korea." He says groaning as he washes his hands.
"You don't look well."
"I've been in surgery for hours, and before that hours more."
"No, I've seen you tired... this isn't you tired." Hawkeye says looking at him. His complexion was awful. "Are you sick?"
"I am not feeling great, but I'll be ok."
"Go get some rest. Are you off for a while?"
"Two hours... and I plan to sleep those hours." BJ said to his friend.
"Good. Well, since you're scrubbed and here, do me a favor and tie my mask on. I have to go fix an aneurysm." Hawkeye says smiling.
"You're just using me aren't you?" BJ says smiling.
"Yeah. Thanks. I'll see you after surgery."
"Right." He says sighing as he walks out of surgery back to his office. BJ looked at the charts on his desk and sighed, bypassing them and laying down on his couch, "Charts can wait..." He says sighing as he closes his eyes.
Hawkeye works on his patient for almost three hours and then closes. He walks out, scrubs down and heads back to his office. He looks at his watch and sees that he has two hours before his next operation, so he starts on some charts.
"Dr. Pierce?"
"Yes Judy?"
"You are needed in surgery. Dr. Smith need's your help."
"Isn't BJ around?"
"He's on his rounds."
"Figures." He says sighing. "Ok. I'm on my way."
He scrubs in and assists the other doctor and then finally heads out to finish up some more paperwork. He knows that this would take him all day, especially if he was in surgery for most of the hours he worked. He ran into BJ on his way to doing his own rounds, "Hey... did you sleep any?"
"Yeah, a couple hours, but it wasn't enough." He says sighing. "Where are you off to?"
"My rounds. I have a few patients that I have to check up on from yesterday. When are you done?"
"Midnight... what about you?"
"I have a triple shift to pull, so I should be out of here sometime around eight am, but back in here by three to start a double."
"This flu's a killer." BJ says sighing.
"That's for sure. I heard that Tom is due back tonight though."
"That's good. It gives us an extra hand."
"Yeah." He says, watching BJ pinch the bridge of his nose. "Are you sure you are ok?"
"I'm fine. Just tired."
"Why don't you go lie back down for a while?"
"No, I have to be in surgery in an hour, and a ton of charts to finish up."
"Why don't I take your..."
"Hawk, I'm fine. We've both been through worse then this."
"Beej, you look like shit. You look like you are going to fall over. At least let me check you out."
"No."
"You're so stubborn."
"Years of having to put of with you as a bunkmate." He says smiling. "I'll see you later."
"Bye."
The rest of the day went rather smoothly until around eight that night. BJ came up to him looking horrible. "Go home."
"No. I'm finishing up my shift."
"Beej, you look horrible."
"I feel horrible, but I'm going to finish it. I only have four more hours."
"Fever?"
"Fever, chills, nausea, aching; you name it I've got it." He says sighing.
"Listen to me... go home... I don't have any surgeries scheduled tonight, so I'll take your last one. Tom is due in around ten. You're doing yourself more harm by being here."
"Hawkeye..."
"GO!"
"Alright." He said finally giving in.
"And don't come back till you are feeling better. I'll cover for you."
"Alright..." He says breathing a sigh of relief, "but if it gets too bad, call me."
"Sure. Go take care of yourself. I'll see you in a few days."
"Right. Thanks."
"No problem." He says, as he goes and scrubs in on BJ's surgery.
"I thought Hunnicut was doing this." Steven said, scrubbing out.
"He went home."
"Home, why? He was on till midnight I thought."
"He's got the flu."
"Damn... another down. Hopefully we'll beat it."
"Yeah, I hope so too." He says, heading into the OR. It was ten by the time he was out and he decided to call Margaret.
"Hello?"
"Hi."
"Hi, where are you?"
"At the hospital."
"I thought you were suppose to be home by eight?"
"I was, but I am on a three shifter tonight."
"Why?"
"BJ went home early. He has the flu."
"That doesn't surprise me. Peg just got over it, and Erin had it a few days before."
"Yeah, I know, but now there are only two of us, until Tom gets in."
"So when are you expected home?"
"Tomorrow night. I took BJ's shift."
"Well then, can you do lunch tomorrow?" She asked. She really hated not being able to see him for a full day.
"I can try. What time?"
"Twelve?"
"Sure. I'll try and keep that open."
"Great. I'll pick you up." She says smiling.
"Ok. I'll see you tomorrow. If for some reason I can't make it, I'll call you."
"Ok. I love you."
"Love you too." He says smiling. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye."
"Bye." He says hanging up. For the rest of that week, the hospital was hell. Three doctors trying to do the work of six. None of the Doctors were able to go home for more then four hours at a time until the others finally started to feel better. It was a miracle that Hawkeye and Steven survived the flu. Finally, everything became normal again, and Hawkeye could be home a bit more then he was.
Thanksgiving came upon them really quickly. Margaret was excited for her family to come out and see their house. Hawkeye's father had already visited, but this was the first time for the Houlihan's and Margaret was a wreck. She wanted everything to be perfect for when they came, and couldn't keep the house as clean as she would have liked. She was on edge for the past three days, and tonight her parents would be flying in. Hawkeye had just finished making the two of them lunch and left the utensils in the sink, which was his first mistake.
"What the hell are you doing?!" She asked, almost in a frenzy.
"What?" He asked, looking at her.
"I just washed all of those dishes and cleaned the sink and you go and dirty it up again!"
"Margaret, I was going to clean it up."
"You're damn right you are going to clean it up! Now Pierce!" She said.
"Will you sit down and eat first."
"No! My parents will be here in about two hours. I don't want this house dirty! Look, you have bread crumbs all over the counter!"
"I will clean it up after we are done eating. There are going to be crumbs after we are done eating too."
"Clean it up!"
"Margaret!" Hawkeye said raising his voice, "You're acting like a crazy person! Stop it!"
"How dare you say that to me!" She said her eyes shining. "You are the one who dirtied everything up."
"I did not! The only thing I did was make you and I lunch... I was going to clean it up..."
"Just, get out of here Ok?"
"What?"
"Leave! If you are going to dirty the place up, I want you out of here for a couple hours."
Hawkeye's blood boiled, "Fine. I don't want to be around you when you are like this anyway." He said, standing up, grabbing his keys and heading out the door, slamming it in the process.
Margaret cleaned the kitchen, ate her lunch and threw out her husbands. She was so mad at him. Why couldn't he understand how much perfection meant to her father? She had spent the past three days getting the house ready for her parents to come! "He makes me so mad!" She said aloud. After about an hour she started to wonder where he went. She didn't mean to sound so harsh, but it just came out that way. She's pregnant, her family is coming down, she has to make Thanksgiving dinner, and she was absolutely exhausted. She lies down on the couch after turning off the TV and looked at her watch. She was dressed and just awaiting her parent's arrival in about an hour to an hour and a half. She ended up drifting off to sleep a few minutes after she had sat down.
Hawkeye came back an hour and a half after he left, figuring that would have given her enough time to relax. It was a fairly cold day for California, and he hung up his jacket before he went looking for his wife. He smiled when he saw her lying on the couch sleeping. He bent down to give her a kiss and went back into the kitchen to grab something to drink. Hawk then proceeded back into the Family Room to turn off the TV and then into his den so he could finish working on a few of the charts he had left over from yesterday's surgeries before the Houlihan's arrived. Margaret woke up ten minutes before her parents arrived, and rubbed her eyes. She looked at the TV and saw it off, and went to look for her husband.
"Hawk?"
"In the den."
"When did you get back?" She asked. It was obvious that she was in a better mood.
"About a half an hour ago."
"Oh." She said, looking over his shoulder at his paperwork, "Where did you go?"
He smiled a bit, "I went to the Hospital to pick up a few things, came back here and am trying to finish those things before your parents get here."
"Oh, ok... do you want me to leave you alone?"
"No." He said smiling at her, "You're fine."
She sat down on the sofa that was in the room and watched him. He knew what was coming next, "I'm sorry..."
"Don't worry about it..." He reassured his wife, "I know how you get."
She smiled and blushed a little bit, "I just want everything to be perfect..."
"It is. This house is perfect, you are perfect, everything is perfect."
"It's just my dad..."
"Will be fine. Margaret, everything will be fine. The house is spotless, except for my glass here, which will get washed when I am done with it, and you look absolutely beautiful."
"How am I so luck to have ended up with you as a husband?"
"You just have good taste." He says, putting down his pen and closing the last file. "I'm going to go up and get changed. I'll be down in a few minutes."
"When does your father get in?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Ok." Margaret said smiling, "Do you want me to wash your glass?"
"I can do it..."
"It will keep my mind off my parents." She says smiling, looking at her watch. "Hurry up though. They'll be here in a few minutes."
"I will."
Margaret washed the glass and put it in the cupboard, before she went into the Family Room and straightened up the pillows she was lying on. She smiled when she was finished and walked around her house, making sure everything was in place. Hawkeye comes down, and seeing her looking out the window into there back yard, wraps his arms around her growing waste. She was just beginning to show around the middle section. She was in a better mood now too because she wasn't throwing up every morning. In fact, those mornings were scarce now-a-days. Hawkeye placed a few kisses on the nape of her neck, slowly moving up ward, "Hawkeye..." Margaret said smiling, "Not now..."
"What?" He asked innocently as he continued, "I didn't get to eat my lunch...." He muttered against her neck.
"My parents..."
"The doors locked... they will be here..."
"Any second." She said, turning in his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck, blue eyes locking.
"A lot can get done with seconds." He says, leaning down to give her a kiss, "And besides... I think this is the most time we have spent together in weeks."
"I think you're right." Margaret says before he brings his lips towards hers in a passionate embrace, that was ended by a knock on the door quicker then either of the two had wanted. "That would be my parents." She said, reluctantly stepping back from his arms.
"Come on." She said, taking his hand and headed over to answer the door. She smiled when she saw her parents, "Hi mom, hi daddy."
"Hi Honey." Kate said, hugging her daughter as she walked through the door. "You look wonderful. Hi Hawkeye."
"Hi Kate."
"Please... call me mom."
Hawkeye nodded and smiled as he watched his wife hug her father, "How have you been Colonel?" He asked, extending his hand.
"I've been well Pierce, how have you been?" He said, accepting his extended his hand.
"Well also."
"Margaret your house is beautiful." Kate says looking around from the hallway.
"Thanks. Come on up stairs, and I'll show you where you can put everything." She said smiling. Hawkeye grabbed one suitcase while the Colonel took the other and they headed upstairs.
Margaret gave them the tour of the house and then they settled down in the Family Room. "It's a very nice house Honey." Kate said. She was very proud of her daughter and son-in-law. They had the perfect house to start raising a family in. "How have you been feeling?"
"I've been feeling great lately."
"Have you been sick?"
"I was... but it's gotten better over the past few weeks. I was throwing up every morning for a while." She said, "But, I hear it's all worth it."
"Yeah... it is." Kate agreed. "I was sicker with you then with Annie... remember Al?"
"Yeah, I do." He said smiling at his girls. "When is Annie due in?"
"Tomorrow evening." Margaret said. "Tyler couldn't leave until then."
"And is your father coming up Hawkeye?" Kate asked.
"Yes, tomorrow Morning. He'll be staying from Wednesday till Sunday."
"I'm looking forward to seeing him again." Kate says smiling. "Has he seen the house yet?"
"Yes." Margaret smiled, "He came up in the summer for a few days."
"Oh that's nice. And who all is coming to dinner?"
"Well, there's the four of us, Annie, Tyler, Dan, and the Hunnicut's... they have three."
"Are you hungry?" Margaret asked.
"Not yet." Al says smiling at his daughter. "What are we doing tonight for dinner?"
"We're going to head into San Francisco for dinner." Hawkeye replied.
"That sounds good." Kate replied smiling.
The entire day went smoothly. Kate and Margaret were busy talking about the baby and how much they had to get done, and Al and Hawkeye were busy just trying to put up with one another for the next few days. It would be easier once his father got there. Once everyone got there, the women decided to go shopping, including Peg and Erin, which left the men to sit at home and watch TV all morning. Margaret was thrilled to have her mom and sister there to help her pick out some of the baby furniture. She and Hawkeye already had it down to a few of each set of furniture, and the rest would be for Margaret to decide. By the time the women got home, Erin was bored. They had been out all day and it was now six in the evening. She saw her father and immediately clung to him.
"Hi Erin."
"Hi daddy."
"Did you have fun with the girls?"
"Yes! Then no." She said smiling. "Pay wif me."
"What should we play?"
"Outside. Uncle Hawk too."
"Ok." Hawkeye said, as the two friends stood up with the four year old and went out back to play."
"Do you think they got all the furniture for the nursery?" BJ asked, as he continued to throw a ball for Erin to run and catch.
"Probably. I'm really looking forward to seeing what she picked out." He said as Daniel walked out to the backyard, "Hi dad."
"Hi." He said. "Hey Erin, come here." He said to the child. She ran over to him smiling. He whispered something to her and the next thing Hawkeye knew Erin was running straight at him. He fell down playfully and she laughed, "I got you Uncle Hawkeye."
"Yes, you did..." He said smiling at the kid.
"Good job Erin." BJ said.
"Thanks dad."
"I'm trying to get you use to that." He said smiling. "Margaret is beginning to show a little bit."
"She is. She's getting a bit self conscious when some of her pants are getting too tight."
"It only gets worse." He said smiling at his son.
"What are the others doing?"
"Al and Tyler are talking about the Army... and the women are talking about the babies. So I decided to come out here with you two knuckleheads. You nervous?" "Not yet." Hawkeye says, knowing he meant about having a kid. "More excited then nervous."
"That's good. What about you BJ?"
"Scared to death." He says laughing. "It's weird how the second one is scarier than the first."
Back inside, the women are sitting in the Living Room Talking while the two other men were in the Family Room watching TV and continuously talking about the war and the Army.
"So have you picked out any names yet Margaret?" Kate asked.
"We haven't really talked about them yet. I know that if it's a boy Hawkeye wants the middle name to be Blake, after Henry and a 'B' for BJ. Henry was our commanding officer before BJ and Colonel Potter got there." Margaret said smiling before turning serious, "He was killed on his way home."
"That's awful." Peg says shaking her head.
"What about you Peg? Any names?"
"Still up in the air. Benjamin is the middle name if we have a son, but the first names are still not final. I like the names Shawn, Michael, and Aidan. For a girl we like Gillian, spelled with a G, or Tara."
"That's different." Margaret said smiling, "But I like it."
"Yeah, so do we. What about you for a girl?"
"We have a few, Natalie, Elizabeth, Susan, and Kimberly."
"I like Natalie." Kate says smiling.
"Hawkeye said the name and I feel in love with it."
"It's very pretty." Annie said. "What names do you like for a boy?"
"I like Daniel, Zachary and Jason."
"There nice." Kate said.
"We'll have to really start thinking about them soon though." Margaret said.
"May, will come very quick." Peg said smiling.
"Yeah, but not as fast as February."
"True." She says laughing.
The next day was Thanksgiving, and everyone was there to help out from ten in the morning until that night. They had a wonderful holiday full of laughs and good food. Margaret and Hawkeye both really enjoyed cooking when they had the time too, so it wasn't a chore when they did it for the holiday. Margaret and Peg smiled at each other, when they cleaned up the dishes.
"Can you believe that next year there will be three kids to take care of instead of just Erin?"
"No... that seems like so far away." Margaret said.
"It is, but it comes so fast. I look at Erin every day and can't believe how much she has changed in just the four years."
"She's gotten huge hasn't she?"
"Yeah, she definitely has." Peg says sighing. "Wait till you have yours Margaret... everything changes."
"I can't wait."
"Me neither." Peg says, smiling at her friend, while she dries the dishes.
In December, Hawkeye realized that the two of them never had a true Honeymoon. They were so busy trying to get married, Move and have the new house up and running and also working that they haven't had a chance to spend time that he had wanted to spend with her. He decided to book a vacation for a week just for the two of them, before she got too pregnant. He made it her Christmas present, and set it for the end of January. Peg was due late February, and they had said that they would take Erin for the few days she was in the hospital, so it had to be the end of January. Margaret had always told him how much she loves Hawaii, and that was where he was taking her. It was just the two of them for Christmas morning, and then they would head over to BJ's for dinner, which suited them just fine. They could sleep in as late as they wanted; something that they would not be able to do once they had kids. He took a week off from work, BJ said that he would gladly cover his surgeries, and they would be on there way from January 20th till the 27th.
They slept in until around eleven, something that neither of them were accustom too. Hawkeye woke up first and grabbed a quick shower and when he was getting dressed Margaret woke up.
"Good morning."
"Merry Christmas." She said yawning.
"You too." Hawkeye says smiling, as he gives her a kiss.
"I'm gonna go get a shower too." Margaret said getting out of bed.
"Hurry up. I'll be down stairs and make something to eat."
"Ok... I want eggs." She says smiling.
"Yes Major." He says grinning as he heads downstairs.
Margaret got her shower, dressed and went down to join her husband in the kitchen for a late breakfast.
"How do you want your coffee?" He asked her as she sat down at the table.
"Black please." She said smiling. "Thank you."
"No problem." He said. "We'll eat and then I'll give you your gift."
"That sounds good." She said smiling.
Margaret found quickly how difficult buying for Hawkeye could be. He didn't need anything and the only thing he asked her to get him was a stethoscope. She of course got that for him and a couple other little things. The two took there time eating, Hawkeye started smiling and Margaret looked at him strangely, "Do you know that this time next year we will have a child?"
Margaret smiled and replies, "Yeah... I know we won't be sleeping this late."
"Definitely not. Hell, we'll be up by six at the latest."
"I can't wait."
"Neither can I."
The two of them finished eating and went into the family room to sit for a little while, looking at their first Christmas tree as husband and wife. "Ok, here, let me get your present." He said smiling as he stands up and retrieves the flat package.
"No, you open yours first..." she said, knowing that he knew exactly what it would be.
"I wonder what it could possibly be." He said teasing her.
"Don't get smart with me... you have no idea how hard you are to buy for."
"Margaret, I like anything that you get me... or give me." He said winking at her. "A stethoscope... how did you ever know?" He grinned. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." She said rolling her eyes, and he gives her a kiss. "I have a couple other little things too."
"Open yours." He said smiling.
"Ok." She said, tearing the paper off the flat box, and as she pulled the lid off she saw the two tickets and smiled. She read where they were going and said, "Hawaii?!"
"Yeah."
"Oh my god Hawk... is great!" She said, hugging him. "I haven't been to Hawaii in ages!"
"I know. You talked about going there before, and we haven't really had a chance for a honeymoon or to even spend a lot of alone time together..."
"This is perfect. Thank you so much... Now, the only question on my mind now, is who am I going to take." She said laughing.
"Funny." He replied, kissing her cheek.
"How did you get off?"
"Easily... BJ is covering for me. It's also before Peg is due to have the baby, and ten days after you are finished work... and also before you get too fat because you know I won't be caught dead with you fat.... OUCH!" He said laughing as she slaps his chest.
"Serves you right." She said smiling. "Thank you."
"Thank you." He said kissing her, "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas."
That night, the two of them went over to the Hunnicut's house for dinner. Erin was thrilled to show them her new presents from Santa Clause, and just her excitement made Margaret even more thrilled to meet her child. Erin was they happiest child and Margaret could only pray that her child was that happy and healthy. Margaret smiled when she heard Erin telling Hawkeye that she heard Santa last night.
"Only a few more months Margaret." Peg said, almost reading her mind.
"I know... five months. It seems like forever." She says, drying the plates.
"It won't be. You two have a busy couple of months a head of you... you're leaving work and the army, your trip, your sisters wedding..."
"Yeah, the time is just going to fly by I guess... and we have you being due in February."
"That too." Peg said smiling.
"What do you think you are having?"
"Well... I think it's a girl, but it feels different then Erin did."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah... I don't understand it, but I wasn't as sick with this one as with her, and the way I am carrying it feels different. What about you? Do you have any idea?"
"I'm leaning towards a girl too... but I'm really not sure."
"That's what happened with Erin, I leaned towards a girl... and I was right."
"She's perfect."
"And your baby will be too." Peg reassured her friend. "Are you scared?"
"To death." Margaret said nodding her head. "I keep wondering if I'll be a good parent to him or her."
"You'll be a great parent." Peg said smiling. "You are great with kids."
"Yeah... I am just worried that I'll make mistakes..."
"Margaret, every parent makes mistakes, but if you love that kid with everything you have, then those mistakes seem insignificant."
"I guess your right." She said smiling at Peg. She always seemed to put Margaret's mind at ease when it came to her concerns of having kids. Peg had been here before, and Margaret was thankful that she had someone to help her ease her fears.
"So what do you think about leaving the army, now that it is right around the corner?"
"I don't know..." Margaret said sighing, "The army is all I know, but I want to raise my children, so I'll be ok with it."
"You'll be fine Margaret with everything. The only thing I hope is that you aren't in labor for 16 hours like I was with Erin."
"Thanks Peg." Margaret said sarcastically, laughing as they finish the dishes and head out with the men.
January 10th 1956 came very quick. It was Margaret's last day as a Major in the US Army, and Hawkeye wasn't sure how she would be when he saw her after work. Margaret said her goodbyes to the nurses, doctors and staff. She passed the torch to Lieutenant Tamara Radisson, who Margaret had gotten to know over the past week during her training secessions. She felt safe with leaving the nursing staff to her, and when she left the hospital she had mixed emotions. She second guessed herself a lot over the past few weeks. Hawkeye was home when she got home from her last shift. She opened the door and went into the Family Room where he was and sat down next to him.
"Hi." He said when she sat down.
"Hi." She said, as he gives her a kiss.
"So?"
"So what?"
"How does it feel to be out of the army?"
"I don't know..." Margaret said honestly.
Hawkeye wrapped his arms around her and said, "You can always go back to Nursing after you have the baby."
"I know." She said, "It's weird Hawk..."
"What?"
"The army was the only thing I've ever known, and now it's over. I worked so hard to make Major, and for the longest time I didn't care about anything other then my rank, but now it's different. I have a husband, I have a child on the way, and I am a nurse... the army just doesn't fit into my life anymore."
"It's funny how things work out sometimes." Hawkeye said.
"Yeah, it is." Margaret said, a smile crossing her face, "And having this baby is the only thing that matters to me now... and you of course." She added in quickly.
"Well, this time next week we will be on the shores of Hawaii."
"I can't wait. I have to still go shopping and get some new things to wear... and so do you."
"Ugh..." He grunted. He absolutely hated shopping.
"Don't groan at me." She said smiling, "This Saturday, you and I are going shopping."
"Ok, ok." He said, knowing that he could not win that battle.
January 20th at 3pm the plane touched down and they entered a completely different climate.
"Now this is more like it." Margaret said smiling at the 80 degree weather. "It's 48 and raining back home, but not here."
"It's nice." Hawkeye agreed with her as he grabbed their suitcases, and headed out to rent a car and head to their hotel. They signed into the hotel, got there room key's and had the bellboy take them to their suite.
"It's beautiful." Margaret said, smiling as they walked through the room. It was like a small apartment with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining room and living room, all separated from one another. They had a huge patio that overlooked the blue ocean.
"Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it!" Margaret said beaming. "Hawkeye this place is amazing."
"Dad told me about this hotel. He said that a patient was raving about it, so I decided to give it a try."
"Honey, I love it." Margaret said, hugging him.
"I'm glad. Well, this is what we have for seven days. We can do everything or nothing. What would you like to do?"
"I'd like to unpack first." She said, heading over to the dressers, and suitcases. She quickly unpacked while Hawkeye sat on the patio. He knew better then to get involved with the unpacking. After a few minutes, she comes out to join him on the patio. He was sitting in a lounge chair, so she positioned herself right between his legs, leaning back on his chest. He closed his arms around her and smiled.
"What do you want to do first?" He asked.
"This suits me just fine for now." She said, looking up at him, receiving a soft kiss.
"We have a lot of missed time to make up for." He said smiling. He just missed being with her. The two of them had been so busy with work they almost never saw each other.
This was a week that they were in dire need of. It wouldn't be the two of them for quite some time, and they relished in it. The two of them got to know each other again. On the second day, Hawkeye and Margaret had just finished there dinner, and they were coming up on ten pm. They were sitting outside on the patio, looking at the stars and hearing the waves crash against the shoreline.
"Let's go for a walk." Margaret said smiling.
"Ok." Hawkeye replied. They always loved walking by the beach, any beach it didn't matter. The two made there way down to the beach. Margaret pulled off her sandals and smiled as Hawkeye did the same. Hawkeye then took her hand and they walked close to one another as the waves bit at there feet.
"Looks like this is our last trip for a while isn't it?" Margaret asked, smiling as she placed her hand on her stomach.
"It doesn't have to be." Hawkeye said smiling, "I'm sure our parents would love to get their hands on the grandchild for a week."
"Yeah, but I'm not sure if I want to give him or her up." She said smiling.
"Well then, we'll just take family vacations and maybe a weekend trip, just the two of us."
"That sounds good." Margaret said smiling.
"God, can you believe in only four months we'll be parents?"
"I can't wait Hawk. I keep wondering what he or she looks like."
"Me too. We really have to figure out a name."
"We will." She said smiling. Margaret looks out to the ocean and smiles, "Look!" she says as she points to the water.
There were about ten dolphins playing in the waves, the moon shining on their backs, "Look how close they are." Hawkeye says, as he sits on the white sand, pulling Margaret next down in front of him.
"They are so pretty... look at the moon shine on them." She said; glad to sit for a while. Her ankles were beginning to bother her.
"I see it." He says as they watch the dolphins play in the water.
"This was a great idea." She said after a while, looking up at him.
"Yeah, I have them every so often." He said smiling. He leaned down to kiss her.
"I love you."
"I love you too." He said smiling. "Margaret, I did this for us... we haven't had a chance to be together, and I just want you to know how much I love you."
"I know." She says and stands up. "Let's head back to the hotel."
"You read my mind." He says, helping her up and then starting to head back towards the hotel.
For the seven days, they did not leave each other's side. They slept in one another's arms, woke up the exact same way. They did not think about anything from back home, just the two of them. Margaret looked absolutely beautiful in everything she wore according to Hawkeye. She was feeling a bit fat, but he assured her that she looked beautiful, even in a bathing suit or naked. That always made her smile. The week went far too fast, and before they knew it, it was time to come home, and time for Hawkeye to get back to work.
Before the baby's were born both the Hunnicut's and Pierces decided to ask the Potters to be honorary Grandparents. They have done so much for BJ, Margaret and Hawkeye that it only seemed right to ask them to be called Grandma and Grandpa. The Potters were thrilled and accepted. Erin had already started calling them Grandma and grandpa, and the tradition would continue. The colonel was definitely a father figure towards Margaret and Hawkeye, and still continued that even after the war.
Margaret spent most of her time shopping and getting things ready for the baby, and helping Peg get ready for hers, even though they already had most things from Erin. Finally on February 18, Peg went into labor. BJ was a wreck when he got the call... he was in surgery with Hawkeye.
"Dr. Hunnicut?" Judy called to him.
"Yeah? Retract that for me Cindy."
"I have a message for you."
"I'm listening."
"You're wife just called... she says that she's in labor."
"You're kidding me?!" BJ said, taking his eyes off the patient.
"That's great Beej!" Hawkeye said smiling under his mask.
"Was there anything else?"
"No, she just said if you could get home as soon as you can, or she's driving herself to the hospital."
"That sounds like her." BJ said smiling, "Hawk could you...."
"Get the hell out of here." He said smiling.
"Thanks Hawk. Are you sure you can finish this?"
"It will just take an extra few minutes. GO!"
"Ok... I'm going." BJ said smiling, "I'll drop Erin off at your house..."
"Don't tell me, tell Margaret." Hawkeye said laughing. "Hey Beej?"
"Yeah?" He asked turning right before the doors.
"Good luck..."
"Thanks.... I'm going to be a father again!" He said to his best friend, "Don't worry... I'll return the favor!"
"I'll hold you to it." He said laughing as BJ left, quickly scrubbing out and leaving the hospital.
"I don't think I've ever seen BJ that nervous or excited before." Laura, one of the RN's, said smiling.
"Me neither... but the guy has a good reason. Suction please." He said trying to finish up the operation. He was off at six pm, and it was only three. He was looking forward to having Erin at their house for a few days too, and knowing she was there made the day go longer.
BJ dropped Erin off before taking Peg back to the hospital.
"Thanks for taking her Margaret."
"No problem. Give Peg a hug for me." Margaret said kissing BJ on the cheek. "Good luck."
"Thanks. I'll call you to let you know what we have." He says smiling. "Be a good girl Erin." BJ says, kissing his daughter.
"Bye Daddy." She said smiling as he rushes back to the car and drives off.
"Well Miss Erin, it looks like it's you and me until Uncle Hawk comes home. Should we go put your things in your room?" She asked her smiling.
"Yup!" Erin said, running up the stairs, leaving Margaret with her little suitcase.
That entire day they spent playing with dolls, and cooking dinner for when Hawkeye comes home. Margaret and Erin tomorrow were going to bake a cake. It was six thirty by the time Hawkeye came home.
"I'm home!" He called as he walked through the front door.
"Hi Uncle Hawk!" Erin said smiling, as she ran over to him to give him a hug.
"I just saw your mommy."
"And daddy?"
"Daddy too." He said smiling.
"Did mommy have the baby?"
"Not yet, but she should have it sometime around one in the morning." He told the child. "Which means, by the time you wake up tomorrow, you'll be a big sister."
"Oh good!" Erin said smiling. "Come on Uncle Hawk, go into the kitchen."
"Why?"
"Cause we cooked." She said proudly.
"What did you make me?"
"Chicken and stuff."
"Chicken and stuff? That's my favorite... especially the stuff part." He said smiling. "Hi honey."
"Hi, how's Peggy doing?" She asked giving him a kiss.
"She's good, in a bit of pain but good. She should have the kid sometime early tomorrow."
"Excellent!" Margaret said, holding a plate out to him. "You two can sit down and eat now." She said smiling.
At twelve thirty the phone rang, and Hawkeye picked it up. He was in the den trying to finish up BJ and his case before bed, "Hello?"
"Hey Hawk!"
"BJ, how are you?"
"I'm great!" He said.
"Well? Did you have the baby?"
"Well I didn't, but Peggy did." He said smiling.
"What did you have?"
"A girl! Hawk, I have two daughters! Can you believe that?"
"Congratulations BJ! What did you name her?"
"Gillian... Gillian Lee."
"That's a pretty name..."
"Hawk, you should see her... she's a blonde with a bit of red in it, and the bluest eyes."
"Healthy?"
"Very... and Peg's doing great too. She was born at 11:54"
"Excellent. I'll tell Erin tomorrow that she has a sister, and we'll see you guys tomorrow too."
"Great! Night Hawk."
"Good night BJ." Hawkeye says hanging up, smiling. He decides to turn in and shuts the lights off, before heading up stairs. He checks once on Erin and then heads into his room.
"Was that BJ?" Margaret asked half asleep as her husband crawls in bed next to her.
"Yes."
"Did they have the baby?" She asked suddenly wide awake.
"Yes, a little girl."
"That's great! What did they name her?"
"Gillian Lee."
"That's a pretty name."
"It is. I'm gonna tell Erin tomorrow, and right now I am going to sleep."
"Can we go in and see her tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I'm going in before my shift at twelve. You and Erin should come in. Judy can watch Erin while we see them.
"Ok. Sound's good." She said smiling before kissing her husband and laying her head on his chest, falling sound asleep.
The next day, when Erin came in to wake them up they told her that she had a little sister and she was trilled. She told everyone in the hospital that she was a big sister to Gillian, when they got in. Margaret laughed at the child's excitement. Judy watched Erin while the Pierces headed downstairs to see BJ and Peg. BJ was outside talking to one of the nurses when he spotted Hawk and Margaret.
"Hi!"
"Hi Beej, how are you?"
"Great!" He said smiling, "How about you two?"
"Fine." Margaret said smiling, "How's Peggy?"
"Fine. Go on in and see her. She has Gillian now so you can see her too." BJ said,
"Where's Erin?"
"In my office with Judy eating some pretzels. You should go up and see her."
"I will in a minute." He said, "God, Hawk, I can't wait till you have your baby. It is the most incredible feeling ever."
"I can't wait either."
"Two girls... how lucky can I be? She's perfect... healthy and beautiful." While the two doctors stood outside the room talking, Margaret went in to see Peg and Gillian.
"Hi." She said softly.
"Hi." Peg replied smiling.
"How are you?"
"Great. Tired and a bit sore, but great." She said, as Margaret took the seat next to her.
"She's beautiful Peg."
"Thanks."
"She looks like BJ."
"Yeah, I thought so too." Peg says, looking down at the infant in her arms. "Erin seems huge compared to her sister."
"Yeah, she does." Margaret said smiling.
"Do you want to hold her?"
"Sure!" She said in an exciting manor.
"You need all the practice you can get." She said grinning at her friend, as she took the baby.
"That's for sure... Come here Gillian... I want to meet you." Margaret says, cuddling the baby, "You are beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I'm your Aunt Margaret."
"You wont get her back Peg." Hawkeye says as he comes through the door.
"Ha ha." Margaret said smiling down at the baby, "That's your Uncle Hawkeye... I'm married to him for some reason, which I have yet to figure out, but all you have to do is ignore him and laugh at him and you'll be fine."
"I love you too honey." He says, looking at the baby, "Wow, you look like your daddy Gillian." He says smiling. "A Beejette." He says laughing.
"You can hold her too if you want Hawk." Peg says smiling.
Margaret handed the child over and Hawkeye took her, "BJ will be right back. Erin's in my office so he went to see her."
"I really appreciate you taking her for a few days."
"Oh Peg, it's our pleasure. You have done so much for us in the past couple months we couldn't even begin to repay you." Margaret said smiling at her friend. "So how painful is it?"
"It doesn't tickle... that's for sure." Peg said smiling, "But don't you worry... you'll be fine. I wouldn't have done it twice if it was absolutely horrible."
"Good point."
Hawkeye returned Gillian to her mom and stood up, "Well I hate to run, but I have to start surgery that I am taking from your husband."
"Ok, have fun." Peg says smiling, as he kisses her cheek.
"Congratulations, she is absolutely beautiful."
"Thanks." She says as Hawkeye gives his wife a kiss and heads up.
The Hunnicut's went quickly from a family of three to a family of four, and they were thrilled. Erin absolutely adored being a big sister, and she was a great one. The baby was good too, she slept through the nights for them at two months, and soon after she was sleeping by herself, it was time for Margaret to have the baby. It just so happened that Daniel, and the Houlihan's came out the week she was due, just incase, and the day there plane was to touch down, she went into labor.
On Sunday, May 18th, Margaret wakes up at 6am resulting from a painful contraction. She gets up and takes a shower, and makes something to eat. Around 8am, she decides that she should wake up Hawkeye. Her contractions were about 5 minutes apart.
"Hawkeye? Hawk, wake up."
"What?"
"I think its time... let's go meet our child." She says, smiling.
Well, that wakes him right up, and the first time he ever jumped out of bed. "How far apart are the contractions?"
"About five to six minutes."
"Alright... I'm gonna grab a really fast shower and then we will be on our way to the hospital."
"Alright." She smiles. She leaves a note on the door to let his and her parents that they were at the hospital and to get there as soon as they got to the house. Ten minutes later, he is dressed and ready to become a father.
"How are you?" He asks, as they were getting set in the hospital room.
"I'm fine." She says wincing at another contraction.
Hawkeye was about to talk when Dr. Davison came in. "Hi! How are we feeling Margaret."
"Hi David. Like I want this kid out of me." Margaret says.
"Let me check you out." He says, looking her over. "I think that we will be having this baby before dinner."
"Good." Margaret says.
"Alright Margaret, I'll be back in a little while to check on you."
"Thank you Dave."
"Yup, hang in there kid."
"You're parents are on there way, my dad just called the hospital. They just got to the house. Your mom said they should be here about eleven."
"Good." She says taking in a deep breath.
11:00 came, and Hawkeye stood up.
"Where are you going?" She asked, alarmed.
He smiled at his wife. She was strong, but at this moment she was scared stiff. "I'll be right back. I have to go see if your mom and dad are here yet."
"Oh, ok." She says.
He kisses her forehead and says, "I'll hurry back."
She smiles, nods and watches him leave. He closes the door behind him and walks over to the waiting room and sees the Houlihan's walking in.
"Hello Hawkeye." Kate says smiling at her son-in-law.
"Hi mom." He says giving her a hug. "Boy, when you say eleven, you mean eleven." He smiles. "Colonel." He says, holding his hand out to him.
"Pierce." He says, shaking it. "How's my little girl?"
"She's doing well, in a bit of pain, but nothing more. You should have a grandchild in a few hours.
"Good." Kate says.
"Hawk! How are you?" His dad said as he approached his son.
"Fine." He says, hugging him.
"You're a nervous wreck aren't you?" He says, grinning.
"Yes." Hawkeye admitted, "But I better get back to my wife. I'll let you know what we have." And with that he heads back to his wife. "Both sets of parents are here."
"Good." She says, taking his hand. "Pierce, I want this kid OUT of ME!"
"Soon." He says, kissing her forehead.
At around three, David comes back in, checks her and says, "Alright, next contraction we'll try a little pushing."
"Thank god!" Margaret says. She was in more pain then she would ever admit.
"Alright Margaret, let's see your baby. I need good hard pushes."
Margaret pushed great and at 3:32pm, they were parents.
"It's a..." David says, flipping the baby over, "Girl... you have a daughter! Congratulations!"
"A girl!" Hawkeye says, kissing his wife.
"We have a daughter." Margaret says, wiping a tear away from her eye.
"I'm going to get her cleaned up and I'll bring her right back to you."
"Thanks Dave." Hawkeye says.
"You're welcome. I'll be right back." He says, smiling.
"A girl! We have a little girl." Margaret says crying.
Twenty minutes later, David brings their daughter back. Hawkeye jumps up and walks over to his friend. David places the newborn into his arms. "It's the most amazing feeling isn't it?" David smiles at his friend.
Hawkeye smiles and stares in awe at the little girl in his arms... his little girl. He brings her over to Margaret and hands her over.
"What did you name her?" David asks.
Both parents look at her, and say, "Natalie, Natalie Anne." Margaret strokes her daughter's cheek.
"She's perfect. She is 6pounds, 2 ounces, 19 ½ inches long." David says.
"She is perfect." Hawkeye says, as Natalie grabs his little finger "She is the most perfect little girl ever."
"I'll be back for her in a bit." David says, walking out.
"She has your eyes..." Margaret says smiling, "And your hair. I think she looks like you."
"She has your nose... and lips..." He says before grinning, "We're in trouble."
"Jerk." She says smiling.
"I'm just kidding... I have no complaints with your lips." He says, smiling, and giving her a quick kiss.
"Look what we created."
"She's gonna be trouble when she gets older."
"I know... we're in trouble." She smiles. "She's beautiful. She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."
"I have the two most beautiful girls in the world." He says, as his daughter grasps his finger again. "Let me hold her." He says, after about a half an hour or Margaret holding her. Margaret hands her over and lays back. She was exhausted.
"What do you think about your name Natalie?" He asks the baby. She coo's and snuggles against her daddy. "I guess she likes her name."
"It's a beautiful name." She says smiling. "And it suits her well."
"It definitely does."
An hour later, the doctor has to take the baby back to the nursery. "I'll bring her back." He says, "I promise."
"You better go tell our parents."
"Yeah, I guess I should." He says, kissing his wife. "I'll be back soon. Get some sleep."
"Ok." She says, "Don't be too long."
"I won't." He smiles and heads out to the waiting room.
"Well?!" Kate says, jumping up when she sees her son-in-law.
"At 3:32 the three of you became grandparents."
"What is it?!" Daniel asked, smiling.
"A baby of course." He grins.
"Benjamin..." Daniel warns.
"Come with me." He says to the grandparents, as he takes them to the nursery window. The nurse smiles at Hawk and picks up the baby, holding her so the grandparents can see. "I'd like to introduce you to your granddaughter."
"She's beautiful." Kate says. "Look at her! She has Margaret's skin color, but she looks like you Hawkeye. She has Margaret's mouth though, and her nose."
"That's exactly what Margaret and I thought."
"What's her name Pierce?" Al asks.
"We named her Natalie." He says smiling. "Natalie Anne."
"She is perfect." Daniel says smiling. "Congratulations."
"Thanks, you too Dad."
"Well, I'm going to go see MY little girl." Kate says, smiling.
"Three doors to the right, room 405."
"Thank you." She says, leaving the men to look at the little girl.
"Maggie?" Her mom calls to her as she walks through the door.
"Hi mom."
"How are you darling?"
"Great." She says. "Did Hawk show Natalie to you?"
"Yes. Margaret, she is perfect... and absolutely beautiful."
"I think so." She smiles. "I'm so scared though."
"Why?"
"I have a little girl now who will be 100 percent dependant on me. She will grow up according to how I raise her."
"You'll be a great mother." Kate says.
"What if I do something wrong?"
"She won't know the difference. I did things wrong with you and your sister, and you grew up perfect. Your father questions your taste in men, but other than that..." She jokes.
"Mom!" She says grinning.
"Margaret... all you have to do is love her, and she'll be fine."
"I hope so."
"Trust me." She says, kissing HER little girl.
"Where's daddy?"
"With your husband and Father-In-Law gawking at the baby, but he'll be in soon." She says, watching her yawn. "You should get some rest."
"I will."
"I'll wake you when he comes in."
"Ok." She says, closing her eyes, but adding in, "Don't leave."
"I wont... well, not until they kick me out." She says, and lets her daughter sleep.
Thirty minutes later, Al comes in and sees his two girls. "Is she sleeping?" He asks, quietly.
"Yes." She smiles. "She wanted me to wake her up when you came in."
"Don't bother. Let her sleep." He says. "Did you ever think she would be old enough to have a daughter of her own?"
"No." Kate says smiling. "Did you ever think that we would be old enough to be grandparents?"
"No." He says smiling, taking a seat next to his wife.
"Where's our son-in-law?"
"Showing off our granddaughter, but he should be in here with my daughter." He says, gruffly.
"Al, knock it off." She says, rolling her eyes. "He probably wanted to give us time alone with OUR daughter."
"Humph."
"You know what Al?"
"What?"
"You are gonna have to start accepting him and getting along with him."
"Katherine..."
"I'm serious!" She says, cutting him off. "He is who Margaret chose and loves."
"I think he should treat her better. She could have done better."
"I like Hawkeye." She says. "He is the best thing that could have ever happened to her. She's happy."
"She could have done better."
"He's the father of your granddaughter, the husband of your daughter. She loves him, and so will your granddaughter. You just have to get over the unmilitary part of him."
"Humph." He says looking at his daughter.
"He got us back here to the nursery." She says, "And you got to see your granddaughter when she was one hour old." She watches the reaction to her husband, which was a large smile crossing his lips.
After another ten minutes, Hawkeye comes in with his child.
"I would like to properly introduce you to your granddaughter." He says, smiling.
Kate smiles, stands up and goes over to Hawkeye to get a closer look at her. "Can I hold her?"
"Sure Grandmom." He says, smiling as he hands her over.
"She is absolutely beautiful."
"We think so."
Kate keeps the newborn for a while and says, "Al, do you want to take her?"
He smiles and takes the infant. He looks her over and says, "She looks like you Pierce... she has a bit of Margaret in her, but she looks like you.
Hawk smiles and sits next to his wife. "Hey." He says, waking her up.
"What?" She mumbles.
"Your father, daughter and mother are here."
"I see that." She says, sitting up. "What do you think of your granddaughter Grandpop? Does she pass inspection?"
"With flying colors." He says, handing her over to Margaret. "Congratulations." He says to his daughter and son-in-law. He holds his hand out to Hawkeye, which Hawk gladly takes it and says, "Thank you."
"I'm gonna go call BJ and the Colonel. I'll be right back." Hawkeye says smiling.
"Alright." Margaret says sighing.
He looks at his watch and decides to call the Potters.
"Hello?"
"Hi Mrs. Potter, how are you?"
"Oh hello Hawkeye, I am fine dear, and how are you?"
"Also fine, thank you. I was just calling to let you know that Margaret had the baby."
"Already?! She's a week and a half early!"
"Ten days, but yes she had it."
"Well, what do you have?"
"A girl." He says, grinning.
"Excellent! Oh, hold on Sherman wants to talk to you... I will talk to you soon dear."
"Bye Mrs. Potter."
"Pierce?! What did you have?"
"A girl... I have a daughter, and you have an honorary granddaughter."
"Wahoo!" He says. "What did you name her?"
"Natalie Anne.
"That is a beautiful name. Mildred, they named her Natalie Anne. How's Margaret?"
"She's sleeping right now, but she is fine... tired, but fine."
"I bet."
"Well, listen, I have to head back with Margaret."
"Alright, you give Margaret a kiss for me."
"I will sir, good bye."
"Good bye Hawkeye." He says hanging up. He turned around and saw BJ coming toward him.
"Well, what did you have?"
"A girl. I have daughter Beej."
"Fantastic! Congratulations Hawk! What did you name her?" He asked hugging his best friend.
"Natalie Anne."
"That's a beautiful name. How's Margaret?"
"Fine, and so is the baby."
"That's excellent."
"Come on in and see her... my dad and her parents are there, but you are priority." He says smiling.
BJ and Hawkeye headed inside the room smiling, "Let me see this little Pierce." He says smiling.
"Hi BJ." Margaret smiled as she turned Natalie around so BJ could see her better.
"How are you?" He asked kissing Margaret's cheek.
"Exhausted... but great."
"She is absolutely beautiful. She has Hawkeye's eyes... and your skin color." He said smiling. "Congratulations."
"Thanks." Margaret said.
"So she and Gillian are only three months apart... exactly." He said smiling.
"Yeah..." Hawkeye says smiling. "So what do you think Uncle BJ?"
"She's perfect... and now I have to get back to work so I can finish up your surgeries."
"What goes around comes around." Hawkeye says smiling.
'Good to see all of you, and I'll see you all later on."
"Bye BJ."
"Bye Margaret. I better call Peggy and let her know what you had too."
"That's a good idea." Hawk says watching his best friend leave.
Later that night, everyone went home, leaving Margaret and Hawkeye with there new daughter. It was an amazing feeling sitting there with a child in your arms. "Look what we created." Margaret said smiling, wiping away a tear from her eyes.
"She's amazing Margaret... absolutely amazing. I'm so proud of you too... you didn't break anything of mine or tell me you wanted a devours." He said smiling at his daughter in her arms. "Let me take her for a little while." He said taking his daughter from his wife's arms. "Well Natalie... what do you think of this place so far? This world isn't so bad is it? No, I didn't think so. Mommy and I have waited a log time for you sweetie. You are our first and I am trilled to have you around. You have three sets of grandparents and some aunts and uncles too. You are absolutely perfect and beautiful." He keeps talking until both his daughter and wife are sleeping. After another half an hour the nurse comes back in to take Natalie to the nursery. Hawkeye takes this time to head up to BJ and talk with him for a while.
"Hey."
"Hey, why are you here, I thought you'd be downstairs."
"I was, but Margaret's sleeping and they took Natalie back to the nursery for a while."
"Ah. So how does it feel?"
"Absolutely wonderful. BJ it's amazing... it's indescribable!"
"I know... I've been there." He says smiling.
"And I am scared to death." He said sighing. "It's the most amazing feeling, and the most incredible fear. I thought I was scared in the cave because of claustrophobia? Oh no... this is ten times worse."
"You never lose that fear... but the love for the kid makes the fear bearable."
"I've had her for about eight hours and I have never loved anything more in my life."
"Welcome to the world of fatherhood." BJ says, clasping a hand on his best friends' shoulder. "She is beautiful."
"Thanks." Hawkeye said smiling, "I jus can't wait to get them home BJ... I can't wait to get my girls home."
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. R&R Please, but be kind! There are PLEANTY MORE CHAPTERS TO GO!
Thanks for all the great reviews! Please keep them up! Please R&R!
Thanks
STARY
Summary: Follow Hawkeye and Margaret's life, together from the beginning!
A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews! Keep them coming! I hope you enjoy the this chapter!
They very next day Margaret called her parents and sister to let them know the news.
"Hi Mom."
"Hello Margaret, how are you honey?"
"I'm fine, how are you?"
"I'm doing very well thank you. How's Hawkeye?"
"He's fine. He's working right now."
"Why aren't you?"
"I took a few days off."
"You?!" Her mother asked, almost shocked. She knew her daughter was a workaholic and could not imagine her taking off a day, let alone a few days. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." She said smiling. "I have some news for you though."
"What's that?"
"I'm pregnant."
"You're pregnant?! Margaret that's wonderful! When are you due? I thought you and Hawkeye were going to wait a while!" Her mother said smiling, and talking a mile a minute. "AL! Margaret's pregnant! We're going to be grandparents!"
Margaret laughed a bit and said, "I'm due in May, and yes we were going to wait, but some times you can't plan these things."
"No, you can't. Oh Margaret this is so great! Congratulations."
"Thanks mom."
"Does Annie know?"
"Not yet. I called you first. Hawk's father hasn't even heard. The only ones that know are Peg and BJ."
"Oh Maggie, this is so exciting! Now, your father and I are planning on coming up sometime in November, if that's ok with you."
"You should come up for Thanksgiving." Margaret suggested, "Hawkeye's father's coming up, and we have the room in our house... I can ask Annie too."
"That sounds good." She says smiling. "I can't believe that you are going to have a baby."
"Me neither." Margaret said smiling. They talk for a while longer before Kate has to leave.
"Well Dear, I have to get going. Your father wants to go to the store before it gets too late. He says congratulations and that he loves you."
"I love him too." She says grinning. "I'll talk to you soon Mom."
"Please, congratulate Hawkeye for us too."
"I will. Talk to you soon."
"Love you honey."
"You too mom, bye."
"Bye."
Margaret smiles and sighs. Right as she was going to pick up the phone, it rings, "Hello?"
"Maggie!"
"Hi Annie. I was just about to call you."
"You were? Well, I should have waited... I could have saved a few bucks." She says smiling on the other line. "I have such news for you Margaret!"
"So do I..."
"Not as big as mine..."
"We'll see... you go first."
"I'm engaged!"
"Oh my gosh that's great!" She says smiling. "Annie, when did this happen? I though you two were going to be waiting a bit longer?"
"Well, he got his orders and they were to stay on a base in Texas. We decided that it would be best if we got married."
"Well that's wonderful! When's the wedding?"
"March 17th."
"This March?!" She said almost shocked.
"Yeah, why is that no good for you? Because if it isn't then I can switch it because I really need you there Margaret."
"No, that's fine... the only problem is I'll be extremely fat in the pictures."
"What?" Annie says not catching on to what her big sister was telling her. "Margaret, you don't have an ounce of fat on you."
"I will..."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm pregnant."
"You're... WHAT?! Oh my god Margaret that's wonderful!" She says smiling, before adding in... "It is wonderful isn't it?!"
"Of course it is!" She says, snapping at her sister a bit. "Why on earth wouldn't it be?!"
"I thought you and Hawk were going to wait till next year to begin working on a family..."
'We were, but it just sort of happened. The pregnancy was a surprise."
"Well, that's great! When are you due?"
"May."
"I'm gonna be an Aunt! You're gonna be a mother.... That poor kid..." She says smiling.
"Hey!"
"I'm playing. Do mom and daddy know?"
"Yes, I just called them. They are both trilled."
"So, I guess I better find you a Maternity dress..."
"I think I'm going to have to come out with you and pick it out."
"That's fine too. You will be my Matron of Honor right?"
"Of course I will. Annie I am so happy for you... now, do mom and daddy know about you?"
"Not yet... you were the first one I told." She says smiling. The two sisters talk for almost an hour. Margaret looked at the clock hanging in the kitchen and says, "Well, I better get going Annie... Hawkeye's going to be home in about an hour and we are going to be going out to eat."
"Ok, well I love you and congratulations."
"I love you too, and the same goes for you."
"Talk to you soon."
"You bet. Goodbye."
"Bye." Annie says and the two girls hang up the phone.
Margaret goes upstairs to get ready. She puts on a dress that would surely not fit her in a couple months. It was one of her favorites and she wanted to get as much wear out of it as she could. She sat down at the vanity and started to do her makeup when she heard Hawkeye come in.
"I'm home!"
"I'm up stairs."
"I know." He says, walking into the room, kissing her on the cheek.
"You're gonna mess up my makeup!" she says, playfully pushing him away.
"Well, Hello and I love you too." He says smiling.
"How was work?"
"Fine... I only had three surgeries to perform today, so I got to catch up on a lot of paperwork and charts. How was your day at work... oh wait, you took some time off and did absolutely nothing again..." He teases.
"Ok... how about this... you take throwing up all morning and I'll do the surgeries... and you have a child growing inside you, and I'll work... how does that sound?" She asks, looking towards the bed where he sat.
"No, I like surgery." He says smiling. "So what did you do today?"
"Cleaned up a bit... went to lunch with Peg... and called my mother and sister and told them that I was pregnant."
"What did they say?"
"There coming for Thanksgiving and can't wait to see their first grandchild."
"So your parents are coming too? That sounds like fun. We'll have a houseful for that... your parents and sister, my father, and BJ's clan."
"But it will be worth it." She says smiling. "Oh! And guess what?"
"What?"
"Annie's getting married!"
"Really? That's great. When?"
"March 17th. We are going to head back home for that... but I'm a bit worried about flying and being seven months pregnant..."
"We'll talk to the Doctor... and if we have to, we'll drive back east."
"Yeah."
"It will all work out... now, I'm going to jump in the shower really quick, and then we can go."
"Ok, but you may want to include putting clothes on before we go out..." She says smiling at him, "I don't think people will appreciate you eating naked."
"Funny." He says, coming over to her, and kisses her smearing her lipstick all over her mouth.
"Hey!" she says, pushing him away.
"You deserved that." He grins, as she pushes him towards the bathroom.
Both Margaret and Hawkeye were looking forward to going out to dinner. It was the first time they had gone out to dinner, just the two of them since before they moved. Margaret finished getting dressed and put her shoes on. She smiled when she looked at herself in the full length mirror hanging on their wall. She pushes a piece of hair back behind her ear and hears Hawk come out of the bathroom.
"You look great." He says smiling.
"Thanks... you better get ready." She says smiling back at him.
"I don't look great?" He asks, "I thought the towel was the new fashion statement."
Margaret laughs, "I'm heading down stairs. Don't take too long."
"Right Major." He says smiling as she walks out the door. Within minutes he was dressed and downstairs. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah... you look really nice." She says to her husband.
"Thanks... you clean up pretty good too." He says, holding her coat up to her. "Shall we?"
"Thank you, yes." She says as the two of them get into Hawkeye's car and drive into San Francisco to enjoy a dinner. The two have been so busy they have barely had time to sit down and talk. They got to the restaurant and sat down. Hawkeye had made reservations a few days prior so they were seated immediately.
"Can I get you a drink Ma'am?" The waiter asked.
"Water please." She says smiling.
"And for you sir?"
"A Martini please... painfully dry."
"Of course. I'll go get them and give you a few minutes to look at our menus."
"Thank you." Margaret said smiling as the waiter turned to leave. "Everything looks good."
"Yeah it does." Hawkeye said smiling. They read over their menus for a few more minutes before the waiter comes back with there drinks, and takes there orders. After he leaves for the second time, Hawkeye and Margaret can finally sit down and talk, "So how are you feeling?"
"As soon as one o'clock comes around I am perfectly fine... before that it's not that good. I mean even if I'm not throwing up its just feeling completely nauseated."
"I could only imagine." He says.
"I can't wait till that part is over. The doctor says it should only last a little longer."
"Are you working tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I'm forcing myself in to do paperwork. I'll start surgery at around two... and then I'm home by six. What time are you due home?"
"I start tomorrow at six, and hopefully it will only be a twelve hour shift, but I'm not sure. We are a surgeon short, so Beej and I may be there longer then we would like."
"Why are you short?"
"Jack... Jack Lewis, he went home yesterday with the flu."
"Yuck."
"Yeah. So, we may have to pull in an extra hour or four..."
"Ah, the life of a surgeon." She says smiling.
"Have you given any thought on when you want to stop working?"
"Yeah..." She says sighing. "I'm going to stop on January tenth. This gives me time to finish my job and also train a new person."
"Did you talk to them?"
"Yes."
"Are you going to miss it?"
"I can always go back to nursing if I choose to. I mean yeah I'm going to miss it, but raising our children is much more important to me. My mom stayed home with me, and I see Peg staying home with Erin, and she's happy. Do you think I'm stupid for completely giving up nursing?"
"Like you said, you can always go back to it. No I don't think you're stupid. I'm glad you're staying home with the kids."
"Really?"
"Believe me. I'm happy if you're happy."
Margaret smiled, "Thanks." She felt so lucky to have him as her husband. He meant the world to her, and she meant the world to him.
"So your sister is getting married in March?"
"Yeah... and I'll be huge."
"No you wont..."
"Yes, I will." Margaret said smiling.
"But you'll still look absolutely beautiful."
"You've always had a way with words..."
"I know." He says smiling.
"We probably should start preparing for the baby."
"Margaret, it's only October 1st."
"Yeah, but May comes really fast."
"Let's start getting everything in a few weeks. I'll take off a few days and we can go."
"Ok."
"And I know that you and Peg will be going out to get things too." He says smiling.
"Yeah, we will... but I want you there to pick out furniture with me."
"I will be."
They spent the rest of the night eating and dancing before they went home and relaxed together. It was nice for the two of them to be able to spend more than an hour together and they relished in the time they had.
Margaret went back to work the next day and told her nurses that she would be leaving in the beginning of the New Year. They were all thrilled to hear about Margaret's pregnancy and wished her the best. Margaret also reminded them that just because she was leaving didn't mean that they could slack off or disrespect her in any manor. She was still their boss until the tenth of January. All the nurses saw a change in their head nurse. They were not exactly what it was, but they knew she had changed... maybe softened up on them a bit.
October was a rough one for Hawkeye because the flu had struck almost everyone in the hospital. They were three surgeons short out of six. The only ones left were BJ, Steven and himself. He was pulling long hours and the two of them hardly saw each other. Hawkeye was lucky if he got home before midnight and was able to have a good five hours of sleep. Most of the time he was on call, so he stayed at the hospital. Margaret was a good sport about it and met him for dinner when he could.
Hawkeye headed into the hospital and went to his office seeing a stack of charts already on his desk. "You've got to be kidding me." He says sighing.
"One more Doctor Pierce." The secretary says walking through the open door.
"What is this Judy? Am I the only doctor left?"
"No, there are three of you still."
"This flu is really spreading."
"It is. I hope we don't get it."
"Yeah, so do I. Have you seen BJ?"
"He's in surgery. He should be almost done. He has done about four surgeries in the period of six hours."
"That sounds about right." Hawkeye says, looking at his watch. "Well, my first surgery starts soon, so I better meet with the patient and start scrubbing. I expect all these charts burned by the time I get back." He says smiling at Judy.
Hawkeye went into the scrub room just as BJ was coming out, "Hey."
"Hey." Hawkeye says looking at his friend. "You alright?"
"I feel like I'm back in Korea." He says groaning as he washes his hands.
"You don't look well."
"I've been in surgery for hours, and before that hours more."
"No, I've seen you tired... this isn't you tired." Hawkeye says looking at him. His complexion was awful. "Are you sick?"
"I am not feeling great, but I'll be ok."
"Go get some rest. Are you off for a while?"
"Two hours... and I plan to sleep those hours." BJ said to his friend.
"Good. Well, since you're scrubbed and here, do me a favor and tie my mask on. I have to go fix an aneurysm." Hawkeye says smiling.
"You're just using me aren't you?" BJ says smiling.
"Yeah. Thanks. I'll see you after surgery."
"Right." He says sighing as he walks out of surgery back to his office. BJ looked at the charts on his desk and sighed, bypassing them and laying down on his couch, "Charts can wait..." He says sighing as he closes his eyes.
Hawkeye works on his patient for almost three hours and then closes. He walks out, scrubs down and heads back to his office. He looks at his watch and sees that he has two hours before his next operation, so he starts on some charts.
"Dr. Pierce?"
"Yes Judy?"
"You are needed in surgery. Dr. Smith need's your help."
"Isn't BJ around?"
"He's on his rounds."
"Figures." He says sighing. "Ok. I'm on my way."
He scrubs in and assists the other doctor and then finally heads out to finish up some more paperwork. He knows that this would take him all day, especially if he was in surgery for most of the hours he worked. He ran into BJ on his way to doing his own rounds, "Hey... did you sleep any?"
"Yeah, a couple hours, but it wasn't enough." He says sighing. "Where are you off to?"
"My rounds. I have a few patients that I have to check up on from yesterday. When are you done?"
"Midnight... what about you?"
"I have a triple shift to pull, so I should be out of here sometime around eight am, but back in here by three to start a double."
"This flu's a killer." BJ says sighing.
"That's for sure. I heard that Tom is due back tonight though."
"That's good. It gives us an extra hand."
"Yeah." He says, watching BJ pinch the bridge of his nose. "Are you sure you are ok?"
"I'm fine. Just tired."
"Why don't you go lie back down for a while?"
"No, I have to be in surgery in an hour, and a ton of charts to finish up."
"Why don't I take your..."
"Hawk, I'm fine. We've both been through worse then this."
"Beej, you look like shit. You look like you are going to fall over. At least let me check you out."
"No."
"You're so stubborn."
"Years of having to put of with you as a bunkmate." He says smiling. "I'll see you later."
"Bye."
The rest of the day went rather smoothly until around eight that night. BJ came up to him looking horrible. "Go home."
"No. I'm finishing up my shift."
"Beej, you look horrible."
"I feel horrible, but I'm going to finish it. I only have four more hours."
"Fever?"
"Fever, chills, nausea, aching; you name it I've got it." He says sighing.
"Listen to me... go home... I don't have any surgeries scheduled tonight, so I'll take your last one. Tom is due in around ten. You're doing yourself more harm by being here."
"Hawkeye..."
"GO!"
"Alright." He said finally giving in.
"And don't come back till you are feeling better. I'll cover for you."
"Alright..." He says breathing a sigh of relief, "but if it gets too bad, call me."
"Sure. Go take care of yourself. I'll see you in a few days."
"Right. Thanks."
"No problem." He says, as he goes and scrubs in on BJ's surgery.
"I thought Hunnicut was doing this." Steven said, scrubbing out.
"He went home."
"Home, why? He was on till midnight I thought."
"He's got the flu."
"Damn... another down. Hopefully we'll beat it."
"Yeah, I hope so too." He says, heading into the OR. It was ten by the time he was out and he decided to call Margaret.
"Hello?"
"Hi."
"Hi, where are you?"
"At the hospital."
"I thought you were suppose to be home by eight?"
"I was, but I am on a three shifter tonight."
"Why?"
"BJ went home early. He has the flu."
"That doesn't surprise me. Peg just got over it, and Erin had it a few days before."
"Yeah, I know, but now there are only two of us, until Tom gets in."
"So when are you expected home?"
"Tomorrow night. I took BJ's shift."
"Well then, can you do lunch tomorrow?" She asked. She really hated not being able to see him for a full day.
"I can try. What time?"
"Twelve?"
"Sure. I'll try and keep that open."
"Great. I'll pick you up." She says smiling.
"Ok. I'll see you tomorrow. If for some reason I can't make it, I'll call you."
"Ok. I love you."
"Love you too." He says smiling. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye."
"Bye." He says hanging up. For the rest of that week, the hospital was hell. Three doctors trying to do the work of six. None of the Doctors were able to go home for more then four hours at a time until the others finally started to feel better. It was a miracle that Hawkeye and Steven survived the flu. Finally, everything became normal again, and Hawkeye could be home a bit more then he was.
Thanksgiving came upon them really quickly. Margaret was excited for her family to come out and see their house. Hawkeye's father had already visited, but this was the first time for the Houlihan's and Margaret was a wreck. She wanted everything to be perfect for when they came, and couldn't keep the house as clean as she would have liked. She was on edge for the past three days, and tonight her parents would be flying in. Hawkeye had just finished making the two of them lunch and left the utensils in the sink, which was his first mistake.
"What the hell are you doing?!" She asked, almost in a frenzy.
"What?" He asked, looking at her.
"I just washed all of those dishes and cleaned the sink and you go and dirty it up again!"
"Margaret, I was going to clean it up."
"You're damn right you are going to clean it up! Now Pierce!" She said.
"Will you sit down and eat first."
"No! My parents will be here in about two hours. I don't want this house dirty! Look, you have bread crumbs all over the counter!"
"I will clean it up after we are done eating. There are going to be crumbs after we are done eating too."
"Clean it up!"
"Margaret!" Hawkeye said raising his voice, "You're acting like a crazy person! Stop it!"
"How dare you say that to me!" She said her eyes shining. "You are the one who dirtied everything up."
"I did not! The only thing I did was make you and I lunch... I was going to clean it up..."
"Just, get out of here Ok?"
"What?"
"Leave! If you are going to dirty the place up, I want you out of here for a couple hours."
Hawkeye's blood boiled, "Fine. I don't want to be around you when you are like this anyway." He said, standing up, grabbing his keys and heading out the door, slamming it in the process.
Margaret cleaned the kitchen, ate her lunch and threw out her husbands. She was so mad at him. Why couldn't he understand how much perfection meant to her father? She had spent the past three days getting the house ready for her parents to come! "He makes me so mad!" She said aloud. After about an hour she started to wonder where he went. She didn't mean to sound so harsh, but it just came out that way. She's pregnant, her family is coming down, she has to make Thanksgiving dinner, and she was absolutely exhausted. She lies down on the couch after turning off the TV and looked at her watch. She was dressed and just awaiting her parent's arrival in about an hour to an hour and a half. She ended up drifting off to sleep a few minutes after she had sat down.
Hawkeye came back an hour and a half after he left, figuring that would have given her enough time to relax. It was a fairly cold day for California, and he hung up his jacket before he went looking for his wife. He smiled when he saw her lying on the couch sleeping. He bent down to give her a kiss and went back into the kitchen to grab something to drink. Hawk then proceeded back into the Family Room to turn off the TV and then into his den so he could finish working on a few of the charts he had left over from yesterday's surgeries before the Houlihan's arrived. Margaret woke up ten minutes before her parents arrived, and rubbed her eyes. She looked at the TV and saw it off, and went to look for her husband.
"Hawk?"
"In the den."
"When did you get back?" She asked. It was obvious that she was in a better mood.
"About a half an hour ago."
"Oh." She said, looking over his shoulder at his paperwork, "Where did you go?"
He smiled a bit, "I went to the Hospital to pick up a few things, came back here and am trying to finish those things before your parents get here."
"Oh, ok... do you want me to leave you alone?"
"No." He said smiling at her, "You're fine."
She sat down on the sofa that was in the room and watched him. He knew what was coming next, "I'm sorry..."
"Don't worry about it..." He reassured his wife, "I know how you get."
She smiled and blushed a little bit, "I just want everything to be perfect..."
"It is. This house is perfect, you are perfect, everything is perfect."
"It's just my dad..."
"Will be fine. Margaret, everything will be fine. The house is spotless, except for my glass here, which will get washed when I am done with it, and you look absolutely beautiful."
"How am I so luck to have ended up with you as a husband?"
"You just have good taste." He says, putting down his pen and closing the last file. "I'm going to go up and get changed. I'll be down in a few minutes."
"When does your father get in?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Ok." Margaret said smiling, "Do you want me to wash your glass?"
"I can do it..."
"It will keep my mind off my parents." She says smiling, looking at her watch. "Hurry up though. They'll be here in a few minutes."
"I will."
Margaret washed the glass and put it in the cupboard, before she went into the Family Room and straightened up the pillows she was lying on. She smiled when she was finished and walked around her house, making sure everything was in place. Hawkeye comes down, and seeing her looking out the window into there back yard, wraps his arms around her growing waste. She was just beginning to show around the middle section. She was in a better mood now too because she wasn't throwing up every morning. In fact, those mornings were scarce now-a-days. Hawkeye placed a few kisses on the nape of her neck, slowly moving up ward, "Hawkeye..." Margaret said smiling, "Not now..."
"What?" He asked innocently as he continued, "I didn't get to eat my lunch...." He muttered against her neck.
"My parents..."
"The doors locked... they will be here..."
"Any second." She said, turning in his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck, blue eyes locking.
"A lot can get done with seconds." He says, leaning down to give her a kiss, "And besides... I think this is the most time we have spent together in weeks."
"I think you're right." Margaret says before he brings his lips towards hers in a passionate embrace, that was ended by a knock on the door quicker then either of the two had wanted. "That would be my parents." She said, reluctantly stepping back from his arms.
"Come on." She said, taking his hand and headed over to answer the door. She smiled when she saw her parents, "Hi mom, hi daddy."
"Hi Honey." Kate said, hugging her daughter as she walked through the door. "You look wonderful. Hi Hawkeye."
"Hi Kate."
"Please... call me mom."
Hawkeye nodded and smiled as he watched his wife hug her father, "How have you been Colonel?" He asked, extending his hand.
"I've been well Pierce, how have you been?" He said, accepting his extended his hand.
"Well also."
"Margaret your house is beautiful." Kate says looking around from the hallway.
"Thanks. Come on up stairs, and I'll show you where you can put everything." She said smiling. Hawkeye grabbed one suitcase while the Colonel took the other and they headed upstairs.
Margaret gave them the tour of the house and then they settled down in the Family Room. "It's a very nice house Honey." Kate said. She was very proud of her daughter and son-in-law. They had the perfect house to start raising a family in. "How have you been feeling?"
"I've been feeling great lately."
"Have you been sick?"
"I was... but it's gotten better over the past few weeks. I was throwing up every morning for a while." She said, "But, I hear it's all worth it."
"Yeah... it is." Kate agreed. "I was sicker with you then with Annie... remember Al?"
"Yeah, I do." He said smiling at his girls. "When is Annie due in?"
"Tomorrow evening." Margaret said. "Tyler couldn't leave until then."
"And is your father coming up Hawkeye?" Kate asked.
"Yes, tomorrow Morning. He'll be staying from Wednesday till Sunday."
"I'm looking forward to seeing him again." Kate says smiling. "Has he seen the house yet?"
"Yes." Margaret smiled, "He came up in the summer for a few days."
"Oh that's nice. And who all is coming to dinner?"
"Well, there's the four of us, Annie, Tyler, Dan, and the Hunnicut's... they have three."
"Are you hungry?" Margaret asked.
"Not yet." Al says smiling at his daughter. "What are we doing tonight for dinner?"
"We're going to head into San Francisco for dinner." Hawkeye replied.
"That sounds good." Kate replied smiling.
The entire day went smoothly. Kate and Margaret were busy talking about the baby and how much they had to get done, and Al and Hawkeye were busy just trying to put up with one another for the next few days. It would be easier once his father got there. Once everyone got there, the women decided to go shopping, including Peg and Erin, which left the men to sit at home and watch TV all morning. Margaret was thrilled to have her mom and sister there to help her pick out some of the baby furniture. She and Hawkeye already had it down to a few of each set of furniture, and the rest would be for Margaret to decide. By the time the women got home, Erin was bored. They had been out all day and it was now six in the evening. She saw her father and immediately clung to him.
"Hi Erin."
"Hi daddy."
"Did you have fun with the girls?"
"Yes! Then no." She said smiling. "Pay wif me."
"What should we play?"
"Outside. Uncle Hawk too."
"Ok." Hawkeye said, as the two friends stood up with the four year old and went out back to play."
"Do you think they got all the furniture for the nursery?" BJ asked, as he continued to throw a ball for Erin to run and catch.
"Probably. I'm really looking forward to seeing what she picked out." He said as Daniel walked out to the backyard, "Hi dad."
"Hi." He said. "Hey Erin, come here." He said to the child. She ran over to him smiling. He whispered something to her and the next thing Hawkeye knew Erin was running straight at him. He fell down playfully and she laughed, "I got you Uncle Hawkeye."
"Yes, you did..." He said smiling at the kid.
"Good job Erin." BJ said.
"Thanks dad."
"I'm trying to get you use to that." He said smiling. "Margaret is beginning to show a little bit."
"She is. She's getting a bit self conscious when some of her pants are getting too tight."
"It only gets worse." He said smiling at his son.
"What are the others doing?"
"Al and Tyler are talking about the Army... and the women are talking about the babies. So I decided to come out here with you two knuckleheads. You nervous?" "Not yet." Hawkeye says, knowing he meant about having a kid. "More excited then nervous."
"That's good. What about you BJ?"
"Scared to death." He says laughing. "It's weird how the second one is scarier than the first."
Back inside, the women are sitting in the Living Room Talking while the two other men were in the Family Room watching TV and continuously talking about the war and the Army.
"So have you picked out any names yet Margaret?" Kate asked.
"We haven't really talked about them yet. I know that if it's a boy Hawkeye wants the middle name to be Blake, after Henry and a 'B' for BJ. Henry was our commanding officer before BJ and Colonel Potter got there." Margaret said smiling before turning serious, "He was killed on his way home."
"That's awful." Peg says shaking her head.
"What about you Peg? Any names?"
"Still up in the air. Benjamin is the middle name if we have a son, but the first names are still not final. I like the names Shawn, Michael, and Aidan. For a girl we like Gillian, spelled with a G, or Tara."
"That's different." Margaret said smiling, "But I like it."
"Yeah, so do we. What about you for a girl?"
"We have a few, Natalie, Elizabeth, Susan, and Kimberly."
"I like Natalie." Kate says smiling.
"Hawkeye said the name and I feel in love with it."
"It's very pretty." Annie said. "What names do you like for a boy?"
"I like Daniel, Zachary and Jason."
"There nice." Kate said.
"We'll have to really start thinking about them soon though." Margaret said.
"May, will come very quick." Peg said smiling.
"Yeah, but not as fast as February."
"True." She says laughing.
The next day was Thanksgiving, and everyone was there to help out from ten in the morning until that night. They had a wonderful holiday full of laughs and good food. Margaret and Hawkeye both really enjoyed cooking when they had the time too, so it wasn't a chore when they did it for the holiday. Margaret and Peg smiled at each other, when they cleaned up the dishes.
"Can you believe that next year there will be three kids to take care of instead of just Erin?"
"No... that seems like so far away." Margaret said.
"It is, but it comes so fast. I look at Erin every day and can't believe how much she has changed in just the four years."
"She's gotten huge hasn't she?"
"Yeah, she definitely has." Peg says sighing. "Wait till you have yours Margaret... everything changes."
"I can't wait."
"Me neither." Peg says, smiling at her friend, while she dries the dishes.
In December, Hawkeye realized that the two of them never had a true Honeymoon. They were so busy trying to get married, Move and have the new house up and running and also working that they haven't had a chance to spend time that he had wanted to spend with her. He decided to book a vacation for a week just for the two of them, before she got too pregnant. He made it her Christmas present, and set it for the end of January. Peg was due late February, and they had said that they would take Erin for the few days she was in the hospital, so it had to be the end of January. Margaret had always told him how much she loves Hawaii, and that was where he was taking her. It was just the two of them for Christmas morning, and then they would head over to BJ's for dinner, which suited them just fine. They could sleep in as late as they wanted; something that they would not be able to do once they had kids. He took a week off from work, BJ said that he would gladly cover his surgeries, and they would be on there way from January 20th till the 27th.
They slept in until around eleven, something that neither of them were accustom too. Hawkeye woke up first and grabbed a quick shower and when he was getting dressed Margaret woke up.
"Good morning."
"Merry Christmas." She said yawning.
"You too." Hawkeye says smiling, as he gives her a kiss.
"I'm gonna go get a shower too." Margaret said getting out of bed.
"Hurry up. I'll be down stairs and make something to eat."
"Ok... I want eggs." She says smiling.
"Yes Major." He says grinning as he heads downstairs.
Margaret got her shower, dressed and went down to join her husband in the kitchen for a late breakfast.
"How do you want your coffee?" He asked her as she sat down at the table.
"Black please." She said smiling. "Thank you."
"No problem." He said. "We'll eat and then I'll give you your gift."
"That sounds good." She said smiling.
Margaret found quickly how difficult buying for Hawkeye could be. He didn't need anything and the only thing he asked her to get him was a stethoscope. She of course got that for him and a couple other little things. The two took there time eating, Hawkeye started smiling and Margaret looked at him strangely, "Do you know that this time next year we will have a child?"
Margaret smiled and replies, "Yeah... I know we won't be sleeping this late."
"Definitely not. Hell, we'll be up by six at the latest."
"I can't wait."
"Neither can I."
The two of them finished eating and went into the family room to sit for a little while, looking at their first Christmas tree as husband and wife. "Ok, here, let me get your present." He said smiling as he stands up and retrieves the flat package.
"No, you open yours first..." she said, knowing that he knew exactly what it would be.
"I wonder what it could possibly be." He said teasing her.
"Don't get smart with me... you have no idea how hard you are to buy for."
"Margaret, I like anything that you get me... or give me." He said winking at her. "A stethoscope... how did you ever know?" He grinned. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." She said rolling her eyes, and he gives her a kiss. "I have a couple other little things too."
"Open yours." He said smiling.
"Ok." She said, tearing the paper off the flat box, and as she pulled the lid off she saw the two tickets and smiled. She read where they were going and said, "Hawaii?!"
"Yeah."
"Oh my god Hawk... is great!" She said, hugging him. "I haven't been to Hawaii in ages!"
"I know. You talked about going there before, and we haven't really had a chance for a honeymoon or to even spend a lot of alone time together..."
"This is perfect. Thank you so much... Now, the only question on my mind now, is who am I going to take." She said laughing.
"Funny." He replied, kissing her cheek.
"How did you get off?"
"Easily... BJ is covering for me. It's also before Peg is due to have the baby, and ten days after you are finished work... and also before you get too fat because you know I won't be caught dead with you fat.... OUCH!" He said laughing as she slaps his chest.
"Serves you right." She said smiling. "Thank you."
"Thank you." He said kissing her, "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas."
That night, the two of them went over to the Hunnicut's house for dinner. Erin was thrilled to show them her new presents from Santa Clause, and just her excitement made Margaret even more thrilled to meet her child. Erin was they happiest child and Margaret could only pray that her child was that happy and healthy. Margaret smiled when she heard Erin telling Hawkeye that she heard Santa last night.
"Only a few more months Margaret." Peg said, almost reading her mind.
"I know... five months. It seems like forever." She says, drying the plates.
"It won't be. You two have a busy couple of months a head of you... you're leaving work and the army, your trip, your sisters wedding..."
"Yeah, the time is just going to fly by I guess... and we have you being due in February."
"That too." Peg said smiling.
"What do you think you are having?"
"Well... I think it's a girl, but it feels different then Erin did."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah... I don't understand it, but I wasn't as sick with this one as with her, and the way I am carrying it feels different. What about you? Do you have any idea?"
"I'm leaning towards a girl too... but I'm really not sure."
"That's what happened with Erin, I leaned towards a girl... and I was right."
"She's perfect."
"And your baby will be too." Peg reassured her friend. "Are you scared?"
"To death." Margaret said nodding her head. "I keep wondering if I'll be a good parent to him or her."
"You'll be a great parent." Peg said smiling. "You are great with kids."
"Yeah... I am just worried that I'll make mistakes..."
"Margaret, every parent makes mistakes, but if you love that kid with everything you have, then those mistakes seem insignificant."
"I guess your right." She said smiling at Peg. She always seemed to put Margaret's mind at ease when it came to her concerns of having kids. Peg had been here before, and Margaret was thankful that she had someone to help her ease her fears.
"So what do you think about leaving the army, now that it is right around the corner?"
"I don't know..." Margaret said sighing, "The army is all I know, but I want to raise my children, so I'll be ok with it."
"You'll be fine Margaret with everything. The only thing I hope is that you aren't in labor for 16 hours like I was with Erin."
"Thanks Peg." Margaret said sarcastically, laughing as they finish the dishes and head out with the men.
January 10th 1956 came very quick. It was Margaret's last day as a Major in the US Army, and Hawkeye wasn't sure how she would be when he saw her after work. Margaret said her goodbyes to the nurses, doctors and staff. She passed the torch to Lieutenant Tamara Radisson, who Margaret had gotten to know over the past week during her training secessions. She felt safe with leaving the nursing staff to her, and when she left the hospital she had mixed emotions. She second guessed herself a lot over the past few weeks. Hawkeye was home when she got home from her last shift. She opened the door and went into the Family Room where he was and sat down next to him.
"Hi." He said when she sat down.
"Hi." She said, as he gives her a kiss.
"So?"
"So what?"
"How does it feel to be out of the army?"
"I don't know..." Margaret said honestly.
Hawkeye wrapped his arms around her and said, "You can always go back to Nursing after you have the baby."
"I know." She said, "It's weird Hawk..."
"What?"
"The army was the only thing I've ever known, and now it's over. I worked so hard to make Major, and for the longest time I didn't care about anything other then my rank, but now it's different. I have a husband, I have a child on the way, and I am a nurse... the army just doesn't fit into my life anymore."
"It's funny how things work out sometimes." Hawkeye said.
"Yeah, it is." Margaret said, a smile crossing her face, "And having this baby is the only thing that matters to me now... and you of course." She added in quickly.
"Well, this time next week we will be on the shores of Hawaii."
"I can't wait. I have to still go shopping and get some new things to wear... and so do you."
"Ugh..." He grunted. He absolutely hated shopping.
"Don't groan at me." She said smiling, "This Saturday, you and I are going shopping."
"Ok, ok." He said, knowing that he could not win that battle.
January 20th at 3pm the plane touched down and they entered a completely different climate.
"Now this is more like it." Margaret said smiling at the 80 degree weather. "It's 48 and raining back home, but not here."
"It's nice." Hawkeye agreed with her as he grabbed their suitcases, and headed out to rent a car and head to their hotel. They signed into the hotel, got there room key's and had the bellboy take them to their suite.
"It's beautiful." Margaret said, smiling as they walked through the room. It was like a small apartment with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining room and living room, all separated from one another. They had a huge patio that overlooked the blue ocean.
"Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it!" Margaret said beaming. "Hawkeye this place is amazing."
"Dad told me about this hotel. He said that a patient was raving about it, so I decided to give it a try."
"Honey, I love it." Margaret said, hugging him.
"I'm glad. Well, this is what we have for seven days. We can do everything or nothing. What would you like to do?"
"I'd like to unpack first." She said, heading over to the dressers, and suitcases. She quickly unpacked while Hawkeye sat on the patio. He knew better then to get involved with the unpacking. After a few minutes, she comes out to join him on the patio. He was sitting in a lounge chair, so she positioned herself right between his legs, leaning back on his chest. He closed his arms around her and smiled.
"What do you want to do first?" He asked.
"This suits me just fine for now." She said, looking up at him, receiving a soft kiss.
"We have a lot of missed time to make up for." He said smiling. He just missed being with her. The two of them had been so busy with work they almost never saw each other.
This was a week that they were in dire need of. It wouldn't be the two of them for quite some time, and they relished in it. The two of them got to know each other again. On the second day, Hawkeye and Margaret had just finished there dinner, and they were coming up on ten pm. They were sitting outside on the patio, looking at the stars and hearing the waves crash against the shoreline.
"Let's go for a walk." Margaret said smiling.
"Ok." Hawkeye replied. They always loved walking by the beach, any beach it didn't matter. The two made there way down to the beach. Margaret pulled off her sandals and smiled as Hawkeye did the same. Hawkeye then took her hand and they walked close to one another as the waves bit at there feet.
"Looks like this is our last trip for a while isn't it?" Margaret asked, smiling as she placed her hand on her stomach.
"It doesn't have to be." Hawkeye said smiling, "I'm sure our parents would love to get their hands on the grandchild for a week."
"Yeah, but I'm not sure if I want to give him or her up." She said smiling.
"Well then, we'll just take family vacations and maybe a weekend trip, just the two of us."
"That sounds good." Margaret said smiling.
"God, can you believe in only four months we'll be parents?"
"I can't wait Hawk. I keep wondering what he or she looks like."
"Me too. We really have to figure out a name."
"We will." She said smiling. Margaret looks out to the ocean and smiles, "Look!" she says as she points to the water.
There were about ten dolphins playing in the waves, the moon shining on their backs, "Look how close they are." Hawkeye says, as he sits on the white sand, pulling Margaret next down in front of him.
"They are so pretty... look at the moon shine on them." She said; glad to sit for a while. Her ankles were beginning to bother her.
"I see it." He says as they watch the dolphins play in the water.
"This was a great idea." She said after a while, looking up at him.
"Yeah, I have them every so often." He said smiling. He leaned down to kiss her.
"I love you."
"I love you too." He said smiling. "Margaret, I did this for us... we haven't had a chance to be together, and I just want you to know how much I love you."
"I know." She says and stands up. "Let's head back to the hotel."
"You read my mind." He says, helping her up and then starting to head back towards the hotel.
For the seven days, they did not leave each other's side. They slept in one another's arms, woke up the exact same way. They did not think about anything from back home, just the two of them. Margaret looked absolutely beautiful in everything she wore according to Hawkeye. She was feeling a bit fat, but he assured her that she looked beautiful, even in a bathing suit or naked. That always made her smile. The week went far too fast, and before they knew it, it was time to come home, and time for Hawkeye to get back to work.
Before the baby's were born both the Hunnicut's and Pierces decided to ask the Potters to be honorary Grandparents. They have done so much for BJ, Margaret and Hawkeye that it only seemed right to ask them to be called Grandma and Grandpa. The Potters were thrilled and accepted. Erin had already started calling them Grandma and grandpa, and the tradition would continue. The colonel was definitely a father figure towards Margaret and Hawkeye, and still continued that even after the war.
Margaret spent most of her time shopping and getting things ready for the baby, and helping Peg get ready for hers, even though they already had most things from Erin. Finally on February 18, Peg went into labor. BJ was a wreck when he got the call... he was in surgery with Hawkeye.
"Dr. Hunnicut?" Judy called to him.
"Yeah? Retract that for me Cindy."
"I have a message for you."
"I'm listening."
"You're wife just called... she says that she's in labor."
"You're kidding me?!" BJ said, taking his eyes off the patient.
"That's great Beej!" Hawkeye said smiling under his mask.
"Was there anything else?"
"No, she just said if you could get home as soon as you can, or she's driving herself to the hospital."
"That sounds like her." BJ said smiling, "Hawk could you...."
"Get the hell out of here." He said smiling.
"Thanks Hawk. Are you sure you can finish this?"
"It will just take an extra few minutes. GO!"
"Ok... I'm going." BJ said smiling, "I'll drop Erin off at your house..."
"Don't tell me, tell Margaret." Hawkeye said laughing. "Hey Beej?"
"Yeah?" He asked turning right before the doors.
"Good luck..."
"Thanks.... I'm going to be a father again!" He said to his best friend, "Don't worry... I'll return the favor!"
"I'll hold you to it." He said laughing as BJ left, quickly scrubbing out and leaving the hospital.
"I don't think I've ever seen BJ that nervous or excited before." Laura, one of the RN's, said smiling.
"Me neither... but the guy has a good reason. Suction please." He said trying to finish up the operation. He was off at six pm, and it was only three. He was looking forward to having Erin at their house for a few days too, and knowing she was there made the day go longer.
BJ dropped Erin off before taking Peg back to the hospital.
"Thanks for taking her Margaret."
"No problem. Give Peg a hug for me." Margaret said kissing BJ on the cheek. "Good luck."
"Thanks. I'll call you to let you know what we have." He says smiling. "Be a good girl Erin." BJ says, kissing his daughter.
"Bye Daddy." She said smiling as he rushes back to the car and drives off.
"Well Miss Erin, it looks like it's you and me until Uncle Hawk comes home. Should we go put your things in your room?" She asked her smiling.
"Yup!" Erin said, running up the stairs, leaving Margaret with her little suitcase.
That entire day they spent playing with dolls, and cooking dinner for when Hawkeye comes home. Margaret and Erin tomorrow were going to bake a cake. It was six thirty by the time Hawkeye came home.
"I'm home!" He called as he walked through the front door.
"Hi Uncle Hawk!" Erin said smiling, as she ran over to him to give him a hug.
"I just saw your mommy."
"And daddy?"
"Daddy too." He said smiling.
"Did mommy have the baby?"
"Not yet, but she should have it sometime around one in the morning." He told the child. "Which means, by the time you wake up tomorrow, you'll be a big sister."
"Oh good!" Erin said smiling. "Come on Uncle Hawk, go into the kitchen."
"Why?"
"Cause we cooked." She said proudly.
"What did you make me?"
"Chicken and stuff."
"Chicken and stuff? That's my favorite... especially the stuff part." He said smiling. "Hi honey."
"Hi, how's Peggy doing?" She asked giving him a kiss.
"She's good, in a bit of pain but good. She should have the kid sometime early tomorrow."
"Excellent!" Margaret said, holding a plate out to him. "You two can sit down and eat now." She said smiling.
At twelve thirty the phone rang, and Hawkeye picked it up. He was in the den trying to finish up BJ and his case before bed, "Hello?"
"Hey Hawk!"
"BJ, how are you?"
"I'm great!" He said.
"Well? Did you have the baby?"
"Well I didn't, but Peggy did." He said smiling.
"What did you have?"
"A girl! Hawk, I have two daughters! Can you believe that?"
"Congratulations BJ! What did you name her?"
"Gillian... Gillian Lee."
"That's a pretty name..."
"Hawk, you should see her... she's a blonde with a bit of red in it, and the bluest eyes."
"Healthy?"
"Very... and Peg's doing great too. She was born at 11:54"
"Excellent. I'll tell Erin tomorrow that she has a sister, and we'll see you guys tomorrow too."
"Great! Night Hawk."
"Good night BJ." Hawkeye says hanging up, smiling. He decides to turn in and shuts the lights off, before heading up stairs. He checks once on Erin and then heads into his room.
"Was that BJ?" Margaret asked half asleep as her husband crawls in bed next to her.
"Yes."
"Did they have the baby?" She asked suddenly wide awake.
"Yes, a little girl."
"That's great! What did they name her?"
"Gillian Lee."
"That's a pretty name."
"It is. I'm gonna tell Erin tomorrow, and right now I am going to sleep."
"Can we go in and see her tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I'm going in before my shift at twelve. You and Erin should come in. Judy can watch Erin while we see them.
"Ok. Sound's good." She said smiling before kissing her husband and laying her head on his chest, falling sound asleep.
The next day, when Erin came in to wake them up they told her that she had a little sister and she was trilled. She told everyone in the hospital that she was a big sister to Gillian, when they got in. Margaret laughed at the child's excitement. Judy watched Erin while the Pierces headed downstairs to see BJ and Peg. BJ was outside talking to one of the nurses when he spotted Hawk and Margaret.
"Hi!"
"Hi Beej, how are you?"
"Great!" He said smiling, "How about you two?"
"Fine." Margaret said smiling, "How's Peggy?"
"Fine. Go on in and see her. She has Gillian now so you can see her too." BJ said,
"Where's Erin?"
"In my office with Judy eating some pretzels. You should go up and see her."
"I will in a minute." He said, "God, Hawk, I can't wait till you have your baby. It is the most incredible feeling ever."
"I can't wait either."
"Two girls... how lucky can I be? She's perfect... healthy and beautiful." While the two doctors stood outside the room talking, Margaret went in to see Peg and Gillian.
"Hi." She said softly.
"Hi." Peg replied smiling.
"How are you?"
"Great. Tired and a bit sore, but great." She said, as Margaret took the seat next to her.
"She's beautiful Peg."
"Thanks."
"She looks like BJ."
"Yeah, I thought so too." Peg says, looking down at the infant in her arms. "Erin seems huge compared to her sister."
"Yeah, she does." Margaret said smiling.
"Do you want to hold her?"
"Sure!" She said in an exciting manor.
"You need all the practice you can get." She said grinning at her friend, as she took the baby.
"That's for sure... Come here Gillian... I want to meet you." Margaret says, cuddling the baby, "You are beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I'm your Aunt Margaret."
"You wont get her back Peg." Hawkeye says as he comes through the door.
"Ha ha." Margaret said smiling down at the baby, "That's your Uncle Hawkeye... I'm married to him for some reason, which I have yet to figure out, but all you have to do is ignore him and laugh at him and you'll be fine."
"I love you too honey." He says, looking at the baby, "Wow, you look like your daddy Gillian." He says smiling. "A Beejette." He says laughing.
"You can hold her too if you want Hawk." Peg says smiling.
Margaret handed the child over and Hawkeye took her, "BJ will be right back. Erin's in my office so he went to see her."
"I really appreciate you taking her for a few days."
"Oh Peg, it's our pleasure. You have done so much for us in the past couple months we couldn't even begin to repay you." Margaret said smiling at her friend. "So how painful is it?"
"It doesn't tickle... that's for sure." Peg said smiling, "But don't you worry... you'll be fine. I wouldn't have done it twice if it was absolutely horrible."
"Good point."
Hawkeye returned Gillian to her mom and stood up, "Well I hate to run, but I have to start surgery that I am taking from your husband."
"Ok, have fun." Peg says smiling, as he kisses her cheek.
"Congratulations, she is absolutely beautiful."
"Thanks." She says as Hawkeye gives his wife a kiss and heads up.
The Hunnicut's went quickly from a family of three to a family of four, and they were thrilled. Erin absolutely adored being a big sister, and she was a great one. The baby was good too, she slept through the nights for them at two months, and soon after she was sleeping by herself, it was time for Margaret to have the baby. It just so happened that Daniel, and the Houlihan's came out the week she was due, just incase, and the day there plane was to touch down, she went into labor.
On Sunday, May 18th, Margaret wakes up at 6am resulting from a painful contraction. She gets up and takes a shower, and makes something to eat. Around 8am, she decides that she should wake up Hawkeye. Her contractions were about 5 minutes apart.
"Hawkeye? Hawk, wake up."
"What?"
"I think its time... let's go meet our child." She says, smiling.
Well, that wakes him right up, and the first time he ever jumped out of bed. "How far apart are the contractions?"
"About five to six minutes."
"Alright... I'm gonna grab a really fast shower and then we will be on our way to the hospital."
"Alright." She smiles. She leaves a note on the door to let his and her parents that they were at the hospital and to get there as soon as they got to the house. Ten minutes later, he is dressed and ready to become a father.
"How are you?" He asks, as they were getting set in the hospital room.
"I'm fine." She says wincing at another contraction.
Hawkeye was about to talk when Dr. Davison came in. "Hi! How are we feeling Margaret."
"Hi David. Like I want this kid out of me." Margaret says.
"Let me check you out." He says, looking her over. "I think that we will be having this baby before dinner."
"Good." Margaret says.
"Alright Margaret, I'll be back in a little while to check on you."
"Thank you Dave."
"Yup, hang in there kid."
"You're parents are on there way, my dad just called the hospital. They just got to the house. Your mom said they should be here about eleven."
"Good." She says taking in a deep breath.
11:00 came, and Hawkeye stood up.
"Where are you going?" She asked, alarmed.
He smiled at his wife. She was strong, but at this moment she was scared stiff. "I'll be right back. I have to go see if your mom and dad are here yet."
"Oh, ok." She says.
He kisses her forehead and says, "I'll hurry back."
She smiles, nods and watches him leave. He closes the door behind him and walks over to the waiting room and sees the Houlihan's walking in.
"Hello Hawkeye." Kate says smiling at her son-in-law.
"Hi mom." He says giving her a hug. "Boy, when you say eleven, you mean eleven." He smiles. "Colonel." He says, holding his hand out to him.
"Pierce." He says, shaking it. "How's my little girl?"
"She's doing well, in a bit of pain, but nothing more. You should have a grandchild in a few hours.
"Good." Kate says.
"Hawk! How are you?" His dad said as he approached his son.
"Fine." He says, hugging him.
"You're a nervous wreck aren't you?" He says, grinning.
"Yes." Hawkeye admitted, "But I better get back to my wife. I'll let you know what we have." And with that he heads back to his wife. "Both sets of parents are here."
"Good." She says, taking his hand. "Pierce, I want this kid OUT of ME!"
"Soon." He says, kissing her forehead.
At around three, David comes back in, checks her and says, "Alright, next contraction we'll try a little pushing."
"Thank god!" Margaret says. She was in more pain then she would ever admit.
"Alright Margaret, let's see your baby. I need good hard pushes."
Margaret pushed great and at 3:32pm, they were parents.
"It's a..." David says, flipping the baby over, "Girl... you have a daughter! Congratulations!"
"A girl!" Hawkeye says, kissing his wife.
"We have a daughter." Margaret says, wiping a tear away from her eye.
"I'm going to get her cleaned up and I'll bring her right back to you."
"Thanks Dave." Hawkeye says.
"You're welcome. I'll be right back." He says, smiling.
"A girl! We have a little girl." Margaret says crying.
Twenty minutes later, David brings their daughter back. Hawkeye jumps up and walks over to his friend. David places the newborn into his arms. "It's the most amazing feeling isn't it?" David smiles at his friend.
Hawkeye smiles and stares in awe at the little girl in his arms... his little girl. He brings her over to Margaret and hands her over.
"What did you name her?" David asks.
Both parents look at her, and say, "Natalie, Natalie Anne." Margaret strokes her daughter's cheek.
"She's perfect. She is 6pounds, 2 ounces, 19 ½ inches long." David says.
"She is perfect." Hawkeye says, as Natalie grabs his little finger "She is the most perfect little girl ever."
"I'll be back for her in a bit." David says, walking out.
"She has your eyes..." Margaret says smiling, "And your hair. I think she looks like you."
"She has your nose... and lips..." He says before grinning, "We're in trouble."
"Jerk." She says smiling.
"I'm just kidding... I have no complaints with your lips." He says, smiling, and giving her a quick kiss.
"Look what we created."
"She's gonna be trouble when she gets older."
"I know... we're in trouble." She smiles. "She's beautiful. She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."
"I have the two most beautiful girls in the world." He says, as his daughter grasps his finger again. "Let me hold her." He says, after about a half an hour or Margaret holding her. Margaret hands her over and lays back. She was exhausted.
"What do you think about your name Natalie?" He asks the baby. She coo's and snuggles against her daddy. "I guess she likes her name."
"It's a beautiful name." She says smiling. "And it suits her well."
"It definitely does."
An hour later, the doctor has to take the baby back to the nursery. "I'll bring her back." He says, "I promise."
"You better go tell our parents."
"Yeah, I guess I should." He says, kissing his wife. "I'll be back soon. Get some sleep."
"Ok." She says, "Don't be too long."
"I won't." He smiles and heads out to the waiting room.
"Well?!" Kate says, jumping up when she sees her son-in-law.
"At 3:32 the three of you became grandparents."
"What is it?!" Daniel asked, smiling.
"A baby of course." He grins.
"Benjamin..." Daniel warns.
"Come with me." He says to the grandparents, as he takes them to the nursery window. The nurse smiles at Hawk and picks up the baby, holding her so the grandparents can see. "I'd like to introduce you to your granddaughter."
"She's beautiful." Kate says. "Look at her! She has Margaret's skin color, but she looks like you Hawkeye. She has Margaret's mouth though, and her nose."
"That's exactly what Margaret and I thought."
"What's her name Pierce?" Al asks.
"We named her Natalie." He says smiling. "Natalie Anne."
"She is perfect." Daniel says smiling. "Congratulations."
"Thanks, you too Dad."
"Well, I'm going to go see MY little girl." Kate says, smiling.
"Three doors to the right, room 405."
"Thank you." She says, leaving the men to look at the little girl.
"Maggie?" Her mom calls to her as she walks through the door.
"Hi mom."
"How are you darling?"
"Great." She says. "Did Hawk show Natalie to you?"
"Yes. Margaret, she is perfect... and absolutely beautiful."
"I think so." She smiles. "I'm so scared though."
"Why?"
"I have a little girl now who will be 100 percent dependant on me. She will grow up according to how I raise her."
"You'll be a great mother." Kate says.
"What if I do something wrong?"
"She won't know the difference. I did things wrong with you and your sister, and you grew up perfect. Your father questions your taste in men, but other than that..." She jokes.
"Mom!" She says grinning.
"Margaret... all you have to do is love her, and she'll be fine."
"I hope so."
"Trust me." She says, kissing HER little girl.
"Where's daddy?"
"With your husband and Father-In-Law gawking at the baby, but he'll be in soon." She says, watching her yawn. "You should get some rest."
"I will."
"I'll wake you when he comes in."
"Ok." She says, closing her eyes, but adding in, "Don't leave."
"I wont... well, not until they kick me out." She says, and lets her daughter sleep.
Thirty minutes later, Al comes in and sees his two girls. "Is she sleeping?" He asks, quietly.
"Yes." She smiles. "She wanted me to wake her up when you came in."
"Don't bother. Let her sleep." He says. "Did you ever think she would be old enough to have a daughter of her own?"
"No." Kate says smiling. "Did you ever think that we would be old enough to be grandparents?"
"No." He says smiling, taking a seat next to his wife.
"Where's our son-in-law?"
"Showing off our granddaughter, but he should be in here with my daughter." He says, gruffly.
"Al, knock it off." She says, rolling her eyes. "He probably wanted to give us time alone with OUR daughter."
"Humph."
"You know what Al?"
"What?"
"You are gonna have to start accepting him and getting along with him."
"Katherine..."
"I'm serious!" She says, cutting him off. "He is who Margaret chose and loves."
"I think he should treat her better. She could have done better."
"I like Hawkeye." She says. "He is the best thing that could have ever happened to her. She's happy."
"She could have done better."
"He's the father of your granddaughter, the husband of your daughter. She loves him, and so will your granddaughter. You just have to get over the unmilitary part of him."
"Humph." He says looking at his daughter.
"He got us back here to the nursery." She says, "And you got to see your granddaughter when she was one hour old." She watches the reaction to her husband, which was a large smile crossing his lips.
After another ten minutes, Hawkeye comes in with his child.
"I would like to properly introduce you to your granddaughter." He says, smiling.
Kate smiles, stands up and goes over to Hawkeye to get a closer look at her. "Can I hold her?"
"Sure Grandmom." He says, smiling as he hands her over.
"She is absolutely beautiful."
"We think so."
Kate keeps the newborn for a while and says, "Al, do you want to take her?"
He smiles and takes the infant. He looks her over and says, "She looks like you Pierce... she has a bit of Margaret in her, but she looks like you.
Hawk smiles and sits next to his wife. "Hey." He says, waking her up.
"What?" She mumbles.
"Your father, daughter and mother are here."
"I see that." She says, sitting up. "What do you think of your granddaughter Grandpop? Does she pass inspection?"
"With flying colors." He says, handing her over to Margaret. "Congratulations." He says to his daughter and son-in-law. He holds his hand out to Hawkeye, which Hawk gladly takes it and says, "Thank you."
"I'm gonna go call BJ and the Colonel. I'll be right back." Hawkeye says smiling.
"Alright." Margaret says sighing.
He looks at his watch and decides to call the Potters.
"Hello?"
"Hi Mrs. Potter, how are you?"
"Oh hello Hawkeye, I am fine dear, and how are you?"
"Also fine, thank you. I was just calling to let you know that Margaret had the baby."
"Already?! She's a week and a half early!"
"Ten days, but yes she had it."
"Well, what do you have?"
"A girl." He says, grinning.
"Excellent! Oh, hold on Sherman wants to talk to you... I will talk to you soon dear."
"Bye Mrs. Potter."
"Pierce?! What did you have?"
"A girl... I have a daughter, and you have an honorary granddaughter."
"Wahoo!" He says. "What did you name her?"
"Natalie Anne.
"That is a beautiful name. Mildred, they named her Natalie Anne. How's Margaret?"
"She's sleeping right now, but she is fine... tired, but fine."
"I bet."
"Well, listen, I have to head back with Margaret."
"Alright, you give Margaret a kiss for me."
"I will sir, good bye."
"Good bye Hawkeye." He says hanging up. He turned around and saw BJ coming toward him.
"Well, what did you have?"
"A girl. I have daughter Beej."
"Fantastic! Congratulations Hawk! What did you name her?" He asked hugging his best friend.
"Natalie Anne."
"That's a beautiful name. How's Margaret?"
"Fine, and so is the baby."
"That's excellent."
"Come on in and see her... my dad and her parents are there, but you are priority." He says smiling.
BJ and Hawkeye headed inside the room smiling, "Let me see this little Pierce." He says smiling.
"Hi BJ." Margaret smiled as she turned Natalie around so BJ could see her better.
"How are you?" He asked kissing Margaret's cheek.
"Exhausted... but great."
"She is absolutely beautiful. She has Hawkeye's eyes... and your skin color." He said smiling. "Congratulations."
"Thanks." Margaret said.
"So she and Gillian are only three months apart... exactly." He said smiling.
"Yeah..." Hawkeye says smiling. "So what do you think Uncle BJ?"
"She's perfect... and now I have to get back to work so I can finish up your surgeries."
"What goes around comes around." Hawkeye says smiling.
'Good to see all of you, and I'll see you all later on."
"Bye BJ."
"Bye Margaret. I better call Peggy and let her know what you had too."
"That's a good idea." Hawk says watching his best friend leave.
Later that night, everyone went home, leaving Margaret and Hawkeye with there new daughter. It was an amazing feeling sitting there with a child in your arms. "Look what we created." Margaret said smiling, wiping away a tear from her eyes.
"She's amazing Margaret... absolutely amazing. I'm so proud of you too... you didn't break anything of mine or tell me you wanted a devours." He said smiling at his daughter in her arms. "Let me take her for a little while." He said taking his daughter from his wife's arms. "Well Natalie... what do you think of this place so far? This world isn't so bad is it? No, I didn't think so. Mommy and I have waited a log time for you sweetie. You are our first and I am trilled to have you around. You have three sets of grandparents and some aunts and uncles too. You are absolutely perfect and beautiful." He keeps talking until both his daughter and wife are sleeping. After another half an hour the nurse comes back in to take Natalie to the nursery. Hawkeye takes this time to head up to BJ and talk with him for a while.
"Hey."
"Hey, why are you here, I thought you'd be downstairs."
"I was, but Margaret's sleeping and they took Natalie back to the nursery for a while."
"Ah. So how does it feel?"
"Absolutely wonderful. BJ it's amazing... it's indescribable!"
"I know... I've been there." He says smiling.
"And I am scared to death." He said sighing. "It's the most amazing feeling, and the most incredible fear. I thought I was scared in the cave because of claustrophobia? Oh no... this is ten times worse."
"You never lose that fear... but the love for the kid makes the fear bearable."
"I've had her for about eight hours and I have never loved anything more in my life."
"Welcome to the world of fatherhood." BJ says, clasping a hand on his best friends' shoulder. "She is beautiful."
"Thanks." Hawkeye said smiling, "I jus can't wait to get them home BJ... I can't wait to get my girls home."
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. R&R Please, but be kind! There are PLEANTY MORE CHAPTERS TO GO!
Thanks for all the great reviews! Please keep them up! Please R&R!
Thanks
STARY