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! Please R&R
September 16, 1960
Margaret is so lucky and grateful that Kimberly is an easy going baby, with two older siblings she has to be. Her older sister is like a second mother to her, and her older brother plays a bit too rough at times, however, she just takes it. The kids absolutely adored having her around the house. Kimberly was total daddy's girl now. She would wait for him to pick her up, cooing at him when he comes home from work. Hawk tries to be home every day at four, but sometimes that just doesn't happen. Right now, it is almost eleven, and Kimberly will be waking up soon from her morning nap, so Margaret decides to finish up the breakfast dishes. Just as she was putting the last one away Zachary comes waltzing in to the kitchen, "Mommy?"
"What honey?"
"Kimbly cwying." He says.
"Thank you for telling me." She says, patting his soft blond hair after placing the dish in the cupboard. "Would you like to come upstairs with me to get Kimberly?"
"Yes!" He says running to the steps. Margaret catches up with the two year old in her bed room. He takes her hand, "Mommy, pick up him."
"Pick HER up?"
"Yes. She cwying."
Margaret smiles, and moves Zack carefully out of the way, "Well hello Kimberly, did you have a nice nap? I bet you did." She smiles.
"She no cwying."
"I know, that's because we are here with her." She smiles, "Can you go into her room and get her clean clothes?" Margaret asks, beginning to change her diaper.
"Ok!" He smiles, running into her room and grabbing the outfit Margaret has on the crib rail for her. He loves helping his mother, so he was eager to get back and present the clothes to her.
"Thank you honey." She smiles and puts Kimberly in the little purple and blue outfit.
"When Nattie home mommy?"
"Daddy is going to pick her up after he is done work. Do you miss her?"
"Yup!"
Natalie was spending the day at her new grandparents house. Daniel and Anna about three weeks ago decided to get married, by means of a very small ceremony. Hawkeye was taking it very well, which Margaret was happy about. Margaret was thrilled for them.
"Mommy?"
"What?"
"I hold him?"
"Her honey, HER." She laughs, she has been called sir so many times, she doesn't want her daughters to be called him.
"Yup, hold HER." He stresses just like his mommy.
She laughs again, "Of course you can, sit up on Daddy's pillow, and hold out your arms." He does just what she tells him and holds his little sister. "Look Zack, she's looking at you."
"Yup!" He smiles proudly, "She like me."
"That's because you're her big brother."
"Yup!"
They stay upstairs and play with Kimberly on the "big bed" till twelve, "Do you want some lunch Zack?"
"Yes!" He smiles, as she takes Kimberly from his hands and runs downstairs.
Margaret smiles, "You aren't hungry yet are you Kimberly?" When the baby squirms in her arms, "I didn't think you were."
At one thirty, both kids go down for a nap, which gives Margaret about 2 to 2 ½ hours to relax. She turns the television on, and cleans up the living room before she sits down on the couch and tries to get a little sleep before the kids wake up. She is able to sleep till 3:15 when Zack comes down and crawls on top of her. "Hi buddy."
"Hi."
"Did you have a nice nap?"
"Yes." He says, cuddling against her. She loves it when he first wakes up because he was a little "cuddle bug" as her mother puts it. He was happy just laying with her for ten to twenty minutes. "Mommy?"
"What honey?" She asks as he looks up at her with his fathers blue eyes.
"I get snack?"
She smiles, "What would you like?"
"Hmm…" He says, running into the kitchen, knowing his mommy would follow, "I want… a cookie pease." He smiles.
"A cookie?"
"Pease."
"Ok." She says, grabbing him a cookie and a glass of milk.
"Thank you mommy." He smiles, and begins to munch on his cookie.
"You're welcome honey." She smiles, looking at her watch, Kimberly would sleep for another half an hour so she could give her son all the attention he needs. "Looks like it's you and me for the next few minutes buddy."
"Yup!"
While he eats the cookie, the phone rings, and Margaret goes to answer, "Hello?"
"Hi Margaret."
"Hi Peg, how are you?" She smiles.
"Fine thanks, you?"
"Doing great. How are the kids?"
"Wonderful. How about your guys?"
"Driving me crazy, but they are doing great." Peg smiles.
"Well that's great."
"So, how's Kimberly?"
"She's wonderful. Did you get the pictures?"
"We did, did you get ours?"
"We did. How's Katie?"
"She's also doing wonderful. She's sleeping through the night now, so BJ and I are grateful."
"I wish Kimberly did that, but she just isn't there yet."
"Give her time, Kaitlyn wasn't sleeping through the night until she turned 2 months, Kimberly has a few days still."
Margaret laughs, "True. We probably should start scheduling a trip to see each other."
"That's why I was calling. I was talking to BJ and we were thinking about November to fly out there."
"Why not just come for Thanksgiving? How long does Erin have off of school?"
"A week, but we'd pull her out a few days early. I can't believe she is going to be in first grade."
"Me neither."
"It feels like she was just born and I can't believe its been seven years."
"I feel the same way with Natalie… and now Zack. I mean, two, and four, they are getting too big too fast."
"They are, but back to our planning. Thanksgiving?"
"Yeah, we would love to have you six up here."
"That sounds great. We really miss you guys."
"We miss you too, but I think our husbands are going into withdraw from not operating together, and seeing each other every day."
"I'm sure our kids are too, especially the girls."
"Yeah, I'm sure of it." Margaret smiles. "So, what day are you planning on coming out here?"
"Well, thanksgiving is on the 24th this year, so what do you say around the 20th? The 20th till the 27th?"
"Sounds great! You book it and let me know the information!"
"Alright Margaret, I will."
They women talk for a little while before Kimberly wakes up, "Peg, Kimberly just woke up, so I have to run. I'll talk to you soon?"
"Definitely, give everyone a kiss for us."
"Yours too. Bye Peggy."
"Bye Margaret."
Margaret hangs up, kisses her son who just finishes his snack, and was in the living room playing with his toys and walks upstairs to get the baby, "Hello Kimberly. How are you baby girl? Did you have a nice nap? You slept really well, and gave mommy enough time to talk to your Aunt Peggy, who you will be meeting in a couple months." She continues to talk to her as she changes her diaper, "Daddy will be home very soon, and so will Natalie. You are probably missing the two of them by now. I know Daddy is going crazy without you and your siblings, yes he is. Now, you are all clean, lets go downstairs with Zack ok?"
Margaret and the kids spend the next thirty minutes together until the door opens.
"Daddy!" Zack says and runs over bypassing his sister who was running towards her mom and sister.
"Hi buddy, how are you pal?"
"Good." He smiles, hugging him after he has been picked up.
"Were you good for mommy?"
"Yup!"
"Did you help with Kim?" He asks, knowing what he called her.
"Yup! I help wif her, Kimbly good baby."
"She is a good baby." He smiles, and walks into the family room, bending down to kiss his wife, "Hi honey."
"Hi." She smiles, "I had a call from Peggy today."
"Oh? How is she?"
"Great. They are coming up for Thanksgiving." She smiles.
"Really?! That's great! What day are they coming?"
"They are planning to come from the 20-27th. Maybe earlier, depending on their schedule."
"Excellent." He says, putting his son down on the ground. "Did you hear that Kimberly?
You get to meet your Uncle, Aunt and Cousins." He smiles, taking her from his wife's arms. "And how are you Miss Kimberly? Did you have a good day of eating, sleeping and pooping? I'm sure you did."
"Mommy, guess what?" Natalie smiles.
"What?"
"Grandpop took me on the boat!"
"He did?!" Margaret says, a bit shocked. She was four, but she was Margaret's baby, and always would be.
"Yup! Me, and Cassidy, and Grandpop, and Nana!"
"Well, did you have fun?"
"Yup!"
"Did you know she was going on the boat?" She asks, looking at her husband.
"No, but I wouldn't worry about it, there were only two kids, one for each adult, so if anything did happen, which it didn't, Natalie would be fine."
Margaret begins to open her mouth, but quickly shuts it, "What did you do on the boat Nattie?"
"Fished." She smiles, "And I catched one!"
"You did?"
"Yup!"
"How big?"
"THIS BIG!" She says, holding her arms about three feet apart.
"That's a pretty big fishy for such a little girl." She smiles.
"It was!"
"I bet. Did Cassidy catch anything?"
"She caughted a fish too. Litter then mine."
Margaret smiles, "Sounds like you had a pretty good day then."
"Yup!"
"Do you know who I talked to today Nat?"
"Who?"
"Aunt Peggy."
"REALLY?!"
"Yes I did, and she wants to come see you."
"And Gillian?"
"And Gillian."
"And Uncle BJ?"
Margaret laughs, "And Uncle BJ, and Erin, and Michael and Katie."
"Oh new baby too!"
"Yup, they miss you very much."
"Me too?" Zack asks, running over to his mom.
"Yup, they miss you very much too." She laughs, looking over at Hawkeye.
"Daddy?"
"Yes princess?"
"Can I hold my sister?"
"Sure." He smiles, as she sits right next to him. He places the baby in her arms and smiles.
"Thank you!"
"You are welcome." He says, kissing her. She smiles and Zack jumps onto Hawk's lap.
"I missed you today buddy."
"Missed you." He says, smiling.
"Mommy, when is Aunt Peggy and Uncle BJ coming?"
"They are going to be here for Thanksgiving. Maybe it will snow, and then the seven of you can play outside in it."
"Yeah!" She smiles, "But not Kimberly. She's too little."
"Right, not Kimberly, and not Kaitlyn, so it will just be the five of you."
"Ok!"
"Did you hear the number you said?" Hawkeye asks.
"Huh?"
"The seven of them?! We have seven kids between the two of us."
"I know." She smiles, "It's incredible isn't it?"
"Yeah. Our little Kimberly here makes it number seven, isn't that right Kimberly?"
The baby coos and kicks her feet, "That's right!"
"Daddy, put Kimbly on floor!"
'Why?"
"I play wif her too."
"Ok." He says, taking the infant and placing her on the blanket by the TV so both kids can play with her. Margaret loves watching the kids play with Kimberly, but she was so little Margaret watched them like a hawk. Natalie was pretty gentle with the baby, but Zack would pull on her a bit too hard, "Zack, be gentle with her, she's little." Margaret smiles, as he pulls at her foot.
"Ok mommy." He smiles.
When Kimberly has enough she will let out a cry, but she is very patient. She was so happy as long as there were people around to pay attention to her. She was very content just being held by her parents, and she rarely cries. Margaret and Hawkeye keep the kids in their bedroom for about two months, before moving them permanently into the nursery room. Margaret loves to just sit and watch the kids sleep.
By 8:00, the kids are up in their beds every night. This gives Margaret, Hawkeye, and sometimes the baby, a bit of alone time, that they could not get enough of. "So, what are you doing tomorrow?" Hawkeye asks, as he sits next to her on the couch.
"I have to go sign Nattie up for kindergarten at 10. I'm taking Natalie and Zack over to your fathers in the morning, and I'll take Kimberly with me."
"You should just leave her with Anna too."
"That's a lot of kids for her. I think her grandkids are coming over too, so I will probably be almost kid-less tomorrow."
"Gives you and Kimberly some time alone… and more time to yourself." He smiles.
"Yeah, so when she is sleeping I will probably be cleaning up the mess your child made for me in the first hour."
"They can clean it up."
"Oh, believe me," She says, leaning against him, "They do, but not well enough yet."
Hawkeye laughs, "Not well enough? How well should a four and a two year old clean?"
Margaret smiles, "As well as they do now, but not up to my standards."
"Right Major."
"I can't believe Nat is going to school in September." She sighs.
"You still have a year with her at home."
"I know, but it seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home… now it's Kimberly we just brought home and Natalie we are letting go."
"We could have another one, keep the trend going."
"I don't know… I'm beginning to think I'm a bit too old to do this stuff again… I mean I'll be thirty-six in eight months…"
"You aren't to old, yet."
"I guess you're right… to be old I'd have to be at least 37." She smiles, poking him in the side.
"Watch it, or your on the couch."
"You wouldn't dare." She smiles. "You like sleeping with me too much."
"I'm just an old softy when it comes to sleeping in a bed with a woman." He smiles. "So, do you think my dear baby daughter will sleep through the night?"
"I hope so, but she may be a night owl like her father." She smiles.
"Then I'll get her tonight."
"You don't have what she wants." Margaret laughs.
"Thank god."
"You can get up with her tonight if you really want too though."
"Alright." She says smiling. "I'll get a bottle set up for her… but you know tonight will be the one night she doesn't wake up, because Daddy would be the one getting her. She loves to let her Daddy sleep."
"I have a gift…"
"Of putting girls to sleep?"
"I do a good job of keeping you up." He smiles at her silence, "See?"
"I think I'm going to bed… are you coming?" She smiles.
"Sure." He says, standing up. "There's a bottle in the fridge?"
"Yes… I think, go check for me."
"I'll have to lock the doors anyway." He smiles, walking into the kitchen. He closes everything up and joins his wife upstairs. It is 11:00 and both are exhausted. Margaret checks on the kids, brushes her teeth and gets into bed, followed soon by her husband.
Hawkeye keeps his promise and gets up with the baby. He brought her downstairs and warmed up the bottle and fed her. He talks to Kimberly, like usual, as she takes the bottle. As soon as she finishes she smiles up at him. He relishes in these moments with her. He normally hated being woken up through the night, let alone up at two in the morning, but with the kids he didn't mind so much.
"So Kimberly, you and mommy get to spend the day together. I bet you are going to love it! Mommy needs some time alone with you. You are a lot less trouble then your sister and brother." She starts fussing a bit, but Hawkeye just stands up with her and walks around a little bit, "I know, I don't like it when I want to fall asleep and can't. Can't you sleep? Just close your eyes, and go to sleep. I don't mind. I love these moments with you, but I like sleeping too." By three, Hawk was able to put her down and go to sleep himself until six when the alarm went off. He reluctantly pries himself away from his wife like he does almost every morning and gets ready to go to work. Margaret gets up with Kimberly at seven, and the other two shortly after.
"Alright you two." She smiles when the kids were done with breakfast, "It's time to go get dressed. We have to go over to Grandpop's house."
"Why?" Zack asks.
"Because I have to go sign Natalie up for school next year."
"Oh yeah!" Natalie smiles. "I get to go to school!" She says, practically jumping up and down.
"Next September you do." Margaret smiles, "That is if I let you grow up."
"Mommy…"
"Whatty?"
"I have to grow!"
"But why?"
"Because that's what kids do, we get big like you."
"I don't want you too."
"I have too." She laughs, "You get Kimberly still."
"Oh, ok, she can be my baby." She laughs at her daughter, kissing her cheek. "Come on, lets go get dressed."
"Mommy!" Natalie calls in disgust.
"What?"
"I don't want to wear this."
"But you love this outfit."
"Not for today! I want my blue dress!"
"Ok." She says, sighing. Natalie was getting far too picky with her clothing. She may look like her daddy, but she was her mommy through and through.
"Mommy! Not that one!"
"Natalie…"
"No! I don't want that blue dress, I want my other one!"
"Which blue dress honey?" Margaret says, starting to lose her patients. She was juggling her daughter in one hand and Nat's wardrobe in the other.
"That one!"
"This one?"
"Yes!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes!"
"Ok, put it on and hush."
She smiles, and puts the dress on, while Margaret walks into her son's room, "Ah, my easy child. Come here buddy." She smiles, holding up his shirt.
"Ok mommy!" He smiles, raising his hands up. She puts Kimberly down on his bed and puts his shirt and pants on quickly, "Ok pal, you stay here and play a bit, I have to dress Kimberly."
"Ok."
Margaret picks her daughter back up and heads into the nursery and lays her on the changing table, "Alright angel, how about a dress for you too?" She smiles, putting her in a little blue jumper with a purple one length outfit underneath. Margaret always had the kids dressed in the cutest clothes. "Ok, you are all set sweetie, and we are going to have the day together. Lets go take your brother and sister over to Grandpop and Nana's house." She smiles, "Nattie, Zack, come on kids, lets go see Nana."
"Is Grandpop there too?"
"No honey, but he'll be home by lunch time. Today is his early day."
"Oh ok!"
"Now let's go." She says, piling the kids in the car. Each of them had their 'special seats' which were in the back or next to Margaret. They weren't as secure as Margaret had wanted, but they were good enough for now. They drive over three streets to the Pierce household, and gets the kids out. The two oldest run full force at the door, and Margaret takes her time with Kimberly.
"Hi Anna."
"Hi honey." She smiles. "Hi kids, hello Kimberly. Is mommy being mean and keeping you from your Nana?"
Margaret laughs, "That's just what I'm trying to do." Margaret kisses her two oldest, "You both be good. Thanks Anna!"
"Any time. I think Grandpop is going to take two of his perfect grandkids out to lunch."
"Really Nana?"
"Really Natalie." She smiles.
"Good!"
"Well I'm going to run. I'll see you around five."
"Would you like to stay for dinner? We are having chicken."
"Sure, that sounds wonderful! I'll let Hawk know."
"Ok, see you around five."
"Bye." She says and walks out of the house, "Alright Kimberly, let's go sign Natalie up, hen we will pop into the hospital and see daddy. I think he wants to see you."
Margaret drove over to Beachside School and saw a few of the people she is friendly with. Nat got along with almost anyone and played with almost everyone.
"Hi Margaret."
"Hi Jen, how are you?"
"I'm fine, and you?"
"Fine too."
"Kimberly looks more like her daddy every day. Look at those blue eyes. She is actually awake this time." She says, looking at the bright eyed baby in the stroller.
"She does and yes, she slept late this morning. Hawk got up with her around two.
"I wish Dave would get up with them. You are so lucky."
Margaret smiles, she is very lucky. Hawk was a devoted husband and father, "Can you believe that the girls are old enough to go to school?"
"I sure can't. I remember when Susan was about Kim's size."
"I know how you feel."
"I can't wait till my baby is born."
"Number four?"
"Fourth and final." She laughs, "What about you? Are you done?"
"We aren't too sure yet. I'll think about that when Kimberly's a bit older."
"I don't blame you." She smiles.
The women talk as they fill out the paperwork for their daughters, "Where are you going now?"
"To the hospital to see Hawk."
"Well that is nice, tell him I said hello."
"I will." She smiles, Jen and Hawk grew up together and were still pretty good friends, "Do you want to bring Susan over one day this week to play?"
"How about I pick up Nattie? You have the baby… and you can repay me in three months."
Margaret laughs, "Ok, give me a call tomorrow and we'll set up a time."
"Ok! I'll talk to you soon!"
"Ok, bye."
"Bye."
Margaret and Kimberly then go to the hospital, "Hi Jan."
"Hi Mrs. Pierce. Hello Kimberly." She coos at the baby in her mothers arms.
"How are you?"
"Fine, you?"
"Fine." Margaret smiles. "Where's my husband at?"
"He's almost done his rounds, let me page him for you."
"Thank you. I'll go wait in his office." Margaret says heading into his office. "Your Daddy works too hard." She says, looking at all of the charts on his desk he still has to finish.
About ten minutes later, Hawkeye comes in, "Hi honey." He smiles.
"Hi yourself." She says, kissing him.
"What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you."
"Did you miss me that much?" He asks, plucking his daughter from her arms. "How are you angel? Are you having a fun day with Mommy?"
"We are, and we are having dinner at your fathers house at five."
"Ok, I'll be there."
"Good." She smiles, sitting down on the couch. "What time will you be leaving the hospital?"
"No later then 4:30."
"So anytime after 4:30?" Margaret jokes.
"Funny." He says, sitting next to her. "Did you get Nattie all signed up?"
"Yes. She starts September 4 at 8:00am."
"So you have a year with her at home still."
"Yeah." She smiles, and nods. Kimberly lets out a shrill whine, "What is that about Miss Kimberly? Is Daddy not paying enough attention to you?" She smiles.
Hawkeye looks down at her and she gets quiet, and gives him a smile, "Two months and you already know how to work me over don't you?"
"She has her older sister to look at and see how to be a true Daddy's girl."
"When are your parents coming up?"
"Next week."
"I'll make sure that I'm working."
"Pierce…" Margaret warns.
"Margaret…"
"Don't start… you and my dad seemed to be getting along the other month."
"Till he comes over and tries to run my household like the army, and tell me how to raise my kids."
"Please be nice…" She begs, as he sighs, "For me?"
"No promises." He says, "Right Kimberly?"
"Just be respectful ok?"
Before Hawkeye could answer, he was called into surgery, "Well girls, that's my cue, I'll see you tonight." He kisses Kimberly before handing her over to his wife, and gives her a kiss too, "I love you both."
"You too. Have fun."
"Always." He says, giving her one of his award winning smiles before turning and walking out the door.
"Alright Kimberly, lets head home."
On Monday, the Houlihan's come in the early afternoon for their weeks stay. Hawkeye has been working late all week and hasn't seen the kids much at all. He wasn't stalling to see the Houlihan's and the way the week has been going he would have rather been home with the Colonel rather than in the hospital. At least he would be home with his family. He came home at midnight on Monday, and walks into the house. He is very glad that everyone is sleeping. He didn't want to deal with anyone right now, all he wanted to do was jump in bed and sleep for the five hours he has left. He checks on the kids quietly, closing the door behind them. He looks in on Kimberly and sees her wide awake. She wasn't crying so Hawkeye hopes she would go to sleep as soon as he left, but as soon as he turns away from her, she starts crying.
"Come on Kimberly, cut me some slack honey, I've been operating all day." He says, walking over to her crib, "Can you please go to sleep?" She continues to cry, so he picks her up, "Alright, alright, I know you aren't hungry, but you are going to wake everyone up." He walks takes her out into the hallway, and walks downstairs, "I missed you a lot, but listen Angel… I'm exhausted." He sits down on the couch with he, and lies her on his chest, still crying. "Can we go to sleep please?" He lies and rubs her back. "What's wrong with you tonight huh?" The baby still cries, he sits back up and walks around with her. They pace the entire first floor, "You are going to wake everyone up honey."
By one o'clock, the baby was still wide awake and fussing. Hawkeye heard footsteps coming towards them, and he turns around, "Colonel."
"Pierce." He says, "Having problems?"
"Nope, we are just fine."
"Since when is having a child crying for an hour fine?"
"We are fine."
"Do you work tomorrow?"
"I do."
"Do you want me to take my granddaughter?"
"No, thank you, I'll keep my daughter with me."
"She's probably hungry."
"She's not, she's just tired."
"I'd try to feed her…"
"She's fine."
"Well…"
"Colonel… she is my daughter."
"I've raised two daughters, I think I know a bit more about children then you."
"And I've raised three."
"You haven't even begun to raise them. I'll show you, she's hungry."
"She isn't hungry." He says, raising his voice, startling the baby, who starts to cry. "If you are just here to criticize, please leave. I have to get her back to sleep."
"I think…"
"I don't care what you think right now Colonel… I've operated on about twenty patients in three days, I have had barely any sleep, and my daughter is miserable. I could care less what you think right now, get it SIR?"
"Captain, you are out of line."
"Good night Colonel." He says, walking away from the Colonel and into his den, locking the door, "Your pop-pop is a real pain in the ass." He grumbles to the baby. She stops crying and looks up at him, "You know that don't you? Can you please go to sleep? I'd like to go to sleep too honey." He says, turning on the desk lamp low, laying down on the couch with her, rubbing her back, "I know you haven't seen me much this week, and I love seeing you, but I really need some sleep. I feel like I'm back in the MASH." He sighs. Around three, the baby finally falls asleep, and he goes upstairs, puts her in the nursery and climbs into bed, clothes and all. Margaret rolls over and looks at him, "Hi." He smiles, kissing her.
"You're home late."
"No, I got home at twelve."
"It's three in the morning."
"Kimberly woke up."
"What? When?"
"She was awake when I went in to her room to check on her."
"I didn't hear her."
"I took her downstairs pretty quick, and closed your door."
"Honey, you should have told me I would have taken her."
"It's fine. I haven't seen her much. I just want to sleep now." He says.
"Good night." She says, smiling.
"Good night."
Hawkeye ended up getting three hours of sleep, and he was up and out of the house by seven. Margaret hates this schedule, but knows she can't do a damn thing about it. She is quite busy with her parents the next day. The kids sleep late, well till 7:30, but Kimberly was up by 7:00. Margaret goes into the nursery and picked up her daughter, who immediately stops her tears, and smiles. "I think Pop-Pop is downstairs, should we go see him?" Margaret asks her as they walk downstairs, "Morning dad."
"Morning Margaret." He says, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Are you hungry?"
"I am, what would you like for breakfast?"
"I'll get it."
"Nonsense." Al says, "I'll make it. You have enough to worry about raising three kids without any help."
"What are you talking about? I have Hawk. I see him all the time."
"All the time?"
"Well usually at night."
"When does he see the kids?"
"Dinner time."
"All the time?"
"No, not all the time, but most of the time."
"Like the past few nights?"
"Dad, it's not that big of a deal. We make it work. I'm use to the hospital life."
"But…"
"Eggs." She says.
"What?"
"I'd like scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast." Margaret says changing the subject.
"Ok." He says walking into the kitchen.
"Daddy and Pop-pop are going to have a hard time playing nice this visit I fear Kimberly."
Ten minutes later, Margaret and the Colonel were eating breakfast. It was truly nice to have someone who was doing the cooking for a change. Margaret had Kimberly next to her as she ate her breakfast. The baby watched both adults with big blue eyes, "One day you'll be able too eat this stuff doll." The Colonel smiles at his youngest granddaughter.
"Not too soon I hope." Margaret smiles, "I like her at this age."
"Your sister will be coming home in November, for thanksgiving. Would you like to come down?"
"Actually, I was going to ask all of you if you wanted to come up here."
"You had Thanksgiving last year."
"I know, but BJ and Peg are flying up with the kids, and we are planning on just staying home."
"I'll have to check with your mother. I think she really wants to have it."
"Well that's fine, then we'll just see you Christmas."
"I'll talk to your mother."
"Ok, but dad, it's not that big of a deal. We've missed Thanksgiving before…"
"When you were all the way on the other side of the country or world we did."
"I'm not telling the Hunnicutt's that they can't come dad. You and mom will just have to come up here if you want to see us."
"We'll see." He says, smugly, sipping his coffee. He winces as he takes a sip of coffee, which did not go unnoticed by Margaret.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, fine."
"Does your arm hurt?"
"It's fine Margaret." He says, rubbing his left arm, "It's probably from carrying the suitcases. They are pretty heavy."
"I begged you to let me carry one."
"Nonsense. Then you would have been the one sore."
"You're right."
At two, the phone rings and Kate answers it, "Hello?"
"Hi Mom."
"Hello Hawkeye, how are you?"
"Fine, you?"
"Fine. When will I be seeing you?"
"Tomorrow. I took off for a few days. I haven't seen the kids in around five days."
"Margaret said that."
"Is she around?"
"Sure, hang on." She says, taking the receiver away from her mouth, "Maggie! Hawkeye's on the phone!"
"Thanks Mom!" She smiles, passing Kimberly over to her mother, "Hi!"
"Hey, how are you?"
"I'm good, how are you?"
"Exhausted."
"I bet." She says sympathetically, "Will you be home for dinner?"
"Not tonight, but I have off tomorrow till Sunday, well, Saturday and Sunday I am on call, and gave everyone threats that if they call me I will be killing them."
"Well, it will be nice to see you." She smiles.
"How are the kids?"
"Fine, Natalie and Zachary really miss you."
"Is Nat around? I'd like to talk to them both."
"Hold on." She says, "Nattie! Daddy wants to talk to you."
Natalie runs full speed into the kitchen and takes the phone, "Hi daddy!"
"Hi princess, how are you?"
"Good, but I miss you."
"I miss you too."
"When will you come back?"
"Tomorrow. I'll be home in my room when you wake up."
"Yay! I can wake you up!"
"I'll be glad to see you." He smiles.
"Ok! Do you want to talk to Zack?"
"Please."
"Ok I love you!"
"I love you too Princess."
"Daddy!" The small voice calls.
"Hi buddy!"
"Hi! Come home?"
"Tomorrow, when you wake up I'll be home!"
"Good! Bye! Love you!"
"Love you too! Bye."
"So, tonight around midnight?" Margaret smiles, as she gets back onto the phone.
"Possibly later… but I'm aiming for twelve."
"Ok, I love you."
"I love you too, and I'll see you tonight."
"Bye."
"Bye." And with that she hangs up.
"Mommy?"
"What Natalie?"
"I miss daddy."
"I know honey, but you'll see him tomorrow morning."
"I want to see him now." She pouts.
"He wants to see you too."
"Yes." She says, hugging Margaret's legs.
"You'll get to see him for the next few days."
"Good."
Margaret kisses her and then she is on her way.
Hawkeye comes home about 4:00am and quietly gets into bed. He didn't want to wake up Margaret, and succeeded. He slept till 7 when Natalie comes in, followed by Zack, however, Margaret ells him to keep on sleeping after he mumbled that he didn't get home till 4:00, and ushers the kids out of their room and downstairs. Margaret wondered how long Natalie will last until she begs to go wake up daddy. She lasted till 10:00. Margaret knew that she was working up the courage to ask, and before she did so Margaret smiles, "Honey, why don't you go upstairs and see if Daddy is awake?"
"Ok!" She smiles and runs upstairs. She quietly opens up the door, and goes over to the bed, climbing up and lying across him, with her head on his chest, hugging him, "Good morning." He smiles, looking into the same blue eyes he has.
"Morning Daddy."
"How are you?"
"Good. I missed you."
"I missed you too." He smiles, rubbing her back, "Have you been good?"
"Yup! Will you come play with me?"
"I'm going to get a shower first ok?"
"Ye." She smiles, "But be fast Daddy!"
"I will." HE laughs, giving her a kiss and placing her on the floor. He stands up and heads into the bathroom for a shower, then dresses in record breaking time… for him. He then heads downstairs and sees his family all together for the first time in five days. Nat and Zack immediately want him to play and he is more than happy to oblige. Kimberly was busy being help by his father-in-law, so she was content for the moment. She didn't even see him at first, but only ten or fifteen minutes later, she started to make noises when she heard her daddy.
"What's the problem Kimberly?" Hawkeye asks, seeing his daughter squirming in the Colonels arms.
"She's probably hungry."
"She's not." Margaret smiles, "She must just want her daddy."
"Is that a fact?" He asks, when his granddaughter screams.
"Just pass her over." Margaret laughs.
Hawkeye stands up, and takes his daughter who immediately turns off the waterworks and smiles.
"You spoiled brat." Margaret laughs, when she sees the huge smile on the three month olds face. "Was daddy not paying enough attention to you?"
"You just missed your old man, didn't you Kimberly?"
"I'm shocked she still remembers you." Al quips.
Hawkeye shoots a look back at him, "Excuse me?"
"Well, you are so busy with your job and not with your family that it's a miracle she remembers you. Three month olds usually don't remember people they don't see."
Hawkeye begins to open his mouth, but shuts it quickly when he sees Margaret's face, and the kids looking at him, "Come on Natalie, Zachary, Kimberly, lets go into the basement. I feel a fit coming on." He grumbles.
The kids run downstairs, followed by Hawkeye. Margaret gives her father one of her looks, "Don't look at me like that Margaret."
"Don't you ever criticize my husband in front of my children, do you hear me?"
"Don't you talk to me like that, I am your father!"
"And I love you, but right now, I don't like you very much. Don't bad mouth my husband in front of my children ever again." She says, storming into the kitchen.
"Al…" Kate says, sighing, before walking into the kitchen after her daughter, "You know how he is Margaret…"
"Its no excuse. Natalie picks up on things now. He raised two kids… he should know better!" She shouts, and watches her mom open her mouth, "Don't try to defend him!"
"You are just as stubborn as he is Margaret…"
"I just don't think he should badmouth my children's father in front of them. I know they both hate each other, but…"
"I agree."
"At least someone does."
"So, what's this I hear about us not spending thanksgiving together this year?"
"The Hunnicutt's are coming up."
"Your father told me that you weren't coming down."
"I can't mom… but I offered to have all of you come up here."
"Won't that be too much?"
"What's six more people? Two of them being under the age of 4."
"Well, I'll call your sister and ask."
"Ok." Margaret smiles.
"How's Daniel?"
"He's doing great. I haven't seen him happier."
"Excellent. Is he going to be gracing us with his presence?"
"Yes, tomorrow."
"What's tomorrow?" The Colonel asks.
"Hawk's dad is coming over."
"Oh, good."
Margaret knows how her father is. He will never apologize, but if he feels guilty, he will come over and talk about anything. "Dad? Are you feeling alright?"
"Never better, why?"
"You don't look well… you look pale."
"I'm fine." He says, rubbing his arm a bit again.
"You're flushed."
"Margaret, will you stop it?"
"I'm sorry I'm concerned about you!"
"Stop it. I will not have my daughter worrying about me."
"I'm not just your daughter, I'm a nurse, and my husbands a doctor… if you don't feel well you should let him or I check you out and…"
"Margaret Elizabeth… that is enough!"
Margaret sighs and keeps her ideas to herself. She looks at her watch and sees that it is noon, she heats up Kimberly's bottle and smiles, calling to her husband, "Hawk, bring Kimberly up please."
"Ok." He smiles, and walks up the stairs.
"Here, give her this. She has to be hungry now."
"Are you hungry Kim? Do you want something to eat? I bet you do." He smiles, sitting down at the table with her.
"Natalie, Zack, what do you want for lunch kids?"
"Peanut butter!"
"Peanut butter!"
"Ok, come on up and eat." Margaret smiles, pouring them each a glass of milk.
At twelve thirty, Hawkeye gets a phone call, "Yeah? You're kidding me… when?.... Now?.... Alright, alright, I'll be right in." He sighs, hanging up the phone.
"Hawk…" Margaret says knowing what was coming.
"One of my patients needs immediate surgery… she was scheduled for Monday, but just took a turn for the worse."
"Daddy? You going to work?"
"Only for a little while honey. I'll be home before you go to bed…" He says, feeling absolutely awful. Natalie looks like she was ready to cry when he kisses and hugs her, "I'll see you in a bit." He kisses his family an heads off to work, cursing the entire way. It is the life of the surgeons though. He knows that the second he gets back in, his father-in-law was going to open his huge mouth….but he can't think of that right now… he needs to think about his patient, and how quick he can get in and out, but be effective.
"Hawkeye, let's go, she's prepped…"
"Couldn't you do this?"
"She wanted you…"
"Its routine!"
"All the more for you to be done with it in about three hours… spleen, gallbladder, and kidney."
"Organ recital?"
"Something like that." Dave laughs.
"Alright, lets get moving, I want to be out of here by six."
Hawkeye works hard for three hours and they are finally finished, and he scrubs and leaves. Natalie stayed with him the entire night. She didn't want him to leave again. By eight, Hawkeye put the kids into bed. Then he started downstairs and heard the Colonel saying how horrible of a father he is. Hawkeye is furious as he reaches the final step. He hears Margaret defending him, and Kate also, but Hawkeye just knows that words are going to be mixed.
"Dad, he is a surgeon… surgeons have horrible work schedules sometimes! I knew this before we married, and I still went though with it."
"You could have stayed in the army, lived your life, move onto a Colonel, been one of the most decorated nurse in the army!"
"I didn't want that! It wasn't me! Korea changed me dad… I met Hawkeye, I met some of the best friends that I have ever had, I got married and divorced, I had my fill of the army!"
"Well, nursing, you went into the army for nursing, and with a husband who is a surgeon you could never leave your children to go back into nursing."
"So what's wrong with that? I love staying home with my kids, and I do some nursing still. If Hawk's dad needs a nurse, I go in and help out."
"You are a surgical nurse."
"And I know the schedules are hell… I don't want to be apart from my children that long!" She says, beginning to raise her voice.
"Your husband shouldn't be leaving you with three children for days at a time, only seeing YOU sometimes for dinner and to sleep…"
"You know something Colonel…" Hawkeye says, coming in to the room, "I should stay home every single day of the week, not bring in any money and buy things for my family by love, just like you did. You were there every single birthday right? Every single holiday? You saw your daughters grow up every second of the day right?"
"That's different."
"How? Please enlighten me."
"I was over seas."
"Oh, so if I was over seas this would be fine? If I was fighting for my country the way you did, would be fine?"
"Yes, it would be."
"So, lets see, you leave for years at a time…"
"I sent every pay check home…"
"Yeah, and I come home with every pay check. I am home almost all the time. My job is usually 6am till 6pm, and I come home to eat and play with my family. I put the kids to bed, and I wake up with them in the mornings."
"It is your job."
"I wouldn't be criticizing me because you sure as hell weren't home when your children needed you. You were away fighting a war that we never even needed to fight!"
"WW1 and WW2 were fights we needed to partake in… you owe me your freedom son."
"I owe you jack shit Colonel!"
"If you cared about your family, you would see them more than once a week. They deserve better than you! You are selfish… all you care about is yourself and your pay check. Its fine if you don't see your kids isn't it?"
"Dad…." Margaret pleads.
"Margaret, you stay out of this!" Her father growls. "You never cared about your family… never."
"Do you see what you are doing to your daughter!? Do you enjoy making her feel horrible?"
"She needs to know what an asshole she is married too before you go off with another woman and leave her permanently high and dry."
"Leave them high and dry right Colonel? Like you did every time you left to go over seas?! Like every time you moved because you had to go onto a different base? Treating your daughter like she didn't exist because she was a girl? How many birthdays did you make of your kids?"
"Pierce!" Margaret says, as she watches both men stand to their feet, her father first, then her husband. If she was any other person, she would have been brought to tears by this argument, but she was too strong. She wouldn't give them the satisfactory of seeing them cry.
"I'm surprised your kids still remember you." The Colonel says smugly, "One day, Natalie isn't going to be affected by you not being around. She won't be disappointed when her father doesn't walk through the door except for one dinner a week. You could leave her alone and she would not think of you anymore. Zack? He will look for another father figure to look up too because his father wont be home to see him play or to see him grow up. Kimberly will not remember you because father daughter bonds don't stay firm. One day, you will come home and pick Kimberly up and she will scream because she doesn't know who you are."
"Al.. that's enough."
"Kind of like Margaret and Annie? I heard you didn't even make Annie's birth, and Margaret…."
"Enough! Just stop it!" Margaret finally blows, "I know you two hate each other, and I know that you two will do anything to make each other miserable, but I have three children trying to sleep upstairs and I have two children down here who are going to wake them up. Dad, Hawkeye is a very devoted father, one that my children love and will always love. He is my husband."
"What about him?" Al asks, pointing to Hawk.
"He is acting like an ass also, but I blame you!" She begins to shout. "He has always tried to put the differences behind you two! Korea, here, and you have always invoked the discussion! Why in the hell can't you two just learn to get along! I love you both more than anything! You are two of the most important people in my life, and the life of my children! Jesus, just shut up and stop thinking about yourselves! I can't believe that two grown men can act like two infants!"
"Margaret…" Hawkeye begins.
"NO! Shut up! I am sick of hearing from everyone!"
"Margaret… you know you can do better then this Captain! What ever happened to you never marring out of the army?!"
"People change. And look where marrying army got me dad! A divorce after only six months! Can't you accept the fact that Hawkeye is the one that I chose?! Can't you respect my decision?! After all, he is the reason you have grandkids! DO you think Donald would have had kids?! Do you think I would have wanted kids if I was still in the Army only worrying about myself?! My god! I am so sick of this!"
"Don't you dare talk to me like this young lady… I will not have this lip from my daughter."
"If you don't like my husband, then you must not respect me. You never wanted me to be happy Dad did you? I was your little army girl. I was the boy you always wanted, and I am sick of it. I am not young any more, I have a husband and a family to care for. I'm not your little girl anymore. Why the hell wont you see that?! The army isn't my life anymore, Hawkeye is my life and my three kids. What is so wrong with that?!"
"What's wrong with that?! Your husband is never home! He is a jokester! He is not right for you!"
"How dare you say that I am not right for your daughter. Margaret is right… we are a pair now, and I'll be damned if a regular army clown will tell me different." He says.
"Nothing you could possibly say would change my mind."
"Well then sir, you just showed me exactly what kind of father I will never be to my daughter." Hawkeye says.
"You will never be good enough for my daughter."
"Well, it's a good thing your opinion doesn't matter in this case isn't it?" Hawkeye says, walking into the kitchen.
'Pierce! Don't you walk away from me!" Al shouts, following him. "You…"
"Me what?" He says turning around quickly, facing his father-in-law.
"You are the most…" The Colonel begins, as he gradually turns gray, rubbing his left arm. "You are one of the most selfish people there are. Your wife sits at home taking care of your children…"
"So how about I do just quit my job? How about I stop work all together and make Margaret work? Does that sound better? I'll keep the kids and she'll work."
"Don't be an ass."
"I'm here to stay whither you like it or not COLONEL, so get use to the idea."
"Pierce… you will never be my son, and one day my daughter will…."
"Will what?"
"Will…" He says, sweating profusely.
"Colonel?" Hawkeye says, concern taking place of his anger, as he takes a step closer, "You should sit down."
"I'm fine!" He says, wiping his brow, before clenching his chest, and collapsing.
"Shit… Colonel?!" He says, rushing to his side, "Margaret! Bring me my medical bag!" He says, and in two seconds Margaret is by her fathers side, with Kate on her tail.
"What happened?!" Margaret asks, her eyes full of fear.
"He collapsed." Hawkeye says, checking him over, "Call the hospital and have them send an ambulance. You'll be alright Colonel." He says, as he hears Margaret's call. "Call my father too please, tell him that I need him to come watch the kids."
"I'll do that." Kate says, as Margaret passes the phone off and sits next to Hawkeye.
He looks at her and sees how scared she is, "Ok, Colonel, say with us for a little while ok? Stay with us. We'll get you to the hospital."
Natalie was woken up after all the yelling and comes down to look for her parents, "Mommy…" She says, rubbing her eyes as she walks into the kitchen, she stands and looks at her grandfather on the ground, "Mommy?!" She asks alarmed.
"Natalie, go with Grammy." Margaret said quickly, blocking her daughters view of her grandfather as best she can. She was shaking visibly now, as she gave Hawkeye everything he needs.
"Nattie, come with Grammy honey." Kate says, quickly bringing her granddaughter out of the room. She wasn't doing any good hovering over a doctor and a nurse.
"Grammy?" Natalie asks, in the other room, "Is Pop-pop sick?"
"Yes, and he is going to the hospital." Kate says, sitting down with her on the couch. She wasn't nearly as strong as her daughter, but put on a strong face in front of the child sitting on her lap. Daniel comes into the house, and bypasses his granddaughter and walks into the kitchen.
"What is it?" Dan asks.
"He's having a heart attack. We called the ambulance and they should be here soon." Hawkeye says. "Margaret… Margaret." He says twice trying to get his wife's attention. "Go check on Natalie, Dad and I will work with your father."
"Ok." She says, and pries her hand out of her fathers hand, and walks into the other room. Her daughter had tears in her eyes and cry's when Margaret comes into the room. She picks her up and sits her in her lap, "Mommy, Pop-pop's sick."
"I know princess." She says, hugging her tight.
"Why?"
"His heart is sick honey."
"Why?"
"I don't know… but Daddy is going to try and fix him ok?"
"Ok." She pouts, clinging to her neck.
"You kids are going to stay with Grandpop for the night ok?"
"Ok." She says, looking Margaret right in the eyes, "Mommy sad?"
"Mommy is sad." She says, letting a tear fall from her eyes, "And scared. I don't like when people I love are sick."
"Daddy will fix him." Nattie says, leaning against Margaret again.
"Ambulance is here." Kate says, opening the door.
"Dad take Natalie upstairs please." Hawkeye says, taking Natalie from Margaret.
"Good luck son." He says, and kisses his daughter-in-law on the cheek, "He'll be ok Margaret. Come on princess, lets go on upstairs, and I'll read you a story ok?"
"Ok Grandpop." She says, leaning her head against his shoulder, watching her father and mother in the kitchen.
They quickly move a now unconscious Al into the ambulance. They were taking him to Portland, where the best thoracic team would be waiting. Hawkeye drove them over to the hospital. Hawkeye and Margaret went to talk to the doctors, while Kate sat in the waiting room. She wasn't allowed back, so she called her daughter. Annie will be flying on the next flight and meet them at the hospital when she gets there.
Hawkeye kept a firm grip around his wife's waste, offering her some comfort, while Dr. Neilson talked about his condition, "He had a major heart attack, right now we are prepping him for surgery."
"Is he stable?" Margaret asks.
"For now. We'll go in and see what's happening."
"How bad is it Matt?" Hawkeye asks.
"It's not good… not good at all."
He felt Margaret's shoulders slump, "Keep us updated." She replies, as she heads towards the waiting room
"I will Mrs. Pierce."
"Margaret, stop." Hawkeye says, as she turns around, "He'll be ok."
"Its my fault…" She says quietly to him, "It's all my fault."
"No it's not."
"Yes it is, Hawkeye, he was grabbing his arm earlier, and I should have noticed his color change, then we had this damn fight between the three of us, and it should have happened. I should have put a stop to it right away like I did earlier… It is all my fault." She continues to rant, and Hawkeye takes her into his arms, getting a couple closed fisted punches before she completely gave into him. She began to cry and he wraps his arms around her, supporting her weight as she cries, "How could I have done this? How could I have gotten him this upset? Why did I say those things to him?"
"You were angry, and you had every right to be." He says, kissing the top of her head.
"I shouldn't have said them…"
"It didn't cause his heart attack and you know that. You're a nurse, you know what causes an attack."
"I shouldn't have talked to him like that Hawkeye… he's my father. I love him."
"And he loves you, it's me he hates." He says, rubbing her back.
"What if he dies? I wont have a chance to apologize."
"He'll make it… he lives to make my life miserable."
"Hawkeye." She says.
"He'll be fine Margaret…" He says, hoping he's right.
"How…"
"Don't." He says, kissing her cheek. "Look at me." She looks up at him through a curtain of tears, "Don't do this to yourself. You are not the reason your father had a heart attack. It's not your fault… and I know that you know this. He'll be ok."
"You can't promise that…" She says, "What if…"
"Margaret, lets see how the surgery goes ok?"
"Ok." She says, as they start to walk towards the waiting room. She wipes her eyes, and goes in sitting next to her mother. The two of them talk and Hawkeye stays off to the side. "Is Annie coming?"
"She'll be in by midnight."
"Ok." She says.
Three hours feels like eight, and by the end Margaret is up and pacing the floor. Kate is fairly relaxed during this time, but Hawkeye can tell it is beginning to take toll on her.
"Margaret, you're wearing a hole in the carpet." He says.
"It's been three hours, where are they? They should be out and have him closed up by now! What the hell is going on?!" No sooner then Margaret says that, the Matthew Neilson comes in, pulling off his mask, Margaret feels Hawkeye's hand on her back and her mother at her side as they prepare for the news of the Colonel. "How is he Matt?"
"He's alive…" Matt says, "The next 48 hours are going to be very critical. His heart was damaged, but we were able to repair some of it. He definitely isn't out of the woods yet. He is going to be extremely weak, and if he does pull through, then he is going to have to change his living habits."
"Can we see him?" Kate asks.
"Not yet, he's not quite awake yet, but soon."
"Thank you." Hawkeye says, sitting back down with his wife and mother-in-law. It was now almost one in the morning, and Annie would be coming soon. Annie came in another half an hour, and ran over to her sister and mother.
"I would have been here a half an hour ago, but I dropped the kids off at your place."
"Did Tyler come?" Kate asks, kissing her youngest daughter.
"He's parking the car."
"Were my kids asleep?" Hawk asks.
"Kimberly was crying when I left, your father was going to get her…. How's Dad?"
"He's alive." Margaret says, with a heavy voice "The next 48 hours are going to be difficult… if he makes it."
"What happened?"
"He had a heart attack..." Margaret replies, twisting her engagement ring around her finger, "We had an argument…"
"We?! As in you and Dad?" She asks, not believing her ears.
"Yes…"
"Margaret, you and Dad never argue…"
"I know." She says, looking away, "Well, we did, and after he and Hawk went into the kitchen, exchanged some words and he collapsed."
"So you were defending your family?"
"He was saying how Hawk wasn't a good father or husband…"
"The usual."
"And he collapsed… Hawk called and told me to get his bag, and we ended up here."
"When can we see him?"
"Soon… I hope." Margaret sighs, "God Annie, I am so glad you are here." Margaret hugs her little sister.
Louise, the nighttime nurse came in to the waiting room, "You can see the Colonel now."
The three Houlihan women stand up and Hawkeye hangs back, "Hawk?"
"I'm going to stay here, call my dad and wait for Tyler. I'll see you in there."
"Ok." Margaret says, not really wanting her rock to leave. She didn't want to go in there a lone, but she did anyway. "Matt?"
Matt looks up, "He is resting right now Margaret. He has a lot of tubes coming out of him and he looks very pale."
"Thank you…" She says as they go into the room, slowly. Margaret takes a deep breath. Her sister and mother have tears in their eyes, but she couldn't. She had her time to be weepy, and now it was her time to be the rock. She picks up the chart immediately and begins reading it.
"What does it say Maggie?" Kate asks.
"Just what medications he is on…" She says, reading down the list, "And, how long he was in surgery, and how his vitals are. Nothing we don't know already, except for the medications, which you wouldn't know anyway."
"Anything abnormal?"
"No." She sighs.
"Well, that's good isn't it?"
"Yeah…" She sighs, sitting next to her mother. They watch him in silence until their husbands come in. Hawkeye places his hand on Margaret's shoulder. She immediately covers his hand with her own. Tyler does the same with Annie.
"Did you look at his chart?"
"Yes."
"Anything?"
"Nothing abnormal." She sighs.
"Good." He says, rubbing her neck a bit. She is very tight, and he can tell that she is trying to keep a strong front. He felt horrible about everything that happened today even if it wasn't anyone's fault. He hated seeing his wife upset, and he hated seeing her father in this condition. No matter how much the two never got along, Hawkeye tried to respect the man that she loves so much. This would have been easier to take if he hadn't had the heart attack during the argument. Normally Margaret would have asked how the kids were, knowing that he called them, but today she isn't worried. She isn't even thinking about them right now, and no one blamed her for it. At three, the doctor comes in and said that the Colonel needs his rest. Kate was going to take the night shift, and the girls would come back tomorrow morning.
The four of them drive home in absolute silence. Hawkeye knows that Margaret wasn't going to sleep tonight, which probably means he won't either. The adults head upstairs, and they check on the kids, who were all sound asleep. Margaret and Hawkeye say goodnight to Annie and Tyler and head into their room.
Margaret brushed her teeth quickly and got into bed. Hawkeye looks at her, "Are you ok?"
"Fine." She says, and lies down. She didn't want to cry any more tonight, but that was beginning not to be an option. She couldn't wait until Hawkeye got into bed because he could take some of the pain away.
Hawkeye finishes his nightly ritual and turns off the lights and gets into bed. Margaret attaches herself to him, feeling his arms wrap around her relaxes a bit. He kisses the side of her head and rubs her back a bit. He feels completely helpless and doesn't know what more to do for her. "Are you ok?"
"I have to be."
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
"This is fine." She says, wiping a tear away from her face. "I want to be at the hospital early, can you set the alarm?"
"What time?"
"For six?"
"Ok." He says, trying to roll over, "You have to let me up." He smiles.
"Why?"
"Because I can't reach the alarm." Reluctantly she rolls over to her side, for the time that he takes setting the alarm, but the second he lays back down, he takes her back in his arms. "Try and get some sleep."
"I don't think I can…"
"I think you can, or we can just lay here till the alarm rings… or till one of the kids gets up."
"Ok." She says. As her mind wanders, she starts to cry.
"He'll be ok Margaret…"
"He could be dying right now, you don't know that."
"He'll make it…"
"What if he doesn't? I'm not ready for my children to lose their grandfather, and for me to lose my father. Hawk, I didn't say how sorry I was…"
"You will tomorrow. Tonight he will be sleeping. You and Annie will be in tomorrow and see him. He will be awake."
She never has to apologize to him for crying, she found that out in Korea. He could always make her feel better, and just being there made her feel safer. After about an hour of tears she finally fell asleep. Hawkeye is glad because she needs sleep. Between the argument and her fathers heart attack it was a long day. Her sleep is restless and kept on waking him up, but at least she is sleeping. By six the alarm rings and Margaret is up and in the shower. Hawkeye gets up with the kids, because by that time Annie and Margaret were on their way out. Kimberly is very clingy to Hawkeye that morning, and Natalie has a lot of questions. Zack was happy just playing with his Grandfather, Uncle Tyler, and his cousin Megan. Megan and Zack were only a half a year apart, so they played nice together. Angela was asking the same questions, and Tyler did the best to explain what happened to Pop-pop. The house was full of all ages of kids. Every other year one of the girls had a baby, Nat was 4, Ang was 3, Zack was 2, Meg was 1 and Kimberly was 3 months. They had a busy morning. Tyler and Hawkeye were going to go into the hospital at noon to visit their father-in-law and also check to see how their wives were.
"Daddy… is Pop-pop still sick?"
"Yes honey, and he will be for a little while."
"Oh." She says, pouting.
"Don't worry honey, he'll be ok." He says, feeding Kimberly, "How were they last night Dad?"
"Fine, except for that one." He says pointing to Kimberly, "She cried for about an hour."
"She does that every so often…"
"Non-stop?"
"Not usually."
"She probably missed you two." Dan smiles.
"Probably…" He says, kissing her head.
"What time are you going to the hospital?"
"Probably about 11:30…"
"You leaving again Daddy?" Natalie asks.
"Only to see how Pop-pop is."
"Can I go?"
"No honey, you are too little. I need you to take care of the younger kids princess."
"Ok." She says smiling.
Hawkeye tries to pass Kimberly off on his father and she screams, "Kimberly… what is your problem today? Huh?" He asks, taking her back in his arms, "You are going to have to let me go."
"She probably senses something is wrong." Tyler says.
"I wouldn't put it past her." He smiles, kissing her cheek.
At 11:15, the two men drive to the Hospital, leaving the kids once again with Hawkeye's father. Margaret is in the hospital room with her still sleeping father. It's her turn to sit with him and she hopes that he will wake up for her. Her hopes came true. As she sat dozing on the chair, she heard a voice calling to her.
"Daddy?" Margaret asks, looking down at him. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore… but I'm ok."
"Oh thank god." She smiles, wiping a tear away from her eye.
"I'm sorry honey…" He says.
"No Dad, I'm sorry. I should have never raised my voice at you, I should never have fought with you, and I should have seen the signs of your heart attack."
"Don't you dare go blaming my heart on you… I have taught you better then that little girl."
"But, I'm so sorry." She says, as he weakly takes her hand.
"It's not your fault… its mine…"
"It's both of our faults." She says, trying to take some responsibility for the argument. She sees how tired he is, "You should really get some more rest Dad."
"Alright."
"I love you Dad."
"I love you too Margaret." He says.
She stays with him until one, when Annie takes over her shift, "Did he wake up?"
"He did. He should wake up again and you can talk to him."
"Thank god."
Margaret goes out with her mother and husband, "Mom, you should go home and get some sleep."
"I think I'll take you up on that." She smiles, and adds in, "Are you going to do the same?"
"Yes."
"Did he talk to you?"
"Yes." She says, smiling at her mother, "How are the kids Hawk?"
"They are ok… well, Kimberly isn't too happy, but most are fine."
"Let's go home." Margaret says, and they all go home for the night.
Two days later, they start talking about what Al has to do to continue his health.
"You have to be very careful Colonel Houlihan. You are going to have to start eating right, drinking less, smoking less, and relax. You can't have any stress what so ever once we release you."
"Ok." He says.
"We are going to put you on a diet that you must stick with. Your heart has been through a lot, and it is quite damaged. One more heart attack could be your last. Take this seriously."
"Son, I know who to listen too when it comes to my heart, and it's not me. I can take orders as well as give them. When can I get out of here?"
"Possibly next week. We'll have to check on your progress."
"Ok."
Al gets out of the hospital two weeks after his attack, and they immediately drive back home. He was ready to get out of Maine. On the day he left, Hawkeye and the Colonel were actually pleasant towards each other. Al felt that he has something to owe to Hawkeye. There was definite guilt on both men's side. Hawkeye felt bad for the things he said, and Al felt bad for the things that he said. Though they still can't say that they like each other, they have a mutual respect.
"Pierce, thanks for everything."
"Your welcome Colonel."
Neither of them actually said they were sorry, but those few words uttered were good enough as an apology. And with that, all the Houlihan's and Murray's left the Pierce's house. Order was restored and Margaret was very happy that her father has pulled through.
October came, and that is a whole new experience. At 3:30 in the morning, Hawkeye and Margaret were woken up by their 4 month old crying. "What time is it?"
"3:30…" Margaret says, yawning and standing up.
"Doesn't she know she should be sleeping?"
"I'll get her."
"Good… tell her that I'm dead… dead and buried." He groans, and rolls over.
Margaret stands up and walks across the hall, turning on the light of the nursery, "What's wrong honey? Shh, Kimberly." She says, picking her up, cuddling against her, "What's the problem Angel?" She sits down on the rocking chair and rocks the baby. She kisses her forehead and says, "You don't feel too warm, do you not feel well? Daddy has off tomorrow, so I hope you aren't getting the cold your brother had. I don't think you will fare too well with that sweetie." She rocks her until she falls back asleep about thirty minutes later. Margaret puts her in the crib and goes back into her bedroom, climbing in with her husband.
"Is she ok?"
"She seems ok."
"Good." He says. "I'll get her next when she wakes up."
"Ok."
At 4:30 the baby starts to cry again, "What is going on with her?!" Margaret sighs.
"I thought I was safe and could sleep till seven… silly me." He says, standing up and goes into the baby's room, "Ok little girl, you and I need to have a talk." He says picking her up, "I don't really like being woken up every hour and a half, and I'm sure you don't like waking up, so can you tell me what is wrong please? I'd really like to know." He says kissing her forehead, "Oh…" He says noticing she was a bit warm, "I guess that's what's bothering you. What is with you kids getting sick when you turn 4 months huh? You, your sister and your brother all get their first sickness when you turn four months! Well, it's a good thing that I'm home tomorrow, so you can depend on me all day. How does that sound? I'll take care of you. I'm a doctor you know, I am good at making people feel better." He smiles, walking into his room, "I think we have a winner of the flu bug."
"Damn." She says, as Hawkeye passes her to Margaret.
"I'm going to get a thermometer."
"Ok." She says, cuddling the baby.
Hawkeye takes her temperature and says, "It's not too bad… it's only 101."
"Now. Zack went up to almost 103… hopefully she isn't going to be that bad." Margaret sighs, rubbing her back. "I hate when they get sick." She sighs, "You know what this means, now that Kimberly has it, Natalie is going to get it."
Hawkeye looks at her, "Keep her in here for tonight. She really isn't going to cooperate in her room. And her mommy isn't going to be happy unless her baby is comfortable."
He walks out too the nursery and turns off the light, when he turns around he sees Natalie walking out of her bedroom, "Daddy…"
"What honey?"
"I hurt." She says, walking over to him.
"What hurts?" He asks, as he picks her up.
"Everything." She says, leaning her head against his neck.
"Margaret, I think you jinxed us." He groans as he feels her forehead against his neck.
"What?" She asks, as he brings his other daughter in the room. "Oh you have got to be kidding me." She sighs. "Here." She says, giving him the thermometer.
"Open up kiddo." He says, sticking the thermometer in her mouth.
"Daddy, it tastes yucky." She says, taking it out.
"That's just the alcohol honey, it cleans the thermometer."
"I don't like it." She says, fighting with her father.
"Natalie…" Hawkeye says.
"No I don't want it. It tastes yucky!"
Hawkeye sighs, he knows that she is exhausted and not feeling well, so losing his patients with her would not be good. She would start bawling. "Natalie, I need you to put this in your mouth honey, so we can see what medicine to give you." He practically pleads with the four year old.
"No, wash it off." She cries.
"Ok, Ok." He says standing up, walking into the bathroom and runs the thermometer off with water. "Here, is this better?"
"No!" She cries, which gets Kimberly started.
Margaret sighs, "It's going to be a long day."
"Ok honey, back to your room."
"NO! NO!" She says, "I want to stay here!"
"Well then we'll make a deal, you let me take your temperature and you can sleep in here." Hawk bargains.
"Ok." She says, taking her temperature.
Hawkeye checks it after a minute and stands up to get her medicine. She takes it and lays down next to her dad and sleeps. "This is ridiculous." He sighs.
"What are the chances of both girls getting sick at the same time?" Margaret asks.
"The same as all doctors getting the flu at the same time in the middle of a war."
"Touché." She smiles. She looks at Kimberly and sees she is sleeping, so she lies her next to her, "Good night."
"Good night." He says, moving Natalie over a bit more towards the middle.
The four of them sleep in the large king size bed until 7:30 when Zack wakes up. He comes happily into the room and jumps up onto Hawkeye. The kids have grown custom to waking up daddy every time he is home, and today was no acceptation. "Morning pal." He smiles.
"Hi!"
He puts a hand on his forehead, "No fever, that's great! DO you feel better?"
"Yup!"
"I'm glad. Let's go downstairs." He smiles and gets out of bed.
"I hungry."
"Ok, lets get some breakfast. Then today, you may be able to go over to Grandpop's, all by yourself!"
"Really?! No Kimbly or Nataly?"
"No Kimberly or Natalie." He smiles. "They aren't feeling too well today, and I don't want to have you get sick again, so we'll give Grandpop a call."
"YAY!"
Hawkeye makes breakfast and calls his father. He was off on Wednesdays now, so Hawkeye knew he would be willing to take his only Grandson, "Hi Anna, it's Hawkeye, is dad up?"
"Sure Hawkeye one minute." She says, and Hawkeye hears her call for his father.
"Hi Ben."
"Hi Dad, how's your day off?"
"Relaxing, what about yours?"
"Not so relaxing."
"Zack still sick?"
"No, now it's the girls."
"Both?"
"Both. They both woke up last night with the flu, and I was wondering, would you like to take your grandson for the day?"
"I'd be glad too. What time do you want me to get him?"
"I'll drive him over. I need to go refill some medication for Natalie and get some for Kimberly. I'll drop him off on the way to the hospital… or from, which ever I choose."
"Ok, what time?"
"Probably around 9:00?"
"Ok, I'll be glad to see him."
"Ok, thanks. I just don't want to chance him getting sick, and with both girls sick… we are in for a long day."
"No problem! I'll see you around 9:00."
"Right Dad, bye."
"Bye." He says and they both hang up.
"Well, you are off for a fun filled day of Grandpop time."
"Yay! Let go now!"
"Hold up there pal, you have too finish your breakfast and get dressed ok?"
"Kay." He smiles, sitting down and eating his cereal. By 9:00 Hawkeye was at his fathers and by 9:10 he was home, and all three of the girls were still sleeping. This was a godsend because the kids never sleep this late, but it was painful emotionally to the parents because they felt so ill.
At 9:30 both girls woke up, and spent the entire day lounging around the house. Kimberly wasn't happy unless one of her parents were holding her, and she showed her disapproval by a loud shrill shriek. Dan took Zack for the night, Hawkeye took off for one more day, and the girls spent almost two days with their parents recovering. By the second day, both girls were beginning to feel better, and on the fourth day they were back and running their normal routines.
"Well, we survived that." Margaret smiles, as Hawkeye got into bed with her, "Kimberly's first sickness, and our first illness with two kids sick."
"It could have been worse… three kids could have gotten sick."
"True." Margaret smiles, "And I hope Kimberly doesn't get sick again for a really long time…"
"Agreed." Hawkeye smiles.
It was almost November, and BJ and Hawkeye were discussing plans on what was going to be going on during their visit. The phone calls drove Peg and Margaret crazy because when they called each other, it always ended up a two minute phone conversation because BJ and Hawkeye would get on and talk an hour. They began calling each other during the day, but that still was interrupted because of the kids. They were very excited to be seeing each other, but there was a lot to do. Margaret wanted everything to be perfect, and no matter how much Hawkeye says it will be, she won't believe him. She was having her parents, sister, the Hunnicutt's and their entire family out for Thanksgiving. It was a very busy time of the year, and the Pierces couldn't wait. It couldn't come fast enough… or could it?
TBC…
Thanks for all the great reviews! Keep them up! 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! Forgive the small mistakes… I know they can be annoying, and I'm trying to get rid of them… Especially after today… I have the flu and can't sleep so I finished it… at 2am….
Thanks for all the great reviews! Please keep them up! Please R&R!
Thanks
STARY