Yay! So the site is finally working again...because I couldn't upload anything for such a long time I have now completed the story...there are 15 chapters in all and I will upload as soon as I get (either) 5 comments or wait three days...per chapter. Thanks for your patience!
Margaret paced back and forth in the dark room rubbing Felicity's back and trying to get her to calm down.
"Shhh, it's okay Lissy; it will be over soon, it's alright." Margaret whispered such things into her daughter's ear repeatedly; the soothing words calming herself just as much as the child. Just as Felicity began to calm down another bolt of lighting flashed across the sky, quickly followed by a loud clap of thunder that caused Margaret to shudder and Felicity to begin screaming all over again.
Margaret walked into the other room and sat down in a rocking chair. She shifted Felicity so that the child's head was resting on her shoulder and Margaret began to rock slowly.
"Hush little baby don't say a word," Margaret sang in a quiet whisper. "Daddy's gonna buy you a mocking bird…" Margaret's voice trailed off as she chuckled cynically. She moved Felicity again so she could look into her face.
"I'm sorry," she apologized as Felicity whimpered at being moved so suddenly. She gently stroked her daughter's cheek.
"What are we going to do Lissy? The war is over and we have no where to go." It was August 2nd and Margaret was worried sick, wondering what was going to happen. Hawkeye generous plan had worked perfectly so far but they never really discussed what would happen when he came home.
"Well maybe you'll finally meet your grandmother." She whispered; but even as she said it, she was cringing. Margaret and her mother had never been close. In fact, they avoided each other at all costs. Margaret had always been her Daddy's little girl; he would understand her situation but never her mother. Margaret doubted that she would even be interested in her granddaughter. Margaret's sister, Sarah had always been her mother's favorite, and she already had three children of her own who were the apples of their grandmother's eye.
There was another crash of thunder and Margaret whimpered; it sounded so much closer. Margaret looked down at Felicity and noticed she was asleep. She cautiously stood up and carried her back into the bedroom; placing a gentle kiss on her cheek before lying her down.
There was a knock on the door and Margaret curiously walked to the door.
"Who the hell wants to talk to me at eleven o'clock?" she mumbled as she tied her robe around her. Margaret opened the door and she was instantly engulfed in a tight embrace. At first she was too stunned to move, but she quickly regained her composure and stomped heavily on the man's shoe. He yelped and Margaret pushed him away.
"What gives Hot Lips? Can't your husband give you a hug?" Margaret gasped and then smiled brightly and grabbed his hands, pulling him into her apartment.
"I am so sorry." She stammered. "Oh god Hawkeye, I can't believe it's you! When did you get back?"
Hawkeye chuckled slightly as he surveyed the one-roomed apartment. He was shocked at how small it was. I was almost the same size of her old tent, and the condition wasn't as good. He sat down on a worn, threadbare couch and Margaret followed.
"I flew in yesterday; well I guess it was this morning, around midnight."
"You must be tired, why don't you…"
"I'm fine," he interrupted. "I fell asleep on the way here." Margaret smiled and looked at her hands, resting on her lap. Now she could not think of anything to say to him.
"Did you get the pictures I sent you of Felicity?" she asked suddenly.
Hawkeye nodded but said nothing. Margaret studied him carefully. His hair had more streaks of grey than the last time she saw him. His face was more pensive and care-worn; something in his eyes she could not read. Their sparkle and shine had gone and they looked flat and dull.
"Are you alright?" she asked. He smiled slightly and nodded but still said nothing. Exasperated, Margaret stood up and held out her hand. He stood up and accepted it and she led him into the bedroom.
"This is Felicity," she whispered quietly to Hawkeye. She turned to look at him and was surprised to find that he looked terrified. She shrugged it off and turned to give her daughter a kiss on the forehead. When she straightened, she was surprised to see that Hawkeye had left the room.
When she walked into the other room, she saw Hawkeye seated on the couch, his head in his hands.
"Right after she was born something happened with you; what was it?" Margaret's tone was firm and cold. She was upset that Hawkeye was keeping something from her.
"I don't know what you're talking about Hot Lips." He responded; his voice sounded cool and detached.
"You do too know what I'm talking about. You hardly ever wrote to me and you ignored anything I ever said about Felicity. Oh, and don't call me Hot Lips!" Margaret was turning red and she crossed her arms, waiting for his reply.
Hawkeye stood up and walked over to her, stopping foot in front of her. "How can you blame me for not writing you? All of your letters were filled with news about your precious child! Do you want to know the truth? It made me sick every time I had to read another one of you letter filled with news about your daughter!"
Margaret's face had now turned a deep red and her icy blue eyes were burning with anger. "Get the hell out!" she screamed.
Hawkeye laughed mockingly and seated himself on top of her table. "Need I remind you Margaret that I am paying for this apartment and all of this furniture?"
Margaret's face turned white although she was still shaking with fury. She turned and marched into the bedroom, throwing clothing and personal items into a small suitcase. She emerged with the packed suitcase, a diaper bag, and a crying child.
"Where are you going?" Hawkeye asked, exasperated.
Margaret did not respond, she simply walked out of the apartment, down the stairs and into the pouring rain. She groaned as she realized it was still raining; but she refused to relent. She wrapped Felicity in another blanket and held her close. She quickly ran through the rain towards the small train station. It was not far and she reached it quickly. She hurriedly paid for a ticket to Maine and sat down on a hard bench.
Felicity began to cry again and Margaret stood up and began to pace the room. Margaret shivered at another crash of thunder. She regretted getting so upset but there was not a chance she was going back now.
It was three hours until the train left and Margaret was, wet, cold, and exhausted. Felicity quickly fell asleep again and Margaret sat down only to jump back up as she spotted Hawkeye through the window, walking towards the station. She grabbed her bags and dashed to the bathroom, locking the door behind her. She did not care if he came to apologize. She was furious with him for treating her the way he did, there was not a chance in the world she would talk to him now.