Chapter 19: Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray.
Winter was upon them. The usual Lombardi gathering had started to shrink over the years, as each of the grand children were developing their own families, and traditions. For Hawkeye and Margaret, it was exactly that. With the new baby due in less than 12 weeks, and their life as busy as ever, the upcoming holiday was thankfully small. The house was busy on a daily basis, as the Pierces prepared for the newest arrival, with a three year old, and a one and a half year old running about the house. Margaret was getting increasingly agitated as her due date became closer.
"Daisy pick up your toys," Margaret barked at the little blonde who was sitting with her arms crossed on the stairs. "Now."
"No," Daisy screamed as Margaret felt her blood boil. Laura was perched on her hip, and her very pregnant belly was wearing her down.
"Daisy Allegra Houlihan, go and put your toys away, or time out," Margaret ordered as Daisy looked at her mother and started to wail. Groaning, Margaret moved up the stairs avoiding the crying preschooler. Laura who was still perched on her hip laid her head in the crook of Margaret's neck. "Little Laura," she said softly walking into her nursery, rubbing her back softly. "Time for a nap." Laura yawned in response as Margaret moved towards the crib.
Laura was her napper, the little girl slept on schedule, and often did not do well if her schedule was disruptive. Smiling at Margaret as she was laid down, her eyes fluttered shut as the blanket was drawn over her.
"Sweet dreams," Margaret whispered running her hand over the baby's head. She was hoping she would be able to have a small with the girls down, but with Daisy screaming at the bottom of the stairs stomping her feet, she knew it wasn't going to happen.
Hawkeye pulled up to the house and blinked a few times. Night shift always got the best of him. Grabbing his briefcase from the front seat, he moved quickly to the house and sighed when he heard the temper tantrum happening inside. They said two was terrible, but threes were even worse. Daisy would throw a temper tantrum at the drop of a pin as soon as she didn't get her way.
Opening the front door he looked at Daisy who was screaming on the stairs, and Margaret standing at the top, hands on her hips staring at the preschooler.
"Daisy!" He hollered as Daisy stopped screaming and stared at her father. Her face was beat red, tear stained, and she was breathing heavily. "Time out. In your bedroom. Now."
Margaret stared at her husband, and smiled softly as he ordered their daughter to take a break. Daisy stared at Hawkeye as she stood up and clambered up the stairs, tears falling from her eyes again, and she moved past Margaret to her room.
Margaret watched Daisy slam her door the best she could and listen to the cries, as Hawkeye walked up the stairs, kissing her cheek. "What's her problem today?"
"Asked her to pick up her toys," Margaret replied as she held stomach.
"I'll take the girls after their nap, we'll got to the park or something," Hawkeye offered as Margaret nodded. "How are you feeling?"
"Like a beached whale," Margaret replied sarcastically as she accepted the kiss on her cheek. "I'm going to take a shower. Then I'll make you a sandwich."
"Oh don't worry, I can feed myself," Hawkeye shrugged. "Any meatloaf left?"
"In the fridge."
"Good. Go shower," he kissed her cheek again, and pushed her towards their bedroom. Shaking her head, she disappeared into the bedroom as Hawkeye looked around. Laura's door was open, which gave him the opportunity to walk in and check in on his youngest. He smiled at the little girl, laying in her crib sound asleep. If Laura was one thing, it was calm.
You could still hear Daisy in the room next door and he knew she needed a few more minutes to calm down before he checked in on her. Running his hand over Laura's head and smiling at her calmness.
Moving downstairs, he rummaged the fridge to feel himself. Making a quick sandwich he listened carefully as he heard little footsteps come down the flight of stairs. Like her mother Daisy was hot headed and stubborn, but calmed down when she had time to herself. He listened to the patter of Daisy's feet as she entered the playroom, and the sound of her toys being put in the box brought a smile to his face as he ate. Shaking his head, he placed his plate in the sink just as the phone rang. Hopping onto the kitchen counter as he grabbed the phone he answered.
"Yellow!"
"Hawk? Is that you?" a familiar voice asked as Hawkeye grinned.
"I hope so! Klinger, how are you?"
"Oh just wonderful! Hey listen I got some great news! Soon-Lee and I are parents! Soon-Lee had a baby yesterday."
"Oh that's fantastic! Congratulations Klinger."
"Thanks Hawk! We named him Paul Chin Hwa Klinger. Soon-Lee says he looks like me, but I don't see it," the man chuckled. Hawkeye laughed.
"That's wonderful Klinger. I'm so happy for you," he beamed. "Welcome to the parent club."
"Thanks," Klinger laughed. "How is Margaret? Your newest is soon right?"
"Four weeks still," Hawkeye replied as he watched as Daisy walked into the kitchen, her face still tear stained from her fit. "Hey, there is someone here who wants to say hello," placing the phone on the counter he jumped down as Daisy walked to him. "Do you want to say hi to uncle Max?" Nodding Hawkeye hoisted Daisy onto the counter and placed the phone to her ear. "Say Hi."
"Hi."
"Who is this?"
"I'm Daisy," she grinned. "Hi." Hawkeye laughed as he left Daisy on the counter and moved to make her a snack as she babbled with Klinger. Hawkeye let her talk for a few more minutes before he handed her a sliced apple and took the receiver back. By the time Daisy was finished with her apple Margaret had made her way back into the kitchen.
"So Soon-Lee had the baby, a boy, they named him Paul."
"Oh, that's wonderful," Margaret smiled as she held her pregnant stomach. "Daisy, time for a nap baby."
"I'm not sleepy," Daisy announced as she sat on the floor.
"I am too tired to argue with you," Margaret sighed. "Why don't you go play with a puzzle?"
"Okay," putting her plate on the counter, Daisy walked out of the kitchen.
"Why are we having another one?" Margaret groaned as she slipped into the chair at the breakfast table.
"Because we make really cute ones," Hawkeye winked. Margaret rolled her eyes and leaned into his hands that rested on her shoulders.
"We're done after this baby," Margaret mumbled. "Mother is coming for Christmas. She wants to be around to help us with the baby, and Daisy and Laura."
"That sounds good. You know I won't be able to take too much time off work."
"I know, she was there to help with Daisy, but not Laura. I think with Daisy in nursery school, and only a year and a half…"
"We need help," Hawkeye chuckled. Margaret smiled and closed her eyes.
When Katherine arrived a few days before Christmas, Margaret was on a near warpath. She was down to two weeks before the baby was due, and had stopped sleeping. Daniel was helping out as much as he could, while still working in the clinic, and dealing with a flu outbreak. Christmas came and went in a very quiet fashion, with only Daisy excited about Santa Claus visiting. The usual phone calls were made on Christmas Day and the days following, all ending with hoping Margaret would give birth sooner rather than later. This sentiment was echoed loudly by Margaret who was as uncomfortable as she was cranky.
Her due date came and went, and Hawkeye was sure she was going to perform her own cesarean. Katherine was doing her best to keep Margaret calm, and busy. They had set up the crib in their bedroom as to give both girls their routines. Katherine was spending the days helping Margaret clean, and taking Daisy to nursery school and starting potty training with Laura. Winter always cooped the family up indoors, the snow and cold was not a favourite amongst the Pierces.
"Margaret, go lay down," Katherine said softly as she stoked Margaret's hair.
"Mom, I'm pregnant, not an invalid," Margaret snapped.
"And you're snapping. You're tired, and your body needs to prepare itself for this baby." Margaret glared at her mother and sighed. "Go take a nap. Laura and I will go get Daisy from school."
"I just wish he'd come," Margaret groaned rubbing her stomach.
"Still think its a boy?" Katherine asked as Margaret nodded.
"The girls weren't late. The pregnancy has been different, I'm carrying low, and large," one hand went rubbed the side of her belly. "We're done after this. No more babies."
"Rest Maggie," kissing her daughter's head, Katherine walked out of the livingroom, leaving her daughter on the couch.
"Hello?" Hawkeye asked picking up the receiver at the nurses' station, as he winked at the young candy striper who sat at the desk. He had been in surgery all afternoon, and exiting the OR, was at least 15 messages, and the young candy striper standing there stating that there was a phone call. "This is Dr. Pierce."
"Hawk, it's Chris."
"Chris, what's going on?" Hawkeye asked, his brows furring. Chris had taken over for him as the doctor at the clinic, and had been the OB for Margaret with this pregnancy. He had to admit it was nice with his working at the hospital that another doctor was taking care of Margaret. The clinic needed a second doctor since his father was getting older, and wanted to spend more time with Daisy and Laura than practicing medicine.
"I've been trying to reach you for hours."
"I've been in surgery. What's going on?" His mind started to race, was it his father? Daisy? Laura? Margaret?
"Well, I don't know how to tell you this."
"What is it?" Hawkeye demanded, slamming his fist to the counter.
"About an hour ago, I met you new daughter." Hawkeye stood speechless as his brain absorbed what he was being told. "Margaret went into labor, and I'm happy to report that the newest Pierce Girl weighed in at 7lbs and 8ounces, at 24 inches long, at 3:15pm."
"I'm a Dad again?" he asked almost in shock. "I'm a dad again!" He cheered. "Listen Chris! I'll be there as soon as I can! Tell Margaret I'll be there!" Not waiting for the other man to confirm, he hung up the phone, and picked up candy striper, swinging her around. "Julie! I'm a Dad again! Yahoo!"
"Congratulations Doctor!" the young woman laughed when he let her go.
"Pierce, you often cause a ruckus about a phone call?" Don Linden asked as he walked towards the desk.
"Don! Margaret had the baby!" he replied as the other doctor smiled.
"Congratulations!" Don shook Hawkeye's hand who was smiling from ear to ear. "Boy or girl?"
"Another girl," he laughed. "I have to go. Tell Mel for me? I'll be back in the morning."
Not waiting for a response, Hawkeye almost bounced out of the hospital. He subconsciously knew his excitement would be short lived, as the anxiety ran through his body. The same anxiety he felt when Margaret first came with Daisy, and anxiety that plagued him during Margaret's pregnancy with Laura. Now with another baby, with an almost 4 year old, a 1 and a half-year-old, he knew his life was changed. There was nothing to soothe the anxiety he felt with his children except talking about it. He knew that tomorrow he'd be sitting in Alexander's office, tapping on his knee, and Margaret would be okay with it. He loved his family, immensely, but the underlying anxiety would always be there.
He was now a proud father, of not one, but three beautiful children. He had a beautiful wife who knew everything he'd be through in Korea, experienced the same horrors, and would hold his hand whenever he needed it the most. He had a best friend who he could call at any hour, and would call him. He had his father who loved him unconditionally, and loved his wife and children.
By the time he pulled into the parking lot of the clinic, his mind was racing. He knew where he had to go, and knew what he needed to do. Taking a breath, he moved quickly into the clinic and greeted the nurse. "What room is she in?"
"Four," Jean replied. "Congratulations Hawk."
"Thanks Jean," he chuckled as he made his way upstairs. He reached the room, and slowly opened it. He smiled when he saw Margaret who was leaning back on the bed, nursing the new baby. "Hi."
"Hi," she smiled back at her husband. "Someone here wants to meet you."
"I thought we agreed you'd wait for me," Hawkeye joked as he moved to the bed.
"She had other plans," she retorted. Hawkeye chuckled as he slid onto the bed beside his wife. His hand moved to the head of the baby, which was covered in the reddest hair he had ever seen. "Red hair."
"Red hair. Maybe she'll look better than a tall Irish Setter," she winked as Hawkeye threw his head back and laughed. "We need to name her."
"Can we call her three?"
"No."
"What did you have in mind?"
Margaret took a deep breath and looked at the little girl. No distinguishable features of either her or Hawkeye. She was peaceful as she fell asleep. "What about Dianna?"
Hawkeye looked at the little girl, and smiled. "Dianna Grace Pierce."
"Perfect," Margaret smiled as she accepted the kiss from her husband, and the two sat for a few moments in silence, as they watched Dianna sleep in her arms.
