And here's another chapter! I am inspired to continue writing and feel that this story deserves to go on. I hope you enjoy!
Hawkeye approached his father-in-law carefully, but he made sure to smile enough so that the man knew that he was not going to kick him out.
"Dr Pierce. It's been a long time."
Hawkeye looked down at his wife and sighed, "Yeah, it has Colonel. How have you been?"
Al looked away, not knowing what to do, "Missing my daughter honestly and feeling ashamed of my behaviour when she told me she was going to leave the Army. I reacted in the wrong way. She's my only child, my only girl."
Margaret did not know what to say. She had never seen her father more open and exposed than at that moment. It scared her a little.
Hawkeye did not want to argue with the other man his wife loved so he simply said, "She's giving you another chance Colonel, who knows why. Please appreciate it and show your daughter that you love her. She has really missed you. She doesn't say it, but I know she feels it. I can see it in her eyes when I'm with my dad. My dad's been great with her, adopted her as a daughter really, but he's not her dad. She needs you more than you need her."
Al walked over to his daughter and hugged her. He whispered something in her ear that Hawkeye could not hear, but for the first time in a long time, Margaret laughed out loud – she was genuinely and completely happy now.
"Well, dad, why don't you come outside and see our friends?"
"Actually sweetheart, do you mind just sitting and talking to me in here? We have a few issues to sort out and, honestly, I just want to be with you."
Hawkeye smiled and made his excuses. His wife knew that would explain the situation to everyone for her and that he would make sure that they had all the time they needed to talk.
Margaret and Al made their way to the living room and sat opposite each other. Both really didn't know how to begin, but Margaret found a way.
"Dad, I've missed you. You have no idea how devastated I was walking down the aisle without you at my side. Colonel Potter did a great job and, I love him like a second father, but you should have been there for me. Look, I know that you're sorry and that you regret it. I don't hate you, but I needed to tell you how I felt."
Al kept silent, not really being able to argue with his daughter. He did not want to either.
Margaret took the silence as acknowledgement and then continued, "There is something I want to tell you though, something that even Hawkeye doesn't know. Can you keep it a secret for a couple of days?"
"Sure sweetheart. Are you ok? Are you sick?"
"No dad, but what do you think about the prospect of becoming a grandfather?"
Al's face broke into a smile. He couldn't believe it.
"You're pregnant?"
"I'm pretty sure I am. I went to see the doctor a few days ago and am just waiting for my blood test results to come back before I tell Hawkeye. I want to be 100% sure before I throw this on him. He had a very bad experience at the end of the war involving a baby so I need to break this news to him carefully."
Al did not know what had happened, but he knew it must have been serious if his daughter was being so careful.
"Ok honey, but congratulations. I am thrilled beyond belief and I can't wait to be a grandfather. I promise I will be a better grandfather than I ever was a father. Your child deserves that and so much more. You deserve that too."
How does Margaret tell Hawkeye the news? Will he be happy?