8.5 months into Margaret's pregnancy
Sidney Freedman, friend and psychiatrist, had shown up at the Pierce home one week earlier with his wife and son. After all, he couldn't leave them alone for who knew how long and he also thought having his son around would assist Hawkeye in dealing with a child. The Pierce home was officially very full, but with a four bedroom home, they had enough space for the baby's nursery.
At this point, Margaret was waddling around the house trying not to climb the stairs to the second floor too often. She felt like a whale and she was not happy about it. Margaret kept muttering to herself, "Come on baby, please get out! I love you so much but I feel like a whale. This is ridiculous, who thought I could actually expand this much?!" This sentence, or something close to it, was repeated daily in a low, hushed tone.
Hawkeye had been supportive and helped his wife whenever he could. If he couldn't, Mildred did. The Potters had been a blessing.
"Margaret, honey, where are you?"
"In the kitchen. Just getting a glass of milk."
Hawkeye walked over to the kitchen and smiled as his wife kept a hand on her stomach while she drank her milk.
"How are you feeling? How's Junior treating you?"
"I'm ok, feeling huge but ok. I just can't wait for our baby to be born."
"Me either. So, what do you think it is?"
"A baby?"
"Ha ha, very funny. Seriously, is it a boy or girl? I'm happy with whichever, you know?"
"I know, but I honestly think it's a girl. I feel it somehow. I don't know… It's so confusing."
"I know, but he or she will be joining us in a few weeks so not long now!"
"Hawk, where's Sidney? Where's Angela and Tommy?"
"They went out for lunch. They wanted to give us some space and, I think Sidney really wanted to try the lobster here. I have bragged about it for years!"
"I hope they come back soon."
"Why? Are you bored with me already?"
Margaret smiled, but then that smile turned into a wince, "No, not bored, but I think my water just broke."
Hawkeye looked down and saw a small puddle underneath his wife, "You're in labour aren't you?"
"You bet, Dr Pierce. I'm in labour. A few weeks early. With our baby. We need to get to the hospital."
"Colonel, Mildred! The baby's coming!"
He heard the Potters run downstairs. They both looked excited, but concern appeared on their faces when they saw Margaret in pain."
Mildred stepped in, "Margaret, let's get you seated. Let's get you some water."
Hawkeye began pacing around the house, "Ok, let me call my dad. I'll get him to call Al. I'll leave a note on the door for Sidney so he can meet us at Portland Hospital."
The Colonel calmed him down, "Son, I'll call Daniel and Al. Don't worry. I'll then drive over to the hospital. I'm sure your dad will give me a lift. Let Mildred drive ok? Just direct her to the hospital. You shouldn't be driving in your state. You're too nervous. Ok?"
Hawkeye looked at the Colonel, really saw his concern and smiled, "Ok, I'll let Mrs Potter drive. It's probably for the best anyway."
Hawkeye and Mildred got Margaret into their car as well as hers and the baby's hospital bag. Mildred drove quickly, but carefully, to Portland, taking directions from Hawkeye when they were needed. Both Hawkeye and Mildred could tell that Margaret was in pain, but the contractions were still 7 minutes apart. They hoped they had time to reach the hospital. It was an hour away after all.
"How are you holding up Margaret?"
Margaret smiled at her husband, "I'm fine at the moment, it's only when I get contractions that I'm in pain. Let's hope they stay as far apart as possible before we get to Portland. I don't want to give birth on the road."
After about 25 minutes, Margaret's contractions were down to 4 minutes. That was not expected. Margaret was getting absolutely terrified, "Hawkeye, Mildred, how far away are we? I'm struggling, I can't take this pain every four minutes!"
Mildred smiled and kept calm, "We should be around 30 minutes away, but please keep calm. Just keep breathing ok? You'll be fine. We will be there before you know it."
Margaret and Hawkeye kept her breathing exercises going and, thankfully, they made it to the hospital. As they approached the front desk BJ appeared. Hawkeye had never been more grateful that his best friend was on duty, "Beej, thank god. Margaret's in labour. Contractions are now 3 minutes apart. Can you get her inside?"
Before Hawkeye had even finished his sentence, BJ had organised for Margaret to be wheeled into maternity. Mildred stayed with her.
"Hawkeye. Breathe. She's ok, already inside. I'll deliver the baby. I know you might want to, but trust me, it's not a good idea."
Hawkeye didn't even argue. He was too nervous to deliver his child. Now that he had a minute to think about it all, he was growing very anxious, "Beej, I'm not ready for this. I can't be."
BJ smiled, "You have no choice, you'll be a dad at any moment and Margaret and your baby will need you. Be there for them."
When BJ left to go to see Margaret, Sidney arrived, "Is she ok? I saw the note on the door. I left my family at your place and drove right over. Your father, Al and Sherman are parking the car, but will be here soon."
"She's ok, BJ's taking care of her. I'm the one with doubts Sidney. I know I've got to be a dad for that child, but will I be ready for it?"
Sidney put his hand on Hawkeye's shoulder, "Do you want to be a father? Do you love your child?"
"Of course I want to be a dad and I love that baby so much it's unbelievable!"
"Then you're ready. Just take it one step at a time. I've given you all the tools to deal with this. Use them."
As both men smiled and walked over to the maternity waiting room, Daniel, Al and Sherman arrived. Daniel spoke first, "How is she Hawk? Is she ok?"
"Dad, she's fine, has been taken to her room. Mildred's with her and I'm more than happy about that. All we can do now is wait."
Al looked very concerned. He knew his daughter was strong, but she was his baby girl and he felt worried. Hawkeye noticed this, "Al, she's fine. I promise. She's probably yelling at the nurses for their incompetence and trying to get BJ to allow me into the room."
As if he'd read his wife's mind, BJ came into the waiting room, "Hawk, she's yelling at everyone so she's definitely fine. She wants you in there. I know fathers don't normally enter the delivery room, but you're a doctor. We can make an exception."
Hawkeye looked at BJ, then Sidney. Sidney gave him a brief nod and Hawkeye smiled, "Beej, let's go. My wife needs me."
….
I'm sorry for the delay in writing but work has been really busy. I'm sorry for