Portland hospital, November 1953, Saturday night, medical ward
Nurse Wendy Richardson was the first person Margaret saw when she woke up.
"You're ok, Margaret and the baby is fine too." Wendy said with half a smile.
"How is he?" asked Margaret in a weak voice.
"He's still unconscious." Wendy replied quietly.
"What happened?"
"Hawkeye got hit by a truck when he left the parking area and thrown down on the asphalt. It was a low speed accident, but it was a heavy truck." replied Wendy.
"I want to see him." Margaret said with determination
Crabable Cove, Pierce residence, Daniel on the phone with the hospital
"Pierce residence, Daniel speaking."
"This is Wendy from the hospital."
"Hi Wendy, what's up?"
"It's about Hawkeye. There has been and accident and he's in intensive care." Daniel's hand started shaking. He immediately had a flashback to the day he received the news of his son's death in Korea and he felt like falling into this black hole. Daniel collapsed on the floor, but Wendy's voice soon brought him back to reality."
"His condition appears to be stable. Margaret is ok and she's with Hawkeye now."
This information provided Daniel some comfort. He wanted to see his son right away, but he knew that he was still too chocked to drive. He decided to wait until the next morning.
Portland hospital, intensive care, Margaret and Robert
"There is no internal damage to his organs, but he got a severe blow to his forehead. There are no fractures..." said Robert. Margaret interrupted him.
"Tell me the truth. How bad is it?"
"It depends on the internal swellings in his head and his neck. We don't know if they have reached their maximum yet. I'll say it's fifty-fifty, but you know, this condition can improve rapidly once the swellings are gone." Margaret gasped in disbelief.
"That's like flipping a coin."
"You don't have to be here if you are not feeling well. " Robert said with concern.
"Thank you, Rob. I want to be here." Margaret said and Robert left the room.
Margaret sat down by Hawkeye's bed. She tried to remain calm, but soon despair and anger took over.
"How could you do this to me? Don't be so selfish. You can get well if you want to." Margaret almost shouted at Hawkeye. She gasped again realizing how much he actually meant to her and how powerless she was, right now. Hawkeye had not only been able to see the real Margaret. He did it, before she was able to do it herself, but he had also given her the strength to be herself and show him her deepest emotions.
She took his hand and pressed her lips against his cheek. In a low voice she said... "You're not selfish, darling"..."I am, but I need you, you see."..."You know me better than I do."..."I cannot do without you..."..." She kissed him again and his cheek got all wet from her tears. She got this strong sinking feeling in her stomach and it made her squeeze his hand. Her voice became a whisper. "I miss you so much."..."Please, come back to me, honey...please...please..."
Margaret must have fallen asleep. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. The hand belonged to Daniel. Wendy was also there. It was getting bright outside.
"Daniel!" Margaret exclaimed, surprised.
She immediately started to cry again and Daniel tried to comfort her. "There is still hope, Margaret. He has made it through the night and that is a good sign. Life is fragile, but his body is also one tough cookie when it comes to staying alive. "
"I know, but I just felt so safe with him after we went home from Korea. The thought that something bad could happen to us here never crossed my mind...Now he's fighting for his life and there is nothing I can do about that." Margaret said, sobbing.
"You should get something to eat and drink. Why don't we go and get some breakfast?" said Daniel.
Margaret and Daniel walked along the corridor when they noticed a blond woman further down. It was Carlye.
"I'm here with Kathy for her operation...I heard about Hawkeye and..." The two blondes sharing the same feelings for Hawkeye embraced each other and cried silently.
"You can see him if you want to." said Margaret
"Thank you, but I would only feel bad about interfering."
Wendy came rushing out. "He's waking up." They all rushed back to Hawkeye's bed.
Hawkeye looked at the three nurses, all with tears in their eyes. He looked at Margaret with a faint smile.
"You know, waking up with three gorgeous nurses around my bed is really nice. Maybe you ought to introduce that in your future treatments. I'm sure it would speed up recovery significantly." The three nurses sighed in relief. Hawkeye had not lost his sense of humour. Margaret threw herself over him and kissed him intensely. Carlye and Wendy left the room.
"Dad!" Hawkeye spotted Daniel with teary eyes and now Hawkeye realized how bad his situation must have been. "I guess, they contacted you because of me?"
"Yes, but fortunately everything turned out for the best once again." Daniel said, wiping away his tears.
Robert entered the room. Hawkeye looked at him and said...
"Do I have to stay here? I'd rather stay at home with the best nurses I know and the food is certainly better."
"Well, you have a severe concussion. I want you under observation here for another 24 hours and then I'll arrange for you to get home. Just make sure you stay calm and away from bright light."
"Thanks, Rob." said Hawkeye. Robert looked at Margaret and in a serious voice he said...
"Can I see you for a brief moment?"
"Yes, of course." Margaret and Robert went out in the corridor. "What is it? Is it about Hawkeye?" Margaret asked nervously.
"No. This is about requisitions. Margaret, I'm really sorry to bother you at a moment like this. You're by far my best nurse, but I have to tell you this. It seems like you forgot to file requisitions for alcohol and suture. I have no other choice but to give you a verbal warning. If it happens again, you will get a written warning and a third offence will lead to a dismissal."