CH 16: Birthday Interruptions
Life at MASH 4077 went on as normal as any mobile hospital five miles from the front lines can.
They worked, they were bombed, and they tried to keep themselves entertained.
It was a tight fit but Hawkeye had moved into Margaret's tent with her and Candace. They hadn't married yet and it seemed neither exactly was sure when the best time to do that would be.
It was a nice fall day in the R-O-K. It wasn't to hot or cold and most everyone was eating the slop that was being served for lunch.
"I feel like a bad parent subjecting her to this," Margaret teased watching Candace and Hawkeye both sniff some carrots. Both made faces before tentatively eating the orange stick.
"Amazing what habits are picked up," Potter laughed watching them as well.
"Hey Candy isn't your birthday tomorrow?" Killinger asked coming over with coffee refills.
Candace blushed nodding.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Margaret asked shocked.
"I…I don't like birthdays. Nothing good happens on them," Candace frowned.
"Well this time it will. Mags I am going to throw the best birthday I can for our baby!" Hawkeye stated as he pulled BJ with him out of the tent.
Candace blinked confused.
The next day Candace was being woken by her bed rattling. She opened her eyes from underneath her covers and found Margaret and Hawkeye squatted by the bed grinning madly.
"Happy Birthday Baby!" the two exclaimed.
Candace couldn't help but smile warmly as she sat up and was kissed by both.
"Here open up," Hawkeye grinned.
Candace smiled and opened the little box gasping as she pulled out a pretty light green and white polka dotted dress.
"It's so pretty! Thank you daddy," she grinned hugging him tightly.
"You're welcome baby. Now hurry up and get pretty I've got a whole big camp picnic all for you," Hawkeye grinned.
Candace nodded and hopped out of bed eagerly, "Mommy will you do my hair?"
"Yes sweetie," Margaret nodded.
Candace spent the rest of her day going around the grounds beyond the camp playing games and enjoying music and stuffing her face with hotdogs and cake and ice cream.
It was by far her most favorite birthday and not even the wounded that came in at the end of the day could ruin her mood.
"Ugh what a session," Hawkeye sighed as he, Margaret, BJ, and Potter slowly walked into the changing room.
"I feel dead," BJ sighed.
"You look dead," Hawkeye smirked.
"Hey you kids look," Potter whispered smiling.
The others looked around him and smiled seeing Candace curled up in a ball on the bench sleeping.
"She's so adorable," Margaret sighed.
"Yeah she is," Hawkeye smiled as he came forward and gently lifted the girl up.
Candace moaned softly wrapping her tiny arms around his neck and going back to sleep.
"Good night you two," Potter nodded and so did BJ as the little makeshift family headed back to Margaret's tent for a night of rest.