3

Part 2

Hawkeye helped Margaret up the stairs and into the spare room. Patty had told them where to find it. Margaret sighed tiredly as she stretched out on the bed. She was really a lot more worn out than she wanted to admit. Hawkeye sat down on the bed beside her and smiled a big, amused smile.

"What?" Margaret asked, puzzled by his smile. "What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing." Hawkeye replied, trying to be evasive, but then added. "I was just thinking how beautiful you are when you're angry."

"And you find that so amusing?" She shot back, wondering how that was connected with his amused look.

"No, but I was also thinking how glad I am not to be on the receiving end of that anger. I had enough of that in Korea." Hawkeye smiled at her slyly. "Who would have thought then that we'd get married and live happily every after."

"I certainly wouldn't have." Margaret admitted with a smile of her own. "I didn't think I could live 'happily ever after' with anybody. Especially after Donald."

"Donald was a number one jackass." Hawkeye spat angrily. "He thought a wife was something that you could take for granted and have when it was convenient for him." After a brief pause, he admitted. "You know, in a way, I feel sorry for him."

Margaret looked at her husband in surprise. "Why? Why would you feel sorry for him?"

"Because he didn't appreciate what he had. He didn't realize what a lucky man he was." He smiled lovingly at her. "But then, I guess I shouldn't feel too bad for him. His loss is my gain."

Margaret smiled softly at him. "I wish we could have realized back in Korea what a wonderful couple we would make, instead of wasting so much time arguing and fighting and on other worthless people."

"Those nurses were not worthless." Hawkeye objected in mock defensiveness. Then looking into her eyes he added, "They just weren't worth as much as you."

"Oh, darling." Margaret smiled and reached up a to touch his face. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Hawkeye said softly, kissing her hand gently. "But to be honest, Margaret, It's probably a good thing that we didn't try a serious relationship in Korea. I mean, we had enough problems just dealing with the war and its quirks without having to cope with the problems and quirks that a marriage brings as well. Remember the problems that you and Donald had. What if one of us had been transferred someplace else? What kind of marriage would we have had then?"

"You're right." Margaret smiled sadly. "We may have ended up getting divorced."

"Or, you may have gotten pregnant and been discharged." Hawkeye continued. "Don't forget, Becky was our first anniversary present."

"I remember." Margaret chuckled.

"Then I would have been in B.J. shoes." Her husband stated. "Alone in Korea, a wife back home with a child I miss watching grow up for her first few years."

"When you put it that way," Margaret commented, squeezing his hand. "It doesn't sound as good as what we've had."

"I think things worked out for the best." Hawkeye concluded, leaning forward to kiss her tenderly. "We're still together after seven wonderful years, we have two beautiful daughters, another healthy baby due any day. We're all happy, we're all healthy and we have each other. I couldn't want anything else."

"What about the future?" Margaret asked, placing her hand on her stomach. "Do you give much thought to the future?"

"When I think of the future I think of us being together for the rest of our lives. To watch our children grow up together, to enjoy our grandchildren together, to grow good and old together."

"Oh, Ben." Tears filled her eyes. "Your such a loveable fool aren't you?"

He smiled at her. "Just when it comes to you, my dear. Now, you try and get some sleep. It's been a long trip and I want you and the baby to stay healthy." He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. "I'll be downstairs if you need me."

"Ben," she put a hand on his arm to stop him. "I want to apologize for being so curt before. I was so mad at Frank, but I didn't mean to take it out on you. I know you were only trying to help."

"It's okay, Major." Hawkeye smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "If you can't yell at your old nemesis, who can you yell at."

She smiled lovingly back at him. "Will you stay with me for a little while?" She asked softly. "I don't want to be alone."

"When you put it that way, how can I refuse?" He joked, crawling over her and laying down. "Just be sure you don't tell my wife." She playfully swatted him as he opened his arms and gathered her to him. "Boy, wouldn't Frank really have a fit if he walked in and saw you all over me." He teased as she laid her head on his chest.

"He'd think you drugged me or something." Margaret laughed. "He'd never believe that I could actually love the likes of you."

"The likes of me?" Hawkeye repeated, pretending to be hurt. "Now, there's a romantic phrase."

"He just doesn't appreciate what a wonderful person and a loving husband you are that's all." She yawned sleepily.

"Go to sleep, darling." Hawkeye whispered, tightening his arms around her.