December 1956

Boston, Massachusetts

It was a cold December day and Hawkeye was waiting on the street beside his car. Danny was inside getting antsy because he was buckled up and wasn’t going anywhere. Hawkeye was getting antsy waiting for Margaret to get downstairs with her things so he could toss them in the trunk. She seemed to be taking forever to get out there.

When she appeared at the doorway he looked at her. "Finally, what took you so long?"

"I’m sorry," she said as she made her way to him with her suitcases. "I had to repack some things. They wouldn’t all fit."

He rolled his eyes and grabbed her things. "We’re only going for a week. You packed your entire apartment."

"I did not!" She handed him some of her things. "Be careful of those gifts in that bag."

"Yes ma’am," he saluted her. She just rolled her eyes at him and sighed. When he was done he shut the trunk down. "Are you ready to go Princess?"

"Yes!" She got in the passenger seat of the car and shut the door.

Hawkeye got in and sat down. The car was already started so that the heat would be on and it wouldn’t be freezing. He looked back at his son who was whining that he wanted to get out of the seatbelt. "It’s okay buddy. Margaret’s here so now we can go. Once we get going, you’ll be okay."

Margaret rolled her eyes. She looked back at the child as Hawkeye pulled out onto the road. "That’s not what his problem is."

"Really? What is it then?" He challenged.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "He’s squished. You have bags piled all around him. What did you do that for?"

"Because you have so much shit."

She huffed and turned around and bent over the seat to fix Danny up. Hawkeye smirked and looked at her ass out of the corner of his eye. "Here honey," she said to the baby. "I’ll fix you up." She moved some things onto the floor of the car. "I don’t know why you didn’t put these things on the floor. Danny doesn’t need floor room."

"You do it your way then."

"I will," she stated. She patted the child on the leg tenderly. "How’s that baby? Is that better?"

He nodded. "Yep. Ank you."

"You’re welcome." Margaret turned around and sat down and put her seatbelt on. "He’s fine now. I don’t know why you couldn’t figure that out."

"I don’t know." They were silent for a moment and then he started to smile and giggle.

"What are you laughing at?" She demanded.

"You."

"Me? Why?"

"You’re beautiful when you’re angry."

She smiled and rolled her eyes. "I am not angry. You just get on my nerves."

He laughed, "Well, you’re beautiful when I get on your nerves. Maybe I should do it more often."

"More often than 100% of the time?"

He just laughed. "You’re funny, Princess" he said with light sarcasm.

"Stop calling me that."

"You are."

She rolled her eyes again. "You’re a pain in my ass."

"As long as I have something to do with your ass."

She gasped and her jaw dropped. "Pierce! Watch your mouth. You don’t speak to a lady like that! Hasn’t anyone ever told you that?"

"What are you gonna do, tell on me?"

"I just might. We are going to see your father."

"Great," he smiled. "I can already tell this is going to be a fun trip."

They drove for two hours and laughed and teased each other most of the way. It was a fun trip and it was nice to be together like that. Danny was starting to get fussy in the back and wanted to get out and walk around a bit and he also needed his diaper changed. Hawkeye needed some gas for the car so he waited until he found a gas station and stopped there so he could take care of Danny too.

"Maggie," Danny whined as they pulled into the parking lot. "Want out."

"I know honey. Just a few seconds and Daddy will stop the car so we can get out." When Hawkeye pulled up to a pump he and Margaret jumped out. Danny had done more than just pee in his diaper. "I’ll get it," she said to Hawkeye.

He wasn’t about to argue with her. He hated changing diapers, but he never had the choice until Margaret came along. "Sounds good to me. I’ll pump the gas."

Margaret opened the back door of the car and grabbed a diaper and some wipes before unbuckling Danny. He was whining that he wanted to get out, but what was really bothering him was his diaper being full. "Maggie," he cried. "Pease. Me get out!"

"I know honey. Let me change your dirty diaper and you can get out and we’ll go in the store to get a snack. How does that sound?" She was sitting in the car with him and he was lying on the seat so she could change his diaper.

"No," he pouted. "Want go now!"

"Don’t yell at me," she warned him with a stern voice. "You better behave yourself and act like a gentlemen. I won’t allow you to turn into a little trouble maker."

Danny didn’t understand what she was saying, but he got the gist of it. He knew when she was stern with him that he needed to stop whining. He gave her a sad look. "Me sorry."

She smiled at him and gave him a kiss. "There," she said as she pulled his pants back up. "You’re all set. Now we can go in and I can use the potty. Okay?"

"K," he smiled as she took him out of the car. He saw his father at the gas pump. "Bye-bye," he waved.

Hawkeye smiled at him and looked at Margaret, "I’ll be in when I’m done."

"Okay." She slung her purse over her shoulder and grabbed Danny’s hand. "We’ll meet you inside." He flashed her a smile and she and Danny walked into the store.

Hawkeye pumped the gas and then went inside to pay for it. He decided to wait to pay the bill so they could get some snacks or drinks. He asked where the bathroom was so the woman pointed him in the right direction. He saw Margaret and Danny walking out of the women’s bathroom and smiled. "Hi."

"Hi," Margaret said. "Watch that wet…" Before Margaret was able to finish what she was saying, he stepped on the wet floor and his feet flew out in front of him and he was lying on the ground. Danny started laughing and Margaret held back her laughter to see if he was okay.

"Hawk, are you okay."

He was lying on the floor flat on his back. "Ah," he groaned. "Just bruised my ego." Margaret burst out laughing at him. Her laughter carried though the entire place and people smiled just hearing her. Hawkeye smiled too. He didn’t find his fall amusing, but when Margaret laughed, he had to at least smile. "Margaret, stop laughing."

She tried to stop and catch her breath. "You…you…did you…oh god…I…can’t talk."

He rolled his eyes and stood up. He didn’t find her laughter so amusing anymore. "Spit it out."

"You’re…f…f…face. Oh god!" She was hysterical.

"I’m going to take a piss," he said as he carefully walked to the men’s bathroom.

"Ok," she giggled.

Danny looked up at her and was laughing himself. He was still at that age where he would laugh when someone else did. "Daddy falled," he laughed.

"Yes he did." She picked up his hand and was still giggling to herself. "Let’s go shopping and have Daddy pay for it when he comes out." Margaret and Danny went and grabbed some snacks and some drinks while Hawkeye was in the bathroom. Margaret placed the items on the counter at the front and then picked Danny up. "You don’t have to ring those up. We’re waiting for someone."

The old woman smiled. "That cute man that fell on the floor?"

"That’s him," Margaret chuckled.

The woman looked at Danny and smiled. "You look just like your Daddy, darlin’. You have the same cute smile."

Hawkeye walked around the corner to hear her and stood next to Margaret. Danny flashed the lady that smile. "Me two," he held up five fingers and tried to bend them to show her two.

"Wow," the lady smiled. "Its about time Mommy and Daddy gave you a baby brother or sister to play and fight with."

Margaret opened her mouth to correct the woman, but Hawkeye beat her to it. "We’re working on it," he grinned. Margaret gave him a confused look and he handed her the keys to the car. "I’ll take care of this honey. Why don’t you start the car and get the baby settled?"

Margaret smiled and took the keys and Danny outside. When she got out the door she looked at Danny. "You’re father is so strange." Danny nodded yes and Margaret laughed. "You’re too cute!"

The car was started and Danny was settled comfortably in the back seat, and in a much better mood than he had been. Margaret was in the passenger’s seat smiling ear to ear. Hawkeye was a good person to travel with. He made the trip fun and funny.

He got in and shut the door. "God, it’s so much warmer in here."

"I know," she smiled. She and Danny had their coats off and were fine in the nice heated car. "Did you get everything?"

He handed her the bag. "Everything that you two had sitting on the counter."

"Good." She took out a package of crackers and handed one to Danny. "Do you want anything?"

"Not yet," he put the car in gear. "Maybe once we get going again."

"Okay." She placed the bag on the floor behind Hawkeye’s seat after she took out what she wanted. "What was that all about in there?"

He didn’t know what she was talking about. "What?"

"You let that lady believe that we were married and Danny was ours."

He smiled. "It was easier than explaining you were a friend that I met in Korea and now you lived above me in Boston and take care of Danny like you were his mother, but that you’re not."

She chuckled. "I guess you’re right."

"Besides," he grinned. "I know you loved the idea of being married to me."

She rolled her eyes, "Oh God. You’re really full of yourself."

He laughed. "You know you love it."

She smiled at him and then looked back at his son. He was ready for another cracker so she handed him one. "How much longer from here?"

"About an hour. Are you ready to meet my father?"

"I’ve always wanted to meet your father. I’ve often wondered where you came from."

He flashed her a smile. "You’ll have your own room and Danny and I will share on. We have to share a bathroom though. Dad’s bedroom is downstairs now and he uses that bathroom, but the two bedrooms upstairs have to share a bathroom."

"That’s fine. We shared one when I was staying with you."

"Yes we did, and it always smelled good in there after you got out of the shower." There was a big difference in the scent of the bathroom when she was staying with him. It smelled feminine and was a lot cleaner than he kept it.

"Daddy," Danny piped up. "Me want baf."

"You can have one tonight after dinner."

"Oh," he said.

Margaret looked back and smiled at the boy. Then she looked at Hawkeye. "He looks more and more like you all the time."

"You think so?"

"Yes I do. What is there to do in Crabapple Cove for a week?"

"Well," he smiled thinking about it. I’ll take one day and show you around and introduce you. They’re all dying to meet you. We can go ice skating if you like. We have to go to a Christmas Eve party at my Dad’s house, and then there’s Christmas dinner at my father’s. It’ll just be the four of us. Other than that, this vacation is just relaxing and being in a small town."

She smiled at him and how his face lit up when he talked about it. She wondered why he wasn’t living there. "Sounds like fun. I can’t wait to get there."

It was just under an hour later that they arrived in Hawkeye’s hometown. From the town line to his father’s house, it was 5 miles. All five miles consisted of houses that were spread out so everyone had their own privacy and could scream from their front porch and not have to worry about anyone hearing them. Then they turned down a long dirt road that was uphill all the way. Margaret could see a house at the end of the road. It was a cape style house that was white with red shutters and two dormers on the top that she assumed were the two bedrooms she and Hawkeye were going to be staying in.

"This is where you grew up?" She was astonished. It was absolutely beautiful.

Hawkeye smiled at her reaction. "Yep. You see why I missed it so much now?"

"I do," she smiled at him.

They drove up to the house and parked the car in front of the garage. Margaret couldn’t see behind the house and just assumed that it was the backyard, so she didn’t really try to look. She saw an older man walk out onto the porch. He looked a little like Hawkeye, but not much. He was taller and broader. He was wearing a pair of old worn out jeans and a red flannel shirt, making him look like the typical New Englander.

When Hawkeye parked the car he got out and went to get the baby, but Margaret told him she would get him. Hawkeye could go say hi to his father. Margaret put Danny’s coat back on him and then picked him up out of the car.

He smiled and pointed to his grandfather, "See Gampa?"

"I see him," she smiled as they walked over to the porch.

Margaret climbed the four stairs up to the wraparound porch with a smile. "Dad," Hawkeye said. "This is Margaret Houlihan."

"Hello," he smiled. He offered his hand to her and she took it. "Its so nice to finally meet you."

"You too," she beamed. "I’m glad to be here."

Danny smiled at his grandfather and held his arms out to him. "Hi buddy," Dan said taking him. "How are you?"

He pointed to Margaret with a serious face. "Dat my Maggie."

The three adults laughed and then Daniel played along with his only grandchild. "She’s your Maggie?" Danny nodded proudly. "You’re a very lucky little man." Margaret smiled at the older man. "Come on in," he said. "Hawk will show you around when he’s done bringing in the bags."

"I should help him. Some of its mine."

"Nonsense," Dan said. "You’re a lady and he’s going to treat you like such. Hawk, get the bags. We’ll be inside." Hawkeye rolled his eyes when his father turned his back. Margaret saw that and smiled at him, causing him to smile back. "Come on in," Dan said. He was holding the door open for her.

She looked at him, "I’m sorry." And she walked into the house.

The first impression she got was that the house was very masculine. The living room was carpeted in tan and the furniture was brown leather. There were pictures on the wall and mounted fish. It looked like a lodge. Dan lead her into the kitchen next. That room was very bright and welcoming. She guessed that Daniel’s girlfriend had something to do with that. There were flowers in the window and on the kitchen table.

"Have a seat. Take your coat off."

Margaret took her coat off and hung it over the kitchen chair. Daniel put Danny down and he walked over to her. She sat down in the chair and started to take his jacket off for him. She smiled at him and gave him a kiss before letting him go. She caught Dan smiling at her, but didn’t know why. "This is a beautiful house you have here Dr. Pierce."

"Thank you," he took a seat at the table. "But call me Dan. Now what is it that I should call you?"

"Margaret is fine."

He smiled, "Not Maggie?"

"That’s for Danny. He couldn’t say Margaret."

"I see. How do you put up with my son? I hear you two spend a lot of time together."

"We do, but I do it for Danny."

The older Pierce laughed. "I like you. I bet you make my son walk the line."

"I try, but you know how he is."

"I do. He’s a giant pain in the ass."

Margaret laughed at what he said then Hawkeye walked into the kitchen. "What’s so funny?"

"Nothing son. Why don’t you show Margaret around and show her where she’s staying."

He gave his father a puzzled look. "Alright, but keep an eye on Danny for me." He looked at Margaret, "I’ll be your tour guide. Care for a map, miss?"

"I’m fine." She stood to her feet and he showed her the downstairs. There was a bathroom down there, a den, and Daniel’s bedroom. Off of the kitchen was a dining room that looked like it had hardly ever been used. Hawkeye said they only used it for holidays or Sunday dinners.

They moved upstairs and came to the bathroom at the top of the stairs. It was a nice size bathroom, but it was just a bathroom. Then they moved to the next room which was Hawkeye’s. The walls were white and there was a queen size bed in there and a small cot for Danny to sleep on. It looked like the typical guest room. Hawkeye told her it was his as a child, but his father cleaned it out and made it more of a guest room so that anyone could stay in there. There were two windows that looked out to the backyard, but the curtains were closed so she couldn’t see it.

Then he took her to the room that she was staying in. She couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw it. It was gorgeous. The walls were a deep red and the comforter was white and very thick. It looked like you could sink right into the bed. There were lace pillows on it and lace all over the room.

"Hawkeye, this is beautiful. I never would have expected it."

"I know," he smiled. "That’s why I brought you in here last. My mother loved lace and the color red. When Dad moved downstairs after she died, he did this as sort of a tribute to her memory."

"Is it okay that I stay in here?"

"It’s fine. That’s what its for." He smiled at her face. She was beautiful no matter what she did. "Did you see this?" He pointed to the back where there were two French doors.

"No, oh my," she gasped. She pushed open the curtains and the doors and stepped out onto the balcony. It was cold outside but she wanted to see the view. "Hawkeye, this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

There was about 5 acres of land behind the house and then a cliff dropped off. After that was the most spectacular view of the ocean she had ever seen. He walked up to her and stood next to her. "It’s great, isn’t it?"

She smiled at him. "Why the hell do you live in Boston when you could live here?"

"Work," he said simply. He pulled her back inside to the warm house. "I’ll take you for a walk to the end of that cliff later and you can see what it looks like."

She smiled brightly. "I’d like that."

"Me too. You can look around up here and I’ll get your bags so you can get settled."

"That’s okay, Hawk. I can get my own bags."

"I’ll get them. My father would kill me if he saw you bringing your bags up here knowing that I could do it."

"He’s a very traditional man, isn’t he?"

"Isn’t all of his generation?"

She smiled, "I guess so. I don’t think he’d be very happy with you if I told him about the remark you made about my ass earlier."

He looked at her with confusion written all over his face. "I didn’t think you saw me looking at you when you were bent over the seat fixing Danny."

"What?"

He grinned when he realized what she was talking about. He just told on himself. "Nothing. I’ll be back with your bags."

She rolled her eyes and smirked when he turned his back to leave. ‘You’re really something Hawkeye Pierce,’ she thought to herself. She looked around the room and out at the view while she waited for him to bring her bags up.

That evening Daniel made dinner for the two of them. He would let Hawkeye take her into town and introduce her to people and show her around later. Over dinner they all talked about their lives and work. It was more of a getting to know you dinner than a family dinner. Most of the talk was between Dan and Margaret.

It was 11PM and Danny was sound asleep upstairs. The three adults were in the living room talking to each other, but it was getting to be too much for Dan. "Well kids, I have to get to bed. I have work early in the morning."

"Goodnight," Hawkeye said.

"Margaret, it was nice meeting. Have Hawk stop by my office tomorrow while you’re out and I’ll show the practice."

She smiled brightly at him. He was a wonderful man and seemed like a great father. "I will. Goodnight, sir."

"Hawk, did you hear that?"

"What?"

"The manners. You need to spend more time with her and maybe her good manners will rub off on you."

Hawkeye rolled his eyes while Margaret tried to stifle a laugh. "Night, Dad."

"Goodnight, Son. Goodnight Margaret."

She smiled at him as he walked away. "You’re father is great," she told Hawkeye.

"Yeah, he is, but don’t tell him I told you that."

Margaret laughed at him. There was something about the Pierce family that made her feel so comfortable. They were warm and inviting and kind. It was nice to be with people like that. "I’m kinda tired too," she admitted through a yawn.

"I can see that. I better get to bed anyway. Danny will up early and I have to get up with him. I’ll walk you to bed."

She stood to her feet and was led to the stairs by the small of her back. She always felt protected by him, and she was. He led her up the top of the stairs and to her bedroom door. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, told her goodnight, and then went to his bedroom.

Danny was lying in the middle of his bed. He had knocked the covers off and was almost shivering. Hawkeye smiled and tucked him in good. He stripped down to his boxers and crawled into his bed quietly. He drifted off to sleep quickly. Being back home always made him feel comfortable and relaxed.

Margaret was already in her pajamas and ready for bed. She took her robe off and placed it on the chair. She still couldn’t believe the room she was staying in. It was better than the most expensive hotel, and Daniel let her have it. She had found out from Hawkeye later that night that Daniel didn’t let just anyone stay in that room. Most of the time if Hawkeye was there, that was where he would stay and Danny would have his own room. He didn’t like a lot of people to stay in there, and for that reason Margaret felt honored.

When Hawkeye woke up in the morning, he looked at the clock. He saw it was 5AM. That was too early to get out of bed and Danny wasn’t awake, so he didn’t bother getting up. He turned to look at his son and saw that the bed was empty. He bolted up in the bed and looked around. The door was open. ‘Oh god,’ he thought. ‘The stairs.’

He jumped out of bed and ran out the door. The bathroom door was shut and the gate that he placed at the top of the stairs was secure. The only thing that was different was that Margaret’s bedroom door was open. He thought he closed it when she went to bed. He walked over to it and looked inside. He saw Danny lying in her bed, cuddled up to her.

Margaret opened her eyes and saw Hawkeye. He was walking over to the bed to get Danny. "I’m sorry," he whispered.

She held her hand up to stop him. "It’s okay." Her voice was low. "He’s fine. Go back to bed."

"Are you sure?" She nodded. "Okay."

He looked at the two off them once more before leaving. Margaret was lying on her back with her arm around Danny. Hawkeye knew what that was about. Danny loved Margaret as though she were his mom, and sometimes he needed her like a child needs their mother. Hawkeye was just glad that Danny had a female to take care of him and love him in only a way a woman could do.

Margaret woke up before Danny and took her shower. She was dressed and had her hair and makeup done by the time he woke up. He was lying in the middle of her bed looking out the doors to the ocean when she walked in. He had a sleepy smile on his face when he saw her.

"Good morning. Did you sleep good in my bed?"

Danny’s little smile became big and bright. "Yep."

"Good. How come you didn’t sleep in your bed, honey?" She sat down on the bed and looked at him.

He was silent for a moment and then answered her. "Want you."

"Did you have a bad dream?" He shook his head. "Did Daddy snore?" He nodded yes. "I thought he might. Are you hungry?"

"Yep. You make?"

"Yeah. I’ll make breakfast for you, but lets change that diaper first." She had come prepared with a diaper for him and pulled him closer to her so she could change it. "When we get home, your father has to start potty training you. You’re getting too big for diapers. Daddy works hard, but he needs to take the time to teach you."

Hawkeye woke up and saw that it was 10AM. He loved when Margaret was around. That was the only time he could sleep in. He lay in bed for a while just relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet. He finally pulled himself out of bed a half an hour later and put his robe on to go downstairs. When he rounded the corner at the bottom he saw his son sitting on the living room floor playing cars with Margaret.

"Good morning. I didn’t think you were ever going to get out of bed."

"Yeah, well no one woke me up."

"I figured I’d let you sleep for today since you’re buying me lunch."

He smiled and nodded. "Is there any coffee made?"

"It’s in the pot. You might have to warm it up a little."

"Thanks." When he walked past them he patted Danny on the head. "Good morning, buddy. Did you sleep well?"

"Yep," he smiled.

"Good." He headed to the kitchen and Margaret decided that Danny could play alone, so she followed Hawkeye into the kitchen. She had been up for hours and was ready to go see the town and meet some people. She wanted to get Hawkeye moving so they could do that.

It was around noon before Hawkeye finally got moving. Margaret was frustrated with him. She had never seen a man take so long to get moving. He didn’t have an excuse this time either. Margaret had Danny all taken care of and the two of them were ready to go. Hawkeye was the one holding them up.

He took them to the diner in town and introduced Margaret to all the people in there. It was amusing how he knew each person and they all seemed to know who she was. She couldn’t think of any reason why they would all know her. She would have to ask Dan that later at home.

Hawkeye took her over to his father’s office and they visited for a couple of minutes, and then they went ice skating. Margaret hadn’t gone in years and didn’t know if she could even do it. She had to hang onto Hawkeye, and she found that she didn’t mind, she really liked it. She got her balance, but pretended like she didn’t just so she could hang onto him. She was surprising herself by doing that.

"Are you ready to go home?" He asked her.

"Yeah. I’m freezing."

"I’ll warm up when we get home." He grinned and held her hand as they skated over to the bench where they had their boots. Danny was sitting there in the pile of snow playing.

Margaret rolled her eyes and pretended to be disgusted, but she wasn’t. She actually liked the sound of him warming her up. "Danny honey," she said. "Are you ready to go home?"

He nodded yes. It was 3 o’clock and he was very tired. He had missed his normal nap and was more than ready. "You go me?"

"I’m coming with you. Don’t worry about that. Are you tired?"

"Yes," he climbed onto her lap and rested her head against her.

Hawkeye grabbed Margaret’s ice skates and slung them over his shoulder with his. "Let’s go."

Margaret stood up with Danny in her arms and carried him over to the car. He was so tired that he didn’t even have the energy to walk, and with Margaret there he didn’t have to worry about that. She would take care of him.

Danny was asleep before they made it back to the house. Margaret took him out of his snowsuit and boots while Hawkeye put away the ice skates and started a fire. After she laid Danny on the couch in the den she joined Hawkeye in the living room. He was sitting on the floor fighting with the fire. She sat down next to him Indian style and smiled. "Having a hard time?"

"It won’t light."

"You want me to do it?"

"I can manage." He fought for a few minutes before he got it lit and then gave her a triumphant look. "See, I can do it."

"Finally."

He smiled, "Hey. I haven’t lit a fire for a long time."

"Excuses, excuses," she teased.

"You cold?" He saw her shake every once in a while.

"A little, but I’m fine. The fire will warm me up."

Hawkeye ignored what she said and grabbed the royal blue fleece blanket that was on the back of the chair. He wrapped it over her shoulders and sat back down next to her. "There’s no need to freeze."

"Thank you."

"You’re welcome. Did you have a good time today?"

She smiled brightly and he knew that she did. She did nothing but laugh and flirt with him all day. "It was wonderful. There is one thing though…"

"What’s that?"

"I can’t understand why you don’t live here. Why do you chose to live in the city and raise your son there instead of here?"

"Well," he looked at the fire instead of her. "Its work mostly. I want the best for him, but I can’t be happy here if I’m not happy with my work. If I’m not happy, I can’t give him a happy life. Maybe one day we’ll move back if I get a good position in Portland."

"You’re son really loves it here."

"I know he does, but to be honest with you, I don’t think he could handle being away from you for that long. All he talked about when we were here at Thanksgiving was you."

A smile spread across her face. "He has good taste in women unlike his father. I can’t believe you still date those floozies when you have a two year old son."

"I’m turning over a new leaf now. I haven’t been out with anyone for a month. Haven’t you noticed?"

"I have and I’m proud of you. You need to get that baby a mommy."

"I think he thinks he has one."

She smiled. As much as she would like to hold that title for him, she couldn’t do that. She didn’t want him to think he lost his mother if she got married and had children of her own, or if Hawkeye got married. It was an odd situation to be in for her. She was his father’s friend, but he looked at her as his mother. "I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing."

"Me either," he said honestly.

There was a moment of silence before Hawkeye spoke up. He never liked those awkward moments and he and Margaret always had them because they were each holding things back. He had feelings for her, and would have loved more than anything to ask her out on a date, but he didn’t want to ruin their friendship. He had worked so hard to get her to open up to him and he didn’t want to ruin all those years of work. He would rather have her as friend than nothing at all.

"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, do you have all your shopping in?"

"I do," she was grateful for the change in subject. "How about you?"

"There’s something I would like to pick up tomorrow. Would you like to go with me?"

"No thank you. I don’t like to go to the stores on Christmas Eve. They’re packed with men who are getting in their last minute shopping."

He laughed. He was among that large group. "Well, in that case would you mind keeping Danny for me while I’m gone? It’ll be a lot easier and quicker if he’s not with me."

"That’s fine."

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Christmas Eve was spent with friends and family at Daniel’s house. They had the annual party and then Christmas day was spent at home with the closest people to you. That was when gifts were exchanged and they had a big breakfast and dinner.

Hawkeye was like a child when it came to opening the gifts. He was more excited than Danny was. Danny didn’t lack for anything at all. Santa brought him lots of toys, Dan bought him a small fishing pole to use in the spring and a tackle box. He was a little young for it, but Dan didn’t think so. It seemed like Margaret bought him a whole new wardrobe. He had a very good Christmas and enjoyed every bit of it.

Hawkeye also received clothes from Margaret. She said she was sick of seeing him in the same old clothes all the time and expected to see him wearing his new ones. He agreed and then handed her a gift. She was in awe when she saw it. It was a tear drop diamond necklace on a gold chain. He told her that he expected to see her wearing that to the New Years Eve party he was taking her to in Crabapple Cove. He never told her about the party until that day.

Daniel watched the two of them that morning and he could see that something was going on. They were more than just friends, but yet they weren’t a couple. They were stuck somewhere in the middle. He felt bad for his grandson in a way. He had a potential mother and someone he loved, but his father was too stupid to make a move.

Daniel decided that Margaret and Hawkeye were going on a date. Hawkeye had just invited her to that party because he didn’t want to lead anyone on in town and Margaret knew that. It didn’t bother her, but part of her wished he had asked her because he wanted to go with her, not because he didn’t want to go with someone else. Daniel decided that he was making it a date.

He got Hawkeye to dress in some of the clothes Margaret had bought him. It wasn’t a black tie affair, but it was a nice party. One of Hawkeye’s old friends threw it every year. Daniel made Margaret go shopping in a clothing shop in town, but before he did that he talked to the owner of the shop. She was supposed to make sure Margaret looked beautiful and too hard to resist.

"Where are you going?" Hawkeye asked when he saw Margaret with her coat on heading out the door.

"Your father is taking me into town and bringing me to a shop to find something to wear for tomorrow night. Did you need something?"

"No," he smiled. "Just wondering. Don’t let my father lay a hand on you. You know how he is."

She just rolled her eyes, "That’s you Pierce. I’ll be back in a little while. You’re father is waiting in his truck for me."

He smiled at her. "Bye."

"Bye."

Danny walked up to his father as he closed the door. "Where Maggie go?"

"She went shopping with Grandpa."

"Me wanna go too." He started to open the door.

Hawkeye picked him up and pulled him away. "No buddy. You can’t go. Maggie will be back soon."

"No," he started to pout. "Wanna go."

"Sorry, she’s already gone." He started to breathe hard through his nose which meant he was getting ready to throw a fit. "Stop it. Why don’t you and I find a snack."

"Okay."

Margaret and Daniel were gone for two hours that afternoon. When they drove up to the house Hawkeye and Danny were outside in the front yard playing in the snow. Danny was all bundled up and could barely move around, but he was having a good time anyway.

"Look at that," Margaret smiled as they pulled up the road. "Isn’t he the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?"

Dan smiled and pulled up to the driveway. "Hawkeye?"

"Yes…I mean no. Danny." She caught Dan looking at her and trying not to laugh. "You’re as bad as your son."

He laughed and grabbed the bag and boxes and headed into the house. Margaret took her time and stopped to watch the father and son playing in the snow. Danny spotted her and waved. He was too occupied with the snow to want to go see her. She started to walk into the house when she felt a snowball hit her back. She turned around with anger written all over her face and saw Hawkeye laughing.

"You know, that’s not good manners! You have a child watching you!"

"He looked away," he smiled. "I got you!"

She narrowed her eyes and ran after him. He was sitting in the snow and tried to get to his feet, but stumbled. She plowed into him and pushed him face first in the snow landing on top of him. "Got you," she laughed. He pushed up and pushed her off of him causing her to land on her back in the snow. "Ahhh, you jerk."

He straddled her keeping her pinned in the snow. "You think giving me a white wash is funny?"

She smiled brightly, "Yes. Now get off me. I’m not dressed for this like you are."

"You’re wearing a jacket and mittens."

"Yes, and jeans that are getting soaked as we speak. Not to mention my hair."

He rolled his eyes. He leaned down towards her face so Danny couldn’t hear. "I can take a hot shower with you and make sure you get warmed up." Her jaw opened and her eyes widened. "Is that a yes?"

She slapped him, "Pierce!" He grabbed her hands so she couldn’t hit him anymore and pinned them above her head. "Let me go!"

"No. Tell me you’re sorry for hitting me."

"Me? You hit me with a snowball first!"

"Well you hit me!"

"Because you hit me with a snowball."

He smiled at her and she smiled back at him. "Say you’re sorry."

She had to admit that he looked very cute with his hair falling forward like that while he was over top of her. "No."

He looked into her eyes and she looked into his. They both lost their smiles and just stared into the other’s eyes searching for truth. Hawkeye moved in closer. Her lips were irresistible. He kissed her softly and let go of her hands. She moved her hands to the sides of his face and kissed him back. They would have continued, but Danny jumped on top of them laughing and giggling.

Hawkeye rolled off her and grabbed his son. "What are you doing? You think you’re funny, don’t you?"

"Scare you," he smiled.

"Yes you did." He looked at Margaret and she was smiling. He stood up and helped her to her feet. "I’m sorry."

"It’s okay. I’m gonna go inside and let you two play."

"Are you upset?"

"No." She gave him a smile and walked away. She didn’t want him to be sorry because she wasn’t.

Hawkeye stayed outside with his son for a while. When he went in Margaret and Dan were sitting together at the kitchen table with two cups of coffee. They were laughing and talk, and for the first time Hawkeye felt awkward. He felt like he was intruding. It was Margaret that made him feel that way. Every time she looked at him he felt like she was looking right through him and he started to feel guilty.

He avoided her the rest of the night and found himself regretting ever inviting her to go with him. He knew that if he got too close to her something like that was going to happen. Now they were going to be forced to spend an uncomfortable evening together. Things weren’t the same. He knew he was going to do something to foul it up.

The next day was New Years Eve. By the time Margaret woke up, Hawkeye and Danny were gone. She knew that Hawkeye was avoiding her. He hadn’t flirted with her since he kissed her. And now he left before she woke up. She was expecting him to call and cancel for the night. She really didn’t want him to do that. She wanted to go out with him and meet some of the people he grew up with. She hadn’t been out for a while.

Hawkeye came back around lunch time and brought some pizza with him. He seemed to be in a good mood. He laughed and joked, but there was no flirting. Most of his attention was on his father or his son. Margaret didn’t mind that, but she didn’t like how odd he was towards her. She decided to push any thoughts about it out of her mind and go on with the day.

That night around seven she started to get ready to go. He said he still wanted to bring her, so she was still going to go. She jumped in the shower and took a nice long hot shower. Hawkeye would have to wait if he wanted the bathroom. When she got out she decided to stay in the bathroom and do her makeup, brush her teeth, dress, and take her time.

Hawkeye was waiting downstairs for her to get out of the bathroom so he could get his shower, but she was taking forever. He wanted some hot water for himself and he wanted to take a shower. He stomped up the stairs and knocked on the door.

"What?"

"You done with the shower?" He snapped.

"Yes!" Hawkeye opened the door without asking if it was okay to come in. His eyes went wide when he saw her. She was standing in her pants and bra brushing her teeth. He froze and held his eyes on her chest. "Pierce! What the hell are you doing?"

"S…so…sorry," he stammered. He headed out and shut the door behind him.

Margaret looked at the door. "Damn thing." It didn’t have a lock.

Hawkeye smiled to himself when he was outside. She looked very good. Her hair was in a towel, but he really didn’t notice that. All he saw was her chest and stomach. His eyes couldn’t focus on anything else. He knocked on the door again. "Hurry up. I need to get a shower too."

"ALRIGHT!" He chuckled to himself and walked down the hall to his room.

Hawkeye jumped in the shower and then got right back out. There wasn’t very much hot water for him. He shaved quickly while he was in there and then let Margaret have the bathroom so she could blow dry her hair and finish what she was doing.

A half an hour after Hawkeye was done, Margaret came walking downstairs. She was wearing a very nice pair of black slacks with open toed black heals. It wasn’t the best thing for the winter in Maine, but it looked good. Then she was wearing a sheer maroon/pinkish blouse over a matching camisole. Hawkeye could see her cleavage and her chest. The tear drop diamond necklace that he bought her looked wonderful. Her makeup matched beautifully and she was even wearing a smile which surprised him. He thought she would be angry, but she wasn’t.

"You look beautiful," he smiled with delight. He never doubted that she wouldn’t.

"Thank you. You look good too." He was wearing the black pants that she bought him with a deep blue dress shirt.

"We’re going to be the best looking couple there. Are you ready to go?"

"I am. Let me get my coat." Hawkeye beat her to it and held it out for her. "Thank you."

"You’re welcome." He grabbed his jacket and put it on. "Danny, come here and say bye-bye." Danny ran over to him and jumped in his arms. "Bye buddy. Be a good boy for Grandpa. Daddy and Maggie will be back later."

He gave his father a kiss on the check. "Bye-bye Daddy."

Margaret leaned in and kissed the child on his cheek. "Bye honey, I’ll see you later."

"Bye Maggie. Miss you."

She smiled brightly, "I’ll miss you too. Be a good boy."

Hawkeye looked at his son in his arms, "Are you gonna miss me?"

"Nope. Maggie."

"Not Daddy?" He shook his head no and smiled. "You’re a little…"

"Pierce," Margaret answered. "He’s a little Pierce."

Hawkeye and Dan laughed. Hawkeye gave his son a kiss and put him down. "We’ll be back around one. Is that okay?"

"Whatever you want. We’ll be sleeping so don’t call."

"Okay. Bye. Thanks."

Hawkeye drove the two of them to the party. It was already in full swing so the two of them joined in without a problem. Hawkeye went his way talking to the men and Margaret was taken under the wing of the women. They told her all about Hawkeye as a kid and asked her what he was like in Korea. They both had a great time. They were able to socialize with normal everyday people without it being in a work setting. It was a nice break from the parties they attended back in Boston.

Most of the conversation in Hawkeye’s group consisted of all those married men asking about the new woman he brought with him. He had never brought a woman back to Maine and they tried to get out of him just what the relationship was between them. They did it as guys did it and wanted dirty details, but there were none to give.

Margaret was pestered about what exactly the relationship was, but like she had always done before, she avoided the topic. She didn’t answer and always changed the subject. Most of these women were small town house wives and all of them had children. She would turn the topic to their children and they would forget all about her and Hawkeye. It was known fact that if you ask a mother to talk about her children they jump at the chance and it had helped Margaret out of many uncomfortable situations in her life.

As midnight neared the couples started to pair off for the kiss. Hawkeye and Margaret were together once again and stood in a group with another couple that had been married and had two young children. They were both bored with what the people were saying and would look at each other and want to start laughing, but had to hold it back. When they escaped from that couple they tried to break away from the group so they wouldn’t have to do that awkward kiss at midnight. Hawkeye grabbed their coats and they went outside to the front porch.

Hawkeye smiled at her as they got on the porch. "Ah, much better out here."

"Yes," she agreed. She pulled her coat tight around her and sat on the bench out there. "I’m having a good time."

He sat down next to her. "Me too. It’s the first time I brought anyone with me. Usually I come alone and leave before midnight. Its kinda nice not to have to."

She smiled at him and rubbed her arms to get warm. It was freezing out, but it was more comfortable than being inside at the moment. "I still can’t figure out why you live in Boston."

He smiled and wrapped his arm around her. She gave him a mean look as to ask, ‘What the hell are you doing?’ with her eyes. "You’re cold. Body heat makes you warmer."

She smiled and let him hold her. She loved the feeling. "Uh oh," she heard everyone inside counting down from 20. "Its almost 1957."

He smiled. He really wanted to kiss her again and now they were so close it was much more tempting. She looked into his eyes and knew what he wanted. She didn’t want to give him any reason to think she didn’t, so she kept eye contact. As the people inside counted down they eased in toward each other. By the time they got to 5 seconds, Hawkeye had his lips on hers. They started out awkwardly, but soon it changed to soft and slow. It didn’t take long and the two of them were making out on the bench knowing full well what they were doing.

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Two days later they were back in Boston acting like nothing happened between them. Hawkeye ignored it because she did, and she ignored it because he did. They were stuck.