Crabapple Cove, Maine. 27-29 November 1957.
The two-story white-frame farmhouse had never sparkled more. Daniel Pierce was in absolute shock as Hawkeye insisted on doing most of the work in the preparation for the holiday and all it would bring.
Although, from time to time throughout the years since leaving the 4077th, he had seen most of the folks who were coming, Hawkeye was still like a little kid on Christmas day. Because to achieve a gathering of that group together in one place at one time was a miracle in itself.
Mid-morning, the day before Thanksgiving, Hawkeye went over last, crucial details in his mind. 'Our part of the food is taken care of. Sleeping quarters are set, just have to be worked out once everybody is accounted for,' and many other of the most minute things.
"Son, take it easy," Daniel reassured. "This thing cannot be any more organized and prepared for than what you have already done. Just enjoy it." The younger Pierce made a vow to keep that thought when a sudden crunch of gravel sounded out in the yard.
"I think I hear our first victims!" Hawkeye flew out the door. His actions thoroughly startled Radar O'Reilly and Patty Haven who had just reached the porch. "The little Corporal that could!!"
"Cut it out, please sir." Radar gave a shy smile and glanced sideways at Patty.
"He gets like this," Hawkeye turned to Patty. "And wow-wee, this is the soon to be Mrs. O'Reilly!"
"Yes, she's..."
"Miss," Hawk put an arm around her shoulders. "If I've not told you before, you are getting a fine young gentleman here. Honest, trustworthy, lacking of nothing, 'sides height, but with a ten foot tall heart. So, please, if you will, take good care of him, feed him at least three times a day, make sure he has all his shots and don't forget a story at bedtime."
"Thank you, Hawkeye," Patty walked over to her husband to be. "But I know all of Walter's attributes."
Radar turned a little pink. "Sir, it's not like that.. We've brought my mom's fresh greens for salad that's out of this world."
"Woooo... this is too sweet, lemme go get the camera!" Hawkeye exclaimed, but before he could dash back into the house, another car pulled up into the yard. "The Potter party! Hold that thought." With a pardon, Hawkeye was off to greet the new wave of guests.
"I would think it's going to be like this the whole time we're here," Radar told Patty. "That's Hawkeye for you."
"Don't worry, Walter." Patty took his arm. "It's going to be fun, I'm sure. So relax."
"I'll try." As they were about to join the Potter group, Daniel came from the house.
"Greetings, and welcome." He warmly shook hands with both Radar and Patty. "Radar, how is your..?"
"She's doing good, thanks." Radar answered Daniel's question about his mom before he had gotten all of it out. "She is spending the holiday with my aunt, who's her sister."
"I'd almost forgotten about that." The elder Pierce chuckled at the young man's foresight ability. "So wonderful about your dear mother. When you get home, wish her the best from us. And your family as well." He turned to Patty before switching his attention to out in the yard. "Who's this? Pardon me, please."
"Colonel and Mrs. P.!"
"Pierce, at ease," Potter chuckled. "You don't have to address me as Colonel any more. By the way, Mildred has us loaded down with sweet potatoes. She candies them beautifully."
"What can I say, force of habit about the Colonel thing. I can't wait to try the potatoes." Hawkeye couldn't help but gush. "Let me introduce you to my dad."
"Well, son, we have met. Remember that get together?" Daniel approached them, and moved past Hawkeye to Mrs. Potter. "How are you dear lady?"
"That was the 'Hunnicutt Hoedown' in New York a few years ago." Hawk nodded.
"It was when all of you were at the 4077th. Remember, Sherman?"
"Yeah, I do, but we're all back here now." Potter laughed wearily.
Hawkeye knew that sound from his former commanding officer. He wasn't too happy with the attention Daniel was paying to his wife.
"You really have a lovely place here." Mildred smiled, and tried not to notice her husband's slight scowl.
Daniel was oblivious to it. "How gracious. You make it all the moreso. We'll have to take a tour, once you're rested up from your trip?" He offered her his arm.
"Yes, I'd love it." Mrs. Potter accepted and she and the elder Dr. Pierce started back toward the house. Seething in the least little bit, Potter glared and took a step toward Hawkeye who gave an innocent but amused shrug.
"Pierce.."
On their way to Maine from Missouri, the Potters had stopped off in Philadelphia to pick up Father Mulcahy. "Fellows, please remember why we are gathering here. Oh my, here's Radar O'Reilly and his lady-friend."
Sherman Potter mumbled a pleasant, but brief hello and followed after his wife and Daniel Pierce.
"Wait a minute, I just noticed something," Hawkeye interrupted and circled around the Father. "You got a hearing aid? You can hear? Me? And the rest of us?"
"Yes," Mulcahy was thrown into an embrace. "Clearer than I might want." He glanced helplessly at Radar and finally removed himself from Pierce's grip. "How are you, Radar and Miss Haven? You two are looking well."
"Thank you, Father," Radar shook hands with him. "And that's real swell about your hearing aid. So, you can hear me okay? I bet it helps in your work."
"I most certainly can hear you, my son. Oh, and yes, it is a God-send with both the church and missionary work that I do. As always too, it's just a delight to hear the childrens' voices."
"Patty knows about that, she works in peda.. pedi.. atric?"
"Pediatric nursing. I work with children as well." Patty added with pride.
"That's great work," Father Mulcahy beamed, then looked at Hawkeye. "Should we follow your dad and the Potters inside?"
"C'mon, this ought to be good." Hawkeye chortled, and urged the rest toward the house.
When the car came to a halt at the top of the ridge, Margaret ever so gently slid from the vehicle, an accomplished feat in her six and a half month pregnancy.
"So beautiful." She breathed in the crisp air, totally marvelled at the sight of the rolling hills and trees with their brilliant changing foliage. A calendar with the frame farmhouse in the middle. "Don't you think?"
"I suppose, if you like this sort of thing, all that space." Charles had gotten out from the driver's side. "What?" He asked innocently when he caught his wife's knowing look. "Okay, it's nice."
"Glad you agree." Margaret couldn't help the teasing smirk she sent his way.
"Shall I get the bags now?" Charles said more to himself. When he reached into the back seat, Margaret assisted from her side. "Just what are you doing?"
"What does it look like? I'm fine. I could use the exercise."
"You get enough with your work. Let me have that." He came around the car and took the large container of gourmet stuffing makings from her.
Margaret gave up without any further dispute. She had her fill with Charles' protests of her still working at the hospital while she was near to her third trimester.
"Let's go look at that incredible view, first." She urged him to drop the parcels, and grabbed a good hold of his arm and dragged him toward the top of the hill overlooking the meadows below. "All those colors are unbelievable, and the creek down the hill! Just as Pierce had described, remember? I bet the ocean is beyond the horizon. See those rocks?"
"Take it easy, now, Margaret," Charles cautioned, but gradually let himself enjoy the scenery.
"Hello, hello!!" A shrill voice shattered the peaceful serenity. Before either Charles or Margaret could react, Hawkeye bounded off the porch and raced toward them. "Two past Majors!" He ooged in between them and threw one arm around Charles' shoulders and the other around Margaret's. "And a future minor!" He added at Margaret's condition.
"All right, Pierce. Careful." Charles extricated himself and Margaret from Hawkeye's grasp.
"Still the overexcited child, wouldn't you say?" Margaret shook her head.
"When it comes to getting all of us together like this, yes!" Hawkeye didn't lose any of his enthusiasm as he began walking backwards, leading them up to the house. "You know," he said, his gaze going from each one. "Impending parenthood really agrees with the both of you."
Half of the current company group engaged in initial small talk in the Pierce's front room. While others took the vast array of trimmings and whatnots to go with tomorrow's Thanksgiving feast and put them in the kitchen when another heavy scrape of gravel sounded out in the yard.
"More incoming!" Hawkeye once again bolted for the door. He raced down the steps only to come to an abrupt halt when he saw who was piling from the car. His best friends. "What the..."
All those present in the house gave each other quite an alarmed look when they heard the sudden yell that came from the front yard. One by one, everyone emerged from the house to see the commotion. Then stood there in a collective awe along with Hawkeye at the sight of the two former Captains from the 4077th, and that they had arrived together.
"Well, we made it." B.J. broke the silence, then casually went to the back of the car and began to remove the baggage.
Trapper laughed and then went to assist. "For a while didn't think we would."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa..." Hawkeye exclaimed, catching up with them. "You're here. Both here. Together!"
"Yeah, Hawk, we thought since we live that close to each other."
"It would save expenses and all."
"I'm sure, save expenses! I can't believe this!" Hawkeye lunged for B.J. and Trapper both. "Why didn't you, either of you tell me you would be traveling as a unit?!" He gripped them in headlocks before turning to Trapper. "And you, I didn't know for sure you were coming anyways!!"
"Me either, really, but catching Hunnicutt at that blasted seminar last summer kinda was the last straw for my decision."
"Great! Wait a minute, there's more to this," Hawkeye noticed the rest of the Hunnicutt/McIntyre crew. He greeted each in turn.
"The Hunnicutt missus!" Hawkeye went to hug Peg, then stepped back for something had changed about her. She was about three months along in her second pregnancy. "Hold up, I do believe you belong to the same club as Margaret Houlihan-Winchester here." He turned to B.J. "Congratulations, buddy! And Mrs. Buddy!" He bent down to Erin. "Also, lil' Miss Buddy, too. Are you excited about getting a little brother or sister?"
"If they don't break my stuff!" Erin retorted. "Oh, wow, can me 'n Becky 'n Kathy go down to the creek, mamma?"
"I guess it's okay, but not too close to the water." Peg warned. "Keep your jackets on and buttoned up."
"May we?" Becky asked her mom.
"That'll be fine, just be very careful." Louise, along with the rest of the grownups watched the kids scurry down the slight slope around the side of the house. "Pay close attention to Erin, remember she's younger!"
"We will!" Kathy's reply echoed back.
"The creek's frozen pretty solid, if they do wander close they won't fall in. Even with the sun coming out from time to time today, I can guarantee it hasn't begun to thaw."
"Thanks for the reassurance, pal," B.J. teased.
"Hi, Hawkeye." A gentle voice wafted through the crowd.
"Mandy!" He let out an ear-piercing yelp. She had came. Hawkeye pulled Amanda Corbetson, Erin's former teacher, to him in a bear hug. "All right, I've got what I'm thankful for. The rest of you are on your own."
His own greetings done, Pierce introduced and reintroduced one group to the next. Some of the personnel, such as Charles, Patty and the Potters had yet to meet the McIntyres and vice versa.
"Is every single one of us here?" B.J. stopped Hawkeye before they followed everyone indoors.
"All but the Klinger clan. I don't expect them 'til late, probably tomorrow."
B.J. dropped his voice a mite. "What about a used-to-be-Major-suddenly-promoted-to-Lieutenant-Colonel?"
"Can't make it. I actually think he wanted to, and would come, but Louise put up the blockade for some reason."
"Could a certain nurse be the reason?" B.J. nodded toward Margaret.
"I dunno. Louise ought to know she's no threat."
"Yep, all she'd have to do is see she and Charles together and know that."
"Really!" Hawkeye gave a snort. "I had a feeling all that animosity those two showed at the 4077th was covering something else. But anyways," he put another headlock on B.J. "It's so great you're here, and with Trap!! Who would have thought it?! Plus you're a daddy-to-be again! How wonderful!"
"It is. The most wonderful part, Hawk, is that I'll be here. I'm actually going to be here for that lifetime."
He knew exactly what B.J. meant. Hunnicutt had missed so much from Erin's life while in Korea.
Having everyone gathered in the living room, Hawkeye valiantly attempted to work out the sleeping arrangements. There were four actual bedrooms, plus other rooms that could be made up as such. It would be one gigantic puzzle to get everyone situated, but quite interesting.
During the early evening meal, the conversation eventually would drift back to the 4077th. It would peculiarly center on one topic.
"And when we had to actually steal a pint of his blood, thinking he might have hepatitis, but was really anemic. Whew! All those things we had to do to keep him away from everybody. Especially patients."
"Boy, was he not happy about that. Especially the blood-taking, and being given to an wounded enemy soldier."
"In all fairness, the Lt. Colonel is not here to defend himself."
"Father," Trapper leaned on his shoulder. "Frank couldn't defend himself if he were here. Though, since it is the holidays, I will wish our fellow doctor.." McIntyre paused at the several clearing of throats. "I will wish him and his family a nice celebration."
Others in the room grudgingly echoed the sentiment. Mulcahy rolled his eyes at Trapper's effort. "You are quite considerate, doctor."
After the dinner, and most were indulging in cocoa, coffee or cognac, and reminiscing about old times, Hawkeye and Margaret ventured out onto the screened-in back porch.
"That looks like a painting." She nodded toward the setting sun.
"Don't you get sunsets in Boston?" Pierce motioned for Margaret to sit down on the bench.
"Yeah, nice but.." she slowly lowered herself onto it but her descent didn't go very smoothly. "But.. but.. hey, are you going to help me, or stand there watching?"
"It's more fun to watch." Hawkeye laughed before he took Margaret's hand and assisted her downward, then sat himself beside her.
"Ahhh, there." She sighed, settling in. "I never knew how tired you can get." She rambled on about pregnant women and their woes until she realized she was the only one in the conversation. Hawkeye was looking at her with a curious expression. "Anything wrong?"
"No, of course not. I'd always thought motherhood would agree with you, and it does. You positively glow." He replied brightly. "It's better, isn't it?"
Margaret knew he was referring to the time while they were at the 4077th, and she was still married to Donald and feared she was pregnant and would have had to leave the Army at that time. "Very much. Having the child itself would have been the only good thing. The timing, our situation, the father wouldn't.."
"You're saying the father of this one is better?" Hawkeye chuckled with a wink.
"I think so!" She exclaimed as she glanced at him with an unbelievable expression.
"Kidding, I was just kidding." Hawkeye leaned away from her, afraid of being in the line of fire. "A blind man from ten yards away could sense how happy you are, you both are. You actually are starting to agree on some things. Few as they may be, but you are. Anyhow, have you two decided what you want?" He dared to risk, "or has soon-to-be Papa Winchester dictated what he prefers?"
"Ha-ha! Actually, he profusely says he doesn't care."
"You mean he hasn't ordered a male child?"
"Nope. Although, funny you mention that, if it's a boy, he doesn't want a 'fourth'"
Hawkeye was ready to pounce with excitement. "You're having triplets?!"
"No, no, the names. His name. I like the name, but he wants something different."
"He doesn't want a C.E.W. four? That's surprising. Nice, but surprising. He wants to stop the pomposity with himself? What about the Winchesters as a whole? Are they okey-dokey with that? How are they all together?"
"Good, very good. Believe it or not, very pleasant people in their traditional ways. They've welcomed me from day one, and are so excited about the baby. Also, Charles is actually rather considerate himself, tells me I'm not fat when I complain that I am." Margaret nearly shoved Hawkeye from the bench at his mocking of being bloated. "It's just my working now he has a problem with."
"You are head of nursing in a busy emergency unit at a major hospital. I've done residency there at Boston Mercy, I know. It can get pretty chaotic." Hawkeye sat in thought for a moment. "Just curious, you don't happen to ever see.. uh.. ? Never mind."
"No, I never have seen her there." She tried to give a reassuring smile.
"It's okay, to tell the truth I don't want to dwell on the past anyhow."
"That's the thing to do." Margaret slowly got up from her seat with Hawkeye's immediate help that time. "The future's better, anyway," she nodded toward the door. He followed her gaze to see Amanda standing there.
"Nurse Winchester, you have prescribed the perfect cure-all!"
"You two don't get too cold out here."
"If we do, I've got the remedy for that."
Margaret shook her head. "I bet you do." As she stepped in the door, and Amanda stepped from it, Margaret whispered something in her ear. Amanda nodded in agreement.
"Ah, what was that about?" Hawkeye asked as Amanda took the seat Margaret had vacated.
"Just.. something."
"I get it. A little female conspiracy. Fine, I'm game." He scooted closer to her. "So, what do you want to play?"
Amanda defiantly challenged. "You have in mind...?"
"Oh, you're gonna be fun!" He pushed his shoulder to hers, then took a long, deep look into her green eyes. "Do you like it here?"
"Yes, very much. It's quite nice."
"Want to stay?" Hawkeye gently took her hand. "Forever?"
Amanda smiled ever so slight. "We will see."
When night fell, after a rousing series of games, and dancing for those who wanted to and could, the weary personnel slowly made their way to their appointed sleeping quarters. Though it had been a temptation, Amanda managed to ward off Hawkeye's attempt to get her to share arrangements.
The early holiday morning was clear and bright and cold. But all too soon clouds began to condense. Hawkeye and Trapper walked back up into the front yard after a journey down to the ice-covered creek. "When I first told you about this a nearly a year ago, I hoped, but didn't dream you'd come. I'm sure your practice in Spokane is flourishing. Things with you and Louise still good? Looks like it. You haven't been wading through the nursing pool, have you?"
"I couldn't dream it, either." Trapper scooted himself upon the nearest vehicle. "I had my reservations, but running into Hunnicutt last summer made me think about how much I wanted to be here. He was so enthusiastic about me and the family coming, this whole thing. Yeah, since moving to Washington state, it's been rather smooth. Still got it's rough spots, but better. As far as getting into that so-called pool of temptation, no. I've been staying in dry dock."
"Good about you and Louise, and yep, B.J. does get that way. There's something else. That's Charles' car you got your hind end perched on. If you put a dent or even a tiny little scratch on it.."
"This is Dr. Highbrow's? How fascinating." McIntyre slid from the hood and contemplated wild thoughts.
"I know that look. What are you thinking of?"
"This car, Winchester, and some mischief we could get into."
"Like how?"
"You've got to have something around here to siphon gas from?"
"Yeah, my dad has a... why do you ask?"
"Get it." Trapper's grin broadened with the little prank his mind was busy constructing at the time. His plan was to siphon enough gas from Charles' and Margaret's car and then send Charles out on an errand for them.
"This is bit mean and sneaky, and he won't think it's very fun."
"Mean and sneaky and fun, our fun, are the perfect ingredients."
"We will go pick him up sometime, won't we?"
"Probably."
