Thinking of You.. with Love"Marry me."
Those words rang through Margaret Houlihan's brain like the clang of cathedral bells. She couldn't believe it. It was as if she was in a dream. A dream. Strange enough, she was reminded of the one she had during the war when they had been so swamped with casualties and sleep was rare.
The war. That one in Korea. It had been nearly a year and a half since that awful time. She was now established in a hospital, continuing with nursing. It was a newly formed veteran's medical center in Omaha, Nebraska. Her dad wished she was closer to family, but Margaret was determined to make things good on her own. Little by little, she settled into a routine. She had often thought of the people of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital unit #4077, and what their lives were like at the time, but with each passing day, those thoughts were replaced with present day ones. Although, every now and then, something would trigger the memories.
It came on her birthday. A rose. A single, pale pink rose with a note simply saying, "Thinking of you". It wasn't signed, and she was more intrigued than skeptical and just wanting to dismiss it. Margaret's first thought was of her ex, Donald. She hadn't seen, or even heard from him in years. Somehow, she just knew it wasn't him. After doing some sly detective work, she realized it wasn't anyone at the hospital and she really hadn't made any close friends there. Both of her parents assured her it hadn't come from them, and she felt that they were sincere. Her dad advised her to forget about it, but she couldn't let it go.
Then after one rather disturbing night, she awoke with a jerk. NO!! Surely not.. not.. ?! "I haven't heard from... since.. oh my..," she whispered to herself. A few days after the first rose arrived, Margaret received another one, and a letter with it. This time, the message was a request that they meet. The author indicated that he was staying nearby, and he signed his initials. She recognized them.. him.. right away.
'Oh!' She gasped, her thoughts were going haywire. 'Why is this happening now?' His telephone number was included so she could verify if what he requested was satisfactory with her.
For nearly a week, Margaret's feelings ran the gamut of wanting to call to not wanting to. Finally, at the last moment, she made the call. The familiar voice on the other end took her back to that time, and made her heart skip many a beat. He sounded so pleased that she had decided to see him.
'What?' Her rational thinking caught up with her, and she discovered that she had made a decision. They agreed on a nice little cafe, tomorrow evening.
'Does he want something? Why after all of this time? Why suddenly, out of the blue, does he come back into my life?' All of these cliched questions swarmed around Margaret as she went through the next twenty-four hours. All too soon, it was the appointed time.
On the outside, she was determined to be the composed major she had always presented, or hoped she was, with him. But on the inside, she was barely holding herself together. She really didn't know why she felt as such, he was just a former co-worker. Right? Her courageous air began to fade when she walked through the cafe doors, and there he was. Margaret entered into the quaint dining room with mixed emotions. Should she turn and run, or keep going? The choice was made for her as he seemed to sense her presence and turned toward her.
He hadn't changed, just as she remembered. Her smile wavered a bit when he stood and finished the distance between them. He took her hands in his, and after a long, silent gaze into her eyes, he warmly embraced her. Margaret reciprocated the clutch, found it strangely natural to do so. She couldn't tell if he was as nervous as she with the meeting. It wasn't in his nature to let on. The conversation, after the initial greetings, looking goods, families doing well and how they were glad to have them home, began on a slow start.
Neither mentioned what tangibly bound them together. The Korean War. More to the point, the good ol' 4077th. Margaret felt safe discussing her position at the hospital when he inquired about it, and she eagerly told him of her diligent nursing staff. He, also, was happy to share with her about his practice.
Then came a surprise, unsettling question, "Is there anyone special in your life?"
Margaret's mouth went dry, and with help from her water glass, hoped her distress wasn't too obvious, she informed him there was not. For she was still too cautious after what had happened with Donald. In his charming manner, he told her that there hasn't been anyone special for him either. She wasn't sure how she felt about that. If he had come here, saying that he was engaged or had even married, would she have been disappointed? She didn't want to delve too deeply into that area. Yet.
They scooted around the war and especially the 4077th topics from nearly two hours, before finally breaking the ice on them. Margaret talked of how they met for the first time, the laughter, the tears, the times they were there for each other, mostly when least expected, of course the stunts they pulled on one another and others, their little competitions, and most importantly, the work they had done for the fighting men and others. Each informed the other that, with the exception of a couple of letters in the beginning, they really hadn't heard from anyone else.
"Margaret," he spoke, they had just embraced goodbye outside of the cafe. "This isn't a one time meeting. Can we do so again? Please."
"I.. I suppose," she managed. "Are you in need of something?" She struggled to maintain what she hoped was being aloof.
"You could call it that," he responded under his breath. "Just to talk. I need to share more with you."
"All right. How long are you going to be in town?" She was very curious. He informed her that he was staying for a few more days, and urged a dinner commitment tomorrow night. She accepted. It had begun.
They kept company for over a week. Dinners, a movie or two, and just simple times together. Nice, special times. Although, the two being who they were, heads butted a bit, but somehow things were rectified easier, and sweeter. He hadn't planned on staying that long, but one thing led to another. Margaret had no idea that he was leading up to something. There had been a point to this all along, that was if he didn't blow it. They took a drive through the countryside, her favorite in the warm evenings. It was then she first sensed there was something weighing on his mind. Although she was fearful to ask, afraid he would say he was leaving, and returning home. She didn't want him to go, and that surprised her. Suddenly, he stopped the car.
"Margaret, if I don't say this, I fear I never will." He said quickly, and stared at his hands gripped tight on the wheel.
"I'm listening," she prompted, steadied herself for the worse. After a short pause, and the deep breath she was witness to, he faced her.
"I love you. I do. I have never meant those words so much in my life."
Margaret was silent. Thoughts, ideas, feelings were all rushing in. He gave her time for his words to penetrate deeply, then went on to tell her how he felt something special between them the first time they had met. He realized that he pushed her away from himself, distanced himself from her on many the occasion.
"Why? Why after all of this time? Now... ?" She found her voice. "Why didn't you say anything before we left Korea? Before we left the 4077th?"
"I didn't know what I was losing until..." he told her. "I thought it was too late. I cannot lose again. I won't make another hesitation."
"Lose? Do you mean me?"
"Yes." Again silence blanketed them. "Do you, Margaret, do you feel anything for me?
"Yes." Margaret had never known such a simple word could be so hard to say. Then again, she couldn't see the future.
"Could it possibly be any part of love?"
She took her time searching every part, every facet of emotion and feeling. 'How can this be?' She thought to herself. 'Not after Donald. Am I ready for this? Is he here just to ask me that?' Her head was spinning. Before she really knew it, she looked hard at him and silently nodded. There, she had done it, and was unprepared for his next request.
"Marry me."
"What? I can't." Margaret was sure she couldn't go through another marriage. Almost sure.
"Yes. Yes, you can." He contradicted easily. "I have wasted too much time denying what I feel for you."
"Are you dying?" She blurted.
"No, no, no," he replied with a little chuckle. "I came to realize what I had denied when I came home, and I tried to reason it all out. But there is no reasoning, only the truth. I love you, and I want to marry you."
"I've been married before." She said in an almost protest.
"I know. It does not matter. This is now. What matters is that our marriage and our love will be forever."
"You're that sure?"
"Yes."
"Say, if we were to marry," Margaret tried to be sly. "Where would we live?"
"Here, if you like."
"You would move here for me?" She was a bit skeptical. She knew well his fondness for his hometown. An interesting idea popped into her mind, but she kept it to herself for now.
"Yes, what can I do or say to assure you of my eternal love and devotion for you?"
Margaret let herself into her house, and promptly collapsed against the door. 'He's not leaving, like I feared he would,' her thoughts raged. 'He actually wants to marry me! Is this truly happening? And he wants my answer very soon.' She couldn't sleep at all, tossed and turned the whole night.
'No. I will have to tell him no. I'm not ready for marriage. Again. Especially not to him. No way! Not to that self-centered, arrogant... ' All of this was going over and over in her head. 'I will tell him that my answer is no. Tonight.'
"Yes." She breathed that greeting when she opened the door to him. 'Wait!!'
"Yes?" He repeated. "You mean? That is you answer I hope."
"Ahh, no. Ahh, yes. I don't.. ahh.." Margaret faltered. He reached for her, brought her into him in a sweet, strong embrace. Suddenly, she knew it was right.
There was alot to be done. Margaret's life was a total whirlwind. Although, it was going to be a rather humble affair, a simple event with family and friends. Friends. They both knew that they had to invite those from the 4077th. Actually, it wouldn't really be possible without them. She wondered how receptive they would all be, with the news of the two of them marrying. She hoped for their happiness. It warmed her at how much she did indeed care for these people, and was astonished about how she could have ever thought that part of her life was closed.
Since they had met, worked, lived, laughed, cried, shared, and unbeknownst to the other, loved together at the 4077, it was decided that there was only one that could marry them. Father John Patrick Francis Mulcahy. He was the first one to be contacted. He was only delighted to attend and perform the ceremony, and assured them that he could adapt his service for them, as he had done many times during his tour of duty. Of course, he needed a signing assistant, but that wasn't too difficult to arrange. The guest list was growing. The immediate families and those from the M*A*S*H unit being the most important. Every activity flowed into the next.
Margaret stopped, quickly realized her wedding was the next day and hoped she wouldn't faint. She wanted no big party, no obvious fanfare. Just to see everyone would be enough, albeit overwhelming. They began arriving. One group at a time. How she missed them! She never realized how much, or really what they had meant to her until now.
There was the added treat of getting to meet the stateside families. Finally, Margaret was able to put live faces with the names of Mildred Potter, Peg Hunnicutt, and even Radar O'Reilly's mother. Several of her old nursing staff came also. It was almost too much to bear. Then, something special arrived. It was a telegram of well wishes from Lorraine Blake. That was heartwrenching, touching, and bittersweet.
One particular guest she wasn't sure what his reaction would be to her, or to her intended. Although, she was really glad to see him again. "Are you truly happy?" He asked as he took her hand and they walked outside.
"Yes," Margaret responded without hesitation.
"Are you in love?"
"Yes," her eyes didn't leave his as she replied.
"No doubts?"
"None. Absolutely none." She was pleased that she could answer him so easily.
"Good," he replied. "Then, I am very happy for you." He hugged her lightly, his gaze travelled behind her to her betrothed standing in the doorway. "For you both."
"Thank you," he said, and joined them. Then, he and Margaret were alone.
After a few moments, they went indoors to rejoin the get together. It took Margaret back, all of them back, remembering the fellowship they had in that place. It was wonderful, now. Toasts were made, they both took alot of ribbing for the two of them winding up together, and then the sharing of memories commenced. Bittersweet memories.
The wedding day was beautiful. Margaret was a bundle of nerves, but it helped that her ivory dress was lovely, the flowers breathtaking, and mainly that her divorced parents put aside their differences to share in their daughter's joy. She wondered how her groom was holding up. What must he be going through? Knowing him as she did, he was probably cool, calm, and collected. Probably. A knock on her door made her jump. It was a delivery of a rose. A single, pale pink rose with a note. Smiling as she read the message, "Thinking of you, and loving you." She began to cry. That interesting idea she had came back to her. Maybe a change would be nice.
Friends and assorted family members began arriving at the church. Many came in to wish her well. That was when Margaret first thought of him. He was a no-show, so far, and she thought it was probably better that way. He might have caused one of those scenes he was famous for. Perhaps not, if his wife were to come too. But Margaret didn't want any ill feelings on this day. 'I hope you are doing well, Frank,' she thought to herself. Then, it was time. 'TIME!!'
It was a lovely ceremony. As her dad was escorting her to the altar, Margaret's gaze lighted upon each face, her family, his family, 'their family', and she was lifted at their expressions of love and encouragement. Suddenly, she was there at his side. She was about to melt at the sight of him in his uniform. He took her hand in his, and she was so grateful for its strength. It began.
Her vows were a bit shaky, but she got through them. He was more together, it seemed. Right after the 'I do's', they had a prayer in honor of their former CO, Lt. Colonel Henry Blake.
"Now, by the power invested in me, by God and this state, I now pronounce that you are husband and wife." Father Mulcahy announced. "Ah, you may kiss your bride."
They did so amid much clapping and cheering. "Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present... Mr. and Mrs., or shall I say, Major and Major Charles Emerson Winchester, the third!" More cheers, and a few tears (of happiness).
They walked back up the aisle. Margaret turned and tossed her bouquet toward the group of her former nurses.
Who caught it? Well, that's another story....
The End. :)
