Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters they all belong to 20th Century Fox and the producers and creators of M*A*S*H. This story is told from Margaret's POV on the plane back to the states after she has left the 8063rd. This story is to be read after "It All Begins Here". Criticism is greatly appreciated; please send any criticism to Hotlips4Hawkeye@aol.com.
Chrissie

I sit here on the plane thinking about the past few weeks, the end of the war and being at the 8063rd. I can't wait to get back to the states and work in a real hospital. I know I've said so many times before, but I really can't wait. I look out the window and all I see are white fluffy clouds and I can't help but be in awe of their beauty. I can't believe I accepted Hawkeye's marriage proposal, I just hope I made the right decision. Though the two of us had a rocky start, I still loved him from first glance despite all the things I hated about him, his unmilitary behavior, his boozing and womanizing that stopped thank god soon after Trapper left. I love his hands, they've saved so many young lives, I love his skill, but most of all I love him for him. I'd do anything for him. Major Margaret Jane Houlihan is leaving the army for good, but how do I tell my father? I'm scared to disappoint him. Oh well, I'm doing it for all the right reasons, the man I love, and the former army officer he can't stand, Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce. I miss Hawk so much; these have been the first few weeks in three years when I haven't been within fifteen feet of him. Wow! I'm finally going to have a home of my own, Crabapple Cove, Maine. I pray he doesn't hurt me the way Donald did. He wouldn't though, he knows the pain I endured from Donald's unfaithfulness. He was there for me through the whole divorce and even before that. He always told me of Crabapple Cove and his childhood home he shared with his father, he said it was a big country house with a wrap around porch and an upstairs porch that stretched around the back of the house that connected all of the bedroom on that side of the house, the beautiful view from the backyard of the ocean, the large swimming pool and the doctor's office adjoined to their home. It will be exciting to have a future there, and even more exciting to be Margaret Pierce. Good the planes finally landing. Well I've landed and now I'm getting up and walking down the runway, to meet him. Tiny butterflies are filling my stomach now, as the anticipation grows. There he is with his father, oh that darling, he has a dozen pink roses in his hands.

"Oh Hawk!" I shouted as he ran to me, picked me up and spun me in his arms, and kissed me.

I feel so safe in his arms, and I love his lips. We pull apart and I look at him and he looks at me and says,

"Let's go home, we've got a wedding to plan, but first we need to catch up on the past three weeks, I love you Margaret, and I've missed you like I've never missed anyone in my life before."

"I've missed you too, and I love you, now lets go home." Home, Home is where the future begins, with my Hawkeye in our Crabapple Cove.