Hawkeye Pierce and Margaret Houlihan had been through hell together, in the literal sense. They were the only two survivors among the original officers at the 4077 MASH and as a result they had a special bond.

When they first met each other they hated each other or at least they didn't like each other very much. They fought endlessly and did their best to make the other miserable. But after a year of fighting they began to respect the qualities they originally disliked. They became friends. Good friends who had fun together and supported each other. There were brief moments of passion but they were mostly just friends.

That changed as the war neared its close when they found themselves together during a weekend pass to Tokyo. After a few too many drinks Hawkeye and Margaret got married and decided they would remain that way until after the war. Their original arrangement had been in name only but gradually that changed and they found themselves both wanting a serious relationship.

At the end of the war Hawkeye and Margaret decided to give their marriage a chance. Hawkeye would return to Crabapple Cove and Margaret would meet him once she was discharged from the army.

Margaret would have to stay in Korea for over a week longer than Hawkeye, then she would fly to London for a brief visit with her father and finally she would go to Maine.

In the interim Hawkeye enjoyed being home. He spent the entire time with his dad. Daniel and Hawkeye talked constantly day and night. Telling each other about everything that had happened in the past three years although they both already knew what had happened because of letters. He visited family and friends. Drove around Maine and basked in all the glory of his home state.

His first week home was great fun but he felt that it was coming to an end when he went downstairs and found breakfast waiting for him.

"What's this?" Hawkeye asked suspiciously as he entered the kitchen and found French toast, eggs and sausage waiting for him.

"Breakfast," Daniel Pierce said walking over to the table with a pitcher of juice.

"Freshly squeezed orange juice!" Hawkeye exclaimed mortified. "You're dying aren't you?"

"I'm not dying," Daniel said sitting down.

"Then what? I'm dying?"

"Sit down."

"I don't think so," Hawkeye said with a nervous laugh. "I've been down this road before. I'm not going there again. You eat your breakfast, I'll make my own."

"Benjamin Franklin Pierce, sit down." Daniel ordered.

Hawkeye opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. His father hadn't called him by his full name in years.

"Okay," Hawkeye said reluctantly sitting down.

"I'm getting married."

"What!" Hawkeye exclaimed.

"With your blessing I hope," Daniel continued.

"What? Who?"

"Joyce. Joyce O'Connell," Daniel reaffirmed.

"I know who Joyce is. I've known Joyce most my life. I - I - I -" Hawkeye said speechless.

"Are you okay?" Daniel asked after a few minutes.

"I'm - when did this happen?"

"Gradually."

"Gradually!" Hawkeye said as he began to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"That's what happened with Margaret," Hawkeye said.

A smile spread across Daniels's face as he too began to laugh. "Like father like son."

"So it would seem. Joyce?" Hawkeye said again still disbelieving.

"Complaints?" Daniel asked.

"No, I love Joyce. I just - I'm happy for you."

"Thank you."

"When's the big day?"

"Sunday."

"What? Is my invitation in the mail?" Hawkeye asked.

"No. This was it. Word of mouth," Daniel said.