See first chapter for information!

Sidney stayed in the hospital for six days until he was well enough to be released. He wasn't, however, well enough to return to New York just yet so he and his wife, who had arrived the day after his operation, were staying at the Pierce residence for a couple of days until Sidney was strong enough to make the journey back home.

Sidney's wife, Miriam, had instantly hit it off with the Pierces. She was a petite woman but full of personality, and she had a sense of humor that gave Hawkeye a run for his money. She insisted on helping cook and clean up after every meal despite the hosts' protestations, and she refused to leave Sidney at night while he was in the hospital, choosing to sleep on a roll-away cot next to him.

The four of them were currently outside enjoying the warm June sun. Sidney and Miriam were on the swing and Hawkeye and Margaret were sharing a lounge chair. Bella was spread out on her stomach across Hawkeye's lap, asleep and sucking one finger. Hawkeye was playing with one of her dark curls as they listened to a couple of birds chirping in the tree next to the porch.

"I really can't thank you guys enough for what you've done for us. I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost Sidney," Miriam's voice broke their reverie. As she spoke she took one of Sidney's hands in hers and squeezed tightly.

"It really was our pleasure," assured Hawkeye. "Besides, Sidney's saved my mind so many times it's only fair that I repay the favor."

"Well, I still wish I knew how to express how grateful I am to you two."

"I'm just lucky that I was visiting Hawkeye and not Frank Burns or I would have never survived," Sidney quipped. The three veterans laughed at this leaving Miriam a tad confused.

"Why would you be visiting Ferret Face in the first place?" inquired Hawkeye.

"Well he is missing a few bolts, you know."

"More like a whole toolbox full of them," Margaret murmured. They all had to laugh at this and their noise woke Bella who instantly voiced her displeasure. Hawkeye tried to sooth her but she continued crying. "I think she's hungry, I'll take her in and feed her," started Margaret.

Hawkeye shook his head. "I'll get it, there's still that bottle in the fridge, right?" Margaret nodded and he took the crying infant inside. Margaret readjusted in her chair and sighed.

"He seems wonderful with the baby," stated Miriam.

Margaret nodded. "He's really great about getting up with her at night, even if it's just to bring her to me so that I can feed her. At first I was worried that what happened in Korea would make it hard for him, but we've only had a few problems and Sidney helped him through that."

Miriam smiled, "My Sidney sure is great. I only hope that we can be as good of parents as you and your husband."

Margaret's eyes widened. "Are you?"

"Oh, no…I just meant someday when we do have children," she said with a laugh. "We have been talking about it since he came home…we just wanted everything to settle down for a while." She paused for a moment and then added hastily, "Not that I think you…that…"

Margaret shook her head. "I understand what you mean. We were a little stressed about having a baby for a while, but now we wouldn't give it up for anything."

The three of them sat and talked for quite a while until Frank Sinatra's "My Blue Heaven" came floating through the open doorway. Sidney and Miriam gave Margaret a quizzical look and she shrugged before getting up and heading in the house. She finally found her husband in the nursery and she stood in the doorway watching as he spun soft circles with his daughter to the music.

When whippoorwills call and evening is nigh, I hurry to my blue heaven.

A turn to the right a little white light will lead you to my blue heaven.

You'll see a smiling face, a fireplace, a cozy room,

A little nest that's nestled where the roses bloom.

Just Mollie and me and baby makes three,

We're happy in my blue heaven.

Just as the song finished up he noticed Margaret in the doorway and waved her over. As soon as she was close enough he engulfed her in a hug and they swayed to the next instrumental until the baby fell asleep. He laid Bella in her crib and pulled the blanket over her. Margaret glanced up at her husband and watched as a tear trickled down his cheek.

"What's wrong?" she inquired as she wiped it away. He shook his head and smiled.

"Nothing, I just…this is something I never thought I would need…you know, a wife and a baby. But now…I wouldn't give this up for anything…and I'm still afraid of messing it up."

Margaret pulled him into a hug and felt him sigh in her arms. "Hawkeye…you're not going to mess anything up. I'm terrified, too, but together we can do this. You're not the first father to be scared, and you won't be the last."

"What about Korea, and the hospital…"

"Don't start that," she ordered as she pulled back and looked him in the eyes. "What happened in Korea is still in Korea. I know the images will never leave us…but you're a strong man, Hawkeye. You were deeply troubled by the death of an infant, one that you didn't even know. Anyone in your position…"

"You were on that bus, too, and you didn't end up in a giggling academy!"

Margaret stepped back at the harshness of his words and quickly looked over to see if Bella had woken up. When she looked back up she saw Hawkeye's retreating form leaving the nursery and she ran to catch him. "Hawkeye…" she was interrupted by a kiss.

"I'm sorry, Margaret…I don't know what I…I…I'm sorry," he whispered as he held her tight."

"It's alright," she reassured. "Let's go say goodnight to the Freedmans and then turn in. You know…it's been six weeks." She chuckled at the expression that came over his face.

"Last one there is a Frank Burns!" he said as he ran down the hall leaving Margaret just shaking her head.

A/N: I know this is kind of short, but it's all I could do right now. I hope you enjoyed it anyways!