Waiting became something Scarlett was good at.Everyday she made herself get up and go to the store.Never did she dare go to the mill without Rhett in town she didn't need to add fuel to the fire.
Melanie had become Scarlett's only constant in her life.Without Rhett or Bonnie she looked forward to Melly's visits everyday.The whole of Atlanta looked down upon Scarlett, only in Melanie's presence did they smile and pretend to like Mrs.Butler.
Then when her sickness came, Scarlett had first believed she was dying that God was punishing her for all the wrong she had done in her life.The dizziness, then her stomach doing flips.It wasn't until the second month of Rhett's departure did she remember that wild almost tender night she had spent in Rhett's arms.
Carrying Rhett's child didn't seem awful this time around.In fact Scarlett found herself enjoying every minute of it.Soon she would have a baby one that would love her and her alone.Rhett had taken Bonnie and who knows if he would ever return.This way she wasn't alone any longer.
Scarlett was pleasantly surprised to find herself counting down the days until she held her new baby in her arms.It had to be a boy.She just knew it was, and she would name him after her Father, or perhaps his Father.Yes, wouldn't the heads of Atlanta turn if she named her child Rhett Butler Jr. when all of the 'old guard' believed she was having Ashley's child.
This morning was like all the rest Scarlett, laid in her bed waiting for Mammy to bring up her breakfast tray and loving rested her hand on her slightly swelled stomach.So lost in her daydream about the new baby was she, Scarlett didn't hear Mammy calling her with the happy news that Bonnie had returned.
So when her bedroom door opened, her emerald eyes took in the sight of her precious little girl.
"Bonnie" Scarlett yelled then jump out of bed not caring one bit that she only had on her nightgown."Is it really you Baby?" Scarlett asked as she hugged Bonnie to herself never wanting to let go."I didn't think I would ever see you again" Scarlett said in--between her tears.Bonnie was home after three long months being alone Scarlett thought she never would see her daughter again and now she was back.
"Momma, I missed you dreadfully."The little blue eyed girl whisper as she too started to cry.
"I missed you to Bonnie so much, I love you Baby."Scarlett said then gentlely kissed Bonnie's head lovingly.
A knock at the open bedroom door jarred both mother and daughter.Scarlett's eyes went to the door.Rhett was standing there with a smile on his face, just how long he had been there Scarlett didn't know.He looked handsome as always, but when had Rhett's ever looked anything else?
"Rhett" Scarlett weakly stated not sure where they stood.He had been angry the last time they spoke did he still hold a grudge against her?
"Scarlett" was the cool collected reply she received from Rhett.His dark eyes held nothing for her, there wasn't anger or happiness, they just held nothing but emptiness.
Scarlett had thought she could stand anything Rhett might have said to her, but seeing his eyes blank sent a shiver running through her whole body.Which made her very conscious of the fact she was standing before him only dressed in her nightgown.
"I wanting go see my pony, Mr.Butler now, can I Momma?" Bonnie asked.Scarlett's emerald eyes went from her husband to her daughter and she smiled as they fell on the blue eyed girl.
"Of course you can sweety,If you're wait a few minutes I'll go with you."Scarlett said trying not to let Rhett's raised eyebrow get to her.
"You will?" Bonnie asked surprise and joy clear in her voice.
"Yes, I've missed you so much Bonnie,I don't want to let you out of my sight ever again." Bonnie smiled and even Rhett who just was standing there watching them had a look of approval on his face.
"We can go to the stables as soon as I get dressed."Scarlett said then looked up at Rhett while he didn't seem as cold as before he didn't seem friendly either.
"Rhett, could you get Mammy up here for me.I really need her if I'm going to get dressed in record time." Scarlett stated as she took Bonnie's hand, not even bothering to look back at Rhett to see if he had agree to do what she asked.
"Bonnie baby, you can pick the dress I wear today." Rhett heard his wife telling his daughter as he left Scarlett's room in search of Mammy.Perhaps his trip with Bonnie had brought about something good, Scarlett did seem to have really missed Bonnie sadly the same couldn't be said about him.
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Rhett waited in the library for Scarlett to return from her and Bonnie's visit to Mr.Butler.Having saw the joy in both Mother and Daughter's eyes at being reconcile, Rhett knew he had made the right decision.
Returning Bonnie to her Mother, no matter how painful it might be to him.Was what was right for the Butler women.What was good for Bonnie wasn't right for him as well.
As soon Scarlett came looking for him, and she would come looking for him.Rhett would tell her what he had decided.It was time for them to go their separate ways.They could make arrangements to share Bonnie.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scarlett had just gotten Bonnie down for her nap.Her nerves over the talk Scarlett knew was ahead for she and Rhett making her feel light headed.
She didn't know how to bring up the subject of the new baby.Scarlett didn't want to use it as a weapon.A baby was a miracle, Melly's exactly words when Scarlett had told her about her condition.
To be truthful that was how Scarlett did see this baby.It was a second chance to get things right.This time around she was going to enjoy her baby.And not put her business first.They had over the last month gotten along without her, they would fare well for a few more.After the baby came well it could come with her to the mill and store.
Didn't Rhett take Bonnie with him around Atlanta all the time? She could do that with the new baby as well.
Stopping in her room, to check herself in the mirror before going in search of her husband, Scarlett noted she looked a little pale.Shaking her head Scarlett could only hope Rhett wouldn't notice.The last thing she needed was for Rhett to ask about her health.
Scarlett walked down the stairs as she went over what she was going to tell Rhett in her mind.First they needed to address the issue of Rhett's return.Then she would tell him about the Baby.
This time when she told him, he was going to be a Father again, Scarlett would let Rhett know she was happy about this baby.And that perhaps with the new life that was growing within her, they could start anew as well?
Seeing the Library's door open, Scarlett quietly walked into it.Rhett was setting in a chair lost deep in thought.His forehead wrinkled up and his dark eyes held saddness something Scarlett hadn't even really seen in them before.
"Rhett" Scarlett said as she walked up to him.Resting her hand on his shoulder she added "We need to talk."
Rhett looked Scarlett up and down.She had on a light blue dress that didn't go with her eyes at all. But the dress did call out Bonnie's name.So Scarlett had let Bonnie pick her outfit for the day, How motherly that was.
"I agree we do need to talk Scarlett" Rhett said as he observed Scarlett sway on her feet before she took the long backed chair across from him.
"Are you feeling alright, Scarlett?" Rhett asked as he slowly stood up.Looking at her closer as he recognize the paleness of her skin.
"I'm fine Rhett, nothing to worry yourself about" Scarlett answered as she closed her eyes trying to stop her head from spinning.
"You don't look fine to me" Rhett said as he walked the distance between them."Have you been ill while I was away?" this he asked as he took his wife into his arms.
"Rhett, honest I'm fine just a little dizzy that's all.You can put me down I can walk."Scarlett stated trying to wiggle her way out of Rhett's arms.Him holding her like this was reminding her to much of the night they had started the child she was now carrying.
"I'll put you down alright Scarlett, but only in your room on your bed." Rhett replied as he started the journey to Scarlett bedroom."Then I'm calling Dr.Meade."
Scarlett who had listen and not remarked about being carried to her bedroom flinched at the mention of Dr.Meade's name.There was no way around it she was going to have to tell Rhett about the baby and hope he wouldn't be upset.
"Rhett, I've already seen Dr.Meade." Scarlett said as they entered her room.
"What's wrong with you Scarlett?" Rhett asked genuinely concern in his voice and eyes.
"It's nothing bad, I'm not even sick" Scarlett stalled she didn't want to tell Rhett until she knew what his plans were.
"Not sick, Scarlett your pale and swaying on your feet.If that's not sick I would like to know what it is?" Rhett asked certain his wife was keeping something from him.
Scarlett made eye contact with Rhett she had to do this right.She wouldn't get a second chance.Bitting her lower lip Scarlett smiled "I'm not sick, I'm pregnant Rhett.We're going to have another baby."
Rhett had a look of perplex on his face.This was the last thing in the world he would have ever dreamed possible. Scarlett carrying another one of his children.This made his plans of leaving earlier fade away.
Scarlett stayed silent as she watched the different emotions play on Rhett's face.A smile on her face that for once she could read Rhett as he, had always been able to do to her.
"I just know it's going to be a boy Rhett" Scarlett said not trying to hide her happiness at wanting this baby from it's Father."And he's going to look just like you"
"Me?" Rhett asked "Why would you want the baby to look like me?"
Scarlett smiled as Rhett laid her down on the bed.He looked so confused at this moment, like his whole world had been turned up side down.
"Two reasons really" Scarlett began "First one is simply in case you don't know it Rhett, you quite handsome.Any child would love to look like you."
Rhett felt like he was dreaming Scarlett actually telling him, she thought he was handsome."The second reason?" Rhett asked as he set next to Scarlett on her bed.
"Well my second reason is selfish, I want all the 'old guard' of Atlanta to eat every single word they ever said about me.And Rhett Jr. could do that nicely." Scarlett answered as mischief danced in her eyes.
Rhett laughed at himself, he should have known Scarlett only wanted his baby to rub it into India Wilkes' face.Yes, a Rhett Jr. would work nicely for that plan.
"That's good to know Scarlett, that you want this baby so you can use him to get back at the 'old guard' " Rhett said as he pull himself up off her bed. "Heaven forbid you actually would want to have my child, for no other reason then just to love it."
Scarlett's earlier smile faded away.What she had feared would happened had, she had told Rhett about the baby the wrong way.Now Rhett thought she didn't really want this baby.
"But I do love this baby, Rhett" Scarlett said looking at her stomach that was just slightly showing the signs of the new life growing within her.
"Do you Scarlett, may I ask why? Because as I recall she didn't want anymore children." Rhett asked.
Scarlett opened her mouth then closed it as Rhett's question took hold.Why did she want this baby? Why wasn't she anger at Rhett for getting her pregnant would she hadn't wanted anymore children? And why did the thought of Rhett and she giving their marriage another chance seem so important?
"I don't know why Rhett.But when Dr.Meade told me about the baby I was happy." Scarlett looked at her hands so she didn't have to see Rhett staring at her. "And I just know it's going to be a boy. Don't you see Rhett, this is my second chance to make everything right."
Rhett could see from her eyes Scarlett was serious."Are you saying Scarlett, that you want to give our marriage another try?"
Scarlett had to smile inspite of her nerves Rhett always knew what she was thinking.Sometimes like now she found it comforting other times she hated it.
"Yes, that's what I mean Rhett.I want us to be a real married couple again.I'm so sick of the way things are between us."Scarlett whisper as she rested her head against a pillow.
"Before, I can do this Scarlett, I have to know if you're still in love with Ashley Wilkes?" Rhett asked. If the answer was 'yes' he would walk out that door and never look back.Rhett couldn't stand to live with Scarlett knowing she loved Ashley any longer.
Scarlett looked up at her husband then closed her eyes.Did she love Ashley?
What she used to feel towards Mr.Wilkes wasn't there any longer.She did love him, but not like a woman loved a husband or lover.No her love was more the kind she would guess well for a brother.
"I don't love Ashley, Rhett.When I think about him all I feel is brotherly feelings towards him." Scarlett saw a look of joy flash on Rhett's face before he hid it.
"If I take you back Scarlett.I'm not going back to my old room when Rhett Jr. arrives." Rhett said as he again took the spot next to Scarlett on the bed. "If that's what you we're planning I would rather call it quits now."
Scarlett searched Rhett's eyes and saw longing in them.A longing she, herself had been feeling still the morning she woke to find Rhett gone.Dare she admit to Rhett she didn't want him to go back to that room either? Seeing his face go hard the longer she didn't answer his question Scarlett felt the bed move as Rhett started to pull himself up.If she didn't tell him now, Rhett would leave it was all or nothing.
"Rhett, I wouldn't ask you to leave this room again" Scarlett said as the dizziness came back full force.
Rhett pulled Scarlett into his arms as he asked her."You're not feeling well are you Scarlett?"
"I'm just tired" Scarlett said as she laid her head on his chest where she felt safe and warm."I just need a nap.I'll be as good as new when I wake up?"
Scarlett knew this to be true.Rhett was home and he wasn't going to leave again.She didn't have anything to fear, Rhett would never let anyone hurt her or Bonnie.Things were finally going to be the way she always wanted.She had a beautiful daughter she loved and a handsome husband who she was beginning too.
"Do you mind if I take a nap along with you?" Rhett asked as he kicked his shoes off getting himself comfortable.
"No, I was rather hoping you would." Scarlett said as she lifted her head off Rhett's chest, then kissed his lips tenderly.Drawing away Scarlett said "I like sleeping in your arms."
Rhett just smiled and pulled Scarlett closer.While he would love to show Scarlett just how much her kiss had affected him, Rhett knew she wasn't up to it now.But later tonight when she was feeling better he would show Mrs.Rhett Butler just how much she meant to him. Without Ashley Wilkes standing in his way, Rhett was certain he would have Scarlett's heart and no time at all.
After all these year just when he was willingly to walk away was Rhett now getting want he always wanted Scarlett O'Hara.
~The~End~
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