Paper Part 16
The carriage lightly rocked its' way along the country roads of County Surrey. Scarlett peered out the carriage window taking in the view of the lush green hills dotted with quaint stone cottages. It was a beautiful day, the sun was warm and a cool breeze blew. The white fragile blossoms of the wild pear trees that lined the road fluttered off their limbs in the spring breeze; giving the appearance of falling snow.
Scarlett sighed with delight. "I take it you approve." Rhett asked referring to his choice in locale to celebrate their anniversary. Scarlett replied, “Very much Rhett. It is lovely. It looks like a place where fairies would live." "Fairies?" Rhett questioned, "I didn't think you believed in such notions, Scarlett?" Scarlett explained, "Well, mind you I've never seen one before, but Pa would always talk about the fairies and the little elves that were in Ireland; he sounded so convincing. Well, I guess I do believe there could be such creatures." Rhett laughed, "Well, I don't mean to dispute your dear father Scarlett. He was a good man. I'm sorry I didn't get to really know him, but I think the only fairies he ever saw were at the bottom of a bottle of good Irish whiskey." Scarlett laughed along with Rhett recalling how her Pa did enjoy his drink. "Perhaps you're right. But it is lovely just the same." Pointing towards a series of vivid green hills filled with lanes of wild flowers, "I could get lost for hours strolling through there." she stated. Rhett was glad to hear that Scarlett was fond of the area, "Perhaps my gift will be well received after all." he thought.
The remainder of the trip was spent in silence. Scarlett continued to gaze at the passing scenery. As they made their way towards the town of Great Bookham Scarlett began to get nervous. She hoped Rhett would like the gift she purchased for him. The gift served two purposes; one to mark the occasion of their anniversary and also it was how Scarlett chose to inform Rhett of his impending role as father to their child. Scarlett absentmindedly placed her hands on her stomach and began to gently rub. She smiled with delight. Each day she grew to love the idea that she was to become a mother. She would love this child dearly; it symbolized the love that she and Rhett felt for each other.
Rhett saw Scarlett rubbing her stomach. "Are you that hungry Scarlett?" he asked. Scarlett looked at Rhett unaware that he had noticed what she was doing. "I asked are you that hungry?" Nodding his head towards her hands placed on her stomach. "Umm, Yes. I'm afraid I'm dreadfully hungry." she lied trying to preserve her secret a bit longer until a more appropriate time arose. "Well then it's fortunate for you we are here." Rhett said banging the roof of the carriage instructing the driver to stop. Rhett had the driver stop the carriage near the top of the downs.
He led Scarlett from the carriage to the top of the hill that looked down into the valley below. The driver brought Rhett the picnic hamper. Scarlett looked surprised, "This is the stop we had to make?" she asked. Rhett smiled a full white grin, "I thought you'd be hungry after our trip so I had a picnic lunch prepared for us." "A picnic, Rhett that sounds absolutely perfect." Scarlett beamed. The driver went about spreading the red woolen blanket on the ground. "This would be a perfect time and place to tell him about the baby." Scarlett thought. She asked the driver to fetch her hat box from within the carriage. Rhett looked at Scarlett, "Why do you need your hat box?" "Well, the sun is awfully strong today. I feel this small traveling bonnet won't protect Me." she coolly lied. Rhett paid no mind and went about unloading the food from the basket.
The couple ate a picnic lunch of cold roast beef, freshly baked breads, local cheeses and newly picked fruit. Scarlett pulled of a piece of bread from the loaf and tossed it into her mouth. "I can’t' think of a more beautiful spot for a picnic." she said lying back onto the blanket to stare at the cloudless blue sky above. "How did you ever know to stop here, Rhett?" she asked. Rhett brushed the crumbs from his lap as he stood and walked over to the edge of the hill. "When I was here last on business, I scouted out a spot for us." he said staring down into the valley. Scarlett propped herself up on her elbows, "This is where you came last week on business?" She giggled, "I'd say it’s the last place on Earth I would imagine you conducting business, Rhett."
He walked over to her, taking her hands to help her to her feet. He looked into her green eyes sparkling like polished gems in the sunlight. "Do you know what the customary gift for a couple's first anniversary is, Scarlett?" Scarlett replied, "Yes. It's paper." Rhett nodded his head. "Yes, paper. I thought long and hard about what to get you for a gift. I started to get you stationary. I began to purchase it when the clerk asked me what address I wanted printed on the paper. And that reminded me of a promise I made to you." Scarlett was puzzled, "What promise, Rhett?" Pulling the folded paper from his coat pocket he handed it to Scarlett, "This one." he said. Scarlett took the paper and unfolded it. It was a deed for the estate known as Polesden. Home and land totaling 102 acres located in County Surrey, town of Great Bookham, in the village of Whitby. Scarlett looked up at Rhett. "A house?" she asked puzzled. Rhett placed his hands on Scarlett's arms, "Yes, a house of your own, to furnish with your own belongings. No more living in a museum among someone else's things." Scarlett was stunned. She didn't know what to think. Rhett grew a bit worried by Scarlett's silence. "I know it all seems so permanent Scarlett, but I thought you wouldn't mind making a life for us here. You've never expressed any interest to return to America. And here we can have the best of both worlds; a country home and well we are still close enough to London to keep our places in society. Perhaps I was wrong? Perhaps my purchase was a bit premature?" he worriedly asked. Scarlett shook her head, "No, it isn’t that at all. I'm just a little overwhelmed. Quite honestly I didn't expect anything like this." she said looking at the deed again. "I had hoped we would have a home of our own one day."
"But not in England?" Rhett interrupted. Again Scarlett shook her head, "No, I don't care where it is, on the moon for all I care. I would be happy anywhere as long as I am with you."
Rhett took Scarlett into his arms, kissing her passionately. His kisses were returned with he same intense love and passion. A few moments later, Scarlett broke the embrace, "I have a gift for you as well." Rhett pulled her close again, "Later, I'm enjoying this far too much." Scarlett playfully wriggled from his grasp, "No, it's only fair you should get your present now. It's important and I think I will burst soon if I don't give it to you." She walked over to the hat box and retrieved the gift wrapped within gold paper. She returned to Rhett and handed it to him. He tore the paper off to reveal a black leather bound book. Embossed on the cover in gold lettering was the title, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" Lewis Carroll. Scarlett motioned for Rhett to open the book, "There's an inscription." she said. Rhett turned to the inside cover to an inscription written in Scarlett's perfect sweeping script.
To Rhett,
With love today and always.
From your "Alice",
Scarlett
"I wanted to get you something that would always remind you of Me." she said. "It's beautiful Scarlett. Thank you; but I'm afraid I don't understand." Rhett said. Scarlett explained, "I think Alice and I are alike in so many ways. She's a bright child, but she often says or does foolish things. In the story she comes across many situations in which she knows she most change to find success and happiness. She had to learn the rules of the many games she played in order to win. There are rules to learn and consequences for learning or not learning those rules. Well it's like having to learn how to fit into society, what society expects from you. And in the end Alice becomes a much stronger person for having followed those rules and she grows up."
Rhett lifted Scarlett's chin to face him, "I'd say then you are indeed a lot like Alice. You have grown Scarlett. I'm proud to say you have matured into a strong beautiful woman. No longer a child who doesn't think of tomorrow." He kissed her forehead lightly. She stared into his eyes, "I also think it is a wonderful story and I know our child would love to hear you read from it." Rhett was speechless. He looked deeply into Scarlett's eyes, "Our child?" he asked softly. Scarlett beamed and nodded her head "yes." Rhett stammered, "Your little imposition, it's a baby?" Scarlett nodded. Rhett looked up to the sky and back again at Scarlett, "You mean I'm going to be a father?" Scarlett rolled her eyes, "Yes. Why are men so daft at times? Yes, Rhett we're going to have a child." Rhett hugged Scarlett tightly. "This is the best gift you could have ever given me, Scarlett. Thank you."
Scarlett teased, "Of course you don't get your gift for another 7 months." Rhett laughed, "No, of course not." "Which leaves me to wonder, when do I get to see my gift?" she asked. Rhett chuckled, "All you have to do is look down." Scarlett looked down into the valley below. "Great Balls of Fire!" she exclaimed. There nestled safely in the valley sat the stately home known as Polesden. It was a grand English country estate with its' yellow stucco facade, symmetrical bays jutting out to enclose a grand stone arched entranceway. Large white framed windows marked the existence of each room on the front of the house. "There must be 30 rooms." she said in shock. "35" Rhett corrected.
He stood behind Scarlett looking down at the home, "So do you think you could be happy there?" he asked. Scarlett nodded, "I think we all will be happy there. Me, you and our child." she said taking Rhett's hands and placing them upon her stomach.
The couple stood in the warmth of the glowing sun looking down at the grand home and the sprawling acres of land it was settled upon. This home would become their private "Wonderland" for many years to come. A place where together they would grow, learn and ultimately find happiness.
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