Saving Grace...Part Five

The days flew by as Scarlett enjoyed getting to know her children. She would listen to Ella rattle on about her cousins constant teasing and to Wade as he talked of working the fields with his Uncle. Looking at them, one would never know that this was the first time that Scarlett was really getting to know her children.

She also enjoyed watching her elder children entertain Grace. They had been delighted to learn that they had another sister. Scarlett remembered how sad they had all been when Bonnie had passed away. She knew that there had been a jealousy among the children toward Bonnie, but she also knew that both Wade and Ella had adored Bonnie. Ella had taken Bonnie’s death hardest. The two of them had developed quite a bond.

But now, Ella had developed a close bond with her new sister, Grace. They went everywhere together. Grace would toddle after Ella all throughout the house and grounds. She loved her big sister. Scarlett had to stifle her giggles when Grace would call out to her big sister. She could not quite pronounce her “L’s” as of yet, so Ella’s name came out sounding like “Eya”. And while she was thrilled that her children were getting along so nicely, there was a tiny part of her that was jealous of the bond quickly developing between her two daughters.

During the first year of her life, Scarlett had been her daughter’s world. She would follow Scarlett’s every move, well, once she had learned to walk, of course. And now, it seemed as if Grace wanted nothing to do with her. But Scarlett knew that it was only because Grace now had children to play with. When they were in Ireland, her mother was all Grace had. Maybe the time had come for them to return to America.

But the thought of living in America again gave Scarlett chills. While she wanted her daughter to be surrounded by her family, she was deathly afraid of Rhett discovering Grace’s existence. She knew that as soon as he found out about her, he would take her from her. And Scarlett couldn’t allow that to happen.

She thought of Rhett. What she wouldn’t give to have him beside her right now, watching his daughter grow up, while growing old with the woman who adored him. She had all but given up on the idea that she and Rhett would ever reunite. She knew that he was married to Anne and that she’s probably given him several children by now. The thought of Rhett with Anne revolted Scarlett. Even after all the time that had passed, Scarlett still loved Rhett more than ever. But she would never act on it.

When Scarlett had received the divorce papers, immediately followed by the wedding announcement, that had all but told her that Rhett wanted nothing to do with her anymore. He was moving on. He had married another woman and was prepared to live his life without Scarlett. The wedding announcement had stunned her. She hadn’t expected for him to remarry so quickly. She had been confident that all she had to do was tell him about her pregnancy and he would have taken her back and their life would be the fairy tale that Scarlett so wanted. But she knew that it would never be.

The decision to keep Grace hidden from her Father had been an easy one, at first. Scarlett had been angry and she wanted to hurt Rhett somehow. She knew that he wouldn’t so much as bat an eye if she remarried. But she knew that the one thing that would rock him to the core would be to find out that he had a child out there. Especially after that child was a grown adult. But once Grace had been born, the guilt had began to eat away at Scarlett. As she watched Grace attempt to talk, walk, and all of the things that babies do, there was nothing that Scarlett wanted more than to have Rhett beside her. But she had already began weaving the web of lies and she knew that the moment that Rhett discovered his daughter, there would be no stopping him and Scarlett couldn’t lose her daughter.

No, she thought. She couldn’t chance Rhett finding out about Grace. They would remain living in Ireland. At least, for now.

~**~

Scarlett had comfortably settled into a daily routine. After breakfast, she would take Grace, Wade, and Ella for a walk around Tara. She would tell them all of the memories that came to mind as they walked. She took them to the family cemetery and she would tell them all about their grandparents. And while Wade and Ella had known Mammy, she would tell them stories from when she was younger and how she had always gotten lectured by Mammy. Wade and Ella would just giggle upon hearing some of the stories from their mother.

On this particular morning, their daily walk had been interrupted by a messenger. It was a telegram for Scarlett. It surprised her for no one knew that she was here. She saw that it was from Uncle Henry.

“I wonder what he wants,” Scarlett said as she opened the envelope and began reading.

“Who’s that from, Momma?” Ella asked timidly.

“It’s from my Uncle Henry in Atlanta. He needs to see me about something. Hmmm, I wonder what he needs,” she said as she tucked the telegram into her skirt. “I guess I’ll be going to Atlanta in the morning!”

After their walk was complete for the day, they made their way back to the house. Wade joined Will in the fields and Ella took Grace to play outside. Scarlett told Suellen that she had been called to Atlanta the next day and asked if she wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on Grace for her. She agreed and Scarlett made the necessary plans to get to the train station in the morning. She hadn’t stepped foot in Atlanta in several years. Suellen gave her a list of things to pick up while she was there for her. Scarlett had added her own list mentally to Suellen’s. She would purchase the necessary supplies for repairs to Tara and arrange to have them delivered before anyone could say no.

SO GLADE TO SEE SCARLETT BONDING WITH WADE AND ELLA OH I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ANNE FACE WHEN SHE FINDS OUT THAT HER AND RHETT AREN'T MARRIED AND SCARLETT HAS GRACE OD HURRY AND WRITE MORE FAST

I look forward to see what happens next and other stories you write.

I think you all should write a book.

Have a great Holiday

Cheers
Tabitha