Chapter 1: The good old South
Disclaimer: I do not own the movie 'Gone With The Wind' nor do I own any of the characters from 'Days Of Our Lives.
Those Yankees, those damn Yankees. Why did they ever have to intervene with our lives? We lived peacefully drinking our brandies, dancing gaily at our many grand balls. We southerners have always been well-mannered gentlemen and ladies; I can't understand why anyone would want to bring us harm. We are not people of war, like those savage Yankees. Pa says we don't have much artillery or ammunition; we are wealthy, poised, cotton farmers for god's sake. Not soldiers. But though my father and I have recognized that we are weak compared to the Yankees, we would be better of jumping into a bayou then speaking a word of it. What we southerners lack in our battle skills, we make up in pride. Everyone has a mentality of coming out triumphant, and they are all adamant. Every night during cigar and brandy hour our 'gentlemen' boast about a victory that has not happened. I listen to their arrogance and long to speak forward, but Pa says that it is not my place as a belle to voice my opinion. But I refuse to be an ordinary belle, subservient to a beau.
" Chloe…" Pa looks at me exasperated, as if he were training a mule," Please go get us another glass of Brandy," He knows me all to well, he sees my yearning to say something to these petulant gentlemen.
I decide to go against my yearning, Pa obviously treasures the acquaintances of these pigs," Yes Pa," I nod politely, picking up my heaving bodice and leaving the room. Inside I am more then happy to oblige and leave their presence.
I walk heavily to Pa's liquor cabinet and pull out the finest Brandy I can find. Clapping and howling are now coming from the room; obviously they are again talking about licking the Yankees. As I approach the room I can overhear their conversation.
" So tell us general Black, how badly are we going to beat those damn Yankees," even more howls and claps arise.
General Black, I have never been very fond of him. He is cocky and conceited, and the word gentleman definitely does not describe him. He has earned to respect of every beau and the affection of every belle. Truth be told he is handsome beau, with a stalwart physique, and piercing blue eyes, very similar to mine.
" Gentlemen, it pains me to say but we aren't looking to good out there. The Yankees have warehouses and factories while all we have is cotton and slaves," I am stunned, and so is everyone in the room. Did Brady Black the southern hero just dismiss his own kind?
" Treachery!" Mr. Welles shouts, he is furious, it seems as if he is about to give General Black a good crack in the head.
For someone who is receiving such icy stares, General Black doesn't seemed at all intimidated by them," Well I see that I'm ruining your cigars and brandies so I'll be leaving now," He sips the last of his drink and makes his way towards the door.
" General Black, please. As my quest, don't go," says Shawn Brady, the object of my undying affection. He is handsome to a fault, with brown hair, and honey brown eyes. But it is his ability to make me feel safe that draws me near him.
" My good Mr. Brady, I think I will just wonder about your home if you don't mind. I think that it is necessary for my survival that I leave," He tips his hat and leaves. I see that his flippant attitude infuriates the rest of the gentlemen.
" I should've laid a lick right there across his smug face!" I wish that Mr. Welles would shut his trap; he is a tiny man that could not even reach General Blacks face.
" Now, Now I don't think that you would've wanted to do that. General Black has licked many better men in his young life," I look at Shawn in admiration; he is so warm hearted and kind.
" I could've taken him on!"
Shawn chuckled," I'm sure you could've. Now if you don't mind I'm gonna find my guest," he bid the men goodbye and left the room. I took this as my opportunity to talk to him. I gave the brandy to pa and scurried to follow Shawn.
" Shawn!" I called; my heart is beating quickly and I having it hard to breath. He stops and smiles at me, I am sure it is a look a love, it must be," Can I talk to you about us?"
He looks confused as he leads me into a room," Chloe my dear, I've told you before. There is no us, I am going to marry Belle. There is no change in my decision,"
I feel rage and hurt as I walk to the window," But you love me, I know you do. You can't love her, a belle who can only oblige to your every word," Tears spring from my eyes; I know he doesn't mean to hurt me. But he is, and I am hating him for it.
" It is hard not to love you Chloe, you have such spirit and energy. You are unlike any belle I have every met," he sees hope in my eyes and looks away," But…Belle well make a good wife, and I can have no doubt I can grow to love her,"
" But you love me! And you know that I love you," I reach up to kiss him and he kisses back, but suddenly turns away," No Chloe, I shall marry Belle. I'm sorry,"
I feel like tearing him to shreds for how badly he his hurting me, though I have no right to hate him, I do. I slap him across the face swiftly and sharply. I await a slap in return, but instead he looks at me sympathetically and walks away.
" I hate you Shawn Brady! I shall hate and despise you forever!" But it is too late. He is gone. I pound my fists on a table, I see a vase and cannot resist. I grab it and throw it against a portrait against the wall. Suddenly general Black rises from the couch that sits infront of the portrait.
It now realize that he has heard the whole thing and I am embarrassed to face him," General Brady, how dare you listen to out conversation without making you presence known?" His infamous smirk enrages me
"I was finding you very amusing, pleading your undying love to Mr. Brady," I am suddenly wishing that Mr. Welles did crack his head open.
" Get out and leave me," I am in no mood to be patronized.
He laughs and inches closer to me," Well I was here first,"
" Fine, then I shall leave," He grabs my arm and pulls me close," You are certainly no gentleman general Black," He continues to laugh at me," What are you laughing at?"
" Miss. Lane please forgive me, but I wouldn't call myself a gentleman either," he pauses for a second looking into my eyes," Why a pretty belle like you would want a bland beau like Mr. Brady is incomprehensible,"
Who does he think he is? Insulting Shawn while he stands here and belittles a woman," You have no right to say that about Shawn. He is twice the man you are," I reclaim my arm and start to walk out of the room.
" And here I though you were going to hate him forever!" He called after me. I feel stupid that I have just contradicted myself, but I do not stop to retaliate. Instead my attention is drawn to all the men and women running about screaming excitedly.
I do not care about whatever the news is, so I make my way upstairs. As I am walking Phillip Kiriakis, Belle's brother, who has taking a fancy towards me, comes running up to my side.
" My dear Chloe they are declared it, they have declared war," I find it hard to share the excitement," Everyone is out to register,"
Everyone? Shawn. I run frantically to the window and I see him. He is on his horse, kissing Belle goodbye. It breaks my heart.
Phillip wraps his arms around my shoulder," Chloe you know that I love you, I know that I'm not quite the man you need by if you would consider marrying me I would give you anything,"
I don't know what came over me, I saw a way to make Shawn hurt and I took it," yes I will marry you Phillip," I am too busy watching Shawn that I don't see the joy in Phillip's eyes has he kisses my hand.
" You will. That's great," he continues to fondle with my hands," When shall I talk to your father?"
" As soon as you can find him,"
" Alright then, I'll go find him. I can't believe this. I be right back Chloe, I mean Miss. Kiriakis, dear," he kisses me clumsily before running off. I wonder if that decision was wise, it probably wasn't.
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Disclaimer: I do not own the movie 'Gone With The Wind' nor do I own any of the characters from 'Days Of Our Lives.
Those Yankees, those damn Yankees. Why did they ever have to intervene with our lives? We lived peacefully drinking our brandies, dancing gaily at our many grand balls. We southerners have always been well-mannered gentlemen and ladies; I can't understand why anyone would want to bring us harm. We are not people of war, like those savage Yankees. Pa says we don't have much artillery or ammunition; we are wealthy, poised, cotton farmers for god's sake. Not soldiers. But though my father and I have recognized that we are weak compared to the Yankees, we would be better of jumping into a bayou then speaking a word of it. What we southerners lack in our battle skills, we make up in pride. Everyone has a mentality of coming out triumphant, and they are all adamant. Every night during cigar and brandy hour our 'gentlemen' boast about a victory that has not happened. I listen to their arrogance and long to speak forward, but Pa says that it is not my place as a belle to voice my opinion. But I refuse to be an ordinary belle, subservient to a beau.
" Chloe…" Pa looks at me exasperated, as if he were training a mule," Please go get us another glass of Brandy," He knows me all to well, he sees my yearning to say something to these petulant gentlemen.
I decide to go against my yearning, Pa obviously treasures the acquaintances of these pigs," Yes Pa," I nod politely, picking up my heaving bodice and leaving the room. Inside I am more then happy to oblige and leave their presence.
I walk heavily to Pa's liquor cabinet and pull out the finest Brandy I can find. Clapping and howling are now coming from the room; obviously they are again talking about licking the Yankees. As I approach the room I can overhear their conversation.
" So tell us general Black, how badly are we going to beat those damn Yankees," even more howls and claps arise.
General Black, I have never been very fond of him. He is cocky and conceited, and the word gentleman definitely does not describe him. He has earned to respect of every beau and the affection of every belle. Truth be told he is handsome beau, with a stalwart physique, and piercing blue eyes, very similar to mine.
" Gentlemen, it pains me to say but we aren't looking to good out there. The Yankees have warehouses and factories while all we have is cotton and slaves," I am stunned, and so is everyone in the room. Did Brady Black the southern hero just dismiss his own kind?
" Treachery!" Mr. Welles shouts, he is furious, it seems as if he is about to give General Black a good crack in the head.
For someone who is receiving such icy stares, General Black doesn't seemed at all intimidated by them," Well I see that I'm ruining your cigars and brandies so I'll be leaving now," He sips the last of his drink and makes his way towards the door.
" General Black, please. As my quest, don't go," says Shawn Brady, the object of my undying affection. He is handsome to a fault, with brown hair, and honey brown eyes. But it is his ability to make me feel safe that draws me near him.
" My good Mr. Brady, I think I will just wonder about your home if you don't mind. I think that it is necessary for my survival that I leave," He tips his hat and leaves. I see that his flippant attitude infuriates the rest of the gentlemen.
" I should've laid a lick right there across his smug face!" I wish that Mr. Welles would shut his trap; he is a tiny man that could not even reach General Blacks face.
" Now, Now I don't think that you would've wanted to do that. General Black has licked many better men in his young life," I look at Shawn in admiration; he is so warm hearted and kind.
" I could've taken him on!"
Shawn chuckled," I'm sure you could've. Now if you don't mind I'm gonna find my guest," he bid the men goodbye and left the room. I took this as my opportunity to talk to him. I gave the brandy to pa and scurried to follow Shawn.
" Shawn!" I called; my heart is beating quickly and I having it hard to breath. He stops and smiles at me, I am sure it is a look a love, it must be," Can I talk to you about us?"
He looks confused as he leads me into a room," Chloe my dear, I've told you before. There is no us, I am going to marry Belle. There is no change in my decision,"
I feel rage and hurt as I walk to the window," But you love me, I know you do. You can't love her, a belle who can only oblige to your every word," Tears spring from my eyes; I know he doesn't mean to hurt me. But he is, and I am hating him for it.
" It is hard not to love you Chloe, you have such spirit and energy. You are unlike any belle I have every met," he sees hope in my eyes and looks away," But…Belle well make a good wife, and I can have no doubt I can grow to love her,"
" But you love me! And you know that I love you," I reach up to kiss him and he kisses back, but suddenly turns away," No Chloe, I shall marry Belle. I'm sorry,"
I feel like tearing him to shreds for how badly he his hurting me, though I have no right to hate him, I do. I slap him across the face swiftly and sharply. I await a slap in return, but instead he looks at me sympathetically and walks away.
" I hate you Shawn Brady! I shall hate and despise you forever!" But it is too late. He is gone. I pound my fists on a table, I see a vase and cannot resist. I grab it and throw it against a portrait against the wall. Suddenly general Black rises from the couch that sits infront of the portrait.
It now realize that he has heard the whole thing and I am embarrassed to face him," General Brady, how dare you listen to out conversation without making you presence known?" His infamous smirk enrages me
"I was finding you very amusing, pleading your undying love to Mr. Brady," I am suddenly wishing that Mr. Welles did crack his head open.
" Get out and leave me," I am in no mood to be patronized.
He laughs and inches closer to me," Well I was here first,"
" Fine, then I shall leave," He grabs my arm and pulls me close," You are certainly no gentleman general Black," He continues to laugh at me," What are you laughing at?"
" Miss. Lane please forgive me, but I wouldn't call myself a gentleman either," he pauses for a second looking into my eyes," Why a pretty belle like you would want a bland beau like Mr. Brady is incomprehensible,"
Who does he think he is? Insulting Shawn while he stands here and belittles a woman," You have no right to say that about Shawn. He is twice the man you are," I reclaim my arm and start to walk out of the room.
" And here I though you were going to hate him forever!" He called after me. I feel stupid that I have just contradicted myself, but I do not stop to retaliate. Instead my attention is drawn to all the men and women running about screaming excitedly.
I do not care about whatever the news is, so I make my way upstairs. As I am walking Phillip Kiriakis, Belle's brother, who has taking a fancy towards me, comes running up to my side.
" My dear Chloe they are declared it, they have declared war," I find it hard to share the excitement," Everyone is out to register,"
Everyone? Shawn. I run frantically to the window and I see him. He is on his horse, kissing Belle goodbye. It breaks my heart.
Phillip wraps his arms around my shoulder," Chloe you know that I love you, I know that I'm not quite the man you need by if you would consider marrying me I would give you anything,"
I don't know what came over me, I saw a way to make Shawn hurt and I took it," yes I will marry you Phillip," I am too busy watching Shawn that I don't see the joy in Phillip's eyes has he kisses my hand.
" You will. That's great," he continues to fondle with my hands," When shall I talk to your father?"
" As soon as you can find him,"
" Alright then, I'll go find him. I can't believe this. I be right back Chloe, I mean Miss. Kiriakis, dear," he kisses me clumsily before running off. I wonder if that decision was wise, it probably wasn't.
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