Scarlett impatiently waited outside the door of Dr. Meade's home. She had been standing there for a long while and was near to craziness with impatience. Oh, when would the old fool realize she was there? Suddenly, fear filled her mind. For the last few days, she had encountered numerous headaches, nausea, cramps, and sudden drops of energy. I'll knock this door down if he won't answer me! Her mind filled with rage. Here she was, nearly frightened to death, and the old doctor taking his time with nothing. In all her unhappiness and fear, she raised her fist and slammed it against the door with all her might. A chip of wood fell from the wooden and Scarlett smirked. That ought to do him good she thought satisfied. As if by magic, the door sprung open and there stood Doctor Meade. His smile faded when he saw her.
"Good evening Scarlett" he greeted coldly.
"Doctor Meade, I've been feeling sick lately" she grasped onto his tidy dark blue coat in all her frusteration.
"Come in then, and do let go of my coat, you're putting wrinkles into it" he led her inside into the plain house.
When Scarlett walked in, she realized that the house was almost empty, with only dusty furniture and dark walls. Well they're lucky enough to have a house she thought bitterly, looking towards the old doctor.
"Please sit" Doctor Meade gestured to chair beside her, she fell backwards unto it and let out a deep breath.
"What appears to be the problem Scarlett" Dr. Meade inquired.
"Oh, I've been having this horrible nausea every morning and my sides always hurt. Not to mention how exhausted I've been" she complained in a petty sort of way.
"Indeed. Anything more?"
"Oh well, I think that's about it, except the nausea isn't what you think Dr. Meade. It's much worse. Oh and it hurts terribly"
Dr. Meade looked up at her with his normal disapproval and nodded. He then looked away as if thinking. Scarlett's heart pounded angrily. Oh what would she do if she was sick? Perhaps dying! Her green eyes flashed wildly at the idea of a deathly illness. Dr. Meade caught sight of this and sighed.
"It's most likely not deathly Scarlett" he turned his dark eyes on her.
"Yes Dr. Meade" she looked away.
"Dr. Meade-" cried a voice from the kitchen.
Scarlett turned away immediately as the voice could only belong to Mrs. Meade. She could hear footsteps and barely see the old woman as she entered the room. The frown on Mrs. Meade's face became even more grave as she cast her eyes on Scarlett.
"Good evening Mrs. Meade" Scarlett smiled poisonously sweet at the old woman's enraged face.
"Good evening Scarlett" Mrs. Meade turned towards Dr. Meade.
"I told you no customers tonight" she scolded, her nearly faded eyes turning with rage" tonight's the night when our dear boys..." her voice quivered and trailed off.
"I know Mrs. Meade. But Scarlett seemed quite eager for a checkup, and we shall be done soon" as Mrs. Meade left, he turned to Scarlett "I think I may know what the problem is, follow me" he left the room and headed for a even darker one, one that Scarlett knew too well.
Scarlett thanked Doctor Meade and left. Immediately her mind filled with mixed emotions. Just a second ago, Dr. Meade had told her she was pregnant. She should be angry, outraged, or murderous! But somehow, her heart filled with joy at the news, something it had never done. All her life, Scarlett has despised babies and small children, all but Ashley's children. Her mind filled with love at the slight thought of Ashley. With his handsome blonde hair and calm, gentle eyes. It was wonder someone like him was stuck with a small figure like Melanie! Oh if only Melly were dead and I could have him she dreamily thought. Although she was surely not carrying Ashley's baby, it was still a new chance at happiness. At least I'll have someone who is mine and loves me she thought. There was no doubt in her heart that she wanted this baby! Oh if only it were Ashley's and not Rhett's! When the doctor had told her she was pregnant. She could wonder how. But then her mind turned to that one night, that one awful night where Rhett had carried her up the stairs. Where she could do was surrender. But that was no matter now, she had a child and she was glad. As she approached her carraige her thoughts began to wander to Rhett and Bonnie who had been away about a month. In this time she had tried to socialize with her kids, failing miserably. Uncle Peter was waiting patiently in the carraige as she approached.
"You's alrought Miss Scarlett" asked Peter helping her in,
"I'm fine Uncle Peter" she responded cooly straightening her long rose-colored dress.
"Miss Scarlett, you's been at de doctah's" Uncle Peter pointed out grabbing hold of the reins.
"Fiddle-dee-dee, it was nothing, now drive" she snapped stretching her dress across the seat.
Uncle Peter reluctantly snapped the reins and began to drive. Scarlett wondered about Bonnie almost all the time, for she was her most beloved child. What a fine spirited beauty she was! Scarlett nearly bursted in pride whenever she saw her young daughter laugh or smile. If only Rhett would come home! She would write to him. But she diminished the thought as soon as it came for she only knew too well that Rhett would think she wanted him. But suppose he would still away till after the baby was born! Suppose he stayed away longer. She shook that idea out of her head and enjoyed the summer breeze, which lifter black hair high. As she was enjoying the breeze she almost didn't notice while they passed by the mills. Scarlett began to raise her voice to stop, for she wanted to see Ashley, but her voice died down with the wind. As they passed, sadness filled her heart. Oh why must've Ashley married a fool like Melly, who could only bear one child and had nothing to say for herself. She sat back down and dreamed of her life as Ashley's wife. She'd give him so many children! And she'd learn to love everything he'd come to love and smile with him. And she'd be a respectable lady and have the finest house. She smiled at the thought of his handsome blonde hair and shining eyes. He was meant to be in charge always, yet fate had not been kind to him.
"Miss Scarlett, we's on yo street" Peter announced,
Scarlett immediately snapped to attention.
"Yes Uncle Peter. Thank you" she looked over the side, as if she had lost her home.
But the Butler's mansion still stood high and tall and remained the most beautiful house on Peachstreet, or possibly in Atlanta. As they stopped by the house, Scarlett caught a glimpse of Wade and Ella playing in the backyard. She smiled, not at the thought of her two children, but the thought of her new child playing there. Of course they wouldn't play the silly ridiculous games Wade and Ella played, but the fine ones that were worth playing. Like the games Beau played and herself when she was young.
"Good night Uncle Peter" she stepped out of the carraige and flowed onto the pavement.
"Thankee Miss Scarlett" and with that, Peter drove off into the night.
Scarlett sighed and wrapped her light-colored shawl around her shoulders. Suddenly, Mammy came out of the house, looking unhappy,
"Miss Scarlett, Ah done tole ya and tole ya ter tell me where you is gwine. I was gwine ter go seerching for you when you done showed up" Mammy scolded.
"I was at Doctor Meade's Mammy. But I'm fine now" Scarlett began to go inside the house when Mammy grabbed her arm.
"Da doctah's? Was da mattre Miss Scarlett" Mammy voice was concerned.
"Nothing Mammy"
"Nuthin'? You's lyin' ter me 'gain. Ah knows ya Miss Scarlett! Was da mattre" Mammy now sounded angry.
Scarlett ripped her arm away from Mammy.
"If it pleases you, I'm going to have a baby!"
"A baby! Why Miss Scarlett! You and Mist' Rhett ain't nebber shawed a room since Miss Bonnie came. Huccome you gwine ter hab a baby ef you and Mist' Rhett..."
"Mammy that's enough! I'm awful tired, I'll be sleeping in my room" Scarlett turned towards the door only to be grabbed by Mammy again.
"Oh no you ain't. You's gwine ter eat evey lil' thing I done cooked. It ain't heathy for a lady carrin' a chile ter jes sleep and sleep widout eatin' none" Mammy voice was harsh and angry.
"For God's sake Mammy, I'm awful tired. Let me sleep" Scarlett looked unto Mammy with a tired, helpless expression.
"You kin go up ter yo baid, and Ah's gwine ter brin' you some supper"
"I don't feel like eating Mammy" Scarlett told her coldly.
"Oh you's gwine ter eat. Ah ain't gwine ter let ya miscarry, not wid dis chile on da way" Mammy pulled Scarlett up the steps roughly and into the house.
Scarlett's heart lifted as she entered the warm, comfortable house. She suddenly felt wam and tingly with feelings of love for her child. Oh if only the baby were a boy! A fine, spirited boy, not a little creature like Wade. He'd have Rhett's handsomeness and reckless look. Oh how she'd love him and smooth his way with money. And then she would be happy. For the first time, she felt as she could be happy without Ashley. Ashley! Her heart beat faster to think of him, and yet slower when it turned to Melanie or Rhett. I won't think about it today thought Scarlett unwillingly I'll think about it tomorrow, or next week, or next month, whenever I can think. She dropped her head in exhaustion as Mammy helped her up the stairs. Suddenly Prissy entered the room.
"Mammy, I done cooked suppa" squealed Prissy and then upon seeing Scarlett" Oh mah Lawd, es dat Miss Scarlett? Wus da matta wid her?"
Prissy raced up the stairs and shook Scarlett roughly.
"Git 'way you laze gal, Miss Scarlett done come home frum da doctah's ain she ain't doin' so well. Git back to da kitchen" Mammy scolded pushing the girl away.
"Yes" Prissy lifted her skirts and fled downstairs.
"Wuthless"" Mammy muttered in disgust as she helped Scarlett up the stairs.
"Mammy" Scarlett uttered barely in her exhaustion.
"Yas chile" Mammy's voice was smooth and kind.
"I want this baby" she whispered gravely "I really do"
Mammy looked up. These words nearly shocked the old woman for she had never known Scarlett to love anything besides herself, and she knew Scarlett was just as well ruined by her shape.
"Dat's good my lamb" Mammy told her rushing her to the room.
Scarlett barely lifted her head to see her room, which was now cold and dark. It had been this way since Rhett had left it, and since he had, the pleasure and liveliness of the room was forever gone. But to think Ashley would one day replace Rhett! Oh if that day ever came, Scarlett would bless God. But she was much to tired to think of how happy she'd be. Mammy quietly helped her undress and got her settled into bed. Scarlett turned head across the pillow and closed her eyes peacefully. She was unaware of Mammy leaving and silently closing the dark wooden door behind her. For a moment, Scarlett wondered why she hadn't fallen asleep right away and was even more shocked to see Mammy rush in carrying her food tray.
"Hyah you go Miss Scarlett, fresh and worm. Now eat" Mammy placed the tray evenly over Scarlett's body.
Scarlett reached out and attempted to lift the spoon, but failed miserably. She sighed and tried again but failed. God's nightgown! I'm just like that ninny Melanie Scarlett irritated herself with both the thought of Melanie and of her being like her. This time, she caught the spoon squarely and began to eat. The food, although being simple, now tasted more wonderful than anything she ever had in New Orleans. Ignoring Mammy's hard glance, she said a silent prayer to God and continued to eat until she had completely finished. Without a single word, Mammy took the tray and left leaving Scarlett who added another prayer.
"Dear God, if you're out there, I've been mighty good these days, and now I'm carrying a child. Rhett's child. I so wish it was Ashley's but I know it's Rhett's. Please let me carry my baby and not end up like that ninny, not being able to have any more children, not that I'd want to give Rhett any more children, but when I'm with Ashley. Oh please give me Ashley Lord, I'll do anything! I'll be a wonderful stepmother to Beau and I'll be a kind mother to Wade and Ella if only you let me have my Ashley. My Ashley. Please Lord. Amen" Scarlett smiled at the thought of Ashley.
She had to have Ashley! Any woman who loved a man had him, she had to love Ashley. Afterall, there was never a man Scarlett wasn't in reach of. Yet she wanted Ashley. Why she could kill Melanie if she and Ashley could be together forever! She smiled again, this time even brighter. They would be together. They'd have to end up together! It was the only for Scarlett to be happy. She needed him. She needed him. She needed him.