"Miss Scarlett!" screamed Prissy running into Scarlett's room.

"Great balls of fire! Can't I get any rest" Scarlett snapped sitting up from her bed.

"Mist Wade and Miss Ella done gone long 'go" Prissy wailed

"Good heaven's Prissy! Search for them" Scarlett was now awake.

"Is too dahk! An' Ah doan lak de dahk" Prissy was sobbing at the top of her high pitched voice.

Scarlett placed her feet on the ground, they felt weak, but she knew she'd have to do something. Afterall, Wade and Ella were her children.

"Where do you think they went. And wipe off those ridiculous tears! I'm sick of you always crying" Scarlett tried to stand, but was forced down by her own weight.

"Ah doan know! Ah seed dem playin' 'bout two owrs 'go. Den Ah din see dem no mo'" Prissy's cries lowered greatly but still annoyed Scarlett.

"Did I not tell you to hush up that ridiculous crying? Did you check Melly's house" Scarlett asked trying in vain to stand up again.

"Ah din cheek nowhar. I waz too sceered" Prissy whispered fearfully.

"You fool! You lazy, worthless black fool" Scarlett wanted to strike Prissy but could not even get to her feet.

Prissy burst into tears again and wiped her face on her dirty apron. With a final lift, Scarlett got to her feet. She now felt even more exhausted and almost fell to the ground. Why did children take up so much energy? Or at least this child. She had been tired when she was going to have Wade, Ella, and Bonnie. But they never made her this tired, or nasueous. She wanted to throw up, but held it in. She made her way to the sobbing Prissy and grabbed the girl's blouse with all her might.

"Get mammy!" her voice was much more gentle then she had planned.

"Yes'm" Prissy sobbed and raced out of the door.

Scarlett could hear young Prissy run down the hall and sighed. Wade and Ella gone? That was certainly a shock. Why, the two children were so obedient that they would cut off their little heads if it pleased Scarlett at all. Perhaps the dog had gotten loose. Scarlett knew from experience of Channel's tricks. She had been taking a walk with Rhett long ago when the dog had tackled her. She yelled at Wade and had him thrown outside. Later, she had him join for dinner where they didn't discuss the matter further, luckily for poor Wade. Since then the boy had been smart enough to put something in front of the gate. Perhaps he had taken it down and forgot to put it back up. What a fool! Scarlett dragged herself to the closet and took out a dress. She could hear the shuffling of feet below and panicked. Suppose they left without her? Scarlett, although she had never wanted her children, was still desperate to find them. She stood higher and put on the dress. She staggered outside the door where she could see Mammy and Prissy getting ready to leave.

"Wait" she called out in a blood-curling scream.

Both Mammy and Prissy turned with schocked faces.

"Lo'd Gawd. Was you dwine outter bed" Mammy shouted back hurrying up the staircase to Scarlett, who rested on the railing.

"I want to come" Scarlett panted bending over.

"No you ain'. You's gwine rought back ter baid" Mammy began to pull Scarlett towards the door but Scarlett ripped her hand away.

"They're my children! I'm going" Scarlett began to walk downstairs and almost tripped.

"Look at yoseff! You ain' gwine nowhar, nebber!" Mammy practically carried a reluctant Scarlett back up.

"No Mammy" Scarlett could barely make out the words.

"Ah ain' lettin ya git outta dis hause eb you is ti'ed" Mammy whispered fiercly.

With all her might, Scarlett ripped away from Mammy and trotted down the stairs with surprising strength. And to more surprise, she didn't feel tired. She then turned to Prissy.

"Let's go" she said cooly.

Mammy hurried down the stairs furiously.

"Miss Scarlett! You's gwine rought back ter baid rought now! Ah haid 'nough on mah han's widout you runnin' round da house when carrin' a chile!"

"Let me go Mammy. I'll handle it. Believe me. I'm not trying to miscarry, like I told you, I really want this child and I can't wait for it to come. If I feel tired, I'll go home" Scarlett told her unwavering.

Mammy looked softer and just let down her head.

"Ef Ah jes caitch ya doin' nythin' dat 'cerns me. Ah weel pull ya baick hyah. You unnerstanin'.

"Yes Mammy" Scarlett responded.

Mammy shot her one hard look and opened the door. Scarlett wrapped herself more into her shawl and felt nice and warm. This feeling was taken away as soon as she stepped outside, like being pulled away by the hand. Scarlett froze in her footsteps. Oh suppose Wade and Ella were somewhere out here! Why they would freeze themselves! Suddenly, Scarlett's heart filled with worries of the two children until she could no longer stay quiet.

"Oh where could they be?" Scarlett moaned under her breath.

Mammy turned to her in surprise and lifted her lamp a bit higher so that Scarlett could see clearer. The worry in her heart did not release but lifted a bit and Scarlett stood up higher. If she went crazy, she'd never find Wade or Ella.

"Let's check Melly's" she announced and then to herself "where else would they go?"

Mammy and Prissy led with lamps in their hands. Scarlett was right behind them. She wrapped herself in the blue shawl she had brung. It was also one Rhett had brought her. She tried not to think of Rhett and now felt unhappy and insecure whenever she did. For the first time, she felt as though she needed him. She didn't love him any better, but it was nice knowing he was around. And Bonnie. Scarlett thought of the halfway finished blue bonnet which lay on a coffee table upstairs. She'd finish it within the week, and then maybe make a bonnet for Ella. Not one as pretty as Bonnie's, since Scarlett wasn't going to waste pretty fabrics on something, that thanks to Ella's clumbsiness, would eventually get torn. She'd make a light green one, Ella had torn her old one the week before and sobbed over it for a few seconds, and then started laughing. And after that she would make a blanket for the new baby. Oh she had so much to do! Maybe she'd go see the mills afterward, to check up on the standards, and Ashley. As they imerged in the darkness, Scarlett's mind turned to Melanie almost without hate. Surely Melly would help her with the baby. This would be Scarlett's last baby with Rhett and that was sure. Then Scarlett would work again as she did. It seemed funny to her now that whenever men talked of work, they groaned. Work's not so stressful thought Scarlett cheerfully. It wasn' even stressful when she was poor. It was a wonder why only men worked! The other women are such fools Scarlett told herself with much hate they can't even see that they're going against themselves. I'd like to knock their respectable heads together! Yes, she'd like to do that. Scarlett could barely see Melanie's house on the end of the block. There was no doubt in her heart that Wade and Ella were there, as she could hear the playful shouting of Beau and the others together. Scarlett sighed in relief. For the first time, she was thankful that they loved Melanie so much.

"They're here" Scarlett cried joyfully.

Mammy and Prissy nodded and quickened their pace, ignoring Scarlett's exhaustion. Scarlett tried to keep up, but decided to stay behind rather than miscarry. Suddenly Mammy turned around and frowned. Scarlett groaned for she knew that Mammy would be concerned.

"I done tole ya not ter come, Miss Scarlett" Mammy told her.

"I'm not so tired, I don't want to trip or fall either" Scarlett responded cooly finally catching up with them.

Mammy nodded and grabbed onto her shawl to make sure she didn't leave her again and they advanced towards Mammy's. Scarlett could barely see Prissy trembling with all her little might. This probably reminded her of the days at Tara. She'll be lucky if she doesn't die thinking of the past Scarlett thought satisfactedly. Before they could even reach the door, it swung open. Melanie stepped out and her smile widened when she saw Scarlett.

"Scarlett! Mammy! Prissy! Come in" she stepped backwards to let her guests in.

Mammy thanked her and led Scarlett in with Prissy at her heels. Melanie looked as always with her long hair hanging down her back with a lilac dress. However something was different in her eye. It was full of happiness and pride. Perhaps she had playing with the children and was thinking of the new baby. Mammy sat Scarlett down on a chair at the dining table and Prissy sat beside the fire, her black face almost red with the flame.

"Is Wade and Ella-" Scarlett began to ask but Melanie's smile stopped her.

"Yes dear" Melanie responded as if Scarlett didn't know.

"Is yo husban' comin' home" Mammy asked eyeing Scarlett suspiciously.

"Oh soon! He's working late at the mills. They're doing wonderfully, Scarlett. I think he's getting so much better at business" Melanie swooned in a godess-like voice.

"Mammy nodded and went to sit next to Prissy. Scarlett's energy immediately drained and she flopped over onto the table.

"I don't think I've ever seen you so tired dear. Is the baby hurting you much?" Melanie's voice annoyed Scarlett.

"A bit" she responded quite gently.

"It's most likely a boy then" announced Melly turning her eyes to the children playing outside.

Scarlett didn't say anything but turned her head wishing she could sleep.

"How's everything dear? Have you heard from Rhett?" Melanie softened her voice at the mention of Rhett.

"Mmm" Scarlett hummed ignoring Melanie's question.

As soon as the children entered the room, Scarlett sat up. They brought Channel in with them who was barking with all his might. Scarlett grew frusterated.

"Great balls of fire Wade!" she shouted "Shut that ridiculous dog up"

The room grew very quiet and Wade turned purple with embarrasment. He then pushed Channel out the door who whimpered and scratched, all the children flinched at the noise for they hated the sounds of a sad animal, even Ella.

"Wade dear!" Melanie sighed in exasperation "I'm sorry about that, your mother is very tired. You should try to be more careful"

The purple faded from Wade's face and he smiled. He loved Aunt Melly with all his little heart. Any words from her were a comfort to him. Melly in return loved her nephew for he was much like Charles. She wished that all the children were her own secretly, but in a way was happy that they were Scarlett's, for she knew that anything which made Scarlett happy was good. Melanie could see that Scarlett loved Wade and Ella. She just loved them in her own way. She's so tired right now Melanie told herself lovingly she'd shout at Ashley himself. Her mind filled with more love at the thought of Ashley and Beau. Oh how blessed she was to have a beautiful boy and a wonderful husband, with many friends, a sister, and her children who loved her. God has been to me Melanie promised herself. He'd given her everything. She could've been an old maid, she could've been a widow, she could've been motherless, dead, lonely, and yet she was married, alive, healthy, and well. If only God would grant her with a little baby girl! Oh how good she'd be! Life was full of "what ifs" and "if onlys". I mustn't think about it Melanie told herself I'll go crazy with hate if I do. All of a sudden the door burst open and in walked Ashley.

"Beau! Melly!" he called.

Melanie jumped up from her chair, forgetting Scarlett and ran towards Ashley who picked her up in a hug which was followed by a passionate kiss. Scarlett barely caught a sight of this and was pained. If only Ashley would do that to her! He loved her didn't he? Of couse he did! Anyone would be a fool to love Melanie, and Ashley was not a fool. He wishes he never married that mealy-mouthed ninny Scarlett promised herself. And she convinced herself this was true. Little Beau burst in and ran into his father's arms which swung him around. Wade and Ella even followed who were embraced in return. What a good father Ashely would be to them! However when Ashley saw her, his smile faded and he gave his arm to both Beau and Melanie.

"Good evening Ashley" Scarlett greeted in the most loving way she could with all her exhaustion.

"Good evening Scarlett! You are staying for dinner?" he asked moving towards her with Melanie still clutching onto his arm.

Stay for dinner? Oh she couldn't live through that! She couldn't bear to see Melanie on Ashley's arm with him kissing her. She shook her head to Melly's surprise and stood up from her chair.

"No! I'm much too tired. Come on Wade, Ella. You've caused enough trouble for the day" she responded and headed for the door.

Wade and Ella looked at Melly pleadingly. Melanie broke away from Ashley's arm.

"Scarlett! Wade and Ella wanted to stay here overnight, they are awfully tired from running for that dog. Do you mind if they stay here?"

Scarlett turned around slowly and released the knob. She thought about it. They had scared enough! Suppose Channel were to get loose again? What on Earth would they do after that? But on the other hand, she was too tired to deal with either of them and too ashamed to even look at them. Nevertheless, she didn't want either of them staying at Aunt Melly's. But then again-.

"All right, you can stay" she told them before retreating out of the house.

She could hear the cheering of the family in the house and tears ran down her cheeks. Oh how lonely she was! With no real husband, no children who loved her, and no friends besides Melanie, who wasn't even counted to be a friend.

"Miss Scarlett! You git baick hyah" Mammy called from the porch, and ran after Scarlett.

When she caught up to her, she could see Scarlett's tears and suddenly put her hand on her shoulder.