Chapter Three

(A/N thanks for all your reviews :-) )

As usual, his eyes were unreadable, but this time Scarlett felt no desire to understand what they kept underneath the dark seas. He was still a powerful and handsome man and he carried his age well. She would guess he still turned his share of women's heads. But she also noticed that he looked tired.

"Hallo Mrs. Butler" he smirked.

"Hallo Rhett, please do come in" Scarlett kept her voice as emotionless as his.

"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!"

"Uncle Rhett!"

"Uncle Rhett!"

Before Rhett had the chance to enter the room Bonnie was in his arms, followed by Ella. Only Wade hadn't got up but he had called for Rhett.

"I missed you daddy! Where did you go?" Bonnie looked Rhett sternly in the eyes, demanding an answer in her stubborn, sweetly way, that was so much like Scarlett.

"My precious Bonnie, daddy had some business to take care of in Europe. I had to leave." Rhett didn't try to hide the tears forming in his eyes; he had missed his little girl, who was his whole life.

"Well don't go for so long again," Bonnie demanded, "Mother doesn't leave us for so long." Rhett winced at her words, his darling daughter compared him to Scarlett, and she came out a better man than he did, what had he done?

"I won't Bonnie. Or you can come with me the next time, would you like that?"

"No! I want to stay with Mother, Ella, Wade and Jade" Bonnie cried in fear.

She hadn't liked to be separated from her mother for the three long months, her daddy had taken her to Charleston. And she would hate to be in that position again, no matter how much she loved her father; her mother was some one she needed.

Again, Rhett winced but he embraced his daughter and whispered, "Of course you want to darling."

"Uncle Rhett! I missed you a lot" Ella tugged at Rhett's coat. Smiling warmly at Ella Rhett scooped the little girl into his other arm.

"You did Miss Ella? But not as much as I missed my girls"

"Hallo son" Rhett turned to Wade with the usual warm smile, he always gave the children.

"Hallo Uncle Rhett" Wade politely smiled back, he had missed his stepfather but he couldn't admire him like he used to, this man had left his mother alone with three children and one on its way. Wade wanted to admire the only father he had ever known but his heart told him, that Rhett had taken a cowards road when leaving them all behind. It was not how a true gentleman would behave. It was confusing for Wade's young heart and mind, he loved his stepfather, but his loyalty was with his mother and he admired her for her courage.

"How have you been holding son?" Rhett continued, he noticed a change in the boy but couldn't put his finger to it, just that this wasn't the timid boy he had left nine or rather 12 months ago.

"Very fine Uncle Rhett." The truth was evident in Wade eyes; life had been good to the boy.

"Do sit down Rhett. I will call for coffee" Scarlett interrupted. Turning to her oldest daughter she said; "Sweetheart will you tell Ester to bring coffee and tea for us all, please?"

"Of course Mother" Ella jumped from Rhett's arm and ran out of the room.

"No running in the house young lady!" Scarlett yelled after her daughter with a big smile on her face, she knew Ella wouldn't listen. None of her daughters behaved like small ladies but in the company of Melanie.

"Sure Mother" Ella shouted back and kept running.

Rhett watched his wife when she exchanged words with Ella; he also noticed a changed in Scarlett. In fact he noticed a change in each and every person of his family. This was not the family he left 12 months ago and not the daughter he left nine months ago, they all seemed more at ease, gentler and more happy now, he thought with a bittersweet feeling. His leaving seemed to have done this family well, his heart twisted in pain, when he realised he couldn't call them his family anymore; he had been gone too long for that. Scarlett was still arresting attractive, he had never known her age, but she looked almost as young as when he had first met her. There was a glove to her eyes he had never seem before, the hunting expression had left her face and had been replaced with a soft, content one. Her frock was simpler than anything; he had seen her in since they had married. But it was a beautiful and tasteful green frock; one that wouldn't be ruined if a child touched it. Her hair was done in a simple hairstyle, she wore no jewellery except her wedding ring, gone was the big, vulgar engagement ring. He liked this Scarlett but he also felt intimidated by her, she had always been a strong woman but her strength was more powerful and feminine now. This was not a woman to be manipulated anymore and that fascinated him and scared the heck out of him.

Ella returned with Ester and the tray with the treats. Soon every one were situated with a cup of hot drink and a piece of cake, the conversation was a little awkward with only Bonnie chatting freely with her daddy.

Scarlett didn't know what to make of Rhett's visit, one time she had longed for his return and prayed to God that he would; now she really felt nothing when looking at her husband. It felt like a lifetime since he left her, and she had a life on her own now. Still, she could feel the masculine power coming from him and how the simple present of him demanded attention, he was not a person to be easily ignored, but she felt no pang in her heart and no longing. He might as well be a stranger passing by and not the father of two of her children. Yet, she couldn't tell if Rhett seemed changed from the changes in her or it was from within him.

She wondered what he wanted from her but if she knew him well he wouldn't stay for long, he never did. But she wouldn't let him take Bonnie with him again, ever.

The door was opened with force and in came Mammy with a crying Jade,

"This little one misses her mother. I remember another little girl with a healthy set of lungs like this little one's, a long time ago but the same demanding lungs. Here Miz Scarlett."

Mammy handed the baby to Scarlett, without looking at anyone but her mistress.

Scarlett rocked the little girl in her arms, kissing her daughter's rosy cheek and smiling to her. Soon the crying stopped and was replace with a bright, sunny smile.

"That's my girl Jade" Scarlett softly soothed the girl.

Bonnie left her place beside her daddy and came over to her baby sister's side, placing a soft kiss on Jade's forehead.

Rhett watched this with alert eyes, had Scarlett given birth to another child? This baby was obviously dear to all in Scarlett's family. He felt a pang in his heart, Scarlett was only supposed to have his children and never had she been this loving with Bonnie, when she was an infant. Hurt was in his eyes when he felt a pair of eyes watching him,

"Mister Rhett! You're back!" Mammy stated.

"Good to see you Mammy" Rhett offered, hesitantly tearing his eyes from Scarlett, Bonnie and the infant. Mammy smiled and waddled out of the room, leaving the family on its own. She wouldn't be the one helping Rhett; his betrayal to this family was too fresh and not easily forgotten.

"Daddy! Come see my baby sister, Jade" Bonnie's voice broke into Rhett's thoughts.

"So it was Scarlett's baby" Rhett's heart broke into thousand pieces, he had been replaced, not that it should matter to him but it did.

Scarlett lifted her head and looked into Rhett's eyes, "Do come and greet your youngest daughter Rhett. She is adorable!"

"His daughter! How could it be?" Suddenly he remembered the one night, they had spent together in years and his heart lightened with joy.

"Another girl to spoil".

In a matter of seconds he was by Scarlett's side, his eyes locked on his baby daughters face; "She beautiful Scarlett. Look at her eyes they are turning green. Jade suits her."

Rhett was proud, there was no doubt that this was his daughter, the proof was her skin; a lighter shade of his own.

"Jade Scarlett Butler" Bonnie echoed, "That's her name daddy."

"I like that" Rhett looked at Scarlett who calmly met his eyes.

"Your children comes in many colours but always beautiful" he chuckled, "May I hold my daughter?" Scarlett kissed the baby before handing her over to Rhett.

For the next half hour Rhett doted on the children, especially Jade, he couldn't take his eyes of her, he had fallen in love with her right away. Scarlett and her children had always held his heart at hostage. He wondered if he would have run away, had he known Scarlett was with child.

Jade started to fuss in Rhett's arms, her lips making small sucking movements and cute sounds. Scarlett knew what it meant.

"Hand her to me, it's feeding time Rhett. After that I think we should talk don't you?"

"Agreed Mrs. Butler"

"Now we will leave you. Children after Jade's feeding Prissy will take you to the park.

"Yes Mother" three voices answered her.