Hi readers...once again I do not own GWTW or it's characters...Thanks again for reading!
Chapter Four
After several minutes of self pity Scarlett pulled herself together and walked cautiously down the hall as to not run into Rhett. She felt strange tip toeing through her own house but couldn't emotionally handle another run in with him. The storm had long passed leaving in it's wake a remarkable sunset. Vibrant orange and red hues casted long shadows on the hallway wall through each open door. She cringed inwardly as she stepped on several creaking floorboards, hoping no one would notice. The room at the end of the long hallway belonged to Wade. When they'd finished the remodel she let him choose whatever room he wanted.
Scarlett hesitated outside his room eager to hear how the encounter earlier with Rhett had played out. Wade's door was partially open and the lantern spread its warm fingers of light into the hallway across her darkened face. She entered slowly walking towards her son who lay haphazardly against a pillow, his nose buried deep in a book.
"You look just like your father Wade with your nose deep in a novel." She observed sitting next to him. Wade lowered the book and turned his gaze toward his mother. On his face she saw a mixture of emotions but couldn't make out exactly how he was feeling. Had she been around more and been more involved with her son she would probably know. She cursed herself inwardly for all she had missed out.
"Are you alright?" she asked genuinely concerned. He didn't answer just continued staring.
"Wade …."she pressed. He responded not with words but lay a reassuring hand over hers, squeezing it lightly. They sat in silence feeling comforted knowing the other was in the room. Both had things on their minds which upset them, but neither of them knew what to say. The weight of Rhett's words pressed on her conscience. She toyed with them, feeling guilty that she indeed didn't know her children.
"I'm fine mother. It's just that," he paused gathering his thoughts," I used to look forward to Rhett being around. Now, I ….well I don't know I just feel confused." Wade had never opened up to her before, nor had he ever referred to Rhett as just Rhett. It was usually coupled with Uncle. This moment was a first for her, as she had always kept herself guarded. She didn't understand why though because she loved her children. It was just difficult for her to connect with them.
Scarlett didn't know how to respond to his answer because she never expected for him to reply at all. She thought back to how her mother might answer, or even how Mammy had consoled her.
"I've milled over this conversation with you in my head for a while now. I feel you're old enough to know what's going on." Wade sat patiently not taking his eyes from his mother. He had always imagined his mother being this concerned. It made him feel important at last.
"You mean a lot to Rhett." Scarlett whispered feeling guilty. If Wade really knew the reason why their relationship didn't work he'd hate her. She would have lost ground with him even before she had gained any. Wade's eyes narrowed suddenly and he shook his head. "Mother I heard what he said to you. I'm not so naive that I don't know things between the two of you have been pressed thin."As he spoke his voice grew in volume.
"But Wade… I," she began trying desperately to get a word in.
"No, you think that just because I'm not an adult yet that I don't understand. " Wade's temper had flared and Scarlett shrunk back shocked at the outbreak from her usually well mannered son. "Beau told me about the divorce. I didn't think it was the truth until Aunt Pitty pulled me aside and asked me if I was ok."
It was unlike Scarlett not to lash out and have the last say. She had put both her children through more than they should have had to handle. The hurt in her eyes mirrored one of being slapped in the face.
"Why didn't you just tell me?" He continued accusingly pushing himself to his feet and crossing his arms.
Rhett entered hands deep in his pockets, his face void of any mockery. He looked from mother to son ashamed that they had had this conversation without him. "She didn't know how to tell you Wade." Rhett murmured his voice deep almost solemn like a defeated warrior. Wade looked up at Rhett disbelief certain on his brow.
It was comforting to know she and Rhett were allies at least for the time being. She didn't however miss his strong glare, and she knew he was thinking about what they had discussed earlier. Yes once again he had been right. There were things that they needed to know and they should have been the ones to inform them.
Rhett sighed nodding his head. "You're right we should have told you. I know you know what actually happened. Both our voices carry far in this house, that and the servants discussing it amongst themselves not to mention your aunt is the biggest form of gossip in the city."
At that moment Ella ran in the room throwing her arms around Rhett's large legs as if scared to let go. All eyes turned toward the newcomer.
"I don't want you to leave Uncle Rhett! Please stay I'll be really good I promise!" It took several moments for Rhett to untangle himself out of her leeching grasp. Kneeling down he hugged her, smoothing wild hair from around her red face. "Darling everything's going to be fine." He couldn't help but throw a questioning gaze towards Scarlett.
"But your things are packed. I saw them!" The sound of her innocent voiced trumped the feelings in his heart.
"What is going to happen?" Wade interrupted sarcastically. Scarlett brought one hand up to her forehead absentmindedly massaging her temples in hope of relief. This was getting out of hand. She lost her ally as fast as she had gained him. Had they teamed up on her on purpose? She felt an impending headache looming.
"Wade this conversation is finished. When I decide what to do I'll inform you. I don't like the tone you're using with me. Gentleman always confront their elders with respect." Rhett opened his mouth to retort but thought better of it for the time being. Instead he pursed his lips together in frustration and picked up Ella, her small arms wrapping his broad neck. He knew a lost cause when he saw one.
"Let's get you to bed Ella," he mumbled under his breath. "Good night Wade."
"Goodnight Uncle Rhett." Wade whispered.
Rhett turned his face towards Scarlett, anger seething. "I'm not giving up so easily Scarlett. There are a few choice things I'd love to say to your response. But in the mixture of company I think I'd rather wait."
The large oak door of the Butler home made his large stance seem small. This was his first visit to Atlanta and also to that of his friend. It had been well over ten years since the last time he'd laid eyes on Rhett. Their friendship, spanning over four decades, made them practically brothers. Benjamin Kane was not like any ordinary man. When others had joined the war, he had left the country leaving his fellow country men to sort out, as he put it, "their own problems." His last few years in Italy had been enjoyable though he had often felt guilty about leaving his family behind. Only when he had received a letter informing him of his brother's death did he feel the need to return.
Looking at the brass handle, he hesitated wondering if he should indeed make his presence known. As he reached for the door it opened of its own free will. There standing in front of him was a little girl with wide curious eyes staring at him.
"Good evening miss," he began swinging his hat down in courtesy. "Is this the Butler residence?" Her eyes scrutinized him from head to boots, clear wonder in her eyes. Behind her a young boy yelled at her.
"Ella," he began angrily, "you know you're not to answer the door. Run along and tell mother we have a guest." Her mischievous grin made Ben smile. The door opened wider and Wade looked at their visitor. He was tall with slightly disheveled brown hair, wide shoulders and a short trimmed beard. In one hand he held a grey felt hat, in the other a small brown briefcase.
"Excuse me sir," Wade began glaring at Ella, "won't you come in? Please forgive my sister. She often tends to do things she ought not to do."
Ben smiled and shook his head. "Not a problem son, not a problem." Wade directed him towards the drawing room. Ben's eyes scanned the room and he scrutinized inwardly the lavishness of the house. "This should have been mine!" he thought angrily. "I was wondering if you could tell me...this is the Butler residence is it not?"
"Yes," Wade began eyes narrowing in wonder, "and who may I ask are you?" A large hand was offered before him and he took it, feeling a very firm pressure.
"Benjamin Kane. Actually I am here to see your father." Ben didn't miss a bit of Wade's response when Rhett was mentioned. He noticed how he seemed to freeze for a moment as though the name had struck him physically.
"He's not here." Wade began slowly , his voice careful not to divulge too much emotion. With that he walked out of the room leaving the man to himself.
Several minutes later Ella peered into the room at the strange man. He stood at the center of the room his cool blue eyes examining the contents of the room. Ella stepped forward leaning her weight on one small foot. To her dismay the floorboard creaked drawing the attention of their newly acquired guest.
"Good afternoon me lady," he crooned in a dashing voice, bowing ceremoniously. Ella wasn't suppose to be in here and she shuttered to think what the consequences would be if in fact her mother did happen to find out. "I don't bite I promise. I'm a friend of your father. "Ella stood in the doorway debating her options.
"Are you the lady of the house? I must admit they didn't inform me of your beauty." Ella smiled demurely.
"I'm not suppose to talk to strangers." Ben nodded his head understandingly."
"How foolish of me your majesty, I am Lord Benjamin, Knight of Charleston. I am a friend of your father. And who might you be?
"Princes Ella," she whispered as she curtsied, "though I wish it was Princess Alexandria."
"Why can't it be your majesty? It's just pretend is it not?" When he spoke it was very genuine and playful " When I was your age I always wanted to be a pirate. My friends and I wanted to sail the seven seas and find great treasures." Ella's eyes looked unsure if she should believe him. But she laughed when he poorly imitated a pirate's voice. "Argg me lady, a scallywag I be. Alas I traveled from land to land across the seven seas till me treasure I found." The man seemed so kind she thought. It felt so good to laugh.
It had been far too long since an adult had played make believe with her. Her mother had tried to play several tea parties bit it wasn't the same as playing with Bonnie or Uncle Rhett. This made her suddenly sad as she compared the similarities between the two.
Benjamin watched as the girl's smile faded and her eyes grew distant. It pulled weakly on his heart. He hadn't meant to upset her though he couldn't think of what he might have done to cause such a reaction.
"Princess Alexandria are you alright?" he asked. Ella closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head.
"I um…..if you will wait in here I'll go get my mother," Turning around she ran briskly down the hallway and up the stairs. He stood there for a moment uncertain how to react. After several moments of wonder he shrugged it off and made himself comfortable.
When Ella reached her mother's room she knocked quietly on the door. She was uncertain as to if her mother was resting. If she woke her up there would be a hell to pay.
She opened the door and peeked in seeing her mother at her desk. The window was partially open and she could hear the birds outside and feel the cool breeze as it tickled her small face. Scarlett heard footsteps behind her and looked towards the intruder. Her very distraught daughter ran towards her. Several tears glistened on wet cheeks as her hands hugged her chest. She leaned toward her daughter wrapping comforting arms around her small form.
"Ella, what's gotten into you?" Scarlett questioned as Ella sobbed uncontrollably on her chest. She felt warm tears dampen her dress. "Sweetheart, are you alright?" Ella refused to look her in the eyes, her grasp only tightening. "I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong."
Scarlett looked down at the mass of brown curls and instinctively kissed the top of her daughter's head. Putting a gentle hand on her chin she forced their eyes to meet. In them she saw the same pain she herself was going through, though she didn't care to admit it.
Ella wondered if she could tell her mother the truth. Though her mother had not always been the best mother, she'd improved some. She often devoted several hours a week to outings and playtime. She had never had expected her mother to join her in a tea party. They did this quite regularly, though she didn't execute it as well as Bonnie did. Ella began to feel more important in her mother's life, not such a burden. Since Rhett's disappearance, her words had become softer and her anger more controlled. Before they had all walked on pins and needles, now they found a more patient yet anxious mother.
"If I tell you promise not to get mad?" Scarlett's brows furrowed in annoyance.
"Of course not Ella, why would you say that?" Ella turned her head towards the window hoping not to meet her mother's irritated glare. She sniffled slightly, wiping her nose on her hand.
"I miss uncle Rhett. Can you just tell him you're sorry so he can come home?" Scarlett realized in the heat of the moment that they had never truly sat down with Ella to explain. What could she say….darling he's not? Maybe Rhett had mentioned something to her before he left.
"Did Uncle Rhett say anything to you about why he left? "she asked curiously.
"He said sometimes grown ups argue and not to worry everything will be alright." Silently she thanked him for leaving Ella with a comforted heart.
Ella's feelings awakened her to some degree. Rhett had been important to her, offered her love when none was offered. There were many good things about Rhett's part in their lives and she had overlooked them, made them negative. It was easier to hate him and move on, than to love him and suffer heart ache. When he had returned to collect his things, she had hoped for a different outcome, one to which would have had a happy ending.
When she had agreed to sign the divorce papers she thought he would have seen her sacrifice and realize he was making a mistake. When days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months she'd given up entirely, until the day Uncle Henry stopped by with fervent news. At his entrance she knew his thoughts before spoken. It had been a pivotal part in her future, one event she wished she could forget completely.
Loosing him was difficult and hating him was easier. She was Scarlett O'Hara and was used to getting what she wanted. Her loss of him deflated her ego. "I wish Melly was here." Scarlett thought to herself. "Things would be so much easier."
A small pleading voice pulled her out of her reverie. "Mother can I write him a letter?" Scarlett pursed her lips and sighed. She didn't have the heart to say no nor did she want to agree.
Thankfully Wade's entrance saved her from having to reply. He looked put out and his voice was laden with sarcasm. "Mother, didn't Ella tell you we have a guest?" Ella's head snapped up suddenly her eyes wide in remembrance. Scarlett felt her small body grow rigid.
"Ella why didn't you say something?" Scarlett scolded as she got to her feet. Ella kept her eyes to the floor. Stray tears stained her cheeks. "Wait why were you suppose to tell me? You didn't answer the door again did you? I thought I had explained to you that it's not a game!" Scarlett looked towards her son for an answer. "How long have they been waiting?"
Wade shrugged giving his sister a glare. "Not too long."
"Sorry mother," Ella replied sorrowfully then backed up ready for her mother's recoil . Scarlett wavered when she saw her daughters reaction. Were her children really that scared of her? She wanted to change that image. With a huge sigh she leaned forward unexpectedly and hugged the child before her.
"You two go play. It seems we have a guest."
Let me know what you think!