Chapter 4: The Morning After

The following morning the smell of a spicy scent of cinnamon rolls and bacon stirred Scarlett from her sleep. Opening her eyes Scarlett blinked a few times to make sure this was real. Sitting up, everything began coming back to her.-leaving Rhett, coming back to Tara late in the evening, having her nightmare as well as Bonnie.

Looking over to the other side of the bed, Scarlett saw that Bonnie wasn't there. Getting to her feet and putting on her robe Scarlett headed down stairs. Walking through the home made Scarlett think of her childhood. She realized how lucky she was that she had been raised by such loving parents, as well as the other people who had impacted her life.

Having walked through the rest of the house, Scarlett ventured towards the dining room, the sounds and smells beckoning her.

"Mother," Bonnie called as she ran from the kitchen. Hopping over to her mother, Scarlett kissed her on the cheek.

"Morning, Bonnie," Scarlett said looking up from her daughter. "Where is everyone?"

"The cook's in the kitchen making breakfast," Bonnie began. "Auntie Suellen said she would be right down. She really wasn't feeling well."

"Thank you dear," Scarlett answered as she stepped into the kitchen. "Morning Caasi,"

"Morning Ms. Scarlett," Caasi replied looking up from the freshly made blueberry pie that had been made for this evenings desert.

Smiling at her, Scarlett went and got a small glass of milk. Taking the last drink Scarlett heard her name. Turning around she saw her sister walking toward her. She was looking pale.

"Suellen, are you feeling all right?" Scarlett asked certain of the words to come out of Suellen's mouth.

"It's not about me, it's about you." Suellen said ignoring the question. "I need to talk to you NOW."

setting the glass down, Scarlett followed Suellen out into the open hall. "What are you doing here, Scarlett?" Suellen asked with annoyance. While Will and she took care of the farm along with their three children Scarlett living the life of a princess having people wait on her all the time and had the cutest little girl and of course Rhett was so good to her, and all she did was throw it back in his face.

Silence fell as Scarlett refused to rise to the bait. What would her sister say after she told her that she had left him? But Scarlett knew without asking the question, she would say "You've had three husbands and I was almost an old maid before I got my chance."

"Scarlett," she repeated.

"I-I've left him." Scarlett answered truthfully.

'"I'm surprised that he wasn't the one to leave you." Scarlett was just a spoiled brat. Then again why should she care? "You've always been nothing but a spoiled brat. It's always been about you. You've had three husbands, and I was almost an old maid before I got my chance." Suellen began but she wasn't finished not for a while. "I've never forgiven you for stealing my Mr. Kennedy. You've always been so horrible. It serves you right to have something like this happen after you've been so horrible to everyone else."

Scarlett was right this was what she would say. "Why do you care? You never cared for Tara."

This made Suellen's face grew splotchy. How dare she say such a thing? "Care? Scarlett, Will, stepped in and if it wasn't for him then I would be an old lady with no. However, you've always gotten what you wanted ever since we were children and now that you don't well…" Suellen stopped. "You just better be happy with the choice you've made," And turned to meet her children and niece.

Standing there Scarlett could feel an emptiness wash over her. Was what Suellen said true? "You just better be happy with the choice you've made," Stuck in her mind as it played over and over again.

Still sitting in his study he still hadn't left his study, and the sun was already rising high in the sky. He took one more drink from his glass. His eyes were burning from lack of sleep, and he could feel his eyelids growing heavier with every passing moment.

He stared blankly into the glass, surprised to find that it was dry. Rising from his chair, he paced in front of the fireplace until his head ached from all of the thoughts he was muddling though. What would he do without Scarlett? He was sure she could go on without him, but he wasn't sure he could do so without her. Hearing a small knock he turned to see Mammy standing in the doorway. "Mr. Rhett, ya need to eat something."

"I'm not hungry, Mammy," Rhett answered as he stiffly settled back into his chair, half dazed as he was.

"Mr. Rhett, ya just like Scarlett," Mammy said. "Is no wonder why it took ya two so long to get married?"

Not looking up Rhett told Mammy the story. Not answering Mammy handed the telegram to him.

"What's this?" he asked not wanting anything but his wife back.

"Is a telegram that got sent just a little while ago Mr. Rhett." Mammy answered looking at him.

Rhett's head shot up as if he had been awaken. Looking at Mammy with some hope in his eyes he wanted to know more. Taking the missive he scanned it quickly.

"Scarlett and Bonnie are both safe and sound at Tara." Rhett answered relieving Mammy from the worry that was wrinkling her brow.

"Thank the Lord, "Mammy praised god as she heard this.

Still holding the telegram within his hands, he headed toward the door.

"Where ya going, Mr. Rhett?" Mammy asked stopping him at the door.

"To Tara to get my wife and child back," Rhett replied as some hope came to his blood shot eyes.

"That ain't a very good idea, I got word that Miss Scarlett done told me herself that she wants nothing to do with ya." Mammy said

Stopped dead in his tracks, Rhett turned yet again to find that the hope had died. What was Mammy saying? Was Scarlett this serious about separation, She couldn't be. Scarlett was just confused and didn't know what she was saying. However, Rhett had known Scarlett for a good many years and knew once she set her heart or eyes on something she got it no matter what the cost was.

Going back over to the table where the liquor was stored, he picked up the bottle. Finding nothing in the bottle, he threw it into the fire as he commanded for another. "Damn you Scarlett," he said into the fire as he watched it burn. "I don't know what I ever saw in her." Rhett mumbled as he began knocking over chair and table. Rhett Butler wasn't going to be made a fool— a damn, good for nothing fool.

A/N: There it is sorry it has taken me a little while to update. I will be updating The Unthinkable here soon. Thanks PrincessAlica for all the help:)