Scarlett sat in the dark room rubbing her cheeks lightly and biting her lip to add same color. Her hair was matted down in soft curls that were becoming unruly on her head. But she didn't care her only concern was, weather or not she could make the appearance of being healthy, the children wanted to go visit beau today and unfortunately that would put her once again in the towns spotlight. She sighed, nothing new there.
Scarlett's hearted ached dully but she pushed it away, she couldn't lay down and die now that Rhett was gone...she couldn't let her heart kill her, she had children to look after, and she had her mammy to love her. These were her sole comforts.
Ashley has carefully planed this trip out, New Orleans, it would be a wonderful break for Scarlett, and the children as well, and they could see the town and for once not worry about what the town thought of them. It would be perfect-and he'd mention it in front of the children so that Scarlett wouldn't dare say no. He'd saved money for a very long time and now he finally had enough to go through with it. He was making headway-and sometimes if he was moving fast enough; he didn't feel the pain of losing Melanie.
Rhett sat in bed with his face covered, belles breath was hot on his side, annoyingly so, he couldn't wait till morning, when they would get out of their bedroom, and he hoped away from one another. Rhett briefly wondered if any of this would reach atlantes ears, the mistress and the husband, together, but banished the thought. Scarlett couldn't be in his bed tonight.
Scarlett's smile was sweet as she said, "of course we'd love to go!"
But Ashley could she her seething, she was naturally mad he'd used the children in his case but the end was justified. He grabbed her hand and kissed it with more force then passion
"Oh darling you won't regret this visit I do promise"
Scarlett softened at the mans attempt.
"Oh, I will my dear Ashley. When are we to go?"
"Shall I give you a proper week to prepare"?
Scarlett looked at the children's gleaming eyes and with a thoughtful look she decided that they should go...and soon.
"Maybe two days time?"
Ashley smiled. His eyes hardening...and Scarlett imagined hat he was thinking of Melanie. She took his hand and placed gentle kiss on his cheek.
"Be calm my love, your heart won't be able to stand the thought of her now."
Ashley sighed." Well children, shall we go to the park?"
"YES!"
The children all cried in unison
Wade and Beau running and little Ella trying to keep up, though she fell often
"ELLA!" Scarlett called
"Come walk with mother"
Ella bounced to Scarlett with her arms out, smiling, her black boots, that were more suited for rainy weather then sunny sky that was around them. Ashley ran ahead. Chasing the boys and teasing Scarlett
"Come get us Scarlett!"
Scarlett's hands went to her chest as she found a memory coming to her
'Bonnie was on Rhett's shoulders her legs dangling and lightly kicking, Rhett was smiling at her, a breathtaking smile that she didn't truly notice
"Come get us Scarlett"
"Rhett. Don't be silly that's terribly improper."
Bonnie's smile turned into a frown, as she questioned her daddy.
"Does that mean mother won't play with us?"
Rhett's eyes became cold." what do we need ol' Mothers for anyhow?" '
It was Ashley who pulled Scarlett to the present, his hand tugged at hers and at first, she didn't want to come back, but slowly she did, her smile returned and she ran ahead of Ashley, grateful for him...in her own way.Grateful that she had escaped looking back for that was the greatest tourcher that could befall her,to forever dream of Rhett…and her baby Bonnie.
Late that night Scarlett walked int the house with her two children laughing.
"Pork!" She called
"Mammy! Prissy!"
they all came dwnstairs at attention
"You must prepare the children and I for a trip,one weeks trip "
"Miss'us Scarlett, This hea'r ol' mammy ill' do nothin' o' tha sort."
"Great balls of fire! Do it!"
"Wher's you goin'?"
"To New Orleans"
"Wit' who? Yous' in morning miss Scarlett you don't got no buznus' goin' no where"
"I am done mourning! I could mourn all my life and still never mourn enough!"She yelled.
"Mammy?"
"Yesum?"
"I'll be leaving with Mister Ashley and the children..would you come too?"
she softened her voice.
"Please?"
