Chapter 11: Visitor

Rhett sat by Scarlett's bed side night and day. As the sun met the moon high in the sky Rhett did not leave his true love. For the past few days Rhett never took his eyes off Scarlett. Rhett was staying there until Scarlett woke. He was surviving on 2 hours of sleep a night. Rhett didn't know how much long he could keep this up, but he would do it for Scarlett. When she opened her eyes he wanted to be the first thing she saw and she would know that he never left her side. As Rhett sat in a nearby chair next to Scarlett's bed, he heard the door open. He turned to see Ashley Wilkes standing there. With a grim look upon his tired face. Ashley hadn't been getting a lot of sleep these past couple of days.

"Ashley, it's nice of you to come" Rhett said going over to Ashley and shaking his hand. Ashley walked farther into the medium sized room. The room was lighted by a single window.

"How is she?" Ashley asked looking at Scarlett's lifeless body lying on the bed. All Ashley saw was a shell of Scarlett's body. This wasn't the Scarlett Ashley remember. No, his Scarlett was happy, lively, beautiful, young sixteen year old all thoughts years ago.

"Nothing has changed Dr. Meade, said that he doesn't think Scarlett will come out of it" Rhett said as he began to get chocked up. This was the first time he had talked to anyone about Scarlett's condition.

"Scarlett, will pull through this she's a strong lady" Ashley said not wanting to believe what the doctor had said. He had just gone through the loss of his wife. He couldn't go through this with Scarlett it was just too much.

Ashley went to Scarlett's bed side and took her hand gently in his. "Scarlett, you must wake up you can't leave Rhett," he said looking down at Scarlett who had been asleep for three days now. "He needs you right now and you need him. I can remember that warm June day out at Twelve Okays where you told me you loved me, but you didn't really love me. You thought you did, but you didn't. Your true love is standing in this room. That is Rhett waiting for you to wake up." as he smiled down at Scarlett. "All you have to do is open up your eyes, and you will see." kissing Scarlett's hand.

Ashley could remember when Melanie was dying that was one thing he didn't want to go through. But it was her time to go to go be with god and everyone who loved her. He could understand Rhett's pain and sorrow of all this. He had gone through it with Melanie just a matter of a few weeks ago.

"Everything will be fine Rhett, you'll see" Ashley said truing and looking at him. "Rhett, Scarlett doesn't need your grief she needs words of engorgement. Talk to her about different things like memories of the good times you had together." as he looked at Rhett with sorrow growing more and more in his eyes. This was the best he could offer to help Rhett at this moment in time.

"That would be the next best thing wouldn't it" Rhett said looking at Scarlett with so many memories flowing through his mind. Ashley was right if he told some memories of their life together then it might pull her out of this nightmare.

Minutes went by, but it felt more like hours without any one saying a word. Then Ashley spoke "I better get going I told Beau we would go fishing." as he stood up from the chair.

"Thanks for coming Ashley, Scarlett would be happy to see you" Rhett said showing Ashley to the door.

Rhett went back to sitting next to Scarlett after showing Ashley to the door. "Please Scarlett, please wake up" he said stroking her hand. He looked down with sad eyes would this be there last few days or moments together?

Rhett began stroking Scarlett's cold colorless cheek."Scarlett, I'm so sorry that I left you. I just needed some time to think that was all. I'm so sorry for what I said. I didn't mean any of it. I really do care about you. You're the missing piece of my life. It's just sometimes we need to work are problems out instead of yelling at each other" Rhett continued stroking Scarlett's cheek then sighed heavily. "But we have had a lot of good times haven't we. When we realized we were meant to be together...

It was a very lovely day in Atlanta Georgia the sun was shining high in the sky as a small cool breeze blew through the streets and trees. The day couldn't be any more beautiful. But Scarlett would soon find out that it could be a much better day then what it was turning out to be. Scarlett made her way down the long staircase and made her way into the big sitting room. As the sun shined through the window, making the room just as big and beautiful like it was a dream like state.

"Rhett, what are you doing here?" Scarlett asked going into the sitting room where she found Rhett.

"I've come to tell you that I can't live without you my dear," Rhett said taking her hand.

"I don't think this is funny Rhett Butler. Now get off your knee your embarrassing me and I'm guessing your embarrassing yourself" Scarlett said jerking her hand back. This was not funny this was a joke right?

"Not in the least Scarlett" Rhett said taking her hand in his again. "You're the light of my life"

Scarlett couldn't believe what she had just heard. She was the light of his life. That was so sweet. "Rhett, I...I don't know what to say. I'm so...so touched that you like me so much" Scarlett with a smile going across her lips along with happiness in her dark green eyes.

"Scarlett, I can make your dreams come true. Anything you could ever want" Rhett said looking into Scarlett's green eyes as he got up from his knees and took her in his arms. "I will make you very happy"

Scarlett's heart began to beat. It began to beat so fast that she thought it would come out of her chest. Then her checks began to get very got hot like the sun that shown from above.

"What do you say?" Rhett asked pulling out a big diamond ring. It was the biggest ring in all Atlanta.

Scarlett's mouth fell open and eyes got wide. This couldn't be happening could it be? "Rhett I...I yes I will marry you" Scarlett said with a smile.

"I will be the best husband in all Atlanta" Rhett said taking her back into his strong arms.

They were going to have a very happy life together. They both knew it with all their hearts.

Another great memory was when Bonnie was born...

"Rhett, can I talk to you for a moment" Scarlett came up to Rhett while he was sitting out in the garden. She wasn't sure that she could tell him...

"Of course my dear what is it?" Rhett asked as Scarlett sat down next to her husband.

Scarlett could do this she knew she could "You know how we talked about...children's names" Scarlett said looking at Rhett with a small smile.

"Yes. Scarlett, are you-" Rhett asked with wide eyes with happiness showing in them.

"Yes, I'm pregnant!" Scarlett said with happiness as a bigger smile came across her lips.

"That's wonderful. How long have you known?" Rhett asked as Scarlett sat on his lap. This was just wonderful. Rhett couldn't believe he was going to be a father.

"I just found out today. So far you're the only one I've told" Scarlett said as her eyes fell from his.

"Why haven't you told anyone else? The mother to be is supposed to tell people" Rhett asked taking her hand and kissing it.

"Well I wanted you to be the first one to no that's why. Don't worry there will be plenty of time to tell people that I'm having a baby. Nine months really" Scarlett said with a laugh.

"From this point on, you're not to do a single thing until the baby is born" Rhett said moving a piece of Scarlett's hair out of her face.

"But, Rhett, that's nine months. Are you sure you can do this for nine months?" Scarlett asked with some worry forming in her voice.

"No, if ands or buts about it Scarlett. I'm doing it for you" Rhett said putting up a finger not wanting to hear any arguing from his wife.

"Alright Rhett, if it makes you happy I will let you do everything" Scarlett said caving in. "Now what do you want to name the baby?"

"But, Scarlett, we don't know what it is yet" Rhett said with a surprised look upon his face. How could have Scarlett already begun to pick out names. After all she just found out today.

"I know, but that doesn't mean we can't pick out a girl's name and a boy's name" Scarlett said "That's why I wrote some names down" as she pulled out a piece of paper with names on them. "What about...Elizabeth Victoria?"

"Um, no, that sounds too proper. Were from Atlanta not England dear," Rhett said looking at Scarlett with a small laugh.

Yeah Rhett did have a point there they were from Atlanta, but she still liked the name. "Oh, all right how about Andrew Lee" Scarlett asked looking from the paper.

"I like that name. It's very manly" Rhett said with a smile and laugh.

"I thought you would like it" Scarlett agreed with a laugh. "Now that we've settled on a boy's name we need to choice a girl's name" Scarlett said looking at the paper once again. "Annabelle Nicole?"

"Um, that's an okay name. It's cute, but I don't think that will work" Rhett said looking at Scarlett. "What about Bonnie Blue Butler?" as he snapped his fingers together.

"Aw, I love that name. It's so cute" Scarlett said writing down the name.

She knew that she and Rhett would be great parents.

flashback con...

For the next nine months Rhett did everything, not letting Scarlett lift a finger, "Rhett, you've got to stoop you're going to be tired by the time the baby comes" Scarlett said taking the glass of lemonade.

"No, no, I won't Scarlett. I've done this for the past nine months, I think I can handle the last few weeks" Rhett said as Scarlett sat in his lap.

"Alright have it-" Scarlett started but didn't finish she was interrupted by a pain in her stomach. Scarlett clutched her stomach.

"My pet, what's wrong? Is it time?" Rhett asked helping Scarlett up. But the way Scarlett grabbed her stomach he knew it was time. Why did he even ask the question?

"Yes I, oh, think so, oh!" Scarlett said in pain as Rhett helped her inside. As Scarlett walked inside she fell to her knees from the labor pains.

"Rhett, I...can't...do...this" Scarlett said in between the fast coming labor pains. She put her hand to her forehead it was just too much.

"Do you want me to carry you the rest of the way?" Rhett asked kneeling down next to Scarlett who by now was too weak to move her hand from her forehead.

"Yes, Rhett, if you would" Scarlett managed to say in a stronger voice.

Rhett picked Scarlett up gently and carried her the rest of the way. As Rhett laid Scarlett down on the bed the pain began to come faster. Scarlett began to get hot and sweat began to come down her face.

"I'm going to go get the doctor. Do you want Melanie to come over as well?" Rhett asked getting a towel for Scarlett's head then wiping her face with it.

"Yes, and hurry, it's getting worse!" Scarlett yelled out in pain as Rhett left to get the doctor and Melanie. She didn't know how much longer she could take the pain.

By the time Rhett was back with Dr. Meade and Melanie it began to storm. The rain poured down from heaven like the angels where crying. From the storm outside it was a sigh that it wasn't going to be an easy birth.

"Mr. Butler, if you will please wait in the other room. I will call you in when she had the baby," Dr. Meade said as he walked towards the bedroom where Scarlett lay in pain.

"RHETT!" Scarlett yelled out in pain as she lay in bed, giving birth to their child. It began to get worse and worse. How she wished Dr. Meade would hurry.

"Let me go in" Rhett said looking at Dr. Meade. "Scarlett needs me. She needs me now more than ever." looking at Dr. Meade with worry.

"She'll be fine Rhett, Melanie's in there helping her calm down" Dr. Meade said telling Rhett that everything was going to be just fine. Then he went into the room to help Melanie.

Moments went by which in turn turned into minuets and minuets into hours. Rhett could hear Scarlett yelling for him. How he wished he could be in there with her. To tell her that he was there and that everything was going to be fine.

"What is taking so long?" Rhett asked walking back and forth in his study. This was getting so aggravating.

"Calm down Rhett, I'm sure everything is fine," Ashley said watching Rhett walk back and forth. "Do you want a drink?"

"No, I've already had three...I think" Rhett said as he continued walking back and forth. He could fill the first few drinks take effect.

"Okay, that explains how you can't walk straight" Ashley said with a laugh. He always thought that Rhett could hold more than one drink. This child birth thing had him very upset, but Ashley didn't blame him. Even though he couldn't be there for his own child's birth Scarlett had told him that Melanie did as for him a few times.

"Hey, I drink when I get nerves" Rhett said taking up for himself. "You would too if you were here for your child's birth." as he downed yet another drink.

Ashley didn't say a word he just went back to his drink. A few minutes later Melanie came out. "You can go in now Rhett" Melanie said stepping into the study.

Rhett walked quickly into the bedroom to find Scarlett sitting up in bed with their child in her arms.

"Rhett, meet you're new daughter Bonnie Blue Butle,r" Scarlett said as he came over to them.

"Hi Bonnie, I'm your daddy" Rhett said in a baby voice. He couldn't believe it he was a new father.

"Now you're making a fool of yourself" Scarlett said, looking at Rhett, rolling her eyes.

"What's wrong with talking to our daughter like that?" Rhett asked looking up at Scarlett.

"Nothing, it just sounds weird" Scarlett said with another laugh.

"Well she's my daughter and I can talk to her that way if I want to" Rhett said looking back down at his precious daughter. "Yes, I can" he said talking in a baby voice once again. "I'm also going to spoil you rotten"

Scarlett just rolled her eyes. "I had to do all the work now. All you did was sit in there with Ashley, drinking away" she said looking up at Rhett with her eyebrows raised.

"I'll have you know I didn't drink. I was too nervous to" Rhett said rocking his daughter back and forth, trying to hide the fact that he did have one little drink.

"Whatever you say" Scarlett said with a small smile. Rhett really loved his new daughter. They were going to spoil her rotten just like any other parents would spoil their children.

But little did Scarlett know that she would hardly see her child as she got older. Bonnie would be spending more and more time with Rhett, since Rhett thought Scarlett was unfit mother.

End of Flashback

As Rhett came back to the present, tears had filled his eyes. He knew that he didn't often do such thing but this was his wife and she was dying. What would he do if she died? Sell the house and move back to Charleston like he was doing a few days ago? Go get himself so drunk that he couldn't take it anymore? Rhett just had so many questions running through his head some he didn't even want to think about. The one he was dreading the most kept creeping into his mind. How would he plan and get through the funeral? As he thought of these things he thought he heard a faint noise calling out to him.

"Rhett" it sounded like a female's voice said, but the sound was too faint to be heard to be sure.

Rhett looked up to see nothing nobody in the door way or anything, just him and Scarlett, who hadn't moved nor woken. What was it that he just heard? Rhett shook his head he was tried that's all he just needed some rest. All Rhett heard or felt was the wind blowing through the room, leaving a small chill in the cold November air. Rhett went over to the wind and shut it, but not before looking up at the sun that was setting in the east. Rhett sighed sadly and went back to sitting next to Scarlett, waiting for her to wake from her slumber. As he sat there, he thought he heard what he had moments ago. No. How was it possible? It was just his mind playing with him. If it truly was Scarlett then why wouldn't she wake?