So this is unfortunately a very short update but it was a fitting end and the next chapter starts such that it was a fitting break. I hope that at least I make up for the lack of substance with the relative quickness of my update. I haven't mentioned this in a while, but I don't own Scarlett or Rhett or any of the familiar characters... they all belong to MM. Please don't sue me for taking them on a little adventure of my own. Back to our story...
Chapter Ten
Scarlett toyed with the broth, turning and stirring her spoon within the bowl, but rarely managing to bring the savory liquid to her lips. Rhett frowned but refrained from saying anything. Instead, he assisted Wade with the telling of their day's adventures.
The main course arrived and she continued with her façade. She prodded and sliced at the meat, scooped up the potatoes and greens but failed to bring more than a couple of forkfuls to her mouth.
"Scarlett," Rhett growled, "you are not going to get any better if you do not eat!"
"I'm sorry, Rhett," she quietly answered, "I'm just not that hungry."
"Just not that hungry?" he replied incredulously, standing up as he yelled. "You should be starving! By the looks of you, you are still for the want of a good meal since you left Tara!"
"No, Unca' Rhett," Wade cried suddenly. The small boy jumped up from his chair and was immediately at his mother's side. "Please don't hurt mama."
Rhett's ire calmed almost immediately, but to his surprise, it was Scarlett that spoke first. "It's alright, Wade," she patted his hand reassuringly. "Rhett isn't going to hurt me. He's just trying to help me, to help us." Despite her calming words, tears filled the boy's large brown eyes.
Rhett took a deep breath and then moved around the table until he could kneel next to the scared boy. "I'm sorry, Wade," he spoke softly, placing a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I promise you, I will never hurt your mother."
The boy looked up at him, eyes still large with fear.
"You need to understand, son, what Frank did was not right. No man should ever put his hands on someone weaker than him – man, woman or child. I will never hurt you or your mother. And, I promise, I will make sure that no one else hurts either one of you ever again. Okay?"
The boy nodded slightly and Rhett ruffled his chestnut hair. "That's a smart boy. You are going to grow up to be a fine young man. Now, it's going to be quite a while before your mother finishes her supper and we can have dessert. Why don't you run along and play in your room and I will come and get you when the dessert arrives."
"Okay, Unca' Rhett," Wade replied, turning and heading into his bedroom.
"I'm sorry, Rhett," she began once Wade had left the room. "I really am, but…" she paused and he let the silence stretch between them, waiting for her to continue. "I know I should eat, but, I just can't…."
"Are you still nauseous?" he asked, concern etched across his features.
She shook her head. "No, it's not that. It's just…." She dropped her hand to her lap and fingered her napkin.
He waited for her to continue until finally, with a finger on her chin, he tipped her head up until her eyes met his. He was surprised to find her emerald orbs swimming.
"Please, Rhett. Please don't make me go back," she whispered quietly.
"What?! Go back?! Why in all heaven would I make you go back?" he replied incredulously.
"Well, I….' she paused and lowered her eyes once again. "I am not as attractive as I'm sure you had wanted… I have scars and … and…. I'm too thin and…. and….. well, other things and I know these weren't part of your original bargain. I know you don't find me attractive; I know you don't want me for….. well for what we made a deal for but please don't send me back…. I'll do anything for you but please don't send me back!"
He rose from his chair and picked her up, seating himself in her chair while resting her on his lap. She stiffened with the contact, but he had managed to avoid her injuries so no expression of pain was evident on her features.
"Scarlett, darling." He purred and he tightened his embrace. She let the endearment roll over her. "I will never send you back. How could I? I would be a worse monster than even old Frank were I to send you back to him."
"But, I…." she paused, her eyes fixed on her hand as it continued to twist the napkin in agitation. "I have not….. you are not….. this is not the deal that you thought you were getting. I am not the person you thought you were whisking away from Peachtree Street. You might have wanted Scarlett O'Hara, but I don't think you are getting the girl you bargained for."
"Do you really believe that I don't want you? Ah, Scarlett, that can't be farther from the truth. I want you, but I want all of you. I can't have this frail shell of you. I can, but it would never be enough. I want you as you are meant to be wanted. I want all of you. Not this little bit of you. I need you healthy and happy and so I shall wait patiently until you are well. I will wait until you no longer flinch when I touch you. I will wait until my hands don't scare you."
He paused, reading the questions in her eyes.
"I know you can't believe it possible, but it is. And don't worry, darling, I will make sure that my wait is worthwhile."
He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her and enjoying the feel of her against him. They sat quietly this way for several minutes. Finally, Rhett shifted so he could see her face again.
"So now that it's settled that you are staying with me, do you think you can eat something for me?"
She nodded quietly. Carefully, he lifted her and settled her back into her chair. She dutifully picked up her fork and despite the fact that her meal had long cooled, she began eating the hearty fare.
Thank you for reading and an extra special thank you to those who have taken the time to review. I haven't been as diligent about responding to them, but I do read them, appreciate them and they keep me motivated when the keystrokes get a little tougher:) SS
