Kindness of Strangers
Chapter 12
Scarlett should have guessed it, she should of known that when Emmie did not come running to greet Rhett he would know something was wrong.
"Scarlett, what's happened? Where's Emmie?" Rhett demanded dropping his few things by the door.
Scarlett wanted to cringe at his hard and threatening gaze, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction, she already felt bad enough. "Why... she's up in her bed. You see Rhett, she had a little accident is all..."
"How little? Scarlett, what happened in the one day I left you alone with the child!"
"She took a little tumble-"
"She fell down the stairs?" Rhett interrupted harshly, "How could you let that happen? Weren't you watching her Scarlett!"
Scarlett glared and snapped in defense, "Of course I was watching her! I told her to be careful, I told her Rhett!"
Rhett shook his head and shoved past her. Scarlett stared at him in disbelief, he couldn't blame her! She did nothing wrong! "What are you doing?" she called rushing after him.
"Going to see my daughter."
She stopped dead in her tracks. Scarlett could hardly believe her ears. "Your daughter?" she repeated in a fury. "Your daughter! Rhett, Emmie isn't your daughter! Emmie... Emmie isn't Bonnie!"
"My dear, you are so naive. Emmie may not be part of my blood, but she might as well be. She was left to us for good reason... I believe Isabella was giving us a second chance when she wrote that will. Isabella was a lady, a very kind and considerate lady with a woman's heart... a woman's heart." Rhett stopped and faced Scarlett, "Emmie may act like you my pet, and if she never grows out of it- so be it. But I will make damn sure she grows a woman's heart under all of it. I'll make damn sure she's smarter than you when it comes to making life changing decisions. Comparing her with Bonnie is a pointless task, you think I don't know she's not Bonnie? Of course she isn't Bonnie! The fact that you even mention the subject shows your true indifference to her. So Scarlett, Emmie is my daughter... I wish you could see that." he concluded continuing his way to the nursery.
Rhett made sure his frustration and disappointment vanished in the presence of the child, who he saw wrapped up in the blankets on her bed. Emmie held the comforter up to her nose but threw it back with excitement at Rhett's visit.
"Hello Daddy!" she called out.
"How's my little princess doing?" he asked coming to her side and sitting on a small stool. Rhett noticed that although Emmie was delighted to see him, her face was far more pale than usual.
"I'm alright Daddy. Promise."
Rhett, although far from convinced Emmie was in fact well, smiled and kissed the child on the forehead "Of course you are."
When Rhett shut the door behind him he was looking straight at Scarlett. "She's fine... you see? It's nothing to worry about."
"Was Dr. Meade here to see her?" Rhett asked.
"Yes, of course-"
"What did he say?"
"Merely a few days rest, nothing serious at all."
"I want her moved into my room."
"Your room?" Scarlett repeated. "But, why?"
"Because, she needs a few good nights of sleep. Leaving her alone in the nursery will only cause her to have nightmares and retreat to your room." Rhett explained.
"But Rhett-" Scarlett tried, furious that he should take her away. It had become force of habit to expect Emmie in her oversized bed sometime in the night, the toddlers company was better than nothing. Why was he punishing her so? She hadn't pushed Emmie down the stairs herself! It was an accident, none of which was her fault. He was being ruthless, and would only realize his mistake when Emmie woke up in the middle demanding for Scarlett. The knowledge that Emmie preferred Scarlett to Rhett in some cases was an immense ego boost for her. Rhett must have known this, or he wouldn't be so cruel as to snatch the child away.
"But Rhett! You can't do that! I- I won't let you!"
"Why?" Rhett questioned furrowing a brow in curiousity. "What does it matter to you? You've always complained of her sneaking into your room at night."
Scarlett looked away, ashamed of such statements, as they were no longer valid. But she kept quiet as usual, not voicing her sudden change of heart, knowing that Rhett would only pick at her more if she did.
He watched her for a few moments and shrugged, "As I said Scarlett, she'll be moved into my room tonight."
"Good morning Mother!" Emmie squealed when she saw Scarlett enter the room.
"How'd you sleep Emmie dear, alright?" Scarlett asked the child curiously. Scarlett herself hardly slept at all anxious about her, and furious at Rhett for upsetting a rotuine that had become so natrual.
"I guess so."
"How are you feeling?'
"Alright."
Scarlett was offput by Emmie's short replies, Emmie was usually anxious to recieve any attention, espacially from Scarlett. Surely the child could not be capable of holding a grudge against her...
"Do you want to play a game Emmie dear?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I'm tired." the little girl pouted before turning her head the other direction.
Scarlett stared in disbelief. How could Emmie be so happy to see her one moment and then so indifferent and cold to her in the next? What was going on?
"Well, if you need anything let me know."
As Scarlett headed out to leave Emmie watched her in silence.
Scarlett stormed through the house until she found Rhett, "Rhett Butler what have you done!" she demanded.
Rhett looked up shocked from his cup of coffee, "What have I done?"
"Emmie will hardly to speak to me- and I do believe it is all your fault!"
"Hardly capable for a toddler to hold grudges, don't you think my pet? Besides, even if she could, I hardly blame her."
"Oh! You really are a nasty man!" she huffed.
"Scarlett please, if you're looking to blame me for the child's indifference it's obvious you see me as a threat. I know you think me cruel for taking Emmie away, maybe I am. But to turn her against you? Scarlett how ridiculous!"
"I wouldn't put it past you! You're just nasty enough to think of something like that!"
"Tell me how you really feel..." Rhett muttered with a slight smirk. He set his mug down and stood up, "Time will pass Scarlett and Emmie will forget about her accident, just like she has forgotten other things. There is no need to place the blame on me."
Scarlett sneered, "You blame me, I know you blame me. But why Rhett, why?"
"I don't blame you Scarlett, stop talking nonsense and forget the whole thing. Emmie should be better in a few days and the whole thing can be put in the past..." Rhett muttered waving Scarlett off and entering another room.
That in itself told Scarlett that Rhett was unsure of such things. He was not sure if he entirely blamed Scarlett for Emmie's fall, and he was unsure of the child's recovery. In this last part Scarlett could not blame him, it was only natural for him to be so paranoid and insecure. Something she even found in herself, while Emmie talked strong enough, she hardly looked it. Another thing Scarlett found in common with the young girl. Was it possible Emmie was putting on this show of strength just to ease their minds?
The more Scarlett thought about it, the more she believed it to be the case. She had long since discovered Emmie's ways of scheming and deceiving, it could be an act for all Scarlett knew.
