Note: Happy Mother's day. I hope you all like this next part… and it's not completely accurate I suppose about trees and boats (I know nothing about boats except that they float and Robert Fulton invented the Steamboat before the Civil War) but hopefully you all don't mind. Since it is not written for complete accuracy, although I wish I did take more time to do research.

Thank you: xXxlilnoel09xXx, EugeniaVictoria, missysammy, Tuduvant, PrincessAlica, tennisplayerx33, seeleysangel and Joyce LaKee. All of you wonderful fellow people have my gratitude and thanks foe keeping me going. Just hang in there, and we'll see a shift in the relationship between Scarlett and Rhett… very soon. Enjoy and please review.

Part 21

Rhett saw the familiar view of his childhood home as he stepped off of the riverboat onto solid land. His eyes scanned the Ashley River as it flowed quickly with the currents. The river was relatively short but it flowed into the Cooper River and into the mouth of the Charleston harbor. Jethro, the riverboat captain gave Rhett a wave.

"Gawd's speed Mistha Rhett," he said in his deep voice. "Tell Mistha Ross, I's say hello."

"I will," Rhett promised, raising up his hand in final getting. He wore his impeccable clothing of course. His gray trousers with black coat and his red caveat. As a man with means, he had never been one for dull clothing or colors, even in view of his setting. The war had raged across the land, but since he had the money, why wear rags? Though people had looked their noses down at him, he wouldn't bend to their rules as he hadn't bent to his father's.

The boat cast back out into the sluggish river. And as always, Rhett felt a sense of unease at the sight of his home and his duty of caring for his drunken brother. Ross, four years his junior had fled to Dunmore after his gambling debts had piled up after the war. It was in ruins but Ross didn't seem to have an ounce of pride left in him.

When Rhett did come to Dunmore, he was always met with the sight of a drunken Ross. Whiskey strong on his breath, eyes glazed and murmuring about the past. There was no help for Ross or a soul that would loan him money save Rhett, against his better judgment.

True, he had a lot of money. Spare money in fact that he threw around to Rosemary, Eleanor, Scarlett, the children and charities also a few investments. And he could very well give it to his brother. But Ross never seemed to appreciate it and he spent it on more alcohol and cigars. He had tried to cut down the amount he gave to Ross but if it weren't for him coming to Dunmore occasionally he knew his brother would drink himself to death, starve as their father had and have no human contact.

His mind wet back to 1866, the year he had last seen his father alive at Dunmore. The old man had just sat there in his bed, sunken and dying. Rhett had seen his mother weeping over her sick husband pitifully as he had fallen into a deep sleep.

"Don't weep for the bastard," Rhett had harshly said.

Eleanor had looked up at him with streaming eyes, her mouth trembling. "How can I not? I love him and he is my husband and your father."

"He is no father of mine," he had shot in disgust, glaring at the sick man. "He may have sired me but he disowned me. If I weren't fond of my grandfather I would have disowned the Butler name all together."

Only then did he hear raspy breathing and mother and son looked at the same time to the bed where Harrison Butler's glazed eyes were open and unblinking as he stared at his eldest son.

"Ross..." he whispered.

A look of disgust spread across Rhett's face, hardening and he sneered. "Don't worry your beloved son is down the street in a drunken stupor. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it father?"

Rhett turned on his heel and began to walk out of the room. He felt anger and an odd ache in his chest as the only man he had wanted to call for him, called for the son he loved.

"Rhett," Eleanor had cried to his retreating figure.

But he didn't turn back and that was the last time he saw his father alive.

He could still remember the look of his father's face. The look of Eleanor, her eyes lifeless and the bones visible on her face. The defeated and tear stained face of his sister sobbing. Ross's drunken stupor and raising hell with him and anyone within his reach. Not much had changed with Ross, Rhett thought as he came to the front door of Dunmore.

Opening it with his gloved hand he surveyed the house. It had once been grand, almost like Scarlett's Tara. With a sweeping staircase, chandeliers and dozens of Butler portraits. Harrison Butler had always been for extravagance and had wanted to impress his fellow aristocrats with his airs; money and political views while neglecting his family and for that Rhett would never forgive him.

There was a cold draft always present in Dunmore since there was little source of heating and there were cracks in the walls. He had wanted to renovate Dunmore for years but the other part of him wanted to leave the house like this. As Harrison Butler had come to ruin so had this house.

Oh, he would be a liar to say he didn't have emotional ties to the house. He had spent childhood here and a few good memories were present. But also the memories of his father's anger, abuse and neglect remained in this house. He didn't know why but anywhere he lived, whether the monastery in Atlanta or here in Charleston, there were the dark memories that seemed to haunt him. Of his father, pain, Bonnie, Scarlett and the many other demons he couldn't escape.

He came to the parlor door that was crooked on its hinges and pushed it open, knowing he'd find Ross sitting drunk in front of the fireplace. The room was dark and cold as he walked in and the sight that did meet his eyes was Ross sitting there, a bottle of whiskey in his hands and he was staring at the dying embers in the fireplace.

Rhett advanced in the room and Ross gave no inclination of hearing his brother. When Ross didn't move, Rhett kneeled in front of the fireplace and took the poker, stirring the ashes and adding a log. The flames leapt to life as it consumed the log and he rose to his feet, the firelight hitting him for an instant and Ross. Ross stared up at his brother with the famous mocking grin that the Butler men were known for.

"Hullo brother. I see you have returned to see me. Did you bring any whiskey?"

"No," Rhett simply said, still standing there and his eyes sweeping over the drunken Ross.

Ross shrugged and took a swallow of his whiskey. "Ah well. Where is your wife and darling children? You didn't leave that wife of yours alone again did you?"

"Scarlett and the children are fine," he said.

"It surprises me, Rhett," mused Ross, with a snigger at his lips. "When you came to Charleston oh about two years ago with your daughter... I could see you were a lovesick fool over your wife... Is there trouble in the love nest that you would keep leaving her?"

Rhett felt a rage at the mention of Bonnie and Scarlett upon his brother's lips. It wounded his pride that his brother had known how lovesick over Scarlett O'Hara he had truly been... well not anymore. He smiled mockingly and his brows rose.

"That is none of your business, Ross. What is between my wife and I is only between us."

Ross laughed and took another swig. Rhett observed his brother. Ross looked very much like the way he had looked after Bonnie's death. The high cheekbones were bloated and he had gained weight around his stomach. Rhett knew the affects of alcohol very well and saw that though Ross had always had the lighter skin of their mother, he seemed paler then usual.

"You shouldn't drink so much," he quietly said.

"And this is from a man who drank like a fish only a time before? I never knew you were a hypocrite my dear brother. I'll drink until heaven and earth pass away." Ross laughed, his dark glazed eyes appeared brighter then usual.

"Touché," Rhett said with a bow. "I'll leave you to your liquor."

Turning on his heel Rhett left the cold room. Destruction seemed evitable for Dunmore as well as his brother. A dark and troubled look came to Rhett's eyes as he sighed and made his way through the deserted halls.

XXX

She wouldn't stay here like the abandoned wife. No, Scarlett O'Hara Butler didn't sit by in defeat. It was simple; she would follow Rhett to Dunmore. She had thought so before but now she was certain. Rhett could raise hell, but she wouldn't let him abandon her.

Just how she would, she wasn't sure. She had no idea where Dunmore was, it could be in the middle of nowhere for all she knew. She sat out on the verandah with Rosemary, Eleanor and the children. They were having their lunch outside today since the weather had warmed up slightly, though there was a cool breeze, the sun peeked out from behind the clouds.

Sitting there, Scarlett suddenly thought of something. She knew Eleanor would help her get to Dunmore to be with Rhett. Eleanor was her ally and she certainly wouldn't object to her and the children going to join Rhett, even if his brother was there. She would handle any man, even a drunken one. Many a time she had witnessed Gerald come home drunk and had helped him. And she had seen her fair share of Rhett being drunk.

"Eleanor," Scarlett haltingly began to her mother-in-law sitting beside her.

"What is it dear?" Eleanor's voice was easy and Scarlett smiled slightly her eyes downcast.

"I know it is silly of me but I- miss Rhett. And I would like to join him at Dunmore with the children."

She wondered if Eleanor would buy her demure, submissive wife act but of course she truly did want to see Rhett. She missed him terribly. And if Rhett Butler thought he was ahead of her, he had another thing coming. She would not be abandoned or slighted.

Eleanor looked uncertain. Her brows were creased with worry. "Oh, dear. I would love nothing better but you see-"

"Rhett's brother is there," Scarlett finished. "I know. But I'm certain that we will be fine. I took care of myself during the war. It won't be any problem meeting Rhett's brother. And I do believe the children would like to meet their uncle." There, she thought, that was thorough enough.

There was a slight pause and then, "I will wire Rhett about your arrival..."

"No! I mean that is I so desperately wanted to surprise him. And you see if you told him you would ruin the surprise." Not to mention my plans, added Scarlett silently. If Rhett knew she was on her way to Dunmore he could stop her, she didn't doubt his influence and determination. She smiled modestly and ducked her head with a slight blush. She was an expert in being demure when she wanted to be. She looked like the perfect, bashful wife.

"Of course not! It will be our secret and I know Rhett will be so happy. It is wonderful to see how devoted you are to him and now that you're here..."

"Yes, now that I'm here," she murmured with a triumphant look. She patted Eleanor's hand then looked over at Wade and Ella who were chatting with Rosemary. "Children how would you like to go see Uncle Rhett?"

There were shouts of exclamation from the children. And Scarlett leaned back with a satisfied sigh. Taking a sip of her tea, she couldn't keep the smile from her face. Rhett you think you have won, she thought, but the game has just begun. She pulled her mind from her thoughts and rose to her feet in purpose, she had to pack.

xxx

"Mama this river is named after Uncle Ashley," Ella chirped, holding tightly onto the railing as she stood on the first bar at the stern and leaned far over to see a view of the river. Her ginger curls blew gently across her face and she had eyes as wide as saucers as she took everything in.

"Ella be careful," Scarlett admonished. Her heart seemingly lodged in her throat as she watched her daughter lean far over to see a view of the waves crashing against the bottom. She looked almost as if she could fall into the river. God's nightgown that's just what she needed, seeing Rhett like a drowned cat.

Wade likewise went near Ella to look over and she saw him put a hand on her arm to protect her. She did smile slightly though at Ella and Wade's excitement. She knew they hadn't ever been on a steamboat or traveled much. Granted Wade had gone to New Orleans once with Rhett but he had been so young. The furthest they had been to was Marietta.

Taking in the sight of the sluggish river and feeling the cool breeze against her cheeks she relaxed. There was something oddly peaceful yet disquieting about this land. With the swaying cypress trees and swamps, it seemed almost haunted. Yet, when the slave trade had expanded more after 1793, the swamps began to be cleared out for rice tidal growing. And Scarlett, who knew physical beauty, saw Charleston wasn't as awful as she had once imagined.

She looked over at the man who was bringing them to Rhett. When Eleanor had brought them to the dock at the mouth of the river, the old man's face had a huge white grin that contrasted to his dark face and was very friendly.

His name was Jethro she found out. He had lived a long the river for years as a slave to a rich landowner. When his master had died before the war he had been freed and continued to live a long the river, driving his steamboat that was his pride and joy. It was a hobby of his but often times he would give Rhett a ride to Dunmore or do services for the old families he had known. Scarlett secretly admired him for his accomplishments and his steamboat was wonderful even if it was tiny.

"Your papa used to come a long this river with me when he was a boy," Jethro said to Wade and Ella who were listening to him with rapt attention, more so Wade.

Scarlett didn't correct the man that Rhett was their stepfather. He was absolutely a charming old man. In some ways he reminded her of Pork. She walked forward and came to stand beside Ella. Sparing Jethro a smile.

"Then you have known my husband long?"

He grinned, his weathered face reminiscent. "Yes'm. He shore was a mischievous boy. He'd come and see my master and me. I don't 'spect he's changed much. I've known the Butler's a good many a years."

"Look mother!" yelled Wade in excitement. His eyes danced as he pointed at a huge crane standing among the bushes. Scarlett smiled at his excitement and was slightly surprised for usually he was as quiet as a mouse around her. She was glad to see him more open and felt less bad about her mothering skills. She wasn't such a bad mother after all.

"Do you see the bird Ella?" She asked her daughter.

Ella shook her head. "Where is it?"

"Ah Ella," Wade grumbled, "It's right in front of your face! Right there." He pointed at it and as the boat began to pass, the bird suddenly took flight and Ella squealed, grabbing Scarlett's skirt and staying firmly lodged against her leg.

"Ella Lorena!" Scarlett cried laughing, looking down at her daughter. "Don't tell me you are a afraid of a silly bird."

When Ella didn't reply or move, Wade shot her a disgusted look.

"You are such a girl."

Ella frowned. "I am not!" She stuck out her tongue at her brother who frowned.

"Ella Lorena!" Scarlett blushed at Ella's lack of manners and spared a glance at Jethro. He was merely laughing silently with tears streaming down his black face. She was about to reprimand her, but her lip. She mustn't seem too harsh if she was to win Rhett back.

"I can shore tell you two are siblin'," Jethro said to the children. He pointed out at the trees. "Those are cypress trees. I spect ya don't see those in Georgia much."

The children shook their heads and Scarlett drew nearer to Wade and Ella to get a better look. She unconsciously placed her hands on Wade's shoulders and his chest puffed out in slight pride. He didn't move lest his mother realize what she was doing.

Thus Scarlett, Wade and Ella with a darkie continued down the river towards Dunmore Landing. Rhett wasn't far from her now. The sun was slightly setting as the shrill cry of a bird reached her ears and even Ella jumped in surprise.

Jethro laughed and the children's laughter followed. They would soon be at Dunmore Landing and to Rhett, Scarlett silently added with a self-satisfied smirk on her face.

TBC