Chapter 25

"Rhett What are you doing here?"

"why wouldn't I be here my pet?"

"Well for one you said you were never coming here again."

"It would seem that you have something here that is mine after all"

"Rhett we need to leave this room now"

"Why my dear? You would not deny me seeing my own daughters would you?" Rhett sneered.

"No I would never do that. What I mean is If you are continue to be rude you will not do so in the presence of the children. Not Wade or Ella or Katie or Ella. I will not allow them to be subject to hearing us fight again. They deserve better than that. So if we can continue this in the Library I will be appreciate it. And no drinking in the house. You'll find all the alcohol that was in the house is gone."

"Very well lead the way"

Scarlett angrily led Rhett down to the Library. She knew it might get ugly and she did not want the children to hear them fighting again. Never again. She also decided to not get so mad she lost control of herself.

"So Pet you are still playing that game of being a good mother I see."

"Rhett This is not a game."

"then what is it? My pet."

"This is me raising my children all four of them. Wade, Ella, Katie, and Dixie."

"I'll be moving my things into the other spare bed room."

"Wade and Ella will be so happy."

"Don't play games. I'm staying to watch you and make sure you are doing right for my children you make one wrong move and I'll take you to court and take my girls from you faster than you can blink."

"Do not think that you are going to come in this house and Threaten me Rhett Butler. I may be a woman but I will fight you with every thing I have." Scarlett said as she walked from the room.

Rhett stood in disbelief she even though she was angry never raised her voice and left with out calling him one name. Could this really not be a game? He looked in all the usual hiding places as well as where the main store of alcohol was kept and he found that Scarlett had been truthful when she said that their was no more alcohol in the house. He thought of going out for something but thought better of it. It would be better to observe Scarlett being a mother sober.

Scarlett went up to Wade's room and knocked on the door. She peeked in and told her son that Rhett was in the Library. Wade nodded and got up and went down to the Library. He didn't know if he could hold back his anger. His mother never talked bad about Uncle Rhett but there was things that he knew that his mother didn't know he knew. He had heard so many of their arguments. He knew about the rumor about his mother and Uncle Ashley. But he knew his mother. He knew that She loved him. His mother rarely cried and Uncle Rhett had made her cry. He entered the Library and greeted his Uncle Rhett.

"Wade you have grown since I saw you at Tara."

"Yes Uncle Rhett."

"How is your studies coming?"

"fine"

"Is something wrong? You seem to be out of sorts."

"What would be wrong Uncle Rhett. Besides the man that keeps leaving us when we need him is back."

"Now Wade this is between your mother and I."

"oh really you think that your actions don't effect us kids. You haven't seen Ella cry after you've yelled at mother. You see in Ella's eyes Mother did no wrong. She never thought of anything mother said to you. You weren't there when Ella wouldn't eat after you left mother the first time. You wasn't there when I was the one that consoled Ma when she couldn't stop crying. And who will be there for Katie and Dixie when you decide you don't want to be here anymore Ma will be."

"Wade you will not talk to me in such a way."

"I will speak to you any way I wish. You Son of a ……."

"Wade Hampton Hamilton you do not use such language in this house. You will respect your Uncle Rhett young man. I know you are angry with him but I will not tolerate you being so callous and uncivil towards him nor any one else ever again. Do I make myself clear?" Scarlett interrupted. Rhett looked at her in awe. Never had he ever seen her take her son to task. She had always left it to him to discipline Wade since the day she married him. He then noticed Ella standing next to her mother tears trailing her little face. His heart broke to see it. He had never thought of how the children seen him. He never realized the pain he caused Wade and Ella when he left. He had been selfish. But he would have to still be selfish if he wanted to steer clear of getting closer to Scarlett. He reached over and hugged the small girl who immediately melted into his arms and broke into harder sobs. Wade walked towards Rhett and apologized for losing his temper. Rhett knew that Wade was half hearted in his apology but accepted it anyway.

Supper was soon announced and the four went to the dining room to eat. After supper Rhett went on to bed while Scarlett got the children ready for bed and tucked them in. She then went to the babies room and helped Millie feed and diaper the twins. Rhett had not met his daughters that night but it would soon be remedied.

It was about midnight when the twins woke for their feeding. Scarlett rose out of bed and put her wrap on quickly. She walked down the hall briskly and entered to find Rhett lifting a baby out of her cradle and taking a bottle from Esther sat in the rocking chair nearest her cradle. Scarlett walked over and took Katie up from the cradle and took her bottle from Esther and sent Esther to bed. She sat down with the baby and started to feed the child.

"I've never seen you up this late with a child. I'm surprised you haven't hired a nurse for them."

"nonsense I much prefer taking care of them myself. Millie and Esther help me though from time to time. Wade is wonderful with them. Ella is trying she has my impatient I'm afraid. But I'm sure that it will come to her in the end. It did me."

"May I ask which one am I holding?"

"That is Dixie Rose Butler."

"Dixie Where did you come up with that name?"

"I didn't Ella did. I allowed Ella to name her and Wade named this one."

"Scarlett, You didn't tell me her name yet"

"oh Rhett I'm sorry. This is Katherine Eleanor Butler."

"Wade chose well. And I believe Ella's choice will grow on me."

"Ella can be charming"

"Like mother like daughter."

"I'll take that as a compliment Mr. Butler."

"Scarlett do you realize we are having the first civil conversation between us in months? In the middle of the night?"

"Yes I do. But I can't see why we can't have civil conversations in the first place. We are adults you know."

"Scarlett you seem to have grown up. Did you mean what you said when you told Dixie here that only the best families would receive them?"

"Of course I did."

"Then I take it you have made amends with the ladies of Atlanta?"

"Not with all but I have made a start. India and I finally spoke and came to an understanding. Of course Melanie still receives me but she never stopped. While I was in Charleston I found a baby for the Wilkes to adopt. A little girl. They named her Anne Marie Wilkes."

"That little girl will be spoiled beyond degree."

'Melanie loves her already. Ashley took a few minutes longer but I believe he loves her because Melanie loves her. Oh I forgot to mention that I have invited them to supper on Saturday along with India and Aunt Pitty. I didn't know you would be here when I invited them."

"I think I can be on my best behavior for one night." Rhett laughed.

Scarlett and Rhett burped the babies and diapered and continued to hold them and talk.

"I would hope so. Melanie has been so supportive and has helped me to start making amends. Her advice has been a God send. If not for her I would not be doing as well. She really has been a strong support for me."

"she always was. I have a great respect for her."

" I know and can you believe I have often been jealous of that respect."

"You jealous never" He laughed and Scarlett joined him.

"Well we had better put these little ones to bed they will be up soon enough for another feeding." Scarlett said placing Katie in the cradle nearest her. Rhett did the same and the two left the room together. As they walked out their hands touched. Electricity ran up Rhett's body and Scarlett's breath caught in here throat.

"Good night Scarlett" Rhett said awkwardly.

"Good night Rhett" Scarlett replied as she turned to walk back to her room. Rhett watched her walk away. Every part of his being wanted to follow her and make love to her. But he fought the urge and went to his room for a sleepless night. At three in the morning when he heard the babies cry he heard Scarlett make her way down the hall he remained in his own room. He wouldn't tempt himself this time.

The next morning Scarlett greeted Rhett as he entered the dining room. She informed him that he had just missed the children. Wade and Ella had school as this was Thursday. He sat down and started to eat breakfast. They made some small talk but avoided anything that might cause an argument. At least for right now there was some peace in the house.

Millie and Esther watched the two people eat. They knew they were married but they acted more like strangers than a married couple. Of course they would never say anything it wasn't their place. But any one could see that they loved each other. Why couldn't they see it themselves they wondered.

Scarlett decided that it was time to take the twins to see Dr. Meade. She told Rhett that her and the babies would be leaving the house that morning to see the doctor for a checkup. Rhett told her that he would probably just stay at the house and look it over again and see if he could find his way around again. It was good to have some peace between them no matter how short it may prove to be.