Author's Note: I HIGHLY suggest you watch Leann Rimes's music video for "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way" on YouTube before reading this chapter. It will absolutely set the mood and you'll get more into the chapter.

Chapter 25: A Precious Gift

The tears had finally come. It had taken a while for the numbness to fade and for Scarlett to wrap her mind around the idea, but when it had finally set in that he was not coming home, that her baby didn't have a father, that he would never hold her in his arms again – she had cried for hours. Every tear that she had held back for months coursed down her cheeks finally at this devastation.

It had taken hours for her to run out of tears. She had wept quietly staring into space, had wailed painfully, gasping for breath between heart wrenching sobs, had thrown everything in her room; pillows, brushes, shoes anything she could grab she threw in anger.

Afterwards, when all of her tears had run out, she sat against the wall with her legs stretched out in front of her, her hands rested on her stomach and her head hanging in defeat.

She had faced the most trying times and persevered, but times had never been completely hopeless because she had always known that Rhett would come home to her and he would take on all of her burdens. When he finally took her into his arms she would be able to cry and let him take care of everything.

She had thought things couldn't possibly get any worse. She had been so very wrong. This feeling was worse than hunger, more painful that aching muscles and sun burns, more weakening than her pregnancy. This was devastating.

She took a shaky breath and leaned her head against the wall. It was dark; probably the middle of the night but no one had ever come to the door. She was thankful for that. She couldn't bare to face them yet. In the morning she would dye her clothes black and once again be the strong one. But not yet. She couldn't bare that yet.

She couldn't even imagine having the will power to ever leave her room, but she would have to. She would have to go downstairs at dawn and out to the fields to plant cotton. Her body would be there, but her mind would not. She suddenly understood her pa. How his world had fallen apart when her mother had died. Tara hadn't been enough for him, Scarlett and the girls hadn't been enough for him to stay in a world without Ellen.

She thought of her baby and felt tears prickle her eyes again. Rhett had left her his baby. She would have a dark haired little pirate that she would name after him and raise him to be brave and strong just like his daddy. He would be a tiny little Rhett and he would always be with her. Their baby would be the most charming little boy the south had ever seen. He would be just like his daddy.

Scarlett felt a pressure in her stomach and sucked in a sudden breath at its intensity. She closed her eyes tightly and felt them water. Would her eyes ever be dry again? She thought briefly as the contraction began to subside.

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Her contractions had come quickly and she hardly had time to yell for Melly and make it to the bed before she was pushing the baby out.

It was dreadfully painful and the sweat began to drip off her in the cool predawn of April 30, 1865. Scarlett was weak and begging for Melly to just let her sleep. She could have the baby when she woke up she explained weakly. Soon she became delusional and cried out for Rhett.

Melly pleaded with Scarlett to hold on remembering too well the pain of childbirth and terrible feeling of being alone.

Finally a healthy, pink baby was born and Melly and Mammy were awed at the tiny miracle. It was painfully tiny, but had strong lungs and Melly marveled at the little thing's grip when it took hold of one of her fingers.

"Scarlett darling," Melly said with pride in her voice. "Meet your daughter."

Scarlett opened her eyes slowly and peered at the baby in Melly's arms. The little bundle had a tuff of black hair and pale white skin without any sign of the ugly red blotches that most babies were born with. It was Scarlett in miniature.

She rolled over, refusing to look at her baby.

"What do I need a little girl for?" Scarlett cried angrily. "She doesn't look anything like Rhett! I want Rhett!"

Melly watched her sister-in-law in horror. She could not imagine a woman not wanting a little girl. This perfect little creature was a gift from God. Melly reminded herself of everything Scarlett had gone through that day and spoke softly, "Oh you poor dear, you were hoping for a boy, weren't you?"

Scarlett sniffled and after a long silence she whispered, "I wanted to name him Rhett. He would look just like him and then I'd always have Rhett."

Melly's heart broke for her dear sister. She walked around to the other side of the bed and laid the baby on the bed beside Scarlett. "Look how beautiful she is," Melly whispered. "Captain Butler left you with this perfect little angel to love. She can be your world, darling. She can be everything to you, if you only love her. That's all a baby wants." She sat down on the bed and ran a hand over Scarlett's hair. "She was made just for you and I'm sure she'll worship you if you just let her. How can you not love this little thing?" Melly asked as Scarlett tugged on the baby's blanket to get a better view of her child. Scarlett smiled as her little girl's eyes opened and looked up at her.

"Just look at her little blue eyes, as blue as the Bonny Blue Flag!" Melly exclaimed happily.

Scarlett nodded her head and began to drift off to sleep with her arm wrapped around her tiny gift, "Yes, Bonnie Blue."