Disclaimer: I do not own Gone With The Wind. Also, completely unbeta'd so all mistakes are mine.
Scarlett walked alongside Wade and Ella, listening to their stories about their schoolmates. This was the first time they had seen each other since Christmas, and since Marcos had left them. It wasn't Europe, but it was a vacation for the children.
"So then Warren said, you just said that," Wade said between laughs, causing Scarlett and Ella to both laugh along with him.
"Well it seems like Warren is quite the character," Scarlett replied as they walked away from the docks.
"So Mother, are you certain Uncle Will doesn't mind us missing a few days with him?" Ella asked tentatively.
"Yes of course. Uncle Will is fine, but we will be there soon enough. We wouldn't want Mammy or Uncle Will to have to deal with Aunt Suellen and Susie all by themselves would we?" Scarlett said jokingly.
Ella giggled then asked softly, "Do you think we'll see Uncle Rhett today?"
Wade immediately shot his sister a dirty look.
Scarlett simply smiled and said, "Would you like to see him?"
Ella nodded enthusiastically, "I'd like to surprise him for once. He is always surprising me at school."
Wade rolled his eyes at his sister's naivety.
Scarlett quickly thought of a way to pacify Ella without actually agreeing, "Well when we return to Aunt Eulalie's, we can ask if he is in town she is very good friends with Uncle Rhett's mother."
Wade looked at his mother curiously. Just as he was about to question her, there came a voice from behind them.
"Scarlett?"
Scarlett froze momentarily before turning around, still holding Ella's hand. Her son had immediately turned to face her addresser, and Scarlett was quietly amused by Wade's protective stance. 'Speak of the devil,' Scarlett mused as she saw her ex-husband standing just few feet away.
Upon recognizing the figure, Ella dropped Scarlett's hand and ran toward him, shouting, "Uncle Rhett!"
"Ella!" he said, greeting her with equal enthusiasm. He crouched down and held his arms out.
Ella ran into his waiting arms and hugged him tightly. Causing Wade to grumble in annoyance and Scarlett to tilt her head in interest.
Ella released Rhett and stepped back. With a slight pout she said, "It's not fair. I wanted to surprise you this time, Uncle Rhett. And yet you were still the one to surprise me."
"Believe me Ella, I'm very surprised," Rhett said as he laughed quietly.
Wade was still standing slightly in front of Scarlett.
Scarlett nudged her son and whispered, "Go say hello."
"Hello, sir," Wade greeted awkwardly. He was a tall boy, closer to his sixteenth birthday than his fifteenth, and he was already eye level with Rhett and a good head taller than his mother.
"Hello Wade," Rhett greeted warmly.
Ella appeared perturbed at having her tete a tete with Rhett interrupted. Walking the short distance to her mother, she whispered, "I hate when Wade takes over conversations like that."
Scarlett laughed lightly. Her children often made her laugh. Their letters had kept her entertained each week after Marcos' departure. They had come from her, and had some of her traits but were also quite unique in their own right. They were bull headed, and she was proud of that. They were also quite adept at socializing.
"Ella don't be silly, you'll get a chance to speak with Rhett again," Scarlett said in attempt to comfort her daughter, who continued to pout. Taking her by the hand, Scarlett approached the conversing pair. Scarlett listened as her son explained what they were doing in Charleston.
"We're going to have lunch soon, Ella suggested that we try the restaurant you mention in your letters," Wade finished just as Scarlett reached her son's side.
"Captain Butler," she greeted as she raised her eyes to meet his. She felt a strong inclination to smirk as she saw the same dancing black eyes she had been so annoyed by at one time.
"Hello Scarlett," he replied softly, his eyes roving her frame. "You look well."
"As do you," she replied easily. It was true. Although it had been a few months since she's seen him. He did have that uncanny ability to stay the same despite the long gaps in their history.
As they stood watching each other's movements carefully, as did Wade and Ella, there was a palpable tension building. Neither of the adults noticed when the siblings exchanged curious looks before moving away slowly.
"Wade tells me you're on your way to lunch," Rhett stated conversationally upon realizing they had been left to their own devices.
"Yes, we're going to a restaurant, Eulalie declined to join us," Scarlett said, her eyes alight with the excitement at disobeying her aunt.
"So your aunt is aware you are visiting then?"
"Of course, we arrived last night and she was extremely happy to see Ella. Wade has just arrived and not yet seen his aunt."
"Eulalie enjoys her time with the children, but do they enjoy their time with her?"
"They tolerated her coddling well enough," Scarlett said airily. She looked toward her children and added quietly, "She's the nearest thing to a grandmother they have."
Rhett looked sharply at Scarlett, surprised to see that she was serious.
"I'm surprised my own mother wasn't informed of your arrival," Rhett said as he shifted his weight from one foot to another.
"That is indeed interesting. Eulalie has known for several weeks now, she's the one who suggested we visit," Scarlett said as she again looked toward her children. Returning her gaze to Rhett she said, "Perhaps she assumed we would not call on people due to our recent loss and state of mourning."
Rhett looked her over once more and said, "You are quite right. I can't even begin to imagine how Mother would have begun that conversation."
Scarlett smiled softly while once again taking a glance in the direction of her children. Wade pulled out his pocket watch and pointed to it with an expression of barely contained discontent. Scarlett's smile widened, and then quickly vanished upon realizing Rhett's eyes were upon her still.
"Well this has been fun Captain Butler, but I do believe we must be on our way. Wade is rather hungry," Scarlett said as she subtly invited her children back to say goodbye.
Rhett eyed her again, making Scarlett a bit nervous, but she did her best not to show it. She had, in their months apart, decided that she would never again allow Rhett Butler to influence her.
"What would you say if I were to offer to pay for lunch," Rhett said as the children came closer.
Both Ella and Wade's eyes widened for vastly different reasons. Ella's facial features read of excitement, while Wade's expressed both shock and disapproval. Scarlett however managed to remain composed.
"You'll have to ask my children Captain Butler, this is their vacation after all," Scarlett said calmly. She noticed a pained expression cross his features but disappeared quickly enough.
Rhett turned to the children, who were more young adults than children at this stage, and said, "Well, Wade, Ella, what do you think?"
Ella answered immediately, with excitement, "I think it's a wonderful idea!"
Wade however shifted uncomfortably, and looked toward his mother, and then to his sister's pleading eyes before he said, "Well, sir, I suppose we could benefit from your company on this particular occasion."
Scarlett very nearly smiled at her son's guarded statement, and at Rhett's genuine surprise. She then said, "Well then, let us continue."
Wade was immediately at her side, offering her his arm, while Ella was at Rhett's already tittering with excitement. When Rhett did not move to lead the way, Wade cleared his throat and said, "Shall we then, Captain Butler?"
Scarlett observed the sudden rigidity of Rhett's posture at the use of his proper title. He quickly relaxed and then said, "Of course."
Rhett led them down the street, toward his favorite restaurant. Ella chattered away happily on his arm. Wade was less conversational, he chose to keep his eyes trained upon his sister and Rhett.
Scarlett quietly said, "Would you rather we go home? I could feign illness, and we could spend the afternoon with Eulalie and perhaps move forward to Tara sooner."
"That wouldn't be fair to Aunt Eulalie, she seems lonely," Wade said with a firmness in his voice Scarlett hadn't heard before.
"I suppose you're right," Scarlett admitted as they strolled a few paces behind Rhett and Ella. "Your sister seems to be enjoying her visit."
Wade scoffed, and said, "She's too easily won over by trinkets and kind words."
Scarlett startled at this, she realized her son was very nearly a man, and had his own opinion about things. But he had never spoken so outright against Rhett before. She slowed their pace enough that they were out of earshot and then asked, "What do you mean?"
Wade shrugged and said, "I spoke out of anger. I apologize."
Scarlett sighed. She knew Marcos' supposed death would impact her children, and she wished she could have saved them the pain. But again she had failed them as a mother, and the only father either of them had known for an extended period of time had broken up their family many years before. She said, "I'm sorry we didn't get to spend more time with Marcos. But he came from a different world, a more dangerous world that none of us understood."
Wade looked pointedly away.
Scarlett looked at her daughter again and said, "But Rhett is here. And he has always been kind to you. Forgive him for whatever you think he's done wrong."
Wade then stopped and looked down at his mother. Scarlett again realized just how much her son had grown in his time away, both physically and emotionally. He met her eyes and said, "He abandoned us and thought nothing of it until months had passed. You were sick with grief and he did not care. I can never forgive him for it. I do not understand how you are able to stand his company."
Scarlett put her hands on her son's face and said, "Forgiving someone is not easy. I have forgiven Rhett, because I realized I had a hand in the way things ended. If you want to be angry at him, that's fine, but he does not deserve all the blame."
Wade's eyes softened, and Scarlett was reminded just how much he could look like his father. But he never was quite as innocent, he had a hardness about him that had come from not being coddled his entire life, and also, perhaps, from being Scarlett's son. The moment passed, and he squared his shoulders and took her arm in his and they walked quickly to catch up with Ella and Rhett.
They ate lunch and Scarlett observed that Wade was attempting to allow Rhett some leeway. However, Ella monopolized the conversation and Scarlett smiled to herself as she begins to see why people say that Ella is truly her daughter.
As they walk out Wade pairs himself with his sister and distracted her by asking her a question about the tour she and their mother had gone on the day before, allowing Scarlett a chance to converse with Rhett.
"I was in Atlanta on business the other day, and heard the most interesting news," Rhett said as they walked toward Eulalie's home.
"Oh really? What are the fat cats on about now?" Scarlett asked, innocence firmly plastered across her face.
"Apparently someone has bought the old Wilkes' plantation and is building over the ruins. Quite the scandal," Rhett said.
"People in Atlanta talk about what goes out there? They must be starved for news if they're talking about what's happening in the country," Scarlett said, the corners of her mouth tilting upwards into a hint of a smile.
"Perhaps it has to do with the fact that it is a recently widowed woman purchasing the plantation," Rhett said, his own mouth moving into a half grin. "And to think I thought you had outgrown your infatuation with Ashley Wilkes."
Scarlett then laughed outright, and then said, "I've always wanted to be mistress of Twelve Oaks, and this way I don't have to marry Ashley."
"A very wise choice indeed," Rhett said.
"It is not an exact replicate of the previous home, and it is by no means extravagant. The lower half is very nearly done," Scarlett said, excited as always to share news about her latest project. "The fields are looking very promising."
At this Rhett raised his brows and said, "I had no idea you intended to grow cotton."
"Will and Sue won't let me do a thing with Tara, so Twelve Oaks was the next best thing," Scarlett said, a small shrug accompanying her words.
Rhett studied her and then looked ahead as he said, "You constantly surprise me."
They walk in silence for a few moments before she asked, "How is your mother? Eulalie mentioned she had an unfortunate fall a few weeks ago, I hope she has recovered."
"Eulalie has shared the latest Charleston news then, has she?" Rhett teased. Added, "My mother is doing quite well. She's up and about and talking about redoing the sitting room after spending so much time in there."
"I don't blame her. I'm sure a woman as active as your mother was miserable being so constrained," Scarlett said with a knowingly tone to her voice.
Rhett made a noise of agreement. The children had outstripped them and were leisurely meandering up the lane. The very top of Eulalie's home was within view. Scarlett could sense that there was something weighing very heavily on Rhett's mind. The usual back and forth between them has been lacking and she wondered if he had tired of her company. She had enjoyed talking about her work with him, it reminded her of their talks when he drove her to her lumber mill so many years ago. She slowed even more and said, "We're very nearly home, I'm sure the children would understand if you didn't say goodbye today, if you have grown tired of our company. But do promise to stop by again before we depart for the country. Ella is so fond of you, and despite his behavior, I know Wade is too."
Rhett looked at her, and seemed to be surprised at her words. "Do you not want me to walk you all the way home? Still afraid of what your aunt thinks of me?"
"On the contrary, I thought you'd grown tired of us. You are being extraordinarily quiet."
"I have something very serious to say, and I am not certain how phrase it."
Scarlett stopped and said, "Just come out with it."
"I made a mistake."
Scarlett looked at him and blinked, "What?"
"I've said it before, and I told you we weren't done with this conversation. You and I have not had a conventional life by any means. And the past few months you've flitted in and out of my life and I was struck with what a fool I'd been to leave you after Miss Melly's death."
"Captain Butler," Scarlett said as she attempted to stop him.
"I was a fool. I was wrong. And I've never been more certain that you are the one I'm supposed to spend my life with. I'm drawn to you despite my attempts to forget you, and my attempts to keep you in the fringes of my life, I still desire more."
"Rhett, please."
"Scarlett I miss my family. Three years I've spent aimlessly traveling from city to city and the only time I've felt anything akin to belonging is when I've seen your children, and when I've seen you. There is something about you that makes me feel at home. And now that my head is clear and I've worked through it time and time again, I'm sure it was you I've needed all along."
Scarlett had no words. She had not expected a confession of this magnitude. She had thought of Rhett, had wished for his guidance and believed that in her visit perhaps they could begin as friends once again. And now he had confessed all of this. She was stunned and overwhelmed.
Wade and Ella had reached the house and turned back when Scarlett and Rhett were not behind them. Eulalie had heard them in the yard and saw Scarlett down the street. Eleanor had just arrived for tea only moments before. All eyes were on the pair standing in the street having what appeared to be a very serious conversation.
Wade took a step toward them when his sister pulled him back and said, "Don't be a fool Wade. Don't you see what's happening?"
Wade looked at his sister, and then back as his mother and Rhett.
Scarlett looked up at Rhett and said, "You're a scoundrel and a blackguard, but I wouldn't have it any other way."
Ella hugged her brother and said, "We have Uncle Rhett again."
Wade again gave his sister an odd look and said, "We've always had an Uncle Rhett."
