So... I could go into a long, drawn out detail of why I've waited so long to post, but I won't. Let's just say, for a while I truly lost the desire to write and did not for a very long time. I actually felt so rusty writing this chapter but eventually the creativity took over and I was enjoying it for the first time in a long time. I still hope I have readers. I've missed ya'll and I do hope you've missed me as well. This may not be a great chapter, but it felt so good writing it, I really don't care, lol. Anyway please review if you liked it even a little. I need feedback at this point. Thanks!

Chapter Thirty Four

Expectations

The rest of the day Scarlett had only one thing on her mind… the baby. She and Rhett had made a baby and it couldn't have happened at a more splendid time. She touched her stomach and smiled to herself as she and Darcy were escorted back to her home by Ashley and Eli.

They were concerned for her naturally, but she found their attention, especially Ashley's, annoying. She gave them no explanation for her fainting spell and when they pressed her, she quickly put them in their place.

"I'm fine, really. Goodness, you all are like a pack of hounds."

"We're just worried about you, Scarlett," Darcy offered.

"I know and I told you, I'm fine. I've been running around like a goose and it finally caught up with me."

"How many times have I asked you to slow down? You work too hard, do too much, Scarlett," Ashley said as he helped her down from the carriage. He held her hand tightly and as he stared concerned at her.

"Really, Ashley," she sighed and pulled her hand from him. "If I have to tell you I'm fine once more I'm going to scream."

"I can't help but worry about you," his brows furrowed together. "I have a right to be concerned for you."

You have no such right, she wanted to say, but held her tongue as Eli joined them, stepping down beside her.

"Ashley, why don't we get Mrs. Butler inside. I'm sure a nice, cool drink will help immensely."

"Very well," Ashley hesitated and then nodded, tucking his arm around her waist. He led her inside still holding her protectively. Scarlett squelched the urge to shove him away from her.

Once they entered the small setting room off the parlor, Scarlett immediately released herself from his hold and found her seat. "Oh my, I'm so glad to be home."

Ashley stared at her, his eyes trying to catch hers but she refused to look at him square on. Darcy excused herself to go the kitchen to fetch the cool drinks. Eli walked over to the window, staring out at the grounds.

"What a lovely home it is, at that. However, I can't imagine two people needing all of this, but each to his own taste I suppose."

"You sound like Rhett,' she said letting out a soft laugh. "He's never really liked it here, either."

"Oh, I never said I didn't like it here, just not my style," Eli turned to her and smiled, to which Scarlett smiled back. He then looked over to Ashley, whose features did little to hide his displeasure.

"Scarlett, will you excuse Eli and me for a moment? It's been a very long time since we've spoken to each other," Ashley said and waited for Eli's response.

"Yes, it has been a while," he agreed and passed her to join Ashley.

Once the two men left the room, Scarlett looked around and shook her head. "Well, landsakes… first I can't rid of them, now they scatter like rats. Men!"

When Ashley and Eli entered the parlor, Ashley turned to him brusquely. "Eli, I'm not sure how to ask you this question, but I have no other choice but to ask. Just what has transpired between you and Scarlett?"

"I'm not sure I know what you mean, Ashley," Eli responded, unruffled by Ashley's accusatory question.

"Oh, I think you do. I've seen it from the moment you walked into the store until here, right now. At first I thought it was just my imagination, but it was the way you reacted to her when she fainted. You held her and carried her all the way to Dr. Meade's. You were holding her like… well, like…"

"Like a lover?" Eli supplied to a bewildered Ashley.

"How dare you speak that way!" Ashley's face quickly erupted into anger.

"I think you're worrying over something that is quite frankly, none of your business. Scarlett and I share something that I've shared with no other woman."

"If you have done anything to her-" Ashley took a step forward.

"I wouldn't if I were you," Eli warned, his voice was casual but the meaning was not.

"For God's sake, Eli, I trusted you to protect her, not to seduce her!" Ashley spat angrily.

"And I have protected her, but I have not seduced her as you so crudely put it. Scarlett is not a woman one seduces in case you haven't noticed, Ashley."

"Don't take me for a fool, Eli. I have eyes, I see the way you look at her. The laughable thing is that I sent you to her because I trusted you as my friend."

"Yes, we are friends, which is why I'm going to forget this whole ridiculous matter. I did the job I was hired to do, what I do after that is my own affair." Eli stared hard at Ashley.

"Is that why are you're here in Atlanta? You've come after her?"

"I have my own reasons for being here," Eli replied cryptically.

"I'm sure you do," Ashley nearly sneered. "And I'm sure they all have to do with Scarlett."

"You know nothing of my reasons and I don't have to answer to you."

"Oh yes you do, Eli. You do have to answer to me because it was my stupidity that brought you to her. How I dearly regret that decision now."

"I think it's Scarlett who should decide who's in her life and who's not. As long as she wants me here, I'm staying here. Besides, it doesn't matter anyway. Scarlett only loves one man and it's neither you nor I."

Ashley's face jerked as if he had been slapped. "You're talking about Rhett Butler? He's never loved her nor wanted her the way a real husband should. He's taken her for granted and where is he now? He's gone, abandoned her, left her alone. He's a scoundrel and unrespectable blackguard."

"Yes, and he's her husband nonetheless. She loves him, more than that, she's in love with him. Scarlett will never be free from his hold, just as he will never be free from hers."

"He doesn't deserve her."

"No, but that's really not the point. Whether or not he deserves her, it's him whom she wants, whom she loves and that doesn't leave much room for anyone else."

Ashley lifted his head, his eyes glittering with suppressed anger. He cleared his throat and began to compose himself as he had always done. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave here, Eli. After today, we shall never speak of this again."

"And if I say no?"

"Then you are not the friend I thought you were," came Ashley's cool response.

"Ashley, I do value our friendship and I will never forget what you've done for me, but the day that I let anyone tell me where to go or when to leave is long over. Neither you nor anyone else tells me what to do. Oh, and one more thing. If you think Rhett Butler has abandoned Scarlett, think again. He'll be here sooner or later and he'll claim what is rightfully his."

Scarlett leaned against door and closed her eyes. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop but sometimes opportunities presented themselves and this was one of those times. She didn't know whether to be happy or sad at what Eli had said. Would Rhett come back to her? Would he be happy about that baby if and when he did?

And Ashley! What right did he have to say anything about Rhett or Eli for that matter? Eli was her friend, her true friend and she trusted him. Even if he did care for her, there was something about him that wasn't threatening to her or her happiness. He knew about her feelings for Rhett and accepted it. He would protect her as long as she needed him and Ashley had no right to speak to him that way.

Why, the first chance she had to settle things with Ashley the better off they both would be. She could no longer avoid it, it was time to face it and put it behind her just as quickly as possible.

"Scarlett? Are you alright?" Darcy's voice startled her.

"Yes, of course," she answered immediately and pushed herself from the door. "Is that lemonade?"

"Yes, I thought it was just the thing to perk you up." Darcy sat the tray down on the table.

"Thank you, Darcy," she nodded and took the outstretched glass from her.

Eli and Ashley came back into the room and Scarlett caught Eli's attention with a small smile of approval on her lips. She admired the way he stood up to Ashley and she appreciated it. He grinned knowingly at her as if he suddenly realized she had been listening all the while.

He took the glass from Darcy and casually walked over to her. "Snooping, Mrs. Butler?" he whispered and then took a sip of the drink.

"Why, of course not. That's acutely ill-bred, Mr. Barrett. I would never stoop to such behavior."

Eli gave her a derisive look and smirked. "You lie beautifully, Scarlett. No wonder I like you so much."

"I do believe that's a compliment and I'll take it as such," she smiled in self satisfaction, taking another sip of lemonade. However, as soon as it hit the bottom of her stomach, she felt a wave of nausea grip her and it threatened to come back up. "Oh dear," she gasped and covered her mouth.

"Scarlett, you've turned as white as a sheet," Darcy exclaimed and was quickly by her side. "You're not alright. I knew it."

"I… I'm fine," she whispered and turned her head aside, pushing down the nausea. It briefly faded and took a deep breath. "See, it's nothing. Just the excitement."

"I still say you should lie down for a while."

Hesitating for a moment, she nodded. "Perhaps I will. It has been a long day."

"Shall I help you, dear?" Ashley offered his hand but she quickly nodded. "No, I can go alone. Thank you, Ashley."

She rose and took another deep breath. "You all can stop fussing over me. I'm as healthy as a horse."

"And as stubborn as one, too," Eli interjected but there was something in his voice that caught her attention. She looked at him and then she knew… he knew her secret. For a brief moment he looked sad and then he smiled. "Go rest, Scarlett."

She suddenly felt the sting of guilt, but it was replaced when Eli's expression told her he knew and he was happy for her. Releasing the breath she had been holding she smiled at him again, told them good evening and quietly left the parlor. She was walking to the stairs when she heard a noise. A man clearing his voice. She gasped and whirled around to the door.

Rhett!

"Good evening, Mrs. Butler… I do hope I'm not intruding."