Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

Chapter Twenty-Five

Author's Note: Preeclampsia was first distinguished as a disease in the 18th century. The treatment for preeclampsia in the 19th century was bed rest, special diet and reduction of blood pressure.

Shortly thereafter Ashley arrived with Melly's clothes and Scarlett packed them in her trunk. Rhett told Wade to pack his trunk he was going with his mother and Aunt Melly to Philadelphia. His mother would explain on the train. Beau was unhappy when he found out that Wade wasn't going to be there but Ashley told him that Beau had to stay to take care of Ella, Bonnie, and Nick. Scarlett gave everyone hugs and then more hugs. As Scarlett, Wade and Melly were leaving to go to the train station it was all Scarlett could do to walk out the door. It amazed Rhett how much this Scarlett loved her children. Melly was so ill Ashley carried her to the carriage. Scarlett walked beside Rhett and she looked like she was about to start crying. Scarlett said, "It's the first time I have left them and you. It's the first time we have been separated."

Rhett knew that it was the first time this Scarlett had gone anywhere without her children except for Tara. That wasn't overnight and for several days. He held her close and said, "You will be back soon. I promise I will take care of them." Scarlett nodded her head and Rhett said, "Now come on." Rhett helped her into the carriage. Rhett and Ashley got the women into the private car. Scarlett squared her shoulders and walked onto the train. Rhett was glad he was sending Wade with them. Rhett knew Scarlett could take care of herself but it was nice to know Wade would be there for her. Rhett wasn't happy about this separation either. He smiled to himself and thought 'When did I become this man who is about to cry because he is being separated from his wife.' Ashley was beside himself. Melanie had passed out from pain and the nausea. Rhett looked at Scarlett and whispered, "I love you." Scarlett nodded her head and said, "Me too." Rhett and Ashley left the private car.

On the way back to the mansion Rhett said, "Would you like to stay with us while your wife is away?"

Ashley looked at Rhett and said, "Yes."

That was the extent of the conversation all the way back to the mansion. As they were getting out of the carriage Ashley said, "I will go home and be back tomorrow."

Rhett thought to himself, 'Why did I extend the invitation for him to stay here? I know it is because it the proper thing to do. Damn his good breeding.' Then he smiled and walked into the house. He was going to miss his wife. Before when they were separated, he missed her of course but now that he knew she loved him she had become so very dear to him. He was surprised she had not regained more of her confidence and strength but even after two years she still had a timidity to her that he surprisingly found very endearing. To the world she was a prouder, more confident version of Miss Melly but when she was with him, she let him see all of her fears and uncertainty. That is the way it should be. She needed him and he hoped she knew how much he needed her even if he could never tell her so.

Scarlett knew how much Rhett needed her even though he would never verbally confirm that weakness. She knew because when he walked in a room, he was always looking for her and then would relax when he found her. She knew because he told her so many of his secrets. She knew by the way he held her at night; every night. She knew by the little gifts he was always giving her. She also knew he needed her to need him. She wasn't as timid as Rhett thought she was but he needed her to need him so she pretended she needed him more than she actually did. She was still opportunistic.

They got to Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon. Scarlett sent a note to Dr. Shaw and asked him to see them on the next day. Instead Dr. Shaw came over that night. He knew immediately what was wrong with Melly. She had Preeclampsia. It only showed up in pregnant women. They would have to strictly monitor her for the length of her pregnancy. The only cure was delivery of the baby. He ordered complete bed rest, a strict diet, some medication and he would be back in a week.

Scarlett telegraphed Rhett everything the doctor had told her and the treatment plan. He would be back in a week so they were stuck here for at least a week. At the end of the telegram she said, "I love you stop." Rhett thought the news was positive and was happy for Miss Melly but sad that Scarlett was going to be gone for a week at least. He again thought, "You are becoming a silly man." But he put the telegram in his inside coat pocket next to his heart. Rhett telegraphed back one line, 'I love you stop.'

One-week later Scarlett telegraphed that Melly was doing better and Dr. Shaw was pleased. He wanted Melly to stay on the treatment plan for another week. He would return to the hotel in a week. She also telegraphed that although she was happy for Melly she missed him so much. Again, she closed with "I love you stop. Again, he took the telegram and placed it next to his heart. Again, Rhett telegraphed back one line, 'I love you stop.'

Scarlett knew her children were fine or Rhett would have said something. She missed them so much especially Nick because he was just a baby. She smiled when she received the telegram. He was as silly as she was. She loved Melly and Mammy a lot but her love for Rhett was head and shoulders above her love for those fine ladies.

Two-weeks after they had arrived Scarlett telegraphed that Dr. Shaw was very pleased with Melly's improvement. If she continued to improve, he would send her home the next week. Again, she closed with "I love you stop. Again, he took the telegram and placed it next to his heart. Again, Rhett telegraphed back one line, 'I love you stop.'

Three-weeks after they had arrived, they were going home. Melly had to stay on the diet and medication but she also had to stay in bed the rest of her pregnancy. Scarlett telegraphed Rhett what the doctor had said. She asked him if Melly could stay with them until she had the baby. They were leaving tomorrow morning to come home. She had been able to get a private car all the way to Atlanta. Dr. Dunn was going to have to preform something called a Cesarean surgery instead of Melly delivering the baby. At the end of the long telegram Scarlett wrote I love you STOP.

Rhett was happy that Scarlett was coming home and that Miss Melly was going to be alright. He telegraphed Scarlett …Yes. STOP I love you STOP. He took Scarlett's telegram and put it with the rest of her telegrams in his inside coat pocket. He laughed at himself. If he had thought this would be his life when he walked in the mansion two years ago. He would have thought himself high on opium. He was whistling when he walked in the mansion until he saw Mr. Wilkes. He then became aware of the fact that if Mrs. Wilkes was going to stay for four-months he would have to ask Mr. Wilkes to stay also. Damn his good breeding. Damn him becoming respectable. He shook his head and thought 'Nick and Bonnie are worth it.'

Two days later Rhett and Ashley were at the train station late at night to pick-up their wives. Scarlett had telegraph when they made the last train transfer. As the ladies and Wade walked off the train Rhett was amazed at how much better Miss Melly looked. With the porter's help they got the trunks and got in the carriage. Rhett could tell that Scarlett had missed him as much as he had missed her. Scarlett and Melly both praise Wade for all his help. He had read to Melly, gotten food for them, bought books for them and anything else they didn't want to do. Scarlett said, "It was so nice to have his upbeat personality on the trip."

They finally got to the mansion and Ashley and Melly retired to the room Ashley had been using during his stay. It was much further down the hall than Rhett's old bedroom. Rhett's good breeding might have made him extent the invitation but it wasn't going to make him be best friends with the guy. Rhett still hated Ashley and Ashley still hated Rhett.

While Mammy and Wade went to their respective beds, Scarlett and Rhett went to the nursery. Beau could see his mother in the morning. Her children were all asleep and Rhett had to physically restrain Scarlett from waking them up. She did give each one of them a kiss and marveled at how much Nick had grown which Rhett really didn't think it was true but he let her go on about it. Then he took his wife to their bedroom and they showed each other how much they missed each other. They swore they were never going to be separated again. They both knew they were being foolish but they liked saying and hearing the words.

The next morning the staff was all smiles that Mrs. Butler was back. The footman, Joseph, said, "Mr. Butler sure is a lot happier now that you are home."

Scarlett smiled and said, "So is Mrs. Butler."