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Part Eleven
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Scarlett was never as alive as when she had things to do, he chuckled watching numerous citizens of Atlanta notice them on that warm spring day. Scarlett was blooming more vividly than the tulips. The cut of her dress and the distracting bustle in the back still camouflaged most of their child growing within her, but the sparkle in her eye, the glow in her cheeks.
If Scarlett didn't have such expensive taste, he would buy her a house every year. He was rich, but he wasn't actually Midas. Miss Melly walked with them as they discussed the servants. Most importantly Pork and Dilcey, since they hadn't minded the thought of summering in the country. Someone in the Butler staff would need to go over to Aunt Pittypat's to watch over Beau, since Melly couldn't stand the thought of him being gone all summer.
Both of the girls' governesses were single young ladies living in a boarding house, Scarlett had stopped in town to see about finding them accommodations since she had no interest in dining or socializing with the help as she would be forced to if they lived in.
By the time the day was done and he was forcing his wife back home she had spent a preposterous amount of his money (especially considering the amount of furnishings that were remaining in the house) and had talked their architect into taking the train back with them in 2 days. The governesses had 4 days to uproot their life and join them in the country, again he had paid handsomely for that.
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He approached his wife as he had numerous times over that first month home, in the tub. He would have tried in Tara, but he was never sure who he was more afraid of Mammy or Suellen or one of seven children running in on them, which would have sent them both Mammy and Suellen after him.
"Go away Rhett," her words were not particularly convincing the way her eyes lingered on him in his charcoal silk dressing gown.
"Scarlett, I may have actually bought you the world today, you're going to send me away?"
"I only have one more night with this tub, I have the rest summer with you."
He let out a loud laugh. "If you let me in I'll rub your back."
"I know you Rhett Butler, that's not all you'll rub," she closed her eyes and leaned her head back.
He laughed silently and went to take off his robe.
She eventually looked up as she felt him standing over her. "I am only doing this because I no longer need to summer with Suellen or stay in Atlanta," she informed him as she scooted forward.
"My dear, I don't care about the reason," he said climbing into the tub with her and then pulling her back, to lean against him.
They stayed that way, running through the things still left to do with the house and random plans for the summer.
Rhett stopped suddenly, fighting her on wallpapering was the last thought on his mind, "Was that?"
"Did you finally feel him?"
"Scarlett, I can finally confirm you have not been overindulging at meals."
She laughed softly against him, "I can't wait to meet him, have him here with us. I just want it all to go okay Rhett, it's like there's this sinking feeling that at any minute I'll lose everything."
"He'll be fine Scarlett," Rhett said with both hands on her stomach.
She laid her hands on top of his, "Promise me."
"I promise you," he said giving her his strength even if he didn't truly believe it himself.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed.