Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews. FYI attending séances was a common type of entertainment in the 19th century. It was very popular. A lot of people actually did believe that one could communicate with the dead.

Chapter Thirty-Four

During the second week, they attended a séance with the medium Cora Scott Hatch. Emma mentioned that they should go and Scarlett thought it would be fun. Scarlett said, "I hope I will be able to talk to my mother."

Melly said, "It would be so wonderful to talk to my late husband one more time."

Nick said, "It would be nice to talk to my late wife one more time also."

Rhett quipped, "I hope my father doesn't start lecturing at me from the grave."

Which made everyone laugh. They decided to attend the séance. Rhett thought it was quite the show. It was almost better than going to see a play. The room was almost too dark for them to see to get to their chairs. There was table rapping and strange noises. There were winds that blew out only selected candles. Mrs. Hatch went into a trance and seemed to be channeling the dead. She made a lot of statements that Rhett notice were so vague that they could mean anything and belong to anyone. Mrs. Hatch said, "I have a special message from Andrew to Moms. It is I am fine and happy on the other side. Be at peace."

All of the sudden Emma jumped up and walked rapidly out of the room. Rhett told Scarlett, "Go with her. Her son's name was Andrew."

Scarlett grabbed Melly's arm and they followed Emma out of the room. They found Emma standing by Elizabeth's carriage with her hands over her face. Scarlett took her in her arms and let her cry. Melly patted her back and said soothing words. Scarlett wondered how Melly always knew what to say. The men joined them shortly but stood apart from the ladies until they were sure Mrs. Stevens had herself under control. Emma said, "My son Andrew died when he was four. He always called me Moms."

Melly said, "Now you know he is alright. That is so wonderful."

Emma smiled a watery smile and said, "Yes, I do."

After Scarlett and Melly were sure Emma was in control of herself. Scarlett motioned for Rhett and Nick to come over. They all got in the carriage. When they got to Emma's house, Melly offered to stay with her if she wanted the company. Emma hadn't known it until Mrs. Wilkes offered but yes, she did want the company. She said, "If you don't mind."

Melly said, "Not at all. Scarlett would you bring me my nightgown and another dress."

"Certainly."

On the way back to the hotel Scarlett shared what Emma had told her and Melly. When they got to the hotel Nick offered to take the needed items to Mrs. Stevens home. Scarlett packed the bag and Nick took a cab to Mrs. Stevens home and dropped off the bag to Mrs. Wilkes. On the way back to the hotel Nick thought about the message he had gotten earlier that night. He had heard it in his head. 'Go ahead, Nicky, marry her.' The only person who had ever called him Nicky was Annie.

The next morning Scarlett sent a message to Emma and Melly that they would have dinner at the hotel then they were going sailing. Getting out on the water would chase away all the shadows from yesterday. Rhett sent Mr. Fowler a message to meet them in the lobby at eleven for lunch and a day of sailing. The weather was beautiful and they should all enjoy it. Lunch was somber with everyone trying to be happy. The children covered any awkward pauses in the conversation. Rhett was holding Bonnie on his lap. Scarlett was pleased to see that every time she reached for his mustache Rhett would grab her hand and gently say no.

Every now and then Emma would look at the boys with a sad longing. Wade and Beau were in high spirits with excitement because of the sailing excursion.

Rhett had sent a message to his mother and she joined them at the hotel. No, Rosemary couldn't make it she had some committee meeting that she needed to attend. Rosemary had told her to remind Emma she needed to attend the committee meeting also. Elizabeth wasn't doing any such thing. Committee meetings and sewing bees would always be here. A day sailing and a chance of romance were much rarer.

Nick had volunteered to help with the sails although he did say he didn't know anything about working them. Lucky Nick was a fast learner and was able to help Rhett. Rhett begrudgingly admitted that he liked Nick. Not as Scarlett's husband, of course, but he did like Nick.

~#~

At the end of the second week Rhett and Scarlett were wondering how much longer they would need to stay in Charleston to keep this budding romance alive. The group plus Elizabeth and Rosemary had supper at the hotel which was Nick's treat. Melly asked Nick, "How much longer will your business keep you in Charleston?"

Nick said while looking at Emma, "My business is not what is keeping me in Charleston. I concluded that ten days ago. I have been enjoying the company and I don't have anyone to rush back to Macon for."

Emma had blushed and smiled so sweetly. In a way that would be considered forward by a Charlestonian matron, Emma said, "I am very glad to hear that." Which made everyone at the table but Rosemary smile.

In a few minutes Scarlett invited Rosemary and Elizabeth to spend Christmas with them and stay for Bonnie's first birthday.

Rosemary said, "I have too many social engagements to leave Charleston in December and January not the least being the St. Cecilia Ball. It is the most prestigious ball in Charleston and I am on the planning committee. Only the most prominent one hundred families get invitations. We got dropped from the invite list after Rhett's scandal but Father got us back on the list."

"Probably by bribing everyone on the planning committee."

"Father would never do that."

Elizabeth jumped in before Rhett could tell Rosemary what he really thought of their father. She said, "I would love to come. Let me check my calendar but I think I could get away but the fifteenth.

Rosemary just stared at her mother. Elizabeth didn't care. She had lost almost twenty years of Rhett's life and she wasn't going to miss out of anymore. Besides she like Scarlett. Scarlett was fun.

Scarlett had been right. Her mother-in-law had a wild side to her that had never been allowed to run free.

As they were having dessert and coffee, the conversation turned to New York and all the museums and things to do there were in the city. When Elizabeth yawned, Rhett said, "Mother, Rosemary if you want to go on home, we will see that Emma gets home."

Elizabeth who wanted the romance to continue also said, "That sounds nice. When do you return to Atlanta?"

"The day after tomorrow. Scarlett is going to visit with her aunts tomorrow morning. We are going sailing one more time tomorrow afternoon. Mrs. Stevens, Mr. Fowler, Rosemary, Mother? This time there was no hesitation on Emma and Nick's part they both said, "Yes" immediately. Elizabeth said, "Yes" also.

Rosemary said, "No, thank you." Rosemary was thinking as she stood up to leave, 'I am not going to spend one more minute in that tacky woman's company. Not only has she stolen Mother's affections but she has managed to corrupt my best friend into behaving badly. How could Emma behave so forward? She would have to talk to Emma about her behavior again. Emma will straighten up once Scarlett isn't here to negatively influence her. Good riddance to Scarlett and Rhett.'

Elizabeth said, "I will go with you to visit with your aunts to help you take care of the children. I will pick you up at nine thirty."

Ten minutes after Elizabeth and Rosemary left Emma said, "I must get home also."

Rhett said, "Scarlett and I will be glad to see you home."

Nick said, "I will go with you. I would like to discuss reincarnation with y'all."

Melly smiled with the thought of Nick and Emma getting married.

On the way to Emma's house Scarlett laid her head on Rhett's arm and closed her eyes. When he wrapped his arm around his wife he was not worried about Emma or Nick being appalled by his actions. When they got to Emma's house Nick offered to walk Emma to her door so Rhett would not have to disturb Mrs. Butler's slumber. After Nick and Emma were out of the carriage, Scarlett opened her eyes and said, "That worked out just like you planned."

Her husband replied, "Yes, it did, my dear."

Scarlett pretended to wake up on the way back to the hotel and the trio discussed the pyramids in Egypt.

The last two weeks Elizabeth had seen that Rosemary had lost her hero worship for her brother. Rhett must have spoken to Rosemary about her awful treatment of Scarlett and Rosemary had finally seen that her hero had feet of clay. It was too bad but Rhett had made the right choice. His wife. Fortunately, Rosemary was behaving like a lady but Elizabeth would not be surprised if she left town the next time her brother and his wife came to visit.

The next day in the afternoon Elizabeth, Melly, Scarlett, Emma and the children sat in the bow of the boat getting sprayed by the water. Rhett looked at Scarlett holding Bonnie and the two of them laughing. Rhett thought this is good. His mother was holding Wade and they were laughing too. Rhett couldn't remember a time when his mother had laughed so carefreely.

Nick and Rhett had a conversation about where they thought the South was going and how long they thought it would take for the economy of the South to recover. After a while the men decided it was time to return to port. Nick went to fix the sails for their return trip.

Rhett thought, 'Nick was a good man. He and Emma would be good together. He was happy for them.'

After a short while Scarlett carrying Bonnie came to stand beside him at the wheel. They both were looking at him so happily. Rhett almost didn't want to breathe because of the perfectness of the moment.

Bonnie reached for him and Scarlett handed the child over. She knew Rhett would always be Bonnie's favorite but she was a close second. Rhett said, "You will have to take the wheel."

Scarlett held the wheel and Rhett instructed her on what to do. She said, "This is easy."

"In calm waters, yes."

Scarlett smiled at him and her daughter. Bonnie reached for Scarlett and Rhett handed over the child. He no longer wanted it to be just him and Bonnie. It was so much better when it was him, Bonnie and Scarlett. Rhett took the wheel back but trapped Scarlett in between him and the wheel. She just laid back against him and enjoyed the moment.

Rhett told Scarlett, "This is what I miss most about living in Atlanta. Not getting to get out on the water and sail around the harbor."

"Maybe someday."

"Maybe."

As they were leaving the dock Nick asked Emma if he could escort her home and she agreed. The couple took a cab to Emma's home. Elizabeth dropped the rest of the group off at their hotel. She reassured Scarlett that she would keep an eye on Emma and Nick at least until she left to see them in December.

As they returned to Atlanta Rhett thought about what had transpired between him and Rosemary and he was sad. He was sad that his sister was such a snob but he decided she was just like their father. He wasn't sorry he had chosen Scarlett and he never would be.

As they laid in their bed in their private car roaring through the night heading back to their home, Scarlett said, "Thank you for defending me."

Rhett knew that Scarlett knew he had told Rosemary to leave her alone. Rhett said, "I should have defended you last time not used you to get myself received. I will always choose you from now on. You are my reason for living."

"At that point I didn't care if I was received or not. The only reason I wanted to be received was so I could continue seeing Ashley." Scarlett said and smiled at him.

Rhett smiled and said, "And now?"

"The only reason I want to be received now is so our children will be received. Although I have acquired a certain amount of infamy as the woman that tamed Rhett Butler. I have obtained a surprising amount of influence based on that notoriety. I always tell the ladies that I am not making you do anything. You only do what you want to do."

"I often used to say 'I don't do anything without expecting something in return' that is still true. Now where is my reward for defending you."

Scarlett laughed at Rhett statement. She knew he was his most honest when he appeared to be joking. He really did think he should be rewarded for good behavior. She was going to reward him because she wanted to encourage the behavior. She kissed him and so much more. She even did that thing he liked so well. That thing that she only did when she was especially pleased with him.