Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and the feedback. I love all the comments.

Chapter Fifty-Three

One afternoon Scarlett searched Wade out to talk to him about the move. It had been over two weeks since Rhett had talked to the boys about the move and Wade was still acting sullen. Not to the point of being rude or disrespectful but it was plain that he was unhappy about being forced to move to the North. She found him in his room just sitting on his bed staring off into space.

When Scarlett sat down next to him, he looked at her and said, "Why do bad things always happen to me?"

"Bad things happen to all of us. When life knocks us down, we just have to get up and keep on going."

"It's not fair."

"No, it isn't. We have to carry on anyway. We know no other way. When I found out your father was dead, I wanted to die then I found out about you and I had to carry on for you. You made me, Aunt Melly, Aunt PittyPat and Uncle Henry so very happy. We knew your father was living on through you."

"Why can't we just stay here?"

"This school in Hartford is the best school for Bonnie."

"Why can't Papa and Bonnie move to Hartford and we just stay here. They could come visit."

Scarlett smiled a simple smile and said, "Families stay together. That is what makes us strong. You know I could hardly stand it when Papa had to travel for business. It got so bad that Papa sold all his business interest that required him to travel."

"We aren't really a family."

Scarlett really wanted to know how they weren't a family. "How are we not a family?"

"We aren't all related to each other."

"No, we aren't but we are all related to someone who is related to everyone. Me. I am related to everyone. So, everyone is part of my family. My family is staying together. This is what is best for Bonnie."

"I'm so tired of everything being about Bonnie and Alex. Don't I count anymore."

Scarlett knew that Wade was exaggerating but Rhett did show preference to his children and she guessed that was normal nonetheless Rhett was a good stepfather. He was so much better than most stepfathers and she was grateful. It wasn't every man that would welcome another man's child into his home. He was good to Beau and that was really amazing considering how much he hated Ashley Wilkes. He wanted Ella back almost as much as she did.

"You will always matter, my son. You know Papa and I love you very much. To be honest nobody is happy about this move but we have to do it because it is best for Bonnie. If it had been you who had lost your hearing, we would be doing this for you. Please try to be happy about this move or at least less sad. It is going to happen no matter what."

Scarlett hugged her son and said, "Just remember after you graduate from Harvard Law with your degree you can move back to Atlanta."

Scarlett smiled when her son said, "I will. Me and Beau."

Scarlett just continued to hold him for a little while. In the days to follow Wade did have a better attitude and Scarlett was grateful for him for trying to be positive about the move.

Rhett had sold the house and everything in it. Mr. Taylor had bought it. He thought it would be a fine house for him and his new bride. Peg had come by and she had liked it also. She had liked the oversize tub and the hot water heater. She had liked the indoor plumbing. She had liked all the other little luxuries of the house. Rhett had made Mr. Taylor a good deal on the house because he like Mr. Taylor. He kind of owed it to Mr. Taylor after all the money he had taken off of him over the poker table.

Rhett had laughed when he had heard Peg say, "I'm not living in a teal house." And James said, "I like the teal." He thought maybe all marriages were one compromise after another.

Rhett had smiled when he thought about his nights of playing poker and drinking too much. He had won some money off Mr. Taylor in this timeline but he had won a lot of money off Mr. Taylor in the other timeline.

A memory that he didn't want to remember sprang into his mind. It was of him calling on Scarlett while she was married to Frank then watching them go inside and shutting the door. He knew they were going to bed together and it ate him up with jealousy and anger. He had put himself in that position by refusing her offer, by being cruel and ugly and by letting his temper take control. He tried to shake the memory off but he couldn't.

The only thing that would let him forget the memory was touching Scarlett and reassuring himself that she loved him. That they were in this better timeline. He went in search of Scarlett. When he found her packing a box with her dresses her smile of greeting eased his discomfort but her hug made him finally feel safe. She always hugged him so hard when he needed that reassurance. That reassurance they would be in this time line forever. He didn't know how she always knew when he was having one of those panicky moments. Probably the same way he knew she was having a panicky moment. He just knew.

Beau went to his mother's room. He didn't want to go to Hartfart. He knew it was Hartford but, in his mind, he called it Hartfart. Maybe he could convince his mother to stay in Atlanta. They could stay with Aunt PittyPat. It wouldn't be as nice as living with his Aunt Scarlett but it would be fine. It was his mother's house after all. He wished his father had not died then they wouldn't be depended on Uncle Rhett. He knocked on the door to his mother's room and she bade him to come in

She hugged him. She asked him, "How was your day?"

He said, "Fine, Mama let's not go to Hartford. Let's stay in Atlanta." As he said this he saw the pain cross his mother's face.

His mother said, "Beau, we cannot stay in Atlanta. I am so sorry but we are going to Hartford. We will have a better life."

"Why?"

"Everything in Atlanta reminds me of your father. It is painful for me to live here."

Beau started crying. He didn't want to hurt his mother but he didn't want to go to Hartford either. His mother hugged him close. Beau knew she was crying too. Finally, his mother said, "Someday you will understand."

Beau didn't like the answer and he didn't understand but somehow, he knew that his Mama would be happier in Hartford. Beau resolved to do what he could to make his Mama happy.

The night before Rhett signed the papers to sell their home, they had a going away party. Everyone in Polite Society came to the party. The house was full. There actually were too many people in the house. It was hot and stuffy and it was hard to breathe inside. A lot of people were on the porches and the lawn. Scarlett found Rhett behind the house with a glass of whiskey. She smiled at him and went into his arms.

Scarlett smiled and said, "You could sell ice to an Eskimo. Those peahens hated you six years ago. Now they are crying because you are leaving town."

Rhett laughed and said, "Thank you, my love. I wish we weren't leaving. I like Atlanta. It is where we have spent all our time together. I will always have fond memories of this town."

"I have always felt an affinity for Atlanta," She pointed to his glass and said, "Is that the good stuff or the rot gut you are serving to our guest?"

Rhett smiled and said, "If I am going to incur my wife's wrath it will be only with the finest whiskey available. The alcohol I served our guest are the ones I am not taking with me. Fortunately, your censorship of my drinking has limited my purchase of it so there isn't very much I have to dispose of."

They were quiet for a minute then Rhett said, "I would never have thought you would become a teetotaler though. I know you enjoyed your brandy in the first timeline."

"Yes, I did. Once I quit completely after Melanie had died, I felt so much better physically that I knew it wasn't good for me. It isn't good for you either." She looked pointedly at his glass.

"I'm never going to quit completely but I drink a lot less now than I did in the first timeline. I was just in so much pain then and it help dull the pain for a little while."

Scarlett didn't say anything. They had discussed their pain in the first timeline enough. She just squeezed him tight.

Scarlett said, "At least you have quit smoking. That is so wonderful."

"I had to do everything I could to keep my lungs healthy. The doctor I was seeing in New York believed there was a connection between my getting lung cancer and my smoking cigars. He urged me to quit in order to live longer. I refused because I didn't want to live longer. I was just existing. I don't know if there is but I am doing everything I can to live as long as I can. At least I am as long as I have you."

"Rhett have you ever figured out how we came back in time?"

"No, I really don't care how it happened. I just don't want it to happen again. Nothing could be better than right now with you."

"I feel the same way. I only hope that if we do a time leap again that it is together."

He smiled at her and said, "Come, my love, let's rejoin our guest before I do something inappropriate here in the dark."

He brought his wife to him and said, "I've changed my mind." He kissed her very thoroughly and when the kiss was over, she said in a whisper, "Stop I'm going to faint."

"I want to make you faint. I can't wait until later. I am so aroused by just your closeness. Do your drawers have an opening?" As he pushed her up against the house.

"I'm not wearing any drawers. They ruined the line of my dress."

"My God, you drive me crazy. Let me touch you."

"Yes."

He touched her in her special place and she was ready for him. He quickly unbuttoned his fly and within a minute he was inside her. He didn't move for a long moment. At last, Scarlett said, "Rhett?"

"I am enjoying us being joined together for a minute because I am not going to last very long. I will make it up to you later."

When Rhett touched her button, she exploded and he exploded with her. The coupling took less than five minutes. As she slid down, she said, "Hold me or I will fall to the ground. My legs are jelly."

She saw his smile and his smugness. She smiled too. He was such an arrogant bastard. Rhett held her for a few minutes then they got their clothes in order.

He took her hand and they walked back into the party. They walked around together with her hand in his arm. He walked them over to Mrs. Merriwether to talk with the old dragon. Scarlett smiled as she thought of what they had just been doing and how appalled all these people would be. She didn't care. Rhett made her feel so good each and every time. It was never her duty with him. She had relations with four men and only with Rhett was it fun. Five actually because it wasn't fun with Rhett in the first timeline except for that one night. That one night that Rhett hadn't held himself back. That was the difference. He never held himself back now.

Rhett asked Mrs. Merriwether, "Did the bank approve your loan?"

"Yes, Captain Butler. Thank you ever so much for your help."

As they walked away, Scarlett said, "You did that just to make her acknowledge your help."

"Yes, I did."

They both laughed a playful laugh. As Scarlett looked up at Rhett, she prayed that Rhett was right. That they would never be separated not even by death. Scarlett didn't know it but Rhett was hoping he was right also. They enjoyed the rest of their night.

The next morning Scarlett went to talk to Prissy about the packing. Scarlett found Prissy crying. Scarlett just sat down next to her and held her. She didn't need to ask why Prissy was crying she was leaving her Mama and family behind. Finally, Prissy got control of herself. Prissy said, "I don't want to come with you but Esau said our children would have a better life in the North. They actually have schools for people like us."

"We are both doing this so our daughters can have a better life."

"And maybe my son." Prissy smiled a shy smile and rubbed her stomach.

"Congratulations."

They talked a little more about the move then Scarlett talked to Prissy about the packing. Everything was almost packed and they didn't need any more help. As Scarlett walked away, she thought, 'Yes, we are all doing this for a better life for our children. It might even be a better life for Wade, Beau and Alex. Nobody in the North will care about Rhett's reputation.'