Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW
Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.
Chapter Fifty-Four
One day during their last week in Atlanta Rhett took Scarlett on a buggy ride in the country. He had packed a picnic dinner. He placed a blanket on the ground and they sat on it. They talked about their new life. They talked about what kind of house they would want. They talked about the miracle that Bonnie was alive. They talked about Wade and how they hoped he was happy in Hartford. They talked about Alex just because they liked talking about their son. Rhett talked about the differences there were in living in the North from living in the South. Rhett told her about Hartford. They had talked about all this before.
Scarlett said, "We probably won't move back, will we?"
Rhett said, "Probably not. After ten years we will have put down roots."
Finally, Rhett got to the topic that he needed to discuss with Scarlett.
Rhett said, "We can't take her with us. We have to let her go."
Scarlett said, "I told you about her plan. Her plan to come live with us. She won't leave her father behind. I thought that was so sweet."
Rhett knew that Scarlett was trying to avoid the topic so he said, "Frank and Suellen love her. As much as we do."
"Suellen is a good mother to her. Much better than I was during the first timeline. Frank loves her so very much."
"Ella is not in a bad situation."
"No, she isn't."
"Maybe she can come visit."
"We can send her the most outrageously expensive gifts."
"Yes, but we have to do the same for your nephews."
"We will buy them nice gifts but not as nice as Ella's gifts."
"Alright, my love."
They were quiet for a long time.
They just held each other. Rhett knew Scarlett was crying but he wouldn't mention it. She still didn't like anyone seeing her in a weak and vulnerable position. He just handed her his handkerchief and smiled. She still never had one in a crisis.
Scarlett said in between sobs, "I'm having to give up everything I love."
Rhett replied, "Not everything. You will still have Melly…."
"Yes, yes, yes. I will still have you. Really Rhett you need to work on not being so overly sensitive."
Rhett didn't get mad or upset. They both reacted the same way when they were hurting. They hurt whoever was within range. Since they were often together in times of crisis, they often lashed out at the other one. So far in their redo they had always forgiven the other one. He would apologize and buy her a lovely gift. She would just do that thing that he really liked. She never even had to apologize. She just had to do that thing. He didn't know what would happen if they both lashed out at the same time. Probably he would apologize and buy her some jewelry and then later that night she would do that thing. Sick bastard that he was he kind of liked her lashing out at him because he knew what would follow. But she never did it if she lashed out because he had been teasing her or mocking her.
When he shifted to get in a more comfortable position, she felt his erection. She turned and yelled at him, "Really Rhett my crying gets you aroused. You are…. you are…."
Rhett didn't know what she was going to call him because he interrupted her and said, "No. No. I can't control how my body responds to your closeness. I could be dead and if you laid next to me in the coffin, I would get aroused."
She blushed and giggled. She said, "Rhett, you have to think of a way to get Ella back."
"Short of kidnapping her I can't think of anything."
"I'm not opposed to that idea."
"Baby, we have gotten Bonnie and Alex back. We have to continue believing we will get her back also. Maybe your sister will let us have her after Frank passes away. Your brother-in-law isn't looking very healthy. How old is Old Frank?"
"I don't know."
"Did they say his age at his funeral?"
"I don't know. I was too busy thinking about going to hell for having gotten him killed."
If Rhett had been a finer man, he would have been appalled that she hadn't listen to her dead husband's eulogy but Rhett wasn't. The information didn't even make him pause. He replied, "That's right. That was why you got drunk after the funeral."
"Rhett, really? That is not what is important at this moment. You are getting as bad as Ella with your jumping from topic to topic. With you being overly sensitive, you being so scatterbrain, and your lack of control it is getting very hard to have a conversation with you. You need to do better."
Rhett of the last timeline would have verbally attacked her back for all those comments but a much wiser Rhett said, "I will try to do better." He held her tight and they sat there for a few more minutes.
Rhett said, "Are you ready to go back home?"
Scarlett nodded her head. They picked up their trash and put it in the basket. Rhett carried the basket and the blanket to the buggy. He helped her in the buggy and then put the basket behind the seat. When he got in beside her, she sadly smiled at him.
Rhett said, "Haven't I always given you everything you have ever wanted?"
Scarlett nodded.
"Somehow, someway I will get Ella back for you."
"Thank you, Rhett."
He knew that she still wasn't happy. She wanted Ella right now. She wanted Ella to go with them to Hartford. He knew that she was grateful for his words. He also knew that she knew that it was all bravado. He had no idea how to get Ella back but he knew he had to find a way.
Scarlett rested her head on his upper arm and sat too close for propriety but what did they care they were leaving the South.
When they were almost home Scarlett said, "Just think how much groveling we could have saved ourselves if we had known we would leave the south before Bonnie made her debut."
Rhett laughed and said, "You are my favorite wife."
Scarlett smiled. On the rest of the way back to their home Scarlett thought about the man Rhett was now. He was kind, caring and considerate. He always took such good care of her. She wondered if they could have achieved this life if they hadn't gone through all the pain. Probably not. They had both been too proud, arrogant and immature. They were still proud and arrogant but just enough. They had both grown up.
Scarlett knew she shouldn't have lashed out at Rhett. She would have to do that thing he really liked tonight. She didn't mind doing it but if she did it too often then it wouldn't be his special reward. Scarlett O'Hara Butler still never gave away an advantage.
She also acted reluctant when she did it so he thought he was winning in their personal battle. They would always be trying to assert dominance over the other one. They both wanted to be the boss. They really knew no other way to be involved in a relationship.
Suellen had them to dinner at the Hamilton House their last night in town. Frank was really beginning to look old. He looked to be the same age as Aunt PittyPat. Scarlett wondered how old he was. She really had no idea. She had never cared. Rhett was right he didn't look very good. She also noticed that Frank and Suellen weren't loving to each other at all which Scarlett thought was sad. They were behaving like she and Rhett had behaved after her miscarriage; polite strangers. Sue was complaining about them not having the money to build their house because Frank was thinking of opening another location of Kennedy's. India was just a sour puss and Aunt PittyPat was as ditzy as always.
Scarlett did notice that Frank was very solicitous of Melly. He was acting the way he had when he knew he had made her mad and he was trying to atone for his actions. She decided that Frank was feeling guilty about having gotten Ashely killed.
The only bright spot to the evening was Frank and Sue's devotion to their children. Rhett and Scarlett had given Ella two dolls one had ginger hair and green eyes and one had black hair and blue eyes. They had given George a rocking horse.
Before they left Scarlett hugged Ella and whispered in her ear that she loved her and that she would write her letters. Ella told her that she loved her also. Ella Kennedy who wasn't quite seven was aware enough to know that her mother and her aunt hated each other. Ella didn't understand why but she knew they did. She resolved that she was going to start getting the post from now on. She wanted to be sure she got the letters from her Aunt Scarlett. Ella wasn't sure her mother would give her the letters. She would get Daddy to help her send letters back to Aunt Scarlett. Later that night when she thought about her Aunt Scarlett and her mother hating each other it made her feel better about not liking George.
After they left the Hamilton House the children kept up a steady stream of chatter which entertained Melly and Rhett. Bonnie sat on Scarlett's lap and played with her necklace. Scarlett finally accepted she was going to have to leave Ella behind. Rhett looked over the head of their son and smiled at her with his understanding smile. He knew what she was feeling and she knew what he would say, "We don't have any choice but to leave Ella behind. In this lifetime she is not our child." She smiled back and nodded her head. He was right as usual.
She had so much more in this lifetime that she hadn't had before. She had Rhett, Melly, Bonnie, Alex and her Pa but she wanted Ella too. She smiled to herself and thought, 'I always have wanted it all.'
After they got to their suite the adults got the children to bed and to sleep. Everyone retired to their rooms. Once Rhett and Scarlett were in their room they didn't speak. There was nothing left to say. They just made love and whispered words of love. Before they fell asleep, they put their night clothing on. Since her illness Bonnie had once again started getting out of her bed and getting into their bed. They were fine with it for now. If she needed the comfort of sleeping with her parents, they would let her sleep with her parents for now.
Most of their belongings had been shipped ahead of them to Hartford. Rhett had arranged for them to be put into storage until they had a home.
They were on the train the next morning. It was a good two-day train trip. Rhett said they would make better time once they were through Virginia. The tracks in the North were better so the train could move faster. The children were very excited and it took all the adults to keep them entertained while they were traveling. The further they got from Atlanta the sadder the ladies got. Rhett didn't try to cheer them up or tell them how wonderful living in the north was going to be. He just let them come to terms with the fact they would be Southerners in an alien country. Their lives would never be the same again and they knew it.
Early on their second day on the train they crossed the Mason-Dixon Line and Rhett was right the train did pick up speed.
Rhett explained to Scarlett that he had been in contact with the principal of the school. The school was founded by Mason Cogswell, whose daughter had been left deaf from meningitis like Bonnie. Rhett had arranged for Bonnie to attend the school. He would have to register her when they arrived in Hartford once they got settled.
Rhett said, "I have arranged for you, Melly, to be taught American Sign Language at the school so you can teach everyone. Everyone in the household including the servants will have to learn it. Scarlett and I will help you."
Scarlett had said to Melly, "We finally finished teaching everyone to read and now we have to start all over."
Melly had smiled and said, "We?"
Rhett roared with laughter because he knew that Scarlett hadn't taught anyone to read. Scarlett blushed.
Melanie smiled at her and said, "I don't mind. It will keep me busy."
When Rhett sobered, he said to Scarlett, "Hartford is one of the wealthiest cities in the nation so you can have as big of a house as you want."
Scarlett said, "And as ostentatious as I want?"
"No but it can be opulent, lavish and luxurious. You can have all the luxuries your greedy little heart desires. But I have to approve your choices. I will not repeat the mansion."
Scarlett smiled. Melly looked confused. They often did that. Said something that made no sense but they both understood.
FYI: Hartford was one of the wealthiest cities in the nation for several decades after the Civil War.
