Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

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

Chapter Sixty-Seven

Frank's funeral was in the parlor of the Hamilton House. Scarlett giggled a little hysterically when she thought, 'It is the Kennedy House now.'

Scarlett had her hand linked in Rhett's arm. She always felt so safe just touching him. At the wake Scarlett noticed that Suellen had been a cheapskate with the food again. They saw Ella. She was so sad. She looked like she had lost her only friend in the entire world. She brightened when she saw her Aunt Scarlett and Uncle Rhett. They sat and talked to her for a while. They would rather talk to Ella than the matrons. Scarlett felt compassion for Suellen. She had just lost her husband but the dragons were still being cold and mean. It was like they had come to Frank's funeral just to snub Suellen. She would always remember how cold and hateful they had been after Frank had died and then again after Bonnie died. They did speak to the matrons but the dragons made the same type of annoying comments and questions as they had at Aunt PittyPat's funeral.

At the wake Scarlett ask Suellen to let her take her children away from all this sadness. Let her take Ella and George to Tara. Suellen agreed because she had her own grief and guilt to deal with and she couldn't handle the children's sorrow right now.

Ella and George were sad because their Daddy had died but it was easier to forget that their Daddy was dead while they were at Tara. They could pretend for a few moments he was alive and well in Atlanta.

Careen had another boy the past November whom they had named Sean. Rhett was pleased to see that Careen and Will were very loving to each other. He guessed Will had taken his advice. When Melanie had asked Careen if she was hoping for a girl next time Careen had smiled and said, "Hopefully there won't be any more." Which had kind of shocked Melanie. She just didn't understand how a woman wouldn't want lots of children.

At ages fourteen and twelve Wade and Beau were more interested in their books than in playing with the younger children. Wade and Beau spent a lot of time with Gerald. Gerald took them fishing and made all the other boys stay home. Gerald gave them advise that the boys listened to but probably weren't going to heed.

Gerald spent a lot of time with Ella and Bonnie also. Scarlett would see her Pa sitting with Ella and Bonnie. It would make Scarlett laugh when Gerald would pick Ella up and put her on his lap, Bonnie would not wait to be asked she just squeezed her way in there. Ella never looked annoyed when Bonnie did that. Ella seemed to welcome her into her Grandpa's lap. Scarlett knew to her shame she would have pushed Suellen out if she had tried to sit in Pa's lap while Scarlett was already sitting there. And Scarlett knew that Pa to his shame would have let her. Scarlett knew in her heart that it had happened.

Scarlett enjoyed time with Ella who by that time was almost ten years old. Scarlett asked Ella to share her favorite memories of her Daddy and let her talk endlessly about him. Ella would come to Scarlett and say, "I remembered something else about Daddy."

Scarlett would reply, "Tell me all about it."

After Ella told Scarlett the memory she would say, "I miss him."

"We all do."

One time Ella had said, "Mother won't."

Scarlett didn't know what had happened between Suellen and Frank but she was going to defend Suellen to Ella. Scarlett wanted Ella to see Suellen in as positive a light as possible. Scarlett would say, "Your mother is going to miss your Daddy very much. She may not show it but she will be missing him. I remember when my mother died and I didn't shed a tear. I didn't cry because I didn't want anyone to think I was weak. I know now that showing sorrow doesn't make one appear weak. It makes one appear human."

Ella had looked at her with sad eyes and nodded her head.

After Ella shared her memory, they would sit there for a while with Scarlett just holding Ella until Bonnie came looking for Ella. Bonnie like her father didn't handle sadness and grief well in someone they loved. Bonnie proceeded to cheer Ella up then the two girls would run off to play.

Scarlett wanted to grab Ella up and take her back to Hartford with her but legally she was Suellen's daughter and Sue loved her too. Scarlett reminded herself often that she had chosen Rhett over Ella. She didn't regret her choice but she had to live with the consequences of that choice.

When they were back in Atlanta Scarlett had wanted to ask Suellen to let her take Ella to Hartford with her but she didn't. As long as Ella was loved and wanted, it didn't matter whose home she was in. She had to hope for the best. She had to have faith that the fates or God were doing what was right for Ella. Yes, she wanted Ella back but more than that she wanted what was best for Ella. Scarlett told Ella she would continue writing her but if she wanted to send her a letter back for her to address it to Bonnie. Scarlett was afraid Suellen would not mail Ella's letters to her. Suellen was very suspicious and distrustful of Scarlett's relationship with her daughter. Scarlett couldn't blame Suellen her attachment to Ella was puzzling to outsiders. Scarlett had given Ella more books to read and hopefully someone would help Ella practice her reading.

The Butlers and their extended family returned to Hartford and their lives. The children quickly caught up on their school work. When Elizabeth came in July Rhett took everyone on a cruise on the Great Lakes. They spent the month of August in Hartford and their busy social life.

Elizabeth said to Melanie, "How do they keep up this pace? They go out practically every night."

Melanie said, "Scarlett has always had a lot of energy and I think Rhett refuses to admit he can't keep up with her."

The two women laughed because they knew it was true.

They had Beau's birthday and the next day Elizabeth returned to Charleston, the children and Melly returned to school, the toddlers toddled, Rhett conducted business, Scarlett Christmas shopped and kept Rhett on a high pace social schedule. Rhett was looking forward to Scarlett's self-imposed confinement in order to rest.

Aunt Eulalie died in the September of seventy-six but they didn't attend her funeral either. It was not worth the time and effort. Rhett's Charleston attorney took care of settling the estates. Everything the two women had owned was sold and the profits barely covered their outstanding debts. Rhett was glad that he hadn't been required to shell out money to close the estates.

Rhett's mother was still in good health and able to make the trip to Hartford twice a year. Elizabeth liked to visit Rhett and his family in Hartford. The people in Hartford treated Rhett like he was somebody important which he was. She also liked getting away from her daughter who was becoming impossible to live with. Elizabeth often wondered how she could have produced such different children. Rhett who in his youth had flaunted all the rules of society and Rosemary who was trying to force people to follow the rules to the letter. Elizabeth knew that if she had not tasted freedom when visiting Rhett and Scarlett, she would never have known what she was missing. Alas now that she had, she could never go back to the Charleston way all the time.

Rhett took Scarlett out on the sailboat on Ella's birthday. Scarlett enjoyed sailing almost as much as Rhett did these days. They talked about Ella.

Rhett said, "I am so sorry Ella lost her father. Frank really loved her and she really loved him."

"He really did love Ella. I wonder what happened between Frank and Suellen. They seemed to be so in love when they were first married."

"I don't know but it seems they were growing apart after George was born."

"Suellen definitely prefers George to Ella but she still appears to love her."

Rhett felt the cool breeze and reached over and got Scarlett's shawl. As he was wrapping it around her, he said, "I wonder how many hot toddies Frank had been drinking on a regular bases because Ella told me that her Daddy had liked his hot toddies. I also wonder how much whiskey he was putting in them. Probably they were mostly whiskey and very little toddy. His corpse had the look of a man who had drunk too much and that was after Mr. Jeter had fixed him up."

"I hope not. He did like his hot toddies when he was married to me. Of course, being married to me may have driven him to drink. It did my third husband."

Rhett smiled and said, "Your third husband already drank too much before he was married to you."

They were quiet for a long while then Rhett said, "We aren't going to do anything but wait for our opportunity. I know we will get that opportunity."

Scarlett smiled and looked at the horizon. She knew it was all bluster but she still appreciated Rhett saying it.

At the end of October Melanie had received a letter from her Uncle Henry and after she finished reading it she said to Scarlett, "I wish I could see him more often. I miss him. I missed him before Aunt PittyPat died but I really miss him now."

"Invite him to come spend Christmas with us. I would enjoy his company while I am housebound."

"How long can he stay?"

"As long as he wants."

By November Scarlett was pretty muchly housebound. She went out to eat with Rhett on his birthday and they went dancing. They had a lovely time. She did that thing that Rhett really like then they went to sleep snuggled up in each other's arms. The same way they had slept for the last ten years.

Henry Hamilton had quickly accepted the invitation to spend Christmas with the Butlers. He would be able to get away by the 15th of December and stay until after the first of the year. He had made arrangements with, Seth Carson, a new lawyer in town to handle all of his clients if an emergency arose. Melanie was so excited.

December 1st came and Elizabeth arrived from Charleston. Every year she seemed to come earlier and earlier. Scarlett didn't care. She liked her mother-in-law very much. Besides that she kept Scarlett company during the winter.

She updated them on the going ons of Charleston. She told Scarlett about the nice funeral that Elizabeth had arranged for her aunt.

Scarlett said, "Thank you so much for doing all of that."

"It was the least I could do. She had been my friend for many years. It was kind of you to offer to pay for it especially considering how badly she treated you."

"It was Rhett's idea."

Elizabeth smiled at her daughter-in-law for she knew it had been Scarlett's idea. Scarlett didn't like people thinking she was nice although Elizabeth couldn't figure out why.

Henry arrived on the 15th and when Scarlett showed him to the room she had decorated with Ella in mind, all she had said was, "I know it is a little girly but I think you will be comfortable."

Henry had looked at Scarlett and had seen she had an overly bright smile on her face. He said, "I'm sure I will be very comfortable. Thank you for having me in your home."

"You're welcome. I will give you a chance to unpack. We eat supper at six every night. It is a chaotic affair but we enjoy having supper with our children. Melly will teach you enough sign language so you can communicate with Bonnie." With that she walked away.

The next day they went to chopped down the tree. Rhett had let Wade and Beau do most of the work. He had then said to them, "There are two ways to make money one is with your brawn and the other is with your brain. You boys are too smart to ever have to use your brawn."

The boys had puffed up with pride. Uncle Rhett rarely gave them compliments.

Henry stayed in the coach with the ladies. He agreed with Scarlett. It was just too cold out there. Bonnie was wearing her bloomers under her skirt. Bonnie wore them all winter just like her mother. Scarlett couldn't stop Bonnie from going with the boys to cut down the tree but she could try to keep her daughter warm. They decorated the tree with popcorn and cranberries. There was a lot of fun. They even sang a few songs. Henry played some different songs and taught them to everyone.

Christmas day they opened presents and everyone had a good time. Rhett gave Henry a bottle of whiskey and said, "Have a nip but just a nip every night before you go to bed to keep the chill out."

Henry had laughed.

Fortunately, the cook, Elsie, had been willing to cook their dinner then she had gone off to her mother's home to spend the rest of the day with her.

Henry and Elizabeth found lots of common interest to talk about. They seemed to enjoy each other's company. Scarlett enjoyed listening to their conversations. They would talk about the way things were before the war but not in a morose way. They spoke of that time as if recalling a fond memory.

The days after New Year's Day the family was getting ready to return to school and their normal routine. Over supper one night, Henry said, "I guess I better return to Atlanta. Uncle Peter will be worrying about me."

Scarlett had replied, "You can't go yet. You must stay for all the birthday parties in January. Just send Mr. Carson a telegram saying you are staying until February 3rd. Have him go assure Uncle Peter that you are fine. I won't take no for an answer."

Rhett said, "You might as well agree now, Henry. Once my wife wants something, she will stop at nothing to get her way."

Even though Henry tried to be nonchalant about the invitation all the adults could tell he was very happy to be forced to stay.

In January and February, they had the usual round of birthday parties. On February 3rd Henry and Elizabeth boarded their respective trains and return to their normal lives.

The night before at supper Scarlett had said, "Henry you must return in July and spend two months with us like Elizabeth does. It is very pleasant here in the summer time. Rhett can take you sailing on his yacht. You can stay until Beau's birthday."

Henry was pleased with the idea. So, pleased that he didn't do the proper thing which would be to humbly ask if they were sure. He had simply said, "I would like that very much. Let me make the arrangements.

In March Rhett took Scarlett out for her birthday for supper and dancing. He bought her the new buggy she had been dropping hints about since Bonnie's birthday. She was so pleased with her gift that she gave him a present too.