Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

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

Chapter Thirty

When Melly, India and Beau got to Scarlett's house, Pork let them in. The wedding wasn't due to start until one, but Scarlett had known that the trio would be there early. She had told Pork to show them to the dining room when they arrived. The family were finishing their breakfast when Pork showed the trio into the dining room and said, "The Wilkes are here."

Scarlett smiled and said, "India, give your carpetbag to Pork. He will put it in the room you are going to use to get ready in. Thank you, Pork"

Pork took the carpetbag and left the room.

Rhett said, "Help yourself to breakfast, if you haven't already eaten."

Soon Melanie, India and Beau were seated at the table. Everything smelled so good. There was bacon, eggs, muffins and what looked like rolls, but they were shaped in a crescent shape. All three people's mouths watered. All they had at home was a boiled egg and a piece of bread. Neither of which was very tasty. Melly started to say, "We have already eaten" but she saw Beau reaching out to take one of the muffins. Before Melly could say anything, Scarlett said, "Help yourself to a croissant or a muffin. You ladies have to try a croissant. They are from France. Not, these," As she pointed at the croissants. She said, "The type of bread is from France. We don't get them very often because they only sell them at James' Bakery. He runs out amazingly fast."

India and Melly both took one. After taking several bites India said, "You should tell Mrs. Merriwether about these."

Everyone in polite society knew that Rhett Butler had personally guaranteed Dolly Merriwether's loan, so Rhett was not surprised with India's suggestion. He was just surprised he hadn't thought of it.

Rhett said, "Indeed I shall talk to the good woman at our next weekly meeting about carrying croissants."

The original reason for the weekly meeting was to make Mrs. Merriwether talk to him. Rhett knew he could charm anyone if they would talk to him. The meetings at first were tense but they had developed into a nice interaction. The bakery was coming along but this would be a profitable addition to their available products. The last several months Mrs. Merriwether had made quite a bit of profit. He urged her to put most of the profit in the bank for a rainy day although he did allow her to use last month's profits for new clothes for the entire family for the wedding. He didn't want her not to come to the wedding because she didn't have anything acceptable to wear.

Melly didn't say anything when Beau took a piece of bacon. Wade asked to be excused and he and Beau left the dining room. Each with a muffin in their hands. Rhett was feeding Bonnie some eggs which wasn't difficult for the child loved eggs.

Scarlett smiled at her husband. He really was baby crazy. Hopefully, he would have another one soon. Scarlett wiped her face and said, "Let's go outside first. I had the footmen set-up the tables and chairs on the back porch. We will put the centerpieces on them. You will tell me what you think India. If you don't like something we have time to change it," Scarlett stood up and held out her hand to Ella. She said, "C'mon baby. I want you to see everything also. Rhett."

"Yes, I will take Bonnie to Mammy for her morning nap. She will definitely need to take one this morning. We can't have a fussy baby ruining Miss Wilkes big day." Rhett had smiled at India, and she had blushed.

After they had walked around the back yard and the back terrace India could not believe everything was so beautiful. India could not believe how elaborate everything was decorated. She knew Scarlett had spent a small fortune on making her wedding and reception perfect. India was so happy.

There were some minor changes that India had wanted to make and when those changes were made. It was almost perfect. The only thing that would have made it better would be for it to have been at Twelve Oaks. That was then and this is now. India turned to Scarlett with her eyes bright with unshed tears and said, "Thank you Scarlett."

"You're welcome. Now let me show you to where you are going to change."

Scarlett led the other ladies up the stairs. She put India in the room that was once Rhett's. There hanging on the wall where India couldn't miss it was the wedding dress of her dreams. India started crying. Who would have thought that Scarlett O'Hara Butler would answer all her dreams?

Scarlett patted her shoulder and handed her one of Rhett's handkerchiefs that was lying on the chest of drawers. Scarlett said, "You have to stop crying. You don't look good like I do after you have been crying."

It made India laugh and she did stop crying. India finally relaxed completely for she knew that Scarlett wasn't going to do anything mean to her. India said, "Thank you, Scarlett. You really are a kind person."

Scarlett smiled and said, "I wasn't but I am now. Come on Ella. It is time for you to play with the boys until dinner."

Scarlett took Ella to the nursery. They would eat when Bonnie got up from her morning nap. Mammy would take care of them and then escort them to the wedding. Scarlett would make Mammy stay with her because Scarlett knew that Mammy loved to watch people get married. She was just like Rhett silly sentimental, but she didn't want anyone to know it either.

Honey arrived, and the ladies went into full preparation mode. Melly, Honey and India went to get ready. They only stopped to have a bite to eat around noon. Rhett found Scarlett in the kitchen being sure everything was up to her high standards. Rhett said, "Everything is going to be fine. You need to go get ready. The guests are arriving."

"Already."

"It is already twelve thirty."

With that Scarlett flew up the back stairs. Rhett stayed downstairs and greeted the guest. He had done nothing to change the décor of the home. If people wanted to talk about how ugly it was, let them. His wife loved it and thought it was beautiful and that was all that mattered to Rhett.

Soon Scarlett was out on the lawn greeting guests. Ashley was watching Scarlett waiting for the big letdown. He wondered if the big letdown was going to be Mr. Townsend standing her up. No, he had seen Mr. Townsend. No, that man had to take India off his hands. As Ashley looked around, he decided that Scarlett had spent a lot of Butler's money to ensure everything was perfect. That would make the letdown that much greater because India certainly wouldn't be expecting it. It made Ashley happy to have Scarlett waste Butler's money on revenge.

Soon it was time for India to make her grand entrance. Ashley joined India and walked her down the aisle. As Scarlett saw India, she was so proud of her. She looked beautiful in her wedding dress. She looked like a woman about to marry the man she loved. As Scarlett looked at Mr. Townsend, he looked equally happy. He looked like a man about to marry the woman he loved. She hoped they were as happy as she and Rhett. She also hoped India didn't get pregnant on her honeymoon like she had. Scarlett was sitting on the groom's side with her children. She saw that Mammy was getting a little misty eyed.

When Rhett looked at Scarlett, he thought she was especially beautiful with her children all around her.

When Ashley turned India over to Stuart, he hoped he was never responsible for her again. He joined Melly and Beau on the first row of the bride's side.

The ceremony was beautiful. Everyone had attended the wedding and entered their home. Mrs. Merriwether, Mrs. Elsing, Mrs. Bonner, and Dr. and Mrs. Meade, and everyone else. Almost all the seats were taken. Rhett and Scarlett made eye contact and they knew they were at last in the matrons' good graces.

The bridal couple moved to the reception. Everything was beautifully done. India couldn't have asked for a better reception. It was hard for India to believe that her dream of being a wife was fulfilled by Scarlett O'Hara Butler. The woman she had hated for so many years. Yet somehow India thought Scarlett was a different person than she had been before her marriage to Captain Butler. Certainly, since that summer she had stolen Stuart Tarleton away from her. India could now admit to herself two things one: if Stuart had really loved her Scarlett wouldn't have been able to steal him away from her and two: his stupidity would have eventually driven her insane. One of the things she loved about her Stuart was his intelligence.

About two hours into the reception Scarlett pulled India aside and said, "Let's go change your dress. We don't want anything to happen to your wedding dress."

India said, "Of course, I would like my daughter to wear it someday."

After the door was closed Scarlett said, "Did Melly or Honey talk to you about what to expect tonight?"

India nodded. She said, "They both did. They both said it wasn't that bad except for the first time."

"I'm going to tell you something no lady would ever tell you but as you know I'm really not that much of a lady."

"Scarlett, yes you are. You are a great lady."

"Thank you. That is quite the compliment coming from you, India."

"Relations can be a lot of fun when one is with the man one loves. Just relax. Have fun. And finally, but most important, nobody knows what you do in your marital bed but you and Stuart."

India blushed but nodded her head. She said, "Unbutton my dress."

"Leave your wedding dress here I will make sure nothing happens to it."

Soon the ladies were returning to the reception. India was wearing the yellow dress Scarlett had given her the night she and Stuart had met. India had thought it the perfect dress to wear. Scarlett had agreed. Judging by the appreciative look Stuart was giving India he agreed also.

India and Stuart left shortly after that to spend the night at the National Hotel. They were going to leave tomorrow morning for their honeymoon.

Everyone had wished them well. After they had left Rhett had said, "Just because Mr. and Mrs. Townsend have left doesn't mean the party has to end. It isn't even dark yet. Eat, drink and be merry! We still have enough food for a small army to enjoy."

As Melanie was coming back from the privy, she heard the most awful thing. She overheard Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Fuller talking. Mrs. Jackson said, "You think Mrs. Wilkes still doesn't know that her husband is using whores?"

Mrs. Fuller said, "Who is going to tell her?"

"True. The only person brave enough to tell her would be Mrs. Butler. Mrs. Butler probably thinks Mrs. Wilkes is better off not knowing."

"True. That way she doesn't have to acknowledge the shame her husband is bringing down on her."

Melanie walked quickly away. She wondered, 'How long has everyone known? For a while probably judging by that conversation.'

Melanie walked up to Scarlett and said, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"That Ashley is using whores, and everyone knows about it."

A year earlier Scarlett would have hurled a bunch of accusations at Melanie but tonight Melly was her poor sister-in-law who was unfortunate to be married to that loser Ashley Wilkes. Scarlett kindly said, "Because you couldn't do anything about it. I have been talked about a lot. I know that when one starts denying rumors it just makes it worse. I couldn't bring myself to tell you that the man you love is using whores. I couldn't hurt you that way. I hoped you would never find out."

All Melanie saw on Scarlett's face was compassion and understanding. Melly smiled sadly and said, "No, there isn't anything I can do about any of it."

"Just don't let them see you cry. Wait until you are alone," Melly knew that Scarlett no longer believed herself in love with Ashley. She had probably begun to fall out of love with him when she found out he was using whores. Scarlett continued, "Come on let's find Rhett. He can fawn all over you and make you feel better," Melanie looked startled. Scarlett saw Melly's face and continued, "I don't know if Rhett idolizes you or adores you or a combination of the two, but I do know that he will make you feel better."

Melanie laughed and said, "He always does."

They did find Rhett and he did start fawning all over Melly. Melly was soon feeling a lot better.