Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

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

Chapter Thirty-Two

Within a month Sebastian had that mill making a profit. One afternoon while Scarlett was at his mill Sebastian said, "Just so you know I'm Mrs. Bonner's nephew but please don't hold it against me." Scarlett had laughed. The man always made her laugh. He was a gentleman, but he was not prim and proper. He reminded Scarlett of Mr. Townsend or Rhett. Scarlett thought Mr. Franklin would be a nice companion for Melanie. They could not marry but that was probably best considering Melanie's condition.

In August Scarlett was out at Joe's mill. She said, "The day I promoted you was a lucky day for me. You are an excellent manager."

Mr. Jackson said, "It was a good day for me also. My wife had died six months earlier. We weren't fortunate to have any children, so I was pretty lonely."

"It is always sad when one loses their spouse. I don't know what I would do without Rhett."

"I miss Alice and I always will, but I do wish I could meet a nice widow who wanted to marry a man who was a little rough around the edges. I would like for her to have children. That way I would be sure that I would get to be a father." Mr. Jackson looked a little bit embarrassed for having said that last part.

"I sometimes think my having two children was part of the reason Rhett married me. I have never met a man more baby crazy than my husband."

Mr. Jackson smiled

On the way back to the mansion Scarlett decided to have a supper party and introduce Mr. Jackson to Fanny Welburn. Even though Fanny was no longer mad at her she could help Fanny by giving her another husband. She would introduce Melly and Sebastian also.

When she invited Hugh, she told him to bring Abby, the young lady he had been courting forever. Almost as an afterthought Scarlett told Hugh to bring Fanny to even out the numbers. She didn't want anyone to think she was fixing Fanny and Joe up if things didn't work out for them. She invited Stuart and India also.

As they were having drinks and appetizers on the back porch, Rhett looked at their guest and said to Scarlett, "Are you attempting to replace Mrs. Welburn's husband?"

Scarlett had smiled at her insightful husband and said, "I'm just bringing people together and letting nature take its course."

"You are going to need to help Mr. Jackson. He is nervous and uncomfortable."

"I have seated him next to me."

"Is everyone here?"

"Yes."

"Let's eat. I'm starving."

Scarlett had laughed and said to the group, "Shall we go into the dining room?"

As they walked into the dining room Scarlett said, "Melly you are on Rhett's left, Sebastian you are next to her, India next to him and Hugh you are on my right. Joe you are on my left, Fanny you are next to him, Stuart next to her and Abby you are on Rhett's right.

Scarlett did guide the conversation at her end of the table to be sure that Fanny and Joe had a lot of verbal interaction. In the middle of supper India had smiled at Scarlett. She had figured out what Scarlett was doing. India started helping keep the conversation between Joe and Fanny. At the end of the evening as they were getting ready to leave Joe asked Hugh if he could call on his sister. Hugh had quickly agreed.

Fanny was not a starry-eyed belle. She was a widow who had a child to support. There was an instant attraction. Fanny latched onto Joe Jackson and never let go. Joe was not a gentleman, but he was a good provider. He was a plain man in his forties who had a kind heart, a good job and wanted to be a father to Fanny's son. Fanny got Joe to the altar six weeks later. Everyone pretended to be scandalized but nobody really was. Everyone was happy for Fanny and her son.

Everyone was also happy for Hugh. Hugh's salary was the Elsings only means of support. Without having to support Fanny and her son, Hugh could finally marry himself. Hugh and Abby were married two weeks after Fanny and Joe.

Scarlett had not been so busy at the supper party to not notice that Sebastian was definitely attracted to Melly. She didn't know if Melly felt the same way or not. Even if Melly had been she would not show it that wouldn't have been proper. Yet Scarlett had noticed there was a blush to Melly's cheeks. Of course, that could have been because Rhett was fawning all over her.

Rhett's feelings for Melly would always be a mystery to Scarlett. Rhett never ignored her when Melly was around, but it was annoying for her husband to be so considerate towards another woman. She didn't like it, but she had accepted that was how Rhett was going to be when Melly was around. The one thing Scarlett did know was that whatever Rhett's feelings were they were not romantic in the least little bit.

Rhett had quit drinking and smoking back in July when he found out Scarlett was pregnant again. In September as he was getting dressed, he realized his waistline was expanding faster than Scarlett's. It was just that everything tasted so much better now, and he had developed quite the sweet tooth. He would have to start cutting back on his food and getting more exercise. He didn't want to gain any inches in his waist either.

One day in October Scarlett was visiting Sebastian's mill. In the office she saw the ship's wheel she had ordered to harass Ashley. Scarlett had forgotten all about it with the wedding and Ashley leaving. She pointed at the wheel and said, "Where did you find it?"

"In one of the outer buildings where we store the logs. I am rotating the logs in and out, so we use the older wood first."

"Good idea."

"It was hidden under a bunch of logs. I was getting ready to write the seller to see if we could get our money back. Why would Mr. Wilkes buy a ship's wheel?"

Scarlett smiled and said, "Mr. Wilkes did a lot of dang fool things. Who knows? Go ahead and put it in the back of my buggy. I will give it to my husband as a birthday present."

"Why would your husband want a ship's wheel?"

"My husband loves sailing and being on the water. He gave all that up to be married to me," Scarlett smiled and said, "He can hang it in the family parlor and hopefully when he looks at the wheel it will bring him happy memories."

"Let me take it right out."

"Thank you. Where is the ledger?"

"It is over there. I think you will be happy with the profit I was able to make."

"I am always happy when we make a profit."

Ella was turning four that October. She knew her birthday was coming up. Every day she would ask, "Is today my birthday?"

It was enough to make Scarlett want to scream but she didn't because she couldn't ruin the child's happiness. Finally, the big day arrived. Scarlett was so happy to say, "Yes, today is the big day."

To which Ella replied, "When is my party?"

Scarlett smiled at her sweet daughter and said, "This Saturday."

Scarlett had a birthday party for Ella. They invited all the other three- and four-year-old little girls of polite society. Everyone came. It was a nice party. It would be Scarlett's last public appearance until after the baby was born.

When Scarlett went into her confinement in November, she promoted Hugh Elsing. He became the acting manager of the store and he got fifty percent of the profits. With Hugh she hadn't had to do anything but pick up her check for a long time.

Scarlett convinced Melanie to check on the books at both of the mills for her while she was in her confinement. Melanie had agreed because Scarlett had done so much for her. Scarlett was still doing things for her not the least continuing to pay for Beau's schooling. Beau was always coming home with new clothes or new shoes in addition to all of Wade's hand-me downs. There was often a new dress mixed in those hand-me downs for Melly. When Scarlett would come to visit, she was always leaving little monetary gifts. When Melly asked her about the money Scarlett had said, "It wasn't me. I love my money too much to give it away."

Melanie and Sebastian hit it off. Melanie found herself looking forward to her visits to his mill. She spent a lot of time out there.

Christmas wasn't much different than the year before. Rhett and Scarlett both bought too many presents. Rhett even bought his unborn child presents. Just like he had with Bonnie. If there was a man more baby crazy than Rhett Butler, Scarlett would love to meet him.

The people that came for dinner were the same people that were there the year before except Ashley wasn't there, but Sebastian was.

One afternoon before supper, Scarlett told Rhett, "I invited Mr. Franklin so he won't be alone on Christmas day."

Rhett just replied, "That is nice of you." He didn't point out that Mr. Franklin could spend Christmas day with his aunt and her family.

"I am matching Melly up with Sebastian. So don't monopolize all her time."

"I won't. I hate to point out the obvious."

"You love to point out the obvious."

"Yes, I do. Nonetheless, Miss Melly is a married woman."

"In name only. We both know Ashley is never coming back to Atlanta. He is too afraid you will tell his secret."

"He should be afraid. If I ever see the man again, I will tell everyone."

"Do you think that Belle's girls tied him up when he went for a visit?"

"My dear, a lady wouldn't ask that question."

"I know. Do you?"

Rhett laughed. He really like this not a lady Scarlett. He said, "Probably not. He would be too afraid that one of them would have told someone. Beside it cost more for extras," When Rhett saw the questioning look on Scarlett's face, he continued, "I will explain all later. That is certainly not a conversation for us to be having in the family parlor when anyone could walk in on us."

"That's true."

At the Christmas dinner, India had exciting news that she shared with Scarlett. India said, "I am with child. Scarlett, two years ago I had given up all hope of ever marrying. My life was sad and miserable. I was sad and miserable. Thank you again for helping me snag Stuart. You were right. You do know how to get a man."

"You're welcome."

Scarlett was pleased when she saw that Sebastian and Melly had sat next to each other and were talking very animatedly. India watched her sister-in-law for a long while then turned to Scarlett. She smiled and said, "I approve."

Scarlett smiled back.

They again had pecan pie. Rhett said, "My favorite."

Scarlett smiled a Cheshire cat smile.

Melly said, "I thought your favorite was chocolate cake."

"I am very fond of chocolate cake also."

Scarlett said, "We are serving both. Bonnie is still too young to be eating nuts."

"Of course.

Rhett said, "And probably sweets too but today is a special occasion."

Ella said, "It is Christmas."

After dessert Scarlett sent the girls upstairs to the nursery to take a nap and the boys to Wade's room to play. They all retired to the parlor. Now that Rhett didn't smoke or drink alcohol, he didn't want to be around either one. A good time was had by everyone at the Butler mansion. Nobody said a word about Ashley not even his son.

That night Rhett and Scarlett ate their chocolate cake off plates. Scarlett was just too large for any fun and games.

On the last day of December Melanie stopped by Scarlett's to visit with her and give her an update on the mills. Melanie was bright and animated when she was talking about Sebastian that day. When she ran out of steam she said, "I don't think I ever loved Ashley." Over the last several months Melanie had questioned whether she had ever loved Ashley or had she just done what had been expected of her.

Scarlett didn't speak. She just waited for her friend to go on. For her friend to unburden her heart.

Melly said, "I thought I loved him, but I know I had just convinced myself that I loved him because I was supposed to love him. Charlie was the smart one. He married the woman he loved."

"I don't think I would ever have felt more for Charlie but a warm friendship at best. I thought I loved Ashley because he was what I should want."

Melly smiled at Scarlett. She said, "He played upon your immature heart."

"Yes, he did."

The women had never talked about Ashley's revelations at India's wedding reception. There was no need. They had both been taken advantage of by the man.

The women were quiet for a while. Scarlett again was letting Melly set the pace of this conversation. Melly whispered, "I have feelings for Sebastian that I shouldn't have as a married woman."

"You are married in name only. We both know that Ashley is never coming back."

Melly whispered, "No, he isn't. I don't want him to come back either."

"You can't tell your heart what to feel. The heart wants what the heart wants. Rhett isn't what I would have chosen but I can't imagine my life without him. My life is going to be much harder with him than it would have been with Charlie, but I have no regrets."

"How can I keep seeing him after you end your confinement?"

"How much of your reputation are you willing to risk?"

"I don't know."

"Would you like a job? You could manage the mills. They practically run themselves."

Melanie sat there for a long time, and she looked at her wonderful sister-in-law. The woman that had saved her life while believing herself in love with her husband. The woman who had always taken care of her. The woman who had always gone for the brass ring. The woman she had admired for so many years because of that spirit and determination. Finally, she said, "Yes, I think I do. I need to provide for Beau and myself."

"Welcome aboard. You manage the mills, and I will give you a small salary and you will get fifty percent of the profits."

"Thank you. You are too kind to me."

"Not at all. You will earn every penny. Now you better go tell Mammy to get the bed ready. My child has decided to make an appearance."