::Author's note::
I promise chapter four is almost finished! I'm not going to drag this on ^.^ I SWEAR!
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Older, Wiser
Written by Star
Chapter Three
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"BILLY!" Cat wriggled free of her father's arm and ran as fast as her little legs would take her. Scarlett's mouth dropped as she gasped. She turned to face Rhett slowly, black eyes laughing with amusement. Rhett placed his hand under Scarlett's chin and easily closed her gaping mouth.
"This is no way to greet old friends, darling." His other arm extended to point Scarlett in the right direction; Ashley and Harriet.
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Suellen was not blind to Wade's worship of Scarlett's third husband...she was unaware of divorce, yet had her suspicions. Folks were just too ashamed for the family, too embarrassed to utter the word. It wouldn't be fitting to openly discuss with the family of a divorcee; improper and unneighbourly to embarrass them with such conversation.
"Wade Hampton," She began with caution. "I suspect..." Will intervened.
"He's comin' back. Suspect yer mother's gonna be with him?" Suellen snorted.
"How can you be so cure?" She hissed and left the room. Wade gave Will an inquisitive look, to which Will shrugged as if to say, 'ignore it'.
"Will, you really think Mother will come too?" Will's eyes shone with understanding and put an arm over Wade's broad shoulder.
"Yer Ma can't keep away from Tara any more than you or me. 'Sides, why do you reckon Rhett sent word?"
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Scarlett greeted Ashley with her most sincere smile, no hint of the charming vixen who knew how to command the men at her feet. Her smile was warm and genuine, as one greeting an old, dear friend. Rhett nodded with approval at Ashley.
"My dear, you are making a spectacle." Scarlett whirled out of Ashley's embrace and her green eyes twinkled mischievously; the Southern Belle arose like the Phoenix.
"I am not a widow dancing at a Baazar thankyou." She said haughtily, while Rhett rolled his eyes back teasingly. Ashley smiled, sadly reflective in its reverie.
Scarlett hardly had the time to brace herself when Harriet Kelly Wilkes launched her attack. Scarlett looked over Harriet's shoulder desperately, hoping Rhett or Ashley would save her from asphyxiation.
"Harriet, would you be a darling at let me breath?" Harriet blushed and let her go.
"It's been so long, Scarlett. Too long. I only caught a glimpse of Cat, a fuzzy blur with dark curls flying behind her. I hope Melanie wasn't crushed in the embrace."
To this, Scarlett froze.
"M-Melanie?"
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Rhett and Scarlett rarely left the hearth of Atlanta, even after their mutual departure. During the war, Scarlett's ill-bread behaviour at the Baazar was the catalyst for her fall from grace, Rhett's was in his mocking eyes.
India Wilkes Sullivan had lit the firestorm of gossip that spread like its namesake through Atlanta like a field of cotton. Although married, India's disgust of Scarlett remained. In her mind, she was the tart who stole Stu Tarleton, disgraced Atlanta's gentlemen and killed poor Mr Kennedy. Rhett, she couldn't help but think of the man without wrinkling her nose.
Delighted was she, to hear of Scarlett and Rhett's divorce; it infuriated her that her honourable brother should be insulted - accept Rhett Butler's summons indeed! What business would Rhett have with Ashley? Surely he wouldn't call on Ashley for a duel in Scarlett's honour...
India's husband, Royce saw the look...could practically feel the daggers shot from India's eyes. He grinned, thankful he had to go back to work at Ashley's mill. His newborn son, John, gurgled drowsily in his crib.
"I have to go back to work now India. Remember you just had a baby..." India snorted.
"It wouldn't be proper to be seen in public so soon?" Royce popped his hat on.
"The public would understand, Ashley wouldn't." India's eyes snapped, but he continued on with a grin. "He wouldn't appreciate you spying on him."
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Scarlett stared incredulously at the child in Billy's arms. Rhett grew quiet after congratulating Ashley on his fatherhood. Uncomfortable with the silence and uneasy air, Scarlett gathered herself and stood with squared shoulders.
"I think Melanie is a perfect name for your daughter Ashley." Her voice was polite, but strained.
Cat, uncomfortable with her mother's sudden mood shift took her shaken hand in her tiny one. She smiled charmingly, beaming with concern.
"Can Cat play with Billy now?" Scarlett smiled and caressed Cat's cheek with her fingers.
"Give your sister to your mother Billy Kelly. You and Cat run a long; but not too far."
Billy and Cat ran away, hand in hand, chatting away happily. Scarlett looked after them and sighed when she turned to Ashley. Suddenly, something caught her eye. Ashley looked over his shoulder - she wasn't looking at him. It was then he broke out in a proud smile and turned to the one standing behind him.
"Scarlett dear, can you believe this is the baby you helped into this world?"
Beau's memory of 'Aunt' Scarlett was at the best of times, bewildering. However, the young man could always remember his mother's love for her 'sister'.
"Good afternoon Aunt Scarlett. You look as lovely as I remember." He said politely. Scarlett dimpled, yet her eyes never left his - so like hers.
"Beau Wilkes, you're as charming as your father. Come here and greet me properly." This was a shock - Aunt Scarlett never embraced her children, much less himself.
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Rhett stared at Ashley while Scarlett took Beau in her arms. With amusement, he observed the carefully concealed shock upon Ashley's face. As if feeling the weight of another's stare, Ashley turned tentatively in Rhett's direction and managed a confused smile.
The old and unspoken challenge flared and lingered in the space between the dark and grew eyes.
Yet as Rhett extended his arm, relief washed over Ashley who returned the gesture. Two men, fundamentally alike signalled a truce on that hot and lazy afternoon.
»»End Chapter Three««
