Life with Rosemary around was interesting to say the least. She was smart as a whip and was constantly keeping Rhett on his toes. Eleanor was eagerly antisipating 'The Season' and was arguing with her daughter about getting fitted for some new ball gowns.

"Oh mother! Can't I just wear one of the dresses I already have?" she argued, as the trio sat out on the veranda. "I don't want some woman poking at me and telling me to suck in my tummy. Besides, I hate going to parties anyway. What a silly thing it is to flaunt yourself just to catch a husband. And to smile sweetly to your friends only to have them gossip about you the very next day."

Rhett laughed loudly. "My sister has a point," he said, lighting his evening cigar. "And I agree with her whole heartedly."

"Oh Rhett, don't encourage her. I will make you a compromise, Rosemary darling. Two new gowns and I won't make you attend the Brady girls coming out party."

"Deal!" Rosemary exclaimed, holding out a hand to her mother, who took it but all the while shaking her head.

"Sometimes I think I must have had three sons," she said.

"I'll take that as a compliment, mother," Rosemary said. That brought forth another laugh from her brother.

"Mother dear, you may as well give up on this one. She has a mind of her own and it seems it is set. Speaking of sons, how is Ross and Margaret?"

"They are wonderful. I received a letter just yesterday from New Orleans. They are having a wonderful time. It's really too bad that you don't get along with your brother. I would love to have all my children together."

Rhett stood and walked behind his mother where he stood and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Mother, when Ross comes home from his travels, you invite him and Margaret to dinner. I promice to be civil."

"Oh Rhett," Eleanor reached for his hand. "You are a good son."

"Oh Mother, I'm not that good. I just love you."

"And I love you, too son. And you, Rosemary. It's so wonderful to have you both home but I can't help but think that you have some unfinished business to attend to, Rhett. It isn't fair to you or Scarlett to keep yourselves in this oblivion."

"You're right, mother. But, I'm a coward. I just want the rest of the world to keep going on without me having to make a decision. Scarlett seems to have accepted my decision and moved on or she would have come looking for me by now. And now with The Season fast approaching we will surely come face to face and I have no idea what to say to her."

"You should tell her what's in your heart, Rhett," Rosemary said softly.

"Well there, my dear, lies the whole problem. I don't know what is in my heart."

"Maybe you are confusing what you think you should do and what you want to do."

Rhett thought about what Rosemary said for a moment and began to nod. "That may very well be true. Maybe this isn't a decision I should be making alone then...since I am not the only one whose life it will affect. You are a smart woman, sister. One day you will make someone a wonderful wife." His eyes twinkled even in the dark as he knew what her reaction would be.

"Oh poof! Who needs a husband when all it seems to give you is grief!" Rhett really laughed this time and Eleanor tried to hush them.

"Rosemary, I haven't laughed this much in ages. You are good for my health and my soul. And you've helped me decide what I need to do."