Train rides gave one time to think, or at least they did when ones wife and
daughter were asleep in their seats next to you. Rhett, Wade, and Ella,
were the only ones awake. Brother and sister we're in deep conversation
about how much they bet Atlanta had changed since they lived there. So that
left Rhett with nothing to do but think and remember his life before and
after he moved to Atlanta.
Rhett was always in control of his feelings, or that's what he had thought until the day he met one Scarlett O'Hara. She came into his life and destroyed his carefree lifestyle. It all became about her, how to get her first to become his mistress then to love him. Neither which he now realized was something he overly tried hard to do.
Yes, he had visit, even courted, Scarlett during the war but never did he once with all his charms try to get the Irish beauty into his bed. Then after they had married the first time, Rhett hadn't been able to risk his heart to try and win Scarlett's. He had been cruel and mean to her so much so that it truly amazed Rhett that Scarlett had fallen in love with him.
After all the pain, though, here they we're ready to start again. This time things were different, both admitted to being madly in love with the other and no one stood in their way of happiness.
Yes, the past was bound to show its ugly head as it had last night now and then. But just like this morning, Rhett knew he and Scarlett wouldn't allow it to rob them of their much deserved future together. One that had taken over a dozen years to accomplished.
Marrying Anne was a mistake; one Rhett hoped he didn't spend the rest of his life paying for. It was bad enough he had to live with the guilt of hurting not only his beloved but Anne as well. But to have people bring it up to Scarlett with only the thought of hurting her- that cut like a knife.
Scarlett didn't deserve that, and Rhett knew it was his fault and no one else's that she was suffering. He had wanted to hurt her and he had. Now they both had to live with his cruel behavior and pray that when Cat was old enough to understand that she would.
Rhett didn't now if he could handle seeing in his daughter's green eyes the same hurt and betrayed look that he seen in Scarlett's after Suellen's words. Only time would tell and besides, Rhett told himself it would be years before Cat would truly understand just what a cad her father had been.
"Uncle Rhett, do I have to share a room with Cat?" Ella asked turning from Wade to her stepfather.
It took Rhett a second to pull himself away from his thoughts so he could answer Ella's question.
"No you don't have to share a room with Cat, you can have your own room Ella."
"Won't Cat be scare, though, in a new house and room?" Ella asked as she saw Wade give her a look she knew well, meaning let-it-go.
"Well she might at first but you can't always share a room with her Ella. I'm sure after a few days Cat will be fine." Rhett said "Beside you're becoming a young woman and I'm sure you don't want to share a room with a small child."
Ella smiled at Uncle Rhett calling her a young woman. She was becoming one but her Aunt Suellen and Uncle Will hadn't noticed and Wade just laughed if she brought the subject up.
"I wouldn't mind sharing a room with Cat for a little while." Ella said wanting to show just how grown up she was.
"I'll keep that in mind. We should be in Atlanta in a few minutes." Rhett said as he turned to see if Scarlett or Cat had woke yet. "So who wants the honor of waking your mother and sister?"
Getting no volunteers, Rhett smiled then leaned in closer to his wife and daughter.
"Scarlett darling" he said as he tapped her on the shoulder. Getting no reply, Rhett tapped Scarlett's shoulder again.
After a minute passed with no answer or green eyes opening Rhett decided to try to wake Cat.
"Kitty Cat, time to wake up" Rhett said as he lifted his daughter from her seat. The child's eyes opened and she smiled sweetly.
"Are we there already?" Cat asked as she wiggled her way out of her father's arms so she could look out the window. "Is that Atlanta?" she asked pointing to the buildings she could see ahead.
"Yes, that's Atlanta." Wade said as he took his little sister into his arms. He knew the train would stop soon and didn't want Cat thrown against the wall of the cabin when it did. Setting down he knew Cat was surprised but his actions towards her.
Wade knew he had come off as cold to the little girl but he was going to change that. Cat was just as much his sister as Ella or Bonnie had been. And with Mother and Uncle Rhett as her parents she was going to need someone to could count on to always be there. Sure their mother had claimed to have changed but Wade found that hard to believe. Soon she would be off with her businesses again and Uncle Rhett with playing cards and other things. Cat would need him, and Ella.
================================
Scarlett felt someone shaking her. Opening her emerald eyes slowly she took in the site of Rhett smiling down at her. "Wake up sleeping beauty."
"I take it we've reached Atlanta already?" Scarlett asked as she noticed that her children weren't in the cabin with them any longer.
"Yes we've arrived home, about four minutes ago. As soon as the train stopped Wade couldn't hold Cat down. Ella went with them to make sure they didn't get lost." Rhett said sounding very amused by his daughter and stepchildren's actions.
"Why didn't you wake me sooner? I wanted to see Atlanta as we came in." Scarlett asked as she took Rhett's hand and pulled herself up.
"I tried, you can ask the children, but you, my dear wife, wouldn't wake up. I was beginning to worry." Rhett said as he offered his arm to Scarlett
"Shall we Mrs. Butler?"
Taking his arm, Scarlett followed Rhett out of their cabin. Soon they were outside as the sun began to set. Taking a deep breath, Scarlett smiled. She was finally, after all this time, home. Looking about for the children, she couldn't help but smile as she saw them. Cat was in Wade's arms and it looked as if Ella and he we're telling their baby sister stories of there old life here.
"I'm home Rhett" Scarlett said as tears filled her eyes. Scarlett knew there was many difficulties ahead for Rhett and she, but it was all worth it just to be able to have everything she always wanted.
"Do you think anyone has missed me, Mr. Butler?" Scarlett asked as they made their way towards the children.
"You mean other then me, don't you Scarlett? Because there hasn't been a day gone by that I haven't missed you and wished you we're by my side" Rhett said, not wanting to answer that question. Because even though Scarlett loved him, and he her, Rhett didn't want to talk about or hear about Mr. Ashley Wilkes.
"Of course I didn't mean that silly, I know no one has missed me like you have, Rhett. Just as I have missed you." Scarlett said as she kissed his cheek. "What I meant was, do you think Aunt Pittypat might have missed me?"
"Of course, Scarlett. You know after I divorced you she refused, and I'm quoting her here. 'I refuse to allow a man such as you, Mr. Butler, in my house.' I think she was afraid you would stop sending her money if she invited me in" Rhett said laughing.
"Hush Rhett, you shouldn't say such things." Scarlett said trying to sound serious only to break out laughing just as they reached her children.
Wade looked up and was surprised. He couldn't ever remember hearing his mother laughing with such honesty before. Could she have really changed?
==========================
As their carriage stopped, Scarlett let Rhett, then Wade, help Ella and Cat down. She was the last one to get out. Looking up, Scarlett saw the house she had walked away from some three years ago. In the house before her, Scarlett had spent most of the worst days of her life and some of the happiest as well. Bonnie had been born here and spent her short life here. This was where Scarlett had learn she carried Rhett and hers second child only to lose that child when she fell down the staircase here.
It was in this house she had told Rhett she loved him for the first time. And it was here that she cried as he walked out on their marriage.
Scarlett hid her anger with a smile with the thought of Anne living here. Anne had been in her house, lived and loved Rhett here. Lost the child she and Rhett had made in this very house here as well. But as Scarlett took Rhett's hand she let those thoughts drift away, they weren't going to do her or Rhett any good were they?
"Are you ready to enter your house, my pet?" Rhett asked, sensing Scarlett's hurt.
"Yes of course I can wait to see if you indeed left everything the way I had it or not." Scarlett said faking sarcasm. If the house looked as Rhett had stated, just as she left it, then perhaps she could forgive and try to forget that Anne had lived here.
But if it didn't Scarlett knew whatever changes were made would always be a reminder that this house, her house had once belonged to another. And it also would make all Rhett's words about missing her nothing but lies. But if it was as Rhett said and looked as she had left it, well that proved Rhett loved her and always had.
The front door opened and Cat ran in not waiting for her parents or siblings to catch up. The little girl stopped dead in her tracks, turning she looked at her mother and father.
"I don't like it, it's too much red" the little green eye girl said.
Scarlett quickly walked over to her youngest child. Picking her up, Scarlett said loud enough for all to hear. "I agree I don't like it either. What on earth was I thinking making everything this awful red?"
Rhett and Wade barely stopped themselves from laughing but poor Ella couldn't hold it in, though she did try. After a few seconds of her giggles Wade joined in followed closely by Rhett's laughter.
Turning to face them Scarlett, who didn't find what she just said amusing, asked, "What is so funny? It's just as much your fault, Rhett, that this house is so dark and depressing. Why didn't you ever tell me how awful it looked?"
Rhett stopped laughing then looked at Scarlett. He was relieved to see no hurt behind her eyes. She was a little angry but that was due to being laughed at. "You're right Scarlett, I should have stopped you. But at the time I don't think I could have. Let's not forgot how stubborn you can be."
Wade looked to Ella, knowing one of his Uncle Rhett and mother's famous fights we're about to begin.
Scarlett looked around the room and up the staircase. Everything was just as she left it. Smiling, Scarlett decided to allow Rhett his comment on how stubborn she was to go, after all it was true.
"Well first thing tomorrow morning I want to get someone in here. All this red is not staying." Scarlett said as she headed for the stairs with Cat still in her arms.
"Do you want to see Mommy's bedroom baby?" Scarlett asked her daughter.
Cat nodded her head then smiled "And then we can see my room"
Scarlett was about to tell Cat, she didn't have a room of her own yet when Rhett, who has somehow sneaked up on them, said "Yes of course, your room is right across from ours."
Looking at Rhett as he stood beside her Scarlett shared a secret smile with him. Someday she would have to get him to tell her his secret of how he always knew what she was going to do before she did.
Rhett was always in control of his feelings, or that's what he had thought until the day he met one Scarlett O'Hara. She came into his life and destroyed his carefree lifestyle. It all became about her, how to get her first to become his mistress then to love him. Neither which he now realized was something he overly tried hard to do.
Yes, he had visit, even courted, Scarlett during the war but never did he once with all his charms try to get the Irish beauty into his bed. Then after they had married the first time, Rhett hadn't been able to risk his heart to try and win Scarlett's. He had been cruel and mean to her so much so that it truly amazed Rhett that Scarlett had fallen in love with him.
After all the pain, though, here they we're ready to start again. This time things were different, both admitted to being madly in love with the other and no one stood in their way of happiness.
Yes, the past was bound to show its ugly head as it had last night now and then. But just like this morning, Rhett knew he and Scarlett wouldn't allow it to rob them of their much deserved future together. One that had taken over a dozen years to accomplished.
Marrying Anne was a mistake; one Rhett hoped he didn't spend the rest of his life paying for. It was bad enough he had to live with the guilt of hurting not only his beloved but Anne as well. But to have people bring it up to Scarlett with only the thought of hurting her- that cut like a knife.
Scarlett didn't deserve that, and Rhett knew it was his fault and no one else's that she was suffering. He had wanted to hurt her and he had. Now they both had to live with his cruel behavior and pray that when Cat was old enough to understand that she would.
Rhett didn't now if he could handle seeing in his daughter's green eyes the same hurt and betrayed look that he seen in Scarlett's after Suellen's words. Only time would tell and besides, Rhett told himself it would be years before Cat would truly understand just what a cad her father had been.
"Uncle Rhett, do I have to share a room with Cat?" Ella asked turning from Wade to her stepfather.
It took Rhett a second to pull himself away from his thoughts so he could answer Ella's question.
"No you don't have to share a room with Cat, you can have your own room Ella."
"Won't Cat be scare, though, in a new house and room?" Ella asked as she saw Wade give her a look she knew well, meaning let-it-go.
"Well she might at first but you can't always share a room with her Ella. I'm sure after a few days Cat will be fine." Rhett said "Beside you're becoming a young woman and I'm sure you don't want to share a room with a small child."
Ella smiled at Uncle Rhett calling her a young woman. She was becoming one but her Aunt Suellen and Uncle Will hadn't noticed and Wade just laughed if she brought the subject up.
"I wouldn't mind sharing a room with Cat for a little while." Ella said wanting to show just how grown up she was.
"I'll keep that in mind. We should be in Atlanta in a few minutes." Rhett said as he turned to see if Scarlett or Cat had woke yet. "So who wants the honor of waking your mother and sister?"
Getting no volunteers, Rhett smiled then leaned in closer to his wife and daughter.
"Scarlett darling" he said as he tapped her on the shoulder. Getting no reply, Rhett tapped Scarlett's shoulder again.
After a minute passed with no answer or green eyes opening Rhett decided to try to wake Cat.
"Kitty Cat, time to wake up" Rhett said as he lifted his daughter from her seat. The child's eyes opened and she smiled sweetly.
"Are we there already?" Cat asked as she wiggled her way out of her father's arms so she could look out the window. "Is that Atlanta?" she asked pointing to the buildings she could see ahead.
"Yes, that's Atlanta." Wade said as he took his little sister into his arms. He knew the train would stop soon and didn't want Cat thrown against the wall of the cabin when it did. Setting down he knew Cat was surprised but his actions towards her.
Wade knew he had come off as cold to the little girl but he was going to change that. Cat was just as much his sister as Ella or Bonnie had been. And with Mother and Uncle Rhett as her parents she was going to need someone to could count on to always be there. Sure their mother had claimed to have changed but Wade found that hard to believe. Soon she would be off with her businesses again and Uncle Rhett with playing cards and other things. Cat would need him, and Ella.
================================
Scarlett felt someone shaking her. Opening her emerald eyes slowly she took in the site of Rhett smiling down at her. "Wake up sleeping beauty."
"I take it we've reached Atlanta already?" Scarlett asked as she noticed that her children weren't in the cabin with them any longer.
"Yes we've arrived home, about four minutes ago. As soon as the train stopped Wade couldn't hold Cat down. Ella went with them to make sure they didn't get lost." Rhett said sounding very amused by his daughter and stepchildren's actions.
"Why didn't you wake me sooner? I wanted to see Atlanta as we came in." Scarlett asked as she took Rhett's hand and pulled herself up.
"I tried, you can ask the children, but you, my dear wife, wouldn't wake up. I was beginning to worry." Rhett said as he offered his arm to Scarlett
"Shall we Mrs. Butler?"
Taking his arm, Scarlett followed Rhett out of their cabin. Soon they were outside as the sun began to set. Taking a deep breath, Scarlett smiled. She was finally, after all this time, home. Looking about for the children, she couldn't help but smile as she saw them. Cat was in Wade's arms and it looked as if Ella and he we're telling their baby sister stories of there old life here.
"I'm home Rhett" Scarlett said as tears filled her eyes. Scarlett knew there was many difficulties ahead for Rhett and she, but it was all worth it just to be able to have everything she always wanted.
"Do you think anyone has missed me, Mr. Butler?" Scarlett asked as they made their way towards the children.
"You mean other then me, don't you Scarlett? Because there hasn't been a day gone by that I haven't missed you and wished you we're by my side" Rhett said, not wanting to answer that question. Because even though Scarlett loved him, and he her, Rhett didn't want to talk about or hear about Mr. Ashley Wilkes.
"Of course I didn't mean that silly, I know no one has missed me like you have, Rhett. Just as I have missed you." Scarlett said as she kissed his cheek. "What I meant was, do you think Aunt Pittypat might have missed me?"
"Of course, Scarlett. You know after I divorced you she refused, and I'm quoting her here. 'I refuse to allow a man such as you, Mr. Butler, in my house.' I think she was afraid you would stop sending her money if she invited me in" Rhett said laughing.
"Hush Rhett, you shouldn't say such things." Scarlett said trying to sound serious only to break out laughing just as they reached her children.
Wade looked up and was surprised. He couldn't ever remember hearing his mother laughing with such honesty before. Could she have really changed?
==========================
As their carriage stopped, Scarlett let Rhett, then Wade, help Ella and Cat down. She was the last one to get out. Looking up, Scarlett saw the house she had walked away from some three years ago. In the house before her, Scarlett had spent most of the worst days of her life and some of the happiest as well. Bonnie had been born here and spent her short life here. This was where Scarlett had learn she carried Rhett and hers second child only to lose that child when she fell down the staircase here.
It was in this house she had told Rhett she loved him for the first time. And it was here that she cried as he walked out on their marriage.
Scarlett hid her anger with a smile with the thought of Anne living here. Anne had been in her house, lived and loved Rhett here. Lost the child she and Rhett had made in this very house here as well. But as Scarlett took Rhett's hand she let those thoughts drift away, they weren't going to do her or Rhett any good were they?
"Are you ready to enter your house, my pet?" Rhett asked, sensing Scarlett's hurt.
"Yes of course I can wait to see if you indeed left everything the way I had it or not." Scarlett said faking sarcasm. If the house looked as Rhett had stated, just as she left it, then perhaps she could forgive and try to forget that Anne had lived here.
But if it didn't Scarlett knew whatever changes were made would always be a reminder that this house, her house had once belonged to another. And it also would make all Rhett's words about missing her nothing but lies. But if it was as Rhett said and looked as she had left it, well that proved Rhett loved her and always had.
The front door opened and Cat ran in not waiting for her parents or siblings to catch up. The little girl stopped dead in her tracks, turning she looked at her mother and father.
"I don't like it, it's too much red" the little green eye girl said.
Scarlett quickly walked over to her youngest child. Picking her up, Scarlett said loud enough for all to hear. "I agree I don't like it either. What on earth was I thinking making everything this awful red?"
Rhett and Wade barely stopped themselves from laughing but poor Ella couldn't hold it in, though she did try. After a few seconds of her giggles Wade joined in followed closely by Rhett's laughter.
Turning to face them Scarlett, who didn't find what she just said amusing, asked, "What is so funny? It's just as much your fault, Rhett, that this house is so dark and depressing. Why didn't you ever tell me how awful it looked?"
Rhett stopped laughing then looked at Scarlett. He was relieved to see no hurt behind her eyes. She was a little angry but that was due to being laughed at. "You're right Scarlett, I should have stopped you. But at the time I don't think I could have. Let's not forgot how stubborn you can be."
Wade looked to Ella, knowing one of his Uncle Rhett and mother's famous fights we're about to begin.
Scarlett looked around the room and up the staircase. Everything was just as she left it. Smiling, Scarlett decided to allow Rhett his comment on how stubborn she was to go, after all it was true.
"Well first thing tomorrow morning I want to get someone in here. All this red is not staying." Scarlett said as she headed for the stairs with Cat still in her arms.
"Do you want to see Mommy's bedroom baby?" Scarlett asked her daughter.
Cat nodded her head then smiled "And then we can see my room"
Scarlett was about to tell Cat, she didn't have a room of her own yet when Rhett, who has somehow sneaked up on them, said "Yes of course, your room is right across from ours."
Looking at Rhett as he stood beside her Scarlett shared a secret smile with him. Someday she would have to get him to tell her his secret of how he always knew what she was going to do before she did.