Here is the third part. Hope everyone enjoys it.
Sw
~*~
Eleanor Butler stood and watched as her oldest son and daughter-in-law cried into each others arms.
The funeral for Bonnie had just ended. Eleanor still couldn't believe that beautiful little girl who loving called her granny was now gone.
She feared for Rhett's sanity. That little girl was his whole world. As she glance at them again, Eleanor wished for nothing more then to be able to take there pain away. Knowing that was impossibly she decided instead to leave them alone to grieve taking Wade, and Ella with her Mrs. Butler left Rhett and Scarlett alone.
*~*
As soon as his mother and step-children were gone. Rhett moved out of Scarlett's embrace, so he could pace back in forth. After a few minutes of that he turned to look at his wife. Knowing what a gentleman would do at a moment when his wife was crying made Rhett sure he was indeed not one.
Looking from Scarlett, to their daughter's tiny grave, Rhett knew he couldn't spend another day here. This city was the only home Bonnie ever knew.
The only thing holding him back was Scarlett and their unborn child she carried. Rhett couldn't leave her alone.
Yet, part of him longed for the freedom he once enjoyed, before Scarlett, took that away. Leaving in its place nothing but hurt feelings, and loneliness.
Leaving Scarlett would have been so much easier like it had been five months ago if in the last few months they hadn't repaired their storming friendship that was their marriage.
Being pregnant this time around had changed Scarlett. She was much kinder, Rhett even found himself spending his nights at home. It wasn't fair for him to go out when Scarlett was home alone with child. Of course every time that thought accord, Rhett always blamed Scarlett, it was her own fault she slept alone. Yet, he still stayed home alone as well.
Rhett found he dreaded the thought of going back to his room now. How could he ever lay in or sleep on that bed after Bonnie had been there?
"Rhett, I'm tried can we go home now?" Scarlett asked, as she felt faint. If she could just make it to her bed and block every memory of this past week out of her mind she would be fine.
Anger filled Rhett, at Scarlett's question. How could she want to leave so soon? Only as his eyes took in the pale forum of his wife did he understand. Scarlett wasn't a person who wanted help or pity. Asking to go home meant she must feel as awful as she looked.
Rhett walked over to Scarlett then picked her up and carried her to their waiting carriage. As soon as she was resting in bed he would return.
"Rhett" Scarlett weakly whisper.
"I'm here" he replied as he grabbed her hand with his own. Wishing he could give her some of his strength.
Content Rhett, wasn't leaving her Scarlett closed her eyes. Rhett just watched and prayed he wasn't going to lose the other most important person in his life.
*~*
Laying on a sofa in the setting room Rhett closed his eyes. It was past midnight having just returned from Bonnie's grave, Rhett knew he couldn't step feet in his old room. Brandy was something he longed for. He hadn't slept since Bonnie's death.
Pouring himself off the sofa Rhett headed for the brandy. "Mister Rhett, why aren't you in bed?"
Rhett turned to see Mammy standing before him. Her eyes were almost as bloodshot as his.
"I can't sleep in that room, not after Bonnie was there." Rhett finished in a whisper not really sure if Mammy heard him or not.
"Mister Rhett, didn't Miss Scarlett tell ya? She had all ya things moved to her room. Saying you would be stay there now." Mammy said as she watched Rhett pour himself a drink.
Rhett was shocked at Mammy's words. Scarlett had moved his things into her room. Why, would she do that?
Shaking his head Rhett, left Mammy knowing the only way he would get his answer would be talking to Scarlett.
*~*
Finding Scarlett, sound asleep Rhett, decided to leave his wife to rest until his eyes took in the sight of his robe and night clothes on the edge of Scarlett's bed.
They hadn't been there earlier when he head brought Scarlett home. Exhausted and taking the sight of his clothes, Rhett took that to mean Scarlett wanted him there. And if ones pregnant wife wanted company who was he to decline?
Alittle while later after having changed out of his clothes and into his night clothes. Rhett slipped into Scarlett's bed taking care not to wake his sleeping wife.
As Rhett, lower his, head onto his pillow it almost seemed like old days gone by. Before he had been banded from this room and its bed.
Confusing thoughts ran through Rhett's mind. Why, had Scarlett kicked him out in the first place? The pain her words had caused never fully left Rhett. At the time he had never been happier the only thing missing in his world was hearing Scarlett confess her undying love.
Yet he was content with his life at the time. Rhett had Bonnie, she was his angel always bringing a smile to his face. Even if Scarlett didn't love him, he had her to hold in his arms at night.
So when he heard hear utter those few words his world collapsed. Scarlett didn't want him touching her.
Rhett pushed that thought away nothing good would come from thinking about the past. Closing his eyes Rhett forced himself into what he hoped would be a dreamless sleep praying he wouldn't see Bonnie's fall in his dreams.
Two Hours Later
"Bonnie, come back" Scarlett yelled as the fog became so thick she couldn't see her little girl anymore. "Come back" she kept yelling into the empty dark cold fog.
Rhett who had been sleeping awoke to Scarlett's screams. Getting his bearings Rhett realized Scarlett was having her old nightmare with a twist she was calling for Bonnie.
"Bonnie baby, please come back" The sleeping Scarlett pleaded. Rhett's heart jumped into his throat as he heard Scarlett begging their dead daughter to return.
Taking her into his arms Rhett held her to his chest. Resting his head on her's he allowed his tears to flow.
"Rhett" Scarlett whisper as she felt arms wrapped around her.
"Yes my pet, it's me" Rhett said as he pulled Scarlett closer instead of letting her go. "Was it the same old nightmare?" He asked wanting to hear Scarlett confine in him. Perhaps her heart could belong to Ashley Wilkes, but everything else, including her trusted belonged to him.
Nodded her head Scarlett wiped away her tears then pulled herself together as much as she could. Rhett would understand he would comfort her.
"Oh Rhett" tears stopped her from continuing. Rhett who was now setting up pulled Scarlett into his lap and gently began rocking her back and forth. As she calmed down Scarlett found her lost voice.
"It was awful Rhett, I was holding Bonnie's hand then the fog came and took her away. I searched and searched but I couldn't find her." the child like tone of her voice filled Rhett with pain. No matter how much Scarlett had lost she would never fully grow up. That was the one thing about Scarlett, Rhett find always brought him back to her. At heart she was a spoiled little southern belle one which he would give anything to protected.
Rhett heard Scarlett breath quicken. "Scarlett are you okay?"
Smiling Scarlett took Rhett's hand and held it to her stomach. At first Rhett was confused, until he felt the movement of their unborn baby.
Remembering his earlier question Rhett was about to ask Scarlett her plans for him staying in her room, when he noticed she had already fallen asleep using him as her pillow.
Rhett lowed Scarlett back onto her really pillow his hand moved to her stomach once again feeling the baby kick Rhett didn't know if he felt happy about the baby or not.
Was loving this new baby betraying this love for Bonnie? With that thought Rhett pulled his hand away as the baby continue to kick.
Thoughts of could he stay here and pretend to be happy about this new baby played on his mind. His heart was broken would it ever mend Rhett truly didn't know. This new baby his second child could never take the place of Bonnie of that he was certain. With that thought Rhett closed his eyes not knowing Scarlett was dreaming of a new life with Rhett and their unborn child.
Tbc......
Sw
~*~
Eleanor Butler stood and watched as her oldest son and daughter-in-law cried into each others arms.
The funeral for Bonnie had just ended. Eleanor still couldn't believe that beautiful little girl who loving called her granny was now gone.
She feared for Rhett's sanity. That little girl was his whole world. As she glance at them again, Eleanor wished for nothing more then to be able to take there pain away. Knowing that was impossibly she decided instead to leave them alone to grieve taking Wade, and Ella with her Mrs. Butler left Rhett and Scarlett alone.
*~*
As soon as his mother and step-children were gone. Rhett moved out of Scarlett's embrace, so he could pace back in forth. After a few minutes of that he turned to look at his wife. Knowing what a gentleman would do at a moment when his wife was crying made Rhett sure he was indeed not one.
Looking from Scarlett, to their daughter's tiny grave, Rhett knew he couldn't spend another day here. This city was the only home Bonnie ever knew.
The only thing holding him back was Scarlett and their unborn child she carried. Rhett couldn't leave her alone.
Yet, part of him longed for the freedom he once enjoyed, before Scarlett, took that away. Leaving in its place nothing but hurt feelings, and loneliness.
Leaving Scarlett would have been so much easier like it had been five months ago if in the last few months they hadn't repaired their storming friendship that was their marriage.
Being pregnant this time around had changed Scarlett. She was much kinder, Rhett even found himself spending his nights at home. It wasn't fair for him to go out when Scarlett was home alone with child. Of course every time that thought accord, Rhett always blamed Scarlett, it was her own fault she slept alone. Yet, he still stayed home alone as well.
Rhett found he dreaded the thought of going back to his room now. How could he ever lay in or sleep on that bed after Bonnie had been there?
"Rhett, I'm tried can we go home now?" Scarlett asked, as she felt faint. If she could just make it to her bed and block every memory of this past week out of her mind she would be fine.
Anger filled Rhett, at Scarlett's question. How could she want to leave so soon? Only as his eyes took in the pale forum of his wife did he understand. Scarlett wasn't a person who wanted help or pity. Asking to go home meant she must feel as awful as she looked.
Rhett walked over to Scarlett then picked her up and carried her to their waiting carriage. As soon as she was resting in bed he would return.
"Rhett" Scarlett weakly whisper.
"I'm here" he replied as he grabbed her hand with his own. Wishing he could give her some of his strength.
Content Rhett, wasn't leaving her Scarlett closed her eyes. Rhett just watched and prayed he wasn't going to lose the other most important person in his life.
*~*
Laying on a sofa in the setting room Rhett closed his eyes. It was past midnight having just returned from Bonnie's grave, Rhett knew he couldn't step feet in his old room. Brandy was something he longed for. He hadn't slept since Bonnie's death.
Pouring himself off the sofa Rhett headed for the brandy. "Mister Rhett, why aren't you in bed?"
Rhett turned to see Mammy standing before him. Her eyes were almost as bloodshot as his.
"I can't sleep in that room, not after Bonnie was there." Rhett finished in a whisper not really sure if Mammy heard him or not.
"Mister Rhett, didn't Miss Scarlett tell ya? She had all ya things moved to her room. Saying you would be stay there now." Mammy said as she watched Rhett pour himself a drink.
Rhett was shocked at Mammy's words. Scarlett had moved his things into her room. Why, would she do that?
Shaking his head Rhett, left Mammy knowing the only way he would get his answer would be talking to Scarlett.
*~*
Finding Scarlett, sound asleep Rhett, decided to leave his wife to rest until his eyes took in the sight of his robe and night clothes on the edge of Scarlett's bed.
They hadn't been there earlier when he head brought Scarlett home. Exhausted and taking the sight of his clothes, Rhett took that to mean Scarlett wanted him there. And if ones pregnant wife wanted company who was he to decline?
Alittle while later after having changed out of his clothes and into his night clothes. Rhett slipped into Scarlett's bed taking care not to wake his sleeping wife.
As Rhett, lower his, head onto his pillow it almost seemed like old days gone by. Before he had been banded from this room and its bed.
Confusing thoughts ran through Rhett's mind. Why, had Scarlett kicked him out in the first place? The pain her words had caused never fully left Rhett. At the time he had never been happier the only thing missing in his world was hearing Scarlett confess her undying love.
Yet he was content with his life at the time. Rhett had Bonnie, she was his angel always bringing a smile to his face. Even if Scarlett didn't love him, he had her to hold in his arms at night.
So when he heard hear utter those few words his world collapsed. Scarlett didn't want him touching her.
Rhett pushed that thought away nothing good would come from thinking about the past. Closing his eyes Rhett forced himself into what he hoped would be a dreamless sleep praying he wouldn't see Bonnie's fall in his dreams.
Two Hours Later
"Bonnie, come back" Scarlett yelled as the fog became so thick she couldn't see her little girl anymore. "Come back" she kept yelling into the empty dark cold fog.
Rhett who had been sleeping awoke to Scarlett's screams. Getting his bearings Rhett realized Scarlett was having her old nightmare with a twist she was calling for Bonnie.
"Bonnie baby, please come back" The sleeping Scarlett pleaded. Rhett's heart jumped into his throat as he heard Scarlett begging their dead daughter to return.
Taking her into his arms Rhett held her to his chest. Resting his head on her's he allowed his tears to flow.
"Rhett" Scarlett whisper as she felt arms wrapped around her.
"Yes my pet, it's me" Rhett said as he pulled Scarlett closer instead of letting her go. "Was it the same old nightmare?" He asked wanting to hear Scarlett confine in him. Perhaps her heart could belong to Ashley Wilkes, but everything else, including her trusted belonged to him.
Nodded her head Scarlett wiped away her tears then pulled herself together as much as she could. Rhett would understand he would comfort her.
"Oh Rhett" tears stopped her from continuing. Rhett who was now setting up pulled Scarlett into his lap and gently began rocking her back and forth. As she calmed down Scarlett found her lost voice.
"It was awful Rhett, I was holding Bonnie's hand then the fog came and took her away. I searched and searched but I couldn't find her." the child like tone of her voice filled Rhett with pain. No matter how much Scarlett had lost she would never fully grow up. That was the one thing about Scarlett, Rhett find always brought him back to her. At heart she was a spoiled little southern belle one which he would give anything to protected.
Rhett heard Scarlett breath quicken. "Scarlett are you okay?"
Smiling Scarlett took Rhett's hand and held it to her stomach. At first Rhett was confused, until he felt the movement of their unborn baby.
Remembering his earlier question Rhett was about to ask Scarlett her plans for him staying in her room, when he noticed she had already fallen asleep using him as her pillow.
Rhett lowed Scarlett back onto her really pillow his hand moved to her stomach once again feeling the baby kick Rhett didn't know if he felt happy about the baby or not.
Was loving this new baby betraying this love for Bonnie? With that thought Rhett pulled his hand away as the baby continue to kick.
Thoughts of could he stay here and pretend to be happy about this new baby played on his mind. His heart was broken would it ever mend Rhett truly didn't know. This new baby his second child could never take the place of Bonnie of that he was certain. With that thought Rhett closed his eyes not knowing Scarlett was dreaming of a new life with Rhett and their unborn child.
Tbc......