Title: Scarlett's Turn - Chapter 5
Rating: PG for now
Author: Cutekitty74
Timeline: This begins shortly after Rhett's departure from Scarlett at the end of "Gone With The Wind."
Disclaimer: I do not own the Characters of "Gone With The Wind" , just this story lineā¦
Feedback is appreciated. Please send comments to Cutekitty74@yahoo.com
Thank you for reading my story, I hope that it you enjoyed it! Please be gentle this is the first Gone With The Wind story I have ever written!
A week had passed since her collapse. A local doctor had been called, his diagnosis was a simple one, she had pushed herself too far and needed rest and food. Scarlett all too soon became aware how much Wade had matured without her knowledge. He took over as the man of the house and made sure she was on the path to good health. During her week of bed rest Scarlett reviewed her life with Rhett and their stormy relationship. She acknowledged the mistakes she had made and soon realized that he had tried in his own way to make their marriage work, if only she would of let go of her stupid obsession with Ashley sooner. She and Rhett could have been happy, they were matched in spirit and body for one another. But with all this knowledge now accepted she also had to accept the fact that it was over. She had pushed him too far, and now had to pay for the consequences of her actions as well as his. She had to live, it was her turn to live for herself, for her children. So with her new found courage she arose from her bed some eight days after fainting and pushed forward. She again thought of the Tara that her Father talked of, yes she and the children would visit there and then return to her own Tara. She would offer Sullen and Will whatever it took to take the plantation back and she would break her back to restore it. Work had pulled her through before and now it would do it again. No she couldn't run from her problems any more, no that was Rhett's way of dealing with things, hers was to face it head on.
"Mother" Wade slightly yelled as he entered her rooms to find her standing before her wardrobe "What on earth are you doing out of bed." A look of worry etched on his young face.
Scarlett giggled at the look on his face, he so much reminded her of Mammy at times like this when she was being scolded. Well enough of that Wade has to be child for once "Now Wade honey, I am feeling much better and thought we should get going to see Grandpa's Tara" she paused as she watched his young face alight with joy at the news "and then I think we should go home" at the last his face fell slightly.
"Mother you are not going" he began, his voice sad.
Scarlett raised her hand to stop the boy "No Wade I am not going back there" she turned, walked to the grand window. She gazed out the window past the busy streets and houses to the emerald hills in the distance, Tara was out there and she had to see it just once "No Wade I have something to do here and then I want to go home, home to my Tara." She turned to him with tears forming in her green eyes "I want to bring it back to the way Pa and Mother had it in my youth so that I can give it to you and Ella, your own Tara." Her lips trembled as she fought to hold her emotions at bay. Wade's eyes as wide as saucers stared back at her, Charles's eyes staring back at her.
"Oh Mother Ella will be so happy, but Mother what about Aunt Sullen she doesn't like you or us very much." Wade almost regretted the words as soon as they were spoken. He was never to talk ill of anyone, a true gentleman wouldn't, and Aunt Melly had always said that he was to be a true gentleman just like his father.
"Oh Wade honey" she grabbed the boy in a hug "If you are worried that I would be upset by those words about your Aunt" Scarlett hugged him tighter as she laughed "Fear not for I am sure I have far worse things I could say about Sue." Scarlett broke the embrace and pulled back "No go and get your sister for we are leaving here and we have lots to do."
Scarlett watched with joy as her young man ran out of the room, yes she would still be the lady her Mother had always wanted her to be and she would be the Mother that Rhett had said she couldn't be. She turned back to her wardrobe and began pulling the items out, setting them on the bed to be packed, they would leave in two hours.
Two hours later, Scarlett with her children in tow and their baggage awaited confirmation that another ship heading back would be leaving in the morning. She secured the trunks to be sent to the ship and a carriage to take them to the Tara of her Father. They would spend the night in a small village not far from Tara and return in the morning to catch the ship home. Wade and Ella watched in awe how their Mother handled the affairs as if she were buying a new bonnet. Their Mother was once again in control and safety was secured again, but she had changed, the hardness in her tone and eyes were gone and now a softness filled them. Ella smiled as the look in her Mother's eyes made her think of Aunt Melly, her Mother had looked upon her the way her dear Aunt had. Within twenty minutes they were off on their short trip with over night bags in tow.
Three hours later they climbed the hill to the ruins of Tara. Scarlett again recalled the tales her Father had told in her youth of the castle that had stood on this spot centuries before. The children ran off to play as Scarlett knelt to the ground. She scooped up a handful of the rich black soil, staring at it she recalled the words of her Father "Land Katie Scarlett, Land is the only thing worth fighting for" she closed her eyes and thought of her Father. Allowing a single tear fall she placed the dirt in a small bag and placed in her purse. Standing she turned to her children "Come children we have to get going" and so the small family left and again turned toward home.
