Slowly before Scarlett's eyes Tara was restored, and at the same time she felt herself heal. As each day passed the longing for Rhett dwindled little by little. Scarlett knew in her heart she would forever love him, but she was learning to live without him.
For possibly the first time in a long time, Scarlett rose one Saturday Morning before the sun had risen. At first she lay there "What on earth am I doing up at this hour" she groaned as she glanced at the clock. She flipped over and tried to fall asleep, but to no avail. Giving up, she crawled out of bed. She walked to the windows and watched the sun rise over Tara, her Tara. Just over the distant hill she could make out Suellen's home. A smile spread across her face as she thought of Sue being out of her hair. Turning on heal from the colorful sunrise she rang for Prissy.
Nearly a half an hour later, the girl finally came "Well it took you long enough" huffed Scarlett as she continued to look through her clothing for something to wear "Well don't just stand there gawking at me, lace me up" she finished as she tossed the corset to her.
"I's awful sorry Miss Scarlett" began Prissy in a whiny squeaky voice "Yous dont usually get up this early" she finished hoping to appease Scarlett.
Scarlett smiled to herself at the girl's rambling "Really Prissy" she started in a nicer tone "It is quite alright. You help me get dressed and you can go back to bed if you like" Scarlett paused as Prissy pulled the corset tighter "I can't expect the whole place to be up just because I can't sleep" she finished as Prissy tied the corset and reached for the dress she had picked for the day and turned to Prissy holding it up "What do you think?" Scarlett asked as she turned away again and now stared at her reflection in the mirror "I had better get some use out of it" she said at almost a whisper, more to herself than to Prissy.
Prissy stood there watching her Mistress, she had changed so much in the last year, since coming here. There would be a glimpse of the old Scarlett at times, but that was becoming far and few between. Finally Prissy found her voice "I's like that one" she offered with a smile.
Scarlett turned back to her "Yes I do too."
Twenty minutes later, Scarlett sat alone at her vanity, brushing her hair. She paused the brushing as she looked down at the dress she now wore, one Rhett had bought so long ago, and she had not worn until now. It had reminded him of the one she wore at Twelve Oaks so many years ago. Scarlett could see the resemblances now, the light cream dress was cut daringly in the front, with sleeves slightly off the shoulder. It had tiny soft pink roses sewn throughout it, but it was the dark green leaves surrounding the roses that made it similar and called back the memory of the barbeque. Scarlett snapped herself back to reality "No use in thinking of the past" she mumbled to herself as she dug through her bureau for something for her hair. She stopped as she pulled out matching ribbons, of the same green. She smiled at her next thought "Well why can't I wear my hair down" she reasoned "Besides I am already wearing a dress far from the style" she continued as she brushed back her hair and added the ribbons, tying a neat bow slightly off to the side "Who is going to see me anyways" she finished as she stood to inspect her work "Oh I am still way too pale" she mumbled as she reached for her rouge, but stopped short as she looked back in the mirror "No not today" she said as she pinched her cheeks to bring out a more natural color. She hummed softly to herself as she left the room, grabbing a light cream shawl on her way.
A little while later Scarlett settled herself on one of the porch chairs, her morning coffee at her side neatly arranged on a small table and some paperwork in her hand. She silently read through the business reports Ashley had sent, making notes here and there for adjustments, and sipping her coffee. She had almost not noticed the lone rider approaching Tara. In fact he had almost made it completely up the drive before she took note of sound of hooves. She looked up with a smile in greeting. The next thing she knew she was standing, papers floating to the porch floor around her feet. Her heart jumped at the sight before "Rhett" she cried as she ran down the steps to meet him.
Rhett easily dismounted and met his wife. She practically jumped in his arms "Rhett my darling is it really you?" she asked, her green eyes searching his face for something, anything of a sign he was happy to see her.
"Yes my pet" he replied in a lazy drawl "I do believe it is me" a small smile lit his face.
"Oh Rhett tell me you have come home to stay" she begged "I love you Rhett" tears were running down her face.
"Well my dear that depends on you" he began as he pushed her away slightly "I will stay, but you have to promise that Ashley Wilkes will never be mentioned in our home."
Scarlett stepped back from him confused by what he had said. It sounded nothing like Rhett. Scarlett looked beyond Rhett and saw fog slowly filling in the road leading from Tara. She stepped back further from him, the fog growing closer "What is going on?" she screamed "Rhett what is going on?" she demanded.
His voice came almost at a whisper "You can't have everything my dear" a cruel twist to his voice became noticeable as he began to advance upon her "I told you once my dear, I do not doing anything without a price" he grasped her by the upper arms "You have not paid the price" his dark eyes became black as he shook her.
Scarlett felt the grasp and the pain that came from his iron grip "Please Rhett" she begged "What are you talking about?" The fog now surrounded her and Rhett, she could barely make out his face, only his dark eyes bore into her.
"You created this mess Scarlett" he hissed "Don't expect me to fix it anymore."
Scarlett awoke with a jump from the nightmare. Wade was gently shaking her by the upper arms "Mother" he pleaded "Please Mother wake up. It's only a dream."
Scarlett shook her head to focus and realized she had dreamt everything. It had seemed so real, but Rhett wouldn't be coming to Tara. "He hates me" she thought to herself "He truly hates me." She turned to Wade her face softening for him "Oh honey I am so sorry I didn't mean to scare you, it was only a dream" she soothed the worried boy "Go on back to bed I will be fine" she urged him from the room. He left with a final look to her and returned to his room.
Scarlett sat in her bed, at her Tara, alone. Well she wasn't alone yet, but the children would be gone before she knew it and then she would be alone. This was what she had brought upon herself and she had to deal with it "Oh Rhett I am so sorry" she whispered to herself as she laid back on her pillow and attempted to go back to sleep.
