Chapter 17

Scarlett woke the next morning and for a few moments wondered if it all been a dream. The buggy accident and Rhett being there. But when she tried to move it told her that indeed it had all happened.

Scarlett's stirring woke Katie who had been sleeping in the chair "Mother your awake." Katie said as she took her Mother's hand.

"Good morning my love" Scarlett said looking at her beautiful daughter.

"Are you hungry?" Katie asked as she rose and started to fluff up her Mother's pillows.

"Yes actually I am"

"Good. Unfortunately until Dr. Thompson comes by all you can have is broth."

Scarlett crinkled up her nose making Katie laugh "But I'm sure he'll okay you to have something later. I'll be back in a few minutes." She kissed Scarlett's cheek and then made her way downstairs.

Indeed when Dr. Thompson saw Scarlett's improvement and still no signs of any internal bleeding he told them that he was amazed by the difference just one day made and did agree to let her have 'real food'. He also said that she could have a sponge bath and wash her hair if Katie and Harriet were extremely careful.

So after the doctor left they set about the task of helping Scarlett bathe. They helped her out of bed and out of her gown. They helped her sit down in the chair and then carefully helped her bathe off. Katie washed her hair for her. One hour later they helped Scarlett back into bed.

And so at lunch Scarlett was in heaven. She sat carefully up in bed with pillows all around her and two across her stomach to cushion it from the weight of the tray. On the tray she had a fried chicken leg, mashed potatoes and biscuits. She had sent Katie down to the kitchen to eat with Harriet telling her that she needed to take a break. At first Katie argued, but in the end Scarlett won.

She was just finishing up when there was a knock at her door.

"Come in"

As Scarlett looked toward the doorway at first all she saw was huge bouquet of flowers. Then she saw Rhett peek out from around then "Special delivery for the woman Dr. Thompson called amazing."

Scarlett laughed and then moaned. It hurt to laugh. Rhett immediately set down the vase of flowers on the dresser and was by her side in an instant. "Are you alright?"

Scarlett nodded then added "Please don't make me laugh, it still hurts too much." She smiled as she finished.

Rhett smiled back. Sitting down on the bed beside her he leaned toward her and touched her face "but you're so beautiful when you laugh and your green eyes dance."

For a moment they made eye contact, but Scarlett quickly turned her face away. She couldn't be this close to him. She could feel his breath on her skin. No she would not, she could not let him get to her. No matter how desperately she wanted him, he already had a family, he already had a wife.

Rhett noticed Scarlett pulling away from him, so he sat up and said "Are you done with your tray."

"Yes, yes I am. Thank you." Even though it upset her having him this close she did not want him to leave. "Rhett what beautiful flowers those are. Will you bring them here so that I can smell them, please?"

He stood and bowed "At your service ma'am."

He brought the boutique back to Scarlett and held them in front of her "Oh Rhett they smell heavenly. Will you please move that lamp a little and put then on my bedside stand?"

Rhett did as she asked. When he was finished he again sat down on the edge of Scarlett's bed.

"So Harriet tells me that you passed your doctor's visit today with flying colors?"

"So it seems. I guess it pays to be so stubborn after all."

"That it does. But I always did think it was one of your best features." As Rhett finished he took Scarlett hand in his and squeezed it. It was so good to see her alert. It had terrified him when he saw her condition the previous night. He had so many feelings running through him. He knew he should share them with her, but he wasn't sure that he was ready just yet.

Scarlett started to fuss at him, but he winked at her making her blush. Looking down at the coverlet on the bed she said "Rhett, I swear after all these years you're still impossible."

Not hearing a reply she looked up to find Rhett's black eyes watching her "And my pet after all these years you're still the most beautiful creature I've ever known." He then took her hand to his lips again and kissed it like before. Yet this time they could both feel the electricity, it was apparent in his shining black eyes and her sparkling green eyes.

Scarlett just sat there staring at Rhett. How could he say things like that to her? He had a wife, he shouldn't be saying those things. Why couldn't he see what it was doing to her? Why did he toy with her like this?

"Scarlett?" Rhett asked concerned about how pale she had become all of a sudden.

"Rhett, I think you should leave" Scarlett said as she looked away.

Rhett sat there stunned. He had tried to treat her with kid gloves, to slowly start showing her how he felt and this is how she was going to act. Automatically his old ways kicked back in just as Scarlett's had that day in the kitchen "As you wish, my pet."

He stopped at the door and turned toward Scarlett again "Tell me, my pet, did you tell Katie that you told me your story last night?"

Scarlett could not look at him. The tone of his voice hurt worse than any of her injuries. So continuing to stare at the wall she answered "No I haven't".

"Well for her sake please don't".

"What are you talking about, Rhett?"

"Scarlett, do you think I'm gullible enough to really believe your story?"

Scarlett didn't know what to say or do. "Rhett she is yours."

"Scarlett, don't play games. Have a little decency. Who does she really belong to? What poor fool did you trick into fathering her? Although you did pick someone with features similar to mine. Of course I should know that you'd at least be that smart".

Scarlett cringed as Rhett spoke. It was her nightmare coming true. She would not let Rhett see how he had hurt her. She could not stand this any longer. Too many times he had done this to her. Turning to look at him, her green eyes glowing, she spoke through clenched teeth "If that's what you think Rhett Butler then get out. We don't need you. I've raised Katie by myself for sixteen years while you were off in Charleston with your perfect little wife and family. Get Out!!!"

Scarlett fought hard to keep from sobbing from the pain affecting her body and from the pain affecting her heart.

Rhett turned and walked out the door.

Scarlett could hear his footsteps on the stairs. As she listened she saw the bouquet of flowers.

Suddenly possessed by all the rage and pain Rhett had caused her, Scarlett climbed out of bed and grabbed the vase.

She made her way to the door and out into the hallway. She was so distraught she did not notice her physical pain.

Scarlett stopped at the top of the stairs "Damn you Rhett Butler. I wish to God that I had never met you. All you've ever done is cause me pain. Why I ever loved you I don't know. You were scared to love me. So go back to Charleston, Rhett. Your daughter does not need you. And I don't want you!!!"

With that Scarlett lunged the huge vase of flowers down the staircase. They crashed onto the landing below.

Rhett was at the door with his hand on the doorknob when he heard the vase crash a few feet behind him. He turned and saw Scarlett standing at the top of the steps. Katie and Harriet were coming out the kitchen to see what was going on. As Rhett looked at them, Katie screamed. Rhett looked up and saw Scarlett start to faint. He could see her body start to fall forward.

In an instant he was moving up the stairs. In the few seconds it took to get to Scarlett the scene of her falling down the stairs and losing their baby played through his mind. As Rhett reached the next to top step Scarlett collapsed. All Rhett could do was grab her and use his own weight to put her body against the wall, thus stopping her forward motion. As they hit the wall Scarlett screamed.

Rhett slid down into a sitting position on the step cradling Scarlett in his arms "Scarlett darling, please wake up. Darling please..."

Katie ran up the stairs "What have you done?" she screamed as she came to them and took her Mother's hand "Mother, please it's Katie, please wake up."

Neither got a response. Harriet yelled up the stairway as she grabbed her coat "I'll get Dr. Thompson. Get her back into bed." With that she was out the door.

Rhett looked at Katie "Steady her until I stand up".

Katie did as she was told.

Rhett then leaned down and picked Scarlett up and carried her to her bed. After laying her down he stepped back. He had done this. His pride, his anger had done this.

Katie speaking brought him out of his thoughts "Get out of this room. I don't want you here. And Mother does not need you here".

Katie's words struck Rhett like a raging bull. But he knew she had every right to be angry.