I'm going to attempt another chapter. This is just off the top of my head I'm not sure where this chapter will lead.  Anyways, I don't own any of these characters they belong to Margaret Mitchell. 

The Plan

            Scarlett stepped out of the wagon and gave everyone her best smile.  Everyone seemed happy that they were here everyone except for Suellen.  She stood there with a look of hate and disgust on her face.

            Suellen and Scarlett had never been close.  They have always been at each other's throats.  Suellen always felt like Scarlett was her mother and father's favorite daughter and that was just a small part of the cause of the hatred Suellen felt.  The big reason was Frank Kennedy.  Frank was the only boy who seemed to pay Suellen any attention in the time of her courting before the war.  And what does Scarlett do after the war when Frank had returned, she married him!  Frank was to marry her not Scarlett.  True Suellen was now married to Will, they have two daughters of their own, and after all this time she has come to love Will and Will has come to love her.  However, the fact remained if Scarlett hadn't stolen Frank from her Suellen's life could have been a lot different.  Good or bad Suellen didn't know but at least it would have been her decision.

            When the telegram arrived at Tara a few weeks ago telling them of Melanie's death, everyone was shocked and heart broken.  They were all shocked again when another telegram arrived two days ago telling them of Scarlett's plans to come home.  Suellen was more than shocked she was mortified she declared, "that's just what I need Scarlett and Rhett here.  Scarlett will bring up how badly Tara looks and rub it in how good she has it in Atlanta!"  Will told his wife comely, "It just says that Scarlett is coming.  It doesn't mention Rhett."  "Oh, that's right it doesn't" Suellen said, "That must mean that they are fighting! Oh how nice my perfect sister is having problems in her perfect marriage.  But I have no time to think about these matters.  By the time Scarlett gets here this place has to be perfect, or at least as perfect as I can make it."  With that Suellen went to work on the house. 

She worked day and night, cleaning every room in the house top to bottom.  Since they couldn't afford new things she fixed everything she could, mended the curtains, and things that she couldn't fix or mend she simply moved them so they would be less noticeable.  By the time Will and Scarlett pulled up at the house Suellen felt secure with the appearance of the house, the only thing it needed that she knew Scarlett would bring up was a new coat of white wash, but that was something she would deal with later.  Suellen was content as she walked out of the house to greet them at the door, but the minute she laid her eyes on Scarlett hatred filled her.

            Anna who is four, but if you asked her she was four and a half and she would be five in two weeks, ran into her fathers arms screaming "Daddy" at the top of her lungs. "Did you miss me darlin'?" Will asked as he picked up his oldest child.  Scarlett watched the two of them exchange words of love, and the two soon became three when Mary finally got to them.  Scarlett then looked at her own daughter who was giving Wade a big hug.  "How about one of those hugs for me Ella?" Scarlett asked.  Ella hesitated more than Wade had at the train station.  Ella had always wanted her mother's affection but all she ever got from her was Scarlett's sharp tongue.  After years of such treatment Ella was afraid of her mother.  With a confused look on her face she looked for guidance from her big brother.  Scarlett watched as the boy nodded and then Ella came to her and gave her a hug "hello, mother" Ella quietly said to her mother.  She quickly pulled away and walked back to the safety of standing by her brother.    

            The greeting from her daughter hurt Scarlett but she refused to let it show.  Mammy welcomed her with open arms, "welcome home child," she said as she squeezed Scarlett.  "It's so nice to see you mammy.  I've missed you and the children so much," Scarlett told the old woman.  "I know child, I know," is all Mammy replied.  The time came for Scarlett to approach Suellen.  The girls exchanged glances and walked towards one another  "You look good Suellen."  Scarlett said as she quickly hugged her sister.  "Thank you, you look quite well yourself Scarlett.  We were so surprised to hear that you were coming" Suellen responded. "Yes, well I just couldn't stay in Atlanta one moment longer.  Coming home to Tara just seemed like the perfect place for me to be" Scarlett was saying as they all walked into the house.          

            They all went into the dinning room to have dinner.  Scarlett was surprised to seem Mammy sit down with the rest of the family to have dinner.  Of course Mammy was apart of the family but Scarlett couldn't help but feel shocked with Suellen throwing her up bringing into the wind and allow Mammy to eat with the family.  "Were having rabbit stew" Suellen informed Scarlett.  "I shot the rabbit" Wade said proudly to no one in particular.  "You got a nice one too, Wade" Will piped.  "Why don't you say grace tonight Wade" Suellen suggested.  Then everyone became quiet as Wade said a blessing.  Will sat at the head of the table and to his left was Suellen, Anna, and Mary, to his right was Scarlett, Wade and Ella.  Mammy sat at the other end of the table as a family member.  If it hadn't been for the children the conversation at the table would have been scarce           

            When dinner was over Mammy with her three little helpers cleaned the table.  Suellen turned to Scarlett, "you'll have to sleep in Careen's old room because the girls are all in your old room and Wade has my old room."  Scarlett had to hold her tongue, sleep in Careen's old room!  Why she should at least get her old room if she can't have the master bedroom.  Father wanted to leave Tara to me anyways this should be my house Scarlett thought.  But she didn't want to get into an argument with Suellen on her first night here. So she simply said, "oh yes that's fine Suellen."  Will stood from the table and announced that he was going to attend to the livestock.  Wade quickly asked if he could help. Without thinking about asking Scarlett, Will allowed him to come and help him with putting up the livestock for the night.  Scarlett was hurt, it didn't bother her that Will had allowed Wade to help him, it bothered her that Wade didn't even think to ask her permission.  "I have some mending to do in the foyer if would like, you can sit in there with me," Suellen said politely as she headed to the foyer.  With the children all off doing assorted things Scarlett followed her sister.

            While in the middle of doing the mending the girls came in a little wet.  They had obviously been helping Mammy washing the dishes.  "Come on children, time for bed" Mammy ordered as they all headed to the stairs.  The girls were talking among themselves about something that to them seemed very important.  "Ask her Ella?" Anna commanded.  "Okay," she said quietly "Aunt Suellen, will you read to us tonight?"  Suellen looked up from her mending "Of course darlings, all read to you.  Now all of you up stairs and don't give Mammy any trouble and I'll be up to read to you."  Again Scarlett was left out of her own family. This was about all Scarlett could handle she quickly arose, said her goodnights,  made an excuse about being very tired from the trip, and she went up stairs and laid in bed.  Scarlett couldn't believe it, her children actually liked it here with Suellen!  They don't seem to care about me at all, Scarlett thought but she was very wrong her children loved her but they were still scared of her.  "That's it, I have to get my children to love me" Scarlett declared. The wheels in Scarlett's head started to turn, "Rhett always loved Ella and Wade.  If I can show him how much I love the children and how much they love me.  He'll see how much I've changed and come back to me."  Scarlet fell asleep with a smile on her face, she had her plan.  She had no idea that in gaining trust and love from her children she herself would be happy, even if she never saw Rhett again.