Scarlett awoke on the morning of the ball with a light pressure on
her stomach. It took her a few moments to remember that Rhett had spent the
night in her bedroom. She smiled to herself as she rolled over and kissed
his forehead. She then got out of bed and put a robe on. Scarlett walked
through her dreary house and eventually ended up in the kitchen where Mammy
was preparing breakfast for three hungry children.
"Hello mother," said Bonnie. The other two children were shocked and their faces showed it. They rarely got to see their mother.
"Good morning children. Did you all sleep well?" Scarlett wasn't sure how to act around her children. Being a mother hadn't come naturally to her, like it did other women.
Bonnie and Wade both told her that they had wonderful nights' sleeps, but Ella sat quietly while her mother spoke to her siblings. Scarlett noticed this, so after they had all finished eating, she asked Ella to take a walk with her. Because Scarlett was still weak, they couldn't walk for long, so they sat under a tree that was in the back yard. "What's bothering you, darling?"
Ella began to cry from her emotions. "I've been having nightmares. I can't sleep, mother."
"How long have you been having nightmares Ella?"
"Ever since you got sick. I'm so afraid that you're going to die mother. I've already lost daddy. I don't want to lose you too."
"Oh Ella, you aren't going to lose me any time soon. I am extremely stubborn and I'm not ready to leave this world yet. You don't need to worry about that. I won't give up so easily. Next time you have a nightmare, come tell me. Any time."
Ella wasn't sure how to react. Her mother had never treated her in this protective manner before. She simply said, "Thank you," and walked away. Ella had been neglected by her mother for so long that she didn't know what else to do.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Rhett found Scarlett still sitting under the same tree later that morning. "What are you doing out here my pet?"
"Hmm?" Scarlett said distractedly.
"I asked what you were doing out here. I've been looking all over for you Scarlett. I was beginning to get worried. What were you thinking about that had you so distracted?"
"I think we should move."
"What?" Rhett asked, taken completely off guard.
"Do you realize that I don't even know my own children? And this house, I walked through the entire thing and it is so dreary. Not to mention that it's too big. Why didn't you ever tell me before Rhett? This place is hideous."
"Well, my pet, I won't argue with you about the house, but you can easily get to know the children. Now, if we leave, where do you suggest we go?"
"Oh, I don't know, Rhett. I just think we all need out of this house. We need a new beginning."
"Yes darling, I believe that you are right. Right now, I have some errands to run, so we will discuss this later. I'll be back for lunch. Why don't you go take a nap?"
"Rhett, it's still the morning. Why it can't be past ten o'clock! Why on earth would I want to go back to bed?"
"Oh Scarlett, this is a big day. You'll thank me later when you are on the dance floor." Seeing that he had convinced her, Rhett continued, "I'll bring you lunch when I get back." Rhett began to leave the yard, but Scarlett called after him.
"Rhett, where do you have to go?"
"It's a surprise darling."
Rhett didn't want Scarlett to know that he was going to speak with Dr. Meade. If he received bad news, he didn't want Scarlett to find out until after the ball.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Rhett knocked on Dr. Meade's front door. Mrs. Meade answered the door and was shocked to see Rhett on the stoop. "Captain Butler. Is there something that I can do for you?" She asked curtly. Mrs. Meade did not want to invite Rhett into her home.
"Thank you Mrs. Meade. I need to speak with your husband please."
"I'm sorry, he's a very busy man. It is important?"
Dr. Meade walked up behind his wife and said, "Rebecca, let the man in. I have plenty of time to spare." The doctor was extremely upset with his wife for not being able to see past the rumors about Captain Butler. He felt that he owed his freedom to Rhett, and he couldn't deny that he had misjudged the captain. Now that he saw who Rhett really was, he hated to watch the way people treated him and his wife.
"Thank you Dr. Meade. I have some questions for you." Rhett said as Mrs. Meade let him into the sitting room. The two men sat down. Rhett looked expectantly toward Mrs. Meade, waiting for her to departure. When she did not, he said, "I'm sorry Mrs. Meade, but my questions are of a private nature."
'Of all the nerve!' She said to herself, while out loud she said, "Of course Captain Butler. I'm so sorry." Mrs. Meade exited the room, but stayed where she could hear the conversation that was about to take place.
"Dr. Meade, I wanted to speak to you about the possibility of Scarlett and I having another child. I was wondering if would be safe for her."
"There is some risk to her health because of the miscarriage, but Scarlett never had the slightest bit of trouble in the past. I won't lie to you. Your wife has a much greater chance of something going wrong now, but she is a strong woman. Am I wrong in assuming that once Scarlett decides she wants something, she finds a way to get it?"
"No, you're not wrong."
"Then I will say that I have no substantial reason to stop her from having a child. It has been my experience that when a woman wants a child, she will take all the risks necessary. I believe that Scarlett is strong enough to handle another pregnancy with the odds in her favor."
"Is there anything we can do to make it less dangerous?"
"Just make sure that Scarlett rests and doesn't become too active if she becomes pregnant. I know that she doesn't like to be confined and gets bored easily. She won't be able to run around like she used to."
"Well, thank you so much Dr. Meade. I'm sorry that I visited you at home without any warning, but I needed to find out.."
"Don't worry about it Rhett. I understand. I truly hope that everything works out. It's never easy to watch a woman go through what your wife did. I'll be here to help if any problems should happen to arise."
Rhett stood up. "Thank you again doctor. I'll see you at the ball this evening."
As Mrs. Meade heard Rhett walking towards her, she quietly snuck out of view. 'I can't believe that Scarlett O'Hara actually wants a child. She doesn't even pay attention to the ones she already has. How can she handle another one? Oh, I can't wait to tell the girls about this.'
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Scarlett has gone to her room as Rhett had asked her to, but she cannot sleep. She is too excited about the ball that she will be attending in just a few short hours. Because she cannot sleep, Scarlett lets her mind wander as she lies in bed.
They were dancing on a sparkling floor, the only two people in a large room. Rhett gazed down at her as she rested her head on his shoulder. Scarlett felt his eyes on her and looked up to meet his waiting stare. Their eyes connected and time seemed to stop. Scarlett breathing became shallow in anticipation. She had seen that look in his eye before. It was the look he always gave her right before he kissed her.
"Mommy?" Scarlett heard from a far off voice.
"Mommy." Scarlett opened her eyes as she felt a pressure on her arm.
"Bonnie, darling, what are you doing in here?" Scarlett was surprised. Bonnie rarely entered her room.
"You and daddy never play with me anymore. Since you are getting better, I thought I.. I'm sorry mommy. I can go if you want." Bonnie began to climb off the bed but Scarlett stopped her.
"No Bonnie, stay. I'm so sorry that I haven't been giving you enough attention. I'll make it up to you. What would you like to do?" Scarlett asked sincerely.
Bonnie noticed the change in her mother. "I hope you stay like this mommy." Scarlett smiled down at her daughter.
"I will darling."
Scarlett hears footsteps coming up the stairs and immediately recognizes them as Rhett's. Scarlett smiled. Rhett enters the room with a tray of food. "Oh, I didn't realize that you were awake already."
Bonnie jumps off of the bed and runs to her father. "Daddy." she yells as she hugs his legs. "May I eat with you and mommy?"
"Of course," Scarlett answered from her bed. "Oh, Rhett would you please go get some food for Bonnie?"
"Yes, my dear. Anything for my two girls." Rhett grinned as he turned and set the tray on Scarlett's dresser then walked out the door again. He loved to pamper the ones he loved.
When Rhett returned, Bonnie was back on Scarlett's bed, talking animatedly about her pony, with Scarlett saying, "oh my," at the right intervals. Rhett walked toward the bed and set a tray in front of Bonnie.
"Thank you, daddy."
"You're welcome, Bonnie Blue. Now be careful not to spill anything," he said with a wink. Rhett then retrieved his and Scarlett's lunch from the dresser and set in in front of her. Rhett picked up his own plate and glass and sat in a chair beside the bed. "So what were you two so excited about?"
"Bonnie was telling me all about her pony." Scarlett replied.
"I love my pony daddy, but I want a real horse. Something big! I'm getting so bored with the pony. He's no fun to ride anymore."
Scarlett immediately thought of her father. "No, Bonnie." She said quickly. You're too young for a horse. You'll need to wait until you're bigger."
"Daddy?"
Scarlett gave Rhett a stern looking that told him not to contradict her. "Your mother is right Bonnie Blue, but when you get big enough, I'll buy you the best horse I can find."
This satisfied Bonnie, because now she knew that she would get a wonderful horse someday.
The three continued to talk as they ate their lunch. Bonnie left the room after she had finished, allowing Scarlett and Rhett some time to themselves.
"Can you tell me where you went, now?" Scarlett asked Rhett. In response he pulled a pair of emerald ear bobs that matched her dress perfectly out of his pocket. "Oh, Rhett. They're beautiful."
"That's not all, Scarlett."
"You got me more?"
Rhett chuckled. "No more jewelry, my pet, but I did stop to talk to Dr. Meade while I was out. I thought you might like to hear what we discussed."
Scarlett gasped. "What did he say?"
"He doesn't see any reason for you not to have another child." Scarlett smiled. "But he said you wouldn't have as easy a time as you have in the past. You would have to stay rested. That means no managing any companies or running around town."
"Oh, but Rhett.." Scarlett began to say.
"No, Scarlett, if you want to get pregnant, then you have to be safe. I don't want to lose you. So which is it?"
"If I become pregnant, I'll be careful, Rhett. But I want you to keep me entertained."
Rhett laughed heartily, "Yes, of course my pet. Now, I must go take care of some business around the house. I'll send Mammy up to help you get ready in about an hour." With that Rhett kissed Scarlett on her forehead and left the room.
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A/N Hey everyone. I decided that since this chapter was taking me so long to write, I would go ahead and post it. So there will be at least one more chapter after this one. I just kept thinking of scenes I wanted to include before I finish up. Thank you to everyone for reading. Please give me some critical reviews. Thanks so much. (
Also, I finished all my exams so I should be able to post the last chapter pretty quickly. Again, please review for me.
"Hello mother," said Bonnie. The other two children were shocked and their faces showed it. They rarely got to see their mother.
"Good morning children. Did you all sleep well?" Scarlett wasn't sure how to act around her children. Being a mother hadn't come naturally to her, like it did other women.
Bonnie and Wade both told her that they had wonderful nights' sleeps, but Ella sat quietly while her mother spoke to her siblings. Scarlett noticed this, so after they had all finished eating, she asked Ella to take a walk with her. Because Scarlett was still weak, they couldn't walk for long, so they sat under a tree that was in the back yard. "What's bothering you, darling?"
Ella began to cry from her emotions. "I've been having nightmares. I can't sleep, mother."
"How long have you been having nightmares Ella?"
"Ever since you got sick. I'm so afraid that you're going to die mother. I've already lost daddy. I don't want to lose you too."
"Oh Ella, you aren't going to lose me any time soon. I am extremely stubborn and I'm not ready to leave this world yet. You don't need to worry about that. I won't give up so easily. Next time you have a nightmare, come tell me. Any time."
Ella wasn't sure how to react. Her mother had never treated her in this protective manner before. She simply said, "Thank you," and walked away. Ella had been neglected by her mother for so long that she didn't know what else to do.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Rhett found Scarlett still sitting under the same tree later that morning. "What are you doing out here my pet?"
"Hmm?" Scarlett said distractedly.
"I asked what you were doing out here. I've been looking all over for you Scarlett. I was beginning to get worried. What were you thinking about that had you so distracted?"
"I think we should move."
"What?" Rhett asked, taken completely off guard.
"Do you realize that I don't even know my own children? And this house, I walked through the entire thing and it is so dreary. Not to mention that it's too big. Why didn't you ever tell me before Rhett? This place is hideous."
"Well, my pet, I won't argue with you about the house, but you can easily get to know the children. Now, if we leave, where do you suggest we go?"
"Oh, I don't know, Rhett. I just think we all need out of this house. We need a new beginning."
"Yes darling, I believe that you are right. Right now, I have some errands to run, so we will discuss this later. I'll be back for lunch. Why don't you go take a nap?"
"Rhett, it's still the morning. Why it can't be past ten o'clock! Why on earth would I want to go back to bed?"
"Oh Scarlett, this is a big day. You'll thank me later when you are on the dance floor." Seeing that he had convinced her, Rhett continued, "I'll bring you lunch when I get back." Rhett began to leave the yard, but Scarlett called after him.
"Rhett, where do you have to go?"
"It's a surprise darling."
Rhett didn't want Scarlett to know that he was going to speak with Dr. Meade. If he received bad news, he didn't want Scarlett to find out until after the ball.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Rhett knocked on Dr. Meade's front door. Mrs. Meade answered the door and was shocked to see Rhett on the stoop. "Captain Butler. Is there something that I can do for you?" She asked curtly. Mrs. Meade did not want to invite Rhett into her home.
"Thank you Mrs. Meade. I need to speak with your husband please."
"I'm sorry, he's a very busy man. It is important?"
Dr. Meade walked up behind his wife and said, "Rebecca, let the man in. I have plenty of time to spare." The doctor was extremely upset with his wife for not being able to see past the rumors about Captain Butler. He felt that he owed his freedom to Rhett, and he couldn't deny that he had misjudged the captain. Now that he saw who Rhett really was, he hated to watch the way people treated him and his wife.
"Thank you Dr. Meade. I have some questions for you." Rhett said as Mrs. Meade let him into the sitting room. The two men sat down. Rhett looked expectantly toward Mrs. Meade, waiting for her to departure. When she did not, he said, "I'm sorry Mrs. Meade, but my questions are of a private nature."
'Of all the nerve!' She said to herself, while out loud she said, "Of course Captain Butler. I'm so sorry." Mrs. Meade exited the room, but stayed where she could hear the conversation that was about to take place.
"Dr. Meade, I wanted to speak to you about the possibility of Scarlett and I having another child. I was wondering if would be safe for her."
"There is some risk to her health because of the miscarriage, but Scarlett never had the slightest bit of trouble in the past. I won't lie to you. Your wife has a much greater chance of something going wrong now, but she is a strong woman. Am I wrong in assuming that once Scarlett decides she wants something, she finds a way to get it?"
"No, you're not wrong."
"Then I will say that I have no substantial reason to stop her from having a child. It has been my experience that when a woman wants a child, she will take all the risks necessary. I believe that Scarlett is strong enough to handle another pregnancy with the odds in her favor."
"Is there anything we can do to make it less dangerous?"
"Just make sure that Scarlett rests and doesn't become too active if she becomes pregnant. I know that she doesn't like to be confined and gets bored easily. She won't be able to run around like she used to."
"Well, thank you so much Dr. Meade. I'm sorry that I visited you at home without any warning, but I needed to find out.."
"Don't worry about it Rhett. I understand. I truly hope that everything works out. It's never easy to watch a woman go through what your wife did. I'll be here to help if any problems should happen to arise."
Rhett stood up. "Thank you again doctor. I'll see you at the ball this evening."
As Mrs. Meade heard Rhett walking towards her, she quietly snuck out of view. 'I can't believe that Scarlett O'Hara actually wants a child. She doesn't even pay attention to the ones she already has. How can she handle another one? Oh, I can't wait to tell the girls about this.'
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Scarlett has gone to her room as Rhett had asked her to, but she cannot sleep. She is too excited about the ball that she will be attending in just a few short hours. Because she cannot sleep, Scarlett lets her mind wander as she lies in bed.
They were dancing on a sparkling floor, the only two people in a large room. Rhett gazed down at her as she rested her head on his shoulder. Scarlett felt his eyes on her and looked up to meet his waiting stare. Their eyes connected and time seemed to stop. Scarlett breathing became shallow in anticipation. She had seen that look in his eye before. It was the look he always gave her right before he kissed her.
"Mommy?" Scarlett heard from a far off voice.
"Mommy." Scarlett opened her eyes as she felt a pressure on her arm.
"Bonnie, darling, what are you doing in here?" Scarlett was surprised. Bonnie rarely entered her room.
"You and daddy never play with me anymore. Since you are getting better, I thought I.. I'm sorry mommy. I can go if you want." Bonnie began to climb off the bed but Scarlett stopped her.
"No Bonnie, stay. I'm so sorry that I haven't been giving you enough attention. I'll make it up to you. What would you like to do?" Scarlett asked sincerely.
Bonnie noticed the change in her mother. "I hope you stay like this mommy." Scarlett smiled down at her daughter.
"I will darling."
Scarlett hears footsteps coming up the stairs and immediately recognizes them as Rhett's. Scarlett smiled. Rhett enters the room with a tray of food. "Oh, I didn't realize that you were awake already."
Bonnie jumps off of the bed and runs to her father. "Daddy." she yells as she hugs his legs. "May I eat with you and mommy?"
"Of course," Scarlett answered from her bed. "Oh, Rhett would you please go get some food for Bonnie?"
"Yes, my dear. Anything for my two girls." Rhett grinned as he turned and set the tray on Scarlett's dresser then walked out the door again. He loved to pamper the ones he loved.
When Rhett returned, Bonnie was back on Scarlett's bed, talking animatedly about her pony, with Scarlett saying, "oh my," at the right intervals. Rhett walked toward the bed and set a tray in front of Bonnie.
"Thank you, daddy."
"You're welcome, Bonnie Blue. Now be careful not to spill anything," he said with a wink. Rhett then retrieved his and Scarlett's lunch from the dresser and set in in front of her. Rhett picked up his own plate and glass and sat in a chair beside the bed. "So what were you two so excited about?"
"Bonnie was telling me all about her pony." Scarlett replied.
"I love my pony daddy, but I want a real horse. Something big! I'm getting so bored with the pony. He's no fun to ride anymore."
Scarlett immediately thought of her father. "No, Bonnie." She said quickly. You're too young for a horse. You'll need to wait until you're bigger."
"Daddy?"
Scarlett gave Rhett a stern looking that told him not to contradict her. "Your mother is right Bonnie Blue, but when you get big enough, I'll buy you the best horse I can find."
This satisfied Bonnie, because now she knew that she would get a wonderful horse someday.
The three continued to talk as they ate their lunch. Bonnie left the room after she had finished, allowing Scarlett and Rhett some time to themselves.
"Can you tell me where you went, now?" Scarlett asked Rhett. In response he pulled a pair of emerald ear bobs that matched her dress perfectly out of his pocket. "Oh, Rhett. They're beautiful."
"That's not all, Scarlett."
"You got me more?"
Rhett chuckled. "No more jewelry, my pet, but I did stop to talk to Dr. Meade while I was out. I thought you might like to hear what we discussed."
Scarlett gasped. "What did he say?"
"He doesn't see any reason for you not to have another child." Scarlett smiled. "But he said you wouldn't have as easy a time as you have in the past. You would have to stay rested. That means no managing any companies or running around town."
"Oh, but Rhett.." Scarlett began to say.
"No, Scarlett, if you want to get pregnant, then you have to be safe. I don't want to lose you. So which is it?"
"If I become pregnant, I'll be careful, Rhett. But I want you to keep me entertained."
Rhett laughed heartily, "Yes, of course my pet. Now, I must go take care of some business around the house. I'll send Mammy up to help you get ready in about an hour." With that Rhett kissed Scarlett on her forehead and left the room.
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A/N Hey everyone. I decided that since this chapter was taking me so long to write, I would go ahead and post it. So there will be at least one more chapter after this one. I just kept thinking of scenes I wanted to include before I finish up. Thank you to everyone for reading. Please give me some critical reviews. Thanks so much. (
Also, I finished all my exams so I should be able to post the last chapter pretty quickly. Again, please review for me.