A new life in a better way by Soña Binzarmet
Chapter 6: Scarlett, Rhett, Wade and Ella.
I do not own all Gwtw and Scarlett characters; they belong to Margaret Mitchell and Alexandra Ripley.
Let's go on with the story.
"It's so sad, the party is over now!" groaned Susie and Martha.
"Yes I know darlings but it couldn't be eternal." said Will.
"Your father has true, girls. Now, time to go to bed." concluded Suellen.
Cat and Jane, already were to dreams country.
Indeed they were too tired to sit up late after the dinner.
Precislely, after the dinner the adults and the two teenagers had decided to play cards.
So, they wanted to be free to not look after the children for the evening.
The little Benteen girls obeyed silently and after wished a good night to everybody.
The little family had exchanging presents after the guests left the receptions.
All loved each of them and especially an enchanted Cat about having a new doll Carol to keep Sally company.
It was a fun cards party. Rhett and Scarlett lost 2 at 1.
"Poker never been my favourite game." sighed Scarlett.
"Of course, my pet. You prefer whist!" joked Rhett.
"Scarlett, you could be more fair play!" said an amused Rhett.
"But I'm fair play! I'm happy they won.....for once."
Suellen burst out on laughing.
"Scarlett, we know you perfectly. It's impossible you're happy to lose!"
"Yes you're true so I stop to play this game saying you win just because Will
and you were full of luck."
Suellen hadn't stopped her laugh but was able to articulate something to her older sister.
"I never could believe I will say I miss you one day Scarlett but I do it mow."
Scarlett got up out of her chair to go to kiss her sister.
"I was unable to understand that I missed you too before I hear this delicious criticize of myself!"
"Good to see you at home, sister."
"Yes, here are your strong. Same if you not live in Tara, you must always come back here to
look for news idea. So Tara is your home too." said Careen who was knitted for her Orders.
"That is very nice, little sisters darlings, Tara may be my refuge but my home is where my family is!"
Will smiled.
Rhett, Wade and Ella eared Scarlett words with round eyes.
Rhett got to be use and charmed in Scarlett's new attitude but this time it was different.
The first time, she made knew it in front of people.
Ella sat up on Scarlett's laps giving her a big hug.
Wade and Ella replaced Scarlett and Rhett to play cards.
The rules of the game wanted that the loser team gave up from profit to the "waiting team".
Ella during her brother and her waiting couldn't stop make fingers movement with her two hands.
First, middle finger, then forefinger then third finger and to finish the thumb.
Rhett wondered what it could signify but he sonly guessed that she just got bored and couldn't wait to play.
But that was the only way Suellen had find to make play an odd number of team.
During it Ella announced she wanted absolutely win her Aunt.
Later in the party, it was Wade who announced he was invited in Andromeda's home tomorrow at twelve
for lunch. He asked if his parents agreed and of course they gave him permission.
For the anecdote, Ella Lorena wish was grant. Ella and Wade team won 2 at 1 too.
"Ella, you're caring about I made Cat sleeping with you since your departure." said Suellen with a false
honeyed sound of voice.
"You know very well the answer Aunt Suellen. Sleeping alone or with my sister is the same to me."
The girl perfectly knew that her Aunt didn't like her very much.
For sure, Susie was perfect whereas she was full of defaults.
And for this, she had right to take the free room, her own room.
It was yet late and yet time to go to sleep and the family went upstairs.
Scarlett accompanied Ella like this she was able to verify if Cat was still sleeping.
Silently, she helped her older daughter to retire her new dress party.
When Ella was in shimmy, her mother brushed her long clear brown hair which was gleaming.
"Do you hear that Momma!"
"Yes, your little sister is snoring. Normally, she didn't except when she's very tired.
And we can guess that a so long journey is very gruelling same for adults so for a child of 5...."
"Yes I imagine."
"You're older than Susie; you should have the free room.
In more, it was my room when I was younger. And Wade must sleep in a camp bed..."
"That is because Aunt Careen is here and so she takes the little room in the granary.
I'm sure is ok in the kitchen near the chummy. And myself I prefer share my bed with Cat than with
Martha or Jane. Both pick up all the coverage for themselves."
And concerning coverage, Ella, put in hers, warmly installed by her mother.
"Momma, how did you guess I wanted to have the other room?"
"It's clear to me as a nose in the middle of a face. Auntie and you don't get on well with each other.
Am I wrong supposing this my sweetheart?"
Scarlett was tenderly whispered at Ella Lorena's ears in order to not wake up Cat and to put her
older daughter in a confidence attitude.
"Well, your partly right momma."
"Please pursue, angel. Henceforth, you must know you can speak to me in total safety and privacy."
"It's about a thing I heard Aunt Suellen say about you, Wade and me."
"I'm listening precious, what she had said exactly?"
"I was coming back from a promenade with the dogs so I've just heard just a few bribe of the conversation to Aunt Sue and Uncle Will."
"So?" said an intrigued Scarlett who wanted nothing more than to encourage Ella's confidence.
"She was saying why you couldn't take Wade and me and goes to the devil for good.
She was telling too how you pleased to be an awful mother that you didn't care of everything except money.
It was just before you visit us. Momma, is it all that true?"
"Ella, by all things I want to tell you how much I'm glad you succeeded to speak to me about that.
I'm so sorry you heard this talk and I can assure you that you Aunt had terribly wrong.
I admit that I'm not the best of the mother in the world but it's more a shame to me than a pleasure.
It's not your fault but in the major party mine. I was too self centred and busy to win money to live.
But I think so if some events like this stupid war, your sister and aunt Departure, hum well our break with
Rhett and my runaway in Ireland, we could be close earlier. Now, I'm back and be close of my 3 kids is my absolute priority.
Can you forgive me and give your agreement for a start in an open mother and daughter relationship?"
"Of course, you have my agreement. You're not the monster Suellen had described. Same cause of personal
questions, you couldn't take care of Wade and me, you always see at someone to delegate our raising.
Mammy and Melanie and when she left, you bring us to Tara, your home. See, you didn't give up us totally.
You perfectly knew, we're safe and well treated.
"Maybe you're right Ella but all that is not sufficient. The events happening in my life are not a valid excuse.
Be sure I love you Ella and don't bear Suellen a grudge. She and I improved in our relationship so she may change
of opinion about my maternal feeling."
"Yes, I see it tonight" said Ella.
"Is it because you're heard that you refused to come with me when my visit was over?"
"Yes, momma. Honestly, I was thinking you didn't want us in your life for the moment."
Scarlett was hurt to hear that, realizing again her wrongs but in the same time she was happy of her daughter frankness.
Yet a little woman! Now it was her turn to be honest with her.
"When I came in Tara, it wasn't just a simple visit. I hoped with all my heart and soul to bring us with me.
But you was if distant and your brother was so involved with Tara that I judged better for you to stay far away of me.
In a place you loved somewhat with a mother who loved but you were afraid to stay with."
"Mother, that was a terrible misunderstanding. I wanted to go with you but you never ask. For sure I was distant but
It was because I saw you were too tired and I didn't want disturbing you."
"Ella Lorena Kennedy, you never disturb me. I'm your mother and again you can count on me now.
Promise me, it will always been a dialogue between us. Thank you for doing this first step.
I already so guilty to have not asked you to go with me. You're so kind, brave and generous. Again I love you."
"It's all right. That the past now. Only present count. You may not the perfect mother in instant but your look very good to become it! Look, you're so good with Cat."
"Oh, thank you so much darling. Can you promise too you will not be jealous of Cat because I was a better mother at her birth since yours?"
"It's absolutely out of question we jealous Cat. She's so pretty... except when she made this background noise!"
The slow flow on mother and daughter sounds changing into suffocating laughs.
"Thanks again for understanding that I want my family together and unified."
"You're welcome momma. I want the same. I love you too"
Scarlett got ready to stock up Ella coverage but the teenager wished to speak again at her mother.
"Momma: Daddy....."
"Do you want me speak you about your father Frank?"
"No, momma. I already know all I want about my father. When Uncle Will, Wade and me went to Atlanta during a few days
, the "female pincher cheeks club" didn't stop to tell me about him. It sad I don't remember him but I decide since your letter to live from the best. I have always considered Uncle Rhett as my own father since I was little girl. He's my Dad."
"So I perfectly understand your joy when he asked you if you wanted to call him Daddy. What's about Rhett?"
Scarlett was surprised about how her older daughter inherited from her common and humour senses.
"Can you tell him I want to see him tomorrow morning? I've have something to ask him."
"Can I know what it is?"
"If you want but only if you don't say it to him before me."
"You're my word Ella!"
The slender teenager come near more of her mother and whispered her idea to her.
Patiently, she listened her daughter speaking of her desire, surprise and happy. At the end Scarlett noted saying:
"You must discuss it with him. I'm sure he will not see any inconvenient at your request and so do I."
"Ok, we'll think about that tomorrow. I have just to tell you how much is good to see you so bloom with a light up face.
Mother and daughter exchanging civilities of good night, then Ella began to yawn and quickly fall asleep.
The green eyed woman stayed again a few moments contemplated her daughters sleeping.
Now, she has just blow on the candle in order to put out the flame on it.
"Bye, flowers. Have sweet dreams." whispered Scarlett, kissing Cat and Ella on their forehead.
It was dark but in was so luminous in Scarlett soul and heart.
After a so important conversation with Ella, she needed some coffee so she went to the kitchen.
"The girls succeed to sleep after having so much fun in the party?" asked Rhett.
"Yes, Rhett. They have much fun but they were too very tired."
"I suppose you're coming here to have some coffee?"
"Yes, I just have a talk with Ella and I need to recover my head!"
"How was it?"
"Better couldn't be. It was so tender and moving. She's so a great girl. I'm so lucky to have her."
"I'm happy hearing that. Haven't I said you new natures will conquest your older children?"
"Yes and you had true, like usually my love. By the way Ella asked me if she can speak privately to you tomorrow. "
"Of course, she can. Do you know what is it?"
"Yes, but I give my word I won't tell you about the subject before she did so I'm mute about it.
But don't worry, you'll love what she has to say, darling.
"So I better bet about good news than bad ones. Mrs Butler, I'm burning of curiosity and excitement!"
The last flames in the chummy crackled slowly to change in ashes. Rhett and Scarlett were the one again awake.
They decided to go to sleep, astonished and tired by the memorable day they just lived.
Tomorrow was time of the return to reality especially for the two Tara's servants cleaning now all the house.
Her breakfast swallowed and still in shimmy and pink dressing gown, Ella bustled about finding Rhett.
He was in his room, trying to thread his tie.
The man smiled apperceiving the young girl.
"Ella, your mother told me than you wanted see me privately. We are alone so you can do proceed."
"Well, first it was to tell you I'm glad you ask us if we wanted to call you Dad. I always wanted say it but never dare."
"Well, I think I should ask it before, princess."
"Well I call you like I always feel and that is the essential."
"Thanks you very much young Miss Kennedy."
"That is precisely the second and last point of what I wanted to talk with you. I'm not feeling I belong to the Kennedy family same my same if my father looked into a nice gentleman but yours. I really don't know if it possible but I wondered with your blessing how doing to change my family name into Butler. I desire to be calling Ella Lorena. Kay. O'Hara Butler.
I need made known this official. Do you understand?"
"Ella, do you realize what that is really meaning?"
He was so honoured and joyful of Ella's request that he wanted to scream at the whole word he officially has another daughter.
"Yes, it implies that you be as my father, thing you do since my birth with in more the law on your side."
The maturity of the 12 years old teenagers imprisoned him so strong and so much.
"Ella, you're not asking me a service but whereas doing me an immense favour and privilege. I accept it with joy."
He was so move. Quickly he put his amples hands behind the small Ella's back, holding her.
He couldn't stop to repeat how much he was touching before recover his spirit.
"Ella, can you help your father to resolve the thorny problem of tie knot?"
"Of course Daddy!" assured Ella having yet knotting the blue tie of Rhett.
"Daughter, I'll do prepare the papers necessary. You'll become soon Miss Butler and in a few time I'll be the proudest man drowning you in a beautiful white dress thought the aisle of the church."
He doped his brown eyes in the greys ones of Ella's. He loved her so much.
He also remembered this afternoon of December when he visited Scarlett sat down in a chair in the veranda of Pittypat Hamilton, lulling the little baby, the child playing dolls with Bonnie in the nursery. And in front of him it was a young girl keeping a glimmering smile to him. "Do you want to be my Pa?" signified the talk, of course he wanted.
He was touching as much when he discovered Cat's existence.
He kissed her a last time before saying he must leave her now because he had planned to spend the day in Jonesboro for business. She smiled and went in her own room to put the clothes her parents and sisters bring to her from Ireland.
Since the upstairs corridor she made a sign at her mother to warn her Rhett was agree.
Scarlett smiled if it was really what Ella Lorena wanted, she wanted it too.
In more, it wasn't a betrayal against Franck to keep her daughter happy.
The last night Rhett had asked permission to Will to borrow one horse in Tara's stables to run to Jonesboro.
The man was agreeing.
At Tara's to go to the stables, we must pass by the henhouse.
"Wade Hampton;, it's a real great work you do here!" exclaimed Rhett enthusiast and admiring.
"Well, thank you!"
The girder looked better after Wade had polished them.
"Will, don't help you to do this?"
"He will join me in a second; he took the plow to drive Momma, Cat, Aunt Suellen and the girls at the cemetery.
"I see son, I hadn't see you much yesterday at the party. I want to tell you, you look into a great young man. I'm proud of you.
Wade turned as red as a tomato, saying him thanks for the compliment.
"Hum and what about this pretty young lady Andromeda. I think she seems wonderful.
"Daddy, how did you guess she is my girlfriend?"
"Son, it's almost writing on both of your face!"
"So much?"
"Yes, so much. I don't blame you at all for this Wade. I don't understand why you're hiding like that."
"Well, because our story is our own business and we need our privacy. It's too for not hearing Susie, Martha and Jane mockeries about it. They're so keen on about gossip."
"I understand very well." assured Rhett.
"If you have something to confide I will always be there for you. Women are from changeable temperament!"
The both laughed.
"That's nice but Andromeda is not like others. She's very special to me and she's my soul mate. Almost like you and Momma are now. We're so accomplice with each other that I can't support to not see her everyday."
"I'm glad your story procures all the happiness you merit and I hope it'll grow up faster again. I love you son."
"I love you too Dad. Thank to be here for us now."
"Wade, you're turned into an amazing young man. I'm proud of you as my own son. "
"But I' am your son, except this last 4 years, It you who raise me, you who was always near me. If Aunt Melly wasn't so important with momma in my life, I will do like Ella, take Butler as my name but I'm the last of Hamilton's family and Antie would her name to be perpetuate. " The moustached man assured him unsterstood.
"Wade Hampton, can you assure me same if you are now a handsome young man you're too and still my little boy who suffocated taking a glass of wine. Wade did a pout so similar at Scarlett that Rhett turned into burst laughter.
"Why do you need to remember my childish blunder and especially the moment I'm uncomfortable with!" he exclaimed.
How could Rhett forget their little talk the day of Bonnie Blue's birth?
"I don't know, you were so cute this day. But I'm sure you prefer Andromeda tell you this than I. Am I wrong?"
"Ella bustled about scream my secret in the whole word. She desire to be pianist but she will become international professional gossiper. Dad again, I'm overjoyed you're back. I love you."
"Me too, son."
Rhett smiled moved and happy. Well he wasn't very sure to merit Wade and Ella's feelings
Will just arrived and helped Wade in his work.
As he had planned, Rhett took Simpson, the stallion of Wade and went to Jonesboro.
The teenager pursued his work because he had to finish it before to go to lunch in his "beloved's" home.
The cemetery of Tara's occupants was in the fields of the past plantation on the summit of a typical red Georgian hill.
"Ellen Camilla Robillard O'Hara" "Gerald Kevin O'Hara" three times "Gerald Kevin O'Hara Jr" and "Mammy".
Suellen, Scarllet, Cat, Susie, Martha and Jane were on laps, putting delicately the flowers they had previously gathered in the wood. Cat couldn't believe that here were her Mother's parents, her own grandparents.
They made a silent but intense prayer for them.
"Pa, Mother: I'm sure will be happy to see me so lucky and bless. I miss and I love you. I wished you could know your whole grandchildren. As last, I suppose we know Bonnie, taking care of her too. I'm so happy now; you definitely can rest in peace. Your southern girl turned into a gratify woman."
Ten minutes after the prayer ending Suellen Beenten announced she must prepare the lunch and so it was time to come back at home.
At Tara's, Will and Wade announced that the henhouse was now repaired. Then, the young boy fussed about going to see Andromeda.
Suellen cooked a salad and Scarlett helped Lutie to dress the table.
During the afternoon, all went in the only hotel of Clayton's county which was placed near the anterior McIntosh plantation.
They wanted to pay a visit at the family which was leaving tomorrow morning by the train of 6.am.
The snack was delicious; it was composed of cakes and tea.
They were back in Tara's around 5.pm.
They wanted Wade at last returned from the neighbourly Kilevan house.
He looked so pale and sad that her mother guessed in an instinctive way something going wrong.
It was certain he was near to cry or and howl but was too pride to do it that Scarlett asked it about going in walk around Tara's land.
He finally agreed.
Silent was their conversation since they arrived far away of the house at the old and big Tara's Oak near the little river.
Since this place it was possible to see the beloved refuge of Scarlett.
"Wade darling, what the problem is. Can I help you?"
He swallowed a sob for saying the matter at his mother.
"Mr Kilevan is transferred to Alabama and his family must follow him. They will leave just after the New Year. He only said.
"Honey, I'm so sorry. Don't worries we will find a way to permit you see Andromeda as often it will be possible."
"It will be not the same and in Alabama she could meet another boy and totally forget about me."
"Stop be ridiculous, if she really has feelings for you, she will always keep in touch with you like you will if you really care her."
"Yes, I love her Mother."
She could understand very well Wade's pain because she knew how it was to be separate of the person you love more than everything.
"Listen to me, it maybe will be hard to not see her everyday but it's not the end of the world. Rhett and I will fix in Tara's since 1881 like this you will spend all the time you want with her. Look at me, I'm the right example to say we always coming back near the people we love. Let's 3 or 4 years passed and then around your 19 or 20, she will be able to take her decision and perhaps she will decide to join you. So you could be engaged and then be married. You must let time to time, son.
He smiled signified to her mother he agreed. He never though she was so affable and understanding. He was quite happy. To discover her on her new and best day. If one day we have told him is mother will be worry about his love chagrin, he probably never believes this people. Scarlett was pain for her son and wanted to help him. He was so badly romantic that his father Charles.
"Wade, to my mind you're again too young to plan and organise Andromeda's removal. In a few years, she'll join you and I will be glad to welcome her in the family as bride in your wedding, as daughter in low and the mother of my future grandchildren. I'm sure she loves you and that she always will. You will find again and you'll always keep in touch during she'll be in Alabama. If you really love her 3 or 4 years later never can change what you have pan for both of you."
"Thank momma, I feel much better now." he noticed at himself.
She looked at his son right his in brown eyes, proud of her older progeny.
"Momma, what are you looking like this?" he asked.
"You" she simply said before pursued.
"You're grown up so fast; I was remembering you when you were just a little boy when we lived in Atlanta with Melanie during the Secession war.
"Yes, I was really an awful little boy. I couldn't stop clutch at your dress, all noise scared me."
"Wade Hampton, it was not your fault; I remembered this period very well. The little boy near my tail hadn't nothing awful. The matter was his mother was such a child and so scary herself that she couldn't comfort him. But I'm able now.
"I see momma. It good sees you so radiant."
He hesitated a few moments before asking:
"So momma, you don't regret to give birth to Ella and me?"
"I swear not for only a second. But it's true that I would prefer gave birth to you later. Thus, I will be better mother for you. Which mother wouldn't want to have so charming children? I couldn't realise it before but since all this long years you were my strong. You, when Tara was nearly destroy and we must be content to eat the yams of the garden. Ella came to add at mpy strong during the reconstruction period. Bonnie was a gift for me too as yours. When she gone, I don't know what I were able to do if I haven't got you and your sister same if I send you far away of my problems and my depress state."
For the first time he was able to understand her mother. She was so strong, always reacting, a model. He will do the same when Andromeda will move to Alabama. He tell her his own feeling, that he discovered with pleasure that in fact his so strog mother was a hard face with a tender heart. If he had known, she will never need to fight alone, he could help her.
She smiled at Wade's right analysis, listening to him speaking how much he was worried at Bonnie birth, explaining the little runaway he did from Pittypat's home to see her because he was sure she will be dying, the period of doubt hiding behind the upstairs. The first and last time Melanie grumbled at him and his scared of she left when she had the miscarriage and then fallen ill. Scarlett was so happy of Wade's speech. Her children finally came back at her. She loved them so much.
With the runaway, she was surprise to discover in Wade a rebel side as much as herself. She was proud.
She suddenly took a look at the nature which was near her and her son. But this place reminded something important to her. Yes, it's here, on this hill, her father has tried to comfort her when she had leant by the Tarleton's twins Ashley will marry Melanie and not hers. Oh my God, she's so foolish and idiot at this time. Fortunately, things had changed, developed.
"Momma, what matters when can we except when yours excepting gone is ashes with the wind."
"I suppose it's an allusion about Andromeda and you. In my own case, I had you but another thing I refuge when it's bad in my life and I had the impression that I was like sank. Sentence, my father told here one day.
"What is it? I think I need it cause for the moment I don't care anything it is."
"Really, Wade Hampton? Do you want to tell that me that Tara doesn't mean anything to you? I doubt of it, son. You're more mature than me at your age. During this four year, you have learnt the love of the earth. Don't you? Let me tell you that the earth is the only thing that matters, the only thing worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for because it's the only thing we got at last, the only thing who say when we gone."
He smiled, totally agree with her mother had just say about the love of the earth. He loved his family, Tara and Andromeda by all things.
The sun began to go to sleep, his lay down was beautiful. From the red sky, we could observe two shadows looked quietly the big green shutter. The warm shelf of the sun soon is changed into lightly white stars.
Silently, mother and soon came back for dinner, admitting how much they counted for each other, how much they loved the other.
End of chapter 6. Well according to the author this chapter is the best for the moment.
I can't wait for more reviews. I hope you will enjoy this chapter as much as I do.
Always, tell me what you think. See you soon. Take care. With all my love: Soña.
Again dedicated to Maitane and Andrea.
For my reviewers:
Raicheal: thank to be the first to review. I'm glad your find my story good.
Lila: See, I go on, gives me of your news.
Mooselyn: two reviews for the prize of one: I feel you spoiled me. Great your love it.
You put doubt in my head about balloons, I promise I will inform about it.
Springver: I wanted my story fun and touching, I'm happy you read it on my way. Kiss.
My deep apology concerning English. I need your help to tell me the correct grammar.
But the essential isn't you were able to understand what I mean. Bye everybody!