A new life in a better way. By Soña Binzarmet.
Chapter 10: The Births.
I do not own all the Gwtw and Scarlett's characters that belong to Mrs Mitchell and Mrs Ripley.
Dedicate to Maitane and Andrea
Finally, the Butler family were installed in their new home they choose to call Dora as a shirt mix of Tara and Dunmore.
The incident with Dolly Merriweather was close because they decide purely to ignore it.
For the greatest joy of Wade Hamilton, the telephonic line was at least in the house.
Andromeda and he called each other almost everyday day around 6 pm o' clock.
We were now the 4th February 1881, 2.45 am (Pacific Standard Time lol).
"Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggggggggggggg" seemed sang the famous Graham Bell object.
Scarlett awaken, totally shocked wondered what it could be.
Rhett began only to emerge of his dream. The man, looking the revival grumbled it was a hard knock life.
On sure was certain, it didn't announce good new, unless...
Scarlett lifted the receiver, saying:
"Hullo, what's happening?"
"Scarlett? Ashley is speaking. Can you come right here? I think Harriett is just starting her labour and I'm completely panicking!"
Scarlett refrain from laugh, after all Ashley had never lived that before. He was enlist in the Confederate army when Beau born.
"Everything gonna be all right, everything gonna be okay. Just order to your servant to boil the water and find needle and threads. I come right now, don't worry and I will bring Dr Halifax with me. Keep clear, Ashley."
"All right, Scarlett. I want to apologize for waken you up so early."
"That nothing Ashley; except my obligation as future godmother if you hadn't forgotten."
Ashley burst out laughter; that was totally his little Scarlett.
"No Harriett and I hadn't forgot it." He simply said.
Then, he hanged up after had added he was waiting for her.
"Hum, said maliciously once more Rhett. Our dear new Mrs Wilkes is going to have her baby?"
"Yes, it seems so. I think I have to rescue our soon happy father more than the future mother."
"I won't let you go in buggy alone at 3 am. What about your reputation? (He smiled) I come with you."
Of course the reputation had nothing to do with it, it was just an ironical whim, and In fact it was for Scarlett safety.
So he quick change his night clothes into white trouser and a grey shirt in the folding screen.
Scarlett was yet with her common grey bloom dress and fixed her hair clash assorted.
They are no time to lose to permit her to make her impeccable coil of hair.
Luckily, Rhett and she had decided to spend a romantic evening alone in a restaurant of Atlanta.
So logically Magalia came to keep the children and the house and for once stay here to sleep. Scarlett couldn't be at ease if she were forced to let her progeny alone the whole night same if Wade and Ella claimed they were able to take care of the house alone without any nanny. Of course they were but Scarlett was more reassured. So we can say that the baby had very well chosen his moment to come. Yet as such great godchild!
Combot was sleeping peacefully in his little basket Rhett had bought for him, opening his right eyes then the other, the cat appeared estimate that all this agitation wasn't unworthy of interest and fall asleep again dreaming to kill the most enormous mouse of the world. It was his ultimate ambition and goal in life
"Come Rhett, I'm waiting for you." Said Scarlett slipped on her coat.
"Don't be so hurried. I'm sure your godchild will wait for you. He's Wilkes so a gentleman."
"Don't joke Rhett. And it is impossible to know yet if it's a boy or a girl."
He was content to smile at the love of his life, opening the door to her.
Scarlett and Rhett didn't change two words in the carriage but observing the starry and lightly star.
There is always the blue one with by her side now, one she never seen before luminous and white.
"I think Melly and Bonnie are here tonight to see Ashley's child." She though.
On the crossroad of Peachtree Street, they took Dr Alexander Halifax in their buggy.
It was strange but she believed in this story of "protective stars".
"Thank God, you're here!" exclaimed happily Ashley.
"We do as quick we had could do it explained Rhett."
"How many times?" asked directly Scarlett.
"What?" said Ashley.
"The contractions what else! How many space to rest between hers?"
"The narrowing began one hour and half ago and came back regularly around every thirty five minutes during four horrible and long minutes for my Harriett."
"Oh my God but it was just the beginning" though conjointly Rhett and Scarlett which were to polite to verbally express it in front of Ashley Wilkes. And so was thinking Alexander Halifax.
The man was indulgent about the future father, him, his wife Laundrette and their 2 children Xavier and Olivia had been involved with Alexander nocturnal outlet.
Gilda, the Wilkes servant were busy but find time to offer at Rhett a cup of coffee during Scarlett went upstairs with the doctor to see how Harriett was feeling .
In the corridor, Ashley paced up and down. After all wasn't it the use for the future fathers?
After he had drunk his black coffee, Rhett joined Ashley in the corridor.
For once, he feels indulgence for him. He looked so nervous.
Was now the perfect time for give him the cigars he had brought with them?
Gilda, the Wilkes servant was at search of some towels.
"Don't worry, Mr Wilkes, your wife is not the first who's give birth. It will be all right."
Ashley noticed with surprise that there no sound of saradonicism in his voice.
"I know it but I'm too worried. I've already lost a wife in childbirth and I don't want live that once more."
"I perfectly understand that Mr Wilkes. But Melanie told me once I was in a quite bad state that with child it was life renewing and when it's time to renew, dangers look very insignificant."
"Wise words." he said.
"Don't worry Mr Wilkes. Soon, you'll be father again and the nightmare of Melly's last pregnancy will be over.
I'm sure she won't want you to be sad instead you should be happy. I'm sure this time your wife and your child will live in perfect health."
"You're truth Rhett and same if we aren't the best friends of the world, I appreciate that you're actually try to comfort and relax me."
"I k now as you just said that we're not the best friend of the world but I already live your actual situation and I totally understand your feeling. Let me assure your fear will transform in a great joy when the baby will born."
"You may have truth Rhett, you may have." He whispered. "I hope God will listen to you."
"Waiting for the birth, let me offer you...some cigars of course!"
"Rhett Kinnicut Butler, you're impossible to live with. You're so a joker!"
"Bah I'm not so terrible but these Claytonian's county habitants haven't one bit a humour sense."
Ashley shook his head smiling a little now still persuading Rhett never change. Sometimes he was mocker and insolent but a perfect man of the world when he wished it."
"Hello Harriett darling, how do you feel? I come with the Dr Halifax."
"Oh my God, I can't believe Ashley had warned everybody so early, I think there is again for some hours."
"Is the contractions begun more closely and regularly?"
"Let me think, hum no I don't think so. Regularly, yes but it's not very close for now, doctor Halifax."
"What about the timing?" asked again middle age medicine practical.
Alexander Halifax was a man around forty four years and he had the succession of Doctor Sanford Meade when he died two years ago of a long and mysterious illness letting Atlanta in mourning as his wife Caroline alone in their big but empty home. Indeed their sons Darcy and Phil both dead during the war. The first was the older and he was killed during Gettysburg battle, the younger a few months after during an operation of the militia he belonged to. He just had 17 years old, Darcy had 21.
"Every Thirsty two minutes now. And still during 4 minutes and a few second."
"It is more and more close to, Mrs Wilkes but not enough. And I'm please to tell you that all the stapes of the delivery are developing logically and very well. It just risk to being long and I can't explain why because you're a perfectly health woman and again a time everything is all right."
"I know doctor. I was prepared about this eventuality not knowing why too. I will be strong, don't worry. Can you since the corridor and tell my husband that the processed follow goodly this way as you just said to me. But please don't tell him it going to be long. He's yet so worried for the child and me."
The doctor obeyed and went in the corridor interrupting Rhett and Ashley.
"What is the news?"asked anxiously Ashley.
"The processed take place little by little and all seems to be perfectly normal."
"Seems?" he murmured nervously.
"The birth is not planned about several hours. You're not very helpful and I advice you to take some rest."
"Sleeping instead my wife is in labour? I will never do such an inelegant thing like that."
"Harriett, how many times it was during for Billy?"
"Around seven or eight hours, I don't remember exactly. For sure, Daniel wasn't if caring and affective for me."
"And you don't have to be so centred about Ashley worries after all it you who will give birth."
Harriett smiled painfully. She had contractions but it stayed at the same level.
"He has already lived this and his has lost wife and child too early. It's normal he's worried but he had to put in head it will be fine this time."
"I'm sure my husband is helping him to fix the way you're saying in brain." assured Scarlett.
How Harriett and Ashley get on well along. They knew the other by heart. Almost like Melanie and Ashley, formerly and her and Rhett nowadays.
She was a little anxious too, she remembered the day of Beauregard birth, her panic and her inefficient same if at the end she had ordered Melly to push and finally had take the first the little baby boy in his arm.
She remembered too when Rhett had just left her, Ashley was so unable to do something cause of his sadness she had made the funeral organisation and for administration had declared on the same time the birth and the death of Ashley and Melanie baby girl for administration.
"What's was her name?" have said the mayoralty employer.
She didn't know it and didn't want to ask at the father for reopening him his big failure in his arms. So she had decided to choose herself the name.
"Angel Crystal Grace Wilkes."
So the new born but new death baby had been secretly buried in a place of Oakland cemetery only Scarlett knows.
She thought when it will be time; she'll show the emplacement to Ashley.
Halifax came back in the room saying to Mrs Butler that her husband desired to speak to her.
"Rhett, what's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong except the actually nervous future dad. I'm now helpless and I want to warm you I'm coming back home and wanted too your agreement to bring Beau and Billy at home with me tonight."
"You dam well know you don't need my agreement for that. My nephews at home never disturb me. I will transmit your request to Harriett. It's her agreement you we need in fact. On your side speak about that to Ashley."
"I will but Scarlett is Halifax had said something to Harriett he didn't repeat to her husband? It seems you're hiding something to Ashley. The doctor had said to him everything followed his way. So what's the matter?"
"He said the same to Harriett adding it risked to be long, nothing more!"
"Hum, a luck Ashley is still questioning the poor doctor. He's so anxious so it better he doesn't listen and know it. I suppose you will stay here for the night so."
"Of course Rhett."
He smiled, kissing his wife. The doctor came back in Harriett's room.
"I came back too Rhett like this I will be able to ask to Harriett and give you her answer."
"Harriett, Rhett is in the corridor, he will soon come back home and make me ask you if he can bring Beau and Billy for the rest of the night in our home. Like this, you will be able to scream as usually you want. You'll not wake up them and worried them either, she added after a few time of silence."
Noticing, the woman gave her agreement saying to Scarlett she must thank Rhett for the idea from her part."
"Rhett, Harriett is thanking and approving you. I'm coming back in the room just wait Gilda wake up the boys and the three will be able to go. Good night my love."
"Yes, the same to you. I wish you'll have pleasant night."
"Pleasant? Well maybe but the appropriate term is sleepless." She smiled of Rhett joke.
"What are you talking about Seattle?" said suddently Gilda passing in the corridor with the oil watter and then entering in the room.
Rhett and Scarlett looked at her stupefied.
"Oh, that's noting house except our dear Gilda. She understand everything with half or wrong way but she's a really nice person assured Wilkes."
"Sleepless night in Seattle, a poetic sentence isn't it?" said a laughing Rhett.
Author's note: This is a pathetic game word I know but I don't know why I wanted absolutely include it. Maybe it's because I love this movie.)
Excuse for it."
Now Gilda reappearing in the woody corridor and Ashley ordered her to wake up the boys saying to them they will spend the night in the Butler's home and nothing more and particularly not about Harriett's situation.
Looking first Rhett to wish him a good night again, then Ashley to supporting him morally, Scarlett re-entering in Harriett's room.
"What's happen? Why nobody want to tell us about Mommy and Daddy? You worried me!" exclaimed the young Billy in the carriage with his Uncle and his brother."
"Don't worry, Billy retorted Beau, your mother is just a little tired so she send us in Uncle Rhett and Auntie Scarlett's home in order to take some rest."
"Is she tired because of the baby?" asked again Billy.
"Yes and the baby will be here when Beau and you will come back in your home."
Beau wasn't an idiot and knew perfectly that the labour had begun. As his father and everyone, he hoped it will be all right for Harriett.
Rhett invited them to enter in the guest room, be assured they was comfortably installed and once it done, let them in the dark for they can sleep.
"Beau, I don't want Momma died."
"It won't happen; she's just giving birth to our new brother and sister."
"I'm impatient to be big brother for the first. I know it impossible to be as good big brother as you but I will try."
"Thank you, it's very nice but it's only because you're a great little brother."
Both smiled in the dark room and then went to fell asleep.
"It is more closely this time" said Scarlett to the doctor.
Indeed, the narrowing passed about five minutes every half hour.
The servant, the doctor and Scarlett stayed at Harriett bedside during all the night.
"Twenty five minutes during 5 and half minutes."
The night was long and cruel for all the people in Ashley's house.
Rhett woke up the morning at 8:30 am.
He was curious to know the present situation of Harriett. Why Scarlett wasn't here now?
Beau and Billy were awake still and asked to their Uncle if something was new about Harriett and the baby.
"Not yet, boys."
Then he announced to his own kids they' will be soon and again cousin.
"That great!" was their opinion.
11:30 am
"A last effort, Mrs Wilkes, the baby should come in the second."
Harriett screamed a last time and then could hear the scream of a little baby... her baby with Ashley.
"It's a beautiful girl!" exclaimed triumphantly Scarlett and the doctor Halifax.
"Let me see her!" ordered Harriett.
Scarlett obeyed and holding the baby, she bring her to her mother.
"Hello darling, you're so beautiful. I'm glad to be the mother of a so beautiful baby and the woman who holding you is Scarlett and she's your Godmother;"
Harriett bathed in perspiration smiled radiantly. She was exhausted but so happy.
She ordered Scarlett to announce the news at Ashley.
The al white baby was installed in a white coverage and was put in Scarlett's arms.
Gallantly, Alexander Halifax opened the door to the godmother and the child.
"Ashley, you' have a beautiful baby daughter. Congratulations! Do you want to hold her? "
He smiled, radiant and very move.
"Well, so baby let me introduce you something very important: your daddy."
"Hello daughter, I'm your father and I'm glad you're finally here. I'm yet love you with all my heart. Have you seen met your mother and godmother?" He kissed tenderly the chubby cheek of the baby who was sleeping.
"Mrs Butler, come here said Halifax. We need you again."
Scarlett ran quickly in direction of Harriett's room.
Ashley held strongly his daughter, his anxiously was back again. At least, this time he had a daughter to comfort him. "Oh God, I don't want to lost another wife. Please make her alive and healthy."
"The teaser! I understand why it was so long!" announced Halifax.
"Why do you mean?" said together Scarlett and Harriett.
"There is no baby but babies! Double congratulations are in order, Mrs Wilkes. Please push a last time."
Harriett obeyed and in an ultimate painful scream gave birth to her second daughter.
The baby was as beautiful as her older twin sister.
Ashley still waiting nervously in the corridor lulled the first baby.
Scarlett reappeared in the corridor.
"Re congratulation, Ashley. You have superb twin's girls."
Ashley looked stupefied Scarlett held the second baby.
"She's beautiful too. I'm so happy."
Scarlett added that Doctor Halifax authorised him to see Harriett if he wanted it."
Ashley very touching kissed his wife murmured at her thank you for the two beautiful gifts.
"And what are you going to call these two little marvels?" asked an intrigued Scarlett.
Harriett took very solemnly the floor:
"I want to give to my daughters the names of the two women who had permitted the way I'm today, who had given to me the happiness I have actually. And for this I want to thank God. So let me introduce you the older twin: Miss Scarlett Beloved India Wilkes and her younger sister Miss Melanie Aurora Georgia Wilkes."
"The names are really perfect!" declared at the same time Ashley and Scarlett. Doctor Halifax seemed to approve that, he smiled happily.
Once the babies, cleaned, feed and diapered, Scarlett announced she must come back home.
She kissed again the twins and Harriett before leaving.
She will be the best godmother of the world now!
Rhett and all the whole progeny and nephews were in the living room playing cards.
"Mom is here mom is here!" exclaimed joyfully the little Cat.
Beau and Billy giving up the cards match ran quickly since the hall. Of course soon followed by Rhett, Wade, Ella and Katie.
"So what about the baby?" asked conjointly the boys.
"Had your Auntie had speak about baby. You hadn't say hello to me first."
"Sorry, Hello Auntie Scarlett but we want to know how Kindy hum I mean Harriett are feeling."
"Well, Harriett is feeling tired but happy and she's in perfect health."
"Great but what about the baby?" asked Beau again. Billy listened, very anxious too.
"There is no baby Beau."
"Oh!" what all he could say.
"Do you want to tell us that Mrs Wilkes had lost her child?" said a horrified Rhett.
"Let me finish Rhett, don't you see how the children look worried? So I would like to say there is no baby but they are babies. Congratulations, brothers she said you have two twin sisters. You'll stay with us the whole Sunday and after having dinner, you'll come back home and you'll can see your little sisters."
Happily exclamations followed Scarlett sentences.
"But what are the names of the twins?" asked Cat O'Hara Butler.
Scarlett smiled happily:
"I'm proud to say they had chosen the two most beautiful names of the world: Melanie and Scarlett. But I'm sure
the happy parents prefer introduce themselves their whole names. They're so beautiful!"
She added at the attention of her 3 children she will go with her to meet their babies cousins.
Rhett said he will come too.
During this time Ashley and Harriett clinked glasses for the miraculous births, in love and alone.
Soon, India Wilkes Byron will come with her husband to see her 2 nieces.
After a delicious lunch and a game afternoon, they went to see the babies' girls.
They were introduced officially as Scarlett Beloved India Wilkes and Melanie Aurora Georgia Wilkes.
The happy big brothers were so proud. Harriett had left her held the babies like grows up.
Everyone praised the twin's beauty.
One week later was one day before the baptism ceremony.
Scarlett was on the cemetery in front of Melanie's grave.
"They are so cute Melly. They were named after both of you. I'm sure you're happy for Ashley and Melanie as much as I'm. I miss and I love you. I know you're not mad at me because I link friendship with Harriett. It's the contrary you feel, I know it. Thank you for being here the day of the delivery. You were with me. Wasn't you?
I have to go to see Angel's little grave now. I let you but I will never can forget you, take care."
"I'm sure she'll."
"Oh Harriett, you should be in bed and take some rest."
The women smiled.
"Well I think you have a bad influence to me Scarlett."
Scarlett laughed.
"Oh boy, is Mrs Fiztpatrick told you when Cat birth?"
"Yes, she did and I found it quite funny!"
"Yes, it is."
"It's nice the prayer you just did for Melanie. But who is exactly Angel?"
Scarlett informed her about the arrangement she did when Melly died for the dead baby, explaining too why she hadn't told about that ton Ashley earlier.
"I completely understand. I would like to see Angel's little grave.
Angel's grave was quite good hiding between two immense trees. The flowers Scarlett bring secretly two days ago, feel again good.
"Hello, Angel; it's Auntie Scarlett. You know today would it be your seventh birthday? I'm sure you were looking the same way as your mother. She was a lovely woman but I'm every time speaking to you about her. You just have two beautiful twins' sisters and I know I'm already told you about hers. Let me introduce you, someone very special too, Harriett, the mother of Billy and of your two sisters. Your father, Beau and Billy will come visit you for the first time. I think they're ready. Take care;
"Hello Angel, I apologize for not bring you flowers but I didn't know that your Auntie had made burry you, taking big care of you alone. It will be for the next time. Now, your stepmother will take care of your resting place too. I must leave you now. Take cares Angel. I will bring you your father, your brother and step brother with the twins in a couple of day."
Scarlett and Harriett convinced together that their sentences were beautiful and that they will speak about that to Ashley later after the baptism.
The baptism took place ideally, Scarlett was not less proud to know two babies named after her in the both side of the Atlantic Ocean, the only 2 little flats was India who wanted too be the godmother and was annoy to be not and Cat and Ella who wanted too but when Harriett charging the girls to read some prayers intentions they were happy as the same.
Yes, the baptism was a succeed.
END OF CHAPTER 10, I hope you'll enjoy it. Give me your reviews. With all my love Soña.
Ps: I choose the name Beloved because is the translation of Maitane in English.
This story is for Maitane and Andrea. See you soon on the Web.