Tomorrow…Is Another Day
Written By: SL23
Authors' Notes: Okay, to clear things up, this particular story takes place near the end of Gone with the Wind and will go through the sequel, Scarlett. What happens into between will be based loosely on that. Meaning, we will stick to the basic storyline, but weave our way. And the part where Rhett decides to leave Scarlett, that does not happen. On with the story…
Chapter Two
Rhett Butler sat ever so comfortably on one of the Victorian chairs that were place meticulously around Scarlett's large room. He sat waiting for his wife to return from Ashley Wilkes's funeral. He had not expected her to return so long, but he knew from experience to expect the unexpected from Scarlett.
Rhett watched the many changes of emotions play on his young wife's face. Clearly she was shocked to see him. Anger swiftly made its appearance. Rhett also thought that he saw a small hint of happiness fly by.
"What are you doing here, Rhett?" asked Scarlett, her tone belying that she was not unhappy to see him, yet was.
"Can't a husband see his own wife? Especially when the wife has had such a tragic death in the family," he replied in a sardonic tone.
Scarlett glared at the man that was her husband. At the moment she was confused with everything. She thought that she had loved Ashley, but all along it was Rhett that she pined for. Not that she was going to blurt out and tell him that. He would think that she was a fool. There was no way that she would let him think that of her. Her mind drifted back to the mind turning conversation that Melanie and she had just the day before.
Flashback
The weather was cloudy, rain on its way. Scarlett and Melanie both opted to stay inside Aunt Pittypat's. It was a day before Ashley's funeral. All the proper funeral arrangements were finished and Scarlett and Melanie took the rest of the day to rest.
"Are you sure that you can go tomorrow?" asked Scarlett. She stared at her sister-in-law.
She wondered how she could have ever hated a person like Melly. She had realized just in time what a dear friend Melly was to her. When India had accused Scarlett of trying to seduce Ashley, Melly refused to believe the girl and stood up for Melly. Sometimes Melly reminded her of her mother. Scarlett remembered how she had strived to be like her mother. She wondered what her mother's reaction would be, knowing what Scarlett was labeled as in the public's eye.
Scarlett found a great friend in Melly. So in return for all of Melly's kindness, she strived to be a better person. Somehow that afternoon led conversation toward Scarlett and Rhett.
"I know that Captain Butler would probably be angry at me for telling you this, but he really cares for you," said Melly.
Scarlett sat puzzled trying to process the words. Never did she think that Rhett Butler would care for anyone, except for their daughter, Bonnie. Scarlett felt a wave of pain at the thought of the little girl. She thought back to how her daughter died. Just like her Pa, Bonnie died while trying to jump over a fence.
Melanie watched as emotions flew across Scarlett's face. She had thought that some good news would cheer up her sister.
"Are you okay Scarlett?"
Scarlett came out of her thoughts and looked at Melly. Only recently had she noticed how tired Melly looked. Scarlett attempted a weak smile.
"I'm fine."
End Flashback
Ever since then, Scarlett was thinking of Melly's words. Did Rhett really care for her? Realizing that she hadn't answered, she attempted a response.
"What do you want, Rhett?" she asked wearily. All of the work had worn her out. She had intended to get some sleep. Right now, she knew that she looked awful.
"You look like you haven't had sleep in days," said Rhett. He made a move towards her.
"Don't. I can take care of myself. I don't need your help."
"If you can take care of yourself, then why do you look like you do now? You can't even take care of your own kids, Scarlett. Don't tell me you don't need my help."
"I assure you, Rhett Butler, I can take care of myself and my children!" she yelled in anger. Her temper was rising fast, part of that was because she was being deprived of sleep.
"Really then. I want to see it happen. I want to see you actually spend time with your children, play with them. Look after them. Actually care for them and knot that they exist."
Anger taking over, Scarlett blurted out, "And that you will see. Now all I wish for is sleep if you will let leave."
"As you wish." With those words, he made his leave. A tiny part of Scarlett wished that Rhett had decided to stay and not leave. She watched as Rhett walked out of the room and down the winding stairs.
She decided that she would prepare for bed. Tomorrow she would pack to leave for Tara with Melly and the kids. As soon as she was about to get into bed, Melly walked in with a tray of food.
"I thought that maybe you would need some comforting. Here, I brought you some hot soup."
"Thank you Melly, but I feel too tired to eat," refused Scarlett, but the look in Melly's eyes made her accept the offer.
"I guess I changed my mind, I will have some of that soup." She watched as Melly set the large tray down on a nearby table.
"Where are the children?" asked Scarlett.
Melly had not expected such a question from Scarlett, but answered her anyway. "They're eating downstairs in the dining room with Captain Butler."
Scarlett almost paled. She had thought that Rhett had left, but he was still here. This would throw off her plans. And she remembered her earlier statement with Rhett. There was no way that she would let Rhett think that she could not care for her own children. Then realizing that she was caring way too much about what Rhett thought, she said to herself that she would only do it to spite him.
Melly noticed Scarlett's pale face. "You should eat up Scarlett dear. You look awfully pale. You must rest if you're planning to go to Tara tomorrow."
"You are coming too?"
"Yes. I will see to it that everything is packed. After all you've done by arranging Ashley's…funeral, I would like to repay you. Now rest."
Scarlett let Melly play the mother hen and she was soon lying in her bed, thinking of what was to come. Things were certainly going to be different. She would think about everything tomorrow, after all tomorrow is another day.
End Chapter Two
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