Author's Note : I'm sooo sorry that I haven't updated in so long. I've had a lot to do lately, but I promise to keep the chapters coming more often. I have many ideas now for what I want to happen, so I shouldn't run into any writer's block any time soon. Thanks so much for all of your patience! And please give reviews when you read this. It really helps to know when people read this, and care enough to give feedback. :) Thanks so much!

After many days filled with laughter, excitement, and tenderness, the couple departed from New Orleans to return to their home in Atlanta. Scarlett had been somewhat homesick the last couple of days due to her longing to see Ella and Wade again.

I miss the children so much…

Scarlett grew a large bond with both Ella and Wade over the two months that Rhett had left. Throughout Rhett's absence, Scarlett and the children had talks together each night, describing their emotions and feelings relating to all of the turmoil they had experienced throughout the recent months. She had failed to realize until this time how much they were truly affected from what had gone on in their house, and she was not the only one who had truly been hurt. During these talks, she got to know her son and daughter better than anyone else. They had let her into their lives with open arms and without any hesitation, and she wouldn't trade that for the world.

Scarlett had told Rhett of her reconciliation with her children while they were on the train back to Atlanta. At first, he had to look deep into her eyes for this was almost too good to be true. When he realized she spoke the truth, he smiled and kissed her with all the power in him.

"My love, I had hoped so deeply that this would happen one day. I suppose there was at least one thing that we had gained from my absence…a true family."

Scarlett smiled at Rhett's words. A true family…She almost couldn't get used to the thought. Who would've thought…the southern belle who had occupied all of the girl's beaux, married a man in vain and chased her real friend's husband for years…could grow up, and create for herself a true family…

Scarlett's thoughts got furiously interrupted by a wretched coughing spell. Rhett patted her back with concern on his face, but Scarlett insisted that she was fine. When she got a hold of herself again, she leaned on Rhett's shoulder and in a few minutes, the rhythm of the train lulled her to sleep. Rhett, however, sit awake the whole way…realizing for not the first time, how lucky of a man he truly was. With his wife by his side he couldn't ask for anything else. However, he just couldn't help but feel a slight concern at the intensity of his wife's coughing spell just minutes earlier…

When Scarlett and Rhett walked through the door, they heard a scream and giggles accompanied by the pattering of little feet. Suddenly, Ella appeared running down the large staircase jumping right into Scarlett's arms.

"Mommy! Mommy! I missed you so much! I became so excited when Mammy told me you were coming home today!"

Scarlett couldn't help but smile at her little daughter's excitement. Rhett stood at the door and watched the interaction between his wife and step-daughter, and grinned at the absence of Ella's shy behavior that she had had when he last saw her.

It's amazing how much can change in just two months.

Suddenly Scarlett realized Wade's absence.

"Where is Wade, Ella darling?" she inquired with curiously.

Right as she asked, she saw Wade begin to calmly walk down the staircase.

"Wade! I can't believe how much you have grown in just these past two weeks! Come down here and give your mother a hug,"

Scarlett's remark was not just to boost Wade's ego, for it was very true. Since the last time she had seen him, he had grown a confidence that had shown through the way he carried himself, and made him seem years older than the age he truly was.

Wade couldn't help but show his excitement at his mother's new found happiness. It had seemed like lifetimes ago since he had seen a true smile set upon her face. He walked up to her and gave her a loving hug, and Scarlett was almost taken aback at how much he had grown up lately. He truly had lived up to being the man of the house, and she simply didn't know what she would do if he hadn't been at her side these past two months.

Scarlett wondered at how the appearance of Rhett affected her children. Would they resent him for leaving? For causing all of the pain that she and the children had experienced throughout his absence? Or would they be happy to finally have their one and only father figure back into their lives?

"Now my darlings, don't forget to greet you're dear Uncle Rhett," she said with an unsure smile.

Ella jumped into his arms without hesitation, happy that Rhett had finally arrived home.

"Uncle Rhett! I'm so excited that you're home!"

Ella's greeting warmed Rhett's heart, for he realized that she was still too young to hold a large grudge against him for leaving. It was Wade whom he was worried about. Rhett remembered Wade's hesitation towards him when he had last saw him in his quest to find Scarlett. Would he still hold a resistance towards him?

There was much going through Wade's mind. Would his mother be mad at him once she found out it was him who had given Uncle Rhett her address in New Orleans? Did she already know? One thing in his mind was sure, however. His Uncle Rhett had kept his word and had not asked his mother for a divorce. She wouldn't be beaming with delight if he had. And this, he thought, is what he needed to get one step closer to help dissolve his grudge against his Uncle Rhett. With these thoughts, he walked up to his step-father with dignity, and gave him an assuring hug that things will work themselves out through time.

Rhett was surprised at how little resistance Wade was presenting to him.

Maybe it won't be so hard to break through to him after all…

Scarlett beamed at the sight of her children accepting Rhett back into their lives. Things seemed to be going so much better lately, and she couldn't think of anything else she would want…except for her Bonnie baby…

I mustn't think of that right now. It is too happy of an occasion…I will think of that tomorrow…

Scarlett began another severe coughing spell, and once again Rhett grew very concerned and patted her back, trying to think of whatever he could do to make this stop.

"I think we need to think about sending Dr. Meade over here, my love. I am not exaggerating when I say that doesn't sound good at all,"

Once again Scarlett argued that she was fine, but a small part of her told her that Rhett may be right.

I suppose if the coughing persists for a while, I can see the doctor. There's no use in worrying if it just ends up being a silly little chest cold.

She smiled reassuringly to her children, whose faces grew a slight worried look at their mother.

"Now don't you worry my darlings, I am just fine. I am almost certain that I just acquired a small chest cold while your Uncle Rhett and I were away,"

This was enough to reassure both of her children, and the four of them went to dinner, talking of the events that had taken place during the past two weeks.

Once dinner was over, Scarlett and Rhett helped together to tuck their children into bed, and then retired into their own room.

At first, Rhett was reluctant to go into Scarlett's room.

"My love…where exactly am I to sleep these days?"

Scarlett couldn't help but laugh at the confused look on Rhett's face.

"Darling, take a wild guess," she said with a wink as she entered her room. Rhett smirked as he followed her into her room. They each got ready for bed rather quickly, and as they lay in bed, Scarlett moved up and put her head on his chest while Rhett put his arm around her waist. They both fell into a peaceful sleep, filled with wonderful dreams accented with the wondrous events that had taken place in past two weeks.