First off, I'd like to give another big thanks to my sweet reviewers! Your little review makes my day much brighter! So, thanks bunches, and I hope you guys like this chapter, and I really hope that you'll review hinthint… Oh yeah, special thanks are at the bottom(insert smiley face here)Secondly, I wanna apologize for not updating this in a while…I guess it's actually only been…umm…how long has it been? I'll look…whoa January 28th! That's crazy! I'm sorry to leave you all hanging like that…I kinda got tied up with my other story, Eyes the Color of Ireland, and in all the work that I put into that one, I kinda forgot about this one…oops! But review, and I won't forget, okay? Haha! Here ya go, I'll stop rambling now—Okay, I only have one more thing to say, and then I'll shut up for real. I know my chapters are really short, and I'm really trying to work on that. They look so much longer when they're written out on notebook paper! Okay, here goes:
Chapter 3: Breathing Room
The next morning promised another gorgeous spring day. Rhett sat in his office, wondering why Scarlett had not appeared at breakfast that morning. As he heard the door to his office swing open, he hurriedly looked up. It was not Scarlett, however.
Standing there in the doorway was Bonnie. "Daddy, can we go ride my pony? I want to ride my pony!"
"Why, yes, sweetheart, we can. Shall we see if Scar—that is, your mother—wants to come along?"
"Momma's sleeping, daddy."
"Asleep? It's almost noon. What say we go wake your lazy mother?
"Alrighty, Daddy." With that she grabbed Rhett's strong hand in her own tiny one and led him upstairs to Scarlett's bedroom.
Rhett pushed open the door and Bonnie ran up to Scarlett's bed and promptly started jumping up and down, squealing with laughter.
"What in Heaven's name…" started Scarlett, who had jerked up in bed, surprised to say the very least, at her four-year old daughter jumping all around her on the bed, and Rhett lounging lazily against the door with a genuine smile on his face.
"Mother, will you come riding with us? Will you?"
"Anything for my Bonnie-bell. Just let me get dressed, okay? You run along downstairs, we'll be down shortly.
Bonnie happily bounced out of the room, grinning victoriously all the way.
"It's really amazing how much she looks like you when she gets what she wants, Scarlett," said Rhett with a grin.
"I don't know exactly whether to take that as a compliment or an insult, Rhett. I think I'll settle for compliment, though, if you don't mind. Now, if we're to go riding, I must get ready. Will you excuse me?"
"Of course, my dear. Sure you don't need any help getting dressed?" said Rhett playfully, but Scarlett misinterpreted him.
"No!" she said, a bit too quickly, thinking of her slightly swollen stomach without stays. Thankfully, the blankets were covering her figure at the moment, but all illusions would be lost the moment she moved them.
"Touché, my pet. I didn't mean to offend you. I'll see you outside in the stables," he said, walking out angrily and slamming the door behind him.
"Now I've done it," thought Scarlett to herself, "and we were doing so well, too. I'll just have to do some damage control."
The Butler family's ride was enjoyable with Bonnie to provide the entertainment. The whole of Atlanta watched in awe as the three rode happily by households of old friends. Scarlett put on her best smile and was as sweet as honey to every single member of the "Old Guard," for as much as she hated the snobby cats, she didn't want her children to be outcasts in society. She wanted Bonnie and Ella to be the belles of the balls, just like she used to be, and she wanted Wade to have the very best wife possible. She knew, however, that this could not occur without sweet-talking her way back into Atlanta's close knit society circle. She would try her best though, and it was said that she could charm a rattler snake with one smile and flash of dimples. She had other plans as well; plans for the unborn child she carried. This baby was already her favorite; she loved it so completely and wanted only the best for it.
Over the next month, Scarlett reached her second month. It was getting a little bit harder for her to breathe in her stays. She and Rhett had continued their daily rides throughout the last month and were now closer than she thought they ever had been. She was preparing for one of those rides when Mammy waddled into her bedroom.
"Mammy! What on earth are you doing here? Is everything all right at Tara?"
"Ain't nothin' wrong at Tara, Miss Scarlett. I just got to missin' my lamb and thought I'd take my old self up here to 'Lanta to come and visit you."
"Why, that's wonderful Mammy! I've missed you, and I know the children have too!"
"Now, lamb, you knows Mammy, and Mammy always says what she thinks. Now I ain't meanin' no harm, but I's can see yous gwine ter have a baby. What you want Pansy lacin' you so tight for?"
"Mammy! I am not…oh, all right, so I am going to have a baby. Pansy can lace me as she always did with Bonnie, Wade, and Ella. I'll be fine."
"I knows you, and I knows you ain't lookin' fine. You as pale as I ever seed you. Let ol' Mammy loosen' dem stays for you, lamb."
"Now, Mammy, I've told you I'm fine! I'm going out for a ride with Rhett, now you run along and see the children."
Mammy gave her a scowl but walked out of the room heading towards the nursery. Scarlett could hear Bonnie and Ella's excited shouts at seeing Mammy. How could Mammy know Scarlett was in pain? She thought she was hiding it rather well. She just didn't remember the laces cutting into her breathing this badly before. "It must just be a big baby, that's all", she told herself, though half-heartedly.
Scarlett quickly exited her bedroom and made her way once again to the stables. She saw that Rhett had already gotten their usual two horses ready, and had a sudden change of thought when she realized that Rhett would have to assist her in getting on the huge horse. "He's bound to notice how much weight I've gained," she thought nervously to herself. "I'll just have to somehow get up there on my own…"
Scarlett was fumbling around the big horse, trying to get on it, when Rhett reached behind her to pick her up. Scarlett stiffened and cried, "Let me down! I can do it myself!"
Surprised by Scarlett's sudden burst of coldness, Rhett figured it was because she didn't want his arms around her. Once again, however, he had been grossly wrong.
"If you feel that way, have at it, my Pet."
Scarlett tried for several more minutes with her face set in a determined scowl. Giving up, she leaned desperately against the stable door, not realizing that it hadn't been fully closed. When she leaned back, the door swung open, leaving her sprawled on the ground.
"Scarlett! Are you all right?"
"Oh, just leave me alone. I'm fine." Rhett continued walking towards her and leaned over her with his hand held out. "Sure you don't need a hand?"
"Oh, all right, but that's all. I'm not a helpless child, Rhett." She yanked on his hand pulling herself up quickly, but leaving the back end of her habit on the ground. She hadn't noticed that Rhett's foot had been accidentally placed on her outfit.
"Oh my God!" she said without thinking. Rhett was keeled over, laughing. "Stop that laughing, Rhett! Oh, what am I going to do?" Scarlett let out a loud gasp that made Rhett jerk his head up, eyes still laughing. "Oh…Rhett, I, I can't breathe!"
"No need to be so embarrassed, my pet. It's not like I've never seen you in this condition. I thought we've discussed that mock modesty isn't becoming on you?" he said playfully.
"No, Rhett, it's not like that, I can't breathe!" she cried. "Rhett, I…" she started, and promptly fainted.
So any thoughts? I know you must have some, so share them with me in a review! I'll update faster that way, promise!
Thanks to all of my reviewers from chapter 2:
Amber—I'm glad you like it!
Kristanna—Sorry it took so long to update, but I'm happy you love it!
Hannah—Your reviews are always sweet! Thank you so much for your input.
AvaGrace—I'm working on the length…let me know if this one was better! Thanks for your review.
Rubberdukki—Did I spell that right? It's cute! I'm glad you like both my stories! Thanks for the review