Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Before Scarlett knew what happened she was on a train to Atlanta. She had written Rhett's mother and was talked into having a service. Scarlett hadn't been in Atlanta since the day after Rhett left, which was over three months ago, and she wasn't sure what those memories were going to do to her. Scarlett still hadn't told her children about the death of their stepfather, so the only person going with her to Atlanta was Mammy. In Atlanta Scarlett was to meet Ms. Eleanor at the Peachtree house. Scarlett continued to try and convince herself that she would be alright.
"Miz Scarlett we's almost there." Mammy wanted to make sure Scarlett was awake, she was being so quite.
Scarlett jumped, "Huh…oh I know Mammy." Mammy had interrupted her thoughts.
Mammy noticed Scarlett's nervousness, "Calm down chile. Everything's gonna be fine." Mammy didn't want Scarlett getting herself worked up; she hadn't been well since she heard the news.
"Oh Mammy," Scarlett said as she lowered her head to Mammy's shoulder. Scarlett took comfort in the old woman.
When they arrived in Atlanta there was a carriage waiting to take them to the house. Scarlett noticed as they went down the road all the stares she got. She wasn't sure if it was just because she was back in town or if they all knew about Rhett. She tried as hard as she could to ignore them and hold her head high. If there was one thing she never wanted in her life was pity and this was no exception.
As they pulled up to the house Ms. Eleanor was there to meet them, "Scarlett honey it's so good to see you."
Scarlett got down from the carriage and embraced her mother in law. "Ms. Eleanor it's good to see you too."
"Come on now lets get into the house, it's freezing out here." Ms. Eleanor led Scarlett to the door, but Scarlett stop dead in her tracks just before they crossed the threshold.
Ms. Eleanor knew that Scarlett hadn't been here since the news of Rhett, "Are you alright dear?"
Scarlett was pulled back from her memory world to the present, "I don't know," She said as she continued her way into the house. As she entered she became aware how large the house actually was. It seemed so strange now without any of the children or Rhett. She felt as though she was walking into a stranger's house. The woman who designed this house so long ago was no more. In her place was a woman beaten by life, matured yet in a constant state of depression. She was no longer that woman with a passion for living as Ashley had put it that day at Twelve Oaks. 'Ashley, oh I haven't check on him in three months and I promised Melly I would. At least I have been taking care of Beau, so at least I've done half of my promise. Besides Beau writes to Ashley often and always says he's fine. Now is not the time to think about him. I'll think about him tomorrow.'
"Scarlett you've had a long trip and you look tired. Why don't you go rest for a while?" Ms. Eleanor could see that Scarlett wasn't well.
Scarlett was glad she wouldn't have to sit and try to make small talk with Ms. Eleanor, "I do hate to leave you alone, but I think your right about my being tired."
"Don't think anything of it. I'm sure I will find a way to amuse myself." Ms. Eleanor truly cared for her daughter in law.
Scarlett went up the stairs slowly as the memories flooded in. So much had happened just on this staircase. Rhett had carried her up them the night of Ashley's party, she greeted Bonnie on them when she returned home from her trip, and also she had fallen down them and lost her baby. 'Oh if only I could have had that baby. I would have loved it so much and I would still have something of Rhett's to love.' She tried to pushed that thought back; thinking of it now would only bring tears. She trudged the rest of the way up to her room. She sat down at her vanity to look at herself in the mirror. 'I look so pale and thin. I hardly recognize myself.'
Scarlett turned as she heard the door open, "Howdy Miz Scarlett. It sure is good ta have ya home. Would you be wantin ta change?"
"Hello Pansy. Yes I do think I'll lay down for a bit." Scarlett was somewhat glad to see Pansy.
"Alright Miz Scarlett," Pansy began to help Scarlett undress, "I want to say how sorry we all were wh---"
"Don't please don't I don't want to hear it. Just hurry up and finish." Scarlett didn't want everyone feeling sorry for her.
Pansy finished helping Scarlett as quick as she could and left the room. Scarlett went over to her bed, sitting on the side of it. She look around her room, think of all the lonely nights she had spent there and all the ones that were to come. As she continued looking around her room she noticed a door she had stared at many time during those lonely nights. It was the door that connected her room to Rhett. How she wished he would just walk through that door and all of this would be a dream, an awful dream. Scarlett got a sudden urge to go to Rhett's room. To see all his manly things and smell that distinct smell that only Rhett had. She walked to the room and opened the door. She saw that nothing had been touched since the day he left. He hadn't dared come back for his things and chance Scarlett being there. Rhett's bed look so warm and inviting Scarlett couldn't resist climbing in. As she curled up in the covers, she took a deep inhale of the pillow. Rhett's smell was there. She felt safety in Rhett's smell and sleep quickly came.
Scarlett woke with a start the next morning, desperately searching for something. She had no idea where that something was in Rhett'' room so she ran into hers. As she found what she was looking for she ran to it and vomited into a wash basin. When she finished she went in search of Mammy to tell her not to bring any breakfast. There was no way she could even think of food after that. She didn't find her upstairs so she decided to look for her downstairs. As she approached the top of the stairs she started to get dizzy. Scarlett was starting to loose control. Just before she fainted Ms. Eleanor grabbed her and pulled her away for the edge.
As Scarlett woke up again, she was in her bed. She was completely unaware of what was going on and what had happened. She knew there were people around her but she couldn't make them out. Her head was still spinning and her stomach was extremely unsettled. She tried to move but her body felt so heavy. She let out a moan of exhaustion.
"Scarlett, Are you awake dear." Ms. Eleanor hadn't left Scarlett's side since she had saved her from another fall down the stairs.
"Oh," Scarlett moaned, "What happened?"
Eleanor was glad to see Scarlett waking up, "You fainted."
"I did not I," Scarlett stopped as she tried to sit up but her wooziness made her quickly lay back down, "Well maybe I did, but I don't ever faint."
"You haven't been feeling well though Scarlett. I have sent Pansy out to get a doctor." Eleanor was so worried about her beloved daughter in law.
Scarlett had a frown on her face, "I don't need a doctor. I just need to rest a little."
"Scarlett you said it yourself that your not one to just faint. Besides it can't hurt to let the doctor just check you out." Eleanor hoped Scarlett would listen to her reasoning.
Scarlett saw the worry in Eleanor's face, "Alright if you insist."
Eleanor tried to stifle a smile, "I do. Now I'll just go down and see if the doctor is here yet."
After a small wait Scarlett heard a knock on the door. "Scarlett the doctor is here." Eleanor called from the hall.
"Come in." Scarlett wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.
Eleanor walked in followed by Dr. Meade. "Hello Scarlett. I heard you haven't been feeling well." Dr. Meade knew that Scarlett wasn't one to get sick easily.
"Dr. Meade It's nice to see you again." Scarlett had always been fond of the old doctor. He never acted better than her, like much of the others in the old guard.
Eleanor sat down beside Scarlett, while Dr. Meade proceeded to do a full examination. He said nothing as he was working. Scarlett and Eleanor shared looks at each other, both disturbed by Dr. Meade's silence.
Finally Dr. Meade spoke, "Well Scarlett you're not sick. You're…well uh…You're…"
Scarlett couldn't stand the suspense, "Spit it out Dr. Meade."
"You're with child Scarlett." Dr. Meade wasn't sure how this had come about.
"What?" Both Eleanor and Scarlett had asked in unison.