Well here it is Chapter 8. I hope ya'll enjoy. Please continue reviewing.

Of course I own nothing.

Scarlett sat in her back yard watching as Wade, Ella and Beau played a game. She enjoyed very much having her children home with her. They had been home nearly a month and were coping well. They had gotten over their initial shock of losing their step-father. They were now looking forward to having a new sibling. Scarlett has tried to help all she could to make the children feel more comfortable in their own home by letting them each redecorate their own rooms.

Ella had tired of the game and went to sit by her mother, "Momma, are you going to have a boy or a girl?"

Scarlett knew Ella was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the baby. She had asked that question many times before. "I've already told you sweetie, I don't know. What do you want it to be?"

Ella was glad her mother was including her with the baby, "I'm not sure. I've already had both a brother and a sister. I think either would be all right. What do you want Momma?"

"Well I was kind of hoping for a boy, one that looks just like Uncle Rhett. Don't you think that would be nice?" Scarlett had though about this lot lately and truly wanted a boy.

"Yes I think that would be great. I'm gonna go play now." Ella didn't really care for a little sister to take Bonnie's place, so she secretly wished for a boy too.

Scarlett was glad Ella had no objections, "Ok baby."

The next few months went by uneventfully compare to the last few. Eleanor had decide to stay at least until the baby was born, maybe longer, the children had gotten back into a regular routine of school and play, and Scarlett had continued to stay at home by doctor's orders. Scarlett sent Mammy home to Tara to live out her old age in peace at the place she loved the most. It was hard for Scarlett to let the old woman go but she knew it was for the best, Mammy had gotten slow and weary. Scarlett had many visitors to keep her busy through her confinement. The old guard had decided the most of Scarlett's faults were caused by Rhett and now that he was out of the picture they reached out to Scarlett as though she were the victim through it all. Scarlett had never cared what the old guard had thought of her, but always remembered what Rhett had said and done to better his reputation for Bonnie so she played along. She sat long hours having tea with Mrs. Meade, Mrs. Elsing, Mrs. Merriwhether, and all the other members listening to boring gossip trying to fake interest. She was in luck though; if she couldn't handle the talk anymore she could always feign being tired do to her delicate condition.

Scarlett had also been able to finally found a place in her relationship with Ashley that was accepted in the public's eyes. Ashley would take Beau over to Scarlett's whenever he could. The children would play, leaving the adults alone to have a conversation. What the public saw in this was a widower and a widow finding comfort in each other. Since Scarlett was finally over her childhood crush for Ashley, she was able to find a friend and a person to talk to. He wasn't as good to talk to as Rhett, but he was there.

Scarlett had come to the realization that life would never feel right without Rhett however she still found a way to live on. She still missed him horribly, so bad at times that it physically hurt. She hid her pain from others; she wanted to look string to them. It was at night that the hurt would overwhelm her. She would talk to Rhett as if he were right next to her. When she would remember that he wasn't there and never would be again she would cry herself to sleep. She would also talk to her unborn baby. She would tell the baby stories about its father and Grandfather. She told it how much she loved it and couldn't wait until it was there with her. She was counting down the day until she got to hold her baby in her arms and that day was growing very close.

Scarlett was sitting in the library reading a book, a pastime she had finally learned to enjoy in her confinement, when she heard the children return from school. As she got up to go greet them she felt a sharp pain rip threw her back and lower abdomen. Even though she was in pain a smile crept to her face. She knew that by the end of the day today she would be holding her baby.

Eleanor opened the door to tell Scarlett the children were home and saw Scarlett doubled over in pain. "Scarlett what is it?" She ran over to Scarlett.

"The baby is coming. Please help me upstairs and have someone go for Dr. Meade." Scarlett was trying to stay calm and the easiest way for her to do that was to give orders.

The children were in the hallway waiting to speak with their mother. As Eleanor and Scarlett walked out of the library the children became worried, "Mother what's wrong? You're not ill are you?" Wade asked.

Scarlett knew they were concerned for her, "No darling I'm fine, but I need you to take your sister over to Uncle Ashley's and stay there until someone comes and gets you. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes of course mother. You're sure you'll be all right?" Wade didn't want to leave his mother if something was wrong.

"I'm su--" Scarlett paused as she tried to withhold her pain, "I'm sure Wade. Now go!" Scarlett's final words were very forceful so there was no more discussion. The children left and Scarlett, with the aide of Eleanor got up to her room.

Scarlett was worried at how painful and troublesome her labor seemed to be. She had never had any problems giving birth to any of her other children. This time felt much different than the past. She was also having difficulty thinking about the fact that this was the only time Mammy hadn't been there with her.

When Dr. Meade arrived he quickly noticed the severity of the situation. Scarlett had never been so weak or in so much pain before. "Mrs. Butler, could I see you in the hall?" Dr. Meade wanted to make sure that Eleanor knew how bad things really were. "This baby is taking its toll on Scarlett. She isn't holding up very well. I've not seen her tire so early into labor before and I have been with her twice before. I want you to realize that this is a chance that--"

"Don't you dare say it Dr. Meade. If you know Scarlett like I do, you would know that she is strong and nothing would make her give up. You have to have faith in her. Now we should get back to her." Eleanor wasn't about to think of losing Scarlett. She had become a true daughter to Eleanor over the past few months and Eleanor wasn't going to give up on her now.

Many hours passed by as day turned into night and back into day. Scarlett was completely exhausted as the first light of the day started to shine through the window. Just before she passed out she heard the first cries of her baby.