Chapter 5

I am not the happy owner of anything regarding "Gone With the Wind"

(A/N Thanks for reviewing, I would be glad for feedbacks. I think the story soon will take another direction than the book did)

Luck was with her, Melanie was in bed, when she entered the house, Scarlett wouldn't face any one just now

"What have I done?"

The words were repeated over and over, but strangely she didn't feel ashamed any more. Her body was glooming from Rhett's lovemaking and she felt more alive than ever before in her life.

"If that was the wifely duty, I wouldn't mind being married to Rhett Butler, and the best thing is that I don't love him. But I really do like his lips when they are kissing me. Why did Mother warn me about my wifely duties?. I will think about that tomorrow, when I'm not so tired. Where is that silly Prissy, when I need her?"

Scarlett didn't bother to knock on Prissy's door, she just walked right in;

"Prissy wake up your lazy girl! I need to get undress now. Come and help me with my stays"

A sleepy Prissy fumbled with undressing her mistress and it took forever before Scarlett was in bed. Scarlett was tired, her body comfortably relaxed but a little sore. Her lips were smiling from their own will, and every time she closed her eyes, the face of Rhett Butler appeared; he was smiling that very special warm smile, he had given her after their first lovemaking and his eyes were burning with passion and- and something she couldn't detect. Scarlett was a bit confused, for years Ashley had been the one she saw when she closed her eyes, truthfully if she wasn't careful his face still hunted her. As it had only yesterday. And now she couldn't envision Ashley's face if her life depended upon it. All she saw was the face of Rhett and the remembrance of his kisses and touches, with a happy smile she drifted into the calmness of sleep.

Melanie's cry for help awoke Scarlett just before dawn, confused Scarlett open her eyes and saw her room.

Had it only been a dream? But then she heard Melanie's cry again, she sounded like a small animal in great pain. Without hesitation, Scarlett jumped out of her bed and ran to Melanie's room, she busted in without knocking and found Melanie covered with sweat and tossing from pain.

"Mother of God Melanie! Is it the baby?"

"Thank God! Your are here Scarlett. I'm sorry but my baby will come now."

"Prissy-PRISSY! Get your lazy bones in here now" Scarlett yelled.

When a tired Prissy arrived she was sent for Dr. Meade

"Be fast you silly girl".

Scarlett had dreaded this day for long; she didn't know anything of childbirth and didn't really want to.

"What is taking Dr. Meade so long, just when I want to get out of this room? How can Melanie be so selfish to have her baby to day, when we were going home?"

Scarlett fetched some cold water to wipe Melanie's face with.

"Please don't go Scarlett, I will die if you go, I know I will. You are so strong"

"Don't be silly Melanie Wilkes. Of course, I will stay but I need to boil some water. I will be right back"

Melanie released her hand and Scarlett left the room in a hurry, she needed to breath some fresh air and calm herself, fore she was scared. Scared that Melanie would die when she-Scarlett was responsible for her. And Melanie was Scarlett's burden because of Ashley. In the kitchen she started to boil water, when she heard Prissy returning in a snail's speed. Scarlett ran to the door.

"Where is he? Why are you alone?"

"Dr. Meade is tending to the wounded soldiers and Mrs. Meade is tendin' to a seriouz wounded Miz Phil and no one else is home. Everybody left, Miz Scarlett".

Prissy was panicking and Scarlett felt as panicked as her. She couldn't let that happen, she was not some stupid girl.

Getting herself together with all the mental strength she processed she said; "Prissy calm down now or I will sell you deeper South. When the water has boiled bring it to Miss Melanie's room. And as many towels as you can find and be quick"

With that Scarlett went to Melanie's room, again her feet was heavy and her heart beating wildly.

"What will I do? I don't know what to do" Slowly she entered the dark room again.

"Is that you Scarlett?"

"Yes, Melanie, it's me. I'm sorry but Dr. Meade can't come. I think I will go look for him. Yes I will just do that".

Melanie screamed, "NO! Please don't go. I don't think you can make it before the baby comes"

"God's nightgown, how long have you been in labour Melanie?"

Melanie refused to look at her.

"Melanie Wilkes!"

"Since a few hours after you left yesterday" She whispered in a small, shameful voice.

"Mother of God Melanie! I need some light in here"

Scarlett lightened as many candles as she had at hand and soon the room was nearly as light as daytime.

When she saw Melanie she was shocked; Melanie looked deathly weak and as white as a ghost, Scarlett could tell Melanie was in heavy pains.

For the first time in months Scarlett prayed, she had not prayed since news of Ashley had stopped, too ashamed of having caused his death.

"Please dear God, let Melanie and her baby live. I will treat Melanie better if you just let her live. Please don't let me bear this cross also".

Soon there wasn't time for praying; the child was on its way. Just then, Prissy arrived with hot water and towels, Scarlett could have kissed the girl, she badly needed some one with her to keep her sane.

She prepared Melanie for the birth as well as she could without any experiences in this area, but she couldn't help Melanie from getting weaker and weaker. Melanie's body refused to deliver the baby.

"Scarlett, promise me that you will take care of my child, if something happens to me. Please raise a boy to be just as my dear Ashley. And if it's a girl, I want her to be just like you. Please Scarlett".

"Fiddle Dee Dee Melly, don't speak of death, you will not die"

Scarlett was horrified, Melanie couldn't die.

"Please Scarlett, I love you as if you had been my own sister" Melanie whispered with a thin voice drained from life.

"Does it ever stop? How much do I have to pay for my sin? How many crosses do I have to bear?".

The words never left Scarlett's lips, instead she said;

"Sure Melly, I will take care of your child, but only if you will gather your strength and push as hard as you can. NOW!"

Melanie smiled a weak smile and pushed with the last strength in her body. Soon the cry of a baby was heard.

Scarlett was proud, she and not Prissy, had delivered Melanie's baby. She bathed the little one and wrapped it up in a thick blanket and walked to Melanie's side.

"Say hallo to you son Melanie".

Melanie opened her tired eyes and smiled a smile, that almost made her look beautiful.

"Hallo Beau, I'm your mother and this is your Godmother Scarlett"

Melanie fell asleep with her newborn son besides her. Exhausted Scarlett found her bed and feel asleep.

Again, Scarlett awoke to crying; this time it was baby Beau.

"What's the matter with this house? Why is he crying?"

Reluctantly, she left her warm bed to tend to Melanie. Melanie was too weak to comfort the baby and she hadn't any strength left in her arms to hold him. Scarlett placed the boy at his mother's breast and placed pillows around Melanie to support her weak arms.

It was then she heard it.

Atlanta was in uproar, people were screaming outside the house, as fast as she could, Scarlett gathered her robe and ran to the gate.

"What's the matter?" She yelled to a passing, wounded soldier, he too tired to lie any more answered;

"The Yankees are coming. Atlanta will fall, you need to leave as fast as you can, don't hesitate. The Yankees will be here in hours".

Never had Scarlett been so frightened.

"The Yankees are coming. I must go home now. Mother of God help me!"

She ran inside and shouted for Prissy

"Pack mine and Melanie's clothes and the baby's and yours, we'll leave now. Get moving girl or I'll spank you".

Scarlett went to Melanie.

"Are the Yankees coming dear Scarlett? You must leave, don't let me stop you".

"Hush Melanie, I'll get dressed and then I'll help you into your dress. I'll not leave you behind".

With the words spoken in a harsh voice, Scarlett left for her own room, she was so scared that her hands trembled, making it difficult for her to get dressed. Scarlett couldn't calm her hands enough to lace up, so she just dressed without her stays.

As promised, she helped Melanie and Beau. After that, she placed their belongings into the carriage and told Prissy to bring the baby. Despite the smallness of Melanie, she was too heavy for Scarlett too carry alone and she called for Prissy. Together, Prissy and Scarlett, supported Melanie, one on each side, half carrying and half pulling her to the carriage. In the process Melanie turned even paler than she already was but not a sound escaped her lips. Inside the carriage Melanie was laid on one seat covered with blankets and Prissy was ordered to tend to the baby. Scarlett had to drive the carriage and without looking back she started the journey to Tara.