The next few months were boring for everybody. Scarlett didn't have much activity since the bazaar and rarely went out. Rhett didn't barely come and visit, only to give her updates on the war and see how she was. Melanie didn't get as many letters from Ashley as before. And Aunt Pitty just usually sat at home starring at nothing or trying to get people to talk with her.
Scarlett was sitting at her desk looking out the window. She was starring at the trees swaying and thought, "This is what I am doing right now...starring outside. I could be doing so many things right now if I hadn't married Charley. Oh! Why did I marry him? I don't even remember why." She thought for a moment and then she knew why she did marry him, "Because I wanted to hurt Ashley. Oh Ashley! He's the cause of all this. He's the fault. He's the reason I'm not dancing or socializing with anyone! I was such a stupid fool. Why did I even love him..but yet..." Her thoughts were interupted by Melanie busting the door open with the most happiest look on her face.
Scarlett jumped in her seat. Her heart pounding one hundred times as fast as it was before.
"Melanie Wilkes! Why in the world did you bust into my room like that. You scared me out of my clothes! God's Nightgown..."
"I'm sorry Scarlett but I'm just so happy! Oh Scarlett! Oh..." Melanie was smiling and moving her arms in delight.
"Melly, what on earth are you so excited for. What is it? Calm down...just tell me!"
Melanie smiled again and looked more excited and said, "Oh Scarlett! I just recieved a letter! Guess who it was from?"
Scarlett got annoyed. Why the only letters Melly gets is from Ashley!
"Was is Ashley?"
"Yes! Oh Scarlett guess what it said? I don't think you can guess so I'll tell you. Ashley said that everything is going fine at war--"
"Melanie Wilkes! Is that what you busted into my room, and interupting my thoughts, came to tell me? Oh bother the war--"
"But Scarlett you didn't let me finish! Ashley said that he's coming home four days before Christmas! Why that's only a few months away! Oh, Scarlett isn't that wonderful! Oh I'm so happy! Oh Scarlett my beloved is coming back to me!"
Scarlett thought for a moment. "So he's coming home. Hmph...that ninny."
"Thats fine Melanie. I'm glad for you. I should say, I'm excited to see Ashley as well." Scarlett said trying to sound a bit excited.
"Oh I know isn't it wonderful! Oh I must tell Aunt Pitty! I just got it in the mail. Oh she'll be sodelighted--"
With that Melanie rushed out the room to tell Aunt Pitty.
Scarlett grumbled. "So he's coming home."
Suddenly she was confused, "Wait, wasn't I in love with Ashley? Why it was only months ago that I confessed my love to him! Why do I feel annoyed that he's coming home. Why?" Her mind went on and on asking why, why.
Then suddenly she knew why. "Why? Because I'm not in love with him any longer! Am I? Am I really not in love with the man I loved since the age of fourteen? Oh, I won't think about this now! I'm tired of thinking. I'm just going to go downstairs. Yes, I'll go downstairs and I'll forget about it all right now."
/
The few months before December went by quickly. Melanie was more excited than ever and was always in the best of moods. Scarlett was annoyed at Melanie's excitement that seemed to grow bigger by the minutes. Aunt Pitty was fixing the house and was just as excited as Melanie.
As Melanie and Aunt Pitty both got more excited as the time went by Scarlett seemed to get more bored and more gloomier.
Melanie was working on a tunic so Scarlett, having nothing more to do, made something to go with it, with some of the remaining cloth Melanie didn't use.
She sat in the living room with Melanie about ten days before Ashley was coming home. Melanie was finishing the tunic and Scarlett was finishing her present to him. Melanie sat there with a smile bigger than ever. She worked delicately and slowly. When she messed up a little she simply said, "Oh!" chuckled a little and corrected her mistake and returning to that same big smile and patience while working. Scarlett on the other hand was working fast trying to get it done. She had finished it weeks before but it looked simply horrid so she had to try to fix all the little mistakes she carelessly didn't notice while doing it before.
Scarlett sat there finishing the details and finally sighed.
"Well, it's done."
Melanie looked up at it a her smile widened.
"Why it looks simply lovely! It matches perfectly. I know Ashley will love it!"
Melanie went back to her work and Scarlett sat there staring at her.
"Melly, are you ever going to get that tunic finished? It seems like ages ago when you started it after you got the cloth!"
"Oh, I know it has been a while but I want it to be perfect. It's so cold now and I don't want it to easily rip while he's fighting."
Melanie went back to her work again and smiled.
Scarlett sat starring out at nothing. "Oh, where did my life go. I'm so bored all the time. Why, I was never bored at Tara. I always had something to do. Well that's because I wasn't a widow! Oh!" she sighed and resumed her stare at nothing.
Finally Melanie looked up and sighed in content.
"I'm finished with it. I'm sure Ashley will love it."
Scarlett got up as Melanie got up to straighten it out and hold it up.
"It looks great Melly. I'm sure he'll love it too." Scarlett said and finding nothing else to do she went out of the room.
She walked upstairs and went to Wade's door.
She opened it to find him playing with his soldier toys.
"Hello Wade."
"Hello." Wade said calmly to her and continued playing with his soldiers.
She walked in and sat on a chair near him and smiled.
He finally looked up at her. She looked at him for a moment and thought, "He looks so much like Charles. Hmph."
She finally said, "Don't let me interupt your game. What are you playing?"
Wade smiled eagerly and said, "War, these Yankees. These us."
"Oh war? How exciting. Who's winning?"
Scarlett walked over to him and looked at the soldiers.
"Yankees loose. We win." Wade said as he picked up a southern soldier and knocked down a yankee.
Scarlett laughed softly and continued watching him as he knocked down more Yankees. Being fair to the Yankees he knocked over a couple Southern soldiers.
Wade suddenly stopped and looked up at her and thought for a moment then said, "Tell Wade about Father."
Scarlett turned a little rigid. Charles...why she didn't know anything about Charles. What would she tell him? Quickly she thought of something.
"Well, uh, Wade. I don't know everything about Charles. If you'd want to know more about him you'd have to ask Melly but I can tell you some things."
Wade seemed interested now and Scarlett continued.
"Well Wade, I first met your father before...I don't remember when but I remember I met him at the Wilkes' when I was about thirteen or fourteen. We weren't what you would say friends then. But then I met him again when I was sixteen at a barbecue at the Wilkes'. He loved me very much and asked me to marry him. I accepted and then---well--you came along. He left for the war only a week after we were married, full of bravery and courage. Then before he even got to fight he died in camp of phnemonia. He was a very kind and nice man and he was always so brave."-And so clumsy.She silently added. She finished with that and smiled at Wade.
Wade sat there thinking for a few moments then he smiled back at her and said, "Did Father know about Wade?"
"I don't think so. He died only a few weeks after joining at camp and I sent him letters but I don't think he ever received them because he never wrote back." Scarlett knew this wasn't true.Charles didn't know about Wade yes but she did not send him letters. He was the one that wrote her letters constantly until his death. She wrote back occastionally but never in her letters did she say anything about her being with child.
She suddenly felt guilty forthat so she took a breath and stood up.
"Well Wade, Mother has many things to do."
Scarlett kissed him on the cheek and walked out of the room.
Scarlett was about to enter her own when she suddenly heard Rhett's voice. He was talking to Aunt Pitty and she said, "Oh Captain Butler--you didn't have to get these for me." She heard Rhett laugh and say, "Would you rather I took them back." Aunt Pitty cried, "Oh no! I didn't mean that!" He laughed again and she said, "If you're looking for Scarlett I think she's in the living room with Melly working on a Christmas gift for--"
With that said Scarlett rushed into her room, fixed her hair a little and rushed to the top of the stairs.
"No, I'm right here. I finished the present."
Aunt Pitty said, "If you'll excuse me. I have to go get Uncle Peter. Oh he told me he'd help me--" Aunt Pitty didn't finish the sentence and just stomped out of the room.
Scarlett walked down, her hand held out.
Rhett took it lightly and kissed it softly his lips lingering on her hand for a moment then he let it go and held out a box of Bon Bon's.
She took it eagerly.
"Oh for me? Oh Rhett, you didn't have to."
Rhett laughed loudly and said, "Are you turning into old Pitty. Well then if I didn't have to I shall gladly take them back and give them to someone else who won't pay me back with a 'you didn't have to'."
Scarlett looked at him with shock as he stuck out his hand for the Bon Bon's. "You certainly will not get them back! I'll die before you take them away from me!"
He laughed loudly again. And they both stepped into the parlor.
He sat down and lighted a match to light his cigar.
She sat down on a chair close to his and they both were silent for a moment. Scarlett noticed that he was carrying a bigger box and she finally asked, curiosity filled in her voice, "Rhett...what is that box!"
Rhett laughed softly and said, "I was waiting for you to ask me what it was. Well believe it or not, it's a present for you."
Her eyes widened with curiosity. "For me? What is it?"
He grinned and put the box down on the table nearby and opened it to reveal a green bonnet.
Her eyes widened even more and she squealed, "Oh the darling thing! Oh it isn't really for me! Oh Rhett, how lovely."
He held it up to show her but too anxious she kept on trying to take it out of his hands.
"Oh Rhett, do let me try it on!"
He laughed and gave her the bonnet and sat back down as she went to the mirror to put it on.
As she put it on, Rhett glanced at her approvingly and she finally got it on.
She turned her head to him and she said, "How do I look?"
He smiled, "You look good enough to eat. That color suits you very well."
She smiled and said, "Why thank you Rhett," she walked toward him taking the bonnet off her head. "Oh but Rhett, I can't go on excepting these gifts from you, really. I'll definantely never be able to repay you in money."
He smirked, "You'll take the bonnet because it was made especially for you...and besides, I don't think it would suit anyone better."
"But how will I repay you?" Scarlett asked.
"I can think of a few ways you can repay me." Rhett said with a devilish grin.
Scarlett's eyes widened as he inched toward her. She was extremely nervous. It had been so long since she'd been kissed.
He was extremely close to her now and she thought frantically, "He's going to kiss me in a few seconds!"
She closed her eyes and he put his arms around her and kissed her softly on the lips. He grew a little bit more into the kiss, but no more than that.
She felt faint and so weak. She had a tingling feeling running all through her body. He kept his lips on hers forwhat seemed like forever then he broke the kiss and looked at her.
She felt as if she were going to fall over. She let out the breath that she had held in her and he grinned.
"If I'm correct I think you enjoy my kisses." He looked amused and his eyes glowed.
She quickly snapped out of her faintness and looked annoyed.
"Don't be silly Rhett."
He laughed and said, "Well my dear, I am certain to bring you more gifts from now on if this is the kind of reward I get. Onlynext timethey will be better and more expensive."
He had a wicked grin on his face and she understood what he meant.
"Rhett Butler you're a varmint." She laughed softly blushing at his meaning.
"Well my dear, I believe I must go now. I've already been here too long. Thank you for the payment."
She scowled and blushed again, "Oh, Rhett must you be so...ugh never mind. Thank you for the gifts."
He smiled and took her hand and kissed it softly, "No, thank you. Goodbye Scarlett.
"Goodbye Rhett." Scarlett said with a smile.
She closed the door behind her and touched her lips. She giggled like a little girl expiriencing her first kiss. She got annoyed at herself, "Why I'm acting so childish."
She quickly went upstairs and picked up Ashley's present off the floor where she had dropped it and went into her room.
/
The last few days before Ashley was to return home was the most busiest of days. Aunt Pitty was busy preparing the house and thinking of what they were going to eat. Melanie was busy fixing her room and once again working on the tunic and prancing around the house excitingly. And Scarlett was busy finding a box to wrap the present in and thinking about Rhetts kisses.
The last few days finally went and Ashley was home. They went to the depot to get him and Melanie was figiting and breathing fast in the carriage while Aunt Pitty was chattering on and on about how different it will be once Ashley is home and that it's good to have a man in the house again. Scarlett on the other hand wanted to get this over with. She knew how awkward it was going to be especially for her. The last time they really talked was at Twelve Oaks when she confessed her love to him. Everytime she thought of it, it made her blush. She was a bit ashamed that she was that childish and so immature.
They were finally at the depot and Melanie sprung out of the carriage and waited anxiously for them to arrive. India and Honey and Mr. Wilkes came shortly afterstanding close by Melanie.The train finally came and Melanie was saying, "Oh! Oh!" over and over in excitement while Scarlett was mearly putting on a small smile and Aunt Pitty just as anxious as Melanie.
"Melly! Melly!" Ashley cried and ran over to her and hugged her tightly.
"Oh Ashley! Oh Ashley, it has been so long! You're finally here! I'm so happy. Oh Ashley. Come on, say hello to the others! Oh Ashley I'm so glad your finally home!"
"I am too my dear. It's so very good to see you!"
After Ashley finished greeting his father and sisters he came over to Scarlett and Aunt Pitty. He first greeted Aunt Pitty with a warm hug and saying how glad he was to see her. Then he came over to Scarlett.
"Scarlett, my dear. It's so good to see you."
Scarlett smiled and said, "Oh Ashley, It's good to see you. Welcome home."
He kissed her on the cheek and he stared at her a moment then turned back to Melanie and walked away talking to her.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
They ate a good dinner that night. A kind of dinner they hadn't had for a long time. They all talked merrily and the hours went by quickly and it was late. Aunt Pitty, Ashley, Melanie, and Scarlettsaid goodnight to everyone and everyone left. Melanie had given Ashley his tunic and Scarlett gave him his present. He had looked at Scarlett strangely the whole night and whenever she caught a glimpse of him doing that she mearly smiled sincerely and averted her eyes toward others. She didn't understand why he was staring at her in that way but she only thought it very annoying and disturbing and decided she would ask him about it later.
Melanie and Ashley said goodnight to Aunt Pitty, Scarlet, and Wade and went upstairs.
Morning came swiftly and everybody was up. Melanie was too overcome with grief so she didn't go downstairs but everybody else was scurrying aroung the house giving Ashley things to take with him and telling him to becareful.
There was a moment though when everybody seemed to be out of the room and Scarlett and Ashley were alone. Scarlett was sitting down on a chair in the parlor and Ashley standing staring at nothing.
Scarlett finally looked up and asked, "Ashley, why were you staring at me like that yesterday evening?"
Ashley looked up and smiled a little smile and said, "Oh well Scarlett, I've just--I've noticed you've changed since the last time we've talked. You seem sort of--well. I don't know how to explain it. You've just changed."
Scarlett said a bit annoyed, "I hope you mean in a good way."
Ashley quickly replied, "Oh of course I do. But I just mean you've changed a lot. I don't know you just seem different around me and not the same. You behave as if--well as if--"
Scarlett finished the sentence for him, her voice cool, "You mean as if I'm not in love with you anymore? Why what is so shocking about that? I've decided that I was childish to have ever fallen in love with you and I realize that I wasn't really in love with you but you know, I was quite swept off my feet by you when I was fourteen. Well I was a child. You understand that don't you?"
Ashley turned slightly pale and replied, "Oh yes, of course. I just find it difficult to understand why--"
He was quickly cut off by Aunt Pitty coming into the parlor and saying, "Oh Ashley! You know the train leaves in fifteen minutes. You must hurry. You'll miss it if you don't. Oh Ashley, I hate to send you away like this. Oh my--" Aunt Pitty started to cry a little and Ashley quickly hugged her and said, "Now Aunt Pitty, I'll be seeing you again you know. You're absolutely right I must hurry and catch the train." he turned to Scarlett and he smiled uneasily, "Goodbye Scarlett," he turned to Aunt Pitty again and said goodbye and left.
Scarlett comforted Aunt Pitty for a couple minutes then she went up to her room.
"What had she just said? Had she just told Ashley that she wasn't in love with him anymore? But...and I sounded so cool saying it. As if I really meant it. Oh but did I?" She thought for a couple moments then she thought again, "I knew what he was going to say before Pitty cut him off...he was going to say that he found it--hard to believe that I could fall out of love that easily. I think he was about to say that--well I find that hard to believe myself." Scarlett walked around her room and kept thinking, "How could I fall out of love that quick after loving him for years? Is it really possible? Well, I guess it is--" She was confused at herself. "Well I'd look like a fool if I said I was lying when I said I didn't love him anymore. Oh but I wasn't lying! I'm not in love with him anymore am I?"
She went to her bed and layed down starring up into the ceiling. She was thinking then finally believing that she wasn't in love with Ashley any longer.
Wow! Long chapter!The words seemed to just flow out of my mind while I was writing. I hope you like this chapter.I hope I'm no tmaking anyone bored with this story. If so please tell me! Please review and tell me what you think of this chapter. I'll update soon. And thank you for all your kind reviews! I'm so happy you like my story! Oh and about the jumbledwords -- please bear with that! I went through this chapter again and corrected all the ones that I saw! If there are a few just bear with it! Thanks so much!
-Katherine