Rhett, Scarlett, Wade, Melanie, Beau, and Prissy all sat in the buggy and traveled to Tara. Each day seemed to get harder to travel. Sometimes they would have to hide from the Yankees because they'd be riding around. Everyone was extremely hungry and the first one that got the food if any was Melanie and Wade. Scarlett found each day difficult but with Rhett it seemed that she wasn't the one who was taking care of everything.
One day, when it was dark and there was only a little light from the moon shining above, they parked the buggy in a forest to rest a night. Melanie had fainted and had been out cold for hours and Prissy had been struggling to keep awake trying not to fall over on top of Melanie, Wade, and the baby. Wade was sleeping and moaning in his sleep because of hunger. Rhett and Scarlett were the only ones that were awake and more stronger than the others.
Rhett and Scarlett both got out of the buggy and they both stretched and looked up at the stars.
They both sat down on the grass. Scarlett sighed and said, "Look at that star--it's such a bright shining one! You know Pa once said--when we used to look at the stars at night together--that a bright shining star like that one was a magical one and that if you make a wish--it's sure to come true."
Rhett looked at her and was amazed, in that moonlight her eyes glowed like diamonds and looking at her face was like looking at an angels face, so innocent, so peaceful.
"Really?" Rhett said looking at her, his eyes soft.
"Yes--but I don't know what to wish for--I don't know possibly what I could wish for--only to get home safely--and let Tara not be burnt to the ground and let Ma and Pa be alright." Scarlett said still looking at the sky.
"I know what I would wish for--I've been wanting it for quite some time."
Scarlett turned to him and looked curiously at him, "What! Tell me!"
Rhett laughed loudly and declared, "You'd be the last person I'd ever tell."
Scarlett sighed distressfully, "Oh Rhett--please! Tell me--please--I won't tell anyone!"
"Scarlett, you know I'm not going to tell you--you'd have to beg me on your hands and knees for me to--"
Scarlett immediately got up and got on her knees in front of him and said in a poetic manner, "Rhett, I beg of you, tell me what your wish upon that star would be!" then she switched to her normal voice and said, "You said that you would tell me if I begged on my hands and knees well, here I am, on my knees begging you--now you have to tell me!"
Just as she said this--a black crow squacked loudly and they both gasped loudly and Scarlett fell on top of Rhett and they both were extremely startled. When they realized that it was only a crow they both laughed so hard at their silliness. Scarlett was laughing so hard and Rhett the same and she said between laughs, "Oww...my--my stomach--need--to stop--laughing." They both were laughing then they finally settled down and she was still in his arms almost completely on top of him. They both rolled over on their sides facing each other. They looked at each other for what seemed like ages then Scarlett finally spoke, "Rhett--well I begged you on my hands and knees--so aren't you going to tell me?" she said softly. He looked at her and finally said, "Alright Scarlett I'll tell you--" He put his arms around her and pulled her up on his lap and he kissed her--at first slowly and softly--then growing the kiss and pryed her mouth open and right then Scarlett started kissing him back--her arms around his neck. He continued kissing her with passion and fire. Scarlett felt a fire flaming up in the pit of her stomach and felt a tingling feeling in the palm of her hands. They both started breathing heavier and she ran her fingers through his thick, jet black hair. And they both moaned and Scarlett caressed his cheek. They sat their arms around each other kissing for what seemed like hours then Rhett broke the kiss.
Scarlett's eyes remained closed for a few seconds, then she opened them and saw Rhett's black eyes staring at her--full of fire and passion. They stared at each other and were breathing heavier and Scarlett's chest was heaving with passion. Finally Rhett spoke, "---the kiss is not all I want Scarlett--I want all of you, your heart, your soul--You. I want You, and everything that comes along with You."
Scarlett stared at Rhett amazed, "He wants me! He loves me? Well, he never said that--but--perhaps--perhaps he does! Do I love him--? Do I really love him?" Scarlett asked herself silently.
He looked at her and said, "Penny for your thoughts--"
Scarlett said a little timidly, "Rhett--do you--I mean--does that mean--" Scarlett couldn't seem to get it out she blushed a little. Rhett looked uneasily at her and got up and stared at the grass below and said, "Yes I do--I love you more than I've ever loved any other woman--and waited for you longer than I've ever waited for any other woman for that matter." he chuckled uneasily and looked at her still sitting on the ground looking a little shocked.
"Come on--we'd better get some rest--we still have a long ways to go till we reach Tara." He offered his hand and she took it and he pulled her up and they both walked together keeping a little distance with each otherto the buggy for another uncomfortable night in it.
Scarlett was swishing around, feeling uncomfortable and unable to get sleep. Rhett turned to her and said, "Do you want to find some other way to sleep?" Scarlett was startled a little, then nodded. He turned his body around completely so he was facing her. He was in half sitting position and laid his back on the wood that was on the side of the buggy. He gestured Scarlett to lay her head on his chest she obeyed timidly. They lay there for a while then finally Scarlett fell asleep while Rhett was still thinking, "My God--I just told her I loved her--I just told her what I've told myself never to tell her. She doesn't love me--what a fool I am." He sat thinking for a long time then finally fell into an uneasy sleep.
The next morning was dark and cloudy--it looked as if it were to rain and pretty quickly it did. They all sat in the buggy soaking wet. Melanie holding the sheets over Beau's head and Wade trying to shield himself from the rain unsuccessfully. And Prissy sighing and moaning quietly from the discomfort of everything. They had found some apples that day and had eaten some but that didn't satisfy their hunger in the least. Wade was complaining more and more and Scarlett was getting more frustrated yet she still had sympathy and told him that they'd get good food soon. She told him that at Tara there would be a great big meal for themall. He believed her and got quieter with his complaints. Melanie barely spoke and the baby cried constantely--the only time she spoke was saying, "Oh my poor baby--oh my poor, poor baby--".
One day Scarlett sat in the buggy chomping on an apple beside Rhett when she noticed something, "Rhett--I think--I think we're almost there!" she shouted happily. Rhett looked at her and said, "What makes you think that?" "This rode--it looks familiar--the turn here, it's where me and Pa used to ride--I remember this road!" Scarlett said loudly. "Okay--so how long do you think--" Rhett started to say. "We'll pass Twelve Oaks first I think--then we'll go a little ways then I think Tara will be there. Oh yes! Twelve Oaks--we can stop there for some food."
They rode for another hour then finally Twelve Oaks came into view--half the house was burnt down and the other half was in the most shameful condition. They both got out of the buggy and Scarlett ran through the ruins to see if anyone was there. Rhett walked behind her looking at the burnt house that was once very magnificent and glorious to look at. He sighed and caught up with Scarlett as she was staring at the stairs which lead up to nothing. He said in a low, depressed voice, "This is what the war does to things--" Scarlett looked at him, tears in her eyes and hugged him tightly and said, "Oh Rhett--what if--what if Tara is this way! What if Ma and Pa and my sisters are gone--what would we do then?" Rhett patted her back and said, "Scarlett--Tara is going to be there, you said you knew that it wasn't burnt to the ground and it won't be. Scarlett honey don't cry--" Scarlett continued sobbing and sobbing harder than she thought she could ever cry. Then she finally settled down and they both looked around more to find anything that may be useful. But they found nothing.
"The damn Yankees! They took everything!..." Scarlett said as she was still looking around--she turned a corner and saw a gravemarker that said, "John Wilkes" and she said, "Oh my God--" Rhett walked over to what she was staring at and he sighed as he saw the gravemarker. She quickly walked away, tears rushing back to her eyes as she moved rubble continuing her search. Rhett still was staring at it then looked at the long staircase up and realized he was standing exactely where he stood a few years ago looking at Scarlett go up the staircase--he could almost picture it now--Scarlett in the green dress talking to some other lady and looking from that lady to him--and back and forth each time looking more and more astonished.
He chuckled a little and said, "Do you remember how it was that day at the barbecue--" Scarlett looked at him and saw him smiling looking at the stairs. Scarlett smiled too...her tears going away as she remembered that day--she was the center of attention, "Yes--I do--it was so long ago. Everything was perfect--everyone and everything was so peaceful--and this house was so beautiful." Scarlett said softly. "Yeah--I remember walking past the staircase then seeing you talking to two boys that already had two girls who behind them were looking extremely jealous. Then that's when I stood here as you went up the staircase and caught a glimpse of me and probably heard of my bad reputation by that girl you were talking to." Scarlett laughed a little and remembered she had admired him a little for not being a gentlemen but still didn't like him, "Yes--she was telling me of your bad reputation as a matter of fact." Rhett laughed and said, "And do you remember that incident in the library with the elegant Mr. Wilkes--" Scarlett turned to the way the library was and it was gone and she said, "Yes Rhett, I do--but that was a very long time ago--things have changed--a lot." Rhett looked at her curiously and said, "How so?..." Scarlett said calmly, "Well for example--the war has changed me and a lot of things have happened to me have changed my feelings about him--and I--I'm simply sayingI don't love him anymore." Rhett stared at her and was a bit shocked, "She doesn't love Ashley anymore? No it can't be possible--but she looks serious." Rhett said, "You simply fell out of love for him, just like that." Scarlett jerked her head and looked at him and suddenly those words seemed familiar, "Rhett--have you ever said those words before to me?" He looked at her strangely and said, "No Scarlett--I don't believe I have...Scarlett are you alright--you look a little pale." Scarlett stood there thinking, "Has he ever said those words to me! I remember clearly he did but--how can that be possible--oh well I'm probably dreaming things!" Scarlett quickly snapped out of her thoughts and said, "Yes I'm alright. Forget I ever asked that question--I guess I was just--thinking things." Then she said, "We'd better get back to the buggy, Tara is not far from here probably a mile down the rode."
They rode down the dusty road so slowly because the horse was getting slower and slower as time went by.
"Why, I could walk faster than this horse can ride! Can't it go any faster!" Scarlett asked.
"Nope--it's too tired--we'll justhave to be patient and get there when we get there." Rhett said and sighed.
Scarlett sighed too and leaned her head against his shoulder and took his arm.
Rhett looked as Scarlett took a little nap on his shoulder and smiled, "She's so innocent--such a child--yet at the same time growing up before his eyes. Into a more mature woman." Then he looked up and saw it was getting more dark by the minutes. It was hard to see if there was any sign of Tara in front of them. The moon came out and he could see more clearly but it seemed that they'd never get to Tara! The horse was way too slow and wasting time. He stopped the buggy to let the horse rest and Scarlett woke up.
"Oh Rhett, I'm sorry I was asleep so long. I was just so tired--"
"It's alright, you need to get some rest--you've been working hard and need a little rest." Rhett said reasuringly.
"But Rhett--what about you--you haven't slept in nearly two days." Scarlett said with a concerned voice.
"Scarlett--I've gone more than two days without sleep once and I can do it again." Rhett said with a laugh.
"Oh Rhett--it seems like we'll never get to Tara! This damn horse is so slow!" Scarlett said with anger.
Just then they came up closer and saw something in the distance. It was Tara!
"Oh my God Rhett, I can't see is it burnt? Is it burnt?" Scarlett cried.
The moon came out from the clouds and they both looked anxiously and saw that Tara was still standing.
"Oh my God! It's still there--Tara! It's still there!" Scarlett said with so much relief in her voice.
She jumped out of the buggy and ran as fast as she could to the door.
"Mother! Mother it's me--it's Katie Scarlett!" Scarlett said loudly pounding on the door.
The door slowly opened to reveal her father and Scarlett immediately sighed and said, "Oh Pa, I'm home. It's me Scarlett--I'm home." At first her father was tense then said, "Oh Katie Scarlett darlin' tis you!"
Rhett stood behind them and after they had finished their hug he stuck out his hand and said, "Mr. O'Hara. Very pleased to meet you sir. My name is Rhett Butler."
He shook Rhett's hand and said, "Mr. Butler--tis you that brought my daughter home?" Scarlett's father asked.
"Yes Mr. O'Hara, I did." Rhett said.
Gerald smiled a littleand let him in and they both went inside.
"Mammy! Oh Mammy it's you! I'm so glad to see you." Scarlett said in a tired relieved voice and then said, "You need to get Melly and the baby and Wade out of the buggy. They're still in there and be careful with Melly--"
Mammy said, "Don't ya be worryin' your pretty lil' head over them. I's gonna get it all taken care of."
Scarlett looked around and noticed something seemed different, "Mammy--where's everybody--where's Mother."
Mammy looked uncomfortably at her and said, "Well Miss. Careen and Miss. Suellen--they's had the typhoid bad and they're weak like lil' kittens."
Scarlett looked at her in question and said, "But--where's Mother?"
Mammy turned to the door that was slightly ajar with a little light coming from it and tears suddenly came to Scarlett's eyes.
"Oh my God--" Scarlett said quietly as tears ran down her face. She opened the door all the way to see her mother lying there---dead.
Scarlett walked out of the door feeling weak and tired from all that crying. She looked to see her father sitting on a chair in his office with Rhett.
She walked in and sat down in a chair close to them both and said nothing then finally her father spoke, "What are you lookin' so down for daughter. Has one of your beau's upset you darlin'?"
Scarlett looked up in horror, "Pa--what do you--"
Rhett quickly got up and lead Scarlett out of the room and she said, "Rhett! Has he gone crazy! My beau's?"
Rhett said quickly, "Mammy told me about it--you might want to ask her."
------
Scarlett talked to Mammy and she told Scarlett how sometimes he would just sit at the door waiting for Ellen to come home--sometimes he would realize that she was dead and cry then the next minute be happy and anxious to come home.
"It's best youz actin' like he's normal--don't as' him 'bout it." Mammy said cautiously.
"Yes, Mammy." Scarlett said wearily. She got up and said, "Mammy get everyone something to eat--"
"There ain't nottin' to eah' 'round here no more Miss. Scarlett--'da Yankees tooks it all." Pork said walking in the room and looked at her with sorrow.
"The chickens? Everything!" Scarlett asked frantically.
"They's tooks that 'de firs' thing." Pork said.
"Oh--Mammy then what are we going to eat?" Scarlett asked hoplessly.
"I don't know chile'--I don't know--" Mammy said with a sorry tone.
"Did you fix Rhett a--"
"Yes hone' chile' I'z got it all taken care of." Mammy said.
Scarlett sighed and walked up to her room and laid on the bed and fell into a uneasy sleep.
-------
I know the beginning of the chapter was kind of like Pinocchio type of thing...lol but I thought that would be cute! Hope you like this chapter...next chapter should be up pretty soon--maybe tomorrow.
-Katherine