It was silent as Scarlett walked down the stairs of her Peachtree house the children were all in bed or their cribs at the moment. Arriving home just an hour earlier all four children were either already asleep or in Wade's case just a moment away from passing out cold.
Scarlett wasn't sure why she wasn't in her own bed sleeping instead of walking through her house. After checking on the children Scarlett had a burning need to do something anything other then sleep. Sleep she was sure would be filled with either her old nightmare or a new one with Rhett happily married to Anne.
So instead Scarlett searched her house finding it hard to believe she had never known that Rhett had loved her at the time he built this monster of a house. It must of cost Rhett a small fortune.
As she entered the settin room Scarlett knew while this house would always haunt her with memories of Rhett and their marriage together it also held precious memories of Bonnie as well. This was where three of Scarlett's five children had been born. Along with were she had suffered her miscarriage. For the reason of Bonnie having lived her short life here alone Scarlett would never sale this house. Perhaps once the twins were a little older they could all go on a trip somewhere to see the world that Rhett had always told her about.
Thinking about the future one with Rhett married to another woman was something Scarlett didn't want to face at the moment or if she was truthful with herself ever. But things don't always go as you want. If that were true then she would be married to Ashley now, Scarlett had to laugh at that thought. It seemed like a lifetime ago when she had loved or thought she had loved Ashley Wilkes.
Scarlett found it hard to believe she had really once been that young southern belle who thought herself madly in love with Ashley and him with her. It was so clear now that they would never have been happy together. Yet because of her foolish Scarlett knew she would never get the chance to have that happiness she so longed for with Rhett.
Rhett was lost to her now and Scarlett had no one but herself to blame. At least she still had two very wonderful parts of Rhett in this very house that she could love. Gerry and Cat would forever prove that at one time even if only for a weekend Rhett had loved her.
Rhett usually slept on train rides at night but knowing what the day ahead was bringing didn't leave him calm enough for sleep to find him this night. He knew Scarlett loved him but she was also a proud person and might not just welcome him home with open arms. What wife would though? He had asked another woman to marry him and Scarlett most likely didn't know the reason behind that. It will be difficult to convince Scarlett he never really wanted a life with Anne.
Every time he closed his Rhett was haunted by the look on Scarlett's face when he introduced Anne as his fiancée. She had played the play of not being upset well but it was just a show she had put on for in Scarlett's emerald eyes were unshed tears. Tears he had put there by his actions. All because he wanted a normal life, Rhett had to laugh at that now.
Why had he thought being a Charleston gentleman was going to make him happy? Perhaps because he had tried being a scoundrel and that hadn't worked. Rhett regretted leaving Atlanta a year ago he should never have left. He knew then that he loved Scarlett and that she did him. Why had he tried to save his heart when it only truly ever beat when his wife was near?
A hurt Scarlett was something Rhett was afraid would be worst then a mad Scarlett could ever be. Rubbing his hands over his face Rhett started to make plans on what his first move would be when he arrived home. First and foremost make sure that Scarlett would listen to him so he could explain the whole mess he had made about Anne.
'No' Rhett thought as he run a hand through his hair next 'first thing to do was tell Scarlett he loved her, the whole Charleston mess could be explaining away after that'
What hopefully would sway Scarlett the most off of her anger at him would be him returning her love.
Unrequited love was something Rhett had lived with so long that when it had been requited he hadn't been able to or emotion willingly at the time to accepted it. Love was something after Bonnie died Rhett didn't want to hear a thing about. All love had ever done for him was bring him pain.
Father Todd had been the first person Rhett had allowed himself to open up to since Bonnie's death. In fact the Priest had pulled Rhett aside before leaving the Butler house to tell him how sorry he was for Rhett's lose of Bonnie and also to give his condolences to Scarlett as well.
Losing Bonnie had torn Rhett's life apart but it was past time for him to stop running from the pain. Most of his life it seemed Rhett found himself running from some thing or someone these last 12 years it had been Scarlett and his love for her. And now Rhett found as he closed his eyes he was tired of running he wasn't scared anymore of Scarlett using his love against him. No he was more scared of using her love for him against her. Rhett silently promised that wouldn't happen either, their marriage was going to be what it always should have been no one was going to use the others feelings against each other.
It was time that Scarlett and he acted like adults. On that thought Rhett closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep staying awake worrying about what was going to happen tomorrow wasn't doing him any good.
'Had it really been a year' Rhett thought as he departed from his train and into Atlanta. One year since he had left this town leaving a crying wife behind him this time Rhett planned on never leaving again without Scarlett and her children with him.
Making his way out of the Train Station Rhett hired a driver to drive himself and his suitcases to Scarlett's house. Well 'their' house but for the last year Rhett had thought of it as Scarlett's house. After all he had had it built just for her and she had been the one living there all this time.
On the ride to Scarlett's Peachtree house Rhett took the sight of Atlanta in. It didn't look that different from the last time he had been here. So much had happened since he and Scarlett had spent their weekend together. And yet it felt like yesterday in a way. Perhaps after making up with Scarlett he could talk her into going to Church with him again just to see if he could get her laughing when the preaching was going on.
The closer Rhett got to his former and hopefully current home hope and dread filled him. Hope that Scarlett would take him back and dread that she would not. But when had he ever not gotten what he wanted? When it concerned Scarlett of course how many years had he waited for her to fall in love with him? Only to get that love when he decided he didn't want it any longer. Scarlett O'Hara was always a wildcard one Rhett was going to win.
When the carriage stopped Rhett took a deep breath and got out telling the driver to just leave his suitcases by the front door. Every step Rhett took towards the front door seemed like an eternity to make. Once there though Rhett found he was at a loss as what to do next should he just open the door with his key are knock like a visit would? It all depended on where he wanted to surprised Scarlett with his presence at the door are in the house quietly where no one else could see are overhear their conversation that was sure to have some yelling involved in it.
Rhett decided that Atlanta already knew enough about his relationship with Scarlett so he entered his house with the key. A key that Rhett no matter how much he denied every wanting to return to Atlanta he had always kept on him. Chuckling as he turned the lock at how even when he won't admit it to himself a part of Rhett had still hang on to the idea of returning to Scarlett.
Once the door was open Rhett couldn't help but smile looking around the grand room of the house it looked the same as always and that comforted Rhett. That Scarlett hadn't changed anything almost made it seem like he was returning from one of his business trips and that if he tried hard enough Rhett could hear Bonnie and Ella playing together upstairs. Shaking that thought off Rhett knew thinking of Bonnie wasn't going to help him win Scarlett back.
Rhett walked pass the settin room and was about to make his way up the stairs and to his old room when he caught sight of someone moving in that room. Rhett knew that none of the servants or the children had reason to be in the settin room this early in the morning which only left Scarlett as the person in there.
'I can do this' Rhett told him self entering seeing Scarlett seated with her back towards him. Making sure to not make any noise Rhett walked until he was right behind his wife and then bent down and whispered into her left ear "Good morning Mrs. Butler it looks to be the beginning of such a fine day."
Scarlett came awake at first at a loss as to where she was. Looking around she had to laugh at herself she had fallen asleep in the setting room. At least she wasn't wearing her dress from yesterday that would have been really uncomfortable to sleep in.
Scarlett turned when she heard a noise that sounded like a door closing. Pulling herself off the settee she was about to explore where the sound came from when she remember her state of undress and decided it most likely was one of the servants not wanting to be found by one of them in her state of dress Scarlett returned to her spot on the settee with her back towards the entrance. Waiting until whoever it was had left the main hall and she could make her escape to her bedroom. Scarlett hoped with her back towards them the servant would leave her alone. She didn't feel like talking at the moment even if it was just to answer a question if she wanted breakfast. The hairs on the back of Scarlett's neck went up when she felt whoever was behind her lean in to whisper into her ear. "Good morning Mrs. Butler it looks to be the beginning of such a fine day."
Ever so slowly as if the world would disappear if she turned her head to fast Scarlett found herself turned around and face to face with her husband. 'It can't be' or 'I have to be dreaming this' were the firsts thoughts that flown through her mind at once. But Scarlett knew she wasn't dreaming this Rhett Butler stood before her.
'Why was he here?' Scarlett asked herself 'did he learn of Cat and Gerry?' if Rhett thought he was going to come in and take her babies from her she would kill him before she let him leave this house with them.
"What are you doing here?" Scarlett demanded ready to attack if Rhett so much as dare mention their children.
Rhett was taken back by Scarlett he knew she would be upset at him but something wasn't right this wasn't just an upset Scarlett before him no her emerald eyes held fear in them. She was afraid of him something Rhett had never known Scarlett to be. Expect perhaps on a certain night so long ago now it was better left forgotten.
"Do you mind if I have a seat next to you Scarlett?" Rhett asked but didn't wait for her reply before taken the empty seat next to her. "I'm not going to lie to you or tease you Scarlett. I'm here because I love you and it's time I stopped running away."
Scarlett couldn't breath the shock of her husband words robbed her of air. Rhett loved her! He really loved her and he had come back for her. Tears were running down her faces before she could find her voice but when she finally did she whispered "Oh Rhett, I love you too"
Before Scarlett could even finish her reply Rhett had her in his arms holding her to himself. Kissing every inch of her beautiful face not wanting the moment to end but Rhett knew they had to much to talking for them to get carrying away by kisses no matter how wonderful they were. Forcing himself to pull away Rhett took his handkerchief and wiped all the tear tracks on Scarlett faces away.
"Are you home to stay Rhett?" Scarlett asked once the astonishment of the past few minutes wore off. "Not just until I do something that makes you angry and you're leave again? Or until you decide you want your fiancé instead of your Wife?"
Scarlett truly hadn't meant to ask the last part but she need to know where Anne Hampton stood in all of this. Did the girl know where Rhett was? Are had he perhaps just decide on the spare of the moment to follow her and the children home?
Rhett knew Anne would come up how could she not when just a day ago 'had it really only be a day?' he thought silently he had been all set to marry her. Of course if he were truthful with himself which finally it looked like he was going to be Rhett had never wanted to marry Anne. If he truly had then Scarlett wouldn't' still be his wife he would have ended their marriage then married Anne right away instead of putting if off.
Instead of facing his feelings Rhett had taken a page from Scarlett and kept putting it off until tomorrow.
"I only have a Wife" Rhett said as he took one of Scarlett's hands into his own "I told Anne the truth that you are my Wife and that I want to make our marriage work. I'm not leaving Scarlett no matter how much we fight"
To almost prove his point Rhett pulled his Wife into a deep kiss and wasn't surprised when she returned it whole heartily. What did surprised Rhett though was the sound of crying not from a child but what sound like a baby.
Breaking the kiss Rhett looked at Scarlett and noticed the way she was biting her bottom lip and the shy almost scare look her green eyes held. The crying could still be heard and Scarlett looked torn almost like she was being pulled two different ways.
Scarlett was indeed torn she didn't know how to tell Rhett about his children who were at the moment demanding her presence. Rhett had said he loved her and wanted to make their marriage work but would he feel the same when he learned she had planned on keeping his children from him?
Rhett would be angry at her and he did have every reason to be. And yet it was his own fault he didn't know of Cat or Gerry she had wrote him. If Rhett would have just answer one of those letters neither of them would be here now. But Scarlett had to admit it felt wonderful to know Rhett loved her enough that he gave up his promising future in Charleston to be just with her.
"I have to show you something Rhett, and before I do I just want to remind you I did write telling you but you never read any of my letters." Scarlett said as she stood up and held her hand out to Rhett.
Taken said hand Rhett could still hear crying and found his heart started beating faster as Scarlett words filled his mind. 'Could it be?' Rhett couldn't even let himself finish that thought not wanting to get his hopes up just to be dashed if it wasn't. Instead he just allowed him self to be lead by Scarlett up the stairs and towards a door he knew well.
Tears were in both Scarlett and Rhett's eyes as she opened the nursery door.
TBC...