Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

During the first week of January, the family returned from New York to Atlanta and their busy social life. One night, Scarlett said, "How much longer do you think we are going to be under Republican rule?"

"Two, maybe three years."

"You think the Democrats will be back in power that quickly?"

"Yes. The Democrats will be back in power as soon as the Southerners get the vote back. Probably for a long time. We will probably be under martial law longer than that."

"If we move away, will you take me to visit Tara as often as we do now?"

"Yes, if you want."

"I think I am going to sell my sawmills."

"Why, Honey?"

"The profits are not worth the amount of work I'm putting into them."

"Don't sell them until you are absolutely sure you are done with them."

"Alright, Rhett."

Scarlett had two birthday parties for Wade. One at the mansion and one at Hamilton House.

Scarlett invited all her Scallawag and Republican friends to the party at the mansion including Governor Bullock. As it turned out he had a son close to Wade's age.

Scarlett had sent Aunt PittyPat some money for her to buy food for the dinner at Hamilton House. At the dinner, Rhett engaged the men in politics while the ladies discussed their committees and their children. Scarlett noticed that Ashley was frowning at Rhett because Genie was sitting in his lap for the entire meal. Scarlett would have preferred for Genie to be fed in the nursery until she was two, but Rhett had insisted she eat her meals with them once she was able to feed herself sort of. When Scarlett had seen Ashley frowning, she had smiled and thought, 'No, it isn't proper, but Rhett is so rarely proper.'

Ashley went down memory lane and Scarlett was the only person who knew what he was talking about. It probably was the most Scarlett had talked to Ashley on a personal level since her return from Europe. During the conversation, Scarlett occasionally would look at Rhett to be sure he wasn't getting mad. Later in their bedroom, Rhett said, "It seems you were able to finally put Mr. Wilkes behind that closed door in your mind."

"I guess."

Rhett had wanted Scarlett to tell him she didn't love Wilkes anymore, but it would take a shock to get her to realize she didn't love Wilkes and did love him. The only thing wrong with Rhett's life was that Scarlett had not declared her love, but he wasn't going to ruin what they had by pushing for more. Yet.

Melly had been pleased with Ashley and Scarlett's interaction at the party. She did notice that Scarlett wasn't giving Ashley adoring looks but Melly had also noticed how many times Scarlett had looked at Captain Butler therefore Melly assumed Captain Butler had voiced his displeasure at Scarlett looking at Ashley that way. Melly was happy things were still good in Melly's world.

There had been practically no investigation into Belle Watling's death. Anyone who knew anything about Belle wasn't about to come forward and make the law officers aware of their connections to her. The Scallawag wives had known Belle down in New Orleans, but they were trying to leave that life behind, so they didn't say anything to the police. They also didn't really care who had killed Belle. Rhett knew something about Belle, but he didn't want anyone looking at him too closely. He certainly didn't want to help the police in any form or fashion. Moses, Belle's long-term bartender and also lover, didn't want anyone knowing about his relationship with the madame either. He didn't want to attract attention to himself. Therefore, after going through all of Belle Watling's belongings and not finding anything indicating her next of kin or who murdered her the law officer investigating the murder let the case go dormant.

Even Leslie Sawyer, Belle's business partner, didn't care who murdered her. His only concern was who owned the other half of The Painted Lady. She was just an illiterate whore. She probably didn't have any relatives. When he was cleaning out her room, he found a thousand dollars, a handkerchief with the initials RKB on it, an empty box of candy, a dried-up flower, and a piece of jewelry in a strong box. He kept the money and the jewelry. He burned the handkerchief, the box, and the flower. Leslie knew who RKB was but he liked the man so he would keep his secret. His pretty wife didn't need to know about Butler's relationship with an old whore. Sawyer knew it was that pretty wife that had caused Butler to sell his half of the brothel. Ladies never did understand men's needs.

It was Genie's first birthday and Scarlett still persisted in calling her daughter Genie although everyone else including Mammy and Melly called the child Bonnie. Rhett took over the planning of Bonnie's birthday party and Scarlett let him. Scarlett figured she might as well. Rhett was going to take over any way.

There was a pony. There was a clown. There were circus performers. There was more food than had been at that last barbecue at Twelve Oaks. Scarlett estimated that Rhett had spent over ten dollars on the party. Scarlett decided that it probably was closer to twenty-five dollars. She would have been shocked to learn that Rhett had spent almost fifty dollars on the party. A good time was had by all the invitees. The Republicans, the Yankees, the Scallawags, and, of course, the Governor and his family.

As Rhett was walking around the party carrying Bonnie and talking to all his guests, he thought about his life at this time in his first timeline. This was about the time he had started humbling himself to get received by the Old Guard for Bonnie's sake. His older self had been correct. He would never have done that for Scarlett.

Rhett had done a lot of things in his life that had made him feel slimy, but nothing had made him feel lower than his humbling himself before those sanctimonious, judgmental hypocrites. That had probably been the worst thing he had ever done. No, that wasn't right. Throwing Scarlett in the dirt and using her to get received had been the worst thing he had ever done. Rhett found his wife and the smile she gave him made him feel good about himself once again.

That night Rhett made love to Scarlett with all the tenderness and love that he could demonstrate. Afterwards, as she was lying in his arms she whispered, "That was amazing."

Rhett felt like a million dollars with her praise.

The next morning Scarlett was pressed up against Rhett and he smiled. He was never giving this up even if he had to be celibate in order to continue sleeping next to her every night. Not that he would ever make that suggestion.

For Rhett and Scarlett's second anniversary, they went and had their picture taken. They then went out to supper. After they were seated while looking at the menu, she said, "Be sure and order the oysters. You are going to need them."

Rhett had burst out laughing and said, "So are you."

After Rhett and Scarlett were intimate that night, she said, "I'm glad we only eat oysters on our anniversary. All that would be too much on a nightly basis. Although I thought it was all wonderful."

"I thought it was wonderful also, but I agree we couldn't physically do all that all the time."

The next year sped by. Rhett and Scarlett were doing much the same as they had in sixty-nine. They attended social entertainment given by Yankees, Scallawags, and Republicans. They attended traveling lectures, traveling plays, and an opera. Rhett made lots and lots of money. Most of it in questionable ways but none in illegal ways. As he had told Scarlett he had a reason to live now. Her, Bonnie, Wade, Ella, and his son.

Scarlett continued to run her businesses, but she was talking more and more about selling the sawmills. The profits were not worth the time she was spending running them.

This time around Rhett never overruled either Mammy or Scarlett when they told Bonnie no. He had even told her no a few times. The main difference was that Rhett was not letting her do anything she wanted. He was adamant that she take a nap every day. He didn't want to put up with that whining, crying brat.

In the middle of July, Rhett told Scarlett, "I have to go to Chicago."

"When?"

"As soon as I can get it arranged."

"What is going on?"

"I invested in a business up there. I am one of five other investors. I have been getting mixed reports from the acting president and the other investors. I need to go and investigate myself."

"We will go with you. This is perfect. Wade is out of school."

"I would like that."

The family left after Scarlett had checked the books that Wednesday. She told all her managers, "I am going to be out of town. If you have any problems, handle it the best you can."

Scarlett didn't tell anyone where she was going or when she would be back. She enjoyed the freedom.

Within a week of being in Chicago, Rhett and the other investors had discovered that the acting president was trying to embezzle money. He had quickly left town without any of the investors' money. He had been lucky to still be alive.

The family spent another week in the town. Rhett enjoyed showing the family the sights. He truly enjoyed showing Scarlett a more sophisticated lifestyle. Fortunately, all the women in the North seemed to like her very much.

While they were in Chicago, Rhett had asked Scarlett, "Do you like the city?"

"I like it well enough, but I think I like New York better."

"Does this mean you are willing to move away from Atlanta and Tara?"

"I have known since Genie was born that we would eventually have to move away from the South. Melly might be able to get Wade received but those old battleaxes would never receive Ella much less your daughter. In order for Genie to be received you would have to get received and even you with all your charisma and good looks would not be able to accomplish that."

"No, I wouldn't."

"I'm just not ready to leave yet. I guess we will leave after the Scallawags and Yankees leave."

"The Yankees are never going to leave. They have put down roots."

"True. I will let you know when I am ready."

When the family got back from Chicago, Scarlett's businesses were doing fine. Just fine, indeed.

The family had gone to Tara about three times that year and on the way back one time Scarlett talked about how shabby the plantation was looking. She also talked about how it was no longer her Tara anymore. That night when they were alone, Rhett questioned her about what she meant. She said, "I don't know exactly but it is just not the same."

Rhett gently replied, "No, Baby, it isn't. It never will be again."

"I guess I know you are right. I do wish I hadn't married Frank."

"We can't see into the future. If I had known what I know now I would have married that girl in the buggy incident."

"As you said when you proposed, 'Given the same set of circumstances, we would do the same thing. We aren't Nostradamus."

"No, we aren't. I'm impressed with your reference to Nostradamus."

"I have learned a thing or two from living with you."

Scarlett hosted a party to celebrate Ella's fourth birthday and another to celebrate Rhett's birthday. Rhett suggested they spend Christmas in Boston and Scarlett agreed. While they were there the family saw all the sights and had a lovely time. Scarlett said to Rhett one night, "I could live here."

"Good."

For the most part, the couple were happy. The children were happy. Rhett allowed Scarlett to make all the arrangements for Bonnie's second birthday party. Scarlett invited every one of the Scallawags and Republicans. A good time was had by all.

When Bonnie turned two, Rhett expected her to start getting nightmares, but she never did. Rhett sadly decided that what had frightened the little girl was her living nightmare. Bonnie's real life was probably worse than anything a two-year-old could dream up.

Rhett sadly smiled. He had never restrained himself in regard to saying ugly things to Scarlett. If the urge hit him, out came the poisonous dart. Bonnie loved him, of course, but she had also loved her mother. The anger and hostility between the two of them had been a palpable thing. It had been enough to frighten all the children in the house.

As Rhett watched Bonnie playing with Ella, he wondered, "What was I thinking when I moved Bonnie into my bedroom? I know what I was thinking it was one more way to separate Bonnie from Scarlett. I certainly was a mean spiteful man to the woman I loved.'

By the end of March, Rhett was happy to know that Bonnie was not going to go through having to deal with nightmares. Scarlett never had nightmares anymore either. Maybe, he had made her feel safe and secure also.