Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

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

Chapter Sixty-Three

Two days after Scarlett got the telegram the family was checking into the National Hotel in the morning. Scarlett had informed Ashley when they would arrive, and the funeral was going to be that afternoon. Scarlett left Gerry and Olivia at the hotel with Flo. She took Wade, Ella, and Genie because they all remembered the woman. Scarlett didn't think that Genie really remembered her Aunt Melly, but Genie had said she did, so Scarlett took her to the funeral. She just didn't have the energy to argue with the child.

The funeral was at the Hamilton House. The turnout was large. Everyone who was anyone was at the funeral. Not that the younger women had wanted to go to Melanie's funeral but if they didn't show they would have to explain why they didn't show up. It was easier just to go.

Ashley and Beau sat together on the front row with India sitting next to them. PittyPat who was nonstop crying was sitting next to India. Henry had chosen not to sit next to his sister but sit on the second row.

During the reception, Ashley came up to Rhett and Scarlett. To Scarlett Ashley looked bad. She knew that part of his wretched appearance was because of his grief for Melanie but she also thought most of it was because of what the disease was doing to his body. She may have been being fanciful, but she could not mistake the warts on his body.

Scarlett said, "I am so sorry for your loss, Ashley."

"Thank you."

"How did she die?"

"She got a fever, and she couldn't keep anything down. The strange thing was that her fever would break and then come back. She suffered for three weeks before God took her to heaven," Ashley looked away while he got his emotions under control. He said, "You must take Beau with you when you return to New York."

"Ashley, don't you want him to remain with you."

"Yes, but I want him to get a fine education and move among cultured people. I won't last much longer. Maybe two or three years but this is the time that Beau needs to be educated. He needs to be educated so he can get into a fine university. So, he can have a good life. The life that I can't give him. I would never have taken him away from Melly but that doesn't matter anymore. I now have to do what is right for the boy," With a chagrined smiled Ashley continued, "It is my last responsibility I have on this earth."

Rhett said, "We need to go to Tara, check on a couple of investments, visit the Picard's Bistro, and visit our attorney. We will be returning to New York withing the week."

"He will be ready to go."

"Oh Ashley!"

"Scarlett, I have been contented these last few years working at the bank, but my life will never be any better than it is right now. We went to war over an issue that wasn't even in jeopardy. We destroyed our world, not the Yankees. Lincoln just did what he had to do to save the union. We were such damn fools."

"Oh Ashley!"

"Send me a note telling me when to have Beau ready to go. He won't want to go but he will be going."

Rhett said, "Of course."

Rhett stuck out his hand and Ashley took it and shook it. Ashley said, "You were the smart one to say to hell with all that honor and bullshit. Good day."

"Ashley."

"Let him go, Scarlett. Leave him with the small shreds of dignity he still has."

"Let's go back to the hotel."

"We aren't going to go to the graveside."

"Why bother. Everyone hates us anyway."

"Well said, my love. Let's get the children."

Rhett and Scarlett got Wade, Ella, and Genie. They started to walk out the door. Ashley called across the room. He walked over to the family with Beau and said, "Go ahead and take my son with you. I will bring his clothes over later today. He doesn't need to see his mother's coffin put in the ground. He needs to be around other children, especially his cousin."

"Ashley, let us go ahead and adopt him before we leave."

"No, I cannot let you adopt him. He is the last male Wilkes."

"What does all that matter, Ashley? Once he gets to New York whether it is official or not he will become Butler."

Ashley sighed and said without looking at Rhett and Scarlett, "Have your attorney draw up the papers. Let me know when to come by his office. It is Mr. Powe, isn't it?"

"Yes, we are going to go now."

Scarlett held out her arm and Beau walked towards her. She was remembering the day she had brought him into the world. Melly had given him to her then and now Ashley was giving him to her. She would raise the boy right. She would give him the best of everything. Afterall that was why Ashley had given her the boy. So, he could have a privileged life.

The family got back to the hotel. Rhett requested another roll away bed for the room the boys were sharing. Gerry and Olivia were still asleep. They were both sleeping in the girls' room. It was easier if the children were in the same room. Otherwise, which ever child was left alone would play while the nursemaid was out of the room.

By the time the bed arrived and was set-up the younger two children had woken up. Rhett took the children to the park and let them run around.

Beau sat down next to Scarlett and said, "Dad is sending me away for my own good, isn't he?"

"Yes. How did you find out?"

"I overheard him and Aunt India fighting about it. She doesn't like you."

"That is fine. I don't like her either."

That made Beau give her a half smile. He said, "I heard Dad say you could give me a much better life than anyone in the South."

"Yes, I can. You will have to give up everything you are familiar with now, but New York is not that bad. Go ahead and ask Wade about it?"

"I will."

"I will tell Wade you are going back to New York with us to live."

"It is forever, isn't it?"

"Yes. It really is for the best."

"Thank you for taking me in."

"You are welcome. Now go play."

Scarlett motioned Wade over. Once he was seated, she said, "Beau is going to come live with us."

"For how long?"

"Forever."

"Forever?"

"Uncle Ashley wants him to have a better life and the only way he can have a better life is if he lives with us."

"Alright. I am happy with this news. Besides Aunt Melly, he is the only one of my Hamilton relatives I like."

"Alright. Go play."

Later that night, Ashley dropped off all of Beau's clothes. Ashley hugged his son for a long time. Finally, father and son broke apart. Ashley said, "Remember I love you. I love you enough to send you away so you can have a better life than I can ever afford to provide for you. I am going to let Aunt Scarlett and Uncle Rhett adopt you. They will be your parents now."

"Can I write you?"

With an extremely sad expression on his face Ashley said, "Of course, you can. Now I have to go."

"Alright, Dad."

As Rhett walked Ashley to the suite door, he said, "The papers will be ready to sign by Friday."

"That is good. I have to go back to work on Monday. Goodbye."

After Rhett had closed the door, Scarlett said, "Beau, go ahead and get ready for bed. Wash your face."

After Beau had left the room Scarlett rummaged through the box. There wasn't much there. She would have to buy him a completely new wardrobe. She would do that tomorrow morning at Elsing's.

The next morning on the way to Elsing's on the north side, Scarlett had the cab stop at Jeter's Funeral Home. As Scarlett was getting down from the cab, she said, "I will just be a minute."

"Alright, my dear."

Rhett knew what Scarlett was doing. She was paying for Melanie Wilkes funeral. He also knew the women hated each other but nonetheless Miss Melly had been family and Scarlett always took care of her family.

As Scarlett got back in the cab, she said, "I'm sorry it took so long," After she was seated next to Rhett she softly continued, "I had to convince him to let me pay the bill."

Rhett whispered back, "How?"

"By telling him the Wilkes were poorer than church mice and the only way he was ever going to see any of his money was for me to pay the bill. I also told him that I didn't want Ashley to know I had paid the bill so if by some chance Mr. Wilkes made him payments, he could keep the money."

"I guess that made him change his mind."

When the Butlers entered Elsings, Fanny ran around the counter and hug both Rhett and Scarlett. She said, "I was going to talk to you at the reception yesterday but before I could get over to speak to you, you were gone."

"We are here now."

"Yes, how wonderful."

"I need some new clothes for my nephew."

"Of course, clothes for a boy his size are right over here."

"Rhett, would you help Beau pick out some clothes and some shoes."

"We will get some of everything."

"Take Gerry with you."

Rhett stuck out his hand and said, "Come on, little man."

After Rhett, Gerry, Beau, and Wade walked off, Fanny said, "Why do you have Beau?"

Scarlett looked around at her daughters and said, "He is going to come live with us for a while."

"Really?"

"I offered to take him back to New York with us so he could get a good education. He can then return to Atlanta if he wants to."

Fanny and Scarlett made eye contact and finally, Fanny said, "That is good of you."

"Thank you. Here Ella take Olivia's hand. I have to put her down. She is too heavy."

Fanny showed Scarlett, and the girls the store. She was pointing out all the new features. She stopped suddenly and said, "It was an incredibly good thing you did selling Hugh the store at such a discount. I have talked to other people, and they were all surprised you sold it as cheaply as you did. Most people say you could have gotten at least another hundred dollars for the store if you had been willing to wait."

"I wasn't willing to wait. Besides, Hugh did me an enormous favor once and I owed him."

"Really? What did he do?"

"He kept his mouth shut about something that could have ruined me in Atlanta. Phil too. That was part of the reason I wanted you to give Phil the manager's job at this store. I owed him too."

"What was it?!"

"Fanny, if I told you that would negate the favor that Phil and Hugh did me, now wouldn't it?"

"Yes, I guess so."

"Where is Louie?"

"He better be in the back studying his lessons. Sometimes he is so disobedient. Fortunately, Claude steps in and straightens Louie up. Claude is so good with him. It surprises me that he doesn't want children of his own."

"Just be happy with what you have."

"I certainly am."

"How is your mother?"

"Still bemoaning the fact that I won't give up my mannish ways despite the fact that Claude and I are happily married."

"Are you still living in the same house with her?"

"And Hugh and Anna Beth. Although at least Anna Beth has stopped whining about them getting their own place."

"I guess being Mrs. Elsing didn't solve all of her problems."

Both ladies laughed and Fanny said, "No, it certainly didn't."

The ladies and girls walked to the bistro. Rene and Claude greeted the group warmly. Scarlett found out what was on the menu. It was trout in a butter sauce and beef bourguignon. She ordered one of each for her and Rhett. Ella wanted the trout. As did Genie. Gerry and Olivia got the beef bourguignon. Scarlett was afraid of the bones in the fish. Scarlett said, "Ella, go ask Beau and Wade which do they want, fish or beef?"

Ella was back in a few minutes and said, "They both want the beef and so does Dad."

"Yes, I know what your dad wants."