Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW
Author's Notes: Thank you for all the many reviews and the feedback.
Chapter Six
After living with Melanie off and on for a year Scarlett found she liked the woman. She was practical and she was always defending Scarlett not that Scarlett had really done anything that she needed defending about. Yet Scarlett knew women would always see her actions in a negative light. She had found that Melanie could be funny and very entertaining. She was always telling Scarlett about the books she was reading. Melly made the books sound fun and exciting. Yet Scarlett knew that if she tried to actually read the book, she would find it dull and boring.
Aunt PittyPat always had a case of the vapors whenever Rhett was in the house. So, Melanie always being willing to sit in the parlor with Scarlett when Rhett came to call was such a blessing to Scarlett. She didn't want to give the man a chance to take advantage of her again. Furthermore, it would be improper for her and Rhett to be in a room alone together. She never wanted anyone thinking that she and Rhett had done something improper.
When in November of sixty-three, Scarlett heard that Ashley was going to be coming to Atlanta for Christmas. She was glad she had already promised her parents she and Wade would be home for Christmas. They would stay until after Wade's birthday. They would leave Atlanta on December first and return on February first. Scarlett was happy that she had a perfect reason for avoiding Ashley.
At the end of November Rhett had called on the Hamilton House. Rhett said, "I will be returning to Charleston at the end of the week. I am going to sell my ships because the blockade is getting too hard to run. I have another plan to make money. I will just transfer your interest in the ships to the new project Mrs. Hamilton."
Whenever Rhett called Scarlett, Mrs. Hamilton, he always said it with a smirk, but she would not let him call her Scarlett and she would not call him anything but Captain Butler. They were only business associates after all.
Melanie said, "I am so excited. Ashley is going to get a furlough at Christmas."
Scarlett and Rhett smiled at Melly's happiness. She was so happy she was glowing.
"I am sorry I am going to miss seeing Ashley, but Mother and Pa would be so mad if I didn't bring Wade home for Christmas and his birthday. I have already promised them, you know. You will give him my regards."
Rhett looked at Scarlett strangely, but Scarlett ignored his look. They talked about the war and all the shortages they were enduring. After an hour, Rhett took his leave. As Scarlett walked him to the door, he whispered, "I can't believe you are going to miss the opportunity to see Mr. Wilkes."
"It would look very strange for me to not go to Tara for Christmas. I don't want any more people to know of my love for Ashley. You are more than enough. Good night, Captain Butler."
Rhett was out the door before he truly realized it. As he heard the door being locked, he just smiled. He got in his buggy and went to Belle's. On his way he thought about Scarlett. Over the last year he had made no progress with seducing the fair Mrs. Hamilton into being his mistress. She was polite and thanks to Mrs. Wilkes she continued to receive him but as far as Rhett could tell she considered him just her business associate.
Christmas was a sad and bleak affair at Tara. There wasn't very much food, and nobody had any money to buy presents with. Careen was still extremely sad over the death of Brent which didn't surprise Scarlett. Careen had always loved him.
Scarlett saw that Careen was wearing her mourning clothes from when she was first a widow. Some people believed it was bad luck to keep one's mourning clothes, but Gerald and Ellen had refused to throw out perfectly good clothing over superstition. It was good they hadn't. Scarlett knew it made Careen feel better to be able to outwardly display her sorrow.
When Scarlett returned from Tara the first of February, she heard all about Ashley's furlough and how wonderful it was to see him again. Scarlett smiled and mischievously said, "And your sisters-in-law? Was it good to see them too?
Melanie made a face and Scarlett laughed. Melly said, "You are truly my only sister-in-law. They are Ashley's sisters."
The women giggled and continued talking about Christmas. Scarlett told Melly about Wade's birthday. Melly and PittyPat both were able to give Wade a small present.
Scarlett was now proud of her son. When Wade turned one, Scarlett had thought that if she didn't show the boy a lot of affection people would think it was strange that she didn't love her son. She had grown to love the boy. It wasn't his fault that black-hearted unreceived jackass took advantage of her. He was her son also. He did look just like her.
In February Melanie shared with Scarlett she was with child. Scarlett was genuinely happy for Melly because she wanted to be a mother so badly. Scarlett knew that Melly would be a good mother. At first, Melly was more mother to Wade than she was.
When they got the news that Ashley was missing in action, they were both devastated. Melly for obvious reasons. Scarlett because she couldn't lose any more old friends even if the jerk did trifle with her affections. She would hate Ashley the rest of her life, but Melanie loved him and therefore Scarlett didn't want him to die. Although Scarlett didn't think that Ashley deserved the love of her dear sister-in-law, but she could never tell Melanie the truth without hurting Melanie.
At the end of February when Rhett found out about Ashley being missing in action, he said, "I have a few contacts in Washington. I will telegraph them and find out what I can about your husband."
"Captain Butler that is so kind of you."
A week later Rhett dropped by the Hamilton House, he said, "My contact was able to locate a Major George Ashley Wilkes. He is alive and he is at Rock Island."
Scarlett and Melanie had been sitting together on the divan. Scarlett had been holding Melanie's hand. Both women gasped. They knew that Rock Island was the worst Yankee prison. Scarlett said, "Don't worry, Melly. He is alive. We have to believe he will manage to stay alive. We can't give up hope until we know differently."
Melanie turned into Scarlett and burst into tears. Scarlett said, "Captain Butler will you, please, see yourself out. I have to comfort my sister."
"Of course. If I can help anymore, let me know. I am staying at the National Hotel."
"Thank you. Excuse us now. Come on Melly, let's get you to bed."
Rhett watched the ladies walk out of the parlor and he felt so helpless. There wasn't anything he could do to help Mrs. Wilkes or Mrs. Hamilton but selfish bastard that he was he realized it was a perfect excuse to call on the household later in the week.
As Scarlett put Melly to bed she said, "Try to rest now. I will bring you something to eat in a little bit. You have to keep your strength up. Remember you are eating for two now."
"Is this how you felt when you were pregnant with Wade?"
"No, my darling, I had no hope. We still have hope that Ashley will come home after the war is over. You have to nurture that hope also."
"Thank you, Scarlett. I don't know what I would do without you."
"You will never find out. I'm not leaving you."
Scarlett came back later that afternoon with Melly's supper. She would not let PittyPat enter the room because she would just upset Melly with all her fretting. Scarlett had brought her some soup and made sure Melly ate every bite. By the end of the week, Melly was up again. Scarlett talked to both Dr. and Mrs. Meade about not letting Melly work too many hours at the hospital.
Dr. Meade said, "It is going to be a difficult delivery. She's not built for having children."
Those words gripped Scarlett's heart. She replied, "We will stay in Atlanta so you can deliver the baby."
"Good idea."
Rhett continued to call at the Hamilton House. When Melly went on complete bed rest, Scarlett stopped admitting him to the house. She would sit on the front porch with him in full view of her neighbors. Rhett was very frustrated by Scarlett's behavior. He had thought she was a young lady who would not be dictated to by the matrons. He guessed she would kowtow to the matrons just like everyone else.
Nonetheless, she was delightful company. He still wanted her with every fiber of his being. She had a quick and agile brain and didn't mind him knowing it although when other men were around, she would play the part of the dumb belle. It amazed him how she could switch it off and on.
One night in July after Mrs. Wilkes was put on bed rest, Rhett came to visit. Scarlett joined him on the porch. Rhett said, "I could take you away from all this misery if you would let me. Come run away to Mexico with me."
"Are you asking me to marry you?"
Rhett burst out laughing in that mocking way he had. He said, "No, my dear, I am asking you to be my mistress."
Scarlett had felt anger at the insult, but she controlled her temper. She had smiled and said, "I think it is time for you to leave Mr. Butler and don't come back." She stood up and walked into the house.
Rhett had left quietly. He was in no doubt he would win his way into her heart. After all he was rich, good-looking and charming.
In late July when Sherman started bombarding Atlanta, Dr. Meade told Scarlett to get Melanie out of Atlanta. He knew it would be highly unlikely he would have the time to deliver a baby. It would be best to get her to a good midwife. PittyPat went to Macon and Scarlett got Wade, Prissy, Melly and herself onto the train to Jonesboro. Melly could barely walk but with Scarlett's help she got on the train. Scarlett told Melly, "The best midwife in the world is at Tara. Between Mother and Mammy, they will safely bring your child into the world."
Melly had said, "If you think that is best."
Her Pa had written Scarlett telling her not to come to Tara, but Scarlett knew everything would be alright once she got home. Scarlett had been grateful for Prissy. The young servant had taken care of the two-and-a-half-year-old completely. When Scarlett had been able to muscle her and Melly on to the train, Prissy with Wade had been so close, Scarlett had thought the four of them were one unit.
After they had gotten a seat for Melly, Prissy had said, "I want my mama."
Scarlett had replied, "I want my mama also."
The two teenagers' eyes met, and they had a moment of complete understanding. Scarlett had only one carpetbag with her that Prissy was carrying. Scarlett had stuffed as many pieces of clothing in the bag as she could. She put her strong box and the gun she had found in Charles's room in the bag also. She had even managed to get the picture of Wade when he was one in the bag also. She had chided herself for being a silly sentimental fool, but she still had carefully placed Wade's picture in the bag. She was carrying Charlie's sword. It was the one thing Melanie had insisted on.
When the ladies arrived at Jonesboro, they got a ride to Tara from Mr. Price who owned the General Store. All he wanted to talk about was the war and what was happening in Atlanta. Scarlett tried to be polite but by the end of their trip to Tara, she had snapped at the old man several times. Scarlett didn't care about the war. She cared about her family and how they were going to survive until the war was over.
When the group arrived at Tara, Gerald O'Hara railed at his daughter, "I told you to stay in Atlanta. There is an epidemic going through Clayton County."
"Pa, the Yankees were bombarding Atlanta and Dr. Meade told me to get Melly to a midwife."
When Gerald started to speak again. Ellen said, "Now, Mr. O'Hara, what's done is done. I feel safer having all my daughters under one roof. Mrs. Wilkes can you walk up the stairs," When Melly shook her head. Ellen continued, "Pork, take Mrs. Wilkes upstairs and put her in the guest bedroom. Prissy, you can go see your mother."
Scarlett said, "Come on Wade let's get you settled in the nursery with Mammy."
Scarlett was so relieved to be at Tara. She was home. Her parents would take care of everything. Everything was going to be alright now.
Author's Notes: Although I know that MM was setting up a dramatic moment where Rhett rushes in and rescues Scarlett, it has always struck me as unreal that Dr. Meade would insist that Melly stay in Atlanta. Dr. Meade was an older man, and he would have known that he would not have the time to help deliver a baby during the siege of Atlanta. In this fanfic he sends Melly away to a midwife and hopes for the best.