Notes Back:
Ninigi: Lol. Gonna give you the cliff notes version of the book for why I think it is plausible. Scarlett did NOT react well when Bonnie was born to not being "yours" as she thought when Rhett coo-ed over Bonnie. So New Orleans would allow Scarlett to be the center of Rhett's attention, which our girl likes. At the end of the bed eviction, she collapses on the chair and cries about all the things she's lost by making this move. Um also by getting away from the kids there is a chance she might appreciate them. :-P
Hobby: Oh my god someone is going to write a The Butlers take up golf in Scottland fic (lol. I am too lazy too look up golf in Ireland, but they did play it in old timey costumes at the castle I saw it at, so maybe they could take up golf there).
I think conversation might have actually been a hobby back in the days before smart phones. That comes up multiple times in the book. I think that they could talk to each other for hours about a variety of different things. I think that Rhett ended up playing dirty with their hobby because he was hurt and had to win. So it stopped making it something they wanted to fully engage in.
Jaded Orbs: If you did not write that reply on a computer, I bow down to you because I would die writing that on my phone (also yes, that was my first thought).
Firstly, I cannot imagine you have ever written what I would call a negative review, I have definitely gotten some nasty, negative reviews, those serve no purpose aside from making the reviewer feel good about themselves for a moment. Constructive criticism serves a different purpose sometimes that "negative" thing is just straightforward true and it is something the author needs to fix (I was sooooooo cranky when no one mentioned that 2.5 years lapsed in the book between the staircase and the end of the book until CHAPTER 13 of ADEtP). However, lot of times that "negative" comment is more of a hint to address that there was not enough reasoning/explanation within the piece, the author can have a great reason for such a thing, but because it isn't a straightforward leap it can seem completely out of place within the piece. Younger generations do peer review a LOT earlier than they did when I was in school (I can't recall it until I was a senior in high school), so I am hoping the ability to take constructive criticism is much higher in the younger fanfic writers.
I think that the "negative" review is crucial to the improvement of the writing and the continuation in writing. They open up more avenues of thought.
PS (because I read your profile): I basically stopped writing fanfic years ago when my father died because it caused too much introspection and what I took to reading after became much lighter and hopeful. Um I often do not read the news because I am too empathetic and I straight up break down, so if you are able to read more than the headlines on a regular basis, I bow down to you. Um your Scarlett opinion regarding maturity v. emotional maturity is likely the exact same as Mrs. Butler in my Charleston fic that got outvoted in favor of the much darker "Bear to Love." Personally, I would use the term grown-up for that because I include emotional maturity and responsibility in the umbrella term grown up. I have met more than one elderly individuals that I would not truly call a grown-up. Rhett for multiple parts of the book was a spiteful little boy in the body of a middle aged man.
AN (last fic): Thank you so much for the reviews guys. I am glad you liked the fluff. Um this one is decidedly not fluff. Next one is soooo floofy, so if you hate me during this one, remember that.
AN (this fic): I have NO idea what happened to this one. I like the start and then the story decided it didn't agree with the path I thought they would take. The middle gets weird and long, like a summary. Seriously no idea what happened with this one.
2. Rhett hitting a bump and waking Wade up as he escaped Atlanta with them
He attempted to shift the horses a second too late, so the wagon took a hard jostle as a wheel suddenly dipped into a crevice. He had been worried about Miss Melly, he'd forgotten about the little boy sleeping in the back. There was a harsh cry and a call for his mother, it took nearly twenty minutes of Scarlett soothing him before he fell asleep. Scarlett's hopeful words afterwards that maybe he would sleep for awhile.
o-o-o
She would certainly not change her mind about what she said last month, but that didn't mean she couldn't tilt her head back further as they said goodbye.
Oh why hadn't it felt like this with Charles or the Tarleton and Calvert boys.
She could see the wagon only dimly, the wagon with Melly and Wade. Oh why hadn't it felt like this with Charles.
She pulled her neck forward again as much as she liked his lips on her throat she did so prefer them on her lips.
Just a little bit longer, there wasn't any harm in a little bit longer.
"I do love you."
She became faintly aware that was the third time he'd said such a thing in as many minutes. It made her pull away slightly to look at him.
"Damnation Scarlett, I'll marry you when I come back."
She frowned at his words. Then outrage, "You cad, you think some false promises will make me," she shook her head, "here?"
He held her closer as she fought him, "No Scarlett, not here. In our nice warm bed when we are husband and wife."
"You're leaving," her words, accusing.
"I'll be back. You've got to believe I'd come back for you. Say yes, say you'll marry me."
"Don't go," there was anger in her voice he was proposing and leaving all in the same breath. She didn't realize she was clutching at his clothing, so fearful of him leaving her.
"Believe me when I say I don't want to. I have never wanted anything less than to fight in this war, but I have to be able to live with myself when this is done. Say you'll marry me when I come back."
His lips returned to their task of nibbling along her jaw and down her throat.
"Say yes," he repeated over and over as she was becoming lost in his kisses, torturously moving between her mouth and neck.
She felt an ache for him she couldn't understand. She couldn't quite fathom how her body was reacting to the closeness of his. She felt wanton and delirious.
Eventually she said yes, sure that would ease the ache. She would do anything to ease the ache.
"My sweet Scarlett," he said pulling her closer.
"Please Rhett," she said as the ache continued to build.
"Not here my sweet. In our safe warm bed with my ring on your finger."
"We can do that too."
"That first. You'd hate me if I sent you home to your family with another babe in your belly."
It was as if someone doused her with cold water, she sharply looked at him.
"Do not doubt I love you that I refused such an offer."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
May 16th 1865
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
She was on the veranda as he was walking up the dusty drive in his battered gray uniform.
He was thinner, older, had a full beard, but it was Rhett. She was suddenly aware she would be able to spot him anywhere. In any crowd, in any setting, she could find Rhett. Like the compass the Tarleton's twins were so proud of, she would find him.
She hadn't made a single mention of what he'd said that last night. Positive he'd take it back once he survived the war.
She saw the glint of his smile as he saw her and her feet took off without thought, running towards him.
He kissed her; she didn't care that the whole household was likely watching. Having gone to look at who the soldier was coming up the drive.
"Do you greet all your suitors that way?" He grinned.
"Only the ones that say they want to marry me," she volleyed back.
"And how many has that been now?" he retorted.
"A few," she smirked.
"God I've missed you, Scarlett," he said pulling her tight again.
"I didn't think I'd ever see you again," she confessed.
"I'd not let that damn war keep me from you."
"You mean my bed?" she asked.
"I certainly want you there."
"Do you still just want to get me in your bed?"
"Oh I want you in many places aside from my bed, but I suppose we'll start there. What do you say, have you changed your mind or will you still marry me?"
"Seeing as there are practically no other men left, I suppose I might as well-"
He smirked at her again, they were such a good fit, tit for tat. He pulled her close again, "I imagine, I'll make it worth your while," he kissed her again.
"Rhett, everyone's watching," she admonished.
"Let them watch."
"Rhett!"
"Very well, how is Wade?"
In a veritable instant the entirety of the world that had been since they parted crashed down upon her. Wade so far removed from that happy two-year-old that Rhett knew. Her face had healed, but her hands and back would likely always hold the scars of the fire. Would he even want her once he realized? "Alive," was all she could think to say. He'd almost not been, she'd almost not been so many times in the 9 months since they'd seen Rhett.
He flinched and took in a breath, "Who isn't?"
"My mother, she died the day before I got home."
"I'm sorry, my sweet," one hand went to her cheek and the other caught her hand.
She could feel the way he held it, the way the pad of his thumb ran over the flesh that had grew back. "Fire, my back as well. My face thankfully healed in a more pleasing manner."
"Oh my sweet. The worst is over," he said looking into her eyes.
"Is it really?"
"I'll go to Atlanta as soon as I can, find a place suitable for you and Wade, we'll start to rebuild."
"The house survived, my warehouses are gone, but-"
"I'll go and-"
"Leave me?"
He laughed briefly, "It might not be pretty Scarlett."
"I don't care."
"You are the bravest girl, likely also the most foolish. Come let me meet your family, once I rest for a few days, we'll figure out how to make our way to Atlanta."
o-o-o
She smiled in their once beautiful parlor, looking at Rhett as he held a sleeping Wade. She wasn't quite sure if Wade actually remembered Rhett or she and Melly had mentioned him so often that the little boy thought he had. He'd only been hesitant for a few moments before flinging himself towards Rhett. He'd been attached at Rhett's side for the day and even Mammy had let the little boy stay downstairs instead of going upstairs for his nap, it had been so long since Wade had truly been happy and safe.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
She smiled two weeks into his arrival when Rhett had shown up with a horse and wagon. He'd left them for 3 days to travel into Atlanta and secure the means to get her and Wade there with him.
He'd found a preacher to marry them, the third day after his arrival.
He was a determined man and he was her husband. It was a reassuring feeling after so much uncertainty. She couldn't wait to be alone with him, in a house without her father, sisters and Melly.
She'd been so thankful when Melly had said she wanted to stay at Tara until they had more word of Ashley. With Scarlett in Atlanta and Melly in the country, it guaranteed someone would be there when Ashley made his way south to them.
The week she'd spent so far with Rhett had been nice, but there was something hiding behind the nice. Something in the way he'd held himself back when being intimate, constantly focused on catching and stopping any noises coming from them.
He'd make her scream and she knew instinctively that would be a good thing.
She felt some guilt leaving her family behind, Careen in particular. Once Rhett got established in Atlanta again, they'd be able to help significantly more than if they stayed behind and worked the fields. They set off with only Wade and Prissy the morning after he'd returned with the wagon. Her father so confused, Scarlett had been ready to run towards the wagon rather than say goodbye to everyone else.
o-o-o
"I've waited a long time to be invited into this room," Rhett said as he walked in with just two small bags. He'd left the chest with her dresses downstairs. Prissy had gone with a sleeping Wade to the nursery.
"Who says I'm inviting you now? There are several other bedrooms," she teased.
"Oh you've invited me every night since I've returned. Every look, every touch."
"Let's rest for a little while. Actually, we should probably go out and see what supplies."
"I'll go out in the morning. We have enough for 2 days."
"We should start to unpack," she nodded and went to leave the room.
He caught her arm, "You're not getting shy on me now are you, my dear sweet wife?"
She smirked, "Of course not, but we have responsibilities we need to-"
"I need to finally see you in the daylight after four years." He caught the look in her eye. "Everyone has scars Scarlett. You survived. I survived for the sole purpose of getting to see what you look like under your shimmy. You'd not deprive a soldier, your husband of that."
"I deprived Charles of that," she answered swiftly.
He bit back a laugh as best he could. "Fair enough wife, come sit with me awhile. You'd not deprive me a few kisses."
She hesitated, "A few," she agreed. She did so enjoy his kisses. She'd be able to stop. Yes, just a few kisses and then they'd do other things until it was dark.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Rhett's skills as a blockage runner, remained as useful without the war going on. He was able to get anything for anyone. He was able to obtain a warehouse and then two to store large purchases to sell off items wholesale to other merchants in the area and surrounding areas. Investing in promising business ventures when they arose. However, he was quick to realize that his lapse two years ago still lingered in the thoughts of several Atlantans.
He set up an emporium because the term delighted Scarlett more than a general store or mercantile. It was simply The Emporium, as if there were no other option and there wasn't, not if you wanted anything resembling a luxury item and there were still people willing to pay for such things. Scarlett enjoyed stocking the shelves and telling him things that they desperately needed. She was more than happy to run the store while he was out on other errands. The store was to redeem the Butler name, which was a necessity by August when they realized Scarlett was expecting.
He hadn't quite thought of children, which was remarkable because there was seldomly a night he didn't make love to his wife. He enjoyed Wade and more often than not kept his boy with him throughout the day, leaving Prissy at the store to do Scarlett's bidding or at the house cleaning and preparing meals.
Scarlett's pregnancy was a useful tool to keep them in Atlanta instead of traveling back and forth to Tara, especially after Ashley made his way home to Melly in September. The house was starting to become crowded as Aunt Pitty and Uncle Peter returned to Atlanta, Suellen came to visit in October and was still there in December when Frank Kennedy asked for her hand.
In January he purchased them a house after Frank Kennedy had also moved in with them. He'd insisted Scarlett leave her sister behind in the house she owned half of. He moved them four blocks away, still on Peachtree, but far enough they wouldn't be stopping by throughout the day.
She was heavily pregnant, but she nearly ran through the house with excitement when they moved in. She did a horrific job at not working and when he'd forbidden her from helping at The Emporium, she'd declared it her sisterly duty to help Suellen with Kennedy's. She somehow talked him into buying a lumber mill because despite the fact that he didn't want it and he certainly didn't want to be driving through the woods nearly every day, it was a good investment and he couldn't argue with a single one of her plans for it, even if he'd had to be the one to implement them.
It was late March, two weeks after Scarlett's 21st birthday when Ella was born. She was the tiniest little thing he'd ever seen, a heavy stark stash of dark hair on her head, her skin a shade of red and splotchy so at odd's with her mother's porcelain skin, her eyes a pale bluish gray that at moments would remind him of those awful uniforms, those awful blood-soaked uniforms. He told Scarlett she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen and she was because she was theirs. Weeks passed and her skin cleared. Months passed and her eyes slowly changed as if drops of green were being added one by one, until they were very nearly the shade of her mother's.
It was when she smiled though, when she smiled at him for the first time when she was seven weeks old, that was when he knew she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
By the time summer started the town knew Rhett Butler as a reformed rake, now a devoted family man. His son, his ever-present shadow, his daughter a beauty just like her mother and her constant companion in town as she continued to work. The town hated them for hiring convicts, but it didn't stop them from buying their lumber.
In June Scarlett's father died. He went out one night and didn't return, they didn't find his body until the next morning. Rhett regarded it as a kindness, but would never say such a thing to his wife. He didn't think it was a kindness to Careen though; it looked as if it were one blow too many, but still the 18-year-old married Will Benteen the same week they buried her father. Will looked at her with a love and devotion Rhett knew was present in his eyes every time he looked at his wife.
That type of love had never been present in his father's eyes and if not for Scarlett's aunts funding his mother and sister with money he and Scarlett had sent, his mother and sister would have been lost along with the bitter old man. His once relaxed household disappeared the moment he brought his mother and sister home. He was sure in time the women in his life would learn to love each other, despite Scarlett's refusals to join their committees and devote her time to activities that didn't earn them money.
In February, in the weeks after they learned Scarlett was expecting again, he made plans for one final big run. A run all the way to England, to set them up for the rest of their life. She had raged like he had never witnessed before. She had cried over the baby he wouldn't see born, of the pregnancy he was deserting her through, of their little girl not even one, of his son, his ever present shadow being abandoned. It took weeks to talk her into it, to talk her into all that they would have when it was done. She was never excited for it, but she accepted it. Likely because he promised his mother and sister could remain in their old house and he'd build her the one of her dreams.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
There was no new baby when he arrived home a year later. There was a small cross in the cemetery where their baby girl born around six months lay. His once baby daughter now a toddler screamed when she saw him standing over her crib. Wade was sullen and stayed by his mother's side whenever Rhett asked him to accompany him somewhere.
Frank had died under mysterious circumstances and Suellen returned to Tara broken and alone at 21 finally expecting a baby after a year of marriage. Rosemary had been quick to point out that Scarlett had purchased and taken over Kennedy's despite being pregnant. The business of his brother-in-law, the man Rhett had expected to watch over his family and take care of their business matters while away.
Instead, Scarlett had installed Ashley as a manager at one of the mills, moving he, Melly and Beau back south. She'd at least had the decency of installing them at Aunt Pitty's house instead of their own.
He'd flown into a rage at his sister's implications that Scarlett had done anything to aid in their child's demise, he'd have thrown her out of the house if not for their mother.
To make matters worse, the mill was losing money, but she wouldn't fire Ashley because he and Melly had moved to Atlanta to help her in her hour of need while her husband was across an ocean.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Scarlett wasn't quite cold upon his return, but distant.
He was disappointed at it, but not surprised. Not with his wife's temper and ability to hold grudges. A week passed before he was allowed to do anything more than sleep in the bed with his wife. The fact that event finally occurred while they were trying to decide, which house to purchase was not overlooked by him. She got her house and he got her. It took two more days of his best efforts for Scarlett to truly enjoy the return to the marital bed.
Ella was the quickest to forgive him, likely because she didn't know him. Within hours of his arrival he had the little girl laughing and calling him "Daddy."
Wade had changed from calling him "Daddy" to "Father," he spoke of Charles Hamilton often as he had when he lived at Tara. His Aunt Melly constantly reminding him of the man who had fathered him, never seen him, never held him, never tended to a scraped knee, never comforted him after a nightmare. Rhett was aware he should be able to share his child with a ghost, with the memory of a boy, who had gone off to war and died of the measles. He thought of those young boys he'd watch die, how they should be honored and remembered. It was worse though with Wade, when Melly had the boy starting to speak of how his father's life should be imitated instead of his own life lived. She wanted him to follow the path of a man, who had likely never even thought for himself.
With the serious nature of his family, he took it upon himself to remind them of fun. To take his boy fishing and buy him a pony and a dog.
To hire more clerks at the stores and take his wife to parties. To remind her that he could care for their businesses while she took care of setting up their house.
She adapted to it remarkably quickly, much to the dismay of his mother.
It was over a bottle of brandy at their new dining room table, in their new house that she confessed to him that she didn't want any more babies for awhile. It had been an easy thing to agree to. They had two children, a boy and a girl and he still had his ward to care for. She deserved some fun in her life, it was why he ignored his mother's complaints about his wife's new lifestyle and attitude and he ignored the brandy often on his wife's breath.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
She was furious as she stormed into his office three months later. "I'm pregnant."
He sat at his seat stunned, not quite sure how to respond.
"I told you I didn't want any more babies."
A shock of amazement tore through him.
"Oh don't sit there and laugh."
"I'm sorry my sweet, I wasn't expecting-"
"Me to be expecting? Neither was I Rhett. Things are finally starting to go alright. I told you-"
"Yes, I know that you didn't want another baby."
"You might not have had a child last year, but I did. I'm done. I won't be having any more children. I've had three, three is more than enough."
He launched out of his seat startling her so she took a fast step back. "What do you mean?"
"I'm not a simple country girl anymore. I know there are things I can-"
He caught her hand in his wrist, "You haven't done anything."
"Not yet," she tried to tear her arm free, but couldn't get free from his capture, "but I'm going to."
"Do you know the risks of such things?"
"What risks-"
"You could die."
"I was sick, I grew fat and then I had to birth a child that I knew was going to die."
He pulled her to him immediately, "I am sorry my love."
"I won't do it again Rhett."
"I can't let you risk your life Scarlett," he sat down still holding her to him, "I saw a girl die that way once. It's not an easy way to die."
"Having babies isn't an easy way to live."
"You'll have this baby if I have to handcuff your wrist to mine until it's born."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
1869
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Eugenia Victoria was born without complication in February. Her skin was smooth and her dark cap of hair and vivid blue eyes reminded everyone of a doll. Her Aunt Melly nicknamed her Bonnie Blue and Scarlett could barely get a moment with her daughter as Rhett, Melly, Mother Butler and Rosemary fought over the baby.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"I want to talk to you," Scarlett said as she finally found her husband in their house, having arrived home 15 minutes earlier and having to eventually ask the staff where she could find Captain Butler.
"Would you like to join us for our tea party?" He questioned as he sat on the floor holding the two-month-old Bonnie in his arms, before a small table set for a tea party.
"Please Mother!" Three-year-old Ella's eyes were wide and brimming with excitement.
"Not right now Ella," she barely looked at their eldest daughter.
"I'll be right back sweetheart," he smiled at her.
"K Daddy."
He stood and went to walk to his wife.
"Could you put the baby down for five minutes?" She said in annoyance as he was following after her with the baby now resting against his shoulder.
He turned to Ella, "Watch your sister, if she cries call for Prissy."
"If she cries, we'll hear her," Scarlett pointed out and walked out of the room.
o-o-o
"I don't want anymore children," she informed him in their room.
"Yes, you made that quite clear."
"Do you understand what I mean?" She asked.
"I take it you saw Dr. Meade today?"
"I did."
"Are you well?"
"I have recovered from having Bonnie. Did you understand what I meant?"
"There are other ways to prevent-"
"They didn't work with Bonnie."
"You were likely already expecting," he pointed out.
"They aren't foolproof Rhett."
"But refusing me my marital rights is?"
"I've had a child every year since we've been married."
"I don't care about having more children Scarlett, but you're being foolish. There are-"
"The one time something doesn't work perfectly, I'll get pregnant again. All your other means aren't an if I'll get pregnant again, but a when."
"I'll have my things moved from your room immediately if you'll excuse me. I have a date with a green-eyed girl that enjoys my company."
Her eyes clenched tightly as the door closed, leaving her in her room, not their room. No more long conversations in bed, no more laying on his shoulder, no more having his arms around her when she awoke from a nightmare.
She hadn't thought she could feel anymore unhappy than she had, but she was wrong.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
February 1870
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Rhett was laying on the floor swinging his pocket watch for Bonnie, trying not to watch Scarlett sitting on a sofa next to Ella having a doll talk to her.
Their marriage hadn't recovered, but Scarlett had at least recalled that they had children.
It was the sullen and bored child that sparked their fight. Scarlett and all of her white trash friends. After every tedious conversation that he had endured at The Emporium, his mother and sister belonging to every charitable committee, she had made it so the boy couldn't be invited to birthday parties of anyone, but the children of carpetbaggers.
"It's your mother filling his head with this nonsense, Wade would have a perfectly fine time at those other parties if your mother weren't telling him they were white trash and now you're repeating her words."
The fight continued as they heard the front door close signaling Wade had been taken to find entertainment.
It was as he insulted her father that he crossed a line he wasn't even aware of. As he refused to host any more of her friends. As he threatened to go to Belle Watling's place. It was as he confirmed he was an owner that she picked up Ella and walked out of the room.
He thought about finally doing it, he thought about crossing that line, stopping his fidelity to a woman who had no care to be his wife. Bonnie called out to him and he turned to see a face so like her mother's. He always saw her when he looked at their girls. He imagined he wouldn't cross that line any time soon.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
It was the talk of the town how Captain Butler had pulled his children out of the house while his wife was hosting a whist party. It was also the talk of the town how Mrs. Butler had gone outside and put them in a carriage and sent them off to the Hamilton-Wilkes house, telling her husband that he ever risked her children's health again she would finish gutting him.
Still though that was the last party Mrs. Butler hosted while the children were in residence.
Captain Butler began attending church with his eldest children, who had previously been attending with their grandmother and aunt.
He seldomly went to The Emporium or Kennedy's as his wife handled those, instead, he took a desk at the bank and returned to charming the town that way, just as he had when they had first returned and he'd opened The Emporium.
They were a frightening pair to watch. They often became cruel and nasty, especially when they drank, which was often.
She left with the children in June. She didn't mention to her husband that she was taking the children on their summer trip to Tara. He came home to an empty house and a note, he made no effort to join them as he normally did.
It was as two weeks concluded and they hadn't returned, as 14, went to 15 on the 16th he climbed on his stallion and rode out there, still drunk from the night before, sobering up on the trip.
It was as he watched Wade tense seeing him ride up, instead of the smiles that had once been his greeting.
And Scarlett walking out onto the veranda with Bonnie on her hip. Watching her stand there without expression. When he'd asked why she hadn't returned, "The children actually seemed happy. Seemed cruel to take that away. Like something you'd do."
It was then that he realized the extent of the damage they'd done to each other and the children.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
He'd given the mills back to her to manage in a fit after Bonnie was born. If she wouldn't let him fire Ashley Wilkes then she could clean up his messes. He hadn't realized how quickly he would regret the decision. To know the time she spent with her childhood crush, the man who had come to her rescue as an adult, to watch their banter increase at the dinner table.
The idea of the man had annoyed him for years, but when they were first married, when things were good. He had truly believed his wife loved him. Now though he wondered if what she had said were true, if she had married him because there was no one else left.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
There was a quiet truce in the house after they'd returned from Tara. They no longer talked directly to each other unless it involved the children or the businesses.
He'd effectively destroyed most of her friendships by making it so difficult to take a turn hosting, but she made no move to join the social circle of his mother and sister. She continued with the small group of Melly's friends who would tolerate her, but that was it.
She'd accompany him at night to various events, there were brief moments she would almost seem to enjoy being in his company she faked it so well.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
He refused to listen to a word she said the night of Ashley's party. He'd ignored her tears and ordered her to dress. He came home with her, likely because he expected her to flee with the children in the middle of the night.
She tried again to explain in the foyer of their house.
"Come sit down, I think we deserve a nightcap. We'll have a pleasant domestic discussion of the elegant reception we have just attended."
"I don't want a drink."
"We both know that's a lie. When did being married to me drive you to drink?" He questioned.
She stood holding off a shiver at how cold her once caring husband had become.
"Regardless of the timeline, let's have that drink, shall we my love?"
She swallowed hard to hold back the tears at the term of affection that had once been true and felt her wrist captured in his as he pulled her towards the dining room.
After he drank three drinks to her one, he began. He ran through his diatribe continuing to drink along the way. The comedy of the night, her hatred of Melly, her lustful urges towards Ashley.
She shot up when he accused Ashley of being unfaithful with his mind, but not his body.
"I told you to sit down," he demanded with his hand tightly around her wrist again.
"I don't want anyone in my bed be it you or Ashley. Ashley is at least a gentleman enough to respect Melly-"
"Quite the gentleman. What did I say about sitting down?"
"I'm not sitting down while you're accusing me of lusting after Ashley."
He sat on the edge of the table. "We could have had a good life Scarlett, I imagine we'll have a better life than most, but your refusal to be happy with the life we have, the family we have."
"Stop acting like me not wanting to sleep with you is the cruelest thing a person could do."
"Do you not want to sleep with me? Are you sure about that?" He released her wrist and ran a finger down her arm.
She shivered and then spun to turn away.
He caught her wrist again, pulling her back. Pulling her body in between his legs and he pulled her into a kiss.
She was lost in it within moments and soon she was in his arms being carried upstairs.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
She awoke the next morning and he was gone. If not for the rumpled pillow she would have thought she'd imagined it. A dream from when they first moved to Atlanta, were first married, when they could be lost in each others arms for hours. Before Ella, before the baby, before Bonnie.
She'd been so desperate to not have another child she'd thrown him away as well. He'd been such a loving and caring husband before he left for England, they'd been happy. He'd hadn't known what he was abandoning her to. Frank's death, Suellen falling apart, the harpy that was his sister judging her for taking care of their businesses, but never once offering to help, his mother condemning her for not spending enough time with the children, the baby dying. Those long awful hours, praying for a miracle, but knowing it would end with their baby dead.
She'd reacted too strongly two years ago. There were risks with everything, surely the risk of falling pregnant was worth the risk if she could have Rhett again. Have his strong arms to hold her up again. They could be happy again, like they had been at the start, she was sure of it.
She dressed feeling confident, regardless of what the town thought of her, she'd have her husband.
o-o-o
A maid informed her that he'd taken the children and Prissy to his mother's. She'd rather face a firing squad than Rhett's mother after what the town thought of her. She was sure Rhett would talk her down, explain it was a misunderstanding. Once he got her on their side and she got Melly on it, they would be fine.
They had to be.
o-o-o
He still wasn't home when she returned from Melly's, so she sat in the parlor to await them.
The front door didn't open until after dinner time concluded and she embarrassed herself how quickly she rushed to the hallway.
Prissy came in with the three children.
"Where's Captain Butler?" she asked the servant.
"Father said he had business to take care of," Wade informed his mother.
"Oh," she painted a smile on her face, "well did you have a nice day with your grandmother and your aunt?"
"We played with our dollies," Bonnie smiled and held up her favorite cloth doll that her grandmother had sewn for her.
"The entire day," Wade reported dryly.
"Oh," she felt instantly sorry for her son, "why didn't you go out, find Beau or-"
"Father told me to stay inside," he shrugged.
"Oh, well tomorrow I'll invite Beau over. You can play in the yard with your swords. I'll send a note to your aunt now."
He smiled, "Thank you, Mother."
o-o-o
"Where have you been?" Scarlett asked coming out of the parlor just before 8pm.
"Thinking," he responded.
"At a saloon?" she could smell the alcohol on him from several feet away.
"Where I do my best thinking. Would you like to know what I contemplated this beautiful spring day?"
She didn't believe she did.
"We are stuck in this marriage until the children are settled. You'll never let them go, I'll never let them go. So this is our life for the next fifteen years. I can't even go off on a trip. I have to walk around town letting them all talk about what a cuckolded husband I am."
"Nothing happened with Ashley, why won't you believe me?"
"I believe nothing happened physically, but the wife I've lived with for the last three years has never put her husband or her family above her own pressing desires. Now I'm only home to say goodnight to the children and then I'll be going back out."
"Fine, I don't need you. I've done perfectly fine without the last four years."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A month later he heard her sobs through the wall their bedrooms shared. He wished he could enjoy the sound. He imagined it was Scarlett finally breaking as she realized she'd turned the entire town against her aside from Miss Melly. He couldn't enjoy it though. He still loved her and everything within him ached to ease her pain. He did his best to steel his spine and stay in his room, he'd come in to rest before they sat for dinner he'd had one too many aggravating conversations at the bank after having one too many brandies at Belle's last night.
Eventually, he stood and left his room toward hers, he opened the door without knocking, "Do stop your crying before the children hear you," he'd begun to speak before he entered the room and it took a moment for him to spot her crying as she sat on the floor with her head against her wardrobe, knees pulled to her chest.
"There is nothing so horrific that it calls for these theatrics."
The look on her face as she lifted her head to him said otherwise, "I'm pregnant."
All the air left his lungs. She had finally done it. She slept with Ashley.
"I can't do this again," she dropped her head down to the knees she held against her chest.
He was a bastard. "Did you see Dr. Meade?"
There was a small nod of her head.
Damnation, he hadn't even thought about prevention that night. He hadn't shown a single measure of restraint. It had been one night. He loved their children. He loved her. It killed him to say the words he needed to after he had failed her so spectacularly, "Do you want to not be?"
"I'm already pregnant."
He had to close his eyes to say the next words, "You don't have to stay pregnant."
"You want me dead," her tears stopped, "you can't divorce me, so you'll take me dead."
"I forced you to have Bonnie. I won't do it again. I knew how you felt about having more children-" He paused. "My actions were reprehensible. I'm sorry."
She looked up at him with still eyes.
"I'll find the best-"
"I don't want the baby to die," she spoke in a soft voice.
"Oh my sweet," he said dropping down to her.
She went into his arms, resting her head against his chest without hesitation.
"I wish I could tell you it will turn out fine."
She began to cry again wrapped up in his arms.
October 25th 1873
A gust of wind outside of the house sent a shiver down Scarlett's spine as she sat on the sofa in the sitting room sewing.
Ella and Bonnie sat in a corner playing with their dolls.
There was a loud thud.
Rhett looked up from the floor where he was swinging his pocket watch for the nearly two-year-old Patrick.
Scarlett spoke first, "You cannot be this bored, you've only been home for an hour."
Wade sighed, "Why couldn't I have stayed at Carl's?"
"Because it was getting dark, children come home when it's dark."
"It's barely dusk," he muttered looking out the window.
"Why don't you read to us," his mother suggested.
He sighed again.
"Fine," she said putting down her sewing, "I'll read to you." She dropped a hand to her stomach, to the baby that had been steadily growing within it for the last six months because as she'd told her husband, it would always be a matter of when, not if she'd end up pregnant again if he rejoined her in bed. "Find a book, I'm obviously not moving unless I need to."
Rhett laughed and pulled the toddler into his lap. "Son, you heard your mother find a book that your sisters won't hate," he said as Wade made no motion to move.
"Yes, Father," he said dragging his feet out of the room.
October 25th 1874
"I got a letter from Melly today," Scarlett spoke as her husband walked into the sitting room.
"How is she?" he asked going to sit by her feet, where Timothy was sitting up and putting a rattle in his mouth.
The nine-month-old, dropped it and began to crawl to his father. Giggling and clapping as he was picked up.
"She says fine, but Ashley lost his job at the bank."
They'd sold the mills during her pregnancy with Patrick. Rhett had spent months on-site ensuring no mistakes so when they turned over the books to prospective buyers, only profits had greeted them. Ashley had lasted a month under the new owner before he'd been let go.
Rhett refrained from making any comments about Ashley, "What will they do?"
"Ashley's going to go further north and look for work, Melly and Beau will come back and live with Aunt Pitty-"
"And Suellen and Frankie?" He questioned, Scarlett's sister had moved in several months ago after Uncle Peter died.
"Apparently so."
"I will buy your sister a house before she moves in with us."
"I'd move into Aunt Pitty's before I'd live with Suellen again."
"As long as we are in agreement," Rhett said as he began to crawl on the floor with the baby. He looked up at his wife suddenly, "Don't we have another one of these?" He pointed at Timmy.
"We have four more, they are all at the neighbors. Their dog had puppies."
"What kind of puppies?"
"The kind where one will be in our house in several weeks."
"We already have a dog."
"Well it looks like we'll have two. They multiply like children and ponies and cats."
He came off his hands and onto his knees as he laughed unexpectedly. "Is it time to build you, your dream home yet? This one appears to be getting rather crowded."
"I don't know what you're talking about Rhett," she said smiling at the baby who was crawling after his daddy, "this is my dream home."
Thanks for reading!