Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for the reviews. I truly appreciate every person who takes the time to write me a review. I appreciate everyone who reads my story.

Chapter Seventeen

Two weeks after the reunion Boyd called on Scarlett. He said, "I am beginning to remember so many things about my past. I remember what an excellent horse breeder my mother is. You have already provided me with a miracle. Now I need you to take a leap of faith with me. I need you to invest in a horse farm run by me and my mother. I would do the bargaining and the sales and Mother would take care of the selection of horses and the breeding."

Scarlett said, "Yes. How much do you need to get started? I don't want it to be a loan. I want it to be an investment. I know it will be a success so I want to be an owner. The profits will be better in the long term."

Scarlett and Boyd worked out all the details and went to see Henry Hamilton for him to draw up the papers. A week later Scarlett telegraphed Boyd the papers were ready to sign. She and Rhett met Boyd and Mr. and Mrs. Tarleton at the lawyer's office and signed the papers. Beatrice and Jim Tarleton were still so very happy to have Boyd home.

As they were riding back to their home Scarlett said, "Boyd is remembering too much for a man with amnesia. Most amnesia suffers never remember anything."

Rhett wasn't surprised that Scarlett knew Boyd was faking. She was much more observant than she had been before. He said, "There are some pretty big holes in his story that no one will ever question because everyone is happy to have him home. What gave it away to you?"

She smiled and said, "Same thing that gave it away to you. Him calling me by my maiden name.

After a few minutes Scarlett said, "We are going to have to have another discussion in regards to your lying. I think lying by omission is still lying."

Rhett just groaned. Rhett thought, 'She was definitely going to keep him on his toes from now on.'

One morning Scarlett stopped by to see Melly after their return from New York. When she walked in, she saw Ashely. Her first thought was, 'Oh I hope he hasn't gotten fired again.'

Ashley smiled at her. It was the smile that he would smile before the war broke out. It was a carefree and excited about life smile. She hadn't seen it in over ten years. Ashley said, "Don't worry. I haven't been fired again. I was working on a story late last night in order to make the deadline before they put the paper to bed. I just slept in."

Scarlett was staring at Ashley. He was acting so happy. He continued, "I love working at the paper. They have assigned me to the political division. What I am doing now is making a difference. Not just here in Atlanta but all over The South. I've got to go."

Scarlett said, "Wait. Let me tell you about finding Boyd Tarleton."

Ashley sat back down and said, "Tell me all about it."

Scarlett started telling him about finding Boyd in New York. As she was telling the story Ashley got a pad of paper out of his back pocket and started writing things down. Scarlett stopped telling the story and was offended that Ashley wasn't listening anymore.

Ashley said, "This is a wonderful story. I am going to write it up and get it printed in the paper. It has everything in it to make it a good story. Sorrow, loss, chance, hope and a happy ending."

Scarlett told the entire story and Ashley peppered her with questions until she was ready to scream. Finally, he said, "I probably should talk to Captain Butler also. He would provide a different viewpoint. I will stop by the bank this afternoon." Ashley then stood up and walked out of the room without saying Goodbye.

Melanie said, "Don't be offended that he didn't say good bye. He seems to have lost his manners lately in all his excitement of his new job. He is so happy these days. He is behaving like the man I married."

Scarlett said, "I am so very happy. I have been worried about him." It was a big lie. She hadn't thought about him in weeks. Scarlett noticed that Melly was wearing the maroon dress she had made for her.

When Melly saw Scarlett eying the dress she said, "Thank you for the dresses and the cape. Ashley has been so absorbed into his new job that I haven't had to lie about where I got them. I did let the Peahens believe that Ashley had bought them for me. They have been talking so meanly about him lately."

Scarlett said, "You are welcome." Scarlett didn't comment on the credit to Melly but decided later that day that she was alright with Ashley getting the credit. The Peahens needed to find someone else to talk about besides her, Rhett and Ashley.

Ashley did stop by the bank to talk to Rhett and told Rhett the story would be in the Sunday edition if he wanted to read it.

Rhett and Scarlett talked about it after they were in bed. Rhett said, "I am happy for Mr. Wilkes. He has a new lease on life. He has found a job that is also a noble calling."

Scarlett said, "That is what he needed isn't it? To have a noble calling."

Rhett said, "Yes, my love, it is."

Scarlett said, "Good. He reminded me of the man he was before the war."

Rhett just rubbed her back and tried not to worry she would fall back in love with Mr. Wilkes.

Scarlett said, "You don't ever have to worry about me falling back in love with him. He was right in the library that day. We would not make a good match."

Rhett just laid there. He was glad she had said what she said but it alarmed him she could read him that well.

Scarlett said, "It was just logical. We were talking about him when you tensed up. I replayed what I said and knew what you would think from that. Now you are still tense so logically you are now worried that I can read you. You have always prided yourself on nobody being able to read you. Remember I am your wife so I should be able to read you better than anyone else. Now kiss me and we can both quit thinking for a while."

The article did appear in the Sunday paper and unbeknownst to them Ashley had used their names in the article. Rhett decided that the Old Guard finding out about their good deed wasn't a bad thing. What did surprise Rhett was how well written the story was. Rhett told Scarlett, "Mr. Wilkes has found his calling in life. He is a very good writer."

Scarlett said, "I agree. Who would have believed he could be so incompetent in running a lumber mill but so competent in being a newspaper reporter? I guess it was that noble calling thing."

Rhett looked at Scarlett and smiled. He said, "I agree completely. The way Mr. Wilkes wrote the story nobody can see the holes. That's amazing."

They both then went back to reading the paper. They were sitting on her favorite piece of furniture in the parlor. That ugly divan. Rhett had realized after their return from New York that if he sat on the divan with her, he never had to look at it. It really was quite comfortable and cozy.

In July of eighteen seventy-two Rhett and Scarlett went out to supper. It had been a year since Scarlett had fallen down the stairs. They were celebrating their new life together. They had a few glasses of champagne and Rhett took Scarlett's hand. He said, "When we first got married, I felt the only time you noticed me was when I made you mad or annoyed you. So, I did those things to get your attention. I was so crazy jealous of Ashley that I did stupid things and said mean, hurtful things. All the time claiming that I loved you. I behaved like a four-year-old child. You hurt me so I hurt you worse. I didn't really know what love was until last summer and fall. I was so afraid you would never come out of your melancholy. That's when I started behaving like a man who truly loved you. I started thinking about what was best for you. I started just wanting you to be happy whatever it took. I wish I hadn't been so afraid of saying anything nice to you. More than anything I wish I hadn't been such a coward and had just told you I loved you."

For once Rhett was not his proud, arrogant self. He was not looking at Scarlett but at the table top. Scarlett said, "Oh Rhett. Thank you. I'm sorry I was so immature that you didn't feel safe to tell me you loved me. I'm sorry I thought I was in love with someone else. I'm sorry that during the first years of our marriage I ignored you and didn't care about your feelings. I'm sorry I was so vain that retaining my figure was more important than you remaining in my bed."

Rhett turned and looked at her and said, "Despite what I said that day all women's bodies are not the same and I am particularly partial to yours."

Scarlett blushed and smiled. She said, "And me yours." She didn't like Rhett being like this. She was glad he was sorry for everything he had done but she didn't like seeing him humble, self-effacing and regretful.

Then Rhett smile his cocky smile; the one Scarlett loved so much. There was the man she loved. Arrogant, proud, conceited. That was her husband. Looking at him she knew she loved him, she said, "I love you, Rhett Butler." It was the first time she had ever said it to him.

On the last day of July Rhett walked into their parlor of their new home on Pecan Street. He was walking prouder, more arrogant, more conceited than Scarlett had ever seen him and she had seen her husband pretty proud, arrogant and conceited. Scarlett thought Caesar could not have walked any more pompous when he returned to Rome than Rhett is walking right now. Rhett said, "Guess who sold that ostentatious, opulent, grandiose monstrosity on Peachtree to the state of Georgia?

Scarlett beamed and said, "You didn't?!"

"I did. The state of Georgia is going to turn it into the Governor's mansion."

"Wow! You really are an amazing business man."

"Not only that but I sold it for more than we paid for it."

"Oh Rhett! How wonderful you are."

"I took out what we paid for this house and put the rest of the money in Wade and Ella's trust fund."

At that Scarlett stood up, grabbed his hand and hurried him up the stairs. Scarlett doubted if Caesar had been as well rewarded as Rhett was that day.

Scarlett was a lot happier after they returned to Atlanta but she still had days when she was slightly melancholic. She was still working through all her grief. She was a more mature version of herself. She had actually developed a sense of humor. She now knew that most of the time Rhett was just teasing when he made jokes at her expense. When his jokes went from teasing to biting, she knew he was hurting and she had to get him to tell her what the problem actually was. It was rarely easy to get him to tell her his real feelings but she was not going to let him use her as a verbal punching bag ever again. That was just too demoralizing. She would just keep working on him until he told her the entire story. Like most husbands he still thought it was alright to lie to her to protect her but he never lied about his feelings and his emotions anymore. No matter how scared he was to tell her the truth he still did, eventually. As time when by it got easier and easier for him to share his feelings but it was never easy. They were finally a functional couple.

August of eighteen seventy-two Rhett and Scarlett made Cora May and Franklin Baker the guardians of their children. The Bakers were financially well off and they both still wanted children. Rhett actually liked Franklin. The two men had gone into some business ventures together. Rhett said, "Franklin has a good mind for business. Not as good as yours, my love, but very good." Every time they socialized with the Bakers Rhett would say, "I still can't remember who he reminds me of." And every time Scarlett would just giggle but she never told him. She was afraid Rhett would instantly dislike Franklin if she told him.

When Scarlett was explaining their decision to make The Bakers their children's guardian to Melanie, she blamed the whole thing on Rhett and Ashley's hostility which wasn't a lie. Rhett would never allow Ashley Wilkes to raise his daughter. Melanie agreed the men were very hostile to each other for no reason at all that Melanie could figure out. Scarlett said, "I think you are the source of their hostility to each other. I think Ashley is jealous of the admiration and gratitude you feel for Rhett and I know Rhett doesn't think Ashley is good enough for you."

At first Melanie looked startled that she could be the source of hostility between two men. She blushed and said, "Do you really think so?"

Scarlett said and knew it was partially true, "I really do." Scarlett smiled at the way Melanie preened at the thought of her being the source of anger between two men. Then Scarlett added, "And there isn't anything you can do about it because both of them are too proud to ever admit it." Scarlett didn't want Melly to try to fix the situation. She wanted Melly to enjoy being the source of conflict between two men.

Once Boyd was in Clayton County, he started courting Dimity Munroe. Boyd had always been sweet on Dimity but she had been involved with Alex Fontaine. Once he found out she was available he got her to the altar in October of eighteen seventy-two. Dimity was not in love with Boyd but she was fond of him and she didn't want to die an old maid. It was balm to her soul how fast Boyd wanted to marry her. He didn't care that he had no money right then. Boyd knew their horse farm would be successful. He decided they could be poor together until then. They had their first child, Hope, August of eighteen seventy-three. Dimity grew to love Boyd.

After the first of the year Rhett and Scarlett were having dinner at the Bakers and Franklin said, "The civil war was just a stupid, foolish Gotterdammerung."

Rhett replied, "You are not the only person who thinks that. Scarlett's friend Ashley Wilkes ….." He stopped talking and stared at Scarlett. He said, "Gotterdammerung! He is. Now I know why you wouldn't tell me."

All Scarlett did was giggle.

The Bakers looked at the Butlers with confusion.

Scarlett stopped giggling and said, "Are you going to the fund raiser next week?"

The Bakers looked at each other and Cora May shrugged and said, "Yes we are."

That night as they laid in their bed Mr. and Mrs. Butler laughed for quite a while. One or the other would say, 'Gotterdammerung' or 'polite, boring gentlemen the pair of them' and they would both start laughing again.

The next morning as Scarlett got up to go on her walk, she ran her hand over her abdomen and thought, 'Maybe.'

Author's Notes: I have always felt sorry for Dimity Munroe. She had waited for Alex Fontaine for so long and he married his sister in law instead.

There is a quote by Albert Einstein "Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." I do believe that Ashley Wilkes working at the saw mill was a square peg in a round hole. I also believe that he was depressed and broken by the war and the aftermath of the war. I believe that him having a noble cause would cheer him up and make him feel like he was fighting for Southerners and the Southern way of life. I also believe he probably did have a talent for writing.

And another teaser.