Ok, it's going to have to be chapters, I'm getting into this story. I am still mapping out events in A FRIEND, so those new chapters should be coming soon! I'm also doing some research for NANO in November, life is busy!

Enjoy!

Chapter 2

It was well after midnight when Scarlett was alone in the parlor with the Christmas tree. She sat on the leather sofa, and admired the tiny candles on the tree that glittered among the tiny dolls that dangled from the branches, and a lone rocking horse that was blue. Wade and Ella had hidden the horse under the table, and Scarlett had admonished them for doing so.

"Don't you think your sister in heaven would like her horse on the tree!"

The children had stood silent, and watched their mother hang the ornament quietly, and then wipe one tear away. Scarlett searched out the pink ballerina Ella had cried for at the store, and the red and black toy soldiers Wade had carefully arranged around the tree. The gold and silver angel looked down from high atop the evergreen giving off the quiet beauty, like Ellen. The earthy smell of the wood and sap, brought back memories of running through the woods at Tara in the winter. Playing hide and seek with her sisters, and the Tarleton twins, until they were called in for hot tea to warm them up.

The fire crackled low in the fireplace, and Scarlett glanced over at the tree with the simply wrapped packages in brown paper and string, and the four story doll house Pork had helped put together for Ella. Scarlett hoped tomorrow would be a quiet and peaceful day, when she could enjoy the time with her children.

Scarlett's thoughts were interrupted by a knocking at the front door, followed by a loud moaning cry, like someone trying to sing. Knowing Pork had went to bed at least an hour ago, Scarlett approached the door staring in between the stained glass, and saw the outline of a small man.

"Ashley," she whispered, and then she heard the wounded cry, which seemed like an attempt at singing again.

Scarlett opened the door, and Ashley stumbled in the foyer, and fell to his knees. Tears were streaming down his pale face, and his attempt at singing was actually a cry of emotional pain. His jacket was open, and he smelled of various scents like whisky, perfume and sweat. Scarlett stood shocked, and couldn't do anything put call his name, "Ashley, AShley, Look at me!"

His eyes was closed, and he moaned and cried. Scarlett feared he would wake the house, and she desperately grabbed his lapel turning his face to her and slapped him hard across his face. The shock and the pain caused Ashley to open his eyes and stare at Scarlett who stood above him wide eyed.

"Scar-Scarlett? WHat are you doing here?'

The smell turned her still sensitive stomach, as she glared at him, "This is my house!"

"Oh, really? You moved into the Saloon?"

"AShley, get up. You came to my house."

Scarlett looked at his dishelved appearance and his half button shirt that hung out his pants without suspenders, and his wool coat was ascued on his thin frame. Then, she thought, "Melly would never want this, not AShley to roam the streets smelling like a heathen on Christmas Eve."

"WHere is Beau?"

"Beau? Oh, yes, he's at home, at home with, I think AUnt PItty."

"Ashley, come sit down here!" Scarlett guided him to the chair near the door, and watched as his eyes glazed and tired scanned the room, and landed on Scarlett.

"You are so beauty, I mean beauty, beautiful." AShley let out a humpf,"I don't need you, I have a new girl. Did you see Hetty? WHere did she go?"

"Quiet or you will wake the whole house," hissed Scarlett, just as she heard footsteps shuffling from the back of the house, and then Mammy appeared by her side.

"Miz Scarlett, what's goin' on here?"

"It's Mister AShley, he seems to have lost his way home."

Mammy looked over and gasped, "My word! I ain't never seen this, and what's dat smell?"

Scarlett could only imagined what dalliance AShley got into tonight, so she directed Mammy to get some strong coffee and some of the leftover apple pie for Mr. Wilkes.

AShley started to cry softly, and covered his face, "Scarlett, I don't know what I'm doing."

Scarlett just looked at him, and then said quietly, "Ashley, I know it hurts. It hurts to not have Melly and Bonnie with us. But, we are here, and we must go on for the others they left behind. For Beau, for Wade, for India-"

AShley managed to stand, holding on to the table near the chair, and wobbled as he saw two or three Scarletts illuminated by the gaslights. He tried to reach out and put his hand over her mouth, "Why do you have to be so bossy? Hetty is not bossy, she said Yes, Yes, yes."

Scarlett felt her face flush, and she knocked his hand away, "Ashley, stop being such a fool! Sit down, and no more talk of Hetty!"

AShley slumped in the chair, and rested his head back, "Shhh! I need to take a nap."

As Mammy returned with a tray, she heard the low snore of Ashley, and placed the tray down on the foyer table, "I'll call Pork. We can put him in the guest room."

Scarlett nodded, and went up the stairs to her bedroom.

Sleep took a long time to claim Scarlett, and when it did, it was for barely five hours. The door of her bedroom opened and Mammy came next to her bed, whispering her name.

Scarlett rolled over, "What? WHat?"

"Mammy said urgently, "Mr. Ashley, you wants Pork to bring him home?"

"Is he awake, Mammy?"

"No, but I ain't fixin' fo' people to see him leavin' your house dressed lak dat in the light of da day!"

Scarlett nodded, "Yes, send Pork with him, and let Pork explain to Pitty."

Scarlett glanced out the window and noticed the sky was still dark, and was relieved Mammy probably hadn't slept all night. The muffled sounds of AShley complaining and Mammy fussing passed her room as AShley was brought down the stairs.

"Mista AShley, Pork gonna get you home, and in ya own bed."

"Mammy, the bed was so soft, i just need to sleep a little-"

"You do yo' sleeping at yo' own house, now C'mon!"

Soon the house was quiet, and Scarlett settled deeper under her covers, praying that the house would be still for at least an hour, so she could sleep.

Scarlett sat in the parlor finishing her second cup of coffee, as Ella and Wade marvelled over their newest presents on that Christmas morning. SHe yawned off and on several times, hoping to get a nap before Christmas dinner was served in the evening. The first knock on the door revealed a pinched faced India WIlkes, who appeared alone. She stood at the parlor door and wished the children a "Merry Christmas", then turned to Scarlett, "Can I speak with you privately?"

Scarlett closed the door and spoke in hushed voices in the foyer.

"Scarlett, this is not a social call. I may come back in the evening with Beau and AShley."

"I know, AUnt Pitty told you?"

India blushed, and bit her thin, dry lip, "Yes, we didn't know where he had gone. Ashley sent Dilcey with a note, and told us to keep an eye on the house. Beau was sleeping, and AShley was gone out!"

"Well, he showed up here after midnight-"

"You don't need to tell me any more. Ashley is sick as a dog today, and Beau is over at Aunt Pitty's. I just wanted to thank you, for keeping everything quiet, and getting him home."

"You can thank Mammy, she took care of him."

"Oh, you didn't see him? He said you told him, he needed to go on because of Beau and me."

"I saw him, but when he passed out, Mammy took over. She was up all night with him. I told her to spend the day in bed."

India bit her lip again, and rang her hands, "I told my brother, this is the first and the last time, he better not do this again!"

Scarlett nodded, "He was very distraught, and I know I haven't-"

India placed her hand on Scarlett's arm, "I know you have your own troubles, don't be worried about AShley. I'm going to make sure he behaves himself"

India turned to leave, and then she turned and smiled, "ANd, Scarlett, do thank Captain Butler for the Jules Verne book he sent to Beau. Beau cannot go to sleep at night, unless I read at least three chapters!"

Scarlett nodded, as India's severe and thin frame hurried out the door. Scarlett felt the warmth of

the parlor as the door opened and Ella stood in the doorway, "WHere Beau?"

"Don't worry, Beau and Uncle AShley are coming back with AUnt Pitty and AUnt India later in the day."

Wade pushed past his sister, "Mother, is anything wrong?"

"No, no, Wade. Now stop being such a worry wart!"

"AUnt India looks sad."

"Oh, you know your AUnt India, she's very solemn even at Christmas."

Ella piped, "Where's Mammy?"

"Sleeping, she was working all night getting our dinner ready. Now run along, and play with your lovely new toys!"

Ella ran back to her tea set, new doll and dollhouse, but Wade lingered as his mother brushed past him and took her seat and her cup of coffee avoiding his stare. Wade followed behind her sitting down arranging his new chess set, but keeping an eye on his mother. Her face was smooth, but her green eyes smoldered.

Scarlett seethed with the new knowledge that Rhett could send a book to Beau, but not even come to be with his step children on CHristmas. Scarlett pushed the anger out of her mind, just as she did her grief, she wanted today to be a good day for Wade and Ella at least.