THANKS for the REVIEWS! HERE IS A NYE tidbit, We all know Scarlett wasn't going to give Rhett an easy time coming home... ENJOY!
The train pulled into Atalanta in the late afternoon, and Rhett knew most of the good people of the city was hurrying home for supper with their families. The station was filled with carriages waiting for travelers, but no one waited for him, so Rhett Butler picked up his valise and ordered his trunk on a rig, and headed up to Peachtree Street.
The house sat like an overdone old dowager on the hill, and the outside lawn was empty in the chilly afternoon, the lone leaves were blown around by the wintry breeze. The driver unloaded his trunk to the porch and Rhett handed him a nice tip.
"Thank you, sir, and have a good new year!"
"You, too," answered Rhett as he listened on the other side of the door for any sound or activity from the children. Maybe Scarlett had taken them to Tara when she felt better, or maybe they were out visiting, Rhett turned his key and met Pork in the foyer.
"Good afternoon, Mista Rhett!" Pork beamed as though he was about to hug him.
"Hello, Pork!" Rhett reached out and clapped Pork on the shoulder, "Where is the mistress of the house and the children?"
"Well, Miz Scarlett, she went down to settle the books at the store, and the children went with her to get some candy."
Rhett smiled, at least Scarlett was taking an interests in the children. Rhett walked into the library and quietly in the library in his leather wingback chair and waited. He found a leather bound book left open on the chair, and smiled as he read the title Robinson Crusoe. Rhett fingered through the book, checking out various places to reread his favorite passages.
It seemed as darkness was taking over the house, and Rhett had just instructed Pork to turn on the gaslights, when he heard the door open, and it was Mammy's voice that was heard first, followed by the children. Rhett stood in the doorway of the library, and watched as Mammy helped Ella and Wade off with their winter coats, scarves and hats.
It was Ella who noticed Rhett standing against the doorframe with his arms folded, smiling. Ella bursted out, "Uncle Rhett!"
She ran up to hug him, and Mammy stood there with large wide eyes, "Well, will you look at you!"
Wade stood there with his brown eyes, cold orbs, and his jaw set just like his mother.
"I'm here, just like I said. I do believe I am a day early being that January starts tomorrow."
Wade never moved toward him, but stood there watching. Rhett had Ella in his arms, and walked over to Wade, holding his hand out. Wade gave him a reluctant hand shake, and nodded his head.
Rhett looked around, and back at Wade, "Where's your mother?"
"She's coming along, Miz Scarlett wanted to check and make sure the supplies we got at the market got put away to her liking," Mammy grinned.
Rhett nodded, he knew just how controlling Scarlett was with the food supply.
Wade cut in, "Are you staying for dinner tonight, Uncle Rhett?"
"Well, I was hoping that we could have dinner and a celebration, like the children in New Orleans. Do you know Santa comes to them tonight? Even though I'm no Santa, I thought you might like to get some gifts? Am I wrong?"
Ella wiggled in his arms and placed a kiss on his cheek, "Yes, we do want presents!"
Mammy stood holding a bag of colorful candy in her hand, "I'm puttin' this candy in the jar, and you all can come get two pieces after yo' supper."
Mammy hurried to the kitchen, and the loud shouts of Scarlett came from the back door of the food cellar in the kitchen, "Mammy, that damn Bertie, cheated us! I don't care if she can't read, even a monkey can count! I told her I needed twenty irish potatoes, and she gave me 17. I ought to go to her house and get the other 3! What's wrong, Mammy, why is-"
Rhett entered the side hallway from behind Mammy, holding Ella with Wade trailing behind him, like a tail. Scarlett took a sigh to control herself, and looked at Mammy's pursed lips and big eyes. Rhett chuckled, "Do go on, my dear-"
"Hello, Rhett. I'm glad to see you kept your promise, for the children's sake."
"I was hoping that you all were here, and not at Tara."
"Well, when we got your letter, the children wouldn't hear of it."
Rhett beamed, and looked at Scarlett, she was tired, and irritated, and probably hungry. Wade came forward and stood between his mother and stepfather, "Uncle Rhett said, we can open our gifts tonight, like in New Orleans."
Scarlett nodded, "Good, I'm glad you all will get more presents after you all are tired of all the gifts Santa Claus brought you."
Rhett looked through the door in the kitchen, "Are you going to have supper here tonight, or were you going to Pitty's house."
Scarlett looked over her shoulder, "We had some goose and rice with gravy that we needed to finish, Cookie is going to make a real dinner tomorrow for New Years Day. You know all the fixings black eye peas, cabbage and brisket."
"Well, how about dinner at the National Hotel tonight."
Scarlett didn't jump to the offer even though she was starving, "I've been at the store most of the day, I'll just make due with the -"
Wade took his mother's hand, "I think we should all go, Mother. I don't like the goose, and neither do you."
"Wade, I do like it!"
Rhett sneered putting Ella down, "Scarlett, I know you like the desserts at the Hotel, go change your dress and we'll go."
Ella had taken her other hand and mumurred, "Please, mother."
Scarlett shook her head and went upstairs with Ella to change, as Prissy started running up behind them.
Wade and Rhett sat in the library, and it was Wade who spoke first, "Uncle Rhett, are you going to stay long?"
Rhett smiled, "I will stay as long as I can, at least until a couple of months."
Wade added, "And then, you will leave us, again."
Rhett sat up straighter, he had never heard the boy be flippant or sarcastic, but his words he threw at Rhett had the same cruel edge as Scarlett's in a tantrum. Rhett didn't know how to respond to his straightforward observation of the relationship of his mother and stepfather.
"Perhaps, you will leave me, if you all decide to go to Tara," Rhett answered back.
Wade slid off the chair and started to tease the black and white cat of Bonnie's who had just came in, and he looked over his shoulder, "Perhaps, we will. Are you still wondering about Uncle Ashley?"
Wade dropped the cat on it's paws and stood at Rhett's chair, watching his eyes, and waiting for an answer, "Well? Are you, Uncle Rhett?"
Rhett chuckled, "I had a talk with him before I left. Is he still bothering about here?"
"No, he's drinking a lot and staying out very late. I think I heard Aunt India say he goes to the saloons."
Rhett eyebrow went up, "Is that so? Well, he has had a blow, losing your Aunt Melly like he did. Sometimes people need to feel the sorrow in the bottom of a bottle before they feel it in their hearts."
Wade was interrupted by Ella who ran in twirling in her Christmas dress followed by Mammy with her coat and Scarlett. The family waited at the door while Pork had the carriage brought around to the front door again.
"Can we really open presents when we get home?" Ella asked, as Mammy buttoned her up.
Scarlett pulled on her gloves, "Yes, but Mother needs an early night. I had a long day, today."
Rhett put his arm out, "How so, Mrs. Butler? Having troubles at the store?"
"No, I have just been everywhere today. First, we went to the market, then I took the children to get measured for new clothes, and then we went to the store. I did the books, while Mammy took the children to the square, and then they came back to the store to wait for me."
Rhett ushered them into the carriage, holding Ella on his lap, so that Scarlett could sit next to him, and Wade sat across, observing his mother and his stepfather. The restaurant was crowded with people who had got off the train with Rhett a few hours ago. None of the Old Guard frequented the hotel, except for a special occasion.
As they left, Scarlett felt a second wind after her hearty meal, and two glasses of wine. She felt more relaxed than she was around Rhett, excited to be near him, but cautious of the unknown plans he had. They would have a long talk tonight, and she would get an answer out of him, or he had to go.
As they walked in the door, Scarlett could smell chocolate cakes baking, Rhett's favorite and the presents were laid out as if it was Christmas morning under the tree. The gifts were wrapped in brown paper with silver and gold ribbons flowing from them.
"I remembered your Catholicism forbids you to remove the tree until the Epiphany." Rhett sneered.
Scarlett walked over and sat on the sofa, hoping to hurry this activity up, and get the children to bed. Pork stood proud, as Rhett clapped his shoulder and smiled, "Thanks, Santa Claus!" Pork beamed, but the children were sitting waiting for the gifts.
Rhett sat on the floor with the children, and started to hand out the largest gifts, first to Ella and Wade. The paper was ripped and despite their mother looking on, Ella squealed with delight, when she found her pink and green china tea set, and a tall almost as tall as her with long red hair. Wade ripped open the paper on a beautiful pair of leather boots, and a fine set of bows and arrows.
Rhett explained, "You see those feathers, just like SItting Bull used."
"Really?" Wade's eyes were as wide and excited as a two year old, and his angst seem to fade.
Scarlett crossed her arms, "No shooting in the house or the yard. Maybe your Uncle Rhett can take you out to Rough and Ready to shoot some ducks."
"Can we?" Wade begged.
Rhett looked at Scarlett as she smiled, "Sure, I'll look forward to that, Wade."
Finally, Rhett sat on the sofa next to Scarlett and searched in his pocket for a small box.
"Dear, I wanted to get you a gift that was more gold than glitter," Rhett giggled.
Scarlett said dryly, "Is that so? I take it you forgive me, then?"
"There is nothing to forgive, Scarlett. Open your gift, and let's not talk of this now."
Rhett deposited the small square box in her lap, her eyes ached as she looked down, she was getting tired, and in a minute she was going to snap at him. Scarlett's fingers pried the box open and looked inside the dark velvet box, and it was an oval shaped emerald no bigger than Scarlett's fingernail on a thick solid gold band. She looked at the dainty ring, and took it out of the box, the emerald was a myriad of dark green facets, and she slipped it on her finger. The children gathered around to see their Mother's bobble.
"Really, Rhett, why did you get something like this, the last time you were here-"
"No, no, I'm not discussing that, tonight."
Ella held out her locket, "Look, it's gold like my necklace!"
Rhett smiled, "Ah, you are still wearing your first Christmas gift?"
"Yes, I love it!" Ella smiled, "Thank you, uncle Rhett!"
"And," Rhett cleared his throat, "Did you all enjoy your gifts?"
Wade smiled and thanked Rhett, and Scarlett gave a nonchalant, "Yes, they were lovely."
Scarlett was tired, and had forgotten she slipped her present away in her dresser. It was the cake that Mammy was serving that got her attention.
"How about the children take their new gifts up to the nursery, and Mammy can serve your cake their. I need to talk with Uncle Rhett."
Mammy ushered the children with Pork carrying most of the gifts, as Scarlett sat with her cake and coffee in the wingback chair closest to the fireplace.
"And, Mammy," called Scarlett," Get them in bed in about hour, we've had such a long day. I think I will spend the morning in bed."
Rhett chuckled as he sat with his cake, "Is that so?"
"Not with you, you varmint." Scarlett answered before gulping down a mouthful of coffee.
"I know that, don't ruffle your chaste feathers."
"Why are you here? and WHy did you have to drag us out to eat? To keep gossip down?"
"So many questions, my pet. No, I wanted to let Pork set up the presents, and day old duck was never your favorite meal."
"I was just looking forward to a quiet evening, not all this bribery."
"Me, bribing you?"
"Yes, the children and me. WHy are you here?"
"Well, maybe I needed time away to realize that I miss my family."
"Family?"
"Yes, you and the children are my family, and I miss you. In spite of the grief that drove me out of this house two months ago, the truth is we both need time to grief and come to terms with life, and I am ready to come back, if you will have me, or has your true love waned like the moon?"
Scarlett was seething, he had the gall to just walk in with an armful of gifts and trinkets and waltz back in their lives. Two months ago, she would have taken him in her arms, have a second honeymoon, given him two, three four more children, and he had spit in her face and walked out of her life. Scarlett was at a loss for words, without screaming curses at him.
Suddenly, Rhett was kneeling at her feet, and took her chin in his hand and lifted it, "Well?"
Tears stung her eyes, and she turned her head.
"I see, and does the wooden headed Mr. WIlkes has anything-"
"You know it isn't him!"
"Then, is it your pride? You lost that a long time ago."
"You, bastard, how dare you. Yes, it's my pride. I have too much pride to allow you to come back so easy."
"You mean, you weren't going to race upstairs and make passionate love to me?" Rhett roared with laughter, "Don't worry, I know old habits die hard, I am coming back a man who is not blind to you, not like when we first got married."
"You weren't blind, you just wasn't a gentleman. When you wanted it bad enough, you just took it."
Scarlett jabbed him, right where it hurt. Rhett stood on his feet and walked out the library, his face was stone, his back erect, and the front door slammed shaking the windows.