Rhett watched her closely for signs of pregnancy. Scarlett counted the days until her next flux, hoping it wouldn't appear. She wanted a baby, his baby, a symbol of their new relationship. Rhett wasn't sure what he wanted. Losing Bonnie had been the hardest thing of his life. He wasn't certain he could risk that again and there were so many things that could go wrong with having babies. He had caused Scarlett to lose one and as he contemplated that day, he remembered her words not so long ago. You owe me a baby…

Well, perhaps he did, he thought. But would he be able to be a good father to it? His disfigurement aside, which did concern him, he wasn't sure he could put his heart into another little one. What if she was pregnant? What if something happened to this baby? Could he survive it? Maybe she had been wrong. Maybe there was no baby. But in his gut, he knew how strong the possibility was; he had taken no precautions.

Scarlett knew he was nervous about the idea. He had always tried to disguise his feelings by saying it never mattered to him if they had babies or not but his reaction to Bonnie had told a different story. Rhett loved children. Why, even the way he treated Wade and Ella revealed his feelings about them.

She was missing her older two children by now. They had been visiting at Tara when she had received the telegram from Mrs. Butler and consequently she sent one of her own to Tara saying that the children would need to remain there for awhile longer. But what she thought would be a little while was turning into a long while and she longed to see them.

Rhett was aware that she was growing a little melancholy but didn't understand why. As they sat one afternoon on his balcony, he looked over at her and seeing a wistful look on her face, he asked. "What are you thinking about, my love?"

"Oh Rhett, I miss Wade and even Ella so much…"

"They are still at Tara?"

"Yes. I had a letter from Wade in yesterday's mail. He sounds happy enough, but I miss him. And Ella is being bullied by Suellen's girls, he says. I suppose they take after their mother…" she sighed.

"Perhaps I am being selfish. Perhaps you should go see them. Or better, they should come here…"

Scarlett turned to him, her eyes lighting. Oh Rhett, could we? Could we go to Tara and see the children? And Wade says Will has made some improvements and opened a new field to be cultivated again. I want to see what he has done…" Her face fell as she saw the pained expression on his.

"You go, my pet. I'll stay here."

"Me go…alone? Without you? No. I won't. Please Rhett, go with me…"

"Scarlett, I'm hardly fit for public travel. I can't even bear to be seen downstairs in my own mother's house…"

"But you could wear your hat and gloves…and we could…we could hire a private car. So no one would get more than a glimpse of you as we climbed in and out at the stations."

"And when we arrived at Tara? What then, Scarlett? I can't wear gloves and a hat all the time. And even if I could, the hat only hides so much of my face. No, I won't do it. I won't frighten the residents of Tara like that."

"God's nightgown, Rhett. Will saw much worse in the war…and so did Sue for that matter. We had so many wounded stop by Tara after the war."

"And their children? And what of Wade and Ella? I can't let them see me like….like this."

"Wade and Ella will love you no matter, they always have. You are the only father that either of them remembers. It will be a shock but they will adjust. They miss you, Rhett."

He digested her words, remembering the afternoon of Bonnie's birth. He and Wade had shared some wine in celebration, although Wade's was more water than wine. Wade had been concerned that he might have another little boy somewhere, after Rhett had assured him that he was glad Bonnie was a little girl. Yes, Wade did look upon him as a father. Perhaps the boy would learn to accept his appearance. But Ella…she was so easily frightened…skittish like her own father. His appearance might be too much for her. "And what of your sister's children?"

"Suellen's brood will just have to accept you, Rhett. After all, it is my money that keeps a roof over all of their heads. Suellen would have been out years ago if it weren't for Will. He's the reason I tolerate her presence. Why, after what she did to Pa…. Please Rhett, I don't want to be separated from you again…ever. We've spent so much time apart…too much time and now…now I just want us together, always together."

Rhett sighed. He couldn't describe the warmth her words brought to his soul, the thought that she didn't want to be apart again. With that, he knew he was defeated. "All right. I'll go with you. But if things become too uncomfortable, I'll leave. And we'll take Emma with us, if she's willing. I don't want anyone at Tara tending to me."

"Mammy would do it and gladly. And Pork is there."

"And Mammy is getting old and no doubt has her hands full with the household already. And Pork…after all he went through with your father, I won't put him through caring for me. He's a loyal servant and deserves peace in his old age."

"He took care of you before…"

"Under very different circumstances, my dear. No, I'll let Emma help me with the more…delicate matters. Pork can tend to my clothes and such, but Emma will help with the rest."

"But you are going," she said, her eyes alight with excitement. "You'll see Tara will be good for you…"

Rhett smirked. "It will be good for you, my dear. It always refreshes you. It is a part of you no matter where you are. But I suppose I will enjoy the fresh air and sunshine…"

And so Scarlett began to make plans. A private car was arranged that would carry them from Charleston through Atlanta and on to Jonesboro. They would hire a buggy for the trip from Jonesboro to Tara, so that they wouldn't be left waiting at the station for the wagon from Tara. Scarlett sent a telegram informing the inhabitants of their impending arrival but left the time out. And then she began to pack, preparing for the trip that would truly take her home.

Rhett wasn't as excited about the trip but listened to her plans as they unfolded. He had to admit to himself, rather proudly, that she had thought of everything. The trip would be as uneventful as possible and he wouldn't have to bear the looks and reactions of strangers. The reaction to him at the end of the trip was what worried him the most, however. And as the planning continued, he continued to watch for signs of another Butler on the way, never sure if he wanted to see any or not.

"I had another letter from my mother's cousin, Cora," Mrs. Meade informed the ladies gathered in Mrs. Bonner's parlor for tea. "Scarlett was seen at the train station making arrangements for a private car."

"A private car? Oh, my," said PittyPat Hamilton. "Where do you suppose they are going?"

"Cora didn't say. One must wonder if they are coming here, don't you think?"

"Oh nonsense," Mrs. Merriweather said as she joined the conversation. "Surely PittyPat would have heard from Scarlett if that were the case."

"Oh I don't think so," PittyPat intoned. "I haven't heard much from Scarlett at all since Mellie's death."

"Yes, she was keeping to herself after the funeral. Though I must say, she planned a beautiful one, one befitting our dear Melanie…" Mrs. Elsing added.

"Well, if they are not coming to Atlanta, then where do you suppose they are going?" asked Mrs. Whiting. The ladies spent the better part of the afternoon speculating on the question.

Rhett had to admit, once they were in their private car, that the transition from his mother's house to the train had been relatively painless. A few gawkers stood on the platform, watching the excitement as the Butler entourage made its way from the closed carriage to the car, but were denied a clear view. Scarlett and Emma had been careful to stand on either side of Rhett, forestalling any who might approach for a closer look. He and his mother had said their good byes at the house, relieving her of the burden at the station. Consequently, he was able to move directly from one conveyance to the other seamlessly. Once they were settled in the car, he relaxed, exhaling a long, deep breath that he felt he had been holding all the way from the house. Scarlett directed the porter as he put away their bags and then saw Emma settled. The railroad company had wanted her in the Negro section but Scarlett had put her foot down, insisting that Emma's help was needed with the care of Mr. Butler. Finally, in the face of her firestorm, the agent acquiesced and Emma was allowed to ride in the private car with them. "Honestly," Scarlett fumed. "These carpetbaggers are so confusing. Mammy always rode with me when I took the train and now they want all the Negros in one section. I just don't understand…"

"I don't think anyone understands this new order, my pet. We are all trying to find direction with it. But I do agree that this is a ridiculous situation. Emma costs no more because she is with us in the private car but if she had purchased a ticket, it would have cost the same as any other ticket. She should be able to sit where any other passenger sits."

"Do you suppose that was it? They wanted us to have to purchase a ticket for Emma?"

"Possibly," Rhett nodded. "Things are going to continue to be confusing, I believe, as long as the Yankees try to make the rules for us. Once we have the vote back, things will settle some and we'll be able to work these new arrangements out sensibly. Many of the former plantations already have, hiring the blacks as share croppers; letting them enjoy the fruits of their labor while the land owner still reaps a benefit. Plus, it keeps the land under cultivation instead of continuing to lie fallow. Some have outright given plots of land to the former slaves in return for work on the old farms. Not many are willing to consider the blacks as equals yet, but they are seeing them as victims in this mess too. If the Yankees will leave it alone, I'm sure we'll work things out."

"But the Yankees won't leave it alone…"

"That's my fear, my dear. They keep meddling in relationships that they don't understand, turning former masters and slaves against one another when once they worked in the fields together. Former slaves like Mammy and Pork…and Emma," he said, nodding in Emma's direction, "were once valued members of the larger family. Your parents could have no more hurt Mammy or Pork than they could fly. The very idea was beyond them. But now we're being set against each other. I fear for the outcome. I'm afraid that there will be conflict for generations because of the hatred that the Carpetbaggers stir on both sides. The Klan is only one example of how deep the feelings are becoming."

Scarlett thought about what he'd said and then sighed. "Mother was always careful about how Pa let the overseers treat the hands. She spoke to him often about Jonas Wilkerson and his handling of the field hands. Mother did not approve of his rough manner with them. Wilkerson always scoffed when Pa spoke to him but I know Pa didn't like it either. It was just so difficult to find a good overseer and Wilkerson was better than some of the others. I do know that I don't know what I would have done without Mammy all these years. And Pork, he was so good to Pa…. And there's Dilcey, and even Prissy… and I couldn't have asked for a better helper than Emma with you. Those Yankees will never set me against them and I don't think they would ever do anything to hurt us. It's like you said…a larger family."

They rode quietly while Rhett rested. Scarlett's mind was busy, however. Rhett's comments made her realize how different her life would have been without those faithful servants who had once been their slaves. And with that realization came a desire to do something for them. She had given Pork her father's watch but in retrospect, it seemed so little when compared to his years of service. No, something more would be done for each of them; she just needed to decide what it would be.

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Well, there it is. Maybe not what you were hoping for, but necessary to move things along. I do so appreciate all of the reviews and comments. You all brighten my day!