Chapter 9 : Scarlett has an Awakening Moment
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and do not intend on making any money off this story.
Story Line: Takes place after Scarlett falls down the stairs.
I had for a while been meaning to comment on a review I got awhile back. Someone gave me a review that during this time they did not have lights they could turn up. This is wrong, they did have lights they could 'Turn up, or down' they are called kerosene lamps. You could turn the wick up making the flame higher as you wished, and could make it as dim as you wished by turning it down. And another comment was made about 'the old cats' well I beg to differ, they were like a cliche bunch of teenagers they changed their minds about Rhett, they could do it for Scarlett. As for all the other reviews I thank you all! They are very helpful, please keep them coming I need them to continue writing.
For the next couple weeks Rhett thought he was gonna lose his mind. If not the kids were talking about camping out at the ruins of twelve oaks, it was Scarlett wanting to go west and seek out the Shaw-man. What had he gotten himself into, he shook his head?
"Uncle Rhett, are we going to go soon?" Wade asked for the hundredth time.
"Yes, Wade." Rhett sighed heavily. Had he ever been this young? He thought to himself.
"Tomorrow?" Wade smiled. "Will we leave tomorrow?"
"No, son. We will be leaving in two days." Rhett smiled. Taking a cigar from his breast pocket he inhaled its aroma, snipped the end off with his fancy silver cigar cutter. And placing the bulk between his thick lips he lit the cigar with a match.
Rhetts plan was to go west from Tara. He figured the children could stay with Will and Suellen. Although he knew, Bonnie would be dead set against it. He was just voicing his opinions to Scarlett.
"But Rhett, why don't you and I just go west and let the children goto Tara." Scarlett rationalized in her mind.
"Because I promised the children, we would go camping at twelve oaks." Rhett stated.
Scarlett was at a loss of words. She was torn between doing right by her children and her own insatiable desire to get her way. Pouting her very best she turned away. "Fine, but we need to find this Gray Eagle soon, before Melanie has the baby."
"Scarlett, do you even know if Melanie is going to have a baby yet? Have you asked her?"
Rhett asked.
"I don't need to ask, I know. I dreamed of it." Scarlett said.
"Dreamed of it? Scarlett what are you some type of prophet? An oracle?" Rhett laughed.
Scalded and seething like a cat that had been drenched in water she turned on him, "How dare you Rhett Butler. You are a cad. You know as well as I do that Melanie Wilkes would give her right arm for another child."
"Calm down my pet." he laughed whole heartedly. "Don't get a dander up." Rhett put his swarthy hands around her waist and pulled her to him. And looked intently into the green pools that were her eyes. Searching for a time, then he released her.
Scarletts heart beat wildly meeting his gaze, and when he broke away her heart hit her feet. She thought he was going to kiss her. She was so sure of it. Why did he not? She would have loved it, wished for it, but he did not kiss her. She was confused, and angered. How did he have this power over her?
"My pet why don't you ask Melanie if she is expecting." Rhett stated.
"Well I don't know, maybe. She will lie." Scarlett made excuses.
"I don't think Miss Melly would lie to you. If you asked her directly." Rhett rationalized.
Later that afternoon when Melanie called on Scarlett for tea, she did just that. And Melanie's face blushed four shades of crimson. "Why Scarlett. What a forward question."
"Well are you Melly. Tell me the truth." Scarlett grabbed Melanies hand desperately as if she were falling. "Are you, have you, been trying? ..."
"Scarlett!" Melanie was startled. Her poor darling Scarlett, losing her baby was too much for her. "Are you thinking of having another baby dear?"
"Me?" Scarlett was taken back by the turn about of questioning. She had not thought of it, she was too worried about saving Melanie from the fate that befell her. "No, I haven't thought much on it. But Melly, I am worried about you, I remember Doctor Meade saying another child would kill you and I could not lose you. I will not. So tell me, please, Melly tell me. Are you going to have a baby?"
Melanies flush deepened, "Well last night," Melanie started then blushed. "Was the first time, since...I don't know yet?"
Scarletts heart began a rapid acceleration. Last night, was the only time since Beau. Oh, thank god, she had plenty of time. If Melly was even with child. She would make sure they were not together again, and maybe just maybe it would not be true. There was time, Scarlett could rest easy knowing she had time to find the shaman.
"Melanie, please I beg of you. Don't try, don't try anymore. Not right now. I could not lose you my dear. I just can't. I couldn't live without you, and neither could Beau and Ashley. Everyone, we all need you my dear. I need you Melly, I know I am being selfish. But it is true." Scarlett started crying hot fevered tears.
And Melanie took Scarlett in her arms, tears coming to her own eyes. Never before had she ever seen Scarlett the pillar of strength brought to this weak state, not even when she lost her Mother, or Father, or even when she lost her son. "Could I mean this much to her?" Melanie thought. "Scarlett, hush, its all right. I am fine. I will be fine."
"Promise me Melly, please promise me." Scarlett said over and over.
"All right, dear. I promise." Melanie swallowed hard her dreams of another child was fighting the loyalty she had to the person she owed everything too. Her first child, her very life. Everything she had, she had Scarlett to thank for.
From the shadows of Scarletts tormented mind came a hope, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of all that had went wrong. Scarlett had the knowledge of what would happen and she also had the knowledge of how soon it could be, along with Melanies word she would not be trying for babies again. "Oh if mother had heard me asking a lady such a question, surly she is turning in her grave now."
"Oh well." Her O'Hara blood spoke out. "You did what you must. It was the only way to save your best friend."
Scarlett lay in her bed thoughts turning through her head. The clock in the hall was chiming six o'clock already. "Where had the afternoon gone?"
"Rhett should be home." She smiled. Adjusting herself in the mirror, she made her way to Rhetts room. Without bothering to knock she entered his room. Her eyes raked his naked torso. He was a magnificent man. He was changing for supper. Suddenly his room became dangerous territory. Everything about the room and the man was so very masculine. Seeing her, he flashed a genuine smile. "Well Hello."He said. It took Scarlett aback, sending a jolt through her body making her nether region boil.
"Rhett," she started but all words were lost. And so she just smiled in return.
"Is there something I can do for you my pet?" he questioned finishing his toilette.
Remembering herself she spoke, "I talked to Melanie today."
"Yes, and is she with child then?" Rhett said bluntly.
"She is not sure." Scarlett blushed.
"Not sure?" Rhett said befuddled. "Either she is or she isn't."
Scarlett blushed at what Rhett was implying. "Yes, but it is too soon to tell, she says."
"Oh, I see." Rhett smirked.
"Would you wash my back?" he asked.
Walking over to the wash basin Scarlett picked up the wash rag and wrung it out. Looking at the golden brown expanse of his muscular back, she slowly rubbed the wash cloth all around in circles memorizing every contour as she massaged. Rhett closed his eyes and braced himself with his arms on the wash stand.
After what seemed like an eternity he turned around, and their eyes met in a heated stare. Both were feeling a fire burning between them. The gaze was broke when Bonnie came running into the room. "Daddy, Daddy"
Scarlett quickly moved to safe distance and said, "I will go see Wade and Ella are ready for supper."
"Scarlett" Rhett started when Bonnie began bombarding her father with tales from her day.
Scarlett went into her room and poured some cool water onto a rag washing her burning face. It felt as if she had been working out in the hot sun. It was so much that she was sure she would have freckles in the morning.
Supper went by slow, neither her nor Rhett got a word in between the yammering of the children. All were excited about the trip that as Wade pointed out, was now almost only a day away. Scarlett was relieved when they were finished eating, and the children were sent off to get ready for bed. Rhett invited her into the library for a night cap, and the brandy gave her a much needed bracer. Helped calm her shaking nerves, she had felt as giddy as a school girl being alone with Rhett in here. Now she was calmer.
Neither had much to say, and so Scarlett excused herself saying she was very tired. "How much longer are you gonna stay up Rhett?"
"Oh, not much longer. I am quite tired." He said wondering where this was leading.
"Would you walk with me?" she asked.
"If you would like." he stood and followed her to the stair case.
They walked up the massive staircase side by side in silence. And when Rhett left her at her door, she was disappointed. "Rhett," she said.
"Yes, what is it My darling."
"Aren't you going to bed?" she asked.
When he said nothing, she replied. "This is your bedroom too."
"You need your rest my pet." He came to her and kissed her forehead and then her lips. "Goodnight."