Melly gave Rhett an apologetic look begging him to wait patiently. "Captain Butler, please you must wait. We are going to try our best to get Scarlett through this and we do not need any distractions. You will be causing yourself more pain by seeing her now. Doctor Meade needs to focus on Scarlett fully and having you in there would only distract him from his work. Do you have anything to occupy yourself for the next few hours?" Melly asked wishing Rhett was not so head over heels for Scarlett.
If Scarlett were to die, Melly was sure Rhett would kill himself one way or another. He had Bonnie, yes, but the love for a child could not make up for the love of a spouse. Bonnie would not be able to feel the void in Rhett that losing Scarlett would cause. Even all the comfort Bonnie could provide Rhett; she would be a reminder of her mother for him and a reminder of the guilt that is currently eating away at him. No, Scarlett must survive in order to save her family.
"How could I possibly have something else to do when my wife ma…." Rhett flung his arm out towards Scarlett's bedroom door. His voice held venom and frustration. The very thought of losing Scarlett because of his need to knock her down a peg or two. "I apologize, Miss Melly. It's just…I can't think of anything else but Scarlett at the moment. If I'm not here in this very spot and something was to happen…No I won't leave; I will stay here." He sat himself on the floor directly across Scarlett's room, watching, and waiting, for anything to happen.
Sensing the end of their conversation, Melly took her leave for her task of finding Mammy. There was a lot to be done to ensure Scarlett's survival, more than Melly felt was humanly possible. The best solution would be to make Scarlett comfortable encase she does not make it as Doctor Meade thinks. Melly spotted Mammy in one of the linen closets gathering blankets and towels.
Tears were running down the old woman's black face as she struggled with the task at hand. She was mumbling to herself in her distress. Melly could make out the worlds "Jesus," "Lamb," and "Lord" from the mumbling knowing how effected the faithful woman was by her mistress's accident.
"Mammy? Would you like some help?" Melly questioned as she pulled some towels from the shelf and tossed them into a basket.
"Oh, Miss Melly, my chil' gonna die. It not spose to happn' this way. She too young. I's spose ta go next not my chil'. Lord, I let ya take me to save my Lamb." Mammy started rambling on about the Lord sparing Scarlett.
The scene broke Melly's heart. She too was breaking inside but could not allow herself to show such emotion. Melly had to be strong for Scarlett and for her family. If Scarlett were to see how much Rhett loved her, she could pull through.
Scarlett had changed since Rhett took their daughter away. With the news of a new baby, Scarlett glowed with excitement and joy. How such a tragedy befell upon Scarlett in a few months baffled Melly. Why would a woman who was looking forward to having a new baby fall down the stairs? Maybe, Melly thought, Rhett pushed her down the stairs because he believed the rumors around town. No, Rhett was not the type to listen to gossip, besides he loved Bonnie and would have loved the lost baby if it had survived. There was no way he would have caused this accident.
After assisting Mammy with the fresh linens, Melly went to find Prissy. She did not care for the girl especially after Beau's birth which only caused her more pain while the stupid girl poorly tried to help Melly along with the process.
"Prissy, go pack up Miss Bonnie's things for a few weeks and send them over to my home. Also you are to stay there as well to help the child. But don't go over there talking about what happened here, do you understand. Bonnie is upset as it is and I don't need you causing her further anguish." Melly said being kind yet stern to get her point of importance crossed.
"Yes'm Miss Melly." Prissy replied not budging.
"Go on now and do as I asked." Though Scarlett only kept the girl out of respect for Dilcy, her inability to do anything properly drove Scarlett insane as well as anyone who had to deal with the Prissy.
She walked away before Prissy could respond. Nursing Scarlett was the most important task to be dealt with now. In Melly's own time of need during and after the war, Scarlett had always been there ensuring her survival to which Melly was eternally grateful for. Now it was time to repay Scarlett for her kindness over the years and Melly would see to it Scarlett survived this horrible event.
Upon re-entering Scarlett's room, she was struck with the pungent smell of blood and iodine in the room. The sniffling heat of late July only made the room worse. Instantly beads of sweat formed on Melly's face as well as sweat spots on her clothes under her arms.
"Doctor Meade, we should open the windows a little to get some fresh air in here. I'm sure this is not helping her any." She suggested.
"It cannot be done. If a pest were to get in here and disturb Scarlett any chance of recovery will ultimately end in death. There were too many cases of men dying from infections during the war because they were out in the open while injured and recovering. No the windows will remain closed until she has healed more." It was hard to talk rudely to Melanie but it had to be done to inform her of a ridiculous suggestion. Since Melly had been placed on bed rest during her pregnancy, she did not see the full horrors of war that Scarlett had seen.
"But Doctor Meade, it would do Scarlett a world of good to breathe fresh air. We can get that mesh that is on pie safes to prevent the pests. Surely the heat in this room doesn't help her fever. I'll have ice delivered today to keep rags cold." Melly protested trying to get the doctor to cave in her favor.
"Go see about the ice, we will need daily deliveries at least two or three times a day until her fever breaks. If you must go see about the mesh screening as well. Just remember no one is allowed in this room so all work will have to be done on ladders outside. Melly, just remember this is a waiting game, I'm afraid nothing is diffident just yet. I have worked to stop the excessive bleeding, but she will still bleed out due to the miscarriage. Her arms and legs have splints so she is practically immobile. I may need to put on a neck brace so she does not injure herself further when she's delirious. Leave now child and get the services taken care of. It is time I speak with Captain Butler since Scarlett is stable."
Melanie exited the room on a mission. She purposely ignored Captain Butler's slumped form in the hallway wanting to get her tasks accomplished quickly. Finding ice was easy since there was an ice shop at the end of Peachtree Street. The difficult part was finding the mesh she needed and the person to install it. She would have to ask Rene Picard on the matter since he drove the pie caddy.
Doctor Meade stepped out of the room with his jacket off, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his tie was undone, and his hair looked a right mess as sweat traced the contours of his face. There were traces of blood on his clothing. Doctor Meade had not brought his apron since he was in a rush to get over to the Butler's residents and he certainly did not expect the scene he had witnessed.
The old doctor cleared his throat before speaking. "Captain Butler, may I have a word with you."
Rhett removed himself from the floor to stand. He took the doctor into his room across the hall to sit down during their discussion. "Yes, please tell me Scarlett's going to be fine."
"I cannot say such a thing, nor am I able to make any promises. Her injuries are bad, something I would equate to being trampled by a horse carriage or even a horse. I will speak frank to you, sir. The chances of your wife's survival are slim to none. It amazes me that she even survived the fall let alone the miscarriage considering the amount of blood loss. Scarlett has broken bones which would be rather expected in such a case, and with you carrying her up the stairs may have caused more injury."
"Oh God." Rhett raked his hand through his hair as fresh tears fell down his face as he tried to hold in the sob that was shaking his whole body.
"She may also have a broken back but I am not able to clarify since turning her over is not recommended. The best thing for Scarlett now is to keep her still and try to break the fever. Hopefully if the fever goes away, Scarlett could pull through, but the chance is slim."
"Do whatever it takes to save her. I cannot live without Scarlett. Money is not a problem, do what you must to ensure Scarlett's survival." Rhett said his rage at himself was evident in his voice. Over the last hours he had been wishing to turn back time to that morning before any of this happened.
"I would suggest, upon Scarlett's recovery when she is able to, take her away from here for a while. It would be good for her to be away from this city and possibly help to rekindle your marriage. I have heard the gossip, Captain Butler but not by my own choosing. Please refrain from planning any trips now, I should not have gotten your hopes up.
"Now I have Scarlett on laudanum to keep the pain down and to help her sleep. She has been unconscious since the fall but should regain consciousness in a few days. Mammy, though distraught, is able to give Scarlett chicken and vegetable broth to keep nutrients in her system. Miss Melly has gone to have ice delivered to keep rags cold and to keep Scarlett's body temperature down. Normally I would have her in a cold ice bath but that is not advisable."
"May I see her?" Rhett wanted to relinquish his soul to Scarlett in hopes she would hear him and find it in her heart to forgive him and to pull through her illness.
"No. She is in too bad of shape currently, possibly in a week or two when things may be on the plus side. We do not want to risk having setbacks in her recovery." If the old doctor had his way, Scarlett would be moved to his house or to an empty room in the hospital with a guard on the door to prevent Captain Butler from even thinking of seeing his wife. Though legally, Rhett had every right in the world on how to treat is wife, Doctor Meade was not one for domestic abuse and would not put up with any boorish acts from Rhett towards Scarlett.
Both men were startled at the sharp scream coming from across the hall in Scarlett's room. Before Doctor Meade could evacuate his seat towards the sick room, Rhett was already up and half in the hallway. There was no stopping Rhett from entering the room now.