Chapter 12

A few days had passed after Scarlett first awoke before the undertaker made his way to the Butler Mansion. Rhett had been walking through the foyer when the bell rang, since he was right there he decided to answer the door. Much to his dismay the person on the other side of the door was the undertaker.

The undertaker's wagon was parked in the drive in perfect view of the front door, and the casket that was ordered for Scarlett was in the back.

"I'm sorry to bother you sir, but I need payment for my services." The undertaker said in a stern voice and motioned towards his wagon.

Rhett was taken by surprise at what was said. He had forgotten that plans had been made had Scarlett succumbed to death's callings. Anger washed through his veins as though this visit from the undertaker was a bad omen to rip away the happiness in his life. "Excuse me? My mother cancelled the arrangements."

"That maybe but the casket was made especially for your wife. No one else could afford it or would want it since it is custom made. The amount owed is seventy-five dollars."

"That is ridiculous! Seventy-five dollars is robbery!" Rhett shoved his hands in his pockets, for if they were left to hang by his sides, Rhett's fist would collide with the cheek of the man in front of him. "Caskets and coffins cost twenty-five or fifty dollars."

"Those cheaper prices are for plain pine boxes. If you do not pay, Captain Butler, I will alert the authorities."

"I will have the money sent to your office tomorrow. Do not ever return to this house, do you hear me?"

"And what would you like me to do with the casket? Would you like it delivered here." There was a hint of malice as the man began to lean against the door frame seeming amused at Rhett's discomfort.

"Burn it!" Rhett backed away from the door giving him enough room to shut it. Pivoting on his heel, Rhett walked into the front parlor and poured himself a stiff drink.

Being confronted with another reminder of how close he came to losing Scarlett irked at his every nerve. This city and its memories were chiseling away his patients. He needed to get out of here, flee to a place that did not have such heart wrenching memories. With one last gulp of the amber liquid, Rhett continued on his path prior to the unwelcome interruption.

Would this nightmare of a month ever subside and give them peace? Once they gained footing of moving on something always interfered to set them back. This visit from the undertaker did nothing to ease Rhett's mind, in fact it only caused Rhett pain to think he would have been the cause of Scarlett's death had she died.

"Rhett they're taking a nap. Bonnie is constantly exhausting herself and dozing off in mid sentence. Scarlett tries her best to stay wake for Bonnie but she needs her rest. Once Bonnie wakes up you should take her to the park to get rid of some of that energy."

"Mother I wish it was that simple. Bonnie is frightened of me. If it weren't for Scarlett being on bed rest, Bonnie would not have anything to do with me." Rhett confessed. Before now he did not inform his mother of the events that lead to all of this. His mother knew Scarlett miscarried, but neither Rhett nor Scarlett stated how it happened.

Eleanor was shocked to say the least that her granddaughter was scared of her father. Why when they were in Charleston he was her whole world, nothing could sever their bond. "What happened?"

Rhett grunted before he decided to speak. Every time he thought or even spoke of the events of the last month, they always reminded him of what a jackass he was. "Bonnie witnessed an argument Scarlett and I had when we returned home. This argument caused Scarlett to fall down the stairs and lose the baby. Since then Bonnie has ignored anything I've said and has been a constant presence in Scarlett's room. Taking her out of the room is pointless because Bonnie will throw a tantrum which hurts Scarlett." Rhett spoke quickly not wanting his slow drawl to cling to the words.

"Oh dear." Eleanor placed her hand over her mouth. She knew there were problems in her son's marriage since he appeared on her doorstep without a note or wife. "I can take Bonnie out, she needs fresh air and to move around."

"That would be great Mother, but tell me how are you going to remove Bonnie from Scarlett's side?"

"Silly boy, mothers don't tell their sons the secrets to rearing children and since I am her grandmother my way of getting Bonnie to listen to me and do as I say will be for me to know and you to never find out. Just be happy with the product." With that Eleanor gave her son a pat on the cheek and walked off down the corridor.

That was true; Eleanor Butler did have a way to manipulate children into accomplishing what she wanted. Though this trick of the trade only went as far as children, she could not manipulate her grown son as she would have liked in the beginning of his acting out against society. Bonnie would be far too easy to get away from her mother's bedside long enough to allow her son and daughter-in-law some time alone.

"Scarlett, you should be resting. Mother said you were asleep." Rhett sauntered into the room seeing Scarlett's gaze on their daughter.

"I had every intention of doing so but I am unable to sleep. I feel tired but my mind forces me to think when I don't want to." Scarlett sighed out of frustration. Her mind had been running constantly of events that had taken place in the last five months. When she would think back to certain times the actions she or Rhett did drove her to the brink of insanity and tears. The most poignant memory was her fall, how she wished she could have changed that day.

"Would you like to talk about what is bothering you?" Rhett sat on the bed and took Scarlett's hand in his.

Scarlett shook her head no. "I can't talk about any of it. I'm so tired. I wish these nightmares would let me sleep."

"Just close your eyes, my dear and I will fight the battles for you. Bonnie is sound asleep, you might as well get some sleep while she is. I can ask the doctor to give you a sleep aid if your thoughts are plaguing you so badly." Rhett's tone was as soft as the caress he gave her cheek with his thumb.

Scarlett leaned into his hand, a faint smile appeared on her lips. "Would you fight them?"

"Of course my fair maiden, I would do anything to protect you. Should I wear a suit of armor and ride my horse around town announcing my love for you?"

"Oh Rhett!" Scarlett laughed but was halted to a deep moan as her ribs jostled. "Please don't make me laugh, it hurts."

"When Bonnie wakes up, mother is going to take her to the park."

"I'd love to see how she manages to get Bonnie out of here." Scarlett sighed as she moved stray hairs from her daughter's face. "I hope Bonnie can have a normal childhood without all this making her afraid to live her own life. By the way she talks, it is as if she's never getting married and will always be with us."

A light chuckle came from Rhett. "She's three; don't make her grow up too fast. She doesn't know what life will mean for her in the future. Remember she is very young and we can have her adapt to a different way of life."

"How do you mean?"

"Really Scarlett, after everything that has happened this last month, our lives will not go back to how they were. Quite frankly I am surprised in you, I tell you I love you and you haven't said it back nor have you hurled it back at me with insults." Scarlett stiffened a yawn as he spoke. "You are getting tired. It is time for your nap as well. Maybe I should just talk you to sleep."

Rhett watched as Scarlett closed her eyes. He could tell she was avoiding any and all discussion of her accident. She was also avoiding his love. Why she was doing this, he could not understand. Over the years they have known one another, she had always tried to get those words of love out of him but had failed. Maybe once he got her out of Atlanta she would talk to him about the accident, or even open her heart to him as well as accept his.

Thank you cynthiayobAOL for reviewing! Hopefully you still had your receipt for that mourning gown to be returned ;-)