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Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

Chapter Sixteen

Rhett came alive on the ship once again. He had so much fun showing Wade everything about the ship. They had walked all over the ship with Rhett carrying Ellen. Scarlett had gone with them the first couple of times but soon it became the same old thing over and over again.

Rhett had sent the caretakers of their London home a telegram informing them that they would be arriving soon and to hire a staff. Therefore, when they arrived everything was ready for them to take up residents. They sent notes around to their friends and once again were on everyone's guest list.

Rhett and Scarlett had met a much better class of people when they had lived in London when Scarlett was carrying Ellen. People in London respected and admired Rhett.

These were intelligent and well-read people. These were women who knew as much as Scarlett about Paris fashion or the latest thing in home décor. These were people who were members of the peerage. These were doctors, lawyers, and a few politicians. These were people who were from some of the oldest families in England.

The Butlers enjoyed living in London. One night when they were coming home from a social event, Scarlett said, "How much money did you make tonight?"

Rhett flashed her a quick smile and said, "Just a couple of hundred. Would you like to live in London after we leave the South?"

"It is definitely on the list. I want to check out Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York. Melly has told me so many exciting things about New York."

"Yes, let's go visit all those cities but I will not live in New York."

Scarlett did not need to ask why. She knew why. It was because the Wilkeses lived in New York. As much as Scarlett would have liked to live close to Melly, it was better that they didn't. For so many reasons not the least being that the luxurious lifestyle they would be living because of Rhett's wealth would be a constant source of embarrassment to Melly and of shame to Ashley.

Rhett took the family to see Scarlett's relatives in Ireland. He had planned to take her the first time they had been in London but by the time Scarlett was in her eighth month she was too uncomfortable to do any traveling.

The O'Haras were simple people, but they were doing alright for themselves financially. They would never be wealthy, but they weren't poor either. Scarlett's cousin Collin owned a general store. The first floor of the building was the store and the second floor their home. That is where they agreed to meet.

Although Gerald's parents and his siblings were dead several of Scarlett's cousins came to the store to meet her that afternoon. Rhett had not planned to spend more than an afternoon with the O'Haras. They were strangers. Rhett knew Scarlett was happy to meet her relatives, yet she had little in common with them.

Rhett took the family to Dublin and some local landmarks. Soon they were traveling back to London.

Two weeks later Rhett took the family to Paris, Milan, and Florence. Scarlett had always wanted to see Paris because of Rhett's stories about it during the war years. The couple spent their days with the children. At night Rhett took Scarlett to some of the finest restaurants in the city then on to a party or social event one of his acquaintances was hosting.

The couple were able to attend an opera at La Scala opera house. They were able to see Aida by Verdi. Rhett told Scarlett the plot to make it easier for her to follow along. It was the story of Aida, an Ethiopian princess who is being held captive in Egypt. She is in love with General Radames, and he with her. Rhett and Scarlett both enjoyed the performance a lot.

By the time the family got to Florence, Rhett could tell that Scarlett was done with traveling. He took her to see all the great artwork then they returned to London

Rhett bought a sailboat and would take the family out on it often. During her last month Scarlett had been hot and miserable all the time except when she was on the sailboat. There was always a breeze on the water.

In the afternoon of September twenty-sixth, Scarlett went to find Rhett. She found him in their family parlor. After she found him, she said, "Go get Mammy and send for the doctor. Alice knows that she will need to start weaning Ellen off the breast today."

"What about the baby?"

"She will nurse both of them for about two weeks. Ellen won't get as much which will make her eat more solid food."

"Do you…."

"Rhett! This is not the time to have this discussion. Go!"

"Of course. Of course.

Soon Rhett was a father again and he wasn't happy. Well, he was happy, but he was disappointed. It was a boy. He had wanted another girl. Just like he told Wade before Ellen was born, they had to take what they got.

The boy looked more like him than Ellen had but it was still clear who his mother was which Rhett was alright with. He had the O'Hara blue eyes also. His name was going to be Gerald Rhett Butler. Rhett like the sound of that.

Scarlett threw Ellen a second birthday party in December. The Butlers celebrated Christmas. Scarlett threw Wade a seventh birthday party in January. The day after Wade's party the Butlers were sailing to New York. They would leave New York as soon as Rhett could arrange a private car. It was not as easy to get a private car in the North because more people in the North had the money to hire a private car.

The Butlers had supper with the Wilkeses one night. Scarlett thought Ashley looked better than she had seen him look since before the war started. Going North was the best thing for him. He was his own man.

Melanie enjoyed playing with the babies and getting to see Wade. The boy didn't remember his Aunt Melly, but he allowed her to hug him, and he gave her a kiss. Scarlett was so proud of Wade that he didn't throw a fit. Melly would have been so hurt by that. Of course, Melly didn't smell bad either.

Ellen was now sitting in her own chair while Rhett would hold Gerry throughout the meals. Scarlett would help Ellen with her food. Rhett had graciously allowed Melly to hold the baby throughout the meal. Melly never put the baby down even when it made eating her food difficult.

During the meal Ashley said, "Scarlett, I don't know if I have ever thanked you for helping Melly deliver Beau and for getting them out of Atlanta."

"I will take your thanks for delivering Beau, but Rhett is the one that got us out of Atlanta," Scarlett then bestowed a worshipping look upon Rhett. The look that never failed to thrill him. Scarlett added, "He then stayed and helped us survive for the next eighteen months. We wouldn't have made it without him."

"Thank you, Dear, for your kind words but you give me too much credit."

"No, I don't."

"Alright you don't."

Which made everyone at the table laugh.

Ashley said, "I am thankful for whoever helped us during that time."

As the family got ready to leave Ashley handed Rhett a twenty-dollar bill. He said, "It is about time I paid you back but, in my defense, this is the first time I have seen you since you lent me the money. Thank you for that too."

Rhett took the money and said, "You're welcome. It appears moving to New York was a good move for you."

"Indeed, it was."

In their bedroom later that night, Rhett said, "Mr. Wilkes appears to have become his own man here in the North."

"Yes, I believe he has."

"We might consider living in New York. You could be close to Miss Melly and the cousins could become friends.

"No, thank you."

"Alright."

Scarlett had not been fooled by Rhett's words. She knew he still hated Ashley and would never willingly live in the same city with him.

While they were in New York City, Rhett did take Scarlett to a few of the sights. They had stayed at the Plaza because it was near Central Park.

Scarlett was able to talk Rhett into leaving Gerry at the hotel with Alice and Mammy while they were sightseeing. He took them to Central Park, and they saw the menagerie there several times because both Wade and Ellen had enjoyed seeing the animals. The other sights the children were not as interested in.

Rhett had been able to get himself and Scarlett tickets to the opera. They had gone to see Beethoven's Fidelio. Rhett told Scarlett the story before they went. It was about a woman, Leonore, whose husband Florestan had been secretly imprisoned by his political rival.

After four days Rhett was able to arrange a private car and the family returned to Atlanta. Rhett had sent the caretakers of their Atlanta home a telegram telling them that the family was returning to Georgia and to prepare the house to be lived in. The butler and housekeeper were supposed to hire staff also.

Much like when Rhett and Scarlett had walked into their London home when they walked into their Atlanta home everything was ready for them.

Wade had been going to school while they were in London and Scarlett was going to have to find a good school to send the boy to. In the end she had delegated that task to Rhett because to find out the best school in Atlanta he would have to talk to a lot of men about the subject. Within the week Wade was enrolled in Martin's Academy. Rhett had felt no shame when he had registered the boy as Wade Butler. Wade was Rhett's son no matter what the Hamiltons had to say about it.

Within the week Rhett and Scarlett were back on the Scallawags and Republican's guest list. Within a month Rhett was making an obscene amount of money again. Within a month the family was back to having dinner with the Kennedy family and the Hamiltons.

Rhett took Scarlett to Tara in the middle of March. Sadly, her Pa wasn't looking very good. Careen told her sister, "I took him to a doctor in Atlanta because you know we still don't have one in the county. Dr. Clarkson said, 'His heart is failing him. It is not operating at full capacity," Careen looked away and then said, "It is just a matter of time."

Scarlett felt the tears flood her eyes. She turned to Rhett, and he said, "I'm right here, Baby."

Scarlett said, "I'm glad I got back in time."

Rhett said, "It seems Mr. Powe hasn't had to write any checks to Kennedy's in a couple of months."

The sisters gratefully accepted the change of topic.

Careen said, "We had a good yield."

Careen went on to discuss everything she and Will had done with Tara since the Butlers had visited last time. Careen was running the plantation with the help of her husband but make no doubt about it, Careen was the mistress and boss of Tara.

Rhett started taking Scarlett down to visit her father once a month. Gerald O'Hara no longer had any good days. He was completely lost to the past now but that didn't mean Scarlett didn't want to see him and check up on him.

In July, Gerald O'Hara joined his wife in the hereafter. He just didn't wake up. Careen arranged the funeral. There had never been a priest in the county, so Careen read some passages from the bible. Frank being the oldest male relative gave the eulogy. Scarlett had given Careen some money for the cost of the food at the reception. The sisters knew there was going to be a large turnout at their father's funeral. Gerald O'Hara had been well liked. Also, everyone in the county knew Scarlett Butler had money and she would not scrimp on her father's reception. There, indeed, had been a large turnout.

After everyone had left Pork came up to Scarlett and handed her a large envelope. He said, "One time when Mr. Gerald was in his right mind, he asked me to give this to you when he passed away."

"Thank you."

Scarlett opened the envelope. It was Pa's last will and testament. Pa had left everything to her. Scarlett went and found her sisters on the front porch. She waved the paper in her hand. She said, "Pa left everything to me. I am going to sign it over to you Careen."

Suellen said, "That sounds like a fine idea. I don't want to live in the country."

"I would like to live here but Rhett never will so Careen it is all yours if you want it. Or we could sell it."

"No, I'll keep it. Will wouldn't be happy anywhere else. He loves Tara almost as much as Pa did."

"He must have some Irish in him."

The ladies had smiled.

"I will have Mr. Powe draw up the paperwork and when you next come to Atlanta, we will sign the papers."

"Alright. There is Will with the wagon. You all need to get into Jonesboro before the last train of the day leaves."

"Yes. Where is Rhett?"

"Over there. He is playing with the children."

"Of course, he is, Rhett, Honey, let's get in the wagon."

Rhett got in the back with the children and Scarlett joined him. That left the buckboard for Will, Frank, and Suellen.

Within the month Tara completely belonged to Careen O'Hara Benteen.

None of the sisters were especially sad at the death of their father. He had lived a long life. He had started life as a peasant and built himself into a gentleman. A man that was the owner of a large plantation, had a wife he adored, and three beautiful daughters. He had been a success by anyone's yardstick.

One night, Scarlett said to Rhett, "Pa went out at the top."

"Huh."

"After Pa lost everything then he lost his mind therefore, he never had to live with the knowledge that he lost it all."

"That is true."