Authors Note: Here it is my epilogue! A little late but it's better than it never getting done! I know it's short but it's just a little wrap up, a peek into the future and laying the ground work for a future story if I get it to come together just right. Thanks for sticking with this story and thanks for your reviews! They are much appreciated.

Chapter 22-Promise of A New Day

Epilogue

June 21, 1885

The hotel's ballroom was lavishly decorated and the dance floor full of happy couples twirling in a swish of colorful skirts and shined boots. Scarlett hadn't spared any expense when it came to giving her baby sister a wedding that was long overdue. She smiled softly as she caught sight of Carreen in her white silk gown, as she was moved across the floor gracefully by her new husband. She was so happy for her sister, so happy that everything had worked out in the best possible ways for her. Carreen hadn't any problem finding a teaching position when she had come home from the convent. The principal of the school she taught at was a widower named Henry Jennings. It had been love at first sight, Henry claimed, and his five year old son Luke was equally enamored with her. By Christmas of 1884 they were engaged, and Carreen who felt she had wasted enough time already, set the date for June of 1885. Now all three O'Hara girls were properly settled and with the passage of time they had been able to settle into a comfortable relationship with each other.

Scarlett let out a small sigh. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't relieved to see Carreen find the life she had always deserved. Seeing her so happy lifted the feeling of guilt from her shoulders, the guilt that she had always carried, feeling as though she had failed her in the aftermath of their parents death. Her eyes scanned the ballroom, seeking out a familiar red head. She found her, exactly where she thought she would be, on the dance floor being twirled around by Philip McKenzie. She was gazing at him with love in her eyes and Scarlett was happy to note that Philip's eyes held the same affection as he gazed back at her. Philip was the younger brother of a friend of Wade's, and son of a bank president. Philip was kind and respectful, full of intelligence and knew the value of hard work. He loved Ella, showered her with all of the affection and attention she deserved. He was able to stand up to her and tolerate her temper. When she raged he allowed her, when she was sorry he accepted her apologies, and when she was happy so was he. He was going to be the one, Scarlett knew that. There hadn't been a proposal yet but it wouldn't be long and she'd be planning another wedding.

Rhett's arms snaked around her waist, pulling her close. "I'm glad her taste has improved," he stated with a nod towards Ella.

She laughed, "Yes, she's learned."

"I figure it won't be long before he comes around asking for her hand," he remarked.

She nodded and couldn't help the tears that filled her eyes out of nowhere.

Rhett chuckled lightly, "Save the tears for her wedding, Scarlett; a wedding that isn't even in the works yet mind you."

She laughed lightly, "I guess I never realized how hard it would be to let them go."

"Don't worry, we still have two waiting in the wings," he told her; turning her in the direction of their youngest children. Joy was dragging James around the dance floor, trying desperately to mimic the dancers around them.

"I've got to teach her how to dance properly," she whispered to Rhett.

"I'll prepare my feet for the onslaught."

She giggled, "You know you love dancing with your daughters."

"Yes, once they're properly trained."

"Perhaps Wade can take a turn and ease your distress," she joked.

"If you can drag him out of Boston," he remarked. "Who knows, he may beat Ella down the aisle."

Scarlett sighed heavily, "You had to remind me."

"Molly is a lovely girl," he told her.

"Yes, she is and I truly like her. Molly is just what he needs."

"Then what's the problem?"

"He keeps saying he's coming back to Atlanta to stay, but have you seen him yet?" she asked with annoyance.

"He'll be along as soon as he's tied up loose ends in Boston."

"I won't have my son getting married in Boston, Rhett."

"That's not your decision to make, Scarlett."

"We'll see about that! He better not marry her without me being present. I'll have his head if he does."

Rhett laughed, "I'll be sure to remind him of that."

"You do that."

"I don't really think Wade would get married without your presence, my dear," he told her softly.

"I wish I was as certain of that as you seem to be. You know how things can be between Wade and I," she replied.

"I know things between the two of you hits rocky ground from time to time, but he loves you Scarlett, you're his mother and he wouldn't deny you the privilege of watching him fall into the matrimonial trap."

She rolled her eyes, "You make marriage sound so romantic."

"Well let's be honest, Scarlett; marriage isn't all sunshine, roses and poetry…especially in this family," he answered.

"I thought our marriage was working out quite well," she replied her tone slightly defensive.

"Yes, it works well now, but those first several years were a constant battle."

"But you said that going through those years made us the people we are today," she reminded him.

"That's true, and since were being honest I think we can both agree that we are both much better people than we were back then."

She sighed, "I know."

She returned her focus to the couples on the dance floor and lost herself in thought once more as Ella went twirling around.

"You've got that look on your face again, Scarlett," Rhett whispered in her ear.

"What look?"

"That look of 'oh my god my children are growing up, thinking of marriage and will inevitably make me a grandmother'."

"Oh, hush," she retorted with a smack at his shoulder.

He laughed at her as always but she couldn't find it in herself to be angry or even offended at the gesture.

"You know that it's going to happen one day," he told her, his eyes gleaming with humor.

"Of course I know it's going to happen someday! I just wish they didn't have to use the word grandmother!"

"What would you prefer?" he asked.

She shrugged "I don't know, but I'll figure something out before that day comes."

He brushed a kiss across her temple before bringing his lips close to her ear, "You'll always be young and beautiful to me, Scarlett."

She smiled warmly and brought her hand to his face, "And you will always be handsome, charming…and a cad."

He kissed her hand and grinned, "If you hoped to wound me, you missed your mark."

"I think I hit it just right," she quipped. "Now are you going to dance with me or not?"

"Never let it be said that I denied Katie Scarlett O'Hara a dance," he replied leading her to the floor.

"That's Mrs. Butler to you," she replied.

As they danced Rhett took in the scene around them. "Well, peace reigns once more in the O'Hara/Butler family."

"For now," she replied; "but you know as well as I do that peace rarely visits this family for long."

"That's true, we better enjoy the occasion before the next feud erupts."

She nodded in agreement and they fell silent as they twirled around the other couples, enjoying the easy bliss of the day, for tomorrow or the next or perhaps months down the road, peace and bliss would dissipate and they would find themselves in crisis once more.