Chapter Two - Bonnie's Fall

Scarlett was healing after the birth of her fourth child, a handsome baby boy. They had named their infant son Rhett Butler II. Baby Rhett was resting comfortably in his mother's embrace as she sat outside, taking in the fresh afternoon air in her most comfortable chair. Scarlett smiled at her precious baby as she cuddled him close against her breast. She was watching Rhett as he was busy with Bonnie.

"Ohhh Rhett, do be careful," she warned.

Bonnie was astride her pony side-saddle. "Look, Mommy, I can make the jump!" Bonnie exclaimed as she directed Mr. Butler to jump over a small wooden fence.

"Rhett, stop her!" Scarlett cried out. Her face was contorted in horror, remembering her father's infamous jump. Gerald O'Hara had died making a similar jump on his own horse. Scarlett's father had fallen and broken his neck. She didn't want anything to happen to Bonnie. NOT her darling girl!

Rhett had trouble saying 'no' to Bonnie and that was the problem. Anything the child wanted, her daddy had got it for her. She had wanted the pony, so Rhett went out and purchased it. She had wanted riding lessons, so Rhett had provided those, too. Bonnie was terribly spoiled. Scarlett was worried that Bonnie's behavior was becoming far more than the two of them could handle.

"Watch me, Mommy!" Bonnie said with excitement. At that moment, Mr. Butler made the jump over the little wooden fence and poor little Bonnie was thrown upon the ground. The pony too toppled over, injured as well. He hadn't quite made the leap. He righted himself on unsteady hooves and limped away from the fallen child.

"Bonnie!" Scarlett screamed, startling the sleeping baby in her arms.

She stood up abruptly, nearly falling back into her chair. She was weak from having just given birth. She had no business trying to come to Bonnie's rescue, but Rhett ran to her right away.

He saw Bonnie laying face-first upon the grass. Their five year old daughter was unconscious. "Bonnie, my darling, wake up!" Rhett called urgently, lifting the child into his arms. Bonnie was limp and unresponsive. Scarlett felt scalding tears rushing down her pale face.

Bonnie could NOT be dead! *Please God, no!* Scarlett silently prayed. *Let Bonnie be alright!*

"Bonnie please!" Rhett said in a broken voice as he held his daughter against his chest. He was checking her face for any sign of color. He was praying that his sweet little daughter would begin breathing again.

Suddenly, Bonnie let out a pitiful little cry. She began to sob when she realized what had happened. "I fell, Daddy," she said sadly. "I didn't make the jump!"

"Ohhh Bonnie," Rhett said as he crushed her in his arms. Relief washed over him. He had thought that his daughter was dead.

He carried Bonnie inside as Mammy helped Scarlett to Bonnie's bedside. Scarlett tenderly stroked little Bonnie's brow. "Ohhh Bonnie, you scared Mommy so much. I thought... I thought..."

Scarlett was crying as she looked at Rhett. "Just like Pa," she said softly.

Dr. Meade was summoned to examine Miss Bonnie. "Nothing but a few bruises and a sprained ankle. She won't be riding that pony for awhile," Dr. Meade said of his little patient.

"She won't be riding that pony at ALL," Scarlett said with insistence. "Not until she's much older. Rhett, it just isn't safe!"

"You're right, my dear. I must be much more strict with her. I know it... though I haven't been."

"No more ponies OR fancy trinkets," Scarlett said.

"Why can't I have the fancy trinkets, Mommy?" asked her precious Bonnie.

"Well, maybe a few fancy trinkets," Scarlett gave in as she looked at her dashing husband. "But you must bring some trinkets to Ella, too."

"And my beautiful wife,' Rhett said as he gave her a grin.

"Yes,' said Scarlett as she smiled mischievously. "You most certainly know what I like."

Rhett looked down at the newborn in Scarlett's arms. "Did our son sleep through all the excitement?" he asked, gazing fondly at the infant boy.

"Mostly."

After Dr. Meade and Mammy walked out, little Bonnie lay her head back against the pillow. Their little dark-haired princess had fallen fast asleep. She was completely exhausted. Now that she was slumbering, it gave Rhett and Scarlett some time to talk about their newborn son.

"If anyone spoils a child, it is you, Scarlett O'Hara Butler. I don't think you've put that baby down once since the moment he was born."

"Rhett, he's special," Scarlett argued. "And I almost lost him. He is very content. Just look at him."

Rhett was looking at him - the dark-haired baby boy with the gorgeous emerald eyes. The same eyes as Ella. They were Scarlett's eyes. "He's a fine young lad," Rhett said proudly of his son. "And as soon as you're healed and feeling better, I think you should put him down in the nursery for awhile, so I can spend some quality time with my beautiful wife."

"Why, Rhett Butler, are you trying to romance me back into your bed?" Scarlett asked him boldly.

"Is it working?" he asked roguishly.

"I just had a baby!"

"And we both know how that baby was conceived."

Scarlett's cheeks were hot pink when she heard her husband's brazen's words. "How could I forget?" she said as she remembered that passionate and spectacular night.

"Two weeks, Scarlett. You have two more weeks to heal and then..."

He didn't get to finish. Mammy came into the room after having shown Dr. Meade out. Bonnie was resting comfortably in her bed, completely oblivious to her parents' sultry conversation. "What you folks talkin' bout now?" Mammy demanded, frowning as she tucked the blankets securely around little Bonnie. "Miss Bonnie is restin'. I's here now to look after her. You go on out of a' ere."

"We were just leaving," Rhett said as he put his arm around his wife and walked her out into the hallway.

"Off to bed with you, Mrs. Butler,' he said, lifting her into his arms, baby and all... to carry her toward her bedroom.

"What?!" she gasped.

"So you can rest,' he said as he gazed at her with his dark blue, twinkling eyes.

"You're in a lot of trouble, you know," she said as he gently placed her into bed. She lay back against the soft pillows, holding their son.

"I was hoping you'd say that,' he said with a devilish smirk.