Chapter Four - Melanie's Precious Hope

As Melanie's pregnancy progressed, Dr. Meade cautioned her that the labor and birth of her second child may be precarious. Melanie would just gently smile and say, "This child is my precious hope. I brought little Beau into the world with Scarlett's help and this baby, too, will be born and all will be well."

Ashley, Scarlett, and Rhett were all worried about their dear, sweet Melanie as it came closer to the time when she would give birth her child. It was a dreary, foggy day when Rhett and Scarlett got word that Melanie was confined to her bed and her child's birth was now imminent. Ashley's sister was trying to comfort her brother and his son. Ashley was so distraught as he feared for Melanie's safety. Little Beau was fretful, so India carried the small boy off to his nursery.

"Ashley, how's Melanie?" asked Scarlett as she and Rhett entered the parlor.

"Ohhh Scarlett. I am so afraid... so afraid I will lose my beautiful wife. I love her so much," said Ashley as he clung to Scarlett and cried like a lost child.

"It will be alright, Ashley. Melanie will make it through this," Scarlett said as she comforted him.

Scarlett turned to Rhett, expecting to see vivid jealousy in his eyes, but all she saw was the concern he felt for dear Melanie.

"Scarlett, Melanie's asking for you," Dr. Meade called out from Melanie's room.

"Rhett, please stay with Ashley. I will go assist Dr. Meade," Scarlett stated. "I helped her deliver Beau and I can help her deliver this baby, too."

"Thank you, Scarlett. Please do everything you can," Ashley said with a sob.

"I promise," said Scarlett before joining Dr. Meade at Melanie's bedside.

"How is she, Dr. Meade?" Scarlett asked, seeing that Melanie looked so pale and fragile lying upon the large bed.

"She's been laboring for hours... but still the babe does not come," the doctor stated. "I am afraid-."

"Doctor, do not say it. Melanie is going to have this baby... and all will be well. I am going to SEE to it," Scarlett said stubbornly.

Scarlett approached Melanie and took her hand into hers. "Ohhh Scarlett. I am so glad you have come," Melanie said sweetly.

"I'm going to be right here, Mellie. We are going to see this baby into the world... you and I, just like we did Beau."

"Please... if- if I don't make it... Please take care of my little Beau. And Ashley, promise me- you'll look after Ashley, too."

"Ohhh Mellie, you mustn't talk that way. You're going to make it through this. I wouldn't let you die. You CAN'T die. I just won't allow it," Scarlett stated. "Now... let's get down to business. It's time for your little one to be born."

"I can do it. I can do it for you, Scarlett. You are my dearest friend. You're like a sister to me."

"I'm ready to be an aunt again," Scarlett responded. "It's difficult work, giving birth to a baby... how well I know it, but this baby - THIS baby is meant to be born."

With Scarlett there to lend her support and guidance, Melanie's strength was renewed. After many long hours of a long, painful labor, she was ready to push her baby into the world. "You can do this, Mellie," Scarlett said, holding Melanie's frail hand. "Push hard, with all your might. Don't stop for nothing. Your baby wants to come into this world."

"I can do this, Scarlett. I can," Melanie said as she began to push with each fierce contraction. Dr. Meade assisted as Melanie labored intensely to bring her child into the world.

"That's it, Melanie!" Scarlett exclaimed. "You're almost there! Don't give up!"

Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, Ashley was weeping as Rhett tried everything in his power to calm him. "I love her so much. What will I do without her? I'll never love anyone else," Ashley lamented.

Rhett poured Ashley a strong drink to calm his frazzled nerves. Ashley sipped at the potent beverage, nearly choking as it burned like a fierce fire down his throat. "It tastes horrible," Ashley protested.

"Drink it down. I always have a few," Rhett replied. "Two times I've had to be the one waiting behind the door while Scarlett was giving birth to our children."

"How did you ever get through it?" asked Ashley, as he hugged the cup of amber fluid close to his chest.

Rhett gently smiled. "Melanie. She always came to my side... and she helped me get through it. Your wife is an exceptional woman. They don't make them like her anymore. She has a heart of gold and the face of a golden angel."

"I am so lucky to have her. I've been in love with her ever since I can remember."

"She's going to make it through this."

"I hope that she does," said Ashley with a heavy sigh. "There is no other alternative."

XoXoXo

Scarlett gently applied a cool cloth to Melanie's forehead. Her dearest friend had just been delivered of a tiny baby girl. "She's lovely," Scarlett said as Dr. Meade placed the newborn into Melanie's waiting arms.

"Ohhh yes. She's beautiful," Melanie agreed as she kissed the child's tiny head. "She's such a miracle."

After tending to and covering his patient with a warm blanket, Dr. Meade called in the anxious father. Ashley entered, followed by Rhett. "You have a baby girl," Dr. Meade said proudly. "I didn't think we were going to make it through it, but Scarlett insisted. She was the one who gave Ms. Mellie the strength."

"What are we going to call her?" Ashley asked as he gazed down at the infant in Melanie's embrace.

"I hoped for so long," Melanie spoke. "And I waited. I think I shall call this little beauty Hope. Hope Scarlett Wilkes."

A dash of tears filled Scarlett's green eyes when she heard the baby's name. "After me?" she said, struggling to speak despite the lump that had grown within her throat.

"Yes. After my dearest sister."

XoXoXo

That evening, when Scarlett and Rhett returned home, they gave Mamie the happy news. "Melanie is fine. She gave birth to a baby girl," Scarlett said happily.

Mamie was joyful. Everyone had been fretting for weeks about Melanie and the new baby. After Mamie had returned upstairs to the nursery where she slept close to the children, Scarlett gave Rhett an affectionate hug.

"Rhett, tonight, when Ashley cried in my arms... well, I thought you'd be upset... and perhaps, you would leave me."

"I could never leave you, my dear. I love you and our little family. I'd be a fool to ever let you go," he said. "And besides, I know now that it's me you love. You could never love Ashley, because I am the one who has your heart."

"That's right, Rhett. It's you and me... and well, the children..."

"Yes, the children. All four of them - Wade, Ella, Bonnie and baby Rhett."

"Soon to be five," Scarlett added quickly.

"Are you?" he asked her incredulously as he searched her eyes.

"Yes, my darling. I am expecting another child."

She looked quite pleased about it as she snuggled up against Rhett's broad chest. "One more," she stated quietly.

"Maybe it will be twins this time," he said teasingly.

"No twins," she said firmly. "ONE more baby... and that is it."

"Alright, Scarlett. One more," he said as he lifted her into his arms and carried her up the staircase.