Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

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

Chapter Twenty-Three

Scarlett did not return to the parlor. After Rhett left, she went upstairs every night, and she checked on Wade. As always, he had kicked his covers off of himself. She just pulled the sheet up and made sure he was covered. She looked at Prissy and smiled. She hoped Prissy's friend asked her to jump the broom. She paused for a moment. She guessed they could get legally married after the war was over.

Prissy thought that Scarlett didn't know that she snuck out every night to meet her friend, but Scarlett did. Scarlett knew because she was always checking on her son and she had found him alone frequently. She didn't care. As long as Prissy got up with Wade in the morning Scarlett was happy. That and change his diapers.

Scarlett undressed, brushed her hair, put on her nightgown, and got in the bed. She took her novel out from under her mattress. She read several chapters.

Scarlett was rereading Five Weeks in a Balloon. She was seeing nuances that she hadn't noticed before since listening to Rhett, India, and Dr. Harper. It some ways it was a whole new novel for her.

Finally, she decided to go to sleep. As she laid there, she first thought about Wade. He always made her happy. He was looking less and less like Charlie as his personality began to shine through. That pleased her. For a moment she thought about her late husband. No, she had not loved him, but he would have been a good husband if the war hadn't happened. Probably a much better husband than Rhett was going to be. She knew Rhett was going to often try her patience. She also knew that she would forgive him almost anything. As she thought about Rhett, she had to admit he would never let her bully him. Yet, she knew he would do a lot of things just to make her happy. She smiled as she let herself drift off to sleep.

Down in the parlor a great event was happening. Something India had accepted would never happen. Every night after Rhett left, Scarlett went to her bedroom. That left Yerkes and India alone in the parlor. They had talked so very much. Yerkes had made up his mind. He didn't know if he loved India, but he was extremely fond of her, and they were compatible. They could have a good life together. He knew India was fond of him also. He wasn't sure if she loved him or not, but she had stopped talking about her fiancé. When Scarlett had called India's fiancé a birdbrain, India had just laughed.

Yerkes was so happy that he had asked India and Scarlett to move in with him. Once they had moved in, he had realized how lonely his life was. Wade had made Yerkes want a child. Once Yerkes had realized that Mabel, his late wife, was barren, he had put his desire for a child on the shelf. When he had thought about asking India to marry him, that desire had come back full force. The thing he found so delightful was that she wasn't an empty-headed twit like Scarlett. Although at times Yerkes thought Scarlett was a lot smarter than she pretended to be.

For thirty minutes the couple had talked in the parlor. Yerkes said, "India, you and Scarlett moving in with me has been like a breath of fresh air into my home and into my life."

"Thank you. I think both Scarlett and I enjoy living with you."

"I would like to make this arrangement permanent. Will you marry me?"

"Are you saying you love me?"

With India's question, Yerkes knew that he did love her, therefore he said, "Yes, I do. I love you, India."

"I love you, too Dr….."

"Yerkes."

"Yerkes."

"Would you like a wedding in a church?"

"In normal times I would have but I would like us just to go down to the courthouse. We can get Scarlett and Captain Butler to be our witnesses," With a laugh, India said, "People are going to say we had to get married because you compromised me."

"If you hadn't said yes, I certainly would have. I don't care what people say."

After six months of living with Scarlett, India displayed boldness and said, "Neither do I."

The next morning as the trio walked to the hospital, India walked beside Yerkes. Scarlett looked at her with a puzzling look and India said, "Yerkes asked me to marry him last night, so from now on I will walk beside my fiancé."

Scarlett hugged India. She said, "Congratulations! When are you going to get married?"

"As soon as you and Captain Butler can go with us to the courthouse. I want you two to be our witnesses."

"Don't you need your father's permission?"

"I suppose but I'm not going to wait to get it. By the time Father finds out it will be a done deal."

"Then let me send Rhett a note to come to the hospital."

"No need. There he is just driving by."

In no time at all, the trio was in Rhett's buggy. Scarlett said, "Dr. Harper and India are getting married. They want us to be their witnesses. When are you available?"

"Just about any time during the day. I am busy during the evening hours."

"Great. We will let you know all the details when you come to call tonight."

"Alright. Here we are at the hospital. Let me help you down."

"Of course."

While Rhett was helping Scarlett down, he glanced at Dr. Harper and India. A traitorous thought flew through his mind. Would it really be so awful if Scarlett was your wife? He dismissed it as he always did. He wasn't getting married again even to Scarlett.

After the trio had entered the hospital, Yerkes went and found Dr. Meade. Once he found the man he said, "Arthur, I want to let you know that India, Scarlett, and I will be late tomorrow morning. India has agreed to be my wife. We are going to go to the courthouse and get married by a judge."

A smile broke across Arthur's face. Something that Arthur's face hadn't seen in a long time. He said, "This is good news, indeed. I am happy you have found love again. I know you loved Mabel, and she was a fine woman, but it is time for you to move on. How long has she been dead?"

"Over three years. She died right after the war started."

"That's right. When that fever ran through Atlanta."

"Yes."

"What time are you getting married?"

"As soon as the courthouse opens so nine o'clock."

"Cora and I will meet you down there. Finally, we have something to celebrate."

"What about the soldiers?"

"Dolly can handle all the soldiers until we get back."

Both men laughed. Yerkes said, "She certainly can. Nobody would dare to die when she was in charge."

"Let's get back to work now."

When Dolly found out that Yerkes and India were getting married, she was happy for the couple. She was glad that Ashley Wilkes' shameful action didn't hurt India's chance to get married. Dolly thought, 'Of course, Dr. Harper probably doesn't know what India's brother did and I am not going to tell him. Once she becomes India Harper, I will start talking to her again but not that Scarlett Hamilton.'

That evening after Rhett was informed of the couples wedding plans. He said, "I will be here at eight thirty to drive us to the courthouse."

"Great."

When Rhett, Scarlett, Yerkes, and India got to the courthouse they found Cora and Arthur Meade waiting for them. Rhett felt more comfortable with the Meades being there. It made the ceremony less intimate. He had always been uncomfortable at weddings and usually avoided them at all costs, but he had known he could not avoid going to India's wedding. Scarlett would just have asked too many questions.

After the ceremony was over, Yerkes said to the Meades, "You must come to supper tonight to celebrate with us," He then turned to Rhett and said, "You too."

"We would be delighted to be there. We will bring Phil also. What time?"

"Six. Rhett?"

"I will be there also. I will see if I can find some flour, sugar, and eggs."

Cora said, "I have eggs. I will send two over to Yerkes' home."

"That will make my tasked easier. Scarlett, Mrs. Harper, Dr. Harper are you ready to go back to work."

Cora pulled Scarlett aside and said, "Why don't you and Wade come spend the night with me and Arthur? Give the couple some privacy," Although Scarlett blushed, she nodded her head. Cora continued, "You can just come home with us after supper."

"I will pack a bag."

"Very good. Now go get in the buggy before Captain Butler loses patience with us."

"Yes ma'am."

After Scarlett got in the buggy she turned to India and Yerkes and said, "Wade and I am going to be spending the night at the Meade's house tonight. To give you two some privacy."

Yerkes said, "Thank you, Scarlett."

"India, how do you plan to tell your family."

"I thought next time you wrote Melly, you could tell her the news."

"Coward! But I will."

India had laughed and said, "Guilty."

Everyone in the buggy laughed. Soon they were at the hospital, and everyone went to work. With Sherman and Johnson fighting just north of Atlanta the hospital was seeing a lot more wounded therefore there was very little time to talk while they were there.

When Scarlett, India, and Yerkes left the hospital that afternoon, they found Rhett waiting for them. He said as way of greeting, "On this special day, I thought you might enjoy a ride home."

As Scarlett climbed in the buggy, she said, "Very much."

That made Rhett laugh. He replied, "It isn't your special day."

"That doesn't mean I'm not going to enjoy the ride home."

"Thank you, Captain Butler."

"Yes, thank you."

"Rhett did you find some flour and sugar?"

"Yes, and I have already dropped it off with Dr. Harper's cook."

"Wonderful."

When they got home, India found that Prissy had moved her clothes into Yerkes room. After India found the maid, she said, "Thank you for moving my clothes."

"You're welcome. Miss Scarlett asked me to do it this morning. Congratulations, Miss India. I guess it is now Mrs. Harper."

"No, you continue calling me Miss India."

"Thank you."

India found Scarlett in her room and said, "Thank you for getting Prissy to move my clothes."

"Shut the door and sit down next to me on the bed."

India did as instructed. She turned to Scarlett and said, "What is it?"

While looking at her hands, Scarlett said, "Since your mother isn't here or any older relative, I am going to give you the mother daughter talk."

"Oh."

"I haven't got that much experience. Charlie and I only had two weeks before he went to Columbia. My mother said it was best if one thinks about something else while it is happening. I disagree. I think it was a way for Charlie to show me how much he loved me in a physical way. It hurt a little bit the first time but Charlie was so sweet and gentle that it was alright. I do know that after it was all over, I felt loved and cherished. I hope that is how Dr. Harper makes you feel tonight. But you don't need to be scared. Furthermore, it is the only way to get those children that you want."

"Thank you, Scarlett."

India hugged Scarlett then walked out of the room. She hoped that Yerkes made her feel loved and cherished tonight. He was already making her feel that way.

Everyone enjoyed the meal and the cake afterwards. At the end of the meal, Rhett reached for Wade and said, "Come here, little man. You can share my cake with me. That way your mother won't get mad at me for giving you too much cake."

Scarlett had smiled at Rhett's statement.