Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

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

Chapter Nine

That night over supper, Melanie said, "While Scarlett and I were at the park today we ran into a man who was at that barbecue the day the war started."

Ashley said, "Who?"

Although Melly had remembered Rhett's name, she said, "What was his name, Scarlett?"

"Rhett Butler."

"Rhett Butler?!"

Melanie said, "Do you remember him? He said he had a brandy with you in the library."

Ashley made a quick decision. Maybe Scarlett and Rhett Butler were meant to be a couple. He would not do anything to damage their relationship therefore he would never tell her that Mr. Butler had heard everything he had said to Scarlett in the library that day. Maybe this was another wrong he could correct. Ashley said, "Yes, I ran into him in the hallway. We talked about what we were going to do during the war. He was going to become a blockade runner. What is he doing in New York? He should be in Europe."

Melanie said, "Yes, he said he buys his war supplies in Europe but luxury goods he can buy here. I guess it is a shorter trip to New York so he can sell more goods faster."

Scarlett said, "You can ask him all about it tomorrow night. I asked Mr. Butler to supper."

Ashley said the next part so Scarlett would be determined to have a relationship with Mr. Butler. Ashley said, "I don't think we should have supper with Mr. Butler. After all, he isn't received in the South."

Scarlett said, "True, but we don't live in the South so the Southern rules don't apply to us. What's more we probably will never return to the South. Certainly not until the war is over. It was supposed to be over in six months, but it has already been a year. Besides, when we were in Atlanta you and Charlie said you two could never return to the South because everyone in the South would see you as traitors for abandoning the Confederacy. That is why Charlie and Melanie sold all their holdings in Atlanta."

"Nonetheless…"

"No, Ashley, the matter is settled. This is my home, and I can invite anyone into that home I want to invite. I am not living with you. We are living together. Neither one of us can live alone therefore we will continue to live together but you will not dictate to me who I can and cannot spend time with or invite into my home."

Ashley smiled to himself. He knew he had just guaranteed that Scarlett would continue seeing Mr. Butler. Maybe give Mr. Butler a chance to win Scarlett's love. He smiled again. Once she would have done anything to make him happy, now she would do anything to spite him.

As Ashley thought about it, the main thing he had hated about Mr. Butler was the fact that Melly thought so highly of him which she probably won't this time and the fact that he was Scarlett's husband. Ashley had always been afraid that Mr. Butler would convince Scarlett that Ashley was using her. Then she would stop carrying him. Of course, the fact that Mr. Butler had hated him had made it easy to not like the man. Ashley knew why Mr. Butler had hated him. Maybe he and Mr. Butler could be friends this time around, after all, they had no bones of contention.

The rest of the meal was finished in silence. Even Melly knew there was no point in introducing another topic of conversation. Once Scarlett had finished her meal, she stood up with Wade in her arms. Wade had been sitting in her lap to eat some of the supper food. He didn't eat that much and would still need to be fed oatmeal before he was put down for the night.

Scarlett said, "We won't be back down."

Scarlett's statement made Melly sad. The only time she really got to play with Wade was in the evenings.

After Melanie was sure Scarlett was upstairs, she quietly said, "She's right."

"I know. We need her to pay her share of the expenses. When I start making some real money, we will have to make other arrangements."

"Of course, Dear."

Melanie didn't want to make other arrangements. She wanted to continue living with Wade, but she would not argue with Ashley. She never did.

When Scarlett got to her room she was fuming. She was thinking, 'How dare Ashley try to tell her who she can spend time with and who she couldn't. He had no say over her life whatsoever."

Scarlett allowed herself to rant and rave to herself and Wade about what a horrible person Ashley Wilkes was. Finally, she ran out of steam. Usually after supper, Melanie played with Wade but not tonight because neither she nor her son were going to be downstairs. Yes, they were. She would have to make Wade's oatmeal.

Starting at eight months Scarlett fed Wade oatmeal after she nursed him. Those were the times she wished she could hire a nursemaid but when push came to shove, she just couldn't hire someone to feed her son oatmeal every four hours. Of course, when she had to change a poopy diaper the idea of hiring a nursemaid was very appealing, but she just couldn't spend the money. She needed all the money she could get her hands on. She and only she was responsible for her and Wade.

Coco was a mother also. Coco's mother-in-law lived with her and took care of her children while Coco worked. Coco's husband, Pierre made a decent living but owning a dress shop had always been Coco's dream.

The family had immigrated from France about five years ago. Coco had worked in one of the famous fashion houses in Paris. She had brought all the latest Paris fashion and techniques with her when she arrived in New York. She had barely been able to keep her business afloat. Every two to three months, Pierre would ask "How much profit did you make last month?"

Seven months ago, when she replied with the small sum, he had said, "You aren't making enough profit. Sell your dress shop. You are wasting your time. You should be at home taking care of the children.

Coco had known what had prompted Pierre to say that. Her mother-in-law had complained once again about having to take care of the children.

These last six months since Scarlett had become her partner, Coco had made enough money that Pierre was happy with her running a business.

Coco had given Scarlett a lot of advice about raising Wade and Scarlett had been grateful. There wasn't anyone else for her to asked except maybe Mrs. Robinson. She didn't want to ask her because she was Ashley's friend's wife. Beside she and Coco spent a lot of time together so there was plenty of time to talk.

When Scarlett had complained about Wade wanting to nurse more often than every four hours, Coco had suggested giving him oatmeal three or four times a day but especially at his last feeding of the day so he would sleep through the night.

Scarlett had started feeding her child oatmeal that very night although at first it was difficult to get him to eat the oatmeal, but she persevered and now Wade was eating oatmeal like a champ. He was also sleeping through the night for which she was greatly appreciative.

For now, Wade slept in Scarlett's room. She didn't know when she would move him into a room of his own. The house they were renting only had four bedrooms but there was a room beside her room so she would just lay claim to it. She had wondered if Ashley would ask her to pay more of the household expenses. She didn't think so because she was paying for their maids completely.

To get her mind off of Ashley, Scarlett started thinking about what she was going to serve at supper tomorrow night. She remembered that she hadn't said anything to their cook, Paula Deen. Scarlett picked Wade up and went downstairs to the kitchen. She knew that Paula would still be there cleaning up from supper. She had to make Wade's oatmeal anyway.

As Scarlett walked down the stairs, she decided to leave Wade with Melly while she talked to Paula and made the oatmeal. There was no reason to punish Melly because her husband was a clod.

Scarlett walked into the parlor. While looking straight at Melly, she said, "Will you watch Wade for a few minutes? I have to make his oatmeal and talk to Paula about the menu for tomorrow night."

"I would be happy too. Come here, Wade."

Wade easily went into his Aunt Melly's arms. He knew he was dearly loved by his aunt. He knew he was dearly loved by his mother also. His uncle really didn't interact with him very much.

"Thank you. It won't be long."

"Take your time."

Scarlett walked out of the room and headed towards the kitchen. She saw Paula as soon as she entered the kitchen. She said, "Paula, I have invited a gentleman to supper tomorrow night, so you will have to fix more food."

"Certainly, Mrs. Hamilton."

"What is on the menu?"

"Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, squash, and rolls."

"I wish I knew how our cook back home made gravy, so I could teach you how to make it."

"I can make gravy, Ma'am."

"While your gravy is good, it is not the kind of gravy I am wanting. All of that sounds incredibly good. I am going to make Wade some oatmeal now."

"Certainly, Ma'am. As soon as I finish washing the supper dishes, I will retire."

"Fine."

About twenty-five minutes later, Scarlett was carrying a bowl of oatmeal out of the kitchen. It didn't have any sugar or honey in it. It was just oatmeal. Coco had told her not to give her child sweets until he was at least two, so he developed a taste for other foods.

As Scarlett was carrying Wade out of the parlor, Melly had such a wistful look on her face that Ashley felt guilty for the deceit he was perpetuating on her but not guilty enough to stop. He loved her too much to put her life in danger. He had already made that mistake once and he would never get her with child again.

The next evening when Rhett arrived at Scarlett's home, he was surprised when she opened the door. When she saw his surprise, she said, "We don't have a butler. We can't afford one yet. We do have a cook, though."

Rhett grinned and entered the home. He handed his hat to Scarlett, and she put it on a hat rack by the door.

Scarlett said, "Come on into the parlor."

As Rhett and Scarlett walked into the parlor, she said, "I believe you know everyone." She pointed at each person as she said their name, "Melly, Ashley, and my son Wade."

Ashley stood up and said, "Good evening, Mr. Butler."

Melly also stood up and said, "Let me check on supper."

With those words, Melly left the parlor. Rhett took a seat in the middle of the sofa. He was hoping Scarlett would sit next to him. She did not. She did sit across from him which was nice because he could easily look at her.

Rhett said while looking at Scarlett, "How did you come to be living in New York?"

"It is such a romantic story. I had always fancied Charlie, but he was too shy to ask me to marry him. The poor dear was afraid I would turn him down. Once he knew there was going to be war and that he might be killed, he knew this was his last chance to ask me to marry him. He summoned up his courage while we were still at the barbecue and asked me. He asked me right on the stairwell. I, of course, said yes because I could think of nothing better than to be married to Charlie. After we were married Charlie realized that what the South was doing was wrong. The South should never have seceded from the union. Instead of taking up arms we should have continued to use our words. Therefore, he could not take up arms against the Union. We moved to New York to wait out the war. Charlie was able to convince Ashley of the merits of his argument, so he and Melly came with us."

"That is amazing that your husband was willing to throw away everything for his convictions."

"Charlie was always a brave man."

Ashley was a little irked at Scarlett's words. She made Charlie look like he had been the one to take a tremendous stand for his convictions when really it had been him. Although he knew that Mr. Butler knew the truth.

Rhett smiled as he looked at Scarlett she was sitting there preening. He guessed it had been a while since she had a gentleman caller. Although she was still striking, black was not her best color. He said, "How long has your husband been dead?"

"He passed away last November."

"So not quite a year."

"That's right not quite a year."

Rhett was wondering how he was going to get around this snag. Even in the North a widow was not supposed to receive gentleman callers until her late husband had been dead for a year.