Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

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

Chapter Sixteen

When Ashley got back, Rhett said, "What do you think of the Confederacy's chances?"

"The end of the war began when Grant got Vicksburg to surrender. Once the Union had control of the Mississippi there was no hope for the Confederacy. Everyone thinks the defeat at Gettysburg was the turning point but that was just one more battle."

"Sherman is trying to capture Atlanta right now."

"He will. His supply train is fully stocked. When he does that will be the end of the war."

"Do you think the war is going to be over soon?"

"No, the Confederacy will not be defeated until the Union grinds every man, woman, and child into the dust. The next several years are going to be an extremely hard time for the South. Lots of money will be made by less than honest men."

"One of them won't be me. Scarlett has finally let me back into her life sort of and I am not going to give her a chance to have second thoughts."

"What did you do to cause her to kick you out of her life?"

"I would rather not say."

"Alright. What do you think about Mr. Lincoln?"

"A man bent on saving the union. Do you think he will be re-elected?"

"Yes, when Atlanta falls that will be what he needs for the good men of the North to give him four more years."

"I think you are right. I hope it doesn't last much longer."

"Are you no longer making money off the war?"

"No, I'm not. Now I am concerned for mine and Scarlett's families."

"I am concerned for mine and Melly's families also although my father disowned me for moving to New York."

"Maybe you can make amends after the war is over."

"Have you been able to make amends?"

"No, because I wouldn't say what I did was wrong."

"I believe I will have the same problem with my father. I will never say what I did was wrong."

Ashley didn't tell Rhett that it didn't matter because his father was already dead. Ashley had remembered he had been killed defending Atlanta. Ashley had another thought. He didn't think India would ask to move in with him but if she did, he was going to tell her no. After the war was over, she had just become a bitter old maid. She had been hard to live with. In addition to her continual hostility at Scarlett over something that had happened a lifetime ago was hard to deal with. In the end it hadn't mattered Stuart died at Gettysburg.

The men had been quiet for a few moments. Both had been lost in thoughts of their fathers. Rhett broke the quiet by saying, "I enjoy reading your articles in the paper."

"Thank you."

"How is the book coming?"

"I just finished it. It took me a lot longer to write than I thought it would. Almost a year. I think it took so long because I am always writing something."

"What happens now."

"Once Melly is well enough, she will be able to edit it for me."

"Mrs. Wilkes is going to edit your book."

"She is the smartest person I know." When Rhett cocked his head, Ashley added, "She is smarter than even me."

Rhett marveled at the pride the man said that statement with. Rhett decided Mr. Wilkes really did want a blue stocking as a wife.

The men talked about many different subjects. Including authors they liked, Europe, the political climate, and the war for the rest of their time together. The next time it was time for Wade to go to the privy Rhett insisted on taking him but besides that activity the men just talked for the rest of the afternoon.

Around five o'clock Scarlett walked into the parlor with a bundle in her arms. She said, "It is a boy."

Ashley said, "And Melly?"

"Just fine. I am so glad we had Ina May. She knew just what to do in every moment."

Ashley took his son from Scarlett and said, "When can I see Melly?"

"As soon as I get the room cleaned up."

With that Scarlett left the room. Rhett said, "Congratulations. What are you going to call him?"

"I am going to follow Charlie's lead and name my son for the general I would have served under if I had served in the Confederate army, General Beauregard. Although we are going to use his last name because Melly doesn't like his first name, which is Pierre. We are going to name him Beauregard Charles Wilkes. Charles was her father's name as well as her brother's name."

"Nice."

The men continued to talk about the political climate and other subjects until Scarlett returned. Once Ashley had left the room, Rhett said, "Since I came through in your time of need, can I be upgraded to suitor."

Scarlett laughed and said, "Yes, you can. You may take me out to supper this Saturday."

"Alright. I will pick you up at five-thirty."

"I would like to go to that French restaurant you took me to once."

"Gladly."

"Let me walk you out. I have to go get a plate of food for Melly."

"Alright, I will let you walk me out."

As Rhett walked to the cab stand, he was smiling. Scarlett had taken him back.

In Ashley's bedroom while holding Beau, he asked Ina May, "Is Melly able to have more children?"

Melly said, "Why would I not?"

"You are such a delicate woman; something might have gotten damaged."

"No, Mr. Wilkes, nothing got damaged. Mrs. Wilkes can have more children. Of course, she will always have a difficult delivery, but I will get her through it all."

Ashley decided that he would continue having relations with Melly, but he would continue using the pregnancy prevention method he had been using. He would have faith he had changed their future for the better.

Later that night as Ashley laid in his bed listening to Melly breathe, he wondered if Scarlett had accidentally damaged Melly in her ignorance or if Ina May knew how to prevent Melly from being damaged. He then had another thought since they had moved to New York, Melly had gotten enough to eat. Maybe the reason she got damaged before was because she wasn't in a healthy state because of her living through the war. Another wonderful reason for them to have left the South.

Ashley wondered about what Mr. Butler had done to get kicked out of Scarlett's life. Ashley speculated that Mr. Butler had been crass enough to try to get Scarlett to have relations with him without marriage. Ashley knew that Mr. Butler had gotten Scarlett, Melly, Wade, Beau, and Prissy out of Atlanta the day Beau was born. Mr. Butler would not have done all that if he hadn't been trying to get back in Scarlett's good graces. Of course, he destroyed all those tender feelings by abandoning them at Rough and Ready in some misguided sense of patriotism for the South. Ashley also knew that Scarlett had gone into Atlanta to get the three hundred dollars from Mr. Butler. Both Ashley and Will knew what Scarlett had been planning on selling Mr. Butler and coward that Ashley was at the time he had let her do it. Ashley also knew that Scarlett would not have followed through with that idea if she wasn't positive Mr. Butler would give her the money. Therefore, in the first timeline Mr. Butler must have tried to have relations with Scarlett and just like now she had gotten highly offended. In the first timeline Mr. Butler had gotten back in Scarlett's good graces by loaning her money and she had been bored enough with her life to let him call on her while she was married to Frank. In this timeline Scarlett had been able to shun Mr. Butler until he apologized for his words and his actions.

The day after Beau's birth, Ashley was back at work. He had decided that until Melly was completely well from having Beau, he would continue to employ the extra maid. In fact, he would keep the extra maid even after Melly was back on her feet because someone was going to have to take care of the baby and Wade. Scarlett was planning on taking Wade to work with her for the next couple of weeks until Melly was well.

When Ashley came home that night, the first thing he said was, "General Sherman has captured Atlanta."

Scarlett said, "The war is truly lost."

Melly said, "Does that mean the war will be over soon?"

"No. Damn Southern stubbornness and pride will keep the generals fighting."

Nobody chastised Ashley for his language. Both the women thought it was appropriate.

Ina May had come by earlier in the day. She had gotten Melly up and out of the bed. Ina May said, "You have got to keep everything working. Are you having any problems nursing the baby."

"My milk is yellow."

"That is normal. It will gradually change to white over the next few days."

"That makes me feel better."

Melly was going to take care of Beau herself. Her miracle baby. Maybe she would get another one, but nothing could happen to this one.

Saturday Rhett picked Scarlett up and took her to supper at Le Coucou again. She was wearing a very pretty blue dress in a unique style. He said, "That is a very beautiful dress."

"It is a Chanel original."

"I understand from Ashley that your partner is quite talented."

"She is an artist with a needle and thread and a complete dimwit at running a business."

"Fortunately, you are not."

Scarlett smiled and said, "No, I'm not."

"I have heard you are a genius at running a business."

"Who did you hear that from?"

"Mr. Wilkes."

"That surprises me that he would say something nice about me. We are not the best of friends."

Rhett chose not to tell Scarlett that Mr. Wilkes said she was one hell of a woman. He would prefer Scarlett to continue thinking Mr. Wilkes didn't think very highly of her.

Therefore, Rhett changed the subject by saying, "Would you like for me to order for you once again?"

"Yes, but I want the same appetizer."

"Alright."

Rhett ordered Scarlett escargot and frog legs for himself. This time he got her quiche Lorraine and Boeuf bourguignon for himself.

As Rhett and Scarlett were eating their entrees, he said, "Have you heard from your parents lately?"

"No. Nobody has heard from anyone lately. How about you?"

"Before I left the Confederacy in July, I sold my ships to my friend George Trenholm. While I was in Charleston, I was able to meet with my mother."

With shock on her face Scarlett said, "She still meets with you?"

"Probably for the money I give her but yes. She has to sneak around, though."

Scarlett saw the pain that Rhett quickly covered up. She put her hand on his arm. In a moment of wisdom and compassion, she said, "She will always love you. I don't think there is anything Wade could do to make me stop loving him."

Rhett wanted to say something mocking and cruel, but he didn't because he had just gotten back into Scarlett's good graces so instead, he allowed her to see the tip of the iceberg of his pain. He said, "I hope so."

With insight foreign to Scarlett, she changed the subject. She said, "Did I tell you about the newest dress Coco has designed?"

Rhett happily went with her change of subjects. He said, "Is it the one you have on?"

"Yes. Coco seems to think I am a perfect model for her dresses."

"You are a perfect model for anyone's dresses."

Scarlett laughed and said, "These days I only wear Chanel originals while I am at the dress shop." Scarlett when on to tell Rhett more about her business. Rhett happily let her talk because she was always so happy when talking about her business.

Rhett decided that after he somehow got her to marry him, he would never make her give up her business. It made her so happy after all.