A/N: Hey! The flu has taken out my entire family so we've all been down for the count for the last couples days, which meant this chapter took me DAYS to write, and it's probably not that good. It talks about the catholic church, which, admittedly, I know next to nothing about- so don't take anything to heart or in offense. It's just part of the story! Anyway, I'm slowly starting to feel more human, so I promise I'll get out another chapter or two this week.
Ch. 9- Colum
Gerald O'Hara's Tara was everything that Scarlett had described. His calling frequently called him to America, but he'd never had the chance to get to Georgia. Since meeting Scarlett, Colum had an interest in seeing it, but he wanted to do so with Scarlett. He was happy he'd chosen to follow her to America when he was able, now more than ever.
They walked side by side around the property, her showing him different special spots from her memories. One such spot was a tree Gerald and Scarlett often met at when he came home from business. Scarlett told him she could still hear him telling her that land was the only thing that lasted. He knew well enough the words were true; even still, the land of the original Tara held the family in Ireland together, although the original walls had long since succumbed to nature. If Scarlett's stories from the war were anything to go by, Gerald hadn't been wrong about this Tara, either.
"I've written to the local diocese, Scarlett, and have permission for us to see Careen tomorrow on order of the Bishop."
Scarlett stopped, turning to look at him as relief flooded her face. "Thank the Lord." In the time since she'd been back, Scarlett had been to the convent that housed Careen at least five times, and each time, she was turned away with the excuse that Careen was in a voluntary state of solitude for prayer.
Colum assured Scarlett that it wasn't an uncommon practice, but he was worried since no one had seen or heard from her in months- before Suellen wrote to Scarlett. While he held no higher authority in the church, he was well acquainted with people who did- ones that had the Pope's ear, if Colum should need to take it that far, which he hoped he didn't.
From what little he could gather from the diocese, they lost interest in Careen and her welfare shortly after the church no longer held an interest in Tara. She quickly became just another fledgling nun with no greater purpose. He hoped, for her sake and the church's sake, that Careen was in a self-imposed isolation. If she was not, he knew Scarlett would stop at nothing to rain down hell, and even something as big as the catholic church wouldn't stop her.
Special Thanks to: Skady, Mistress, and Guest(s).