Ch. 19- Rhett

Rhett watched as Scarlett moved about the room, gathering various baby items. He could tell she was nervous; he couldn't be sure whether it was about the ship, his presence, or a combination of both. Regardless, he was impressed, a feeling he'd had each time he'd encountered her since their divorce.

They had a lot to speak about. A lot. He knew that the situation they were in would take more work to solve. The geographical difficulties alone were going to cause problems. His entire life was in Charleston now. Meanwhile, they were going to Ireland, where Scarlett had lived since the divorce. Where their daughter lived. His first instinct was to take Kat back with him- to punish Scarlett for keeping her from him all this time. Yet even as the thought crossed his mind, he knew he wouldn't. Couldn't.

After the children were dressed and bundled in blankets, Scarlett placed a fur wrap around her shoulders and looked at him. "Do you need to go get something to keep you warm?"

"I'll be alright. Shall we?"

Scarlett looked at him, smirking. "Which one would you like me to take?" She gestured to the two babies he still held in his arms even though he was now standing.

Rhett looked between the two babies, hesitating, then responded. "No need; I can manage them both."

Scarlett opened her mouth, ready to tell him that he was being ridiculous and that she could take one, but then she saw the smile he gave both children as he looked down at them, and the words wouldn't come. "Very well, let's go, then."

The four reached the deck, where the other passengers had begun crowding. The area was loud with chatter and individuals calling their family members to group up. Scarlett looked around nervously. She looked at the ship's crew, which were staggered around the area, and none looked concerned, which eased her mind a little. Scarlett saw Colum, her nursemaid, and Careen standing together on the other side of the crowd. There wasn't room for either party to join the other, so she simply attempted a comforting smile to her sister, who had been through more in the last few months than she should have.

A man, who Scarlett assumed was the ship's Captain, began speaking, drawing everyone's attention to him.

"Passengers, thank you for your quick response to our request that you join us on deck. Many of you will have felt a slight shudder a bit ago.

I'm afraid the ship has developed an issue with the propeller. This is nothing to be concerned about, except that it will delay our journey by a few days. "

There was a collective groan around the area at word of a delay. Scarlett glanced at Rhett, who seemed unaffected by the news. The Captain began speaking again, and Scarlett redirected her attention once more.

"That said, we have two ships assisting us with this issue. We have a nearby passenger ship, the SS. Liberty will take about half of our passengers to port ahead of us. The SS. Consort will be accompanying us to port. We will attempt to make it there under sail, but if needs require, the Consort will tow us. As I mentioned previously, this will cause a delay of a few days."

The mutterings and grumbles of passengers around them grew, and the Captain raised his hand to quiet them. "We'll allow the first class passengers to choose if they want to board the SS Liberty. Those passengers will only be boarding with the items in their suites, as the Liberty cannot take any additional luggage or items on board below deck. First class passengers, please go to my First Officer and let your wishes be known. After, if additional room is not spoken for aboard the Liberty, we will go to the 2nd class passengers, and so forth."

The Captain stepped down from where he was standing and moved away. Several people followed him, asking questions.

Scarlett turned to Colum and waved at him, gesturing them over to stand by them as they walked to the line.

As Colum approached them, he looked at Scarlett. "Are you okay?"

She smiled at the same time that Rhett's mouth drew to a flat line. "I'm fine, Colum, we all are." She looked at Careen and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her sister. "Careen, are you alright?"

Careen nodded. "Yes, Scarlett, just a little cold."

Careen had lost so much weight Scarlett was sure that the cool sea air was affecting her more than it usually would have. "We'll speak to this man and get you back to the cabin as soon as possible, alright?"

Careen nodded and smiled. She then moved forward and whispered to Scarlett. "Is that your ex-husband? Why is he holding the babies?"

Scarlett glanced at Rhett. "Yes. I'll explain everything later."

The line moved slowly as people questioned the First Officer. Finally, the group moved forward, and it was their time to speak.

Scarlett opened her mouth, but it was Rhett who stepped forward instead. "We'll need three suites."

The man looked down at a list in front of them and frowned. "Well, there's a bit of a snag. We have only one suite left in first class and one in second class. They have a few shared rooms with multiple bunks, in third class, and steerage." He trailed off.

"We'll take each suite and one bunk in third class," Rhett replied, and the man nodded and began writing.

"Wait. No." Scarlett stopped the man. "That won't work. Where will everyone sleep?"

"You and the two women and children can stay in the first class suite; I'll stay in Second... your...cousin? Can sleep in third. I'm sure he won't mind." Rhett smirked as he described Colum, and Scarlett wondered what issue he could have with him.

She wasn't allowed time to speak, as the First Officer interjected. That won't quite work. There is only one bed in each of the suites. We can arrange additional cots for the children, but the three women must share a bed. If you want to share the suite with your wife and children, can the other two women have the suite in second class?" He offered the solution, looking to Rhett to see if he would accept.

"My wife and I could share a suite if necessary." He smiled down at Scarlett, and while it looked like he was endearing to the outside eye, she knew he was baiting her to say something.

Scarlett frowned. "That won't be possible, sir; I apologize."

The man looked at the group. "I'm afraid I don't have any other options."

Rhett looked down at Scarlett once more and spoke. "Well, some of us will be staying aboard this ship. I'm assuming you'd like to continue on ahead?"

Scarlett didn't hesitate in her answer. "You'd assume wrong." She turned to the first officer and spoke. "We'll take the two suites." Then, to Careen and Jenny, she said, "You guys will have to share, but you'll be alright, right? And Colum will still be on the ship, only on the floor below."

Rhett quirked an eyebrow and thought he had lots of questions. He didn't expect the response, but he could see something beneath her reasoning that he didn't know.

The Officer looked to him for confirmation, and Rhett smiled. "You heard her, sir; that is what we'll do."

Her cousin took this time to speak, directing his words to Scarlett. "You can't expect me to leave you aboard the ship alone, Scarlett. You'll be by yourself with two babies to take care of."

"She won't be by herself; I'll be there to assist," Rhett responded, and no one spoke again as the arrangements were made for Colum and the two women to board the Liberty.

Finally, once everything was settled, the group separated, everyone heading back to their rooms to gather their belongings or settle for the night. Rhett walked in silence back to Scarlett's suite, at her side, still holding the babies, though both children were asleep now.

Scarlett reached the door and turned to him. "Do you want to lay them down before you leave?"

She opened the door behind her and stepped inside. Rhett walked into the room, and he spoke only once Scarlett had closed the door behind them. "Your mistake, Scarlett, is that you think I'll be leaving either of my children tonight."

A/N: I was TEMPTED to have a little Titanic situation, but I went with history instead. According to Wiki, in early 1879, the SS Celtic's propeller detached from the driveshaft while at sea, and the ship made its way to Queenstown in Ireland by sail. From what I can see, nothing much came of it, but I decided to take that for a spin. You should read the Wiki; it's interesting. The SS Consort is made up but was inspired by the SS Gaelic, who came to tow the Celtic back to port THE FIRST TIME it lost a propellor. I don't know if the SS Liberty exists. I just made that one up. Talk about cursed!