Merry Christmas! Again, I'm too impatient to post to allow my lovely beta to review this, but I wanted to post this as close to midnight as possible. Which is slightly insane because I still need to wrap presents and get them under the tree. But I'm currently trying to get a very excited for year old to go to sleep, but she's really impatient too see Santa. Update- she woke up in the middle of me wrapping presents and hanging stockings! So merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy! I hope it hits all of the right notes, and is just what you're hoping for in a Christmas story! Thanks so much for all of the reviews! And thank you for the review that pointed out that I'd listed the wrong person as having died! Enjoy!

Chapter 5 - Silent Night

By the time they reached shore, the sun was beginning to set. They had maintained a fragile peace the rest of the afternoon, and Scarlett was relieved. It felt like slowly her friendship with Rhett was returning. And even though she welcomed other aspects of their relationship, this was what she missed the most. As they sat in companionable peace, they began sharing stories of Bonnie and Wade and Ella.

After Rhett docked his boat, they hurried into the house together to quickly get dressed for dinner. But Ella came rushing to them as they walked into the entryway. "Mother!" she squealed. "Did you see? Uncle Rhett got me a piano. We can sing Christmas songs!"

Scarlett turned to Rhett, the tension that had seemed ever present for the last several years having dissipated between them, "Thank you, Rhett."

"I told you that I was going to rent one for her. But I decided that I might as well just buy one. We still are so limited on what we can do socially, and it's Christmas. But this way we have something to distract them," but she could see the genuine pleasure that he was taking from Ella's excitement.

"You didn't need to buy one. She has one at home to practice on. I appreciate the gesture, I do, but please don't try to make up for your absence in their lives with gifts." Ella grabbed her mother's hand and tugged her into the living room, where a gleaming piano of mahogany sat perfectly situated beside the fireplace in a nook that seemed made for it. Ella slid onto the padded bench and then patted the seat beside her. "Come play with me, mother."

Rhett came up behind her and whispered, "I swear to you, I won't. At least I will really try not to make that same mistake, again."

She shivered at his breath on her neck."Thank you." Scarlett answered, and Rhett brushed her cheek with a tender kiss.

Scarlett blushed at his show of affection and adjusted her skirts on the bench as she sat beside Ella, self conscious in the strange outfit that Rhett had gathered for their outing. "Go ahead and play me something,' she encouraged.

Ella immediately began plunking the notes out for "Mary had a Little Lamb", singing slightly off key with it for several rounds, followed by "Twinkle, Twinkle little star." As they were sitting there, Rhett appeared freshly dressed in a perfectly pressed linen shirt with the starched collars standing at attention and his hair back to its usual polished style making her feel like the wind blown sloppy mess that she currently was. He slid a small sleeve of sheet music in front of them. "Here, Ella. I got you the sheet music for "Jingle Bells" and a few other Christmas songs."

Ella squealed and pulled out the music and carefully arranged it on the stand. And then she immediately transitioned into the new song, singing with gusto.

"I see you've got your mother's singing voice," he told her, with laughter in his voice. His hair was perfectly styled, while Scarlett's still had wisps that had been tugged free framing her face. The faintest traces of color from her time in the sun would eventually give way to freckles unless they were treated immediately with buttermilk.

Scarlett shot an annoyed look at him, knowing that there was something less than complimentary in his words. But he only grinned at her expression and handed another stack of music to Scarlett. "After dinner, we can sing around the piano. If the music is too difficult for Ella, you can play it."

"All right," she agreed. Turning to Ella, she kissed her forehead before rising, "I have to go change clothes for supper. I don't think that Grandmother Butler would appreciate this costume."

"I'll send the maid up to help you, while Ella shows me how well she plays." And Scarlett left the room, with Ella tucked into Rhett's side playing Jingle Bells. "Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh, over the fields we go, laughing all the way…." The music spiraled up the stairs behind Scarlett, and she listened to them as she dressed and redressed her hair, thankful that Ella was such a sweet and joyful child. She was what they needed.

Dinner was uneventful, and over the next several days, Rhett and Scarlett found an equilibrium. The days were pleasant and warm, though in the cool of the evening Scarlett found herself migrating during the night to Rhett's warmth. Sleeping in the bed with him had been another part of their relationship that she had sorely missed since she had ejected him from their shared bedroom. There was no depth to the conversations, but Rhett had resumed telling her about his adventures out west while he had been young. Some of the stories were repeated from years before, but she didn't mind. Having him back in this way filled an aching void in her life. As much as she missed her children, that was something that could not be remedied. So she chose to be content to have him back again. The missing friendship aspect of their relationship was slowly returning, allowing both to relax in each other's presence. Wade, though still reticent and reserved, was following Rhett around, resulting in several sailing adventures in the days leading up to Christmas.

Finally Christmas Eve arrived. She woke with her head pillowed on his chest. She lounged sleepily against him, enjoying his companionship, and wondering if his mother didn't have some hand in helping them to reunite. The air was gentle and soft, as only coastal air is.

There was a soft knocking at the door, to which Rhett immediately responded by riding from the bed and donning his robe and belting it at the waist. He strode over to the door, releasing the lock, he turned the knob. "Why, Ella. What a surprise to see you first thing in the morning!" He chuckled. Ella had developed a habit of starting her day by coming to check on her mother. She was nonplussed to see her mother and Uncle Rhett sharing a room, as though it had alway been.

"Mother? Momma? Did you know it's Christmas Eve? Tomorrow is Christmas!" Ella bounced across the floor and climbed up onto the bed. Sure then proceeded to snuggle into her mothers embrace.

"Christmas?" Scarlett looked at her in confusion, once the child had pulled away from her. "What is this Christmas you speak of? Where is Christmas?"

"Mother," she sighed in exasperation. "You're just teasing me. Tomorrow. It's tomorrow! It's almost here! And I'm going to get lots and lots of presents, if maybe Santa Claus will still find me here in Charleston!" She turned to her stepfather who had emerged from the closet, "Uncle Rhett, do you think Santa Claus will find me here? Do you think he knows where you live now?"

"I'm sure that the jolly old elf will find you. The real question is have you been good enough to get more than coal in your stocking." Rhett returned with a smile.

"I've been very good, haven't I momma, I mean, mother." She turned back towards her mother, green eyes pleading. "Do you think I've been good enough this year?"

Scarlett smiled and smoothed her hair, "Probably so darling. You'll probably get lots of lovely toys. Did you even remember to write to Santa? How will he know what you want if you don't tell him?"

"Well, I love toys," she began, "but I don't really care what toys I get. I'm sure they will be lovely. But what I really want is for Bonnie to come back from heaven. On the way here, I thought maybe Santa was just a little early with Rebecca and she was Bonnie and she was going to stay with us. And maybe Santa brought me a little brother too. Wade would like having a brother instead of just sisters. But maybe, maybe she'll be here tomorrow morning. I miss having a little sister to play with."

Scarlett bit her lip and fought off the tears, "Baby, that isn't how it works. When someone goes to heaven, there isn't a way back. Bonnie can't come home. I wish she could." Ella curled into her mother's embrace. Scarlett brushed at the wisps of hair framing her face. "Ella, you know we've talked about it. I thought you understood."

"But I want her to come home. I don't have anyone to play with. Wade thinks that he is too big, and besides he doesn't like dolls. He just wants to read. He's boring." Ella pouted petulantly.

"I…" Scareltt stammered and thought better of it. Instead she just rocked Ella in her arms until they both had recovered from the conversation. "Why don't you go up to your room and get dressed. Grandmother Butler was going to have something special for breakfast."

Ella nodded and climbed from the bed after squeezing her mother tightly once more disappeared, leaving Scarlett still in bed. She looked around the room and realized that Rhett was missing. She climbed from the bed and grabbed her robe and slipped out onto the porch. Rhett was leaning against the railing staring out towards the sea, his eyes were glassy and a cigar was forgotten in his hand. "Rhett, I'm sorry…."

"Damn it, Scarlett. You don't have to apologize for a child that is missing her sister. I can handle it." he barked at her, and she shrank back from him. He pulled the cigar up to his mouth. His hand was shaking. "I wish to all that is holy and sacred that her innocent wishes to Santa would come true."

She reached out and touched his hand, "I know it hurts. I'm only trying to comfort you. Let me."

He turned his head towards her, "I know…" he hesitated. "I'm sorry that I'm such an ass even when you are being kind. I don't have a right to lash out at you. I'm just better being angry than any other emotion. Once I left home, anger was the only safe emotion to display. Everything else was viewed as weakness, and showing weakness gets you killed.""

"Give yourself a little grace. I'm thankful that you aren't lashing out at Ella for her innocent questions, but you don't have to hide your pain from me. I can shoulder the burden." Scarlett moved to stand behind him, leaning her head against his shoulder and rubbing his tensed arm. "I keep thinking of her today. She'd be more excited than Ella is, and that is an accomplishment. She'd be tearing through the house, and we'd be visiting all of the shops in the marketplace. She'd be charming everyone, and when she'd throw a fit because I told her no; you'd give her candy to stop her tantrum, just as you do with Ella."

He turned towards her slipping his arm around her shoulder and holding her against his body. She could hear the tension in his voice as he fought the tears, "I didn't know that I could miss anyone so much as I miss her."

Scarlett's eyes misted at his admission, "When you left with her it was awful, but I always believed that you would eventually bring her back, but now that I know she is never coming back, there is just an aching chasm inside." She tilted her head down so that her face was hidden from him. "I watch Wade and Ella as they grow and become their own people, and I miss what we didn't get with Bonnie. She didn't just lose her first tooth or learn to read, she missed coming out as a Debutante here and falling in love and getting married and having children. I miss all of those moments, and they make everything that I do have with Wade and Ella bittersweet because Bonnie isn't here. It isn't just the big moments, too. It's the every day mundane moments when I miss the simple pleasures of watching her grow up…"

"And the baby…" Rhett added. .

"And the baby…. We don't even know if it was a boy or a girl, but I've always thought it was a little boy that looked just like you." They stood in silence for several minutes until both had regained their composure. Scarlett squared her shoulders, "but I can't dwell on it, especially not today. It is Christmas Eve, and Wade and Ella are here. And they deserve a wonderful Christmas. I'll see you inside," Scarlett pulled herself from his arms and slipped back into the house to get dressed, leaving Rhett to his memories.

Rhett's comments had seemed less biting since they had gone sailing, and there wasn't that angry undercurrent that she had never understood. After another day of sailing with Wade and Ella, Rhett returned to the house with a tree for the children to decorate. He had bought baubles to hang on the branches, and they had popped popcorn to string. Rhett held the popcorn basket in the fireplace, refilling the bowl and starting anew every little bit. Scarlett carefully threaded the popped kernels on the yarn, though Ella and Wade ate quite a bit before it could be strung. Ella tossed them in the air at Wade who caught several of them with a grin after multiple unsuccessful attempts. Their laughter echoed through the house, spiraling up the stairs

They would have an early supper. Then they would be attending a candlelight service at St. Stephens late in the evening.

Evelyn had pulled out all of the stops and prepared a beautiful supper with several options for dessert. The dining room was filled with beautiful red poinsettias, which seemed to be a point of great pride in the area. Scarlett loved their gaudy red blooms! Rhett explained the history of them to the area and Charleston's obsession with them. They would not tolerate even Atlanta's more volatile temperatures, but the almost tropical climate worked well for the temperamental plant. The table was carefully set with beautiful fragile bone China, which Scarlett knew to be a gift to Eveyln from Rhett. Most of the fine China and silver that the Butlers had possessed during Rhett's childhood had been lost in the war, as was the case with so many other families. Down the center of the table was laid an array of dishes. There was a juicy Christmas ham served with mashed potatoes dripping with melted butter and snap peas and southern green beans with apricots and shrimp and grits and yams candied with brown sugar, though Scarlett was poised to intercede on Wade's behalf if anyone scolded him for not eating any, and flaky buttery rolls. On the sideboard was South Carolina cobbler which featured lovely peaches and a chocolate cake and a custard pie. There was far too much food for the five gathered in the dining room. "Rosemary will be over soon, and we will be taking the leftovers to the poor, but please enjoy this feast!" Evelyn encouraged.

They all ate until they could manage no more, of course from Ella that wasn't much food. She was very small framed and delicate. Where Bonnie has been stockier, Ella was extremely fine boned and petite. Scarlett had to wonder if it was the lack of nutrition immediately prior to her conception and soon after. Scarlett has been bordering on starvation for two years before her marriage to Frank Kennedy. Of all of the family members, Ella was most like fragile Careen. And though there was more than ample food for the entirety of her life, Ella rarely ate enough to satisfy her mother.

Before the service Eveyln asked Rhett to read the Christmas Story from the Gospel of Luke. His deep timbre gave an added richness to the passage, as the family gathered together to listen. "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.* And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

"What's a manger?' Ella queried, unable to stay still any longer. "And why didn't they just make room for them at the inn," she turned towards her mother, "that's like a hotel, right?"

Scarlett confirmed that "yes, that's right. But everyone has already rented out all the rooms because a lot of people had come to Bethlehem, because of the census."

Ella seemed satisfied with the answer, and Rhett continued to read. "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."

"I think I would have been afraid, too," Ella confided. "But I bet you wouldn't be afraid, Uncle Rhett. You're not afraid of anything."

"Thanks for your confidence in me," he chuckled.

Ella wasn't finished with her questions, "So there is something I don't understand. If God was Jesus's daddy, then who was Joseph?"

"He was his step-dad, like Uncle Rhett." Wade explained patiently.

"Oh, that makes sense." she chirped happily, but her brows furrowed. "Do you think that Jesus called Joseph 'Uncle Joseph', like we call you Uncle Rhett?"

"He probably called him his dad, because people didn't understand. Joseph was his 'here on earth' dad" Rhett affirmed.

"Then should we call you our dad? You're my here on earth dad, because my other dad is in heaven, right?" Ella prodded. "I know you aren't really my dad, and that he died when I was a baby. But I don't remember him, and you're the only dad I know, but we call you Uncle Rhett instead of dad."

Wade turned towards his mother, "Why do we call him Uncle Rhett, Mother?"

"I don't know, I suppose it is because you've known him longer than he has been your step father. And before I was married to him, it would have sounded strange to call him your dad, and then we just never changed what you called him after we got married. Sometimes it is difficult to remember a name change like that."

"Uncle Rhett," Ella climbed onto his lap and stared into his face. "Do you think that my dad is taking care of Bonnie while you're down here taking care of me? I know that Auntie is up there in heaven, and I know she's taking care of Bonnie, too… but I don't want her to be lonely, and it only seems fair that my daddy and Wade's daddy take care of our sister while you take care of us."

Rhett pulled Ella tightly into his arms. "I hope so, Ella. I really hope so."

Rhett decided that just for the one night, he would go ahead and hire a carriage to take them to the church service since it was late to start and even later to let out. The service was much the same as it had been on Sunday, and the children paid rapt attention for the first little bit of the message. But eventually Ella fell asleep leaning against her mother, and Wade was fighting sleep, his chin bobbing down to his chest until he'd stir enough to realize he had nodded off. It was nearly midnight when they returned back to the house on the battery.

Rhett carried Ella inside and all the way to her bedroom on the third floor. Scarlett sent Wade up the stairs with a kiss on the head. And then she ventured up to Rhett's room to gather presents to place in and under the tree and the stockings that she had brought from home. Scarlett hurried, changing into a nightgown and robe. She took her hair down and brushed it out and then braided it. She filled stockings for the children, and she was ready. She peeked out the bedroom door to see if anyone was in sight. Finding the hallway and stairs empty, she ventured forth, her arms heavy with gifts. She slipped into the living room and set the load down on the sofa. She made several trips up and down the stairs to bring all of the gifts down. She carefully stacked packages underneath the tree, suspending small gifts among the branches.

She then hung the stockings on the mantle, where Rhett had already tacked up small nails to hold them. She realized that she still held Bonnie's empty stocking. She sat on the now empty sofa and held the stocking to her chest. Without warning she realized that her cheeks were wet with tears. She curled up on the couch and closed her eyes to stem the flow. She'd been strong all day for Rhett and the children, but now the flood gates opened. Her sobs were silent, but her shoulders shook with the intensity of her cries.

She must have fallen asleep, because the next thing she knew was that Rhett was shaking her awake. "Hmm.. sorry." She shook her head, to help bring some clarity. " I didn't mean to fall asleep. It was so silent down here tonight. The children make so much noise, just by being here. And without them, the silence is almost oppressive. I was just thinking about last Christmas."

Rhett sat down beside her and reached over, taking the stocking from her hands. "It's Bonnie's."

"It felt wrong to not bring it. But I also didn't want to hang it to be a constant reminder of our loss. I don't know what to do," she softly admitted.

"We don't need to be reminded. I think we will be thinking of her all day," he countered. And then he stood and moved to the mantel and hung the empty stocking.

"Do you remember how excited she was last year? She shook all of the presents, and tried to open everyone's, not just hers. Ella was so annoyed at her, because she was trying to open her presents. And then she tried to take Ella's doll, because she liked her better than her own." Scarlett reminisced. Her eyes were moist as she admitted, "I just want to wake up in the morning and find that this was just a nightmare. That's all I want for Christmas."

"I wish we could go back farther and fix the mess our marriage was earlier than that. I wish we hadn't argued on the stairs, but even more so I wish we hadn't been at the point we were at." He returned to the sofa, and held out his hand. " I think it's time to head to bed. Everything is ready for the morning, and it has been a long day."

Scarlett allowed him to help her rise. "You're right. I'm exhausted. And Ella brought up several hear breaking conversations. She's so much smarter and intuitive than I ever dreamed."

They stood in the doorway admiring the beauty of the Christmas tree with the gifts precisely placed under it. Scarlett turned her head and looked up at Rhett. To her surprise, there was a clump of mistletoe hanging above them. She smirked and pointed upward. "Did your mother hang that there?"

He chuckled, "probably. I think she was matchmaking us the whole time. Though it seems to post matchmaker on a married couple."

"I think we needed the help." There was twinkling light reflecting in his eyes as he bent his head to softly capture her lips. His lips were gentle, feather light, slow and leisurely, as though they had all of the time in the world. Her eyes slipped shut, and she sighed into his kiss.

When the kiss was over, he raised his head. She opened her eyes to find that look in his eyes that she has never understood. He was grinning wolfishly at her. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you missed my kisses."

"You skunk," she laughed. "I'm not going to kiss and tell."

"That isn't what that phrase means," he teased, though he leaned down and quickly stole another kiss from her.

She tossed her head. "Fine, maybe I did…. But I think you missed kissing me too."

"Time will tell." He pulled her towards the stairs, and they went up to bed, preparing themselves for an early morning.