Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

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

I love all of my reviews. Each and every one is special to me. I laughed so hard at Designer Cat's review. About her maternal grandfather wanting sex moments after he had been saved from death's doorway. What made me laugh more was after telling her husband about it he said, "She should have sent him off with a smile on his face. Poor guy."

Women will never understand how strong the urge to have sex is in men.

Chapter Nineteen

Finally, Rhett and Scarlett were on the train to return to Charleston. She arranged everything for their train trip. She had gotten several sandwiches, boiled eggs, vegetables, fruits, and different cheeses. She had even gotten a couple of beignets. The pastry was not as good cold as when it was hot, but she and Rhett ate them anyway.

The trip was very hard on Rhett physically. He couldn't get off the train and get them food because he was just so weak. He couldn't walk to the privy by himself because of the swaying of the car. The train left New Orleans at nine in the morning. By one he was exhausted. He was so tired he truly didn't fight Scarlett when she fixed the bed and told him to get in it. She had to help lift him into the bunk. After a three-hour nap, he was able to get back up. After their meager meal for supper, he got back in the bed. When he woke in the middle of the night, he started calling for her. Scarlett, who had been trying to sleep in one of the chairs, had jumped up and shushed him. Yet, he would not calm down until she climbed in the sleeper with him. She whispered, "Where shall I lie?"

"On top of me, of course."

"It might cause you pain."

In his sleepiness, Rhett said, "The only thing that can cause me pain is you not sleeping with me."

Scarlett smiled and laid on top of Rhett. She was happy. She was important to him. She was more than just someone he had to marry. She went to sleep and dreamed wonderful dreams about their future.

The couple arrived in Charleston at three in the afternoon. They had not eaten since that morning. All they had to eat was three eggs and an apple. Scarlett let Rhett have the extra egg and started eating the apple. When she saw him eying her apple, she handed it to him. He needed more food than she did. She said, "I should have gotten us more food."

"We will know better next time."

"I thought I had gotten more than enough food. I thought we were going to have to throw some of it away."

"Next time we will gather the food together then get half again."

Scarlett had gotten a porter to help with their trunks. The porter said, "To the cab stand, Ma'am."

Rhett said to the porter, "Yes." To Scarlett he said, "You need food before you face my family."

"Yes, I will get us some food from that vendor over there."

"No, Charleston Crab House."

"Are you sure you are up to it."

With a forced jauntiness, Rhett said, "Of course, I am."

"No, you aren't. I will not let you die, because of pride. I will get us food from that vendor, and we will eat it. It may be horrible, but it will be fine."

The porter said, "That guy on the end has the best food of the lot. Would you like me to get some for you?"

"Yes, please. Sit down, Rhett, before you fall down. Here let me get you some money?"

"What does he sell?"

"Chicken sandwiches."

"Good. We both like chicken."

After the porter walked off Scarlett looked at Rhett. He did not look good at all. It was going to take what little strength he had just to get him into bed. She knew that he would have used all his reserves to go eat at a restaurant instead of going straight to the townhouse. He knew she needed all her buttresses solidified in order to face his family. He would have sacrificed so much for her. She was so fond of him at that moment.

Rhett and Scarlett ate the fairly decent food. It wasn't great food, but it did its job. It quenched their hunger. She was ready to do battle if she had to. The porter had patiently stood there with their trunks on his dolly. After Scarlett had gotten Rhett in the cab, she took Rhett's wallet and gave the man the last of the money Rhett had in his wallet. She knew it wasn't enough for his kindness, but it was all she could give him. She would just have to get some money from Mr. Butler to pay for the cab.

On the way to the townhouse Rhett knew he could just collapse into Scarlett once they got there, and she would take care of him. Why did he think that? No, why did he know that? Yet, he knew it was the truth as he let himself fade into her in the cab.

When Scarlett and Rhett arrived at the townhouse, the cab driver had placed their trunks on the porch. She said, "Sir, please, come inside. I have no money on me. My father-in-law will have to pay you." She said to Benson, "Will you find Mr. Butler and tell him that Rhett has no money on him. Mr. Butler is going to have to pay the cab driver."

"Of course, Miss Scarlett. I will bring your trunks to you in just a few minutes."

"Thank you. Also tell Mr. Butler that Rhett is sick. He got sick on the train. He needs to be in bed immediately. I will explain it all later."

"Of course, Ma'am."

"I have to get him into a bed."

To the cab driver Benson said, "Let me find Mr. Butler. I will be right back."

Percy was in his office, therefore easy for Benson to find. When Benson said, "Mr. Rhett needs you to pay for his cab from the train station. He has no money on him." Percy had looked at the butler strangely because Rhett always had money on him. Benson continued, "He got sick on the train and Miss Scarlett is trying to get him up the stairs."

Percy knew something was wrong with what Benson was telling him. Percy stood up and walked to the foyer. He said, "Does he look sick?"

"He looks worse than sick, Sir."

When Percy walked into the foyer, he saw his son and his daughter-in-law struggling to get up the stairs. Percy agreed Rhett was worse than sick. He was leaning into Scarlett far too much unless he couldn't hold himself up straight. Percy took out his wallet and said to Benson, "Pay the cab driver. Give him a nice tip."

As Scarlett was struggling to get Rhett up the stairs, Percy had come up on the other side and helped her get the very large man up the stairs. Percy had helped get Rhett to the bed, but then Scarlett had shooed him out of the room by telling him, "Rhett can't be disturbed right now. We will explain everything later."

Rhett had gotten himself into his bed. No, he had gotten himself to the bed with his father and his wife's help where he collapsed. He had not done it for himself, but because he couldn't be any more of a burden to Scarlett in this already arduous time.

Once Scarlett had run Rhett's father off, she had done most of the work of getting him ready for bed. She had gotten his boots off and his clothes. She had even taken off his underwear although at the time he didn't think he would ever have the energy to have relations again. Rhett had been one sneeze away from breaking. Yet, his mighty warrior wife had taken care of everything. His own personal Valkyrie.

The only thing Scarlett had told Rhett's family was that Rhett had gotten sick on the train and he was recovering. Percy knew there was more to it than Rhett had gotten sick on the train. Scarlett wouldn't let anyone see Rhett for two days. It didn't matter. After having helped get his son in the bed, Percy knew that his son was a lot sicker than his daughter-in-law was telling him. He knew because his son had a fragile look to him. Rhett also looked gaunt in the face. Percy had practically had to carry Rhett to his room. The boy had no strength to give at that moment.

That entire week, Scarlett had eaten in their room with Rhett. To keep him company, don't you know? Everyone but Elizabeth and Mabel knew it was to avoid her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law. Scarlett would no longer willingly spend time with Elizabeth and Mabel. Not after they had condemned her simply for asking a question. She had also stopped visiting with her aunts. She didn't like them, and they didn't like her. If her cousin came to call, Scarlett would visit with her in the parlor, but she never went to Gabrielle's house. In truth, now that she had her horse and buggy Scarlett rarely talked to Elizabeth.

Percy knew there was no point in asking his son or his daughter-in-law any questions. He knew they would both lie to him. After a week, Rhett started taking his meals with the family. Even after a week, Rhett had still looked gaunt and fragile. During those first few days after the couple had started joining the family for meals, Scarlett had been serving Rhett his food. Almost as if the act of picking up the serving bowl and spoon would tax the boy's limited strength.

Everyone at the table could see Rhett's weak condition. Elizabeth said, "Rhett, what is wrong with you?"

"I don't know, Mother. I got sick on the train and all last week I couldn't keep anything down."

"I hope the rest of us are not going to get sick also. I have too much to do to be sick in bed."

With a half smile, Rhett said, "Then be sure and keep your distance no hugs or kisses for a while."

"No, of course not."

Which Percy, Robert, and even Rosemary got the sarcasm behind Rhett's statement. Elizabeth had never hugged or kissed her children.

Two weeks after Rhett and Scarlett's return from New Orleans, he had an appointment with his attorney, Charles Mobbs. He was going to draw up a will. He left everything he owned to Scarlett Butler. He was going to leave it to her outright, but Mr. Mobbs had a better idea.

The lawyer said, "How much money do you have?"

"Almost five thousand dollars."

"With that much money it would be better to set it up in a trust. I can set it up where she sort of has control of the money. She will get a monthly allowance, but if she wants more money than that she must talk with the trustee about the reason she needs more money. If the trustee thinks it is a valid reason, he can give her the extra money. You don't want her spending all your money on dresses, hats, and pretty gloves. In addition to that fact, if she remarried the money remains hers."

"That is a good idea. What do you think a valid reason would be?"

"To buy a house, or a new buggy, or a new horse."

"Yes, set it up that way. After she passes away, I want my money to go to my children."

"Do you have children?"

"Not yet."

"This is a tricky point, but a point, nonetheless. Unless you have children, you can't name them in your will."

"So, every time I have a child, I have to update my will."

"It would be a good idea, so you can actually name the child in the will, but no. Once you have a child, you can use the term children in your will."

"I am confused, but if Scarlett dies before having children leave all of my money in trust to Rosemary Butler and Robert Butler."

"Very good."

"Will you be the trustee?"

"Of course, Mr. Butler. I would be honored."

"Good day, Mr. Mobbs."

"Good day, Mr. Butler. Say hello to your father for me."

"Of course."