Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

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

Chapter Fifty-Four

In the middle of June while at the townhouse for supper, Robert said, "What do you think President Pierce signing the Kansas-Nebraska Act means?"

Percy said, "More unrest."

Scarlett said, "What is it?"

Rhett said, "Instead of Washington deciding if a state is a free state or a slave state. The citizens of the territory will make the decision."

"Oh."

"This is a very emotional topic and I'm afraid it is going to lead to violence."

Percy said, "Both groups will try to stack the deck. What I mean is people will move to the territories days before the vote and claim to be citizens of the territory. I agree with Rhett there is going to be violence."

Robert said, "Didn't it nullify the Missouri Compromise?"

Rosemary said, "What is the Missouri Compromise?"

Percy said, "In eighteen twenty Congress reached a compromise where they admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. It also outlawed slavery above the thirty-six thirty parallel. Both Nebraska and Kansas are above that line. So, yes, Robert, it did."

Rhett said, "All eyes are going to be on Kansas and Nebraska to see if tension get so high war breaks out."

"True. Enough of that talk, Robert, how is the textile mill running."

"Quite well. It is a fortunate thing that I went to work for Dad when I did because I know the system. There hasn't been a hitch. I have made a few minor changes, but for the most part I have kept everything the same."

That was not true. Robert had already made several major changes and production was up and the employee seemed to be happier. He said what he said because he knew his mother-in-law would want everything the same as when her late husband ran the mill. He and Daphne had already had a few arguments with Felicia when they wanted to change things to suit themselves better.

It was Rhett and Scarlett's fifth wedding anniversary. She was surprised they were still living with his parents. She liked Beth, Percy, and Rosemary. She had not liked Elizabeth and if she was still living with Elizabeth, she was sure they would have moved out by now. In truth, the only person who irritated her was her husband, but that couldn't be helped. Well, it could be helped if Rhett wasn't always trying to aggravate her, but he would be doing that until his dying day. Furthermore, if they moved out, he would be going with her.

Earlier in the week, Rhett had gone out to play poker. He had told Scarlett, "I'm going out to play poker so I can afford to take you out to supper and maybe buy you a nice present."

"I thought your father paid for that kind of stuff."

"I have decided that I am a grown man, and I can afford to take my wife out to supper. I also can afford to buy my wife presents."

"What about the goal?"

"I will reach my goal."

"Yes, you will, Dear." Scarlett kissed her husband and said, "Be careful."

"I always am now."

Rhett went to the Blue Parrot because he could always win a lot of money off Hugh. When Rhett got there the other man was not there. He said to one of the men that he knew was a regular, "I'm surprised Hugh isn't here."

"He left Charleston about three months ago."

"Where did he go?"

"Chicago."

"I guess he passed the bar exam."

"No, he is going to start a magazine."

"Well, good luck to him then."

Rhett flipped his coin in the pot and started playing cards. He had been able to restrain himself from being overly mocking. After he had won twenty dollars, he stood up. When one of the men said, "You aren't going to give us a chance to win our money back?"

Rhett said, "No, my wife doesn't like me to be out late."

"Who wears the pants in your marriage?"

Rhett laughed and said, "She does, of course."

All the men knew Rhett was kidding. No man who was as masculine as he was would let himself be henpecked. He would not say he was henpecked. He would say that he didn't go out of his way to make his wife mad, except for his teasing and mocking of her, of course.

While Rhett and Scarlett were at supper on their anniversary, he said, "Hugh left town."

Scarlett was a little startled by the statement. She and Rhett had never talked about Hugh. She had never asked him any questions about his friend, because she didn't want to tell him that Hugh had made her feel uncomfortable, but she knew that he had known that. A lot of men had looked at her with what she now knew was lust, only Hugh had been so blatantly obvious about it. She said, "You mean he moved away?"

"To Chicago."

"Chicago? I thought he was training to be a lawyer."

"He was, but he couldn't pass the bar so he couldn't practice on his own."

"Are you going to miss him?"

"No. We had a falling out a few years ago. It was before Tommy was even born."

Scarlett didn't need to ask what the argument had been about. She was woman enough to know it had been about her. She said, "How did you meet Hugh?"

"I had known him all my life. He was a frequent poker player also, so we saw a lot of each other."

"Is that all?"

"We occasionally did things together, but mainly we just spent time together at the poker table. He was a great source of money for me."

"What?"

"While playing poker a man will unknowingly change his demeanor when he has a good hand or a bad hand. It is called a 'tell.' I knew all Hugh's tells."

"Do you have tells?"

"I suppose, but I believe I am harder to read than most men."

"Why?"

Rhett smiled and said, "I usually win. Besides, I didn't need him to be my friend anymore. I have you to be my friend."

"You are my friend, also."

"What are you going to have?"

"Cornish game hen."

"Good choice. I am going to have lamb chops."

"I would have thought you would have She-crab soup."

"Not here. They don't do it very well and they charge the same as the Magnolia."

"Alright."

Rhett got them each a glass of champagne to toast their anniversary. Scarlett and he shared a dessert. Soon they were returning to the townhouse.

At Tommy's third birthday party, Scarlett had invited some of her friends who had small children to the party also. She was working at getting her son used to being around other children. Although he played with his cousins, she wanted him to interact with lots of children.

Nothing much changed in the following months, Rudy did most of the sales calls up North because Rhett was not leaving Charleston without Scarlett and she was too large to travel comfortably. The couple did go out on the yacht a lot that fall even if it was a little cold. At least, they had until Scarlett couldn't leave the house anymore.

Doug had been calling on Rosemary for over six months. She had asked him to go sailing with her family. He had agreed. When Rhett saw Doug on the yacht, he quietly said to Rosemary, "Aren't you afraid of him getting sick also?"

"I am not giving up sailing so if this relationship is serious, my husband needs to be able to go sailing."

"Very well. Is it that serious?"

"Not yet. Although I am fond of him."

Luckily for Rosemary and Doug, he did not get seasick therefore, their romance could continue.

On November tenth, Scarlett got the telegram she had been waiting on. Her mother and Mammy were on the train. They were going to stay a month at most. If the child had not been born by then Ellen was just going to have to miss the event.

After Scarlett read the telegram, she said to Rhett, "Why does she have to go back even before the baby is born? December is the slow time at the plantation."

"I don't know, Baby. Why don't you ask her?"

"I don't think I would like her answer."

Rhett laughed.

That evening Rhett went to the train station to pick up his mother-in-law and Mammy. He had arrived early just in case the train was early which it was, so he looked like a hero. Ellen and Rhett were still formal with each other. It upset Scarlett, but there wasn't anything she could do about it. This time Ellen was put in the room that had once been Mabel's instead of the room across the hall from Rhett and Scarlett. Mammy was in that room.

Rhett's birthday came and went and there was still no baby. On November twentieth in the afternoon, Scarlett stood up from the sofa where she had been making more baby clothes. She had realized that the baby clothes she had saved would not work because they were for the wrong season. Her mother who also was sewing on baby clothes was also in the parlor. Scarlett said, "I am in labor. Will you tell Rhett and Mammy?"

Ellen briefly considered not telling Rhett, but there would be some awful repercussions if she did that. First, she would find Mammy, then her son-in-law. Her son-in-law was in his bedroom taking care of his need. When Scarlett walked in and saw what was happening, she said, "Hurry up. I need the bed. I am in labor."

With those words, Rhett lost all desire. He would take care of it later or maybe tomorrow. He got up and got his clothes straighten. He said, "Let me send Dr. Kiley a note. Do I need to do anything else?"

"Yes, unbutton my dress so I can put my nightgown on."

Once Rhett had accomplished the chore, he left the room. Scarlett watched him go and thought, 'He didn't act the least bit embarrassed.'

Soon Mammy and Ellen were in the room. Beth was out of the house, but once she returned, she would join the group. When Rhett escorted Dr. Kiley to his bedroom, he just stayed. He didn't think anyone would try to take the chloroform away from Scarlett, but he wasn't taking any chances.

An hour later Rhett said, "Do I need to send a note to the wet-nurse?"

Scarlett lifted the masked and said, "No, to Daphne. She is going to let us have Faith."

"What about Kenny?"

"He is already practically completely on table food."

"What about the care of her children?"

"Daphne hired someone else to be the boys' nursemaid. She started November first."

Dr. Kiley said, "Please stop talking Mrs. Butler. You need to inhale the fumes."

"Yes, Doctor."

Rhett got up and went to write the note for Daphne. He gave the note to Charles and returned to his bedroom.

After another hour, Mammy said, "Doctor."

"Yes?"

"She doesn't need any more. She is about to push the baby out."

"Very well. Mr. Butler, I will send you a bill."

"Thank you."

"Miss Scarlett, are you ready to push?"

"Yes."

"Get behind her once again, Mr. Rhett."

Rhett did. With a mighty push the head was out. With two more pushs the entire baby was out.

Rhett didn't like the expression on Mammy's face, then suddenly he knew everything was alright when he heard a baby crying. Scarlett said, "What is it?"

"A girl."

"A girl, Rhett. Just what you wanted."

"Indeed. Thank you, Sweetheart."

Beth stepped forward and took the baby from Mammy. She was going to get to bathe this grandchild. Ellen said, "What is her name?"

"Grace Katie."

Beth said, "Grace for Percy's mother?"

Rhett said, "Yes and Katie for Grace's mother."

"How nice."

Scarlett said, "And my grandmother. I was named for Pa's mother."

Ellen said, "Indeed, you were."

Rhett said, "Mother, when you are ready just ask Benson to get the carriage ready. I am sure you will be wanting to let your husband know of his granddaughter's birth."

"Thank you."

Beth said, "I am going to take the baby to show Percy and Rosemary."

Rhett said, "Don't show her to Tommy. I want to do that."

"Alright, Dear."