Hello everyone!
I really love "Gone with the Wind", it's been my favorite book since I was 13 years old. Not too long ago I started reading stories - fanfics and sometimes I read brilliant stories which give us happy endings for our favourite characters.
I'm usually an appreciative reader, but it just so happens that a couple stories can't leave my mind, so I wanted to share them with you.
Here's the first, set a couple months after the end of a Margaret Mitchell novel.
I think Scarlett comes off as more "mature" here, she doesn't make impulsive decisions. Or maybe she's just exhausted by the difficult events of the last few years.
I have a plot, it will be about 12 chapters. I have some drafts of dialogues and a great desire to bring the story to the end:)
I apologize for my future mistakes, English is not my native language. You can always point them out to me in comments or messages.
So, let's see where we will come...
I own nothing in regard to GWTW.
Chapter 1.
It was the first week of November and the train was going from Atlanta to Charleston. Scarlett sat cradling Ella in her arms and watched the raindrops dripping down the window.
The girl was already asleep, nestled comfortably in Scarlett's arms and she stroked her hair affectionately.
Wade sat opposite them, also dozing with his head pressed against the window. Scarlett had covered him with her shawl five minutes ago, and despite his protests and assurances that he wasn't going to sleep, in a few minutes her big boy was snoozing away.
Scarlett was thinking, remembering events from past months. Only a couple of days ago, she had received a concerned letter from Carreen, urging her to come and take care of their Aunt Eulalie, who was sick with pneumonia.
Normally, Carreen didn't write to her for no reason. Since her departure for the convent, their correspondence had been limited to congratulations and condolences on various occasions, so Scarlett took this letter seriously. Her Aunt Pauline was in Savannah with her father, her grandfather. Apparently he wasn't quite well either, so one of his daughters went to take care of him. Probably her aunt had indeed been ill a lot or for a long time. No matter, Scarlett had already lost too many family members in recent months, so the care and protection of everyone close to her was an escape from her constant chest pain and depression. That's why, she so zealously set about packing herself and the children for the trip to Charleston.
The children... Wade and Ella agreed to go with her without questions, and she gladly took them with herself. She didn't want to leave them at Tara or with Aunt Pitty. The loss of Bonnie was very traumatic for Scarlett as a parent, and the loss of Melanie was very traumatic for Wade and Ella, as children. They developed fears of losing each other, so the formation of the bond between mother and children was quick and unstoppable.
Now Scarlett felt keenly the maternal bond with her children that Rhett had so often reproached her for lacking.
"Rhett..." she thought and her heart skipped a beat and clenched painfully.
She remembered their last conversation in September down to the smallest details, kept rolling those phrases around in her head.
He hadn't wanted her, her love. Or thought he didn't. She'd wanted to give him her heart and soul, but as with Ashley in the past, he hadn't accepted her feelings either, but had discarded them like an unwanted object.
Reflecting on all the mistakes she'd made in recent years, she concluded that she couldn't blame herself or him for the collapse of their marriage. How could they have built something real based on lies and pretence?
But, he had been in her life, he had given her children, Bonnie. A tear rolled down her cheek and Scarlett quickly wiped it away.
She'd had a lot to think about during the long nights just after he'd left in September. He had left without waiting for the children, without saying goodbye to them. He left without seeing Melanie off on her last journey.
He left and it was like he was never even in her life. He talked about divorce, but she refused, he talked about their horrible house. He dumped all his offences and thoughts on her without giving her a chance to talk, to explain her feelings, not to mention the chance for their family.
Scarlett drank for a couple of days, and then, one day, when Ella had her first nightmare and Wade couldn't fall asleep for a long, long time, she decided she was going to do whatever it took to bring the children to their senses. So that their psyches wouldn't falter and they'd be happy again. It wasn't time to think about herself, and there was no one else to count on.
Tara, Ashley and Beau, Aunt Pitty and India all needed both money and support.
She had written him only one letter. Then, in early October, when it was Ella's birthday.
No recriminations, she just asked how he was, what he was doing. Once again she wrote about how much she loved him and apologized for the cruel words when Bonnie died. That was all, she didn't call him home, she didn't push pity or manipulate him with the children. She just decided to give him time. He would either come back to her, or... She didn't usually have the energy to think about the other way.
She never got an answer.
Putting Ella's head in her lap, Scarlett tried to straighten her shoulders and stretch the stiff sides of the corset a little bit more. Her body was stiff, and her ribs, even two years after the accident, sometimes ached from the uncomfortable position.
They were due to arrive in half an hour, having spent nearly twenty-four hours on the train, it was about eight o'clock in the morning. "With any luck," thought Scarlett, "we'll be at Aunt Eulalie's around ten in the morning." There she decided to act on the situation, based on the state of her aunt's health. They would either stay at her place or at a hotel. Scarlett hadn't decided which surname she would use if she had to check into a hotel, but definitely not "Butler". She didn't need gossip, there was plenty of it in Atlanta. The whole city there was buzzing like a bee swarm discussing Rhett's departure. Belle Watling walked around smirking openly in her face if she saw her carriage. The entire old guard didn't hesitate to discuss her, even going into her shop.
Scarlett was discouraged and genuinely didn't understand why all these people cared about other people's lives, HER life. She only interacted with Uncle Henry, Aunt Pitty, India and Ashley. India was cold but polite. Apparently helping with the funeral as well as material support helped. Ashley was distracted, lost in his thoughts, but he was kind to her. Uncle Henry was polite to her, he didn't believe the gossip and seemed to see further than his nose. Aunt Pitty was just glad that Beau's care was not on her shoulders, so she always took them in and paid them visits.
Wade and Ella were more difficult, Scarlett was afraid that gossip would ruin their studies and their lives. So far the situation was under control, but Scarlett kept a constant eye on the children's moods, asking about their schoolwork. She was ready to stand up for her children.
The horn of the locomotive interrupted her thoughts; they had arrived in Charleston. Scarlett stroked Ella's cheek affectionately.
"Wake up sleepyhead, we're here," mumbled to Scarlett and smiled at Wade who was blinking sleepy eyes, he was awakened by the horn of the steam train.
"Mother, where will we stay?" asked Wade as they settled into the hired carriage.
"Ah, Wade, I wish I knew," Scarlett muttered, then said confidently, "We are heading over to my Aunt Eulalie's now, I want to assess how she's feeling right away. Then, with her permission either we'll stay with her or go and check into a hotel."
"And Uncle Rhett, Mummy?" asked Ella quietly. Wade had told her that Rhett lived in Charleston and Ella was really hoping to meet him.
Wade was more realistic, of course, he cherished in his childish heart that his "Uncle Rhett" would be happy to see them arrive, but when he saw the empty train station, he realized that his mother hadn't even informed him. So Wade put all his hopes aside and with youthful fervor decided to support his mother.
"Ella," he said sternly, "we are here to meet our great-aunt, to visit her, to help her get better. Uncle Rhett works hard and he probably has no free time for meeting."
Ella pouted her lips resentfully and Scarlett looked affectionately at Wade, mentally thanking him for his support.
"You see, Honey, I really didn't put Rhett on notice since I was concerned about Aunt Eulalie's condition. We have been packing so fast, you remember. Let's go to her first, and then we will think it over together, okay?" and she gently ran her black leather gloved hand over her daughter's cheek.
Ella sighed, but accepted the explanation.
Fifteen minutes later they reached her aunt's house, and as Scarlett had suspected, it was almost ten o'clock in the morning.
A white two-story wooden house, with a small veranda peeked out from behind a overgrown garden.
"Yes, this place could use a gardener's work. And the front could use a paint job," Scarlett thought busily as she got out of the carriage with the children.
An old maid Mary which Scarlett knew,opened the door. She recognized her immediately.
"Oh, Miss Scarlett! Good morning! How wonderful that you've come, and with children! Come on in the house, Miss Eulalie is having breakfast in her room, I'll tell her you have arrived and Tom will help get your things in. "The maid opened the door wider and let Scarlett and the children into the house and called loudly for Tom to help with the things.
"Thank you! Will you please tell me how my aunt is? I received a disturbing letter from my sister." Scarlett asked, taking off her gloves and shawl.
"Your aunt is better Miss Scarlett. The body is weakened, but the danger has passed. The doctor visited her last evening and left all the instructions and medicines. Let's go up to see her, and in the meantime I'll ask a cook to set breakfast for you and the children in the dining room," Mary continued to babble, and Scarlett's heart calmed a little. Her aunt would be all right, thank heaven. Yes, she was a mean old lady and constantly judged her, but she was her mother's sister and she was so tired of burying family members.
Mary left Scarlett at the door, knocked, and went into the bedroom. In a minute she came out and invited Scarlett in, and took the children down, promising them some cookies after breakfast.
Aunt Eulalie, sitting up in bed, leaning on the pillows, had lost a great deal of weight and age, but her eyes looked clearly and with interest at her niece.
"Auntie, Darling," Scarlett wanted to go over and kiss her, but Aunt Eulalie made a warning gesture with her hand.
"Scarlett, my dear, why are you here?" asked Eulalie in surprise.
"That's a nice greeting," thought Scarlett and replied, "You see Auntie, Carreen sent me a letter worrying about your health and asking me to come and take care of you. That's why the children and I are here. How are you feeling?"
"Thank you Scarlett, I'm better now, since Carreen visited I've been on the road to recovery. The doctor said I was lucky, I've passed the dangerous line. I'll be better now, as long as I eat right and stay on bed rest."
"Thank God, I'm very glad to hear that," Scarlett said with a smile.
"But," continued her aunt, "you haven't answered my question. Why are you here, Scarlett? With your things and your children? Your husband lives in this town, why aren't you with him?"
"I didn't have time to warn him, Auntie. Besides, since you're feeling better, we'll literally stay for a couple days, if that's okay with you. It'll be good for the children to hang out with you," Scarlett said confidently and added with a smile, "they've grown up a lot. You've seen Wade as a baby and you haven't even met Ella. Shall I call them?"
"Honey, let's have a talk before dinner. I'll take a nap now, and you have breakfast with the children."
"Thank you, Auntie. I will go down to the children. It's good to see you well," here Scarlett smiled politely at her and walked out, leaving Aunt Eulalie pensive. She immediately wrote a note, called Mary, and told Tom to deliver it to the addressee.
It was dinner time, about two o'clock, and Scarlett had time to change her dress. She looked in the mirror and saw a very thin, pale woman. With beautiful facial features, but with restless eyes that had small shadows under them from lack of sleep.
Her hair was gathered in a simple knot at the back of her head, her dress was strict. Scarlett felt much older than her 28 years.
Taking a breath, she left the room and went to check on the children. They had already washed and changed their clothes after the road and had already gone to socialize with their great-aunt.
Mary said that Eulalie had called them herself while Scarlett was doing her toilette. She also conveyed with a smile that Ms. Eulalie was very pleased with the children
Mary invited her to come down to the parlour, the children were already waiting for her there, dinner was to be served soon.
Scarlett smiled and headed into the living room. For the first time in these few anxious days she felt calm. Her aunt would be fine, the children had gotten to know her. She found them charming. They wouldn't be in this town long and she wouldn't even have to leave the house beyond the garden and run into people. Or with her husband.
Scarlett pushed thoughts of Rhett far away; she'd think about it tomorrow, or better yet, in Atlanta. It wasn't the time to see him now.
She was upset that she couldn't show the city to the children, but thought she could take a carriage ride before the train, see the waterfront. And they would return later, when things were clearer in her life.
She went down to the parlour, greeted the children, kissed Ella, stroked Wade's hair affectionately, and sat down on the couch with them.
"So how do you like my Aunt Eulalie?"
Ella started first.
"Oh mummy, she's so interesting. She has been asking us a lot about what we like, how we're learning. Does she really look like my grandmother Ellen? And how old is she, mummy?" she rushed with questions.
Scarlett smiled and asked, turning to Wade. "What do you think of her, son?"
Wade smiled embarrassed and said. "She's kind, kept saying how little I was. Said she was at your wedding with my dad and that I looked a lot like him."
"That's right, darling, she's right. You do look like Charlie."
Here Wade looked at her proudly, and Ella was ready to fire off another round of questions when the doorbell rang. Scarlett gave the children a perplexed look.
"Maybe it's the doctor," was Scarlett's first thought.
But then she heard a pleasant female voice from the hallway, a polite greeting and laughter. The voice seemed vaguely familiar to Scarlett. While she was going over in her head all the people she knew it could belong to, an older woman entered the room with a regal posture. With gray hair and familiar blue eyes. Scarlett's heart skipped a beat and her hands trembled. She rose from the couch, and the children fell silent and watched.
The woman looked at Scarlett carefully and said affectionately: "Hello, Scarlett! Why are you here child? I am so happy to see you." Just then she quickly walked over to Scarlett and hugged her gently.
"Hello, Mrs. Butler," whispered Scarlett.
The children looked at the old woman with interest, they hardly remembered her from the day of Bonnie's funeral.
Mrs. Butler, let go of Scarlett, sat down on the sofa and turned to the children.
"Here are my grandchildren! Wade, Ella, I'm so glad you're here, come to me, please."
Ella was the first to respond and happily walked over to the older woman. The thought of having another grandmother thrilled her. Mrs. Butler kissed her gently on the cheek and stroked her hair.
"Wonderful young lady, you are beautiful, Ella."
"And you, Wade?" asked Mrs. Butler affectionately.
Wade gave his mother a cursory glance and walked over to the elderly lady and sat down beside her. She hugged him affectionately and said: "You are growing so fast, almost a young man."
Wade smiled and Mrs. Butler continued.
"Children, please go up to Aunt Eulalie's room and say goodbye to her, we'll come visit her in a couple days. We are going to our mansion now."
The children looked at each other perplexed but went upstairs.
Scarlett was shocked at Mrs. Butler's words, she wasn't going to go to their house and meet Rhett. No, no and no. Not now, she wasn't ready physically or mentally. She was so exhausted, but she pulled herself together and wanted to start talking, but Mrs. Butler beat her to it.
"My dear, how could you come to town and not tell us! Thanks to your aunt, she informed me at once. I suppose you were moved by modesty and unwillingness to disturb us, but it's unthinkable. What about Rhett, your husband, how long has it been since you've seen him? Pack up my dear, the carriage is waiting for us."
"But I don't want!" she exclaimed.
"What do you mean? You don't want to see your husband, Dear?" asked Mrs Butler incredulously.
Scarlett took a breath and already spoke calmly:
"I mean, Rhett isn't expecting me so soon. Don't get me wrong, Mrs Butler, we didn't part on a pleasant note and he didn't invite me..."
"But I'm the one inviting you, Scarlett! You are wife of my eldest son and a valued member of our family. My daughter-in-law and my grandchildren. What will people say when they find out that the Butler family's daughter-in-law didn't even bother to visit them?"
Scarlett remained silent, not knowing what to say, and Eleanor summarized.
"Come along dear Scarlett, say goodbye to your aunt, we'll send for your things later. We'll have dinner at our house, I'll introduce you and my grandchildren to our family."
She stood up, took Scarlett affectionately under her elbow and they both left the parlour.