Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

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

Chapter Thirteen

Christmas dinner had been horrible for Miranda. She had gone to her mother-in-law's home. Both Rosemary and Robert had been there with their families. Elizabeth's good friends Eulalie Boykins and Pauline Atkins were there also.

Miranda had found out over dinner that Scarlett Kennedy was the old women's niece. Mrs. Boykins said, "Scarlett, was telling us what a financial genius your husband is."

Miranda pretended to be ignorant and said, "Scarlett?"

"Scarlett Kennedy. She is our niece."

"Rhett has always been smart about finances."

"Scarlett said that Mr. Butler has helped her earn a lot of money which is so kind of him. Especially since Scarlett being a woman doesn't know a lot about those things."

Pauline said, "It is wonderful that he is being so helpful. You know she is all alone being a widow and all."

Elizabeth said, "He has been so busy with helping Governor Bullock and some other men, he didn't even have time to come home for Christmas." The older woman turned to her grandson and said, "What was your favorite gift?"

Elizabeth, Pauline, and Eulalie were a united front in regard to Rhett and Scarlett. They never let anyone say that the couple was anything but business partners.

Miranda thought her life was a living hell. She had weathered the gossip about Rhett calling on a young lady. Then as if things couldn't get any worse, the rumors started that Rhett was spending time with a proper woman. Supposedly they were business associates. When she found out the woman's name was Scarlett Kennedy, she just knew her husband was blatantly having an affair.

How much more shame was she going to have to endure. It was bad enough that Rhett was gone all the time causing people to talk, but now this.

Miranda had heard all the rumors about Rhett and his business associate. She had enough frenemies that she always heard everything. There were also a lot of women that were jealous of how much money Rhett gave her to live on every month. There were also women who were still holding a grudge because she had snagged the most eligible bachelor in Charleston at the time. She was without a doubt that she would learn of every awful thing Rhett did.

On February fourteenth when Miranda found herself all alone, she decided she was going to do something about her situation. Therefore, the day after Valentine's Day she had boarded the train to Atlanta with her maid. She was going to confront Rhett about all of this.

Miranda knew that Rhett stayed at the National Hotel while he was in Atlanta. He had told her to address any envelopes to him to that establishment. She had sent him a few letters, but they had not been personal letters.

Miranda was mad. She had not wanted to marry Rhett, but she had done it to save her reputation and her family's reputation. She had endured so very much the entire time they had been married. He had never tried to make their marriage work. She would never forget his hurtful words about her being unattractive. This was the final straw. He had not bothered to come home for Christmas. He hadn't even bothered to come to Charleston for her mother's funeral in October. She knew he knew because she had sent him a telegram. He hadn't even acknowledged her mother's death.

The funeral had been so embarrassing. Everyone had stared at her through the service and reception. At least nobody asked her where Rhett was.

Miranda arrived in Atlanta at six o'clock at night. She took a cab to the National Hotel. She hoped Rhett would let her and her maid stay in his suite. She had just enough money for the train tickets to and from Atlanta. She had gotten that money from her mother-in-law. Her mother-in-law had lots of money. Rhett was generous with her allowance.

Fortunately, Elizabeth had not asked any questions. She had given the younger woman a look of compassion that looked a lot liked pity. Miranda figured Elizabeth knew what Miranda was doing but hadn't said a word. In fact, the two women had never really talked about Rhett's behavior over the years. Miranda was grateful that her mother-in-law had never asked any embarrassing questions about Rhett's activities.

Miranda walked into the National Hotel lobby like the fine Charleston lady that she was with her maid beside her. Miranda asked the desk clerk to let Rhett Butler know he had a guest in the lobby.

The clerk replied, "He is eating supper in the restaurant."

Miranda looked into the restaurant and saw Rhett. He was alone fortunately. She was going to confront her husband about his behavior.

Miranda walked into the restaurant. When the Maître D asked, "Table for one?"

"No, I'm joining my husband."

Miranda went to Rhett's table and sat down. He stared at her. He could tell she was mad, which was not a good look on her. He also unkindly wondered if she had gained another couple of inches in her waist. She was as large as Dolly Merriwether now. Finally, he said, "What in the hell are you doing here?"

"Having supper."

The waiter appeared with a menu and offered it to Miranda. She did not accept it. She said, "Just bring me what my husband is having."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Rhett said, "I repeat myself what in the hell are you doing here?"

"I am going to put an end to you shaming me."

"How do you propose to do that?"

"By moving to Atlanta, Georgia to live with my husband."

"Like hell you are."

"Is there room for me in your suite?"

"No!"

"Then you can get me my own room."

"Why are you here?"

Almost twenty years of resentment bubbled up to the surface. Miranda said, "I didn't want to marry you either. I went on that buggy ride to make my father happy. God, I wish I hadn't. I wanted to marry Blake Shelton, but instead I had to marry you because of a broken buggy wheel. A broken buggy wheel ruined my life."

"That God damn buggy wheel ruined mine too."

Miranda went on as if Rhett hadn't spoken. She continued, "I have tried my best to be a good wife to you and to make a good marriage. You have not tried at all. I have nothing. My parents are dead. My sons are dead. My husband is blatantly having an affair with another woman. I have no reputation. I have nothing. I wish I had refused to marry you. You are scum. Your relationship with Scarlett Kennedy has got to end."

"No, I will never give Scarlett up. She loves me and I love her."

"Oh my gosh. You have spoken to another woman about love while being married to me. Am I so unimportant to you that you will continue to shame me this way?"

"Yes. You have never been important to me. As long as Scarlett continues to meet with me, I will never send her away."

"I will not stand for it."

"There is nothing you can do about it."

The couple was quiet as the waiter set down Miranda's meal. She was upset, but she was also very hungry. She hadn't eaten since she left Charleston. She started eating her meal. Rhett said, "You have grounds to divorce me. Divorce me."

"I can't get a divorce in South Carolina for any reason."

"So, you have checked into it. Move to Atlanta and set up residency. I will give you money to buy a house. After six months you could legally file for divorce in Atlanta. I will not fight it. I will make you a nice settlement."

"Never. I would be ruined."

"More than you are right now?"

"Yes."

"You could move to Europe. Then I could divorce you."

"I will never leave Charleston."

"Not even to save face. I will make you a very nice settlement."

"No."

"How much is it going to cost for me to get rid of you?"

"There isn't enough money in the world to get me to divorce you."

"Then you damn sure better go back to Charleston. I will get you a room for the night and give you some money for your train trip back to Charleston, but if you don't board that train tomorrow morning, I will never give you another penny."

"You are such a bastard."

With a wicked smile, Rhett said, "That is just the tip of the iceberg of what I would do to you."

The couple did not speak for the rest of the meal. Finally, Rhett said, "Let me get you a room and a meal for your maid. I repeat myself. You might as well return to Charleston tomorrow. There is no point in you staying here. You cannot change my mind or my actions."

"Yes, I will return to Charleston tomorrow morning."

Rhett got Miranda a room. When he handed her the key she said, "Goodbye, Rhett. I know I will never see you again."

"Probably not."

In that moment, Miranda knew this had been a horrible mistake. The only mistake that had been worse was going on that buggy ride with Rhett.

Later that night as Rhett was sitting in his suite, he was drinking a whiskey and contemplating his options. Suddenly he stood up and said, "One to a customer! Yes. I know how to get out of this predicament. Roma! Roma! Roma!"

Roma appeared. Rhett said, "You said it was one to a person. Offer a wish to my wife, Miranda. She is so miserable; she would gladly accept your offer. Have her not go on that buggy ride with me. If she changes her past, it will change mine."

"Alright."

"She is going to be on the train to Charleston tomorrow. She is a middle aged, fat woman with brown hair and brown eyes."

"Sure, Rhett."

"Here is ten dollars."

"Alright."

Roma took the money, but she would get the money out of Miranda also.

Miranda was sitting at a table in the dining car of the train. She was thinking about her horrible future. She would be alone the rest of her life. She wanted to die, but she would not die. If she died, then Rhett could marry that hussy.

Suddenly a woman sat down, she said, "I will give you want you want most in the entire world. I will give you a marriage full of love and happiness."

"You are a fraud. There is no way Rhett and I can have a marriage full of love and happiness."

"I didn't say your marriage would be with Rhett Butler."

"What? I don't understand?"

"You don't need to understand. Give me ten dollars and I will return you to the infamous buggy ride."

"No, nobody could do that."

"Money back guarantee."

Miranda laughed and said, "Sure. Why not? Let me get you the money."

Miranda had the money because Rhett had given her enough money for the train ticket and food. After the middle-aged woman placed the coins on the table, Roma started speaking in a foreign language. Miranda was amused. This was quite the show. This was quite the distraction from the awfulness of her life. She might even give the woman the money just for the show. Nobody could return her in time.

In a split second, Miranda disappeared. As was her norm, Roma moved into the woman's seat. She finished the woman's tea and sandwiches. She paid the bill and left a big tip. She was smiling when she left the dining car.

Suddenly, Miranda was in a buggy with Rhett. She knew where and when it was. She didn't know how, but she had been returned in time. Returned at the exact moment her life had gone sideways. She looked at the handsome, arrogant, young man beside her. She quickly said, "I am sick. Take me home."

"What?"

"Take me home. Now!"

"We have only been gone ten minutes from your home."

"True, but I am sick, nonetheless. Take me home."

"As you wish."

Rhett turned the buggy around and they headed back to town. As soon as they were at Miranda's home, she jumped out of the buggy and hurried into the house. She didn't even wait for Rhett to help her down.

The only thing Rhett thought was, 'She really must be sick.'

With Miranda's wish changing her past, it also changed Rhett's past. He had been returned in time also. He had been returned to three months after he met Scarlett at the train station. To the night he had told her he was a married man.