Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

Chapter Three

Rhett continued to leave the house at night but he always came back sober and relatively early so Scarlett knew he wasn't going to Belle's. When Scarlett asked about where he was Rhett told her it was all about the Democratic party. Rhett said, "it is a very good thing that you have started distancing your self from the Republican and the Scallawags. They will be gone after November." Scarlett said, "It is probably too little too late but hopefully I can hold own to the last sliver of my reputation. I know I will never be able to repair my reputation the best I can hope is that I don't make it worse." Rhett walked over and hugged Scarlett. She was right there was no way to repair her reputation. He felt bad for the damage that he did to her reputation while he was restoring his. All he could do is stand by her and defend her now.

In November the Republicans were indeed swept out of office. The Democrats were back in power. Rhett told her that was a good thing for Southerners. All the Scallawags and Republicans would soon be leaving the state.

For Scarlett November was a sad time she found out she was not pregnant. Rhett had not been using any protection since she told him she loved him. He had not told her he loved her but he acted like he loved her. They were no longer fighting all the time. They had honest discussions. These days Scarlett listened to Rhett's advice a lot more often. He had a pretty good track record of being right.

Bonnie was beginning to mind when Scarlett or Mammy told her to do something as long as Rhett didn't interfere. Rhett was actually supporting Scarlett and Mammy.

The first time Rhett sat Bonnie down and scolded her Scarlett didn't know who was crying more. She just kept standing there hoping to provide moral support for Rhett. She also knew he would cave if she walked off.

Rhett said, "I didn't like doing that."

Scarlett said, "Nobody does. But you will always be the favorite."

Scarlett wondered if there was something wrong with her reproductive system after the miscarriage. So, she went to see Dr. Harrison secretly. She didn't even tell Rhett. She gave him her history and told about the fall down the stairs and the loss of the baby. Dr. Harrison told her four months of trying really wasn't that long. He told her to keep trying and come back and see him in six months if she hadn't gotten pregnant by then. Dr. Harrison did say that she could have damage her ovaries. That is where her eggs were and if they were damaged, they may not be releasing eggs. Scarlett thought about it on the way home. Considering how much damage was done there was a good possibility that her ovaries had been hurt. That night Rhett asked her what was the matter and she replied my ovaries may not be functioning anymore. She told him about her appointment and everything Dr. Harrison had said. Rhett said, "Scarlett, it has only been four months since we have been trying. It just might take a little longer."

July 1872 Scarlett was still not pregnant. Things were good between her and Rhett, between her and her kids and she had a cease fire between her and the Old Guard. They would love to be talking about Scarlett but she hadn't done anything since she had her fall. When the couple was seen around town, they looked very happy together. They almost looked like they were in love. Bonnie was starting to behave like a little lady and Scarlett's older two children had always been good. Bonnie had decided that she wanted to sleep with Ella. It was a bittersweet moment for Rhett. It was good she was becoming independent but he still wanted her to be dependent on him. Scarlett went to her sewing circles and when people made snide comments to her she just ignored them. She was working with Father Stevens on a couple of the Catholic Charities. She would go visiting with Melly but she never said anything hardly. Judging her just by this last year she was a perfect southern lady.

Dr. Harrison recommended that she go see a specialist in female problems who lived in Boston. Rhett decided that the whole family would go on a month-long vacation in Boston. They could see the sights and check out the schools. Rhett suggested they may consider sending Wade to boarding school up north. His chances of getting into Harvard would be better. Scarlett just nodded. She put on a happy face for everyone although Rhett could still read her like a book. Scarlett couldn't read him like a book but she could guess his emotion correctly 95% of the time. Fortunately, Rhett was a lot more open with his emotions these days.

The specialist name was Phillip Greene. He talked with Scarlett a long time. Asked what injury she had sustained. He asked how long it had taken her to get pregnant before and she told him; my first pregnancy took one time, my second pregnancy took less than 6 months, my third pregnancy took less than 6 month and my last pregnancy only took one time. Dr. Greene felt that her internal organs were still in a state of stress and that she would soon get pregnant again. When her body was ready, she would get pregnant. This didn't make Scarlett happy. It is like everyone was saying, "It will happened just be patient." Scarlett didn't believe them. Scarlett was right she never got pregnant again. Thankfully they had Bonnie.

Scarlett told Rhett that the doctor said nothing was wrong they just had to keep trying. Rhett said he would do his part and she laughed.

Rhett and Scarlett continued to live in Atlanta. Rhett was a big hero and Scarlett was his wife. A role she was happy with. She never created another scandal. She was never fully welcomed back into society but she was no longer a social outcast either. More importantly her children were not ostracized. In June of 1873 when Bonnie wanted to raise the bar on the jump Rhett told her "No." It was too high for her little pony. Bonnie accepted his answer but she wasn't happy about it. By this time Rhett and Bonnie had a normal father-daughter relationship. When Melly got pregnant in the summer of 1873 Scarlett was the person she talked to. Scarlett wanted to scold her for being that foolish but she just didn't have the heart especially knowing the desperate desire to have a child herself. Scarlett was with her until the end. Scarlett promised to take care of Ashley and Beau. Scarlett fulfilled her promise by showing India how to run the store. Nobody could stop Ashley from drinking and soon he was rarely sober. Scarlett told India that she had promised Melly she would pay for Beau's education therefore just send her the bill. She knew India would have no problems with Scarlett paying for Beau's education.

The years passed by Wade went to Harvard and Harvard Law and came back to Atlanta to practice. Ella was engaged at sixteen but her parents would not let her marry until she was eighteen. He was from a good southern family from Charleston. It took a lot of convincing of Rhett for him to let Bonnie marry a respectable young man from Atlanta. He finally decided she really was in love with the young man and the young man really loved Bonnie. Rhett never told Scarlett he loved her. He just couldn't utter the words but Scarlett knew by the way his eyes always followed her when ever she was in the room, how he always took care of her, how he held her at night, and how he spoke to her when they were alone. She had to be careful not to say she liked something because in no time Rhett had bought it for her.

The same way he had treated her on their honeymoon.

Author's note: This was a hard story to write because Rhett and Scarlett were already in a dark place at this time in their relationship.