The years passed by and life went on. Scarlett and Luke settled down into a comfortable life with their children. Although they never were able to conceive a child together, having Wade, Ned, Ella, Cat and Gerry seemed quite enough. Luke had quite desperately wanted a baby with Scarlett but fate didn't seem to favour them for whatever reason. At times Scarlett thought to herself how ironic the situation was, she had conceived her last two babies so quickly with Rhett when it was least convenient and now when everything was in order, she was unable to. Still her life was wonderful and she knew it would be terrible of her to complain.

Five years after Ned was returned to them, Wade having just turned 21, decided to make his intentions known to the family of the young English rose, Lady Elizabeth Darling. At just 19, she was both sweet and virginal and had captured Wade's heart when he had gone to her home over the holidays with his best friend, John who happened to be her older brother. A look here, a smile there, and Wade was in love. He approached her parents and asked for young Elizabeth's hand in marriage and after a moment of hesitation during which Wade could hear the very blood rushing through his veins, they accepted. Wade and Elizabeth were to be married the following summer after a suitably long engagement period.

After turning 18, Ned had decided to go to university and study law like Wade did before him. He adored Wade to the point where it was more hero worship and his parents did not want to disappoint him although they knew he'd never have the time to be a Barrister once he took over his duties as Earl of Fenton. Still Ned was ecstatic at the thought of being away from home and was eagerly looking forward to his departure to Cambridge.

Ella had decided to return to America. She missed it, she said to her mother, and she wanted to see if it was anything like her memories. It had been years since her last visit. She had accompanied Cat on one trip back but since then their father had come to Europe to visit and they had not gone back to America. At 18 she had become a quite the beauty and was hotly chased after in Europe due to her looks and family. She wanted to get away and visit her father in Charleston and her other family in Tara at least once before she settled down.

Cat had quite enjoyed her 8th birthday. In fact she had enjoyed both her 8th birthdays. Her father had taken her and her sister on a short trip to Paris as an early birthday present. She had loved going because her father rarely enforced any rules, or cared about manners, let her eat whatever she liked and always, always, bought her and Ella everything they wanted. This year she had come home with a new kitten which she promptly named Butler. Her second birthday party had been at home with Mama and Luke and was just as much fun. She had gotten cake and a new riding saddle and best of all, Luke had finally built her a tree house. Mama didn't seem very happy and made Cat promise to always tell Maria if she was going to the tree house but Cat knew better. She was too old for a nanny anyway. She was 8! Maria was for babies like Gerry not for Cat!

Oh little Gerry. He was still the baby of the house. At just 6 years of age, he already had everyone wrapped around his little finger, everyone except mean ol' Maria. Daddy was his favourite person in the whole wide world followed closely by Mama. He loved Daddy because he was always playing with him and making him laugh. No one laughed like Daddy. Gerry loved his father with all of his little heart and on the few trip when Luke was away, he would cry his heart out. But Daddy always came home and that made Gerry very happy. Mama was always around to wipe his tears and kiss his booboos but Mama always seemed a little sad as she cuddled him. Gerry didn't like sad. He liked happy and the happiest person he knew was Daddy!

Oh I really do intend on finishing this story. I just needed to find the time to write. I've obviously decided on another jump. 5 years this time. I think it's about time I wrap it up. I can't imagine it being more 5-6 chapters. *Fingers crossed*