Disclaimer: I do not own Gone With The Wind. Also, completely unbeta'd so all mistakes are mine.

Epilogue

Scarlett awoke slightly annoyed, something had been flitting about her face and had not been deterred by her waving hand. She blinked and found Rhett standing beside her with a breakfast tray. A peacock feather lied suspiciously beside his feet on the floor, she did not mention it but sat up and accepted the plate of food. She looked over the tray and then laughed.

"Did you have any trouble getting up the stairs with all of this?" she asked as her eyes twinkled with teasing.

He responded with a somber look and said, "I am not that old yet Scarlett."

She laughed and then begun to eat her breakfast.

"I did see Wade pacing downstairs, he seemed rather nervous," Rhett said as he looked over the papers he had abandoned the previous night when Scarlett forced him to join her in bed.

"It was his idea," Scarlett said as she ate her last forkful of breakfast. "It's not as though either of us force him into this position."

"It doesn't mean he's not nervous," Rhett said as he put down the papers again.

At this moment Scarlett heard the sound of a crew at work. She carefully got off the bed and set the tray on the bed and made her way to the window. The back lawn was a flurry of activity. The sky was clear and the day promised to be neither too warm nor too cold. Satisfied with the scene Scarlett turned away from the window and set about getting dressed.

Rhett had realized she was not going to respond long ago and had gone back to the papers. They were important papers directly related to Wade's inheritance and he had not had time to go over them as thoroughly as he had hoped to.

Scarlett returned from her dressing room in a simple dress, Rhett raised an eyebrow at this and she explained, "I will get dressed later. I want to make sure everything is on schedule."

Rhett nodded and went back to his reading.

Scarlett left the room and as she descended the stairs, she found Wade still pacing as Rhett had mentioned. She sighed and said, "Why are you so nervous?"

"I'm not nervous," he said as he stopped pacing and stood up straight. He was an entire head taller than Scarlett, and quite broad shouldered. He had grown from the scared child to a man Scarlett would never have envisioned as her own son.

She swept imaginary dust from the front of his coat, unable to reach his shoulder and then said, "Wade Hampton."

He colored slightly at her tone and use of his childhood nickname. "Mother…"

"I promise I won't get too emotional, I'm happy for you," she said. "You've become such an exceptional man, I can hardly believe you are my son."

"Mother…" Wade said again and then embraced her, as slight as she was he nearly lifted her off the ground.

"Well," Scarlett said as she quickly wiped at her eyes and looked away. "I'm going to make sure everything is on schedule."

Wade shook his head as she walked away. She was his mother, and he loved her but she was a stickler for her schedule. He hoped the staff was on time otherwise there might be a storm before the event.

He returned to his pacing as he heard clattering in the kitchen and knew that his mother would be disappointed in someone.

Scarlett had startled a young member of the staff as she had come into the kitchen quickly and had asked many questions without pausing for answers. The more experienced staff had answered easily but the young staff member had frozen and dropped the pot she'd been carrying.

All eyes had been on the mistress of the house. The young staff member swallowed and apologized and scrambled for the pot. Scarlett also swallowed her anger and said, "Don't let it happen again."

She left the kitchen, where all preparations had been on time, if not ahead of schedule. The back lawn was now full of long rows of tables and chairs.

Scarlett then visited the dining room and found her daughter and her nephew talking quietly.

"Aunt Scarlett," Beau said as he saw her watching them.

"Mother," Ella said as her cheeks colored.

"Beau your cousin is wearing my floor down, please see if you can do something about that," Scarlett said.

"Of course Aunt Scarlett," Beau said as he left them.

"Ella Lorena you know better than to be found in such compromising situations," Scarlett said.

"We were just talking," Ella said.

"A likely story," Scarlett said under her breath.

She'd seen it when Ashley and Beau had arrived. She mentioned it to Rhett and he had laughed and said that perhaps there would be a marriage between an O'Hara girl and a Wilkes boy yet. She had swatted him and then gone to share her concern with Sue, who had also laughed at her.

She looked at her daughter, who had bloomed in her own right, and said, "You need to get dressed, people will be arriving and you'll still be asking where your other slipper is."

Ella's cheeks colored again, which made her prettier somehow. She had lost her slipper at their last gathering and had yet to live that down.

As if on cue, the door opened and Ashley appeared, already dressed, and said, "Aunt Pittypat has arrived."

Scarlett looked at her daughter, and Ella immediately left, muttering things under her breath.

Scarlett then turned her attention back to Ashley and said, "God's nightgown! Didn't she read the invitation? The event is in the afternoon. It's only just past ten."

"I assume she'll be wanting to feel a part of the family," Ashley said, his voice calm and guiding as always.

Scarlett sighed. She couldn't fault the old woman. "Well she better not throw off the schedule."

Ashley smiled at her. There was a glimpse of the handsome young man he had once been shimmering through. She smiled back at him and said, "Thank you for coming."

"It's an important event for Wade, of course we'd come."

"I really have to go check on the yard, please see that Pitty is settled and that Wade and Beau are out of the foyer. And keep an eye on Ella and Beau," Scarlett said as Ashley walked away, nodding.

Scarlett walked out the back door and the tables and chairs had been set up and there was the old familiar scent of a barbeque in the air.

A figure appeared by her side and she said, "You've always been talented at putting events together quickly."

"It's my natural charm," Denny said.

"And my deep pockets," Scarlett said.

"This is what you always envisioned isn't it?" Denny asked.

Scarlett raised a brow at his question.

"When everyone though you had gone mad, and had put so much effort into all the details. This is what you saw."

"It was," Scarlett admitted.

"I'm glad I was a part of this," he said as they watched the band come in set up. A quiet moment passed and then Denny looked her over and said, "Surely you aren't wearing that? People will think you've finally spent all your money."

Scarlett scowled at him and then said, "I see you have things under control. I'll go get dressed."

"I thought you had faith in me!" Denny shouted after her.

Scarlett flashed a smile at him and she reentered the house. She walked up the staircase she loved so much and heard Ella talking to her maid about the dress she wanted to wear.

She entered her room and found Rhett still going over the papers he had not been able to set down since he received them.

"What's so perplexing about those papers that you have to go over them so often," Scarlett said as she walked into the dressing room.

"It's about Wade's inheritance," Rhett said.

"Henry kept impeccable records, as did I, I don't know why there would be any issue with it."

"Which is why this is so troubling," Rhett said as he put the papers down once again.

"Is there some missing? Has he been spending more than necessary?" Scarlett said as she returned in her shimmy.

"No, there is a significant sum that appeared, and there are no notes on where it came from or why it was there," Rhett said, as he pointed to the difference between the records and the actuality.

Scarlett looked at the records, and then sat down.

"It wasn't you?" she asked.

"No, my contributions were monitored by Henry, and then his apprentice," Rhett said.

"Then it has to be Marcos's family."

Rhett choked on his words. "What?"

"Who else would give such a large sum to Wade? And to do so so secretly?"

"Your island friends," Rhett said.

Scarlett smirked, it still amused her to no end how jealous Rhett became when Marcos was mentioned. It happened often in Savannah, where people had known him. Nevertheless, Rhett had learned to be quite casual about it most of the time, after all, he believed the man had met a premature death.

Rosa had come to visit last fall and Scarlett had been amazed at how easily the language came to her. They laughed and had many late nights talking about old stories, and sharing new ones. The wine Rosa brought with her also helped a great deal.

Rhett had planned a business trip, but it had been cancelled when his associate had a family emergency to tend to. So he spent a great deal of time in his office and in the library, giving Scarlett and Rosa space. However once Rosa commented that perhaps Scarlett's husband was afraid of her, and Rhett joined them, and found that Rosa still managed to bring out a side of Scarlett he wasn't able to.

It had been a good visit, but Rhett had been surprised when Rosa cornered him. She was quite frank that she had come to see how Scarlett was getting on, and that Scarlett's overall demeanor had pleasantly surprised her. She was happy that Scarlett was happy.

Once Rosa left, Scarlett had been a saddened, but the arrival of Wade and Ella had cheered her up considerably.

"You mean Rosa," Rhett said when Scarlett did not reply.

"She probably had a hand in it," Scarlett said as she returned to the dressing room and appeared in a dress that as always highlighted the features she felt were most becoming about her.

"You look beautiful, my dear," Rhett said as he rose to help her close the back.

She turned to face him and he said, "Very lady like."

Scarlett then laughed and said, "Pitty arrived not too long ago, I should go say hello."

"I'm sure the honorable Ashley can keep her entertained for a little while longer," Rhett said as he pulled her against himself. "It's difficult to share you with others."

A knock at the door drove them apart immediately.

Scarlett opened the door to find Wade, and Beau.

"Is Uncle Rhett in here?" Beau asked.

Rhett appeared behind Scarlett and said, "I'm here, what can I do for you boys."

Wade flushed as he said, "Mother could you leave us alone."

Scarlett gaped at her son for a moment, but a soft nudge from Rhett sent her on her way. "Of course, I have to go greet Aunt Pitty."

She wandered slowly down the hall but Rhett invited the boys into their room and she heard nothing.

Scarlett made her way down the stairs, and found Ashley sitting with Pitty as they watched the crew work in the backyard.

"Oh Scarlett, everything looks so wonderful," Pitty said as she noticed Scarlett enter the room. "Who would have ever thought that we would be able to have another gathering like this?"

Scarlett nearly rolled her eyes, but stopped as she realized she had thought the exact same thing the night before. Instead, she said, "It is wonderful isn't it."

"I said the same thing to her when I arrived," Ashley said. "Then I realized that only Scarlett would be able to bring all of this together perfectly."

Scarlett looked surprised, and Pitty said, "Isn't that the truth. It almost feels like the old days."

They stood quietly, each remembering all the days that had passed between the last jovial gathering at Twelve Oaks and everything that had changed.

Scarlett of course came to her senses first and said, "Forgive me, I really should find Ella."

"Of course," Pitty said and Scarlett walked away, quickly.

She found her daughter coming down the stairs, looking beautiful and young. She smiled at her and said, "There you are, I thought you'd found Beau again."

"Mother!" Ella admonished.

"I said nothing that should cause you to be so scandalized," Scarlett said, her eyes bright with teasing.

"I know exactly what you meant," Ella said with a small huff.

"Come now, let's go see Denny and see how the dance floor is coming along," Scarlett said as she linked her arm with her daughter's.

They went below to continue to see the progress and were admonished by Mammy for being outdoors without covering up. Scarlett admired the old woman, she still quite spirited, despite her years. They retreated indoors and found that Eulalie had arrived, with Eleanor and Rosemary. Several more guests arrived and Scarlett greeted each on graciously and was joined by Rhett.

The house was soon full of people and at last, Wade appeared. His group of his school friends whooped and Wade gave them a cutting glare. He took his place and the ceremony began. His bride made her way down the stairs, they had their vows, and everyone adjourned to the backyard.

Scarlett flitted about, determined that everyone have an excellent time and nothing less. She also kept Ella and Beau as separate as possible, but Rhett had made her relax on that front, reminding her that young people tend to find no matter what, particularly if their parents disapprove. Scarlett conceded that he had a point and left them alone after that.

She ended up in the library as she found a book left out on the table and thought it was best to return it before it suffered any further damage. She opened the door and was surprised to find Ashley.

"It could be twenty five years ago," he said as he smiled a soft smile.

"Still getting caught up in your day dreams?" Scarlett asked as she put the book on its proper shelf.

"I've always had trouble being grounded in the present," he admitted.

"Dianna seems to do an excellent job of helping you remember where you are," Scarlett said. The woman Ashley had married several years ago was kind, but knew when to give Ashley a sharp kick. She was a blond haired, blue-eyed blessing, despite not being from the South.

"She was sitting with the ladies you keep company with," Ashley said.

"Would you have imagined we would be back here someday?" Scarlett asked as she looked around the room.

"I've always been impressed by the details you remembered when you rebuilt the house," Ashley said as too looked around at their surroundings. "But, make no mistake, it is uniquely yours. I would never have had the spirit to make anything like this possible."

"I hear that often," Scarlett said.

"You did a great thing," Ashley said. "Thank you."

"Oh Ashley, you don't need to thank me," Scarlett admonished.

"You've brought life back to the county, that means something," Ashley said. "Melly would have loved it."

Scarlett was stunned.

"She loved Atlanta, but somehow you made her love the county more. She talked about spending summers here when things were good again," Ashley said. "I never told her, but I didn't think I would face it."

"She wanted to come back to the county?" Scarlett asked.

"She talked fondly of the time she spent at Tara," Ashley said.

"Tara is special, and I will always love it. But Will and Sue have made it their home and were tired of my suggestions. You have no idea how grateful I am that you sold to me," Scarlett said.

"Twelve Oaks deserved someone who loved it for what it was," Ashley said. "And believe me when I say no one else loved it like you."

Scarlett gave him an odd look.

"A very long time ago, when we were very young, my father noticed us coming in from a ride. After you had gone home, he and I had a talk. He said some things I didn't understand at the time, and I don't know how to convey them to you, but he admired your spirit a great deal, and he knew that you loved the county more than anyone else."

Scarlett was at a loss for words.

The door opened and Rhett gave them both a wry grin.

"Taking a trip down memory lane?" he asked.

Ashley looked a little flummoxed and said, "I should find Dianna."

"Of course," Rhett said and let him pass by.

"I thought we had finally forgotten about the honorable Ashley."

"We were talking about Melly, and his father," Scarlett said.

"Oh?"

"Yes," Scarlett said as she stepped toward Rhett and he immediately enveloped her in his arms.

"I don't understand why he thinks dragging people into the past is a good idea," Rhett said as he held her close.

"I don't either," Scarlett admitted.

"Come now my dear, you are throwing a very successful wedding party for your son, and there's cake," Rhett said as he helped her dry her tears. "Perhaps if we find a vase you will feel better."

Scarlett laughed.

They returned to the party and Scarlett danced quite a bit and enjoyed the wine Rosa had sent. It was a memorable night, and the young couple departed for the last train, heading for the coast and then Europe. The guests cleared out and Denny oversaw the cleanup.

Rhett helped Scarlett up the stairs and said, "I would never have imagined we would be living at Twelve Oaks."

"A scoundrels that we are?" Scarlett asked.

"Something like that," Rhett said.

"But it isn't the same Twelve Oaks I grew up with. Everybody says it is wonderful, and only I could manage such a feat. But I made it as I always imagined my house would be."

"I know that, my pet," Rhett said. "You think I would live here if it were a shrine to the old days?"

"I suppose not," Scarlett said.

"It was built to suit us both, and it does," Rhett said.

"It wouldn't have been the same without you," she said as they entered their room.

Rhett looked at her and they shared a very real moment of complete honesty. It had been a quarter of a century since her cat like green eyes had first captivated him, and his roguish behavior had intrigued her. Life had taken them through many difficulties, and they had never quite understood each other until now. However, in this moment, it was worth all the trials and tribulations. They had finally met and understood each other, and they wanted for nothing.

AN: After many years, and many personal trials and tribulations, it is complete. Thank you to everyone who ever reviewed and those who cared enough to PM. I cannot believe that I made it here. It's take many turns, but the ending came to me and so here it is.