THE LONG, ROCKY ROAD THAT WILL TAKE YOU HOME

Chapter 1: "Rhett and Bonnie Come Back Home"

So this story begins after Rhett returns home with Bonnie after their extended trip. I am already working on the next chapter but this is a work in progress, so I don't know how long it will be.

Scarlett heard the noise of a carriage outside and the loud bang that the main opening door made when it was violently open. Running as fast as she could, she went downstairs. Could it be possible that Bonnie and Rhett were back? She had missed them so much during their absence… Oh, how she had missed her little girl. And Rhett… She had been thinking obsessively of him every single day and still he didn't send her any letter or telegram. At times, she had even wondered if he would ever return with Bonnie and what would happen if he didn't when her pregnancy was known.

'Mother,' cried Bonnie as soon as she saw Scarlett's figure at the top of the stairs and ran to throw herself in her arms.

'Baby, my baby,' Scarlett said, hugging her daughter so much that Bonnie began to complain.

'You're going to choke me, Mother.'

Scarlett laughed and kissed her little head.

'I have missed you so much, baby,' she said and, as she lifted her eyes from Bonnie's face, she saw Pork entering their luggage. 'Where's daddy, Bonnie?'

'Here I am, Scarlett,' said Rhett, coming into right behind Pork.

Scarlett felt like dancing with joy. Rhett was finally back! And how well he looked, more handsome than ever in a new suit Scarlett had never seen him in.

'Welcome back home, Rhett,' Scarlett said, barely repressing her joy and went down the stairs with Bonnie still in her arms.

'Thanks, Scarlett. It's good to be home, I could say.'

'Are you happy that we're home, Mother?'

'Of course I am, sweetie. I've missed you so very much…'

'Have you missed daddy too?'

'Sure I did,' admitted Scarlett, looking at Rhett intently.

She was so happy they were back that she could be generous.

'Really, Scarlett?'

'Yes, I did, Rhett.'

He fell silent. He had dreamed of the moment in which he would see Scarlett again and had imagined how it would go in a million different ways but not even in his wildest imaginations could he have dared to picture such a warm welcome on the part of his wife, even if she had, up to some extent, been prompted by Bonnie. Yet, the smile she had dedicated to him and what he saw in her eyes seemed genuine. Would he dare to hope that Scarlett needed him and longed to have him back home?

'Mother, I missed you too. Can I go see my dolls?'

'Of course you can, baby,' Scarlett conceded, kissing her one more time before putting her on the floor.

Both Rhett and Scarlett smiled as they saw Bonnie running with her chubby legs, clad in a silken blue dress.

'You look good, Rhett. And Bonnie has grown up so much…'

'We had a great time in New Orleans.'

'Oh, you went to New Orleans?' Scarlett asked, hurt that her husband should take Bonnie there but leave her behind.

'Yes but Bonnie was impatient to return home and see you.'

'I missed you two, Rhett,' Scarlett repeated but Rhett disappointed her, for he didn't pay her in kind.

'I guess you've kept busy with the mills and the store. You look a bit tired.'

'I couldn't sleep well,' she said, a bit angry. If she had dark circles under her eyes, as she had checked in the mirror this morning, it was because of the worry Rhett's absence had caused her.

'You aren't sick, are you, Scarlett?'

'No, I am fine now that I have you back home.'

Pork interrupted their conversation.

'Mr. Rhett, the driver wants to know if you'll need the carriage this evening.'

'Tell him I will.'

'Oh, Rhett, are you leaving so soon after coming back? I thought the three of us could have dinner together tonight so that you can tell me all about your trip.'

Rhett looked startled by Scarlett's insistence on his staying home tonight. Normally he would be mad at Scarlett trying to control and restrict his movements but now he was deeply touched that she wanted him home, even if it involved a change of plans on his part.

'It's ok, Scarlett, I'll stay tonight. Pork, tell the driver I won't need the carriage later today.'

'Thank you so much, Rhett.'

Rhett nodded.

'Now, if you may excuse me, Mrs. Butler, I am going to my bedroom to change out of these dusty travel clothes,' he said.

'Oh, yes, you're right, Rhett. See you later,' she said, as she saw him going upstairs.

It was not much what she had achieved but extracting from Rhett a promise to stay for dinner tonight was quite a good beginning.

As he prepared himself to go to bed, Rhett Butler reflected on the unusual day he had just had. Scarlett, always a box full of surprises, had not failed to surpass his expectations this time. He had missed Scarlett, he admitted to himself, almost as much as their daughter, who now slept placidly in the little bed next to his. But much as he had wanted to see his wife again, he had also been afraid of what might happen once they were face to face. Their conversation the morning he announced to her that he was leaving with Bonnie did not give him any hopes to expect a pleasant welcome but he had been wrong. Maybe the distance or the months of separation had cooled her temper off or it was that she had found the loneliness of the empty house without them unbearable. He certainly would not enjoy living in that mausoleum Scarlett called home if he had to live there alone without Bonnie's laughter filling it or even without the hurly-burly of Scarlett's constant coming and going.

Scarlett's petition of his staying home tonight had astonished him and he had accepted partly out of curiosity and of what Scarlett was up to and partly out of a certain desire to please Bonnie, who had missed her home and her mother terribly and deserved seeing her parents together and being civil to each other after so long. He had seen the night in as something he had to endure with as much courtesy as he could muster but it had been a really pleasant affair. Scarlett and he had been in their best behavior and Bonnie had made them laugh almost to the verge of tears with her hilarious comments to the anecdotes of their journey he had regaled Scarlett with. It had been good to be home tonight, even if it meant that he had had to postpone his visit to Belle until tomorrow night. Anyway, it had been quite a night.

Scarlett felt happier than she had been in ages when she took her seat at the table to join Rhett and Bonnie for breakfast. For the first time since Rhett had left with Bonnie, she had slept a peaceful dream without any night terrors. As a result, she had woken up without the usual anxiety and unrest that had been her constant companions during Rhett's absence. Rhett was back and things between them had notably improved. If only things could stay this way indefinitely…

Scarlett had loved their little dinner party last night. Rhett had been so funny, telling a string of anecdotes non-stop, as he had told her stories in the early days of their marriage, with Bonnie interrupting him from time to time when she was bored of listening to him or when she thoughts that a correction was in order – 'Daddy, that's didn't happen that way,' she would say or 'Daddy, you're telling it wrong.' Their little girl was so sweet…

Yes, for all her elation, her happiness was due to be short-lived for it rested on uncertain foundations. Last night she had managed to keep Rhett at home but tonight she doubted it and he would go to that Watling creature's place, she had absolutely no doubt about it.

'Good morning, Mother,' Bonnie greeted her and ran to kiss her.

'Good morning, Scarlett.'

'Good morning. I count on your having waited for me.'

Bonnie guiltily looked down towards her half-eaten sweet roll and Scarlett smiled indulgently. Yes, it was so good but it couldn't last. Rhett would resume his nightly outings and she still had to tell him about the baby and it had to be done soon. But first she wanted to check he waters to see what Rhett's mood was these days. As of now, she could enjoy their return and privately enjoy her secret knowledge. Once she told Rhett, he may very well do something or say something offensive that would deprive of the joy of her sweet expectancy. Rhett could say something hurtful or tell her that he didn't want this baby, and, while she would keep wanting and loving it, it would hurt her all the same. She did love this little one and spent hours wondering if it would be a little girl like Bonnie or a willful boy who resembled Rhett. Rhett would surely love that despite his professions that he didn't want a boy. Yes, she'd tell him soon but she would wait one of two days before telling him.

'Any interesting plans for today, Mrs. Butler?'

'Not really, Rhett. I thought I may go to the mills,' she began, but she fel silent seeing the blank expression in Rhett's face. 'But… but I am now thinking otherwise. I want to spend the day with Bonnie.'

'Daddy and I are going to the park,' Bonnie gaily announced. 'Are you coming with us, Mother?' she invited her.

'Oh, I don't know, Bonnie… I wouldn't like to intrude, Rhett,' she said, aware that Rhett usually hated her interfering with his plans with Bonnie.

'Come with us, Scarlett,' he offered, feeling generous.

'Thank you, Rhett,' said Scarlett, filled with gratefulness.

'It will make us good that the Old Guard sees the Butler family happy together after their long separation,' Rhett retorted.

Damn Rhett Butler, Scarlett thought, attacking her bread roll with fury. If only Bonnie weren't here, she would happily give her husband a piece of her mind but, for Bonnie's sake, she shut up and concentrated on the plate Mammy put in front of her. And, anyway, whatever the reasons behind Rhett's not-all-that-kind offer, she planned on having a great time in the company of her husband and daughter.

Despite her initial anger at Rhett's remark, Scarlett did enjoy the breakfast. Bonnie was so lovely and it was Heaven to hear her talk non-stop after the maddening weeks of loneliness and absolute silence. And the family outing was quite pleasant. Her blue silk dress still fitted her perfectly and men cast a few admiring glances in her direction and Scarlett knew that Rhett could not have done other thing than noticing it. Rhett, also, was in his best mood and they made a perfect picture of family harmony.

All in all, Scarlett enjoyed the day so much that she almost believed that his day was going to be the model for their relationship now. however, the dream dissipated soon enough in the evening when, once Bonnie was sent to bed, Scarlett suggested to Rhett that they go into the library for a cup of coffee and some brandy before retiring to their respective rooms.

'I'm afraid that tonight I've got some businesses to attend to,' Rhett said, looking at his pocket watch. 'After all, I already stayed at home last night, Scarlett,' he reminded her.

Hurt and utterly humiliated, Scarlett felt incredibly mortified. Oh, why couldn't he do the decent thing for once and stay with them at home? No, he had to go and spoil a lovely day by running to that woman's place.

'You're going to her,' Scarlett accused him.

'I thought, Mrs. Butler, that it was long since we came to the understanding that my being here or not was none of your business,' he retorted.

'Oh, dammit, go to hell, Rhett Butler, for all that I care and don't ever come back,' she said and went upstairs as she heard Rhett's sardonic laugh and the closing door.

~TO BE CONTINUED~