So long since I last updated. Certain sweet readers encouraged me to continue this saga and not leave it unfinished. So here we go.

She was tired. They had arrived a few months before. She entered her confinement despite Rhett's proclamations she sensed his unease when she took him on his word and joined him in the mornings to the bank. She accepted it as a reality she could not change. He was scared. Scared of the implications of his status on his children.

Melanie and Pitty came calling every other day to ease her loneliness. It was at this stage when Melanie addressed her with an odd request: "Scarlett, would you be willing to host Prunille Merriweather here? Ashley won't hear of it, and Dolly is absolutely prostate with grief."

"Who is Prunille?"

"Oh dear" panted Pittipat "She doesn't know. Oh, the scandal."

"Auntie stop fussing." Melanie's tone was harsh "Prunille is my dear friend and Dolly's younger daughter. She left a short while after you arrived to Atlanta on account of some situation of sorts, and she has returned from the conservatory where she was employed with her sweet daughter, Mirrela."

"Oh?"

"Grandpa Merriweather has disowned her, well, because she had her child out of wedlock."

Both Melanie and Pittipat eyed her keenly awaiting a shock or reproval, as non came to surface Melanie smiled a satisfied knowing smile and hugged her briefly.

"I knew you have the biggest heart of gold" she muttered quietly and continued "She came through Atlanta for a month. She is about to marry a man from California and she wanted to say goodbye and see if Dolly or Caroline were willing to raise her child for her. Grandpa M. is willing to give the child his name after the mother is gone."

After a pause she added "She was betrothed to Darcy Mead and he died at Gettysburg. I suppose he would have married her had he the possibility. That's why she didn't -".

Scarlett sat down heavily - "Lose it." Pitty gasped "The doctor wanted her to lose the baby?"

"As I said - she was sent away. They never knew." She was pale and sad "She said she couldn't deny him before he left, and afterwards she needed to have his child. No one would understand her."

Melanie watched her attently.

Scarlett sighed " She may come here. Her daughter is about Wade's age or a bit younger, isn't she?"

Melanie inhaled deeply "Yes. Thank you dear. It means the world to me."

"I would have to consult Rhett, but I don't suppose he'd object."

In the evening she addressed the matter rather quickly. He seemed to contemplate so she smiled - "I said yes, darling."

He watched her with a dark look on his face "You are risking more than yourself. We already have Robert here as your nephew, and it's all so explodable."

"I could have been her, Rhett. I never would have lost your child if-"

"You should refrain from speaking of that." His words were quite.

"Why? You would have taken care of your child even if we hadn't been married. That is part of what I so adore in you. Besides, it will fix things for our baby, and Dolly is still the worse cat in the gang."

He looked at her appreciatively , and began to chuckle "Here was I thinking that you were turning to a saint."

"Hush, you silly man. I would say yes to Melly for anything, and you know it, but why not gain something if it's possible. I intend to get out tomorrow and take Wade to the park with this lady's child. No more confinement for me - mind you!" The last words were uttered triumphantly.

His roaring laughter could knock the wall down, she thought happily, as she entered his open arms with contentment that could barely be described.

Prunille Merriweather was a small woman with a sweet complexion. She was younger than Scarlett. Scarlett did the math. She must have been 15 at the time, and yet she gave herself to a soldier before going to war. Scarlett was never a warm person, and these circumstances did not change her demeanor, but when she gave the woman the guest room, and Prunille looked with wonder and asked "Wouldn't you rather I stayed at the back? I wouldn't want to impose."

Scarlett muttered matter of factly - "Prissy has the back quarters and it wouldn't be fitting. You haven't killed anyone, have you?" at the small shake of the head she continued satisfied "So I can be assured that when you are at my house you will remember that you are my sister's dear friend and you should hold your head higher."

"Thank you" she whispered.

"I'll take Mirella with me to the park in ten minutes. It will give you time to arrange things to both your comfort."

Prunille reminded her a lot of Melanie. She was quite and sweet but extremely well read. Wade took to her immediately and so did Robert. She began tutoring both of them having their former tutor married as soon a Scarlett and Rhett returned from their journey. She clung to the four wall of the Butler household and Scarlett used it as an excuse to begin her parade towards ending her confinement for good.

One morning as she was calling the children to return to her at the park she noticed Caroline Mead hiding at the bushes.

"Mrs. Mead, won't you please come out of there? Prunille is at the house and, well - just come out of there."

She came out looking embarrassed.

Scarlett observed her at eye level "You want to see her? Mirella?"

The elder woman suddenly did not seem so old to Scarlett, despite her white hair. Scarlett noticed that she hardly had any wrinkles around the eyes that became watery as her gaze lingered.

After a short silence Scarlett raised her voice "Wade, Robert, Mirella - come here please."

Robert was laughing with gaiety. He saw the little toddler fall on her chubby legs and he picked her up easily to his shoulders and easily raised a light step towards where she was standing.

"Aunt Scarlett - this one is even more vivacious and troublesome than Wade."

"Robert dear, say hello to my friend here - Mrs. Mead, Wade - you remember Mrs. Mead? Give her a hug."

Robert gathered himself and bowed "Good morning Mrs. Mead, Robert Gari at your service Maam".

After receiving a hug from Wade Scarlett nodded at the girl and she easily came outfront to hug the trembling Mrs. Mead.

"You are pretty and you smell nicely" said the small girl.

Scarlett laughed "She is a sweet one." She turned to the boys "Robert dear, take Wade to the bank, Rhett needs to take the two of you to his tailor, we might as well do it now before lunch and Wade's nap, and you can go to the bakery and ask Mrs. Merriweather for some pastry. Tell her she can find me at Caroline's for some time."

She gave him a few coins.

"Mirella wants to go with Bober an' Waie" muttered the small girl.

Scarlett bent towards the girl and smiled "Oh, but we are going to have a tea party with my friend. Her house is near and she has beautiful roses. Now won't you like that?"

The child seemed only half content until she heard the trembling voice of Caroline Mead "And I have some chocolate chip cookies waiting to enter the oven, and no one to eat them. Would you help me in that? and perhaps take some home for Wade and Robert." Mirella's eyes brightened at once.

Walking towards the house Scarlett asked "Do you often bake?"

The women shook her head "I haven't, not since my boys- I used to bake for them. I was bedridden these past ten days, but this morning I woke and for the first time felt there was something worth living for again."

Scarlett squeezed her arm.

As they arrived to the small house Scarlett sat heavily on the bench in the back yard and whispered to the little one "Go help Mrs. Mead."

"Mrs. Mead-"

"Oh, you should call me Nana Mead" uttered Caroline and covered her mouth surprised at her own words. Nevertheless she took the toddler's hand and entered the house promptly.

Scarlett nearly dozed off on the small bench.

"Oh dear, you shouldn't exert yourself so. You were going to go home, were you not?" apologetically Caroline asked.

"It's nothing. She is a lovely child. I thought she had your complexion. I was right, wasn't I?"

"Darcy's. Darcy always looked more like me than Arthur, but she has Arthur's eyes. Her mother is much more french in her looks, and so is dear Dolly."

"Darcine is my second name after my father," said the child with a sense of pride. "Did you have a son named Darcy? And do you have any dolls"

Caroline Mead was nearly choking and smiled, "My son was your father dear. That is why you should call me Nana. I don't have any dolls yet but I am sure that by your next visit I'll have one."

Dolly Merriweather arrived when Scarlett had risen to leave. The lost look on her face when she realized she had arrived too late and the craving gaze at the child made Scarlett forget their last conversation, before her wedding. She patted her on the shoulder -

"You could come over in the evening, or would you rather I visited Melly?"

"It will wear you out ."

"I'm fine. I'll ask Rhett to pick me up".

"He doesn't object to your-"

"Not being in confinement?" asked Scarlett all smiles. As the other women moved with unease she smiled "He is worried that people will talk. But he is the one who took me to London where women, The Queen included, are proud of their pregnancies and he is the one who told me that he is proud of my having his child. He promised he would take me to the bank every day if I wanted but I stopped because of the silly looks I got from those senseless clerks. The parks is nearly always empty or with few mothers when I wald there and Melly is my sister. Change has to start somewhere, don't you think? We can't accept being treated like that, now can we?"

"I'm glad to hear that he treats you this way Scarlett dear, but I'm not sure about that, your mother-" Dolly began and faltered.

"Ma worked during all her pregnancies. We were at the county so it was fine, but times changed. The war has changed the world and for one, I don't think that hiding my pregnancy and being ashamed about something as this is right."

"I agree with Ms. Scarlett." Dr. Mead came from behind the curtain with his bag, looking happier than she ever saw him before "Now, who do we have here? Are you the little angel I've been waiting for?" Kneeling he took the child gently to him and looked up to comment "Scarlett you look pale. You should eat more red meat, I'll take you home in my buggy and check you out. It's high time you ladies started treating Mrs. Butler politely. I'm proud of her and her feeding establishment. If only we had more people like her I wouldn't have to see so many dead children and starving war veterans."

Both matrons lowered their gaze. Scarlett blushed at the praise and tears came to her eyes "I didn't know you thought so."

"Most men think so. You've been the talk of town since marrying Mr. Butler, and I for one am very proud of you." After a short pause he added "Besides my gratitude".

Scarlett did not protest as he guided her towards the buggy and only kissed the two matrons goodbye promising to meet at Melanie's in the evening. Both clung to her in return looking lost as she took the little toddler.

When he helped her down he said - "We found out only a week ago. I would never abandon my son's child. Nor would I ever propose to lose the only thing left from Darcy. We should have agreed to them. They wanted to marry before he left. Now we are with this mess and the poor child-. I could kill Nelson for forcing this secrecy on Dolly and denying us the knowledge. And after Phil!."

Scarlett looked at him and quietly said "Dr. Mead, I'll help any way I can. I think you are lucky for having Mirella."

"You don't mind hosting a- a-" he asked, looking so disturbed.

"No one will call a child a bastard to my ears" she whispered "Don't think of it. You should all see her as the miracle she is, and thank Prunille for having the common sense not to wait till after the war. We might want to check with all the reverends in town whether one of them in fact blessed that match. Or perhaps in Charleston? Nelson would banish her for that too" She gave him a long look "She shouldn't have to leave her child behind. It would harm the child. I will give you my sister's address in Charleston. Her husband is a pastor of a most distinguished community. Rhett's parents and General Lee are part of is. Wasn't Darcy with General Lee?"

He inhaled deeply, "No, but no one remembers anymore such details." He hugged her and left.

It was less than a fortnight before all the town condemned old Nelson Meriweather for banishing his child for her elopement with the deceased Darcy Mead. She was to live with the Meads after the baby's arrival. It was explained that she came home to help Scarlett with the children.

Scarlett found this arrangement to her liking. She would walk to the park with the children everyday, have a few female guests and even brought Rhett his lunch a few times in person. No one was criticizing her.

One evening the two women sat in the parlor drinking coffee when the younger woman said "I didn't believe Melly when she wrote you'd accept me. You are indeed a great lady."

Scarlett gruffed feeling uncomfortable "Enough with the gratitude. I did not remember the pain to be so uncomfortable. The baby should come! My feet and back are killing me. At least the market was lovely today. Have you seen the flowers I bought?"

"I never thought it could be possible to defy rules so openly, as you do."

"In my first dance with Rhett I was wearing widow weeds and he claim a dance with me despite Arthur's disapproval. I so wanted to dance that I went for it. I remember him saying that with a bit of courage you can do without a reputation."

They giggled but Prunille became dark again "I loved him. I was willing to marry a man I don't know and leave my child if it meant that she'd have a name. Arthur Mead told me this was your doing with your brother-in-law. I could never thank you enough"

Scarlett smiled - "I'll be the judge of that. I have a request of you. When the cats begin to prattle of my ways - walking around in my pregnancy, working in trade or whatever comes next - please be my advocate and remind them that I mind my business and so should they. They can't stand changes."

"Don't worry. Ma's on it with vigour and zeal. She is working on creating you the status of a saint with your soup kitchen and all." After some time "I'm scared of Mrs. Mead. Darcy loved her but she is such a prude!" the girl was desperate.

"Aren't you happy about this arrangement?"

"Sure, it's better than marrying a man I don't know and leaving my sweet baby with the shame and the damage. But - You'll think ill of me."

"What? try me."

"I'm so used to being on my own, in the school. If it weren't for it's closure I would happily spend my life there. I'll never love another -"

Scarlett touched her arm "As soon as I give birth, my little sister will arrive with her husband - Pastor John. She too thought so and was going to enter a convent. But she met John and it's all in the past. She had her child a month ago. I hope that by the time I have mine she'll be able to travel as she promised. Talk to her. Talk to John. He lost a wife and a child."

The woman shook her head "I met men. They don't hold any charm to me. He was so like me. Poor Darcy. We were in love since we were toddlers."

Scarlett looked at her but the young woman continued "Could you love a different man?"

Scarlett shut her eyes and shook her head "No. I know I could not. We are both so different from our society that I doubt there could be anyone even remotely like him. And even if I'm wrong Rhett is the love of my life."

"I know. I see the way you look at him when he enters the room. Even when you hear the hooves from inside the house, announcing his arrival. You brighten up and smile."

"Ma thinks it was an accident, that I have Mircey, that's how I call her. But I was with him for a whole year, since my fourteenth birthday. I became pregnant because I couldn't risk losing him and not having a piece of him"

Scarlett was shocked but the girl continued "I know that makes me a loose woman. I know it was crazy. Both Darcy and I knew how to avoid - - I tricked him. I wanted his child more than anything. I never thought much ahead. I never thought of the implications of her being born out of wedlock for her. For that I am sorry. I could have made him marry me. Lied to him and made him." She then turned quite.

"One day in the future it won't matter, but as it is we've done the best we could. You get to raise her here, to be with her and the stigma will no longer exist."

"But people do know. You, probably your husband and Melly, and- -"

Scarlett laughed "Other than us, and rest assure that us three wlll take this secret to our grave. which reminds me. Rhett had recovered your marriage certificate from the mail."

She looked shocked and stuttered "He got me a certificate? How? Who? Where?"

Scarlett chuckled "My husband is a magician and the sweetest man I could pray for." She groaned feeling the pressure in her stomach sharply and when the young woman looked at her worriedly she smiled - "Call your Parents in law and send Prissy to the bank to fetch Rhett. Our baby is coming today."

For all you sweet souls that have waited, reviewed and sent me encouragements - thank you. I love you all so much.