Chapter 23: Finding Happiness

Rhett woke with a jolt. He had seen and talked to Scarlett, but she wanted him to forget her for the rest of his days. He would never do that no matter how long he lived he would never do such a thing.

Rhett walked down stairs and ate his breakfast in silence like he had done for the past few months. Would things really be different with Anne? Would he really be much happier just like Scarlett said? He would soon find out, they were to get married the following year in the summer sometime. While Rhett ate his breakfast he thought of Scarlett. She looked the same as she did in life still lovely, radiant and beautiful as ever. Poor, poor Scarlett she truly didn't want him to forget her he could see it in her dark green sad and lonely eyes. One day he would see her again and they would be together forever and that he could promise.

After eating breakfast Rhett left to go downtown Atlanta to make wedding arrangements. While he walked out the door the snow still fell from the heavens. It was so beautiful it was like he was walking in a winter wonderland. Rhett made his way downtown with a small smile on his face. Today was going to be a great day he just knew it.

Heaven

"What he can't, no he can't…" Scarlett said in a gasp. "How can he I just talked to him yesterday." She walked back and forth with fear going though her body.

"It's going to happen, Scarlett I'm sorry." Melanie said while she sat in a chair watching Scarlett walk back and forth.

"No it doesn't." Scarlett said putting her hand to her chin thinking of something she could do.

"Yes it does Scarlett, that's life." Melanie said to Scarlett the best she could, but it just wasn't working.

"When does it happen Melanie?" Scarlett asked looking at Melanie with fear in her dark eyes.

"Today at noon, in front of Frank Kennedy's old store." Melanie said looking at Scarlett.

Scarlett's eyes got wide, that was where her accident was less than six months ago.

Back to Rhett

Rhett made his way to the Kennedy old store where he needed to do his business. While he made his way over to the store there was a loud shot that rang in the air. Rhett turned around and saw that there was a shooter out in the road just down a few ways where he stood. People began running like mad though the streets and hiding in stores and houses trying to get away. Rhett ran towards the Kennedy store but while he ran across the street and to the store he was shot in the leg and back just inches away from his heart. He fell to the ground in a heap. His back bleeding severely Rhett could hardly move let alone see what was going on; his sight began to go fuzzy, while his thoughts began running together. He lay there dying while people ran by in a panic not willing enough to help him.

Just a matter of six months ago Scarlett lay there dying in his arms and now he lay there dying as well. Life is short lived so he should have lived his better…starting with treating Scarlett better. More shots rang out while he lay there with his life passing by. He began to feel and see blood around him.

Heaven

"No!" Scarlett sobbed as she fell to the floor in defeat. This was what Melanie talked about. The same thing that had happened to her was happening to Rhett,but he was being shot at instead of falling off a horse.

"I told you this was going to happen, but you fought against my words and look at what happens. Now do you believe me?" Melanie asked pointing at the scene right in front of them.

"Yes" Scarlett cried as she put her hands to her face to hide the sobs and tears. "I'm so sorry this is happening. Was there any way that this could have been avoided? She asked looking up at Melanie.

"I'm afraid not dear. This was going to happen anyway there was nothing you could do to stop it?" Melanie said stroking Scarlett's lovely hair. Melanie was like a second mother to Scarlett, she always cared for her when she was either sick, down or just there for her whenever she needed her.

"Can I see him before he goes?" Scarlett asked with some hope and fear in her voice. She knew this was a stupid question, but it just had to be asked.

"No Scarlett someone else is doing that…bring him up here." Melanie said with a smile.

"He his oh thank heavens." Scarlett said with excitement this was too good to be true.

"I thought you would like that, now if you will excuse me I have someone to go get." Melanie said with a smile as she looked back at Scarlett as she faded away to go get the man Scarlett loved so much.

Scarlett couldn't believe it Rhett was going to be with her and Bonnie. Oh she was so happy.

Rhett lay there motionless while guns were still being fired. He didn't know how long he had been lying there. Could it have been seconds, minuets, and hours? Rhett had know idea all he knew was that he was shot and bleeding to death. While he took his last breathe a bright light shown above him with a somewhat tall woman standing there. It was Melanie Wilkes coming to him.

"Melanie is that really you? What are you doing here?" Rhett asked as the light began to get brighter and brighter.

"Yes it is me. I've come to take you home…home to Scarlett." Melanie said with a smile crossing her lovely face.

"Why it has been a while hasn't it?" Rhett asked Melanie with a smile along with a cough it was getting harder and harder to breathe and speak.

"Yes it has been quit sometime. Rhett please don't speak anymore until we get to Heaven." Melanie said. "Now give me your hand and I will lead you to heaven and to your wife and child."

Rhett took her small white hand and off they went to heaven. Rhett looked back and saw his lifeless body lying on the cold, hard, dirt road in the middle of what seemed now like a…WAR! Another war had broken out between the North and South and Rhett had gotten in the middle of it.

Within minutes they were at the golden gates of Heaven.

"This is heaven?" Rhett asked speechless he couldn't believe it.

"Yes it is Rhett and if you look towards your right you will see the person you've been missing the most." Melanie said pointing towards her right.

Rhett turned his head to see Scarlett standing there with a smile on her lovely face. She ran to him and he picked her up in his loving and caring arms.

"I thought you would never come." Scarlett said with joy in her voice and face. "Oh it's so good to see you."

"I know my pet I know, but don't worry I'm hear to stay forever." Rhett said as he kissed Scarlett. Bonnie Blue came up while they were kissing.

"Daddy?" Bonnie asked with happiness. Was this really her daddy? It had to be since he was kissing her mother.

Rhett turned and saw little Bonnie standing there just as cute as ever. She really hadn't changed all that much. She was still daddy's little princess. "Bonnie Blue." Rhett said as his arms flew open towards Bonnie.

"Daddy it is you." Bonnie said as she ran into her father's arms. It really was him after all this time.

"Yes it is Bonnie Blue. I'm so happy to see you and your mother." Rhett said as he held his girls close to him. They were finally together as a family after all this time. Things just couldn't get any better than this.

Forever doesn't always mean forever, but when you live forever with the person you love, it is forever.

The End

A/N: So what did you guys think of the story? Sorry it has taken me a while to update, college is going to a close for the year. I hope you guys liked it:) I know it was a sad journey for Scarlett and Rhett, but in the end it was all worth it:)