Chapter 2

Rhett woke early and brought Scarlett a tray of breakfast. When he opened the door to the room he was shocked to see her dry heaving into the washbasin. He quickly placed the tray on the bed and went over to hold her hair. Rubbing her back he felt her whole body tense up, but nothing would come out.

"Scarlett, dear you need to eat. Please. You have nothing to come up, because you're not eating."

She wiped her mouth and got back into wet, her eyes watering and her head spinning.

"Rhett, I can't eat a thing. I am just so tired. I'm afraid I'll be sick"

He glared at her and began handfeeding her. She ate a bite and took a large sip of apple juice. He handed her a biscuit which she took a few small bites of.

"Scarlett, you need to tell me what is going on with you. I've heard from Will that you think you may still be pregnant. Do you really think that's the case? And by God if it is you had better start eating"

"Rhett, I don't remember the accident. I remember falling, and I remember pain, but I couldn't tell you if I laid in that bed for two days or weeks. I know Melly said the baby was gone."

She looked right at him. There was fire in her emerald green eyes.

"Rhett, I loved that baby. When I found out the news I was so happy. I wanted to send you a note Rhett, but I didn't know where you were. More than that I didn't want that to be the reason you came home. I wanted you to come home for me, not a child. And I did want this baby, Rhett. For once in my life I was happy about expecting a child. I dreamed about it being a boy and you would be so proud", she trailed off.

He felt ill. He ruined everything. This baby would have been the glue that kept their family together. For once in her life Scarlett was acting like a mother and not a child. He gathered his emotions and stood up.

"Scarlett, I will send for Doctor Fontaine this afternoon. Why don't I send Prissy in to help you get dressed. I think it'd be best if you got out of bed today. Why don't you show me around Tara this morning? I've heard so much about it, but never had the honor of stepping foot on its soil before. We'll bring the children and take a little tour of the grounds. I know Bonnie would love to see you. Do you think you're up to it?"

"Oh Rhett, that sounds grand", she exclaimed. She ate a few more bites of her breakfast and he felt he could see the color start to come back to her cheeks immediately.

As Scarlett clutched firmly on to his arm they slowly strolled around the grounds of Tara. Where there had once been manicured pathways and intricate gardens there were now weeds and vines, but the property was still beautiful. The children ran ahead of them, ducking down pathways and climbing on old benches and walls. Bonnie, loud and lively, bossed the other two children around

in her sweet, yet insistent way. Rhett just looked at her and chuckled. The child was such a joy to him. As they came to a clearing Rhett led Scarlett to a bench and they watched the children play a game of tag. Rhett gave her his hand and after a moment finally spoke, "Are you feeling alright"? She nodded and he continued.

"Scarlett, I am so sorry for causing your accident. Please- let me finish", he exclaimed as she tried to interrupt. "I want you to know I would have come right home. The month when you were sick was one of the worst in my life. I cannot tell you the guilt and pain I felt for what I'd done."

She squeezed his hand. "Rhett last week I think I felt the baby move. I wasn't sure at first because I wasn't expecting it, but I swear I felt something move. Then I felt nothing for a day or two and then I felt it again as I was lying down. That's why I sent for Dr. Fontaine. Suellen thinks I'm crazy. She said it's very common to imagine something like this after a loss, but Rhett I know I felt it."

"My pet, lets just see what happens today and over the next few days until we have an answer". He didn't want to get her hopes up. He was afraid she'd be devastated if the news wasn't what she was anticipating. He stood up and called for the children. He was going to see to it that Scarlett ate a proper lunch and got some rest before the doctor came that afternoon. She needed to get healthy again regardless. He had a strong feeling all that was left of this child was in her head and that the news would be a devastating blow to her and the steps they were taking to repair their marriage.