Chapter 13. Finally A Happy Father

Boston – September 1881

"I miss you, Wade!" Cat wrapped her arms around Wade's neck.

"I am going to miss you too, Cat baby! Now be a big girl, say goodbye to Beau."

Cat nodded and gave Wade a kiss on his cheek. She turned and reached out to her brother Beau. He took her over and held her tightly.

"Beau, I am going to miss you." Cat sniffled.

Beau kissed her cheek and started murmuring something to Cat's ear. She giggled.

In her young age, Cat knew she was the focus of her big brother's love and protection and her sister's constant vigilance, the cause of happiness and sadness of her mother and Uncle Rhett. But she was the dear sister of Beau for they shared a special bond, the memory of their Papa and their names.

"I miss you too, baby. Don't cry, be good to Mama and Uncle Rhett," Beau said. Cat nodded and sniffled again.

"Come here Cat." Rhett took Cat from Beau's arms. But she wrangled out of his embrace and slipped down, reaching to her two brothers' hands again.

Rhett grinned. He turned to Beau, patted his shoulder, "Beau, you and Wade take care of each other. Let us know if you need anything. I mean it, any help you need."

"Thank you, Uncle Rhett!" Beau broke a reserved smile.

Rhett looked at Beau, a young version of Ashley, while as thoughtful and practical as Miss Melanie, Beau was observant. He might know more about the intertwined relationship of his parents and step-parents than he let on, possibly even the true parentage of Cat. But he still loved Cat the most. The bond Beau and Cat shared had led uneasiness for Rhett. But Rhett had determined, as long as Beau did not try to prevent his relationship with Cat, he would care for Beau for the sake of his daughter and Miss Melanie.

The parents and two daughters shared hugs, kisses, and goodbyes with two boys. Thereafter, they boarded the carriage heading to the training station.

Looking through the window at two boys who were standing at the gate of Harvard College and waving at them, Rhett thought about Robert, his ward many years ago. It was indisputable that the boys' heritages had set them in vastly different directions since their births. Between these diversions, Rhett would never admit his role in Robert's demise, nor claim any credit to Wade and Beau's prospects. The only wish he had for the future was he would not further damage Wade and Beau's reputation.

Looking at his wife who was resting her head on his right shoulder, Cat sleeping on his lap, and Ella nodding off on his left, Rhett felt this was his true family, which he could claim to be his own.

"Scarlett, do you want to move back to the South, … Atlanta?"

She startled, and then sighed, "Do you want to, Rhett?"

"Darling, where ever you want to go?" He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her cheek.

"Let us not think about it now." She nudged close to him.

"Let us think about it tomorrow," he followed. Both smiled. Somehow this had become their mantra for something they could not resolve soon or ever.

…

New York – October 1881

Scarlett almost fell sleep when Rhett came back to their bedroom.

"How many stories have you read before Cat fell to sleep, Rhett?" Scarlett asked sleepily.

"Three," he grinned wearily.

Scarlett saw a sadness flicked through his deep black eyes. "What is it, Rhett?"

He looked at her surprisingly, "Nothing."

"Tell me, please?"

He sighed. "The last words Cat said to me before she fell asleep was 'Good night, Uncle Rhett.'"

After a moment of processing, she wrapped her arms around her husband, "Oh, Rhett…"

"Scarlett… I want to claim Cat as my daughter, a Butler. I dreamed about she calls me Daddy."

"I know, Rhett," Scarlett remembered how happy Rhett was when Bonnie called him the first time. "You wish to hear she call you Daddy like Bonnie did. But do you feel it is the right time for her?"

"Then when is the right time, Scarlett? She is almost six years old." His face was pained by all memories of the past and present. "We have re-married for six months, and Ashley has been gone for almost two years. I don't think I can wait any longer."

"I see... Shall we tell her the truth?"

"No, I don't think she could understand it at this age." He closed his eyes. Actually, he was horrified if Cat knew the truth someday. "We will tell her when she grows up and when she could understand all of these. I don't know she will ever forgive me if she knew the truth."

"Rhett… you are her daddy. No one can deny it." She embraced her husband. "Should we ask Ella too? It may be easier for both of them calling you Daddy. And you have been Ella's father for many years. She loves you so."

"A good idea. Would you help me, Scarlett?"

"Of course, Rhett. Of all the people, you deserve to be a father!"

"Thank you, darling!" Pulling his wife into his arms he kissed her appreciatively.

…

"Cat, darling, you see…" Scarlett tried to find a word as a pair of innocent green eyes were staring at her. "You see, your friend Rachael calls Mr. Toomey Daddy. Would you want to call Uncle Rhett Daddy?"

"Mama... but Papa...?" Cat looked at Scarlett and then Rhett, confused. Her green eyes sparkled with innocence and purity.

"Darling, your Papa loved you, you will always love him as your Papa," Scarlett said softly. "While, baby, you see, Uncle Rhett is your stepfather now. He loves you. You love him too, don't you, baby?"

Cat nodded, her black curly hair bounced.

"You will make him very happy if you call him Daddy."

Cat looked at Rhett with a timid smile. Rhett grinned at his daughter and held her gaze steadily, till a sparkle of twinkle appeared in her eyes. Finally, Cat said softly, "Uncle Rhett, I love you."

"I love you too, Cat…" Rhett's voice trembled. He pulled the little girl on his lap and pressed her to his heart. "I love you so much…"

Cat raised her little hand, wiped tears away from the corners of deep black eyes. "Daddy?"

The stone-heart blackguard felt the deep hole in his heart was finally filled… by this sweet trembling sound.

"Yes, Daughter!"

His wife handed him a handkerchief silently. She was sniffling too.

…

New York – December 1881

Cat rushed through the crowd at the depot, pulling Rhett along with her. "Daddy, go fast!"

Ella and Scarlett were following behind.

"Wade! Beau!" She let go of Rhett's hand running towards her brothers. Hugs and kisses were exchanged between the siblings, and the parents and children.

"Daddy, see, Wade and Beau bought me Christmas gifts!" Cat cried happily grabbing a bag from Beau.

Wade and Beau raised their eyebrows to Cat's calling. A knowing glance exchanged between the brothers, and a flick of sadness or acceptance fly through Beau's gray eyes.

"Wade, Beau, welcome home!" Rhett's voice was calm and authoritative, happy and proud.

"Thank you, Uncle Rhett!" Both boys said and shook hands with their step-father.

"Let us go home now!" Cat announced, "I want to see what Wade and Beau bought for me!"

Rhett's face flinched slightly when his daughter walked away from him and put her small hands into Wade's and Beau's.

"Rhett," Scarlett put her arm on his and said softly, "She misses her brothers."

Ella who was standing beside him smiled too. "Daddy, let us follow them."

Rhett nodded. His right arm on Scarlett's small back and his left hand held Ella's, he smiled too. Together they followed his daughter and stepsons, walking towards their carriage.

"Daddy, Mama, come!" Cat kept calling them.

The end

A/N: Dear readers, I am so glad that I finally finished this short story! At the time I posted the first chapter I did have a frame of a story (or a play), from time point A to B to C and then to an end. After posting each chapter, I started revising the next chapter. Quite a few times the reviewers' comments had made me think the story differently and revised substantially, even the events related to one or two major characters have been changed. I believe I have a better story than I initially planned, all because of you, darling reviewers and readers.

My special appreciation goes to dear rhae52 who has been stayed with this story throughout, and provided numerous review comments that were spot-on! My thanks also go to rhett's love (who was the first to post a review), KateMartin, chuckscharles, heresvivi, kmduncan95, sash queen of the jungle, Darcyman71, sj372419, FlameAngel819, South678, gumper, Eleanor and many guests (one posted in Russia, and another posted in Spanish). And my deep appreciation to all the readers who patiently read or favored or followed this story. I have tremendous fun to write this story and hope you have enjoyed it.

So long, and till next time!