Chapter 12: Of All Things Concerning the Family

Summer had faded into fall, and Scarlett had seen to it that her aunts were relocated to Savannah with her diminutive but still sharp as a tack Grandpa Robillard. Oddly enough, they had been rather nice about the whole ordeal, telling anyone who would listen the embellished version of Scarlett trekking over miles of open country to find them fresh food and clean water during the hurricane's aftermath. Even Mrs. Butler accepted the story with quiet dignity, casually ignoring the fact that her son had been there, seen Scarlett, and had left, apparently with neither a divorce or a reconciliation. Despite Eulalie and Pauline's pleas that Scarlett remain with them in Savannah, the first week of October promised an event which Scarlett would not have missed for all the world.

Scarlett's first impression of her newborn grandchild was that she was unremarkable; however, the more she kissed the little thing and smelt its own sweet breath, ran her hands through the peach fuzz on top of the newborn's head, and felt its tiny fist close around her finger that she wished to weep. Ashley put his hand on her shoulder, caressing her like the brother he always should have been. Ashley's daughter, Ashley's child and my grandchild. Only Rhett would appreciate the irony.

Ashley kissed the baby and handed her back to a radiant Ella, looking pleased with herself and ready to deliver ten more should the occasion call for it. 'Melly would be pleased,' Scarlett thought to herself, examining the happy scene with content.

"What shall you call her, Ella dear?" Scarlett smiled sweetly and sincerely.

Ella raised her eyes demurely toward Ashley, as if to seek his approval in revealing a secret.

"We were hoping to call her Katie," Ashley said, "Katie Scarlett."

Scarlett's eyes overflowed with tears, which she quickly attempted to quell, so touched was she by their regard. Her sweet Ashley, so happy, and her daughter, equally thus. And this little Katie Scarlett would grow into a fine, strong, beauty and would honor them all, Scarlett was certain. At last there was a Katie Scarlett Wilkes.

Scarlett waited until suppertime to leave the sanctuary of her family, for that was what Ashley was now, purely family. She disembarked at the Peachtree house, feeling like she was meeting an old friend. Rhett himself could show up and she'd be damned if he could spoil her peace.

The light on in the parlor made Scarlett's heart leap for a moment, thinking that in spite of things, Rhett had just shown up, penitent for leaving her in Charleston and ready to make peace. Mammy was sitting at the table waiting. She hadn't heard Scarlett enter through the front door, so post-deaf now was the old dear. Scarlett bent down to hug that barrel-shaped figure, so precious to her.

"Honey chil'," Mammy's voice was raspier than usual these days, "I was sittin' here just a-watchin' the folks come and go, thinking 'bout Miz Bonnie. She be fifteen this year, and Ah 'pect Cap'n Butler be throwin' a mighty fine party in huh honor."

"Yes, Mammy," Scarlett's tears returned. "Mammy, your Katie Scarlett has a grandchild. Ella's had a daughter, Mammy, she's beautiful. She looks just like Ash-"

Scarlett paused as Mammy continued staring at the open window.

"Ah was 'spectin' Cap'n Butler be comin' home to my honey chil'. After all, my lamb done learnt how to love. That don' come easy, chil'."

"Captain Butler's not coming back, Mammy," Scarlett held the old woman's hand tightly, "you hear me, Captain Butler won't be back. It's Wade and Beau and Ella and Ashley and little Scarlett we've got to worry about, Mammy. My life with Rhett is gone, you understand me?"

"Yes'm, I s'pose that life done gone with duh wind."

It was midnight when Scarlett decided to go to the stables, where her Derby winner was being temporarily housed. She had wanted Beatrice Tarleton to have a chance to meet the horse she had indirectly helped to breed. She stroked the soft muzzle of Leonatus, caressing the bay's face.

"We're too old to be out horse racing, the pair of us. It's out to pasture and to Tara tomorrow, you understand, you nag?"

The racehorse shook his great head as if letting out a scoff in protest.

"That's unkind of you, Mrs. Butler, putting a stallion like that out to pasture before its ready."

Scarlett closed her eyes tightly. "Leave me alone, Rhett Butler. I'm rid of you and I won't have your ghost tormenting me now that I'm finally happy."

"Open your eyes and send me away, Mrs. Butler, for a ghost I certainly am not."

"Rhett!" Scarlett put a hand over her mouth, "but how? I-Rhett!"

His dark hair was liberally streaked with silver, his swarthy complexion owned a new pallor, and his waistline was considerably thinner than their last meeting, but it was him, Rhett in the flesh.

"Yes, Mrs. Butler, it's me. Good as new."

"But Rhett, how did you know I'd be here? I was meant to be at Tara."

"I intended to call on Ella at the store today, but was treated to a holiday in the streets, and when I stopped to inquire as to the occasion, one of Big Sam's boys from Tara done told me that Miz Butler was a proud grandma."

Scarlett shook her head, taking the hand of the man she loved and bringing it to her lips. "They should have said that little Scarlett was your grandchild too, Rhett. She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Rhett's dark eyes softened, losing their mirth. He stared into his wife's green eyes, asking her once and for all: "Mrs. Butler, would you like for me to come home?"

She kissed him in reply, saying nothing. No words were spoken; there was no need for them.

"You have a reprieve, sir," Rhett saluted Leonatus as he and his wife turned toward their home, arm in arm.

"For tonight perhaps," Scarlett said cheekily. "Tomorrow is another day."