Disclaimer: Sadly, nothing you recognize is mine.

Note: The beginning portion in italics is from chapter 14 of Not a Marrying Woman.

"Rhett, do you love me?"

"Yes."

"No, I'm sorry, I meant are you in love with me."

"Scarlett, you know I am."

"Good." Scarlett's smile lit her whole face and her emerald eyes danced. Rhett hugged her to him.

Scarlett pressed her forehead into Rhett's neck and breathed deeply. "And you knew that I was in love with you?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"I wanted you to realize it on your own."

"I think you could have helped me."

"I think I did."

"Not nearly enough," Scarlett sighed enjoying the feeling of closeness. She felt Rhett moving his other arm but didn't pick her head up from his chest. She never wanted to leave the circle of his arms.

Rhett kissed her forehead and she smiled tilting her face up to his. "Scarlett," Rhett whispered as he brought an open ring box with the glittering diamond and emerald ring into her view. "I bought you something else in England. Marry me."

Scarlett's eyes went wide. Her heart was pounding and she thought Rhett could probably feel it against his chest. She reached for the ring and Rhett pulled it away laughing, "not until you say yes."

Scarlett brought her arm back around Rhett and squeezed him tightly to her. She turned her face back into Rhett's chest and breathed deeply, she loved the smell of him. She felt his heart pounding under her cheek and smiled. He really did love her.

"Yes." She smiled and turned her face up to his so he could kiss her.

Rhett's kisses were passionate and as she felt his hot lips move over hers Scarlett felt something come alive in herself. Scarlett pulled Rhett tightly to her and buried her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck until she finally had to turn away to breathe.

"Don't faint, Mammy would be angry, Scarlett"

Scarlett laughed and put her head back down on Rhett's shoulder.

"Rhett," her voice was tremulous from her heavy breathing. "I don't know what Melly is planning and so I don't know when … well, when would you like to marry?"

"As soon as possible, but I understand if we must wait, but no longer than a year Scarlett, we'll marry when deep mourning is over at the latest."

Scarlett nodded, "That sounds fine, I don't want to wait because, because, well, I love you, Rhett and Wade does too and he cries out for you in the night and … and I wish you were there."

Scarlett felt the thudding of Rhett's heart increase as she spoke. Was she saying something wrong?

"I love you too, Scarlett," Rhett nearly growled as he pulled Scarlett's face up to his for a searing kiss.

"Oh!" Scarlett gasped when he pulled back. "I, … oh." Rhett smirked wishing he could marry and bed this enchanting woman tonight.

After his heart slowed, Rhett asked, "How are Wade's nightmares, Scarlett?"

"Well, they were only a few nights a week, but in the last few days they have been bad. He, ah, well, Rhett I … I told him about your train ride home, I thought it would help him understand why so many days passed between your telegram and when you would arrive but he was very upset you were with the Yankees and kept waking up afraid the Yankees were going to kill you."

"Oh, my darling, I'm sorry."

"Rhett, Wade calls out for 'daddy' in the night and, ah…"

Rhett sighed and drew out a cigar. Clipping and lighting it without removing his arm from Scarlett was awkward, but once he'd inhaled deeply he sighed and explained, "Scarlett, I love your boy as my own. I am his daddy. While it might not be proper for him to call me daddy until we marry, it is what is real. He knows he is loved, my dear and there is nothing wrong with that. It's good for him. I believe it will help with the nightmares. So, whatever he calls me before we marry is all right."

"But, the servants, people will talk."

"They might. However, Wade's feelings are much more important to me than gossip."

They swung in silence for a time with Rhett slowly smoking his cigar. Scarlett fell asleep listening to Rhett's heart beating under her cheek.

§§§ Friday, May 24, 1867

Scarlett awoke alone in her bed Friday morning. Wade hadn't had a nightmare.

When she went out to the carriage, she was disappointed to see Elijah seated on the driver's bench.

Her disappointment must have shown on her face because Elijah smiled and asked, "Yo don't want to see me this morning, Miss Scarlett?"

"No, no, it isn't that," Scarlett replied smoothing her skirts.

"You were hoping I was Mr. Rhett?"

Scarlett just smiled, "Wentworth construction site first this morning please, Elijah."

After Scarlett met with the Yankee carpenter in charge of the Wentworth site Elijah drove her to both of the mills. As Elijah drove her home through the woods in silence that afternoon Scarlett thought about meeting with a Yankee this morning and Wade's nightmares and realized they needed to do something about Wade's fear of Yankees. Scarlett also didn't like the Yankees but she wasn't afraid to see one and she knew Wade was. Scarlett wondered what Rhett would think about this and then sighed disappointedly. Rhett had told her when they married he would still drive her to the mills if they pleased her and they did please her so she'd hoped Rhett would drive her today. But Rhett hadn't come today and Scarlett was keenly disappointed.

When Scarlett arrived at the Hamilton house she changed into a clean dress, all of her black long-sleeved widow's weeds looked essentially the same, but the one she'd been wearing had sawdust and dirt all along the hem from this morning. After Mammy went back downstairs to assist in supper preparations, Scarlett stood at her mirror and pinched her cheeks and bit her lips to make them red. She was in mourning but she knew Rhett would appreciate that she looked nice. Then she opened her top few buttons and pulled the chain holding her engagement ring out from where it rested between her breasts. She laid it over her dress admiring its beauty and wishing she could wear it on her finger before she kissed the ring and then put it back underneath her dress and buttoned the dress back up to her neck.

§§§

Melly and Beau had been at the Hamilton house since the afternoon so Melly could assist Aunt Pitty with directing preparations. Rhett, Ashely, and Uncle Henry were expected at 6:00 pm and supper would be served at 6:30. When Scarlett came down the stairs a few minutes after 6:00 Uncle Henry and Rhett had already arrived along with Dr. and Mrs. Meade who had brought baked beans and Grandpa and Mrs. Merriwether who had brought several peach pies. As Scarlett stepped into the parlor and the gentlemen rose to greet her the knocker rang again. Prissy hurried by Scarlett to open the door for Mrs. Whiting and her servant, Lacie who carried a large platter of biscuits and gravy.

"Why, what is going on?" Scarlett asked as Rhett walked over and kissed her hand. "I'm in mourning."

As Rhett kissed Scarlett's hand and he ran his thumb over her third finger silently asking her where her engagement ring was.

Scarlett emphasized the word, "mourning," fiercely hoping Rhett would recall that she couldn't wear jewelry while in mourning before becoming biting and mean with her. Rhett nodded slightly and Scarlett's eyes smiled at him in reply.

"I don't know, Mrs. Kennedy, I wasn't aware there was to be a party," Rhett said smoothly. Scarlett wanted to slap the grin off his face. She hated when he called her Mrs. Kennedy and he knew it and everyone here had heard him call her familiarly before.

Melly stood and walked over to Scarlett saying, "Oh, Scarlett darling, don't be shocked, why everyone was just so pleased Captain Butler had returned home they wanted to come and wish you, ah him, well."

"Oh," Scarlett said not understanding what was happening. The door knocker rang again but Scarlett was distracted by the racket of Wade and Beau's feet coming down the stairs with Mammy lumbering slowly behind them.

"Uncle Rhett!" Wade shouted and launched himself from the third stair into Rhett's arms.

"Wade Hampton!" Scarlett seethed, "do not jump like that in the house! You might have been hurt!" Scarlett could see Mrs. Meade and Mrs. Merriwether watching from the parlor doorway where they were greeting Maybelle and Rene and turned pink in embarrassment. Now the old cows would all talk about how ill-behaved Charles' Hamilton's son was.

"Your mother is right, son," Rhett intoned softly as he shifted the boy in his arms. "I'm very glad to see you too, but that's no way to greet someone. What if I hadn't been able to catch you?"

"I'm sorry," Wade replied in a wavery voice as he buried his face into Rhett's neck. As Rhett soothed his hand down Wade's back he looked down at Scarlett's worried face. He knew she was worried everyone was watching. But they couldn't all go into the library and close the door as Rhett wanted, he didn't want to ruin Scarlett's reputation. He wanted to cup Scarlett's cheek or draw her into his arms to soothe her but he couldn't in front of half of Atlanta.

Rhett sighed, "That's all right son, now, let's go into the parlor and greet our guests like gentlemen."

"Yes, Uncle Rhett," Wade whispered.

"Pick your head up so you can say hello," Rhett directed and Wade did. As the three moved to enter the parlor they were caught up in the tumultuous greetings as it seemed all of Atlanta gathered at the Hamilton house to welcome Rhett home.

§§§

Scarlett was seated along with the Hamilton family at the long dining table. Uncle Henry and Aunt Pitty were seated at the head and foot with Scarlett, Melly, Ashely, and Dr. Meade along one side and Rhett, Mrs. Merriwether, Grandpa Merriwether and Mrs. Meade along the other. Scarlett took a deep breath and was thankfully Melly was beside her and Rhett was across from her, though she was having a hard time not staring into Rhett's eyes and ignoring everyone else. During dinner Rhett told everyone about his travels. Scarlett was both pleased and perplexed by how polite everyone was to Rhett and she wondered what Melly was up to with the old guard. At one point while Mrs. Merriwether and Rhett discussed what sorts of vegetables are appropriate to serve with lamb Scarlett turned and eyed Melly who smiled back with her eyes glinting slyly. Scarlett wanted to laugh out loud and hug her sister-in-law. How could she have missed having this with Melly all through the war years? Then Scarlett frowned as she remembered why, she'd thought she was in love with Ashley. Well, no matter, she knew that she wasn't now and she had years and years ahead with her darling Melly.

When all of the plates had finally been cleared the entire party sat in the parlor just as they used to during the war, though now the ladies drank coffee and tea and the gentlemen had brandy. Scarlett felt the room was cramped with all of the chairs from the library carried in and people everywhere, but even worse was the number of people between her and Rhett. Scarlett between Melly and Maybelle on the sofa, wondering if it had really been just yesterday they had been sitting there while Scarlett desperately counted the minutes until Rhett returned, and lamenting the feet of space between them now that he was here.

Rhett sat in one of the library chairs near the door between Mrs. Merriwether and Uncle Henry. Mrs. Meade was on Mrs. Merriwether's other side and the two ladies were tilting their heads towards Rhett discussing something Scarlett couldn't hear.

Maybelle placed her hand on Scarlett's arm and leaned close to whisper, "I'm so glad you and Captain Butler will be married. Melly is right, Wade and Ella need a father and Captain Butler is devoted to them." Scarlett's heart began to pound furiously, she wanted to yell at Maybelle, how on earth would Maybelle know any of Scarlett's private affairs and then Scarlett remembered Melly and her campaign. That's what Melly was telling all of Atlanta? That Wade needed Rhett? Well, Wade did need Rhett but Scarlett would much rather all of Atlanta think Rhett needed her. Scarlett tilted her head thinking, did Rhett need her? As her mind began to wander she saw Maybelle look across her to Melly and said, "Oh, Maybelle, I'm sorry, I'm just so…" Scarlett shrugged, "Well I don't know," and placing her hand on Maybelle's arm continued, "but I'm so very glad too. Wade… well, Wade will be so pleased."

The conversations in the room went on merrily and for the first time Scarlett didn't hate these people. Maybelle had been genuine and kind and everyone else seemed to be truly happy Rhett was home and would marry her and love her children. Although no engagement had been announced, everyone seemed to know Rhett and Scarlett were engaged.

Shortly after eight Mammy brought Wade and Beau in to say goodnight. Wade dutifully crossed the room saying goodnight to all and reached his arms up to Scarlett. She bent down and hugged him close to her.

"Sweet dreams, darling," Scarlett whispered into his hair before releasing him. Then Wade turned and walked to Rhett and reaching up and climbed onto Rhett's lap.

Rhett stroked Wade's back and leaned to kiss Wade's cheek whispering, "Good night, Wade," but Wade ducked his head and Rhett kissed his ear. Wade giggled at the tickling sensation and burrowing his face into Rhett's neck asked, "Will you please tuck me in again, Uncle Rhett."

Scarlett who could hear her son's request from across the room turned crimson. Everyone would know Rhett had been upstairs and she'd be ruined.

Rhett caught her eye and knew exactly what she was worried about and asked Wade loudly enough for the whole room to hear, "Are you sure, son? That will mean, just like last night that your mother can't come up and tuck you in." Wade nodded and put his arms around Rhett's neck, "I want you to, please."

Rhett nodded and said, "Okay, well, then let's wait while your Aunt Melly tucks Beau in."

Melly rose immediately and took Beau from Ashley's lap making her excuses.

While Melly was upstairs tucking Beau in Wade continued to sit on Rhett's lap and finally Mrs. Merriwether could stand it no longer. Turning to Wade she asked, "Wade, are you looking forward to when Captain Butler will be your father?"

Scarlett gasped. Wade smiled and said, "Oh yes! We are going to go fishing and Uncle Rhett said I can't call him Daddy, but when it's time then we can do something just us two!"

Rhett smiled proudly down at Wade and ran his fingers through Wade's hair.

Mrs. Merriwether looked up, "And when will that be Captain Butler?"

Rhett smiled and looking right at Scarlett said, "As soon as Scarlett will have me."

Scarlett was red to the roots of her hair. She could feel her throat closing and she didn't know what to do with everyone staring at her.

"Mama?" Wade asked, "What is when you…" Wade trailed off looking up at Rhett.

"When your mama will have me, Wade? It means when will she marry me."

Wade turned and looked at his mother, "Now, mama. Please marry Uncle Rhett now."

Scarlett could feel her heart beating in her throat and feel trembling in her fingers. He small son was making a spectacle of her in front of all of Atlanta and Rhett was helping. Surprisingly it was Maybelle who stepped in saying, "Wade, darling, your mama will marry your Uncle Rhett just as soon as she can, darling, but these things take time."

Melly walked back into the room as Maybelle was speaking and saw Scarlett's red face. Taking her seat next to Scarlett, Melly drew her arm around Scarlett and said, "See my darling, I told you, you don't need to wait to be out of mourning, everyone will understand, and little Wade, well…" Melly continued firmly, "everyone does understand, don't they."

Mrs. Merriwether, who always felt it was her duty to shepherd the morals of Atlanta society nodded, "Melanie is right. Years of mourning when you have small children is from before the war. But times are different now, I think three months of mourning will be enough when your children need a father."

Mrs. Meade added, "And if we begin to plan now you can be married within a few weeks."

"Yes," Pitty added, "June is lovely for weddings."

Scarlett was stunned into speechlessness. Melly patted her hand and said, "oh, there, there, darling, don't be upset."

Scarlett nodded and smiling into Melly's loving face said, "Thank you."

"Well," Grandpa Merriwether chortled, "if the ladies are going to start wedding planning I think this soiree is at an end. I for one do not wish to be present when they begin to argue about flowers." Everyone laughed and people began to take their leave.

Soon only Rhett, Uncle Henry, Melly, and Ashley remained with Scarlett and Pitty and the little interrelated group of six sat on the Hamilton porch talking and laughing. Melly and Scarlett sat in the swing together and the others occupied the four rocking chairs. Scarlett desperately wanted to be closer to Rhett but Ashley sat next to Melly and Uncle Henry next to him with Rhett between Uncle Henry and Aunt Pitty. Rhett knew the family would ensure he didn't have the opportunity to say a private goodbye to Scarlett and eventually stood to leave. As he did he noticed Scarlett's eyes were wet. She blinked away her tears as he bent to kiss her hand.

Rhett walked back to the National Hotel wondering what was wrong.

Author's Note: Hello fabulous GWTW community! Here is the promised sequel to Not a Marrying Woman. I'm in the midst of law school finals so updates will be slower than they were for Not a Marrying Woman.