Hey guys! First of all I want to say thank you! I got so many lovely reviews I just can't believe it! You're amazing! And of course I want to apologize but it has been a hectic week and, honestly, I wasn't really sure where to take this story. I didn't know if I wanted to make it all lovey dovey or make the story more angsty and dramatic, so I decided to keep going with the lovey dovey. I mean, Rhett and Scarlett still have many issues to fix but I think it's possible to do it in a light sweet way. There's going to be angsty moments too, of course, but not that many. Well, I just promise to make it work.

Again I'm really sorry, I know this is short. I would like it to be longer, but the next chapter will be better. I promise.

Answering some questions: no, Wade and Ella don't exist in this story. At first I wasn't that sure, but I think is better to focus in Rhett and Scarlett relationship without kids around... yet.

So thank you again. I love you guys. Thank you for all your support and lovely comments. They really made my day... and my week! hahaha Let me know what you think please!


Chapter 2

Epiphany

...

Scarlett O'Hara was a fearless woman, she had always been. But in that moment she was just frozen. She didn't dare to move or to open her eyes, she just couldn't. She was afraid that if she did, all would be gone. That strong and soft body beneath her, that soft steady warm breath on the top of her head, that loving arm wrapped across her waist, that calm beat under her ear, that wonderful smell that fussed the butterflies in her stomach, that smell like fine brandy and cigars, the smell of her husband... Scarlett had never been a frightened girl, but she was now because she was afraid her husband will be gone when she would open her eyes. She was afraid she would wake up on the stairs, scared and alone, her children gone, Melly gone, Rhett gone...

So she cuddled closer to the body and prayed to God for all this to be real. For her husband to be sleeping tangled up in her arms and their Bonnie still safe in her mother's womb.

She had made so many mistakes, she thought, one after another. And even when she wasn't entirely guilty, she couldn't deny she could have acted differently. She should have appreciated Melly's kind words and help. And realized Ashley's love for her wasn't real, it was just a selfish attraction. And she should have realized Rhett's feelings because who else but a man deeply in love would steal a horse in the middle of the war just for any woman? Which man would be crazy enough to marry her after everything she had done and said? And as she reflected more about her life, it was as if a dark veil had been lifted and now she could see everything clearly and in a bright light. The hurt and the truth behind Rhett's jests and that haunting look now had a meaning; he was waiting for her, waiting for her to wake up from her childish dreamhe waited for her eight long years and he was still waiting.

She couldn't bear it any longer. She needed to know if everything had been just a dream. She opened her eyes slowly and fearfully, but was rewarded with the sight of her sleeping husband. That sight took her breath away. She didn't know why it took her so long to realize how much she loved that man.

She stared at him, mesmerizing every tiny detail in his face: the soft parts and the rough ones. How different he was from Ashley in every physical and mental way! And then she didn't know if it was out of her love or that she had finally opened her eyes, but she realized her husband was a very handsome man and she loved everything about his face and everything aboutshe blushedhis body. Not everything about his mind, she had to recognize, but still she wouldn't change him. And she knew he wouldn't want to change her either. After all, he had never tried. On the contrary, he had encouraged her to be herself. That was love, she thought. That must be love.

She sighed. How much she had missed this! She had denied herself this for so long because she had kicked Rhett out of their bedroom and she hadn't loved her daughter properly or her friend and she had ended up alone.

But if he was still in her room and Bonnie hadn't been born that meant everything hadn't been real. It had been just a dreamright? Well, she wasn't sure. But no matter what was that experience, she was glad that it showed her her mistakes. She had thought she would have Rhett, Bonnie and Melly forever. Tomorrow will be another day, tomorrow she would fix things. But that was wrong, completely wrong. Scarlett wasn't the type of person who got these epiphanies, she didn't even know the meaning of that word, but she'd had just one. She had learned she had to live in the present and treasure the wonderful man who had been with her for so many years without asking her for nothing, not really, just hoping she could love him in return someday.

Well, that day had arrived, thanks to that wonderful dream. She was fully awake now, in every sense, and wouldn't let the love go away from her grasp again.

Scarlett leaned over Rhett still staring at his face. She was dying to kiss him, but she didn't dare because she was afraid he could wake up suddenly. How she would explain her actions? And she was afraid of his reaction. She knew he was still hiding things from her, principally his feelings. And she couldn't blame him. She had made her husband that way, always insulting him and despising him. She needed to gain his trust. She needed him to love her openly without fear and restrictions and she would achieve that only by loving him, by being the wife she had never been but he deserved.

She placed the tips of her hands in his cheek and saw if there was a change but Rhett didn't flinch. She slid upwards over him a little more and closed her eyes before kissing his lips softly, a mere loving peck.

Scarlett blushed deeply when she pulled back and stared at her husband for the last time. Then, carefully, she slid out of bed slowly to not wake him up. She put on her wrapper and left the room quietly.

Only after the door was closed, Rhett opened his eyes and stared at it in awe. He didn't want to believe it. He actually tried to believe Scarlett only kissed him by picturing Ashley in his place... But then why she had stared at him? Because he felt her stare. Why did she caress his cheek? And then he remembered last night. Scarlett crying and apologizing to him for being cruel, assuring him she loved the baby, his baby, and then clinging to him all night through as she were afraid he would disappear.

Rhett was completely confused and that was strange andin a twisted way, scary to him. He had always prided to know everything about Scarlett, to be able to read her mind as an open book, to guess her next move, to hold always the upper card. But now Scarlett had turned the tables on him. He even wondered if this wouldn't be a plot of her to get something from him... But last night had been so real! She had been so vulnerable that he didn't want to believe it was just a game. He wanted to believe she was changing, she was growing up, she was opening her eyes and seeing what she really had since the beginning; his heart. So Rhett decided to observe Scarlett's behavior closely. If he decided she had changed and wanted to open her heart to him, then he would do the same. Not immediately, of course, but knowing that both were in the same place it was a good start.

He took his robe and followed his wife curiously. He opened and closed doors, but finally found her in the nursery again, standing in the middle of the room, her back to the door and him.

Scarlett knew he was behind her. She had heard the door opening, his footsteps and even sensed him, but she didn't turn. She was still overwhelmed by everything. She had a new chance to make things right, and she would do. She would give the love and attention to Bonnie since now, since she was still inside her belly, growing. Scarlett will be a loving mother to Bonnie and to the other baby; the mother she never was in her dream.

"Why are you here again, Scarlett?" Rhett asked her softly, moving behind her and wrapping his arms around her middle. This was the first prove; her reaction to his touch. Usually Scarlett didn't stand it. She wasn't rude to him all the time, but she didn't like him to touch her unless she would be in a very good mood and only for a short time. And sadly, Rhett was used to this; to always feel her rejection and her longing for being Ashley's touch and not his. So this time he was beyond shocked when she leaned back on him and sighed. It was like she wanted his touch. His heart raced wildly, but he knew he had to be careful with his emotions around his wife, even when he was hoping for the best.

"I was thinking about her," Scarlett mumbled, closing her eyes, relishing in Rhett's warm and turned her face, her forehead touching the curve of his neck. She was marveled at that electrifying feeling she felt, like shudders running through her whole body, waking it up. Had it always felt like this? Had she really been that blind?

"Her?" Rhett asked, confused and Scarlett realized he didn't know Bonnie yet, he didn't know he was going to have a girl.

"About our baby," she responded, placing her hands over his and taking them from her waist to her slightly rounded belly. "I think it's going to be a girl. Would you like that?"

Her words were too much for him, they made his heart explode out of love and he had to suppress the urge to pick her in his arms and kiss her breath away. He turned his head slowly, his lips resting on her forehead and he marveled when she trembled lightly at his touch.

"Soyou really meant itlast night?" he asked, wanting to be completely sure about her feelings. Scarlett pulled back slowly to look into his eyes.

"Of course, Rhett. I do love our baby," she responded honestly caressing his hand beneath her right one. And he saw it there; the love finally in her eyes coming out. This time not shining for Ashley but for the thought of their child. He just couldn't help himself.

He took her chin in his hand softly and kissed her forehead adoringly, pulling her closer. Scarlett was taken aback, but closed her eyes, enjoying the feelings her husband was making grow inside her.

"I love it, too. No matter if it's a girl or a boy," he responded, his lips in her hair. But he didn't mean only their child; he was in love with his or her mother too. They stood there for a while, enjoying each other's company, fearing that the moment would end suddenly and they would be alone again.

"Come on, it's a little late, my dear," Rhett finally said after the beautiful and quiet moment. He let her go softly and offered his arm to her, but she didn't take it but looked up at him.

"Rhett, do you?" he frowned and she lost the track of her thoughts. She looked away and Rhett looked at her confused. She was so shy suddenly.

"Yes, darling?" that particular endearment was a slip but encouraged her.

"Do you really have to go to the bank today?" she asked him, looking at him again, taking him by surprise. She bit her lip and twisted her hands as he processed the question trying to look for a catch.

"Why are you asking?" Rhett asked her instead, her reaction will confirm or deny his suspicions.

Scarlett suddenly was afraid to tell him. What if he laughed at her? But she had decided to be brave, to change things and just could happen if she decided to open up.

"I thoughtI thought we could spend the day together," she started to say, but he looked so shocked that she misunderstood. Maybe he didn't want to be with her. Maybe their relationship was already too damaged.

Scarlett shook her head, blushing embarrassed.

"Forget it," she said and tried to leave the room, but Rhett stopped her by grabbing her wrist softly.

She turned to him.

"Do you really want to spend the day with me?" He asked, almost sounding like a hopeful child.

Scarlett let out her breath and nodded slowly without breaking the eye contact. Then her husband gave her the most beautiful grin and picking her hand, took it to his lips, kissing it softly. Scarlett blushed, feeling her heart starting to beat furiously, her butterflies going mad.

"Then, of course I'll stay with you, my dear," he said, stepping forward, cupping her face and kissing her forehead softly. "I'll tell Mammy to bring breakfast to our roomif that's all right," he whispered pulling away and Scarlett could barely nod. Her voice was trapped somewhere inside her throat. Seeing the reaction of his wife, Rhett couldn't be happier. He left the room in a rush, almost jumping down the stairs. Finally, after so many black years, his future looked bright and sunny.