Rhett instinctively caught Scarlett in his arms and suddenly nothing else in the world mattered, all he knew is that he wanted more than anything in the world to protect his wife and unborn child and to be a father to Bonnie.
"I – I- love you, Rhett," Scarlett gushed as she laid her cheek against his broad, strong shoulder.
"That's all I've ever wanted from you Scarlett, to hear those words. I'm so sorry, my pet, that I said you'd be lucky to have accident."
"I guess I can see why you said it since I just said I wished this baby was anyone's but yours. The truth is I didn't think you wanted this baby and I said that just because I was so hurt. Just now, when you came home, was the happiest moment in my life and I couldn't wait to tell you about the baby, but when you said you were leaving again it hurt so much. I don't think I've felt that kind of hurt since Ma and Pa died."
"I know about that kind of hurt, too, Scarlett. Like when you told me you didn't want me anymore after you had Bonnie and when I heard about you and Ashley at the mill on the day of Melanie's party."
"Oh, Rhett, I am so sorry that I shut you out like that after Bonnie was born. It was so wrong of me. When you made love to me that night before you left for London, it was the most joyous night of my life. No man, including Ashley, could ever give me pleasure like that. But I'm not sorry about what happened at the mill that day. Ashley and I were simply consoling one another and that snake, India Wilkes, came in and ran all over town, making up lies about us. I desperately tried to tell you that before you left, but you wouldn't believe me. I suppose I can see why."
"None of that matters anymore, Scarlett. I won't be going back to London now. Bonnie needs a father and so does her baby sister or brother. Now that you've told me you love me, I know we can handle picking up the pieces and starting our lives over."
"Words are cheap, Rhett. I need you to show you me you mean we're turning over a new leaf in our marriage," she gentled teased, as she took him by his hand and lead him to her room.
Their lovemaking was far less wild than it had been the night before Rhett had left for London, but it was warm and tender and by the time they were through, both of them knew that the other person was in love with them. As they fell off to sleep, Scarlett finally felt relaxed enough to feel close to her unborn child and decided to name it Gerald Rhett Butler if it were a boy and Melanie Ellen Butler if it were a girl and Rhett relished finally hearing Scarlett tell him she loved him.
THE END