I am apologizing in advance; I am terrible with dialects. Consequently, Mammy probably doesn't sound right. Maybe with practice, I'll get better.

GWTWGWTWGWTWGWTW

Scarlett grew more excited as they neared Tara. Rhett grew more nervous. Finally, he turned off the road onto the long drive to the house. Off in the distance, Scarlett could see Will working alongside Big Sam and the two new hands he had hired for the season. A sense of satisfaction overcame her as she realized that last year's crop had been good enough to afford the extra help and with the help of her money, Will had purchased some new equipment and enough seed for two more fields. Slowly, Tara was recovering. She glanced at Rhett and hoped that being here would help him recover as well.

Rhett stopped the buggy in front of the house and climbed down. He walked around and offered his hand to Scarlett as she stepped down. The door opened and Mammy stepped out into the porch. "Laud, Miz Scarlett, you here."

Scarlett rushed up the steps into Mammy's waiting arms, feeling at home for the first time in ages. Rhett was helping Emma and getting their luggage when Mammy looked up at him. "Mista Rhett…you here too. Mighty fine…mighty fine to see ya. I tol' my lamb that you'd come around and hea you is," she said happily.

Rhett had been turned where Mammy couldn't see his face and as he slowly turned to greet her, her jaw dropped and sadness covered her face. "Why Mista Rhett, what happum? Laud, you look like you had a time…"

Acknowledging Mammy with a nod, he spoke softly. "I had an accident, Mammy. There was a fire and …" he couldn't finish, as the words stuck in his throat. He hadn't been prepared for how he would feel with Mammy seeing him.

"Well now," Mammy said tearfully, "you home. Ole Mammy gonna take good care of you…you and my lamb. You gonna be fine Mista Rhett, just fine. And it's good to see ya, even you is hurtin'."

A shy smile crept across his face as Mammy reassured him. "Thank you, Mammy. It's good to see you too. I've, um…missed you." Mammy glanced towards Emma. "Who dat?" She asked Scarlett warily.

"Mammy, this is Emma. She's been a great help in caring for Rhett while he has recovered. She came with us to help him while we are here. We know you have your hands full with the household and she…is used to caring for him."

Mammy was still eyeing the other woman with suspicion. "Well, I guess we can make room…"

Suddenly Rhett's laughter cut through the uneasiness. All three women looked at him, surprised. "Mammy," he chuckled, "so much has changed for me recently; it is comforting to find that you are the same."

Mammy smiled at him. "Dat I is…yes sah, dat I is…" she said warmly. "Now ya'll come on in outta da hot sun. Pork can carry yo bags and you just set yoselves down and I bring somthin' to drink…"

Just then, the door flew open and Wade and Ella ran onto the porch. The stopped suddenly shy when they saw their mother. Then Wade spotted Rhett and began to smile. "Uncle Rhett" he exclaimed as he jumped from the porch and ran to his stepfather. "You're back," he said, obviously delighted. The boy threw his arms around Rhett's waist, hugging him tightly. Surprised, Rhett hesitantly tousled Wade's hair. Ella stood silently, staring at Rhett. And then she began to cry.

Scarlett wanted to lash out at the child. So far, things had gone well but now Ella was spoiling it. "Ella, stop crying," she said as she looked at Rhett. His face had fallen and he was pulling his hat further down on his face. Ella sniffled and stepped closer to Mammy. "Now chil', is dat anyway to greet yo Mama and Mista Rhett? Ain't you glad to see 'um?"

"But he's hurt," she cried. "I don't want him to be hurt," she wailed.

Frustrated, Scarlett huffed at her daughter. "Ella, he's much better now. Stop crying…"

Rhett looked forlornly at the girl. "I'm going to be all right, Ella," he said softly. Wade pulled away and looked up at Rhett's face for the first time. His brown eyes were solemn as he studied Rhett's face. "Does it hurt, Uncle Rhett?" he asked quietly.

Rhett kneeled down. "Not so much anymore. It itches more than anything. I was in a fire, Wade. And fires aren't too kind to skin." Ella began to move closer, easing down the steps and inching closer to him. "I'm sorry, Uncle Rhett. It made me hurt to see …" He opened his arms to her and instantly she was in them. "It's all right, Ella. With you and Wade and your mother to take care of me, I'll be fine."

Scarlett watched as Ella smiled up at him. Why, she's beautiful, she thought to herself. Not in the usual sense, but when her eyes light up like that…she's beautiful like Melly was.

They made their way inside to find Suellen standing in the hall. Her hands were on her hips and fury shown on her face. "You might have given us more warning," she snapped.

Scarlett stopped, ready to enter the fray, when she felt Rhett's hand on her arm, gently holding her back. "It's good to see you again, Suellen. I must apologize for our short notice, but Scarlett and I were anxious to see the children. We'll try not to be too much of a burden while we are here," he said soothingly.

"Humpf." And then Suellen disappeared through a doorway.

Scarlett turned to Rhett. "Really Rhett, you didn't need to bow and scrape to her. We have every right to be here…"

"It's all right Scarlett. I'm sure she's just worried about the extra chores having us will create. A little kindness never hurts in smoothing the way."

Mammy took Emma to show her where she would stay while Rhett, Scarlett, and the children went into the parlor. Mammy returned in a few minutes with the promised drinks and then quietly slipped out of the room. The children delighted in catching Rhett up on their latest adventures. Wade proudly detailed how he was helping Uncle Will in the fields and was learning to drive a team of horses.

"Uncle Will is letting you drive the team?" Scarlett asked, horrified.

"Yes Mother, but he won't let me do it alone. Either he or Big Sam has to be with me. But he says I get better everytime," the boy beamed.

"Let him be, Scarlett. Knowing how to drive a team of horses is a valuable skill, one he will use whether he is here at Tara or in Atlanta, trying to impress the young ladies in another few years." Scarlett smiled as she watched Wade turn several shades of red. "The young ladies will be impressed enough with him as it is," she replied. "What with those soft brown eyes and that smile of his."

She saw the warmth in Rhett's expression, appreciation for softening up with the boy. "Yes, much like his father, as I recall," he drawled. Wade's posture straightened and he looked from Rhett to Scarlett, proud of Rhett's comment. "Oh yes," Scarlett added, "Charles' eyes were his very best feature and melted the hearts of so many belles," she continued. "I was very lucky to catch him." Rhett smiled at her, silently thanking her for building up Charles in his son's eyes.

"What about my Daddy?" Ella asked. "Did he melt hearts too?"

Scarlett was so taken aback by her question that she floundered for a response. It was Rhett who responded. "Your father was a good man, Ella; respected by everyone who ever met him. While he wasn't as handsome as Charles, he did have a way about him…"

"Yes," Scarlett continued. "He had such a good heart. And he loved you so much. I wish you could remember him, just as I wish that Wade could have known Charles." She looked from daughter to son and smiled warmly.

"Well," drawled Ella. "I bet Wade's Daddy wasn't near as handsome as Uncle Rhett. He's the handsomest man in the whole world," she declared, her face bright with pride.

Wade snickered. And Rhett smiled. "Yes Ella," Scarlett hugged her. "I agree with you. He is the handsomest man in the world."

Both children looked from Scarlett to Rhett. Something had changed, they realized. Their mother and their step-father were acting very differently towards one another. Neither understood what was happening, but they both thought it was a good thing.

Will had greeted the couple in his usual matter of fact way, shaking Rhett's hand and looking at him square in the eyes, not showing any sign of hesitancy. The two men spent the evening discussing the farm, for Tara was no longer the great plantation it had once been. Will detailed hiring the new hands and opening fields that had lain fallow since the beginning of the war. He took obvious pride in the growth and Rhett acknowledged his right to do so. "You've worked hard on this place, Will."

"I love this land, Captain Butler. It's the only home I've ever known and it is a part of me."

"Spoken like an O'Hara," Rhett chuckled as he took a puff on his cigar.

Will drew himself up with pride. "I consider that a compliment. I didn't know Mr. O'Hara in his better days, but he was a fine gentleman to my thinking."

"To be honest, I didn't know him well," Rhett admitted. "But you have to admire a man that came here with nothing and carved this place out of the wilderness. You're not starting from scratch, but in a way, you are following in his footsteps. This place is as much yours as it is Scarlett and Suellen's now. You're doing a fine job here."

While Rhett and Will were talking, Scarlett was sitting with Mammy in the kitchen over a cup of tea, much as they had done in those dark days after the war. "Mista Rhett, he musta had a time of it…them scars still looks raw," Mammy said.

"It was terrible, Mammy. He almost…died. And those aren't the only ones. He has them all over his side. He has a hard time with his right arm, his elbow really. The skin is just too tight doesn't complain often. But I can tell, some days it is really hard on him."

"Well, it'll be good to be here…to git his mind offa things. We'll takes good care of him, that we will. He be better in no time."

"Just welcoming him like you did today…that was a big help, Mammy. He was so afraid that…well, that everyone would reject him. His mother can barely look at him and his sister…she's only visited a handful of times and can't wait to get out of the room while she's there. I've had a terrible time getting him out of the house and it took everything I had to get him to come here. I'm just so glad the children accepted him."

"You'll see Miz Scarlett, he be fine," she said as she patted Scarlett's hand.

Rhett had insisted on putting the children to bed, with Mammy's help, of course. Scarlett went straight to her old room, where they would stay. She hummed as she brushed her hair and prepared for bed. Then she sat in her bed, waiting for him.

She thought he looked magnificent as he stood just inside the door looking at her. Slowly he slid out of his jacket and loosened his shirt. Scarlett thought he was moving at a excruciatingly slow pace, but she knew that if she protested, he would be even slower. He loved to taunt her that way. So she sat and watched, her hunger growing.

A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. "You look as if you are positively salivating, my dear," he teased. She looked up at him salaciously. "Rhett, if you don't move faster…" He snickered and then moved towards his wardrobe, where he finished undressing. Scarlett had always considered him a handsome man, but there were other things about him that fascinated her. How can a man with such broad shoulders have such a small waist? Why, every man that I know who has such shoulders has a potbelly to match. And no hair on his chest…Pa had hair. Charles had a little hair but he was still so young. Frank's chest looked like an animal pelt. But Rhett…so muscular but no hair. She wanted to touch him there, run her fingers across his smooth chest; she wanted it desperately.

Rhett smiled as he walked towards the bed, as if he were aware of the fire that was igniting within her. God's nightgown, he does know…he always knows what I am thinking… He sat on the bed, gazing at her heatedly. "My dear, I don't know why you insist on wearing these things," he said as he fingered her gown. "You know it is coming off…in fact, I forbid you to wear one ever again. I want you naked in my bed, waiting and ready for me every night."

Clinching her teeth, Scarlett struggled not to issue a retort. How dare he? Forbid indeed…Her eyes flashed, glittering at him as she fought with herself. And then he began to chuckle. That does it… "You forbid me? Forbid me indeed," she muttered as her jaw tightened. "But you know it is what you want, Scarlett. The gown is just in the way. Why do you insist on hampering my access?"

Scarlett glowered at him. "And what about my access…to you?" She asked haughtily. "You come in here and move at a snail's pace, taunting me and then…and then," she fumed.

His laughter was deep and had such life. She hadn't heard him laugh in…what? Months? Years perhaps? She couldn't help herself; she began to giggle. And then his eyes turned dark and he was on her, kissing her and tugging at the offending gown. He tasted…wonderful. And his smell, cigars and whisky; she loved it. He pulled at the gown until he had it down, over her shoulders, exposing her breast. Pausing for a moment, he gazed at her, lust clearly showing on his face. "Scarlett," he whispered, "you are so beautiful…so…god…so perfect." He trailed his finger down her neck and into her cleavage and then to her right breast, circling her nipple. She heard her own gasp when he reached his target, gently rubbing her until she hardened. The room around them seemed to disappear as she concentrated on what he was doing to her. Listening to the quiet that surrounded them, she heard his breathing as it grew deeper, more intense. He was so completely focused on that one small part of her body, so concerted and yet, she felt it all over, igniting a fire within her that was growing.

His attention shifted as his hand moved to her other breast, repeating the exercise. "Oh Rhett," she moaned. He leaned closer, first nibbling at her neck and then tonguing down into her cleavage, repeating the earlier trail of his finger. Then he went to her abandoned breast as she sucked in much needed air. His tongue teased around her nipple, occasionally flicking her tiny erection. She felt herself weakening, her bones turning to jelly as he teased her. And then he began to suckle, pulling lightly on her, sending shivers through her followed by a warm flush in her neither region.

Her hands were in his hair, holding his head at her breast, not wanting him to leave, ever. But the things he was doing to her…it was so exciting, so heated. He had done this to her before, many times. And yet, she believed she would never tire of his attention. Then he changed breasts, moving his lips to the one just abandoned by his hand, starting the process again. His hand went to her hips, resting against the squirming she hadn't realized she was doing.

He drug his hand up to her belly and before she realized what he was doing, his hand was on her mound, his fingers slowly working between her legs. "Oh Rhett," she breathed as she opened her legs to grant him access. Gently he eased his finger over her heat, tracing her crevice. "Scarlett…so wet. Wet for me," he moaned as he lifted his head to look down at his hand on her.

"Rhett," she whispered as her hands went to his cheeks, pulling his face to hers. He kissed her between deep breaths and his fingers rubbed her wetness. "God help me Scarlett, I love you so much…"

She kissed him deeply, passionately. "And I love you." His finger was completely between her other lips now, soaking in her juice. She lifted her hips, wanting him to do more. Using his other hand, he spread her, inhaling the scent of her. And then he began to play in earnest, rubbing the entire area. Her lips were flushed and he marveled as they continued to swell with desire. Finally, he traced a line down to her opening, circling it easily, almost languidly, delighting as she squirmed and bucked beneath his attention. He wanted her so badly but he refused to give into his desire just yet. Determined to satisfy her completely, he continued to tease her, arousing her further.

Since they had renewed their relationship, she had been more open with him in the bed, letting her obvious delight show. Before, she had enjoyed their time together but she had been somewhat shy, less encouraging. But now, she was an active participant, initiating actions, encouraging him to do more, just as she did in that instant when she grabbed his manhood, taking it in her hand and squeezing.

"Scarlett, if you continue to do that, I won't be able to…"

"Then quit teasing me and put it inside. I want you, Rhett…now."

"But I…"

"Now Rhett. I've been waiting all day…since the train. All I could think about was feeling you inside of me."

He kissed her and then positioned himself over her. Putting his tip at her opening, he lifted his head and looked into her eyes. His entry was gentle. And he felt…glorious. Her hands went to his back, holding him close, the heat of their bodies trapped between their chests. He held himself over her so that his chest rubbed across her nipples, teasing them both. Then he began his journey deeper within. She felt so good around him, so wet and so hard and soft at the same time. He could feel her body's reaction as she tightened around him.

Scarlett could feel his warm breath on her ear as he whispered to her, telling her of his love, her beauty, and his intense desire for her. She tried to whisper back but he was keeping her breathless with his tender, loving strokes, teasing her beyond reason and making her want to beg for more.

He could feel her complete surrender to him, letting him guide her to ecstasy. It gave him a tremendous sense of power and control, something he had lacked since the fire. And she was so compliant, receiving him lovingly, needful. What he was feeling was so intense that he wasn't sure which of his heads would explode first, as heat and desire swelled both. And then he felt her fingers clinch his shoulders, a sign that she was near their destination. "Please Rhett," she moaned, arching more towards him.

His stroke became more vigorous as he shifted slightly to massage more of her. He felt her legs open, inviting him deeper, and then suddenly wrap around him, her feet clamping him to her, his rod deep in her shaft. He knew he was nearing his own ability to resist, to hold back his pleasure. This was exquisite, this place where they were in that moment, and yet he wanted more.

She felt him rubbing her, the slight friction at her opening combined with the pressure of his pelvis against hers and his intrusion deep within her almost too much to bear. It was such sweet torture. And then with one final teasing stroke, he hit the spot, the place that sent her into a frenzied explosion of mind and body; she felt herself meeting his thrusts, banging herself into him in an uncontrollable action. She grabbed and clawed at him, pulling him closer, all the while her hips undulating wildly. And then it came, a complete release as she gave into the instinctive responses of her body.

Caught in his own frenzy, Rhett could feel her abandonment as she let herself ride the cascade of satisfaction. He continued to pump until he felt his own release, firing his seed deep within her and then riding the wave of sweetness that followed. Neither wanted to stop but eventually they descended back into reality, their sweat soaked bodies finding anchor on the bed. He began to pull away but she held him tightly. "Not yet…I don't want you to leave me yet…not ever," she whispered. So he remained; his sagging manhood resting just inside of her for a few minutes until finally it lost all firmness and gently slipped out. Still, she would not release him until finally she needed the chamber pot. He felt her slip back into the bed and he turned on his side, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close to him. She took his hands in hers and held them over her heart as they contentedly slipped into sleep.

GWTWGWTWGWTWGWTW

Hopefully this makes up for the shortness of the last chapter, lol. And all you smut lovers should be happy as well. Ah, the things that MM didn't write into her story…it just makes the imagination run wild doesn't it?