Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my own plot. Everything you might recognize belongs to Margaret Mitchell.

WARNING! This chapter does contain adult content. Do not read this chapter unless you are 18 or older and are okay with M rated content. If you would like a summary of what happens in this chapter, message me and I will be more than happy to send you one. Thank you!

~Cat~

Chapter XXVI

The Dr.'s Visit

A few days after the New Year, the Dr. came to see Scarlett for her weekly checkup. She was visibly getting better, and gaining strength back gradually. He gave her permission to leave her room whenever she wished now, though advised she continue to use a cane for a while, until she had regained all of her prior strength in her legs and torso. He advised walks in the garden as long as she bundled up, saying the cold fresh air would help her lungs heal. It was still not recommended that she venture to town yet, but perhaps by spring, her immune system would be strong enough for her to be around large groups of people without risking a set back in her still delicate condition.

The Dr. was packing up his things to leave when Scarlett spoke what had been on her mind for a few weeks now.

"Dr., when will I be able to fulfill my wifely duties? I'm sure you know that Captain Butler and I were married only days before we left for Germany, and thus our marriage was never consummated. I know that as his wife, it is my duty to fulfill his carnal lusts, and I don't wish to deprive him longer than necessary." Scarlett said, refusing to blush over the very taboo topic she was broaching.

The Dr. stood up from his hunched over position over his medical supplies and surveyed her closely before responding calmly. "I would say that if your husband were to be careful, you are well enough now, Frau Butler."

Scarlett nodded almost gravely at his response. "Would you… that is, would you be so kind as to inform Captain Butler of the status of my health before you leave, Dr.?"

"Of course Frau Butler." He responded as he closed his black medical back and bowed politely before exiting the room and closing the door softly behind him.

After he left, Scarlett lay back into the pillows, thinking about what was sure to come this evening after Wade was snuggly tucked into bed and asleep. She had of course known that with marriage came physical requirements in the bedroom; she was however, not looking forward to those requirements. In fact, she was greatly dreading them.

The memory of her few nights with Charles before his departure for the war, and subsequently his death, came back to Scarlett in a rush. His pale body moving above and inside hers as she prayed for it to end so she could roll to her side and escape in sleep. The pain of him stretching her womanhood until it felt she might tear in two. The humiliation she felt as he gazed down at her naked form beneath him, his eyes darkening with lust. The smell of his sweat mixed with that of his seed, filling her nostrils, making bile rise in her throat. And finally the relief as his body left hers and she was finally able to roll away from him and silently cry for the life she had made with a single mistake.

She knew her marriage to Rhett wasn't a mistake, so at least she wouldn't have to endure that internal pain and torment, but that knowledge was little help for the physical pain and humiliation she knew would come tonight when Rhett finally consummated their union.

That night, after the Butler family had eaten their supper and Wade had been tucked into bed, his nightly story read, and his eyes closed in sleep, Rhett and Scarlett retired to their room.

"How did your Dr. appointment go this morning my pet?" She heard Rhett ask from the other side of the screen as she changed.

"It went well. Did you speak with him before he left?" She asked, fearing that perhaps the Dr. hadn't told Rhett of her ability to perform her marital duties.

"Yes, we spoke briefly but he had another appointment back at the hospital and had to be on his way."

Scarlett frantically wondered if, in the short time they had been able to converse, if the Dr. had mentioned anything to her husband of her current condition as he had promised he would.

As Scarlett emerged from her place behind the screen, she noticed that Rhett had already changed into his regular pants and dressing robe. It had come as a surprise to her on that first night with Rhett that he didn't wear a shirt to bed as Charlie had done. In fact, it had caused some discomfort for her at first, being so close to Rhett's broad muscled chest which was dusted with dark curly hair. She had never really seen a man's torso before then. Sure, Charles had removed his shirt on those nights before he left, she her eyes had been so tightly shut in pain and mortification, that she hadn't seen him. And then, in the hospital in Atlanta, the men being operated on were carefully covered to the eyes of the women. So, when Rhett removed his dressing gown and crawled into bed that first night, Scarlett had blushed as deep red as her name. Since then, she had always been very careful to make sure her back was turned to him or her eyes were closed in feigned sleep when he disrobed and lain down in bed next to her. Tonight, she knew that would not work. She knew that not only would she have to see his chest, she would likely have to see far more of him; though she prayed that wouldn't be the case.

Scarlett sat down at her vanity and slowly brushed out her long brown hair, and neatly wove it into a brain down her back, to prevent it from becoming matted and tangled by morning. When she was done, she looked up to see Rhett seated in a chair by the fire, smoking a cigar and drinking a glass of brandy, the same as he had done every night since they arrived at this house. His entire demeanor said that the Dr. hadn't done as he said he would, and that Rhett didn't know that they were now able to consummate their marriage. Scarlett wished she could know for sure, but short of coming right out and asking him if the Dr. had told him, she knew of no way.

With her hair pulled back into the plait down her back, Scarlett carefully rose from her small stool, and with the aid of her cane, walked over to her large bed and sat down again. She leaned the wooden rod against her bedside table, and situated herself on the bed, leaning back against the pillows, her head gently resting on the headboard. She waited a few minutes, and when Rhett made no motion to put out his cigar earlier than usual, she lifted the thick blankets and slid her feet between the sheets. Leaning to her right, she blew out the little lamp by her side of the bed, and then relaxed into the pillows.

Five or so minutes later, finished with his brandy and cigar, Rhett removed his robe and made his way to his bed, the same as he always did. As he slid under the covers, he knew that Scarlett wasn't asleep, though her face resembled that of one who was deep into the world of her dreams. He lay back into the pillows behind him, and waited to see if she would speak of what he knew was on her mind, or if she would continue to pretend to sleep. It only took a few minutes for her to stop feigning sleep and speak.

"Rhett…. What did the Dr. tell you?" She asked quietly, not sure how to bring up the topic she wished to speak of.

"Not much, he just mentioned how well you are recovering." Rhett replied.

"And did he… did he tell you that he believes I'm well enough to consummate our marriage now?" Scarlett knew her face must be bright red, and she could feel the blood burning in her cheeks.

"Yes." Was the only response he gave her.

She was confused. If he knew, then why was he not making any advances towards fulfilling the deed? Surely he hadn't lost any interest in her as a woman due to her illness. He had told her only a few years ago how much he wanted her body. He had even offered for her to be his mistress; offered that they should run away to Mexico or some place and be together because he had "wanted her more than he had ever wanted another woman". Had the years of starvation, and then illness changed that? Was he now married to her solely out of pity? That didn't sound like the Rhett Butler she knew. Or perhaps he was married to her for love, but now felt not physical attraction to her.

"Rhett…. If you know, then why… why have you done nothing? Do you not wish for our marriage to be real in all ways? Do you not want me at all, or find me physically appealing after everything that's happened?" She had to know why he was just lying there, the same as he did every night.

"My pet, don't for one moment think that I don't want you, or that I don't find you physically attractive. But I don't want you to feel as if the physical act of love is in any way merely an obligation to fulfill. And if is very clear that that's exactly how you feel about it. I have told you that I love you, and you have admitted your love for me as well; or am I wrong?"

"No, you're not wrong at all; I do love you, Rhett. But…" He cut her off before she could finish her thought.

"If you love me, Scarlett, as you say you do, and as I love you, then showing that love in a physical way shouldn't be an obligation or a task that you do only because we are married and society deems it your responsibility. You should, and can, get as much pleasure out of it as I do, if not more."

"That's nice of you to say, Rhett. But I've already been there, I've done it. I was married to Charlie and I know that there is no pleasure in it for the woman. It was nothing but painful and humiliating." As awkward as it was, she knew she had to tell Rhett, because she feared he would never understand otherwise. Perhaps these women he had been with, women like Belle Watling, had lied and told him it was pleasurable for them to sooth his ego. Perhaps that's why he thought that she would enjoy it and shouldn't think it a task.

Just then, she heard Rhett give a good natured chuckle. "My pet, you were married to Charles Hamilton. I dare say the boy hadn't had any more women than you had men when the two of you married. He didn't know how to give a woman pleasure; didn't know where to touch, or what to do in order for you to find enjoyment. I dare say he probably fumbled around to even get inside you that first few times, didn't he?" Her blush gave her away, though she said nothing. He chuckled again. "Darling, I'm not a young buck who knows nothing of women. I promise you, if you relaxed and let me, I could get you to enjoy the marriage bed."

Scarlett said nothing; she merely lay there, not moving from her place on her side of the bed, her back to Rhett, her head resting on the back of her hand. She wasn't sure what to think of what Rhett had told her. Could it be that he was right? Was it possible for a woman to get pleasure out of something that she had always thought was meant to only pleasure the man? Suddenly, she felt Rhett move closer to her, his chest almost touching her back. She felt the head radiate off his body. Then, she felt his large hand snake around her waist and the back of his finger brush against the underside of her breast. She gasped at the sudden touch and she heard him gently shush her.

"You're alright. I promise Scarlett, I have no intention of hurting you. Just relax and trust me."

After a moment's pause, Scarlett felt his hand move to cup her breast, his thumb gently caressing her nipple through the cotton of her night gown until she felt it tighten and grow hard. He slowly pulled his hand away and tugged the laces free at the neck of her gown, opening the front a little and gently sliding his hand inside to cup her breast again, this time a little more firmly.

Scarlett bit her lip as she felt an odd sensation of head pool between her legs, and noticed that her breasts felt tighter, and they ached a little, as if they themselves wanted Rhett's gentle touch. Just then, his hand moved from the breast he had been kneading, and moved to the other one, causing the nipple to tighten just like the first had done.

Slowly, Rhett rolled Scarlett to her back and opened her gown a little more as he kissed her neck and collar bone, softly kissing his way down to the first nipple that was now softening. When he reached his destination, he wrapped his lips around the little nub and licked it with the tip of his tongue, eliciting a quiet moan from Scarlett. Upon hearing the sound of his wife's pleasure, he gently sucked on the bud, drawing it deeper into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the tip of it, before releasing it from between his lips and moving to the other one. It only took about five minutes for him to have Scarlett catching her breath at his actions, and her back slightly arching towards his mouth.

While he kept his lips and tongue busy, Rhett employed his hand in other places, slowly sliding up Scarlett's leg, and to the little patch of curly brown hair at the apex of her legs. When his hand reached the soft curls that hid her lips, she gasped loud and her hips jerked in surprise. So as not to move too quickly, Rhett ran the tip of his finger along the line where her legs and her hips connected, teasing her slowly before moving his hand a little lower and entering the triangle of hair, a single finger finding the sensitive bundle of nerves that was already coated with a thick layer of liquid. His finger slid over it easily, granting him another small moan from Scarlett. After a few swipes over her wet nub, he slid his finger further into her curls until they came to the opening that he so desired. Without hesitation, he slid a single finger inside of her and felt her wrap tightly around him. Rhett knew he was going to have to take this slowly so as not to hurt her. He slid that one finger in and out of her for a few minutes before slowly inserting a second along with it. He felt a small circle of rough skin just inside her and slowly rubbed it every time he entered or exited her, causing her to gasp and moan each time. When he felt that she was ready for him, he slid three fingers into her while using his other hand to lower his pant enough that he could kick them off the rest of the way with his legs.

Slowly, he pulled his fingers out of her, and positioned himself above her, opening her legs more to accommodate for his hips. Then, very carefully, Rhett slid himself inside her, and he heard her gasp and then sigh heavily as he filled her to the hilt. He remained still for a couple of minutes to ensure that she could grow accustomed to his size, and when she squirmed a little under him, he began to move inside her. He started out with long slow thrusts, making sure she felt ever second of it, giving her as much pleasure as he possibly could. He wanted this to be as good for her as it was for him. When her hips began to move with his, he increased the speed some until she was panting for breath and moaning his name loudly.

Rhett held out until he felt her tighten around him, and her eyes closed tight as her back arched, and she cried out, reaching her climax. He held her there, at the height of her passion before finally letting her float back to earth on a cloud of pleasure. It was only then, when she had reached her own height of pleasure, that he allowed himself to reach his, pulling out just in time, and releasing his seed on her stomach.

Scarlett felt something hot cover her belly just as her senses were fully returning to her. What had happened, and how it had happened, she wasn't sure. All she knew was that she had felt like she was rising towards the sun, and then when she reached it, she was stuck there in the blazing heat and light that it provided; then, suddenly, she felt as if her whole being shattered into a million pieces and she began to fall back to a state of normalcy where she now lay. Slowly, Scarlett opened her eyes to see Rhett gazing down at her with hooded lids, but behind those lids were eyes that shone of pure love. They weren't darkened with lust as Charlie's had been, it was pure, unadulterated, love that she saw there. It was in that moment that she knew what Rhett meant when he said that this was a physical showing of their love. That's exactly what it felt like at this moment. She couldn't imagine how that experience could have been the same act that she had shared with Charles. She knew that physically, the same thing had happened. They had consummated their marriage at last. But emotionally, this was completely different. This was love.

Scarlett felt Rhett lean down, and gently kiss her lips, and as he did, her eyes drifted closed, feeling too heavy to remain open a second longer, and she felt herself being pulled into slumber.

She was faintly aware of something soft brushing against her stomach, seemingly wiping away the heat that had been there a moment before; but Scarlett was too tired to open her eyes and see what it was. The next thing she knew, she felt heat again, this time surrounding her, and she knew it had to be Rhett's arms wrapping around her waist, and pulling her firmly against him as she fell asleep.

"I love you, Scarlett." Was the last thing she heard before she succumbed to her dream world.

A/N: Alright, I know what you might be thinking, "Rhett was OOC by being so gentle and understanding about the whole sex thing", but this is how I think he would have been like had Scarlett been able to admit that she loved him from the beginning. He always said that he treated Bonnie the way he wished he could have treated her. So, yes it's a bit OOC for the Rhett we know, but the Rhett we know didn't REALLY have the woman he loved. Don't think that means that they aren't going to have their moments where they fight like they do in the original story, because this is still Rhett and Scarlett we are talking about here. But, I think their life will be happier in general.

Please Review! I love hearing from you guys and knowing that this story isn't forgotten. It seriously is what keeps me going. I know that if I didn't get reviews and follows and faves from all of you, there is no way that this story would have made it as far as it has.

Thanks!

~Cat~