Pre Note: I don't have my actual book handy, and I can't remember. Did Scarlett ever nurse any of her children? If my words in this chapter are wrong to canon, I'm sorry. I feel like she wouldn't have nursed any of them, but then, I don't know what she would have done if she hadn't? For this story, she never nursed the others.

Chapter 8

Even Baby B seemed shocked into silence for a moment. As Rhett processed, the baby leaned toward Scarlett. Rhett's emotions fought a battle inside of him. He handed the baby to Scarlett who rearranged herself, and the dressing gown, and allowed the baby to latch on and nurse. Rhett found himself watching, still furious at Scarlett, but in awe at her actions. She'd never wanted to nurse her other children. He was sure she felt like it would take too much time or effort. She looked up at him, and he glanced away, ready for her harsh words, but they didn't come.

"It's alright Rhett. Do you know in Ireland mothers nurse their babies in front of God and everyone? I still can't quite bring myself to do that, but I feed him here at home- and I did so around close friends in Ireland." She looked down to where the baby was suckling, and Rhett saw a calm peacefulness cross over her face as she stared at her child.

"Why didn't you tell me, Scarlett? I'd have come back here. You knew that." He took a deep breath and tried to speak calmly. He wanted to strangle her, but he also couldn't stop watching her with her-their-son.

"When you left you said that Bonnie was the only chance we had at staying together. I knew you didn't love me any longer, and I didn't want you to stay because of a child again. I can't-"

"What Scarlett?" He pulled a chair over to the bed and sat in it, running a hand through his hair as he did so. "What can't you do?"

"I won't live like that again- I knew you hated me. I knew that Bonnie was the only reason you didn't divorce me. I'll let you see him, Rhett, of course I will, but I won't- I won't stay married to you because of him."

Rhett sat a little straighter in his chair, assessing Scarlett. Where had the childish and cruel wife he'd left almost 2 years ago, gone? Not once in this whole time had she been cruel or snide with her words. She'd been calm and clear- more like Miss Mellie than like Scarlett. "I've already missed out on his first year, Scarlett. Don't ask me to miss more as we trade him off between us."

Scarlett looked up at him thoughtfully. "What do you suggest we do about it, then?"

Rhett sighed, and leaned back in the chair. "I want to be with my son, Scarlett, and with the other children as well. I missed them, though I didn't realize how much until I returned and they barely talked to me."

"What did you expect Rhett? You left them too when you left me."

He opened his mouth to argue, but closed it almost as quickly. He saw the truth in her words. He had no rebuttal. "We played at being happily married once before-"

"I just told you, I won't do that again-"

"Scarlett. Let me finish." He chastised, and a hint of his old tone came through with the words. "We played at being happily married before, but I think our problem was that neither of us were ready for it to only be a game. I wanted you to be my wife even when I hated you, and you were too busy wanting another man to be happy playing wife to me."

"I don't want-"

"Yes, yes. I know. I heard you the first time you told me, and the second. I can see that you've grown out of your infatuation with Wilkes, but I've grown out of my infatuation with you, too." He noticed a flicker of shock, and something else, hurt maybe?- flash across Scarlett's eyes, but he continued. "I'd like to think we were something of friends, once. When you were married, and before we tried to turn this into something it can't be."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, my dear. That while we must go back to playing husband and wife in public, perhaps we can be just friends at home. Friends who raise three children together, and don't hate each other."

"But how?"

"It means that we go to parties, and dinners like a happy couple, newly reunited. And it means we return to the house where we sleep in separate rooms, and live separate lives." Even as Rhett said the words, he knew it wouldn't be as easy as all that. Still, he hoped she accepted, because he had no idea what he'd do if she didn't.

"Isn't that exactly what we were doing before? Living separately in the same house?"

"Yes, Scarlett, and also no. This way there will be no feelings. I won't ask about anyone you meet or choose to spend your time with, and you'll do the same. We'll both be discreet- in public and in front of the children." Scarlett let out a small gasp, understanding what he was saying. He was giving her permission to find another man, and telling her he'd find another woman, all the while pretending to be married and raising the children.

She wanted to tell him know, but she stopped herself. She knew Rhett was rash, and now that he knew B was his, she had no idea what Rhett would do if she denied him. She couldn't lose another child- even if it was to their father rather than death. Scarlett looked down at the baby who had drifted off to sleep in arms, and then up at Rhett before offering him a curt nod.

The deal was struck, she thought. She didn't like it. She hated it in fact. Scarlett knew she had to change his mind, make her see that this could be a second chance for them both… but how?

Post Note: Tada! Hope that little bit was enough to fulfill you, but also make you wonder what comes next. As always, thanks for all the comments and reviews. You really make my day (or night as it were). Until next time-