The next few weeks were touch and go for Scarlett, but true to form she recovered. Rhett spent every moment possible with her. He wanted to make up for the mess that they had caused. Even in his heart he could not put blame on her, she was desperate and didn't know who to turn to. No, he was the cad that took advantage of it, almost costing her life.

A warm afternoon found them relaxing in the Georgia sun on the porch of Tara.

"Scarlett you have defiantly put your heart into this place" Rhett commented as they sipped on cool lemonade "it is amazing, I can't imagine what was left after the Yankees were through" he paused to set his glass down "considering what is left of your neighbors."

Scarlett stared off into the afternoon as she answered him, her eyes glazed over in emotion "Tara is Mother and Pa" she smiled softly "I had to bring it back for them" her smile turned to him "and for Wade."

Rhett could see tears glistening in her emerald eyes "Scarlett I didn't mean to upset you" he stood offering his hand "If you would prefer I will help you back inside."

Scarlett laughed "Oh fiddle dee dee Rhett Butler" she replied brightly "I wasn't feeling sad and I am quite fine" she sipped her drink again "and I am sick to death of that room" her smiled had faded as she thought of her bedroom and the horrible pain she had suffered "I would prefer never to set foot in it again" she mumbled more to herself than him.

Rhett took this opportunity and knelt down on one knee in front of her "Scarlett" he said softly.

Scarlett snapped back when he swooped down in front of her "God's nightgown Rhett what are you doing?" she questioned startled by his action. Her mind was racing "he is going to ask me to marry him" she panicked "I wont' have pity" her mind screamed. Her heart on the other hand cried for joy.

Rhett cleared his throat "Scarlett to be quite honest I have never done this before" he began "and I am sure you have had far more eloquent proposals" he paused as he reached in his coat pocket, retrieving a small box "Would you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Butler?" his eyes hid nothing as he awaited her answer.

Scarlett faltered slightly before she found her voice "Oh Rhett do get up you look like a complete fool" she snapped "and I will not marry a man that pities me because of..of..of a situation that got out of control" she refused to look at him she stared at her hands in her lap as she continued "and besides" she paused as emotion built in her voice "besides the baby is gone and there is no reason for us to go on with this." Scarlett stared intently at her hands, fidgeting with the soft blanket on her lap.

Rhett had not moved from his kneeling position. His first reaction was to say something crude and hurtful, walk away and never look back, but this he fought back. He did not pity her, he loved her. He reached up and gently took her by the chin "Scarlett" he said softly as he forced her to meet his gaze "I love you, I do not pity you in any manner. In fact I must say you are one of the few woman I respect" he noted more tears in her eyes as he pressed his finger to her lips to hush her "I respect you for your strength, your resilience and your God awful Irish temper" he removed his finger from her lips "now I ask again will you marry me?"

Scarlett forgot her temper for once and went with her heart "Oh Rhett" she began.

Rhett fearing the worse quickly stood and pulled her up, dropping her blanket to the porch. He bent down to her, his lips barely touching hers "Marry me" he said softly as he brought his lips down on hers. He let the kiss show how much he loved her, crushing her with his pent up emotions.

Scarlett felt strange as his lips came down on her. Her head swam and her body tingled. She could get lost in his kisses. His kiss became more demanding, suddenly her breath became harder to catch, she felt faint. She pushed his chest with her hands, forcing him to break the kiss.

"Say yes" he demanded as he came down on her again. He felt her body relax as her arms snaked around his back and broke the kiss again "well?" he asked, smile upon his face.

"Yes" she replied as she pulled him down for another kiss.

Rhett held her back "Why did you say yes?' he asked "For me or my money?"

Scarlett stepped back slightly before answering his question "Well for the money partly" she began.

"Partly?" he asked his smile broadening.

Scarlett became very serious "Well money helps and I…I….I love you too" she finally said as she looked up at him.

"Very well my dear" he replied coolly trying to surpress the joy he felt at hearing her say those words she so long ago swore she would not to him "and when should we tie the knot?" he removed the ring from the box and placed the diamond ring upon her hand and stepped back "it looks lovely" he commented before removing a cigar from his coat pocket and lighting it. He stared at her as she stared at the ring upon her finger. He wondered what she had done with her first wedding ring, but quickly dismissed the thought as he sat back down in his chair.

"I don't know" she answered staring at the gorgeous ring "when ever you would like to, I suppose." She looked at him, a smile plastered across her face, she was the happiest that she could ever remember in her life.

Two weeks later found them exchanging vows under the oaks of Tara. The small wedding party consisted of the residents of Tara and the Priest. Rhett had made the date soon, because he had to leave for work in Charleston. He felt better knowing that Scarlett's health had improved so much. She still tired easily, but he knew that too in time would pass. A chance is what he took and he was happier for it. He shuddered to think if what could of happened.

Scarlett wore a simple dress of off white that Mammy had gone to Jonesboro to get the week before. Her figure had almost returned, which saddened her for it made her think of the baby she had lost.

Rhett kissed his wife "wife" he thought as he looked down on her "I never thought I would have wife" he turned to a pulling at his pant leg "and a family" as he picked Wade up.

The months passed quickly for them. Rhett tried to be at Tara as much as possible, but work would pull him to Atlanta, Charleston and sometimes Europe. He wrote Scarlett constantly and she him. He knew he had made the right choice.

He smiled a little brighter each time he came home. Scarlett had not hesitated to spend his ill gotten gains when it came to Tara and the place was looking better and better each time he returned.

"Oh Rhett" Scarlett pouted "Christmas is only a month away, can't this wait until after the new year" her lip jutting slightly "I so wanted to spend our first Christmas together."

"Scarlett I will be back in time for Christmas" he smiled as he noted her pouting coming to a stop "and I will bring you something outrageous."

"Oh Rhett" she shrieked "What?"

"That my dear will be a surprise" he bent, claimed her lips "Goodbye love" he whispered as he turned and walked down the steps of Tara to his waiting horse.

"Goodbye" Scarlett called as her hand came to her lips "You just wait to see what my gift to you is" she thought to herself as she watched him ride away.

December was filled with lots of work. Decorating for the holidays, trips to town for shopping and planning for the extravagant dinner Scarlett wanted.

One afternoon, "Chile are you feeling well" Mammy asked as Scarlett finished wrapping yet another present for Wade and placing it under the tree "Yous looks awful pale."

Scarlett turned to Mammy and smiled "Oh Mammy I have to tell someone" she was bursting. She started laughing at the confused look on Mammy's face "I am going to have a baby" she finally managed.

"Oh chile" Mammy blurted as she hugged Scarlett "Oh my lamb that is good news" she let go as she wiped the tears of joy from her eyes "did you tells Mr. Rhett?"

Scarlett smiled as secret smile "No I am surprising him at Christmas."

"Oh he will like that" Mammy replied.

The two spent the rest of the afternoon planning the new arrival.

Christmas Eve found Scarlett hovering over the kitchen, making sure that Dilcey had everything just right. She had received a telegram from Rhett and she was sure he would be home tonight.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Pork "Miss Scarlett theres someone at the door for yas."

Scarlett ran past him, down the hall to the front door. She stopped dead in her tracks, her smile fell slightly "Ashley, Melanie and Beau" she managed.

Finding her manners she found her smile "Oh how good to see you" she said brightly as she hugged Melanie "I have missed you so much." She bent down to Beau "Oh Beau how much you have grown" she commented giving him a kiss on the cheek. She turned to Ashley "Ashley" she said politely as he bent and gave her a kiss on the cheek "Well come in, come in" she urged as she showed them in.