Scarlett was awoken by the screams of two young boys as they jumped on her bed "Mama...Auntie Scarlett" Beau and Wade shrieked "It's Christmas!"

Scarlett looked drowsily up at the boys and smiled "Ok give me a second and we will go downstairs."

The boys obligingly did so and scampered off to wake up Beau's parents. Scarlett listened to the giggles as they faded down the hallway. She sat up and instantly was reminded of her condition. She barely made it to the chamber pot, before her stomach emptied itself. Sighing she sat back and wiped her forehead. She might have been mad at Rhett at that moment, but the baby made her smile in spite of her present condition.

She slowly got up and located her heavy wrapper "This should be good enough" she thought. Half way to the door, she thought against it "It might give Rhett further ammunition if I come down stairs in my nightgown and wrapper" she shook her head in exasperation "men" she muttered as she pulled the cord, ringing for Prissy to help her dress.

Half an hour later, Scarlett descended the stairs, Wade and Beau closely behind. Melly and Ashley had already gone down, but the boys wanted to wait for Scarlett. She wore a dark green dress accented with white lace at the collar and wrists. It was high necked and very unlike Scarlett, but she did not want to attract any attention from Ashley. Her hair was pulled back in a loose bun and held in place by a matching green pin decorated with white lace. She wore no makeup.

Rhett had been awakened by Mammy, who was not to please to find him passed out in the study.

"Mr. Rhett" she called not so quietly "Yous gets up now" she called a little louder as she shook his shoulder. Seeing him start to stir she took to picking up the mess he had made the night before "hmph, men and theirs drinkin...lors ah's never understand it" she mumbled as she put away the brandy decanter and picked up the glass he had used. Now Rhett was sitting up staring red eyed at Mammy "Yous owe Miss Scarlett an apology for las night" with that she walked out of the room, still grumbling under her breath about how children never do grow up.

Rhett sat there, his head felt like it weighed a ton. A pounding filled it as he tried to stand. The room swayed, he sat back down "Oh God" he mumbled "I don't think I have ever felt this bad" he hung his head in his hands.

It was then that Pork entered the room "don't worry Mr. Rhett" he said in a light voice "Ah's help you" he laughed slightly "lor knows I helped Mr. Gerald many a time."

Rhett answered through his hands "I don't think there is any help for me today Pork."

Pork laughed as he helped Rhett to his feet "dontcha worry Mr. Rhett ole Pork has more than one trick up his sleeve."

With that he helped Rhett out of the room and on to his recovery.


The scene that Rhett walked into made him stop. Scarlett made such a pretty picture sitting on the floor with Wade and Beau helping them open presents. She looked up at him and smiled. He knew he did not deserve the smile she gave him and was sure it was just for the other company in the room. Melanie sat on a small sofa close the fireplace and Ashley next to her.

Scarlett's dress was spread out and the green set her eyes off, making them appear to be emeralds lost in a sea of milky white skin. Rhett was just starting to take notice of subtle changes in her. Her voice was softer when she corrected Wade, her touch seemed more sincere when she pulled him to her. "Could he have been wrong?" he asked himself. He shook the thought away as he found his voice "My dear I have to be going" he said coldly "Merry Christmas Mrs. Wilkes" he added, turned and walked out of the room.

He couldn't face the situation, sober or not. The wrath of Mammy or not. He had to get out of this house and away from Scarlett and Ashley. Away from the farce that was their marriage.

He was putting on his coat when a voice stopped him "Rhett" Scarlett called softly.

Not bothering to turn around "Yes my Dear" he replied.

Scarlett stood quietly behind him, stifling the anger that was building at this big oaf. "I want to make sure you don't forget this" she tried to sound as strong as possible, but felt tears building. Between the torture he was putting her heart and mind through, her body was going through too many changes with the baby. This with everything else made her very emotional of late.

Rhett turned to face her, but would not meet her eyes as he took the envelope from her outstretched hand. He didn't want to know what was in it and slipped it into his coat pocket "Goodbye my pet" he said coolly and turned to leave again. His hand on the doorknob he was stopped again by her voice. Not by the words so much as the panicky tone in her voice.

"Rhett please open it" she begged. She felt if he walked away again, he would not return and this time it was over stupid jealousy of a situation long laid to rest.

Rhett obligingly pulled the envelope out and stared at her neat scrawl of "Rhett" across the front. Slowly he opened the envelope and then extracted the letter inside. He sighed as he unfolded the letter and read it quietly to himself.

My Darling Rhett,
My gift to you will not come for sometime, but I am sure you will love it just the same.
You see Rhett I am with child again and it should arrive sometime in July. I hope you are as happy as I am at this second chance we have been given. Choosing to be with you was the greatest chance I have ever taken in my life, and I do not regret it one bit. I dream of a life and many children to fill our home. My love for you grows stronger each day.
Merry Christmas,
Love Scarlett


Rhett stared at the letter and reread it again. He couldn't turn to face her. "Oh God" he thought as he stood there. He had come home, misjudged and hurt her again. He was running again. "No not this time" he said to himself as he put the letter back in the envelope and placed it in his vest pocket. He took off his coat and hung it on the coat stand and turned to face her.

Scarlett's eyes were wet with tears, her face pale and she looked like she was going to faint. Her voice came weakly "Rhett."

Rhett wiped the tear that had fallen "Oh Scarlett I am a bigger fool than I thought possible, I just thought" he started.

She placed her fingers to his lips "No forget it" she said softly "It doesn't matter now" she snaked her arms around his neck "this is all that matters" she whispered as she pulled him to her.

He pulled back "how did I get so lucky" he asked her in a quiet voice.

"Who said you were lucky Rhett Butler, you haven't seen me in the final months of pregnancy yet" she replied back with a sly smile "Besides you have a lot of making up to me to do for this" her eyes glinted at the mischievous thoughts she was having.

"Scarlett what were you doing on the balcony?" he asked suddenly.

"I was thinking of us and the family we are starting" she answered "why?" she asked.

Rhett was embarrassed as he realized she was telling the truth. Scarlett O'Hara was capable of many things, but lying to his face was not one of them she had yet mastered. He hugged her closer "I am so sorry love" he whispered in her ear.

Scarlett decided to let it go for now, she would get an answer from him later. They had guests, presents, food and merriment to partake in "Come on Rhett let's go back and join the others" she pulled him along with no argument back to the living room.