Author's Note: I am so sorry that it took so long to get this chapter up. I have been extremely busy and I haven't had much free time lately. I am really trying to make an effort to get these chapters up as soon as possible. I'm sorry about the inconvience!

Chapter 7

Scarlett woke up to the beautiful smell of the roses surrounding her and Rhett.

Rhett…

She looked up at Rhett's face, and saw that he was still lightly sleeping. Scarlett wouldn't have usually woken him, but seeing the flowers reminded her just how much she loved him, so she couldn't resist to see those two beautiful black orbs uncovered.

"Rhett…" Scarlett whispered, knowing that wasn't going to be enough to wake him.

She smiled and kissed his forehead, then nose, and then lightly on his lips. She frowned slightly and started to lie back down, seeing as her attempt to awake him wasn't a success, but Rhett suddenly opened his eyes and pulled her lips back onto his.

"Well my dear, I must say, that was a pleasant surprise," He said with a chuckle and they finally pulled away. Scarlett just smiled and laid back down putting her head on his chest. Rhett caressed her back as they started to idly chat, talking about their plans for the day.

"Rhett darling, I do think it would be a very good idea to get a new gown for the ball today," Scarlett said, playfully trying to sound persuasive.

"Oh do you?" Rhett smirked. "Yes, yes, I suppose we could do that today,"

Scarlett jumped up.

"Then we must get ready! It's going to take quite a while to get the perfect dress. Oh! I haven't gotten a new gown in years!" Scarlett squealed with excitement.

Rhett laughed and saw Scarlett rushing around the room getting ready, and finally decided to start getting ready as well. With Scarlett pushing to get out the door, they left the room and were out on the street within the hour.

The streets of New Orleans were bustling with people. The couple decided to walk rather than take a carriage because the sun was shining so vibrantly. Once they finally got to the dress shop, Rhett helped Scarlett pick out the colors and fabrics for her dress and ordered it.

"Oh Rhett! I still can't get used to the idea of finally going to a ball again!" She exclaimed, her dimples flickering.

"Well my dear, I must say, wearing that new gown we ordered, you will truly be the queen of the ball," Rhett replied with a smile on his face. Scarlett beamed at Rhett's comment and took his hand in hers.

On the way back home, the two decided to stop at a little restaurant for lunch. Once they got seated, Scarlett noticed there was another couple dining at the next table. There was a man with sandy blonde hair and sapphire eyes. The woman sitting across from him had ginger hair, and seemed to be a respectable lady. Scarlett kept looking at them and suddenly felt a little distressed.

Oh dear, how much that woman reminds me of Melanie. I miss her so much…

Rhett noticed a look of distress in Scarlett's emerald eyes, and his heart sank. He couldn't stand to see Scarlett upset ever since he realized how much she has been through lately.

He took her hand and gently rubbed it with his fingers.

"What is it, my love?" He asked with true concern in his voice.

Her glistening eyes moved from the woman and the other table and focused on Rhett's eyes.

"Oh darling, I'm thinking about how much I truly miss Melanie. I did love her Rhett…I did. I know you think I didn't but I did, and I just fear she didn't know it," she admitted regretfully.

"Scarlett, darling, you are certainly wrong. I do know and I have always known that you loved her. She was a good woman, and we both learned much from her. I know that you didn't always show her your love, but remember that she always saw the good in people, and she saw the love you had for her, even if you didn't see it yourself,"

He always knows what to say…

Scarlett took a deep breathe and soaked in the words that Rhett had said.

"Maybe she had noticed I loved her, but I never truly told her. I don't ever want that to happen again. Rhett, I love you. I am going to tell you that every day of my life. If anything happens to you, I want you to know that…I need you to know that,"

"My love, please do not stress yourself out trying to make it clear that you love me. It is clearer than anything I've ever seen in my life, and I can only hope my love for you is just as distinct. I know you love me, and that is the greatest gift of my life,"

Scarlett beamed at Rhett's loving words, and leaned over the table and kissed him, not caring if it was acceptable to kiss him in public or not.

The rest of their time at the restaurant was rich with smooth, affectionate conversation. Not once was there a frown on either of their faces, and each time Scarlett looked at the woman dining next to her, she couldn't help but have a smile on her face.

After lunch, the two took a longer way home to extend their gratifying day together. During their walk Rhett couldn't help but find merriment in the realization that the flame in Scarlett's eyes kept getting stronger and stronger as their stay in New Orleans progressed.

What an amazing woman… he thought to himself as they finally reached the door to their hotel.