Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

FYI: As of today, I am back on California time. I live part of my life in Texas and the other part in California.

Chapter Fourteen

As Rhett took off his clothes, he smiled at the relief that had passed across Scarlett's face. Yes, indeed, she certainly respected strength. He got in the bed. He slipped his arms around Scarlett's waist, and he could feel the thickening of her waistline. He knew she was pregnant with Bonnie. Rhett smiled when he thought, 'My obtuse darling will not realize it for at least another month because she is having too much fun right now.'

Scarlett was relieved that Rhett was no longer mad at her. She was a little disappointed they weren't going to be intimate though. Frank had always wanted to be intimate after they had made up from a fight. Of course, it was awful with Frank, but it was kind of wonderful with Rhett.

When Scarlett kept squirming around, Rhett kissed her. He knew what she wanted even if she could never verbalize the words. Scarlett kissed him back. Soon they were having an exceptionally good time. When she called his name time after time, it thrilled him immensely. It thrilled him hearing her speak his name when she reached her satisfaction, but it pleased him knowing she was only thinking of him. Of course, Rhett always called her name when he reached his satisfaction. He wanted her to know she was more than a body.

At least three times a week, Rhett went to the site where their house was being built. He inspected everything. He rejected her idea of copying a design from Harper's Bazaar. He rejected her idea of there being lots of mirrors. He rejected her idea of there being red wallpaper. He rejected her idea of there being dark heavy drapery. Scarlett had screamed at him on more than one occasion. Scarlett had screamed at him and called him names but that didn't bother Rhett. She was a woman filled with great passion.

The last week of September Scarlett stormed into their suite at the National Hotel. When she saw Rhett she said, "You got me with child."

"Yes."

"I told you I didn't want anymore."

"And I told you that I wanted at least one. This is my one if you are able to bring it successfully to term."

"Of course, I will. I'm not lucky enough to have a miscarriage."

Harshly Rhett said, "Scarlett, don't speak that way women can die from a miscarriage."

"I'm not having any more after this one. I know how to get rid of the baby now."

Rhett grabbed Scarlett. He pulled her down on his lap and said, "You will do nothing of the sort. You could die from that procedure. I told you that after our child is born, we will use some pregnancy prevention methods."

"How?"

"I will explain it later but if these methods don't work you will have the child each and every time you get with child. I don't want you to die."

"Am I so important to you?"

"Of course, you are. You are my wife and my best friend"

"You are my best friend too."

"Which is as it should be."

Scarlett cuddled into Rhett and felt safe. She was still annoyed to be with child, but Rhett wanted a child, so all was good.

Rhett was so easy to live with except those few times when he would get mad at her. She knew why he got mad at her because she was disrespecting him by thinking of another man in his presence.

Rhett and Scarlett were in their bedroom changing clothes after having attended a Scallawag party, and she said, "Those people are so much fun."

"Those people are gutter trash."

"But they are so finely dressed and act so proper."

"My dear, a person can put on the finest clothes and act oh so proper but despite it all they are just a jackass, my pretty m…" Rhett had stopped himself in time. Why had he been about to call her a mule? She hadn't done anything wrong.

Last time that had hurt Scarlett's feelings so much she had refused to speak to him until he apologized. Like an idiot instead of apologizing, he had taken her son and run off to New Orleans. Once again, he had made his situation worse.

Scarlett had sat down on the bed and was taking off her stockings and she was looking at him. She smiled and said, "My pretty what?"

"My pretty muffin."

Scarlett preened and Rhett sighed. Once more he had stopped himself from the poisonous dart flying out of his mouth. Rhett thought, 'Since she loves me those words would really hurt her but even hearing those words said by one's friend would not be pleasant.'

As Scarlett was brushing her hair, she kept turning and giving him shy smiles. He simply smiled back. He would be happy to make her happy. This was a much better outcome than her not speaking to him for a week.

After they were finished, Rhett said, "When do we get to do the final walk through of our house?"

"Friday."

"Do you like it so far?"

"Yes, although I think the design from Harper's Bazaar was prettier."

"Remember I have to live there too. You do want me to feel comfortable in my own home."

"How long has it been since you have had a home?"

"Eighteen years. I haven't had a home since I was kicked out of my father's home all those years ago."

"What about your mistresses? They didn't make you a home?"

Rhett burst out laughing. When he could finally speak, he said, "A man doesn't live with his mistress he just occasionally visits her when the urge hits him. Besides, I have never had a mistress. I had always found it easier to just pay someone in the moment."

Scarlett had been mad because Rhett had laughed at her ignorance. Now, she was even madder because she was remembering how he had insulted her. She tightly said, "If you have never had a mistress, why did you ask me to be your mistress?"

"I enjoy seeing you get upset. You are beautiful when you are mad. Like right now you are quite the sight to see. So, like a jackass, I decided in that moment to insult you so I could see you mad."

"Rhett!"

"I am being honest, Baby."

"I don't know if I can stand all your honesty."

"Maybe this will make you feel better. You are the only woman I have ever spent the night with or lived with for that matter."

"If you used whores, how do you know you don't have any diseases?"

"I have always worn a sheath."

"What is a sheath?"

"It is something that I put my member in, so I don't catch any diseases."

Rhett didn't volunteer what else the sheath prevented because he was not going to wear one with Scarlett. Of course, he wasn't going to have relations with anyone but Scarlett ever again therefore since they were both disease free, they would remain disease free. That was a nice thought.

On the first of October, the Butlers moved into the mansion. It was a large house but not as large as their home had been during their first lifetime, but they still had a ballroom on the third floor.

As Scarlett walked through the home, she thought it was tastefully decorated. She had wanted something a lot more avant garde, but she knew her Charlestonian bred husband would not be happy with that. She remembered Rhett saying, "We want a house that will stand the test of time like a fine wine, or a remarkable painting, or even a beautiful woman."

Scarlett had blushed after Rhett had said it because she knew he had been talking about her.

Scarlett had a second birthday party for Ella. She invited all the Scallawag children. She also invited Melanie and Beau. There were a lot of people in the house.

Rhett was by Scarlett's side whenever Miss Melly was near her. Rhett had to monitor that interaction. Rhett heard Miss Melly say, "Ashley was saying just the other day that he feels neglected by you. You rarely come out to the mills anymore."

Rhett said, "Miss Melly that just isn't true. Scarlett goes to see Mr. Wilkes every Wednesday to look over the books. Admittedly Scarlett has been spending a lot of time on the building of our beautiful home. Now that the construction is finished, she will have more time to devote to her businesses. Of course, with Mr. Wilkes being such a fine manager she doesn't need to give him as much time as she does Johnny or Mr. Elsing."

Scarlett said, "It is beautiful, isn't it? Melly, we are going to have an open house around the first of November. You and Ashley must attend."

"Of course, we would love to."

"Come along, Dear. There are some people I would like for you to meet."

"Of course. I will visit with you later, Melly," As the couple walked away, Rhett said, "Is that the only dress she owns?"

Scarlett giggled and said, "No, but all her dresses look the same."

"If you mean drab, boring, and high-necked then I would agree."

Scarlett giggled again and said, "How did you get that lie out of your mouth? Ashley is not a fine manager."

"I am a professional poker player. That means I lie for a living."

Scarlett giggled once more and said, "Who are you going to introduce me to?"

"The governor of the state."

"You know the governor of the state?"

"Yes, I do. What's more he has a four-year-old little girl who so wanted to come to a birthday party."

"Really? You invited the governor of the state to Ella's birthday party?"

"No, I invited the governor's daughter."

"Rhett, you are amazing."

Rhett had been correct. He had to monitor the Wilkeses very closely. Scarlett was naïve, trusting, and far too damn loyal. He would make sure those sharks would not take a bite out of his wife. Whether it was the Wilkes, the matrons, or even the Scallawag wives.

Melly was thinking, 'That was unusual for Captain Butler to defend Scarlett's actions especially in regard to Ashley. I am going to have to watch this very closely. I can't imagine those two people with their strong personalities ever being happily married but I will have to monitor this closely.'

After Ella's birthday party, Scarlett started planning her open house. It would be the last event she would attend before she went into her confinement.

As Scarlett was lying in the bed, she said to Rhett, "I hate going into confinement."

"I told you that we can go to London where you won't have to go into a confinement. Besides, the medical care is better there any way."

"I can't do that. I would be gone for six months."

"No, we won't be gone that long. We can be back in four months and three weeks. You will not be able to go out to the mills or go to the store for four months and two weeks if we stay here. We are only talking about one more week of you being away from your businesses.

"I don't know."

"Come on, Baby. As I told you before you don't need those businesses. I will be happy to support you."

"You might do something foolish with your money."

"I will let you help me with my ledgers if you sell your businesses so you can make sure I don't do anything foolish with my money."

"Really?"

"Really."

"No confinement?"

"No confinement!"

"I will think about selling my businesses but yes, let's go to London. I will do anything to not have to go into confinement and it is only one week more. You make the arrangements for November the first."

"Alright."

"Rhett, when is your birthday?"

"November sixteenth. And yours?"

"March seventeenth."

"My little leprechaun."

Scarlett excitedly said, "Maybe we can go to Ireland also."

"Of course, we can. Anything to make you happy."

With that Scarlett rolled over and kissed Rhett and for the first time she touched his member. It thrilled Rhett so much he was instantly extremely hard. He slowed himself down and kept himself at a pace as to not alarm his innocent bride. His bride who was still practically a virgin despite having been married twice before.

The next day as Scarlett was getting ready to send out the invitations for her open house Rhett sat down with her and picked up the guest list. He said, "Honey, if you invite the governor of the state to your party the old guard will never forgive you. You will ruin what is left of your reputation. I don't care because I don't have a reputation but if you still want Mr. Wilkes to marry you after Miss Melly and I are dead, you have to maintain what is left of your reputation."

"That is true. But, Rhett, I don't understand why it isn't an honor to have the governor of the state in our home."

"Because to most southerners including the Wilkeses, he is a sign of their oppression by the Yankees."

"I still don't understand."

"Please trust me on this. I have close to twenty more years of experience with dealing with people than you do," Scarlett stared at Rhett. He said, "Trust me. As your best friend I would not steer you wrong."

Finally, Scarlett said, "That is true therefore I am going to trust you."

"Thank you, Baby."

"Can I invite my Scallawag friends?"

"Yes, but not any of your Yankee friends."

"Alright, Rhett."