Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

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

Chapter Thirty

As Scarlett walked into the office, she saw that Ashley had a smile on his face that she hadn't seen in a while. It was a carefree smile. A smile like everything was right with the world. Ashley said, "You aren't helping Melly decorate for my party?"

"How did you know about the party? It was supposed to be a surprise."

"Half the men in Atlanta have come by to tell me about the party."

"Those mean things."

"For too many of the gentleman their surprise party was a disaster. Grandpa Merriwether was the first. He had spent the afternoon playing cards and drinking. When he got home, he couldn't even walk straight. Rene told of the time he had gone fishing and had actually fell into the bayou. He had gotten out of the water and just continued fishing until it was getting dark. When he got home, he smelled to high heaven. He walked into his home with his fish and his parlor was filled with people. All he had wanted was a bath and to go to bed. His mother had eventually sent him to his room to take a bath. By the time he got back to the party most people had already left."

"How funny."

While Ashley continued to tell Scarlett stories about surprise party surprises, Scarlett started checking the books. They were all in order. She said, "You had a good week. You just need to sell more."

"I don't know where I would be if you hadn't dragged me along."

"You would have managed Ashley."

"If you hadn't talked me into becoming a manager of this sawmill, I would have had to go up North. I would not have done as well up there."

"You would have flourished."

Gus could tell Mrs. Butler was just saying the words to appease Mr. Wilkes while Gus could also tell that Mr. Wilkes was believing everything she said."

"Scarlett, remember that last barbecue."

"Of course, I do. It was when our world changed. We lost so much because of the war."

"So many brave young men. Do you remember when Rafe and Cade put that frog down Suellen's dress."

"No, Ashley, stop. It hurts too much to look back."

"Do you remember how gung-ho we were to go to war?"

"Ashley, stop! It does no good to remember the old days."

"Those were idyllic days, and we didn't even know it."

"Ashley. Don't. All this talk of the past will just make me cry."

"I like looking back."

"I don't like looking back. We have to keep looking forward."

"I still remember how pretty you were in that green dress."

"Stop, Ashley. You are making me cry."

"I just paid you a compliment. How can that make you cry?"

"Because most of the young men I flirted with so carelessly that day are dead. They were killed in the war. Not the least being Charlie."

"What kind of cad am I? I have made you cry."

Ashley reached to put his arm around Scarlett, and she stepped back. She tersely said, "Ashley, don't touch me. Rhett would never understand you touching me for any reason."

At the same time, Gus said, "Mr. Wilkes, Stop!"

Scarlett said, "Gus, please, walk me to my buggy."

As Gus helped Scarlett in her buggy, she said, "Please, don't say anything to anyone about what Mr. Wilkes almost did. Rhett would be furious that Ashley even tried to …."

"No, ma'am. I didn't understand why you kept insisting I remain in the office with you, but I now assume your husband is a jealous man."

"Very muchly."

"Mums the word."

"Thank you."

Gus had smiled as he watched Mrs. Butler drive away. He would keep her secret. He knew why Mr. Butler was so jealous of his wife. She was the kind of woman that erotic dreams were made of. Gus was sure Mr. Wilkes was not the first man to try to steal Mrs. Butler away from Mr. Butler. Gus knew that Mrs. Butler was crazy in love with her husband, nonetheless, if she had been his wife, he would have been crazy with jealousy also.

On the way back to the mansion, Scarlett prayed that Gus didn't say anything to anyone. Once again, she was dependent on someone else keeping their mouth shut. At least it was a man. Men were usually kinder to her than women.

Scarlett had returned to the mansion. She was so happy Rhett wasn't home. She had to get her emotions under control. Rhett could never know what Ashley had almost done.

Scarlett sent Melly a note saying she could not come and help decorate for she had a sick headache. She did have a sick headache. What if someone had seen Ashley put his arm around her? It would have traveled like wildfire through the Old Guard. What if Gus hadn't been there to protect her reputation. Rhett would have been so angry. Rightly so! She would have shamed him in front of all of Atlanta. She would have made him look like a what was that word Rhett had used.. cuckold husband. He would have been so embarrassed. She could never embarrass Rhett.

Scarlett laid in her bed and cried. She kept thinking, 'Not now. Not when I finally know I don't love Ashley and do love Rhett.'

Scarlett sent a note to Pork to tell Rhett she wasn't feeling well, and she would not be down for dinner.

When Pork told Rhett that Scarlett was sick, dread ran through him. Surely, it didn't happen again. Despite his best efforts had she been caught in Mr. Wilkes arms. Who had seen her? Nonetheless, he hurried up the stairs. First, he had to reassure her that he was still on her side no matter what.

When Rhett walked through the door Scarlett sat up in the bed and said, "It wasn't my fault."

"Of course not. What happened?"

"Oh Rhett. Hold me."

"Of course."

"I went to check the books at Ashley's mill, and he already knew about the surprise birthday party. He told some funny stories about other people's surprise party disasters but then he started talking about the old days. Rhett, you know I never look back. I never look back because it is so sad. Ashley started talking about the dead of Clayton County. It made me start to cry. He started to put his arm around me, but I told him to stop. Gus told him to stop."

"Did he?"

Rhett's voice was so menacing that Scarlett looked at his face and said, "He stopped. Fortunately, Gus was there."

"Why was Gus there?"

"Because for the last year I have felt the need of a chaperon when I was with Ashley so nobody would talk badly about me," With tears in her eyes, she said, "I didn't want people talking badly about me and shaming you."

Rhett put his arms around her and said, "Thank you for being worried about my feelings."

"Oh Rhett, of course, I am worried about your feelings. You are my husband and my best friend."

"As you are my wife and my best friend."

"Rhett I…."

Scarlett looked at Rhett with all her feelings on her face, but she couldn't get the words out. He smiled. He would have to dig up the courage and be the first one to say it.

"Scarlett, I love you too."

"Rhett, I love you."

"I have loved you since you threw that vase in the library. No, since you accepted my offer to dance."

"Rhett, I.. I.. "

"You have loved me for a long time too. I have known that for a long time. It is why I have patiently waited for you to realize that you no longer love Wilkes."

"If I ever did."

"And that you loved me."

"I do."

"You do what?"

Scarlet smiled and said, "I love you."

"I love you, too. How is your headache?"

"Much better."

"Come on down to dinner. We still have to go buy you a new buggy."

"Which is red with fringe."

"Whatever you want that Mr. Munson has on the show floor."

Solemnly Scarlett said, "Thank you, Rhett, for trusting me."

"No, thanks needed. You trusted me when you had no reason to trust me except your faith in me. I will trust you because of my faith in you. Trust is what makes a relationship work."

Scarlett and Rhett had a good time the rest of the day. They bought a buggy that was a four-seater which was red with fringe. It was so gaudy. Rhett didn't care. It had made his wife happy.

As Scarlett and Rhett got ready to go to Ashley's birthday party, he marveled at the difference between his first timeline and now. When he suggested they stay home, Scarlett had look wistfully at him and said, "No, we have to go. For Melly's sake."

As Rhett and Scarlett drove over to the Wilkeses' house, she said, "Why do I feel responsible for them? They are just leeches upon me."

"Because, my love, you are just too damn loyal to those parasites. Your aunts, the Wilkeses, and even to Suellen."

Scarlett smiled at Rhett and said, "At least, you understand."

"I do indeed but you know who you are most loyal to?"

"Who?"

"Me and the children."

Scarlett slipped her hand in Rhett's hand and smiled. She said, "Yes, I am."

It was plain to everyone at the birthday party that Rhett and Scarlett Butler were a couple in love. Melly was fuming. When had this happened? She had been following them so closely, yet Rhett and Scarlett had somehow fallen in love. Melly had planned to send lovesick Scarlett out to Ashley's mill and hope something compromising happened. Her plans had been foiled by Scarlett not helping with the decorating. Melly knew that Scarlett had gone to the sawmills this morning, and something had happened. Something devastating to Ashley. He had been in a strange mood since he got home from work.

Melly was further distressed by the news that Captain Butler had bought Scarlett a new buggy. A new buggy exactly like she wanted. The couple had driven it over to the party. It was red, it was large, it had fringe on it, it had brass accessories on it. It was hideous, but Scarlett looked so proud of it and Captain Butler had looked so pleased that Scarlett was happy. Melanie knew that if Captain Butler had bought it for her with his good taste, he loved Scarlett very much.

Melly fretted about how she had not seen the change in Scarlett's affections for Captain Butler or Ashley. Finally, Melanie decided that the ninnyhammer hadn't known she didn't love Ashley and did love Captain Butler until something happened today. Melly would never know what. All was not lost with their love being brand new both people were going to be insecure in their relationship. She smiled a mean smile. She knew exactly what she would do to cause Scarlett to run back to Ashley for love and comfort.

That night Rhett had teased Scarlett and would not bring her to satisfaction until she was begging him to give her some relief. As soon as he entered her, she was in heaven. So much so that she had hardly noticed that Rhett had finished inside her. When he woke her up in the middle of the night, she had murmured something about no more oysters for him to which he had laughed. He said, "You declaring your love to me is the greatest aphrodisiac in the world."

"Oh Rhett. I do love you."

"Let me show you how much I love you."

"Did you buy me a parure also?"

That had made Rhett laugh so hard that he had almost lost his erection but with one look at Scarlett, his erection was back in full force. After they were finished, Rhett said, "If you want a parure, I will buy you one."

"You didn't do what you needed to do."

"No, I did not. I was too excited."

"It is alright but if I am with child you will have to take me to London again."

"Gladly. What about your businesses?"

"I am selling the sawmills. I will go see Mr. Powe tomorrow about it."

"No more Mr. Hamilton?"

"No more Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Powe will keep his opinion to himself."

"That he will."