I wonder how many people will read this since it's rated M? Like I know when i go on it just shows the K-T rated ones and you have to click a button to see ALL the stories. Meh. Ah well. Enjoy, and do let me know if you like or even if you don't. Feedback is fun:)

The white moonlight fell on the couple in the back of the open carriage as the sound of the horse's hooves on the deserted street echoed in the soft night. Rhett wrapped his left arm around Scarlett's shoulders as she pulled his tuxedo jacket around her more tightly. It was quite early in the morning, and despite the fact that it was spring, the air still turned crisp after the sun went down. Before Scarlett did not notice it, she had been too busy dancing, but now her heart had slowed to its normal pace, and the effects of the champagne that Rhett had allowed her to drink for the occasion of the ball had worn off. Scarlett glanced up at Rhett's face. He was staring out into the night, apparently thinking about something. The cool air did not seem to bother him, and he had willingly offered her his coat when they got in the carriage, and he now sat in his long white collared shirt with his bowtie undone and hanging about his neck. The top button of his shirt was undone, providing Scarlett a glimpse of his tanned chest that looked even darker in the distorted light. He appeared to not have a care in the world about his appearance, and yet Scarlett thought he still looked so darkly handsome with those black strands of hair that fell in his eyes. She sighed comfortably and laid her head on his broad shoulder, closing her eyes as the carriage lightly jostled through the city.

"Scarlett," Rhett whispered into the night air.

"Hmmm?" she mumbled, keeping her eyes closed.

"Are you asleep?"

"No," she replied while snuggling closer to him.

"Did you enjoy yourself tonight?"

Scarlett sat up and yawned before turning her eyes on him. "Yes, very much. I feel like I haven't danced like that in ages."

"Do you remember the night of the charity bazaar during the war?" he reminisced. "I can't even imagine how you talked your Aunt Pittypat into letting you attend that one."

"I have my ways," she commented, smiling flirtatiously. "You know I'd do just about anything to go to a dance."

"Yes, as you have proven many times. Ah, but I remember how eager you were when I bid all that hard earned money on you to dance with me."

Scarlett's eyes narrowed in speculative curiosity. "Rhett, how did you know I was hoping that I would get a chance to have fun that night?"

"Well, it was written all over your face. I don't think I'd ever seen a girl with more jealousy in her eyes as she watched the others out on the dance floor. Besides, I think my investment for that evening was worth while. You got to lead the reel—more than once, I might add, and I got to have you to myself for at least one evening."

"Yes," she said silkily, enjoying the compliments he lavished on her. "I bet you enjoyed that, didn't you?

Rhett smiled at her. To him, she had been the loveliest woman at the ball this evening, and he doubted very much that there were not others who thought the same thing. She seemed to radiate happiness when she was in her element like she was tonight. Perhaps it also had something to do with the baby. In truth he never thought he'd even settle down and get married, let alone have a child of his own. But he loved Scarlett because she was so like him, and therefore he also loved this child and hoped that she would come to love it as well.

"Scarlett?" Rhett asked again. "What do you think it will be?"

"What?"

"The baby. Do you predict a boy or a girl?"

"Oh…" Scarlett suddenly felt a twinge of guilt, for in her excitement in preparation for the ball and then the good time she'd had just a short time ago, she'd forgotten about the baby. "I don't know, Rhett," she spoke quietly.

Rhett tilted his head and looked away as if in deep contemplation. "I think it's a girl," he said with a nod of his head.

"How do you know? It could just as likely be a boy, so what makes you so sure?"

"Oh, I don't know. Call it a hunch, I suppose."

Why did he have to bring up the baby anyway? She didn't really want to think about it right now, but then she realized that he was only trying to make her feel comfortable about it. He really must want it, she thought to herself. "Well," Scarlett said as she reached out and brushed the stray strands of his black hair out of his eyes, "I'm going to laugh when this baby comes and you see it's really a boy."

Rhett's dark eyes flashed as the carriage passed under a streetlamp, and the gambler in him resurfaced for a brief moment. "What do you say we make a friendly wager on that, Scarlett?"

Scarlett rolled her eyes. "And just what do you suggest we wager?" she asked sarcastically.

"Well," he spoke quietly as he grazed her cheek with his hand and gazed into her eyes. "How about this: if I am right, and it is a girl, you have to promise to tell me you love me."

Scarlett's breath caught in her throat. She'd never told him she loved him. It had always been Ashley that she thought her heart belonged to for so long. But she knew she no longer loved Ashley; she never really loved him to begin with. She also knew she had not loved Rhett when she accepted his marriage proposal, and he accepted that condition, but Scarlett had known all along that he loved her. It was obvious in the way she caught him looking at her when he thought she was unaware, in the way he touched her and whispered her name in his sleep. He was more than kind to her when she allowed him to be, and she realized she did not sleep well when he was not beside her at night. Yes, she admitted to herself as she was absorbed into the comforting darkness that was penetrating her soul through his eyes, she had learned to love him, and she decided right then and there that she would tell him she loved him when the baby came regardless of whether it was a boy or a girl.

"Alright, Rhett," she slyly smiled. "It's a bargain."

"Promise?" Rhett's face lit up and he reminded Scarlett of a little boy who was eagerly waiting to open his presents on Christmas morning.

"I promise. Oh, but Rhett, there was something I wanted to ask you."

"Uh oh. I know that look when I see it. Let me guess, you want me to take you shopping? No, no that's not it. Let's see, you want to go dancing again tomorrow?"

"Well, that would be nice," she smiled prettily, "but seriously, Rhett."

"Alright, Scarlett, what is it?"

"I wanted to ask you if you'd take me to Tara. I want visit before the baby is born, and I haven't been there in so long. I miss it so," she explained softly, bringing her eyes to meet his in hopes that he would understand.

Rhett's face softened at her request and he tightened his grasp on her shoulder and ran his other hand down her arm. "You really love that place don't you?"

Scarlett nodded and cast her eyes down as she pictured the white house in her mind. "More than anything. You understand what I mean, don't you, Rhett?"

"Yes, Scarlett. Alright, I will take you to Tara."

Scarlett threw her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on the lips. "Thank you so much, Rhett."

The carriage pulled up in front of the Butler mansion a few minutes later and Rhett helped Scarlett down before telling the driver to take the horses around back and put them in the stables. Scarlett turned and walked up the steps, holding Rhett's coat closed while she opened the door with her other hand. The house was dark save for the gleam of the moonbeams streaming through the large windows, casting everything in a white glow. "I should take a willow switch to that Prissy for not leaving a lamp lit," she said aloud.

"Ah, Scarlett, let's not be hostile tonight, my pet. Besides," Rhett said as he came up behind her and took his coat from around her shoulders, "lucky enough for us, the moon is nearly full, and I think we'll be able to make it upstairs just fine."

Scarlett sighed and leaned down to slip off her dainty black slippers. "I just want to get out of this dress and these stays," she said tiredly. "My feet are sore," she added with her back toward Rhett as she made her way to the enormous staircase. She had just mounted the second step when she felt Rhett's hand on her elbow. She stopped and turned around, clutching the mahogany banister with her right hand. Rhett was standing at ground level, with his right foot on the first step, still holding his coat in his hand. Scarlett continued to stare at him with a perplexed expression on her face, and she could see in the moonlight that his dark eyes had clouded over with yearning lust. She descended so that she was standing on the first step looking directly at him and he hung his coat on the banister post before reaching out and wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. Her hands went to his shoulders for support and he leaned in to bridge the gap between them with a tender kiss. After a moment Rhett pulled away but Scarlett's eyes remained closed for a lingering moment longer, and when she slowly opened them, Rhett took her small hand in his and they turned up the stairs together, both silently anticipating what they inevitably knew was coming.

Scarlett watched as Rhett emerged from the dressing room donning his red silk dressing gown. She was seated at her vanity, the red velvet cushion matching her dress perfectly. She had taken out all of her hairpins and clips that had held it up dutifully for hours and it now cascaded down her back in a tangled black mass of curls. Scarlett stood up as Rhett approached and offered her back ho him. He slowly undid the buttons on the back of her dress and let it fall to the floor in a heap at her feet before proceeding to unlace her corset.
Do you think you should be wearing this so tight, Scarlett?"

"In a couple of months I won't be wearing it at all, so I won't worry about that now," she replied. Rhett said nothing but she could feel his eyes boring into the back of her head like two hot coals in the fire. When he had finished unlacing her stays he put his hands on the curve of her hips and kissed her on the cheek before she sat back down again at the vanity and picked up her hairbrush, poising it above her head.

"Let me," Rhett whispered as he took the brush from her hand and started running it through her dark hair. The gentle strokes of the brush through her long hair were soothing, and Scarlett closed her eyes as he continued. "You have beautiful hair, Scarlett. You should never cut it."

Scarlett bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. She opened her eyes when he stopped brushing her hair and took a long strand in her fingers, playing with it idly while Rhett combed his hands through it. Then he leaned forward and Scarlett felt shivers run down her spine when his lips made contact with the skin of her neck and her breath quickened in expectation. This sort of thing seemed to have the same effect on her every time, and as he continued to pepper her skin with delicate kisses she thought of the year before: her wedding night and the first time Rhett had made love to her.

Rhett had come to Tara a few short weeks after they had received word that General Lee had surrendered and the war ended, and Scarlett remembered watching from the porch as he rode up the drive. He seemed like a mirage against the hazy sky, tall and proud on his horse as if he had never been gone at all. At first she had been angry at the prideful look he had on his face as he approached her; so self assured as he'd always been, as if he'd forgotten how he'd cruelly left her and Melanie, the baby, and Prissy on the road to Tara in the direct face of danger. Well, she had not forgotten. She was practically starving along with the rest of those who were left at the house. Her father had suffered a fatal broken neck when he gallantly tried to defend his home against their former overseer who threatened to buy them out, and Scarlett had been left to tote the weary load. And there was Rhett Butler, outwardly looking dapper and groomed, as if he'd never seen a battle or hardship. But then as he smiled at Scarlett, flashing his white teeth as he dismounted his horse, his eyes told her otherwise, and she had let him stay.

Rhett stayed on at Tara and was a great help to Scarlett, doing most of the heavy work that she had been forced to do before. However there was an issue that had been weighing on her mind for some time. Jonas Wilkerson, the former overseer of Tara, had convinced the Republicans who had newly been appointed to political office in Georgia, to raise the taxes on the O'Hara plantation. Scarlett did not have the money, and she had gone to Ashley in hopes that he would provide some sort of answer to their problems; but he had provided none. What was she to do? She'd rather have died than have Tara bought out by the Yankees.

One morning in early May, Scarlett had come downstairs to find Rhett waiting alone for her in her mother's office. "Why didn't you tell me?" he had said.

"How did you find out?"

Rhett told her that he had been splitting rails with Ashley the day before and that Ashley had informed him of her financial situation.

"I'll give you the money."

"I can't take your charity, I won't," she had said with her eyes cast down at the floor.

"How else will you get it then? Don't look at it as charity, Scarlett. Look at it as more like a gift for allowing me to stay here.

"I can't. I'll find some way to raise the money." She had been too proud to accept his offer.

"Well then, if you won't take it as a gift, there's another way you can get it."

Scarlett met his eyes with hopeful curiosity. Perhaps he knows a way, she had thought. Perhaps he had connections to well off people who would buy her cotton.

The words that came out of his mouth a few seconds later were anything but what she had been expecting. "You can marry me," he offered quite seriously.

"What? But I don't love you," she told him.

"No," she remembered him saying somewhat dejectedly, "but I can take care of you. You'll have a roof over your head, plenty of food, and money enough to pay the taxes. Scarlett, I was not lying to you that night I left you to join the army when I said I loved you. Never mind about loving me, but I can help you. I want to help you."

Scarlett could think of no other alternative. She could either marry Rhett, whom she did not love but who would provide for her beyond reasonable means, or lose Tara and everything that was important to her. So she had accepted his proposal, and they had been married in a small ceremony in the late afternoon by the priest from Jonesborough on May 24, 1865, under the massive oak tree on Tara's sprawling front lawn.

As soon as they had arrived at the National Hotel in Atlanta that evening and dropped their luggage off in the bridal suite, Rhett had taken her to the bank where he had transferred the $300 in Scarlett's name and she had made out the check to the Clayton County tax collector's office. Then he led her back to the hotel where he had treated her to a meal unlike anything she had seen since before the war, and he ordered the waiter to have a bottle of the restaurant's finest champagne sent up to their room.

After dinner the newlyweds retreated to their room. It had been the most elegant hotel room Scarlett had ever stayed in, even when her mother and father had taken her and her sisters to Saratoga the year before the war. But as soon as Rhett had locked the door, a wave of timidity fell over Scarlett and she walked into the bedroom to unpack her things, trying desperately not to let Rhett see her shaking hands. When she had married Charlie Hamilton she had easily made him sleep in the chair next to the bed on their wedding night, but she knew she was powerless to make Rhett do the same thing, and she was terrified of what she knew was expected of her.

She stood up, clutching her nightgown to her chest as she watched Rhett approach her. She felt so small in his overpowering presence, and she realized how much older he was. Only his calm, soft eyes relieved some of her fears. When he was close enough, he reached out and brushed a stray tendril of her dark hair behind her ear before signaling with his eyes toward the dressing room. Scarlett cast her eyes down and followed his silent instructions, and when she came out again, dressed in her nightgown and shyly crossing her arms over her chest in embarrassment, she knew she was visibly shaking.

Rhett had undressed while she was changing, and was now standing in front of her in a black dressing gown. "Don't be afraid," he had said as he gently uncrossed her arms. "I won't hurt you."

Scarlett swallowed as he brushed her pale cheek with his thumb, and held her breath when he bent down and nuzzled his lips in the juncture of her neck and shoulder. Just as she had during the war when he had kissed her wrists in the fading light on Aunt Pitty's porch, she now felt goose-bumps rise up all over her body, and she let out a shaky breath. She stood stiff and still as an ivory statue as Rhett continued to kiss his way up her neck, ear and cheek. Her breath was coming quicker, but she dared not move. When his mouth came in contact with hers, she instinctively closed her eyes, but he was weakening her resolve with his velvet lips; his moustache tickling her upper lip as he gently pried her lips open with his and kissed her deeply. He was evoking feelings she had never before experienced, and her mind was clouding with darkness as she unknowingly brought her arms around his neck and timidly kissed him back. His hands were roaming down her back, over the curve of her hips and lower, and then back up, tangling in her hair as he continued to kiss her with growing passion. She had never been kissed like that, but when she finally let herself willingly give in to his demanding lips, he wrapped his arms around her back tightly and lifted her off the ground before tearing his lips from hers and whispering in her ear, "Scarlett, let me love you". His voice was so full of passion and sincerity, almost pleading, and Scarlett, giving in to the darkness that was threatening to overtake her, nodded her head and whispered, "Yes."

Rhett carried her over to the large bed and gently laid her down on the fresh sheets before disrobing and kneeling over her, never taking his eyes away from hers. Her heart was pounding, but she watched him as he slowly unbuttoned her nightgown, kissing every inch of skin as it was revealed under his searing lips. She clutched the sheets with her hands as he continued to kiss lower and lower, and when all of the buttons had been undone, he slipped the nightgown over her head and continued where he had left off, letting his lips roam lower than Scarlett knew was proper, but she could not—did not want him to stop. He brought his lips up to the hollow of her neck and down along her collarbone, and she closed her eyes as she felt him roam lower along her chest. She felt tremors pulsing through her, and she suddenly gasped as his mouth closed around her nipple. He lingered for a moment before moving to the other one, playing idly with his tongue. Scarlett could not control the whimper that left her lips, and tried desperately to control her erratic breathing while he left a trail of kisses down the center of her body. Never in her life had she even imagined a man making her feel this way. She had never been warned to expect it, but perhaps no one whom she had ever talked to had ever experienced what she was experiencing with Rhett at that moment.

She had little time for thinking before Rhett's mouth was on hers again, and she felt him positioning himself between her legs. She remembered how clumsy Charles had been when she could no longer avoid his advances, but she knew Rhett was experienced with women, and though this brought on a brief feeling of disgust at the thought of him philandering with those kinds of women, she had a feeling that he would be gentle with her. She opened her eyes and saw him looking at her with an adoring glance, as if silently saying "trust me". And in the passion of that moment, she did trust him, her nervousness from before forgotten. He laced his fingers with hers before kissing her damp forehead lightly, and then, in one swift movement he was inside her. She let him guide her, and he brought her to heights she never knew existed. She kissed him again and clutched his shoulders as he moved faster, their movements becoming less graceful as their ecstasy neared its peak. After what felt like a blissful eternity, Scarlett felt something building up inside her and suddenly she was spiraling back to earth, while Rhett followed shortly thereafter. They both collapsed into each other's arms as their hearts beat in unison, and as they both drifted off into a deep slumber, Scarlett smiled at the thought that on that night, she discovered what it was like to be worshiped.

Scarlett was startled out of her reverie by Rhett's voice, and she realized that he had stopped kissing her and was now staring at her in the vanity mirror. "What were you thinking about that has you smiling like that?" he asked curiously.

Scarlett blushed harshly, embarrassed that he had caught her thinking of such things, but then she smiled again when his eyes lit up in a teasing manner and she leaned back against him, resting her head on his broad chest and patting his muscular thigh with her right hand. "I was remembering when you came to Tara after the war; when we got married…"

Rhett smiled and rested his cheek against hers. "And?"

"Our wedding night," she admitted with a happy sigh.

"Ah, I remember it well. If I do recall, you succumbed to my charms rather quickly," he snickered.

Scarlett swiftly turned to face him, her cheeks a rosy red. "Oh you…hush up! I did no such thing!" Her words only caused a peal of deep laughter to come from Rhett, who never ceased to be amazed by how forthright Scarlett could be sometimes, yet while at other times she became embarrassed and would give him a glance with her green eyes as if to warn him that they should not speak of such private matters.

"Oh no?" he whispered, running the backs of his fingers down the side of her ribcage. "I'd be more than happy to show you again, my pet."

Scarlett felt the warmth of his hand through the thin fabric of her chemise and she caulked a finely arched black eyebrow at him. Though she had been no virginal bride when she married him, Rhett was the only one out of the two of her husbands that she would call her lover, and in truth, Rhett had taught her to be adventurous, to demand that her own needs be met, and she didn't think, now as she sat looking into his cloudy eyes, that she would ever want another man to take his place in her bed or in her affections. She decided to play along with Rhett, something else that she had learned to do in the past year. It was more than her coquettish flirtatiousness. She found that Rhett did not fall for such tricks; he never had. No, Rhett liked to play, though not in the sense that young boys did. He was a man, and played like one, but he encouraged her to have fun with him, and she found that she rather enjoyed going along for the ride.

Scarlett flashed Rhett a pretty smile that brought out her dimples. "I bet you would like to do that, wouldn't you?"

"I wouldn't mind," he grinned wickedly before leaning in to kiss her. "Besides," he said softly after pulling away. "I want to take advantage of having you all to myself while I still can."

Scarlett closed her eyes and sighed as he kissed her again, feeling the familiar tide of passion sweep over her as it had so many times over the past year. She knew that their time for passionate liaisons grew shorter with each day that passed by and her pregnancy advanced, and she would not deny herself or him the pleasure of enjoying it while they still could.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

When Scarlett awoke the next morning, she was disappointed to find Rhett's side of the bed empty, but when she glanced at the clock on the mantle above the fireplace, she realized that it was past eleven, and Rhett had probably been up for some time. She realized she was starving after hearing her stomach growl, and she rang for Mammy to bring her some breakfast and then proceeded to turn over in bed, snuggling back under the covers. Then, just as she was about to close her eyes, she noticed a red rose laying on the nightstand next to her head. Scarlett's face lit up and she reached out and picked up the flower, bringing it up to her nose and inhaling its sweet scent. She sat up to put the rose back on the table when she noticed a white envelope with her name written in Rhett's scrawling penmanship, and a note written in the same fashion. Curiously, she picked up the note and began reading it. It said simply:

Scarlett,

I had some business to take care of this morning but I should be back before too long. Enjoy your sleep, both of you.

Yours always,

Rhett

Scarlett smiled as she reread the note. She loved how Rhett did little things to surprise her sometimes, and it made her feel better knowing he was not only thinking of her, but of their unborn child as well. It was subtle little things like that that reassured her that Rhett was a loving husband and did indeed care for her very much. She picked up the envelope from the nightstand and carefully opened it, wondering what sort of surprise could be in store for her. She reached inside and pulled out two train tickets. At first she was confused, but when she read the destination, Jonesborough, she remembered the request she'd made the night before for him to take her to Tara, and a rush of happiness coursed through her entire being. How she missed Tara! She had not been back since the day she was married, and the prospect of visiting her childhood home again brought tears to her eyes as she remembered all of the things that had happened there, good and bad. She had been so close to losing it after the war, and she was forever grateful for Rhett for offering to give her the money to pay for it. That act alone had left her in debt to him, but their agreement had turned out to be worthwhile after all. She only wished now that she could fix Tara up the way it was before the war; transform it into the home she used to know, but she only owned one third of the property.

Scarlett was already dressed and downstairs when Rhett came home from wherever it was he had been that morning. He came walking into the dining room with his lanky, self assured stride and took his usual seat next to Scarlett, who was eating the breakfast that Mammy had prepared for her just a few minutes prior.

"So, my Sleeping Beauty finally decided to awaken, I see," Rhett teasingly commented.

Scarlett looked up at him with dancing eyes and scrunched her nose in reply before taking another bite of the biscuits and gravy that made up part of the hearty meal on the plate in front of her.

"I see you'd rather eat your breakfast than kiss your poor husband good morning," Rhett mockingly sighed. "It's nice to know where your priorities lye, my pet."

Scarlett swallowed her mouth full of food and took a sip of orange juice before moving into Rhett's lap and kissing him firmly on his freshly shaved cheek. "Rhett, where have you been? I've been waiting for you all morning."

Rhett smiled and wrapped his arms around her back before kissing her cheek in the same fashion as the one he had received from Scarlett. "I was taking care of some business. Did you get my note this morning?"

"Oh, yes," Scarlett smiled, remembering the perfect red rose that had accompanied the note. "And the train tickets too, Rhett! When did you get those?"

Rhett chuckled good naturedly at seeing his wife's eyes light up in excitement. "This morning, while you were still sleeping. I went to the station first thing. You know, I think you'd be amazed at the things one can accomplish if one did not sleep in all day," he teased, leaning his forehead against Scarlett's and rocking her in his lap like a child.

"I was tired," she said shyly.

"I know, my darling. I was only teasing you. You sleep as long as you want, you need the rest. I don't want you overexerting yourself."

"I won't," she said as she reached over and pulled her unfinished plate of food toward her, picking up her fork and taking a bite of her scrambled eggs. Rhett still held her in his lap and watched with amused eyes as she shoveled the food into her mouth. She'd always been like this, ever since the war ended, eating every plate of food as if it were the last she'd ever have.

"That smells good, Scarlett," Rhett observed, peeking over Scarlett's shoulder. "Did Mammy make it for you?"

Scarlett nodded her head and turned to him, holding a forkful of eggs in front of him and watched as he opened his mouth and ate it. "Well, it tastes as good as it smells. I should have Mammy start making me meals like this in the morning. How come she makes them for you and not me?" he smiled.

"Because I am her favorite, that's why," Scarlett answered before pushing the plate away.

"Oh, I see," Rhett raised his eyebrows and commented in a playful manner. "Well," he quipped after kissing the tip of her nose, "I guess that explains it, then."

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Scarlett smiled mischievously, wrapping her arms around Rhett's shoulders and languidly resting her head against his. "I'm sure Mammy likes you too. I think you managed to win her over when we came back from New Orleans and you diligently presented her with that new silk petticoat. It took her a while, but she wears it quite often, you know."

"And how do you know such things?"

"You forget that I've known Mammy since I was born, and she shares everything with me. She's like my mother now that my real mother—" Scarlett's voice softened to a whisper and Rhett could tell that her playfull mood had ceased and she was now fighting back tears. He shifted her in his lap so that she was practically facing him, and taking her head in his large hands, he stared lovingly into her glittering green eyes.

"Scarlett, please don't cry. Your mother wouldn't want to see you crying for her, now would she?"

Scarlett wiped her wet eyes with the backs of her hands and timidly looked at her husband. Rhett was always so strong, so comforting with his words, and she wondered if he had ever needed someone to soothe him. Somehow she knew he was not perfect, but he always put on a brave front around her; always seemed in control of his emotions. Scarlett had always been embarrassed to show her weak side, especially in front of Rhett, as she was now, but today she could not help it, and was glad that Rhett did not tease her as he used to do during the war.

"I'm sorry, Rhett," she whispered, looking past him. "You know I don't like to look back, but sometimes little things remind me of the things I loved most; the things I've lost…I just miss her so much, and Pa too."

His arms locked around her and she buried her head in his shoulder, willingly waiting for his tender words to make everything alright once more. "I know you miss them, Scarlett," he soothingly whispered. "It's only natural to mourn the ones we've lost that were closest to our hearts, and crying is a natural thing. I'm certain that wherever your mother and father are, they're watching you with pride."

"Do you really think so, Rhett? Do you think they can see me?" Scarlett questioned softly.

Rhett smiled somewhat sadly at the curious hope that had been voiced in Scarlett's questions. He no longer believed in a spiritual higher power. He had seen and experienced too many horrible things in his lifetime, and God had never come to the aid of any of the people he saw suffering, never stopped any of the vile acts he had witnessed in his worldly travels. He did not know if there was an afterlife either, but he knew Scarlett had been raised on such beliefs, and if his reassurance comforted her, whether he believed in his words or not, he would continue to reassure her that such things were true.

"I'm sure they are, Scarlett," he lamented, taking her delicate hand in his and letting their fingers intertwine. "As long as you remember them, they'll never really be gone. The ones we love most never really leave us. Know that."

Scarlett smiled appreciatively at his words. "I believe you. Rhett, when are we going to Tara?"

"Ah, I knew that would cheer you up!" he smiled widely. "Next week is when the tickets were purchased for. I need to wrap up some business here in Atlanta before we go. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes, that's fine," Scarlett agreed, her mood becoming more cheerful at the thought of revisiting her cherished childhood home.

"Good," Rhett stated. He stood Scarlett on her feet before getting up from the chair and joining her as they walked into the hall.

"Rhett? What is this business you need to take care of?" asked Scarlett eagerly. Rhett looked down into her wide, smiling eyes and chuckled at her child-like inquisition.

"Well, aren't you the nosy one?" he teased, pulling her closer to his side as they continued to walk through the house. "Have you ever heard of curiosity killing the cat? Besides, you'll find out soon enough."

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Late that night, after everyone had gone to sleep, Scarlett lay in bed staring into the still night that had cloaked the world in shades of black and white outside the bedroom window. Rhett's deep breathing behind her told her that he had found sleep, and she guessed that he was dreaming from the soft mumbling noises he sometimes made. They had made passionate love earlier that evening, and Scarlett, though physically sedated, was being mentally bombarded with thoughts. Until now, she had refused to let herself think of the small being that was growing inside of her, but she could not help it now as she sensed the physical and mental changes that were slowly talking place in her body. It would not be too long before she started to show, and she dreaded the day when Rhett would surely say she would have to stay in bed with little physical activity.

She had sent Prissy to the tailor's earlier in the week to have a few of her summer dresses altered for when the weather got warmer, and she already cringed at the thought of not being able to fit into the petite fashions that had made her look so pretty. She let out a frustrated sigh and shifted under the covers, suddenly feeling uncomfortable and hot despite the cool breeze that was blowing through the open window, making the shadows dance on the moonlit walls. It was likely to have happened any time, she reasoned with herself, but why now when she was finally leaving the effects of the war behind and her life was so carefree? And why now, when she was basking in the full sentiment of love for her spouse, should he have to share him with someone else? It seemed unfair to her in that moment, and she shifted yet again under the sheets, trying to find a comfortable position. When she had finally settled on her side again, facing away from Rhett, the effects of that evening's passion slowly started to take over and her eyes became heavy. But just then Rhett reached out and wrapped his left arm around her, pulling her closer to him, and she felt him rest his hand on her stomach.

"Can't sleep?" His gruff voice startled her and her eyes snapped open. Could it be that he had been awake all this time?

"No," she whispered.

"It's the baby isn't it?" he asked quietly, leaving a soft kiss on her creamy white shoulder.

Scarlett unconsciously brushed her fingertips over his rough hand. "How did you know?"

"You usually sleep so soundly, especially after we make love." Scarlett's cheeks flushed and she was grateful for the protection of the darkness to mask her embarrassment. Rhett leaned over and kissed her cheek and spoke silkily, "There's no need to feel embarrassed, Scarlett. But it's true, you know. I know you've had trouble falling asleep since you found out about the baby. Will you tell me what it is that's weighing so heavily on your mind? Are you still worried about your clothes and other material things?"

Scarlett suddenly felt a pang of guilt at his last words. She had mostly been thinking of her own discomfort and her appearance, forgetting that it was only a temporary situation caused by a life she and Rhett had created together. But she could not help it, it was not in her nature to be completely selfless, though she sometimes wished it was.

"It's partly that, Rhett," she admitted.

"But Scarlett, why does it matter? You look radiant to me, you always will, and new clothes are not a scarce commodity."

He was right, she reasoned. She knew he loved her, so why should she be so concerned about her outward appearance when it was his opinion that really mattered to her?

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "That was selfish of me to say."

"No, don't be sorry. I know you can't help it, and sometimes I like your selfish nature. Your headstrong ways add to your charm," he said playfully making Scarlett feel more at ease.

Scarlett turned in his arms so she was facing him, and placing one hand on his chest she smiled and purred, "Is it wrong of me to be selfish about not wanting to share you with anyone else?"

Rhett laughed lightly at her coquettish comment. "No, Scarlett, and I think I share in that selfishness. But just because there will be someone else in our lives now does not mean that we will not be able to share each other as we have been up until this point. I think that this baby might actually bring us closer because it will essentially be dependent on us. Though, I dare say it may be a challenge, we can learn along the way, and who knows, you may actually find you enjoy being a mother."

"Yes, maybe," she whispered in reply. Would she ever feel comfortable with having this baby? Rhett seemed so sure she would, and now as she kept thinking about it, her disdain slowly dissolved and she was left with a slight feeling of curiosity. Perhaps he was right and she just needed some more time to get used to her condition. But then—"Rhett, I know you'll keep me locked inside this house and not let me go to any parties pretty soon, and it's not fair," she pouted, flashing Rhett a disarming look that made him waver for a second.

"Ah, but have you forgotten, my darling, that I promised to keep you company as much as I could? You know I've never kept you under lock and key, Scarlett, and I don't plan on starting now. But I am concerned about your welfare and that of the baby, and if the doctor orders it, well…" he looked at her carefully as if trying to make a quick decision about the matter which they were currently discussing, "I have to do what he says. Do you understand what I'm talking about?"

"Yes," she sighed in surrender. "But I'm certainly not looking forward to being bedridden."

"Scarlett, you make it sound worse than it will be. Aren't you looking forward to spending time alone with me?" he asked, feigning sadness as he ran his fingers through her hair. "Or would you rather I stayed away?"

Scarlett hit him on the arm in jest but she could not help the playful smile that crept up on her crimson lips when she looked into those eyes that still sparkled with youth even though she knew they had seen more than some people see in a lifetime. "Of course I want you with me, Rhett."

"Don't worry, my pet," he mumbled as he brought his lips close to hers and ran his hand over the curve of her hip and down her thigh, pulling her body to his and causing Scarlett to giggle at his suddenly seductive yet playful manner. "We still have time for fun. Don't forget, I'm taking you to Tara next week, and who knows what kind of adventures we can have there."

Scarlett, suddenly forgetting her fatigue from their fervent incident earlier, voraciously kissed him on the lips and when she pulled away, she saw a look of pretend shock on Rhett's face and a gleam of mischief in his coal eyes.

"Scarlett, you never cease to surprise me," he grinned widely. "Perhaps that's why I love you so."