He he he! Wow, tis thing has gotten 400 hits in under a week. So either people really like reading it, there are a ton of people who visit GWTW fan fic, or people just have a clicking fetish, lol. Anyway, if you haven't read this before you may be asking yourself: why the heck at these two so happy? As you know, in GWTW it was always Rhett and Scarlett fighting, but this is how i imagined it to be if Scarlett had recognized she loved him early on; you know, if things had been different. Anyway it has to be happy to set up what's coming later, but if you haven't read it, i can't tell you. So anyway, thanks for reading, I hope you're enjoying, and let me know what you think:)

Oh, PS, this part is NC-17 so if you aren't allowed to read that or just don't want to because you get offended, I advise skipping it.

The trip from Atlanta to Jonesborough had taken roughly two hours by train. Somewhat to Scarlett's dismay, Rhett had woken her early in the morning, and after she'd dressed, he had ushered her outside where the footman was securing the last of their trunks filled to the brim with summer clothes and necessities to the back of the carriage. Scarlett squinted as he helped her into the carriage, for she was still very sleepy and though the dawn had barely broken, the dim light was enough to cause discomfort on her heavy eyes. Once seated inside Scarlett closed her eyes wearily, leaning her head against Rhett's strong shoulder, and asked why they had to leave so early.

"I thought you would want to get to Tara with a whole day in front of you, Scarlett. Besides, it will be cooler on the train this morning. I believe it may get pretty warm today and I thought you'd be more comfortable," was his explanation, and Scarlett accepted it with a nod of her head. "You can sleep on the train if you'd like," he added kindly.

Scarlett, however, did not sleep on the train. Her excitement about seeing Tara again was building stronger, and she sat with her head resting on the back of the plush seat, watching the soft pinks and yellows of the rising sun bring the colorful Georgian landscape to life as the train made it's journey north over the newly laid tracks.

Scarlett clung to Rhett's arm as the carriage jostled through the few miles of open road that would lead them from Jonesborough to Tara. Her eyes darted around eagerly as she tried to take in all of the passing scenery, and she partially listened while Rhett amused her with his story of how he took this route on his way to Tara after the war. Having never been to the O'Hara plantation, he joked about having had to dodge the Yankees and find disenchanted Confederate soldiers to send him in the right direction. Scarlett, sadly, found it hard to take part in his jovial conversation as she continued to take in their surroundings.

Rural northern Georgia looked the same as it always had on the surface, but they both knew that underneath the scars left behind by Sherman's army would never fade. Rhett's deep voice next to her was slowly drowned out by her memories of the last time she had traveled this windy dirt road. She had never been more exhausted or scared in her entire life on that endless journey, and as Rhett drove the carriage past the woods, Scarlett turned her head away and squeezed her eyes shut, but she could not make the image of the Yankee soldiers passing not two feet in front of her face as they hid in those woods under the cover of darkness disappear. She unknowingly trembled with the resonating fear of that night and Rhett, sensing her discomfort, puller her to his side and leaned over, kissing her shoulder.

"Are you alright, Scarlett?"

Straightening up and composing herself, Scarlett turned to him and locked her deep green gaze on his worried eyes. "I'm fine."

Rhett ignored her cool statement, and summoned up an apology, something that he rarely did, but now felt extremely necessary. "Scarlett, I'm sorry I left you at Rough and Ready that night after the siege. You don't know how I cursed myself for that, knowing what could have happened to you, but I had some stupid heroic notion that was compelling me to join the army, to help in the last stand. I don't know what you went through to get to Tara after I left, but I know you haven't forgotten."

She cast her eyes away and tried to focus on the horizon in front of them. How could he ever know what she went through on that night? He never would fully understand her fear, but he had saved her and Melanie, the baby and Prissy from the ill fated city that night, and somewhere along the line she had put her anger behind her. She took his hand in hers and met his eyes once more. "No, I haven't forgotten, and I will never forget. But I have forgiven you," she explained sincerely, knowing that he blamed himself for much of what had happened to her while he was fighting in the war. "I forgave you a long time ago, Rhett."

She observed him as he looked away, still holding her hand, and she squeezed his in her own in hopes that her previous words had lifted some of the burden from his shoulders as his apology had done to her. When he turned back to her with his thankful black eyes, she reached up and brought his face down to hers, kissing him tenderly, and when they pulled apart, he smiled in understanding and turned back to the road. "We're almost there, Scarlett."

Scarlett was beaming as Rhett drove the carriage up the oak alley that made up the driveway to Tara. There was the house, just as she had remembered it, standing white and proud with its green shutters and square columns lining the porch. It had only been a year since she and Rhett had last been here, but to Scarlett it felt like a lifetime.

"Oh Rhett! Do hurry, I want to go inside!" she begged excitedly.

Rhett smiled at Scarlett's happiness; relieved that her fear from earlier was seemingly forgotten. "As you wish, love, but only on one condition."

"What?" she questioned, the swift turn of her head sending her dark curls flying about her face.

"I'm going to need you to loosen your grip on my hand," he explained mockingly, gesturing to their intertwined hands that were resting on Scarlett's lap. "I think you're cutting off my circulation."

Scarlett did not realize that in her excitement she had been gripping his hand so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. "Oh!" she exclaimed, releasing his hand, "I'm sorry."

"That's quite alright," he laughed, pulling the carriage up in front of the plantation.

Rhett had arranged for Mammy, Pork, Prissy and Dilcey to come on the train the previous day so that the house would be ready when he and Scarlett arrived. After he helped Scarlett down from the carriage, he escorted her into the house and instructed Pork to help him move their luggage upstairs to Scarlett's old room, and Scarlett happily moved through the house, taking in everything that she knew by heart. Nothing had physically changed since she and Rhett left; every object was still in its rightful place, but she sensed that there was something that was different about the atmosphere. Not wanting to let anything dampen her jovial mood, Scarlett vowed to think about this difference later, and went to find Mammy.

The succulent smell of chicken, hot biscuits and garden salad lured Scarlett into the kitchen where she found Mammy preparing lunch. "Ah sho missed dis place, Miss Scahlett," Mammy said, as if she had instinctively sensed Scarlett's presence.

"Me too, Mammy. Me too."

The old woman who knew Scarlett so well turned around to face her. "Miss Schalett, I's got a confession to make."

"What is it Mammy?" Scarlett questioned curiously. Mammy told her everything, so what could she possibly have to say that Scarlett did not already know?

"When Mistah Rhett fuhst come to Tara after de wah, Ah didn't lahk him much. Ah said to mahself, dat der man is a scoundrel; he ain't no good, and Ah didn't want you marryin' him…"

"Oh, Mammy!" Scarlett laughed and hugged the older woman, "That's alright. I will tell you something: I didn't think I liked him much myself when I first met him."

Mammy's big brown eyes danced at Scarlett's lightheartedness, but then they turned serious. "Miss Scahlett, I's been wantin' to apologize 'bout not bein' civil to him. Ah think marryin' Mistah Rhett was de best thing dat could have happened to you."

"You think so, Mammy?" Scarlett asked, holding Mammy at arm's length.

"Ah knows it, Miss Scahlett. Ah never seen no man so in love before, and Ah's happy dat you's carryin' his child."

Scarlett's eyes filled with tears as she smiled at Mammy's kind words. She knew Rhett tried his best to be on Mammy's good graces, and she was relived to know that he really was. "I know he loves me, Mammy, and I love him. I'm glad I married him."

"Ah's proud of mah lamb." Mammy smiled and gave Scarlett an approving glance like a mother would her own daughter. "An' don't you make de most handsome couple!"

Scarlett's face was full of mirth as she laughed and thanked Mammy. The two women continued laughing and enjoying each other's company as they so often used to when Rhett entered the room. He cleared his throat to get their attention. "What's all of this ruckus about? Are you ladies having all the fun without me?"

Scarlett turned glittering green eyes on her husband and swiftly moved to where he stood against the doorframe, grasping his hand in hers. "We were only talking about you, Rhett," she said happily.

"Ah, I see, having fun at my expense," he joked, kissing Scarlett on the top of her head and smiling. Then his eyes fell upon the food that Mammy had been preparing. After letting go of Scarlett's hand, Rhett walked over to where Mammy was standing and flashed her his most handsome grin, which caused Mammy to turn and look at Scarlett, giving her a confirming smile. "Mammy, you are a wonderful cook," Rhett said silkily, trying to lure the old woman under his hypnotic gaze.

Scarlett watched amused as her husband held Mammy's affections under his rogue-like charms. But then she noticed Rhett reach behind his back and slyly steal two of the warm buttermilk cookies that were cooling on the counter next to the other food and she curtly let Mammy into his secret with a glance of her eyes.

Mammy continued to smile at Rhett who was still sweet talking her, unaware that Scarlett had given him away, and she reached for a dish towel that was laying on the counter. Just as Rhett turned toward Scarlett with his dark eyes shining like a little boy's, he showed her the cookies he'd stolen so cunningly and took a bite of one. Scarlett laughed at his youthful antics, but before he could get any further, Rhett jumped in surprise for Mammy had smacked him on the bottom with the towel. Rhett turned around swiftly to see what had hit him, and he held up his hands in surrender to Mammy who stood there defiantly smirking. "Sorry, Mammy," he said innocently. But then Rhett grinned again and shoved the other cookie in his mouth before turning and grabbing Scarlett's hand, darting out of the room, and barely escaping Mammy's punishment a second time.

After lunch, Scarlett told Rhett that she felt a bit tired from traveling that morning, and he escorted her up to their room so she could take a much needed nap.

"Do you need help with your clothes, Scarlett?"

"Yes, please."

Rhett helped her out of her dress and stays, but she told him that she would sleep in her chemise. When he was finished, he wrapped his arms around her from behind and placed his hands on the slight swell of her stomach. She put her hands on top of his and he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Are you happy here?"

"Yes, Rhett. Thank you so much for bringing me. I was afraid that I would not remember what everything looked like, but it's exactly how I left it."

"I'm glad, Scarlett. This place is such a part of you."

"Oh Rhett," she languidly sighed, "I wish I could make it the way it was before the war."

"Some day you will, my darling," he said softly, placing a light kiss on her temple. Scarlett turned in his arms and gave him a questioning look. What did he mean by that? She only owned part of the property, so it was impossible to drastically change anything without her sisters' consent. Rhett simply gave her a knowing smile in return before laying her on the feather mattress and kissing her on the forehead. "Don't sleep too long, Scarlett, I have a surprise for you when you wake up." With those parting words, he took his leave and closed the door softly behind him, leaving Scarlett to her thoughts.

A surprise? She wondered what on earth it could be, but then her mind turned to other things. Rhett had invited Mammy and the other servants to join them for lunch, and even though the mood at the large table was cheerful, Scarlett could not help but look at the empty chairs with a slight pang of sadness. The dining room at Tara had once been filled with visitors, laughter, fine food and drink, and the many faces that Scarlett had so loved. Her father, who always sat at the head of the table, would regale the family in his Irish brogue with the latest news from the neighboring plantations, political movements and decisions in the South, and often, to Scarlett and her sisters' delight, he would spin magical tales of Ireland. Scarlett would often see her mother glancing at Gerald with a reproachful look as if silently telling him that bedtime stories were not proper at the dinner table. Yet she never voiced her opinions out loud. Instead she basked in the merry warmth of her daughters' laughter and would sometimes even find herself immersed in her husband's stories.

Those days were gone now. Her mother and father were dead, her sister, Suellen, had married her beau, Frank Kennedy, and they now lived in Atlanta like the Butlers, and it was only on rare occasions that Scarlett and Suellen spoke. Her baby sister, Carreen, had left to join a convent in Charleston shortly after Scarlett had married Rhett. It was not so surprising to Scarlett that Carreen should chose a life of religious confinement—her pious ways had always been of great importance to her, and after her beau, Brent Tarleton, had died in the war, she had decided that the only love worth sacrificing was that which she devoted to God.

Scarlett missed those days, those people who used to come from the neighboring plantations, her family. As she lay in her bed staring up at the ceiling, Scarlett suddenly realized what had been so different when she arrived: Tara was empty. Of course she already knew that no one permanently resided there anymore, but the silence was tangible once she stepped foot inside the house. She had felt sad at lunch as she observed the vacant chairs at the table, but she remembered a calm feeling sweeping over her. It was as if those people were there with them; ghosts from a not so distant past that had come back to mingle with the living in the place they once all loved.

Scarlett awoke from her nap a couple of hours later feeling refreshed and excited. Rhett said he had a surprise for her, and she was eager to find out what it was. She descended the stairs wearing a navy blue linen summer dress with an Empire waist, blue slippers to match, and her dark hair was down and tumbling about her shoulders. When she got to the bottom of the stairs she heard two male voices coming from her father's study. That's funny, she thought, we weren't expecting any visitors. There was a mirror in the front hall, and Scarlett stopped in front of it to briefly check her appearance before continuing on to meet her husband.

The voices grew louder as Scarlett got closer to the study, and she recognized Rhett's deep Charlestonian drawl, but the other voice remained a mystery. She knocked softly to announce her presence, afraid of interrupting a conversation, before peeking her head into the room. There was Rhett, looking handsome as ever, sitting in a leather chair by the window and smoking one of his fine cigars. Across from him sat a man Scarlett had never seen in her life. He was thin and pale with a mass of curly brown hair and a beard that came to a point at the end, and as he spoke to Rhett, Scarlett could tell by his accent that he was a Yankee. Rhett and his guest stood as she entered the room, and Scarlett observed that this man was much shorter than her husband. "Ah, here she is!" exclaimed Rhett. "Please, come in my pet."

Scarlett walked over to him and took his outstretched hand in hers, clutching it tightly, all the while never taking her eyes off of their guest. Who was this man, and what was he doing in her house? Scarlett still felt nothing but hatred toward the Yankees, and this man, though she had not spoken to him, was no exception. It was Rhett who broke the awkward silence. "Scarlett, I'd like you to meet Mathew Brady. Mr. Brady, this is my wife, Scarlett."

Mr. Brady observed her with kind eyes and held out his hand. "Mrs. Butler."

Scarlett looked him over critically, trying to find a reason to order this northerner out of her house, but she found none. Rhett squeezed her hand in reassurance and Scarlett cautiously stepped forward to take the other man's offered hand.

"Mr. Brady is a renowned photographer, Scarlett, and he has come all the way down from Washington to take our portrait," Rhett explained, trying to make Scarlett understand that the other man meant no harm.

Mr. Brady smiled awkwardly, obviously sensing Scarlett's slight discomfort in his presence. "Your husband offered me a generous sum of money to travel down here, and I must say it is quite an honor to be in the presence of such a well known man and his beautiful wife."

"Well known?" Scarlett asked looking up at Rhett and seeing his face light up with a grin.

"Well, you see Mrs. Butler, even up north your husband is quite famous for his wartime escapades. Captain Rhett Butler, blockade runner. He had many Federal officials on his tail, but I see he managed to escape unhindered."

"But not without many close calls, I assure you," Rhett beamed proudly.

Mr. Brady nodded his head in understanding and clapped his hands together once. "Well then, shall we take the photograph?"

Rhett looked down at Scarlett with raised eyebrows and she nodded her head in approval, sending him a smile that matched her big, trusting eyes. "Yes," said Rhett, "I think we're ready."

For the location of the photograph, Scarlett chose outside as her preference, and she led Rhett by the hand, followed closely behind by Mr. Brady, toting his wooden tripod and equipment, to the whitewashed pine gazebo in the small garden in back of the house. The couple sat on the shaded bench as the photographer set up his equipment. "Is this my surprise, Rhett?" Scarlett asked smiling.

"Yes," he replied, stealing a quick kiss from her crimson lips. "I thought it about time we get one."

Scarlett leaned her forehead against his and grinned. "You're right, we don't have a picture of you and I do we?"

"No. There's a first time for everything though, and did you know Mr. Brady photographed General Lee last year at Appomatox?"

Scarlett's eyes became wide with disbelief. "Really Rhett?"

"It's true. He's photographed many people, Scarlett, and I paid him good money to take the finest portrait of you and I that anyone has ever seen."

"Oh, Rhett!" Scarlett exclaimed as a wave of excitement washed over her.

Just then the photographer announced that he was ready and Scarlett and Rhett paid close attention to the way he wanted them to pose. When he was done, Mr. Brady moved around to the back of his wooden box camera and pulled the black cloth over his head while taking the shutter button in his right hand. He had taken many portraits over the last ten years, but when he looked through the viewfinder, even he was taken aback by what he saw. Rhett sat close to his wife with his hands resting on her waist and his cheek against hers in profile, gazing adoringly at her. Scarlett was looking directly at the camera and there was pure passion radiating form her green eyes. The corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, and her hands were resting in her lap. It was a difficult pose to hold, but neither of them moved until the shutter dropped and the bright flash of light sent orange sparks into the air. This caused both Scarlett and Rhett to jump in bewilderment, but then Scarlett started laughing and Rhett soon joined in, the sheer joy of this experience glowing from their
love-struck eyes.

XXXXXXXXXXX

"Ready?" Rhett asked as he put his hands on Scarlett's petite waist. "I've got you." Scarlett smiled brightly and nodded her head up and down as Rhett lifted her up onto the saddle of the brown Arabian mare. Once Scarlett settled in her side-saddle position and tucked her skirts beneath her, Rhett put his right booted foot in the stirrup and climbed on behind her.

"Alright, hand that up now, will you, Pork?" Rhett said, addressing the tall black man who was standing diligently next to the horse holding a wicker picnic basket and a calico blanket in his hands. Pork did as his employer instructed and handed Scarlett first the blanket and then the basket. "Here, you hold on to that," Rhett nodded with his head toward the basket, "and I'll put this here," he said as he gently took the blanket from his wife's hands and set it in his lap before taking the reins in his left hand and wrapping his right around Scarlett's waist, holding her close to him as a child would a favorite rag doll.

The horse raised its head and pawed one of its front hooves in the dirt as if signaling to its riders its eagerness to start their journey. Scarlett reached out and calmly ran her free hand down the silky brown coat of the horse's arched neck and through its ebony mane. She remembered the gelding her father had bought for her when she was small; Chestnut is what she had named it, after the color of the horse's coat. How she had loved that pony. They had taken many rides together through the fields at Tara; racing the county boys who would one day grow up to court her, many who would perish during the war in some battle far away from their beloved homes; or just taking refuge in the liberating feeling of the wind blowing through her black hair as she rode through the pastures at sunset.

It was ten o'clock in the morning now and the sun was bright in the crystal clear sky. The weather promised to be overly warm, signaling the beginning of summer, and Scarlett was glad she remembered to bring her bonnet along for this outing. "Be sure to tell Mammy that we will be home by dinner time, Pork," Rhett instructed, receiving an affirmative nod from Pork. Then he tightened his grip on both the reins and Scarlett, and with a click of his tongue, the mare obediently started off in a walk toward the rolling hills that were a backdrop in the sprawling landscape of Tara.

Scarlett spoke of the importance of each natural landmark that they rode by, each time letting Rhett into another as yet undiscovered area of her childhood. "That's where I used to watch for Pa when he would come home from the Wilkes'" she would say, pointing to a large rock at the end of the wooden rail fence, or, "Brent Tarleton once chased me over to that tree. He said he could climb higher than me, but I showed him!"

Rhett laughed with amusement and followed her finger with his eyes to the designated spots of her short story with genuine interest. Though they had been married for a year, and had known each other for four years previously, Scarlett had always shied away from talking about her childhood, and he felt it a great privilege to be let into something so special and sacred to this woman that he loved so much.

"And do you remember what happened there?" Rhett asked softly, pointing to the oak tree on the lawn with its massive green canopy stretching out over the path.

Scarlett stared ahead of her with clouded eyes. She and Rhett had been married there exactly one year ago today. That was the day that she had left Tara on the arm of the man who now sat behind her and her life had changed forever. She pictured herself, all of twenty years old and a widow, walking on her father's most loyal servant Pork's arm down the green carpet of the large lawn. She had not had the time nor the means to buy a proper wedding dress (nor did Rhett have the time to buy her one) —her mother's, the one she had worn for her wedding to Charlie Hamilton—had been stolen along with many of the other valuables when the Yankees had ransacked the house. So she and Melanie had spent much of the day before scrubbing and sewing one of her plain calico dresses—the only one with a sufficient enough lack of stains and tears to attempt to make look presentable.

Scarlett had cast her eyes down when she reached the spot where her soon to be husband was standing by the preacher with his hand outstretched. She knew Rhett admired beauty, women's fashion and elegant taste, and she had been ashamed of her own impoverished appearance. But when she found the courage to meet Rhett's eyes, she did not see him laughing or scowling as she was sure he would be. Instead he had a look of pride in his eyes, admiration of her courage to survive all she had gone through, and when he smiled she knew he understood and she felt a surge of renewed bravery in her soul.

Looking around her, she saw Melanie holding little Beau, her beloved Ashley, her sisters, Mammy and the other servants. Everyone was standing in the intimate little space provided by the shade of the tree, glancing at her with critical but expectant eyes. Only Melanie's eyes were smiling, as if she sensed the connection between Scarlett and Rhett that would soon transform into the fervor of love. But even if everyone else was skeptical of Rhett Butler, Scarlett knew that they were relieved that the burden of taking care of Tara, and the fear of all being lost, would be lifted from their shoulders.

All other noise except that of the preacher's voice and the sound of her own breathing had been blocked out. She had stood facing Rhett, rubbing the gold band of the ring he had just slipped on her finger with her thumb out of slight nervousness as the priest finished the speech that would unite them forever in the eyes of the Lord. Then, before she knew it, his soft, warm lips were on hers, sealing their deal, and she remembered feeling strangely happy.

"I remember, Rhett," Scarlett sighed, leaning slightly to the side so her head was resting against his chest.

"And may I ask," he said quietly, stopping the horse and taking her free hand in his, "if one year later you are surprised to see yourself here at Tara, looking at that same tree, with me?"

Scarlett was silent for a moment, thinking of what she would say to answer his sensitive question. "Well, I'll admit that I never pictured myself marrying you, or you marrying anyone for that matter, when you asked me. I think, at the time, I was more concerned with the immediate future-- paying the taxes on Tara and things like that—than I was about thinking where I'd be a year later. Does that make sense?"

"Yes," Rhett agreed. "I suppose the underlying question, Scarlett, was: are you happy now, a year later, after all of those troubles have been taken care of? Are you happy to be here with me?"

"Yes, I'm happy. Honestly, Rhett."

"I'm glad," he said truthfully, "because I can't see myself being anywhere else right now."

Scarlett giggled, making light of his honest confession, and tilted her head back so she was looking into is downcast eyes. "Well, if we stay in this spot any longer, all of this food that Mammy made for us will get cold."

Rhett smiled and lightly kicked his heel into the horse's flank, sending it into a light trot. "Where shall we go then?"

"I know a place. Just beyond the edge of the far pasture, that way," Scarlett answered, pointing her finger in the direction of a cluster of trees marking the edge of the woods.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

The overgrown weeds tickled Scarlett's bare ankles as Rhett maneuvered the horse slowly over the rocks and through the dead cotton stalks of the far pasture. Once, during the glorious days when cotton was king and the plantations of the rural South reaped the benefits of the cash crop, these fields had been plowed, strewn with sticky cotton seeds, and harvested on a yearly basis by the slaves that were as much a part of Tara as Scarlett and her family. But the war had come and dreams and hopes of everlasting wealth had been destroyed; the Yankees had burned the fields and the crop that had been waiting to be sent to the coast. With a limited number of hands, there simply hadn't been enough time or energy to clear all of the fields again when Scarlett had returned to Tara. Only the first two were accessible, and so this field, which she and Rhett rode through right now, and the others on the outskirts of the many acres making up the property had been abandoned.

"Where exactly are we going, Scarlett?" Rhett asked.

"It's a place I used to visit when I was a child. It's just there," Scarlett said.

Rhett turned the horse into the woods and they were soon surrounded on all sides by various species of trees, many in full bloom, creating a canopy of multicolored blossoms spotted with pinpoints of light by the rays of the hot Georgia sun. They rode for a couple of minutes in the direction Scarlett instructed, and soon the thick wall of shrubs and foliage gave way to a clearing. In the center was a large patch of grass, surrounded by flowering dogwood, maple, wisteria, elm and sassafras: a refuge completely secluded from the outside world.

Rhett pulled on the reins and got down from the horse. Then he took the picnic basket from Scarlett and helped her down as well before dropping the reins and letting the horse wander on its own.

"You used to come here by yourself, Scarlett?" Rhett asked curiously as he took in his surroundings. "How did anyone ever find you?"

Scarlett had taken the blanket and picnic basket over to the base of one of the dogwood trees, spread the blanket out in a spacious patch of shade, and started removing the food and drinks from the basket. "They didn't find me. This was my secret, I never told anyone."

"Indeed," Rhett replied. Beyond the edge of the trees a bank, with dead leaves strewn about it, led down to a pond and Rhett meandered down to the water's edge, surveying the peaceful scene. "What is this?" he called to Scarlett who was up in the grove.

"It's really part of the river, but there is no current. I used to swim in there," she called back in response.

Rhett crouched down and took off his hat. Then he proceeded to dip his hands in the water and wash his face, letting the refreshing liquid drip down his neck. He stood and put his hat back on before turning and making his way back to where Scarlett sat on the blanket. "The water is just right," he told her. "I think if it gets any hotter this afternoon, it may be suitable for a swim."

Scarlett smiled lightly and patted the blanket next to her, signaling for Rhett to sit down. "Let's eat, Rhett. I'm starving."

"Alright," he mockingly sighed, sitting down next to his wife before tossing his hat to the side and rolling the sleeves of his starched white shirt up past his elbows. "This food does look appealing." He motioned to the watermelon and sandwiches that Scarlett had set out, and then he reached into the basket. "Ah, what do we have here?" he said, pulling out a bottle of chardonnay and two crystal champagne flutes. "Mammy must have remembered that we have something to celebrate today." He unwrapped the foil from the bottle and put it between his knees, popping the cork with his thumbs and smiling at the small coil of mist that drifted from the open top of the chilled container.

"Let's eat this food first, Rhett."

"As you wish, my pet."

"That was delicious," Rhett declared, wiping the crumbs from his mouth. The sun was high in the sky, and just as Rhett had predicted, the temperature was getting almost stifling in the areas where the shade of the trees did not reach. After putting the plates and napkins back inside the picnic basket, Rhett took the two glasses and poured the chardonnay, handing one to Scarlett and keeping the other for himself. Then he wrapped his arm around Scarlett's waist and raised his glass, looking her in the eyes. "A toast," he said, and Scarlett raised her glass with a wondering grin. "To us, and one year of marriage." He paused, thinking of what else he wanted to say. "And to the safe arrival of our daughter," he added with a playful wink.

Scarlett giggled and clinked the end of her glass with his. "To us, and to our baby," she agreed before raising the flute to her lips and letting the clear bubbles tickle her tongue as the wine tricked down her throat. As soon as she took the glass away, Rhett's lips were on hers in a tender kiss. Their tongues began the familiar exploration of each other's mouths and Rhett set his glass down to wrap his strong arms around her back.

When he pulled away Scarlett gave him a disappointed, questioning glance, and he let go of her with one arm to reach into the pocket of his black trousers. "I have something for you," he whispered.

"What is it?" Scarlett asked curiously, craning her neck and trying to see what he had in his hand. Rhett smiled widely, showing a row of perfect white teeth. "Do you remember, before we left, Scarlett, when you asked me of the business I had to take care of in Atlanta?"

Scarlett nodded her head and searched his eyes for an answer that would give a hint to the surprise.

"This was that business," Rhett said silkily, producing a plain white envelope and holding it up to Scarlett's face between his index and middle finger. Scarlett took the envelope in her small hands, delicately turning it around to survey both sides. There was a red wax seal on the seam of the envelope bearing the name Henry Hamilton of Atlanta. Scarlett ran her index finger over the seal and then her head snapped up to meet his. "Uncle Henry?" she asked.

"Go on and open it."

She carefully did as she was told, tying her best not to tear the envelope. From the office of Henry Hamilton? Uncle Henry was a lawyer; surely Rhett hadn't been to see him to get a divorce from her, had he? Scarlett quickly dismissed that notion as she pulled out the piece of paper inside and opened it, letting her eyes quickly scan the writing. She slowed down and read every word, and then did a double take. This must be some kind of joke. In her hands she was holding the deed to Tara; not just her share, but Suellen's and Carreen's as well, and it was signed over to her.

"Happy anniversary, Scarlett," Rhett said quietly as he watched her take in the document with watering green eyes. When Scarlett finished reading the paper, she threw her arms around Rhett's neck and kissed him with all of the passion she had in her.

"How, Rhett?" was all she could ask as tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks. God how she loved this man, and she wanted desperately to tell him in that moment, but she held her tongue and remembered her promise to tell him when the baby came, when it would be a special surprise.

"Uncle Henry gave me the addresses of your sisters. Suellen I was able to visit in her home. You know, she and old Frank Kennedy aren't doing too bad, even with Frank's modest means. She was harder to win over than your youngest sister, but I was able to talk her in to signing away her share…"

"She gave up without a fight?" asked Scarlett, greatly surprised, for Suellen had never been one to do things out of sheer kindness, especially for her older sister.

"Well…I added in a little stipend to seal the deal."

Scarlett shook her head back and forth and stared at Rhett in surprise. "And Carreen? She loved Tara almost as much as I do."

"Ah, yes, but your baby sister tends to do things out of the kindness of her unspoiled heart. I wrote her confessing my wishes to give you Tara, and how much you loved it. She understood and even wrote be a thoughtful note back saying she agreed that if anyone was to permanently own Tara, it was you. And, now that it's all yours, we can bring our child here whenever you'd like. A home away from home if you will."

Scarlett sighed, unable to control the happiness radiating from her heart. "You don't know how much this means to me, Rhett. Thank you so much, it's the best gift I've ever received."

"Even better than those emerald earrings and that necklace I gave you for Christmas?" he teased, raising a black eyebrow in question.

Scarlett laughed and said, "Well, I loved those too, Rhett. But this is different."

"I know, and I do know how much it means to you. I want you to be happy." Rhett pulled Scarlett to him again and placed his roughened cheek against hers, hoping to himself that neither he nor Scarlett would ever change; that they would always be like this, and he knew then that he would be content.

They sat idly for some time, talking of nothing particular and enjoying each other's company, when Rhett decided that the heat was becoming too much, even in the shade.

"That pond looks awful inviting, Scarlett, and the water is very nice. Would you care to join me for a swim?"

Scarlett hesitated. She hadn't planned on going swimming, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to anyhow, though Rhett did have a point: it was rather warm outside, and the sparkling pond looked mighty appealing. "No, I think I'll sit here. You go," she said tentatively.

"Aww, Scarlett, come on! It will be fun," Rhett begged, jutting out his bottom lip and flashing her puppy dog eyes. Scarlett bit her lip to stifle a giggle but resolutely stood by her decision.

"Why don't you want to?" Rhett persisted.

"Because I didn't bring the necessary outfit, that's why…and—and it's not THAT hot," she said, though she could feel her chemise sticking to her skin underneath her light dress.

Rhett frowned at her last minute answer and stood up. "Suit yourself."

Scarlett watched his taut frame as he made his way over to the inviting pond, somewhat regretting her decision, when she heard him call out over his shoulder, "You won't know what you're missing!"

Scarlett smirked at Rhett's comment and crossed her arms over her chest, sitting back against the tree and turning her eyes toward the sapphire sky that was visible through the tops of the trees. In a moment of personal reflection, she thought about how much her life had changed; how much she had changed, since the last time she'd sat in this grove. It must have been some ten years ago that she had sat in the green grass, with her skirts spread out about her, making a wreath out of clover and flowers to wear in her long hair. She hadn't known a trouble before in her life at that time, and she had naively believed that nothing could possibly infringe on the tranquility and happiness that she felt in her privileged and sheltered existence.

Things had been so simple then. It was hard for her to grasp how in a matter of a few short years, her world as she had known it had been turned upside down, crumbled like the majestic buildings and plantations that had stood in Sherman's path during his march of terror. So much had changed in those few years; not just the physical landscape, but in her heart as well. Nothing had turned out as she had expected it to so long ago. The harsh realities of war and poverty had destroyed many of her childhood dreams and ambitions, including her once vibrant love for Ashley Wilkes. Yet somehow, in some obscure way, many of these dreams had been returned to her through the companionship and adoration of the man she had once thought she despised, and they were now realities. It was Rhett who had saved her from that shattered world, Rhett who loved her and treated her like a queen, and it was he who now held her heart in his hands.

Scarlett turned her eyes away from the sky and looked around the little grove in which she had returned to so many times before the war. The trees with their blossoms and green leaves, the grass, the babble of the brook back in the woods, the sun glimmering off the sheer surface of the pond; this place had not changed. And as she sat there on the blanket thinking of everything that had transpired between now and the last time she had been here, she felt as if she had not changed either, that she had always been like this, and that Rhett had always been the one by her side.

Ending on that thought, Scarlett turned her head in the direction of the pond in which her husband had gone down to for a swim just a few minutes prior. On impulse, she stood and brushed off her skirts before lightly walking down to the water. She was not planning on swimming, only watching as Rhett enjoyed himself. When she reached the bank of the pond she stopped, leaning against the trunk of a cypress tree whose branches spread out over the water, looking for Rhett. She spotted him out in the middle of the pond, frolicking in the water like the boys she grew up with used to. He looked so youthful, and was seemingly enjoying his time alone, she thought. She tore her eyes away from Rhett for a moment and suddenly noticed a pile of clothing on the ground not five feet from where she stood. Her mouth slightly hung open in awkward surprise as she realized that these were Rhett's clothes that he had been wearing earlier, and her eyes grew wide as she realized that Rhett was quite naked under the water.

As if sensing her presence, Rhett turned around in the water and saw Scarlett standing on the shady bank, curiously staring at the pile of his discarded clothing. "Scarlett, won't you join me?" he called.

Scarlett swiftly looked in his direction and was met with a wide grin from her husband. "Aren't you forgetting something?" She asked sarcastically, holding up his trousers for him to see.

Rhett's deep laughter skipped across the surface of the water and seemed to surround her, pulling her involuntarily toward the edge of the water. "No," he said, "I don't believe I'm forgetting anything. If my memory served me correctly, you're not the only one who forgot their bathing outfit today."

Scarlet smirked and looked at him through downcast eyes, running the tip of her shoe across the leaves on the ground at her feet. She bit her lip, again reconsidering his earlier request for her to join him, and then bent down to take off first her shoes and then her white stockings, setting them next to Rhett's on the ground. Then, lifting up her skirts, she slowly padded her way down to the water's edge, testing the temperature with her toes. The water is unusually warm for this time of year, she thought, but she did not go in further.

"Come in, my pet," Rhett called again.

Scarlett smiled at him and shook her head, "No!"

She could see Rhett chuckling where he was keeping himself afloat in the middle of the pond, but he did not say anything. Scarlett smiled to herself, sure that she had won, when suddenly Rhett said, "I don't see why you wouldn't want to come swimming…unless, that is, you're afraid."

Scarlett scoffed at his remark. "I am not afraid!" she retorted defensively.

Rhett grinned, knowing her temper would flare at his statement. He knew she wasn't afraid, but enjoyed testing her. "Well I don't see what else it could be…" he added playfully.

"I'm not afraid," she said again.

"Well come on then, darling, I assure you there are no alligators in this pond," Rhett smiled softly.

Scarlett sighed in defeat, but she was not angry at giving in to his playfulness. "Come over and help me with my dress then," she said somewhat irritably. Rhett smiled again before diving under the water and swimming over to shore. He emerged from the pond dripping wet, and Scarlett could not help but notice his figure. Come to think of it, she had never seen him unclothed during the day, and now she stared at him, taking in every feature, from his dripping black hair, his broad shoulders, tanned, chiseled pectorals and abdomen that tapered down to a slim waist and lean legs with muscular thighs and calves. He smirked at her, seemingly fully aware of the fine condition of his body, and completely without shame to be standing there in front of her.

"Do you like what you see?" He grinned slyly, walking over to Scarlett.

Scarlett swallowed hard as he came up behind her, lightly put his hand on her shoulder and leaned down to breathe in the scent of her long hair. "You're a conceited thing," she said quietly, closing her eyes to the warmth of his closeness.

Rhett chuckled lightly and began to undo the buttons on her light dress, letting it fall to the ground. Scarlett stepped away from the garment and began to walk toward the water in nothing but her thin chemise, but Rhett grabbed her by the hand, spinning her around so she was facing him, and he pulled her into his arms. "This won't do for swimming, Scarlett. You don't want to drown, do you?" he asked softly, running his right hand down her side and lightly pulling at the fabric that still clung to her body.

Scarlett met his eyes with an amused look. His were deep, bottomless black pools of mischief and adoration, and she giggled at the possibility of swimming without any clothes on, something she never would have dreamed of before this moment. "But what if someone sees us?" she whispered worriedly, looking around for any possible intruders on their privacy.

"No one will see us, Scarlett, I promise," he assured her, bringing her in for a light kiss before sliding his hands underneath her chemise and easing it over her head, throwing it in the growing pile of clothing at their feet. He stood looking at her for a few seconds, as if appraising what he saw, and Scarlett cast her eyes down at the ground. "You're beautiful," he whispered, and he took her hand in his again, leading her down to the water.

"Do you see that rock over there?" he asked, pointing in the direction of a large boulder that emerged from the clear water on the far side of the pond. Scarlett nodded her head and looked at him with curious green eyes.

"What about it?" she asked.

"I'll race you there," he said slyly, grasping her hand in his and smiling brightly. Scarlett opened her mouth in protest but before she could speak, Rhett let go of her hand and dove in the water. She lingered on shore for a split second, but then decided that Rhett would not beat her in this challenge, and dove into the cool water herself. When she surfaced, she was out near the designated stone, and she looked around, not seeing Rhett anywhere. The water was shallower where she waded, and she was able to stand with her head above the water. Where on earth did Rhett go, she wondered, turning around in a full circle to observe her surroundings. She was about to call out his name when something suddenly grabbed her leg under the water, and she let out a startled scream. Rhett emerged in front of her, throwing his dripping head back and laughing deeply.

"That wasn't funny, Rhett!" she said through clenched teeth and bringing her fist up to hit him on the arm. "You scared me half to death!"

Rhett was still trying to recover from his laughter when he saw the angry look on her face. Biting his lip, he gently reached out and put his hand on her bare arm. "Alright, Scarlett, I'm sorry. It was only in good fun," he said, gazing into her emerald eyes.

Scarlett's features softened at his touch, and she momentarily forgot why she had been angry. "Well…next time you'd better be on your guard Rhett Butler," she warned, giving him a devilish grin and putting both of her hands on his strong shoulders.

Rhett moved his hands to her waist and backed up so they were in deeper water and though Rhett could still touch the bottom with his feet, Scarlett could not. She gasped when her feet left the ground, but Rhett pulled her to him tighter, coaxing her to wrap her legs around his waist. Neither of them spoke for a moment. They gazed wonderingly into each other's eyes, enjoying the peaceful privacy of this intimate moment. The only noise they heard was that of the gentle lapping of the water against their bare skin and the sound of each other's somewhat ragged breathing. It was Scarlett who spoke first. "Are you happy now that you got me in the water?" she asked playfully as she brought her right hand up and ran it through the wet hair at the base of his neck.

"I knew you'd come in eventually, my pet."

"Oh did you?" she said with guarded speculation, narrowing her eyes at him. "And I suppose the lack of clothing was also part of your plan?"

Rhett ran his hands down the length of her back and they settled on her hips. "Maybe," he said, smiling.

"You're a rogue," she whispered with firm seriousness, but she could not hide the light in her eyes or the smile that was forming on her lips.

"Yes?" He whispered in return, his eyebrows going up in mock question. He brought his lips mere inches from hers and she could feel his hot breath on her face. "Do you think so?"

Scarlett shook her head back and forth. "No," she mumbled against his lips, "I know it."

Rhett closed the gap between them, their satin lips melding together as they clung to one another. Scarlett's hands freely roamed over his tanned face, back and shoulders and Rhett crushed her against him so they were in a position nearing the most intimate contact. His lips pulled away from hers to leave a hot trail of kisses on her face and neck, making Scarlett whimper with desire. Their breathing became deeper, more hurried as they continued to freely consume each other's lips. Neither of them could stand being so close to one another and not being completely fulfilled for much longer, but just as Rhett linked his hands around her lower back and was about to make them one, Scarlett opened her eyes and pulled back, causing Rhett to look at her perplexedly. "Not here," she whispered. She let go of him and started to swim back to land, with Rhett eagerly following behind her.

Once on the bank again, Scarlett walked over to the heap of clothes lying on the ground, picked them up, and started making her way toward the grass where they had eaten lunch earlier. Rhett came up behind her, watching mesmerized as she walked away from him, and when he caught up he swept her up into his arms, holding her close to his warm body.

The blanket felt warm on Scarlett's damp back when Rhett laid her down on the soft fabric. He took the bundle of clothing from her arms and carelessly tossed it aside before laying down next to her. Scarlett inched closer to him and Rhett turned on his side, propping his elbow up and resting his head in his hand so that he was looking down on her. Neither of them spoke, for in this moment, as in all of their moments of rapture, words had become superfluous. Rhett gazed at her under lowered lids, his black eyes clouded and drowsy with wanton passion, and he reached out his other hand to trace his fingertips over her eyebrows and down her cheek to her lips and then her jaw bone. She closed her eyes, unwilling and unable to think of anything but his touch, and when she opened them again, he met her lips with his and they wrapped their arms around each other, not wanting to allow any air between them. Scarlett tried to pull him down toward her, but he was too strong, and instead his arm snaked around her back and he pulled her up with him, their lips never parting. Rhett sat against the tree, holding Scarlett close to him and kissing her in long, slow, drawn-out movements. Scarlett wanted desperately to feel him close to her, to be transported to that other world in which only the two of them existed, and it seemed as though Rhett was trying to delay any further action as long as possible.

Scarlett was becoming frustrated with settling for the simple act of kissing, and Rhett must have sensed her impatience because he pulled away and grinned at her wickedly before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her onto his lap so that she was facing him with one leg on each side of his hips. It was Scarlett who finally took the bold step that both had been eagerly waiting for. She stood on her knees, looking down at Rhett, and he brought her to him, placing his lips on her upper stomach and then looking back up to meet her own, groaning deeply into her mouth as she sank down on him, letting him fill her in his entirety.

Scarlett had never been so adventurous when it came to lovemaking, even with Rhett. She knew it was not considered proper for a couple to be so uninhibited, but she did not care. Here in this private place unknown to any other eyes, they were free to experience the full force of their love, and neither of them held back. Scarlett arched her back, letting Rhett kiss every accessible inch of her skin as they moved together, and Rhett held her close, squeezing his eyes shut as they neared their climax. Scarlett locked her crimson lips with his, tasting the sweet flavor of the wine that somehow still managed to linger there from earlier. Their passionate cries became more intense as the minutes passed by, but their lips remained one, until suddenly the earth shattering moment caused both to break the kiss simultaneously. Scarlett grasped his shoulders, digging her fingernails into his tanned flesh and trying to pull him in even further, while Rhett buried his head in her shoulder, muffling the sound of his ecstasy.

When it was over, they remained with their arms around one another, looking into each other's eyes as they tried to catch their breath. Never had they made love like that, never had Scarlett even dreamed that there was anything better than what she and Rhett had experienced before, but she was not ashamed, and she had no regrets. Scarlett gazed lovingly at him and ran her palm over his cheek, letting her fingers run over the damp hair at his temple. She hoped he knew that she loved him now, and that when she did tell him, it would not be a surprise. Rhett leaned in to kiss her tenderly and then she climbed off of him and stretched out on the blanket, her eyes inviting him to join her. He complied and lay down next to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as she lazily rested her head on his chest. After a few moments, the effects of that day's activities began to take their toll on the couple, and they lay still, falling asleep under the warmth of the late spring sun.