Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

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

Chapter Sixteen

An hour later, Scarlett saw Rhett's mother walking down the path. She knew that woman was Elizabeth Butler. She really did look just like her son, or her son looked just like her. While staring at the woman, Scarlett said, "Is that her? She appears to be alone."

Rhett looked up and a big smile broke out on his face. He said, "Yes, that is her. It is our lucky day. She is alone."

Rhett stood up and helped Scarlett up. Scarlett marveled at the purely happy smile on her mother-in-law's face when she saw her son. Unbelievably Elizabeth's smile got even brighter when she saw Scarlett standing beside Rhett.

Elizabeth joined them and hugged Rhett then she hugged Scarlett. She said to the younger woman, "Scarlett?" With Scarlett's nod, Elizabeth said, "Since you are here with Rhett unchaperoned you must be my daughter-in-law."

"Yes ma'am. We have been married since May 25th. The day after Rhett got to Tara."

"What does your mother think of you marrying Rhett?"

A shadow passed over Scarlett's face and she said, "I guess my aunts don't know. We had no way to let them know because we were too busy surviving. My mother died from Typhoid fever last August."

"Oh, Dear, I'm so sorry to hear that."

"That was a horrible day. I delivered my sister-in-law's baby, Rhett got us out of Atlanta right before the Yankees took over, he got us to Tara, he left to join the Confederate army,"

"After I compromised you and informed your father I had."

"Hush, Rhett, then I found out my mother had passed away."

"Rhett, you left her at that moment!"

"He had to, Mrs. Butler. He had to join the Confederate army and it was worth it. We ran in to one of the matrons of Atlanta while we were there, and she invited us to call on her when we moved to Atlanta. I'm not sure she would have if Rhett hadn't joined the Confederate army."

"I think he would have remained received and he should have stayed with you at your plantation. I heard things were horrible in Georgia after Sherman marched through."

"They were but there wouldn't have been anything Rhett could have done to make it any better except be miserable too. No, him joining the army was the correct move. Besides Pa was there and my father is a survivor, so we survived."

Elizabeth turned to her son and said, "It took you long enough to find her, but she is certainly worth the wait. She is perfect for you."

"Thank you, Mother. I agree."

"Please, don't tell my aunts that you saw me or that Rhett and I are married. I will write them when we get back to Tara. I will tell them everything then."

"Don't worry, Dear. I can't tell them that I met with Rhett. Nobody knows of my meetings with Rhett so nobody can accidently tell Langston. It would not be good for me if my husband found out I was meeting with my son."

"Doesn't Mr. Butler…." Scarlett stopped speaking when she realized that Rhett's father had not just disowned his son but had literally cut his son out of his heart and mind. She put a bright smile on her face and said, "We will have to figure out an excuse for you to come to Atlanta."

"You are a sweet dear, but Langston keeps track of all of Rhett's movements so he can prevent me from ever seeing my son again. Upon reflection, Rhett, you were smart to join the army. I'm sure once he hears you are received in Atlanta, he will start a letter writing campaign to get you unreceived."

"Maybe I shouldn't tell my aunts anything either."

"Just tell them of your mother's death and your struggles during the war."

"The struggles aren't over yet, Mrs. Butler."

"Mother."

"Mother. Thank you."

The trio sat down and talked for about fifteen minutes. Scarlett watched mother and son. They were holding hands. Scarlett didn't talk. She let Elizabeth and Rhett enjoy each other's company. She knew to a large extent they had forgotten she was there. She was not offended or hurt. She was happy that Rhett was getting to spend time with his mother. Scarlett knew she had grown up a lot over the last few years. That sixteen-year-old belle would not have tolerated not being the center of attention for any reason.

Elizabeth looked at her watch and stood up. She said, "I have to go."

Rhett and Scarlett stood up also. Rhett handed his mother a wad of bills. She sighed and said, "Thank you."

"Mrs… Mother, if I sent my aunts some money, do you think they would share with you?"

"Yes, I do."

"Good idea, Scarlett. It would be a safer way to get my mother the money."

"Although I will miss seeing you."

"We must do things the safest way, Mother."

"I know. Love you, son."

"Love you, Mother."

Mother and son hugged for a long time. Scarlett knew that neither person wanted to break the contact. They didn't know when they would ever see each other again. At last, Elizabeth broke the hug and turned to her daughter-in-law. She said, "Scarlett, give me a hug. I don't love you yet, but I am sure I will."

"Same here."

As Rhett and Scarlett watched his mother walk away, he said, "Let me show you the sights of Charleston."

"Will you take me sailing?"

"Of course, I will. What kind of a sailor are you?"

"I have no idea. I have never been on a boat."

Rhett took Scarlett's hand, and they walked out of the park back to the hotel.

Scarlett was a good sailor, and they spent the rest of their mornings out on the water. She enjoyed being out on the water, but Rhett came alive. She thought, 'That is probably how I am at Tara.'

Rhett showed Scarlett the sights of Charleston and they walked all over the town. They went to see the play, Hamlet. They both enjoyed it. At intermission, a gentleman walked over and engaged Rhett in conversation. Rhett introduced Scarlett to the man. His name was Ned Davenport. It turned out he and Rhett had once been friends.

On the way back to the hotel, Scarlett said, "What do you think it means that Mr. Davenport spoke to you?"

"Hell, if I know. I wish I could ask my mother."

"Explain."

"My mother knows all the social rules. She is also very adept at reading social situations. She would know the hidden meaning behind people's actions."

"We can't meet up with her again?"

"No, it would be too soon after our last meeting. We just can't take any chances"

"No, we can't. We can't put her in harm's way any more than we have to" After a few minutes of quiet Scarlett said, "You are good at reading people also, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"It is why you are such a good poker player."

"That and I am Irish."

With a smile Scarlett asked, "What does that have to do with it?"

"You know the Irish are lucky."

"I guess we are."

"I was certainly lucky I went to the Wilkes barbecue and that I was lying on that couch when you told Mr. Wilkes you loved him."

"Yes, you were. I guess I was too for I would never have talked to you if you hadn't overheard that embarrassing scene with Ashley. I was certainly lucky he turned me down."

"Although I don't see how he could."

"I was lucky Charlie asked me to marry him for Melanie wouldn't have asked me to join her in Atlanta if I hadn't been her sister-in-law."

"We were both lucky he passed away."

"I was lucky he didn't get me with child."

"Don't you want children?"

"I don't know, Rhett. Maybe one or two."

"Or three or four."

"Do you want children?"

"I want to have children with you. I never wanted any until I fell in love with you."

"I am willing to have one or two."

"Or three or four."

Scarlett laughed and said, "Or three or four."

Later that night as Scarlett was brushing out her hair she thought, 'I guess I was lucky that I overheard Ashley telling Charlie what he really thought of me. I could have spent a lot of time mooning over that pompous jerk. He wasn't even kind enough to tell me that he loved Melly and not me. Forget about his not thinking I was good enough for him. He could have just told me he didn't love me.' Scarlett knew in that instant that Ashley at best wanted her to continue mooning over him or at worst thought she would do something morally questionable. Jackass!'

Scarlett turned to the bed and saw her husband lying there stark naked and forgot all about anyone but Rhett.

Rhett looked at Scarlett and got off the bed. He walked over to Scarlett and said, "Let's just go ahead and take this off right now. I want to do something different."

"What?"

"You will see."

Rhett put his arms around her and started kissing Scarlett. He then backed her towards the wall. He whispered, "We are going to be intimate standing up."

"How?"

"A more accurate statement is I will be standing up and you will have your legs wrapped around my waist."

"Stop talking and show me. Now!"

Rhett bent down and started suckling on her breast and Scarlett started undulating her hips. When she did, he decided she was a lot more aroused than he had thought. He reached his hand between them and found that his wife was indeed very ready for him.

Rhett did not make Scarlett wait any longer. He lifted her up and set her down on him in the most pleasurable way. Almost immediately she was calling out his name in the most delightful way.

During the week, Rhett and Scarlett had gone to see his attorney in Charleston, Charles Mobbs. Rhett drew up a will and left everything to Scarlett. Scarlett said, "What about your mother and family?"

"After Langston passes away, I will include my family in my will but for now it is pointless because Langston would not let my mother accept the money."

"Oh."

"If I pass away before Langston, you will have to take care of my mother and family."

"Of course, Rhett. Why do you call him Langston and not Father?"

"Langston Butler is not my father. He disowned me."

"That's right."

Rhett handed her the papers and said, "We will buy a strong box and put the papers in there."

"I have a strong box. I left it at Hamilton House. I will get it Saturday."

"Mr. Mobbs, I need you to send Scarlett's aunts a monthly support check," Rhett turned to Scarlett and said, "Do they live together?"

"Yes, Aunt Pauline moved in with Aunt Eulalie after Uncle Claude died in sixty-two."

Rhett turned back to the attorney and said, "Send Mrs. Eulalie Boykins. A twenty-five-dollar check once a month on the first. What is the address, Dear?"

"500 Summit Ave here in Charleston."

"Certainly, Sir."

"Thank you, Mr. Mobbs. Let us leave, Dear. Let's go have some more She-crab soup. You know it is only available in Charleston."

"So, you have told me. Let's get some taffy for everyone back at Tara."

"A bottle of Irish whiskey for Gerry."

"Just Pa?"

"I might have a sip or two."

"Let us go to a general store and look at the fabric. Charleston might have a better selection than Atlanta."

"I will be happy to take you to a general store to look at fabric, but I doubt if the selection will be better. I don't think the ladies of Charleston know there are other colors besides black, gray, maroon, and white."

After they had stopped in a couple of general stores, Scarlett said to Rhett, "You were right. Everything is boring here."

"I know! Everything."

Which made them both laugh.