DISCLAIMER: This is a fanfiction arising from Margaret Mitchell's book "Gone with the Wind". This story has been written for recreational/leisure purposes only and now profit whatsoever has been derived.
SCENARIO: Rhett and Scarlett prior to Bonnie's birth
"What are you doing?" Rhett asked lazily a couple of nights afterwards.
Scarlett was sitting up in bed writing a letter, her enormous stomach slightly protruding over the page.
"Organising the wet nurse".
There was a pause. "Why on earth would you be writing for a wet nurse?" said Rhett, surprised.
She shrugged "Why wouldn't I? That's what I did with Wade and Ella. I don't know anyone who doesn't have one. It wouldn't be ladylike to do anything else".
Rhett, who was getting ready for bed, took off his watch and placed it on the bedside table. He sat down on the edge of the bed beside her, his half unbuttoned shirt exposing his strong chest.
"Do you really want one?" he asked, taking her wrist gently into his hand.
There was silence for a minute "It's not a question of whether I want one Rhett. Like I said before, it wouldn't be ladylike not to have one".
"Still trying to be a lady?" he said, grinning, "I thought we'd already established that you my dear, are not, and never will be, a lady".
"Oh hush up!" she said, not appreciating the criticism "A wet nurse is coming and that's all there is to it. What business is it of yours anyway?".
"May I remind you, my dear, that the child you are talking about is also my child. Scarlett, listen to me. You're the mother, don't you want to breastfeed your baby, if you can?".
She grew red at the word, turning away. Men simply didn't talk about 'breastfeeding', even women avoided saying the word out loud, using a variety of euphemisms instead.
Not to be deterred, Rhett put his hand under her chin and turned her face back to his.
"Don't turn away Scarlett! If you try and it doesn't work out that's one thing. But you should at least try. Why bring in a stranger to feed your baby? You're the baby's mother. You should feed the baby- it will help the two of you to bond".
"Bond" she scoffed! As if a small baby was aware of anything other than its immediate needs!
"Scarlett, don't you see that is the problem you've had with Wade and Ella? You've always been detached, focussed on something else, busy, not around. I don't want that to happen with this baby- for both of your sakes. If you feed it then it will be you who makes the baby strong and sees him or her grow. It will be good for both of you."
Scarlett put the letter down on the bedside table angrily "I'm not feeding the baby and that's it and that's final".
Not to be deterred, Rhett went on "I've witnessed a women like you who did not want the child they were carrying. When I was in New Orleans once… but I digress. If you don't connect with the child early on will be disastrous. I won't have that Scarlett. Whether we expected it or not, this baby is coming and it is here to stay. It needs a good relationship with its mother".
"I never said I didn't want the baby!" Scarlett protested.
There was a long, heaving pause between them.
"Didn't you?" Rhett asked oddly, looking her straight in the eye.
Scarlett felt sudden shame. The truth is she hadn't been pleased when she'd heard about the baby. She didn't know how she felt about it now, if she were honest. But she felt… different than she had her previous pregnancies. Maybe it was because Rhett was there. Maybe it was because her life now was so much more settled than it had been during the tumultuous births of Wade and Ella.
She didn't like the thought of feeding the baby herself though. She hadn't ever given it serious thought, if she was honest with herself. Babies were annoying, cried too much and she couldn't stand being around them for long periods anyway. Feeding the baby would tie her down in a way she did not welcome.
"I'll think about it" she said dismissively, signalling that the conversation was at an end.
"I'm gratified to hear it, Mrs Butler" Rhett said mockingly, knowing that it would be fruitless to discuss the subject further tonight.
He stood and went to his side of the bed, where he stripped down to his underwear. Scarlett turned off the bedside light and nestled down into the bed, her back towards him.
She heard him climb into the bed behind her. He drew her back towards his chest, spooning her. She felt his warm breath on her neck, his large powerful body holding her. Suddenly, he startled her by playfully putting his two hands over her enlarged breasts "I'm sure the baby will be as appreciative of these as I am".
Mortified, Scarlett slapped his hands way. She heard Rhett laughing and she angrily pushed out of his embrace.
The blackguard! If he thought he was going to get lucky tonight he'd be sorely disappointed!