the next installment... i have a busy schedule coming up next week so i will be unable to post again for like two weeks... hopefully this chapter will tie all those fanfic hungry ppl over... lol reviews are welcome

Chapter 4

"Weakness"

Rhett took a deep breath in; he was readying himself for the most important conversation of his entire life.

"Darling, I need to explain something to you." Rhett paused gauging her response. Scarlett's hand froze and he could see the tension build up in her body.

"Alright…" she said barely above a whisper.

"Sweetheart, look at me," Rhett guided Scarlett's eyes to meet his. "I said things to you that might mean something different to you then what I mean." Immediately Scarlett thought he was going to take back his confession of love. When they had made love, he whispered it over and over like a prayer in her ear. 'I love you' 'I love you'… over and over and Scarlett had said it back. Her eyes began to fill up with tears at the thought of him just using her body. Rhett saw her hurt and then anger; quickly she began to pull away from him but Rhett grabbed her waist to stop her.

"Stop Scarlett, don't pull away… please… listen; I love you, so very much but you must understand that those three words won't magically fix everything. Beloved, we have done so much damage to each other. The wounds can only begin to heal with time and trust. We have not trusted each other with our true feelings for almost our entire marriage. I don't want that to happen again. It is so easy to say those words and then push you away in the morning as I had done so many times before but I don't want to be that person anymore. For the first time I am not ashamed of what I said, I had the courage to say to you what I have been keeping inside since the day I met you. I love you Katie Scarlett. No matter how angry or violent I become that will never change. That is crucial Scarlett, you must remember that no mater what happens I love you and always will. There will be rough seas ahead but my love will remain steadfast. Can the same be said about yours?" Rhett said with hope in his eyes as well as apprehension. He hoped she would feel the same way he did but then again Scarlett was never one to be predictable.

Scarlett was completely astounded. How could Rhett think of her love as if it were on some cloud; whimsy, airy, temporary?? She almost attacked him with the anger boiling under her skin but something stopped her. She knew he was right, as much as she hated to admit it. She had no track record on expressing love, a love she didn't even know she possessed. She had this urge to help him understand that she would never use his love against him or take her love away.

"Oh Rhett… how can I make you understand?? Darling I will never take away my love. For so long, I lived life without understanding love let alone how to express it but you taught me how. I know now what I feel for you is love and not fondness. I was naïve and ignorant. I chose not to let you in, I closed my heart a long time ago for something that never could be but now I know how foolish I had been. Finally knowing the word to describe; that feeling I get when I see you smile, the feel of your touch, that gleam in your eye when I know you are being devious, when I catch you looking at me the butterflies I get in my stomach, all of that is love. You are the only one for me, you don't have to be afraid, I am forever yours. I will not be that horrible women before, that unfeeling creature who cares not for others but only herself. I will never be her again… never," Scarlett raises the back of her hand and lays it loving on his cheek, "I am ours until the day I stop walking on this earth and even after. We will never be parted." Scarlett said with such love, her eyes were spilling with tears; Rhett had a hard time controlling his own emotions. He had yearned for so long to hear those words now she had said them he felt this warm wave wash over his body. A small tear dropped onto his tan cheek and Scarlett brushed it away with her hand.

At that moment, a connection was created, a bond formed that would stand through the rough times. They would always come out on the other side no matter how murky the situation seemed. For the first time, each openly expressed their love and both felt free. No more playing games with each other at least not with each others emotions. This was the time their life together would really start. Rhett felt compelled to kiss Scarlett, not a lustful kiss but a slow, sweet endearing kiss. After Scarlett broke the kiss only out of necessity for breathing, she snuggled up to Rhett while he wrapped his arms around her waist. Rhett pulled the coverlet over them and kiss her forehead.

"I love you," Rhett said with drowsy voice

"I love you too," Scarlett said with ease and openness.

Soon the too were fast asleep with smiles on their faces because they knew it would be a completely new day tomorrow and the beginning of a wonderful future where they would stand together and take life's quandaries. However, little did Rhett and Scarlett know; life had some tricks up its sleeves.