Coming home – Chapter 9

Author's Note: Of course, I don't own anything related to Margaret Mitchell's GWTW.

This will be my ninth chapter.

I hoped you liked the last chapter. Thank you for your very kind words, dear MissTricey and Klenk Eniko. I was afraid that you were gone already. Today I was so inspired that I uploaded directly a second chapter.

PS: Let me know what you guys think about this chapter and as always, enjoy!

After no more than five minutes, Rhett was already back, balancing two trays with a lot of good-smelling food. Since there wasn't much light in the room, she couldn't tell what he had brought her. „Here you are, Mrs. Butler."

„Very well, thank you, my dear."

„Sounds good coming from you, my darling." He was truly happy because she seldom called him things like darling, dear, honey. Maybe I am really the most sentimental men ever to be happy about names she calls me. He didn't care because it really made him very happy.

„What do you think I brought you?"

„Mmhm", she smelled and it looked the same as when Bonnie did it, „it smells like something with butter or honey. A croissant maybe? Milk and honey? Oooh, Rhett, is there also some caramel? Please say yes!"

„My dear I am afraid I must disappoint you because the coffee with the caramel you smelled is mine and only mine." She looked startled but then she saw that he was hodling back his grin.

„Oh you, Rhett, you are the .. you are.. impossible." After such an „outburst" there would normally follow a nasty fight in which they later had already forgotten what the real reason was… Now it was just a case of them laughing.

„Rhett seriously, I want my coffee, I am rather tired I'd say."
„Scarlett, you know what I wanna hear from you."

„Mmh?", she looked at him doubtfully, „Rhett would you please pass me a cup of coffee?"

„Yes, my dear, that's what I wanted to hear from you. I see you're learning faster than ever. Proud of you, I must admit!"

„There there Rhett, please give it to me. I feel like I haven't eaten in days, so pleeeease!"

He liked teasing her a little because now it wouldn't lead to a fight and he didn't need to observe every word from her (which could be meant sarcastic) anymore.

„Dr. Meade told me that you shouldn't drink much coffee until you are fully recovered. Then he also told me you shouldn't drink too much because of the baby. You do realize that, don't you?"

„Yes, you're right, and thank you for letting me know again! I almost forgot about the baby."

„Forgot.., how can you..?"

„No no Rhett, that's not what I wanted to say. I mean that I almost forgot because it's still so small and I don't have pregnancy symptoms yet."

„I see."

„Nothing to worry about!" She smiled a little.

„Scarlett, you're aware you should really be very careful in the future because you experienced how dangerous it can be for you both."

„So you are worried indeed ?"

„So am I!" He looked at her nightgown and at her belly which was still flat. Nevertheless he could see a slight bulge but that was because he already knew about her pregnancy. When Scarlett had been with Bonnie, it was almost the same. He also thought back at the time when she was with Ella. Scarlett had always been even more beautiful when she carried a child and now it was the third time that he had been lucky enough to experience that. Although she was still very pale, her cheeks had regained a bit of color at the sight of food.

„Food seems to brighten your mood, doesn't it?"

„It always has, but it's even more so since the war and the hunger."

„Here's your coffee, my dear. Just take a sip or two, will you? Remember what I told you?"

„Mmmhh, so so delicious." He smiled at the sight of her enjoying her coffee.

„So it's good? Thank Dilcey or Mammy."

„Why?"

„It was their idea that you would like it."

„But with the caramel it was your idea?"

„Yes, it was. Thought you'd like it. On my travels I heard that pregnant women are smelling things different and so I wanted to play a little trick on you. You definetely passed the test and proved it right."

„Glad you did it. Haven't had such a delicious coffee in a long time!"

Then he sat himself on the edge of her bed and put the rest of her tray beside her. „Hungry?"

„Definitely!"

He had brought her croissants, hot milk and some pancakes with marmalade.

„Oh Rhett, I can't decide what to eat first. Everything smells just wonderful."
„What about to start with a pancake with marmalade and after that a croissant with butter? Or vice versa?"

„Yeah, seems great." In one hand she held her coffee, trying to grab a pancake with the other.

„Can I help you, dear?"

„No need to, thanks." She seemed so busy with her food that she didn't see his observing face.

How cute she was. So sweet and still small, but also gorgeous. And this woman had gone through so much: so much pain, so much losses and yet she seemed to be strong. She was carrying her fourth child, their second and he couldn't be prouder of her than he was right now.

Noticing his glance, she almost spilled her coffee. The had a very long eye-contact. She smiled but still seemed to be unsure of his intentions.

„Scarlett.."

„Rhett.."

„You first", she said.

„I..I must admit that I am proud of you and that I am grateful that you are my wife. I know I've been a cad and a fool and jealous and drunk, too. I think the list goes on and on. Would you believe me if I said that I am the proudest husband in Atlanta today? I am so proud of you, it goes beyond the moon. What you have done and what you have endured in your very short life until now.., it's amazing. Now you are carrying our second child, and although I never thought I would admit it, it makes me so happy that you are the mother of our baby."

„Rhett.., I don't know what.." She was stunned. It wasn't him telling her how proud he was. It could only have been a dream. It MUST be. This can't be real, oh no. Oh gosh.., I lost my mind. I always feared that and now I did.

Rhett saw that she was confused and puzzled. She thinks she's dreaming now, he guessed.

„Rhett, Rhett, am I dreaming?"

„No, you most certainly are not!"

„But why does it feel so unreal?"

„I think because I was a fool never telling you this before."

„So it's normal that I think I have lost my mind?"

„Sadly yes. But you haven't. It's all real!"

„I'm glad!"

As if she wanted a real proof, she leaned forward and kissed him – on the cheek.

If she would have done this in the past, he wouldn't have been pleased enough, but now that kiss meant so much to him. More than she will ever know, he thought. Now it was the first time that she really made a move of her own, without being forced by him. He could also be sure that she wasn't thinking about anyone but him. He could read it in her eyes.

Because sometimes eyes say more than a thousand words.

PPS: What I also wanted to add is if you have any constructive critisism or other suggestions please let me know (like many of you already did, thank you!).