Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

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

Chapter Seventeen

When Beau was a week old, Melanie said to Scarlett, "You can leave Wade at home tomorrow."

"Are you sure he won't be too much for you."

"No, he won't be."

"Then I will leave him with you. I can't hardly get any work done while taking care of him. He is a busy boy."

"I know. I am happy that I don't have to do my chores, but I am going to have to find something to do with my time now. So, Wade being home gives me something to do. Right now, all Beau does is sleep and eat."

"Is everything working out alright with you nursing Beau?"

"Yes, I had a couple of hiccups but Ina May straighten those out."

"Good. Thanks, Melly, for watching Wade."

"It is my pleasure."

A few days after Rhett and Scarlett's supper date, he sent her a note asking if he could call on her that evening. She had agreed.

Later that day, Paul sent her a note saying he was back in town and could he call on her that evening. She sent him a note back saying that she had plans for that evening, but she would be happy to receive him the next night.

This went on for the next several weeks. Scarlett was enjoying herself. She was enjoying the attention the men were bestowing on her. She was enjoying the gifts the men were giving her. She enjoyed kissing the men although she did enjoy kissing Rhett more than Paul but then again kissing Paul was enjoyable. Although she had been thinking about what it would be like to be married to Rhett. She had invited both Paul and Rhett to supper a few times.

In October Paul had stopped by Scarlett's home to visit with her. When as she was walking him out, he said, "I'm going to be out of town for the next several weeks. I'm going to Europe. I have several business interests over there."

"When will you be back?"

"Not until after Christmas."

"Don't you find it depressing eating Christmas dinner alone?"

"I won't be eating it alone. I have lots of friends over there."

"How often do you go to Europe?"

"Two or three times a year. I go out west also. I get bored seeing and talking to the same people. Not everyone is as interesting to talk to as you are."

"Thank you. When do you leave?"

"The day after tomorrow. So, I won't see you again until I get back."

"Alright."

"I shall bring you a nice Christmas present."

"Thank you. Good night."

"Goodbye."

Scarlett had fun with Paul, but she didn't miss him when he was gone for a couple of months. They had a very casual relationship.

Rhett, she did miss. She had been considering marrying him if he ever asked her to marry him. Maybe relations could be fun with Rhett. Although she didn't know how. He had said he was quite talented in that activity. Then there was the problem with her not wanting to have any more children. Maybe Rhett knew of a way to make sure that didn't happen.

Right now, it didn't matter. First Rhett would have to ask her to marry him. No, first Rhett had to tell her that he loved her. She would then tell him that she loved him too. Until he did, their relationship was no more serious than hers and Paul's relationship.

When Ashley got home on November sixteenth, he found Melanie in the parlor with Wade and Beau. Beau was in his bassinet and Wade was playing with his blocks on the floor. Ashley thought it made quite the lovely picture. After kissing Melly on the cheek, Ashley said, "Where is Scarlett?"

"Getting ready to go out to supper with Mr. Butler."

"Can you go get her? I have something I want to tell both of you."

In a few minutes Melly returned to the parlor with Scarlett. Scarlett had a simple house dress on and a scowl on her face. She said, "What is it? I'm busy."

Ashley smiled and said, "I have distressing news to share. It will just take a minute. Please, sit down."

"If it is just going to take a minute, I don't need to sit down."

"Mama! Mama!"

Scarlett bent down and picked Wade up. She said, "Go on."

"General Sherman has left Atlanta heading South. They believe he is marching to Savannah. He is going to destroy everything on his way."

With that news, Scarlett sat down. She said, "Clayton County is in his path. Is he killing the civilians?"

"No, he is not out and out killing them, but he and his troops will live off the land thus make it nearly impossible for the Southerners to find food."

"My family."

Melanie said, "My family."

Ashley said, "And my family. We won't be able to find out anything until the war is over. It won't be immediately the Yankees will have to repair the railroad tracks and I don't know what else."

Scarlett stood up and said, "Is that all?"

"Yes."

"I'm going to take Wade upstairs with me while I get ready."

"Of course, Darling."

As Scarlett walked up the stairs she thought, 'I wish he hadn't told me. There is nothing I can do about it but now that I know about it, I will worry about my family.'

After Scarlett was upstairs, Melly said, "I got another chapter edited today. I only have two left to do."

"After you do, I will read it through one more time, then take it to the magazine for them to publish. They will serialize it and publish one chapter every month."

"When will they pay you?"

"When I give them the finished product."

"Five hundred dollars for writing a story. Unbelievable. What are we going to do with the money?"

"Put it in the bank. If I can sell another story, then we would have enough money to buy a house and furniture for our new home."

"Oh."

"Don't worry. We will take Scarlett and Wade with us. All things considered, Scarlett is a good housemate, and I don't think you would be happy being separated from Wade."

"No, I wouldn't."

Rhett was at Scarlett's home promptly at six. That was one of the things that she liked about him. He was always on time. When she heard the knock on the door, she got up from the sofa and answered the door. She looked at him for a moment and thought, 'He is so handsome.' She said, "Let me get my coat."

"Let me help you put it on."

"Thanks."

After Scarlett got her coat buttoned up, Rhett said, "Let's go. I have a cab waiting."

After Scarlett and Rhett got in the cab, she said, "I can't believe how cold it gets up here."

"True but the summers are much more pleasant. Have you ever had Italian food?"

"No. I don't even know what it is?'

"It is food from Italy." Scarlett stared at Rhett while he laughed at his joke. Finally, he continued, "It is easier to explain once you see it, but I think you will like it."

"Alright. Ashley told me that General Sherman left Atlanta heading South."

"Where is he heading?"

"Ashley said Savannah."

"I wonder if he will continue down into Florida or turn around and head up toward Richmond."

"I don't know."

"I would say turn around and head up toward Richmond. There isn't anything important militarily in Florida."

"It sounds like your family is going to be in danger also."

"Everyone in the South is in danger."

By this time, the couple was at the restaurant, Via Carota. They were seated right away. As they were walking to their table Scarlett was looking at the food on the other diners' tables. They sat down and the maître d' handed them their menus.

Scarlett said, "You are just going to have to order for me."

"Alright."

"How hungry are you?"

"Not very."

"Why don't we split an order of calamari as our appetizer, then I will get you the lasagna as your entrée. I am going to get chicken cacciatore."

"That sounds nice."

"Is that a new dress?"

"Yes, Coco just finished it today. I will wear it to work tomorrow also."

"You look lovely."

"Thank you."

After the waiter had taken their orders, Scarlett said, "Do you travel on business?"

"Not really. I have invested in a couple of companies in London and one in Paris but most of my money is invested in New York, Boston, and Chicago. The businesses send me monthly reports."

"Don't you have investments in Atlanta?"

"I have a couple, but I can't go check on them now."

"No, you can't."

"Do you like your entrée?"

"Yes. What is it called again?"

"Lasagna."

Scarlett smiled at Rhett. He smiled back. When the waiter took their plates away, Rhett said, "Bring us an order of tiramisu."

"Rhett, I am so full, I couldn't eat dessert."

"Then we will split it."

"Do you ever take no for an answer?"

"Only when I have to."

After the waiter had placed the tiramisu in front of Scarlett, Rhett thanked him. He then took the dessert plate and placed it in front of him. He took the emerald ring out of his pocket and placed it into the middle of the square of tiramisu. He then placed the dessert in front of Scarlett.

Scarlett looked at him with stormy green eyes. He quickly said, "I'm asking you to marry me."

"What?!"

"Will you marry me?"

"Why do you want me to marry you?"

"You are everything I have ever wanted in a wife."

"And?"

Rhett smiled his cocky smile and said, "I love you."

"I love you, too. That is why it hurt so bad when….."

"When I behaved like an ill-mannered clod. Never again, I hope."

That made Scarlett laugh. She said, "I love you, too but I don't want to have relations again."

"Why?"

"It was horrible, and to make things worst Charlie wanted to do it all the time."

"How was it horrible?"

"Rhett, I can't talk about that."

"Alright. Can I ask you yes or no questions?"

"Yes."

"Did your first husband try to bring you pleasure?"

"Is that even possible for a lady?"

"Yes, my lady, it certainly is. Did he?"

"No."

"Did he do anything more than kiss you?"

Scarlett was blushing by now, but she whispered, "No."

Rhett put his hand under her chin and made her look at him. He said, "Scarlett, if you don't have as good a time as I do then I will get my needs met elsewhere. Discreetly, of course."

"Rhett, no. That wouldn't be right."

"In London it is what all the wealthy people do. They sire an heir and a spare on their legal wife then either keep a mistress or visit a brothel."

"We don't live in London."

"I bet the wealthy people in New York do the same thing."

"What about children?"

"I would like a child."

"I don't want anymore."

"I know. Once you have given me one child, I will perform some pregnancy prevention methods. Although not one hundred percent, you won't be having a child every year."

"If I say no, will you stop seeing me."

"I could never stop seeing you. Remember in order to get back in your good graces after my cloddish behavior, I got down on my knees and begged for your forgiveness."

"I don't remember any begging."

"I came as close to begging as I could come."

Scarlett picked up the ring and slipped it on her finger despite all the tiramisu on the ring. She turned to Rhett and said, "Yes, but I am going to hold you to all your promises."

Rhett broke out in a big smile. He said, "Thank you. Thank you for giving me this chance. I love you so much."

"You are the only man I would give this chance to and that is because I love you."

"You saying yes is the best birthday present."

"Today is your birthday?"

"Yes, I'm thirty-seven years old."

"You don't look a day over thirty-six."

Rhett laughed and said, "How old are you?"

"Don't you know it is impolite to ask a woman her age?"

"I rarely stop myself from saying something just because it is impolite. But I won't pester you about your age. I will just assume you are nineteen."

"Why do you say that?"

"You were too poised and self-confident to be any younger than sixteen and you were too popular to be any older than sixteen. Do you want to try the tiramisu?"

"Yes, let me try a bite." After Scarlett had tasted the dessert, she said, "That is pretty good, but I honestly can't eat anymore."

"Give it to me."

Scarlett handed the dessert over to Rhett. He took a bite and another. He finally said, "This is pretty good."

"Go ahead and finish it, Darling."

After Rhett finished the dessert, he said, "Let me signal the waiter to bring me the bill."

"Alright."