A/N: Hi there, I'm back with a new story. I hope you all like it. My updating schedule is non-existent so posts will be on an irregular basis. I've messed with the canon and added a few characters. I do not own any of the original characters nor events from the original Gone With The Wind story. I play with them for my own purposes.

Italics refer to past events.

George, Beau and Wade were in the garden on a hot summer's day in Atlanta. Only an hour ago, Mammy had sent them all to Aunt Pitty's house. However, after a whispered conversation between Aunts Careen and Pitty, the older lady had fainted meaning Uncle Peter was too busy to take care of them. It wasn't clear to the boys why Aunt Careen hadn't also been allowed to help their mother and when asked, her reply was,

"Someone needs to look after you."

George disagreed entirely. As the eldest boy, next to Wade Hampton, surely, he should be responsible enough and old enough to know what was going on? Why were the adults acting so strange? It was up to him to devise a strategy to invade the Adult camp. It would be no bother to sneak away once their Aunt was occupied with the girls. They knew the route back to the Peachtree street house, having made the journey many times. It would only be once they arrived that they would reach their stumbling block.

He heard Wade and Beau discussing the matter.

"But won't Mammy be mad?"

"We won't be looking for Mammy. That's why we're sneaking in!"

"Oh!" Was their mutual response.

George shook his head. Sometimes his brothers could be such ninnies. Beau, he could understand as he was the baby before Sarah and Charlotte. Wade had been born two days after George. Mother had looked after Wade when he was born and his really mother had gone to Heaven. Now that Wade's daddy had joined her, Wade clung to his Mother with all his might. George didn't mind sharing. There were enough of her temper tantrums to go around. She had been particular grumpy these last few days, telling them not to bother her.

They waited until the girls had roped Aunt Careen into having a tea party with them and cousins Frank, Susie and Ella Lorena, before sneaking out the back garden and following the few roads until they reached the Peachtree street house.

Their first hurdle was not Mammy as they thought. When they tried the back door, it was locked.

"Now what are we going to do?"

Beau was for going back. "What will Aunt Careen say?"

But the older boys opted to stay in the garden and wait for the opportune moment.

XxX

Meanwhile, Captain Butler was in his study, desperate for a drink but also eager to push his way into the room where his wife was in labour.

He'd been dreading this moment from the minute they decided to have a baby. He'd hoped for more time but his wife's fertility was his enemy and after a few weeks without protection, Scarlett's courses stopped. She had been most embarrassed when he mentioned it, saying men weren't supposed to know such things. She also said it didn't mean anything, unless it happened again.

"You needn't be embarrassed my dear. It's a natural thing. Besides, I think it's pure hypocrisy that I must pretend not to see what is before me."

"No other man would pay attention to the things you do."

"Then they are fools. Let them keep their title of 'Gentlemen'. You know no-one could accuse me of any such thing."

Scarlett scowled, unwilling to argue anymore. A part of her felt relieved that she didn't have to keep up the charade of being a mindless ninny, but with matters like these, she wished Rhett could appreciate that it wasn't hypocrisy, merely delicacy she needed.

When a second month by with another absence, it was teamed with what was delicately put, a 'digestive upset', requiring a trip to Doctor Meade. Upon her return, she confirmed her pregnancy, much to his dismay.

It wasn't that he didn't want children. Everyone knew that her last pregnancy hadn't been easy and Doctor Meade and Mammy had almost feared the worst, before she pulled through and reminded them all that she was Scarlett O'Hara and nothing would stop her waggon.

Now, all he wanted to do was hold her to him and make her promise never to go away from him. He'd been by her side all the while, watching her body grow along with the baby and making sure that nothing upset her.

Sure, she'd laughed at his dogged protectiveness but in the night, when she curled into him and used his chest as a pillow, he knew his actions were appreciated.

It was some time before all was a flurry outside the bedroom door and Mammy appeared to let him know the good news.

"It's a girl, Captain Butler…"

He barely heard her, so eager was he to get to his wife. She lay, her face a sweaty, tired mess and her smile was weak, but it was enough, as she beckoned him towards her and their child, who lay wrapped in blankets, against her mother's chest.

Rhett gathered the little bundle up in his larger hands and questioned whether all this fuss was warranted for such a tiny creature.

"I'se better tell the boys they got a sister."

The new-born and her parents were left alone as Rhett took the chair placed by his wife's side. He knew their cook would prepare a tray but for now, he didn't want any intrusions on his family.

Of course, the three boys were keen to see the newest addition to the family and came running, their eyes full of concern for their mother.

"You have to be quiet, now."

United, they moved closer to inspect the baby. Much like Rhett, they were none too impressed by the end result and having checked on their mother, were bribed downstairs by the promise of ice-cream.

The little one had no sense of who she was or who she would grow up to be. She was perfectly content snuggling with the lady and gentleman, before another wave of sleep stole her next thought.

Leaving the proud father, a chance to watch over his wife as she too slept.