Nassau

The boat docked in Nassau for a hot and humid 24 hours. Supplies, clean water and food were extremely scarce. While Rhett's crew attempted to obtain what they needed to make the journey up the coast, the wheels in Scarletts head spun. She had been happy with island life, away from the judgmental eyes of polite society and completed uninhibited in being who she wanted to be. Life back in the states would be a change for sure. She would certainly miss watching her husband dive for Caribbean lobster, swims together at sunset and lazy days laying in his arms on the porch swing at their small cottage.

Scarlett could tell Rhett was stressed. She was extremely thirsty from nursing the baby constantly, and it was so so hot. There was no island breeze at the docks in Nassau. There was stress, storm debris and wreckage. Wade was cranky as he was hungry, and not allowed to leave the ship with James. Rhett was on high alert above with two loaded pistols hanging off his belt. Looting was going on throughout the port, and Rhett and two men were on top manning lookout for the safety of the ship and its passengers.

As the baby started to fuss, Scarlett picked her up, kissing her forehead gently and helped her latch on to her breast. She closed her eyes as the baby nursed vigorously, and dozed off a bit. The humidity was stifling. As she switched the infant from one side to the other to nurse, the door opened and Rhett appeared. It was too hot to move. His eyes focused on her exposed breast and a softness set in the lines of his face. He didn't say a word, but placed a large glass of water on the nightstand next to her, and came to the bed, stroking the baby's downy head and ran his fingers down his wife's jawline kissing her softly. The baby had fallen asleep with her mouth open inches from her mother's breast. Rhett gently picked up the infant and expertly rubbed her back. Scarlett took the water and drank it quickly, happy to have a break from the baby's warm body on hers in the stifling heat.

"We are leaving soon, honey. Are you ok?", he drawled.

She nodded her head and closed her eyes.

"Savannah or Charleston. That's where we will stop first depending on wind and port conditions upon arrival. We will stay in a hotel for a bit until we are up for traveling. We have family in each city which we can see or not. We don't have to stay. We need a good meal, a solid bed and clean water. The rest we will figure out along the way".

He lazily paced the room, rubbing the sleeping infant's back and she could tell something was on his mind.

"I don't know where to go Scarlett. The mighty south is going to be making some major changes, and there's money to be made, a lot of money, but I am not received and I have made many enemies. Will it matter? I can't tell you that. But what I will tell you is that my past isn't going to effect this little ones future. Our family, how they are treated among polite society, and being in the correct social circles for both of these children's future are all that matter now."

Scarlett was too tired to have an opinion.

"Rhett, my home is with you. Whatever you decide best we will do. As long as you don't drag us north! Anywhere we go, as long as you are there is where I want to be".

He smirked as his heart swelled with happiness.

Augusta, GA

She laid in bed looking out the window. The sun was up and for a moment she forgot where she was. "Melly", she whispered and a tear fell. She rolled over, head aching from the wine from the night before and thought "what have I done"?

She closed her eyes and smiled. Warm. Safe. Strong. Secure. That was how Rhett butler made her feel- especially these last few days. She was going to marry him. There was no doubt in her mind, and there were no regrets at her acceptance in his proposal the night before. He loved her and she wanted to marry him. She dozed back to sleep feeling full and happy.

Rhett had been a perfect gentleman last night. He gave her the bedroom and slept on the couch. He did not ask for more. Would she have given him more? Maybe. But he acted a gentleman and did not ask.

She awoke sometime later that morning to the sound of her toddler laughing, and a deep southern drawl coming back into to the suite as the door shut. Rhett must have taken the boy to breakfast. She rose, stretching lazily and entered the living room with no more than her night dress. It was all she had, and modesty had been lost days ago.

"Good morning", she smiled at him.

He looked at her with deep focus, searching for something that he didn't find. He looked at her like a cat waiting to pounce, as those eyes went over her entire body before locking with hers.

"Good morning. We brought you breakfast". He spoke tentatively, watching his words and treading lightly.

"How do you feel today Scarlett?"

She didn't answer, but walked over to him looking for something that she couldn't articulate. Wanting something she was afraid to ask for.

"Eat something honey. We have a lot of traveling ahead. It's going to be a long, long road to get to Charleston. I have four days to get to my ships and get you and Wade settled. We are going to take a train later today and pray it can get there safely. It's going to be a hard trip. When we get to Charleston I'm going to leave you with your aunts. I will be back for you and Wade in 3 to 4 months when I return from Nassau."

He sensed the panic in her eyes and notice her body go rigid. He looked at her quizzically. She had been through so much in the past few days and was so quiet, a shell of her former self. The spark was out of her and he wondered what it would take to bring it back.

Scarlett ate quietly. Tousling Wade's hair has she sat at the table. She didn't say a thing.

It took them almost 3 days to get to Charleston. With what few possessions they had, they trudged through and kept moving. The cities were bustling with a helplessness, refugees were everywhere and the streets were crowded. Upon arrival in Charleston they called upon Scarlett's aunts and were told Rhett was not welcome to call. That was enough to set Scarletts mind that she did not want to call on them either. After all Rhett had done for her and her son she was left feeling embarrassed and disappointed.

Rhett got Scarlett settled in a large suite at a hotel and went to the docks to check his ships. He had new clothing delivered to the rooms for the three of them.

Scarlett had spent her afternoon trying her best to keep Wade occupied. It wasn't until the boy had a crying meltdown and fell asleep on the small bed in his room that she could finally close her own eyes. She slept for a good 2 hours and soaked in the tub- finally feeling clean for the first time in days.

Hearing the latch on the door click, she realized Rhett was back and quickly wrapped herself in a robe. As she entered the bedroom, he saw her from the living area and smirked. She put her finger to her lips to signal him to keep quiet as she wasn't quite ready for Wade to wake. His eyes scanned her body up and down and down and up and the harsh lines on his face softened. He watched her intently and she froze. As he crossed the room she went to him, their bodies being pulled together like a magnetic force. She crumbled into him, and he wrapped his massive body around hers. Taking the back of neck, he ran his hands through her hair and pulled her mouth to his with a gentle hunger. She kissed him back, timidly at first and then with a demand wanting more. She felt him harden against her and it made her heart race. He pulled away gently, "we need to wait. We have to wait".

Scarlett looked at him quizzically. No man had ever pushed her away.

"No", Scarlett whispered wanting more.

"We can't continue this, Scarlett. Put some clothes on and let's get ready to go downstairs for supper. I want to discuss our plans. I have to leave soon."

"Leave soon? You can't leave me here!", she wailed.

"You will go to your aunts and after a few weeks I will set you and Wade up in a house", he drawled.

"I'm coming with you to Nassau. You can't leave me here! What if the Yankees come?! I don't want to be here! I won't see my aunts if they aren't going to see you, I won't see your family if they won't see you and I will not stay here in this hotel alone! You can bring me to Tara or you can take me with and seeing as you have to leave soon you don't have much of a choice, do you Captain Butler".

"Scarlett, do you know what you're saying?! I can't get you to Tara, it would take days! I cannot take you on my ship. You can't get over that I'm not received in this god forsaken town, do you know what would happen to your own reputation if you travelled with me"? He was getting agitated.

"I believe I was once told, 'one can do without a reputation', wasn't I?", she coquettishly flirted.

"Scarlett. Listen to me. The boat is not easy. It's dangerous, it's cramped. Seas can be rough. It's all men. People get sick. It's hard on grown men. It's insanity to bring a woman and a small child- let alone irresponsible, poor business and bad luck. I cannot and will not take you".

She looked at him directly, her green eyes blazing into his. "Marry me tomorrow. Marry me and take me with you. I will travel with you, and I will be your wife. I want to be your wife. I am ready to be your wife. We can escape all of this and be safe and be together. We are living a life in hell. Marry me tomorrow and take me away from all of this".

She kissed him, and he kissed her back feverishly. His kisses became more and more demanding and he scooped her up and carried her to the bed, her robe opening slightly and exposing herself to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He hovered over her, kissing her passionately and she could feel him harden against her leg. She felt him pull away and stand up. She covered herself quickly as cold air suddenly filled the space between them.

"We will marry tomorrow", he drawled and stepped out of the room. She heard the front door shut quietly and then he was gone.