CHAPTER 9

The baby decided to come into the world a few days after New Year's Eve. The mild practice contractions she was experiencing during the past few weeks had become more frequent and more intense that morning, but it was at least a week ahead of time so she chose to ignore them and go about with her day as usual. When Melanie with Beau appeared in her doorstep early in the afternoon she didn't see why they couldn't enjoy a cup of tea. Beau joined Rhett and the children in the nursery and they sat in the parlor upstairs.

"How are you feeling today, my dear?" Melly asked her usual question.

"Exactly as I felt yesterday. Heavy and ready to burst," she laughed and tried to find a position to relieve the pain at her back.

And something did burst, following a sudden tightening in her abdomen, and the warm fluid wetted her pantallettes. They stared at each startled at first and then mildly amused.

"That was very literal," Scarlett giggled. "I'm afraid we won't be having tea after all."

Melanie called for Mammy and helped her to her bedroom. They weren't half way there, when Rhett's head appeared from the nursery door.

"Is something the…" he set to ask, but he saw Scarlett leaning on the wall for support and Melly gave him a meaningful look. "Prissy," he shouted instead and turned to the children. "It appears we have a change of plans," he shoved his hands in his pockets to maintain a composure he was far from feeling. "You'll spend the rest of the afternoon at Aunt Pitty's."

With his mind focused on the bedroom Wade's hand on his arm surprised him.

"Is the baby coming?" his voice quivered.

"Yes, Wade, it is," he sat on his knees in front of him.

He saw the boy straightening his back and lifting his chin in a too familiar way.

"You go to Mother, Uncle Rhett," he said. "I will stay here."

Rhett looked at him in wonder. Where did that frightened little boy he had comforted three years ago go?

"You sound very much like your mother right now, you know that?" he smiled warmly. "Do you think you can handle this?" he motioned towards the girls.

"Sure I can, Uncle Rhett," he nodded eagerly.

"I knew I could count on you. I'm so proud of you, son," he left a kiss on his head and hurried to the bedroom.

He found her bending over the bed moaning.

"Is it that bad already?" he asked stupidly.

She nodded a few times too many as she tried to breathe through the contraction. He hovered in the room, watching her suffering, a sickening feeling in his gut. He didn't know what she needed of him; to touch her or not, to come closer or keep his distance. In the face of the impending birth, he felt once again totally useless. A couple of awfully long moments later she relaxed and let out a heavy sigh. She looked at him smiling faintly.

"Tell me what to do," he breathed at a loss.

"Make sure the doctor comes here quickly," her face distorted again, "because this baby is coming fast," the last word turned into a loud groan.

And it did. So fast that Dr. Meade was barely an hour in the bedroom with Scarlett before he was back out to announce its birth to a totally stunned Rhett. Who, in turn, ignored his protestations and stormed in the bedroom without being told to. No power on earth could keep him away from them a moment longer than absolutely necessary. He all but run to her side and claimed her lips without a word, touching and caressing her face to make sure she was alright.

"So? Is it what you wanted?" he asked next, smiling uncertainly.

"See for yourself," she turned her gaze to the newborn in her arms.

Tears blurred his vision as he took in their child for the very first time. Thin dark hair, olive skin, rosy full lips. They had, in every way, an absolutely perfect baby. Still, even if his life depended on it, he couldn't tell what it was. He raised his burning eyes to her, his brows knit in query, and she burst into laughter.

"You are completely hopeless! Can't you see he is an impeccable miniature of you?"

"It's Aidan then," his voice croaky with overwhelming emotion.

"Mr. Aidan Butler in person," she passed him his son beaming with pride.

Hands shaking and chest heaving, he brought the baby over his heart.

"Shhhh… It's alright, darling," he gently hushed the complaining sounds coming from the newborn. "You're alright… It's only daddy," his voice finally broke.

She stroke his cheek just in time to wipe a stray tear. She had never seen him so moved before. He put his arm around her, his mouth on her hair, pulling her close.

"I think we should keep him," she joked as she snuggled against him and he let out a raspy laugh.

"What about you?" he said when he trusted himself enough to speak. "Are you well?"

"It lasted less than two hours, Rhett. Of course I'm well!" she reassured him.

"You have become impressively skilled with this," he couldn't take his eyes off their son.

"Fiddle-dee-dee! That's the weirdest compliment you've ever given me! What does skill have to do with anything? Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time. There's nothing to boast about!"

"However marvelous your flexible hips are," he smirked at her and she blushed, "I was mainly referring to your talent for giving me beautiful babies," his black eyes shone with delight. "Thank you, my love. Our boy is gorgeous!"

"All my boys are!" She sought his mouth and kissed him, miriads of feelings she knew not how to manifest but through physical contact.

A soft knock on the door broke them apart.

"There is an eager crowd here waiting to see baby Aidan," Melanie's voice was heard.

The door opened slightly and three little heads cautiously peeped in.

"Come in," Rhett laughed softly. "Come to meet your new brother."

Bonnie pushed the door wide open and run inside, followed by Ella and Wade. They climbed onto the bed and, as if planned, all three of them bent over the baby on Rhett's arms.

"Daddy, he is so tiny!" Bonnie was the first to state her opinion.

"All babies are tiny when they are born. You were tiny too."

Ella looked at the baby, then at Rhett, then back at the baby.

"He looks like you, Uncle Rhett!" she declared. "I like that!"

"You are quite right, Ella darling," Scarlett went along.

Rhett gave his wife a you-are-exaggerating look.

"Don't give me that," she laughed merrily. "Who am I to question the obvious?"

"What do you think, Wade?" he caressed his hair playfully.

"It is nice to have another boy around, Uncle Rhett," he smiled timidly.

"It's going to be a while before you two can hang out together, but I'm sure you'll be a wonderful big brother for him."

Not long after Scarlett had fallen asleep, the baby began to squirm in the cradle. Rhett picked him in his arms.

"Let's not wake your mother just yet, shall we?" The baby looked straight into his father's eyes, drown by his soft calming voice. "You like that? Me talking to you? What if I tell you a story to go back to sleep and give mommy time to rest some more? What do you think of that?" he started to stroll up and down the room rocking him gently.

She struggled to choke back her giggles. Was there anywhere in the whole wide world another man crazier about babies? She nestled deeper into the covers and strained her ears. This was going to be fun!

"What should we talk about, huh?" he went on whispering totally unaware of being overheard. "Any suggestions? No? How about our family? Does that sound good? Yeah? Well, I will begin your life with the beginning of your life," he chuckled with his own joke. "You are the youngest member of our family. You've already met mommy and me. You've also met Mammy, the old lady who gave you your first bath. She is going to be your favorite, I bet my life on it. Your siblings came to visit too, but you were deep in sleep by then, so I'll tell you all you need to know about them. You have an older brother, Wade. He is such a smart and polite young man and he will teach you everything about books. He loves them dearly. You have an older sister, Ella. The sweetest, most innocent little girl in the world. She has the wildest imagination. Playing with her will never be boring, I give you my word."

It would never seize to amaze her how much he loved her children. Their children for four years.

"Finally, there is your other older sister, Bonnie. She is vivacious and loud and funny and very much like your mother. Which practically means a little tough to handle. And I'm not sure she is ready to share the attention with you just yet. I believe she will come around in the end, though, and she will love you with all her heart."

Let's cross fingers on both hands, she mused.

"You have no idea how precious you are to us, my son," he brought him to his shoulder to breathe him in. God, this intoxicating smell! "To think how close we got to lose you!" he paused. She shivered. "Things between your mum and me were really bad back then. But that's a story for another time. Maybe I'll tell you someday, when you get older. Bottom line is that you came along and you've changed everything. You practically saved us, you know that?"

Entirely overcome by emotion, Scarlett finally whimpered.

"Well, Aidan, you did wake your mommy after all," Rhett chortled. "Hasn't your mother taught you that it is rude to eavesdrop, Mrs. Butler?" he sat next to her on the bed.

"Yes," she sniveled sheepishly. "But thanks to eavesdropping I met my husband," she gave him a watery smile.

"And look where that brought you," he joked.

"It brought me here," she lost herself into his embrace. "Rhett, I've never thought of it that way. What if you hadn't caught me that day... What if he…"

"Shhhh…." He placed his lips on her hair. "He is here with us now and that's all that matters."

This is it... In my head and in my heart, it is always a "They lived happily ever after" for them! Nothing less will ever be good enough for me!

Thank you once again for yet another ride with me in my GWTW universe! Even after all those years in the fantom, I still can't find enough words to express my gratitude for the time you devote in reading my stories! I thank with all my heart each and everyone of you -reader, reviewer, follower, guest- for your trust!

Until next time, whenever that may be, stay safe and take care! xxx Chris