A big thank you to all my loyal readers and reviewers. I am so glad you are enjoying my story. Like you, I don't want anything bad to happen to the Butler family. After all they have been through I think they need some happiness. But chapters and chapters of happiness is not very interesting to write or read, so this will be the last chapter for now. I may write an epilogue later.

'You can come in now, Mr Butler.' Finally, the words Rhett had been waiting for. He quickly extinguished his cigar and rose from his chair.

As he was shown into the room his eyes sought out Scarlett. She was sitting up in bed smiling at him happily and at the sight of her Rhett felt the tight knot inside him ease a little.

'Rhett,' she said, still smiling at him warmly, 'we have a son'.

Rhett took her hand in his and kissed it. His eyes sought hers again. 'Indeed?' he answered.

'Well, don't you want to see him?' she asked, motioning to the crib.

Cautiously Rhett approached the crib. The child was sleeping. Rhett stood gazing at him. 'You can pick him up, if you like,' Scarlett said.

'Yes, of course,' Rhett answered. Gently he picked his son up and cradled him in his arms. Then he walked back to an armchair by the bed and sat down, still holding his son. He examined the tiny hands with their perfectly formed fingers, the soft skin, the toes, the dark hair, the then his eyes returned to the face. The baby had hardly stirred when Rhett picked him up, and he was now fast asleep again. He looked perfectly at peace. Rhett thought how blissful it would be to sleep so easily and so peacefully. He wondered briefly what a newborn bay could possibly think of to dream about.

He looked up to find Scarlett's gaze on him.

'Thank you, my dear,' he said, smiling at her tenderly. He looked once more at his sleeping son's face, and added, half to himself, 'a son'.

When he looked back at Scarlett he found her still looking at him curiously. 'Are you well, Scarlett?' he asked.

'Yes, thank you', she smiled. 'Mammy once told me I give birth indecently easily for a lady. She said its not fitting'.

Rhett chuckled. 'I'm glad', he said.

'What will you name him, Rhett?', she asked.

'What do you suggest?' he answered.

'I want you to name him', she said. Choose a name fitting for your son'.

'Well,' said Rhett thoughtfully, 'I have always admired my pirate grandfather. He was Captain William Butler.'

'William he shall be then,' Scarlett smiled. 'What about a middle name?'

'If I am to choose his first name perhaps you should choose his middle name,' Rhett offered.

Scarlett's eyes sparkled. 'That's easy,' she said. 'The man I most admire is named 'Rhett'. I would like him to have your name.'

'My name?' Rhett echoed, considering. He spoke slowly and seriously. 'I never thought . . . .' He looked at the baby then back at Scarlett. 'He shall be William Rhett Butler then,' he replied eventually, 'and I hope I will make him proud to bear my name.' He rose, cradling his son easily in one arm, and bent over Scarlett, kissing her tenderly. 'Thank you,' he said again. 'Everything good in my life is because of you. Thank you for not giving up on me. I am so glad you are alright.'

Then he gently returned the child to his crib, and took his leave, so that Scarlett could rest.

When he told Wade and Ella that they had a new baby brother, they took the news very quietly. 'Is mother alright?' asked Ella. Rhett assured them that their mother was doing very well. Then he studied them both thoughtfully for a few seconds. 'What is wrong?' he asked. 'Are you not happy to have a baby brother?'

Wade and Ella looked at each other and some silent communication passed between them. 'We are very happy for you, Father,' answered Wade solemnly.

Rhett frowned. 'Do you think I will love my two eldest children less?' he asked, perceiving at once the root of the problem.

This was so exactly what they were afraid of that they were rendered speechless, and Ella's cheeks went pink.

'Come here,' he said, stretching out his arms towards them. He sat one on each knee. 'You two are very precious to me,' he said then. 'Nobody can take your place. Wade, you are my eldest son, Ella, my lovely daughter. I love you both very much. You have helped me a great deal over the last few months. I know I have not always been the best father to you, but I think, I hope, that I have learnt from my mistakes.'

He smiled at them encouragingly. 'Tomorrow I will take you to town,' he said, 'to get measured up for bathing costumes. And then I will teach you how to swim. Will you like that?'

'Oh yes,' they answered happily, forgetting their earlier worries. 'Thank you, Father.'

'But for now,' he continued, 'we are going to celebrate the safe arrival of your brother. When he is older I am sure he will admire you both very much. I will instruct the kitchen to prepare a little party just for us, with all your favourite food.'

Later, when they had had their fill of lemonade, gingerbread, and sweets, and it was time for bed, Rhett told them a rollicking good adventure story and then tucked them into bed. He said good night to Wade first then moved to Ella's bed. As he kissed her softly on the forehead, she whispered 'Good night Daddy.' Rhett's heart missed a beat. It was the first time anyone but Bonnie had called him Daddy. The merest fraction of a second passed before he smiled and responded warmly, 'Good night, Ella darling, sleep well.'