For Love
Part 7
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(A/N: Satine's Thoughts (while sleeping) are in '' and are italicized.
***
"Christian." Renee whispered. "Christian!" She ran her finger along the bridge of Christian's nose, a trick that she discovered woke whoever she did it to. True to its history, the trick worked. Christian turned his head away sharply. His eyes flew open as he scrunched up his nose.
"That tickles." He complained, rubbing his nose. "Why'd you wake me up so early?" The sun hadn't even risen and the sky was still black.
"I've got a surprise for you." She grinned. "Hurry up and get ready. There's a carriage waiting outside. Dress warmly; we're going to the mountains." Christian raised a brow as Renee continued. "You don't want to keep your Satine waiting, do you?"
A large smile broke the usual frown on Christian's face as he got up as fast as he could without hurting himself. "Really?" "Of course, silly." Renee said, grabbing Christian's scarf and coat. "I wouldn't lie to you. I told you we would go when I feel you're ready and now you're ready."
Christian was ecstatic. His smile remained on his face almost the entire carriage ride, which lasted several hours because they were moving very slowly. The curtains were drawn shut so Christian couldn't see where they were going. Renee was being very secretive about all this, but since visiting was against the rules, Christian didn't say anything about it.
***
'If I should die this very moment
I'd greatly fear.
For I lack completeness
without you here.
Wishing for the warmth of you
Living every breath for you
Why live life from dream to dream
And dread the day…'
"Satine?" Satine heard Christian's voice, although she was sure she was awake. "Satine…" 'I'm going mad.' She thought, still half asleep. 'Am I still dreaming? Is it real?' Although she wanted desperately to be with Christian, she didn't open her eyes for fear that she'll be alone.
Christian looked down at Satine lovingly as he touched her shoulder, hoping she'd wake. Satine shifted, but her eyes remained closed. Christian turned to Renee for support, but the small woman merely touched her nose and winked, hoping Christian would get the message. Nodding, Christian apparently did. He bent over Satine's bed and ran his finger lightly across her nose.
Satine felt a tickle on her nose and pulled her head away. Her eyes opened slowly to meet a pair of silvery-blues that belonged to only one person. 'Christian?' Was it real, or was she still dreaming? Satine lifted a trembling hand and pressed it against Christian's cheek. Sure enough, he was there, smiling down at her.
Satine jumped up and threw her arms around Christian, sobbing onto his shoulder. Christian winced sharply at the pressure applied to his chest, but that didn't matter. He was with Satine and that was all that mattered. He held her shaking body close to his, not ever wanting to let her go.
Satine wanted desperately to say something to Christian, to tell him how much she missed him, but she also wanted to be cured of consumption, so she didn't say anything. Instead, she grabbed her notepad and wrote.
{I missed you.}
Christian nodded. "So did I."
{Don't ever leave me.} Satine's looked at Christian, waiting for the reply. "I'll always be with you." Christian said after a long pause. It was then that the pain in Christian's chest was unbearable and he had to pull away from Satine, who looked as if she'd been slapped.
"My chest…." Christian said quickly, not wanting Satine to get the wrong idea. Her eyes were wide and scared, her frail body trembling. 'She must be freezing.' Christian observed as he went to put his jacket on, but stopped when he saw Satine freezing in only a thin robe. He handed his jacket to Satine, who put it on gratefully.
{I didn't know if it was really you. I was afraid I was only dreaming. You are all I dream and think about.}
"Well I'm here now." Once Christian felt the pain in his chest lessen, he held Satine on his good shoulder. "I'm here."
Satine pushed the notepad towards Christian, motioning for him to take it, which he did. After seeing the puzzled look on his face, Satine grabbed it back, quickly writing a note before handing it to Christian once again.
{Read it.}
Christian nodded and began to read Satine's writings. When he finished, he had mixed feelings. Her writing was excellent, yet depressing. So in the end, Christian said nothing. He merely pulled Satine close to him and held her.
Renee and Dr. Solomon returned a few hours later to find Satine asleep in Christian's arms. "Sorry, but we have to go." Christian frowned, but placed Satine gently onto the bed and kissed her forehead. "We will come back in a week or so, if that's alright with Dr. Solomon."
"It's best for Satine. She hardly coughed at all today." Dr. Solomon nodded. "Best wishes to both of you."
Many weeks flew by. Both Christian and Satine had something to look forward to; Knowing that they would see each other at the end of the week made the hours seem like minutes and the days like hours. Ever since Christian's first visit, Satine's health began to progress. It was very slow, but after two and a half months, she rarely coughed at all.
Christian was healing quickly. A week after Christian's first visit with Satine, Renee felt that she wasn't needed at all times. She re-scheduled her visits once every two days. Toulouse was always nearby, although he was never much help when he was drunk.
***
"Christian?" Satine asked weakly. Just that day she had been given permission to speak. But her voice was weak and saying too much would leave her throat sore and her chest aching.
Christian was curled up, asleep, in a rocking chair near Satine's bed. "Christian." She said again, poking his arm. Christian's bangs hung over his face, covering his eyes. His chest rose and fell gently in a repetitive pattern. Satine felt almost guilty when he sat up, yawned and rubbed his eyes. He looked very peaceful until he noticed it was Satine who had woken him up. Worry replaced the calmness of his features.
"Satine! You're voice… are you alright?" Satine giggled, something she hadn't done in quite a while. "I'm fine. They're letting me talk again." Christian sighed. "You worry too much. Just relax." Satine moved over to one side of the bed and motioned for Christian to join her, which he did.
Satine unbuttoned Christian's shirt and cuddled against his warm body. Satine was always cold. Christian put his arms around Satine, sending chills up her spine.
Satine felt wonderful lying there with Christian, but her heart nearly stopped when she saw the scar on his chest. It was large and ghastly looking. She gently traced its outline with her fingers. Christian pulled Satine closer to him. "Marry me." He said, fumbling with something in his hands. Satine looked up to see it was a ring with a small, sparkling diamond.
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A/N: I decided to leave you in suspense. I'm grounded and am not supposed to be online so shhhhh! Don't tell anyone!
