Chapter XIV: It's Christmas Eve

Un flambeau, Jeanette Isabelle
Un flambeau, courons au berceau!
C'est Jesus, bons gens du hameau,
Le Christ est ne, Marie appelle,
Ah! Ah! Ah! que la mere est belle,
Ah! Ah! Ah! que l'Enfant est beau!

Now in English, dear, Christian called from the parlor. Satine poked her head around the door and frowned at him.

she began. Her husband only grinned and held out both hands.

A joke, darling. How's the hall coming?

Well enough, Satine said absently, returning to her holly and evergreen. I think the white satin adds a lovely touch. What about the tree?

I'm almost done with the branches, and then we can decorate it, Christian said, standing back and wiping his hands on his coat.

Oh, lovely, Satine said, disregarding her last boughs of holly and coming to standing next to him. Christian slipped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her tightly. Satine smiled warmly and leaned her head against his shoulder.

she said again, looking around at their small but beautiful home, smelling the delicious spices of Christmas baking, and feeling Christian's arms around her.

Yes, you are, Christian said. Satine twisted in his arms to look up at him, and he kissed her forehead.

Let's go ice skating this afternoon, Satine suggested after a moment. We bought the skates nearly a month ago and haven't used them once.

That sounds wonderful, Christian agreed, reluctantly releasing her and turning back to the tree. Who do you think is the better skater of us two? Satine only laughed on her way out. She'd never been skating before, but she was certain that it couldn't be hard after dancing in corsets and heels. . .

Oof! Christian! It's not funny! Satine scrambled up to her feet with the help of a nearby tree branch. Christian managed to hide his smile long enough to get her steady on her feet again, and then broke out laughing.

Satine warned him. She rested her hands on her hips and glared his chuckle away.

Yes, dear? he said meekly. Satine raised an expressive eyebrow.

Got it, Christian said hastily, taking her hand. All right, just put one foot down. . .now the next. You need to glide and bend your knees. . .oh, there you go. All right, next foot. . . Satine wobbled furiously, clinging to Christian's hand in an effort to keep herself upright. With his precarious help, she managed to glide/tip-toe around the pond once.

That's enough, Satine began, already heading for the comfort of the secure ground. Christian grabbed her waist and pulled her back.

No, no, it's fun, Satine. Just try it with me a few more times and then you'll get it, I promise. Satine sighed deeply, but one look at Christian's eager face convinced her to try it again.

You see! Christian said victoriously. You've got it! Satine hesitantly broke away from Christian and took a hesitant step. When she succeeded, she looked up at him with a wide smile.

An hour later found Satine sailing gracefully around the pond, much to the envy of the three other women who sat on the benches watching their husbands skate. Christian was cheerfully racing in a dizzying circles, his scarf flying and his black hair landing at a rakish angle on his forehead. He sped by her and spun to a stop.

Ready to go home, Satine? he asked. My feet feel like they're going to fall off. Satine looked at him, surprised.

Mine feel fine. But if you're going to be silly about it-- she teased him, gliding over to the edge.

I will, thank you, Christian said firmly. Just because you have magic ankles doesn't mean I'm so gifted.

As soon as Satine removed her skates, she let out a gasp of surprise. The strength in her feet seemed to have magically dissolved.

Christian said smugly. Told you.

Oh, hush, Satine complained, leaning heavily on his arm. I know, I know, you are the all-mighty paragon of wisdom. Just then, Christian's ankles gave out and he stumbled, falling face first in the snow. Satine gave a very unladylike snort and shook her head at him.

Then again, Christian said that night as he sat in a foot bath of warm water and Satine was very competently walking around, radiating a studied air of triumph. Perhaps there are a very few things that you can best me in.

Satine only response was to snort again.

It's Christmas Eve! Satine sat straight up in bed, while Christian mumbled something and turned over in his sleep. Satine shook her head at him and slid out of the sheets and into her dressing gown. Frost had painted a delicate motif onto the large window of their room, and the soft blanket of snow that covered their sleeping garden gave the entire land a peaceful and undisturbed look. Satine's mouth curved up into a contented smile. A beautiful home--a wonderful husband-- a real life-- there was only one thing missing. Or, rather, one tiny person that Satine longed to hold in her arms. Satine had always counted herself lucky before. At the Moulin Rouge, there were nights when you just didn't take customers. That technique was notorious for being defective, though, as Nini had discovered three times before. Satine shivered and banished that memory. But now. . . every month, the urge to hold her own child tugged harder, and those lingering doubts in the back of her mind grew stronger.

Her worries vanished as Christian sat bolt upright in bed and looked at her.

It's Christmas Eve! Satine began to giggle at that, leaving a very confused Christian and a very good start to their Christmas.

To a beautiful holiday! Christian toasted her at dinner.

And to champagne! Satine added, just a little tipsy after her first drink in quite a while.

And to champagne, Christian agreed, taking another sip of the bubbly drink. Satine sat her glass down with a brief sigh. Much more of that and she'd be on the road to being drunk. It was really strange how going without it made it have a bigger effect on her. She suppressed another giggle as she thought of the other things in her life she could do that with. As she looked over at Christian, her laugh exploded out.

Christian said curiously. Satine only shook her head and laughed harder. Satine waved a hand at him.

Never mind. You wouldn't like it.

Like what?

Satine giggled again. Christian stared at her for a few moments, shook his head, and rose from the table.

If I give you your early present now, will you tell me?

No, but I'll give you your gift, Satine cheerfully responded. Christian pretended to pout for a moment, but finally nodded. Satine pulled out a small package and felt a small touch of anxiety. Would he like it? Would he understand the meaning behind it?

Christian found the small box and swallowed against the lump in his throat. Would she really like it? He bitterly remembered the huge, glittering diamond necklace the Duke had bestowed upon her nearly a year ago. Would his gift seem poor in comparison?

he said quickly, handing her the box. You first. Satine smiled up at him, the soft glow of the candlelight illuminating the beautiful curves of her face and the auburn ripples of her hair. She took the gift from him, turned it over, and opened it. She drew in a sharp intake of breath.

Oh, Christian. . . she breathed. Christian felt his heart sink.

Do you not like it? I'm so sorry, I think, I mean, I can probably--

Satine said, reaching over and caressing his hand. It's beautiful. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever been given. Inside the satin-lined box was a beautiful strand of rosy pearls. Satine reached out with a hesitant finger and touched one.

Do you really like it? Christian was watching her as anxiously as a son might watch his mother while opening a gift. Satine laughed happily.

Oh, of course I do. They're so lovely. . . Christian relaxed and smiled at her.

I was going to get you diamonds . . .but, well, you know. I saw this and I thought. . .

I'm glad you did, Satine said softly. They sat there for a few moments and Satine reached for her package.

It's quite different from what you gave me. . .but, well, there it is, she said a little nervously. Christian opened the box and lifted out the small, leather-bound journal that rested within.

Look inside, Satine said, impatiently waiting for the verdict. Christian began reading some of the pages and then, suddenly, his expression changed. Satine had written down the entire history of their meeting, their love-affair at the Moulin Rouge, their marriage-- all from her eyes.

he whispered, instantly going to her and kissing her. It's--it's perfect. Satine smiled in relief and wrapped her arms about him.

I love you, she said, looking into his sweet blue eyes that had captured her heart with their earnest pleading. Christian drew her closer.

I love you, too. . .

Later that night, the snow had begun to fall again and Satine and Christian went to the parlor to sit before the fire and to admire their handiwork on the tree.

Very nice, Satine said approvingly as she fingered a branch.

I think so too, Christian agreed, with a meaningful look that suggested he wasn't talking about the tree.

You hush, Satine said demurely. I wasn't talking about that.

I was.



You have a beautiful soul, Satine, he said suddenly. Satine raised an eyebrow. Where had that come from? As if anticipating her question, Christian spoke again.

I mean, your face is beautiful, but so is Nini's. And yet, you are so much more beautiful than she could ever be because of who you are. Satine felt herself blushing and she sank down into the armchair.

Such a poet, she said, smiling into his eyes.

With a muse unlike anyone else's. He leaned forward and kissed her.

What would the servants think? Satine scolded him a moment later.

If they were here, you mean?

Well, yes, Satine said, teasing him with a grin. Christian suddenly rose to his feet and lifted her up and began to dance her around the room.

Snow falling gently to the ground
Tis the night before
And in my heart there is no doubt
That this is gonna be the brightest holiday
Cause you are here with me
Baby, baby, I can't wait
To spend this special time of year with someone who
Makes me feel the special way you do.

Satine laughed happily as they began to swing back and forth in a sort of dance she'd never done before. Christian spun her around rapidly and then dipped her back. Satine winked at her husband.

All right, I think I know what you're doing. Let me try now.

Walking with you in a winter's snow
Kissing underneath the mistletoe
People smiling everywhere we go
It's Christmas Eve and you can see we're in love.

Christian saw the candles shining in Satine's eyes and danced with her around the table as he sang the next verse.

Oh, you make the season bright
With the lights reflecting in your eyes
All my dreams are coming true tonight
It's Christmas Eve and I can see we're in love.

They stopped dancing long enough to hold hands as Satine sang.

And bells are ringing when I hear you say
We'll do it all again on Christmas Day
I can't wait!

They were both laughing as they danced their way to the bedroom to spend Christmas Eve together, secure in their home and their love for each other, for the first time in both of their lives.

Oh, you make the season bright
With the lights reflecting in your eyes
All my dreams are coming true tonight
It's Christmas Eve and I can see we're in love!

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Author's note: Reviewers RULE! Love ya all. :)
Songs used:
Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabelle--Traditional French Christmas carol
Christmas Eve--Celine Dion