Chapter XXII: Back to Life

They sat out there in the garden until the golden rays of the sun darkened to purple and crimson streaks of light against the pale sky. Satine's head was resting on Christian's shoulder as they watched the sun melt into the gently sloping hills. Christian's hand caressed her arm and Satine closed her eyes. Something had happened. Their love had deepened, almost. What had been bright and sparkling and perfect had faded to a richer colour of love, with faint scars where it had crumbled and been rebuilt. She stirred and Christian looked at her.

Are you hungry?

No, not really. Are you? Christian shook his head and looked at her with quiet adoration.

I love you. Satine lowered her eyelashes onto her cheek.

I love you. She rose and took Christian's hand, leading him into their house and to their bedroom door. It's time to come back, Christian. Christian went to open the door, but hesitated, his hand on the doorknob.

What is it? Satine asked after a moment.

Something I need to say. Satine looked at the ground and thought for a moment. Something was missing. What was it? She touched Christian's shoulder and began to sing softly.

Don't think I'm sorry' is what we need to say
Don't think forgiveness is why we're here today
Guilty, we're both guilty, let's walk through that door.

Christian closed the door behind them and locked it while Satine let the curtains down. He walked over to her as she stood against the wall and began to unpin her hair. Her auburn curls fell down one after the other, kissing the curves of her face. Once her hair was all done, she touched his cheek as he sung.

A second chance is what I'm talking about
Let's take the hurt and turn it inside out
Lay it on me baby until I can't take anymore.

Satine slowly began to unbutton his shirt as he closed his eyes and sang to her.

No mercy, show me no mercy,
Love me all night long and don't hurry
Take it slow and easy, no mercy tonight.

Satine pushed his shirt off of his shoulders, leaving him in his undershirt as he undid her blouse. They both sank onto the bed and he wrapped her in his arms while she released all the pain and longing in her heart with her song.

Hold me baby, you know I've been hurting
Love this love back to life cause it's worth it
Love me strong, baby, show me no mercy tonight.

Christian kissed her shoulders and arms, while she buried her face in his chest.

Remember when we thought that being apart
Would be the best thing for both our hearts
It's a prison out there when you're living
Alone for sure. . .

Christian helped her untie her corset, releasing her from its confines. She exhaled deeply and kissed him for a long moment. When she drew back, he kissed her neck while she sang softly in his ear.

Now I know how much I really missed you
No more games, just wanna be with you.
Just give me all your love
Till you can't give anymore.

They kissed again then, and let themselves lie back onto the bed while they resurrected their love, breathing life back into it and healing every breach that had ever opened between them.

Several hours later, Satine lay in Christian's arms, her curls resting on his chest. Their breath moved in tandem and she tenderly caressed his hand. He twisted to look at her, tracing her face with his eyes. She smiled sleepily at him as he sang.

In the silence of the early hours
I look at you and I feel the power
Don't need promises to make it right
Let's just follow what we're feeling inside.

Before they fell asleep together, they quietly sang a final verse to the song.

Hold me baby, you know I've been hurting,
Love this love back to life cause it's worth it
Love me strong, baby, show me no mercy tonight. . .

Christian felt Satine slip into a contented sleep, and he held her just a little tighter as he followed her there.

~-~-~
Author's Note: Do I really need to keep repeating this?

Songs used:
No Mercy--Ty Herndon. It's a countryish song, but it's oh so beautiful. Listen to it. It gives me goosebumps.

This story is almost finished. It's taken on a life of its own. . . I'm going to write an afterword covering all the pain this story took me through. . or something. If there are no more unexpected turns, there's three chapters left. Cross your fingers for me! :)