Chapter XXIX: Come What May

Satine sat in the armchair embroidering one of Celeste's new smocks while Christian crawled around on the floor, amusing his daughter with impressions of various animals. Celeste was five months old on Tuesday and Christian had already announced that she was the most remarkable baby of all time.

Christian said, sticking two fingers up behind his head. Look, Celeste, I'm a cow! Moo. Satine tried to hold her laughter in, but she ended up burying her face in Celeste's dress while she giggled. Christian straightened up and frowned playfully at Satine. Gathering Celeste in his arms, he talked to her in a very confidential tone of voice.

I don't think your mother takes me seriously, Christian said to the baby, bouncing her on his lap. See, Celeste, she's laughing at me. Oh, is it time for the baby's nap? All right, elf, sleepy-time for you. Celeste did not argue too strenuously with her father, but instead screwed up her face and settled down to sleep.

Satine said, industriously sewing a hem and trying to disguise her smile. Are a very silly boy, Christian, dear.

I am not, Christian protested, coming up behind her and kissing her hair.

I'm not going to argue with you, Satine said finally, putting the finishing touch on the dress with a flourish.

Fine, fine, Christian grumbled as she folded the garment up and put into the small sewing chest. Do you want to go for walk?

Satine said, jumping up. Yes, please. It's lovely out. I'll just tell Anne to watch the baby for a short while.

Christian was already waiting for her with her parasol and hat when Satine hurried down the stairs.

Thank you, she said absent-mindedly, pinning her hat on as he opened the door. The sweet scent of roses wrapped itself around her the moment she stepped outside into the outdoors. Christian bent down and picked her a spray of baby's breath and tucked it in her hair.

Baby's breath, he said with a smile. Satine tucked her arm inside his as they strolled down to the stream. The water glittered in the fresh June sunlight. They stopped underneath the shade of a weeping willow, and Satine stretched her arms out and looked around her.

Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place, she said lightly, leaning her head against his shoulder. Christian smiled at her, remembering the first time she'd ever sung those words.

We've kept that promise wonderfully, haven't we Christian? Satine said abruptly, looking around at the peace of the French countryside. Come what may. Christian paused and drew her close to him.

Never knew I could feel like this
Like I've never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss
Every day I love you more and more. . .

Satine kissed him and then smiled up into his eyes.

Listen to my heart, can you hear it sing
Telling me to give you everything,
Seasons may change, winter to spring. . .

They sang the next lines together, feeling the truth of it over two years later the same as it had been during the hectic days of the Moulin Rouge. . .the beautiful days of their honeymoon. . .through their visit to England, through holidays, through pain, through happiness, through Celeste's birth. . .

But I love you
Until the end of time.
Come what may,
Come what may
I will love you until my dying day.

That night at dinner, Celeste looked pleased to have been invited to the table on Christian's lap. She looked around with wonder, her mouth pursed as she watched her parents eat. Laughter and love filled the room like the golden glow of the candles that were scattered on the table. Christian kept pretending that he was going to lift Celeste up and drop her into the food, fooling her every time.

After half the meal was over, Satine finally laid down her fork and picked her daughter up.

Off to bed, then? Christian kissed Celeste's forehead. Goodnight, little one. As Satine carried the baby off to her bed, she softly sang the little girl to sleep.

Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste. . .

Satine smiled when she realized that two people made the next line true for her now.

And it all revolves around you.

She bent down and kissed Celeste goodnight. As she walked back to the dining room, she was intercepted by Christian, who wrapped her tightly in his arms as he sang to her.

And there's no mountain too high
No river too wide.

Satine broke away and kissed him, afterwards resting her forehead on his.

Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side
Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide. . .

But I love you.

Christian sang to her as she slipped her nightdress over her head. Shaking her curls free, she turned to him and took his hand.

I love you,
Until the end of time. . .

They stood together in their bedroom as the stars crept out into the soft twilit sky and the night perfumed the air with its velvety touch. Satine smiled around the room, at all the memories there, all the hope of the future. . . children, choices, dreams, successes, failures. . . but no matter what happened, they would always love each other.

Come what may,
Come what may,
I will love you
Until my dying day. . .
Oh, come what may
Come what may
I will love. . .
I will love you. . .
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place. . .

No matter how bad things get, Christian whispered in her ear. Whatever happens, we remember our love. Satine smiled at him

she said.

Come what may,
Come what may
I will love you until my dying day!

Finis.