What If?
New Year
What if Satine never worked at the Moulin Rouge? What if they had met in another time, another place? What if there was no other angry man? What if Satine didn't have consumption? Would their love be perfect or would there still be hardships and struggles?
***
It was New Year's Eve and the Thorez house was bustling with excitement as people decorated it for the party. Christian and Lilibet had been given the job of covering the banister in lace and frills with jewels hung evenly on them. Christian was getting into rather a state, trying to untangle them. Lilibet looked at him and laughed.
'Not like that, silly. Come here.' She quickly untied them and then handed them back. She had already attached one and Christian followed her example. Kate was helping sort out the music and William and Joshua were doing the lights. Other maids and servants were getting the house clean. The only person not doing anything was Satine. Over Christmas she had taken a turn for the worse and was resting.
***
Satine gently eased herself up and let her eyes wander around the room. She had never realised how many flowers there were on the wallpaper. Completely bored, she decided to count them - 1,2,3...143,144,145....207,208,209! Triumphantly, she finished. She smiled, pleased with her effort. Then boredom hit her again and she slumped back against her pillows again. For the past week she had been living in the bedroom. Christian wouldn't let her out, she could only come out to use the bathroom but even then he would wait outside for her - just in case something happened to her inside. Satine was bored completely. She had already read all the books in the room and there was nothing left to do. Suddenly she remembered something. A few years ago she had bought a puzzle of a thatched cottage. She had never done it because she never had the time. This would be the perfect time to do it. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she got up and walked to the door. Putting her head to the door she could hear Christian's voice and Lilibet's. Fortunately, they didn't sound too close. Cautiously she opened it and, when she saw the coast was clear, she tiptoed out. The voices got louder and louder and Satine peered over the banister. Lilibet and Christian were standing on the stairs, busily wrapping decorations around the rail.
'Psst.' Satine said quietly. Lilibet looked up.
'Sa-' She started to say. Christian looked up and then to where Lilibet was staring. Satine managed to move into the shadows in time.
'Did you say something?'
'Nope, you must be hearing things.' Lilibet told him. He turned back to what he was doing. Satine reappeared, put her finger to her lips and beckoned for Lilibet to come upstairs. 'Excuse me, Christian. I must go upstairs for a moment.' Christian grunted and Lilibet quickly ran up to where Satine was.
'In the cupboard in the study there is a puzzle of a thatched cottage. Can you go and get it for me?'
'Why can't you get it yourself?'
'Because Christian won't let me past him. I will come to the top of the stairs and wait for you there.'
'Alright.' They walked to the top of the stairs together and Satine sat on the top step whilst Lilibet carried on down.
'Where are you going?' Christian asked as she passed him. Lilibet jerked her thumb back up the stairs and carried on walking. Christian turned to look. 'Hey.' He said, setting down the decorations and going up to her. He sat down on the step below her. 'Why aren't you in bed?'
'I'm bored. Lilibet's just getting me something to do.'
'I was just coming up to see you. I have some good news for you. The doctor came round earlier to say that you can come to the party....'
'I can?!' Satine squealed excitedly. She had been longing all week to go.
'...but you must sit down and be quiet....but not all the time.' When he saw the look on her face.
'Thank you.' Satine flung her arms around his neck. She was happy she got to go.
'Now you get up to bed and Lilibet will bring it into you.' Satine nodded and gave him a kiss. He helped her stand and she walked back to the bedroom.
***
Six hours later the party was in full swing. Only their street plus friends and family had been invited but it felt like the whole of London was there. The study, living room, hallway and garden were packed with people. Lilibet was dancing with her three friends who had only come because their parents were family friends. They were hopping around the room just in their stockings, slipping and sliding on the bare floor. William was outside with his business associates having a cigar, a brandy and a joke. Kate was up in her room with her friends, trying to decide which dress would help get her noticed by Henry Tanton - the man whom she had a thing for. Joshua was eating some food and talking to a few neighbours. Christian had been upstairs came down and wandered into the living room. He searched around people for Satine. In a armchair near the fireplace with her legs curled up under her was Satine. Surrounding the feet of the chair were a cluster of people, both male and female. A man was sitting on the arm of her chair. He was talking and gesturing with his hands, one held a glass of champagne. Suddenly the group of people burst out laughing. Satine laughed hardest of all, tears were streaming down her face.
Christian dodged around people until he was in front of them. Satine looked up and saw him, her face breaking into a big smile.
'Hey, darling. Come here, Alistair is just telling us about a story about his next door neighbour.' She patted the arm of the chair that she was leaning against. He came over and sat down on it and Satine rested her elbow on his thigh, lacing her hand through his.
'By this stage she was absoultely livid because she thought it was me and my brother who had put the rubbish all over her front step. A couple of days later I had just finished having a bath when I heard her outside. I peered out of the window and there she was, in the passage between our two houses.' He stopped and took a sip of his drink.
'What happened next?' Someone asked.
'I called my brother in and quietly we took the bath water and put it into a smaller container....' He was cut off by Satine suddenly laughing.
'Did you...?' She cupped her hands around his ear and whispering something to him. He nodded and the two fell about laughing.
'What? What happened?'
'We tipped it over her!' Alistair said gleefully. Everyone fell about. Christian had to use all his strength not to fall off his perch. After a few minutes and some deep breaths they managed to pull themselves together.
***
The clock struck 10. Satine was talking to an elderly lady who lived a few houses down. She had moved to the sofa and Mrs Herbert was sitting next to her.
'That sounds really interesting, Mrs Herbert, but you'll have to excuse me for a moment.'
'Of course, dearie.' Satine rose and smiled politely before weaving her way around people to get out into the hall. Christian, who had been keeping an eye on her, watched her closely. He could just see her walking down the few steps that led to the kitchen. Glancing at the clock, he excused himself, and followed her.
'Hey, you enjoying yourself?' He asked softly. Satine smiled as she shoved a tablet in her mouth. She washed it down with a swig of water.
'Absolutely!' She said sarcastically before repeating the procedure. 'I mean, what's not to enjoy? The fact that I'm not allowed to do anything but sit or the fact that everyone is treating me like a child.' She sat down in a chair and sighed. Christian sat next to her and picked up her hand and gentle rubbed it.
'You had a bad turn. It's just a precaution. Besides, who says you have to stay sitting? Just don't over exert yourself.'
'I suppose.' She smiled and leaned towards Christian to give him a kiss.
'Satine! Satine!' A little voice said excitedly. Reluctantly, they broke apart when Lilibet jumped onto her lap.
'What is it, pumpkin?'
'You're missing out on all the fun!' She slid out of her lap and held her hand out. Satine took it, wrapping her fingers around the little girl's hand. She smiled at Christian as she was led from the room. Chuckling, Christian pushed the two chairs back in and rejoined the party.
***
In the next two hours Satine danced with practically everyone. She was smiling and laughing as she danced with her girlfriends and they sang at the tops of their voices. She had a sincere look on her face as she twirled around with Lilibet in her arms, talking to her in a low voice. A slow song started up and Christian cut in on her fast dance with Alistair. Not that he had anything against her dancing with other men, of course, but it was one thing to dance quickly and completely another to be wrapped in someone's embrace. Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist. She gave him a quick kiss before resting her head on his shoulder.
They weren't the only couple dancing, of course, but they were the only couple dancing really intimately. Anyone could tell they were in love because the signs were there. From the way he had his arms wrapped protectively around her to her happy, contented expression on her face. As they slowly turned, Christian could feel Satine lean into him and sigh deeply. He could tell that she was beginning to fall asleep by the weight leaning against him. Gently, he led her over to the sofa and sat her down. Then he sat next to her and laid her head on his lap. Then, while Satine slept, he gently stroked her hair and smiled at everyone.
'10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1....Happy New Year!' Everyone shouted and began to cheer, hug and kiss. Satine awoken by the commotion opened her eyes. Christian smiled down at her.
'Happy New Year.' He said softly, leaning down to kiss her lips. He came up and Satine gave him a sleepy smile.
'You too. Let's hope this year is better than the last.'
'It will be, darling.' He said stroking her cheek. 'It will be.'
What if Satine never worked at the Moulin Rouge? What if they had met in another time, another place? What if there was no other angry man? What if Satine didn't have consumption? Would their love be perfect or would there still be hardships and struggles?
***
It was New Year's Eve and the Thorez house was bustling with excitement as people decorated it for the party. Christian and Lilibet had been given the job of covering the banister in lace and frills with jewels hung evenly on them. Christian was getting into rather a state, trying to untangle them. Lilibet looked at him and laughed.
'Not like that, silly. Come here.' She quickly untied them and then handed them back. She had already attached one and Christian followed her example. Kate was helping sort out the music and William and Joshua were doing the lights. Other maids and servants were getting the house clean. The only person not doing anything was Satine. Over Christmas she had taken a turn for the worse and was resting.
***
Satine gently eased herself up and let her eyes wander around the room. She had never realised how many flowers there were on the wallpaper. Completely bored, she decided to count them - 1,2,3...143,144,145....207,208,209! Triumphantly, she finished. She smiled, pleased with her effort. Then boredom hit her again and she slumped back against her pillows again. For the past week she had been living in the bedroom. Christian wouldn't let her out, she could only come out to use the bathroom but even then he would wait outside for her - just in case something happened to her inside. Satine was bored completely. She had already read all the books in the room and there was nothing left to do. Suddenly she remembered something. A few years ago she had bought a puzzle of a thatched cottage. She had never done it because she never had the time. This would be the perfect time to do it. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she got up and walked to the door. Putting her head to the door she could hear Christian's voice and Lilibet's. Fortunately, they didn't sound too close. Cautiously she opened it and, when she saw the coast was clear, she tiptoed out. The voices got louder and louder and Satine peered over the banister. Lilibet and Christian were standing on the stairs, busily wrapping decorations around the rail.
'Psst.' Satine said quietly. Lilibet looked up.
'Sa-' She started to say. Christian looked up and then to where Lilibet was staring. Satine managed to move into the shadows in time.
'Did you say something?'
'Nope, you must be hearing things.' Lilibet told him. He turned back to what he was doing. Satine reappeared, put her finger to her lips and beckoned for Lilibet to come upstairs. 'Excuse me, Christian. I must go upstairs for a moment.' Christian grunted and Lilibet quickly ran up to where Satine was.
'In the cupboard in the study there is a puzzle of a thatched cottage. Can you go and get it for me?'
'Why can't you get it yourself?'
'Because Christian won't let me past him. I will come to the top of the stairs and wait for you there.'
'Alright.' They walked to the top of the stairs together and Satine sat on the top step whilst Lilibet carried on down.
'Where are you going?' Christian asked as she passed him. Lilibet jerked her thumb back up the stairs and carried on walking. Christian turned to look. 'Hey.' He said, setting down the decorations and going up to her. He sat down on the step below her. 'Why aren't you in bed?'
'I'm bored. Lilibet's just getting me something to do.'
'I was just coming up to see you. I have some good news for you. The doctor came round earlier to say that you can come to the party....'
'I can?!' Satine squealed excitedly. She had been longing all week to go.
'...but you must sit down and be quiet....but not all the time.' When he saw the look on her face.
'Thank you.' Satine flung her arms around his neck. She was happy she got to go.
'Now you get up to bed and Lilibet will bring it into you.' Satine nodded and gave him a kiss. He helped her stand and she walked back to the bedroom.
***
Six hours later the party was in full swing. Only their street plus friends and family had been invited but it felt like the whole of London was there. The study, living room, hallway and garden were packed with people. Lilibet was dancing with her three friends who had only come because their parents were family friends. They were hopping around the room just in their stockings, slipping and sliding on the bare floor. William was outside with his business associates having a cigar, a brandy and a joke. Kate was up in her room with her friends, trying to decide which dress would help get her noticed by Henry Tanton - the man whom she had a thing for. Joshua was eating some food and talking to a few neighbours. Christian had been upstairs came down and wandered into the living room. He searched around people for Satine. In a armchair near the fireplace with her legs curled up under her was Satine. Surrounding the feet of the chair were a cluster of people, both male and female. A man was sitting on the arm of her chair. He was talking and gesturing with his hands, one held a glass of champagne. Suddenly the group of people burst out laughing. Satine laughed hardest of all, tears were streaming down her face.
Christian dodged around people until he was in front of them. Satine looked up and saw him, her face breaking into a big smile.
'Hey, darling. Come here, Alistair is just telling us about a story about his next door neighbour.' She patted the arm of the chair that she was leaning against. He came over and sat down on it and Satine rested her elbow on his thigh, lacing her hand through his.
'By this stage she was absoultely livid because she thought it was me and my brother who had put the rubbish all over her front step. A couple of days later I had just finished having a bath when I heard her outside. I peered out of the window and there she was, in the passage between our two houses.' He stopped and took a sip of his drink.
'What happened next?' Someone asked.
'I called my brother in and quietly we took the bath water and put it into a smaller container....' He was cut off by Satine suddenly laughing.
'Did you...?' She cupped her hands around his ear and whispering something to him. He nodded and the two fell about laughing.
'What? What happened?'
'We tipped it over her!' Alistair said gleefully. Everyone fell about. Christian had to use all his strength not to fall off his perch. After a few minutes and some deep breaths they managed to pull themselves together.
***
The clock struck 10. Satine was talking to an elderly lady who lived a few houses down. She had moved to the sofa and Mrs Herbert was sitting next to her.
'That sounds really interesting, Mrs Herbert, but you'll have to excuse me for a moment.'
'Of course, dearie.' Satine rose and smiled politely before weaving her way around people to get out into the hall. Christian, who had been keeping an eye on her, watched her closely. He could just see her walking down the few steps that led to the kitchen. Glancing at the clock, he excused himself, and followed her.
'Hey, you enjoying yourself?' He asked softly. Satine smiled as she shoved a tablet in her mouth. She washed it down with a swig of water.
'Absolutely!' She said sarcastically before repeating the procedure. 'I mean, what's not to enjoy? The fact that I'm not allowed to do anything but sit or the fact that everyone is treating me like a child.' She sat down in a chair and sighed. Christian sat next to her and picked up her hand and gentle rubbed it.
'You had a bad turn. It's just a precaution. Besides, who says you have to stay sitting? Just don't over exert yourself.'
'I suppose.' She smiled and leaned towards Christian to give him a kiss.
'Satine! Satine!' A little voice said excitedly. Reluctantly, they broke apart when Lilibet jumped onto her lap.
'What is it, pumpkin?'
'You're missing out on all the fun!' She slid out of her lap and held her hand out. Satine took it, wrapping her fingers around the little girl's hand. She smiled at Christian as she was led from the room. Chuckling, Christian pushed the two chairs back in and rejoined the party.
***
In the next two hours Satine danced with practically everyone. She was smiling and laughing as she danced with her girlfriends and they sang at the tops of their voices. She had a sincere look on her face as she twirled around with Lilibet in her arms, talking to her in a low voice. A slow song started up and Christian cut in on her fast dance with Alistair. Not that he had anything against her dancing with other men, of course, but it was one thing to dance quickly and completely another to be wrapped in someone's embrace. Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist. She gave him a quick kiss before resting her head on his shoulder.
They weren't the only couple dancing, of course, but they were the only couple dancing really intimately. Anyone could tell they were in love because the signs were there. From the way he had his arms wrapped protectively around her to her happy, contented expression on her face. As they slowly turned, Christian could feel Satine lean into him and sigh deeply. He could tell that she was beginning to fall asleep by the weight leaning against him. Gently, he led her over to the sofa and sat her down. Then he sat next to her and laid her head on his lap. Then, while Satine slept, he gently stroked her hair and smiled at everyone.
'10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1....Happy New Year!' Everyone shouted and began to cheer, hug and kiss. Satine awoken by the commotion opened her eyes. Christian smiled down at her.
'Happy New Year.' He said softly, leaning down to kiss her lips. He came up and Satine gave him a sleepy smile.
'You too. Let's hope this year is better than the last.'
'It will be, darling.' He said stroking her cheek. 'It will be.'