What If?
Pregnancy
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?
***
'P-pregnant?' Christian repeated, not quite believing it. Satine nodded slowly. 'Is...Wha....' He stopped, took a breath and began again. 'Are you sure?'
'I went to see the doctor the day before yesterday.' She said quietly.
'And you didn't think to tell me before now?' Christian exploded. Satine lowered her head, as if she was being told off. 'Oh, darling, I'm sorry.' He climbed out of bed and went round the end to sit next to her. 'I didn't mean to snap. It's just a shock. After what the doctor said....'
'I've been better for a while now, Christian.'
'Not perfectly better, though.' He said.
'No, I know but I am a lot better than when I first got ill. All I've ever wanted was to have a child with the man I love and that man is you.'
Christian smiled and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder. 'I can't think of anything I want more.' Satine smiled at him, relieved. They shared a tender kiss, holding hands and interwining their fingers. Nervously, Satine led their hands to her stomach. Almost as if by themselves, they began to explore the area. Christian deepened the kiss when he felt the small bump that was beginning to form. Soon, they had to come up from air but they refused to move their hands.
'Would you like to know when it's due?' Christian nodded, a massive smile on his face. Satine was sure she had a smile that matched. 'September 2.'
'That would mean you are about a month gone?'
'Six weeks.' Satine confirmed.
***
It was now April and 3 months had since passed. The happy couple had decided to keep the news to themselves for a bit longer. Satine knew full well what her father's reaction would be. After all, he had lost his wife during child birth. When they finally did tell everyone they got the reaction they were expecting. At first everyone was quiet but when Satine told them the doctor wasn't worried, they were overjoyed.
Satine was now four months pregnant and it showed. She absolutely loved being pregnant, there was a feeling inside her that she couldn't describe. When she was younger she always insisted on looking as thin as she could. Now all she wanted to do was show off her bump. Christian would watch her in fascination, not quite believing that she was carrying his baby. He was always on hand to give her whatever she needed, whether it be a massage or some tea. He had also become very protective of her. Whenever they went out he always stayed by her side and if they were separated at all, he would make sure someone kept an eye on her. As they slept, his hand rested on Satine's bump as if someone would try and steal his child if he didn't.
One morning Christian awoke to the sound of retching coming from the bathroom. He got up and padded across the floor into the bathroom. Satine was kneeling on the floor by the toilet. Sitting beside her, he rubbed her back while she continued to be sick. Normally, he would never do that but with Satine it was different. When she finished she leant against the bathtub.
'I'd thought you'd finished with your morning sickness.'
'It comes back occassionally.' Satine told him. 'So, what have you got planned today?' She asked, wiping her mouth.
'Going into work.' Christian worked as a writer for a newspaper. It was his job to take people's articles and make them appropriate for the newspaper. 'What about you?'
'Not entirely sure yet but I'm sure I can think of something.' She smiled at him.
'Ok, darling.' He helped her stand and kissed her forehead. 'I'm going to get ready now.'
'Ok.' She gave him a quick hug and then wandered off downstairs to have breakfast.
***
'Satine, that is absolutely disgusting.' Joshua wrinkled his nose up as Satine began to dig in to her breakfast. Satine grinned and held the plate under his nose. He turned a sickly green colour and pushed it away. Laughing, she set it down and resumed eating.
'What's that smell?' Christian asked as he entered the room. He sat down and wrinkled his nose.
'Probably Satine's breakfast.' Joshua told him, taking a bite of egg. Christian looked at Satine's plate.
'I don't see what's wrong with it. It's only toast and kippers.'
'And Marmalade.' Kate added.
'Th-that's nice.' Christian forced a smile on his lips. He picked up his glass and gulped its contents down. Satine just smiled to herself.
***
That evening Christian returned at 5 o'clock. He met Joshua, Kate and Lilibet in the hall.
'Where's Satine?' He asked. Joshua pointed into the living room. Christian walked in and stopped in the doorway. He leant against it and watched as Satine slept peacefully on the sofa. Her head was nestled in the crook of her arm and she was cuddling a small teddy bear. Slowly, Christian walked in and sat down at the other end. He picked her feet up and rested them on his lap, massaging them gently. After a few minutes Satine opened his eyes.
'That feels nice.' She said. Christian didn't reply but carried on. When he had decided he had finally finished he gave each one a kiss. Resting Satine's feet on the floor, he helped her into a sitting position. At that moment neither felt the need to talk, they were just content with being there with each other. So, as Satine rested her head on his shoulder, they kept silent and just stared into space. After a few moments Satine broke the silence.
'The doctor said the baby is fine.' It just came out casually. Christian nodded, not really listening. Then suddenly he looked at her with a look of shock.
'You went to the doctor today? Why didn't you tell me?'
'Because I didn't want you to be running around like a headless chicken. I'll have to put up with that when I go into labour.'
Christian was insulted. 'I wouldn't behave like that.' Satine gave him a look. 'Ok, maybe I would.'
***
It was coming up to the end of August and Christian and Satine had decided to go for a picnic in a little clearing on the other side of the woods. Christian had been against it, saying that in Satine's condition she should be resting. Satine put her foot down and said they were going.
'Besides,' she said after he had reluctantly given in, 'this will be our last time alone.'
So on 29 August they set out at 11 o'clock. Christian was carrying the picnic basket in one hand and the other was supporting his wife's back. Satine was smiling and pointing out all the different birds that she could see. Christian smiled along with her but kept a sharp eye on her to make sure nothing was happening. They reached a little opening in the trees and you could see the whole city. Christian put the basket down and wandered to the edge of the path. For a few moments he just stood there, gazing.
'I could stay here all day and look at this.' He said, still staring.
'That may be possible.'
'Why?'
'My waters have broken.' Christian whirled around. Satine was sitting on a rock, taking deep breaths.
'Are you sure?' He asked. Satine gritted her teeth.
'Positive.'
'What do we do? What do we do?' Christian asked nervously. He began to hyperventilate. Satine stood up and held his arm.
'We take three deep breaths. One...two...three.' Christian breathed. 'See, that wasn't so bad, was it? Now that we're calm you can go and get help.'
'G-get help? I don't want to leave you.'
'I'll be fine. Now go!' She gave him a little push and he hurried off.
***
Christian sat nervously on the floor outside the room he shared with Satine. Everytime he heard a cry of anguish, which was a lot, he jumped up. Just as he thought he was going to go out of his mind with worry, the door opened. A nurse stepped out and smiled.
'Congratulations, sir, you have a son!'
'A son?' Christian couldn't quite believe it. He had a son, a child. The nurse nodded. 'Can I see him.'
'Of course.' The nurse held the door open and he stepped inside.
Lying on the bed, looking tired but ecstatic was Satine. In her arms was a bundle of blankets and at the top was a tiny head. Satine heard a noise and looked up. She smiled at Christian. He took this as an invitation and sat on the edge of the bed next to her. He gave her a kiss and then gazed at his son.
'He's absolutely gorgeous, just like his mother.'
'I know.' Satine joked. 'What do you think we should call him?'
Christian thought for a moment. 'How about Maximilian Philip?'
'Maximilian.' Satine tried it out. 'Max for short?'
'Absolutely.' Christian watched Max open his eyes and fixed them on his father. Then he gave a yawn and shut them again. Nothing on earth could compare to that moment.
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?
***
'P-pregnant?' Christian repeated, not quite believing it. Satine nodded slowly. 'Is...Wha....' He stopped, took a breath and began again. 'Are you sure?'
'I went to see the doctor the day before yesterday.' She said quietly.
'And you didn't think to tell me before now?' Christian exploded. Satine lowered her head, as if she was being told off. 'Oh, darling, I'm sorry.' He climbed out of bed and went round the end to sit next to her. 'I didn't mean to snap. It's just a shock. After what the doctor said....'
'I've been better for a while now, Christian.'
'Not perfectly better, though.' He said.
'No, I know but I am a lot better than when I first got ill. All I've ever wanted was to have a child with the man I love and that man is you.'
Christian smiled and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder. 'I can't think of anything I want more.' Satine smiled at him, relieved. They shared a tender kiss, holding hands and interwining their fingers. Nervously, Satine led their hands to her stomach. Almost as if by themselves, they began to explore the area. Christian deepened the kiss when he felt the small bump that was beginning to form. Soon, they had to come up from air but they refused to move their hands.
'Would you like to know when it's due?' Christian nodded, a massive smile on his face. Satine was sure she had a smile that matched. 'September 2.'
'That would mean you are about a month gone?'
'Six weeks.' Satine confirmed.
***
It was now April and 3 months had since passed. The happy couple had decided to keep the news to themselves for a bit longer. Satine knew full well what her father's reaction would be. After all, he had lost his wife during child birth. When they finally did tell everyone they got the reaction they were expecting. At first everyone was quiet but when Satine told them the doctor wasn't worried, they were overjoyed.
Satine was now four months pregnant and it showed. She absolutely loved being pregnant, there was a feeling inside her that she couldn't describe. When she was younger she always insisted on looking as thin as she could. Now all she wanted to do was show off her bump. Christian would watch her in fascination, not quite believing that she was carrying his baby. He was always on hand to give her whatever she needed, whether it be a massage or some tea. He had also become very protective of her. Whenever they went out he always stayed by her side and if they were separated at all, he would make sure someone kept an eye on her. As they slept, his hand rested on Satine's bump as if someone would try and steal his child if he didn't.
One morning Christian awoke to the sound of retching coming from the bathroom. He got up and padded across the floor into the bathroom. Satine was kneeling on the floor by the toilet. Sitting beside her, he rubbed her back while she continued to be sick. Normally, he would never do that but with Satine it was different. When she finished she leant against the bathtub.
'I'd thought you'd finished with your morning sickness.'
'It comes back occassionally.' Satine told him. 'So, what have you got planned today?' She asked, wiping her mouth.
'Going into work.' Christian worked as a writer for a newspaper. It was his job to take people's articles and make them appropriate for the newspaper. 'What about you?'
'Not entirely sure yet but I'm sure I can think of something.' She smiled at him.
'Ok, darling.' He helped her stand and kissed her forehead. 'I'm going to get ready now.'
'Ok.' She gave him a quick hug and then wandered off downstairs to have breakfast.
***
'Satine, that is absolutely disgusting.' Joshua wrinkled his nose up as Satine began to dig in to her breakfast. Satine grinned and held the plate under his nose. He turned a sickly green colour and pushed it away. Laughing, she set it down and resumed eating.
'What's that smell?' Christian asked as he entered the room. He sat down and wrinkled his nose.
'Probably Satine's breakfast.' Joshua told him, taking a bite of egg. Christian looked at Satine's plate.
'I don't see what's wrong with it. It's only toast and kippers.'
'And Marmalade.' Kate added.
'Th-that's nice.' Christian forced a smile on his lips. He picked up his glass and gulped its contents down. Satine just smiled to herself.
***
That evening Christian returned at 5 o'clock. He met Joshua, Kate and Lilibet in the hall.
'Where's Satine?' He asked. Joshua pointed into the living room. Christian walked in and stopped in the doorway. He leant against it and watched as Satine slept peacefully on the sofa. Her head was nestled in the crook of her arm and she was cuddling a small teddy bear. Slowly, Christian walked in and sat down at the other end. He picked her feet up and rested them on his lap, massaging them gently. After a few minutes Satine opened his eyes.
'That feels nice.' She said. Christian didn't reply but carried on. When he had decided he had finally finished he gave each one a kiss. Resting Satine's feet on the floor, he helped her into a sitting position. At that moment neither felt the need to talk, they were just content with being there with each other. So, as Satine rested her head on his shoulder, they kept silent and just stared into space. After a few moments Satine broke the silence.
'The doctor said the baby is fine.' It just came out casually. Christian nodded, not really listening. Then suddenly he looked at her with a look of shock.
'You went to the doctor today? Why didn't you tell me?'
'Because I didn't want you to be running around like a headless chicken. I'll have to put up with that when I go into labour.'
Christian was insulted. 'I wouldn't behave like that.' Satine gave him a look. 'Ok, maybe I would.'
***
It was coming up to the end of August and Christian and Satine had decided to go for a picnic in a little clearing on the other side of the woods. Christian had been against it, saying that in Satine's condition she should be resting. Satine put her foot down and said they were going.
'Besides,' she said after he had reluctantly given in, 'this will be our last time alone.'
So on 29 August they set out at 11 o'clock. Christian was carrying the picnic basket in one hand and the other was supporting his wife's back. Satine was smiling and pointing out all the different birds that she could see. Christian smiled along with her but kept a sharp eye on her to make sure nothing was happening. They reached a little opening in the trees and you could see the whole city. Christian put the basket down and wandered to the edge of the path. For a few moments he just stood there, gazing.
'I could stay here all day and look at this.' He said, still staring.
'That may be possible.'
'Why?'
'My waters have broken.' Christian whirled around. Satine was sitting on a rock, taking deep breaths.
'Are you sure?' He asked. Satine gritted her teeth.
'Positive.'
'What do we do? What do we do?' Christian asked nervously. He began to hyperventilate. Satine stood up and held his arm.
'We take three deep breaths. One...two...three.' Christian breathed. 'See, that wasn't so bad, was it? Now that we're calm you can go and get help.'
'G-get help? I don't want to leave you.'
'I'll be fine. Now go!' She gave him a little push and he hurried off.
***
Christian sat nervously on the floor outside the room he shared with Satine. Everytime he heard a cry of anguish, which was a lot, he jumped up. Just as he thought he was going to go out of his mind with worry, the door opened. A nurse stepped out and smiled.
'Congratulations, sir, you have a son!'
'A son?' Christian couldn't quite believe it. He had a son, a child. The nurse nodded. 'Can I see him.'
'Of course.' The nurse held the door open and he stepped inside.
Lying on the bed, looking tired but ecstatic was Satine. In her arms was a bundle of blankets and at the top was a tiny head. Satine heard a noise and looked up. She smiled at Christian. He took this as an invitation and sat on the edge of the bed next to her. He gave her a kiss and then gazed at his son.
'He's absolutely gorgeous, just like his mother.'
'I know.' Satine joked. 'What do you think we should call him?'
Christian thought for a moment. 'How about Maximilian Philip?'
'Maximilian.' Satine tried it out. 'Max for short?'
'Absolutely.' Christian watched Max open his eyes and fixed them on his father. Then he gave a yawn and shut them again. Nothing on earth could compare to that moment.