Chapter Quatorze
"Elizabeth…may we come in?" It was well after midnight, so Satine kept her voice low.
After a moment, Elizabeth answered the door. She was already wearing a white nightgown. When she saw her and Christian holding hands, she smiled.
"Did you two want something?" Elizabeth asked, yawning.
"Yes…" She started, feeling a lump rise in her throat.
"We…we wanted to say goodbye," Christian said. She heard his voice crack and knew he was fighting back tears. It didn't surprise her. He was leaving a person he held dear…someone he'd probably never see again.
Elizabeth nodded, "And where are you going?"
She was shocked by the calmness she heard in Elizabeth's voice/
"We haven't dec…" Christian started. She cut him off.
"France. Montmartre, France."
"Montmartre?" Christian asked, barely hiding his shock.
She simply nodded.
"Where will you live? Unmarried couples cannot gain residence in most housing facilities," Elizabeth said, her calm wearing off.
"That's the second thing we wanted to tell you," Christian said, smiling.
"We're getting married!" She exclaimed, holding up her hand to reveal the simple, but beautiful ring her lover had given her.
Elizabeth grinned and enveloped the two in a loving embrace.
"Will you write?"
"Of course," Christian said, tears forming in his eyes.
When the elder woman released them from the embrace, she walked over to a desk at the far corner of the room. She returned with a large packet.
"Think of it as…a wedding gift."
Christian took the packet and tore it open, a gasp rising to his lips. He tipped the envelope so she could see its contents.
It was full of money.
Before either of the two could speak, Elizabeth spoke, "Christian, your father will disown you the second he learns of your departure. You'll need money if you are to marry…Ms. Bertram here needs security, don't you, dear?"
She nodded, laughing through her tears.
"Have a safe journey. Write soon. I'll miss you both and…I love you both."
