Disclaimer - I, do not own the rights to the "Sparkling Diamond[s]" of a
movie, "Moulin Rouge" (If I did I would be a genius going by the name of
Baz Luhrmann). I am simply one of the "Children of the Revolution"
(Although one of "Elephant [Melody]" proportions) that writes fanfiction
"Because We Can". "Come What May", but please do not sue me or I will be a
"Sad Hindi Diamond". May this be "Your Song" and may you say "Some Day I'll
Fly Away"! (I do not own the songs used in this story or in the titles of
the chapters either.)
*A Bohemian Storm Is Brewing*
Truth * Beauty * Freedom * Love
~Casidy
§=Þ
*~*
"Quoi Qu'il Arrive"
~ Part IV: Another Suitcase in Another Hall ~
By: Casdy
Satine admired Christian as he slept, from her vantage point just above him on the bed. Smiling slyly she kissed him on his jaw and then moved down to his throat. He slowly woke up and put his hands through her hair as she planted small kisses along his collarbone. Gently pulling her face up to meet his he kissed her deeply. They simultaneously moved their tongues into each other's mouths then Satine gently bit Christian's bottom lip then ran the tip of her tongue gently across the same spot before slowly pulling away.
Christian smiled "Well, that was a nice way to wake up."
"I try my best" Satine joked putting her head on his chest as it gently rose and fell. "When are we getting to the coast?" she asked slowly drawing small patterns on his chest.
"About nine." He said gazing at the beauty lounging half on top of him.
"Hmmm…I guess we should get up then." Satine said sitting up on her elbow as she began kissing Christian again.
~*~
When the two lovers arrived in Calais, they carried their belongings across the city and bought tickets for the ferry that would carry them across the English Channel to Dover. Satine expressed her hunger to Christian and he led her into a small café where they passed the time talking. The ferry did not leave until eleven o'clock and the two spent their remaining time in France, walking around the small city, and enjoying the sunlight.
In one hand Satine swung her suitcase, and in the other she carefully carried her gold birdcage. She also hummed a tune that was as familiar to her as her own name. The song, which every time she hummed, reminded her of how much she and Christian loved each other.
Christian walked quietly next to her, listening to his angel. Every time he heard the song he had created for the two of them he felt elated. He could never be any happier then he was at that moment. Satine and he loved each other and they were together with no Duke to separate them! The two walked along the dock until they came to the ferry. Satine had finished humming and now walked close to Christian.
A very young sailor came up to the two quickly and offered to take Satine's belongings, "Oh, thank you monsieur," Satine took Christian's suitcase and typewriter and handed them to the young man as well. "Now, you must promise me that you'll take excellent care of my little cherub," Satine said motioning to the bird inside the golden cage "and my fiancé's typewriter!"
The boy nodded enthusiastically, apparently un-bothered by the fact that he was drooling over a promised woman. Christian shook his head and tried to hide his laughter. The two lovers were now free to hold hands as they walked up to the ship. Several more sailors came up to Satine offering to help her onto the gangplank. "I think I can manage, thank you." She said gripping Christian's hand tightly as he helped her across the gap between the dock and rail.
Once the two were on the boat they went up to the top level. Satine and Christian leaned over the railing looking out over the gushing water as the ferry took the couple across the channel. "What's your family like, Christian?" Satine asked.
He thought for a moment before answering, "Emily, that's my little sister, she's fifteen. Then there's Philip, my brother, he's three years older then me, and then there's my father." He looked over at her and noticed her sweet smile.
"Tell me about your sister."
"Emily's wonderful! We're so much alike. She'll absolutely adore you, darling!" Christian talked excitedly. It was obvious how much he cared for his little sister. "She's so much like my mother, perfect at everything she does. We used to write songs together. I'd write a poem and she would put it to music. She's an amazing flute player!"
Christian looked so handsome smiling brightly with the bright afternoon sun behind him. "It sounds like the two of you are very close. What about the rest of your family? I want to hear all about how you grew up!" Satine turned away from the railing and put her arm through Christian's leading him over to a bench.
"Aren't we full of questions today?"
"I just want to know everything there is to know about you."
He smiled at his precious diamond, "Let's see. My father doesn't like me very much," he laughed "I think he protesting my leaving England only out of obligation to my mother. She died last year. If it weren't for Emily I wouldn't have stayed as long as I did. She took mother's death pretty hard." Christian grew silent and Satine could tell that he had taken it hard as well. "I just hope Emily is alright. She's always had father wrapped around her little finger but she's not exactly the type of perfect lady that he always expected a daughter of his to be and God knows
Philip wouldn't give her the time of day."
"Do I sense a little sibling rivalry?" Satine asked resting her head on his shoulder.
"Sibling rivalry has nothing to do with it! Philip is just like my father and I tried to keep Emmy as far away from him as possible." After a moment he continued, "Philip married one of my best friends. I just hope she's alright."
The remainder of the ferry ride was spent laughing about all the sailors that were following the couple around trying to steal glances at Satine. The two arrived in Dover, England at 3 o'clock that afternoon and quickly boarded a train for London. Christian spent the train ride writing. The words seemed to fly out of his pen, with his muse sleeping peacefully on his shoulder.
When they finally arrived in London almost three hours later they rented a coach to drive them to Christian's house. When the coach came to a stop Satine just had time to fix her hair before the driver opened the door. When she stepped out of the coach she could hardly believe her eyes. There in front of her stood a giant brownstone mansion. Satine turned to Christian who had stopped next to her, "Christian, where are we? I thought we were going to your house."
He smiled at her, "Yes that's where we are." He motioned his head up at the house, "Are you ready to meet my family?" She looked at him for a moment in silence then nodded her head. He took her hand gently and led her up the front steps.
After knocking three times the door swung open and a middle-aged woman stood in a servant's uniform. "Master Christian!" She shrieked throwing her arms around the young man. "Come in, come in!" She stepped to the side allowing the couple entrance then motioned for the coach driver to set the bags by the door. "Oh, Master Christian, we weren't even expecting you! Miss Emily will be absolutely thrilled to pieces to see you!" The woman smiled at Christian then said, "They're just getting dressed for dinner, should be down any moment."
At that same moment the three looked up as they heard quick footsteps pounding upstairs as if someone was running barefoot. Christian turned expectantly and was not disappointed. At the top of the stairs stood a young girl in a burgundy evening gown. "Christian!" she yelled hiking the gown up to her knees and bounding down two steps at a time. With every leap the girl seemed to loosen the tight curls pinned to her head.
Once she had reached the bottom of the stairs she jumped into Christian's arms. He spun her around causing even more of her dark blond curls to come out of their nice arrangement atop her head. After a few moments Christian placed his little sister's feet on the ground and turned to Satine.
"Emmy, I'd like you to meet my fiancée, Satine." He beamed proudly.
Emily smiled, "She has Christian's smile." Satine thought
"It's wonderful to finally meet the woman that my brother found to satisfy his obsession with love." Both girls giggled.
"Well," a voice suddenly boomed from the top of the stairs. "You've returned. I must say, Christian," the man began slowly walking down "I didn't expect you to be home this quickly. Giving up this soon I see?"
Satine noticed how Christian seemed to grow several inches as he stood up straighter. "I wouldn't say I gave up, father, simply bringing the woman I love to meet my family."
Christian's father seemed to notice Satine for the first time and looked her up and down obviously impressed with her fine cloths and perfect posture.
"Well, Sarah," The father said turning to the maid "have Christian's room and one of the guest rooms made up. Emily, I want you to go back up stairs and fix your hair, and for God's sake, put some shoes on, you're not a bohemian!"
Emily nodded her head and turned, walking up the stairs with a straight back and her chin high. "Christian was right," Satine thought "she is perfect at everything she does." She looked to Christian and found him in a battle of stares with his father. The father seeing if Christian would back down and he defending himself against an onslaught of a piercing stare. Quickly hoping to defuse the tense moment Satine cleared her throat, "It is an honor to meet you Sir," Satine said turning to her love's father.
Distracted from his battle The Father looked at Satine, then to Christian. "I assume this is the love you were ranting about earlier?" he asked.
Christian nodded his head, then moving closer to Satine and putting his arm around her waist said "Father, I would like to introduce you to my fiancée, Satine."
"Charmed, I'm sure." Turning abruptly he walked into the dining room.
Satine followed him with her eyes, "I get the feeling he doesn't approve." She said.
Shaking his head Christian put his other arm around her waist as well, "I'm sure he likes you more than he does me."
Moving into the dinning room Christian pulled out Satine's chair. He then took his place at the table, reluctantly by his father whom sat at the head. When Emily joined them and The Father said grace before several servants brought out a feast on silver palters.
Emily knew better than to attempt to find out about Paris from Christian while her father was in the room. Instead she recited what she had done to occupy herself during his absence.
After a tense meal everyone moved into the library where the father served Christian and himself a brandy and offered a glass of wine to Satine.
"Not exactly Absinth, is it darling?" Christian whispered referring to the wineglass he handed her as he sat down, close to her on the sofa.
"Christian…Do you think you're up to singing one of our songs?" Emily asked.
He smiled at his darling sister. "Of course I'm up to it! I've been missing our recitals since I left! What shall it be?"
"Oh, the one about the two of us being together!"
Christian nodded as he walked with his little sister over to the baby grand piano in the corner of the large room. Pulling out some music from inside her bench she placed it gently on the music rack then sat down herself. Satine sat up happily, eager to here her fiancé's magnificent voice. Christian cleared his through and Emily struck a cord on her piano.
Let's get together, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Why don't you and I combine?
Let's get together, what do you say?
We can have a swinging time.
We'd be a crazy team.
Why don't we make a scene? Together.
oh, oh, oh, oh
Let's get together, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Think of all that we could share.
Let's get together, everyday
Every way and everywhere.
And though we haven't got a lot,
We could be sharing all we've got. Together.
Oh! I really think you're swell.
Uh huh! We really ring the bell.
Oo wee! And if you stick with me
Nothing could be greater, say hey alligator.
Let's get together, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Two is twice as nice as one.
Let's get together, right away.
We'll be having twice the fun.
And you can always count on me.
A gruesome twosome we will be.
Together, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Satine clapped happily as the humorous tune ended. Christian took his little sister's hand, helping her up from her seat and both took an exaggerated bow.
*~*
Satine woke up coughing violently. After a few moments the coughing subsided. She stood and picked her robe up from the bench at the end of her bed. She shrugged it on then quietly walked out the bedroom door.
When at the end of the long hallway, Satine picked her foot up gingerly and quietly placed it on one step at a time, making her way down the large stairway with as little sound as possible. She walked into the spacious kitchen without thought and stopped short when here eyes painfully adjusted to the light. She had not expected anyone to be here at this early hour but sitting at the long wooden table was Christian's father.
"Excuse me monsieur, I did not know anyone else was awake." She said sweetly. "I just came down for a glass of water."
"Satine." He said with a cold edge to his voice. "Please, sit. I've been meaning to talk to you. You and my son came in quite late-and without announcement-I was taken quite by surprise." The man picked up his teacup and took a sip before replacing it and locking his hard eyes onto Satine.
"He's so unlike Christian," Satine thought looking at the man. At the thought of Christian a genuine smile replaced the composed one, which she had plastered on her face.
"When my son left he gave the impression that he would never return- imagine my disappointment when he not only returned but brought you with him as well. I can only imagine what he got himself into over there that would force him to come running home."
Satine set jaw so as not to fire words at this man telling him just where he could stick his opinions. No, she would get back at this man in a different way. She would wrap him and his stringy white beard around here little finger. It would be simple, she had done it more times then she could count. Smiling sweetly, once again, she shyly looked down at her hands. "You're so kind, monsieur, for taking us in. I told Christian that he had to get a steady job or that would be it. A girl can't live off the meager earnings of a simple poet!" There is nothing simple about Christian, she added mentally. "So he brought me here- oh, I was reluctant to leave Paris, of course, but also relieved to get away from that ridiculous- how do you say? - Bohemian Revolution."
She had him hooked, The Father nodded his head in agreement and understanding. "Yes, I was horrified that my own son would be enticed by the likes of such - despicable!"
"I believe, monsieur, that Christian did not realize what the bohemians truly were. He is an English gentleman, and it was quite obvious that he would not fit into the city of Montmarte."
The father smiled believing that he had found a kindred spirit, "I tried to tell him that he would end up wasting his life away, but he just would not listen to me. He had to see for himself. Would you like some tea my dear?" he asked already standing from the table.
Satine smiled, "Yes, thank you. That would be lovely." This had been even easier than she had thought. Apparently there was always a spot in an Englishman's heart for a lady. Satine thanked him as he handed her a steaming china cup. "Your home is absolutely lovely. I was not sure of what to expect. Christian never spoke to me of his family until we began our trip."
The father grunted softly, "Doesn't surprise me. He couldn't wait to get out of here. If it were not for his sister he wouldn't have stayed here as long as he did. I was glad to be rid of him. Flat out refused to work at the bank! It's too bad he isn't more like his brother. Now there's a boy who knows his place!"
Satine nodded absentmindedly, disagreeing completely. She didn't even want to imagine Christian in a place like that. He needed light and warmth not a large corner office in a gloomy bank. Smiling again she excused herself from Christian's father, thanking again for the tea. With thoughts of Christian on her mind she once again tiptoed through the large entrance way and up the stairs. Satine slowly climbed the stairs, suddenly she didn't want to return to the lonely guestroom. It seemed like forever since Satine had been force to sleep alone, devoid of Christian's warmth and comforting arms. Slowly walking down the long hallway she noticed, for the first time, the many pictures along the wall.
She stopped in front of a large painting and examined it. There was a young woman, presumably Christian's mother, with an exceedingly older man, obviously his father. In the woman's arms was a baby girl with dark blond hair, the same shade as her own. Satine smiled at the infant Emily remembering the teenage girl running down the stairs hours before and jumping into Christian's strong arms.
Christian's father had his hand on the shoulder of a young boy in front of him, about 13. The boy looked much more like his father than his mother with black hair and cold, dark eyes. His bonny, pail cheeks gave him a menacing statement and it was strange to see such a young boy with dark circles under his eyes. Satine swore that she could already see his hairline receding. His overly large nose and tall forehead made him, unmistakably, his father's son and at the same time set him so far apart from her Christian.
Satine moved her eyes to examine the last, and her favorite, member of the family. A 10-year-old Christian sat proudly in front of his mother. Satine's face radiated a brilliant smile as she examined her fiancé at this young age. His eyes were still brilliantly blue and his hair still flopped hopelessly across his forehead. His sweet smile was the same she saw every time he looked at her. She thought back on herself at this age. She knew Christian and she would have been best friends, even then. She had been so naive and bright despite the cold ghetto of Paris she had grown up in, much too close to the brothels for a child.
She remembered the only picture she had of her family. Taken just before her mother had run off when she was three. She could not remember anything about the woman and her father had refused to talk about her even on his deathbed. Satine was left with only the image of a happy family. Her father smiling brightly with his baby daughter held gently in his overly muscular arms and her mother, a woman Satine resented. She resented everything about the striking beauty, especially the fact that she herself looked so much like the woman in that picture.
Shaking the unpleasant thoughts out of her head Satine took one more look at the painting on the wall noticing how the family seemed to be split in two, down the middle. The left side of the picture seemed dark where two men sat with resentful expressions on their face, as if they had much better things to do then sit with their family while a painter transferred their images to canvas. On the other side sat a happy family. A mother with her two dotting children. All three bright and hopeful for what the world had to offer, willing to simply sit and wait for happiness to come to them. Storing this crucial piece of information for another time Satine began walking down the hall again. Glancing at other pictures and paintings of family members Satine finally reached her room.
Quietly opening to door she stepped in, immediately discarding her robe in the cozy warmth of the room. She stopped in mid stride as she realized that someone was on her bed. There looking over at her was Christian. He was lying on her bed with his head resting against the headboard. He made an adorable picture in a white shirt and wrinkled trousers. He wore no shoes and seemed as if he had taken it upon himself to become comfortable in his wait for Satine's return.
"Christian! What are you doing in here?" Satine whispered excitedly, crossing the room quickly and jumping on the bed beside him.
"I couldn't sleep without you in my arms." He smiled charmingly at her and sat up. "I was beginning to worry that everything had been a dream. I've been waiting here for a half-hour. "Where in the world did you get off to?" He asked laughing.
Satine adopted a sly look and rested her back against Christian's chest "I had a very interesting talk with your father."
Christian seemed to choke on his own laughter, "My father?"
Satine nodded cuddling up to Christian even more, "I think he likes me."
He nodded knowingly, "I never had a doubt you would be able to wrap him around that beautiful little finger of yours! Did he tell you about how I'm an overly optimistic dreamer who will never amount to anything due to my 'Shamefully unrealistic view of life and the world we live in'?"
"No, we simply discussed how you didn't fit in with the bohos at all and how you should have never gone to Paris in the first place." she said sarcastically.
"Oh, I see. So now you're telling me that I'd be better of having never meet you?" Christian rolled her over quickly and before she could react he began tickling her.
Satine tried to quiet her giggles and between sprits of laughter she cried "No! Christian- you know I didn't mean that!- Stop- Christian!-"
When he finally stopped he began putting delicious kisses up and down her neck. "Say it." he breathed "Say that you wouldn't be better off without me."
Satine moaned from his touch and gasped as he found the sensitive spot just behind her ear. Moaning she whispered "I don't know what I'd do without you." She pulled him up to her face for a kiss before continuing, "I love you and I just don't want to imagine my life without you."
***
"Let's Get Together" is from the 1961 version of "The Parent Trap"
*A Bohemian Storm Is Brewing*
Truth * Beauty * Freedom * Love
~Casidy
§=Þ
*~*
"Quoi Qu'il Arrive"
~ Part IV: Another Suitcase in Another Hall ~
By: Casdy
Satine admired Christian as he slept, from her vantage point just above him on the bed. Smiling slyly she kissed him on his jaw and then moved down to his throat. He slowly woke up and put his hands through her hair as she planted small kisses along his collarbone. Gently pulling her face up to meet his he kissed her deeply. They simultaneously moved their tongues into each other's mouths then Satine gently bit Christian's bottom lip then ran the tip of her tongue gently across the same spot before slowly pulling away.
Christian smiled "Well, that was a nice way to wake up."
"I try my best" Satine joked putting her head on his chest as it gently rose and fell. "When are we getting to the coast?" she asked slowly drawing small patterns on his chest.
"About nine." He said gazing at the beauty lounging half on top of him.
"Hmmm…I guess we should get up then." Satine said sitting up on her elbow as she began kissing Christian again.
~*~
When the two lovers arrived in Calais, they carried their belongings across the city and bought tickets for the ferry that would carry them across the English Channel to Dover. Satine expressed her hunger to Christian and he led her into a small café where they passed the time talking. The ferry did not leave until eleven o'clock and the two spent their remaining time in France, walking around the small city, and enjoying the sunlight.
In one hand Satine swung her suitcase, and in the other she carefully carried her gold birdcage. She also hummed a tune that was as familiar to her as her own name. The song, which every time she hummed, reminded her of how much she and Christian loved each other.
Christian walked quietly next to her, listening to his angel. Every time he heard the song he had created for the two of them he felt elated. He could never be any happier then he was at that moment. Satine and he loved each other and they were together with no Duke to separate them! The two walked along the dock until they came to the ferry. Satine had finished humming and now walked close to Christian.
A very young sailor came up to the two quickly and offered to take Satine's belongings, "Oh, thank you monsieur," Satine took Christian's suitcase and typewriter and handed them to the young man as well. "Now, you must promise me that you'll take excellent care of my little cherub," Satine said motioning to the bird inside the golden cage "and my fiancé's typewriter!"
The boy nodded enthusiastically, apparently un-bothered by the fact that he was drooling over a promised woman. Christian shook his head and tried to hide his laughter. The two lovers were now free to hold hands as they walked up to the ship. Several more sailors came up to Satine offering to help her onto the gangplank. "I think I can manage, thank you." She said gripping Christian's hand tightly as he helped her across the gap between the dock and rail.
Once the two were on the boat they went up to the top level. Satine and Christian leaned over the railing looking out over the gushing water as the ferry took the couple across the channel. "What's your family like, Christian?" Satine asked.
He thought for a moment before answering, "Emily, that's my little sister, she's fifteen. Then there's Philip, my brother, he's three years older then me, and then there's my father." He looked over at her and noticed her sweet smile.
"Tell me about your sister."
"Emily's wonderful! We're so much alike. She'll absolutely adore you, darling!" Christian talked excitedly. It was obvious how much he cared for his little sister. "She's so much like my mother, perfect at everything she does. We used to write songs together. I'd write a poem and she would put it to music. She's an amazing flute player!"
Christian looked so handsome smiling brightly with the bright afternoon sun behind him. "It sounds like the two of you are very close. What about the rest of your family? I want to hear all about how you grew up!" Satine turned away from the railing and put her arm through Christian's leading him over to a bench.
"Aren't we full of questions today?"
"I just want to know everything there is to know about you."
He smiled at his precious diamond, "Let's see. My father doesn't like me very much," he laughed "I think he protesting my leaving England only out of obligation to my mother. She died last year. If it weren't for Emily I wouldn't have stayed as long as I did. She took mother's death pretty hard." Christian grew silent and Satine could tell that he had taken it hard as well. "I just hope Emily is alright. She's always had father wrapped around her little finger but she's not exactly the type of perfect lady that he always expected a daughter of his to be and God knows
Philip wouldn't give her the time of day."
"Do I sense a little sibling rivalry?" Satine asked resting her head on his shoulder.
"Sibling rivalry has nothing to do with it! Philip is just like my father and I tried to keep Emmy as far away from him as possible." After a moment he continued, "Philip married one of my best friends. I just hope she's alright."
The remainder of the ferry ride was spent laughing about all the sailors that were following the couple around trying to steal glances at Satine. The two arrived in Dover, England at 3 o'clock that afternoon and quickly boarded a train for London. Christian spent the train ride writing. The words seemed to fly out of his pen, with his muse sleeping peacefully on his shoulder.
When they finally arrived in London almost three hours later they rented a coach to drive them to Christian's house. When the coach came to a stop Satine just had time to fix her hair before the driver opened the door. When she stepped out of the coach she could hardly believe her eyes. There in front of her stood a giant brownstone mansion. Satine turned to Christian who had stopped next to her, "Christian, where are we? I thought we were going to your house."
He smiled at her, "Yes that's where we are." He motioned his head up at the house, "Are you ready to meet my family?" She looked at him for a moment in silence then nodded her head. He took her hand gently and led her up the front steps.
After knocking three times the door swung open and a middle-aged woman stood in a servant's uniform. "Master Christian!" She shrieked throwing her arms around the young man. "Come in, come in!" She stepped to the side allowing the couple entrance then motioned for the coach driver to set the bags by the door. "Oh, Master Christian, we weren't even expecting you! Miss Emily will be absolutely thrilled to pieces to see you!" The woman smiled at Christian then said, "They're just getting dressed for dinner, should be down any moment."
At that same moment the three looked up as they heard quick footsteps pounding upstairs as if someone was running barefoot. Christian turned expectantly and was not disappointed. At the top of the stairs stood a young girl in a burgundy evening gown. "Christian!" she yelled hiking the gown up to her knees and bounding down two steps at a time. With every leap the girl seemed to loosen the tight curls pinned to her head.
Once she had reached the bottom of the stairs she jumped into Christian's arms. He spun her around causing even more of her dark blond curls to come out of their nice arrangement atop her head. After a few moments Christian placed his little sister's feet on the ground and turned to Satine.
"Emmy, I'd like you to meet my fiancée, Satine." He beamed proudly.
Emily smiled, "She has Christian's smile." Satine thought
"It's wonderful to finally meet the woman that my brother found to satisfy his obsession with love." Both girls giggled.
"Well," a voice suddenly boomed from the top of the stairs. "You've returned. I must say, Christian," the man began slowly walking down "I didn't expect you to be home this quickly. Giving up this soon I see?"
Satine noticed how Christian seemed to grow several inches as he stood up straighter. "I wouldn't say I gave up, father, simply bringing the woman I love to meet my family."
Christian's father seemed to notice Satine for the first time and looked her up and down obviously impressed with her fine cloths and perfect posture.
"Well, Sarah," The father said turning to the maid "have Christian's room and one of the guest rooms made up. Emily, I want you to go back up stairs and fix your hair, and for God's sake, put some shoes on, you're not a bohemian!"
Emily nodded her head and turned, walking up the stairs with a straight back and her chin high. "Christian was right," Satine thought "she is perfect at everything she does." She looked to Christian and found him in a battle of stares with his father. The father seeing if Christian would back down and he defending himself against an onslaught of a piercing stare. Quickly hoping to defuse the tense moment Satine cleared her throat, "It is an honor to meet you Sir," Satine said turning to her love's father.
Distracted from his battle The Father looked at Satine, then to Christian. "I assume this is the love you were ranting about earlier?" he asked.
Christian nodded his head, then moving closer to Satine and putting his arm around her waist said "Father, I would like to introduce you to my fiancée, Satine."
"Charmed, I'm sure." Turning abruptly he walked into the dining room.
Satine followed him with her eyes, "I get the feeling he doesn't approve." She said.
Shaking his head Christian put his other arm around her waist as well, "I'm sure he likes you more than he does me."
Moving into the dinning room Christian pulled out Satine's chair. He then took his place at the table, reluctantly by his father whom sat at the head. When Emily joined them and The Father said grace before several servants brought out a feast on silver palters.
Emily knew better than to attempt to find out about Paris from Christian while her father was in the room. Instead she recited what she had done to occupy herself during his absence.
After a tense meal everyone moved into the library where the father served Christian and himself a brandy and offered a glass of wine to Satine.
"Not exactly Absinth, is it darling?" Christian whispered referring to the wineglass he handed her as he sat down, close to her on the sofa.
"Christian…Do you think you're up to singing one of our songs?" Emily asked.
He smiled at his darling sister. "Of course I'm up to it! I've been missing our recitals since I left! What shall it be?"
"Oh, the one about the two of us being together!"
Christian nodded as he walked with his little sister over to the baby grand piano in the corner of the large room. Pulling out some music from inside her bench she placed it gently on the music rack then sat down herself. Satine sat up happily, eager to here her fiancé's magnificent voice. Christian cleared his through and Emily struck a cord on her piano.
Let's get together, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Why don't you and I combine?
Let's get together, what do you say?
We can have a swinging time.
We'd be a crazy team.
Why don't we make a scene? Together.
oh, oh, oh, oh
Let's get together, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Think of all that we could share.
Let's get together, everyday
Every way and everywhere.
And though we haven't got a lot,
We could be sharing all we've got. Together.
Oh! I really think you're swell.
Uh huh! We really ring the bell.
Oo wee! And if you stick with me
Nothing could be greater, say hey alligator.
Let's get together, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Two is twice as nice as one.
Let's get together, right away.
We'll be having twice the fun.
And you can always count on me.
A gruesome twosome we will be.
Together, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Satine clapped happily as the humorous tune ended. Christian took his little sister's hand, helping her up from her seat and both took an exaggerated bow.
*~*
Satine woke up coughing violently. After a few moments the coughing subsided. She stood and picked her robe up from the bench at the end of her bed. She shrugged it on then quietly walked out the bedroom door.
When at the end of the long hallway, Satine picked her foot up gingerly and quietly placed it on one step at a time, making her way down the large stairway with as little sound as possible. She walked into the spacious kitchen without thought and stopped short when here eyes painfully adjusted to the light. She had not expected anyone to be here at this early hour but sitting at the long wooden table was Christian's father.
"Excuse me monsieur, I did not know anyone else was awake." She said sweetly. "I just came down for a glass of water."
"Satine." He said with a cold edge to his voice. "Please, sit. I've been meaning to talk to you. You and my son came in quite late-and without announcement-I was taken quite by surprise." The man picked up his teacup and took a sip before replacing it and locking his hard eyes onto Satine.
"He's so unlike Christian," Satine thought looking at the man. At the thought of Christian a genuine smile replaced the composed one, which she had plastered on her face.
"When my son left he gave the impression that he would never return- imagine my disappointment when he not only returned but brought you with him as well. I can only imagine what he got himself into over there that would force him to come running home."
Satine set jaw so as not to fire words at this man telling him just where he could stick his opinions. No, she would get back at this man in a different way. She would wrap him and his stringy white beard around here little finger. It would be simple, she had done it more times then she could count. Smiling sweetly, once again, she shyly looked down at her hands. "You're so kind, monsieur, for taking us in. I told Christian that he had to get a steady job or that would be it. A girl can't live off the meager earnings of a simple poet!" There is nothing simple about Christian, she added mentally. "So he brought me here- oh, I was reluctant to leave Paris, of course, but also relieved to get away from that ridiculous- how do you say? - Bohemian Revolution."
She had him hooked, The Father nodded his head in agreement and understanding. "Yes, I was horrified that my own son would be enticed by the likes of such - despicable!"
"I believe, monsieur, that Christian did not realize what the bohemians truly were. He is an English gentleman, and it was quite obvious that he would not fit into the city of Montmarte."
The father smiled believing that he had found a kindred spirit, "I tried to tell him that he would end up wasting his life away, but he just would not listen to me. He had to see for himself. Would you like some tea my dear?" he asked already standing from the table.
Satine smiled, "Yes, thank you. That would be lovely." This had been even easier than she had thought. Apparently there was always a spot in an Englishman's heart for a lady. Satine thanked him as he handed her a steaming china cup. "Your home is absolutely lovely. I was not sure of what to expect. Christian never spoke to me of his family until we began our trip."
The father grunted softly, "Doesn't surprise me. He couldn't wait to get out of here. If it were not for his sister he wouldn't have stayed here as long as he did. I was glad to be rid of him. Flat out refused to work at the bank! It's too bad he isn't more like his brother. Now there's a boy who knows his place!"
Satine nodded absentmindedly, disagreeing completely. She didn't even want to imagine Christian in a place like that. He needed light and warmth not a large corner office in a gloomy bank. Smiling again she excused herself from Christian's father, thanking again for the tea. With thoughts of Christian on her mind she once again tiptoed through the large entrance way and up the stairs. Satine slowly climbed the stairs, suddenly she didn't want to return to the lonely guestroom. It seemed like forever since Satine had been force to sleep alone, devoid of Christian's warmth and comforting arms. Slowly walking down the long hallway she noticed, for the first time, the many pictures along the wall.
She stopped in front of a large painting and examined it. There was a young woman, presumably Christian's mother, with an exceedingly older man, obviously his father. In the woman's arms was a baby girl with dark blond hair, the same shade as her own. Satine smiled at the infant Emily remembering the teenage girl running down the stairs hours before and jumping into Christian's strong arms.
Christian's father had his hand on the shoulder of a young boy in front of him, about 13. The boy looked much more like his father than his mother with black hair and cold, dark eyes. His bonny, pail cheeks gave him a menacing statement and it was strange to see such a young boy with dark circles under his eyes. Satine swore that she could already see his hairline receding. His overly large nose and tall forehead made him, unmistakably, his father's son and at the same time set him so far apart from her Christian.
Satine moved her eyes to examine the last, and her favorite, member of the family. A 10-year-old Christian sat proudly in front of his mother. Satine's face radiated a brilliant smile as she examined her fiancé at this young age. His eyes were still brilliantly blue and his hair still flopped hopelessly across his forehead. His sweet smile was the same she saw every time he looked at her. She thought back on herself at this age. She knew Christian and she would have been best friends, even then. She had been so naive and bright despite the cold ghetto of Paris she had grown up in, much too close to the brothels for a child.
She remembered the only picture she had of her family. Taken just before her mother had run off when she was three. She could not remember anything about the woman and her father had refused to talk about her even on his deathbed. Satine was left with only the image of a happy family. Her father smiling brightly with his baby daughter held gently in his overly muscular arms and her mother, a woman Satine resented. She resented everything about the striking beauty, especially the fact that she herself looked so much like the woman in that picture.
Shaking the unpleasant thoughts out of her head Satine took one more look at the painting on the wall noticing how the family seemed to be split in two, down the middle. The left side of the picture seemed dark where two men sat with resentful expressions on their face, as if they had much better things to do then sit with their family while a painter transferred their images to canvas. On the other side sat a happy family. A mother with her two dotting children. All three bright and hopeful for what the world had to offer, willing to simply sit and wait for happiness to come to them. Storing this crucial piece of information for another time Satine began walking down the hall again. Glancing at other pictures and paintings of family members Satine finally reached her room.
Quietly opening to door she stepped in, immediately discarding her robe in the cozy warmth of the room. She stopped in mid stride as she realized that someone was on her bed. There looking over at her was Christian. He was lying on her bed with his head resting against the headboard. He made an adorable picture in a white shirt and wrinkled trousers. He wore no shoes and seemed as if he had taken it upon himself to become comfortable in his wait for Satine's return.
"Christian! What are you doing in here?" Satine whispered excitedly, crossing the room quickly and jumping on the bed beside him.
"I couldn't sleep without you in my arms." He smiled charmingly at her and sat up. "I was beginning to worry that everything had been a dream. I've been waiting here for a half-hour. "Where in the world did you get off to?" He asked laughing.
Satine adopted a sly look and rested her back against Christian's chest "I had a very interesting talk with your father."
Christian seemed to choke on his own laughter, "My father?"
Satine nodded cuddling up to Christian even more, "I think he likes me."
He nodded knowingly, "I never had a doubt you would be able to wrap him around that beautiful little finger of yours! Did he tell you about how I'm an overly optimistic dreamer who will never amount to anything due to my 'Shamefully unrealistic view of life and the world we live in'?"
"No, we simply discussed how you didn't fit in with the bohos at all and how you should have never gone to Paris in the first place." she said sarcastically.
"Oh, I see. So now you're telling me that I'd be better of having never meet you?" Christian rolled her over quickly and before she could react he began tickling her.
Satine tried to quiet her giggles and between sprits of laughter she cried "No! Christian- you know I didn't mean that!- Stop- Christian!-"
When he finally stopped he began putting delicious kisses up and down her neck. "Say it." he breathed "Say that you wouldn't be better off without me."
Satine moaned from his touch and gasped as he found the sensitive spot just behind her ear. Moaning she whispered "I don't know what I'd do without you." She pulled him up to her face for a kiss before continuing, "I love you and I just don't want to imagine my life without you."
***
"Let's Get Together" is from the 1961 version of "The Parent Trap"