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 XVIII: We Didn't Start The Fire ~
By: Casidy
Satine had spent the entire morning working on wedding preparations. It was very boring without Christian or Emily to help her. After the holidays Christian had gone back to the bank and Emily to her lessons. Everyone's life had seemingly calmed down suddenly after Philip's arrest only the day before.
The Father had been in a very bad mood that morning, complaining of what the scandal would do to the bank. Consequently he had shuffled Christian off without breakfast and warning Emily and Satine of a long night at the office.
Satine had begun her day by making a list of everything that needed to be done before the weddings. As her list grew by the hour she became more and more agitated. She had never dared allow herself to dream of a wedding but now that she was forced to begin the preparations for two, it was becoming a nightmare.
It had been almost noon and Satine was expecting Emily for lunch at any moment, when Sarah had entered with a letter. Thankful for the distraction Satine excitedly opened the envelope to find her native French scrolled crookedly with bright green paint over a corner piece of canvas.
Dearest Satine and Christian,
Everyone was thrilled, but not overly surprised to hear of your upcoming wedding. I always knew the two of you belonged to each other: our romantic poet and firmly grounded diamond. Both so deserving of love and each other.
Everything here has been a mess since your leaving. The Duke closed the Moulin down before the show. Not that it could have gone on anyway. Few people are angry with you though, I think they all admit that they would have done the same in your place.
Many managed to find jobs at the Chat Noir, others are mulling about looking for work, and a few have moved on. I extended your invitation to everyone and many excitedly excepted.
The Doctor, Satie, Chocolat, Babydoll, The Argentinean and I will be arriving on the twenty-second but Harold will not be bringing Marie until the day before your wedding, the twenty-fifth.
Everyone is looking forward to the trip and we can not wait to see the two of you again.
Good luck,
Toulouse
*~*
Satine and Emily had shared a quiet dinner together discussing how much Satine had managed to do during the day and how very much was left to do. Emily had gone to her room soon after to complete her lessons Jack had assigned her.
Satine had moved from the dining room where she had spent all day planning the wedding to the parlor where she sat on the sofa with a clear view of the street. She wanted to be sure not to miss Christian when he arrived home.
After an hour, Satine's patience was beginning to fail her and she sat slumped back tracing the embroidery on the skirt of her gown. After two hours she had removed her shoes and was considering running up to her room to retrieve Christian's book of poetry. After three hours she had read several poems and sat staring up at the sky thinking about love. More specifically, her love. Satine began to sing softly to herself trying to pass the time.
There's always times like these,
When I think of you,
And I wonder if you ever think of me.
'Cause everything's so wrong,
And I don't belong living in your precious memory.
'Cause I need you,
And I miss you.
And now I wonder,
If I could fall into the sky,
Do you think time would pass me by?
'Cause you know I'd walk 1,000 miles,
If I could just see you,
If I could just hold you,
Tonight.
Satine sighed contently. She would wait for Christian for as long as it took.
~*~
It was two in the morning when Christian and his father walked tiredly through the front door. After mumbling something about being ready to leave the next morning at nine sharp The Father trudged up the stairs and out of sight.
Christian had noticed a light coming from the front parlor and walked in causally, not surprised to see Satine fast asleep in front of the window. He walked quietly over to where she slept and bent down in front of her.
Wrapping a red curl around his finger Christian admired the beauty before him. Joy filled him and he felt a familiar tightening in his chest. In one way he was used to the feeling in the sense that it came over him very often, but he also didn't think he would ever be truly used to the feeling because every time it hit him he was unprepared. After several months it still took his breath away and he knew it would continue to do so for as long as he was in love with Satine. Forever.
Christian stood up and took his love into his arms and carried the precious treasure up to her room. After laying her in the bed he kicked off his shoes and joined her under the covers. He didn't care that he would have to wake particularly early in the morning to avoid anyone noticing that he was not in his bed. Despite his advanced fatigue he knew he would not sleep well without his arms around the love of his life.
~*~
The next few days went very much the same way. Christian's days at the bank were actually filled with work now that Philip was out of commission, literally. The Father was working even longer hours than usual trying to make up for any losses from the scandal. Emily was busy as ever now that she had returned, full force, to her lessons: school, flute, and etiquette. And Satine was buried up to her perfectly shaped neck in wedding arrangements.
Christian was becoming easier to anger by the day as he was deprived of sleep and forced to spend his days in a dark office building with no outlet for his creativity.
Satine was depressed. She was only able to see Christian on the nights that she would wake as he carried her upstairs after finding her asleep in the parlor waiting for him. She did not have Emily to talk to often because the young girl was running around town from activity to activity and often only seen at meals. Satine would have gladly called on Madeline but wedding preparations offered no time to leave the house.
By Friday, both Satine and Christian's emotions were twisted as tight as coils and ready to spring at any moment.
~*~
Everyone always went home early on Fridays and that included Christian. The Father had allowed him to leave the bank at midnight while he stayed to fill out just a few more papers. Christian had come home to the wonderful sight of Satine still awake and waiting impatiently for him. The moment he had opened the door she had flung herself into his arms, kissing him deeply.
In between kisses, she gasped for enough breath to pant, "Thank God this week is over! We'll have all day together tomorrow! Just the two of us."
Christian sighed, pulling away from her kiss. "I'm sorry darling but I have to work tomorrow."
Satine was shocked, she had been looking forward to the weekend everyday since the dreadful week had started and now it wasn't going to happen? "But it's Saturday. Nothing is open on Saturday." She stated innocently.
"Well, father needs me to work. I can't let him down now that he's finally giving me a chance." Christian couldn't believe Satine didn't realize that his dedication was offering him his father's approval, something he had never had before.
"Since when is this job anything more than a burden? Why all of a sudden is it so important?" Satine asked stepping out of his arms.
"It's not the job. I'm not going to let my father- and family down. He's counting on me to take over Philip's responsibilities."
"Taking over Philip's responsibilities, huh? He can't find anyone else to take over just a little of the burden? Everything has to be laid at you feet?" Satine felt the whole ordeal unfair. There were plenty of others who would willingly take over any tasks that would put a little more money in their hands. Why did it have to be Christian? "Do you even know when our wedding – I'm sorry, weddings are going to be? I feel like I should send an invitation to my own fiancé! Maybe I should add your address at the bank to my list."
"Satine, you're being unreasonable! I'm sure this can't last much longer."
"How long is 'much longer'? It's already been far to long for me!" Satine raised her voice. She could feel her pent-up emotions boiling to the surface and they were spilling over, burning every surface around her.
"Well I'm sorry that you find it so hard to stay home all day debating with yourself over what the cake will be made of!" Christian stood up primly, pretending to hold a fork and plate. He poked at a piece of imaginary cake and plopped is into his mouth. He then said in a girly voice, "Hmmm, I like this one but the other was good too…" taking a quick step to the side he repeated his actions then said, "Ohh… but this one is so much chocolate- ier! Which to choose? Which to choose?"
Satine seemed to growl at Christian as he mocked her, but inside she felt like crying. Did the wedding, she was trying so hard to make absolutely perfect for them, mean so little to him? Well if we was going to treat all her hard work as such than she had a thing or two to say to him! "That's what you would think because you've been trying so hard to win your Daddy's approval that you haven't done a single thing to help me! Maybe you could have decided which cake you liked and taken such a momentous decision off my little, incompetent woman's hands!" The couple's fight had blown up so quickly Satine had no idea how it had even started. One minuet they had been kissing and the next they were screaming at each other like they were mad.
"At least I have a Daddy's affections to win!" The moment Christian's brain had grasped what he had said he felt extreme hate for himself. He had done what he hated others for and what he had sworn he would never do. He'd hurt Satine.
Satine gasped at the stinging words. It was true what they say 'strong words hurt most from the one you love.' Had Christian really said that? She must have heard wrong! But no, as she stood there in shock, she realized that he was looking at her with extreme apprehension. She was putting an end to this. She refused to say anything as hurtful to Christian. "Fine. I'm going to bed. Alone!" She hadn't meant to bark out the last word like a command but it was too late now. She trudged up the stairs and into her room. The slam of her bedroom door shook Christian all the way downstairs where he stood, running his hand angrily through his hair.
*~*
* "1,000 Miles" is preformed by Vanessa Carlton
*A Bohemian Storm Is Brewing*
Truth * Beauty * Freedom * Love
~Casidy
§=Þ
*~*
"Quoi Qu'il Arrive"
~ Part XVIII: We Didn't Start The Fire ~
By: Casidy
Satine had spent the entire morning working on wedding preparations. It was very boring without Christian or Emily to help her. After the holidays Christian had gone back to the bank and Emily to her lessons. Everyone's life had seemingly calmed down suddenly after Philip's arrest only the day before.
The Father had been in a very bad mood that morning, complaining of what the scandal would do to the bank. Consequently he had shuffled Christian off without breakfast and warning Emily and Satine of a long night at the office.
Satine had begun her day by making a list of everything that needed to be done before the weddings. As her list grew by the hour she became more and more agitated. She had never dared allow herself to dream of a wedding but now that she was forced to begin the preparations for two, it was becoming a nightmare.
It had been almost noon and Satine was expecting Emily for lunch at any moment, when Sarah had entered with a letter. Thankful for the distraction Satine excitedly opened the envelope to find her native French scrolled crookedly with bright green paint over a corner piece of canvas.
Dearest Satine and Christian,
Everyone was thrilled, but not overly surprised to hear of your upcoming wedding. I always knew the two of you belonged to each other: our romantic poet and firmly grounded diamond. Both so deserving of love and each other.
Everything here has been a mess since your leaving. The Duke closed the Moulin down before the show. Not that it could have gone on anyway. Few people are angry with you though, I think they all admit that they would have done the same in your place.
Many managed to find jobs at the Chat Noir, others are mulling about looking for work, and a few have moved on. I extended your invitation to everyone and many excitedly excepted.
The Doctor, Satie, Chocolat, Babydoll, The Argentinean and I will be arriving on the twenty-second but Harold will not be bringing Marie until the day before your wedding, the twenty-fifth.
Everyone is looking forward to the trip and we can not wait to see the two of you again.
Good luck,
Toulouse
*~*
Satine and Emily had shared a quiet dinner together discussing how much Satine had managed to do during the day and how very much was left to do. Emily had gone to her room soon after to complete her lessons Jack had assigned her.
Satine had moved from the dining room where she had spent all day planning the wedding to the parlor where she sat on the sofa with a clear view of the street. She wanted to be sure not to miss Christian when he arrived home.
After an hour, Satine's patience was beginning to fail her and she sat slumped back tracing the embroidery on the skirt of her gown. After two hours she had removed her shoes and was considering running up to her room to retrieve Christian's book of poetry. After three hours she had read several poems and sat staring up at the sky thinking about love. More specifically, her love. Satine began to sing softly to herself trying to pass the time.
There's always times like these,
When I think of you,
And I wonder if you ever think of me.
'Cause everything's so wrong,
And I don't belong living in your precious memory.
'Cause I need you,
And I miss you.
And now I wonder,
If I could fall into the sky,
Do you think time would pass me by?
'Cause you know I'd walk 1,000 miles,
If I could just see you,
If I could just hold you,
Tonight.
Satine sighed contently. She would wait for Christian for as long as it took.
~*~
It was two in the morning when Christian and his father walked tiredly through the front door. After mumbling something about being ready to leave the next morning at nine sharp The Father trudged up the stairs and out of sight.
Christian had noticed a light coming from the front parlor and walked in causally, not surprised to see Satine fast asleep in front of the window. He walked quietly over to where she slept and bent down in front of her.
Wrapping a red curl around his finger Christian admired the beauty before him. Joy filled him and he felt a familiar tightening in his chest. In one way he was used to the feeling in the sense that it came over him very often, but he also didn't think he would ever be truly used to the feeling because every time it hit him he was unprepared. After several months it still took his breath away and he knew it would continue to do so for as long as he was in love with Satine. Forever.
Christian stood up and took his love into his arms and carried the precious treasure up to her room. After laying her in the bed he kicked off his shoes and joined her under the covers. He didn't care that he would have to wake particularly early in the morning to avoid anyone noticing that he was not in his bed. Despite his advanced fatigue he knew he would not sleep well without his arms around the love of his life.
~*~
The next few days went very much the same way. Christian's days at the bank were actually filled with work now that Philip was out of commission, literally. The Father was working even longer hours than usual trying to make up for any losses from the scandal. Emily was busy as ever now that she had returned, full force, to her lessons: school, flute, and etiquette. And Satine was buried up to her perfectly shaped neck in wedding arrangements.
Christian was becoming easier to anger by the day as he was deprived of sleep and forced to spend his days in a dark office building with no outlet for his creativity.
Satine was depressed. She was only able to see Christian on the nights that she would wake as he carried her upstairs after finding her asleep in the parlor waiting for him. She did not have Emily to talk to often because the young girl was running around town from activity to activity and often only seen at meals. Satine would have gladly called on Madeline but wedding preparations offered no time to leave the house.
By Friday, both Satine and Christian's emotions were twisted as tight as coils and ready to spring at any moment.
~*~
Everyone always went home early on Fridays and that included Christian. The Father had allowed him to leave the bank at midnight while he stayed to fill out just a few more papers. Christian had come home to the wonderful sight of Satine still awake and waiting impatiently for him. The moment he had opened the door she had flung herself into his arms, kissing him deeply.
In between kisses, she gasped for enough breath to pant, "Thank God this week is over! We'll have all day together tomorrow! Just the two of us."
Christian sighed, pulling away from her kiss. "I'm sorry darling but I have to work tomorrow."
Satine was shocked, she had been looking forward to the weekend everyday since the dreadful week had started and now it wasn't going to happen? "But it's Saturday. Nothing is open on Saturday." She stated innocently.
"Well, father needs me to work. I can't let him down now that he's finally giving me a chance." Christian couldn't believe Satine didn't realize that his dedication was offering him his father's approval, something he had never had before.
"Since when is this job anything more than a burden? Why all of a sudden is it so important?" Satine asked stepping out of his arms.
"It's not the job. I'm not going to let my father- and family down. He's counting on me to take over Philip's responsibilities."
"Taking over Philip's responsibilities, huh? He can't find anyone else to take over just a little of the burden? Everything has to be laid at you feet?" Satine felt the whole ordeal unfair. There were plenty of others who would willingly take over any tasks that would put a little more money in their hands. Why did it have to be Christian? "Do you even know when our wedding – I'm sorry, weddings are going to be? I feel like I should send an invitation to my own fiancé! Maybe I should add your address at the bank to my list."
"Satine, you're being unreasonable! I'm sure this can't last much longer."
"How long is 'much longer'? It's already been far to long for me!" Satine raised her voice. She could feel her pent-up emotions boiling to the surface and they were spilling over, burning every surface around her.
"Well I'm sorry that you find it so hard to stay home all day debating with yourself over what the cake will be made of!" Christian stood up primly, pretending to hold a fork and plate. He poked at a piece of imaginary cake and plopped is into his mouth. He then said in a girly voice, "Hmmm, I like this one but the other was good too…" taking a quick step to the side he repeated his actions then said, "Ohh… but this one is so much chocolate- ier! Which to choose? Which to choose?"
Satine seemed to growl at Christian as he mocked her, but inside she felt like crying. Did the wedding, she was trying so hard to make absolutely perfect for them, mean so little to him? Well if we was going to treat all her hard work as such than she had a thing or two to say to him! "That's what you would think because you've been trying so hard to win your Daddy's approval that you haven't done a single thing to help me! Maybe you could have decided which cake you liked and taken such a momentous decision off my little, incompetent woman's hands!" The couple's fight had blown up so quickly Satine had no idea how it had even started. One minuet they had been kissing and the next they were screaming at each other like they were mad.
"At least I have a Daddy's affections to win!" The moment Christian's brain had grasped what he had said he felt extreme hate for himself. He had done what he hated others for and what he had sworn he would never do. He'd hurt Satine.
Satine gasped at the stinging words. It was true what they say 'strong words hurt most from the one you love.' Had Christian really said that? She must have heard wrong! But no, as she stood there in shock, she realized that he was looking at her with extreme apprehension. She was putting an end to this. She refused to say anything as hurtful to Christian. "Fine. I'm going to bed. Alone!" She hadn't meant to bark out the last word like a command but it was too late now. She trudged up the stairs and into her room. The slam of her bedroom door shook Christian all the way downstairs where he stood, running his hand angrily through his hair.
*~*
* "1,000 Miles" is preformed by Vanessa Carlton