Disclaimer: As always, I don't own or theoretically, have permission to use these characters. Ha! I am anyway! Don't sue or take other forms of legal action, for I am not willing to part with my bingo winning money and have no job.

A/N: Cool! This story's been on the site for over a year...hey wait, I'm still not done yet? Oh dear, well, I best get working. Thanks so much for the reviews and if you like this story and happen to like "Pirates of the Caribbean" also, go read my other story. Please? Thanks and I hope ya enjoy!

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Satine stepped off of the train and into Marseilles, filling her restricted lungs with the fresh, ocean air. Memories of childhood and happiness came wafting back on the sea breeze sending comforting feelings to her head as she squeezed Christian's hand. The young man tightened his grip, squeezing back and turning to smile at his wife. They had finally made it, and it was time to celebrate. With absolutely no warning at all, Christian dropped their luggage, turned to Satine and picked her up. Despite her protests he spun her around quickly, laughing and smiling, drawing a few curious looks and knowing smiles from the surrounding crowd. Finally he set his wife back on her feet and kissed her, while steadying her with his free hand. A large, unrestrained smile appeared on Satine's face as she ran her fingers through his hair and then straightened out her skirts in an attempt to recover her dignity.

"What was that about?" She asked, laughing as Christian picked up their luggage and acted as if nothing at all had happened. "Oh, just a short burst of energy." Turning his head and flashing a quick smile, Christian began walking down the platform trailed by Satine. Seeing the look on his love's face couldn't help but bring back thoughts of his first arriving in Paris, only months before. He had been full of excitement, wonder and hope that anything could and would happen if he just believed. If he just believed in love. And, it so happens that everything had actually worked out in a way he could have only dreamed of. Looking back at Satine's blue eyes, Christian saw exactly what it meant to be in love. She had packed up her life and everything she had ever known to follow him to the ends of the earth. All right, fine. Not to the ends of the earth, but to a completely different life in a brand new place.

"So, where exactly are we looking for again?" he asked dropping his silent study of the stunning creature next to him. "Hmm?" Christian laughed inwardly as Satine didn't even turn to look back at him. "Where are we going? Unless you'd like to stay here of course." Unfortunately for Christian, his sarcasm didn't seem to reach Satine. "Oh, it doesn't matter one bit to me. I would be content to walk this city until morning, or sleep on a bench, or on the sand..." The sentence that she had begun to speak just quickly trailed off as Satine continued to stare wonderingly at all surrounding her, unable to drink it all in.

"Well, love, as much as I wouldn't mind wandering the streets until morning, as long as I'm with you, I am the one carrying the bags." Christian stopped and changed the multiple positions of the luggage he was lugging, as if to emphasize his point. For a moment Satine was brought back to reality and she smiled at him, grabbing a suitcase from the sidewalk and kissing his cheek. "You're right. I believe the building we're looking for is just a few blocks down that way. Number 327, I think." Satine breathed in another long lungful of the sea air before continuing beside her husband. "Yes, this way."

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Footsteps echoed on the wooden floor of a long, yellow hallway as the two got closer to their new home. The petite landlady walking briskly in front of them stopped at the fourth door on the right in the long string of identical doors and stuck the key in the lock, struggling with it for a moment.

"Darn door always did give me problems..." she mumbled, embarrassed, while fumbling with the doorknob and attempting to open the door. Finally, after several tries, it gave way and opened to an adequately sized main room.

"Oh, Christian, it's perfect!" Satine said, while walking into the barely furnished beige flat. Looking around, Christian saw that it was not grand, but was indeed a large improvement upon his accommodations in Paris. There was the good-sized main room, which had a fireplace, a window looking out towards the ocean and well...a fireplace. Then there was a tiny kitchen, connecting the main room and an extremely small bedroom with one bed and a dresser that almost didn't fit. Despite it all though, Christian knew exactly why Satine was so excited. It may be tiny but it was theirs. He put he arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him as he spoke. "You're right, it is perfect." The young landlady stood looking down at the key in her hand and twirling a strand of her brown hair on her finger, trying not to be impolite. Clearing her throat to grab their attention, but still looking down at her feet, the woman began talking.

"Payment will be collected on the third of each month, no earlier, no later unless under special circumstances." She turned her attention back toward the two and smiled a small, sweet smile at the couple. "Here is the key, Mr. James. If you need anything, my name is Ms. Sorrells and my room is the first door on the left." Christian returned her smile and put out his hand, taking hers and placing a small, short kiss on it. "Thank you." The young woman blushed and quickly handed him the key, turning around and shutting the door behind her. They heard her quickened footsteps echo in the hallway outside. Satine gave Christian a look of mock-shock and amazement as she spoke.

"Why Christian, I do believe you startled the poor woman. We may not be seeing her again for quite a while. Although, I don't think I'll miss the competition." She smirked at him and wrapped her long arms around his neck. "Don't worry dear, in my book, no one could compete with you." He returned, kissing her firmly on the lips.

"Christian, dear, I hate to ruin the moment" Satine spoke, pulling out of his tight grasp, "but where exactly are we going to eat?"

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Candlelight filled the dim room, creating shadows on the wall and flickering in the small breeze. In front of the candle set so unceremoniously on the floor, were Christian and Satine lounging comfortably on top of a few pillows with her head resting in his lap. Two dirty dishes covered in half eaten food sat across from the two, on the other side of the lone candle. Obviously, they had found somewhere to eat after all. And also obviously, they had quickly lost interest in the food. Christian absentmindedly took one of the scarlet curls decorating Satine's ivory shoulders and began wrapping it around his finger, entranced by its softness.

Silence had reigned in the small, cozy room for quite some time as they had both sat and watched the fire, enjoying each other's company. While the silence had been filling the room though, Satine's mind was filled with thoughts. Thoughts about Christian, thoughts about herself and thoughts about her past and their future together echoed in her mind. They bounced around the inside of her brain, begging to be let out. Finally, the silence became too much for her and she turned her face up to Christian.

"Christian" she began slowly. "Hmm..?" he responded, looking down into her sapphire eyes and continuing to play with her hair. "Christian, you do want a family don't you? I mean, do you want to have children anytime...soon?" The red curl fell from Christian's hand as his mouth hung open slightly. Satine wasn't normally this blunt...about anything, much less something like this. He quickly closed his mouth; aware of the look he would receive should he keep it hanging down.

"Well..." his voice was shaky as he first began speaking. They had never really talked about this before. Not in the terms of being a real possibility, anyway. His heart was beating wildly and Christian was aware the something profoundly stupid was about to leave his mouth and probably without his own permission. "Of course I want to have a family but..." The rest of the reply and luckily for Christian, most of the stupid part was lost as he looked down into her loving face. He sighed and smiled softly. "Yes, I do want a family. Especially with you, and especially when we have something this wonderful going for us. Whenever you're ready, I would love to start a family with you." Satine smiled back at him and then turned to look into the fire, once again letting silence reign in the room. All that could be heard was the soft noise of the ocean crashing onto the beach.

With almost no warning, Satine shot straight up from the floor, causing herself to sit in an upright position. She smiled seductively at him. "Christian." She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm ready." With that comment, he was on his feet and holding Satine in his arms. "Well then," he said while walking towards the tiny bedroom, "I would hate to leave a lady waiting."

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Hehe. Hoped this chapter was thoroughly enjoyed by all, I sure liked writing it. And Steph, I hope you found the two references that were just for you! Read and Review!!