After The Show
Disclaimer: None of the characters in this story belong to me except Taylor, Peter, and the doctor. (How many ways are there to say this?)
A.N. I know that the story hasnÕt been that interesting so far, but keep reading. I promise that it will get better.
Chapter Four: Come What May
The next day, Christian woke up earlier than he had ever woken up before. He wanted to be sure he was the first person that Dr. Patrick Sherman heard from that day. He opened the directory and was about to make the phone call when he heard SatineÕs voice from behind him.
ÒWhat are you doing?Ó she asked.
ÒCalling a doctor for you. We need to get you some medical help.Ó Christian replied as tried to find the page that the listing had been on.
Satine sat up in bed. ÒChristian, IÕm fine. There is no need to wake the doctor up at this time in the morningÉÓ
ÒSatine, you need a doctor. YouÕre sick. IÕm not going to risk losing you. I love you too much to not call this Patrick Sherman guy.Ó
Satine was going to protest, but decided against it. After all, he was right. She could deny it all she wanted but she was sick. And this was a sickness that she couldnÕt deal with on her own. She just hoped it wasnÕtÉ;no, it couldnÕt be. That didnÕt run in families, did it? She was pulled back from her thoughts by ChristianÕs voice on the phone.
ÒAlright, we will see you then. Thank you.Ó He hung up the phone. ÒHeÕll be here at quarter to ten.Ó Christian said. He started to go downstairs when Satine stopped him. ÒWhat was the name of that doctor again?Ó she asked.
ÒPatrick ShermanÓ, he replied. ÒWhy? His named was circled in the directoryÉÓ
ÒHeÕs just an old family doctor that we used out here when I was little, thatÕs allÓ. Satine smiled at remembering the doctor who treated all of her summer childhood injuries. At least the doctor wouldnÕt be a complete stranger to her.
At exactly quarter to ten, the doorbell rang. Christian opened the door and let Dr. Sherman into the house. As Christian led him upstairs to the bedroom, he described some of SatineÕs symptoms to the doctor.
ÒI donÕt like the sound of that. But weÕll see what we have when I examine her. Ò Dr. Sherman said as he walked into the room to see Satine still in bed. He seemed to recognize her instantly. ÒWell, didnÕt we grow up nice?Ó he joked as he got ready to examine Satine. Christian watched as the doctor did several tests on Satine. He wished he knew what they all meant.
ÒAlright, now IÕll just be taking a blood sample and IÕll be able to give you a diagnosis in about two daysÓ Dr. Sherman said as he prepared SatineÕs left arm for the blood test. Christian could see from SatineÕs expression that she didnÕt like needles. She looked pleadingly at Christian as the doctor got the needle ready. The doctor also sensed her anxiety.
ÒWould you like Christian to hold you hand?Ó he asked. Satine simply nodded, and Christian crossed the room and took her right hand. Satine still looked scared, so the doctor thought up another idea.
ÒSatine, do you remember what we used to do when you were little and you were afraid something would hurt?Ó
Satine nodded. ÒI used to close my eyes and think about something I liked until it was over.Ó
The doctor continued. ÒWell, why donÕt we try that right now. LetÕs see if it works as well for grown up Satine as it did for little Satine.Ó
Satine nodded again. She closed her eyes and squeezed ChristianÕs hand for dear life as the doctor took the blood sample.
After the doctor left, Satine and Christian went downstairs and ate lunch. As they were eating, Christian brought up the doctorÕs distraction method.
ÒSo, what did grown up Satine think about when she was cutting off circulation in my hand?Ó he asked. Satine simply smiled and said ÒYouÓ.
Two days passed, and the doctor came with the diagnosis. He brought both Satine and Christian into the living room.
ÒIÕm afraid I have both good news and bad news. Which would you like first?Ó
They agreed to hear the bad news first and get it over with.
ÒWell, the bad news is that Satine has consumption. IÕm sure you know that this is a fairly serious disease that can be fatal.Ó
Christian could not believe what he was hearing. His diamond had a fatal disease. It couldnÕt be happening. He looked at Satine. She sat there in shock.
ÒWell, what is the good news?Ó Christian managed to get out.
ÒThe good news is that we now have medication that can treat mild to moderate cases of this disease, which is what Satine has.Ó He handed a bottle of medicine to Christian. ÒMake sure that she takes this three times a day with food. Once after each meal will do. If she takes this she should be fine. After two weeks IÕll come back and see how sheÕs doing.Ó
Christian thanked the doctor, and went over to Satine. She was now silently crying on the couch.
ÒItÕs alright, youÕre going to be fine. The doctor gave you medicine.Ó. His attempts to comfort Satine were in vain. She kept crying.
ÒSatine, whatÕs wrong? You heard the doctor, youÕre going to be fine.Ó
Satine looked at Christian. ÒI know. ItÕs just thatÉÓ She had a hard time finding the words.
ÒJust that what?Ó Christian desperately wanted to know what was bothering her.
ÒWhen I was eleven my mother was diagnosed with consumption. Everyone was devastated. No one knew what to do. My father left the family after she was diagnosed. He said that he didnÕt want to be in love with a sick woman. We never heard from him again.Ó
Christian wrapped his arm around Satine. ÒWhen I heard that word again, I just got scared that you would leave me tooÓ she choked out. Christian pulled Satine onto his lap and began to sing in her ear.
Come what may
Come what may
I will love you
Until my dying day
