Christian opened the door and let in the doctor. Today was SatineÕs follow up exam. Although Christian didnÕt want to admit it to himself, he really wanted Satine to get back to normal. Yes, Satine made an adorable toddler, but he now realized how hard it was being a parent. That is essentially what he was. He wanted his smart, funny, gorgeous girlfriend back. He wanted grown up Satine.
He cursed himself for being so selfish as he described her recent behavior to the doctor. ÒShe hasnÕt changed much. WeÕve had some old friends come in from Montmarte, and they have been helping quite a bit. However, sheÕs still really clingy to me and she isnÕt showing any signs that sheÕs ready to be her old self againÓ he said. He hoped the doctor had some miracle method of getting her back to normal. Instead, the doctor told him that if she showed no signs of being ready, then she most likely wasnÕt ready. With that he began the exam.
This time they skipped the physical exam and went straight to the psychological one. Once again, Satine was sat on ChristianÕs lap as the doctor asked her questions.
ÒSo, I see youÕre still little Satine. YouÕve been little Satine for awhile, you know.Ó
ÒYou said I could!Ó Satine defended herself.
ÒYes, yes. I know. And I understand completely why you still want to be little Satine. You know what? I think your plan is working! These people have been with you all this time and no one has hurt you! Do you think thatÕs because youÕre little again?Ó he asked.
Satine thought for a moment. She looked around at all the people in the room. She shook her head. ÒUh-uh. They love me.Ó She said.
ÒSo youÕre saying that they loved you even when you were big?Ó
Satine nodded.
ÒWell, Satine, if these people loved grown up Satine as much as little Satine, do you really need to pretend to be little Satine anymore? DonÕt you think that they would love and protect grown up Satine just as much?Ó
Satine nodded again.
ÒWell, then I think we need a new plan. HereÕs what weÕre going to do. Over the next few days, try and go back to being grown up Satine, just for a little while at a time. You can work your way up to being grown up all the time.Ó He looked at Christian. ÒShe may still have moments where she will want to be held and she may still have nightmares, but I wouldnÕt expect this stage to take more than a few days.Ó
As the doctor was leaving, Christian looked at Satine. ÒSo which Satine do you want to be right now? Big or little?Ó he asked. He wasnÕt sure if he should be giving her a choice, but he wasnÕt sure what else to do.
Satine considered her options for a moment. She wanted things to get back to normal as much as Christian did. But there was still a part of her that wanted to be the Òlittle diamondÓ. She wasnÕt quite ready to give that up yet. At least not completely.
Christian sensed what Satine was feeling. ÒHow about we try being grown up until after lunch, and you can be little again after your nap.Ó He watched her face for a reaction. She smiled and nodded before standing up for the first time in two weeks. Not unexpectedly, she was a bit wobbly at first, but she still managed to walk into the bathroom and start her own shower. Christian breathed a sigh of relief. Even if it was only for a few hours, Satine was back.
The next few days went the same way. Satine would be Ògrown upÓ in the morning and ÒlittleÓ in the afternoon. After awhile, Christian began to extend the morning by making lunch a little later each day. Satine didnÕt seem to mind this. The only time she really needed to be little now was at night. Despite her best efforts, she still could only sleep if she was in ChristianÕs arms. Marie had taught him the bedtime story, and every night Satine went to sleep listening to the poet tell his princess the story of how they flew away together.
Other than this, life had pretty much gotten back to normal. Gradually, Satine started getting back to her normal self for days at a time. The doctor was pleased with her progress, but warned Christian to expect a relapse now and then.
One night, after Satine was asleep, Christian sat awake staring at her. This whole ordeal, which would have broken the relationships of other couples, had only made them stronger. Christian knew now more than ever that he wanted to be with Satine for the rest of his life. He wanted Satine to marry him.
A.N. Yea! Satine is back to normal! The next chapter might be a little shorter, just to warn you. IÕll get it up as soon as I can! Thanks again for the good reviews! Also, IÕve noticed that my stories have weird circle marks in them on the site. From what I can see, the circles with the slash over them replace quotation marks and the circles with ~ over them replace apostrophes. I donÕt know why that happens or how to stop it.
