After The Show
Chapter Twelve: I Do
The next five months seemed to fly by. Christian and Satine never knew planning a wedding could be this much work. First of all, they had to choose a date. Should it be in the winter? Should it be in the summer? What about fall? And what time should the wedding be? In the morning? In the afternoon? At night? Eventually, they decided on June 12 at two pm. Then they had to choose a location. Inside or outside? A church or a more familiar enviroment? What about seating? They decided to have the wedding in their own backyard. Since the house had once been a summer home, it was located by a beautiful forest with flowers and a river. It was the perfect scenery, and Satine loved the idea of having the wedding in the same place she enjoyed some of the best days of her childhood.
With the location, date, and time set, they moved on to the issues of food and music. What meat should they serve? Is anyone a vegetarian or allergic to some type of food? Music was a whole other issue. Obviously, it was to be a major part of their ceremony. But whom should they get to play? And what? While they worked out their food problem (chicken, steak, or pork with a buffet type appetizer setting) the music was still pending when they sent out the invitations. Surprisingly, ChristianÕs father agreed to come to America for the wedding, along with his mother and sister. This initially surprised Christian, but even he had to admit that he couldnÕt wait for his father to see the Òcan-can dancerÓ he had found in the Òvillage of sinÓ.
And now it was four days before the wedding. Harold, Toulouse, and Marie were all helping Satine and Christian make last minute preparations. But there was one preparation that had not been considered until that moment. In the middle of all the commotion, Christian looked at Satine and franticly asked, ÒDid you write your vows yet?Ó
A look of terror came over Satine. Her vows! With all of the preparation for the food and the location and her dress, she had forgotten that Christian and her decided to write their own vows. She gave the paper she was holding to Marie and told her to finish what she had been doing. She grabbed ChristianÕs arm and practically dragged him up the stairs.
Once they were both in the bedroom, she grabbed the notebook off the desk and flung herself on the bed. ÒWeÕll write them at the same time!Ó she exclaimed. Some part of her knew that Christian had forgotten to do his as well. ÒIt will be easier for me with you in the room.Ó
Christian sat down at his typewriter. Satine was right; it was easier with both of them in the room. All he had to do was simply look at Satine and the words came to him. He seemed to be having the same effect on Satine. Every once in awhile they would look up and glance at each other, then quickly get back to what they were doing.
The next four days went by like a whirlwind. At one thirty on June 12, Satine stood in the bedroom with Taylor. ÒI canÕt believe it-my little sister getting married!Ó Taylor said. ÒAnd you were the one who always said that love was a game.Ó Satine smiled as she looked in the mirror. She did a quick count in her head. Christian had come to Paris in July of 1899. Spectacular Spectacular had gone on for its one performance in mid September. Satine and Christian had arrived in America on September 25. Her consumption had been diagnosed on October 1, and cured by Halloween with the help of the medication. The ÒincidentÓ with the duke had happened on November 14. She was Òlittle SatineÓ for more than a month after. On January 5, 1900 Christian had proposed. And now, five months and one week later, they were getting married. Only 11 months after they had met. ÒItÕs been a pretty eventful yearÓ she thought to herself. ÒAnd itÕs only going to get betterÓ. Satine had a secret that even Christian didnÕt know. Although everyone was dying to find out, she insisted that he wait until after the wedding.
Satine continued to do her hair and makeup. She opted not to go for an over the top look. After all, she wasnÕt the sparkling diamond anymore. Why should she cover her face with that mask? Christian loved her without any makeup at all.
By the time her hair and makeup was done, it was one fifty. Ten minutes until the wedding. She told Taylor to go downstairs and make sure that Christian was outside so he wouldnÕt see the dress. Sure enough, he was outside waiting by the makeshift alter they had built in the backyard. Toulouse, his best man, and his ushers, the Argentinean and Peter, were standing with him. Taylor led Satine downstairs where Harold and Marie were waiting. Harold was going to walk Satine down the aisle.
ÒGosling, you look wonderful!Ó he said as she came towards him.
Just then the wedding march started to play. They had reached a decision that the band from the Moulin Rouge would provide the music for their wedding. After all, they had provided the music for almost every other part of their relationship. Harold took SatineÕs arm as Taylor and ChristianÕs sister Elizabeth walked out, followed by Marie.
Christian looked at the back door of the house and saw Satine being led out by Harold. She looked more beautiful in that dress than she had in any of her costumes at the Moulin Rouge.
The minister went through his ceremony, and soon it was time to read the wedding vows. Satine went first.
ÒChristian, for a long time, I didnÕt believe in love. I thought love was a silly game that could only be used for survival. I believed that love was for the highest bidder. Then a penniless poet accidentally ended up in my bedroom. And with just a few words he was able to change my entire opinion about love, and about life. Christian, since IÕve been with you, IÕve realized that there is more to me than being a Òsparkling diamondÓ. And that love is anything but a game. Ò Satine lowered her paper, but continued speaking. ÒChristian, I donÕt know if you realize this, but we have only known each other for 11 months. And in this time, less than a year, you have seen me through disease, through intense trauma, and also immense happiness. I canÕt thank you enough for that, and hope our lives together continue the wonderful story of the hindi courtesan and her penniless sitar player.Ó
Christian then began to read his vows.
ÒSatine, I came to Paris 11 months ago in with one intention in my mind. I wanted to write about truth, beauty, freedom. But most of all I wanted to write about love. I thought I understood what love was. However, I was far from correct. I wouldnÕt understand until an unconscious man fell through my ceiling, and with him brought you into my life. Satine, I have believed in love all my life, but it wasnÕt until I saw you that I understood love. It wasnÕt until I saw you that I felt love. So as we stand here today, I hope you realize how much you mean to me. I hope you see how wonderful life really is, now youÕre in the world.
Satine stood, crying. The minister looked at Christian to verify he was finished. ÒI now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the brideÓ he said. Christian pulled Satine in and gave her the most passionate kiss she had ever had.
That night, Christian carried Satine up to their bedroom. ÒNow, about that secretÉÓ he said. Satine motioned for him to come in closer. When his ear was less than an inch from her mouth, she whispered the two greatest words Christian had ever heard.
ÒIÕm pregnantÓ
A.N. Ok, did anyone not see that coming? The dates I gave for everything were completely random, I didnÕt plan them until I started writing this chapter. Anyway, IÕll get chapter 13 up as soon as I can.
