Chapter 14. Love Medleys Upon The Elephant
"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination
Silently the senses abandon their defenses," (1)
I stopped at the sight of Isabel standing atop Satine's elephant… the threshold and foundation that began my love story. Could she be anymore gorgeous in her gypsy dress, her long hair swaying in the wind, her bangs grown out, giving her the mature look that she was so lacking when I first met her.
There was no doubt that she was a woman.
"Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendour
Gasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender
Turn your face away from the garish light of day
Turn your face away from cold, unfeeling light
And listen to the music of the night." (1)
"How wonderful life is now you're in the world," I called, knowing exactly what I would do. (2)
"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar
And you'll live as you've never lived before." (1)
She paced back and forth, the same footprints of Satine atop the elephant, as I retraced my own, climbing aboard.
Her eyes went wide upon seeing me, when I approached her, setting one hand upon her shoulder, and the other cupping her face. I needed her there. To touch. To hold. To give me that feeling I had lost so long ago.
"Well I've been waiting for so long
I've been waiting so patiently
Out of the blue you call
You're leaving him to be with me now
Now maybe I'm right, or maybe I'm wrong
Oh, I gotta know now
I'll take what you got, so you'd better hold on
You'd better believe it." (3)
Isabel responded by mimicking my movement, and I grinned at the feel of her hands upon my cheek.
"Softly, deftly, music shall caress you
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind
In this darkness which you know you cannot fight
The darkness of the music of the night." (1)
" 'cause that's how I feel when I'm in your arms
That's how I feel when I'm with you
You make me feel like never before
That's how I feel when I'm with you." (3)
"Let your mind start a journey through a stranger, new world
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before
Let your soul take you where you long to be
Only then can you belong to me." (1)
"If you're not the one
Then why does my soul feel glad today
If you're not the one
Then why does my hand fit yours this way
If you are not mine
Then why does your heart return my call
If you are not mine
Would I have the strength to stand at all?" (4)
"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication
Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
To the harmony which dreams alone can write
The power of the music of the night." (1)
"I never know what the future brings
But I know you are here with me now
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with." (4)
"You alone can make my song take flight…" (1)
"I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?" (4)
"Help me make the music of the night." (1)
"If I don't need you then why I am I crying on my bed?
If I don't need you then why does your name resound in my head?
If you're not for me then why does this distance maim my life?
If you're not for me then why do I dream of you as my wife?" (4)
"There's a song that's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold
But you sing to me over and over and over again." (5)
"I don't know why you're so far away
But I know that this much is true
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with
And I wish that you could be the one I die with
And I'm praying you're the one I build my home with
I hope I love you all my life." (4)
"So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and
Pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope." (5)
"I don't wanna run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there any way that I can stand in your arms?" (4)
"Sing to me the song of the stars
Of your galaxy dancing and
Laughing and laughing again
Well it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again." (5)
" 'cause I miss you
Body and soul so strong
That it takes my breath away
And I breathe you
Into my heart and pray
For the strength to stand today
'cause I love you
Whether it's wrong or right
And though I can't be with you tonight
You know my heart is by your side." (4)
I released her shoulder and cupped her face, staring into her eyes, as our songs merged into one.
"I don't wanna run away but I can't take it/ And I lay my head back down
I don't understand/And I lift my hands and
If I'm not made for you/pray to be only yours
Then why does my heart tell me that I am/I pray to be only yours
Is there any way I can stand in your arms/I know now you're my only hope." (4,5)
"Paix, enfin." I whispered, knowing nothing could pass from my lips but the language of love. "Mon amour. Ange."
She grinned at my words, pressing a finger to my lips to silence me so she could finish her bit. My heart pounded in my head, singing along with her voice as she continued.
"I'd give you my destiny
I'm giving you all of me
I want your symphony
Singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs
I'm giving it back
So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and
Pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope." (5)
When her song came to an end, silence engulfed us. Staring at each other, our thudding hearts the only sound that let us know one another was still present and alive, we grinned and I kissed her.
There are some things about love that is better left unsaid.
1. Phantom of the Opera "Music of the Night"
2. Elton John "Your Song"
3. Phil Collins "That's How I Feel"
4. Daniel Beddingfield "If You're Not The One"
5. Mandy Moore "Only Hope"