AN: Thank you to reviewers once more. Glad you guys are enjoying it. Please keep reviewing and giving me your imput on it. I love you all more than a bookshelf loves its books. Inside joke. : D
Chapter 21. Engagement Matters
"You are so beautiful," Christian sang when I opened my eyes to the morning sun. "You are so beautiful to me. Can't you see?" (1)
"And you are too much sometimes," I grinned, kissing him as his arms pulled me closer. "Where do we go from now?"
"Good question," he kissed me back, deepening the kiss. "We can take off where we left…"
"There is still so much we need to talk about."
"You and all this talking…"
"As if you do not have questions to ask as well!" I argued, pulling away in defiance. "Or have you forgotten all that occurred yesterday?"
"I am not together with Cecille," he propped himself up on his elbows. "I was waiting for you to return. I had been trying to meet you all day. Cecille and me began to talk, and I fell asleep."
"We need to talk of Satine," I held my strength as the mention of her name had Christian's eyes closed. "Please, Christian… we must talk of her."
"I loved her," Christian said. "She opened the gates of this world of love I had never been to before, and then left me to fend for myself. We were denied our love from the Moulin Rouge… from the Duke… from Ziddler… and she died before we could make way and leave."
"When I'm lost in the rain
In your eyes I know
I'll find the light to light my way
When I'm scared, losing ground
When my world is going crazy
You can turn it all around and when I'm down you're there
Pushing me to the top
You're always there giving me all you've got." (2)
"Why do you sing to me now, Isabel?" Christian smiled weakly. "I thought you said that we should talk."
"For a shield from the storm
For a friend
For a love to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you
For the strength to be strong
For the will to carry on
For everything you do
For everything that's true
I turn to you
I turn to you." (2)
"Isabel, you are driving me mad." Christian kissed my knuckles, his hands reaching for my face. "Please…"
"When I lose the will to win
I just reach for you
And I can reach the sky again
I can do anything
'Cause you love is so amazing
'Cause your love inspires me
And when I need a friend
You're always on my side
Giving me faith
Taking me through the night." (2)
"You are too good to me, mon amour." Christian pressed me against him as he hugged me tightly. "You show me what it is like to love again."
Love again…
His words could not have been sweeter.
"For a shield from the storm
For a friend
For a love to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you
For the strength to be strong
For the will to carry on
For everything you do
For everything that's true
I turn to you." (2)
"I am in love with you, Isabel." Christian admitted, his grip become stronger and stronger. "I only want to spend my life with you, mon amour."
Moving out of his arms, I bit my lip, his words filling me with joy and sadness at the same time. How did I manage for this to happen?
"For the arms to be my shelter
Through all the rain
For truth that will never change
For someone to lean on
For a heart I can rely on through anything
For that on who I can run to…" (2)
"You do not need to say more," Christian hushed me, pulling me into his arms again and kissing my cheek. "I do not doubt your love, Isabel."
"I do not deserve this…" I murmured.
"Of course you do," Christian kissed my other cheek. "We have the future ahead of us, Isabel. Let us forget the errors of the past. The pains. The sorrow. We can spend the rest of our lives together. I do not plan to ruin my second chance of love."
"We… can't…" I shook my head. "Christian… it cannot work."
"Cannot?" Christian was taken aback. "Why can it not work out? I am sure that we both wish it to."
"I've made a horrid mess of the situation…"
"Do not say such things. You are not alone in this, Isabel. I shall be there. I cannot let you go."
"Christian…" I took a deep breath, hating myself for allowing such things to come to this. "Gregory proposed last night to me, and I accepted."
"Engaged?" Edmund gasped, standing up and hitting his head upon the ceiling of the carriage. "Gregory, are you sure your actions are wise? You barely know the girl."
"I know enough to want to spend my life with her."
"You are going to be gone for a week," Edmund reminded. "She… there are plenty of opportunities for her to flee. For her to go gallivanting off with all sorts of men."
"I trust her, Edmund. Why can you not do the same?"
"Because I do not like her!"
Ziddler was far better at improvising…
"Perhaps you need to give her a chance?"
"A chance? What need do I? I know already that she is trash. That she will ruin this family name and everything we stand for. Our reputation. Our fame. Everything shall be lost because of her. I know this already. I've seen such things happen with families in similar positions."
"Isabel is not out there for any of that," Gregory shook his head. "Get to know her. She is a wonderful lady. Everyone who meets her ends up liking her."
"That is because she puts a spell on them. She charms them like a regular witch so they are all blinded from their sense."
"It seems you have lost your sense, cousin."
"Do not talk to me like that!" Edmund snapped.
"I wish I had your support in my decision, Edmund." Gregory told him calmly. "Isabel is the world to me now, and I cannot imagine life without her. Would you rather send me to the grave then see her with me?"
"Oui," Edmund nodded. "Anything is better than seeing you with such trash."
Gregory tapped on the door of the carriage, and it soon came to a stop. When it was safe to exit, Gregory saluted his cousin and stepped out.
"Goodbye cousin," Gregory remarked before closing the door and leaving Edmund all alone.
"I will not let this happen," Edmund growled to himself as he watched his cousin walk away. "I shall get my way, no matter what I have to do. Driver... take me to the Moulin Rouge."
1. Joe Cocker "You Are So Beautiful"
2. Christina Aguilera "I Turn To You"