Chapter 44. I Finally Found Someone
It was the day of reunion for everyone involved in the incident of a month and a day ago.
Cecille woke up and struggled to her feet, groaning at how used to she was at just laying down and having everything be done for her. Brushing her wispy silver-blonde hair, she pulled it back into the tightest chignon that she could muster and saw how much more lifted up her face appeared in her vanity mirror.
She had dressed for the evening in a silver dress, sleek and fitting to her curvaceous body seductively. If not for the pallor of her skin that seemed to be caused by the sorrow that now burdened her spirit, she would appear to be the usual temptress everyone in the Moulin Rouge expected her to be. Now, looking into her eyes, at how much the same she looked from before the production, Cecille felt as if the woman in the mirror was a completely different person.
"Cecille…"
She closed her eyes at the voice that she had near forgotten the past month. She could feel his presence, hesitating before slowly approaching her. Not quite able yet to face him, she knew one thing that would deter his proceeding steps.
"When I think, how life used to be
Always walking in the shadows
Then I look at what you've given me
I feel like dancing on my tip-toes
I must say, everyday I wake
And realize you're by my side
I know I'm truly…" (1)
Cecille hesitated briefly before proceeding on, knowing this was the moment when she would let it all be heard. She would never be able to face him any other way.
"Blessed for everything you've given me
Blessed for all the tenderness you show
Do my best with every breath that's in me
Blessed, to make sure you never go." (1)
She opened her eyes after finishing the words to see Gregory in her vanity mirror, a broken down man now staring at her reflection as she stared at his with eyes devoid of all feeling. He appeared so vulnerable, almost hesitant, as Cecille stood up and walked to face him.
"There are times that I test your faith
'Til you think you might surrender
Baby I'm, I'm not ashamed to say
That my hopes were growing slender
You walked by in the nick of time
Looking like an answered prayer
You know I'm truly…
Blessed for everything you've given me
Blessed for all the tenderness you show
Do my best with every breath that's in me
Blessed, to make sure you never go
Blessed with love and understanding
Blessed when I hear you call my name
Do my best with faith that's never-ending
Blessed, to make sure you feel the same." (1)
She had hoped that Gregory might respond to her, that he might show an ounce of joy at her declare or some sign that perhaps it might be possible for the dream she sought to come true. He only continued to stared at her further so that she continued with a passion to truly show him how much she cared.
"Deep inside of me you fill me with your gentle touch
You know I'm truly…
Blessed for everything you've given me
Blessed for all the tenderness you show
Do my best with every breath that's in me
Blessed, to see you never go." (1)
Finishing her song, she looked at him for a minute before realizing her anticipated reaction would not come. Not sure how to take it, she just turned and sat down at her vanity, hiding her face in her hands as she fought to bang her head against the counter of her vanity in the act that she believed was caused by her complete and utter stupidity and vulnerability.
"I want your eyes to see my eyes
I want your lips to touch my lips
I want your love to be my love forever more." (2)
Gregory walked towards her at the slowest pace imaginable, almost dragging his feet across the floorboards. He rested his hands on top of her shoulders, softly circling her exposed flesh with his fingers as he continued.
"Can you find it in your heart to forgive me
I was thoughtless heaven knows I acted badly
But the love you once gave to me so gladly
Can you find it in your heart." (2)
Cecille, keeping her eyes closed, moved her hands lower to only cover her mouth. She did not believe the words she heard, yet it rang truer as Gregory allowed his song to be heard further.
"Can't we make another start, please forgive me
I'm repenting and your arms alone can save me
So if carelessly I lost the love you gave me
Can you find it in your heart." (2)
Cecille felt tears in her throat but it had been so long since she had cried. Opening her dried eyes, she saw his eyes meeting hers in the mirror. His grip tightened when she moved one hand to rest atop one of his on her shoulder.
"Day and night I want your eyes to see my eyes
I want your lips to touch my lips
I want your love to be my love forever more
And never never more to part." (2)
She felt her head droop at her words, still doubting it and believing itto beonly deceit. A dream. Some fantasy that has finally became real as she reached the point of insanity.
"Must you tell me that it's over, think it over
Though I once betrayed your love, forgive the treason
And my darling if your mind can't find the reason
Can you find it in your heart…
Can you find it in your heart." (2)
Unconvinced, Cecille kept her head down so that Gregory felt he should continue to offer her reassurance of what it was he was now experiencing.
"Rescue me from the mire, whisper words of desire
Rescue me- darling rescue me
With your arms open wide, want you here by my side
Come to me- darling rescue me
When this world's closing in
There's no need to pretend
Set me free- darling rescue me." (3)
Gregory removed a hand to rest it atop hers that now held his remaining hand on her shoulder. Sandwiching her hand, he felt her satin skin and wondered how he could have ever touched her and not realized what was always standing before him.
"I don't wanna let you go
So I'm standing in your way
I never needed anyone
Like I'm needin' you today." (3)
Now he was the one waiting for a response and when there came none he had to proceed on to further assert himself and the feelings that were growing stronger every moment he stood there.
"Do I have to say the words?
Do I have to tell the truth?
Do I have to shout it out?
Do I have to say a prayer?
Must I prove to you how good we are together?
Do I have to say the words?
Rescue me from despair, tell me you'll be there
Help me please- darlin' rescue me
Every dream that we share,
Every cross that we bear
Can't you see- darlin' rescue me." (3)
Cecille closed her eyes now, shutting him out so that he sang to her desperately.
"I don't wanna let you go
So I'm standing in your way
I never needed anyone
Like I'm needin' you today
Do I have to say the words?
Do I have to tell the truth?
Do I have to shout it out loud?
Do I have to say a prayer?
Must I prove to you how good we are together?
Do I have to say the words?
Yeah…
Do I have to say the words?
Do I have to tell the truth?
Do I have to shout it out loud?
Do I have to say a prayer?
Must I prove to you how good we are together?
Do I have to say the words?" (3)
Softly fading his song away, he lowered his head, the emptiness of before settling in when Cecille did not respond. Cecille opened her eyes just in time to see his gesture and her grip on his bottom hand tighten.
"When you're feeling lost in the night
When you feel your world just ain't right
Call on me, I will be waiting
Count on me, I will be there
Anytime the times get too tough
Anytime your best ain't enough
I'll be the one to make it better
I'll be there to protect you
See you through
I'll be there and there ain't nothing
I won't do." (4)
Cecille pulled her hand free to turn around so she faced him. Grabbing his hands in either of hers, she moved on only when she saw a subtle smile appear on Gregory's face briefly.
"I will cross the ocean for you
I will go and bring you the moon
I will be your hero, your strength
Anything you need
I will be the sun in your sky
I will light your way for all time
I promise you
For you I will." (4)
Gregory looked at her now, hope in his eyes, as Cecille pulled their hands up against her heart.
"I will shield your heart from the rain
I will let no harm come your way
Oh, these arms will be your shelter
No, these arms won't let you down
If there is a mountain to move
I will move that mountain for you
I'm here for you, I'm here forever
I will be your fortress
Tall and strong
I'll keep you safe, I'll stand beside you
Right or wrong." (4)
His smile was all she needed to bring the light back into her life.
"I will cross the ocean for you
I will go and bring you the moon
I will be your hero, your strength
Anything you need
I will be the sun in your sky
I will light your way for all time
I promise you
For you I will." (4)
Releasing him, Cecille got up to walk around her chair and face him, not stopping her song as she did so.
"For you I will
Lay my life on the line
For you I will fight
For you I will die
With ev'ry breath, with all my soul
I'll give me word, I'll give it all
Put your faith in me
And I'll do anything." (4)
She stopped now in front of him, looking up into his eyes.
"I will cross the ocean for you
I will go and bring you the moon
I will be your hero, your strength
Anything you need
I will be the sun in your sky
I will light your way for all time
I promise you
For you I will
I will, I will, I will
I will cross the ocean for you
I will go and bring you the moon
I will be your hero, your strength
Anything you need
I will be the sun in your sky
I will light your way for all time
I promise you
For you I will
I promise you
For you I will
I promise you
For you I will." (4)
"Cecille," Gregory rested his hand on her cheek. "I finally found someone, that knocks me off my feet. I finally found the one, that makes me feel complete." (5)
"We started off as children, we started out as friends." Cecille smiled, leaning back her head when Gregory pulled out her chignon and ran his hands through her hair. "It's funny how from simple things, the best things begin." (5)
"This time it's different, dah dah dah dah." (5)
"It's all because of you, dah dah dah dah." (5)
"It's better than it's ever been. 'Cause we can talk it through." (5)
"Oohh, my favorite line was 'You're the sun in my life.' It's all you had to say to take my breath away." (5)
Joining together, they grinned as they realized what had happened.
"This is it, oh, I finally found someone
Someone to share my life
I finally found the one, to be with every night
'Cause whatever I do, it's just got to be you
My life has just begun
I finally found someone, ooh, someone
I finally found someone, oooh." (5)
Gregory framed Cecille's face in his hands, tracing her cheekbones with his fingers. Wanting to explore every inch of her.
"Did I keep you waiting
I apologize, baby, that's fine
I love what you wear, isn't it the time?
You're exceptional, I can't wait for the rest of my life
This is it, oh, I finally found someone
Someone to share my life
I finally found the one, to be with every night
'Cause whatever I do, it's just got to be you
My life has just begun
I finally found someone, ooh, someone
I finally found someone, oooh,
Whatever I do, it's just got to be you
My life has just begun
I finally found someone." (5)
Wrapping his arms around her, Gregory kissed Cecille softly at first and then passionately, clinging to her with the need of being loved. It was only when he saw his reflection in the mirror, both their lips swollen from their kisses, that he wiped his mouth and realized there was dinner they still needed to attend. It was then that Cecille found the tears that she thought had dried up finally emerge.
Holding hands, they both left Cecille's room, ready to face the world with the one person that was constant in their life. The one person they could rely on and know would somehow be there. The one person who would hold their heart until the day they die.
1. Christina Aguilera "Blessed"
2. Tony Bennett "Can You Find It In Your Heart"
3. Bryan Adams "Do I Have To Say The Words"
4. Monica "For You I Will"
5. Barbra Streisand & Bryan Adams "I Finally Found Someone"