Author's Note I don't own any of the characters and I'm not getting paid.
1914 (The Moulin Rouge)
Marie was sitting on Satine's bed. It was something she had done frequently in the past fifteen years since Satine's death. She looked at the old photograph of Sarah Bernhardt and noticed, for the first time, a piece of paper sticking out from behind it. She stood and walked over to retrieve the paper. It turned out to be a letter, written by Satine. The date on it was the same as the day she had died.
Dear Harold,
Three years ago, I gave my little girl away to my cousin, Nicole. I did not want her to grow up in the Moulin Rouge. Since you are reading this letter, I must be dead. When my Natalie is old enough, I want you to go my cousin and bring Natalie back here. It is my wish that all of my belongings go to her, with the exception of one item. My golden, heart shaped, locket is to go to Christian. I broke the one rule of the underworld with Christian. I fell in love with him. Tell both Natalie and Christian how much I loved them both. Tell the Duke that I despised him with all of my being. As I write this letter, I have three regrets. First, I will never know what sort of person my little Natalie turned into. Second, I fell in love with Christian too late. Finally I allowed the Duke to have too much control over my life. Take care of yourself, Harold. Give my love to all at the Moulin Rouge.
The Show Must Go On,
Satine
Marie folded the letter back up. She needed to show it to Harold; after all, it was addressed to him. If Satine's daughter had been three when this letter was written, she would be eighteen by now. She left Satine's room and went to find Harold. She soon found him at the rehearsal. "Harold, there's something you need to see." He looked at her, slightly annoyed. "Can it wait, Marie?" "Actually, I'm afraid it's quite urgent." "Very well, continue rehearsing, I'll be back in a moment." He called over his shoulder as he followed her to his office. He closed the door behind him. "Now just what is this all about, Marie?" She handed him the letter. "Read it." Harold sat down behind his desk. When he finished reading, he looked up at Marie. "Where did you find this?" He asked; his voice was shaking slightly. "It was behind one her photographs that she had hanging on the wall." "Who else knows about it?" "No one, I just found it a moment ago." He folded the letter back up. "Find the Duke; he'll want to know about." Marie looked surprised. "The Duke, are you sure? Shouldn't I find Christian first? And what about the child?" "Leave that to me. Find the Duke."
One week later (London)
Natalie sat in the window seat of a large bay window, in a large stone house. Her best friend was sitting next to her. Rain was steadily pouring down outside. Natalie closed the book she had just finish reading aloud. "That's terrible, I can't believe she died in his arms so soon after they finally declared their love to the world." Her friend said as she whipped away tears. Natalie grinned. "Julia, did I found the box with all the letters my mother sent me?" Julia shook her head. "Come on, I'll show you." She put the book down; it was titled Moulin Rouge. Natalie led the way to her room. A large suitcase was lying open and nearly full on her bed. "Natalie, what are you doing with that suitcase?" "I'll explain in a minute. Here, read this." She handed Julia an old letter. Julia opened it.
My Dearest Natalie,
I can hardly believe that this is true, but I am in love! His name is Christian. We met almost completely by accident. Toulouse set us up, and at first I thought that Christian was someone else. Christian is the most wonderful man I have ever met.
We were trying to keep our love a secret; however, we were discovered. It isn't safe for us to stay here. Christian is going to take me away from here. We haven't decided where yet. I'll write to you once we get there. One day I'll come back for you, and then the three of us will be a family. Until then, remember I'll love you until the end of time.
Love always,
Mother (Satine)
Julia looked at Natalie. "Satine? The same Satine as the one in Moulin Rouge?" Natalie nodded with excitement. "I believe so. I'm going to Paris tonight." "How exciting! But isn't your mother dead?" "Yes, but Christian isn't. I want to meet her friends." "I'm so happy for you. You have to promise to write to me and tell me absolutely everything." Natalie smiled. "I promise." "She placed a few more carefully chosen items in her suitcase and then closed it. "Let's go down stairs. My train leaves in two hours." The two girls went downstairs for a final farewell.
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