As the ship neared closer to England's coast, Amelia worried more and more about her pending reunion. Would she be accepted? Would she be recognized? Would he feel the same way? She sat on the private balcony adjacent to her suite, carefully studying the letter that had beckoned her to return home…
Dearest Amelia,
I know that we agreed before you left not to communicate, but I fear that I must break the silence. I have watched over Christian since you parted from our company, hoping that he would indeed move on and live the ideals of a Bohemian lifestyle. Instead, he has returned to London, where it turns out that he has a wife and small child waiting for him. His father, many years ago, had arranged a marriage for Christian. It was a marriage of convenience, since both Christian and his wife came from good families. Christian's duties were to his family, but his heart was telling him that there was more to learn. That is why he ventured to Paris. Now he is gone and I fear that he will lose the ideals of truth, beauty, freedom, and love. I don't know if there is anything that you can do, but you need to seek him out.
Your friend, Toulouse
With a sigh, Amelia folded the letter and placed it in her purse once more. The salty ocean air wafted across her face, and she leapt up from her seat to look at the beautiful sea that stretched out in front of her. In her wildest dreams, she had never imagined that she would see the Atlantic Ocean once, let alone twice. She had accomplished so much in just a few short months. She lived on her own terms and experienced freedom. Was she willing to turn her back on it?
Amelia walked back into her suite and reached for her legal papers. With a quivering hand, she tore up her name-change papers and tossed them into the fireplace. The embers glowed a sensual red-orange color as Amelia disappeared into her dressing room.
Minutes later, she emerged in a sultry red outfit, her fiery-red waves tumbling about. The phoenix had been born again. Satine was alive once more.