| Chapter Four Reims, France ~ July 9th, 1914 The following morning was the strangest morning Christian had experienced in a long time. Time passed as if he was in some strange, alternate dimension as he ate breakfast while Satine slept. After making sure he had packed everything he would need, he took a walk around the house one more time. He came to their room and leaned against the door frame. Satine stirred in her sleep and awoke to see Christian, looking so sharp and handsome in his uniform. She soon had walked across the room and into his arms. �Thought you could leave without saying goodbye?� Satine spoke with a sad smile. �I wanted to let you sleep�You seemed so peaceful,� Christian replied softly, placing his hand on Satine�s face. He swept his thumb over the outline of her cheek. There was a long silence between the two, which was almost broken by Satine. �Chri-� �Shh�� he whispered, moving his thumb to her lips and stepping even closer to her. She closed her eyes, treasuring his presence. She couldn�t hold back the tear that fell down her cheek onto Christian�s hand as he began to sing the words in his heart. �I saw it in your eyes�what I�m looking for. I saw it in your eyes�what�ll make me live�� Satine sighed as another tear fell down her face. Christian lifted his other hand to Satine�s smooth cheek, and gently wiped away the tear, tilting his head slightly. �All the sights of Paris�fell into your iris�� Satine could listen to Christian sing for eternity, but it was too painful knowing he had to leave. �I�m going to go get dressed,� she began. �I know that you,� she paused for a moment and looked down at the floor. �I know that you need to be on your way.� ******** Satine was soon clothed in an airy green dress with her hair pulled up into a loose bun; a few red curls framing her face. When she slowly emerged from their bedroom, Christian took her hand and the two walked back downstairs. At the end of the winding staircase, their small staff of three was waiting to wish Christian farewell. He shook the hands of Antoinette and her daughter, Laura. When he reached Catherine, she had tears brimming down her tanned cheeks. �I�m sorry, I�m a bit emotional about things, sir,� she confessed. Christian managed a small smile and embraced the young woman. �Come now, no tears. I�ll be home soon,� he said; sadly knowing that the possibility of his return was by no means definite. Adjusting his bag on his shoulder, Christian put his arm around Satine and held her close as they made their way out the door. �Master Christian!� Catherine called after them. �Would you like me to get you a carriage to the train station?� �No, that�s all right,� Christian answered. �Miss Satine and I will walk to the station,� he said, placing a light kiss on Satine�s cheek. He wanted to prolong their final goodbyes for as long as possible. �Yes, sir,� she answered before closing the door behind them. Satine snuggled into Christian�s grasp, tears once again threatening to spill from her eyes. Christian wanted to ease her pain but had no words for comfort; for fear of losing the fragile grip of his self control that he felt might shatter at any moment. The two made the journey to the train station silently. Christian wanted so badly to take Satine in his arms and tell her he was never going anywhere, but then his thoughts returned to the letter from his sister. He couldn�t let Martha or her baby down. Christian sighed, it was such a beautiful day. Even when the entire world was being split in half, the sun still shone brightly; giving everyone the strength to get through another day. Christian and Satine soon found themselves in front of the train Christian was to board. Satine moved from his side to look into her husband�s eyes. �Christian�I�ll think of you every day and every night�I-I�� �I know. So will I,� he spoke barely above a whisper. Christian leaned in and gave Satine a light, magical kiss goodbye. �Come what may,� Satine said eloquently to her sweet Christian. �Come what may,� Christian repeated as he rubbed his hand along her swollen belly. He came to his knees and placed a tender kiss where their baby was growing inside of her. Christian�s gaze lifted to Satine�s as he whispered, �Take care of our baby.� With that, Christian stood and picked up his bag and peppered Satine�s face with light kisses; taking one last moment to memorize her face to the tiniest detail. He then presented his ticket and ascended the steps onto the train. Satine felt hot tears dripping down her cheeks as she watched him disappear into a sea of army uniforms. Just as she was about to turn and head home, she heard Christian call her name over the sound of the train whistling and other travelers saying goodbye. She ran to the side of the train where Christian was peering out the window. He was too high up to embrace, but she was contented by the feeling of his hand taking her delicate fingers and stroking them. It hurt her so much to look at him and know he was leaving. �It will be all right,� he promised. �You�ll never be alone, a part of me will forever stay with you, my love.� Satine nodded, her brow creased from sobs. �Goodbye, my darling poet.� Christian�s face was scrunched with emotion as well. �Goodbye, my sparkling diamond.� He then brought her palm to his lips and pressed a folded piece of paper into it and made sure her fingers were securely clasped around the note. In one painfully slow motion, Satine withdrew her hand and held the letter against her chest. She looked into Christian�s eyes through the clouded glass of the now closed window. The shrill sound of the train blasted and just as it began to pull away, Christian mouthed �Come what may� through the pain of his breaking heart. Satine felt as if she would come unraveled as she watched the train chug away until it eventually hit the horizon and disappeared. She carefully slid Christian�s letter into her purse before making the journey back home to a place that now held nothing but emptiness. Reims, France ~ April 20th, 1917 Suddenly, Satine felt a pair of small arms wrapped around her legs. She looked down at Sara. �Mama sad?� she asked, her bright eyes shining up into her mother�s teary ones. �Mama is just remembering,� she said, wiping away her tears and picking up her little daughter. Quickly changing the subject she continued, �Are you read for a bath?� �Bath!� Sara squealed, smiling a big, toothy grin. Satine laughed, �And then we put on�� she paused and picked up Sara�s red gown from the top of the dresser. �Nightgown!� Sara chirped, happily. �He, he, nightgown,� she giggled as she snatched the garment and buried her face in the soft fabric. Satine was caught off guard when Sara looked back up and threw her arms around her mother�s neck. �I love you, Mama.� Satine smiled and kissed the soft curls that tickled her chin. �I love you too, baby girl.� ~Song used-�Tower of Learning� Rufus Wainwright |