Disclaimer: Still don't own Moulin Rouge!

On With the Show
Chapter 2

One week. He had only been gone for a week and it put Satine in a sour mood. Not only was she forced to stay in bed for those days by the doctor that her husband had visit everyday, it seemed as if there was always someone else in her room. Satine was so bored that week she did little else but sleep. Now it was over a week later and she was still ordered to bed rest and she was fed up.

Satine quietly got out of bed, put on her dressing gown and made her way down the hall into the nursery. She was about to put her ear to the door and listen to see if anyone was in there, but she stopped herself. It was her home as much as her husband’s now. She laughed at how silly she was being. Satine opened to door, careful not to make much noise in case her son was sleeping. She was not surprised when she found little Harold deep in slumber.

When she reached to stroke his cheek she was overwhelmed by the love she felt for the tiny being. When she first found out she was with child she was appalled by the idea of carrying the Duke’s child and she felt the same way through most of the pregnancy. It was not until she looked into the baby’s eyes that she actually wanted the child. She felt ashamed that she did not love her son from the beginning but she was going to make sure that Harold never doubted her love for him.

Satine returned to her room and situated herself in the bed just moments before the Duke came in.

“The doctor says that you are well enough now to travel.”

“To travel?” Satine was confused.

“We’re moving to England. I’ve had enough of Paris.”

“I… But this is my home-” Satine started.

“You’re home is wherever I am!” His face was red and Satine could tell she had angered him.

“My life is here, I can’t leave Harold and Marie. I love Paris, I’ve been here all my life. Please don’t make me leave” Satine had started to cry.

“Oh, I see. You don’t want to leave because you’re still clinging onto the hope that your beloved writer is still here, aren’t you?” The Duke spat viciously. “You still think that he’s just biding his time, that he’s going to come and rescue you?” He laughed.

It was true, Satine believed Christian was still living in that one room garret. She did not believe, however, that he was going to look for her. Satine knew that she had hurt Christian far too much for that.

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning.” Her husband hair had fallen out of place and he quickly brushed his hand through it.

Satine knew that right now it was not in her best interest to anger the Duke further, so she silently nodded her head.

“Right. I’ll see you at dinner.” And he left.

Satine jumped out of bed and began pacing the floor. She knew she needed to find out where Christian was but she had no idea of how to get to him. She walked over to the window and tapped her fingers on the window sill. It was a sunny day and Satine decided she would like to be outside. She called for Charlotte to help her dress and sat at her writing table as an idea came to her.

88

When Charlotte had finished putting Satine’s hair up, the plan was set into motion.

“Would you mind running an errand for me this morning?” Satine asked conversationally.

“Not at all, Madame.”

Satine turned to face the young woman. “Find Toulouse and give him this. You must wait for him to write a response and return to me as quickly as you can. You mustn’t let my husband find out where you have been.” Satine handed Charlotte a letter but did not let go immediately. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.” The girl nodded.

Satine released the letter and told the girl to go quickly. She turned back toward the mirror. She trusted Charlotte. She had began working for the Duke and Satine as soon as they were married. She was one of the few servants that were close to Satine in age and the only one that Satine was sure was not sneaking around, spying on her for the Duke. Charlotte was hired for Satine and she was going to make sure that she was brought with them when they moved.

‘If we move, that is.’ Satine thought.

Now all Satine had to do was wait. As she walked downstairs she remembered that she was never had much patience to begin with.

A/N: I know it's short, but I struggled with the chapter and I needed to get the ball rolling. Hopefully now things have started to happen, and I definitely know what's going to happen (or at least the big things) I can really get going with this. Fingers crossed, eh?