the paradise stones – a winter tale – part three

by Sharon Santoni

 

Here is the last chapter in my winter tale, or rather our winter tale since I have to admit that this story has been mostly written by my daughter Ella, and I am thrilled to have discovered her talent for telling a good story!

In case you missed the first two chapters; in the first installment we see Elsa arrive in Paris and accidentally lock herself out of her rental apartment.  Rescue comes to her when her elderly neighbour calls her in to shelter from the rain and lends her a spare key to the apartment.   She meets the lady’s grandson, and briefly explains why she is visiting Paris, namely to research the story of the Paradise Stones, that were lost from a beautiful necklace many years ago and which she wishes to include in a show in New York.

In the second chapter Elsa meets Celestin, an elderly gentleman, living in a chateau just outside of Fontainebleau, and who explains how the stones were detached from the original necklace.    He tells her that he is in possession of the missing stones but frustratingly, he is not yet ready to show them to her.

Chapter Three

The next morning, Elsa got an early start, she hadn’t been able to get much sleep after her encounter with Celestin. She felt heavy-hearted and melancholic. She left her apartment at the crack of dawn, with her notebook and handbag, and wandered the streets of Paris. Her grandmother had told her so much about the magic of Paris; waking up in the morning and now Elsa could see it with her own eyes. And just as she had been told, it did seem like a ballet. A unique performance, that only early risers could witness. A very intimate party. The butchers having their meat delivered in the empty Parisians streets, the bakers opening their small backdoors for a little fresh air after a long night of baking, the terraces being set up by the elegant Parisian waiters.  On every street corner there seemed to be the fresh smell of coffee and croissant and in the cafés she could see young and older working men drinking their espresso coffees at the counter while reading a newspaper.
Once again, wandering those streets, Elsa felt exactly in the right place, as if Paris was mending her broken night and aching heart. She walked for hours before grabbing a late breakfast on the l’Ile Saint Louis. She heard the bells from Notre Dame strike midday: “I’m not too far from my flat,  I’ll head back , change and shower then treat myself to a nice lunch in St Germain  …. and anyway, I may never see those Paradise Stones, but I do know they exist, no one else ever got this far, Mum would be so happy, and proud .. ”   As she turned the corner onto her street, the rue de Paradis, she recognized the old car that had driven her to the chateau the day before.  She caught her breath, walking towards the car, can it be true? Marcel,  the chauffeur, was standing in front of the car, looking up to her building. She walked up behind him.
“Hello, Marcel, I believe you have the wrong window! » she said laughing. “Ah bonjour Mademoiselle Elsa, you are here!  Wonderful, we thought we had missed you.” He seemed relieved and even smiled back to the young lady.
Elsa looked surprised :”We?!” at that moment, she heard the car door open. Victor came out smiling, he bent forward and kissed her hand hello. A second door opened, smoke came out of the car, she recognized the cigar smell from the day before. From the far side of the car emerged Celestin.   He moved carefully, he wore a  hat on his head, and held a stick with an ivory handle.  He was  impeccably dressed.  Standing still, he took a long look at Elsa : “You are difficult to track down, Mademoiselle Elsa. An old heart like mine can’t take this much adventure any more.”
Elsa couldn’t contain herself, with her biggest smile, she ran into Celestin’s arms as if she had know him her entire life, and gave him a huge hug. A tear ran down her cheek and she whispered in his ear : “Celestin, I am so happy to see you, my heart has been aching all night since our encounter, thank you so much for coming back. » he replied in a whisper, « My heart has ached too, for too long now, it’s time for us to mend it.  He patted his pocket.   I have brought something for you.”   He pushed her back, holding her by both arms, taking an other long look at her, and wiping the tears from her cheek. ” Now will you ask an old man inside for some tea ?”   Elsa, relieved and happy; nodded with her head : “Yes of course. ” Full of emotion, she looked through her handbag, searching for her apartment key : “Oh no, not again !  I am so clumsy, it seems like .. “
Before she could even finish her sentence she heard a voice behind her : You have lost your key again Mademoiselle! I am going to start thinking that you are doing it on purpose just for me to rescue you each time! “    She turned around and recognized the gentle face of Guillaume, the young man who saved her on her first night. “Oh Guillaume ! I may just have to marry you right here on the spot”,  she said laughing while kissing him on the cheek. “Guillaume, may I introduce you to Mr Celestin,  and his grandson Victor, and Mr Marcel their driver. It’s because of these gentlemen that I am here today.  You remember I told you, I am researching the story of the paradise stones … » she blurted out her tale,  still emotional.   Guillaume turned around. “Messieurs, ravi de vous rencontrer, je suis Guillaume .. ” he was about to give his full name, but stopped abruptly when he saw Celestin. He stared at him, shaking his hand. Victor and Elsa glanced at each other, the young girl decided to break the awkward silence :”Be careful Guillaume those emerald eyes are dangerous.”    While still shaking his hand, looking straight into Celestin’s eyes, the young man replied : “I am sure they are.. ” he turned to Elsa : “I don’t actually have an extra key for you on me, but I know where I can get one, if you would all like to follow me.”
Guillaume lead the way and  Elsa noticed he seemed a little nervous.  As they crossed the narrow street  she looked up, and saw those same curtains move at the window of the old lady’s apartment.   As they all walked into the building , Elsa suddenly had a funny feeling that Guillaume may be about to reveal the missing piece of the puzzle. They all got in the elevator, while Marcel walked up the stairs, keeping a close eye on them. The elevator shuddered to a halt and  Marcel, out of breath, opened the elevator door.  In two steps they were at  the entry of Madame’s apartment,   Elsa noticed that Celestin seemed very emotional,  she gently held his arm, and whispered : « Is everything alright Celestin?”  He looked at her, suddenly appearing fragile : “This perfume, I recognise it,…. this is her perfume .”  Guillaume turned the key, and nobody said a word, the heavy door creaked open.
Guillaume seemed just as nervous as Celestin, holding out his hand, he said: “Gentlemen, please .. ” He didn’t even have time to finish his phrase, before Celestin walked straight in to the room as if pulled by an invisible rope. He put his hat down, looked around him, walked slowly towards the silhouette standing with her back turned, the window was open and curtains were swaying gently : ” Astrid ? Astrid c’est toi, ma chérie ? ” he said in a trembling voice. He looked like a lost little boy.  Madame turned and parted the curtains.  Ever elegant , dressed in black, an impeccable turtleneck and pants, her long grey hair attached in a perfect chignon, two deep blue earrings either side of her high cheekbones. In silence, she walked up to Celestin, the old man was trembling, his eyes shining with tears, as were  hers. She faced him, and gently lifted her hand to his cheek, her blue eyes gazing in to his emerald eyes, slowly she put her hand on his heart : “I have been waiting for you Celestin. “
Elsa couldn’t believe her eyes, was this really happening ?!   She looked around, both Victor and Guillaume seemed as emotional as her.
Celestin and Astrid continued to look at each other as if they were completely alone, as if nothing else around them existed. “It’s been such a long time Celestin”,  without leaving Celestin’s eyes for a single moment, she pulled a long golden chain from beneath her rolled neck line.  At the end of the chain hung a deep green emerald. Celestin gasped, and dropped into the chair beside her.  Astrid bent down on her knees, holding his face affectionately between her beautiful thin fingers, her eyes full of tears, she whispered to him : “I always knew you would come back to me. I buried every other love before the war, knowing they would never come back.  But this stone,  this stone was our heart, Celestin, I could not lose it.   I made myself that promise, to keep you next to me, my entire life, whatever might happen. And as I had predicted, you are here. You are finally here.»
Elsa’s hands were trembling, she felt like time had stopped, as if the entire world had faded away. Here it was, the final stone, an emerald, it really existed.  For all those years,  her grandmother had been telling the truth. It wasn’t buried, it wasn’t stolen, it was something more precious than any stone in the world, the symbol of a woman’s love for a man.  Astrid had worn that heart every day, for the past 70 years, never doubting one single moment that he would be back to get her.
Elsa turned around to look at the two young men, without a word the three of them left the room, knowing the stones were reunited for good.
…..
Six months later, we are in a chic museum in New York.    There is a gathering of well dressed people, each holding a glass of champagne and listening attentively to a young woman standing on a small stage.     ” … And that ladies, and gentlemen is the story of the Paradise Stones.   The Museum is deeply grateful to Monsieur Celestin and to Astrid de BonVouloir for letting us restore the necklace, and share this beautiful tale with you today” .   The audience clapped, Elsa looked around the gallery, smiling, accompanied by her family and friends.  The show was clearly a real success. The crowd was large, the lights were bright,  but all Elsa could see, was the necklace, the central exhibit in the show and in her mind,  her mother smiling at her.
 oo00OO00oo
Voilà   I hope you enjoyed this tale for the Holiday period.   Thank you for your kind comments.  

The Paradise Stones  –   Part One    –    Part Two  –   Part Three

46 comments

robert January 5, 2018 - 7:28 pm

Une histoire parfaite!!! Merci beaucoup!

Reply
Dee January 18, 2018 - 5:57 pm

Thank you Sharon
Enjoy your blog and lovely photos.
Love and blessings for 2019.

Reply
Mari January 5, 2018 - 7:29 pm

What a beautiful and touching story. I tell you truly, at the end of the last chapter, I knew what the outcome would be – and it was!

Reply
Judy January 5, 2018 - 7:48 pm

Such a lovely, tender tale. I was transported to Paris with your sweet words and beautiful photos. Thank you! It was a wonderful escape!

Reply
Christie A.Musser January 5, 2018 - 7:50 pm

I found myself crying in anticipation of the end. It’s a lovely story.
Thank you for giving us all such a wonderful present.
I may never get to Paris but I can close my eyes and read this tale again and see it all again.
Thank you.

Reply
Barbara January 5, 2018 - 8:04 pm

Thank you both for such a lovely story of love, friendship and hope. Made my new year so much brighter.

Reply
Susan Malizia January 5, 2018 - 8:05 pm

Such a charming story that you and your daughter collaborated on!! I really enjoyed it. Thank you for this New Years gift. =)

Reply
Nancy January 5, 2018 - 8:15 pm

A truly beautiful love story. Transported by your marvelous words, the love of family, a little mystery and drama evolved into a touching story. I was transported to Paris, the countryside and am now very anxious to return to Paris.

Reply
Vicky from Athens January 5, 2018 - 8:18 pm

Thank you, Sharon! What a wonderful fairytale ending in a fairytale setting. It was perfect!

Reply
Deborah January 5, 2018 - 8:26 pm

Thank you for this lovely story! What a delight for all of us. Happy New Year!

Reply
Sandi Stringer January 7, 2018 - 4:21 pm

Thank you. What a great holiday gift. Thoroughly enjoyed reading about The Paradise Stones and Paris

Reply
Cynthia January 5, 2018 - 8:51 pm

The nobility of this story is truly magical. Dare I permit myself to believe that love is still long suffering and sure, in this day and age? Romance is a rare treasure. Thank you.

Reply
Madge January 5, 2018 - 8:54 pm

So sweet. You and Ella make a talented writing team. Thank you for weaving the characters into a touching tale for the holiday season.

Reply
Bev from Toronto January 5, 2018 - 8:55 pm

Love, a fabulous fairytale. Made me wanting to be there also & share that moment.
Happy New
Year 2018

Reply
Bunny January 5, 2018 - 9:07 pm

Magnificent !!!!

Reply
Alice January 5, 2018 - 9:15 pm

Love your story as it allowed me to imagine just what she saw and how much love there was in that room. Imagine being found by a long lost love. Yes, I thoroughly loved it. Please, write more.

Reply
Grace January 5, 2018 - 9:42 pm

What a beautiful story, thank you

Reply
Rita January 5, 2018 - 10:07 pm

Such a lovely, tender story. What a beautiful movie it would make.

Thank you,

Reply
Marilyn Lowe January 5, 2018 - 10:14 pm

A beautifully simple story. Enchanting.

Reply
Susan January 5, 2018 - 10:34 pm

L’amour toujours.

Reply
TRACY BROWN January 5, 2018 - 11:11 pm

Well done (applause, applause!)
p.s. could be a movie.

Reply
Valorie January 5, 2018 - 11:16 pm

Loved the story, thank you for such a wonderful gift! <3 Valorie

Reply
Debrashoppeno5 January 5, 2018 - 11:21 pm

Bravo! It is a wonderful holiday story.

Reply
Helen January 6, 2018 - 12:08 am

Please, please, please can there be a part four, five and six?

Reply
Jacq'uelynn January 6, 2018 - 12:18 am

Such a delightful break in my day to read each chapter.

Reply
Elvie January 6, 2018 - 2:36 am

Thank you Sharon and your daughter for a beautiful story ,loved every minute of it .Best wishes for a wonderful new year .

Reply
Hazel Lavelle January 6, 2018 - 2:51 am

Thankyou for the lovely story , so nice !!!
I love a nice ending as all your stories are ..
Well done to your daughter to !!

Happy new year
Hazel (Manchester uk )

Reply
Stephanie January 6, 2018 - 5:15 am

Sharon and Ella,
What a wonderful collaboration by mother and daughter.
I can’t express enough how lovely this story is and how it teaches us the age old lesson never give up on love…
Ella, please keep writing and sharing with us! I must say you have a wonderful role model who we all adore!
Blessings…❤️

Reply
Dottie Monta January 6, 2018 - 7:59 am

Just KNEW the ending would be enchanting! And it was. Thank you Sharon, for this New Year gift! Love and every good wish from snowy, frigid Pennsylvania, Dottie

Reply
Trish January 6, 2018 - 8:52 am

Love your delightful short stories, Sharon. They make great reading in the long hot summers here in Australia. Thank you and Happy New Year.

Reply
Melane January 6, 2018 - 1:47 pm

Fabulous! Magnificent, very moving, I so miss Paris. What a lovely story. Please write more:)

Reply
Judy January 6, 2018 - 4:10 pm

Absolutely beautiful !!!
You & your daughter are one in the same !!( isn’t it great- my daughter & I are also) Never give up on love ❤️
Happy & Blessed 2018
Judy

Reply
Emm January 6, 2018 - 4:54 pm

A very satisfying happy ending. Well done.
But my Inner Editor wants to know what happens with Victor and Guillaume, and how they are related, if at all.

Reply
Bev January 6, 2018 - 7:19 pm

Thank you. Enjoyed reading your sweet, happy story!

Reply
Marie January 7, 2018 - 3:45 pm

I came upon this quite by accident and fell in love with your story and yours and your daughter’s fine writing capabilities. Thank you for a lovely story to start my day.

Reply
Cheryl Beuttas January 7, 2018 - 11:17 pm

What a beautiful, touching story – I hope there are more to come!

Reply
Rebecca Hackman January 9, 2018 - 12:46 am

Like every fine book I read, I never want it to end. Loved it and am looking for more. Thank you so much.

Reply
Sylvia Faye January 9, 2018 - 10:06 am

My first post disappeared so will relate again how charming is this story which was a mother/daughter gift to us.

As an older woman who lost her husband after 64 years of marriage I can relate to the wait and joy of true love finding one another no matter how long it takes.

My husband was French and my heart relates. Merci beaucoupe pour your story. I had not read your posts as being away for Christmas and was blessed to read the three chapters without waiting.

I also was blessed by the story.

Reply
Carol January 10, 2018 - 1:36 pm

I loved the story! You and Ella have a lot of talent.
It brought back a lot of memories of my trips to Paris.

Reply
Pamela January 11, 2018 - 4:31 am

I so loved the story!! It was beautiful. Thank you.

Reply
Sharon SC January 12, 2018 - 9:53 pm

Bravo! Such a beautiful story! Thank you for writing and sharing it with us!

Reply
Linda Sikes January 16, 2018 - 1:09 am

Charming story!! Reading this on a cold day by a warm fire. Sweet story. Thank you for such a treat.

Reply
Kate January 21, 2018 - 4:23 am

Have read everyone of your stories and again you did a wonderful job. Brings back memories of walking down the streets of Paris. Can’t wait to return with my husband and share the beauty that not only Paris but the rest of France has to offer. Merci

Reply
Robin January 27, 2018 - 7:03 pm

Lovely!!

Reply
V. Hubbard March 17, 2018 - 1:27 am

I love to read tales like this especially associated with Paris and all its hidden treasures. Thank you both for sharing.

Reply
V. Hubbard March 17, 2018 - 1:29 am

I love reading stories like this about Paris and all its hidden treasures. Thank you for sharing.

Reply

Leave a Comment