But that happiness is absent today.
Today, is the funeral of Jean Valjean. The father of Cossette and the saviour of Marius. Both whom are saved by the very man who lays in the most luxurious casket that they can buy, for he deserves it. His story shall live on for many generations. Of his innocent act of stealing bread for his sisters son, until the end where he sits by the feet of the Lord. Jean Valjean shall live on in their hearts, where he sings with Fantine and the angry men.
As the last flower was placed on his fresh grave, both Cossette and Marius sorrowfully expressed words of gratitue and promise. Promise to tell their child, his grandchild he shall never hold, of him and promise to love and care for each other dearly. As they rose, they held each others hand and walked to the carriage. They rode in silence, except for the occasional soft cries of Cossette, which were soothed by Marius who still held her hand and gently clenched them tighter to convey his love and support. They stepped off the carriage and walked inside their home, and headed straight to the family room where a great painting of Jean Valjean sits on top of the fireplace. A perfect location for someone who protects and see the family that loved him very much, but something always seemed missing. Cossette and Marius sat down on the loveseat, their hands still holding. The silence was solemn and grieving, but a soft knock was heard from the large oak door. A servant quietly stepped in and said in an equally quiet voice "Monsiuer, a package arrived. It said that it was from Monsiuer Valjean". This startled the couple, and asked for the servant the bring the package to them.
The package was rectangular and slightly slim. It was covered with brown packaging paper with a postal sign that indeed said that it was from the said man to be sent to the newly wed couple. Marius set the package on the carpet in front of them and gently ripped off the brown packaging paper. What Cossette saw made her gasp in shock. It was a beautifully carved wooden box. It was darkly coated with intricate golden details. The box shown beautifully even in the dim room, whose only source of light is from the fire that burns in the fireplace. There was only a latch on the middle, golden and shaped into a heart. Cossette leaned closely and carefully undid the latch and opened the box. Inside were objects that made her eyes water.
Inside were Jean Valjean's precious candle stands.
The same candle stands that were given to him by the kind priest and made him into a new man. Cossette knew that value of these candle stands. For him to give these to them, it means that he utterly trusts and loves them to keep his most valued treasure, other than Cossette herself. Cossette carefully picked them up and looked up to the painting of her father.
She knew what she had to do.
She asked Marius to clear away the trinkets on top of the fireplace and asked the servant for some candles. She placed the candle on a table and placed the fetched candles into the empty holes. With all of the trinkets cleared away, she carefully placed each candle stand on one end and the other on the oppsite end. She lit the candles and stepped back slightly. Marius, who saw that the box needed a place to be on, located it between the candle stands and stepped back with his lovely wife. They stood in silence as the light from the candle stands just seems to make the room brighter. Warmer. So much like home. The painting of Jean Valjean even seems to smile down upon them, his eyes twinkling in love and affection. For the first time since the death of her father Cossette smiled, even though sadly.
"Thank you... papa"