Disclaimer – I own nothing of Les Misérables. Everything belongs to the wonderful Victor Hugo. I do own my original characters. 'Nuff said.
Italics are thoughts, flashbacks and song lyrics.
A/N: I'm so sorry I haven't written anything in FOREVER, but real life has gotten in the way and I haven't found much time to sit down & write. I've been reading a lot, working a lot and studying a lot. I will update my other stories – just having a little problem with writer's block. I do have the last two chapters of Derby Dreaming written and hopefully, will post them soon. For right now, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. On a side note, Marius and Cosette look like the Marius & Cosette in Les Miserables the 25th Anniversary (aka Katie Hall & Nick Jonas).
Summary: AU: Cosette and Marius have settled down and have two beautiful children – Fantine and Enjolras. When Fantine is fifteen-years-old, she falls in love with Raphael. Cosette and Marius don't like him, but nine-year-old Enjolras does. Will Cosette and Marius overcome their dislike of Raphael to please their daughter or will they lose her forever? Rated T for safety.
Rating: T
Genre: Romance/Drama
CHAPTER ONE
Cosette Pontmercy looked over at her lovely husband and stroked his black curls. Marius was still asleep and Cosette didn't blame him. They had spent the night in each other's arms, making love and whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears. Marius stirred in his sleep and adjusted his position.
"Marius, I'm not feeling well, so I'm staying in bed today." Cosette told her beloved, getting back under the covers. Marius nodded and kissed her forehead before exiting the room.
It turned out that Cosette was expecting, according to the physician. When Cosette was in her second trimester, the couple started talking about baby names as they took a walk in the garden. It was springtime and Cosette's favorite season. She loved the idea of the world starting over. Everything seemed fresher, newer, like opening a bottle of wine and drinking in the taste.
"Marius, if we have a girl, could we name her after my mother? I never knew her and would like to honor her name." Cosette told her husband. Marius nodded, completely understanding where his wife was coming from – he never knew his parents either. They died when Marius was three-years-old, so he was sent to live with his grandfather – his father's father.
"If we have a boy, I would like to honor him after my best friend, Enjolras." Marius put in. Cosette nodded and sat down on a bench, Marius sitting next to her.
Three months later, Cosette and Marius welcomed their daughter, Fantine Bridget Pontmercy. She was named for Cosette's mother and a friend of Marius' from childhood. As the physician cleaned the baby, Cosette looked up lovingly at Marius.
"I don't know how our lives could get better." Marius said, watching as little Fantine was placed in her mother's arms. Marius kissed his wife's forehead and exited the nursery, letting mother and child bond.
That night, Marius and Cosette got very little sleep. Fantine wouldn't stop crying, no matter what they did, she wouldn't give them peace.
"Give her to me – I have an idea." Marius whispered. Cosette shot him a confused glance as she handed little Fantine to him.
"A heart full of love
A heart full of song,
I'm doing everything all wrong
Oh God for shame, I do not even know your name
Dear mademoiselle, won't you say, will you tell?" Marius sang. Fantine's crying ceased as Marius and Cosette continued signing to their little girl. Within minutes, she was fast asleep. Cosette smiled and put her baby back in the crib, gently rocking it.
The exhausted parents climbed back into bed, praying that things would get easier. When Fantine was six years old, Cosette and Marius welcomed their second child – a boy they named Enjolras Fortune. Enjolras named for Marius' best friend and Fortune because they were fortunate to have him – Cosette had a miscarriage before Enjolras was conceived. When all hope was lost, Cosette discovered she was pregnant. Seemed like fortune was on their side.
Fantine and Enjolras were two very different children. Six years his senior, Fantine made sure her little brother got every ounce of attention as she did. Enjolras didn't like that – he spent his time in the nursery, rearranging his toy soldiers and had them engage in battle.
One afternoon, the entire Pontmercy family went to the park. Enjolras spread his toys on the ground, watched over by his mother. Fantine, however, saw a friend of hers – Noelle – and went to talk to her. Noelle was the second oldest child of Alzema – Eponine's older sister. Alzema also had a son – he was twenty-years-old named Raphael. Raphael was a carriage driver and very good at his job. Ever since Alzema died two years ago, he had been raising himself and his sister as best as he could.
The Pontmercy family walked back to Number 55 Rue Plummet – the estate Cosette's father had left them before he died.
"Fantine, who was that young man with Noelle?" Marius asked as they entered the house.
"He is Noelle's older brother, papa. I do not know his name." Fantine answered as she stepped out of her boots.
"Fantine, I want you to stay away from him." Marius warned. Fantine nodded, her blond curls bouncing. Marius smiled and kissed his daughter's forehead.
Fantine couldn't stop thinking of the young man as she undressed and changed into her nightgown. She picked up the novel she bought at the booksellers and began reading.
Little did Fantine know, that in four days, she would be falling in love with the mysterious Raphael Thenardier.