A/N: I have been kicking around this idea for a while. I do not know Fantine's last name so it will be Belmont, seriously Victor Hugo you can come up with multiple names for Valjean and not a last name for most characters. Summary: Fantine is a single mom in New York and works two jobs and all the while caring for her 8-year-old daughter Cosette.

Edited 5/7/2019

"Here we are," Fantine said dropping the suitcases and bags with their belongings in the doorway to the small apartment. They did not have much, so it was easy enough to move the stuff in from the beat up car. Fantine and Cosette recently moved from New York City to a neighborhood just outside of the city proper. They moved in part because Fantine could no longer afford the rent in the former house. While Fantine would have loved for Cosette to grow up in a house, they had to move into a much smaller apartment. The neighborhood was much worse than the safe and secure suburb, but it was closer to jobs in the city.

She and her daughter lived paycheck to paycheck. Fantine worked two jobs and was considering picking up a third. But she wasn't sure if she could. Cosette was only eight after all, and she couldn't leave her alone at night. But she would figure something out.

The simple solution was to take Cosette out of the good private school. Cosette was bright for her age and Fantine was determined to give Cosette the tools for a successful future. She would do so at whatever cost. There were also the ballet classes and the Tai Kwando. But she couldn't break her daughter's heart, and she couldn't admit defeat.

"Mama, it so big!" Cosette smiled. It wasn't. Fantine only grimaced and hoped her daughter's optimism would keep them going. There was only one bedroom, and the bathroom had the only sink. The kitchen had a small folding table and chairs that were left by the previous tenant. It would have to do for now.

Cosette scurried around the room and into the bedroom. "Look the view!" The only window that didn't look onto a brick wall was a window looking out to a parking lot. Just beyond the parking lot was a view of the magnificent skyscrapers.

"Yes. Now why don't we put down our things and go and find some grub?" she said with a tired smile.

Cosette nodded. Soon they left the apartment in search of some food. Fantine was worried, she didn't have much money. She returned to work Monday and was paid Tuesday and it was Saturday now. She had to stretch what little they had.

They walked down the hall, and they smelled something delicious. It smelled like fresh marinara and garlic, and Fantine was brought back to her childhood.

"That smells good mama," Cosette pointed towards the smell.

"It does," Fantine said gripping her daughter's hand.

Then a man opened the door holding a covered dish.

"Hello," Fantine said politely.

"Forgive my asking, but did are you the two who moved in down the hall?" the gentleman asked. The man was tall and a bit older, maybe in his 50s. He looked like a kind man with his neat sweater vest and blue polka dot oven mitts. Fantine was instantly on edge, people were often deceptive, and those who looked kindest drove the knife deepest.

"Yes," Fantine said cautiously.

"My name is Jean Valjean. But please just call me Jean. I would shake your hand but.." he said nodding at the dish.

"Fantine Belmont and this is my daughter Cosette." Cosette made a small curtsey as she learned at ballet.

"Well hello to you both, I was just about to bring this over. As a welcome to the building."

"Oh, thank you. You are much too kind," Fantine blushed, "We couldn't accept this." Fantine never liked to accept things if she could not pay for it in full, even food.

"Please Fantine. It is nothing; it seems I cannot read directions and made too much." Both knew this was a lie, but Fantine didn't know how she was going to feed them tonight. Besides, sometimes a comforting lie filled one's belly when the truth does not.

"Well..."

"Please mama!"

"Hush dear," she scolded, "Thank very much. It is very much appreciated."

She took the dish from the man and bid him good-bye. That night they ate better than they had since Christmas. She rarely had time to make a home-cooked meal. She knew it was terrible, but all she could afford was fast food. She tried to pack healthy lunches, but fresh food was expensive.

She would pay him back when she got her paycheck. She didn't want to look needy; far too many people would take advantage.

"Mama, do you have to go to work on Monday?"

"Yes dear."

"So you won't be back when I come home?"

"I'm afraid I won't be back until five or six." This had been eating at her mind. Cosette thankfully didn't have to change schools. Fantine would be able to drop her off in the morning, and in the evening another mother dropped Cosette back off at the apartment. Fantine felt a bit off about this. She didn't ask the other mother if Cosette could stay at their house. Of course, Fantine would pay the other mother, but she didn't want to come off as someone who couldn't look after her own daughter.

Cosette was 8 and a little young to be a latchkey child, but she had told Cosette over and over what to do. It was just going to have to be this way. It was not like the school had an afterschool program; the school was filled with rich children who had nannies. Fantine was happy that Cosette's extracurricular activities meant she would only be home alone for an hour at most.

That night Fantine lay awake hoping she had made the right decision.