Marius awoke, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. It was still dark; a quiet morning, cool but just beginning to show signs of spring. He stretched his arms then, becoming fully aware of the small warm body next to him. Cosette. She was curled up into him like a kitten, snuggling into his warmth. Her soft blonde locks cascaded down her shoulders, the creamy skin from her chest peeking through the pale yellow fountain. Marius smiled then, seeing how adorably vulnerable she looked. He rolled out of bed, his feet hitting the cold floor.
"Marius?" Marius turned upon hearing the sweet voice of his wife. "Yes, dear? I've got to get dressed for work." Cosette yawned then, and smiled mischievously, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I don't think so monsieur, not if I have my way." She began placing kisses down his neck, his back. "Really Cosette," Marius protested. "I have to get ready for work!" By this time she was nibbling his ear playfully. "Madame, I am afraid you have me wrapped around your little finger. But, my darling, I am afraid you must let me go, so that I can go to work." "Oh, monsieur," Cosette said, faking a pout, "You are no fun!" And with one last kiss, she let him go. "I'll go make you some tea!" And then she was gone; his little ray of sunshine had bounded down the stairs.
Marius sighed as he stood up, a look of concern washing over his face as he saw Cosette's petite frame leave the room. She had not been well lately, he knew she'd be getting sick in the next hour, making him tea downstairs to hide her upstairs vomiting. He'd noticed her weight dropping, the bags under her eyes, the heat her body would omit now, quite often, obviously a fever. Much of this he only knew from Nicolette telling him. Cosette was clearly trying to hide this from him, but Marius simply couldn't understand why.
He began sleepily stumbling down the stairs, the scent of black tea filling his nose. "Cosette, darling, why don't you go back to bed?" Marius asked, nuzzling into her neck. "Really, Marius, I'm fine. I'm going to go set out your clothes, alright?" Once again, Marius watched his wife leave him, half running, and she knew she was going to be sick. It was then, he decided, he would be demanding an answer that night. He was simply too afraid to lose the one person left that he loved. With all his heart