Cosette lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. At long last she heard the weary creak of the door and the howl of the winter wind attempting to force itself into the already cold little flat. Wrapping a blanket snugly around her, she got up out of bed and padded quietly into the kitchen. At first she hid herself in the darkness, a shadow amongst the shadows, and silently watched her mother. She did this every night, for she was not able to sleep until Fantine came home.

Cosette felt an overwhelming sadness for the gaunt women whose haggard face was buried in her hands. She slowly emerged out of her dark corner, and Fantine looked up, startled. For an instant, Cosette imagined that she saw a look of guilt cross her mother's face, but a moment later, it was replaced by a warm smile. Every night, it was this smile that ended Cosette's worrying, silently assuring her that all was well.

"Did I wake you? I'm sorry," Fantine said quietly, and Cosette tried to ignore the coarseness of her mother's voice which had developed over the last year.

"No, Maman, I was awake," Cosette assured her.

"Oh…well, good, then," Fantine replied distractedly.

Cosette was quite for a moment. "You should go to bed, Maman."

Fantine turned, and studied her daughter silently for a moment with a look of sad realization.

The girl pressed on. "It is very late."

Fantine looked away, and responded to the girl harshly. "I know what time it is, Cosette. And do not tell me what I should and should not do. I am your mother." At once she was horrified at her severity with the girl, frightened of what she was allowing life to do to her. "Oh, God, baby…I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…"

"It's alright, Maman, really," Cosette assured her worriedly.

"No." Fantine shook her head. "No, it's not alright."

Cosette bit her lip, silent for a moment. "It will be, though."

Fantine regarded her wide-eyed daughter, so trusting, and yet too old for her ten years. "You think so?"

The child shrugged and smiled slightly. "Yeah."

Although lacking her daughter's confidence, she managed a small smile. "You mean the world to me, you know. I would do anything for you. You know that, don't you?"

Cosette swallowed twice, suddenly unable to look at her mother. "Yes, Maman…I know." And she did. But somehow, that knowledge was anything but reassuring.

"Love you, baby."

"Good night, Maman."