Hey, so this is my first Les Mis fic and I'm really nervous and excited! I just hope people read it! Anyway, I'm just letting you know that this story merges the book/musical/new movie all together, but it's mostly based on the play. Also, I've kind of made some stuff up myself, so please don't be all like "well this doesn't follow this version" and all that stuff. That is just a warning! And disclaimer: I do not own Les Mis at all and all songs/plots belong to respective owners. Thank you and please enjoy!

Paris, June 1832

"And rain will make the flowers…"

"And rain will make the flowers...grow. Eponine…Eponine. No. No!" I held her tightly as the rain came down on us. By now, I could not control the tears streaming down my face and the sobs coming out of my mouth. I couldn't believe she was dead. There was so much blood. I felt as if a part of me bled out with her as she stopped breathing and closed her eyes. She was actually so beautiful. I had always known her to be a pretty girl and a very good friend to me, but now I saw her in a different light. Still crying, I pulled her wet body closer to me and kissed her forehead. She was amazing and perfect; I just wished I had one more moment with her so I could tell her that. I had known her many years now and we were as close as any friends could be, but that was all we were. Friends. There was a time I would have considered her more, but meeting my love, Cosette, left no doubt in my mind where we stood. But looking at her lifeless body now, I was overcome with such grief I did not know what to do with it. I prayed and wished so hard she would live, I had told her she would, but the Lord had taken her from me. Hopefully she is at peace now and she will never again feel pain. Only I will feel the pain now-the pain of losing her. Everyone was gathering around, their faces fallen at the sight of our first friend shot on the barricade. Her brother, Gavroche, was sobbing closest to us. Nobody knew what to do now that one of us was actually dead. Every one of us could die tonight as well. We all looked around as the reality set in. Why did it have to be her to die?

Enjolras was the first one to step up after a moment of silence, "She is the first to fall. The first of us to fall upon this barricade."

I stood up next to him, "Her name was Eponine! Her life was cold and dark yet she was unafraid!"

The others began to join in, "We fight here in her name."

"She will not die in vain."

"She will not be betrayed."

Fighting for her, we too rushed onto the barricade and fought unafraid to die.

It was months later before I could return to the ABC Café and visit the place where all my friends planned, lived, and died bravely. On my way out, through the tears, I spotted my old briefcase downstairs that had survived, as it was hidden in a shelf. "Cosette," I addressed my love.

"Yes dear?" She responded with a smile on her beautiful face. I was torn apart by the death of my best friend, and that was hard enough. I do not know what I would ever do if I lost Cosette. And I know she would not be able to live if I had died that day, either. By some miracle above, I was the one of my friends who made it away from that barricade alive.

"Could you give me a minute alone?" I asked, knowing I needed to be here by myself. Just me and the ghosts of my past. She gave me a concerned look and I had to smile at how much she cared for me. "It's okay. I'll be fine. I'll call if I need you." She just nodded and stepped out into the street. I sighed and hobbled over to the shelf, my heart pounding at the sight of it. So many memories came flooding back to me and I forced myself to remain composed and not break down again. I gingerly lifted it out, but as I sat down and opened it, a piece of paper came fluttering out. Curiously, I reached down to the dusty floor and picked up the dirty piece of paper folded up and sealed shut. Marius was scrawled across the front in black ink. I flipped it over with much confusion as I broke the seal and began to read the letter:

Mon cher Marius:

Since you are reading this, you know that I am dead. Don't worry; I did not expect to walk away from that barricade alive. It's okay, though, because you were there, I know it. If you died there too and this is someone else reading this, then it is not relevant. I almost don't want you to know this so maybe it would be better if you were dead because you most likely do not wish to hear this. But you must. It would be wrong not to tell you. You probably think of me a coward for not telling you this in person. Anyway, here it goes. We have a child. Yes Marius, a child. A girl, actually. Do you remember back when we were fifteen and we went to that celebration where everyone was drinking and people got a little too carried away, including us? We woke up the next morning and didn't know what to do so we decided to ignore the fact we slept together, which worked for a little bit, but then I went away for some months. I was pregnant and afraid so I fled away until after the child was born. Those months apart made me realize that I loved you, Marius. But I knew you would never feel the same way as me, and I was right. You have Cosette now so you don't need me, I know. Your world will go on turning even without me. I'm so sorry to do this to you, give you this information, but you needed to know. Her name is Estelle and she lives in an orphanage here in Paris. I would love for you to find her and meet her, tell her I'm sorry for what I have done to her, but it is entirely your decision. Do what you want with this information, but as long as you know I feel a little better. I love you, Marius, and I wish you the best in life with your Cosette. Hopefully as you are reading this, I will be in a better place where there is no more pain. Au Revoir mon amie.

Je t'embrasse,

Eponine

I sat for what felt like an eternity attempting to comprehend that letter. Could this be true? Could I really have a daughter out there? Could Eponine be her mother? All the facts make sense: the sex, her leaving, everything in that letter was true, but yet I could not believe it. My poor 'Ponine. How could I not have known all of this? And her feelings for me? It was all just too much. I made a vow though, there and then. I would find our Estelle, for Eponine and I would tell her all about the hard, tragic life of her mother. I would explain everything to her and tell her about our lives together and the kind of relationship we had. I just needed to see the part of Eponine that was still left in this world.

"Marius?" I turned my head around at the sound of the sweet voice coming from the girl standing in the doorway. "Are you okay? You've been in there for a while." She looked at me and gave me an encouraging smile.

"Why yes, I am fine. I'm done in here anyway. Let's go home." I held out my arm and Cosette came over to me and helped me walk out of the café that I will most likely never revisit. As I walked out, I shoved the paper into my pocket silently and looked up to the heavens, promising Eponine I would someday meet our daughter. I have a debt to her that I could never repay, but this is a step to trying. I owe her my life.

I hope you liked it! Please review, I want to know people's opinions and all constructive critism is accepted and valued. Thank you! :)

-Charlie

Oh by the way, the other chapters will be longer than this one-it was just an introductory chapter.