'Annie' went really well last night! I was only in chorus. This means I was a hobo, a servant, and a finely dressed woman walking about in NYC. I just love performing. :3 Do I update too fast? lol

~ Jessie

Disclaimer: I own nothing from anything from anytime or anyplace that has anything to do with Les Mis. I only own my imagination. Merci.

Le Homme

"Darling," Enjolras set Athena onto his left hip and picked up a packet of papers he still had yet to grade. "This really is an inopportune time for your mother to get sick. I need you to sit right here." he placed her into the high-chair moved from the kitchen. Athena smiled and reached for her father's curls. "No. Those aren't yours." he sighed. "I need you to sit here and occupy yourself while I grade these." Athena reached for her toes and stuck her tongue out. "Good." and Enjolras sat down with a huff.

"Aba! Aba! Aba!" Alfred pounded on the door with his fist, behind him there were the shouts of the other boys. Enjolras placed his forehead on the desk. Tired of waiting, Alfred burst in. "Aba, please, will you two these two to get away! I have things to do."

Enjolras looked up. "Out," he growled.

"But, Ab-"

Enjolras pointed to the door. "Out! And don't wake your mother up either! I don't want to hear a peep out of you. I have things to do as well!"

Enjolras groaned. Athena giggled, sucking her thumb. "Remind me why we had all of you." Enjolras grinned. As much as he loved his children, rainy days were the worst days. They were so used to being outside and getting to yell and whoop as much as they wanted. But when the rain came.. Well, it made the house a pig-sty.

As Enjolras set about grading his papers, there was yet knock at the door. "What!" he yelled, causing Athena to jump in her chair.

Ruby slid in the door, half-smiling. "'s only me, silly." she wrapped the thin robe around her more, heading toward her daughter. Enjolras cleared his throat. With that robe on, he would never be able to concentrate.

"You're supposed to be in bed," he admonished.

Ruby shrugged as she sat down in the chair before his desk. She'd be caught with a rather nasty cold a few days after Grantaire left and it'd kept her in bed a great while. During this time, Enjolras was Monsieur Mere. He now had an even greater respect for his wife and what she did to keep the children out of his hair.

"I'm feeling better," Ruby answered with l'air fatigue.

Enjolras nodded and looked back to his papers. "I'm glad."

"What are you working on?" Ruby asked, handing Athena her blanket.

"I am grading my students essays."

Ruby nodded, pursing her lips. She didn't bother to understand what Enjolras taught or how his students understood it, but she did bother to pretend to take interest in it. "Oh."

Enjolras sighed and set his pen down. He could feel her agitation. "What is it?"

Ruby shrugged and looked away. "Nothing."

"Poppycock. Tell me."

Ruby jerked her head toward the door. Enjolras smirked when he saw the outline of shoes underneath. "Henry," he called sternly.

"Yes, Father?"

"Come get your sister."

Henry sighed loudly. He opened the door and grabbed the chubby little girl. "Yes, Father."

"Thank you," Enjolras said as the door closed. "Now then."

Ruby smiled, her teeth shining. Enjolras rose an eyebrow. "What are you up to now?"

"Nothing."

"God, Ruby! Just tell me!"

Ruby threw her hands up. "Fine! Remember when I went to London, a few days back."

"Yes." Enjolras looked back at his papers. "After I told you not to because you were too sick.."

"That doesn't matter. What matters is that I met this woman in the dress shop."

"If this is idle gossip, Ruby, I swear-"

"Enjolras! Listen!" Ruby stood up and went around the desk. She picked the pen away from his fingers so he had to look up at her. "The woman was from France."

"Many women are from France, Ruby."

Ruby wanted to slap him. Couldn't he just shut up for once?! "Enjolras," she ground her teeth together.

He held his hands up and leaned back. "I am sorry. Continue."

"Anyway, I told her that my husband was originally from France as well and she introduced herself as Cosette Pontmercy."

"You.." Enjolras gulped audibly and leaned forward. "You met Cosette?"

"Mhm!" Ruby was beaming. "I told her who I was and who you were and-"

"Was Marius with her?"

Ruby shook her head. "No, but Cosette said they were going to be in London for some time. He had some business things to take care of. Isn't this wonderful, Enj?!" Ruby nearly squealed.

Enjolras shook his head. "Not likely."

Ruby groaned. "Why? Now the two of you conniving women will find a way for us to meet."

"What I don't understand is why you sent the letter in the first place," Ruby rolled her eyes. "If you don't want to see him again, they why in God's name did you ever tell him you were alive?!"

"I couldn't hold it in any longer," he said matter-of-factly.

"My darling, you make no sense." Ruby sighed and pulled up a chair beside him. "If you don't want to see him again, I will tell Cosette so."

Enjolras couldn't help but smirk. "Do you already plan a lunch date?"

"Of course." Ruby scoffed. "She's coming over tomorrow."

"And this has been in your plans how long, may I ask?"

"Five days.. or so.."

"You are impossible," Enjolras said affectionately. "I would like to meet Cosette. I've never had the pleasure of meeting Marius' lark." Enjolras winced at the term Eponine used to use for the girl.

"You've never actually met her?"

"Never had the chance."

"Well, it will be a nice experience for both of us."

Enjolras held his wife's small hand in his own. "You really are impossible, Ruby."

"I know."

"Let go of that, please, Gavroche." Eponine took the bottle from his hand. "Where did you get this?"

Gavroche just shrugged.

"Is something wrong, little brother?"

Gavroche shook his head.

"Then what is it?"

"Don't you miss them?" he whispered, fingering the edges of her dress.

Eponine sighed and sat down in the nearest chair. She pulled Gavroche onto her lap. "Yes."

"Well, you aren't going to leave, are you?"

Eponine laughed lightly. "Of course not. That would be.. impossible.."

Gavroche nodded. "Good. I'm glad it is."

"How come?"

"Because then I wouldn't get to see you anymore."

Eponine smiled and held her brother's cheek. "You're a dear."

"You're a princess."

Thursday arrived a lot faster than Enjolras wanted it to and a lot slower than Ruby did. Henry and Jehan had been picked up for a week long getaway to their uncle's (Ruby's brother, Tom) and they wouldn't be back till the following Thursday. Alfred was busy trying to figure out how to sweep some girl off her feet and Athena was sleeping peacefully in her crib. Ruby was rushing throughout the house, trying to get everything together in just perfect order. Enjolras sat back, enjoying his wife's petty fears.

He stood up after awhile and opened a window, letting in some cool morning air. "Ruby," he said. "Come here."

Ruby turned around from the French doors that led to the back part of the house. "There's no time, fool! She'll be here soon!" Enjolras laughed and waved his hand once more. Ruby sighed and walked over. "What?"

He placed his hands on her shoulders. Ruby shifted. Although the two loved each other so very much, it was rare they ever admitted it or showed much affection. It was the one thing Ruby wished she could change about Enjolras. He was like marble to her sometimes.

"Cosette is only going to be happy to see you. Don't worry about anything else. Here. Sit down. I'll get you a drink."

Ruby allowed him to lead her to a chair. She sat down with a grunt. Enjolras came back with a small glass of lemonade; he knelt in front of her. Ruby sighed and wrinkled her nose.

"What's wrong," Enjolras whispered.

Ruby rubbed his hand with her thumb. She shrugged.

Enjolras nodded slowly. "Oh."

Ruby held his hand in her hands. "I'm sorry. I can't help the way I feel.."

Enjolras moved her hands away and kept them in his own. "And neither can I."

"Enjolras, I love you!" Ruby felt tears well up behind her eyes.

Enjolras felt the same. He couldn't.. couldn't say those words to her. Of course, he loved her, yes. But, she wasn't.. Eponine. He couldn't say those words to her. "I'm sorry, Ruby. You know that I-"

"What? That you love me, too?" tears fell down her porcelain cheeks unashamed. "That you love me with everything in you, but you just can't say it?" she lowered her voice. "You've only ever said it once."

Enjolras sighed. "I'm trying, Ruby!"

Ruby nearly slammed her fist down. "Try harder, please," she growled. Enjolras stood up, heading for the window. "Don't walk away like you always do!"

"We'll save this for later!"

"Why?"

Enjolras turned around. "Cosette's here... She's brought Marius."

How are you liking this so far? Also, are you liking the inserts of Eponine? Just to keep her in the story? Please let me know. :D Love to all!