Since I don't want to leave this fic on a sad note on Christmas, here's a chapter for you guys. Merry Christmas!

A Little Shard of Happiness

For several days, Fantine had pretty much forgotten to take a look at the calendars. It was only after Jerome Feuilly's funeral that, as she swept the small hall of the bereaved family's home, she cared to take a look at the mantelpiece.

"Cosette's birthday!" she realized as she looked at the date. Had it really been so long, she wondered.

"Oh, what day is it today?" she heard Bernadette ask from nearby.

"My daughter is three years old now," Fantine grinned.

Bernadette's drawn face suddenly lit up with surprise. "Well then, we have to do something for her! I'll ask Gilles to get a cake on his way back from work." she said, trying to force some mirth into her tired voice.

"I'll see to everything. I know you have much to do, so you shouldn't bother so much," Fantine insisted.

Bernadette held up a hand. "I've been weeping a bit too much, Fantine. I'm afraid I can't see out of my eyes," she said as she put on an apron.

Fantine bit her lip as she put on a cap and headed out towards the factory. "If Cosette was a bit bigger, I'd have to have her educated" she thought. The image of her daughter holding a pencil in her pudgy hands and trying to spell out the alphabet brought a smile to Fantine's face. It was something she believed she was too late to learn.

"My, oh my, aren't you quite the lark today?" Louise laughed as she watched Fantine humming at work.

Fantine stopped humming as a blush rose to her cheeks. "A happy occasion, that's all."

"It's a young man! Why else would you ask about a letter writer?" Louise teased.

Fantine shook her head as Tholomyes' face surged back into her memory. "I just heard from an old friend," she murmured.

Louise exchanged a look with her neighbor. "So I was wrong?" she whispered.

"Maybe not. You'll see yet," the crone replied.

Fantine stepped away from them as she tried to focus on her work. A jet bead slipped from her grasp and rolled to the floor. As she bent over to retrieve it, someone stepped on her skirt and tore it.

"Oh!" she cried out indignantly. The tear was not high up, but it was large enough to be noticed. She took off her hatpin and crudely pinned up the tear. When she straightened up, she could see that some of the women were holding back their laughter.

Just then, Madame Victurnien came walking up. "The foreman is giving the wages today," she informed them matter-of-factly. She gave Fantine a dark look, seeing that the younger woman's face was covered with dust. "Is something wrong there?"

Fantine wiped her face with her sleeve daintily. "Just a minor incident, Madame," she said primly.

Madame Victurnien glanced at the worktable. "Are you done with the strands yet?"

"Well of course!" Fantine replied, handing over the strands of beads that she had already finished. The incredulous look on Madame Victurnien's face as she put the beads in the basket was a reply enough.

Right after work, Fantine ran off to the shops, holding her new wages in hand. "It's reason enough not to save this week!" she reminded herself. There was just enough for the rent that she owed Bernadette, and for the next few days' meals. Whatever money she was hoping to set aside would have to go to Cosette's present.

As she walked around, she noticed a child's dress in a shop window. It was made of wool and had long enough sleeves for the impending winter. "I used to make dresses much finer than that," she whispered as she dashed in.

The shop clerk looked up at her. "Anything you want, Mademoiselle?"

"How much for that dress?" Fantine asked.

"Three francs,"

"I'll take it," Fantine said, putting a five-franc piece on the counter. She got the dress wrapped in old paper, along with two one-franc pieces. There was just enough for cake, so Fantine thought.

"[iAnd if not, I can always get something on credit,[/i" she thought as she headed towards the baker's. The sun was only beginning to set, but still for no apparent reason, Fantine hurried her steps.

It was almost dark by the time Fantine returned to the house with her packages. Anyone who saw her might have taken her for someone who had just won a great fortune, or who was appointed to nobility. As it was, she did not even notice her shoes going to pieces as she opened the door.

"I'm home, children!" she greeted. Gilles was tiredly reading as Cosette played about with some thread scattered on the floor. Instantly however, Cosette put down her plaything and ran up to her mother.

"Maman, look!" she said, pointing to the awkward knots she'd tied into her dark hair using the bright red thread. "Pretty?"

Fantine laughed at this sight. "Very well, petite. Look what I've got for you," she said as she put down the packages.

Cosette eagerly tore the paper off the dress. "For me, Maman?" she asked incredulously. "It's so warm!"

"It would look very nice on you, Cosette," Gilles said, though it was clear from his tone that he could see the dress' lack of adornment.

Cosette held out her arms for Fantine to help her put on the dress. The mother noted that the child was still too small for the garment that covered her hands and fell past Cosette's bare feet. "Well, she won't be little for very long".

Gilles by this time had noticed the cake. "A little celebration?"

"Yes, when your mother gets home. She has been out to give meals to the workers?" Fantine asked the boy as she searched for her sewing basket.

Gilles nodded seriously. "I was given an envelope with some francs today. Not as much as Papa was given, but it will do for now to help my Maman," he said, showing the shiny coins in his reddened hands.

"Now that I think is another reason to be happy," Fantine said as she began folding up the sleeves on Cosette's dress and pinning them up.