May 1832

Eponine sat on the bed staring at the portrait she was given so long ago. His letters lay out around her, some declared love, others gave plans and agendas of meetings. They were all she had of him. Cosette had apologized every day for allowing Papa to find out, but Eponine had forgiven her, fate seemed to not want her to be with him and who was she to say no? In the few days that had past since her relationship was discovered she rarely left the room, she knew she wasn't anything like herself, she had never been one to mope, she knew that she was creating a fuss but Eponine didn't care. She could hardly look at Papa, and frankly she didn't want to. In one night he had gone from the loving, gentle and kind father she adored to the man who ended her happiness. But that night she left the room, Papa was sitting in the parlor. He glanced up to her. "My, you've come down at last." He remarked coolly, having still not forgiven his daughter for her lies.

"Papa please let me say goodbye to him." She begged, Valjean shook his head

"I cannot trust you anymore Eponine." He told her, she knelt by his feet.

"Then take me there I don't want him to think of me the way he saw me last." She took his hands and kissed them. Valjean gave a slight squeeze to them. He could see the pain in her eyes, but Valjean knew of loss as well.

"It will hurt you too much to say goodbye." He said softly. Eponine could feel tears prick her eyes, she knew her father would never change his mind; the same way she knew Enjolras would never face him. She got up and went back to her room. Cosette was sitting in the garden; she could see her from the window. Sitting down at the desk she wrote two letters. She hid them in the desk, and put a few of her belongings in a small trunk. Sliding her trunk under the bed she sat down and surveyed the room. Memories danced around like ghosts,

March 1824

The room was being heated up by the small fireplace. A bed covered with a thick lacy white spread and soft pillows stood on one wall. There was a desk, a small armchair and washing stand. Against the final wall was an armoire. A few shelves were laden with new toys and books. Eponine ran across the room and jumped onto the bed. She bounced and laughed. Cosette stood by Papa before she walked around the room quietly. Her small hands gently stroked the clean fine surfaces. She reached the bed and sat down, sinking into the mattress. She smiled taking in her new comfortable surroundings. From the window she could see the garden, everything was clean and soft. She grinned a castle on a cloud.

April 1824

Cosette plopped herself down on the bed, tears falling from her eyes. The children's shouts and jeers were still in her ears. She had run from the group while Eponine had yelled at them. Her sister came in after her,

"There just jealous of us Cosette, they want what we have." Eponine said strongly. But she still felt the pain of what her new classmates said, bastard child, and gutter rat! Rang in her mind. Cosette sniffed, "No matter what they say Cosette you're not a rabbit." She told her sister remembering the girls making fun of Cosette's overbite. "Besides I like bunnies they are cute, just like you." Cosette laughed a little, and wiped her eyes.

Eponine blinked and the ghosts of the past faded. She smiled, in this room Cosette and her grew, they dreamed and laughed, Now she was moving on, to another home, a place to fill with memories and love.

00000000

Eponine placed the letter down next to Cosette, carefully picked up the satchel and left the room, she crept downstairs leaving the letter next to Papa's chair in the Parlor. She could hear him sleep. She suddenly felt unsure of herself. This was a new start; she may possibly not see Papa and Cosette again. Was Enjolras worth it? Worth leaving the father who saved her and the sister who became her only friend. But she left the home. Heading up the streets to the large apartment building where he lived she went into the building.

Enjolras was just about to head to bed when a knock on the door stopped him. He opened it expecting Grantaire to be their drunk and needing a place to sleep. But Eponine stood in the hall.

" Eponine? What are you doing?" She opened her mouth but no words came, she finally told him,

"I think I left my family." she whispered. Enjolras quickly let her in and took her bag. He dropped it and wrapped his arms around her. She returned the embrace, nestling her face in his neck. He was here, she was holding him.

"You're here, " He whispered holding her face with his hands, he knew that she had left her sister and father, that she gave them up for him, a part of him wanted to send her back, but now with her in his arms he knew he could never give her back. And when he lay down in bed with her that night, he had no thoughts on revolution. He had Eponine with him, hopefully for as long as he lived.

0000

Cosette woke up suddenly. She turned and was about to nudge Eponine, but she wasn't there. She saw that the place was neatly made; Cosette sat up quickly, a piece of parchment lay folded on the pillow.

Cosette

If I'm right by now I will be gone. I cannot go on living like this Cosette. I can't allow Papa to control my life any more. I'm with Enjolras now, we are living together. He shall keep me safe and happy. Please do not be sad Cosette. I'm sorry that i'm to much of a coward to confront Papa about this, that I ran away in the middle of the night. But this is the only way my dear sister, I hope in time that Papa will forgive me, that he will accept us and we can live with his blessing, for now Cosette this is how it must be. I shall miss you every night, I shall not have you to braid my hair, lace up my dress, dry my tear, sing me songs and be my confidant and closest friend. I pray that you shall find your own love, that we can raise families together. Please forgive me my loving sister, I love you so much. Stay strong Cosette, we will be together again.

Eponine.

Cosette shot out of bed and ran down the stairs. Papa was already awake with hands shaking he read his own letter

Papa

You will be angry, for I'm being a coward taking this way out. But I guess that works because Enjolras is too a coward in your eyes. I leave not because I stopped loving you Papa, but because I need to be my own person. I am no longer just your child but someone who is loved more deeply than I ever felt possible. He will be good to me, no matter what you think of him. He will take care of me and love me. I do not want you out of my life Papa, but this is what must be done now. You have given me so much, you shall always be my angel, rescuing me from all the pain I was given. I love you so Papa. Please remember that.

Your daughter- Eponine.

Valjean knew tears were growing in his eyes, he felt betrayed, abandoned and alone. He was no longer the most important man in her life, she had decided that this boy who she barely knew was more important than both him and Cosette. He looked up to Cosette, the blond was crying, mourning the loss of her only friend. Valjean took her in his arms, gently stroking her hair while rocking her like a babe.

"We have to find her Papa." She cried out, Valjean shook his head.

"She's made her own decision, we must allow her to realize what path she has taken." Cosette wiped her eyes and looked up at her father.

"But Papa, please." She begged, Valjean firmly took her arms in his grasp.

"Let it be Cosette, she needs to decide when we matter enough to her." His words were harsh, he knew Cosette was in pain now, but he was too, she had left him, As he went into his own study he knew he must keep Cosette close, because if he didn't have her what would he have to keep him from falling back into his old traits?

AN: Now don't be all hating on Valjean, he's not a mean father he's just so fearful of losing the only people in the world that he can call family. And wouldn't your dad be pretty pissed off if you went out to frolic with some boy? Its also the 19th century so he had a different mindset. Thanks for all the love!