Hellooooo! I am back! And yes; fluffies are coming in abundance!
Enj: Really?
Me: Yesshhh. But first... Mme. LeFevre is going to wake you and Jackie up!
Madame LeFevre made her morning rounds on the residential floor of the Presidential Palace. She woke the boy first, knowing he'd take the longest to get ready for the day. Next, she went to Mademoiselle Duvall's room, and found that she was not in her bed. Going on, not taking any interest in Jacqueline, she entered the president's room, opening the drapes to let in light. The sudden brightness startled Enjolras, and he jolted up into a sitting position. Much to Mme. LeFevre's surprise, Jacqueline sat up as well, leaning tiredly against Enjolras. Jacqueline's groggy state kept her from realizing that she and Enjolras had unexpected company; but then again, Mme. LeFevre woke everyone in the household at the same time every morning, so she wasn't exactly unexpected. Mme. LeFevre looked upon the two in disgust.
"Of all the scandalous things... you are sleeping with your sworn enemy's daughter!" she exclaimed, glaring at both Enjolras and Jacqueline.
"Madame, M. Duvall has been dead for more th-"
"YES!" Mme. LeFevre shrieked. "DEAD BY YOUR HANDS! Why the little piece of garbage would even work for you is beyond me; I cannot even FATHOM you two sharing a bed, making, God forbid, LOVE to each other!" Jacqueline began to tremble slightly and Enjolras put a comforting arm around her.
"We didn't do anything," Enjolras stated. "Having her fall asleep in my arms last night was better than anything truly of the flesh. Feeling her steady, even heartbeat, and feeling her warm breath graze my skin... It was beautiful, like a painting by an old Master. I hope to never have a night without her by my side." Jacqueline smiled painfully.
"Your love of your country must always be greater," she warned.
"Ah! But his love of common whores and cheap harlots like yourself had overcome that love. I have never seen a man more in... lust for a girl since M. Courfeyrac-"
"This is not lust," Enjolras growled. "I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep Jacqueline here by my side, despite the criticism from people like you." Jacqueline climbed out of the bed, snatching her robe, which had been carelessly thrown onto a chair the night before, covered herself, and left to dress for the day.
A bit later, while one of the maids was helping Jacqueline into her corset, Enjolras entered the room, startling the maid and causing Jacqueline to color in spite of herself.
"Monsieur!" the maid exclaimed. "Would you like me to give you and the mademoiselle privacy?" Enjolras smiled slightly.
"Yes, thank you, Athene." Enjolras knelt next to Jacqueline once the maid left the room, and took her hand gently.
"Courfeyrac, Combeferre, the Pontmercys, and I are going to the opéra tonight. Would you care to join us? I feel it would be a great opportunity for you to be back in society again, no matter how much the society you knew so well has changed. And Gustave may come as well; I'm sure we can make room for him in the box," he stated. Jacqueline smiled.
"I'd love to. I'm sure he'll love it too. Thank you." Jacqueline kissed both his cheeks affectionately, and stood up, walking over to choose a dress for the day and for the evening. "My, it's been so long since I've had to wear an evening gown... I'm so excited!"
"I'm sure it's been too long," Enjolras said. He watched as she looked through her armoire for a decent evening gown. Jacqueline decided on a pink satin one for the evening that Enjolras thought would not look out of place in Cosette's wardrobe. For the day, she decided on a dark blue dress that was much more conservative than her evening gown.
Once she was dressed, Jacqueline and Enjolras went downstairs together, meeting Courfeyac on their way to breakfast.
"Remember, my friend, that we are going to Nice in a few weeks," Courfeyrac told Enjolras. "So you and Mademoiselle Duvall will have to discuss the arrangements that will be needed in your absence; public appearances and such."
"Why would that be an issue?" Jacqueline questioned. Courfeyrac grinned devilishly and winked at her.
"Because, Mademoiselle; when word gets out that you are... 'sleeping' with the president, there will be lots of people wanting to hear more."
"Courfeyrac!" she exclaimed. "I am not 'sleeping' with Chretien! We shared a bed, that is all!" Though Courfeyrac knew Jacqueline's statement to be true, he still wiggled his eyebrows at her in a mischievous way.
Enjolras frowned deeply at his friend, and continued on to the dining room with Jacqueline. The two were greeted by Gustave, whose face was covered in some sort of jam or preserves.
"Jackie! The chef made crêpes for breakfast!" he exclaimed happily. Jacqueline smiled and she made her way to her seat, accompanied by Enjolras, who pulled her chair out for her, and once she was seated, scooted it back in.
"My," Jacqueline noted, "someone is being quite the gentleman this morning." Enjolras just smiled, and began to eat, only to be interrupted by a servant bringing a note for him. Enjolras read it quietly to himself, only to scowl once he finished.
"My father intends to visit soon, and has also taken it upon himself to host Christmas this year," he informed them.
"Oh! How kind!" Jacqueline decided after a moment's consideration. "That is so nice of him to reach out, considering you two are the only family either of you have left." Gustave suddenly looked forlorn, and Jacqueline's eyebrows scrunched together in concern. "What's the matter, Gustave?"
"Jackie, does that mean we have to celebrate Christmas alone?" he questioned. Enjolras frowned at the mere mentioning of the possibility.
"No," Enjolras answered for Jacqueline. "You two will come with me to Orleans and my father will have to make room for the two of you. My childhood home has plenty of guest bedrooms; you and your sister will be quite comfortable there."
"And when does he intend to visit?" Jacqueline inquired.
"Chretien Enjolras!" a voice shouted from the foyer.
Enjolras winced, and checked the date at the top of the note.
"Apparently... today."
A fairly short chapter, but hey! We're meeting Papa Enjolras! Who will be a piece of work, I guarantee it. ;)
Review?