Author's Note: Hi guys! Sorry it's been awhile. Life kind of swallowed me whole there for a minute. Anyway, I'm really trying not to let this story fall between the cracks, so please bear with me. Before I start rambling, here is chapter 10. Be sure to follow my fanfiction Instagram page for updates about updates and things happening in the world of my stories ( littlered1615). Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I still don't own Les Miserables.

Chapter 10: ENJOLRAS

I watched as Cosette, perky as ever, dragged Eponine down the stairs of the café. I caught a glimpse of her face as she disappeared beyond the landing. Her eyes practically begged me to rescue her from the clutches of the bride to be, and she looked as though she was going to lose what little food she'd eaten during the day. I couldn't help but chuckle as I thought about the day that awaited her, and I couldn't help but hope she'd at least try to have a good time. It had been awhile since she had allowed herself to actually enjoy much of anything.

"What are you staring at?" Grantaire approached me from behind, focusing intently on the stairwell as though trying to see something that wasn't really there. Only after the words fell into the air did I realize that I'd been staring at the landing where Eponine disappeared from view. Shaking my head slightly, I brought myself back into reality.

"What?" I asked, glancing back at Grantaire. "I'm not staring at anything." I said.

"You're staring at the stairs. You've been staring at them for the last few minutes." He said looking at me like I was crazy. "What's going on with you, Enjolras?" He asked. "You haven't been yourself lately."

"I've just been a little distracted lately. I've got a lot on my mind, Gran." I said, hoping to deter any further conversation on the subject.

"By Eponine?" He asked, crushing any hope I had about ending the conversation. "I've seen the way you've started looking at her, Enjolras. I'm not blind. What's going on between you two?"

I sighed, "You're right; Eponine has been on my mind quite a bit lately. Ever since Marius' engagement party actually. I'm simply trying to sort out my feelings for her, Grantaire."

"There's more to it than that, Enjolras. I know you better than that, and I can hear it in your voice. Is something happening between you and Eponine?" He asked again, this time a little more forcefully. His voice carried through the café, drawing more than a few pairs of eyes from the others.

I felt unfamiliar nerves jittered in my stomach. I took a deep breath. "My relationship with Eponine is complicated," I answered as a few more of the guys moved closer to Grantaire and I. I could tell from the look on most of their faces that they all wanted information I wasn't entirely comfortable sharing. "Eponine is pregnant." I blurted out before I had the chance to bite my tongue to withhold the words.

"Pregnant?" Grantaire asked. "How? When?" The others just gave me a wide eyed look

"I think you know how that happens," I answered slowly. "We kind of got drunk and stupid at Marius' engagement party." I noticed the sour look on Marius' face.

Before anyone could say anything else, he cut in "You slept with Eponine?" His voice was sharp as razor blades. "How could you possibly sleep with Eponine?" He asked. "She's so-so- unappealing."

"Marius-." The other students exclaimed. Before they could continue their reaction, I stepped in.

"Just because you've never seen her for what she is, she's unappealing to you? That's fine." I said, not knowing quite where my words were coming from. "She's a loyal friend, someone that would put her life on the line just to help out a friend, and someone who would put her personal feelings aside to help make someone else happy. Marius, I'm happy that you found someone to spend the rest of your life with, but I'm sorry that you never managed to see Eponine for the incredible person that she is."

I paused to let him react, but no words came from his open mouth. "Yes, I slept with Eponine. Yes, the baby that she's carrying is mine. And yes, I'm realizing that I have feelings for her," I answered the unspoken question for the entire room. "I need you all to stay quiet about this until Eponine is ready to tell you. Please."

I watched as their heads nodded simultaneously. I hoped her day was not nearly as eventful and confrontational as mine.

The Day before the Wedding: EPONINE

I let my hand follow the curve of my ever-expanding stomach. The silk of the light blue dress was smooth against my skin, and because of my added weight flowed gently around my knees. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. It seemed that each day that passed, I got a little bit bigger to accommodate the tiny human invading my body.

"Wow," a familiar voice said from behind me. "You look-wow." Enjolras stepped into the room, a goofy smile plastered on his face. "Sorry, Dawn let me in. I hope it's okay that I'm here."

"It's always good to see a friendly face," I said turning around to look at him. I noticed the blush that flirted with his skin when his eyes fell on my stomach. I placed a hand on the extremely noticeable curve. My stomach fluttered as I felt a tiny bump against my hand. "Come feel," I said softly, noticing the way he watched the smile spread over my lips as the tiny thumps continued. "The baby is kicking."

I watched his smile faltered slightly for a brief second. Panic flashed across his face as he gently placed his hand on my stomach. It was the most intimate moment between us since the night of Marius' engagement party, and I could tell it made him slightly uncomfortable. I guided his hand along the curve of my stomach, and looked up at him.

"You said you wanted to be involved," I said my voice barely audible. "I just don't want you to miss out on feeling her kick." He pulled his hand back quickly.

"Wait, her?" He asked, looking down at me sheepishly.

I smiled at him, "Well, I'd rather say "her" than "it", and I really feel like the baby is a girl." I said chuckling. "But I could be wrong."

He stepped a little closer to me and placed his hand back on my stomach. I felt the tiny thump of the baby's feet against his hand. "I said I wanted to be involved." He said slowly, looking back down at me. "You're right. This is pretty phenomenal." He shook his head as though bringing himself back into the real world. "Anway. I-um- I came over to make sure you were okay with the wedding being tomorrow and all."

I sighed. For a few moments I had almost forgotten about the wedding tomorrow. The wedding that I was supposed to be a part of. I was going to stand up next to the man that I once loved and watch as he promised to love someone else for the rest of his life. Over the past few weeks I had thrown myself into work, preparing for the arrival of the baby, and spending time with the students at the café. I hadn't had much time to sit around moping about Marius marrying Cosette, especially with everything going on in my life.

"I'll be okay," I said. He raised his eyebrow at me, and I knew that I wasn't entirely convincing. "Really. Tomorrow will be a good day." I covered his hand with mine. Even as the words fell from my lips, I knew I was trying to convince both of us that things were going to be alright.

The truth is, my feelings for Marius hadn't completely dissipated. With all of the time, I'd been spending with Cosette and Marius planning the wedding I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pain with every plan. Most of my off time, however, had been spent with Enjolras. We'd grown closer over the last few weeks, really ever since I'd told him that I was pregnant. Since he'd found out about the baby, he'd been there for me in ways I'd never imagined.

"Okay," He said, looking down at me skeptically. I knew that over the last two months I'd been telling everyone that I was fine, and I clearly wasn't. I could understand his first instinct not to trust me when I was conveying my emotions, especially where Marius Pontmercy was involved. "Well if you need to talk, you'll have me there. And the other guys."

"I'm ready to walk down the aisle arm-in-arm with the best man and watch as Marius promises to have and hold Cosette for the rest of his life." I said, trying desperately to smile up at him.

"Well, lucky enough for you, I'll be right by your side during the long stride to the end of the aisle." He smiled at me. I felt a small tear slip down my cheek; he reached up and dragged his thumb gently across my cheek and wiped the tear gently away. "Hey now," He said, his voice gentle. "Don't cry, 'Ponine." He put his hand on my chin, gently forcing me to look up at him. I watched as he slowly bent down and pressed his lips gently to mine.

Well. That's it for today folks. Here comes the bride. Eck. I hate weddings. Oh well. I'll have the next chapter up as soon as I possibly can. Let me know what you're thinking! Thanks!