Hello again everyone! I apologize for the lack of quick updates on all my stories. Thank you to all the lovely reviewers- you really make my day :) Here is the next bit, I really hope you enjoy! Admittedly, this one is mostly filler, but expect the plot to pick up soon!
-Marseillaise
Cosette's pov
It had been almost a month since Joly had left. Marius was charming, and I think that sending one of his friends off to hopefully reunite with their mistress was immensely uplifting. I walked down the staircase into the foyer, where Marius was conversing with Papa. Smiling, I made my appearance.
"Cosette!" Marius cried, standing up. "You've never looked better."
I blushed, laughing lightly at his praise. I was wearing a light blue dress with a tight waist and a frilled top. The sleeves were lace, and stopped just above my elbows. It was new, a present from Marius' grandfather for no good reason. He really did spoil me, but he was such a gentleman and always handing out compliments. Since the barricades and his reunion with Marius, I believe he had changed his political views slightly, if only to appease my husband. For the anniversary of our engagement, he had given me such a large trunk of dresses that I don't think I shall ever run out.
"Thank you!" I said in response.
Papa smiled and gestured to the loveseat that Marius was currently occupying alone. "Come join us," he said, "we have just been discussing this letter."
Curious, I drew closer. It was written on semi-decent stationary, and said,
Marius, Cosette, and M. Fauchelevent,
I cannot thank you enough for your support. I am doing fine in England, and have begun to set up a medical practice again. I live in a small flat with Musichetta in the avenue next to her sister's flat. We are happy, or as happy as can be. English is a difficult language, I must confess, but thankfully Musichetta has been tutoring me and I receive daily immersion, as almost no one here speaks French. A kind man named M. John Gautier, a previous French emigrant himself, has been helping me and is now my partner in the field of medicine.
Musichetta is lovely, I am indebted to you for reuniting us. In fact, she is pregnant, and we are engaged! I proposed to her as soon as I learned she was pregnant, and are delighted for the baby. We think if it is a boy he shall be called something French, and something English if she is a girl. Our wedding shall be next June, on the sixth. I debated this, as it is the anniversary of the barricades, but in the end we decided that, as a tribute, it would be okay. In fact, Marius, would you do us the honor of being our best man? I cannot think of a better person. It will not be a large wedding- perhaps fifty people at the most. Good luck and a wonderful time to you all; a more sincere invitation to the wedding shall come soon!
Sincerely, François Joly
"Musichetta's pregnant!" I exclaimed. Marius nodded, beaming at me. I couldn't resist smiling affectionately back. I really was thrilled for them. The wedding would be bittersweet, but would fill the day with happy memories to replace bad ones. Moreover, Marius as best man! I could hardly wait.
"Do you think we must learn English?" I asked suddenly.
"I doubt it very much," Papa said, "although if necessary I can translate. Marius already knows English, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem for him, correct?" he said, directing the last bit to Marius.
"Yes. And both Joly and Musichetta speak both, so I wouldn't worry."
I looked at Marius, biting my lip with happiness. Our own wedding, while in reality it had been barely three months ago, felt like yesterday, and I doubted I would ever be less in love with him.
