To the review from Please answer (Guest): Just gotta wait and see, sweetie! ;)

Disclaimer: I own nothing from anything from anytime or anyplace that has anything to do with Les Mis. I only own my imagination. Merci.

The Packages

It was time.

"Children! Come downstairs for a moment!" Enjolras picked up the package and flipped it over. The pounding of little feet caused him to look up and set a small smile on his face. The four piled in and grabbed a seat.

Athena pulled on his legs; he swung her up into his arms and sat down on the nearest chair.

Alfred took a large bite of his apple. "What is it, Aba?"

Enjolras smoothed down Athena's hair and held up the package. Alfred raised an eyebrow. "These are from your mother." he watched as Henry's eyes grew wide. "She left them awhile back." he didn't specify that he'd kept them hidden for more than two months.

Henry held out hand and asked quietly, "May I see mine?"

Enjolras sighed and slid the paper out of the envelope. "Here." he passed the others out; Jehan would need help reading his, and Enjolras would read off Athena's, but the elder boys relocated to a private part of the house.

When Jehan finally gave up trying to read on his own, Enjolras laughed and took a seat beside his son. "Would you like me to read it?" he asked. Jehan nodded, curling up by Enjolras, resting his head on his shoulder. Athena laid her head on Enjolras's stomach, sucking her thumb. Lord help him when he read his little girl's letter.

"My darling first-born,

You are something special. You are something magnificent. And you are something I treasure. From the first day I laid eyes on you, I knew you would be something great. I knew that one day you would grow up to be exactly like your father: strong and wise. I knew that you would choose to read instead of play, and for that, I am grateful. Oh, my darling Jehan, words cannot express how much I adore you, how much I love you. Every time you look at me with those beautiful blue eyes, I melt a little inside. And every time you ask one of your silly questions no one knows the answers to, I just want to squeeze you until all the stuffing comes out!" Jehan giggled. "One day, you will grow up. One day you will most likely rule the world with your smarts. I hope that then the day comes that you decide to leave and marry some beautiful girl, have your own fat babies, you'll always come home to me, your mother, who loves you more than all the stars and books in Daddy's library. To my precious, Jehan, I promise to always be there for you, even when I'm not around. I remain your mother always, not matter what happens, Mummy."

Enjolras closed his eyes and swallowed back his tears. Oh, she loved him more than she loved anyone. Her Jehan, her precious boy. Enjolras bent down and kissed Jehan's head.

"Daddy," Jehan began. "Mummy.. Mummy still loves me, right? Just because she-"

Enjolras shook his head. "Of course, my son. Of course she still loves you. She always will."

Jehan smiled. "Good. Read Tina's letter now."

Enjolras smiled ruefully. "You say her name 'A-th-en-a,' Jehan. Not Tina." he pulled Athena up onto his chest, the way she always sat, and opened the letter. Athena leaned her head back so she could she Enjolras; the world was upside and she giggled. Enjolras already felt the tears build up again.

He willed himself to be strong once more.

"My fire ball,

Athena Marie, you are my little girl, my world! Growing up with only brothers, and then only having sons, I was so used to men and they way the acted, and when you came, oh, I was nervous. I had no idea how I would tell you that boys are mean, they break your heart. I didn't know how to tell you that it's okay to cry, to be happy, to love something so much it nearly hurts. But, then, you smiled at me and your little finger held mine, and I think it just all fell into place. I knew it would be alright; we'd be alright. We would figure it out together; the two of us, the red-heads of the house. I pray your father does you well. It's going to be hard for him, you know. He's not used to girls. Go easy; don't make too many messes. When the first boy shows up, let your father have a heart-attack, and then tell him you'll always love him; he'll always be the first man for you. When you have your first heart-break, cry and tell him what it is that hurts. Don't bottle it all up, my sweet. It only hurts every one in the long run; I would know.

"Sweetheart, you're going to be wonderful; you're going to sweep everyone away with your charm and grace. I only hope to see it one day too. Love until the end, Mummy."

That night, as Enjolras tucked the younger ones into bed, Alfred waited outside Athena's door. He wanted to show him his letter; the one that tore his heart. He heard the door opened and he fell back against the wall, suddenly scared. He heard his father blow out a breath and run a hand through his hair. He moved toward the staircase.

"Aba!" Alfred called.

Enjolras turned around. "Yes, son?"

"Can I talk to you.. about my letter?"

Enjolras closed his eyes and nodded, beckoning him down to his office. When the two had settled down, Alfred pulled the letter out from his own death grip. Enjolras, in a moment of need, poured himself a small glass of gin.

"Well?" he said after a moment.

Alfred sighed. "Why don't you just read it.." he slid the note across the desk. "Out loud."

Enjolras nodded and held it in his preoccupied hand.

"Alfred,

I told myself I was going to be honest in all of my letters, so I shall be. I am an honest woman, most of the time, and I pride myself in saying what needs to be said. When I first met you, you were but six; a small little thing, the exact replica of your father. You were so excited to finally have a mother that you hardly left me alone the first week I arrived. It was nerve-wracking to get married and then suddenly have a child, I'm sure you can try to understand. You were always the one who confused me the most, I must add. I knew that you were someone else's, but I did not know who. That is, until a very short while ago. Eponine, was her name, I assume you know; she came from the gutters, nothing. She swept your father off his feet, using what, I don't know. But suddenly, there you were! Enjolras' first son, first child. And he wanted to do everything for you. So he did. He married me because of you and thus, my heart was shattered. I apologize if this is not the letter that you wished for. We never spoke much; I don't know much about your character. I can only advice you not to make the same mistake your father did.

"Be a good boy and care for your siblings. Ruby."

Enjolras took a deep breath, another swig of whiskey, another breath. He crumpled the letter up in his hand and threw it into the fire. Alfred winced. Enjolras set his glass down and leaned onto his desk, folding his hands in front of him. Alfred looked away.

"Look at me," Enjolras said.

Alfred wouldn't, he couldn't. Not after what he had done to mess it all up..

More forcefully, Enjolras said it again. "Look at me, Alfred."

The boy's head slowly turned. Enjolras fought the urge to gasp. God, he looked like her. What was he? Fourteen now? Yes. Fourteen. Enjolras hardly stopped to take a look and see how much his little boy had grown. He was shooting up like a weed, almost as tall as Enjolras now. His hair was like Enjolras'; golden, like wheat. His eyes, though, those were Eponine's. Dark like her's, deep like her's, searching like her's. He acted liked her, too, without even knowing it. Sometimes Enjolras would see him get confused over schooling and he would stick his tongue out a little in concentration, like she always did. Alfred was.. was Eponine's son, there was no doubt about that, and Enjolras needed to take care of him, like he did the rest.

"You are not Ruby's son, this is true; you never will be. Thank the Lord. But, Alfred, you are my son, and you are not a mistake. You are not to blame for this. If there's anyone to blame, it's me. I was the one to.. Well, never mind. The point is: don't listen to her or her lies. She just wants to shake you up, make you nervous. Don't let her."

Alfred nodded, lowering his head.

"Are you really listening to me?"

"Certainly."

Enjolras laughed to himself. "Alfred, you are precious to me. You are exactly like your mother; I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Aba?"

"Hm?"

Alfred sighed and wiped a stray tear off his cheek. "I love you."

Enjolras smiled and took his son's hand. "I love you, too, son."

Marius sat down, rubbing his knees. "Pregnant?" he breathed, still shocked.

Cosette nodded. She rubbed her stomach. It had been three weeks past the point she usually lost the child at. The doctor had said she was doing well with just resting, taking it easy. He said that Cosette should continue to do the same, but keep her mind in perspective.

"Yes." her breath hitched with emotion. "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking.. I'm.. I don't know." Marius stared at the floor and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm excited, yes. Of course. But.. nervous. What if- What if anything happens?" he looked up, eyes imploring.

"If anything happens," Cosette took his hand and smiled. "We'll get through it together."

Marius smiled and pulled her into his arms. "I'm going to be a father!" he smiled and kissed his wife on the lips.

There's been a certain lull in the past few chapters, but don't worry; that'll pick back up. ;) Review please!

Jess