Chapter 19
"You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness. We pardon to the extent that we love. Love is knowing that even when you are alone, you will never be lonely again. Great happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. Loved for ourselves and even loved in spite of ourselves."
PARIS 1829
"Coufeyrac" Coufeyrac quickly turned around, seeing Eponine on the other side of the street.
"Mademoiselle" Coufeyrac said as soon as Eponine got by his side. He offered her his arm and she quickly took it.
"What can I do for you, Eponine?" Coufeyrac asked when they started walking.
"Nothing, really. I was suppose to be heading home but I saw you and I thought it's nice to be in the company of an Amis again." she said. Coufeyrac could feel himself smiling.
"So, you missed us, Mademoiselle?" Coufeyrac asked, smirking.
"Don't flirt" Eponine said. Coufeyrac laughed and they made their way towards Musain.
Combeferre was just sealing a letter to Enjolras when Eponine and Coufeyrac climbed up the stairs. It was nice to see her again, especially after seeing Enjolras. It just shows that Enjolras isn't the only one keeping her from being a friend. Grantaire was speaking to Eponine about the taste of the new wine he just procured, which Eponine reluctantly drank. Sometimes, Combeferre wonders if Grantaire really is drunk. Sometimes, he worries even. His friend is going to die young. He thought. Nobody talked about Enjolras in the duration that Eponine was there. It was odd at first for the other Amis knowing that Enjolras was usually a topic here and there but as soon as Eponine was there, all talk about him faltered. Once his name was brought up, someone would usually change the topic. Usually Combeferre, Coufeyrac and Grantaire. Nobody knew of course, they just somehow deduced that talking about Enjolras made Eponine sad. Well, that's what they think.
Eponine found it weird though. Because she really didn't mind the talk about Enjolras. She missed him, truly and talking about him just felt like he isn't miles away, it feels like he's still there.
She felt her heart constrict. Coufeyrac noticed her distress before anyone else did and walked towards her instantly.
"May I walk you home?" Coufeyrac offered. He didn't care whether Eponine wanted to leave or not, he knew she should. Seeing that there was no way out of it anyhow, Eponine just nodded. They bid their good byes and started towards the palace.
"Thank you." she said once they were outside. Coufeyrac just nodded.
"You were always there when I needed to talk. I'm just returning the favour" He said. She smiled.
"How are you going to celebrate Christmas?" she asked. He shrugs, "The usual, I guess. Christmas with the Amis and then I go to my parents in Toulouse." He said. Eponine remembered the Amis's Christmas party. It was always a blast. Who knew that in a year everything changed. "You can still go, you know" Coufeyrac said. Eponine shook his head. "It won't be the same without him" she said. "Besides, Mother will probably throw a grand Christmas party now that my father is back."
"Who remembers the last time she threw a Christmas party?"
"I don't remember it either. Christmas these past two years wasn't so festive" She said.
She sighed and they stayed quiet.
"How would you feel if Enjolras marries?" Coufeyrac asked as they passed by the Elephant. Eponine was distracted by the thought of Gavroche but once Coufeyrac asked, she couldn't think of anything else other than that.
"Well. It's fine, really" Coufeyrac raised his brow at her.
"I couldn't tie him down like that. I'm happy that he has found someone else. Atleast I know, I'm not making his life miserable" she said. Coufeyrac sighed.
"You still love him" Coufeyrac said. It wasn't a question, a statement maybe but everyone knew that it was true.
"I don't think I can be happier with anyone else as long as Enjolras is walking the Earth. Marius will always just be second best" Eponine admitted. Coufeyrac patted her shoulder and stayed quiet once he saw the palace in the distance.
"Good Night, Coufeyrac" Eponine said as she walked up the stairs. Coufeyrac nodded and said, "Good Night, mademoiselle"
It was early in the morning when Coufeyrac heard a knock on the door. He was surprised though, to see his best friend standing in front of him as he opened the door.
"Is anything the problem?" Coufeyrac asked Marius who made his way to the kitchen for a glass of water. He seemed giddy, almost excited with something and Coufeyrac knew why. There was only ever one thing- person, that makes Marius act like that.
"Where?" Coufeyrac asked.
"Just outside the Musain, towards the university" he told him. "Did you follow her?" Marius shook his head. He looked awestruck.
"You're married, Marius" Coufeyrac made clear. Marius slumped down on the chair as if the reality of everything just struck him; as if he realized that he is married.
"I love Eponine, truly." He said. Coufeyrac knew there was more to that so he didn't speak any further. He just let him talk. "She doesn't seem happy. I mean, I am trying my best to make this work." he added.
"You can't make a work amazing if your heart is half in it." Coufeyrac whispered. Marius looked at him with curiosity and asked, "What do you mean?"
"You may love Eponine but she's not the one you're happy with. Yes, you're a tad bit happy but wouldn't you be happier with the person you really love." He sighed and thought about the Coufeyrac's statement. "Same goes with Eponine" Coufeyrac added. This made Marius look up.
"Do you mean Eponine is in love with someone else?" This made Coufeyrac smile and say back, "You're not the only one allowed to fall in love, mon ami" Marius shook his head. Though he wanted to know more about this stranger he let the subject dropped and talked about more matters, Christmas included.
Five Days Until Christmas
"Yes, put that there" Eponine ordered. It was going to be a big party and for the first time, Eponine wanted it somewhat perfect. It was Christmas after all.
"A telegram for you, Mademoiselle" Eponine turned the telegram. She opened it and was curious as to what it is. Then Azelma walked down the stairs which made more sense.
"Has a telegram come for me?" she asked. Eponine passed it and Azelma looked embarrassed at her sister opening it.
"They thought it was for me." Azelma just nodded.
Eponine smirked and tried to go back to her duties when Azelma suddenly burst. Fortunately, the staff just thought it was normal.
"Please don't tell, Mama" Eponine smiled reassuringly, "I won't" Azelma smiled and started walking back towards her room when Eponine said, "I'm going to the Musain to hand out some invitation. Want to join me?" she asked.
"Now?" Azelma said. Eponine nodded. "I'll just change then."
"I'll wait for you in the library" Eponine said and Azelma ran up to her room.
"You don't look that ludicrous" Eponine told Azelma seeing her sister keep on flattening her dress.
Azelma sighed. Eponine rolled her eyes and said, "He won't love you any less if your dress is crumpled" Azelma looked at Eponine as if she's barking mad.
"Well, unless he's that kind of man." Eponine added. She smiled once she saw her sister roll her eyes and they walked towards the Café.
When Combeferre heard Eponine bounding the stairs, talking to someone, he instinctively looked at Jehan. He didn't notice yet who was bounding the stairs with Eponine. He didn't want to do it, but Combeferre really wanted to know how Jean Prouvaire will react. He walked towards his friend.
"Could you get some pamphlets downstairs?" Jehan looked at Combeferre, irritatingly.
"Aye, aye, captain" He said. Eponine saw Jehan approaching and quickly eyed Combeferre who looked smugly at Jehan.
"How did you know?" Eponine asked as she and Combeferre looked at Jehan and Azelma trip on each other's words.
"Enjolras" Combeferre answered. Eponine didn't say anything and Combeferre didn't push her into doing so.
"What are you doing here?" Jehan asked Azelma.
"I'm accompanying Eponine. Were you going somewhere?" Azelma said. Jehan shrugged, "Getting some pamphlets." Jehan answered which only made Azelma nod.
"Could I buy you a drink?" Jehan asked. Azelma smiled and nodded.
"I'd love that"
A/N
I know. A Christmas chapter before Christmas but I don't want to wait that long to post the next chapter. So Yeah.
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-E