Author's note: My goodness, you don't realize how happy I am for everyone's support on this story! I mean it! I want to give a shout out to Shadows-of-1832 for taking the time to read this story. I also want give a shout out to my tumblr buddy eponinexenjolras for letting me express my inner Enjonine love. I dedicate this chapter to you two. As always, I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 21!
Christmas Eve
"Enjolras. Where are you taking me?" Éponine questioned as she and Enjolras were wandering the empty Paris streets. "Somewhere that I know you'll love." He answered. Enjolras felt his heart beat faster as he guided Éponine to the place where he would present her gift. He was getting nervous.
Earlier that day, he and Éponine had gone to visit Hugues and Bressole, giving them some croissants and baguettes as gifts. He had never seen two people scarf down food faster that Hugues and Bressole Thénardier. The boys smiled, enjoying their great treat as Enjolras and Éponine stayed and chatted for a while. Before the two of them left, Hugues and Bressole put in place the policy of 'break-our-sister's-heart-we-break-your-face ' to Enjolras. He had to admit on one thing, the boys were a lot scarier than any National Guard he met on the barricade. When family gets involved, that's when things get really messy. Soon, Enjolras and Éponine left to head back to the garret, but not before making a quick pit stop at the brothel. Enjolras wasn't thrilled to head over there, especially since he would be a fly in a web full of spiders, but Éponine had to meet up with some old friends. "Alright, but not for long."
When they got to the brothel, Éponine introduced Enjolras to Bette, Yvette, and Gigi. The three girls seemed entranced by him, which made Enjolras uncomfortable. "So you're 'Ponine's sweetheart, aren't you? You are very handsome. You must've had a lot of women…" Yvette teased until Éponine slapped her upside the head. "OW! I was just kidding! God, 'Ponine!" "Awe, 'Ponine is being protective! It is love!" Bette squealed. "Yuck!" Gigi wrinkled her nose. "Love. Could you do anything else besides that? Ya know…boy stuff?" "Like what?" Enjolras asked. Gigi playfully punched his arm. "Ya know…stuff…you know you boys are too complicated. 'Ponine! I think your man broke my brain! This is why I hate men." Enjolras looked to Éponine in confusion. "She grew up with twelve brothers who picked on her." Enjolras nodded in an understanding manner.
Éponine talked with her friends while Enjolras, staying close to the gamine, listened. The girls spoke about many interesting topics, he forgot he was in brothel. At least until an older prostitute tried to seduce him, and Éponine threatened to "flatten" her if she came up to Enjolras again. That's my girl.
It was getting late, so Éponine and her friends said their farewells, and the two of them headed back to the garret, but not before saying a quick 'Happy Chrismas' to Madame Toussaint at her shop. The Madame asked if the two lovers had exchanged presents yet, and Enjolras replied "no." "Well you better hurry up! You may never get a chance like this again!"
Madame Toussaint winked at him. She was the only one who know about the gift.
. The Revolutionary and the beggar headed back to the garret. When they entered, Éponine ordered Enjolras to sit down on the couch. "I have your Christmas present ready! I'll be right back." She told as she pecked Enjolras's cheek and ran into the bedroom. When she came out, Éponine held a rectangular maroon box. She couldn't stop smiling as she sat down next to Enjolras and handed him the box. He teasingly examine it, knowing that Éponine hated waiting. "Well? Aren't you going to open it?" she asked impatiently Enjolras gave a devilish grin. "I think I'll wait until next Christmas." Éponine punched him in the arm. "Ow! Okay! Fine! I'll open it." Enjolras chuckled as he removed the cover of the box. He looked inside and pulled out a beautiful, snow colored quill. It was newly cut and fresh. Enjolras lightly pinched the feather and ran his fingers up the stem. T felt smooth to the touch. "Oh, 'Ponine…" he awed, not taking his eyes off of it. "I noticed that some of your other quills were dull, so I sold one of my perfume bottles and bought this for you. I thought you could use it." Éponine explained. Enjolras looked at her. "I love it. Merci beaucoup." He kissed her on the nose, which made Éponine blush. The two of them shared a romantic gaze, until Éponine asked, "Not trying to sound rude, but didn't you say you had a present for me?" "Of course!" Enjolras exclaimed as he patted his coat. "It's right…oh no! I think I dropped it on our way back home! Come on! Let's see if we can retrieve it!" "Enjolras, it's probably gone by now." Éponine told in a sad tone. Enjolras stood up and held his hand out. "We won't know unless we retrace our steps. Come." Éponine smiled and took his hand.
"Enjolras! This is nowhere near where we were today!" Éponine exclaimed "Oh, I know. I found your present hidden in my secret coat pocket. I just want to take you somewhere." The truth was, Enjolras didn't lose the gift. He just needed an excuse to get Éponine out of the garret again. It was all part of her present. "Enjolras. Where are you taking me?" "Somewhere that I know you'll love."
They finally reached their destination, Notre Dame Cathedral. Éponine smiled. "Of course! My favorite place! How could I have forgotten?" Enjolras's heart was racing. It's okay. You're going to be fine. It will be just like a regular meeting. Deep breaths. "Éponine?" Enjolras tried to get her attention, as she was admiring the cathedral. She turned herself towards him. Oh, how radiant she looks at this moment. Enjolras's heart felt like it was trying to pop out his chest. "Oui, mon cher?" she asked. Enjolras felt his knees go weak. "I…I wrote you a speech. I promise it won't long. It should take more than a couple of minutes." Éponine smiled. "Alright then." Enjolras took another deep breath, then began.
"We all experience change at some point in our lives, whether it's the changing of a new year, or starting school, or even letting someone new into our lives. Change is like death, inevitable. No matter how fast we run, it cannot be escaped. We must learn to accept change, despite the outcomes. I have had negative and positive experiences with change. I have lost so many people in my life I can't even count. I had begun to hate what change brought, until I met you. Éponine, you encouraged me to be strong through these changes. You believed in me at a time I didn't believe in myself. You were the positive change I needed in my life, and I don't know what my life would be like without you in it. I can't think of a life without you. I can't live without you, Éponine. You don't understand how much you matter to me. I love you, Éponine and I want to create a life with you. What I'm trying to say is…" Enjolras pulled out a small box from his coat, and began to take a knee. He opened the box and Éponine gasped. Enjolras smiled as he saw her cover her mouth with her hands, her eyes brimming with tears. "Éponine Thénardier, will you marry me?" Éponine was speechless. Me? He wants to marry me? She felt warm giddy feeling electrifying her body. This man. This wonderful man, wanted to have her as his wife. Éponine had so much she wanted to say at that moment, but no words came out. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she nodded like a maniac. She had the biggest smile on her face when Enjolras stood up and placed the ring on her finger. It was nothing too fancy, just a single gold band with a small diamond. Éponine loved it. Her heart was beating fast as she looked from her ring to the man she loved. He was smiling too. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. "So this was my Christmas present? A home with you?" Éponine asked with full tenderness. Enjolras gave her a hug, and whispered in her ear, "Do you like it?" Éponine placed her forehead on the nape of his neck, and squeezed his torso. "I will treasure this moment for the rest of my life." The two of them tightened their embrace, almost as if one of them let go, they would never see each other again. Enjolras kissed her hair, his lips feeling electric. He wanted to stay like this forever, in the arms of his now fiancée. Éponine raised her head and let her left hand cup Enjolras's cheek. "You mean the world to me, mon cher. I cannot think of a life without you either." The tip of his nose touched Éponine's. "My wife-to-be." Enjolras breathed. "My husband-to-be." Éponine breathed as she felt Enjolras plant a kiss on her freezing lips. "Come, love. Let's get home and warm up." He said with a smile.
They made love that night. Their desire for one another grew more and more with every kiss and every touch. It was as if that moment was made only for them, the newly engaged couple.
Éponine and Enjolras laid tangled up together, feeling hot yet satisfied from their union. Éponine was lightly drawing circles around his breast bone with her index finger, while Enjolras rubbed his hand up and down her arm. He never ceased to admire the woman he now held dearly to his heart. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. Lub-dub.
Éponine peered out the window, her eyes widening. "Enjolras! Look!" He too peered out the window. A slight sprinkle of snow was falling outside. It rarely snowed in Paris, so this was a first in a long time. "Would you look at that?" Enjolras admired. Éponine snuggled closer to his chest, and looked at her fiancé. "What a miracle. This has to be the best Christmas ever." She said affectionately. Enjolras looked at her with true compassion. He leaned in and captured her lips. "I couldn't agree more."
End of Part 1