I worked sooo hard on this chapter!

Hope you like it!

Azelma stayed with Eponine after that. Muchietta found her work as a nanny, a job that she enjoyed immensely.

At first after Montparnasse's death, Azelma had nightmares and would wake up screaming. Eponine spend many nights comforting her sister. But eventually, the dreams faded, as did Muchietta's pain at Joly's death.

Muchietta had men buzzing around her, as usual, but she quietly turned them down until she met a young medical student who was forever staring at his tongue in the mirror. She allowed him to court her after awhile.

Even Azelma had found a friend, the older brother of the children that she nannied for. The pair spent many a summer evening walking together, and Azelma blushed deeply every time Eponine inquired about him.

Before anyone knew it, September had come. Muchietta was fitting Eponine's dress one last time. The ceremony that they had planned was very small. Muchietta was there to walk with her friend down the aisle, as Eponine still had a slight limp, and Azelma was to spread flower petals as they went.

They all carried bouquets of white roses, tied up with a blue and a red ribbon, as a symbol of freedom, and a very thin black ribbon as a small reminder of the friends that had been lost. Feuilly wore a white rose in his buttonhole with the same ornamentation.

Eponine glowed in her white dress, her hair up under a kissing veil, her arm linked with Muchietta's. Azelma came before, scattering rose petals. Feuilly waited at the altar, in his best coat and a new blue cravat, a wedding gift from Muchietta and Azelma. He had sheepishly called Muchietta over the night before, and she had stayed up late patching his coat and pants. His shoes were polished and shiny, and his hair was tied back into a neat queue.

Watching Eponine walk up the aisle toward him took Feuilly's breath away. He could see her cheeks, flushed pink with happiness, even under the veil. The white dress was simple, but it made her even more beautiful.

The only music was the old organ, which the priest's sister had kindly offered to play. She was not very good, however, and wrong notes frequently peppered the familiar melody as Eponine walked slowly down the aisle.

She reached the altar, and Feuilly held out his hand. She slipped her small, trembling hand into his big, steady, warm one, and they smiled at each other as Eponine stepped up next to her future husband.

The vows were short and very simple. Rings were exchanged, and soon Feuilly raised a now-trembling hand to raise Eponine's veil. She was smiling at him, her eyes bright.

"I love you," he said softly.

"I love you," she replied. He leaned in and kissed her. The couple resisted the urge for a long, drawn-out kiss, and Azelma and Muchietta laughed and clapped.

It was a beautiful wedding.

Eponine and Feuilly left the church as man and wife, hand in hand. The girls came behind, arms linked. A few people turned and saw the merry foursome, but the quiet little marriage was unnoticed by most.

Back at the newlywed's house, they held a small reception. Muchietta and Azelma stacked small round cakes as high as they could balance them. Tradition dictated that Feuilly and Eponine would have good luck in their marriage if they could kiss over the stack without knocking it down.

The girls had managed to pile the cakes quite high, and on the table they went above Eponine's head. Luckily, Feuilly was at least six inches taller, and he managed to stand over the top and lean down. When Eponine stood on her tiptoes, she could brush her lips against his.

Azelma laughed,

"We almost got you, 'Ponine! I wanted to stack them higher, but Muchietta wouldn't let me!"

"I couldn't let her," Muchietta said, laughing quietly, "I want my dear friend's marriage to be perfect."

"So do I!" Azelma said. Eponine laughed and hugged her.

The bride and groom and their wedding guests ate the cakes, with milk instead of champagne, and Muchietta and Azelma left. Azelma was taking Eponine's old room above the book shop. All of Eponine's things had been moved to Feuilly's small house the day before.

The newlyweds sat up late, a crackling fire chasing away the chill of the September night, waiting for the girls to come back for their chiverie, the wedding-night prank that was supposed to interrupt the couple as they consummated their marriage. Azelma and Muchietta would come banging pots and pans outside the window, and Eponine and Feuilly were to appear, still in wedding clothes, and give them treats.

However, first light broke over the rooftops, and there was no sign of Azelma and Muchietta. Eponine, from her place next to Feuilly, was yawning widely. She had napped on and off during the night, as had he, but had gotten little sleep altogether.

"Maybe we've outlasted them," Feuilly said, kissing Eponine on the forehead, "are you ready for bed, chère?"

She nodded sleepily, and they went into their bedroom together. Eponine went idly to the open window and closed it, then to the closet. She opened it, jumped, and then laughed.

"What is it?" Feuilly asked. She put a finger to her lips and beckoned him over. There, on the floor of the tiny closet, Muchietta and Azelma slept, leaning on each other. Eponine crept to the kitchen, fetching two pots and long spoons.

Laughing, the couple beat the pots, causing the girls in the closet to jump awake. Azelma rubbed her eyes and looked up at her sister,

"W-what time is it?"

"It's morning, you goose!" Eponine cried, laughing. Muchietta managed a wry smile,

"So we fell asleep, did we? Well, the joke's on us!"

"Indeed it is," Feuilly said. The girls stood and hugged the couple, bidding their last goodbyes, and took their leave. Feuilly locked the window and drew the curtain, wrapping his arms around Eponine and kissing her.

"Let's sleep, chère. You're exhausted."

They changed into nightclothes quickly, and soon Eponine was cradled in Feuilly's arms. She gave him one last warm, sleepy kiss, before falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Feuilly watched his smiling little wife sleep for a bit, before dropping the gentlest of kisses on her forehead,

"I love you," he whispered. She did not stir, and he laid his head next to hers, closing his eyes and falling into a deep, peaceful slumber.

So, it makes me sad to say that this is probably the last chapter, except for a short –and probably fluffy; you've been warned!- little Epilogue so you can see a little into Eppie and Feuilly's happily ever after. I really enjoyed writing it, and I hope you liked reading it!

I'm always looking for another piece to work on, so if you have any suggestions…I'm thinking a Montparnasse/Azelma fic next!

Anyway, thanks so much for reading, and even more for reviews!

Yours,

M.