Twenty-Five

Eponine

I know that we have a week before Enjolras is taken from me, but every moment that he is late returning home, I am worried that he is gone. I don't know how I'll last these next two months. Gavroche, being the vagabond that he is, still rotates whose house he stays at. All of the amis love him immensely, so he is welcome everywhere. It has been nice having some alone time with Enjolras before we are separated. He has made arrangements with his boss at the law office and will thankfully return to a job once he is released. Combeferre will be taking over all the state affairs and negotiations for now.

Tonight, I wait for him to come home, only two more days until he leaves. Gavroche is staying with Combeferre, and he will be staying with other people until sometime next week. Our friends have volunteered to take care of him for a while, knowing that I will have some coping to do with Enjolras gone. Even though I know it is not forever, I cannot stop my mind from worrying. Hard labor is rough on the bodies of the prisoners, and I am certainly concerned about the condition he will come back to me in.

I busy myself tidying the small flat, sometimes cleaning things more than once. Our meal is cooking, so there is nothing I can do but wait for it to be done, and I am too anxious to read. After dusting every single book in the house, which is quite a feat, I go to glance at the clock. I stop dead in my tracks when I see that it is an hour after Enjolras was supposed to be home. Where is he? I begin to pace, trying to decide what to do. Finally, I decide that I must try to find him. I don't care if our cooking dinner burns down the flat, or if I get sick from the slight chill that has settled over the city. I have to find him. I bolt for the door, not bothering to grab a coat or anything else.

Just as I swing the door open, I see Enjolras standing there, key in hand and a shocked look on his face. Overwhelmed with relief, I yelp and sling my arms around his neck, burying my face in his chest. After a moment, I feel his free hand snake around and rest at my back.

"Ep, what's the matter?" he asks.

I look up at him, my heart still settling in my chest, "You were late, and I was worried."

He looks at my apologetically, kissing my forehead, "It's okay. I'm here."

He ushers us back inside and shuts the door. As he sheds his coat, I catch him smiling at me.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Nothing. I just love you."

I can feel myself blushing, so I go to the kitchen to plate our dinner. As I set the plates and the glasses of wine on the table, I can hear him rummaging around in the bedroom. I listen for a moment to see if I can tell what he is doing before i wipe my hands on my skirt and sit.

"Gabriel, dinner!" I call.

I watch as he comes back into the room, still wearing his work clothes, but his sleeves are rolled up, his cravat loosened, revealing a triangle of skin at the base of his neck and top of his chest. His blond curls are wild on his head, unruly after a day of work. And I think for a moment about just how handsome he is. He sits across from me, and reaches across the table to grasp my hand.

"It smells wonderful," he smiles.

I know he is trying to be cheerful for us in this dark time, but I can still see the sorrow and exhaustion in his eyes. I know he doesn't sleep well. I worry about what kind of depressive state he will slip into when he is alone and has all the time in the world to think. I try to push the thoughts from my mind as we only have a short time left together for the time being. We eat our dinner in almost complete silence, a habit we have developed. Although, I do notice that Enjolras is acting a little strangely. I credit it to the upcoming imprisonment and continue eating. After we are finished, Enjolras rises and takes his plate to the wash bin.

"I'll be back in a moment," he says quietly before disappearing back into the bedroom.

I am washing the dishes when I hear Enjolras call my name. Wiping my hands on a towel, I make my way back to the bedroom. I stick my head around the doorframe to see him sitting on the side of the bed.

"Come here, Ep," he says softly, patting the space beside him.

I sit and look at him curiously as he grasps my hand, "What's bothering you, Gabriel?"

"You know I love you, but I have realized, Eponine, that I cannot imagine life without you. I used to have dreams of growing old with the woman I love, somewhere secluded and beautiful. Now, instead of a woman I don't recognize, I see you in those dreams. I want those dreams to be a reality. So, if you would allow it, after I return, I would be overjoyed to make you my wife," he explains softly.

My heart hammers in my chest. I look up at him with tears in my eyes, seeing nothing but love and adoration in his crystal blue ones. I place my hand on his cheek.

"Gabriel, I want nothing more than to be your wife. Of course, I'll marry you."

He pulls me to sit across his lap, hugging me tightly. I reaches into the pocket of his trousers and pulls out a dainty but beautiful ring and slips it on my finger. I press my lips to his, tangling my fingers in his curls. He pulls away after a moment, but keeps his forehead rested against mine.

"Now we have something to look forward to," he says.

He laughs lowly, and I can feel the vibrations of his chest in mine as we are pressed together.

"That's very true," I breathe.

He kisses me again, but this time quick and chaste.

"I love you so much," he sighs.

"I love you too. You be careful."

He scoops his arm underneath my knees and stands, spinning me around. I hold onto his neck tightly and throw back my head in laughter. This is only the beginning of our lives together.

Enjolras

It is the morning that I am to be arrested, and I have to say that I am extremely nervous, not just because I am going to be serving hard labor, but because I am leaving Eponine alone for two months. I know she can care for herself. I don't doubt that. She is strong and independent. I would just feel more comfortable being with her. It is my job to protect her.

I am standing in the washroom shaving for what will be the last time in two months when I hear Eponine's soft footsteps before she appears behind me in the mirror. I can see the worry lines around her eyes. She watches intently as I run the blade down my jawline, getting rid of any excess stubble. I finish up and swirl the blade in the wash bin, cleaning it.

"You missed some soap," I hear Eponine say as she grabs a towel and strokes it over the back of my jaw.

It is only a matter of moments later that there is a banging on the front door. My eyes immediately meet Eponine's caramel ones and her's are already full with tears. I grasp her hand tightly and pull her behind me as I go to the door. Javert is standing there, smiling wryly at me.

"Well, Enjolras it's that time."

"Let me say goodbye to my fiancée," I say, a lump in my throat.

Javert nods, stepping back slightly to give us more space. I turn to Eponine whose tears are now spilling over.

"These two months will be over in no time, love. I promise I'll come back to the same as I am now. Busy yourself with wedding plans, and I'll be sure to make you Madame Enjolras when I return. Be careful and safe, my love. I love you more than you could ever imagine, Ep," I say hoarsely.

"I love you immensely, Gabriel. You come back to me," she whimpers.

I lean down and press my lips to hers, tasting her salty tears. I pull away and squeeze her tight to my chest, running my hands through her long, chocolate tresses, breathing in her scent. I pepper kisses to her neck, her cheeks, her forehead, her nose before kissing her lips one last time and squeezing her hands again. I turn and walk over to Javert, letting him place the shackles on my wrists. He leads me over to an enclosed carriage and once I am inside, I squeeze my eyes shut, not wanting to look back to see Eponine standing in the doorway, staring after the carriage.