Chapter Twenty Six

Enjolras and Adelaide had searched far and wide for any sign of the Amis. They were staying somewhere in the middle of the city so they could search all areas of the city easily. Finally, about a week after they arrived in New York, Enjolras had a significant lead in their search. He wanted to go alone, so he asked Adelaide to wait for him back at the inn.

0000

It was a sunny day, but everyone was busy inside. Eponine was in her bedroom putting away laundry. Combeferre, having gotten a job at a school, was grading his students' exams, and Grantaire was helping. There was a knock at the door, and Grantaire answered it to Joly, Musichetta, and a third person. Suddenly, Grantaire paled and let out an almost inaudible gasp. Combeferre looked up from his papers and stood up so quickly, he nearly knocked his chair over.

"Enjolras?" Grantaire gasped.

"Where's Eponine?" he responded.

He was overjoyed to see his friends again, but he needed to see Eponine more than anything at the moment.

"'Ponine?" Grantaire called.

"Coming, Grant!" she called back, her voice coming from behind the closed door of her bedroom down the hall.

The mere sound of her voice made Enjolras's heart lurch. She rounded the corner, but stopped in her tracks when she saw who was standing at the door, her feet almost cemented to the ground.

"Adrian," she breathed.

He stepped toward her once, twice, and then she ran to him, meeting him halfway. Enjolras picked her up and spun her around before setting her back on her feet and placing a long, gentle kiss on her lips. They were vaguely aware of everyone stepping out so they could have some privacy. Then, Eponine suddenly jerked away from Enjolras, her face filled with confusion and sadness.

"No. You're not really here. You were sentenced to die! You can't be here. This is just another one of these cruel dreams I keep having. They keep taunting me, making me feel as if there was some way I could ever be with you again, but that's not possible. This isn't real. You aren't real. It's just my sick imagination."

Enjolras watched as she backed away from him. Her face grew pale, and she put her hand on her forehead.

"I don't feel well," she muttered, reaching out for something to steady herself with.

Quickly, he led her over to the sofa so she wouldn't faint. Then he knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his.

"I'm really here, 'Ponine."

He pulled one of her hands up and pressed it to his cheek, his hand covering hers.

"You see? I'm here. You're not dreaming. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."

Enjolras turned his head to place a kiss on her palm.

Eponine's eyes filled with tears as she realized it was truly reality, tears of joy and relief.

"But how?" she finally asked.

He moved to sit on the sofa beside her, still holding her hands.

"Montparnasse. He traded his life for mine. We were put in a cell together, but he was only in for petty thievery. He pointed out that we happened to look a lot alike, and he concocted this elaborate plan to get me out. We traded lives basically. He died for me. He never really told me why, but he told me he would've fought at the barricades and at the execution he cried out 'Vive la revolution.' It sounded like he meant it. Actually, I think it had more to do with you. He said he thought you deserved to be happy. Montparnasse wanted me to tell you that he did truly care about you, and that he was deeply sorry for everything, for all the pain he caused you," Enjolras explained.

Eponine closed her eyes, feeling a bit overwhelmed, "Oh, 'Parnasse. He did truly change. I guess I'd forgiven him a while ago, but I'm so grateful for everything he's done for you and for me. Despite it all, I can't help but be grateful he was in my life. Without him, our lives would have been so very different. Without him, you wouldn't be with me now," she said.

Enjolras pulled her into his arms, and she buried her face in the curve of his neck. He knew he hadn't held her in months, but he swore something felt different. A thought popped into his mind, and he suddenly stiffened. He pulled back from her, and the look on her face told him that she knew why he had tensed.

He looked at her questioningly, "Eponine, are you…"

Slowly, she smoothed her dress over her abdomen, revealing a small bump. Enjolras couldn't breathe. In disbelief, he pointed to himself. Eponine burst into laughter at his motion.

"Of course it's your baby, Adrian!" she smiled, "I found out on the ship during our trip over here."

Suddenly, Enjolras began to laugh. He wrapped his arms around Eponine, and they laughed together, crying tears of joy.

0000

Later that day, Enjolras went back to the inn to get Adelaide, and everyone planned to have dinner at Combeferre, Grantaire, and Eponine's cottage. Once they got there, Enjolras introduced Adelaide to everyone and told them how they had grown up with each other and were like siblings. After dinner, everyone sat around the living area talking, and Adelaide was sharing stories from when she and Enjolras were children together. At one point, Eponine went to the kitchen, and Enjolras followed her, just wanting to be alone with her again. He snuck up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his hands on her bump.

"You scared me," she laughed, placing her hands over his.

"Sorry about that. I just wanted to catch you alone for a moment," Enjolras said.

Eponine turned around to face him, "What for?"

Quickly, he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss.

"For that," he smirked.

With a smile, she smacked him on the arm jokingly. Then, she turned to make some tea. As she was taking a sip of it, Enjolras motioned for her to look through the opening into the living area.

"Look," he whispered, discretely pointing at Adelaide and Grantaire, who were chatting happily.

"Do you think something's up between them?" Eponine whispered back as Adelaide laughed at something Grantaire said.

"I don't know, but he better behave. She's like my sister," Enjolras whispered.

"Relax. You should trust Grant with Adelaide, just as he trusted you with me," she reminded, rubbing his shoulder.

"I suppose, but we should probably rejoin them before anyone gets suspicious of us," he smiled.

0000

That night, it was arranged that for the time being, Adelaide would stay with Joly and Musichetta, and Enjolras would, of course, stay with Eponine. Everyone had gotten along great with Adelaide, and they were all happy to be reunited. After Enjolras had talked some more with Combeferre and Grantaire, he joined Eponine in her bedroom. She was already in her nightgown and tucked under the covers, resting against the headboard with her dark hair loose around her shoulders. Enjolras quickly changed and pulled his side of the covers back. Before he climbed into bed, he noticed something sticking out from under the pillow. He lifted the pillow and revealed his red coat that had been missing from his trunk. Eponine blushed, looking down at her hands.

"I brought it with me. When I thought you were going to die, I needed something to remember you by. I slept with it every night since we were separated. Truthfully, it's the only thing that got me to sleep most nights. But I don't really need it anymore. I've got something better," she said quietly.

He quirked an eyebrow at her, "Which is…"

"You!" Eponine laughed.

Enjolras smiled at her before draping his jacket over a chair in the corner and blowing out the candle.

Author's Note: Yay! They're back together! What do you think about Eponine's surprise pregnancy? Thoughts on this chapter? There is only one more chapter and an epilogue left! However, I've got several ideas floating around in my mind!

Now I'd like to thank some reviewers. I'd like to thank Deep Forest Green, Lesmizmaniac, Missy Chrisy, That Creative One, and shadows-of-1832. I'd also like to thank audrey-pinklimepanda. Your reviews meant a lot! I welcome the thoughts, ideas, and criticisms from all of you. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

~loislane16