On March 23rd, 1833 Melaina gave birth to Leon Michael Enjolras and Clarisse Jeze Enjolras. The girl was catching her breath and tears flowed down her cheeks as she watched Julia and her mother hold her children.

"Oh Mela.. look," Leilla cooed as she took her sister's hand. Melaina tried to tell her that she didn't like that nickname anymore. Not after Gavroche. But, the girl persisted, saying that it was a memory of their friend. One that they had to keep together.

"I know. They're precious."

"Lexi would've been proud." The girl said with a waver in her voice. Melaina pulled the girl to her and embraced her.

"He is. I know he is." She whispered in her little sister's hair as she watched Julia wipe happy tears from her eyes and her mother glow. Finally there was something to celebrate and not mourn. The bloodied sheets were being burned outside and Melaina was washed and had a nightdress on while Leon and Clarisse wore white dresses. Well, smock looking things really.

There was a knock on the door and Melaina's heart leapt, in one instant she forgot that the Revolution happened and she waited for her husband to walk in, his blue eyes lit up in joy. But it wasn't him who walked in. Maximus and Acel joined the women and Melana's features fell slightly. She forgot how similar Maximus looked like his son. Taking a shaky deep breath, the girl looked up with a smile and she watched Acel's gaze move from her children to her.

"How are you feeling, Melaina?" His voice entered the air and she grinned.

"Better. Thank you for asking, Monsieur Beauchene." She replied and inclined her head. The spasms were slowly coming to an end and she knew that she had to rest for a few days.

"I keep telling you to call me, Acel."

"I keep telling you that I'd think about it." She teased the man and grinned at him. During the last month of her pregnancy, Melaina kept getting the same visitor. Monsieur Beauchene. He persisted in visiting her and his visits became frequent. Almost every day. It flustered the girl at first, but then remembered her husband's words and let the man into her life. Marius gave Melaina his consent with Acel courting her, yet the girl still felt uncomfortable. She knew that Marius and her husband both gave their consent of her re-marrying, but Melaina felt like she wasn't being true to her or her husband. He hasn't even been gone for a year and she was already looking to remarry? What would the gossips say.

"Alright, everyone should leave. Melaina and the children need their rest." Melaina's mother's voice stopped everyone's conversation. Acel and Leilla were getting along perfectly which made Melaina smile, but stopped herself before he could see. Julia, Maximus, and Leilla all kissed Melaina goodbye before they left. Julia promised to help out and Leilla too since she was done with her schooling.

"Acel, that means you as well."

"I can't stay for a few minutes?"

"No, she needs her rest." Melaina watches as Acel looks at her, then the babes who were sleeping soundly in cribs on either side of her. She smiled weakly at him and heard his voice whisper in her ear.

"You're not getting rid of me so easily, Madam Enjolras. I'll be back tomorrow." Melaina was surprised that he didn't call her by her maiden name. She watched him leave before her mother left to escort him out.

For the next few months, Acel wouldn't leave Melaina alone. Her mother would always find him dozing outside at ten o'clock sharp. Melaina would either be feeding the twins by then or making herself a cup of coffee. Adelia was always by her side and she sniffs at the blankets which cover Leon and Clarisse, but doesn't do anything about it. Acel would sit down across from her and the girl realized that his eyes made their way down before he would look into her eyes. A frown would form on her lips at that. What a simple time to lewdly stare at a young woman when all she's doing is feeding her child. Turning away, Melaina covered herself while wiping Clarisse's mouth clean.

"Mama? Should I put Clarisse back in her crib?" The girl asked as she watched her daughter open her eyes and look around. The children were five months and already so big. Clarisse's eyes were turning dark while Leon's were light blue. Her mother entered the kitchen with Leon in her arms.

"Might be best, dear. You do have a guest after all." She said, with a pointed stare at her daughter. It's like she's saying how rude it is to take care of her children before talking to Acel. Melaina scowled at her mother before walking back in the dining room.

"Morning, Monsieur." Melaina said kindly as she rejoined him at the table.

"How is everything, Melaina?" His voice was soft and she had to strain to hear him.

"Fine. I was just about to go out. I have errands to do." Yes, errands.

"That's fine. I'll go with you."

"No, I'd rather do this alone."

"A young woman like yourself shouldn't be walking the streets of Paris alone." Melaina gave him a bright smile at that.

"You forget, Monsieur. I was a prostitute for a time, the wife of a Revolutionary and I know how to fight." The last was a lie, but she could always teach herself. If Acel was shocked, he hid it well.

"I'm not taking no for an answer."

"I'm not letting you come with me." The girl snapped. She was going out to visit the graves and she did not want a stranger going with her. Well, a stranger to them. Melaina wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and kissed her mother on the cheek before checking on Leon and Clarisse.

"Mama will be back soon." She whispered quietly before kissing them both on the forehead.

"Mother, please make sure that Monsieur Beauchene is kept here." Her voice was sharper than what she wanted, but it fit her words. The dark blue shawl fell around her shoulders and she walked swiftly to the graveyard. She looked back a few times to make sure that the man wasn't following. It's not like she didn't trust Acel, she just wanted him to understand that this was her time. It was the only time that she can go visit her friends. She passed a man drunk off of his ass, whose hands immediately went to her shawl.

"Mighty pretty thing you have here, dearie. I don't think you can afford it yourself." He slurred at her and Melaina's lip twitched.

"My husband gave it to me as a gift." She said sweetly before stealing her shawl back and walking away.

"Oh, Alexander, I don't know what to do. You gave me your consent of me re-marrying, bu I just can't do it. I feel like I'm going to forget all about you. But I don't want to forget. Not while I have Leon and Clarisse to take care of." Her voice moved with the wind and Melaina knelt in front of the stone.

"Acel isn't like you. He's not. I feel like he's ruthless, but not the same way as you. I know he's Marius's cousin.. but I'm not comfortable marrying him, Alexander. I know he's right for marriage, but he's not for me." The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them and knelt there, staring at the newest word that was engraved in the stone. Father.

"I wish everyone was back. I miss you all." She whispered before kissing the stone and making her way down the rest of the line. Walking back home, Melaina pondered of who Alexander wanted her to marry. Maybe I didn't look closely enough at his journal. I only saw him say it was alright.. knowing Alexander he would've made Combeferre or added more details himself.

As Melaina walked through the door, she watched as Acel stood up from the dining table. A mug was set in front of him and Melaina could smell coffee.

"That was a long time. Where're your bags?" Melaina looked down and locked eyes with the man.

"I didn't find anything I l liked." She said just as her mother entered the room, wiping her hands on a cloth.

"Melaina, you don't need to lie. I told him where you went." The girl sighed roughly before walking past the two.

"I'll be in his study."