Chapter 7
Once at the café everyone seemed to be more relaxed. They all ordered and were now eating. "You were really great today, Eponine." Enjolras said kissing her forehead.

"Yeah you were mon ami." Jehan said with brotherly love.

"I'm so proud of you." Marius said with a friendly smile.

"Thank you. All of you. I just… well while we were eating I totally spaced and forgot all that you guys taught me and Gavroche about the silver wear. But when your mother said what she said in the manner that she said it, I thought that it would be best to excuse myself than get in a confrontation with her. I'm sorry that I blew it Enjolras."

"Actually I've never been more proud of you. You stood up to my mother and did it all with kindness and the fact that you didn't stoop down to her level was very impressive." Enjolras said giving Eponine a reassuring hug.

"Really?"

"Eponine couldn't you tell that she was trying to bate you into starting a fight with her?" Combeferre asked knowing that Eponine didn't see how amazing she really was.

"Well to tell you the truth not until the end. I mean her tone was rude but… I don't know I thought that I would give her the benefit of the doubt. I mean what in law would want me in their family?"

"I would." Arthur said with pride.

"Father." Enjolras greeted.

"Hello all. May I sit down?"

"Yes of course." Eponine said with shock that Arthur was even there.

Once he was seated Arthur said, "Now Eponine I want to say how sorry I am that my wife treated you the way that she did. You must understand that she is dead set in her ways and doesn't like change. Unlike her I welcome the fact that you not only saved my son from what would have been his death in his revolution. But also that fact that you have made him happy and more of an honest man then he was the last time I saw him. You see my dear all of my son's life he has wanted to fight for the cause of saving the way of life of the people of the streets. I have always admired his passion but worried that he would never find peace and happiness because of his cause. That is until he met you. There's a change with in him and for that I am forever in your debt my dear. And for what it's worth I would be proud and honored if you called me father for already I see you as my daughter."

"Do you really mean that? I mean really mean it. You're not just trying to be nice." Eponine asked hoping that this wasn't a dream.

"You will find my dear that just like my son I say what I mean and I mean what I say." Arthur said with a smile on his elderly face.

"It's true Eponine." Enjolras said knowing that his father was speaking the truth.

"I can't believe that this is happening to me." Eponine said with tears in her eyes.

"Hey Eponine why don't we take your new dresses back and go shopping on the streets tomorrow and get you a whole new wardrobe from the people that you know and love." Enjolras said with a smile on his face.

"That way you all can give to the poor while we shop." Eponine said with a smile knowing that this time would be a different shopping experience then shopping in the wealthy stores.

"And I would like to accompany you if that's alright." Arthur said with a grin.

"Are you sure that, that is wise father?" Enjolras asked thinking about what his mother might think about him 'wasting his money on the poor' is what she would say.

"It's my money and I shall do what I wish with it. Besides what your mother doesn't know won't hurt her or me." Arthur said with a wink of his eye. "Besides what if you find a wedding dress for sale that you like? I firmly believe that it is bad luck for the groom to see the wedding dress before the wedding."

"Agreed." All the men around the table said making Eponine and Enjolras laugh.

"Then it's settled. I shall accompany you all tomorrow and finally get a feel for where my daughter grew up." With that said Arthur stood up and said, "I shall see you all tomorrow. Until then have a great night." And then he left knowing that he was doing the right thing by getting to know where the women that his son loved really came from.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day while the others handed out money to the people on the street who took it willingly, Enjolras, Eponine, and Arthur went shopping. After about 2 hours Eponine saw a white wedding dress that was a bit old fashioned but she knew deep down that this was the dress for her.

"Um Arthur… I mean father would you come with me for I think I just found the dress that I would like to wear on my wedding day." Eponine said hoping that Enjolras would understand that she didn't want him to see the dress.

"Of course my dear. Enjolras why don't you pay for these dresses and I shall pay for her wedding dress." Arthur said as he and Eponine walked away.

Once they were at the dress that caught Eponine's eye Arthur looked it over and said, "Very elegant and pretty my dear." Arthur said looking over the dress.

"Eponine would you like to try it on?" Madam Valteire asked.

"If that's ok with you Madam Valteire." Eponine said with great respect and politeness.

"Well lets go inside and I'll help you." Once Eponine was in the dress it fit like a glove. "My dear you look absolutely beautiful. I never thought I would see the day that you of all people would be buying a wedding dress, let alone my wedding dress.

"Are you crying madam?"

"I apologize my dear but you must understand that this it like a dream come true for me. You must know that for all of us on the streets and in the slums that we all think of you as a part of our family, and we all want you to be happy, and to find happiness. Which you have. Just don't forget about where you came from. And you family on the poor side."

"I won't. Thank you." Eponine said hugging Madam Valteire.

"Well should I let that elderly man that you are with in to see you in the dress? Or would you like to change?"

"You know what, I think I shall change. I don't want to accidently ruin the dress." Eponine said honestly.

"Ok. And in case you haven't guessed the dress is yours, my dear."

"Thank you so very much."