Chapter 8

After Arthur dropped Eponine off at Enjolras's place he went home with the wedding dress that Eponine had chosen to wear when she married his son.

"Are you sure you don't mind hiding the dress at your place, father? I mean what will your wife say. We both know that she doesn't approve of me."

"That may be true but I do approve of you and we both know that it is bad luck for the groom to see the dress before the wedding." Arthur said with a hint of humor in his voice.

"You're making that up, aren't you?" Eponine asked with laughter in her voice.

"In a way I am. But don't you worry. I have a place where not even my wife will go; to hide your dress for safe keeping. So don't you worry about that." Arthur said knowing Eponine's fear that Martha would destroy her wedding dress.

"Thank you again Arthur. I'll see you soon."

"Are you sure that you'll be ok by yourself? I mean how long did Enjolras say that he would be?"

"Arthur I'll be fine I promise you. Now go home and hide my wedding dress. And pray that Martha won't find it."

"I promise I will. I know that you have been through a lot but I want you to know that I am so proud of my son for finding and falling in love with woman like you. I couldn't think of a better match for my son. And I'm proud to call you my daughter."

Without thinking about what she was doing Eponine ran up to Arthur and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you father. I never in my life had anyone other than your son and Marius say that they were proud of me."

"Well I hope that will change. Now as I look at the time I must go. Martha will be back from her outing with her sister Madeline. I shall see you soon my dear Eponine."

"Yes you shall." With that Arthur left not realizing that danger was lurking close by.
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"I wonder if Eponine found a wedding dress?" Combeferre asked as he, Enjolras, Courfeyrac, Grantaire, Gavroche, and Joly entered Enjolras and now Eponine's home.

"I think she did. And I have a feeling that my dad helped out a bit." Enjolras said as he opened his bedroom door. There he saw Eponine asleep in their bed. When he bent down and kissed her cheek, he noticed that it was on the cold side. "Eponine?" He asked fear now in his voice. When he took the covers off of her, horror struck him. "Joly, I need you in here now!"

After hearing the urgency of Enjolras's voice Joly got his medical bag that he had left and ran into Enjolras's bedroom with everyone right behind him.

Once they entered the room Joly got into his doctor roll right away. "Courfeyrac and Grantaire get Enjolras and Gavroche out of here. Combeferre I'll need you here to assist me." With that Grantaire was by Enjolras's side and got him out of the room and Courfeyrac did the same to a hysterical Gavroche.

After an hour cleaning and sewing up Eponine's wombs Joly had finished. Though he knew that Eponine wasn't out of the woods yet. He and Combeferre knew that they had to take Eponine away from Enjolras's home and to some place safe.

"I'll go get a carriage." Combeferre said leaving it to Joly to break the news to Enjolras and the rest of the gang.

Joly and Combeferre then left Eponine to tell everyone what needed to be done.

"I know where we can go." Enjolras said with no emotion in his voice.

"Where?" Courfeyrac asked.

"My parents house." Enjolras said as he lifted his head and looked around the room.

Once they arrived both Enjolras and Joly were carrying Eponine, and it was Gavroche who knocked on the door.

"Who could it be at this hour?" Arthur asked as he got up from his seat.

"Sir it is your son with his fiancé and friends." The butler said as he answered the door.

"Enjolras…" Before he could finish his sentence he noticed that Eponine was in bad shape. "Good Lord. What has happened?"

"She was attacked in our home and we needed to get her to safety. So I thought that she would be safe here." Enjolras said trying to be strong but failing.

"Of course you all are welcomed here you know that."

"But what will mother say?"

"You let me deal with your mother. You all just focus on Eponine and getting her well again."

"Thank you, father. Come on guys lets take her to my old room."

"Careful Enjolras." Joly said as Enjolras started up the stairs. "We don't want to break any stitching."

"Slow and easy. I know Joly."

Once they got up the stairs and carefully got her into bed Joly took a look at Eponine's stitching and her vitals.

"How is she Joly?" Enjolras asked as he sat on the bed right next to Eponine.

"We did well. The stitching is holding up very well and her temperature feels normal. Now its up to her on when she will wake." Joly said putting a smile on Gavroche's face.