OH. MY. GOSH. WE'RE UP TO A WHOPPING 58 VIEWS! *SQUEALS* Sorry if it's been awhile since I updated. I started this story over spring break and have q been a little busy. Thanks to HamlizaTrash for leaving the first review! You guys have no idea how much even a simple, "Keep it up!" will do for an author.

Also, check out my other story, Expecting!

And now, your chapter.

1:00 PM

Cosette placed a steadying hand on Marius's shoulder. He had recovered fairly quickly given his injuries at the Barricades. However, there was still a long way to go before he would be completely healed. Not that Cosette cared. She enjoyed all the time they got to spend together. Even if it wasn't in the best of circumstances, at least they were together. And that was all she could ask for.

Marius cursed himself at his instability. He was supposed to be the strong one. The one who could carry himself and others through the tough moments. And yet, here he was. Leaning on Cosette like a crutch. Unable to take more than a few steps by himself. It wasn't that he thought Cosette incapable. In fact, he thought the complete opposite. If anything, he was glad it was Cosette supporting him and not someone else. But he felt like he should be the strong one. Shouldn't be be supporting her? And not the other way around?

They walked slowly and carefully. Arm in arm across the cobblestone streets of Paris. Today would be full of challenges. Both physical and mental. He leaned on his cane and his love as they both walked toward the back corner of the cemetery. The back corner where his friends were all buried.

They stood in front of the grave stones. Memories came flooding back to him. He felt weak in the knees and probably would've fallen had Cosette not been there. He remembered Enjolras' passionate speeches that could captivate an entire audience and leave them all empowered and in awe. He remembered Grantaire's always-drunken state. He could make even the most cold-hearted people crack a grin. He was the first one to tease poor Marius about his love of Cosette.

Marius wiped another tear from his eye.

He remembered his best friend, Courfeyrac. The closest thing he had to a family. He remembered Éponine. He thanked her for finding Cosette for him And then cursed himself for being so ignorant to her love. Above all, he was forever in her debt for sacrificing herself to save him. And how could he forget Combferre, Joly, and the many others who died.

He didn't even bother to brush away the tears that fell.

Finally, he reached the smallest tomb of them all. He thought of the boy who lay resting there. Little Gavroche. The smallest and bravest of them all.

Marius's knees buckled and Cosette gently knelt him down. He cried into her arms as she held him, as he so often had done for her. The couple lay there for about an hour. Just talking, crying and comforting each other. When the last of the tears had been shed, they both took a shaking step outside the gravesite. Marius didn't like to be vulnerable. He felt like he was letting his guard down and exposing his feelings to other people. But around Cosette, it didn't matter. She understood.

9:00 AM (The Next Day)

Marius took a deep breath to try and calm his nerves. It didn't help. He sat down to try and relax only to jump when he heard a knock on the door a few seconds later. The time was now. It was time to ask the man for his daughter's hand. It was time to ask Cosette's father if he could marry her.

He tried to look as presentable as possible before opening the door. It was now or never.

He welcomed the stern man inside. They both took a seat.

"Monsieur, I assume you know why I asked you hear today." He received a subtle nod.

"I would like to ask you if I could marry your daughter." Marius swallowed. "I love her. Very much. I cannot live a day without seeing her. I know I'm not the richest person in the world, but I promise in will do everything I can to provide for your daughter." He babbled over his words and tugged on the collar of his shirt. Was it getting hot in here?

Jean Valjean had a lot to unpack. There before him sat this poor boy, head over heels in love with his daughter. As much as it pained him to admit, he wouldn't be around much longer, and his daughter was noticeably happier around this young man. Who was he to deny someone happiness? But this poor boy didn't know what kind of family he was marrying into. He needs to know my story.

Marius nervously rubbed his hands together as he waited the elder man's response.

Jean Valjean took a deep breath.

"Son, I know you love my daughter, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't notice how much happier she was around you. But there's a few things you should know..."

Marius sunk down lower in his chair. This was obviously going to be a lot more complicated than he thought.

Haha! A little cliffhanger there for you! (Except you all probably know what's gonna happen.)

Thanks for reading! Please leave a review if you liked it!