Raoul is 29, and Christine is 22. When I watched the 2012 movie of Les Miserables, I thought that Cosette and Marius looked very much like Raoul's parents, and so I made him their son.

Cosette is 58, and Marius is 61.

Euphrasie and Camille are my ocs. For those who have never read the book, Euphrasie is Cosette's real name, but the musical omitted that. So I named their daughter that.

Euphrasie is portrayed by Mia Wasikowska, and Camille is portrayed by Ellie Bamber.


April 12, 1875.

All Raoul de Chagny can do is smile and tell dear, sweet Meg how beautiful her child is, only wishing deep in his heart that the child is his.

Five years ago, his dear Meg had broken off their engagement upon realizing that she had loved the Phantom, whom her her mother had hidden away from the mob that had come after him, and she had wed the Phantom, whom he now knows has a name: Erik Destler.

Marguerite Giry is Marguerite Destler now, he thinks. And she looks so happy, as a married woman. Their child has her beautiful sky-blue eyes, and her father's light brown hair, and Meg has called her Melodie.

He wonders how she has lived her life during the five years he's been away. After fighting in the war, he went on the expedition to Antarctica, and had returned last year. Still, he had avoided seeing Meg though. Before he leaves, he walks over and hugs her, signifying he has finally accepted her choice.

''Do not hate me, Raoul.'' Meg looks up at him, with earnest blue eyes.

''I don't, truly, Meg. I'm happy for you.'' he smiles at her.

''Erik loves me so. And I love him.'' Meg tells him, before returning to her husband's side, and gazing up lovingly into his eyes, the irises golden like a cat's.

''What will you do now, Vicomte?'' Madame Giry asks from behind him. He shrugs, turns to face her. ''My relative in America left me his mansion when he died last year. So I'll be leaving for America shortly. I do wish your daughter and the Opera Populaire good-luck.''

''Good luck to you too, Vicomte.''

Raoul turns and walks away, returning to his carriage, sparing a final glance at the girl he had once loved.

XXX

''Raoul, you won't forget to write.'' Cosette Pontmercy begs her son worriedly. She will miss him so!

''Mama, I shall be fine. If I can spend two years in Antarctica, I shall be fine. And I do promise to write.'' Raoul responds, packing his clothes away.

Cosette has missed her little boy so over the past years. First he had changed his name to De Chagny, an old name from Marius's family tree, and left the house, and now he is moving again.

He lifts the suitcase off the bed, and embraces her. ''Promise me you'll write, Mama. And Papa too.''

My little Raoul, she thinks. My little Raoul Jean Pontmercy. And in an hour or two he is gone from her life once more, with a promise on both sides to write.

Marius comes to stand next to her. ''Raoul reminds me of them. He has Grantaire's love of life, Eponine's intelligence, and like Enjolras, he shares a love for something so passionate he forgets about everything else.'' There is a sadness in his voice, as she knows her husband misses his friends from the barricade, that sometimes he wishes he had died alongside them, and he would, if Papa had not rescued him.

''It's alright, dear.'' she reassures him, resting a hand on his shoulder.'' At least there are no barricades in New Orleans.''

Marius sighs. ''I know.''

Euphrasie, their youngest daughter, comes through the door. ''Maman, Papa, where's Raoul? I looked all over the house!''

''Dearest, darling daughter,'' Cosette begins, rather unsure how to explain to their youngest daughter that she might not see her brother again for some time, ''Raoul's gone to New Orleans. To America.''

''Why, Maman? Has something happened?'' Poor Euphrasie. Raoul decided to leave without saying good-bye to her, and she was always his favorite sister. Besides, she is only 15 years of age, and there are many things in the world she does not know.

''No, dear.'' Cosette explains, while Marius watches out the window. ''Nothing's happened. Your brother's gone to America because a relative of ours died, and left him his house. So he's going to live there.''

''Oh. Oh, I see. Will he write?''

''Yes, Euphrasie. Of course he'll write. He'll write to you, write to me, write to Papa, and write to Camille.'' Cosette says.

Euphrasie nods, and walks out of the room, and into Camille's where she finds her sister trying on different gowns for a ball being thrown by yet another young nobleman looking for a bride.

''Oh, Euphrasie. What do you think of this one?'' Camille holds up a strawberry-pink watered silk with a skirt fuller back then front, trimmed in pleats and ruching.

''It's very nice, Camille.'' Euphrasie answers, shrugging lightly. Camille turns back to the floor-length mirror, and purses her lips.

''It's too plain. I want to make a statement. Perhaps-'' she puts down the pink silk and pulls out a petal pink satin ball-gown with tulle petticoats and the skirt pulled back and gathered prettily. ''Hmn, perhaps this would do, with the ruby and diamond necklace Papa gave me for my last birthday.'' She turns back to Euphrasie. ''Or would pearls suit this better?''

''Whatever you think would be best, dear sister.'' Euphrasie says. Camille looks charming and lovely in anything she wears.

Camille drops the satin and tulle dress and picks up a third. This one isn't pink, it's pale blue faille with apricot and darker blue drapery on the back and lace trimmings. The neck is low, and there is ruching and pleating at the sleeves.

''Maybe this one. Now, Euphrasie, what did you come to my room for?'' To tell the truth, she has quite forgotten what she came to Camille's room for, and says lamely, ''I can't seem to decide which dress I should wear to the ball. Could you help me choose?''

''Of course, Euphrasie. I should be delighted to offer my assistance on the matter.'' And Camille heads off to Euphrasie's room, with Euphrasie in tow. There Euphrasie shows Camille some of her ballgowns, and Camille helps her select a gown.

''This one, most certainly. It won't clash with whatever I shall be wearing, and it suits you, dear little rose.'' Camille announces, using her pet name for her sister, holding up a mint green satin gown with lace flounces on the underskirt and an apron overskirt, drawn back with ribbons and bustling.

''And should I wear jewelry?'' Euphrasie wonders out loud. After all, Raoul had bought her a very pretty pearl and sapphire necklace last Yuletide, when he'd returned home from the expedition. It might look very pretty against the green satin.

Camille sighs. ''If you want to, dear sister.'' Euphrasie takes the gown from Camille, and holds it up against her body. Yes, this will look lovely on her, and with the necklace, her hair in curls...she could be the bell of the ball, alongside her sister. Of course, she will be. They both will be.