Disclaimer: Still not mine..
Author's Notes: Big news…I GOT FANTINE! *runs around screaming*. Thanks to everyone who had their fingers crossed for me, rehearsals start on Wednesday. TheLark – Tholomyes is a dork! And sadly becomes more of one in this chapter. Happy Hobo – Yes, I will be going all the way up to her death. Marzoog – This is the only Miz fic you read? *looks important* Thank you! Eponine87 – Thanks again Mika. I'll e-mail you later. Rosie – Thanks for keeping your fingers crossed! Anyways, on with the story!
And her father abandoned us
Cosette grew more and more with every day. Her hair shone in chestnut curls down her back, her eyes were a huge azure blue and she could walk unaided. She smiled at everything – the most content child I'd ever known. Although I only had one dress (having sold all my others), Cosette had a glittering wardrobe given to her by the woman living above us. She couldn't bear to see the "darling child go around in rags".
I went to Philip and begged for my job back, but he had already employed someone else. The only girl left I recognised was Zephine.
"Favourite's gone back to England!" she squealed. "And Dahlia has found a new job!"
"She's still in Paris though?"
"Yes!" Zephine pondered for a moment and spoke in a more serious tone. "She lives in a room in the big green houses by the river. Number eight, on the top floor. You should visit her Fantine, she always liked you."
"I will. Thank you Zephine."
I hurried home, repeating Dahlia's address in my head, and collected Cosette from the lady upstairs.
"Mama!" she said. "A letter came for you!"
"A letter?" I asked. "Who would send me a letter?"
"Aren't you going to open it?" the lady asked.
I frowned. "I can't read. And I have to visit a friend tonight. Come along Cosette."
Cosette clutched my hand as we walked through Paris – chattering in that language of two-year-olds.
A man was walking towards us with a pretty little boy who must have been about six-years-old. He had blonde curls, and was meekly trying to get as far away from the old man as possible.
"Marius!" the old man barked. "Stay close to me boy!"
Marius bowed his head and took two steps nearer his grandfather.
I gave him a gentle smile, and he grinned back before fixing his eyes on Cosette.
"Marius!" his grandfather said. "What are you staring at now?"
"Nothing grandfather!" he replied, and with one backward glance at Cosette, he was hurried away by his grandfather.
"Why was that man shouting?" Cosette asked, wide eyed.
"I have no idea darling" I told her, before coming to a stop in front of the green houses by the river. Cosette and I entered and went to the top floor.
"Number eight" I said, after counting the doors. Cosette knocked and Dahlia answered.
"Fantine!" she exclaimed, embracing me. "How are you?"
"I'm…" I thought for a moment. "I've been better."
Cosette slipped in front of me. "Hello."
"Hello" Dahlia smiled. "And who are you?"
"I'm called Cosette" she replied, with a little curtsey.
"My daughter" I explained. "Tholomyes's daughter."
Dahlia's eyes filled with pity, and she clasped my hand. "Well come in. Both of you."
Suddenly Listolier appeared behind her. "I'm just going –" he noticed me and his voice trailed off.
"I'm just inviting Fantine in, Bernard. Is that all right?"
"Yes!" he looked uncomfortable. "Of course."
I finally found my voice. "What are you doing here? Aren't you with your parents?"
He smiled sadly. "Rather like you I have no parents. I came back for Dahlia. I'd never leave her. I love her too much."
Dahlia elbowed him.
"Oh!" he exclaimed. "I'm sorry. I –"
"Just go" Dahlia told him.
He kissed her, then left.
"Are you living together?" I asked, as we entered her room.
"Yes" she replied. "I'm sorry about –"
"It's fine!" I cut in. "I always knew you two were perfect for each other."
"Really?" she looked pleased, then noticed the letter I was holding. "What's that?"
"A letter. I can't read, so…"
"I could read it for you"
But you can't read!"
She smiled. "I can. I never said anything because Favourite always liked being the only one who could too much."
We sent Cosette off to play dress up in Dahlia's wardrobe, and Dahlia began to read:
Dear Just Fantine,
Do you remember I used to call you that? Back when I met you outside the dress shop, that's how you replied to me asking your name. "Just Fantine" you said. You were only fifteen then, as I recall. Now you're twenty-two with a baby. I understand I have left you both in a bit of a state, this letter is my attempt to redeem myself.
There is no easy way for me to say this Fantine, but I'm married. With two children. My wife is a girl I met in my hometown, over ten years ago. I do love her, but we were having some problems when I went to Paris and met a beautiful girl outside a dress shop. It was not my parents who wanted me home, it was my wife and it is with her I am now. She doesn't know about you Fantine and I intend to keep it that way. Please don't try to stir up trouble between us. Take care of yourself and Eupharise. Feel free to tell her whatever you want about me. The room you are currently living in no longer belongs to me – you will have to pay rent to the new landlord.
Felix Tholomyes
I jumped up. "Oh well."
Dahlia tried to pull me back down. "Fantine, I'm so sorry".
"Cosette!" I called. "We're going!"
My daughter reappeared. "But I like it here."
I grabbed her hand. "Thank you Dahlia."
I ran all the way home, dragging Cosette behind me. When we got to our room I remembered it wasn't going to be our room for much longer. So I wept. Cosette (terrified something was wrong with me) wept too.
What became of Dahlia and Listolier I don't know, but I imagine they are happily married with a whole crowd of children.
