Chapter 19
Valjean sat alone in a dark room with a blanket wrapped about his shoulders. He shivered in the cold, and his stomach grumbled from the lack of food. His head burned with fever as he sneezed. He knew death was near and that all of his life's sufferings would soon come to an end.
It was only a matter of time before he took his last breath and then someone would come complaining about rent a week later, only to find the body of Jean Valjean cold and lifeless. They would not contact Cosette or Marius, for Valjean had made sure he had taken no identification. He wished to spare Cosette as much as he could, even if that meant never seeing her face again.
He struggled to breathe, and thought of what his daughter and now son-in-law were doing at this time. He pictured Cosette in her gorgeous dress being twirled about, cutting her wedding cake, and being loved at last by someone other than himself, smiling all the while. Valjean prayed a silent prayer that God would watch over Marius and Cosette and let them live a happy and prosperous life, blessing them with children and much love.
Suddenly, there was instant warmth about Valjean and the dark room began to glow with light. He shut his eyes tightly, and opened them again. Before him was a woman, and his temper began to flare.
"Be gone! I have no need for you, whoever you may be!" Valjean said hoarsely.
"But you do have need for me, Jean Valjean."
"You...you know who I am?"
"And you know who I am."
"I am quite sure that we have never met."
The woman smiled and neared Valjean. "If we had never met, Monsieur, I would never have died in peace."
"Died?" Valjean studied the woman. "Fantine," he said without breath.
"Yes, Jean Valjean. I am Fantine, the woman who gave her child to your keeping. I have watched you since that day. You have done anything and everything to ensure the happiness of my Cosette."
"I loved her as if she was my own."
"She is your own."
"No. I am to die, for that is why you are here. Tonight, I will be judged."
"Not yet, Monsieur. Not until Cosette..."
"I cannot bear that. Never."
"You have held that letter, which you intended to give Cosette, in your grasp since you first arrived here. And soon, Cosette will be here."
"No, she is married and with Marius..."
"Marius is coming as well."
Valjean looked at Fantine. "Will you stay with me?"
"Forever."
Just then, a loud pound was heard on the door, and Valjean recognized Marius' voice.
"Monsieur Valjean! Are you in there? We heard that you...oh Monsieur! Are you there?"
"Yes," said Valjean, almost inaudible. "I am here."
The door swung open, and Marius ushered Cosette inside. He closed the door as Fantine moved behind Valjean's chair.
"Is that really her?" Fantine asked. "That's my Cosette?"
"Yes, that's Cosette," smiled Valjean.
"She is much more beautiful, now that I can see her face to face."
"She was always as beautiful as you."
Valjean turned and saw Marius and Cosette exchange glances. Cosette came to her father's side, and felt his forehead.
"Papa, are you well? Good gracious! Marius, he's running a fever."
"What? I am fine, darling child."
"Papa, you were...talking to nothing."
"How can you say that when your mother is evidently behind me, child?" He saw Cosette's eyes wander about the room, and then back to his face. Her expression then saddened.
"Papa, you never spoke of my mother. Never. Why do you do so now?"
"Because she is here!" He paused. "Did you not just hear her say that you look 'lovelier than life itself in that gown and besides Marius?'"
"You said those words, Monsieur," said Marius moving closer.
Fantine drew near Valjean's ear. "They cannot see me, Monsieur. Only you can. Spare them and tell them the truth."
Valjean looked down upon his daughter. "Cosette, you must forgive me. And you as well, Marius, for I have lied to you both."
"No, Papa. You are ill..."
"Hush, my dear. Marius, you never knew who your rescuer from the barricade was, did you?"
"I still await to find out."
"Wait no more, for I am that man. I saved you from the barricade and brought you to Cosette."
"It must have been me that Thenardier saw," mumbled Marius. He looked up at his father-in-law. "Monsieur, you have done so much for me. Words cannot express..."
"Then do not try, son," smiled Valjean. "I still have Cosette's story to tell."
Cosette sat puzzled as Marius nodded. "What is all this?" she asked confused.
"Cosette, you must listen well, for this is not an easy thing to say." He took her hand as he revealed the paper to her. "Take this, for it is the more detailed version of what I am about to say. Do not read it until I have taken my place in Heaven and have been judged."
"Which will be no time soon! You shall not die!" Valjean reached out and wiped a tear from his daughter's face.
"You must let me say what I must say before I go. You will always be my daughter in my heart, but you never were in reality." Cosette's expression was vacant. "I lived in a town far away from Paris when I met your mother. She worked for me, and hard times fell upon her. As she died, I promised her that I would look after you. You lived with the Thenardiers then. I brought you to Paris and raised you as my daughter, so that you would never know the truth of your past. Until now."
Cosette turned and looked at Marius. "Papa," she said looking back at him.
"I am sorry that you had to live a sheltered life for my insecurities, but I hope I showed you love that you lacked in all your years before I came."
Suddenly, Valjean broke off and looked behind his chair and another figure came beside Fantine. Another girl, wearing a smile.
"Monsieur, I am sure you don't remember me. I am the 'boy' who delivered Marius' letter to you."
"Quite the opposite, my dear. I do remember."
"Who is there now?" asked Marius, now trying to believe Valjean.
"Tell him it is the girl who loved him so all these years."
Valjean turned to Marius. "A young woman, who claims to have loved you all this years."
Cosette looked at Marius. "Who is that?" she asked comfortingly.
"Eponine?"
The figure smiled and nodded her head.
"How is she? Ask her what..."
"She says you can speak to her directly, Marius. If you believe she is here, you will hear her as well."
Marius closed his eyes and thought of everything he remembered about Eponine.
"'Ponine?"
"I am here, Marius."
"I am sorry, I am so sorry!"
"For what? You did nothing wrong."
"I let you live your life carrying that dark burden of a secret. I let you die..."
"You did not let me die. As I lied there in your arms, God showed me visions of your life ahead with Cosette. I knew that you would be extremely happy, and I willingly accepted death."
"You were offered life?"
"If I had enough willpower, then yes, I would have lived. But I gave it all up at the thought of your happiness. Go to your wife. I have a job to do, to watch over you."
Marius opened his eyes and saw Cosette next to him.
"Did you hear her?"
"Yes, I did." He took Cosette in his arms and kissed her forehead. He held her until Valjean stirred.
"I am informed that I must go. Read that letter soon, my dear."
"Papa! Papa, no..."
"Hush, now. Let me remember you like this." He smiled as he inhaled deeply. "Farewell, until we meet again, my loves." And with those last words, Jean Valjean died.
**************************************************************************
Cosette was in her room weeks later, putting away her clothes of mourning. As she folded her black gloves and placed her hats back into boxes, she came across a folded up paper. She remembered it as her father's handwriting. She took it downstairs, and entered her husband's study.
"Marius?" she said knocking.
"Yes, my love?"
"I found this." She brought him the letter.
"You should read it."
She unfolded it hesitantly. She moved to a chair and sat down. She read it over and over for many minutes, until it all sunk in. Marius came to her and knelt beside her chair.
"He protected me, when he needed protecting himself."
"He was a very loving man."
"Is it possible that he's watching us now?"
"Along with your mother, Eponine, and all of our friends who are in Heaven."
"Then they have blessed us indeed."
"How is that, Cosette?"
"I'm having a baby," smiled Cosette.
"Are we really?" Cosette nodded as Marius took her in his arms.
"I have several suggestions for names already," he said smiling as Cosette pulled back.
**************************************************************************
A/N - Okay everyone, this sounds like the last chapter, but there's one more left! Now, the next chapter is all me, no more Les Miserables inspiration! Since I've been getting a few complaints about that, I hope some of you will get off my back! Now, my beta, Jenna would like to make a few comments.
B/N - (For those of you who don't know, a 'B/N' is a 'Beta's Note, and for those of you who don't know what a beta is, it's a person who edits the author's stories. Thank you.) Thank you for the lovely introduction. :) I hope that most of you are enjoying the story thus far; Shannon and I are going to be collaborating on a few other works once we get this last chapter up. I would like to address a matter that has been brought to my attention in the form of a flame from Anon. If the rest of you will excuse me (and any rudeness I shall now exhibit) I'd like to address this person.
Anon, I have been reading Fanfiction for a while now, and, while I have never written anything I have been brave enough to post, I have a good idea about what Fanfiction is. Apparently, I am mistaken. Since you have found a definition, please share it with us all, as we all must be mistaken, since several of the other reviews make it clear that they regard this story as a work of Fanfiction. This is the story we all know told from a different point of view. I have come across stories that do just that, and, from what I've seen, they seem to qualify.
I thank everyone else who has bothered to read this very long note, and I hope that none of you share a negative outlook on this story and will hang with us for the last chapter and other stories in progress. Thanks :)
Valjean sat alone in a dark room with a blanket wrapped about his shoulders. He shivered in the cold, and his stomach grumbled from the lack of food. His head burned with fever as he sneezed. He knew death was near and that all of his life's sufferings would soon come to an end.
It was only a matter of time before he took his last breath and then someone would come complaining about rent a week later, only to find the body of Jean Valjean cold and lifeless. They would not contact Cosette or Marius, for Valjean had made sure he had taken no identification. He wished to spare Cosette as much as he could, even if that meant never seeing her face again.
He struggled to breathe, and thought of what his daughter and now son-in-law were doing at this time. He pictured Cosette in her gorgeous dress being twirled about, cutting her wedding cake, and being loved at last by someone other than himself, smiling all the while. Valjean prayed a silent prayer that God would watch over Marius and Cosette and let them live a happy and prosperous life, blessing them with children and much love.
Suddenly, there was instant warmth about Valjean and the dark room began to glow with light. He shut his eyes tightly, and opened them again. Before him was a woman, and his temper began to flare.
"Be gone! I have no need for you, whoever you may be!" Valjean said hoarsely.
"But you do have need for me, Jean Valjean."
"You...you know who I am?"
"And you know who I am."
"I am quite sure that we have never met."
The woman smiled and neared Valjean. "If we had never met, Monsieur, I would never have died in peace."
"Died?" Valjean studied the woman. "Fantine," he said without breath.
"Yes, Jean Valjean. I am Fantine, the woman who gave her child to your keeping. I have watched you since that day. You have done anything and everything to ensure the happiness of my Cosette."
"I loved her as if she was my own."
"She is your own."
"No. I am to die, for that is why you are here. Tonight, I will be judged."
"Not yet, Monsieur. Not until Cosette..."
"I cannot bear that. Never."
"You have held that letter, which you intended to give Cosette, in your grasp since you first arrived here. And soon, Cosette will be here."
"No, she is married and with Marius..."
"Marius is coming as well."
Valjean looked at Fantine. "Will you stay with me?"
"Forever."
Just then, a loud pound was heard on the door, and Valjean recognized Marius' voice.
"Monsieur Valjean! Are you in there? We heard that you...oh Monsieur! Are you there?"
"Yes," said Valjean, almost inaudible. "I am here."
The door swung open, and Marius ushered Cosette inside. He closed the door as Fantine moved behind Valjean's chair.
"Is that really her?" Fantine asked. "That's my Cosette?"
"Yes, that's Cosette," smiled Valjean.
"She is much more beautiful, now that I can see her face to face."
"She was always as beautiful as you."
Valjean turned and saw Marius and Cosette exchange glances. Cosette came to her father's side, and felt his forehead.
"Papa, are you well? Good gracious! Marius, he's running a fever."
"What? I am fine, darling child."
"Papa, you were...talking to nothing."
"How can you say that when your mother is evidently behind me, child?" He saw Cosette's eyes wander about the room, and then back to his face. Her expression then saddened.
"Papa, you never spoke of my mother. Never. Why do you do so now?"
"Because she is here!" He paused. "Did you not just hear her say that you look 'lovelier than life itself in that gown and besides Marius?'"
"You said those words, Monsieur," said Marius moving closer.
Fantine drew near Valjean's ear. "They cannot see me, Monsieur. Only you can. Spare them and tell them the truth."
Valjean looked down upon his daughter. "Cosette, you must forgive me. And you as well, Marius, for I have lied to you both."
"No, Papa. You are ill..."
"Hush, my dear. Marius, you never knew who your rescuer from the barricade was, did you?"
"I still await to find out."
"Wait no more, for I am that man. I saved you from the barricade and brought you to Cosette."
"It must have been me that Thenardier saw," mumbled Marius. He looked up at his father-in-law. "Monsieur, you have done so much for me. Words cannot express..."
"Then do not try, son," smiled Valjean. "I still have Cosette's story to tell."
Cosette sat puzzled as Marius nodded. "What is all this?" she asked confused.
"Cosette, you must listen well, for this is not an easy thing to say." He took her hand as he revealed the paper to her. "Take this, for it is the more detailed version of what I am about to say. Do not read it until I have taken my place in Heaven and have been judged."
"Which will be no time soon! You shall not die!" Valjean reached out and wiped a tear from his daughter's face.
"You must let me say what I must say before I go. You will always be my daughter in my heart, but you never were in reality." Cosette's expression was vacant. "I lived in a town far away from Paris when I met your mother. She worked for me, and hard times fell upon her. As she died, I promised her that I would look after you. You lived with the Thenardiers then. I brought you to Paris and raised you as my daughter, so that you would never know the truth of your past. Until now."
Cosette turned and looked at Marius. "Papa," she said looking back at him.
"I am sorry that you had to live a sheltered life for my insecurities, but I hope I showed you love that you lacked in all your years before I came."
Suddenly, Valjean broke off and looked behind his chair and another figure came beside Fantine. Another girl, wearing a smile.
"Monsieur, I am sure you don't remember me. I am the 'boy' who delivered Marius' letter to you."
"Quite the opposite, my dear. I do remember."
"Who is there now?" asked Marius, now trying to believe Valjean.
"Tell him it is the girl who loved him so all these years."
Valjean turned to Marius. "A young woman, who claims to have loved you all this years."
Cosette looked at Marius. "Who is that?" she asked comfortingly.
"Eponine?"
The figure smiled and nodded her head.
"How is she? Ask her what..."
"She says you can speak to her directly, Marius. If you believe she is here, you will hear her as well."
Marius closed his eyes and thought of everything he remembered about Eponine.
"'Ponine?"
"I am here, Marius."
"I am sorry, I am so sorry!"
"For what? You did nothing wrong."
"I let you live your life carrying that dark burden of a secret. I let you die..."
"You did not let me die. As I lied there in your arms, God showed me visions of your life ahead with Cosette. I knew that you would be extremely happy, and I willingly accepted death."
"You were offered life?"
"If I had enough willpower, then yes, I would have lived. But I gave it all up at the thought of your happiness. Go to your wife. I have a job to do, to watch over you."
Marius opened his eyes and saw Cosette next to him.
"Did you hear her?"
"Yes, I did." He took Cosette in his arms and kissed her forehead. He held her until Valjean stirred.
"I am informed that I must go. Read that letter soon, my dear."
"Papa! Papa, no..."
"Hush, now. Let me remember you like this." He smiled as he inhaled deeply. "Farewell, until we meet again, my loves." And with those last words, Jean Valjean died.
**************************************************************************
Cosette was in her room weeks later, putting away her clothes of mourning. As she folded her black gloves and placed her hats back into boxes, she came across a folded up paper. She remembered it as her father's handwriting. She took it downstairs, and entered her husband's study.
"Marius?" she said knocking.
"Yes, my love?"
"I found this." She brought him the letter.
"You should read it."
She unfolded it hesitantly. She moved to a chair and sat down. She read it over and over for many minutes, until it all sunk in. Marius came to her and knelt beside her chair.
"He protected me, when he needed protecting himself."
"He was a very loving man."
"Is it possible that he's watching us now?"
"Along with your mother, Eponine, and all of our friends who are in Heaven."
"Then they have blessed us indeed."
"How is that, Cosette?"
"I'm having a baby," smiled Cosette.
"Are we really?" Cosette nodded as Marius took her in his arms.
"I have several suggestions for names already," he said smiling as Cosette pulled back.
**************************************************************************
A/N - Okay everyone, this sounds like the last chapter, but there's one more left! Now, the next chapter is all me, no more Les Miserables inspiration! Since I've been getting a few complaints about that, I hope some of you will get off my back! Now, my beta, Jenna would like to make a few comments.
B/N - (For those of you who don't know, a 'B/N' is a 'Beta's Note, and for those of you who don't know what a beta is, it's a person who edits the author's stories. Thank you.) Thank you for the lovely introduction. :) I hope that most of you are enjoying the story thus far; Shannon and I are going to be collaborating on a few other works once we get this last chapter up. I would like to address a matter that has been brought to my attention in the form of a flame from Anon. If the rest of you will excuse me (and any rudeness I shall now exhibit) I'd like to address this person.
Anon, I have been reading Fanfiction for a while now, and, while I have never written anything I have been brave enough to post, I have a good idea about what Fanfiction is. Apparently, I am mistaken. Since you have found a definition, please share it with us all, as we all must be mistaken, since several of the other reviews make it clear that they regard this story as a work of Fanfiction. This is the story we all know told from a different point of view. I have come across stories that do just that, and, from what I've seen, they seem to qualify.
I thank everyone else who has bothered to read this very long note, and I hope that none of you share a negative outlook on this story and will hang with us for the last chapter and other stories in progress. Thanks :)