Chapter 20
Paris, 1847 (15 Years Later)
Montparnasse shuddered as he sat on the hard ground on a bleak December afternoon. It was not the freezing temperature or the snow around him that made him feel chilly. He felt this same chill during the heat of the summer months, the breezy days of autumn, and the bright days of spring. It was the chill of a memory that crept up his spine and seeped into his brain. The longing memory of his one, his only, love. The same memory triggered the thoughts of his days of idle pleasure on Parisian streets with Thenardier and the other men.
The image of Eponine was all too vivid years ago, but during these days, Montparnasse was lucky if he could even remember the length and color of her hair. It was true that he had remained faithful in his love to Eponine, yet as the days, weeks, and months progressed, he found it ever harder to go on with his life, a life that had no value anymore.
His body and mind showed scars of the past. Mentally, of how he last saw Eponine, her body bathed in blood and her hands surrounding her slender waist. The physical scars came weeks later when Brujon, Babet, Claquesous, and Thenardier found him hiding in an alleyway, and beat him without mercy and without feeling.
'You and Eponine!' rang the voice of Thenardier in Montparnasse's head. 'That's a laugh! She must 'ave loved you, to die with other men for a cause she knew nothing about! Get 'er pregnant, did you! You could you betray me trust after all our years!'
'I betrayed nothing! I loved her and she loved me!'
'She didn't know love! She knew lust! It was I who taught 'er that!' he laughed as he punched Montparnasse clear across the face.
Montparnasse was never a religious man, but after Eponine's death and his "exile" from Thenardier and the other men, he took to prayer every so often. He prayed for himself and for Eponine. Sometimes when he was settling down for the night, he swore he could hear Eponine talking back to him in his prayers.
'Dear Lord, please watch me this night and give me the strength to overcome whatever tomorrow may put in front of me.'
'It shall be done,' responded a feminine voice.
'Please forgive me for all things I have done wrong in my life. To the people I've robbed, the people who I've hurt, and especially Eponine.'
'Why do you ask forgiveness of me, Montparnasse?'
'Because I was too protective. Because everything I ever did to you...'
'Hush those thoughts. I have forgiven you of those things long ago. Be at peace and I will bring your prayers to God.'
'Oh, Eponine. My love. Eponine...Eponine...Eponine'
"Eponine!"
Montparnasse was awoken abruptly at the yell of the familiar name. He composed himself and looked around.
"Eponine! You mustn't dawdle or we shall be quite late!"
"Yes, Father."
Montparnasse saw the voices were of an aged man and a girl trailing behind him. Next to the man were a woman, much the same age if not younger, and a boy of about 14. Montparnasse recognized the man instantly, and sighed to himself.
"Have you any change to spare, sir?"
"We haven't. Good day," said the woman, grabbing one child in each hand and walking ahead. Her husband, however, stopped in front of Montparnasse.
"Marius, we are late already! Shall we detain them any further?"
"I knew that name once," said Montparnasse to the man.
"I knew your face, once, didn't I?"
"If you knew Eponine..."
"Yes?" The young girl broke from her mother's grasp and moved towards Montparnasse. "My name is Eponine, sir. Eponine Pontmercy."
"My daughter," explained the man.
"Marius! We know better than to go introducing our children to...riff-raff on the street!"
"Cosette, I know this man. And he knows me, don't you sir?"
"I do. I can't forget the man who ruined my life, for he's not easily forgotten."
"Marius?"
"Cosette, take Enjolras and Eponine to the party and I will be there shortly," said Marius bringing his daughter to Cosette.
"Father, how do you know this man?"
"You see Enjolras, he was engaged to a very dear friend of your mother and myself."
"What happened?" asked Eponine.
"She died, long ago. I must speak with him, Cosette. You see what he's become." Marius' voice had become a whisper.
Cosette looked at Montparnasse. "Very well. I will tell them that you will be along shortly."
"I promise." He watched his family walk down the street and then went back to Montparnasse.
"You named your daughter after Eponine and your son after the rebel leader."
"It helps me get through the day."
"What did you ever feel towards 'Ponine?" asked Montparnasse coldly.
"I loved her all my life, but I never realized it until she was gone."
"Have you known how it feels to give love but not be shown love in return?"
"'Ponine did love you."
"She did once, when she was young and before she came to Paris. Then she met you, and I was soon forgotten. Only good for what she couldn't do with you. Infatuation."
"She always said you were a jealous man."
"Monsieur, to tell you honestly, it was my jealousy that led you marry the woman you are married to today."
Marius looked at the man whom Eponine had claimed to love. "What do you mean by that?"
"Eponine was right. I was jealous, and I had good reason to be, especially with her hanging around that cafe all day. All those young students, filling her head with every thought you could possibly imagine. Well, then she gave herself to me, I'll spare you those details, and I felt as if we had a union. Something special that only we could know. So that's when I became truly overprotective."
"This I know! Speak what you have hidden all these years."
"Then she started taking a fancy to you, Monsieur Pontmercy. I figured if you were out of the picture, Eponine would come running back to me. So, I found you and 'Ponine in the square one morning, my plan all worked out. I saw the first pretty thing in a skirt and followed it. Then when you got closer, I accidentally pushed you into one another. Your books fell, both your eyes met, and my work was complete."
Marius sat there as everything sunk in, and he looked back at the man. "You conniving bastard!" He pulled the man up against the wall by his shirt, which was old and worn. "How could you do that! To the woman you loved! She may not have loved you, but by God, couldn't you stand to see her happy!? If not with you, then with somebody else!?"
"Why did you go and toy with her emotions!?"
Marius released Montparnasse and stepped back. "I did, didn't I?"
All of a sudden, Montparnasse fell to the ground coughing hysterically. Marius bent down and handing him his handkerchief. Montparnasse continued to cough and Marius noticed blood on his handkerchief.
"You are ill."
"I have been for some time."
"A doctor, perhaps..."
"Leave me to die in peace, for I know death is but a short time away."
"You will be with Eponine then."
"Your beloved."
"No, Montparnasse. She never loved me."
"How can you say that?" Montparnasse scoffed.
"I was just her infatuation. Why else would she carry your child and wear your ring as she did?"
"She gave me back the ring, for she couldn't give me back the child. She killed herself so she could do that."
"She never wanted to die. She wanted to be with you."
Montparnasse glanced at his rival. "You you believe that?"
"You were always competition to me, my friend. I was but a fraction in her eyes balanced against you. Her first, last, and only love was for you."
"He's right, 'Parnasse. I always loved you."
Montparnasse turned and saw a gleaming light and a girl before him. Marius saw it too, and both men gaped at the figure that had appeared before their eyes.
"Eponine..."
"Hello, my love. I have come to end your pain. You shall come and be with me forever more."
"Eponine," said Marius half in shock and half in happiness. "Are you an..."
"Angel? No, far from it," she laughed. "But I have been watching you both over these past years. I am very happy that you two finally spoke."
"Eponine..."
"There will be enough time for you to regain your speech, Montparnasse. I will take you away with me once I have spoken to Marius. You named your daughter after me. Why?"
"I wanted a part of you to live on through me."
"She will have a fine life, and so will Enjolras."
"Do you speak with the rebels?"
"Every day, and Enjolras is very proud of you. Grantaire still needs some help, but we'll wait for you," she smiled.
"And Jean Valjean?"
"Always watching you and Cosette."
"Thank you, Eponine."
"Until we meet again, Marius, adieu. Montparnasse, do not be afraid. It is time."
Montparnasse looked at Marius, and died. Eponine's spirit vanished, and Marius was left alone.
Marius took Montparnasse's body to the mortuary and paid the man well to take care of all the arrangements. He made his way to the house where the party was held and entered. He gave the man his coat and hat and entered the ballroom. He soon found his wife and took her arm.
"How was your little meeting?"
"Informative."
"Where is he now?"
"With God in Heaven. He died a short time ago."
Just then, they came upon their daughter sitting alone.
"What's this? No dancing?" teased her father.
"You said that I couldn't dance with a boy because I wasn't old enough."
"Yes I did say that didn't I." He saw his daughter's disappointed face as she slumped back into the chair. He exchanged glances with Cosette, for they were both thinking the same thing. "Well, as an early Christmas present, we must get rid of that rule. If your brother can dance, you most certainly can dance as well."
Eponine's face lit up and she hugged her father. He kissed her forehead and led his wife onto the dance floor. He later saw his daughter be approached by a young man and he led to off to dance.
"We couldn't repeat history, could we Marius?"
"No, I refuse to let that happen again. Although I admire your father highly, I would not choose to play his part or take his place."
"I'm sure he would have it the same way."
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"They're quite right. I wouldn't have Marius play my part. He's much too young and happy to begin with," joked Valjean, quite acquainted with Heaven now.
Montparnasse wrapped his arms around Eponine and smiled at her. "I'm afraid I'll have to do until your Marius decides to join us."
"You will have to do even when Marius comes to join us."
"Again we must see this? Honestly, 'Parnasse, I'm getting rather sick of it."
"Lay off, Brujon. You'll never know happiness like I know."
"Are my parents still alive?" asked Eponine glancing down.
"'Fraid so. But they still got a few years left to mope about," said Brujon.
"I'm not ready to face them yet. Hopefully I will be then."
"Evening, professors," said Gavroche coming around.
"Hello, Gavroche," said Enjolras, putting him on his shoulders as he always did.
"Nothing to do but wait and watch?" asked Fantine.
"Oh contraire! I think we deserve some fun!"
"GRANTAIRE!" yelled everyone.
"Alright. Watching is fun...wine is more fun, but what you say goes."
**************************************************************************
The End
**************************************************************************
A/N - Hello for the last time! I just would like to express my thanks to a few people. The reviewers for all their response and help in making this final story what it is. To Jenna, my wonderful Beta, for always making fun of me and pushing me and getting me where I had to go. (This feels like a speech lol). My mom, for letting me write when I should have been studying, and my brother for providing mild sarcasm during my writing, ("Ugh! You're writing that stupid play again?" "It's not a play! It's a story!") THANK YOU! This was my first FanFic and hopefully there will be many more to come. Ciao for now!
B/N - Thanks to everyone who's stuck with us for this whole story. There will be more to come--your torture isn't over yet! :) Muahahaha. You've been a wonderful reviewing audience. Hopefully, this is only adieu for now!
Paris, 1847 (15 Years Later)
Montparnasse shuddered as he sat on the hard ground on a bleak December afternoon. It was not the freezing temperature or the snow around him that made him feel chilly. He felt this same chill during the heat of the summer months, the breezy days of autumn, and the bright days of spring. It was the chill of a memory that crept up his spine and seeped into his brain. The longing memory of his one, his only, love. The same memory triggered the thoughts of his days of idle pleasure on Parisian streets with Thenardier and the other men.
The image of Eponine was all too vivid years ago, but during these days, Montparnasse was lucky if he could even remember the length and color of her hair. It was true that he had remained faithful in his love to Eponine, yet as the days, weeks, and months progressed, he found it ever harder to go on with his life, a life that had no value anymore.
His body and mind showed scars of the past. Mentally, of how he last saw Eponine, her body bathed in blood and her hands surrounding her slender waist. The physical scars came weeks later when Brujon, Babet, Claquesous, and Thenardier found him hiding in an alleyway, and beat him without mercy and without feeling.
'You and Eponine!' rang the voice of Thenardier in Montparnasse's head. 'That's a laugh! She must 'ave loved you, to die with other men for a cause she knew nothing about! Get 'er pregnant, did you! You could you betray me trust after all our years!'
'I betrayed nothing! I loved her and she loved me!'
'She didn't know love! She knew lust! It was I who taught 'er that!' he laughed as he punched Montparnasse clear across the face.
Montparnasse was never a religious man, but after Eponine's death and his "exile" from Thenardier and the other men, he took to prayer every so often. He prayed for himself and for Eponine. Sometimes when he was settling down for the night, he swore he could hear Eponine talking back to him in his prayers.
'Dear Lord, please watch me this night and give me the strength to overcome whatever tomorrow may put in front of me.'
'It shall be done,' responded a feminine voice.
'Please forgive me for all things I have done wrong in my life. To the people I've robbed, the people who I've hurt, and especially Eponine.'
'Why do you ask forgiveness of me, Montparnasse?'
'Because I was too protective. Because everything I ever did to you...'
'Hush those thoughts. I have forgiven you of those things long ago. Be at peace and I will bring your prayers to God.'
'Oh, Eponine. My love. Eponine...Eponine...Eponine'
"Eponine!"
Montparnasse was awoken abruptly at the yell of the familiar name. He composed himself and looked around.
"Eponine! You mustn't dawdle or we shall be quite late!"
"Yes, Father."
Montparnasse saw the voices were of an aged man and a girl trailing behind him. Next to the man were a woman, much the same age if not younger, and a boy of about 14. Montparnasse recognized the man instantly, and sighed to himself.
"Have you any change to spare, sir?"
"We haven't. Good day," said the woman, grabbing one child in each hand and walking ahead. Her husband, however, stopped in front of Montparnasse.
"Marius, we are late already! Shall we detain them any further?"
"I knew that name once," said Montparnasse to the man.
"I knew your face, once, didn't I?"
"If you knew Eponine..."
"Yes?" The young girl broke from her mother's grasp and moved towards Montparnasse. "My name is Eponine, sir. Eponine Pontmercy."
"My daughter," explained the man.
"Marius! We know better than to go introducing our children to...riff-raff on the street!"
"Cosette, I know this man. And he knows me, don't you sir?"
"I do. I can't forget the man who ruined my life, for he's not easily forgotten."
"Marius?"
"Cosette, take Enjolras and Eponine to the party and I will be there shortly," said Marius bringing his daughter to Cosette.
"Father, how do you know this man?"
"You see Enjolras, he was engaged to a very dear friend of your mother and myself."
"What happened?" asked Eponine.
"She died, long ago. I must speak with him, Cosette. You see what he's become." Marius' voice had become a whisper.
Cosette looked at Montparnasse. "Very well. I will tell them that you will be along shortly."
"I promise." He watched his family walk down the street and then went back to Montparnasse.
"You named your daughter after Eponine and your son after the rebel leader."
"It helps me get through the day."
"What did you ever feel towards 'Ponine?" asked Montparnasse coldly.
"I loved her all my life, but I never realized it until she was gone."
"Have you known how it feels to give love but not be shown love in return?"
"'Ponine did love you."
"She did once, when she was young and before she came to Paris. Then she met you, and I was soon forgotten. Only good for what she couldn't do with you. Infatuation."
"She always said you were a jealous man."
"Monsieur, to tell you honestly, it was my jealousy that led you marry the woman you are married to today."
Marius looked at the man whom Eponine had claimed to love. "What do you mean by that?"
"Eponine was right. I was jealous, and I had good reason to be, especially with her hanging around that cafe all day. All those young students, filling her head with every thought you could possibly imagine. Well, then she gave herself to me, I'll spare you those details, and I felt as if we had a union. Something special that only we could know. So that's when I became truly overprotective."
"This I know! Speak what you have hidden all these years."
"Then she started taking a fancy to you, Monsieur Pontmercy. I figured if you were out of the picture, Eponine would come running back to me. So, I found you and 'Ponine in the square one morning, my plan all worked out. I saw the first pretty thing in a skirt and followed it. Then when you got closer, I accidentally pushed you into one another. Your books fell, both your eyes met, and my work was complete."
Marius sat there as everything sunk in, and he looked back at the man. "You conniving bastard!" He pulled the man up against the wall by his shirt, which was old and worn. "How could you do that! To the woman you loved! She may not have loved you, but by God, couldn't you stand to see her happy!? If not with you, then with somebody else!?"
"Why did you go and toy with her emotions!?"
Marius released Montparnasse and stepped back. "I did, didn't I?"
All of a sudden, Montparnasse fell to the ground coughing hysterically. Marius bent down and handing him his handkerchief. Montparnasse continued to cough and Marius noticed blood on his handkerchief.
"You are ill."
"I have been for some time."
"A doctor, perhaps..."
"Leave me to die in peace, for I know death is but a short time away."
"You will be with Eponine then."
"Your beloved."
"No, Montparnasse. She never loved me."
"How can you say that?" Montparnasse scoffed.
"I was just her infatuation. Why else would she carry your child and wear your ring as she did?"
"She gave me back the ring, for she couldn't give me back the child. She killed herself so she could do that."
"She never wanted to die. She wanted to be with you."
Montparnasse glanced at his rival. "You you believe that?"
"You were always competition to me, my friend. I was but a fraction in her eyes balanced against you. Her first, last, and only love was for you."
"He's right, 'Parnasse. I always loved you."
Montparnasse turned and saw a gleaming light and a girl before him. Marius saw it too, and both men gaped at the figure that had appeared before their eyes.
"Eponine..."
"Hello, my love. I have come to end your pain. You shall come and be with me forever more."
"Eponine," said Marius half in shock and half in happiness. "Are you an..."
"Angel? No, far from it," she laughed. "But I have been watching you both over these past years. I am very happy that you two finally spoke."
"Eponine..."
"There will be enough time for you to regain your speech, Montparnasse. I will take you away with me once I have spoken to Marius. You named your daughter after me. Why?"
"I wanted a part of you to live on through me."
"She will have a fine life, and so will Enjolras."
"Do you speak with the rebels?"
"Every day, and Enjolras is very proud of you. Grantaire still needs some help, but we'll wait for you," she smiled.
"And Jean Valjean?"
"Always watching you and Cosette."
"Thank you, Eponine."
"Until we meet again, Marius, adieu. Montparnasse, do not be afraid. It is time."
Montparnasse looked at Marius, and died. Eponine's spirit vanished, and Marius was left alone.
Marius took Montparnasse's body to the mortuary and paid the man well to take care of all the arrangements. He made his way to the house where the party was held and entered. He gave the man his coat and hat and entered the ballroom. He soon found his wife and took her arm.
"How was your little meeting?"
"Informative."
"Where is he now?"
"With God in Heaven. He died a short time ago."
Just then, they came upon their daughter sitting alone.
"What's this? No dancing?" teased her father.
"You said that I couldn't dance with a boy because I wasn't old enough."
"Yes I did say that didn't I." He saw his daughter's disappointed face as she slumped back into the chair. He exchanged glances with Cosette, for they were both thinking the same thing. "Well, as an early Christmas present, we must get rid of that rule. If your brother can dance, you most certainly can dance as well."
Eponine's face lit up and she hugged her father. He kissed her forehead and led his wife onto the dance floor. He later saw his daughter be approached by a young man and he led to off to dance.
"We couldn't repeat history, could we Marius?"
"No, I refuse to let that happen again. Although I admire your father highly, I would not choose to play his part or take his place."
"I'm sure he would have it the same way."
**************************************************************************
"They're quite right. I wouldn't have Marius play my part. He's much too young and happy to begin with," joked Valjean, quite acquainted with Heaven now.
Montparnasse wrapped his arms around Eponine and smiled at her. "I'm afraid I'll have to do until your Marius decides to join us."
"You will have to do even when Marius comes to join us."
"Again we must see this? Honestly, 'Parnasse, I'm getting rather sick of it."
"Lay off, Brujon. You'll never know happiness like I know."
"Are my parents still alive?" asked Eponine glancing down.
"'Fraid so. But they still got a few years left to mope about," said Brujon.
"I'm not ready to face them yet. Hopefully I will be then."
"Evening, professors," said Gavroche coming around.
"Hello, Gavroche," said Enjolras, putting him on his shoulders as he always did.
"Nothing to do but wait and watch?" asked Fantine.
"Oh contraire! I think we deserve some fun!"
"GRANTAIRE!" yelled everyone.
"Alright. Watching is fun...wine is more fun, but what you say goes."
**************************************************************************
The End
**************************************************************************
A/N - Hello for the last time! I just would like to express my thanks to a few people. The reviewers for all their response and help in making this final story what it is. To Jenna, my wonderful Beta, for always making fun of me and pushing me and getting me where I had to go. (This feels like a speech lol). My mom, for letting me write when I should have been studying, and my brother for providing mild sarcasm during my writing, ("Ugh! You're writing that stupid play again?" "It's not a play! It's a story!") THANK YOU! This was my first FanFic and hopefully there will be many more to come. Ciao for now!
B/N - Thanks to everyone who's stuck with us for this whole story. There will be more to come--your torture isn't over yet! :) Muahahaha. You've been a wonderful reviewing audience. Hopefully, this is only adieu for now!