Author's Notes: Sorry for the long updates. Here's chapter four since I took so long! Enjoy!

Chapter Four: Dinner With The Mayor:

The following eking, Marius made his way to the mayor's home. As he made his way there, he could not help but practice the words he would say. He had to make sure that they were perfect. Marius did not want to ruin this eking. Soon, he found himself at Jean Val Jean's house. He took a breath, then he knocked upon the door.

A made answered him. "This way Mousier. The Mayor is expecting you."

"Thank you." he replied, and followed the young girl into the dining room.

The dinning room was one of the largest rooms in Val Jean's home. It was made that way so he could have plenty of room to entertain his guest. At the moment, Val jean was making sure that everything was ready to go. He was pleased to find that everything was in its place.

"Pardon me, Mayor, Missouri Marius is here to see you."

Val jean turned to find the young man standing before him. He greeted him with a hand shake and a smile. Val jean could see why his daughter was so taken away by him. Marius was kind, handsome, and came from one of the wealthiest families in Paris. He came by here often to talk to Cosette. However, he did take some time to talk with him. Marius was like the son he never has.

"Ah, here's the man of the hour." said Val jean.

"As always, it is good to see you." Marius replied, shaking the mayor's hand.

As Marius parted from him, Val jean noticed that his hand was pierced with sweat, and his grip had not been as tight as it normally was. He could also see that the boy had grown pale. "My lad, are you all right?"

"Yes." Marius answered. "Mayor-"

"How many times must I tell you, you do not have to be so formal with me." said Val jean, cutting the boy off. "You may call me by my name."

"Thank you Mayor, I mean Misuer Val jean."

Val jean laughed. As hard as the boy tried, he still had to be proper. God bless him.

"May I ask the where about of your lovely daughter?" asked Marius.

"She is still getting ready." Val jean answered.

"Then may I speak with you on a most important matter."

"Of course," said Val jean. "Please, take a seat."

Marius waited until Val jean took the seat at the head of the table. Then he joined him on his ride side. He lightly cleared his throat before him: "Misuer Val jean, you know how much I love your daughter..."

"Yes, go on."

"I loved her when I first laid eyes on her, and I wish to continue on loving her, forever." Marius paused a moment. He had never been more nervous in his whole life. He just prayed that Val jean would give him his blessing. "May I have your daughter's hand in marriage?"

Val jean smiled. He knew that this day was coming. Cosette and Marius having seeing one another for a few months now, and he could tell how much they loved each other. Their love grew more and more every day. "Yes, you may." he answered happily. "I could not have wished anyone else for her."

"Thank you sir." Marius replied.

"Marius, my lad, you are forgetting, we will be family soon. You will have to learn to call me Papa as Cosette does."

Marius found himself in an embrace with the mayor, his soon to be father-in-law. He was very thankful that he gave his blessing. Now, that he asked the father. It was soon time to ask the daughter.

Cosette took one last look in the mirror before she headed downstairs to join her father and her love. She wanted to look absolutely perfect for Marius. All though, she knew that he would love her no matter what she looked like. Still, she cared. She liked to look nice for him.

When she finally made her way to join them, she could see the two were in high spirits. She wondered why they were so happy. As soon as she made her presence known, she would get her answer.

"What is going on down here?"

Marius turned to see Cosette before him. Marius was about to answer her, but Val jean took care of it. "My dear, it seems that Marius wishes to have you as his wife."

Cosette turned to Marius and smiled at him. She walked up to him. "Is this true?" she asked.

Marius pulled out the ring and placed it on her finger. "With all my heart, if you will have me."

Cosette could feel the tears forming in her eyes. She through her arms around him and gave him her answer: "YES!" she cried. "A thousand times, YES!"

Marius happily took her in her arms and spun her around. Val jean turned away as the couple exchanged a passionate kiss. A few minutes past, and it seemed Marius and Cosette had forgotten that her father was still there. Val jean reminded them.

"Come! We must celebrate!"

It was not long before the three were at the table, eating a delicious meal of pork and vegetables, and a happy enhancement of words. Their chatter was mainly about the wedding. It seemed that Cosette wanted a spring wedding, with flowers every where. Marius smiled at her as he agreed. Cosette had very good taste when it came to fancy accusations.

"We can make this announcement official at the masquerade ball." Val jean announced to them. "All of the upper class will attend. We must share this news with our friends!"

"Indeed." agreed Marius.

The masquerade ball was an annual event that was held in Paris. As Val jean had stated all of Paris society would be there. Val jean continued to talk on about it. Marius tried to listen to him but he found his thoughts on other things. He pondered if they would allow Eponym to come. Marius figured at the ball, he and Enjolras could meet the young gentlemen that she spoke so highly of.

Cosette noticed that her fiancé' - She smiled at that. Fiancé'. She would have to get use to calling him this. However, she put that matter aside for now. Marius looked troubled about something.

"My love, are you all right?"

Marius smiled and turned to Cosette. "You have made me very happy, but may I have a word with you? Privately."

"Of course." Cosette answered. She then turned to Val jean. "Papa, do you mind if I steal my fiancé' away for a moment?"

"Please, be my guest."

"Thank you."

Cosette took Marius' hand and lead him outside, to the gardens. The sat down on a bench that was placed near the gate. "What troubles you?" asked Cosette.

"It's Eponine."

"Eponine, is she all right?"

Cosette did not know Eponine very well. All she was that she was Marius' childhood friend who delivered the love notes. All though, she came from a poor family, she seemed like she was a very nice girl, and Marius spoke very highly of her.

"Yes, she is fine." Marius assured. "It seems my dear friend has found herself a suitor."

"How lovely!" cried Cosette happily. "Who is this fellow? Is it Enjolras?"

Now, Enjolras she knew. She was Marius' other friend, who came from a higher society then Eponine. He was a nice man. He came over every now and then to join Marius. Whenever, he was not around, Marius would mention his friend's feelings to Cosette. It seemed that Enjolras had feelings for Eponine, but he was too afraid to show them. All though, Marius did not have to tell her this. Cosette all ready knew. Whenever her name was mentioned in conversation, she could see his eyes light up. She was disappointed to learn it was Enjolras whom stole Eponine's heart away.

"I do not know who he is and it worries me, along with Enjolras."

"Eponine seems to be a smart girl. I am sure she knows what she is doing."

"Then why is she keeping it secret?"

"Perhaps his family would not allow him to be with her." Cosette replied.

"This is true, but I would feel much better if I knew whom he was." he sighed. "Would you mind if I invited Eponine to the mask? Then maybe I will meet this fellow of her's."

Cosette took his face into her hands. She loved how much he cared for his friend. "Marius, your friends are now my friends." she assured him. "You no longer have to ask such question. I, too would like to meet her suitor. I am happy that she has found love just as we have." Cosette paused for a moment before going on. Yes, Eponine was Marius' friend, she was still of lower class. She would need a fresh set of gowns if she would come to the mask. "Infact, ask her if she could come here. I would like to have a meeting with her."

Marius smiled. "Thank you."

It was not long before the shared yet another kiss. However, without the watchful eye of her father, they went a bit father. They did not go too far. The couple would wait until their wedding night to fulfill their passion for one another.

TBC...

Author's Notes: Sings: "When will the blood begin to race? The sleeping bud burst into bloom! When will the flames at last consume us!" I know, wrong musical but I had "PAST THE POINT OF NO RETURN" from POTO during the last few paragraphs. Sad, I know, but I couldn't resist! Any who: sorry but you won't find any smut in my stories. Well, at least not very detailed anyway. Still, got to show the love show how don't I? LOL! Ch. 5 on it's way!