Chapter 5
That night once everyone had left, including Gavroche who was staying with Courfeyrac that night. Alone in bed was Eponine and Enjolras in each other's arms.
"Do you really like my idea, Enjolras?" She asked not sure if he really did like her idea or if he just said that he did.
"I really like your idea. And the best part is that when I tell my father what my new plans are then he will be please with your idea as well."
"Really?"
"Yes really."
"Hey Enjolras did you mean it earlier when you said that you were falling in love with me?" Eponine asked her insecurities showing.
"Yes I did Eponine. Did you mean it a couple of days ago when you said it?"
"I know that after I talked to Marius today that… well that yes I really do mean it. I love you too Enjolras. And truth be told I'm glad you're not going to die in battle. Call me selfish but I… I want you here with me. I… I need you Enjolras. I… I can't lose you. Not now. I mean in my life there's been no one like you anywhere, and I mean anywhere. And I know this is blunt but should you ask Enjolras I'll be yours."
"Eponine you really mean that?" Enjolras asked with a hint of shock in his voice.
"I… I do." Eponine said with fear of rejection apparent in her voice and eyes.
"Eponine, without you I was lost."
"And with you, Enjolras I am found."
"I love you Eponine."
"And I you Enjolras. And I you."
And with all that said they fell asleep in each other's arms both wearing a smile on their faces.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Three days later Enjolras had gone over to his parent's house. "Father, do you have great grandmother's ring that she left for me?" He asked his father knowing that he wanted that ring for Eponine.
"You have a lady in mind for this ring my boy?" his father asked.
"Yes I do. And if you would like to meet her, you can meet us on the streets. We'll be handing out money and food to the poor today." Enjolras then looked at his pocket watch and said, "Oh I have to go." Taking the box with the ring in it Enjolras said, "Wish me luck father." And with that he was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later that day Enjolras knew he needed to ask Eponine a question but was unsure when to do it. It wasn't until she smiled at him that he knew that now was as good a time as any.
"Eponine, I have something I would like to say to you." Enjolras said hoping that all will go according to plan.
"Ok Enjolras. What is it?" She asked knowing that something was up.
"I know that we have been through a lot and by we I mean you." Eponine chuckled at this. "Anyway I want you to know that I love you and that I always have and that I always will." Enjolras looked around knew that everyone was now watching him and what he was about to do. He then knelt down on one knee and pulled out his great grandmother's ring, which was a ruby surrounded by diamonds, and asked, "Will you Eponine Thenardier marry me and make me the happiest man alive?"
Everyone was silent awaiting Eponine to answer. Then she knelt down to where Enjolras was and said, "Yes. Enjolras of course its yes." They then both stood up and kissed one another passionately.
"I am agog! I am aghast! Is Enjolras engaged at last?" Grantaire laughed toasting the newly engaged couple before drinking his bottle of wine.
"Congratulations Eponine. You also Enjolras. I'm so happy for you." Marius said with joy but a hint of jealousy.
"Marius isn't that Cosette over there with her father?" Eponine asked as she looked across the streets.
"Y…yes it is." Marius said his cheeks now red.
"Well go say hi and introduce yourself to her father." Eponine encouraged. And with that Marius walked over to where Cosette and her father now were.
"I love you Eponine." Enjolras said with passion in his voice.
"And I you. But you do realize what this means don't you?"
"What's that?"
You'll need to take me and Gavroche shopping for clothes so that we will be able to fit in to your society. I mean when I meet your parents I would like to make a good first impression and…"
"Alright. Tomorrow we shall go shopping for you and Gavroche." Enjolras then paused and looked over to see his father looking over at them. "And speaking of my parents here is my father now. Come I would love to introduce you." And with that Enjolras escorted Eponine over to where his father was.
"Ah Enjolras so good to see you my boy. And this must be the lucky lady that my son just asked to marry." His father said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you M'sieur." Eponine said as she curtsied.
"The pleasure is all mine Mademoiselle. And you may call me Arthur, please. Only those who are not family call me M'sieur. And since I just saw say yes to my son's proposal that makes us family, right?"
"I guess you are right."
"Well how about you and your friends come over for dinner tomorrow. Let's say around six?"
"We'll be there father." And with a tip of his hat Arthur grabbed a carriage and left.
"Well that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." Eponine said with a sigh of relief.
"Yeah out of both of my parents, my father is the one who likes people for who they are and not their rank in society. My mother on the other hand believes that image is everything. But don't you worry all of our friends will be there tomorrow night and we will all protect you from my mother."
"But Enjolras I don't know how to eat properly. I mean what if me and Gavroche make a fool of ourselves?"
"Don't worry Eponine we can teach you all that you need to know about dinning with my mother. And should you feel uncomfortable in your new clothes you can wear your green dress that your wearing right now underneath." Enjolras said in a comforting tone.
"What would I do without you?"
"I have no idea. But I know that without you I would be fighting a battle in which I would probably die." Enjolras said kissing her forehead.
