Lovelies! I know... But I want to say Happy Easter! Happy Passover! Happy Patriots Day! Happy whatever holiday you may celebrate! The ever lovely Sophie Capulet brought up the fantastic point at how Gav would react to seeing Thénardier again.. Grantaire too... So this is how this plot bunny developed! I hope you all enjoy! It's a bit fluffy :)
Warning: some sadness... then FLUFF!
Disclaimer: The Easter bunny didn't deliver the rights... so still nope
Chapter 31: What have I done?
"I love you too Papa."
It was only moments after letting the twins 'say bye-bye' to grandpére and making their way back to the waiting room where Azelma was patiently sitting that the gravity of Éponine's sudden decisions settled around her. As if being slammed in the chest with an anvil, Éponine stumbled back, nearly falling to the ground with Sarah in her arms. The infant let out a frustrated shriek at the sudden movement, evoking a reaction from Ben and a frantic Combeferre who moved to her side.
"Ponine? Are you ok? What's wrong?" He carefully surveyed her and brought a tentative hand to her forehead before moving to take Sarah from her arms, worried Éponine was having a slight panic attack.
As if in a state of shock Éponine let Combeferre shift Sarah into his arms before sinking to the ground and covering her face with her hands.
No, she hadn't forgiven him, but she might as well have. She invited the man responsible for countless murders, including her best friend's father on top of the fact he abused a child who wasn't even his. To her wedding! The event she for one, hasn't thought a lick about planning because she'd been busy carrying twins for the last 9 months then of course her father was shot among other things, but a public event where all her friends, who HATED her father with a passion for what he did not only to her and her siblings, but to Grantaire and everyone else as well. And Grantaire! She'd invited his father's murderer to her wedding without even letting his well being cross her mind. She hadn't realized she'd started crying until she felt tears course through her fingers still shielding her face and she looked up to notice Combeferre sitting beside her, babies in his lap, his one free giving her a tissue.
"Wanna talk about it? I'm sure Zelma will keep herself occupied" He whispered, gently bouncing the twins in his lap, both of whom were drifting back to sleep.
Taking several deep breaths, Éponine finally worked up the courage to meet her fiancé's calming eyes.
"How stupid am I" She breathed, breaking eye contact to take a now snoring Ben from Combeferre's arms and pulling him close to her breast.
Combeferre was dumbfounded for a moment.
"What? Ponine, what are you talking about? You aren't stupid?"
"Yes I am Ferre, I nearly forgave him and I've invited him to our wedding." Speaking it out loud sunk the reality of it just a bit deeper and brought forth another bout of tears.
"Ép, I don't know what he said before I came in, but the man in there was not the same man that was arrested a year ago. No one will be angry or judge you for wanting to reconcile with your father, especially since he's changed. Now you didn't forgive him, but I see that as I didn't forgive him yet." He finished, watching her cautiously.
She contemplated his words and as usual he was right. That man inside the hospital room was not the man her father became, but, perhaps (and she sincerely wished it.) the man he once was.
"But Ferre, I invited him to our wedding." She repeated, catching his eye again, willing him to realize her stupidity, to reprimand her for it. But of course, he didn't.
"So? Parents have every right to be at their children's weddings, no matter what they've done, well ," He winced, repairing his phrase. "Well, what the old them would've done."
Wiping away a few stray tears and moving her gaze from her fiancé to her baby boy she spoke her deepest regret of the day.
"But I've invited Gavroche's abuser and Mr. Grantaire's murderer to our wedding, where both Gavroche and R will be present. I've gone and done something without even thinking of the people I'll hurt. How could I've been so selfish." She whispered bitterly, burying her face behind Ben and soaking his little shoulder with more tears.
Combeferre was silent, mulling over what Éponine had just confessed. If she wasn't so distressed, he might've smiled a little. His beautiful darling brilliant Éponine was the farthest from selfish anyone could possible be. Between going days without food so her siblings could eat and the hits she'd take for them, to the countless hours she'd spent with each Amis to help them through their problems all while ignoring her own (which was particularly dangerous during their near death experience three years ago, but that's for another time.). He took his time putting the words together because he honestly didn't know how the others would react. Of course he knew they'd be civil and most probably supportive, but the shock and possibly betrayal might be there as well and Combeferre knew that would break his beloved Ponine and it was something he wasn't going to let happen. As he freed his arm to wind it around her shoulders, shifting his other arm to pull sleeping Sarah closer to his chest (and her mother.), he pressed a firm kiss to Éponine's forehead.
"Ép, you are one of the most selfless people this world has ever had the extreme good fortune to know. I have never seen you put your own needs in front of anyone else's, especially when it comes to family, even when your health and safety is on the line. You've probably knocked more years off my life with your way of life than all my years spent watching Enjolras attempting to right the world." He nudged her shoulder gently, trying to earn a smile. A small one graced her lips and he sighed in relief before continuing.
"Ép, I know you think they'll be angry with you, but I think you're blowing it out of proportion."
"Ferre, last time they saw him Gav was almost killed and Grantaire found out how his father actually died. And then he proceeded to smash my father up against a wall. If they're in the same room together who knows what'll happen! Gav's been doing so well! He hasn't had a nightmare since he left the hospital and Taire," She let out a bitter sob. "Taire's been doing so well Ferre. He's visited his parents grave, he even left a flower at my mother's. Think of how angry he'll be to know that I so willingly invited my Father to our wedding."
He shrugged slightly. "Well, it is our wedding." She glared at him. "Well, one, Ponine, it is our wedding. When Enjolras finally bullies the government enough and him and Taire can get married, they can invite whomever they want."
"But Henri." She whispered, but he lifted a finger to her lips.
"Ponine, it was Grantaire who supported your decision to visit your father in the first place, even allow yourself to forgive him. Out of all our friends, the one who suffered most at his hand, was the first to jump to your side in your choice. Well, after me of course." He added sweetly, pressing another kiss to her forehead.
"I guess that's true." She whispered, burrowing deeper into her love's side, curling Ben deeper into her own chest. "But what about Gav?"
Combeferre took a deep breath, shifting Sarah into her mother's arms before reaching his now free arms to wrap around his family. How would their oldest child react. He froze at how easily that thought came to him. Oldest child. Just 9 months ago Gav was only his girlfriend's little brother. Granted, he'd been part of their makeshift family for six years by then and their relationship was closer than just that. For God sakes he'd gotten all the papers together for Éponine to adopt him officially! Was it just weeks ago that Combeferre started calling him Papa? Éponine Mama? (Though, that one was more private, only in the safety of her arms did Gav call Éponine what he's considered her for years.) Combeferre pondered the thought of having to sit the boy down and telling him that his thought to be father was going to be back in his life, if only for a day.
"I think if you tell him what your father told you and told him how much it would mean to have your own Papa give you away at your wedding, he'd understand. He's got that part of you Éponine. Always putting someone else's well being in front of your own."
Éponine let out a shallow laugh. "Wonder where we got that from."
Combeferre let out his own laugh and soon they were laughing together in the empty hospital hallway, hugging their children and sharing in a moment of uninterrupted bliss.
Well, uninterrupted until one of the nurses found them and had a very Joly like reaction at seeing two young people sitting on the floor of a hospital with two vulnerable infants. They stood and apologized, but the nurse's outburst had done it's damage and soon two fussy infants' wails filled the cramped hospital corridor.
As they walked pass (and the nurse offered no apology.) Éponine gave her one of her most deadly glares (at least the nurse had the decency to stay behind while they walked out.)
Coming out into the waiting room they found Azelma curled in one of the hospital chairs, fast asleep.
"Oh c'mon." Éponine moaned, bouncing Sarah up and down as she wailed. "It hasn't been that long."
Combeferre attempted to check his watch as he rocked an equally fussy Ben. "I came in the room about half three, and we got out about quarter past four, half four. So now it's about quarter to 6."
"Ah." Éponine replied. Looking back at her sister to the wailing baby in her arms, a devious smile spread across her features.
Before Combeferre could stop her, Éponine moved to Azelma's side and lowered Sarah to Azelma's ear… It wasn't long before Sarah let out a particularly dreadful scream, causing Azelma to shoot up.
"AH! What? What? I'm up! Jeeze Pon, there are at least a million better ways to wake a sleeping maiden up than setting a screaming banshee in her ear!"
"My daughter is NOT a banshee." Éponine seethed, pulling her quieting daughter to her chest. "And it's time to go."
Azelma leapt up, stretching her long torso and arms (less than) gracefully above her, letting out an obnoxious yawn.
"Oh c'mon, I'm sure you've stayed up past your bedtime before living with Feuilly and Rel. In fact, I'd wager this is the first sleep you've had in days." Éponine cooed, laughing at the incredible speed her little sister's face when from pale to red.
"That's un called for." She whispered fiercely. "And there are children."
"Yes, children who are too young to remember what their mother does to embarrass her sister, now let's go." She nodded towards Combeferre who was just getting off his phone.
"Who're phoning?" Éponine mused as their made their way back to the parking lot.
"The boys." Éponine quirked an eyebrow. "Don't worry," he amended. "I didn't give them any details. I just told them we'd be back at the café in about an hour." She nodded. "I also said that you'd probably need to talk to a few individuals first before talking to everyone."
She froze for a moment, and then nodded, knowing this was exactly what she needed to do anyhow.
"How did I deserve you?" She breathed against his shoulder, pressing her lips to the warm cotton.
"A lot of bribery to someone up top I imagine." He mused, laughing as she shoved him gently.
Azelma let out an audible groan from behind them.
"Get a room! And let the twins at least turn one before you start baby making again."
Combeferre turned a healthy shade of red while Éponine stuck her tongue out at her sister.
"No promises Zel."
Azelma groaned once more before taking Sarah from Éponine's arms and settling her into her car seat, Combeferre mirroring the actions with Ben.
Once the three 'children' were in the back Éponine gasped Combeferre's arm slightly before slipping into the car.
"I love you. Have I told you that today?"
"Hmm.. Not yet."
She smiled and leaned over to press her lips firmly against his.
"I love you."
He smiled against her lips.
"I love you too."
Didja like it? Sorry it's short, but a longer one's coming (She's got to talk to not only Gav and Taire, but the others as well...)
Hope you enjoy! I'll be back soon! Please comment/review... follow/fav!
Until next time Lovelies!