(A/N – Before I go on I would like to thank Caligirlsd99 who should basically be co-author of this story she has helped me so much and committed so many hours to going into vast details discussing the characters in Les Mis and I would like to urge you all to go and read her stories Corruption and On My Own because they are awesome…Go….Go now)
Chapter Two – Expecting
Montfermeil 1818
It had been three weeks since they had first meet and Eponine had become used to meeting Enjolras at midday on what they had come to call their tree. Which was why she was annoyed that today he was late. She had such a good plan for today she was going to get him to play families. Mama had even let her borrow some of her china and a little broom for her game. She had gotten bored waiting for him and had marked out their 'house' with sticks but he was still not there. Frustrated she clambered up the tree too see if she could spot him coming in the distance. When there was no sign of his golden curly head she rolled back onto the branch and stared up at the sky watching the clouds float past.
Ten minutes more passed before Enjolras finally appeared. As soon as she heard his footsteps on the ground she stood up on her branch and put her hands on her hips the way Mama did when she was cross.
"I thought you weren't coming" she scolded "If I'd have known you were going to take so long I would have brought Azelma."
"Sorry Eponine" he began but she didn't give him a chance to finish.
"I've been waiting for ages all by myself what if a, a" she tried to think of something suitably dramatic but in the end settled with "I don't know but something could have happened and then I wouldn't have been able to play with you anymore and then you would have been sorry." She folded her arms across her chest and pouted as she marched across the branch towards him.
"Eponine stop walking across the branch you're going to fall"
"I am not" she threw her arms out beside her "I can climb a tree ten times better than you and I can even do a cart wheel on the branch"
"Eponine don't."
But the temptation was too great. She would not have a boy doubting her ability to climb the tree. She placed her hands out in front her and threw her weight forward, she was already smiling proudly as her legs swung above her head but it was a fleeting triumph. They came down faster than she expected and were further in front of her than she had anticipated she was losing her balance and tumbling down from the tree. She plummeted to the ground. It was only a few feet but she landed flat on her back snatching the air out of her lunges, she gasped desperately trying to fill them. She felt a pair of arms slide round her back and help her to sit up.
"Eponine are you ok?" Enjolras was looking at her with concerned blue eyes his little brow creased into a worried frown. If she had been there by herself she would have cried and run home but when she looked at her friend she couldn't help but laugh.
"I told you I could do it." She declared proudly.
"You fell off it doesn't count"
"Yes it does I would like to see you try to do it" she challenged.
"No, I might fall off too"
"Baby" she countered, it did the trick he was already scrambling up the tree and stood at the end of the branch but he hesitated.
"Do you even know how to cartwheel?" she asked.
"I've never tried it before" he said putting his arms out in preparation. Eponine instantly regretted daring him.
"No don't Enjolras, you really will hurt yourself"
"You shouldn't have called me a baby" he stated. Eponine drew in a sharp breath as he launched himself forwarded. He faltered slightly as he legs went over his head but he managed to land, although somewhat unceremoniously his legs either side of the branch his hands in front of him, he looked up at her and smiled his blonde curls falling forwards over his face.
"Told you" he laughed.
Eponine was already climbing the tree beside him punching him playfully in the arm.
"You scared me half to death. I thought you would break your head"
"I thought you had broken yours"
Eponine grinned as she jumped down from the branch.
"I always land on my feet"
"And I always do what I decide I'm going to" he laughed, doing a final cartwheel before joining her on the ground.
"Sorry I was late, Mére was really very ill this morning and Joséphine wouldn't allow me to see her for ages"
"Is your Mére always ill?" She asked.
"Normally, but she is worse at the moment Joséphine says it's because she is expecting something. I suppose it's making her nervous."
Eponine had been plucking daisies from the ground to make a chain but she stopped immediately and stared straight at him, she looked at his serious face and giggled.
"You are the funniest boy I ever met" she laughed.
"What is funny about it" he crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"Your Mére isn't expecting something she's just expecting!" she rolled her eyes to emphasise the word but he just looked blankly back at her, she sighed.
"I bet your Mére is more ill in the mornings than in the evenings."
"Yes, but" he frowned more as Eponine laughed harder.
"Your mama is having a baby silly." She raised her eye brows at him and saw the news slowly sink into his young face.
"My mama was exactly the same when she was expecting Azelma. That's what they call it, expecting. It means they are going to have a baby. Oh but don't worry." She added the last bit because she could see the concern written all across his face.
"But I never thought Mére would have another baby. I just thought it would always be me and her" he had sat down on the floor with his back against the tree. Eponine felt bad for telling him because he wasn't looking happy like she had expected. She sat next to him and put her arm around his shoulders.
"I know I moan about Azelma but that's only because I love her. Honestly having a little brother or sister would be the most fun."
"But it wouldn't be just me and Mére anymore."
"No, it would be better. Ok not straight away because babies aren't much fun but once they get older it's like always having a friend to play with."
The corner of his mouth twitched up.
"It would be fun to have someone to play with."
"And you would be the older one so they would have to do what you say" she smiled encouragingly at him and he laughed.
"I wonder why Mére didn't tell me."
"Probably because she knows what a silly serious thing that you are knew you would be worried. But you should go and tell her that you know."
He was on his feet straight grabbing her by the hand and pulling her up.
"Come on, you can come with me and meet Mére. I've told her all about you."
Eponine flushed with excitement as they ran through the forest hand in hand.
Enjolras still had hold of her hand when they entered through the kitchen of one of the beautiful big houses that Eponine liked to admire. In the corner of the kitchen a plump woman sat stitching she looked up as they entered.
"Enjolras I thought I had gotten rid of you for the afternoon" her words were harsh but they were spoken with a fond smile.
"Joséphine I've brought my friend to meet Mére" he pulled Eponine's hand so she was standing next to him she smiled nervously up at the woman. Joséphine was kindly and smiled back at her.
"Well you're the first friend Enjolras has ever brought home. What do you say I bake you both some scones whilst you talk with the mistress?"
"I would say that would be very kind."
Joséphine laughed and waved them towards the door.
"Your Pére is in the library" she said as they left.
"Why did she tell you that?" Eponine asked.
"So that we don't go there" he replied. This seemed very strange to Eponine, who could not understand why anyone would not want to see their Papa. Hers was always counting his money and he didn't really like it if Eponine interrupted him when he was drinking with their guests in the evening but the rest of the time he was fun and always made her laugh.
Footsteps approached from a room that came off the corridor they were walking down. Enjolras pulled her faster and they scurried into a doorway further down the hall. He held his finger to his lips warning her to be quiet as the footsteps echoed towards them.
"Marcelin, was that you?"
Eponine couldn't help herself, she giggled, no wonder he didn't want to be called by his real name. Her laugh caused the steps to approach them. Eponine was surprised to find that Enjolras moved in front of her shielding her from whoever was approaching.
"Pére" His voice sounded cold and much older than his eight years.
"Marcelin, what are you doing scurrying about the house like you were a little rat." A man's voice said. Eponine, whose parents never had anything but praise for their children, although they were rude to Cosette but that was different, balled her fists at her side angry on her friend's behalf.
"I've come to see Mére."
Eponine risked peeping over Enjolras shoulder. The man he was talking to was tall but portly and his face had the same reddened complexion of the men who came to her Papa's inn every evening. His hair and eyes were dark, the lines of his face were severe the only feature of note was the thick moustache that shadowed his top lip.
"You're not to see your mother" the man snapped "Not today, not at all do you understand. You're the reason it's taken her so long to fall with child. I don't want everything ruined by you again?"
Enjolras said nothing but Eponine was outraged she pushed past him so she was standing at his side.
"You can't tell him not to see his own Mother!" She cried indignantly her little face was flushed with anger. Enjolras was trying to push her back behind him.
"Who is this Marcelin? You have a lot to say for yourself young lady."
"I'm Eponine and I've come to meet my friends Mother"
"This is who you are friends with Marcelin? You are a terrible boy. You've been nothing but a thorn in my side since the day you were born. Well you can tell your friend to leave and as for you, I have already told you that you shall not be permitted into your mother's company for the foreseeable future."
Eponine looked at Enjolras who was looking down at his shoes still holding onto her hand, she squeezed it reassuringly as a quiet word passed his lips.
"No"
"What did you say boy?"
"No, I won't tell my friend to go. No I will not, not see Mére."
"Don't argue with me boy" his father screeched.
"Henri!"
For a moment Eponine thought the lady who had spoken the word was an angel for she was simply the most beautiful thing Eponine had ever seen. She was wearing a white nightgown although it was the middle of the day and her hair flowed behind her as she glided towards them. On second glance Eponine realised that the lady was Enjolras' mother for there was no mistaking their similarity the only differences in the faces was that hers was that of a lady and Enjolras was that of a small boy. She was at their side her hands on Enjolras' shoulders.
"We have discussed you talking to Enjolras in this manner" she said in a hissed whisper.
"The boy is a fool just like his mother" His father hissed back at her.
"You can control every other area of my life but you will not stop me from seeing my son" she turned on her heel guiding Enjolras and Eponine in front of her. As they left she heard Enjolras father mutter under his breath.
"More the fool I am for marrying for looks to keep my father happy and getting lumbered with a wife more useless than the child she bore me."
Eponine looked up into the beautiful woman's face and saw her wince at the words but she quickly positioned her features into a plain mask as she led them into a beautiful little sitting room with cream walls and a chase lounge covered in little pink roses.
Once the door was closed the lady turned to Enjolras.
"Don't listen to any of the things he says to you." She placed her hand under her small sons chin and lifted his face to look into hers.
"You are not useless or terrible. You are brilliant and kind and are a wonderful addition to this world. Your destined to make it better with your presence do you understand Enjolras."
He nodded at her and she smiled before turning her attention to Eponine.
"Now this must be the famous Eponine I have heard so much about." Eponine felt awkward in the presence of such a beautiful lady and curtsied which made the woman laugh.
"Enjolras did not tell me you were such a beautiful little girl" Eponine blushed at the compliment.
"Mére are you having a baby?" Enjolras asked. His mother reclined on her seat and waved him to come and sit up next to her.
"Oui" she said simply looking closely into his face. Eponine watched as Enjolras stared seriously at his mother for a moment.
"Eponine has a baby sister"
"Do you Eponine?" the beautiful lady asked her.
"Yes, Azelma, but she's not really a baby she's nearly three."
"What a beautiful name. Enjolras do you think you should like to have your own little sister?"
Enjolras considered for a moment.
"I think I should like a brother more, if that's ok."
His mother laughed and ruffled his hair.
"I'm afraid we shall just have to wait and see what we get, these things are beyond our control"
Eponine would always remember one of the loveliest afternoons of her life as the one she spent in the beautiful cream sitting room with the angel lady and her best friend eating fresh scones. Enjolras mother read them a story 'The Elves and the Shoemaker'. Eponine thought it was a strange kind of story but Enjolras said it was his favourite. He explained why when he walked home with her later that afternoon.
"Mére says that it has an important lesson in it, to always help others if we can. Mére is always helping people when we are at home. But she has to do it secretly otherwise Pére would be cross but he is at work a lot so he doesn't know about her visits to the poor. Sometimes she lets me go with her. She says that it is our duty to help those who are less fortunate than us."
"Enjolras, I think your Mére might truly be an Angel or maybe a princess."
"I think she is an Angel" he smiled.
"But your Pére is beastly."
Enjolras just nodded at her then changed the subject.
"Race you to the end of the road" he shouted already running ahead of her.
"Cheat!" she cried but she was already chasing down the road after him.
~X~
For the first time in his life Enjolras was disappointed to be leaving Montfermeil. He was standing at the Well in the woods with Eponine throwing stones and counting how long it was before they heard them splash down to the bottom. She had been more quiet than usual that afternoon.
"You're really leaving tomorrow" she finally said broaching the subject that each of them had wanted to ignore.
"Yes, but I will be back next year" he reassured her.
"You will have forgotten all about me" she pouted.
"No I won't Eponine you are my best friend" they had decided they were best friends four weeks into his stay.
"You might get a new best friend before next summer"
"I won't" he promised.
"Swear it" she challenged him.
"I swear" he declared. She turned her back to him and began searching the stones on the floor finding one that apparently meet her requirements she stood back up and turned round to face him.
"Give me your hand."
He held it out to her and she took the sharp corner of the stone and pressed it into his thumb until a little prick of blood appeared.
"Don't move" she cautioned, going slightly cross eyed as she concentrated on pushing the stone into her own thumb. When the pinprick of blood appeared she grabbed his hand and pressed it to hers, the two drops of blood linked together and wound its way down their thumbs leaving a crimson line behind it.
"There" she declared "Now we are blood brother and sister so you can never forget about me because we are joined forever." She looked proud of herself as she smiled at him.
The sun was setting and Enjolras knew she would want to leave because she was scared of being alone in the dark.
"We always come on the first Saturday of July" he told her.
"Then I shall meet you at our tree on the first Saturday of next July and you can take me to see your new baby."
Enjolras smiled and held out his hand to her.
"Until next July" he said.
"Until next July Serious Boy."
They parted and Enjolras left with a heart that was heavy but full of the hope of a child who assumed that everything would always be the way he planned. A child who had no idea that dark clouds had already gathered on his horizon and the storm that would change the entire course of his life had already begun.