A/N:Near the end of the story now :( but I just wanted to say, thank you to those who have reviewed :)
Chapter Eighteen: Love Is The Garden Of The Young
"Her heart full of love, her nights full of you!" Cosette had taken his arm again and was ushering him towards Eponine's side. "The words are old, but always true." She smiled as Marius gazed at her sleeping sister. "Oh, God, for shame, she believed you loved me!" A happy tear was in Cosette's eye at the sight of their reunion.
"Dear Mad'moiselle," Marius turned to Cosette and addressed her the way he would to a dear friend, "The wine tricked us all. I've always been lost in 'Ponine's spell."
Eponine's eyes fluttered open then-a more lovely, soft green colour than Marius had ever remembered. She, of course, had been vaguely listening, but believed she was dreaming. She thought he had died at the barricade-but he really was here.
Valjean had slipped into the room, but didn't say a word as he observed his daughters and Marius. He saw Cosette also seemed to care for Marius deeply, but in a sisterly way.
Cosette smiled daintily and nodded towards Eponine, who had begun to sit up. She let go of Marius' arm and gently nudged him towards Eponine, to help her up. Both of their arms were in slings. They'd suffered similar shoulder wounds-such a strange coincidence, or was it a sign that they were meant to be?
"A heart full of love. No fear, no regret." Eponine held onto Marius as tightly as she could.
She was never mine to keep.
Valjean watched Marius as he returned her embrace. "Dear 'Ponine!" Marius' face had lit up joyfully.
"I would have waited forever for you!" She smiled, nestling her head into his good shoulder.
She is youthful, she is free. Eponine had a whole life ahead of her. Valjean couldn't-wouldn't-hold her back any longer.
Marius could smell the sweet scent of her hair again, as it tumbled over his shoulder and around her face, creating curtains around their faces. He remembered the last time they'd held eachother in a similar way to this.
"Waiting for me, at the barricade." A shadow crossed his face as he reflected sadly.
Love is the garden of the young. Let it be...let it be... Valjean then made a decision greater than the one he'd made when he rescued Marius.
"You held me close at last. Almost too good to believe..." Marius and Eponine continued her sentence together, "A breath away from where you are...and it wasn't a dream. Not a dream after all." Their lips met in a passionate kiss for a beautiful moment. When they pulled apart, Valjean stepped forward, clearing his throat to announce his presence.
"A heart full of love...this I give you on this day."
Marius took a while to process the words. This man was giving her his daughter...to marry?
"M'sieur, this is a day, I can never forget. Is gratitude enough, for giving me Eponine?" A weary smile flickered onto Valjean's wizened face. "Your home shall be with us, and not a day shall pass. But we will prove our love, to you, whom we shall call. A father to us both." He turned to Cosette, who was standing alone and watching, still smiling slightly. He reached for her hand and brought her a few steps closer. "A father to us all." He concluded.