"Abby, I'm going out tomorrow" Enjolras told her quietly as she sat on his lap, leaning against his chest and beginning to fall asleep. She looked up at him exhaustedly "With your lady friend?" she asked him. He sighed and tried to get back to the book he was reading "Yes".
She snuggled closer to him and he pulled her blanket around her a little tighter. It'd been a couple of months since her fever had broken, but he still worried greatly for her safety and health. And now that winter had set in, she was even more prone to get ill again.
Enjolras let his eyes skim the pages of the book in front of him, he'd read it many times before so he knew what happened in it. For some reason he couldn't get into the books like he'd used to, he just had too much on his mind.
He hadn't told her yet, but tomorrow's outing was very important. He'd been with Stephanie now for nearly 2 years, and though Abby was aware of them being together, she didn't know how far their relationship had gone. Joly, Grantaire, and Marius hadn't believed him when he'd told them, but he planned to propose to her tomorrow.
Why he hadn't told Abby yet? He didn't know, maybe he just felt she'd already been through so much change that she wasn't ready for this news. Whatever his reasoning, she didn't know yet, and he wasn't going to tell her until he had to.
Finally putting his book down, he scooped up Abby and put her to bed before going into his own room. The ring was sitting on his bedside table and he picked it up, examining it quietly. Married, he was going to ask a girl to marry him. Courfeyrac would have been so proud of him, he wished that the rest of the amis could be there at the wedding.
After thinking for another moment he put the ring down and rolled over, falling asleep. The next morning he woke and dressed before going to the kitchen and making himself a cup of coffee. As he did he heard Abby's bedroom door open and she walked into the room, sitting at the table as usual.
"Good Morning 'Jolras" she greeted with a yawn, stretching casually. He glanced at her as he poured his coffee, she was wearing a dark blue dress with some lace around the neckline and on the sleeves, and her black hair was brushed and tied in a ponytail with a matching ribbon. He joined her at the table "Good Morning Abby" he finally replied after sitting down. Her eyes lit up "So, since your gonna be out I'm gonna go shopping with Cosette. She promised" she told him excitedly.
He nodded and sipped his coffee "Are you taking Esprit?" she asked. Abby shook her head "No, but I plan on riding Esprit soon. She's been so lonely" she replied. He finished his coffee and stood up "Are you hungry?" he asked her, she shook her head once again "I'm fine" she told him.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door and Abby sprang up and ran to get it "I got it!" she called. She skidded to a halt at the door and opened it, revealing Stephanie "Good morning Steph!" Abby greeted her kindly. Stephanie smiled at Abby "Good morning. Is Enjolras ready?" she asked, Abby nodded "I think so, come in" she told her.
Stephanie stepped in and Abby closed the door "Do you know where Enjolras is taking me today Abby? He wouldn't tell me" Stephanie told her as Enjolras walked in the room. Abby shrugged "I don't know, he wouldn't tell me either" she admitted in reply.
Enjolras went over to Stephanie and kissed her on the cheek "Good morning my dear" he told her. She smiled and blushed a little "Good morning Enjolras" she replied. He took her arm "Abby, you'll be fine right?" he asked, Abby nodded and peered out the window "Oh! Cosette is outside waiting for me!" she said.
Abby went over and hugged Stephanie, then Enjolras before going out the door in front of them "Good Bye Enjolras!" she called over her shoulder before joining Cosette on the street. Cosette smiled at her "Do you have any money?" she asked her.
She looked back and waited for Enjolras and Stephanie to be gone before pulling out a rather large wad of money "I stole it from under 'Jolras's matress" she admitted. Cosette looked both ways on the street before smiling "That's just fine, a stole a little extra money from Marius too" she told her.
Cosette took Abby's hand and they began walking down the street towards the shops. Abby sighed "'Jolras has been acting a little strange don't you think?" she asked, Cosette giggled a little, knowing the reasons behind his behaior, but simply said "Well Abby, I'm sure if there was anything wrong he'd tell you. Right?".
"I guess you're right" Abby finally sighed. The rest of the day was uneventful, and Abby didn't buy much with Enjolras's money, just a toy horse for her doll and a pretty necklace that she saw and liked. Cosette also managed to convince her to get a red dress that she said looked absolutely beautiful on her.
Finally Abby returned home to her flat and said goodbye to Cosette before entering. She was only a little surprised to find Enjolras sitting there, waiting for her "Abby, I need to tell you something" he told her as he stood and walked towards her.
She looked at him curiously, why was he being so serious? Had something bad happened? "Yes 'Jolras, you can tell me whatever you like" she said to him. He took her hand "Well, you know me and Stephanie have been together for a long time now right?" he started, she nodded "Yes I know that. She's very nice" she told him.
He swallowed "Abby, I asked her to marry me today" he told her carefully. Her eye lit up "Really? Marry? Like ask her to be with you forever? Oh 'Jolras that's so wonderful! What did she say?" she asked excitedly. Abby's excitement made him relax, and he smiled happily "She said yes".
At this Abby jumped up excitedly "Oh 'Jolras is getting married! That means there's gonna be a wedding! How romantic!" suddenly she stopped "Wait a minute. Does that mean, does that mean Stephanie is going to be, like a new mother to me?" she asked.
This threw him off and he looked at her "Whatever do you mean?" he asked her curiously. She bounced over to him "Well 'Jolras, you're like a father to me, so if Stephanie marries you, wouldn't that make her like a mother to me?" she asked him. After a long silence he shook his head "She will only be a mother to you if you accept her that way. She doesn't have to be that if you don't want her to" he told her.
She laughed at him "Well of course I would want her to! She's so nice and she wears very pretty dresses! We'll have so much fun! When are you getting married?" she asked. Enjolras smiled at her excitement "In the spring" he told her.
Abby stopped "Wow! That's very soon! Oh me and Cosette will have to go shopping again soon then! I need a dress for the wedding! I know I just bought one but this changes everything!" she said as she went into her room and closed the door behind her.
Enjolras stood in the middle of the room and couldn't help but laugh. He was relieved now, that she'd accepted her so well. Now, all he had to worry about was the plans for the wedding, which unlike what Abby thought, was months from now.
Several Months Later
"Wedding are so wonderful don't you think Joly?" Abby asked as she spun around in her pink gown. Joly was looking in the mirror fixing his cravat "I'm surprised if anything. Enjolras finding a lady...". Grantaire piped up from where he sat lazily playing with a flower "I know! And I get to be the best man! Who would have ever thought me, a best man, at my Apollo's wedding?".
Suddenly Cosette entered the room "Abby, come with me. You can play with the boys afterwards" she told her, looking over at Marius who was sitting next to Grantaire looking a little nervous. Abby sighed "Ok, bye boys!" she said as she went with Cosette. Once they were away from the others they went and joined the other girls.
Finally the wedding began, and Abby thought it was the longest thing she'd ever stood and sat through. Longer than all the amis meetings put together. She was glad when Enjolras and Stephanie finally kissed, because that meant it was time to party.
The party was being held at the cafe, which had been fixed up by the owner and opened again just in time for the wedding. Grantaire went and sat at his usual place at the bar, drinking just like the old days. Marius and Cosette were dancing together, while Joly was flirting with a group of girls.
Sighing, Abby went into the back to where Esprit was waiting for her. She leaned against the pony and yawned "Isn't this wonderful Esprit? Now I finally have a family". Esprit nuzzled her shoulder and she went and laid down in a pile of straw, falling asleep.
After the party was done, Enjolras nearly panicked with he realized that Abby was missing, but he sighed with relief when he finally found her sleeping contently with Esprit. Sighing, he went and got Marius, asking if he and Cosette could watch Abby for the night, they agreed.
Abby was carried home with Marius and Cosette, while Enjolras and Stephanie went back to the flat, and had a good night together without worrying about waking Abby up.
"Guess what Nanny! I'm 10 years old today!" Abby announced as she strode up to him. He was sitting in his usual spot in the cafe about a month later and he smiled at her "Ah, double digits! How you've grown lassie!" he told her.
She hopped up on the barstood next to him "I see yer wearin Courfeyrac's crown today" Grantaire noted as she smiled up at him "That's night Nanny, I figured he'd like it if I wore it, and it matches my red dress see?" she asked.
He nodded, "Oh yes, matches well lassie. So, what's ol' Enjolras got in store for you this year?" he asked her, taking a swig of his wine. Abby shrugged "I don't know, I asked Steph if she knew, but she said that they simply had a very important surprise for me".
Grantaire simply smiled and poured himself another drink as Joly entered the cafe carrying a stack of books. Once he'd deposited them on the nearby table he went over to Abby "There's the birthday girl! And she lives to see the day!" he said teasingly.
Abby rolled her eyes "It'll take more than sickness and getting shot to take me down" she told him. Joly laughed "Oh dear, I just remembered I still have to wrap up your present. I'm sure Grantaire hasn't even gotten you a present yet" he said, glancing at the drunk.
"Eh, I have a present... It's uh, just not in my possesion yet. I'll have a lovely gift for the lass come the evening" he told them. Abby chuckled "It is the evening Nanny" she told him gently. He stumbled to his feet "Well then I best get one then before the shops close!" he announced before stumbling out of the cafe and disappearing down the street.
She looked over at Joly "Do you know what 'Jolras and Steph's surprise for me is?" she asked. Joly shrugged "If I told you it wouldn't be much of a surprise would it?" he asked in response. Her eyes lit up "Oh so you DO know! Oh is it a very good surprise?" she asked, hopping off her barstool.
Joly swallowed a bit nervously "Well honestly, that'll be up to you to decide" he told her. Abby smiled "Well then I'm going to head home right away and find out! See you later Joly!" she called as she ran into the back room and mounted Esprit.
"Come on Esprit, we have to hurry home so I can know the surprise!" she told her pony, urging her out into the streets. The little pony responded and cantered out and down the street towards the flat. Once home Abby led her pony into it's shed and entered the flat.
Closing the door behind her she called out "'Jolras! I'm home!". Enjolras peeked out from the kitchen and smiled "Oh hello Abby, we weren't expecting you home so soon" he told her. She walked over to him and smiled "Well... what's my surprise?" she asked.
He couldn't help but laugh "Forward aren't we?" he asked. Stephanie entered the room from their bedroom "Good evening Abby" she said as she sat down at the table. Abby jumped up and down excitedly "Steph Steph Steph! Are you and 'Jolras gonna tell me the surprise now?" she asked.
Stephanie's blue eyes lit up and she looked over at Enjolras, it was obvious she wanted to tell Abby the surprise. He looked over at her before sighing "Abby, you have to sit down to have your surprise" he told her. Quickly Abby leapt into the nearest chair and looked at the pair expectantly.
"Well?" Abby asked "What is it?". Stephanie brushed her red hair away from her face and looked over at Enjolras again "Would you like to tell her? She is yours" she told him. He sighed "Abby, um, well you see..." he looked to Stephanie for help and she simply smiled.
"Abby darling we're going to have a baby" Stephanie told her. Abby gasped and was silent for a moment, looking at Enjolras and Stephanie with wide eyes "A baby? As in, a living breathing baby?" she asked.
Enjolras nodded "Now Abby..." she jumped out of her chair and bounced excitedly, cutting him off "Oh a Baby! I might get a little brother or sister! That'll be so much fun! I'm gonna teach them everything! And we can play games, and I can teach em how to ride Esprit!" she rambled.
He grabbed her arm and made her stop "Now Abby, you understand that you'll need to be very responsible and be grown up right?" he asked. This made Abby frown "Grown up? You mean you're sending me away again?" she asked, almost fearfully.
Almost immediately he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him protectively "No! No, I promised you I'd never send you away again" he told her reassuringly. Stephanie gasped at him "You sent poor Abby away? What were you thinking?" she gasped.
Abby began to cry a little and clung onto him and he stroked her hair, hushing her "I wasn't thinking. Now now Abby, don't cry. This is supposed to be happy news!" he told her. She sobbed "Can I have a different present! I don't want this one anymore!".
Stephanie laughed "Abby dear, I'm afraid it doesn't work that way. But if it makes you feel better, I did get you something else" she told her. Abby sniffled and looked over at her "Really? What?" she asked. Stephanie smiled "You'll get it tonight at the cafe with all your other presents".
Enjolras sighed and crouched down to Abby's level "You really will need to grow up you know" he told her gently. She looked him in the eyes and shook her head "I don't want to grow up 'Jolras. 'Cause I've had to grow up so much" she told him.
He looked down "I know you have, and I'm sorry. You've seen more than most little girls your age see, and know more than you should know. But I'm only going to ask you to grow up this one last time. Me and Stephanie are going to need your help with this baby. Can you do that?" he asked her.
Finally she nodded "I can do anything you like 'Jolras" she replied quietly. He stood up and she hugged him tightly "So when do we have to go to the baby store and get the baby?" Abby asked him. Stephanie burst out laughing and Enjolras looked at her strangely "Where did you get such notions?" he asked her.
She smiled "Well, Gavroche told me that's where babies come from. But I didn't believe him so we asked Joly and he got all pale and said 'Yep, babies come from the store. And you gotta have a liscense to get them' and we asked how to get one cause me and Gavroche thought it'd be fun to have a baby and he said..." Enjolras cut her off "You and Gavroche were planning WHAT?" he asked.
Stephanie couldn't stop laughing as Abby looked up at him innocently "Me and Gavroche wanted to get a baby from the baby store" she told him matter of factly. Enjolras sat down next to Stephanie and sighed heavily "It... doesn't work that way" he told her.
Abby looked at him curiously "Oh? Well then how does it work?" she asked. Stephanie, who had teared up from all her laughing patted Enjolras's hand "Oh yes dear, DO tell her how it works" she told him. Enjolras cleared his throat "Well, uh... um" he stuttered.
She looked over at Stephanie "Do YOU know how it works Steph?" she asked. Stephanie was still laughing and could hardly speak "N... No 'Jolras will tell you!" she insisted. Finally Enjolras composed himself "Well, you see Abby. There are things that boys have, that girls don't, and there are things that girls have that boys don't" he began.
Stephanie began to laugh even harder as he stammered to continue "And well, when you put the things together. The uh, magical stork comes and gives the girl a um, magical seed. And when she eats it a baby grows in her belly and uh, then you get a baby" he finished.
Abby cocked her head to the side "So why can't I just eat one of those seeds right now?" she asked him. He swallowed "Only married people can have them!" he told her quickly. She crossed her arms "That's not true! My mama wasn't married and she had me! Can you buy the seeds at the baby store?" she asked him.
He began pinching the bridge of his nose "No Abby, there is NO BABY STORE!" he told her frustratedly. Finally Stephanie managed to calm herself down "Oh Abby, you'll understand one day" she told her. Abby sighed "I hope so, I think 'Jolras got hit in the head with a stupid brick".
Enjolras gasped "Stupid brick?" he demanded "I'm telling the truth!". Stephanie stood and went to the door, Abby right next to her "Of course you are dear, that IS the whole truth of it all" she said teasingly. Enjolras stood up "She's not even old enough to know these things!" he said defensively.
The bickering family finally made it out the door and to the cafe, where their friends were waiting for them. Abby marched up to Joly and hit him "What was that for?" he demanded. Abby crossed her arms "You lied! 'Jolras said there is NO baby store!" she said in a huff.
At hearing this Enjolras gasped, horrified, while Stephanie burst out laughing again. Cosette, Marius, and Grantaire joining in. Enjolras looked at Abby "Are your next few years growing up all going to be like this?" he asked her, almost afraid of the answer.
Abby nodded "Of course 'Jolras! And just wait until I turn into a hormone crazed teenager! Just like Marius! Won't that be fun?" she asked him cheerfully. He began rubbing his temples and Stephanie patted his back "Oh yes, just like Marius. Fuuuuun".
*Chokes on Fluff* Wow, that took a long time to write. As the little kid in Despicable Me would say... 'IT'S SO FLUFFFY!'. Anyway, you know what I'm going to ask of you, and you should really consider it.
Why? Because it'll help modivate me! Honestly, I'm starting to get a little bored with this story. I really just was Abby to grow up and fall in love already! Oh, did I give away too much... Well I'm sure most of you coulda guessed that anyway. But you won't guess what I'm going to do with ENJOLRAS! MWAHAHAHAHA!
*To the tune of 'All I ask of you'* Say you'll review this story one chapter, at a time. Say, some words and I might answer you! Share this story with your friends, on facebook. Anywhere, you go bring your laptop too! Review me, that's all I ask of you!