"Abby can you please go to the market and get some bread" Enjolras asked. 18 year old Abby looked up from where she was watching 8 year old Gavroche. "What? Enjolras..." she began to protest but at seeing Enjolras's tired face she sighed "I'll be right back".
He sighed "Thank you, here's a couple of sous. Just get..." she cut him off "I know what to get Enjolras. I've gone before" she assured him, taking the money. He smiled before collapsing in his chair and watching Gavroche as she pulled on her jacket and went outside into the chilly fall air, heading down the streets and towards the marketplace.
Quickly she went into the marketplace and bought some bread as Enjolras had asked. Lately Enjolras, who had finally finished school, had yet to start a business because of the demands of being a single father. Abby tried to help as much as she could so he could go look for work, but things hadn't been easy and poor Enjolras was often too exhausted to do anything when he finally got home.
She continued to think about everything. Marius and Cosette were expecting soon, and she thought it was about time. Joly had just began to go out more, he'd been reluctant on having a girl to call his own since the barricades. Apparently Joly and Lesgles had made some sort of promise to each other that they would double date on their first time out with a girl. Not paying attention suddenly she stumbled and would have fallen if someone hadn't caught her.
Blushing, the boy who'd caught her helped her steady herself. When she looked up she caught his eye and he blushed slightly, smiling at her "Hello Madmoiselle" he said, kissing the top of her hand lightly. He was quite a handsome boy wasn't he? And he was about her age.
"Thank you" she said as he handed her the loaf of bread she'd dropped, blushing. He dipped his head "Of course, I'd do anything to help a lady as beautiful as yourself" he replied, causing her to giggle and blush even more. He looked away, a bit shyly before looking at her again "Um, if you wouldn't mind, would you uh, like me to escort you to where ever you're going?" he asked.
After letting him hang for a moment she nodded "Of Course" she said, looping her arm with his. They walked and they began talking to each other. Suddenly they reached the street where Abby's flat was and she sighed, almsot sadly "I don't want to go back now, I'm having such a wonderful time" she admitted.
He took her hand "I know it's crazy, seeing as I just met you. But..." he trailed off and she looked at him "You think you're in love?" she asked. Now it was his turn to blush as he nodded "I don't know, it's something about your eyes. They're more beautiful than anything I've ever seen" he told her.
She looked down before looking up "We should meet again, tomorrow in the park" she told him. He nodded eagerly "Yes, of course. Tomorrow at noon how about?" he asked. Abby smiled "I'd like that very much" she told him. He kissed the top of her hand before saying goodbye.
"Where have you been Abby? That took quite some time" Enjolras commented as she entered. She put the bread on the table before sitting down "I'm sorry 'Jolras. I went through the park" she told him, which wasn't entirely a lie.
Gavroche looked up "How come your face is all red?" he asked, causing Enjolras to look up at her. She shook her head "No reason, I tripped and embarrassed myself a little is all" she told him, which also wasn't lying. Enjolras stood up and went to her "Are you alright?" he asked, she nodded "Just fine 'Jolras" she assured him.
He went over "We're having soup aren't we?" Gavroche asked, Enjolras nodded exhaustedly and Abby took his arm, stopping him before he could go to the kitchen "'Jolras you're tired. Why don't you just rest" she told him. He went and sat in his chair "Why do I feel so old?" he asked her "I'm hardly in my 30s!".
Abby swallowed and smiled "You're 34 'Jolras" she told him gently before turning and beginning to cook dinner in the kitchen. Gavroche followed her "What are you cooking? If it's soup again I'm not eating it" he told her, sticking his tongue out. She chuckled "I'm a better cook than 'Jolras. I had to eat a lot of soup when I was your age" she told him.
"Yea, but still, you didn't like it either. Father said so!" he said matter of factly. Abby sighed "Gavroche, you know he tries his best" she reminded him gently. Huffing, Gavroche crossed his arms "Why can't he try harder?" he asked, almost bitterly.
She shook her head "Things are tough right now Gavroche, you should be grateful you have a roof over your head! Some people aren't so lucky you know!" she scolded him, causing him to roll his eyes. "Those people who live on the street are lucky!" he replied.
Gasping, she went over and slapped him "Don't you dare say that! Do you know what happens to people who live on the streets?" she yelled angrily, her eyes flashing, causing Gavroche to shrink slightly. He shook his head "N... No" he stammered quickly. Abby looked at him crossly, tears welling in her eyes "They starve, and freeze! And they get beaten and killed even! Do you still think they're lucky?" she questioned him.
He shook his head frantiacally "No No! I changed my mind!" he assured her. Before either of them could say another word Enjolras entered the room "What's going on in here?" he asked. Abby sniffled and he went over to her, wrapping his arms around her "Gavroche, what did you do to make your sister cry?" he asked, sounding even more exhausted.
Abby pulled out of Enjolras's embrace "'Jolras, it's alright. We just got in a heated debate about, something. Why don't you go sit, dinner's almost ready. Take Gavroche too!" she said, pushing the boy out the door after his father, once they were gone she sighed, tomorrow would be bliss to get away from Gavroche and Enjolras.
The next day as Abby began to get ready Enjolras appeared "Uh, Abby. I know things have been tough, and I've been neglecting you. So, would you mind taking a walk with me in the park?" he asked. Abby almost choked up, but recovered quickly "Yes, of course 'Jolras" she told him.
He took her hand and they began heading towards the park. When they got there Abby scanned the grounds for the boy she'd met yesterday, suddenly she spotted him, and began motioning at him to hide. He looked at them in shock before diving into the nearest bushes.
They sat on a bench and Abby glanced back at him, catching his eye. "Follow me" she mouthed, he nodded swiftly before scampering off to wait. Meanwhile Enjolras had said something to her and she looked at him "Hm?" she asked. He swallowed "You're happy aren't you? You seem a little unlike yourself" he told her, she nodded "I'm perfectly happy 'Jolras".
Enjolras then began to talk to her, and she answered him like she always had. He said he was sorry things were so hard, and that he'd been making her cook and clean a lot lately. She put her hand on his and reassured him that doing those things was not a problem, and that she was happy to help him since he'd done so much for her.
Finally Enjolras decided they should return, and Abby rose quickly, linking on his arm and letting him lead her home. Once they entered she sighed "'Jolras?" she asked, he looked up at her "Yes?" he answered, she swallowed "Um, well..." she was about to tell him about the boy, but she quickly lost the nerve "I'm sorry 'Jolras, I forgot what I was going to ask. I think I just need to rest" she told him, heading towards her room.
He sat down and opened a book, nodding at her "A rest would be good for you. You've been working so hard lately" he replied before getting lost in the text of whatever he had in front of him. Inside her room Abby flopped down on her bed and sighed.
This boy, she didn't even know his name! And he didn't know hers, how silly of them! He was so handsome too, she couldn't stop thinking about him, whatever his name was. He had blonde hair and blue eyes, almost reminding her of Courfeyrac, but a much much younger, more charming Courfeyrac. One who didn't have a different woman in his bed every night.
The way things seemed to be playing out now, she couldn't help remember what Marius and Cosette had told her. They'd only seen each other once, for just a brief moment, and they'd fallen in love right then on the spot, in the middle of the street. Was it natural for it all to happen this fast? It'd taken Enjolras years before he could even think about proposing to Stephanie, why did she feel as though she wanted to marry now?
Stephanie, the name made her heart ache with sadness. A few months before she'd turned 16, in the winter, she'd come down with a horrid case of something. Abby didn't remember what it was called, but it'd left poor Stephanie coughing up blood and made her weak. Enjolras had sat with her every single night, all winter. And when she'd died one night, he cried.
Oh how he cried, Abby could remember it now. Joly told her he wasn't just crying over Stephanie, but releasing his grief over the barricades as well. Abby had never seen someone cry as hard as Enjolras did, he held Gavroche to him as though he were afraid to let him go, and when Gavroche was finally able to get to bed, he'd gone to her, crying as though he'd never ever stop.
Abby at the time, and still today, didn't understand why fate had to be so cruel then. Was it destiny that she was never to have a mother? She'd loved both her mothers, and both had been taken away long before they should have. And now she was practically a mother herself, stepping into Stephanie's place in helping to raise Gavroche.
As she thought of these things, night didn't seem to come soon enough. Abby waited eagerly for Enjolras and Gavroche to go to bed. Once they were asleep, she slipped out onto the street, where the boy was waiting for her. She fell into his arms and he sighed "It's been far too long! A moment without you is like agony" he told her softly.
She smiled "I feel the same way" she replied, he brushed her hair aside "Who was that man you were walking with before?" he asked her. She glanced back at the door "He's... my father" she replied after a moment. She'd always thought of him as a father figure, but never actually called him her father. He'd always simply been 'Jolras.
Suddenly he looked down, blushing "I'm a fool. I've fallen in love with a girl in a night, and I don't even know her name". She giggled "My name is Abbigale" she told him, he smiled at her "William Souliere" he informed her. "That's a nice name" she merely said.
They began to talk once more, and before they knew it the sun was beginning to rise over the streets of Paris. Abby looked up "I have to go back, before my, father, notices I'm gone" she whispered, he kissed her "You don't have to go back, come away with me" he whispered.
Abby shook her head but kissed him back "No, I have to. They need me" she told him. He looked into her eyes "You'll come tonight again? Won't you?" he asked, she nodded "I wouldn't miss it" she replied. And that's when it began. Each night Abby would wait, until Enjolras and Gavroche went to bed, then she'd go out and meet him.
Days passed like this, and weeks passed. Abby had never felt quite so happy in her whole life. But their joy made them blind, and more careless. And one day, when Abby came back, Enjolras came out the front door and caught them on the front steps.
"'Jolras!" Abby nearly shrieked, William staring up at him wih a bit on fear. Enjolras stood, shocked "Abby? W... what are you doing?" he questioned. She swallowed "'Jolras, understand I was going to tell you!" she tried to explain as he approached her. His eyes narrowed at William "Who is this you're with?".
Enjolras pulled her to him and Abby trembled slightly "This is William, he uh, helped me yesterday" she explained. William bowed "Forgive me monsieur" he said "I meant your daughter no harm". Abby nodded "He's right 'Jolras. We were having a grand time, please forgive me for staying up, I'll go make breakfast if you like" she said, beginning to enter the flat "Farewell William" she called.
He smiled up at her before beginning to back down the street "Goodbye Abbigale!" he replied before looking at Enjolras. He swallowed and laughed nervously before turning and running down the street as fast as he could, leaving Enjolras standing in the street alone.
Was Abby, was she in love? And she hadn't even told him anything. A part of him felt betrayed, Abby had always told him everything, but now she was keeping things away from him. Was she planning to leave with that boy? Was she planning to leave and never return? Thinking about him made his breath catch in this throat.
This was a girl he'd raised now, she'd been with him through thick and thin. And he remembered a time when he had patiently been waiting for her to grow up, so she could leave and let him get back to his life. But now, now that she really was grown up, the thought of her leaving crushed him.
After all, she was all that remained of the Amis's spirit. She was the little flame that had kept their revolution going, the little spark that had started it all. And though they'd lost their revolution, and their lives, their purpose for it all was still there. He'd promised to protect it, and so far he had. But if she left, he wouldn't be able to anymore, he'd have to trust this boy, this boy he didn't even know, to keep their flame alive.
As he finally turned and entered the flat Gavroche came out of him room, looking at him confused "Father, are you crying?" he asked. Enjolras shook his head "No, just a little dust in my eye" he told his son, patting him on the head. "Come on, I'm sure Abby has breakfast ready" he told him, leading him to the table and sitting down.
Abby set breakfast on the table and Gavroche ate his quickly, standing up and running out the door "Goin out. Bye!" he said quickly before disappearing out the door. Abby and Enjolras sat in akward silence before he cleared his throat "How long have you been doing this?" he asked her.
She looked up at him, before sighing "I... I don't know. A while" she admitted. He stood up and went into the main room, Abby got up and followed him. "I don't understand. Why didn't you tell me?" Enjolras asked, she shrugged "I don't know 'Jolras. I was going to..." he cut her off "Were you? Or were you going to run away with him before you told me?".
"No 'Jolras! I would never run away!" she told him, he narrowed his eyes "But I bet you want to". In all honestly, she was actually considering it at this moment, she'd never thought to leave Gavroche and Enjolras, but now, things had obviously changed. She went and grabbed her coat angrily "Fine! If you want me to run away so bad I will!" she told him, charging out the door.
He stood and followed her out "Abby wait! I didn't mean it! I'm sorry!" he called, but she was already running down the street. Taking a deep breath, he turned "Gavroche, how would you like to stay with Uncle Marius for a little while?" he asked.
Gavroche bounded out of his bedroom and pulled on his coat "Really?" he asked, Enjolras nodded "Just try to behave until me and Abby return alright?" he asked. As they headed down the street Gavroche looked up at his father "Where are you and Abby going?" he asked, Enjolras shrugged "A place" he told him.
The boy shook his head "No, Abby ran away. I heard you yellin at her and she yelled at you and you made her run away!" he told him. Enjolras looked down at his son and sighed "Let's not discuss it anymore alright?" he asked, he nodded "Ok".
When they reached Marius's house, he was more than happy to take Gavroche in for a little while, maybe even for the night if it came to that. Marius looked out into the streets "It's starting to snow Enjolras, I hope you find her. Maybe you should go get Grantaire's help?" he asked.
Enjolras nodded "Yes, I think I'll do that. He should be sober tonight, at least I hope" he said, after thanking his friend he set out towards Grantaire's place. Which made him slightly nervous, because Grantaire hadn't moved out of the poor section of town yet even though he could afford it.
Honestly, Grantaire was always able to afford it, but he said he prefered living poor and drinking rich. Now that he didn't drink, he had been looking for a better home, that would be safer for himself and Rosie, but so far he hadn't landed a place yet, so he was still here.
As he walked, the snow seemed to fall a little heavier. Under normal circumstances, Enjolras would have stayed to the regular streets, but tonight, when he was in a rush, he found himself ducking through allyways. He was only a street away from Grantaire's when someone came from behind him "Hey fellas! Look what I caught!" he said.
The men laughed as they surrounded Enjolras "Aw look how cute he is" they mocked "Must have a lot of money to be able to dress so nice" they said. One of them began examining him "Isn't it a little cold to be out without a jacket?" he asked mockingly. Enjolras swallowed and glared at them "I'm just looking for my daughter" he told them flatly.
This caused them to all burst out laughing again "Here? Ha! She must be sellin herself on the streets them. If she's as rich as you I'm gonna want a piece of that!" he said. One of them covered Enjolras's mouth and someone punched him in the ribs "But first, we'll need to get rid of this loser". He took it, trying to stay up, but after too many hits to count, he blacked out.
When he woke, there was a foot of snow covering him, chilling him to the bone, and night had fallen since he'd blacked out. He tried to get up but moaned in agony and fell. Suddenly he heard a voice above him "Enjolras?" he said, kneeling down beside him. It was Grantaire, he wanted to speak but he couldn't.
Grantaire brushed the snow off him, picking his friend up "Oh God, What has happened to you?" he asked. Enjolras didn't answered, just closed his eyes and waited for it to be all over.