Part One: Chapter Six

As time went on, Eponine began to adjust to life with Libertè at Antoinette's home. At first, they received weekly letters from Enjolras. They kept Eponine's hopes up, but eventually the letters stopped. She waited to hear from him every day, but the letter never came, and Eponine was worried sick. She tried to stay hopeful, telling herself that someone would come tell them is something happened to Enjolras, but it was very hard. Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months with no contact from him. It had been six months since Eponine had seen Enjolras. Libertè was now nine months old, and she had grown so much. She babbled, laughed, and squealed constantly, making Eponine smile even in her darkest moments. She was a very active baby, crawling all around the large house, and she was getting her first tooth. Her blonde hair had gotten longer, revealing that she had tight curls just like her Papa. She was a very happy baby. Antoinette was greatly amused by her granddaughter. She brought happiness and laughter when the two women were depressed. Eponine hated that Enjolras was missing these moments of Libertè's life. She prayed every day that Enjolras was OK and that he would come for them soon.

0000

Enjolras stood in the broken streets of Paris with Courfeyrac, the stench of gunpowder and death filling his nose. The revolution was over. They had done it. They won. The people had fought the government and won. Courfeyrac looked to Enjolras.

"I've got to get to Giselle. It's a miracle we've lived, so I'm going to propose."

Enjolras nodded, and Courfeyrac took off. Then, Enjolras tossed his gun to the ground and jumped on a nearby horse. He had to get to his mother's house. He had to see his wife and daughter. The horse galloped away at top speed.

0000

Since Antoinette decided to rest, and Eponine had just put Libertè down for a nap in a separate bedroom, she decided to read in her own bedroom. After a few minutes, Eponine heard clambering and heavy footsteps in the house, and she wondered what was causing all the noise. She stepped into the hall and was completely shocked. At the end of the hall stood a disheveled Enjolras. His blonde curls were wild on his head, hanging into his eyes, and his clothes were torn. Blood, gunpowder, and dirt was smeared over his skin and clothing.

"Enjolras," she tried to say, but no sound came out.

He ran towards her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Oh, 'Ponine," he breathed.

Eponine's heart fluttered when he used her nickname. No one had called her 'Ponine in six months. Her knees became weak and rather than hold her up, Enjolras sank to the floor with her, leaning against the wall.

"You're alive, Enjolras! You're here!" she cried.

"I'm here," he said, still squeezing her.

He pulled her away slightly so he could look at her.

"We won, 'Ponine."

"What?"

"The people won the fight. The king has been overthrown," he smiled.

"That's…that's amazing! I knew you could do it," she exclaimed, her face bright.

"And Courfeyrac survived. He's going to propose to Giselle."

Eponine collapsed back onto Enjolras, "This is wonderful. Everything is going to be OK."

"Where's Libertè? I want to see her."

"She's sleeping, but we can wake her," Eponine smiled.

They stood, and Eponine grabbed Enjolras's hand, leading toward the room Libertè was napping in. When they walked into the room, they discovered that Libertè was awake and playing with her toes. She giggled when she saw her mother standing by the crib.

"Come here, Libby," Eponine said, picking the little girl up.

Enjolras smirked at his daughter's nickname.

Libertè looked at Enjolras and squealed, reaching out to him. Enjolras thought it was a little strange. She was only three months old when they left, and even now she was only nine months old, so he was positive that she wouldn't remember. But he wondered if something deep inside her little mind still knew who he was. He took her in his arm, and she laughed happily, putting one of her tiny hands on his rough cheek. He smiled at her and sat down in a chair, sitting Libertè in his lap. She grabbed one of his fingers, wrapping her hand around it and babbling, a serious look on her face. Enjolras laughed at her, and Eponine watched them, smiling. Libertè yawned and snuggled into his chest.

"Papa's here, Libertè," he whispered, holding her close and playing with her little, blonde curls.

After a few minutes, he felt her taking deeper breaths and knew she had fallen asleep. Enjolras kissed the top of her head and stood, placing her gently in the crib. They walked out of the room and silently shut the door.

"She's grown so much," he said.

"Eponine, is everything-"

Antoinette appeared from around the corner to check on Eponine, but stopped when she saw Enjolras standing there.

"Enjolras!" she exclaimed.

Enjolras hugged his mother for a long moment.

"You're here! And you're alive!"

He laughed, "Yes, I'm alive."

"They won, Antoinette," Eponine smiled.

Antoinette looked at her son with bright eyes.

"The people won!" she exclaimed.

"There is something else I need to talk to both of you about," he said, a seriousness returning to his face.

They all walked to the sitting area so they could be more comfortable, and Enjolras began.

"The king has been overthrown, and normally, he would be replaced by a new king, but this time is different. The people no longer want a monarchy. They want a democracy, a government much like that of the United States of America. They want a president," he said.

"I think that is what we need," Antoinette said.

"I'm not finished yet. There will be an election for the presidential spot, and many people, especially the supporters of the revolution, want me to run for the position."

"Is that something you'd want to do?" Antoinette asked.

"Maybe, but I wanted to hear what both of you thought about it, and I wanted to make sure you were OK with it 'Ponine."

"It would definitely be a change, but I think you'd make a wonderful president. I think you should do it," she nodded.

"Really? You do know that the people would always be watching us, and I know that makes you uncomfortable. Libertè would grow up in the spotlight. You're OK with that?" he asked.

She reached out and took his hand, "I will be fine and so will Libertè. You should do this."

"OK," he smiled.

0000

Enjolras disappeared for a while to clean up, and the ladies cleaned and fixed his clothes because they were the only ones he had with them. Now, they all sat around the kitchen while the ladies prepared a dinner. Enjolras watched as Eponine ran back and forth between her cooking and Libertè, trying to feed her. She started towards the girl with a plate of cooked vegetables, and Enjolras walked to her, taking the plate out of her hand.

"Here, let me," he offered.

"Thank you," she said, kissing him before rushing back to her cooking.

Enjolras sat down beside Libertè's highchair and started mashing up the vegetables. He laughed when he put a spoonful of mashed peas in her mouth and she made a face, spitting them back out. He got a damp rag and wiped her mouth off.

"You must not like peas, huh?" he asked, chuckling.

Next, he tried feeding her the carrots, and she liked them, eating them all. He finished feeding her, and then took the damp rag to clean her up, wiping her hands and mouth. He pulled her out of the highchair and held her while dinner finished cooking. Soon, dinner for the adults was ready.

0000

A couple of days later Enjolras, Eponine, and Libertè headed home to their small apartment. They arrived back late, so Libertè had fallen asleep in Eponine's arms. She took the baby inside and placed her in the bassinette in the corner of their bedroom, which had become much too small for her since she hadn't slept in it for six months. Eponine walked out of the bedroom and found Enjolras sitting her bag by the sofa.

"It feels good to be back home," he sighed.

"You didn't stay here?"

Enjolras shook his head, "I was in Paris, but I didn't return home once during the fight. We had camps set up."

"I'm glad to be back too. Everything feels right again," Eponine said.

Enjolras walked over to Eponine, and wrapped his arms around her.

"Everything is right again," he whispered.

They stood there in each other's embrace silently, just happy to be a family again.

"We need to get a bigger bed for Libertè. She's outgrown her bassinette," Eponine finally spoke.

"I think we might need a bigger house. She doesn't even have her own room. We've outgrown our home."

"Maybe we should wait until we find out whether or not you'll be president before we make that purchase."

"That's smart," he agreed.

He started to unzip the bag and unpack, but Eponine grabbed his hand, stopping him.

"We can unpack tomorrow. I'm ready for bed," she said, a tiredness in her eyes.

Enjolras nodded and followed her into the bedroom. Careful not to wake their sleeping daughter, they changed their clothes and slipped under the blankets. Eponine curled up against Enjolras, and his arms hugged her tightly to his body.

"Goodnight, 'Ponine. Love you," he whispered.

"Night. Love you too," she mumbled, already dozing off.

The warmth of his body relaxed her, and Eponine slipped into a deep sleep, listening to the steady rhythm of Enjolras's heart.

0000

The next few months were a blur, and they settled back into their normal lives. Enjolras attended more meetings regarding the upcoming government that was to be set up, and a few weeks after returning, he formally announced his candidacy for president. Courfeyrac, who was now engaged to Giselle, agreed to be his vice president. They began to campaign, and the people showed immense support for them. At home, Eponine tried to help with his campaign as much as she could, but she had her hands full, constantly chasing after a very active Libertè. She had taken her first steps, and now she walked unsteadily around the apartment, falling quite a bit. Eponine watched her constantly for fear that she would get hurt. She had also started to talk. Her first word was Papa, and she learned Mama shortly after. She was growing up so fast. Libertè's first birthday was fast approaching and so was the election.

0000

It was early on Libertè's first birthday, and the day was already busy. Antoinette was due to arrive that afternoon, and Courfeyrac and Giselle were coming over that evening. Enjolras sat at his desk writing more speeches, and Eponine stood in the kitchen making pastries, with Libertè playing on the kitchen floor. Eponine was preoccupied with her baking and didn't notice the little girl wander off. Suddenly, they heard Libertè crying. Enjolras jumped up from his desk, and Eponine bolted from the kitchen. Enjolras reached her first and snatched her up into his arms. When Eponine reached them, Enjolras already had her in his lap on the couch, checking her for injuries. When he didn't find any, he pulled her against his chest and rubbed her back, trying to calm her. Eponine sat down beside him.

"She just fell down. She's alright."

"It was my fault. I should have been watching her more closely. I wasn't paying attention, and she wandered off," Eponine said, scolding herself.

"Hey, it wasn't your fault, and she's fine. She's not hurt. It just scared her. Mama is a good mama, isn't she Libby?" he asked.

Libertè sat up a little and sniffed.

"Mama!" she squealed.

Eponine smiled, "Come here, baby girl."

She took Libertè from Enjolras and bounced her on his lap, causing Libertè to giggle.

Enjolras and Eponine returned to their work, but now Libertè sat in Enjolras's lap at the desk so they could keep a closer watch on her.

0000

Later that evening, Antoinette, Courfeyrac, and Giselle were all over at the apartment eating dinner. They had all brought a small present for now one year old Libertè. Antoinette had gotten her a pretty red dress. Courfeyrac and Giselle gave her a stuffed toy bunny which she loved. Enjolras and Eponine gave her a small silver locket with her name etched on the front and a message etched inside. The message read "Our love will stay with you always and forever. Papa and Mama." They knew it was something she could treasure as she grew.

Everyone sat around after dinner eating the pastries Eponine had made, talking happily, and Libertè giggling in delight. There was a knock at the door, and Enjolras excused himself to answer it. He returned minutes later with an open letter and a shocked look on his face.

"What is it, Enjolras?" Eponine asked.

"Courfeyrac," he said, handing him the letter, "Read it."

He took a moment to scan the letter then gasped, "We won?!"

Enjolras nodded slowly, "We won the election."

Everyone cheered and Eponine jumped up, nearly tackling her husband in a hug. Giselle was sitting next to Courfeyrac, so she gave him a congratulatory kiss.

"Papa!" Libertè squealed.

He walked over and picked Libertè up off her grandmother's lap, laughing. Everyone was so excited. Enjolras was to be the first president of France, and Courfeyrac as to be the first vice president.

0000

Within two weeks, the Rousseau's had moved out of their small apartment and into the Presidential Manor where the king once lived. Courfeyrac also moved in, and so would Giselle as soon as they were married. Eponine stood by proudly with Libertè as her husband was sworn into office. Enjolras's presidency was the beginning of a new era for France.

Author's Note: So that's the end of part one! The next chapter will start part two. I wanted to warn you by saying that I skip a lot of time in between part one and part two. Please, PLEASE let me know what you think. As always, suggestions or ideas are welcome! Let me know if there is anything in particular that you want to see happen. It just might show up in the story! I'm on Spring Break, so hopefully I can write a lot. Thanks for reading!
~loislane16