Part Two: Chapter One

Fourteen Years Later

Enjolras sat at his desk in the study of the Presidential Manor reading a book on politics. He glanced up from his reading to look at Libertè who was sitting in an armchair, a book in her hands and a whole stack of them at her feet. She was now fifteen years old, almost sixteen. When Enjolras looked back, it seemed as if time had flown by. Libertè had grown into a beautiful young lady. She was tall and slim with long, blonde curls and brilliant blue eyes just like Enjolras. Not only did she look just like her father, but she thought and acted just like him as well. Enjolras was now at the beginning of the third year of his fourth term as the President of France. As each election came around, he and Courfeyrac won every time. Enjolras and Eponine's second child was born at the end of his first term. They named him Gavroche after Eponine's brother, and he had just turned eleven years old. Their youngest was a six year old little girl names Jolie, after Enjolras's dear friend who had died at the first barricade. She was born at the beginning of his third term. Gavroche and Jolie looked and acted like Eponine, making Libertè much different than her siblings.

Courfeyrac and Giselle were married shortly after he was sworn in as Vice President. Now, they had two children, Henri who was nine, and Brigette who was five. They lived in a separate wing of the manor, giving them their own space. It was like the two families lived in two completely separate houses.

Enjolras looked back down at his book, not wanting Libertè to feel his eyes on her. There was a quick rap on the open door of the study and both Enjolras and Libertè looked up to see Eponine standing in the doorway. She stared at them for a moment, and then shook her head.

"It scares me how similar you two are sometimes."

Father and daughter exchanged a half smile.

"Dinner is ready. Libertè could you please go make sure your siblings are washed up?" Eponine asked.

"Yes, Mama," she replied, shutting her book and briskly leaving the room.

Eponine walked over and sat on the corner of Enjolras's desk.

"I can't believe she's almost sixteen," Eponine sighed.

"I know. I should probably talk to her about the university soon."

"How about tonight?"

"Ok. I'll do it tonight," he agreed.

Eponine leaned in to kiss him, but stopped and grimaced when they heard one of the younger children scream something at Libertè.

"I'll go break that up," Eponine huffed, jumping down off the desk and hustling out of the room.

Enjolras dog-eared the page of his book and made his way to dinner. Even though they were the presidential family, Enjolras and Eponine decided to live like normal citizens as much as they could. Courfeyrac and Giselle decided to do the same. The only help they had in the manor were a few housekeepers who did very little, and a live-in doctor in case one of them was to fall ill. Other than that, they cooked all their own meals, did most of their own chores, and did their own shopping. Enjolras and Courfeyrac had set up public education for everyone, including women, early on in their terms, and all their children attended the public schools rather than have a private tutor. It helped the people identify with them. Enjolras and Courfeyrac didn't want the people to think of them as superiors, but rather as equals. After all, the whole reason they started the first rebellion was so that everyone could have equal rights.

Enjolras stepped into the dining room, seeing Libertè help Eponine prepare plates, Jolie bouncing in her seat, and Gavroche sitting there with a scowl on his face. Enjolras knew he had been the one to yell at Libertè, and he figured the scowl was a result of Eponine scolding him. He motioned for his eldest daughter to sit, and then helped Eponine pass out the plates.

As he sat one down in front of Gavroche, he raised an eyebrow at him and asked, "Arguing with your sister again, are we Gavroche?"

When he didn't respond right away, Libertè spoke for him, "As always," she huffed.

"And what have I told you about that?" he asked, looking at him sternly.

Gavroche looked down, not meeting his father's piercing eyes, and grumbled, "To respect her and do what she says because she's only doing what you or Mama asked."

"That's right, and you need to remember it. Now, stop sulking and eat the food your mother made."

"Yes, Papa."

Enjolras pulled a chair out for Eponine before sitting down himself to enjoy dinner with his family.

0000

Not long after dinner, Enjolras took Gavroche and Jolie to get ready for bed while Eponine and Libertè cleaned up the kitchen. He walked back into the kitchen and asked Libertè to come with him. The two went to the study and sat.

"You're almost sixteen," he started.

She nodded, knowing where the conversation was heading.

"You know what that means, right?" he asked.

"It means I'll be attending the university soon."

"Do you have any idea what you might want to study?"

"Politics," she responded quickly.

Enjolras was a bit startled by her answer.

"Are you sure? Most women at the university study to be nurses or teachers. Women don't normally politics."

"I am positive that this is what I want to do. I want to make an impact on France," she insisted.

Enjolras sighed. He saw himself in her so much and sometimes that made things difficult. They were both so strong-willed and determined, much more than Eponine, Gavroche, or Jolie. They liked to go against the normal standards, the stereotypes, and they never gave up on what they believed in. Enjolras knew he was going to have a difficult time convincing Libertè to consider anything other than what she had her mind set on. He now knew what it was like for his parents when he was growing up.

"Well, I'll have to talk to your mother about it first. We'll have to decide if that's a good idea or not."

"Do you not still believe that women are equal to men and can achieve whatever they please?" she challenged.

Enjolras look at his daughter sharply, "Of course I still believe that! I just…" he paused, choosing his words carefully.

He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Libertè, the world is a brutal place, especially the world of politics. I fear that those men will eat you alive. I just don't want you to get hurt."

"I can hold my own against those men, Papa."

"I don't doubt that you could, but I can still worry. Let Mama and I discuss it, and we'll talk about this again later, alright?"

"OK."

She stood and started to leave the room.

"Going to bed?" he asked.

"Yes. I think so."

"Well, goodnight Libby."

"Goodnight, Papa."

Then she turned and left the study.

0000

A little while later, Enjolras decided to retire for the evening and turned off the oil lamp in the study before checking on the children. Jolie was curled up under the covers, clutching her stuffed animal tightly and sleeping peacefully. Enjolras smirked when he entered Gavroche's room and found him sleeping upside down on the bed. His head was at the foot of the bed, his feet were on his pillow, and the blankets were a mess. Enjolras left him like that, not wanting to wake him up, and went to check on Libertè. She had fallen asleep while reading and was slumped against the head of the bed, a book loosely in her hands and the oil lamp still on. He walked over, carefully taking the book from her and sitting it face down on the side table before turning out the lamp. She stirred, but didn't wake up. She only shifted and slid down onto her side. He pulled the blankets up around her before quietly leaving the room and shutting the door. When Enjolras stepped into his and Eponine's bedroom, the lights were off, and Eponine was curled up with her back to him. He undressed and slipped under the covers as quietly as he could, hoping he wouldn't disturb her. He settled in on his side, facing away from Eponine and closed his eyes. Enjolras nearly jumped out of his skin when Eponine's arm suddenly snaked around his waist.

"You scared me to death, 'Ponine. I thought you were sleeping," he said.

"Almost, but no I wasn't. How did the talk with Libertè go?"

"She wants to study politics."

"Well, I could've told you that."

"It came as a bit of a shock to me," he admitted.

"Really? Enjolras, she is your daughter," she smirked.

"I'm not sure I want her doing that. She would be the only woman in that field of study, and I'm afraid the men will run all over her. But she's pretty determined to study that."

"She can stand up for herself, and you know you can't stop her. Even if we disagree with her, that won't make her change her mind, and you should know that well. Your parents' disapproval didn't stop you," she reminded.

"I know," he sighed, putting a hand over his eyes.

"I think we should talk it through with her and make sure she knows what she's getting in to, then let her go for it."

"I suppose so," he agreed.

He turned to face Eponine and wrapped his arms around her. Soon, they both drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note: Hey guys! So tell me what you think so far. How do you like older Libertè? Let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for this story. I love to hear from my readers. Please, please review! Thanks!

~loislane16