Part Two: Chapter Ten

A week after Gabriel and Madeleine's wedding, Libertè sat at home early one morning with her siblings plus Courfeyrac and Giselle's children. She had been asked to watch them while the two couple's went out. Campaigning had begun, and they wanted to speak with the people. Gavroche, Jolie, Henri, and Brigette ran around the manor with Libertè sat on the couch in the living room holding Remi in her arms. The baby boy was a couple months old and definitely a handful. As she bounced the baby on her lap, Libertè began to think about George. She had been wrong in thinking that seeing him would take her mind off of him. It only made it worse. She couldn't help but think of his kind, green eyes, the freckles across his nose, and his welcoming smile. She chastised herself every time she thought of him. She was even beginning to think that she was going crazy.

"Libertè!" she heard Gavroche say.

She looked down at the dark haired little boy who had an impatient look on his face, snapping Libertè's mind away from her thoughts.

"Hmm?" she asked.

"I was trying to get your attention. What were you daydreaming about?" Gavroche asked.

"Oh, nothing. What is it, 'Roche?"

"We wanted to know if we could go outside to play. We're getting bored inside," he complained.

"Alright, Gavroche. We can go outside."

She stood up with Remi in her arms and brought the rest of the kids outside. She sat down under a tree with the baby and watched the other kids run around.

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Enjolras, Eponine, Courfeyrac, and Giselle returned to the manor a little after lunch, and Libertè was extremely thankful. She was tired of chasing kids around and trying to keep Remi from fussing. Giselle took Remi from Libertè, and Courfeyrac swung Brigette into his arms before taking Henri's hand. They told the Rousseaus goodbye before leaving. Enjolras and Eponine sat down beside Libertè under the tree, taking the moment to relax. The moment didn't last for long because Gavroche and Jolie started running toward their parents, ready to tackle them. Eponine saw it coming, catching Gavroche by the waist before he knocked her over. Libertè laughed as Jolie ran towards Enjolras and caught him off guard. The little girl tackled her Papa, knocking him to his back. He quickly recovered and sat up, tickling Jolie. She pleaded through her giggles for him to stop, and he finally did, sitting her up in his lap.

"Libertè, why don't you find a friend and get out of here for a while? You could use a break from all of us," Enjolras said.

"Really?" she asked enthusiastically.

He nodded, and she jumped up. She told her Mama and Papa thank you before running to grab her satchel. She stuffed some books into it and set out towards a café, glad to have some time to herself.

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Libertè settled herself at a table in a small café and pulled out one of her books. She hadn't seen Gabriel and Madeleine since the wedding because they were on their honeymoon. Libertè was enjoying time alone to relax and read. She became fully engrossed in the plot of the book and didn't notice the two familiar faces enter the café. She was startled when the two sat down at her table. She looked up to see Antoine and George sitting across from her.

"Hello, Libertè," Antoine said.

"Hello Antoine, George. What are you two doing here?"

"We were studying together and needed a break. What about you?" Antoine answered.

"Needed to get out of the house," she responded.

Antoine turned to George, "Coffee?"

"Please," George sighed.

Antoine got up to order them some coffee, leaving George and Libertè alone at the table. The silence was awkward.

"Libertè, I've been thinking. Would you like to do something sometime?" he asked timidly.

She looked up into his emerald eyes and spoke before thinking, a bit flustered.

"That would be nice, George," she smiled.

"We could meet here after classes," he suggested.

She nodded. Antoine returned and the two acted as if the conversation had never occurred. Antoine and George drank their coffee before leaving to return to their studying. George gave her one last parting smile, and Libertè blushed, smiling back. Once they left, her sensed returned. Why in the world has she agreed to meet with George?!

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A few days later, Libertè sat nervously in the café waiting for George to arrive. Gabriel and Madeleine had returned from their honeymoon, but Libertè refrained from telling them about her upcoming meeting with George, mainly to avoid the teasing. She'd also refrained from telling her parents about George at all. It wasn't uncommon for her to return home late into the afternoon, as her parents knew she liked to go to the library to study. She told herself that the reason she didn't tell her parents was because she was sure that George was a friend and nothing more. Deep down, Libertè knew that wasn't the real reason she hadn't told her parents. She was actually a little afraid to tell her parents. As much as she tried to tell herself that George meant nothing to her, she knew that wasn't true. The thought of admitting it out loud scared her. She wasn't as afraid of her mother's reaction as she was her father's. She knew that her father wouldn't be angry, but she was afraid he would be disappointed in her. For so long, she'd proclaimed that she was entirely focused on school and her goals. She was certain that nothing would get in the way of that. She knew her father would be worried that George would distract her. Enjolras was also very protective over her. There was the small chance that once she told him, he wouldn't let her see George again. She knew that was a very small chance, but it was still a possibility.

George walked into the café, and his smile pulled her away from her thoughts. He ordered them some coffee before sitting down at the table with her. At first, the conversation was timid, but they eventually began talking like they'd known each other their whole lives. They quickly lost track of time, and when Libertè glanced at the clock on the wall, she was saddened because she knew she needed to get home. George offered to walk her home, but she declined. He kissed her hand before she stepped out onto the street. She sighed, knowing that she most definitely must be going crazy, because she was falling for George.

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Weeks went by and on the surface, everything seemed normal. Enjolras and Courfeyrac were campaigning, and there had been no major changes with anyone else in either family. Well, except for Libertè. She had been meeting with George several times a week after classes, and she still hadn't told anyone. Gabriel didn't get suspicious because he was preoccupied with his wife, Madeleine, and Libertè didn't normally see any of her other friends after school anyway. George had admitted to Libertè that he had feelings for her, and he'd finally gotten Libertè to admit the same thing to him.

One afternoon, they sat in the café talking, as they always did. George sat back in his chair and sighed.

"It's about time I meet your parents, Libertè," he said.

Libertè started to panic.

"I don't think it's the right time. My Papa is a very busy man. You'll meet them soon enough," she said.

He smiled at her, "If you say so."

Libertè glanced out the window and gasped when she saw that the sun was setting. She'd never been this late getting home before and knew her parents would be worried.

"George, I didn't realize how late it was. I've got to go!"

He stood, "Let me walk you home. It's getting dark and the streets aren't safe."

She nodded, and took his arm before they stepped onto the street.

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Enjolras stood pacing in his and Eponine's bedroom while Eponine sat on the bed. Libertè wasn't home yet, and he was very worried.

"Enjolras, she's missed dinner and it's getting dark. She's never this late. I'm worried," Eponine said.

"I know. I'm going to go look for her."

He quickly shrugged on his red coat, which Eponine somehow managed to keep repairing, and headed towards the door.

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When George and Libertè reached the gate to the manor, he stared at her with wide eyes.

"You never told me you were the president's daughter," he said.

She merely replied, "It never came up."

He smirked before following her inside the gate and up to the door. He took her hands in his, smiling.

"Goodnight, Libertè."

"Goodnight -"

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Libertè saw a familiar red jacket out of the corner of her eye. She gulped and turned to look up into the obviously shocked blue eyes of her father who stood in the doorway.

Author's Note: Let the drama begin! Please review! I want to hear what my readers think. More is coming soon! Thank you for reading and please tell me what you think.

~loislane16