Part Two: Chapter Fifteen

Two Years Later

The time finally came for Libertè and Gabriel to start campaigning for the next election. They had worked under Courfeyrac and Enjolras for the past two years learning a great amount about their possible future positions. Libertè was now twenty-two years old. Gavroche was seventeen years old and attending the university to become a doctor. Jolie was eleven and growing into a beautiful young lady. The older she got, the more she looked like Eponine. The Rousseaus, the Moreaus, and all their friends anxiously awaited the election that was two weeks away.

0000

Enjolras was in his study when George decided to stop by. He and Libertè were still courting simply because of his work and Libertè's campaigning. George decided that it was time to talk to Enjolras about that.

"Monsieur Enjolras," he asked as he stuck his head into the study.

Enjolras looked up from a book, "George, what brings you by?"

"Is Libertè here?" George asked as he glanced around nervously and stepped fully into the doorway.

"No. She went to the market with her mother. Do you want me to tell her you stopped by?"

"Actually, no. I came here to talk to you. I wanted to make sure she wasn't around."

Enjolras's mouth went dry, and he tried to keep himself from paling. He was fairly certain he knew where the conversation was headed. He swallowed before telling George to come in and shut the door.

"What was it you wanted to talk about?" Enjolras asked hesitantly.

George began his speech in a shaky voice, "Monsieur, Libertè and I have been courting for quite some time, almost five years to be exact. I have a very good career at a law firm downtown, which I'm sure you already know that, and I care for Libertè quite a bit. I know-"

"George," Enjolras said, cutting him off from his rambling.

"Yes?"

Enjolras could see the nervousness in his eyes. He wished he could sympathize with the boy, but he'd never had this conversation with Eponine's father. Both Enjolras and Eponine couldn't have cared less about what Eponine's father thought when they got married.

"Are you trying to ask if you can marry my daughter?" Enjolras asked, his expression unreadable and his eyes staring sharply at the young man.

"Yes, Monsieur," he responded quietly as he fidgeted a bit.

"Will you support her and always be there for her?"

George nodded quickly.

"Will you do whatever you can to care for her and protect her, no matter what?" Enjolras questioned.

"Of course, Monsieur."

"You do realize that if you hurt her, you leave me no choice but to hurt you, right?"

"Yes," he answered with a nervous chuckle.

"George, I know you love my daughter, but how much do you love her?" Enjolras asked seriously.

"More than anything in the world. More than words can describe," George said with confidence.

Enjolras thought for a long moment, letting the silence in the room build the tension. He stared the young man down, which he was sure was making him uncomfortable. Finally, he reached out and placed a hand on George's shoulder.

"Then, I give you my blessing," Enjolras said.

George's nervous expression morphed into a wide grin.

"Thank you, Monsieur Enjolras," he smiled.

"I can assure you that Libertè loves you very much, and she is going to be very happy with you. Now, if you don't want your plans discovered, I suggest you go before Libertè and Eponine return from their errands."

George thanked Enjolras one last time before bidding him goodbye and leaving. Enjolras settled back into his chair and sighed. His daughter was going to be married. She was all grown up, and he was going to have to let her go for good. He couldn't believe it.

0000

Enjolras waited to tell Eponine about his conversation with George until that night once everyone had retired to bed. He walked into their bedroom to find Eponine already sitting up in bed. Enjolras shut the door and stopped, making Eponine look up at him. She watched him as he quickly changed, then stood in the center of the room, his arms folded across his chest.

"Our daughter is going to get married, 'Ponine," he said quietly.

"What?" she gasped.

When Enjolras saw the look on his wife's face, he crossed the room and sat down beside her.

"George stopped by today and asked for my blessing. He's going to propose soon I assume."

Eponine's eyes welled with tears and a few slipped down her cheeks. Confused, Enjolras reached up and placed a hand on her cheek, wiping away some of the tears with his thumb.

"Why are you crying, 'Ponine?"

She shook her head, "I'm happy for Libby, Enjolras, I really am. I'm so proud of her, but it's so hard to let go now that she's grown."

"I know. Come here," he said as he reached out for her.

He leaned against the headboard of the bed and pulled her so that she was sitting in his lap. She rested her head in the curve of his neck, and he ran his fingers through her long, dark hair.

"She's really something, isn't she?" he sighed.

"Mmhmm. Did you ever think all those years ago when she was just a tiny little baby that she would ever do something like be the first woman to run for president of France?"

Enjolras laughed, "No, but I did know she would do great things. She has greatness on her side. After all, she is the first child of the barricade," he smirked.

Eponine giggled, "That she is."

0000

The last two weeks before the election went by quickly, and everyone was over at the manor anxiously awaiting the results. Enjolras, Eponine, Courfeyrac, Giselle, Marius, and Cosette sat around talking. Libertè, Gavroche, George, Jean, and Vivienne sat with them. Gabriel and Madeleine also joined them with an almost four year old Gabrielle in Madeleine's arms. The rest of the kids, Jolie, Henri, Brigette, Remi, Belle, Philip, and Lucille, all sat together talking or playing. After much waiting, the results finally came. They had won the election, and Libertè became the first female president of France. Libertè was absolutely stunned. She embraced Gabriel, her best friend and vice-president, first. Then she was enveloped in a huge hug with her mother, father, and two siblings. Everyone in the room was celebrating. When Libertè turned around to embrace George, she gasped. He was kneeling down on one knee in front of her.

"I love you more than you could ever imagine. Marry me, Libby. Please," he said.

Tears stung her eyes, and she nodded quickly. After he slipped a small ring onto her finger, he stood and kissed her. Then, he wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around. Everyone cheered and celebrated. Eponine rested her head on Enjolras's shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her waist, both watching their daughter proudly and happily.

0000

A few days later, Enjolras and Eponine made a decision about what they were going to do once Libertè was sworn into office. They didn't have much time because that would occur in a few short weeks. They decided that they needed to tell Libertè their plans. They found her sitting in the study writing.

"Libby, we need to tell you something," Eponine started.

"What is it?" she asked as she put her writing aside and her parents sat.

"Once you're sworn in, I will no longer be in office, and we'll have to move out of the manor. We've decided to move to Grandmother's old house. I kept it when she died for this reason," Enjolras explained.

"What about 'Roche? He just started his schooling to become a doctor. He won't be able to attend the university. It's too far from Grandmother's."

"Actually, they've just built a small university for everyone who lives in that area, so he'll be able to continue his classes," her father said.

"When will you leave?"

"A few days after you are sworn in, but we won't be too far away, Libby. Just about a day's journey by carriage. We'll visit very often," Eponine smiled.

"I know you will. I know you've wanted to move for a while, so I'm happy you are finally able to. You deserve it," Libertè smiled back.

Enjolras laughed, "I'd say so. I'm almost forty-five years old. I've led two rebellions, served as president for sixteen years, and as vice-president for four years. Eponine's spent her whole life worrying about me, you, and your siblings. It's time for a break."

Eponine wrapped her arms around her husband and leaned against his shoulder, "Yes, it definitely is."

Libertè grinned, knowing that she couldn't have asked for a better life or better parents.

0000

One the day of the inauguration, Libertè dressed in the blue dress Giselle and Courfeyrac had given her for her sixteenth birthday with Courfeyrac's cockade proudly pinned to the collar. She watched happily as Gabriel, accompanied by his wife and daughter, was sworn in as vice-president. Then, it was her turn. Standing by her side for this moment was her fiancé George, Enjolras and Eponine, her parents, and her two siblings, Gavroche and Jolie. Courfeyrac, Giselle, Marius, Cosette, and all their children were watching from the on looking crowd. She was sworn in as the first female president of France. Enjolras watched proudly, knowing that Courfeyrac was definitely right all those years ago. Libertè had already done great things, and he was sure there would be more to come. Enjolras sighed a sigh of contentment and anticipation, anxious to see what his child, the first child of the barricades, would do next.

Author's Note: So that's it! Let me know what you think of the ending. OK, so here is my important question for all my readers. Would you guys like to see an epilogue? If I get enough requests for one (let's say 5-10) I'll write one. But, the catch is, if you request an epilogue, you have to tell me what you want to see happen in it. Thanks! I hope to have a lot of response. Thank you for reading this story and keep an eye out for my next one, Only Been Pretending.

~loislane16