Chapter 18:
With everything that had been happening over the past few weeks the run-up to Christmas had completely surpassed Eponine. She had noticed how the town square was somehow brighter, more colourful than before but the Yule-tide joy hadn't quite registered. Now the big day was in a few weeks and she had no idea what her life would look like by then. She'd been staying at Enjolras' house for a week now and she felt that she was beginning to get the hang of it all. She would be so incredibly polite to the Enjolras' even when small remarks were made and would then let it all out to Cosette on the phone that evening. In the night, Enjolras and Eponine would take it in turns to sneak into the other's bed making sure to sneak back next morning. She was entirely convinced that his parents weren't aware but as long as they didn't catch them she felt they were safe.
Sleeping with Enjolras had become so familiar to her she wasn't sure if she'd be able to sleep without him there. As they fell asleep he would wrap his arms around her and bury his head into the crook of her neck. The warmth he gave out, the sense of safety and love gave her the best night's sleep she had ever experienced. And in the mornings, when it was his turn to sneak away, he would press soft kisses against her back and shoulder and whisper that he loved her before leaving. It was bliss. The only thing that dampened the experience was how indebted she was feeling.
"They feed me, provide hot water, a roof, a room!" She was lamenting to Cosette. "What am I supposed to do to repay them?"
Cosette scrunched up her nose and curled her feet underneath her. They were sat in Cosette's room waiting for the boys to pick them up. "I don't know…" She pondered. "Get them some nice jewellery?"
Eponine scoffed. "Oh yeah, because the stuff I can afford will be good enough for them!" Cosette just shrugged again. "You know," Eponine said collapsing onto the bed, finished with her pacing. "You're not being very helpful here."
"I'm sorry." Cosette said although she didn't sound very. "It's a tricky one but you only have a couple of weeks to figure it out."
"Don't remind me." Eponine groaned. "And that's the other thing, what do I get Enj?"
"Just pop on a nice big ribbon and nothing else and be done with it?" Cosette joked and Eponine threw a pillow at her. "I'm sure he'd like that."
"What do you get someone who has everything?" she asked, mostly to herself than Cosette. Because it had to be special, it was their first Christmas together so she couldn't half-arse it. If she was going to be happy with it, it would have to be the best gift he had ever been given.
Before Cosette could offer any real ideas there was a knock on the door. Cosette's Dad opened the door and smiled at the two girls. "How are we doing ladies?" He asked. He was wearing a white shirt and dark jeans, his usual attire. Eponine wasn't sure she'd seen him wear anything else. She wondered if his wardrobe was filled with the same white shirt and jeans twenty times over.
"We're good thank you Mr Valjean." Eponine said smiling brightly at the man.
"Please," He said. "It's Jean. Mr Valjean makes me sound so old."
Cosette had grabbed the girls' coats and now stood by the door. She wrapped her arms around her father's waist. "But you are old." She teased and he laughed.
"Right," He said after giving her a small kiss on the top of her head. "There are two handsome young men ready to take you out."
Cosette and Eponine looked at each other and made their way to the hall where Enjolras and Marius were waiting for them. Enjolras was in a dark red suit that perfectly contrasted his golden hair which was coiffed perfectly. Marius had stepped out of his comfort zone into a green, shimmery suit that Eponine had picked out for him. Like she had thought, the colour had really brought out his eyes and he looked incredibly handsome. "You ready?" He said to them, holding out his arm for Cosette. She was also in green and they made the perfect couple, Eponine thought. She looked at Enjolras and smiled at him. "You look wonderful." He murmured in her ear as they stepped into the car.
It was the first time Eponine was going to Joly's house and she had to say it was probably the prettiest house she had been to yet. The red brick contrasted with the white stone pillars that fronted the house and complimented the white steps that led to the door. They could hear the music before they had even reached the steps and the foursome shared a few apprehensive looks. Joly wasn't exactly known for his self-control and none of them truly knew what they were getting into. After all, a man's 18th birthday is the perfect time to go all out. If Eponine was honest with herself, she was actually very excited. It was her first night out in a while and, although she loved their date nights, it would be nice for her and Enjolras to have a change of scenery.
As they walked into the building they were immediately handed a glass of champagne and a comical accessory. Eponine was given a pair of huge, bright yellow glasses, Cosette received a large necklace which was made of the cheapest plastic and consisted of large balls held together by string. They giggled as Enjolras clipped on his fake earring and Marius his eyepatch. As they walked through the hall they noticed that every guest had some kind of oddity. It was brilliantly ludicrous. They found Grantaire by the stairs, he had a lovely tiara pinned to his curls and Eponine curtsied when she saw him. "Your Highness." Which delighted him.
Once they had found Joly, given him their gifts and got the small pleasantries out of the way Eponine made a move to get Grantaire on his own. Under the guise of getting drinks she took her chance to grill him. "I need help." She began and Grantaire grinned at her.
"Now I don't want to hear the details of your sex life but I have heard that he really likes it when you…"
"Shut up!" She said quickly covering his mouth with her hand. "No, I don't want help with that thanks." He laughed at her obvious embarrassment. "I don't know what to get him for Christmas."
"Oh Ep." He said lovingly. "Enjolras will like anything you get him."
Eponine sighed. "But I want him to love it!" She explained. "I want it to be the best present ever."
Grantaire thought for a while. "I mean, he of course loves writing and talking… the sound of his voice." His eyes lit up. "Get him a Dictaphone!" Eponine rolled her eyes. "No I'm serious, so then he can listen to his speeches. Maybe that will get him to finally stop!"
"I want something that he will like not something that will offend him!"
Grantaire just shrugged, picking up the drink that had just arrived and taking a sip. "Fine. But I'm stealing that great idea."
"You're no help." She told him as they carried the drinks back.
"Well what did you expect?" He asked and she guessed he was right. But it still didn't help with the total lack of any ideas. She would have to mull it over a little more.
The rest of the party was less of a disappointment. In fact it was kind of brilliant. She convinced Enjolras to dance with her and he seemed to enjoy after a few glasses of wine. Everyone seemed to be having a really good time. Cosette and Marius twirled each other round on the dancefloor and the other boys seemed to pick up a few partners over the course of evening. She didn't think she had laughed so hard for a while.
Enjolras had noticed how happy she was. She almost had a glow about her again. She looked so incredible as he watched her dance with Grantaire. She wore a little black dress that accentuated her curves and brought out the darkness in her eyes. Her hair hung in curls around her shoulders and Enjolras couldn't help but relive all the times that he had been able to run his hands through them. If he'd have dreamed of this four months ago he wouldn't have thought that it would be possible. That she would be his; that the feeling of her lips on his was a common one. He had loved her living with him and was pleased that his parents were keeping things civil, mostly. And to think that she may be close to some kind of safety, that everything could be okay for her soon, that made him so incredibly happy that he couldn't help but beam as he watched her.
At the end of the night they stumbled into the house, laughing and giggling and shushing each other while not really meaning it. As they got to the stairs Enjolras pulled her to him and kissed her urgently. It had been the perfect night. She leaned into him and he could hear her sigh happily. He had thought that after a few weeks of kissing her it may seem inconsequential. But every single time they kissed it was like the first time. His stomach would swoop and his heart would thud in his chest. It was a completely unexpected reaction in that every time they kissed he would wonder if it would be the last time it would feel like this.
"I love you." She whispered and his heart swooped again. It was unbelievable. She loved him.
Demi Enjolras had heard them come in of course, it wasn't as if they were being particularly quiet. A herd of elephants may have even been quieter. So she had woken up and continued to hear them rush up the stairs. And she heard only the one door shut.
That morning she creeped up the hall, unsure of why she was doing this. She knew they would be together, it was almost certain that they had been together for most of the nights she had been staying. If she really thought about it, she had wanted to see if her son would really go against the rules like this. She also wanted to make sure that none of them had choked on something in the night. As she opened the door as slowly as she could, so careful not to make any noise or let in too much light. And there they were, curled up together. Eponine's head was resting on her son's chest and his arms were wrapped around the girl. They looked so peaceful. As she watched Enjolras moved slightly and Eponine's eyes opened a little. Demi felt that she should leave but then something made her stay. Eponine was looking at Enjolras who, without opening his eyes, made a small move to press a kiss onto her forehead. It was such a small action, a brilliant piece of understated affection. And with it came the knowledge that her son was in love.
Demi closed the door and walked back down the hall realising that this girl wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon.
Eponine had been awake for a while but stayed still and just lay with Enjolras as he slept. His room was very nice and right now it felt a lot like home. She looked at his bookshelf and smiled as she saw her books mixed in with his, her bracelets and a few other trinkets sat upon the chest of drawers. No one could deny that she wasn't a part of his life anymore. To think that when she had first met him, met the boys the gap between them seemed like a gulf. She never thought that she would fit in with them, or that they would fit in with her. She wasn't sure of the ratio; whether she had changed more or whether they had. But she felt that there had been a merging of worlds in the short time that she had known them. And now the world they all belonged in was completely their own. Custom made to include all of them.
Her phone buzzed under the pillow and quickly slipped a hand under to fish it out. The number was unknown but she decided to take it anyway, she wasn't sure she had everyone's number at her new job yet. "Hello?" She said, her voice a little croaky from the night before.
"Miss Thenarider?" A voice asked. "Your father has been arrested. If you would please come into the station at some point this morning we need you to sign some papers to confirm your amnesty."
"Okay." She said her voice coming out small as she felt the bed jerk violently underneath her. He was gone. He wouldn't be able to get near her again. She was free. The man hung up the phone but she kept the phone to her ear, in a state of shock. She heard Enjolras move behind her.
"What's happened?" he asked, touching her arm.
"My Dad's been arrested." She told him.