It was Javert that insisted that Eponine begin to learn how to read and write. Although she struggled with her reading, her writing and spelling were her strongest suits. One day, while practicing her writing at the parlor desk, Eponine suddenly felt dizzy and had to close her eyes in order to regain herself.

"Eponine?"

Eponine jumped when she felt someone's hands on her shoulders. She sighed in relief when she opened her eyes and looked up to see her husband.

"You just had another spell, didn't you?"

Eponine patted Javert's hand. "My eyes are tired, I'll be fine."

"What about the headaches? And the exhaustion? Eponine, you've been this way for two weeks now. It's time that you were examined by a physician."

"Henri, it's all right. I'm sure that it's nothing."

"Then, be examined for my sake. I don't want anything to happen to you again."

After seeing the concern in her husband's eyes, Eponine gave a sigh of defeat and nodded. A doctor was fetched by the only servant in the household and arrived at the house within the hour. He asked to examine Eponine in private, but she was afraid to be left alone with a stranger and Javert could see the fear in her eyes.

"Monsieur, may our servant be present during the examination?" Javert asked.

The doctor shrugged. "I don't see why not."

Javert called for Jacqueline and she came quickly. Jacqueline was told of the attack on her mistress, and was more than willing to be with her while the doctor examined her. He asked for her to strip down to her undergarments and to lay down on the bed.

"First, I must ask what sort of symptoms have you had?" The doctor asked.

"Nothing happened, until two weeks ago. I've vomited a few times, have suffered some dizzy spells, and my head has ached once in awhile. I've also been tired."

"Hmm..." The doctor reached into his bag and took out his stethoscope. "Since you have experienced dizziness and nausea, I will listen to your stomach and be sure that your digestive system sounds correct."

The doctor pressed the stethoscope to Eponine's stomach. It was only after listening for a minute that a look of shock swept over his face and soon he was chuckling.

"Well, there is really no need for further examination, Madame. Everything is well."

"You've hardly done a thing. How do you know?"

"Believe me, Madame Javert, this is something that I have seen often. But I ask a personal question to be sure...When was the last time that you and your husband er...showed your love in a physical nature?"

Eponine blushed deeply. "Well, Monsieur, we've been married a little over a month now. We've not exactly tired of showing our love. I can say that almost every day since our marriage we've shown how much we care for each other. If you get my meaning."

"Quite. Well, Madame Javert, I assure you that there is nothing seriously wrong with you. In eight or seven months, give or take, you should be feeling much better."

"Eight or seven mo..."

Before Eponine could finish what she was about to ask, it suddenly came to her.

"You mean to tell me that I'm pregnant?" Eponine asked.

"Given that your symptoms have begun now, and the heartbeat of the child has registered...You must be about a month and a half or two months.

"A child! How wonderful, Madame. Should I send for the master now?"

"Go ahead, Jacqueline." Eponine said quietly.

Jacqueline rushed from the room and returned shortly with Javert. He went to Eponine's side, took her hand, and kissed her on top of the head.

"It is nothing serious?" Javert asked the doctor.

"Nothing at all. Monsieur, your wife is expecting a child."

It was seeing the look of happiness on her husband's face that made Eponine turn away from him. He had no idea that this child may not be his, and it broke Eponine's heart to know that. To know that this innocent baby was either a product of the love that she and Javert shared, or the reminder of a nightmarish event.

Eponine heard Javert thank the doctor and then the sound of the door closing. It was only then that she began to cry.

"Eponine, what is it? This is good news."

Eponine turned back to Javert and shook her head. "You don't understand, Henri. This child...The day that I was attacked...I was so afraid of losing you, that I didn't tell you...The two men that attacked me, one of them...one of them forced himself on me...He raped me, Henri."

Javert sighed and hugged Eponine close to him, allowing her to cry. "I am glad that you finally came forward."

"Finally?" Eponine released Javert and wiped away her tears. "You knew?"

"Of course. I was told by a nurse at the hospital."

"But you've never seemed angry with me."

"Why would I be? Eponine, it wasn't your fault. When the nurse told me how badly you were bleeding, and when I saw the bruises on your wrists and the scratch marks on your...Eponine, it broke my heart. How you must have suffered."

Javert pressed his forehead against Eponine's. "I love you, Madame Javert."

"And the child? What if it isn't yours?"

"Even if the child wasn't made from our love, it is still part of you and therefore it is part of me. I will love it like my own."

"What will others say, Henri? Your reputation-"

"I don't give a damn about my reputation. Let those ignorant fools believe what they want. The most important things on this Earth to me are you and our child. No one else, Eponine. No one."