Lauren says: Hi! I'm back, guys! Yes, I know it's late but I didn't promise or anything. So yeah. I would like to thank those who added this story on their favorites and alerts list and those who reviewed, Freedom909, Alex-samsprout, Break This Spell666, and especially to Lesmizmaniac for pointing out that I got the wrong accent on Éponine's name. I apologize but I corrected it now. Thank you for pointing it out. This chapter is the longest I've done, I believe. So yeah, enjoy! And please read the note on the end of the story. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Les Misèrables or any of its characters. I also do not own any of the songs mentioned or sung here.

Chapter 6

Their winter break officially starts today so every one of the Amis is in the Cafe Musain. Even Éponine is there for Monsieur Thenardier is on a one week business trip. They are all savoring their vacation and relaxing. Grantaire's been drinking with Bahorel since noon; Jehan's writing to his heart's content; Courfeyrac is admiring every beautiful woman who comes in; Combeferre, Enjolras, and Joly are in a heated debate; and Feuilly's been teaching Éponine and Bossuet to make fans, to which the latter's failing miserably.

Enjolras, after really knowing Éponine, became a bit closer to her (even though he would deny it everytime someone dares to point it out). The two can sometimes be found talking in the Musain, either discussing books they've read or, if there are fewer people, the children Éponine's helping. Enjolras is suggesting for the Amis support Éponine in helping the children but of course she's too stubborn and keeps saying she can help them on her own. Besides, she doesn't want the others to know about it because she's gonna have to explain everything to them in the process.

The next day, Éponine decided to introduce her siblings to the Amis. She woke the two up early and told their staff that they're having breakfast somewhere else. Azelma's almost bouncing on the backseat with excitement as they left their house while Gavroche, although he looks excited too outside, is really very nervous. Éponine doesn't know he's sneaking out like her and that the Amis knows him, and that he left his phone, his last hope of calling any of the guys about the situation, just doubled his panic. The only thought in his mind now is 'Éponine cannot know'. So he did the only idea he could think of to save him.

"Hi everyone! I'm Gavroche Thenardier, Éponine's brother!" He shouted as they approached the Amis. "You can call me Gav." He shook each of their hands while giving them all a pleading look not to reveal him to his sister. Enjolras raised an eyebrow at him and Gavroche almost panicked. But then Enjolras said, "Nice to finally meet you, Gavroche." The rest of the guys caught on their leader's act and followed suit. Azelma shyed away behind her sister. Of all the guys, Grantaire, despite being very drunk, was the one to notice her.

"Good morning, Nina." He took her hand and gently kissed it before turning to the younger Thenardier. "And to you, mademoiselle " He said before doing the same.

"G-good morning, monsieur." She greeted back nervously. Éponine flicked Grantaire on the forehead.

"Stop scaring my sister, 'Taire. Everyone this is my sister, Azelma." They all went up and introduced themselves. Combeferre, Enjolras, and Bossuet all shook her hand and smiled politely; Joly refused to hold her hand in fear of germs; Courfeyrac, Feuilly, Bahorel, and Jehan all followed Grantaire's example except Jehan made an on the spot poem about Azelma making the said girl blush beet red.

After introductions, they all settled down while Combeferre and Courfeyrac got the siblings their preferred drinks. They all chatted away happily, their topic revolving mostly at the two new members of the group. Marius and Cosette came a little after lunch and Marius had to be introduced to the two. They continued in what they're doing until six when Éponine remembered it's Wednesday, she needs to go to the children's house and that she has a performance.

She whispered it to the two and she could see the sadness in their eyes for leaving so she said that they'd just go back tomorrow.

"We're leaving guys!" She announced and Courfeyrac groaned.

"Éppy... Why? It's winter break! We're allowed to do whatever we want." He reasoned, pouting.

"It's alright, Courf. 'Ponine says we'll come back tomorrow." Gavroche said. Courfeyrac ruffled his hair.

"Well, we'll be seeing you tomorrow Gav. You too, 'Zelma." He ruffled her hair too causing her to laugh. The rest said their goodbyes to the two. Éponine sighed loudly.

"I bring my siblings here and you all forget about me." She said with obviously fake sadness. They all laughed and bid goodbye to Éponine too, Courfeyrac, Jehan, and Grantaire even kissed her on the cheek to make it up to her.

After ten minutes, the siblings finally got to left the café and went to the children's house. Gavroche was smiling all the way there because he was safe. When they arrived, the children greeted the siblings enthusiastically. Gavroche immediately went to hang out and play with the kids while Azelma started talking with Musichetta. Éponine sat on one of the bean bags with some of the other kids. Lucie then went to her and sat on her lap before started babbling on about her day. Then her phone suddenly vibrated. Her eyebrows raised when she saw who the sender was.

You do know that we already know Gav, right? -E

She smiled. Yes, she did know that Gavroche sneaks out just like her. She knew of his trips to the city and sometimes to the other side of Paris. She just let her brother experience freedom like she does, because let's face it, the two of them hated to be caged in a house unlike Azelma.

Yes, I do. -É

How? -E

He knew you guys before I even pointed where you are. He also tends to nail bite when nervous. :) -É

You're alright with that? -E

Of course! I would be an evil hypocrite if I reprimand him for that. -É

"Ms. Nina? Who are you texting?" Lucie asked.

"My friend." Éponine answered without looking up from her phone.

"Is your friend a boy?"

"Yes, Lucie."

"Is he your boyfriend?" That question effectively got Éponine's attention.

"Of course not!" She said a bit louder making Lucie raise a delicate eyebrow and smirk.

"Then why are you acting like that?"

"Like what?"

"You were smiling while texting and just a while ago, you were so defensive. Do you like him Ms. Nina?" Lucie is now grinning from ear to ear. Éponine sighed.

"I don't like him." She replied.

"Oh... You love him?" Éponine's jaw almost dropped.

"Okay, where have you been hearing that kind of things, missy? You're just six." The little girl just giggled and Éponine could just roll her eyes.

"Dinner's ready!" Musichetta yelled from the kitchen and the scrambling of feet could be heard. The kids in the living room went to the kitchen in a much orderly fashion, partly because they are nearer and the other because Éponine is with them. They all ate happily while Éponine just had one serving before staring at the children lovingly. After dinner, they all just had the right amount of time to bond with each other before the siblings had to go for Éponine's performance. They said their farewells to the children before going to the park.

"Are there really a lot of people watching you there, 'Ponine? You'll perform with 'Parnasse's band tonight right?" Azelma's excitement was nothing compared to this morning, she was practically shaking the now very irritated Gavroche, making Éponine chuckle.

"Yes and yes 'Zelma." She answered while Gavroche yelled, "Make her stop, 'Ponine!" making Éponine just laugh more. She parked the car on her usual parking spot. Éponine put on a grey jacket and tied her hair in a high ponytail before going out. She pulled a guitar case from the back of the car and motioned for her siblings to follow her. Together they made their way to Éponine's spot, near the fountain in the middle of the park, where there's already a drum set, two electic guitars, keyboards, and all sets of equipment.

"Éponine!"She heard someone shriek before someone jumped on her back. The two girls ended up sprawled on the ground and thankfully, Azelma was the one holding her guitar or it wouldn't be in a better condition than they are.

"What the hell, Inès."Éponine looked at Inès who stood up and offered her hand for Éponine. She accepted her help and brushed the dirt from her jeans.

"Sorry 'bout that. I'm just excited to see you and all." Inès scratched the back of her head sheepishly.

"It's alright. Oh Inès, these are my siblings Azelma and Gavroche." Éponine gestured to the two who are looking at them with wide eyes. It's not everyday you see you're sister being tackled by someone smaller than her. Inès is a petite, red-haired girl with emerald-green eyes. She is a year younger than Éponine and they have the same fiery attitude. They met when she spilled coffee on Éponine's papers that are due the next day. They created a commotion outside the Musain but after they settled it out with a very long argument, they eventually sorted out the problem and kept in touch ever since.

"Hey I know you! You're that strict librarian at our school!" Gavroche exclaimed. "You two know each other?"

Inès laughed."You're that kid who can't keep his mouth shut."

But before Gavroche could protest Montparnasse called for the two. Inès rushed to him, tackling him like she did earlier with Éponine while the siblings approached the band more calmly.

"Well, hello there 'Zelma and Gav, nice of you to finally join us here." Montparnasse greeted the two and ruffled their hair with Inès still on his back. "Hi to you too, 'Ponine."

The brunette just smirked in response before calling the two other members of the band. Two guys approached them and immediately slung their arms around Éponine's shoulders. One has a very messy dirty-blonde hair and green eyes while the other has dark brown hair that defies gravity, brown eyes, and the most captivating smile. Éponine pried their arms off her shoulders before introducing them.

"Pierre, Eugène, meet my siblings Azelma and Gavroche. 'Zelma and Gav, the blonde here is Pierre, the goofy-looking one is Eugène They're both in the band, believe it or not."

"That's got to be the worst introduction ever, 'Ponine." Pierre frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I agree, and I certainly don't look goofy." Eugène added and imitated Pierre's action.

Éponine just rolled her eyes and got her guitar from Azelma to set it up. After that, she checked her watch and saw that they still have 15 minutes and the crowd is barely forming. She went to sit with the band and her siblings on the edge of the fountain.

"I play keyboards and violin, Eugène here plays lead guitar and backup vocals, 'Parnasse is on bass guitar and backup vocals, Inès is our badass drummer, and your sister here is on rhythm guitar and lead vocals. But if she's not available, 'Parnasse takes over the lead vocals and I on rhythm guitar. So yeah, I'm basically the most flexible." He earned a hit in the head from Inès because of the last statement. The rest just laughed at him.

"But I'm basically the most flexible since I taught you all." The members of the band smiled at Montparnasse, the one who made this all possible with his patience and determination.

"Well, hate to break this chat guys, but our audience are starting to arrive." Éponine said standing up. They all got in their positions, Azelma and Gavroche went with the crowd to watch the performance.

"Good evening!"

The performance of the band was very lively and the crowd absolutely enjoyed it very much. Each song they performed totally rocked and called more people to watch than the usual. Gavroche was very used to this so he wasn't shocked. Azelma, however, was very thrilled and overwhelmed by the huge crowd and the amazing performance of her sister and the band.

Éponine, while in the middle of their last song for the night, noticed a familiar curly blonde hair in the crowd making her grin and finish their song with more energy.

"Thank you! For those who want to help the children's house we have our donation box right here. Join us again on Friday and I'll be singing requested songs from some of you guys. Goodnight!" With that, almost all the people from the crowd went in front to give their donations and meet the band to take pictures. The band thanked all of them for their generous donations.

"That was a very nice performance." Éponine turned and found Enjolras. She grinned.

"You think?" He nodded.

"I didn't know you play guitar."

"Uhh.. Yeah. 'Parnasse taught me." She gestured to Montparnasse who is talking to Pierre.

"Miss?" They both turned and saw a little blonde girl with her mother.

"Oh, hey there." She looked at Enjolras apologetically before kneeling to meet the girl's grey eyes. "What's your name?"

"I'm Maddie." The girl introduced shyly.

"Maddie? Is that short for Madeleine?" The little girl nodded. She looked at her mother who nodded encouragingly. She held an envelope in front of Éponine.

"This is our help for the children, Miss." Éponine took it and embraced the girl gently.

"Thank you so much, Maddie. The kids will appreciate it so much." She let go of her and Maddie mumbled something before hiding behind her mother. Éponine looked at the smiling mother for clarification on what the girl said.

"What Maddie wants to say is that she wants to be like you when you grow up. Right Maddie?" She nodded making Éponine smile.

"Well why didn't you say so? Do you sing?" Maddie came out behind her mother and nodded.

"That's a very good start then. Just keep practicing, and when you have time you can go to the orphanage and ask for me so I can teach you to improve your skills. I'm there every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon. What do you say?"

Maddie turned to her mother. "Can I go, mom?"

"Of course." Éponine stood up.

"That's settled then. See you sometime again, Maddie." Maddie gave a huge toothy smile before her mother told her to go to the car.

"I'm Victorie." Maddie's mother introduced.

"I'm Éponine." She held her hand out to shake but Victorie embraced her instead.

"Thank you very much, Miss Éponine."

"I-it's nothing, Madame." Victorie let go of her and wiped tears away before following Maddie.

"Do you think she's alright?" Éponine asked once she's out of earshot. Enjolras stared at Éponine who shook her head.

"No, she doesn't look alright." Éponine looked at Victorie's retreating figure.

"I'll ask when I see her again." Éponine turned back to Enjolras.

"Where were we again? Oh right. Come on, I'll introduce you to them."

"There's no need, Éponine. I'm heading home anyway. Oh, and here." He took out an envelope from his satchel. "For the children."

"You don't have to do this, 'Ras." She tried to refuse but he was insistent so she accepted it.

"Thank you very much, 'Ras."

"No problem. Goodnight, Éponine."

"Goodnight, 'Ras." He nodded and went on his way. Éponine stared at him until he was out of her sight before going back to the band and her siblings.

"Was that Enjolras? The one who just left?" Gavroche asked as Éponine was helping in packing.

"Enjolras? The blonde one who always speaks of equality?" Montparnasse asked.

"Yeah. That Enjolras. Yes, 'Vroche, that's him you saw a while ago."

"The blonde guy you were talking to? Wow, he's handsome. Are you dating?" Éponine glared at Inès who was packing her drum set on their customized van. She felt Éponine's glare and turned to her.

"What?" Éponine just went back to packing. The boys loaded everything in the van except for Éponine's guitar. Before the band leaves, Éponine gave all of them a hug like every after they perform.

"Thank you for this, guys."

"Awwww... You know we'll always support you, 'Ponine." Eugène hugged her again.

"Well yeah, but it's getting late and we all gotta go for now." Montparnasse said breaking the two up.

"You get Inès safely home, alright?" Éponine told him, smirking.

"Yeah, 'Parnasse. No detours." Pierre nudged Eugène and both bursted to laughter.

"Whatever." Montparnasse mumbled before started to head to his car.

"Hey! You're leaving me?" Inès rushed and rode on his back, again.

"Come on, 'Vroche, 'Zelma. Bye guys!"

Lauren says (again): I said that this story is a short multi-chapter. Like 8-10 chapters. But I had so many ideas that it turned out to be long. Like 10 to 15 chapters long. So we'll be together for a while I guess.

And please ask songs for Éponine to sing on her next performance and include names if you want because you'll be appearing IN THE STORY! Yay! Leave it in a review or PM me.

And if you have ideas or scenes you want to see, throw it at me because I'm feeling writer's block hovering nearby. Again, leave it in a review or PM me.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and please leave a review! They motivate me and fight writer's block. :)