Friday morning and Grantaire, Charla, and Eponine found themselves across town at Flowers from the Lane, the florist shop that was doing their wedding. Grantaire had been careful not to look Eponine in the eye, or talk to her, and the woman had noticed. There was a slight furrow between her brows, and she kept looking like she had something she wanted to say. However, Charla talked enough for the three of them, monopolizing the conversation. She chatted, making sure to ask Eponine about Gavroche and asking Grantaire about his art.

"What are you doing?" asked Grantaire when they had had a second alone.

"Helping." Charla replied. "Oh and babe?"

"What?"

"Don't say too much at the florist's. I would hate for you to embarrass us in front of him. I want everything to be perfect. Understand?"

Grantaire nodded, and that had been all there was to it.

In the shop they were greeted by Alexander Lane, the owner of the shop.

"Miss de La Roche! What a pleasure," the man greeted. "I am so glad you chose my shop over the other one in town."

"As if we would have our wedding done by a shop called Bicycle," laughed Charla. Eponine looked cagey; Grantaire was just silent. "So you must be Mr. Lane. I believe I talked to your assistant on the phone."

"Ah yest, that would have been Priscilla. She has started a look book for you to begin looking at so you can choose your flowers. She told me your color scheme is yellow and white?"

"Yes."

"A lovely choice for a summer wedding," complimented the proprietor. "Come this way. There is tea and coffee waiting for us in my office."

The three of them were led to the back of the store, where there was a beautiful office with big glass windows. There was a large desk, and beside it a sideboard with food. On the walls were some abstract watercolors which vaguely resembled flowers. Across the room was a round conference table, and at a smaller desk sat a small young woman with bright red hair. Grantaire assumed that this was Priscilla.

"Good morning," She greeted them, before showing them to where there were refreshments. "Compliments of the company, of course."

After grabbing some drinks the five of them were seated at the large conference table in the office. Priscilla brought over a notepad and a binder, handing the second thing to her boss.

"This is the look book we have compiled. Within the first tab are some already made arrangements and bouquets which we think would suit your wedding. The second tab is for the chapel arrangements if you choose to have them. The third is for your reception, the fourth is for boutonnieres. If you are looking for something a bit more unique and personalized, the fifth tab shows different sorts of flowers so that you can create your own arrangements. And finally the sixth tab contains order forms."

Charla nodded delighted and began to page through the book. It became clear early on that she wanted an original arrangement, so she began to concentrate her attentions on the fifth section.

"Dahlias are a must," muttered Charla. Priscilla jotted it down.

"Accacia would be a lovely addition," suggested Alexander Lane.

"Mm, alright. I was also thinking seeded eucalyptus," Charla said pointing to their picture. Priscilla looked to her boss. Lane nodded.

"A beautiful selection," he agreed. Priscilla noted it on her pad of paper.

"Pincushion protea, ranculus, a touch of daffodils, anemones, sweetpeas, star of Bethlehem, jasmine, leucadendron, kangaroo paws, and pieris Japonica," announced Charla.

Alexander Lane looked impressed. "A woman who knows what she wants. You are a very lucky man."

Grantaire blushed. "She's always known what she wants."

Eponine was frowning. "And craspedia. They'd be perfect for the boutonnieres and would look beautiful in a yellow bouquet."

"Ah, your maid of honor is quite a young woman," Alexander Lane said looking at Eponine with a new gleam in his eye. "Craspedia would be a wonderful addition. Where have you heard of them?"

"My friend is a florist," muttered Eponine quietly.

Charla smiled. "Alright, Eponine. I'll take your word for it. Now help me design my bridesmaids' bouquets."

Charla, Priscilla, and Alexander Lane did most of the chatting. They agreed that the bridesmaids' bouquets should be smaller, and more white than yellow. Eponine helped by pointing out different flowers to use for the boutonniere, and what they should do for the reception table centerpieces. This left Grantaire to his own devices. It wasn't that he didn't have opinions, but Charla had been right. He knew very little about flowers. He had no clue which flowers would smell nice together, or which ones would over power which. He didn't really understand how to pick a variety of sizes and make it look appealing, or really the difference between the table arrangements and the bouquets. He wished his mother had come, she would have been brilliant at this. She would have loved it too, but it was clear that Charla did not want her. And that broke Grantaire's heart a bit.

Once they were through at the florists they headed off to a cake tasting.

"The Musain is making our cake?" Grantaire asked with surprise as he stepped out of their car.

Charla laughed. "Of course honey. Everyone here says they make the best baked goods, isn't that right Eponine?"

Eponine nodded slowly. "That's right."

Charla smiled. "Besides I believe someone's mother was raving about their pound cake, were they not?"

"Yes. Of course, Charla." Grantaire said tiredly. He didn't know why he even bothered.

Charla led the trio into the shop. On the door was a sign which said "Closed for Private Event". They entered to find several tables pushed together with a table cloth across them to create one long table. There were three places set, with a variety of cakes.

"Good morning! My name is Cosette and I will be helping you today," Cosette greeted the party cheerily.

Charla looked at the table and smiled. "This is a beautiful set up, Cosette. Tell me, are you the one who bakes the cakes?"

Cosette blushed. "Oh no. That's Marius. He's a genius when it comes to stuff like that."

"And who does the decorating?"

"He does, but I help when I can," Cosette replied.

"Well," Charla said, "these look delicious. Shall we?"

The party all sat down, Cosette taking her place across from them with a notebook. "Let's start on the left, shall we? Here we have a pink champagne cake with a vanilla butter cream frosting."

Eponine, Charla, and Grantaire all took a bite of the cake. Charla looked thoughtful as she said, "this is delicious, compliments to the chef, however I don't think we want a pink cake for our wedding."

Eponine nodded. "It would be a little strange."

Cosette noted this down. "Not a problem. Next we have vanilla pound cake with fondant and sugar flowers which we can customize to match your bouquet."

They tasted the pound cake.

"It's very rich," commented Eponine reaching for her glass of water.

"A bit too heavy," Charla said.

Grantaire was silent.

"Alright. Never fear, we'll find the perfect cake!" Cosette said cheerily. "This next one is a lemon cake with lemon buttercream."

They each took a bite. The cake was light and fluffy with a slight tang to it. It melted on the tongue, and tasted like summer.

"This is it," Charla announced.

"It's perfect," Eponine said awed.

"R?" asked Charla. "What do you think babe?"

"I love it," Grantaire said smiling at first Charla then Cosette. "Tell Marius that he has a gift."

Cosette blushed again. "I will. Okay, wow. So let's talk about what you want this cake to look like. Do you know how many guests will be attending?"

"We'll be having 200 guests." Charla said. They had finalized their lists yesterday after hours of debate and cutting. Neither one was a hundred percent happy, compromises had been made, but they were satisfied with the end result.

Cosette whistled. "Alright then. I'm thinking you'll probably need a 5 layer cake with a diameter of 14 inches. Each circle would be two inches smaller all the way up."

Charla nodded. "Do you have a diagram?"

Cosette nodded. "Yep, right here."

The young woman passed them a laminated diagram.

"I like it. Very traditional." Charla said. "But I was hoping that for the decorations we could make it a bit more...I don't know… sophisticated."

"That's very doable miss," Cosette said. She pulled out a binder. "Here are some options. They are divided by color if that helps."

Charla paged through the binder and made comments to Eponine. Cosette watched Grantaire carefully. He seemed so bored, so removed from the process, that she felt bad for him. She had been a part of many consultations, and almost always the groom was as enthusiastic as the bride. She wondered what was really going on.

In the end, Charla and Grantaire ordered a five layer lemon cake with buttercream icing. It was going to be covered in minimalistic scrolling and a few tastefully placed flowers. As they were getting their things together, Cosette said, "Eponine, can I talk to you?"

Eponine nodded. "You guys can leave without me. I can walk home."

"Are you sure?" Grantaire asked.

Eponine smiled. "Course I am. Don't be dumb. Go, I'll see you soon."

Charla dragged Grantaire away, leaving the two women alone. Eponine's smile fell.

"Look, I know we haven't always gotten along," began Cosette nervously. "But I want to ask, what's going on between those two?"

"That's not really your business," Eponine said tightly.

"Something isn't right. Don't tell me you haven't seen it." Cosette frowned.

Eponine sighed, her shoulders dropping. "Really, Cosette. Do you have to stick your nose into everything?"

Cosette sighed before confessing, "I'm worried about Enjolras. That's all."

"Enjolras?" Of all the reasons Eponine had been expecting, Enjolras had not been near the top of the list. To say she was shocked would be an understatement.

"He's still got feelings for him, Ponine." Cosette said. "I thought that if I did this consultation I could tell Enj that Grantaire is really happy and that this wedding was going to be a good thing. But now I'm not so sure."

"Enj still has feelings for R? Are you fucking kidding me?" Eponine nearly snarled. "That man broke my best friend's heart. Senior year was miserable because of that guy."

"I don't know anything about that," Cosette said. "I just know that Charla and Grantaire aren't happy together. I can see it."

Eponine dropped her defensive stance immediately. "Is it really that obvious?"

"Yes. They should go see my father."

"The beekeeper?" sneered Eponine.

"'Ponine, you know he's more than that." Cosette reprimanded softly.

Eponine sighed. "I'm sorry, Cosette. I just can't stand pretending anymore. I hate Charla. I hate her friends. I just want R to be happy."

Cosette placed her hand on Eponine's arm. "Come to the meeting tonight? Talk to Enjolras. Maybe you'll see he's not such a bad guy."

Eponine snorted. Cosette raised a brow and Eponine replied. "You're right. I'll come."

Cosette smiled, she pulled Eponine into a hug. "Oh I've missed you!"

"I've missed you too." Eponine said quietly. "Course I liked you better as a brunette."

Cosette laughed slapping her friend lightly on the arm. "I thought being a blonde would be more fun...but I kinda miss my original hair color too."

"Glad you got a job here," Eponine said pulling away. "Glad you got a job anywhere but the B&B to be honest."

Cosette smiled grimly. She remembered her time working for the Thenardiers. It was an awful experience, and the only good thing to come of it was her friendship with Eponine. "I don't know how you and Gav turned out to be such good people. Your parents are monstrous."

Eponine shrugged. "We had good friends. I'm lucky that Bahorel and Grantaire befriended me. R's mother was more of a mother to me than my own. I just wish Azelma would get out."

Cosette nodded. The middle Thenardier had decided to stay with her parents at the B&B and was working as a maid. Although it was a miserable, thankless job, her parents spoiled her, ensuring that she stayed.

Eponine walked home contemplating everything that had happened this morning. Charla had appeared perfectly civil, asking into Gavroche's education and even Eponine's own life. However it was clear that there was something off between her and Grantaire. R had been curiously silent throughout the whole process. There was no doubt that she was worried for her best friend. Not only that but hearing that Enjolras still has feelings for R made her suspicious. She intended to find out what was going on, come hell or high water.

That evening Eponine went to her first meeting since high school. Trotting along at her side was Gavroche. The brunette hated leaving her brother home alone, especially on a Friday night, and she figured Gav could just do something to entertain himself quietly in the corner. They made it to the Musain at the same time as the others were just getting settled.

"Miss Eponine?" Feuilly sounded surprised. "I've never seen you here before."

"Reconnaissance," Eponine replied.

Feuilly nodded, clearly still confused.

"Eponine Thenardier? Is that really you?" boomed a voice from across the cafe.

Eponine turned just in time to receive Bahorel's shoulder to her face as the man pulled her into a bear hug. "Baz, off." She grumbled into his clavicle.

He laughed. "Didn't think I would be seeing you at another one of these meetings."

"I could say the same to you. Why are you here? I thought you hated these guys as much as I did." Eponine said raising a brow.

Bahorel blushed. "I've grown up."

"The hell does that mean?"

"Eponine?"

Eponine turned to see Combeferre and Marius. It was the former who had spoken. "Do you guys mind if I sit in on a meeting? For old times' sake?"

Combeferre shook his head. "Not at all...although truth be told these meetings have been a bit unfocused lately."

Marius nodded. "There's been a lot more of group discussions, less speeches."

"Okay. Is Cosette here yet?"

"Ep!" the blonde came racing over. "I'm glad you came! Come sit with Jehan and me."

Eponine found herself being pulled over to where Jehan and Cosette had been sitting.

"Eponine." Jehan greeted.

"Jean."

"Please, you can still call me Jehan. I know it's been awhile." Jehan said earnestly.

"Is Enjolras here?"

Jehan shook his head. "It's unlike him to be late."

Eponine sighed, leaning back into her chair. She watched as Feuilly introduced Gavroche to Bahorel...she really hadn't expected to see the other here. She also hadn't expected to be so warmly welcomed back. She was about to comment on their generosity when the door opened, and an unexpected face appeared.

"Montparnasse?" Jehan and Eponine said simultaneously.

In response to his name being called out the young man sidled his way to their table. "Didn't expect to see you here, 'Ponine."

"Likewise." Eponine said thinly.

"I don't believe we've had the chance to meet," Montparnasse said turning to Cosette.

"No, we haven't. I'm Cosette." She held out her hand to shake his. Instead he turned it over and kissed her palm, all the while maintaining eye contact with her.

"Enchante, mademoiselle." He said softly.

"Marius looks like he's going to hit something," Eponine commented lazily. "Would hate for it to be your pretty face."

Montparnasse dropped Cosettes's hand with a chuckle.

"Seriously, Montparnasse, why are you here?" asked Jehan again.

"Looking for a friend," Montparnasse said with a wink.

Behind them the door opened and in trudged Enjolras. He seemed to be favoring his right side slightly, creating a subtle limp. There were dark shadows under his eyes and his hair looked unwashed. Immediately Courfeyrac and Combeferre came to his side and began asking questions.

"What's happened to you?" Combeferre asked.

"Haven't been sleeping much."

"And the limp?" hissed out Courfeyrac.

"Too much sex," replied Enjolras. Truth be told his whole body was sore and aching. Felix had kept him up all last night and this morning too. He had been late to his first shift, and was exhausted by his second.

Combeferre and Courfeyrac looked at one another. "You've got to stop seeing this man, Enjolras. This isn't healthy."

Enjolras shrugged.

"What are your plans for after this meeting?" asked Combeferre.

"We're going out. He wants to treat me to something nice," Enjolras repeated Felix's words.

"And then?"

"Then we'll probably go back to his and have sex," Enjolras replied.

Combeferre and Courfeyrac shared that look again. The latter asked, "is that what you want?"

Enjolras shrugged. It had stopped being about what he wanted. If he needed Felix to stay; he couldn't ask for more. The other had made that very clear. "We should start this meeting."

As the words left his mouth Enjolras swayed a bit. Black spots danced in his vision, and Enjolras realized he hadn't eaten much all day.

"Sit down," ordered Combeferre kindly. "I'm taking over for tonight."

Enjolras gratefully sat down when he noticed that Montparnasse was watching him. And behind him sat Eponine Thenardier. This meeting was certainly going to be interesting.

Combeferre led the meeting, true to his word. He went over last meetings minutes and took suggestions for their next event. The whole meeting was very subdued as if sensing the tiredness of its leader. Even the very eager participation from Gavroche couldn't rouse people's spirits. By the end of the meeting, Gavroche was talking excitedly with Marius about all the new things he had learned. The older man remembered felling much the same after his first meeting. Gavroche also held the attentions of Feuilly and Bahorel who were highly entertained by the teenager's antics.

At the same time, Montparnasse and Enjolras had gone to talk in the kitchens. No one knew how those two knew each other, or what they were talking about. However they respected Enjolras, which meant they respected his privacy too.

Cosette had gotten up and gone to talk to Courfeyrac, leaving Eponine alone with Jehan.

"So tell me, what are Enjolras' feelings toward R?" Eponine asked bluntly.

"What?"

"I was told Enjolras still is in love," Eponine continued.

Jehan frowned. "Look Eponine, don't go unearthing the past."

"I need to know his intentions."

"I don't think you do." Jehan said more forcefully.

"I came here to see if he changed from that dick he was in high school, but all he did was sit lifelessly in the corner. I want to know, Jehan. He broke my best friend's heart, and now claims to still be in love? Who the fuck does that?"

"I think you should go." Jehan sighed.

"Tell her." Came a quite voice behind them. They turned to see Enjolras back from the kitchen. Montparnasse had vanished.

Jehan looked at the circles under Enjolras' eyes, the careful way the other man held himself as if he were about to shatter, the pallor of his skin...which was much too pale...he took in all the hurt of Enjolras and felt it in his heart. Mournfully, almost regretfully, he replied, "no. It's your story. Tell it."

Enjolras sat down, or maybe he collasped into the chair, it was a little hard to tell.

"You want to know how I feel about Grantaire?" he asked.

Eponine shook her head resolutely. She wouldn't allow this man's current pitifulness sway her.

"I wrote that email to Grantaire because I didn't think I could get those words out in person," confessed Enjolras. "I've never been a good actor, and I knew that if I told those things to his face and watched him cry… I just couldn't take it. So I wrote an email."

"You bastard."

"That's not all of it," Bahorel said coming up to the table. "You need to tell her the whole truth. She deserves to know."

Enjolras continued. "I was in love with Grantaire. And he was in love with me. But he refused to apply to a school in New York because it was too far away from DC. He was willing to go to a second rate school instead of pursuing his passion for art. I couldn't let him do that. Not for me. So I lied. I told him we were through and I didn't want to be with him anymore. If it got him to apply to a New York school, I could bear his hatred for me."

Eponine's heart broke. "And now? You said you were in love, what about now?"

"I never stopped being in love with Grantaire." Enjolras affirmed.

"You need to tell him all this." Eponine said.

"No. I won't ruin his marriage."

"Please-"

"It's too late, Eponine. He's moved on. And I should have too." Enjolras said. "We can't relive the past...didn't Gatsby teach us that?"

Eponine watched as Enjolras tried to stand up. "Wait," she grabbed his wrist. "Who else knows?"

"That I have feelings towards R? Or about the email?"

"The truth about the email," clarified Eponine.

"Combeferre, Courfeyrac, Jehan, Bahorel, Bianca and Grantaire's Parents," replied Enjolras pulling away.

"Your mother doesn't know?"

"No."

"But why?"

"She loved Grantaire, she loved us together...she would never have understood why-"

"She'd understand, Enjolras."

"No I-"

"She's your mother. She loves you."

Enjolras sunk back into his chair, crying.

"Alright, Enj. I'm taking you back home." Bahorel said, lifting the other man easily. "Ep. We'll talk about all this at some point. I know it's a lot to process."

Eponine nodded silently.

Enjolras clawed weakly at Bahorel. "I've got a date."

"Not tonight. You need a night in." Courfeyrac said coming over as well. "Come on, Bahorel. I'll give you a ride."

Once they got Enjolras in bed, they called up Jeanne.

"Hello?" the older woman said tiredly.

"Hi, Jeanne. It's Courfeyrac."

"Is everything okay?"

"Not really. Enjolras has been suffering a lot, emotionally speaking that is. I think he really needs to hear from you. I know this isn't an ideal time-"

"Put him on." She no longer sounded tired or sick, instead she sounded like her fierce old self. "Enj?"

"Maman?" Enjolras asked softly. "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," soothed his mother.

"I've neglected you," sobbed Enjolras. "I haven't been by and-"

"Hush. That's not important right now. You've been working too hard, mon ange. You need rest too." Jeanne said.

"No I've got-"

"Shh, sweetheart. Everything will be alright. You can tell me about it when you come see me. As for right now, you need sleep." Jeanne began to hum softly. It was a song she had used as a lullaby when he was little, and immediately Enjolras began to relax. Jeanne continued to sing softly as Enjolras curled up under his covers.

In the kitchen Courfeyrac was making some coffee for him and Bahorel. The other man had decided to stay until Enjolras was settled. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Courfeyrac opened it to reveal an older man, wearing a fine gray suit over a black button down. His smile dropped when he saw Courfeyrac, transforming into a cool nonchalance.

"I'm looking for Enjolras. I was supposed to meet him after some little meeting at that cafe of his. We have a date."

"You must be Felix," Courfeyrac said slowly.

"Yes." Felix smirked. "Is he in?"

"He needs a night off, Felix." Courfeyrac said. Looming behind him was Bahorel, who was glaring at the older man.

"This is a longstanding reservation," Felix protested politely.

"He was swaying on his feet," Courfeyrac replied angrily. "Between his three jobs and you he has barely been eating, and has hardly been sleeping! He's past the point of sanity. He's exhausted, and needs a night in."

Felix frowned, his facade dropping. "Fine. But I should be in there with him. I am his boyfriend."

Bahorel's frown deepened. "Just give the boy a night in with his friends. That really isn't too hard, now is it, Senator."

Felix backed up a step.

"Oh I know all about you." Bahorel said stepping into Felix's space. "How would your wife like it if she found out you were sleeping with a man."

"She knows all about my tastes," Felix shot back.

"Does the press?"

Felix clenched his teeth.

"Enj is spending the night with us. Now get out unless you want a black eye, Senator," Bahorel continued calmly. The man turned and ran.

Courfeyrac let out a low whistle. "I'm shocked you knew all that about him."

"I look out for my friends. Now let's continue our coffee."

The two men entered the apartment. They found Enjolras asleep, his mother still singing to him while she could.

Thanks for the support. Update next weekend. Please leave a comment if you are so inclined. Inspiration for Charla's bouquet: 269172/yellow-wedding-bouquets#311510

~T.W.o.W.