A/N: Hi everyone! I know it's been awhile but I've been busy with my costume design job and with my other job as well. I just wrote this when I was on the subway last night since it was the only moment I had to do it. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the follows and reviews! Please R/R!
"Please have a seat and he'll be right with you," a maid told Eponine and her parents leading them to the empty living room. They all sat on the sofa with Eponine in the middle. Neither of them was saying anything to each other and the only sound in the room was the grandfather clock ticking back and forward. Eponine could hear her heart beating a mile a minute. She still didn't know what they were doing here and was trying to stay quiet. Trying to do what her parents said when they told her to let them do all the talking. What was there to talk about though? Why had they insisted on seeing Marius' grandfather? They might give the poor old man a heart attack. She was perfectly fine with him not knowing since she was sure Marius hadn't said a word. A few minutes later Mr. Pontmercy entered the room. Eponine had never seen him before but she had seen some pictures around the house so she knew who he was. She was the only one who stood up when she saw him. Her parents weren't exactly respectful of anyone and it was pretty embarrassing. After everyone was introduced to one another, Mr. Pontmercy sat down in the chair across from the sofa and then asked "What can I do for you people?"
"We have a very serious situation, Mr. Pontmercy. You see our precious little Eponine is pregnant," her father said sadly then put his arm around her shoulder for emphasis. The whole display made her want to throw up even more than she did when she woke up in the mornings. Plus did he just say "precious?" When did he ever use the word precious? It suddenly hit Eponine why they were there. They wanted money. How could she be so stupid? No wonder they were acting like she had done a great thing and treating her so well. She was disgusted that they were using her like this.
"Okay so what does that have to do with me?" Mr. Pontmercy said but not in a rude way. He was clearly confused.
"Your grandson Marius seduced our little girl and now she's in trouble." Her mom said and was actually crying. Oh brother! Eponine thought. Okay so Marius wasn't innocent but he didn't exactly seduce her. She wanted it as much as he did. More like he used her and then ran when he learned she was pregnant. She hated how her parents were acting like she was a naïve school girl who didn't know what she was doing.
"I'm sorry but I don't think that's possible. Marius is dating a girl named Cosette not your daughter." The older man said and shook his head.
"It's very possible and it happened. Now we just need help doing something about it. We can't afford to take care of a child without some help and it's too late for an abortion," her mom said. What? No, it wasn't! Her mom was right at the doctor with her when he said she was only six weeks along. Plus she knew whatever money they were going to get, she wouldn't see any of it.
"Hold on one second. I'll get to the bottom of this," Mr. Pontmercy said then asked the maid to come in and then told her to tell Marius to come down to the living room. Eponine didn't even know if he was here or not and she certainly didn't want to face him. After the longest minute ever, Marius entered the room. His face was full of fear when he noticed Eponine and her parents sitting there. She immediately turned her head away. She couldn't look in his eyes right now.
"Marius, have a seat son." Mr. Pontmercy said and Marius sat in the chair next to him. She felt his eyes on her and looked at him. She couldn't tell what he was thinking right now and she didn't even want to think about it. When all of this was over, he would think that she was behind this as well.
"Marius, this is Mr. and Mrs. Thenardier and I believe you know their daughter Eponine. They say that she's pregnant and it's yours. Is that true?" He had gotten right to the point about it.
"It's possible, yes." He said then looked down. What the hell did he mean possible? She was about to say it outloud when her father spoke up instead. "It's not just possible. It's the truth. My Eponine says you were the only guy she was with and I believe her. She doesn't sleep with just anyone. I don't know what you told her to get her to have sex with you but she did it and now she's in trouble and really scared about it." Eponine wanted to scream. Why was he acting like she was so pathetic? Plus just the other day he had accused her of taking money for sex. His whole concerned father routine was so sickening and laughable at the same time. She was trying to stay quiet because she knew that if she didn't he would make her regret it.
"Fine so maybe it is the truth but I tried to take care of it but she turned me down and also took my money." He said to her father and then turned to her and said "Did you tell them that part Eponine since you have obviously made yourself into some sort of victim now."
"Yes Marius they know that part," she snapped at him.
"Just be quiet dear," Her mother whispered to her.
"We had to use that money for our Eponine's doctor appointments and prenatal vitamins. She never wanted an abortion," her dad said. At least he was half right, she thought. Her doctor's appointment and prenatal vitamins were free or paid for with everyone's taxes as Lauren liked to put it, and it was true she didn't want an abortion but that was just a lucky guess on his part.
"Okay so what is it exactly you want me to do now?" Mr. Pontmercy said finally speaking up.
"We want you to give us the money to take care of the baby. However you want to do it is fine with us. You can pay us a lot upfront or just give us money monthly. Just tell me how much you are willing to give." Her dad said forgetting about the act for the moment.
"Oh you're not getting anything right now. Mr. Thenardier." He said sternly.
"What do you mean? Your grandson is responsible for my Eponine being in trouble so I think we are owed something for that."
"That's just it. I don't know if he is responsible or not. No offense to your daughter but I think my grandson might have a point. Plus your reputation around town isn't exactly flattering. How do I know you aren't just trying to scam me out of money? Until the baby is born and there is a paternity test proving Marius is the father you aren't getting a dime from me. Now I suggest you leave until then." Her dad stood up and walked over to him. Eponine hoped he wasn't going to do anything stupid now. It wasn't above him to hit someone for not giving him exactly what he wanted.
"This isn't over yet," he said and then told Eponine and her mom that it was time to go. They walked out silently but once they got outside the door they started arguing about whose fault it was that things didn't go as planned. She didn't like that Marius and his grandfather tried to say it wasn't his but she was glad that her parents' plan didn't work. She knew they were expecting to walk away with a huge check.
"I forgot my purse," she said out loud realizing she didn't have it. She didn't say another word and turned back toward the house. She didn't bother ringing the door and just walked in. From the foyer she heard Mr. Pontmercy yelling at Marius. "Do you have any idea what you've done?! I have no doubt that girl is telling the truth! I know because some of the servants told me that they have seen her here. Of all the people to get involved with you chose a girl who is related to those people!"
Marius was saying something but she couldn't hear him at all. A moment later she heard Mr. Pontmercy continue. "You're such a disgrace Marius. Your father would have been so ashamed of you if he were still alive!" She heard footsteps and hid behind the coat rack as she watched Mr. Pontmercy exit the room and walk up the stairs. She walked into the room when she made sure he was out of view. She saw Marius sitting down with his head in his hands. For a moment she actually felt sorry for him. He looked up at her and gave her a dirty look then asked "What are you still doing here?"
"I just forgot my purse," she said then picked the bag up from the floor then turned to leave.
"I hope you're happy now." he said as she was walking. She stopped and turned to him.
"No Marius I'm not happy about any of this but I'm not the one who was acting like a jerk about it."
"Just leave Eponine," he said then put his head back in his hands. She turned to leave and tried not to feel bad for the guy who she knew had used her.