Sorry it's been a while, I'm getting bad at posting these, I'm just unbelievably busy and wanted to give you guys this chapter tonight even though I didn't plan on posting it yet.

Disclaimer: I don't even dream of owing Les Mis

Chapter 13

"Where 'ave you been girl?" Eponine's father shouted.

"None of your business! The question is "Where 'ave you been"?" Eponine said mocking her father's accent, "You left me here to care for Azelma and Gavroche alone! Not that you're taking such great care of them now!"

Her father slapped her, "You don't talk to me that way, they're my kids and I'll take care of them my way!"

"Well take it from one of your kids; I'd rather be on my own."

"I put a roof over your head! I put food in your mouth!"

"You seem to be forgetting, I work day and night. I could easily put a roof over my own head!"

At that point Eponine's father took her by her hair and pulled her down as hard as he could. Eponine fell head first to the ground, narrowly avoiding the table on her way down. As soon as she was down, her father started kicking her, hard in the gut. Eponine knew he was just trying to provoke a response, but she refused to admit she was in pain. Finally, her father grabbed her arm, digging his extremely long fingernails deep into her skin. He pulled her up, looking her in the eyes.

"If you think you could do better than I can, then why don't you leave? For that matter, please do. Get out!"

"I'm not leaving. Not without my siblings. I'm taking Azelma and Gavroche with me."

"Take 'em. I'm done with all of you." Azelma stood up, attempting to lift Gavroche up with her, "Now leave! And don't come back!"

Eponine and Azelma ran out of the apartment, carrying Gavroche between them, behind they the heard the door slam. Eponine wasn't sure where to go. Enjolras's door caught her eye, but Eponine couldn't ask that of him.

Azelma looked at Eponine, "Where are we going to go? What about getting our stuff?"

"I don't know Azelma. Let's just get to the street and try to wake Gav up, what happened to him?"

"Father came in, he was angry about something. Then he turned and hit Gav. I think father hit Gav just hard enough to knock him out."

"What are ya saying about me?" Gavroche started to open his eyes.

"Oh 'roche! You're awake!" Eponine exclaimed, "You see father knocked you out, then he um, kicked us out."

"Happy to be rid of him, where are we going?" he asked as they reached the door.

"We don't know yet," Azelma answered. As they walked down the street, a voice called them from a dark alleyway.

"Eponine! Azelma! Gavroche!" it hissed. Eponine paused, but then recognized the voice of her own mother. She was still reluctant to go, knowing her mother often did her father's bidding, but decided all three of them owed her a final goodbye.

"Mother is that you?" Eponine asked, her siblings trailing behind.

"Oh my darling," Eponine's mother hugged her. It seemed out of the usual, her mama wasn't exactly the most loving mother in the world, "I'm so sorry I have been such a terrible mother. It hadn't hit me till I watched my husband throw my children into the street, but I now see I have failed at raising you."

None of them said anything. Though their mother wasn't abusive like their father, she was still a bully. Seeing her in such a fragile state was odd. Her mother continued speaking.

"Eponine, I need your help. I'm asking you for one final favor. I'm pregnant with another child. I don't want this child to live the same life you three had. Eponine, when my child is born, I want you to take it and raise it as your own son or daughter. You always said you wanted me to have a baby for you to take care of. Now, you are free from your father. I'm not. He would never let me escape, let alone with his child. He doesn't know that I'm with child. I'm five months along, and lucky to not be showing severely enough for him to notice. Will you do this for me Eponine? Save your brother or sister from the life that I had given you?"

Without hesitating, Eponine said, "Yes I will mother."

Azelma stood shocked with her mouth agape, unsure what to do. Gavroche, on the other hand, looked at their mother and said simply, "Aren't you a little old to have a baby?"

"I suppose I am," Their mama said, "Now here's five francs. I know it's not a whole lot, but I hope it will be enough till you are somewhere safe. It's all I have. I will see you soon, stay safe."

And with that, their mother disappeared into the darkness.

"So what are we going to do?" Azelma asked.

"Yeah we don't exactly have anywhere to go," Gavroche added, "Not that I'd mind living on the streets."

"We are not living on the streets you two! Just let me think." They couldn't go to Enjolras. He lived to close to their father, not to mention he didn't have room for them. There was an inn near the Café, but she doubted they would be able to afford it. They didn't have any relatives to go to, they were all in with her father. Then Eponine had an idea. It was really the last place she wanted to go, but it was their only option. She didn't have a choice.

"C'mon guys, I think I have an idea. Follow me."

Plot Twist! So what do you think will happen? I'm not trying to beg for reviews, but honestly they do help me to write and get some ideas, and to know what my readers are thinking. Soooo sorry again it's taken me so long!