A/N: Anabelle9 mentioned that Marius should come back, and I thought it was a great idea! I definitely want to have him react to Enjolras and Eponine's new love, and Grantaire's engagement! OH and also I edited the chapter 'Mon Ami…' it really needed to be revised.
The next morning when Eponine awoke in Enjolras' arms, she felt like she was drowning again. All the time spent in the house and around the many bourgeoisies was suffocating her, just as she had predicted. She needed to escape for a day, and it seemed as though they had only just arrived in Provence. Eponine uncomfortably tugged at the fabric of her nightgown, the lace was choking her neck, and she needed desperately to escape from its chains. It may as well have been the chain that prisoners wore around their necks, for it served the same purpose; it was trapping her. All of her new, fancy clothes were. Eponine thought that maybe she could put up with the clothes, but she could not cope with the lack of freedom and sunshine in her life. She missed the way the streets felt underneath her bare feet and the breeze that would consume her and ruffle through her tarnished dress.
Enjolras woke up to watch Eponine throw a fit as she tore at her expensive nightgown. Women, he thought to himself.
"Eponine, love, is something wrong?" he asked gently, but knew he said the wrong thing when he earned himself a glare.
"Oh, no, everything's just wonderful," Eponine said sarcastically, yet there was a certain panic that laced her tone. Enjolras watched her for another moment and immediately knew what was wrong.
"Would you like to go outside to the market today? In Provence, there is a fine selection of fresh fruits and vegetables that come from the farmers, and I do not think you would want to miss out on that," Enjolras said cracking a grin. Eponine flung her arms around his neck.
"Oh, thank you Enjolras! I needed to get out of here for a little while! Everything inside this house is strangling me!" Eponine exclaimed still tugging at her dress as though it were on fire, trying to tear the fabric. Enjolras had to stop himself from chuckling at her antics as he softly grasped her wrists.
"We can leave for the market the minute we finish breakfast," Enjolras assured her. Eponine nodded and knew what she had to do. It had become a routine every morning so nobody would catch her in Enjolras' room; it was her job to carefully sneak out and return to her room immediately. She would get into her day dress, and then she would arrive at breakfast at a separate time than Enjolras. So that's what Eponine did.
As she entered her room, she made a beeline for her wardrobe. Slowly, she ruffled through her selection of dresses and decided to wear one of her floral day dresses. She slipped out of her nightgown and put on the dress, but struggled as she tried to fasten all the ties.
"These dresses are so frustrating!" she mumbled to herself. Finally, she managed to get her dress on, and she turned to the full length mirror to examine herself. Eponine felt spoiled; she had never really looked into a true mirror before. Sure she had seen her reflection through shop windows and the river when it was calm, but looking at herself in the mirror was a completely different experience.
She ran her fingers through her hair as she watched it intensely in the mirror. Her locks were clean, and they were regaining the softness that they had lost long ago. Her hair reached her elbows, and Eponine was impressed at its length. However, she had no idea how she was supposed to style her hair, and she knew that Clara would probably end up doing her hair before they left for the market.
Content with herself, Eponine walked at an appropriate speed out of her perfume scented bedroom, and she tried to recall where exactly the dining room was. They had at least five different dining rooms, not only for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but also for when the family had guests or hosted a party. There were probably more dining areas that Eponine did not know about; she had not even seen half of the mansion despite all of her exploring.
Finally, Eponine's ears picked up the sound of light chatter, and she was able to locate the breakfast room. She spotted Enjolras reading at the end of the table as he lightly munched on a croissant, and she smiled at him. He noticed her watching him, and happily returned the smile. Eponine noticed how his entire face lit up, and his eyes came to life. They truly looked like the sea after a storm.
"Good morning, Mademoiselle Eponine," Aunt Agnes said cheerfully. Eponine turned her attention towards her; she had forgotten everyone else in the room the moment she saw Enjolras.
"Good morning, Madame Enjolras," Eponine said, practicing a courtesy that Clara had told her it was 'polite' to do.
"Come sit! We have such a grand selection of food this morning," she said motioning to all of the foods laid out on the table. Eponine had to try not to look too impressed or she might break her cover, but her mouth was definitely watering as she eyed the vast selection of pastries and fruit.
"It looks delectable!" Eponine exclaimed taking her seat next to Enjolras. She placed several different pastries on her plate, and she inhaled the sweet scent.
"How did you sleep, Eponine?" Enjolras asked suppressing a smirk. Thankfully, no one else seemed to notice the look on his face.
"Very well. And you, Albaric?" Eponine replied with a straight face. He replied with 'quite well.'
"I slept just fine, if anybody was wondering," Grantaire added, placing his lips on his wine glass. Enjolras looked at Grantaire skeptically.
"Isn't it a tad early for drinking, Grantaire? It's breakfast time!" Enjolras said adding an eye roll. Grantaire smugly grabbed a chocolate éclair and waved it Enjolras' face.
"There- now its breakfast," he said, and both Enjolras and Clara looked annoyed. Clara had been trying desperately to put an end to Grantaire's excessive drinking habit, but so far all her efforts had been fruitless.
"You are going to drink yourself into your grave," Aunt Agnes frowned.
Thankfully, the rest of the meal went by with scarcely any arguing, and Enjolras managed not to snap at Grantaire… too much. When Eponine and Enjolras had polished off their food, Enjolras announced they were going to venture out to the market.
"Oh, how I love the marketplace! It's so pleasant out there, my friends. Albaric, brother, would you mind if I were to come?" Clara begged. Enjolras gave his consent, and she clapped her hands excitedly.
"What time shall we depart?" Clara asked. Enjolras looked out the window at the cloudless sky; the day was so pretty, and he wanted to leave as soon as possible.
"I think that right now would be a good of time as any," he shrugged. Eponine followed his gaze outside and sighed at the beauty of the day.
"It's so open out here in Provence. In Paris, all the buildings are close together and there are so many people!" Eponine exclaimed. Enjolras chuckled as he examined Eponine's face.
"Eponine, I think you have a little bit of pastry on your mouth," he said lightly pointing to the corner of her mouth. Eponine attempted to wipe it off, but she missed the spot completely.
"Here, let me help you," Enjolras said taking his own napkin and wiping off the food. His hand lingered near her lips longer than necessary, and the two were quickly lost in each other's' eyes. Enjolras let the napkin drop and he placed his hand on her face. Eponine could feel her heart speeding up, and her eyelids felt heavy. They began to lean in when Clara ruined the moment.
"Alright, I think that is enough. Come on Albaric and Eponine, we need to go to the market!" Clara urged as she tugged the disgruntled couple away. This was going to be a long day.
When the trio reached the market, Clara left Enjolras and Eponine for the exquisite flower display.
"Would you like to go with Clara?" Enjolras asked Eponine, but she didn't seem to be paying any attention. Instead, Enjolras noticed that her big, brown orbs were staring intently at something- or rather someone- out in the distance.
"Love, what do you see?" Enjolras asked, and Eponine could hear the worry in his voice. She slowly turned her attention away from whatever had mesmerized her so, and shrugged.
"I thought I saw… Never mind, 'tis highly unlikely he would be in Provence!" Eponine said with a chuckle, but she cast one more glance in the direction she had been looking.
"Who did you see? Or thought you saw?" Enjolras asked, but Eponine didn't reply.
"Let's pick up some more strawberries! Of all the fruit I have eaten, I think strawberries must be my favorite," Eponine said happily as she wandered over to the fruit selection. "Mm, the grapes look appetizing as well."
Another half hour or so passed, and Eponine and Enjolras had purchased a small selection of fruits. Enjolras noticed his sister still examining the flowers, and he made a mental note to come back later and buy some for Eponine. The red roses looked very welcoming.
"I think I would like to take a look at the wine selection I see over yonder; I need to purchase Grantaire and Clara an engagement gift and I am sure that would be appreciated," Enjolras stated. He noticed that Eponine wasn't listening again, and her attention was fixed on something by the fish market. Her eyes were following the movements that someone was making, but it was unclear as of whom she was watching.
"What do you see?" Enjolras asked again. Eponine shook her head.
"Well I'll be damned. I think I see Marius and Cosette," Eponine muttered to herself, but Enjolras didn't quite hear what she said.
"Eponine, I cannot understand what you are saying, and you are being slightly frustrating. I'm going to go off to the wine selection, and I will be back in a minute. You can come with me or stay here, but don't go wandering too far off!" Enjolras said in slight irritation as he marched off to the wine vendor.
Eponine looked back for a moment to see where Enjolras was headed off to, and when she turned back around the man and woman she thought was Marius and Cosette had vanished. Eponine shook her head and thought that maybe she had been imagining things.
She began to head over to the flower section to talk with Clara, when a man grabbed her arm. She bit back a scream, but she was ready to attack who ever had detained her. Unless, of course, the man was Enjolras. But it wasn't. The man had a million freckles splattered across his face, and his hair was short and brown instead of blonde and curly.
"Marius?" Eponine asked in shock. Marius smiled at his friend, and Cosette peered out from behind him.
"Ah, good! I'm glad it's you, 'Ponine. That would have been uncomfortable if the person I had grabbed turned out to be a stranger," Marius said happily. Then, "What are you doing in Provence? All of Les Amis had noticed that you and Enjolras had been missing for quite some time, and we were worried! Is he here too?"
Suddenly, a realization hit Eponine. Marius and Cosette were not aware of Eponine and Enjolras' new relationship! It's going to be fun to see their reactions, Eponine thought with a grin.
"Yes, Enjolras is here as well. We have been staying at his aunt and uncle's house. His sister, Clara, informed him in Paris that they wanted to see their nephew again, and he agreed to come. He asked me to accompany him because he did not want to be lonely," Eponine said, purposely leaving out the fact that the two were now in love. She wanted Enjolras to be here when Marius found out. "What brings you two to Provence?"
Cosette and Marius smiled largely at each other before Marius answered. "We are getting married here! I proposed to Cosette back in Paris, and we both thought it would be a good idea to have a small wedding in Provence! We were in the market to select flowers for a bouquet," he explained giddily, and the happy couple looked lovingly at each other.
Eponine congratulated them, but she felt sadness inside her. Everyone seemed to be getting married and engaged, except her and Enjolras. Why does that even bother you? Eponine wondered, scolding herself for feeling jealous.
"Ah, look, Enjolras is approaching!" Cosette said tugging on Marius' arm. Eponine turned around to face Enjolras, and gave him a knowing smile.
"Are these the people you were looking at earlier?" Enjolras asked Eponine as he approached with a bottle of wine. Eponine nodded happily.
"I did not say anything for I wasn't exactly sure if I had been correct. But alas, it is Marius and Cosette!" Eponine said happily giving Enjolras a brief kiss. Marius' eyes bugged out of his head at the exchanged, and Cosette began to smile knowingly. Enjolras blushed at his friends' reactions, but Eponine puffed out her chest proudly as she gripped Enjolras' arm.
"Wh-wh-what was that?!" Marius exclaimed as he threw his arms up. Eponine could feel her lips tugging upwards in one of her famous smirks. Marius resembled a fish with his mouth; he kept opening and closing it as though he couldn't decide if he should speak anymore or not.
"What was what, monsieur? I did not see anything," Eponine asked cheekily. Enjolras nudged her arm, but instead of giving her his intended stern look, he couldn't help but smile at her. He had to admit that seeing Marius in this state of shock and confusion was one of the funnier things he had seen.
"But you just… Enjolras walked up… When he walked up, you kissed them as though it happens every day!" Marius exclaimed.
"Well, monsieur, that is because it does happen every day," Eponine stated as though it were the most obvious thing in this entire world. Marius' jaw dropped even further in surprise-if that was possible.
"You and Enjolras are…" Cosette trailed off not exactly sure what she should ask. "Sorry, it's not my business to pry," she added hastily.
"Well you see-" Eponine was cut off by Clara approaching.
"Albaric, Eponine, who are these two?" Clara asked addressing Enjolras as 'Albaric' for she hadn't recognized Marius and Cosette. Eponine realized that she had been doing a pretty poor job of calling him 'Albaric,' often falling into her habit of calling him Enjolras when they had been around Aunt Agnes. "Wait a bit, I recognize your face! You were in the café with Grantaire. Your name is Marius!"
"Of, course! Clara, was it? You were the one who seemed to be Grantaire's shadow," Marius recalled, and Clara smiled.
"Grantaire and I are engaged!" Clara burst out happily, flashing off her ring. Cosette smiled happily at the sight of the ring, eagerly showing off her own.
"Marius and I are engaged as well! We are to be married in a couple days' time," Cosette said happily. Again, Eponine's mind began to dream a dream where she wore a beautiful white gown and Enjolras wore his finest attire as he waited down the aisle for her. Yet, she doubted this would ever be a reality.
"You're engaged too! That is so romantic; weddings have a certain magic to them that cannot be replicated. A day entirely devoted to a couple's love, binding them together for all eternity," Clara said dreamily as she twisted her ring around her finger. Clara and Cosette began to discuss wedding plans animatedly, but Eponine felt completely left out. She watched the girls as they talked, and felt another twinge in her heart. Stop it, Eponine! Enjolras loves you, and you do not need a band of metal around your finger to confirm that, she scolded herself.
Yet she knew marriage meant so much more than metal around her finger.
"W-w-wait! I still need to know what is going on between you two!" Marius shouted yelling at Eponine and Enjolras. Eponine snapped her attention away from the happy fiancés and faced a flustered Marius.
"I love Eponine, Marius, and everything has changed," Enjolras said placing a kiss to Eponine's temple.
"You two are in love? My friend, I am surprised! I never imagined you of all people to fall in love! What happened to the marble man we all knew? Who knew that Eponine would be the street rat to crack the marble," Marius asked. For some odd reason, it frustrated Eponine greatly whenever someone called Enjolras the marble man. He is the most passionate man Eponine has ever crossed, and he cares so greatly about all of his friends.
Enjolras despised it when people referred to Eponine as a street rat. It was harsh and belittling. Eponine was the bravest woman that Enjolras had ever met, yet nobody seemed to give her credit for that. Enjolras could feel his temper flare inside of him, and he couldn't control it. Eponine could not control her's either, and they began to speak (more like shout) at the same time.
"Never call her a street rat around me again!" "Enjolras is more human than you will ever be, how can you call him marble?"
They both ranted on for a bit, leaving Marius completely stunned.
"I did not know you had that in you, 'Ponine. However, I have seen you that angry before, Enjolras, and let me just say it is quite terrifying so I would appreciate you settle down, please," Marius whimpered sounding like a scared little boy. The effect Eponine had on him made her feel powerful.
The three people stared at each other in a deadlock, daring one another to move first. Marius looked at the determined Enjolras and Eponine and sighed.
"Alright, I'm sorry. I should not have used those words; I admit the 'street rat' sounded rude. Yet, I do not understand what is so terrible about me calling Enjolras 'marble.' It is something Les Amis and I have always called him, and Enjolras, you have never seemed to mind," Marius said timidly.
"I don't mind, I am used to being called the 'marble man.' Well, I suppose I don't really appreciate the nickname, but I can put up with it. Eponine was the one who opposed it so strongly," Enjolras shrugged.
"It just doesn't seem right to call such a passionate man 'marble' and 'devoid of emotions,'" Eponine said. Enjolras wrapped his arms around Eponine and whispered in her ear, "Ignore the comment, it doesn't really bother me, and I don't want it to bother you."
Eponine placed another tender kiss on Enjolras' lips, and she could feel him smiling into it. Marius awkwardly cleared his throat reminding the couple that there were still other people around.
"My apologies," Eponine said blushing, but she wasn't really sorry at all. Enjolras slid his hands that were on her shoulders down to her hands, and he clasped them firmly.
Hearing about their love had been one thing, but actually witnessing it made Marius feel like someone had kidnapped Enjolras and replaced him with this soft version.
For the third time that day, Eponine suddenly began to look at a figure far off in the distance. This time it wasn't Marius or Cosette for they were standing right beside them, and Enjolras was curious as to whom it was this time.
"Enjolras, I think that is Colin!" Eponine exclaimed tugging on his arm. Enjolras looked over and he could indeed see Colin standing there. Colin must have felt the eyes on him, for he waved to Enjolras and Eponine and he began to walk over to them.
"I wonder if he has managed to get his friends to support the revolution yet…" Enjolras wondered.
A/N: That was kind of a longer chapter for me… Marius is back! I always thought that Clara and Cosette were similar and they would become fast friends. Poor Eponine is getting left out from the marriage circle…