CHAPTER FIVE
(chapter title – Time To Say Goodbye, part 1)

Three months later

A horrible snowstorm was brewing outside as the Pontmercy's slept. The clock read 12:30 AM when Marius felt Cosette get out of bed and moan painfully.

"Cosette, dearest, are you all right?" Marius asked, sitting up in bed.

"My back is killing me and – ow!" Cosette yelped. Marius rushed over and looked at his wife. He kissed her forehead and felt something splash on his foot. He realized her water broke.

"Get back in bed and I'll call the doctor." Marius told Cosette, keeping his voice calm and gentle, even though he was panicking inside. He got a hold of Cosette's doctor and she assured Marius she was on her way. "She's on her way, love. She says to get you into the bathtub so it'll be easier."

Cosette nodded and followed Marius to the bathroom, closing the door behind them. Marius ran the water in the tub and filled it with six inches of water. He also made sure it was nice and cool while Cosette undressed. He then helped her into the tub and sang sweet songs to her until the doctor arrived.

By the time the doctor got to the house, the clock chimed 2:00 AM. Marius sat beside Cosette and held her while the doctor delivered the baby.

Ella woke up, realizing she had to pee. She went into the bathroom and saw her dad sitting on the floor, her mom naked and screaming and the doctor at her mom's front, coaxing and encouraging her.

"I'll just use your guys' bathroom, since you're using mine." Ella croaked as she walked to her parents bathroom. She emerged five minutes later and walked back to her room when her father called out to her. Ella stood in the doorway and watched for a while.

"Ella, come here, it's all right," Marius assured her as he looked over Cosette's shoulder. He turned to Cosette, "no sign of our son, yet, my love."

Three hours later, there was still no sign of the baby. Ella had gone back to bed while Marius and Cosette worked together to deliver their little boy.

"Do you think we should go to the hospital and I can perform a C-Section?" Dr. Carter asked. Marius shook his head and sipped his tea.

"How dilated is she?" Marius inquired.

"Fully," Dr. Carter answered, reaching a gloved hand between Cosette's legs. She screamed out in pain as the doctor did so. "Your little guy is just being stubborn, that's all. Cosette, I need you to take a deep breath and push for me on ten, okay?"

Cosette nodded as the doctor counted to ten. She sucked in some air and gently let it out.

"Good, good. His head is almost out!" The doctor exclaimed almost three hours later. Marius looked over Cosette's shoulder and saw a bubble appearing.

"You're doing great, Cosette." Marius praised. He kissed her temple and adjusted her in his arms.

"I am NEVER having sex with you again, Pontmercy!" Cosette growled.

"You're kidding, right?" Marius asked. Cosette glared at him.

"Marius, it's good not to talk right now so Cosette can focus." Dr. Carter told Marius as the rest of the baby entered the world. The doctor caught him before he could go into the water. Dr. Carter smiled at Cosette and turned the baby around so she could see him.

"He's so handsome!" Marius praised as the doctor cut the cord, exited the bathroom, weighed, measured and cleaned off the newest little arrival before handing him to Cosette. She was weak, but with Marius' help, was able to get out of the tub, put on some bottoms and go to the master bedroom.

The littlest Pontmercy let out a cry as he was placed in Cosette's arms.

"What's his name?" Dr. Carter asked as she packed up her things.

"We were thinking Anton Lucas." Marius whispered as he stroked Cosette's hair. Anton was nursing loudly and looked very content.

"He's perfect – 5 pounds, 14 ounces and is 17.9 inches long." Dr. Cater told Marius as she smiled at him.

Shortly after that, Dr. Carter left. Marius went into the nursery and saw Cosette sitting in the rocking chair, gently rocking Anton.

"Love, you should get some sleep. It's 4:15. I'll wake you if he needs anything," Marius told Cosette, kissing the top of her head. She nodded sleepily and handed Anton to Marius as she went to the master bedroom. Marius looked down at Anton and smiled at him, "my, what a handsome devil you are!"

Later that day, Marius, Anton and Cosette went to the hospital, since Cosette had a home birth. Dr. Carter had suggested it. Enjolras was happy to have Ella over so she could see Jolene, who was now six months old.

Everything checked out fine with Cosette and Anton and they were given the okay to go home.

Marius smiled and put Anton in his carseat when Cosette looked like she was going to faint. He caught her, put her in a wheelchair, got Anton out of his carseat and ran back to the hospital.

Cosette was instantly put in a hospital room and was hooked up to an IV, even though she wasn't dehydrated. Anton went to the nursery while Marius stayed by Cosette's side, hoping she would be fine.

"Suddenly you're here
Suddenly it starts
Can two anxious hearts
Beat as one?
Yesterday, I was alone
Today, you are beside me
Something still unclear
Something not yet here
Has begun." Marius sang to Cosette as he sat in the dark hospital room, praying for a miracle.

He called Enjolras to let him know what was happening. He told Marius that Ella was more than welcome to stay the night. Marius thanked his friend and hung up. He then called Jean Valjean to let him know about Cosette.

Jean said he would be on the next flight there, which was leaving that night at 8:00. Marius hoped he wasn't too late.