CHAPTER TWENTY
(chapter title – Time to Say Goodbye, part 3)

A week later

"I'm sorry, Ella, but Hope isn't doing well. She's showing the signs of the equine virus that's going around. There's not much that we can do for her." Courfrayac told Ella. The two of them, plus Cassidy, Grantaire and Joly, stood outside Hope's stall. Marius was at home with Jace and Felicity while the other kids were over at the Thenardier's.

"M-May I say goodbye to her?" Ella asked, her voice shaking. Joly nodded and opened Hope's stall door. She slowly made her way over to her beloved horse, feeling the tears stream down her cheeks. She had owned Hope for five years and couldn't believe that her dearest friend was dying.

The vet looked up and moved aside so that Ella could have some special time with Hope. Hope was lying in the straw, her coat darkened with sweat. Ella stroked her beloved horse's neck, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Hope's breathing became labored. The vet, Cassidy, Joly and Courfrayac got Hope onto her feet and led her outside. Grantaire and Ella followed closely behind.

Courfrayac and Joly had dug a grave for Hope in the back pasture. Ella cried into Cassidy's fleece jacket as Hope took one last breath and fell into the grave that Courfrayac and Joly dug.

Cassidy felt tears in her own eyes as she held Ella, rubbing Ella's back and letting her know that Hope was in a better place.

"At least she's not suffering anymore." Cassidy told Ella as they went to Courfrayac and Joly's house for some hot chocolate.

Ella avoided conversation and went to explore the house. She found Courfrayac's cat, Mrs. Sugar, curled up in her cat bed. Ella sat next to the beautiful calico and stroked her soft fur.

"Ella, sweetie, where are you?" Cassidy called.

"Petting Mrs. Sugar." Ella called back, her voice sad.

Cassidy found where Ella was and sat next to her, taking her in her arms. Ella felt new tears in her eyes as Cassidy soothed her.

The two of them headed back to the Pontmercy's house. Cassidy listened to the radio while Ella looked out the window. Cassidy knew what she was going through.

"Honey, I know what you're going through," Cassidy said, turning off the radio, "when I was your age, I lost my beloved horse."

"No offense, mom, but I really don't feel like talking right now." Ella said, continuing to stare out the window. Cassidy nodded and continued driving.

When they reached the house, Ella was out of the car before Cassidy turned off the ignition. She sprinted to the house and ran to her room on the second floor. She then slammed the door and threw herself upon her bed, crying her eyes out.

"What happened?" Marius asked as Cassidy came in the house.

"Hope died today and Ella's taking it really hard." Cassidy answered, throwing her arms around Marius' neck. He rubbed her back and kissed her ear.

After a while, Marius went to Ella's room. He opened the door and saw Ella, sitting on her bed, looking at a picture in her hands.

"Honey, I'm so sorry about Hope." Marius told Ella as he sat next to her and stroked her hair. Ella didn't say or do anything, except look at the picture. Marius looked over Ella's shoulder and smiled at the picture.

It showed Ella in full English riding gear and holding Hope's reins, a big smile on Ella's face. She was ten in the picture and remembered the day perfectly.

"My first horse show with Hope." Ella croaked after a while.

"Your mother and I were so proud of you," Marius said, putting an arm around Ella's shoulders, "I think you were proud of yourself, too. Even though you didn't get the blue ribbon, you were still positive throughout the day."

Ella smiled and looked at the picture, running a finger over Hope's features. She then set the picture down and picked up one of her stuffed animals.

"You know, sweetie, it's okay to talk about death, if you want." Marius told Ella.

"I don't want to talk about death, dad." Ella said, turning over on her side. Marius rubbed her back and kissed her forehead.

"Come down when you can, okay? Mom and I want to talk to you about something." Marius said, getting off Ella's bed.

"You guys aren't having another baby, are you?" Ella asked, sitting up.

"No, we're not. It's something we're gonna talk to you, Anton, Ryan and Cosette about. Felicity and Jace are too young to know what's going on." Marius said.

Ella decided to follow her dad downstairs. She saw Cassidy sitting on a chair, head in her hands. Marius stood next to her as Ella, Anton, Ryan and Cosette sat on the couches and chairs in the living room.

"Did you tell the kids?" Cassidy asked.

"Not yet. I thought we could tell them together." Marius told her, sitting next to her.

"What's going on?" Ella inquired, completely confused.

"My sister, Bridget is coming to live with us. She's going through a really tough time right now." Cassidy told her four eldest children.

"Will I have to give up my room?" Anton asked. Cassidy shook her head.

"She'll be staying in the guest bedroom while she's here," Marius chimed in, looking at his watch, "I need to leave now to go get her."

"Can I come with you?" Ella asked. Marius smiled and nodded. The two of them exited the house and got in the car.

"Any reason why you wanted to come?" Marius asked as they headed to the airport.

"I wanted to get out of the house." Ella answered, turning her attention to her dad.

"I think you'll like your aunt Bridget – she's a lot like you." Marius said.

"Dad, I met her at uncle Cedric's memorial service. I remember her." Ella reminded her dad.

"I forgot. I'm sorry." Marius said.

There was a moment of silence before Ella spoke.

"Dad, do you think Hope's happier wherever she is?"

"She is galloping in Horse Heaven, happier now than she's ever been in her life." Marius told his eldest.

"I'll see her again, right?" Ella asked.

"Of course you will. Until then, you have Windy and her unborn foal to think about." Marius reminded his daughter. Windy was now four-years-old and looked like both her parents with each passing day. She was also eight months pregnant with her first foal. An unknown stallion had gotten in with her, which resulted in Windy getting pregnant.

They reached the airport a few minutes later and got something to eat from the food court.

"So, what's going on in The White Queen?" Ella asked, taking a bite of her hot dog.

"Elizabeth's expecting her fourth child. She and Edward have three daughters and she's hoping it's a boy. Elizabeth's father and one of her brothers have been killed and Warrick is plotting to take the throne away from Elizabeth." Marius said, also taking a bite of his hot dog.

"Do you think I could watch it with you sometime?" Ella asked.

"That would be fine with me. Are you okay with sex scenes?" Marius questioned, making Ella choke on her soda.

"We're learning about it in Sex Education at school." Ella told her dad.

They talked some more about the show and a comedy that Ella loved called The Big Bang Theory. She and Marius planned to watch the entire first season and the first four episodes of The White Queen.

"I think Bridget's plane is here." Marius told Ella. Ella stood up and threw their hot dogs away as Bridget came toward them.

"Marius, Ella, so good to see you!" Bridget told Marius and Ella, hugging both of them. The two of them hugged her back and led her to baggage claim. Bridget's bag was the first one off the carousel and led her to the car.

Ella didn't say much as the three of them headed to the house.

"Ella, how's your horse doin'?" Bridget asked.

"Hope died today – she had an equine virus." Ella answered, her voice shaking.

"Oh, love. I'm so sorry. Cedric, mum and da will take care of her until you see her again." Bridget told her niece, smiling at her.

"On the other hand, Windy's expecting her first foal in two months." Ella spoke up after a while.

"Who's Windy?" Bridget asked.

"She's Hope's daughter. If she has a filly, I'm naming her Hope II." Ella said, staring out the window.

There was silence after that. Ella put in her earphones as Bridget and Marius talked in low voices. Ella stared out the window as she sang along with the current song.

A short while later, the car reached the Pontmercy's place. Ella took out her earphones and got out of the car. Marius helped Bridget with her bags as Ella held the door open for them.

Cassidy smiled when she saw her sister. Bridget walked over to Cassidy and hugged her around the neck, looking at the precious baby in her arms.

"This is Jace. Felicity is in her pack-and-play, if you want to see her." Cassidy told Bridget, indicating to a pink pack-and-play next to the couch. Bridget smiled and looked at the sleeping baby before carefully picking her up.

"My friend, Grantaire, is going to join us for dinner, okay?" Marius told Cassidy. She nodded, focusing all her attention on Jace. Marius looked at Felicity, who like her brother, was fast asleep. The younger set of twins were now three months old. Felicity was starting to sleep through the night, whereas Jace would wake up every two hours to be fed, rocked, changed, etc.

She and Marius exited the nursery and went to join their family. Bridget and Ella were setting the table, laughing and singing songs. Anton was filling water glasses and the older set of twins were putting silverware on the table.

Cassidy went to check on the stir-fry as Marius answered the door. Grantaire entered and removed his winter jacket, which Cosette put into the coat closet.

"Grantaire, this is Cassidy's sister, Bridget. Bridget, this is one of our good friends, Raphael Grantaire, but he goes by Grantaire." Marius introduced Bridget to Grantaire. Grantaire smiled and kissed Bridget's hand. Bridget smiled back and felt her cheeks turn bright red. She knew she was blushing and it felt good. It had been a long time since someone had done this to her.

At dinner, Bridget was seated next to Marius and Cassidy. Grantaire sat across the table from her. Cassidy saw her sister smile and occasionally laugh throughout dinner.

Grantaire, Ella and Bridget did dishes while Marius and Cassidy put the youngest set of twins down for the night. Ella smiled as Grantaire and Bridget exchanged smiles and glances at each other.

Bridget and Grantaire went to a movie after Ella, Anton, Ryan and Cosette were in bed. Cassidy would wait up for her sister while Marius did some paperwork for court the following day.

"So, tell me about yourself." Grantaire said once he and Bridget found seats and bought their refreshments.

"I've been in three depression centers over the past three months. I lost my job and I'm hopin' while I'm here, I can get a new start," Bridget told Grantaire, feeling him take her hand in his. She pulled hers away, "sorry Grantaire – I'm not ready."

"I'm so sorry for what you went through. I promise I'll make you happy and that no harm will come to you." Grantaire told Bridget, looking into her kind hazel eyes. She smiled and rested her head on Grantaire's shoulder. He was surprised, but accepted it. He wrapped an arm around the back of Bridget's chair and wondered about their future.

Two weeks later

"Marius, I want this ring to be absolutely perfect for my queen." Grantaire told Marius as they visited the jewelry store to pick out an engagement ring.

"It will be, 'Taire. Don't worry." Marius assured his friend as they continued to look at rings.

It took a while, but Grantaire settled on the perfect ring. He paid for the ring and the two of them exited the store. They went to lunch at a nearby café to talk about how Grantaire was going to propose to Bridget.

"How does a moonlight picnic sound?" Marius suggested.

"Not romantic enough."

"What's your idea of romantic?" Marius asked his friend.

"Candlelit dinner at my place. Romantic instrumental music. Good food and wine," Grantaire answered, taking a bite of his food. "I was thinking spaghetti and meatballs with white wine to drink."

"Sounds a lot like Lady and the Tramp if you ask me." Marius said.

"If you think about it, Bridget and myself are like Lady and the Tramp. Bridget's like Lady – kind, beautiful, sweet. I'm like Tramp – loveable, friendly." Grantaire told Marius. Marius smiled and nodded, agreeing with his friend.

Marius and Grantaire finished their lunches and went their separate ways.

"Let me know how it went." Marius told Grantaire.

"I will." Grantaire promised, rising from his chair.

The last candle was lit when there was a knock at the door. Grantaire straightened up and went to answer the door.

Bridget stood in the doorway, wearing a green mid-thigh dress with a black sweater over it. Her hair was down and curled at the ends. She wore a little makeup and small silver hoop earrings. On her feet were brown ankle boots. Around her neck hung a silver treble clef charm. The chain was also silver and very thin.

"Welcome to Casa de la Grantaire," Grantaire told Bridget, escorting her inside and closed the door behind her. "You look absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you." Bridget thanked him as he led her to the small kitchen.

"Some wine or an appetizer?" Grantaire offered.

"Some wine, please." Bridget said. Grantaire smiled and poured her a glass of his favorite white wine. They toasted each other and drunk their wine.

"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?" Grantaire asked, smiling at the young lady sitting in front of him. He took her hand and gently kissed it, making Bridget giggle.

"Only a dozen times." Bridget said, smiling when Grantaire placed a steaming bowl of spaghetti in front of her. She took a bite and was in love – the spaghetti and the sauce were perfect. She swore she heard an instrumental version of Bella Notte playing softly.

"Bridget, can I ask you something?" Grantaire asked after dinner had been eaten. She nodded and leaned back in her chair. "Ever since I saw you, I knew you were the one for me. You are the wind beneath my wings, the one thing I cannot live without. What I'm trying to say is, Bridget Claire Davis, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Bridget didn't trust herself to speak, so she nodded as Grantaire slipped an engagement ring onto her left ring finger. It fit perfectly. Grantaire rose from Bridget's side and stood up. Bridget also rose from her chair and looked into Grantaire's kind hazel eyes. He kissed her ever so gently as they made their way to Grantaire's room. Things only got better from there.

It was going on 2:45 in the morning when Marius' cell phone rang, startling him out of a deep slumber. He blinked and looked to see who it was.

"Grantaire, you do realize it's 2:45 in the bloody morning." Marius growled.

"I have a new angel and I want to shout it from the rooftops!" Grantaire whispered. Marius was a little more awake. He felt Cassidy stir next to him, but she didn't wake up.

"Bridget said 'yes' didn't she and you two-" he lowered his voice so Cassidy wouldn't hear. "did the deed, right?"

"It felt marvelous! I cannot wait to marry her!" Grantaire almost sang into Marius' ear. Marius rolled his eyes and expected his friend to burst into song at any minute.

"I'm glad for you. I need to sleep – I have to be at court tomorrow morning. I'm so happy that she said 'yes' and I also cannot wait for you two to get married and produce offspring." Marius said quickly before hanging up.

Grantaire didn't mind. He hung up the phone and looked over at Bridget. She was on her side, facing away from him. Grantaire slowly turned her over on her back and studied her. He then kissed her forehead and went back to sleep, counting the days until they became man and wife.