Epilogue

The pastures were green in the late summer, shimmering in a fresh vibrancy beneath the cerulean sky. The grass was long, almost knee height and it swayed together like a sweeping ocean in the slight breeze that cooled the radiating sunshine into comfortable warmth. A large hornbeam maple tree sat atop a gentle hill that rose through the pasture, its green leaves ballooning above its trunk and branches. Two black horses stood nearby, their muzzles lowered to the fresh enticing grass.

Underneath the shadowy canopy of the maple sat a couple. A man and a woman. Both were laying on their back, the man's arm propped up underneath his head and his other slung across the woman's waist as she used his stomach as a pillow and lounged perpendicular from him. Any outsider could see that there was an age difference between the two, but most forgot about it once they witnessed how they looked at each other. The man's eyes would crinkle with sparkling happiness and the woman's smile was absolutely angelic.

The breeze whispered through the leaves of the maple and Aimée cracked her eyes open. She had dozed off. She stirred against and she felt the soft caress of Javert's thumb stroking along her stomach. Aimée turned on her side and looked up at Javert, reaching over and running her fingers over the stubble of his beard. Javert loosened his arm around her without opening his eyes and smiled as he felt the weight of her shift as she lounged further on his chest. She fiddled with the ties from his light cotton shirt.

"Wake up, sleepy head," she teased, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to his chin.

Aimée felt the rumble of Javert's groan in his chest.

"But we're so comfortable, madame," Javert grumbled playfully as he trapped her in his arms, holding her close.

Aimée smiled and fidgeted until she could reach his lips. She felt his smile against hers and they allowed themselves to be carried away with each other for a few blissful moments.

"Alright…" he finally murmured as she pulled away, "I'm awake."

"Good," she said, giving him a peck before she stood up, the lower leaves of the tree grabbing at her hair.

Javert groaned and did the same, brushing his pant legs free of grass and twigs. "I'm getting too old for that," he grumbled.

"And I wouldn't have it any other way," Aimée quipped, taking hold of his hand and pulling him from beneath the tree. The two squinted from the bright sunlight, but by the time they made it back to their horses, their eyes had adjusted. Aimée, wearing riding trousers and boots, easily pulled herself in the saddle and watched as Javert did the same. The horses snorted, a little disappointed that they had to cut short their grazing.

"Shall we head home?" Aimée suggested

"I can't find anything wrong with that," Javert said, pulling his horse up to hers and leaning over in his saddle to give her a light kiss.

Aimée grinned as he pulled away. "How about a race?"

"What?"

"Ready, go!" she exclaimed, ignoring Javert's questing and spurring her horse forward down the hill in a gallop.

"Why you little-" Javert's exclamation was cut short as he took heel to his own horse with a shout.

Her hair billowed behind her like a golden sheet and Javert couldn't tear his eyes away from it as they rode. She turned to look behind her and Javert watched as her mouth was split in open mouthed laughter. Aimée had learned to ride exceedingly well since he'd taught her several months before. However, after long years of patrolling, Javert could still out do her. In no time, he had pulled up next to her, giving her a competitive grin.

As they pounded their way up a slight rise, Javert pulled ahead and he relished in the look of surprise that swept the woman's face. Below them next to a little stream nestled a two story cottage, white plaster walls with wooden support beams. Ivy clung to one wall and in the back was a little fenced in area where chickens pecked their way around a couple goats. Maple and willows dotted their way around the little house and a large pasture was fenced off for the two black horses. A stable stood in the corner.

As they rode, a big dog loped over to them, his fur shaggy and the color of the winter sky. Aimée gave the animal a whistle and said, "There's a good boy, Lobo."

Javert slowed as he made his way towards the stable and Aimée caught up with him.

"You always beat me," she said, looking stubborn.

"I have no doubt you'll win one of these days," Javert said, dismounting and heading over towards Aimée's horse. Lifting up his arms, he helped Aimée down. Taking a hold of her hand, Javert led his horse to the stable.

When the horses were free of their tack and brushed, they were let out into the pasture to graze and the two made their way inside to the cottage, Lobo following them and sniffing their hands as they walked. The house was a comfortable size, intimate for a couple like Javert and Aimée. Bedrooms, a study, and a small library were upstairs and below sat the kitchen and living room with two fireplaces that kept the entire house comfortable in the winter.

Paris was three days away to the east. After the revolution, Aimée and Javert decided that they couldn't stand to be in the pressing city any longer. The two got married with a quiet ceremony, Javert wearing his dress uniform and Aimée a white lace gown that made her look so beautiful, Javert momentarily forgot how to breathe when he first laid eyes on her. Now a married man, Javert then went to the Palais de Justice to officially retire from Chief Inspector. Officer Hoight was his suggested replacement.

After retirement, Javert took up the money he had saved away and he and Aimée moved to the countryside, buying a small cottage and starting a proficient garden to supply their vegetables and grains. Javert had brought his Friesian with him from Paris and they soon bought another horse once Aimée told him she wanted to learn to ride. Aimée then picked out names for the two animals, both males. She decided to name her own horse Pan, because he was slighter than Javert's and more mischievous. Javert, remembering the animal that had been his companion for so many years, named his own Ombre.

The thought of children had come to them, but Aimée admitted that, after Éponine and little Gavroche, she couldn't bring herself to be a mother. That was a dark time for her and she found herself lying in bed for a long time, not coming down even to eat. Javert stayed by her, held her as she slept, and nursed her back to health with words of love and comfort. After she finally recovered, they realized that they could be happy with just each other and their animals.

On clear nights, Aimée and Javert would walk to the maple tree with Lobo jogging beyond them, sniffing the ground and barking at them to hurry. Once they would make it to the hill, the two would lie on their backs, their hands entwined, and watch the stars. Sometimes, they would talk of the past in Montreuil, or talk about how they met, other nights they sat and loved each other in silence. Lobo would come over and nuzzle between them or try and entice them into playing fetch with a stick. Afterwards, they would make their way back and curl up with each other in the little room before falling asleep.

The two were happier and more in love than they could've ever imagined. The horrors of Paris were now in the past and their future together was bright and full of paradise. The two had each other, and they soon realized that was all they had really needed.

Here we are...

I love you guys so much and once again, i am so glad you gave me this opportunity to continue this. I've had some of the best reviews and your complements make my heart just soar! All of you are amazing!

BluesGirl