"Happy Birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear 'Ponine, happy birthday to you!" Éponine's friends sang loudly to her as Cosette's brought her a cake with 16 candles in it. Alex stood by her holding her crutches as she sat down.
"Make a wish," Cosette smiled.
Éponine did just that as she blew out the candles and everyone cheered.
"Let's get this party started!" Courfeyrac hollered.
Éponine shook her head as she took her crutches back from Alex and got herself back into a standing position. Tonight was her sixteenth birthday, a small get together of friends at Cosette's house. It was intended to be a pool party, but the injury received the night before seemed to make that a little difficult.
Alex kissed her on the cheek, "Happy birthday 'Ponine," he smiled, he then looked down at the plaid button down shirt she was wearing with the sleeves cuffed to her elbows. "I'm never getting that back, am I?"
"Not in a million years," Éponine smiled at him.
Alex rolled his eyes, "I guess you could say that's your birthday gift from me."
"Why thank you," Éponine grinned, "I absolutely adore it."
"I mean, I have something else as well," Alex pulled something from his pocket, it was a long thin box.
"I thought I told you no jewelry, I don't want you spending that kind of money on me," Éponine protested.
"And do I ever listen?" Alex opened the box to show her a simple silver bracelet, he put it on her wrist, "a charm bracelet," he explained, "is that alright?"
Éponine threw her arms around him in a tight embrace which was then followed with a passionate kiss, when they broke apart Éponine didn't let go, "I dropped my crutches," she blushed.
"That is a problem," Alex agreed.
"Hey, I hate to break up the love fest but I guess Mr. Fauchlevent has some sort of news to announce," Courfeyrac walked over to them, "are you coming?"
"I will as soon as someone hands me my crutches," Éponine replied.
Courfeyrac bent down and picked up the crutches for her, "There you go, let's go."
Éponine hobbled on her crutches to where Toussaint had set up a table of snacks and where people were leaving gifts.
"I'm not one to make speeches," Mr. Fauchlevent began, "and if I hadn't found out myself today I would not be doing this, Éponine," he turned to the oldest Thenardier, "you have been leaving with Cosette and I for over a year which outside has been quiet the legal mess."
Éponine watched Mr. Fauchlevent in confusion, she didn't really understand what was happening.
"I wanted to tell you that it is all over now," Mr. Fauchlevent smiled, "you are now officially a part of the Fauchlevent family."
There was loud cheering from all her friends and Cosette hugged her tightly, "We're sisters!" she exclaimed brightly, "isn't that wonderful?"
Éponine smiled, "it sure is!"
"'Ponine this is wonderful!" Courfeyrac grinned.
Mr. Fauchlevent pulled Alex off to the side, "I would love to thank your father for everything he has done for this."
"It's his living," Alex shrugged, "he loves to argue."
"Well he did a very good job at getting all of this straightened out," Mr. Fauchlevent smiled slightly, "and I think Éponine is grateful to have you as well."
Alex's face flushed slightly, "I- I uhh..."
"Alex!" Éponine called.
"I think your lady calls," Courfeyrac smiled and walked past.
Alex gave a nod and walked back over with Courfeyrac to where Éponine was sitting with Cosette, her crutches propped against the table.
"So 'Ponine, what are you going to tell Ms. Dufor when rehearsals starts in three weeks?" Courfeyrac asked.
Éponine had almost forgotten that the rehearsals for the show were beginning a week before school started, she then glared at Courfeyrac, "Need I remind you that this is your fault?" her voice was almost saccharine.
Courfeyrac paled slightly, "My fault? You were the one chasing me!"
"But you did start the water fight," Éponine folded her arms across her chest, "so there."
Courfeyrac grumbled, "Whatever."
"It's going to be interesting with those two being the romantic leads for the show," Cosette giggled, "I'm surprised it doesn't bother you."
"Why should it?" Alex shurgged, "It's Courfeyrac."
"That would be enough to have me worried," Cosette smiled.
"But they are constantly arguing, and I think 'Ponine would rather strangle him than kiss him," Alex smiled slightly.
Cosette burst out laughing, "Yeah,you're right."
There was the sound of what seemed like something breaking followed by a shout, "Courf, you are so dead right now!"
"Well I guess back to business as usual," Alex shook his head.
A/N: This concludes the Summer One Shot Series! Stay tuned for my next installment Victor Hugo High School: Junior Year!
