A/N: Thanks for the reviews again! This tale is wrapping up nicely at last.

And finally we get to meet someone.

Chapter 39: Welcome

Eponine knows better than to hope that the days will slow down following Fouche's arrest; on the contrary the proceedings of the arraignment and the trial zoom by so fast, leaving everyone still reeling by the time the Christmas rush begins. "After all of that, I feel I could use a long vacation," she jokes with Cosette when the latter comes to visit two days after Christmas.

"You're supposed to be stocking up on sleep. In two weeks or so you'll be remembering this," Cosette quips, eyeing her friend's rounded belly. "To think you even went to the halfway house party and the hospital benefit!"

"I couldn't miss those, especially when I'm about to go on leave," Eponine points out as she puts up her feet. "Normally I'm stuck on duty. Last year was the first time I wasn't scrubbed in all Christmas Eve, and I actually got to see Gavroche carolling in our ward. I'm glad he brought all his officemates this year."

"I wish I'd seen that, instead of just a recording of it," Cosette notes. She fishes in her bag for her tablet and opens up a photo gallery. "We don't have many pictures of this year's Christmas dinner, mostly because we were laughing so much."

'Those are the best sorts of occasions,' Eponine thinks gleefully as she takes the tablet from Cosette. As she scrolls through the pictures she rubs her back with one hand to ease a growing twinge there. "Good thing you talked me into getting that green dress. It made me look less like a blimp," she mutters as she comes across a snapshot of herself helping Elodie and Darren arrange presents underneath the Christmas tree.

"The color has always looked good on you," Cosette comments. She laughs as Eponine flips to a picture of Grantaire, Jehan, Bossuet, Gavroche, Florence, and Tess frowning as they upend empty glasses. "Was that because of Enjolras' eggnog recipe?"

The mere mention of this has Eponine rolling her eyes. "Unfortunately lots of cinnamon and nutmeg don't exactly make up for the lack of a touch of alcohol." She grins as she comes across a picture of Bahorel kissing Karen so hard that he has to hold her up against a doorjamb. A sprig of mistletoe hangs conspicuously above their heads. "They stole that. I know that Courf was trying to push Combeferre and Florence under it. Considering how Bahorel and Karen were when they left the party, it's probably safe to say that it's only today we can finally contact them."

"Eponine, really!" Cosette exclaims. She is quiet for a moment when she slides to a photo of herself with her parents as well as Marius and Elodie, sitting under the wreaths and garlands at the front door. "Enjolras sent this to Marius this morning; it was the best take among the rest. I really want to get a picture like this every year."

"A new tradition?" Eponine asks as she continues looking through the next pictures: first there is one of herself, Azelma, and Gavroche seated on the stairs, then of Azelma, Courfeyrac, and Alexandra in the lanai, followed by one of Combeferre and Florence under the Christmas tree. Then there is a whole series of pictures of Feuilly, Navet, and Tess goofing off, and then a hilarious photo story of Joly, Bossuet, and Musichetta trying to assemble a chocolate tableau on the table, culminating with most of the dessert getting on Bossuet's hands and face. Next up is a video of Jehan and Grantaire singing 'Feliz Navidad' with Darren keeping up using sign language. She smiles widely on finding a number of photos of Enjolras with their friends; in some of the more candid shots he's let all his guard down and is actually laughing. It's a sight that is becoming more and more frequent as of late, and Eponine is nothing but thankful for it. "He should get in front of the camera more often, even if he's the one who's the best photographer here."

"So should you," Cosette comments as she moves the display to show a candid picture of Eponine and Enjolras lighting a row of candles surrounding a centrepiece. "Next year it won't be just you two."

"I don't think we'll get to stand around for pictures, what with a kid who is just learning to walk," Eponine points out. She frowns as she feels the ache in her back again. "Your mom was saying that you might all go out of town for New Year's Eve?"

"Only up to the Hilltop View-that's near the chapel where Marius and I had our wedding. The view of the fireworks is lovely from there," Cosette explains. "You guys-"

"Did someone say New Year?" Tess chimes in as she bounds down the stairs, holding up her phone. She puts on a childish grin as she sits near Eponine. "I got a text from Aimee. She and the girls were invited to a street party on the 31st."

"Where?" Eponine asks. "And who'll be with you?"

Tess rolls her eyes. "It's at the Cineplex-you know that place downtown. Miss Cecily will be there anyway, so it's safe."

"As long as Cecily is there, then it's good."

"Got it, Mom."

"Shut up. I didn't birth you when I was thirteen!" Eponine retorts, only to have Tess cackle and stick out her tongue as she plops down in the reading nook and sticks a borrowed set of headphones into a music player. The doctor rolls her eyes dramatically when she sees Cosette just barely able to keep a straight face. "This is delayed payback for my teenage years, I'm sure of it."

"You had fun," Cosette says, only to fall silent when Eponine rubs her back again. "Are you already having contractions?" she asks.

"Not really," Eponine replies slowly as she feels the twinge begin to abate. "They're on and off, and I don't think these really count as labor," she adds with a smile. 'Though how is that supposed to really feel anyway?' she wonders more worriedly as she gets to her feet and goes to get a look at her reflection in a glass windowpane. She puts a hand on her stomach, only to feel a rush of apprehension on finding the swell of her midsection to rest just a little lower than before. "Ian, can't you wait till after the New Year?" she gripes.

Cosette fishes for her keys. "If you need to go the hospital now, I can take you there."

Eponine shakes her head. "This doesn't mean anything. I'll just get sent home and be told to observe. No use waiting around in the labor room for something that could take days," she points out. 'I might have just jinxed that, though' she realizes as she sits down again on the sofa. Now she can certainly feel the difference in her body; all this languor and that odd feeling of something giving in her hips are leading up to something that is now nearer than she is prepared to admit.

In the meantime Cosette waves to Enjolras, who is apparently back from an early morning meeting, if the way he is reading through a portfolio is any indicator. "I'm invading your kitchen," she announces. "Eponine has no business being on her feet today."

Enjolras quickly sets aside the document he is studying. "How are you? Is it time to go to the hospital yet?" he asks worriedly as he goes over to his wife.

"No, and you'll certainly know when it is," Eponine replies as she reaches over to undo his tie. "Staring at me like that and wearing a hole in the floor isn't going to speed things up. There's still a pretty high chance that I'll only give birth after New Year."

"I'm just making sure that this kid doesn't get born in this house, or worse, in our car," Enjolras retorts as he moves to sit next to her while Cosette excuses herself to take a look at the cupboards. "Azelma had Alex a whole month early, and there is supposedly some risk for you with that family history."

"The fine print in the literature says the risk isn't proven," Eponine points out even as she shifts to allow him to pull her into his arms. She pinches his arm lightly when he rests his chin on top of her head. "You've seen a baby being born before. You're not the one who is pregnant but you're fretting more about it than I am!"

"Firstly, I've only seen one child being born, you yourself have delivered a few-you said maybe fifty-during your training. Secondly, you can feel what is happening but all I can do is watch. Last of all, I know you will need help, if only for safety's sake," Enjolras argues. "It helps to be somewhat mentally prepared for all of this."

Eponine huffs even as she squirms in an attempt to get more comfortable, but when she looks up at Enjolras she swallows hard on seeing the worry written in his features. "It's going to be fine, Auguste. Women go through this all the time." She bites her lip as she feels that twinge again, just a little stronger now than before. "There's no use fussing about something perfectly natural."

"Something 'natural' shouldn't hurt that much."

"A lot of the times movies just play it up. As for my sister, she's always had a different pain threshold."

"I can't believe you're saying that with a straight face," Enjolras quips before planting a kiss on her neck. "I'll just straighten up some things upstairs. Will you be fine here?"

"Yell if you need help," Eponine jokes as she moves to allow him to get off the seat. She shifts in an attempt to get comfortable, which is easier said than done with the cramp-like feeling in her back. It takes a while till she finally falls asleep, only to wake up to an unmistakable squeeze in her midsection. 'Oh gosh has it only been an hour?' she wonders as she checks her watch. She lies still for a little longer till once again she feels that ache in her stomach, prompting her to put a hand on her belly in time to catch the telltale tautness there that could only come from a contraction. This time it's all she can do to bite her lip despite the pain that is starting to make her eyes water. A glance at her watch tells her that this has all happened within the span of seven minutes. 'Here it goes,' she tells herself as she stands up after a while and heads towards the kitchen.

In the kitchen Cosette is making a pot of soup while Enjolras is trying to make croutons using the toaster oven. Tess is out in the backyard, talking loudly on the phone; judging by the turn of the conversation it is Aimee on the other end of the line. Eponine goes to get herself a glass of water, only to end up stopping to lean on the kitchen counter when pain grips her again. "I think someone insists on being born today," she manages to say through gritted teeth.

Enjolras slams the door of the toaster oven shut and rushes to take Eponine's hand. "How often is this happening?" he asks her once she starts to breathe more easily.

"Seven minutes," Eponine replies, though in truth it is starting to feel like a lot sooner. "It might be a bit early still, but I'd like to call Musichetta."

Enjolras hands his phone to her. "Will she be at work today?"

"She's on call, so she can come in any time for her patients, but that doesn't mean she'll be on the floor doing rounds or OPD visits," Eponine replies as she begins to scroll for their friend's number. It takes three rings till Musichetta picks up. "Hey Chetta. Eponine here, I'm just borrowing Auguste's phone," she greets, glancing to where Enjolras is putting the hot croutons on a plate to cool. "I think it's time for you to get back to work. I'm having contractions every seven minutes."

Musichetta clucks her tongue. "Nothing else?"

"Nope. That's still early right?"

"Could be. Call me and go to the hospital right away if the contractions come every five minutes, or if your water breaks, whichever happens first."

'That's not going to be long then,' Eponine realizes. "Thanks a lot. I'll keep you updated," she says before hanging up. She takes a deep breath just to catch a whiff of the savory tomato soup that Cosette is spooning into bowls. "Is that your mom's recipe?"

Cosette nods as she sets down a bowl on the table. "You should have some, if your stomach can still stand it," she advises. "It will help keep your strength up."

Eponine smiles before taking a cautious sip of the soup and then dropping a generous helping of croutons into her bowl. By this time Tess is also setting down her own serving of soup, but instead of eating she is eyeing her cautiously. "Something wrong?" Eponine asks.

Tess stirs her soup. "You look like crap, Doc. Are you going to pop or something?"

Before Eponine can answer this she feels yet another contraction that has her setting down her spoon and leaning back in her chair till the ache slowly abates. "I'm fine," she finally says.

"Fuck no. I remember the last time a girl had a baby at the halfway house," Tess drawls. "Screamed the whole place down till Miss Cecily could get her to a lying-in clinic."

'Wouldn't be the first time that sort of thing has happened,' Eponine thinks as she checks her watch. "Still seven minutes. No drama yet."

"Is that supposed to be a good thing?" Enjolras asks, looking as if he is about to get up from his seat.

"For now, so just go finish your lunch," Eponine replies, grabbing his elbow to keep him in his chair. She looks at Tess, who is now stirring her soup thoughtfully. 'Surely she can manage on her own for one night?' she wonders quietly. "Tess, do you have plans tonight?" she asks.

Tess grins gleefully. "Number one, eat all the pizza I can. Number two, put my feet up on your sofa while marathoning all the Korean dramas you hate. Number three, keep the music on all night-"

"Very well illustrated," Enjolras deadpans. "No guests though, and no alcohol. Are we clear?"

Tess nods. "Like crystal."

"Are you sure you don't want to stay over at my place?" Cosette offers.

Tess scowls but Eponine shakes her head. "Cosette, she'll be fine. She's old enough." She takes a few more spoonfuls of soup before pushing away her bowl. "I think I'd better lie down for a bit. I don't think I can stand to look at food for a while," she mutters before heading back out into the living room. She flops onto the sofa and turns on the TV in an attempt to find something to take her mind off what she knows will be a few more hours of waiting. After a few minutes Enjolras, Cosette, and Tess also finish up lunch and join her; Tess immediately retreats to listen to more music in the reading nook while Cosette switches the channel to a good movie to pass the time with. Enjolras busies himself with a little paperwork, but makes it a point to stay next to Eponine, rubbing her back from time to time or checking his own watch when she forgets to keep the time.

It's about five in the afternoon when at last Eponine feels a shooting pain in her stomach, enough to make her whimper and grab Enjolras' hand so hard that her fingernails dig into his palm. "That was different," she gasps as she looks to him and Cosette. "Closer this time."

"Four minutes," Enjolras remarks as he looks at his watch. He smoothes back her hair from her face and rubs her back once more. "I'll get your bag. Wait here."

Cosette quickly goes to check Eponine over, taking her pulse and prodding her abdomen gently before inspecting her friend's skirt. "From the looks of it, I don't think your water has broken. You have some time, just a little more," she reports.

Eponine nods quickly. "Please." Everything she's ever read and learned about birthing is starting to race through her head, only at a pace that is more panic-inducing than assuring. 'Anything can happen from here on. There isn't exactly a thing as a routine delivery,' she tells herself as she gets her phone. "Chetta, things just sped up. Four minutes apart..." she says breathlessly when her friend picks up, only to stop and swear under her breath when another contraction hits. "No water yet though."

"Don't wait for it. Go now. I'll meet you and Enjolras at Saint Michel in a while. Just in case I'm still endorsing your case to my resident on duty," Musichetta replies calmly. "Good luck."

"Thanks," Eponine says. She glances at Tess, who has doffed her headphones and is now watching all of this cautiously. "If you need anything, just call or text."

"Not likely," Tess drawls, but a moment after her bored look changes to one of concern. "You'll be okay Doc. You've got guts."

"Thanks. I hope that's enough." Eponine smiles when Cosette gives her a thumbs up. "Thanks for coming. I know you have to get home to Marius and Elodie, but I'm glad you were here today."

"Mom is taking charge of Elodie. Marius is at Saint Michel today too, so I'll meet him there," Cosette replies, making it clear that she intends on accompanying her friends. "Do you want me to call anyone else, like Azelma and Gav?"

"Later," Eponine answers as she turns to see Enjolras bounding down the stairs carrying an overnight bag as well as his camera. "I bet you cleaned out a memory card just for today."

"To be more to the point I got a new one," Enjolras says even as he quickly opens the front door and then hurries to help her into the front passenger seat of the car while Cosette hops into the backseat. He shakes his head as he checks the GPS on his phone. "It's rush hour. We might have to take a roundabout route," he warns.

"This is one time when no one will blame you for flooring the gas pedal," Eponine quips as she buckles up. She takes a deep breath and bites her lip at the feeling of yet another stronger contraction that has her doubling over. 'Will Ian be okay?' she wonders as she looks up to see the streetlights starting to flicker on all the way down the avenue leading to the main road. While she has managed to carry this child just to term at thirty-seven weeks, it has not been enough to completely assuage her worries about her son's welfare, not now when every fear she has harboured for much of this year now comes back in full force. 'Anything can happen still,' she can't help thinking as she takes deep breaths in an attempt to assuage the pain.

It takes twenty minutes till they reach Saint Michel Hospital, where they are immediately shown to the obstetrics complex on the ground floor. Enjolras and Cosette quickly go to the admissions desk while Eponine has to allow herself to be wheeled in by some interns into the examination room. A young resident is waiting there, setting out a speculum and a fetal heart monitor. "Good evening Doc E. I'm Mandy Torres, the obstetrics resident on duty," she greets. "Doc Musichetta already called in; she's on her way."

Eponine nods as she manages to push herself onto the examination table and pull up her skirt. "They're coming four minutes apart, three maybe," she explains.

Mandy nods as she looks at the clock on the wall and then puts a hand on Eponine's belly. "Faster by the looks of it. This is quick considering this is your first child."

"I don't take things slow," Eponine gripes. It is all she can do to lie very still while allowing Mandy to perform her physical examination; as familiar as the motions are from her own basic medical training they are nothing but uncomfortable in this situation. "How far am I along?"

Mandy is quiet for a moment, as if she is checking something. "Eight centimetres."

"Seriously?"

"I'm sure. We have to get you to the labor room right away, maybe even the delivery room."

Eponine groans at this bit of news. "I'm not ready for this!" She pushes herself up on her elbows when she sees Musichetta enter the examination room. "This is going too fast! What are we going to do?"

"Ponine, please relax. That's what you need to do right now. That thing about how fast labor should go for a first-timer is not a strict rule if you recall," Musichetta chides as she also dons a pair of sterile gloves. "As for me, I can't slow this down. What I will do is my best to deliver your child safely," she says firmly after examining her friend. "You need to work with me to make that happen."

Eponine swallows hard and nods, but that's till she feels a gush of liquid right between her legs. It's nearly enough to send her into a panic. "Where is Auguste?" she asks, looking to the door. "He's supposed to stay with me!"

"I saw him outside. I told him to wash up and scrub in right away," Musichetta explains even as she motions for Mandy and another attendant to bring in a stretcher. "I asked Cosette if she wanted to go in as well, but she said she'd fix your admission papers so that Enjolras can be here as soon as possible."

Eponine nods with relief at this unexpected thoughtfulness. "I definitely owe her one."

"Maybe next year you'll get to repay the favor," Musichetta quips." By the way, just to give you a heads-up, I was home with Joly and Bossuet. They have probably texted everyone by now. I'm pretty sure someone has already contacted your siblings and Ari too."

"No one can keep a secret nowadays," Eponine remarks as she moves to the stretcher, just managing to get there before a fierce contraction grips her body, leaving her unable to do more than scream and bury her face in the cushion for what seems to be an eternity. 'I can't do this!' she can't help thinking but all the same she wills her hands to move, to get her out of her sodden clothes and into a clean hospital gown before lying back and holding on to the gurney's side rails as she is wheeled to the delivery room. Through the building pain in her abdomen she can distinctly feel a terrifying pressure in her pelvis, compelling her to draw her legs up to allow the child to descend further. "He's almost there..." she sobs.

"If you feel like pushing, just do it. It's natural," Musichetta reassures her before rushing off to also scrub in. "Mandy, you're scrubbing in too!" she calls to her trainee.

"Go on. I don't mind," Eponine tells Mandy, seeing the younger doctor's flustered and embarrassed expression. She can hear the distinct chatter of about a dozen or so voices in the obstetric complex's waiting room, and she can't help but chuckle weakly on catching Grantaire's and Bahorel's voices rising above this din. At length she catches sight of Enjolras waiting by the delivery room, anxiously adjusting the settings on his camera. "Haven't seen you decked out like that since we were taking care of Elodie in the ICU," she jokes, gesturing to the green scrub gown and hair net that he's pulled on over his clothes.

"That was only last year," Enjolras remarks as he assists her with getting comfortable on the delivery room table. He grabs her hands as she grimaces again. "Just relax. You're doing great, Eponine."

The pain is so great that his words barely register in her mind, and her next breath comes out as a shriek. "I can't do this!" she cries, now nearly beside herself with agony. "You don't even know how this feels like and getting shot doesn't count!"

"That's a rough comparison to make," Musichetta calls as she and her trainee head into the room. Her eyes are mirthful as she takes in the sight of Eponine holding on to her partner's hands as if for dear life. "Enjolras, are you still able to feel anything in your hands?"

"Somewhat," Enjolras replies, keeping a straight face while he clenches and unclenches his fist. He steadies Eponine's shoulders. "You're going to be fine. It won't be much longer," he whispers in her ear.

She shakes her head. "It hurts so much. I'm so tired!"

His eyes are contrite as he rubs her back once more. "I can't imagine how it feels like. You're right about that. I am certain about this one fact however," he begins before helping her sit up again. "If anyone can do this, it's you."

Eponine closes her eyes, drawing comfort from these words even as she is now gripped by that urge to bear down. Every effort is now suddenly focused on this one point, this task that lies entirely with her and yet is somewhat out of her control. She is vaguely aware of Enjolras' hand on her arm as he steadily encourages her, as well as of Musichetta and Mandy at work. It takes five pushes till at last Eponine feels something slip out of her body. "Baby out at 7:30pm!" Mandy calls out. "It's a boy!"

Despite these words the shock is so great such that all that Eponine can do is lie back and catch her breath, up till she hears an unmistakable high-pitched wail that cuts through the silence of the delivery room. "How is he?" she asks as she tries to sit up.

"He's going to be fine," Musichetta pronounces as she lays the baby in Eponine's arms before quickly clamping and cutting the newborn's umbilical cord. "You've got quite the little cherub here, Ponine."

Eponine has to blink away tears as she cradles her son to her chest, revelling in the softness of his skin against hers. Suddenly all the trepidation of the past few months and especially of these recent hours fades away as she looks into his scrunched up, reddened face, and then counts his tiny fingers and toes. She looks at Enjolras, who is laughing and also swiping at his eyes, having forgotten altogether about taking any photos. "He's here. I can't believe it," she murmurs.

Enjolras grins widely before bending down to give her a kiss and then to get a closer look at the baby. "Welcome to the world, Ian Charles," he greets as he strokes the newborn's cheek. "Everything is going to be fine from here?" he asks Musichetta.

"Naturally," the obstetrician replies proudly as she looks up from checking her patient. "For a first time labor, this went well."

"Thank you, Chetta. You're awesome," Eponine says gratefully. She looks down at Ian in time to see him open his eyes and blink as he starts rooting for her breast. "His eyes are blue. The same shade as yours," she tells Enjolras."They'll stay blue, I know it."

"He'll take after you in other more important ways," Enjolras replies. "I couldn't ask for anything better."

Eponine smiles and nods before adjusting her hold on their child. "You're safe, Ian. We made it," she whispers as she plants a kiss on the baby's forehead. 'And you always will be,' she promises silently, wanting nothing more now than for this particular wish to hold true.