Chapter 15

Éponine's Point of View- Two Months After the Shooting- Day Before the Trial

Éponine sat quietly with her friends in her apartment above the Café Musian. Over the last few months Éponine came to enjoy the company of Enjolras, Marius, Cossette, Musichetta, Courfeyrac, Grantaire, Joly, Bahroel, Combeferre, Jean, and Bossuet.

They had expected her and family without question, and did what they could to help her with the boys. For the most part they were great role models for the boys, they were young adults after all. Grantaire had even started to cut back on his drinking when Peter asked him why he drank so much apple juice. Courfeyrac helped with the babysitting, and Combeferre would help the boys do their homework. Joly would make sure the boys would take all of their vitamins, and Jean would read to the boys every night. Bahroel and Bossuet always take the boys outside to play and get some fresh air. Marius and Crossett would help get the boys to and from school.

And Enjolras did everything else. Enjolras would do anything for Éponine and her family. If she needed helping prepping meals for the week, he would be their right next to her. He seemed to understand her every need, and that scared her. She hated and loved that fact that he understood her, in away that no one else ever had.

The entire group was sitting in her small living room with Alzema, Gavorche, Jacques, and Peter. Les Amis were insisted that the group spread the evening together having a quite dinner of take out, that they the treated her and her family, despite how much she protested about them paying for her food.

The group around her was having a great time despite the tension that was on the room. Éponine could tell that Gavroche was on anxious about tomorrow, but he would speak of it unless someone asked him. Alzema was quite

Éponine throughout her life had been very good with trying to keep control over her emotions. With parents like her it was important for not only her survival, but for the survival of her younger siblings. For the past few months she had been able to hide her nerves about tomorrow trial, and the previous shooting attempt from her siblings. The younger boys did not understand what was going on, and Éponine was thankful for that. She realized that the old adage that ignorance is wasted on the young was true. She was happy that Peter and Jacques were not aware how serious the entire situation was. Gavorche knew the serious of the situation but knew well enough not to bring it up or ask questions. Alzema just kept to herself all of the events, Alzema could build up a wall when she wanted, and did not share her feelings with about the trial with anyone; expect Éponine, but only when she asked. Éponine did hear her late at night crying, but Éponine knew not to disturb her.

Éponine on the other hand had not shed a single tear, or even spoken about the trial or the shooting to anyone, but even Enjolras. The couple only spoke about those events when they had to, and normally that was only in front of Inspector Javert, or District Attorney Lamarque.

Éponine was pulled out of her thoughts as she felt Enjolras but his arm around her shoulders pulling her closer to him. She looked up at him and just smiled at him, and he bent his head to give her a quick kiss on the lips. Éponine then just put her head on his chest.

Their friends were just watching a movie that they the let the boys choose. The boys ended up choosing the Disney movie 101 Dalmatians. The group sat in silence as they watched the movie.

After the movie ended, everyone began to slowly leave, as they quickly said their goodbyes, and that they would see each other tomorrow at the courthouse.

Éponine started to straighten up the living room. The boys started to go get ready for bed. They knew that they had to be early tomorrow, and they would need to be on their best behavior.

Alzema got up, and went to her room without a sound. Éponine could tell that she was worried about tomorrow. Éponine could not blame her.

Éponine watched as her sister and felt Enjolras put his arms around her waist from behind. Éponine began to laugh to herself. She knew that their friends used to call him the marble man, and stay that he was made of stone. Éponine could understand why they would say that about him at times, but he was never that way with her. He was always warm and affection it.

"Éponine" said Enjolras and she turned around to face him. "I just need to talk to you really quickly." She could see that he was tense, and with his handsome well-defined face he did look like he was made of marble at the moment.

"Enjolras just talk to me," said Éponine.

"Tomorrow is going to a tough day. The defense lawyers are going to be nasty, and are going to try and put you down. I know you already know that already, but the press is going to be just as bad. They are ruthless and they don't care if what they publish is true, or who it hurts," said Enjolras.

"Enjolras I know. Listen no matter what happens tomorrow and over the next few weeks, I know that I have been through worse. I know that no matter how messy that this trial gets that I have something to fight for. I have the boys and my sister. I have the Les Amis. I have Crossett, and Musichetta. And I have you." Said Éponine

"Éponine my dear, you really are a fighter." Said as he looked at her straight in the eyes. "I know it sounds strange to say, but I wish my mother was here, she would have loved you. You and her both have that fighter mentality." Said Enjolras, as he was started to get lost in his thoughts about his deceased mother.

"Enjolras that is not strange to say at all. For what you have told me about her, I know I would have liked her." Said Éponine. Even though Éponine hated feeling a burden to people, and being dependent on another person she did not feel that way with Enjolras. He made her feel safe, and special. He made gave her another reason to make up in the morning.

Éponine began to speak before Enjolras could become lost in his thoughts. "Enjolras lets just promise each other that no matter what happens at the trial, that we don't blame each other, get angry with each other, or ignore how everything is affecting us."

Enjolras just looked at her and then said "I agree with you love. The only people we should be mad at our poor excuse of parents. They are the criminals."

"You are right about Enjolras. I just don't want to us to take out our pain on each other. We have both felt that type of pain before." said Éponine.

Enjolras shook his head in agreement and kissed her forehead. Enjolras then just pulled Éponine closer to him, and it was just what Éponine needed.

Enjolras then kissed her on the mouth. He held her head in hands so gently and slowly moved his lips against hers. Éponine then wrapped her arms around his waist to pull him closer to her. Enjolras then deepened the kiss as his tongue began to explore the inside of her mouth. Éponine then moaned into the kiss as Enjolras began to run his hands through her hair. Éponine then bit on his lower lip as the kiss became more intense.

The two of them continued to kiss passionately for a few more minutes before they started to both gasp for air.

Enjolras then began to look at Éponine straight in the eye, and held her close to him.

Éponine finally pulled away from and quietly and asked Enjolras "can you please stay here and sleep with me tonight? I just don't want to be alone."

"Éponine you don't need to ask me that. I was already planning on staying here. I know you will need me tonight, and I will need you." Said Enjolras.

Éponine just lightly chuckled and said, "You always seem to know what I need."

Enjolras then walked hand in hand to Éponine's room with Éponine leading the way.

TBC.

A.N. Hello! I am back. Sorry for the very short chapter but I just wanted to get back in the game. This is just a little fill in chapter. The others will be longer I promise. I just needed to get the story moving a little bit forward. I know that you all enjoy the next few chapters a lot more.

Please review and let me know what you think of the latest installment.