Feel super Christmassy after writing this one! Sorry, I know it's only September, but the timescale of the story wouldn't work any other way :P
Anyhoo, thanks so much for your continuing support, you lovely lot, I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Les Miserables or Fairy Tale of New York. I can but dream.
No matter how hard she tried, Éponine couldn't get used to a good night's sleep. Her body just wasn't programmed for it; after years of quick naps where possible and constant vigilance even during sleep, she seemed physically unable to sleep very deeply, or for long stretches. Which is why she was surprised to find the first wintery light of dawn peeking through the window when she awoke the next morning. As well as this, she felt more refreshed and comfortable than she could remember feeling ever. Jesus, what time is it? Nearly 9?
As her eyes slowly adjusted to the low, pale light, she realised she was not alone in her room as she had assumed when she started to wake up: she was in the duvet nest, with Jacques, Gavroche and… Enjolras. With a jolt of sudden awkwardness, she realised her feet and his were tangled together beneath the blankets, and that they were so close she could count his thick, dark blonde lashes and feel his breath mingling with hers.
Panic spread through her. WHAT IS HAPPENING!? WHAT DO I DO!? SHIT! WHAT DOES THIS MEAN, WHAT HAPPENED?! He's going to be so fucking awkward all day if he wakes up like this, what do I do?! The thought of putting up with an embarrassed Enjolras on Christmas Day, particularly when he'd travelled all that way (for reasons she was still unclear on) and she'd worked so hard for it to be perfect, was too horrendous to comprehend. To avoid this, she composed herself as best she could as quickly as she could, and slowly, carefully pulled first her left, then her right foot out of the tangle of limbs, and inched backwards to put slightly more space between their faces.
Sorted. Thank God. Able to relax again, she tried to doze back off for another snooze before Gav and Jaq woke up.
In the comfortable place between sleeping and waking, Éponine didn't notice her subconscious shuffle back towards the warm part of the bed, and the handsome blonde leader. She just dozed a little more deeply than before.
Enjolras was used to waking early; he routinely got up at around half past 5 in the morning, so to wake on Christmas morning to the pale light of a snowy morning streaming through the window was highly unusual. He was also not used to the warm happiness he felt in his very bones as he slowly awakened, or waking up slowly without immediately thinking of work he had to do, or feeling as though he had had the best sleep of his life. I've certainly had one of the longest; it must be after 9 o' clock.
As he opened his eyes, he was startled to find the freckled face of Éponine just inches from his own: they were so close he could feel her breath tickling his chin. Once he recovered from the initial shock, an involuntary smile played at the corners of his lips: the usually animated girl looked incredibly peaceful, with closed eyes, even breathing and a small smile bringing out the ghosts of dimples on her smooth, tanned cheeks. He wasn't even aware he was watching her until she moved: her slightly bent button nose wrinkled and she snuggled towards him with a sleepy sigh as he frantically tried to think of a logical explanation for watching your friend sleep. Relief flooded through him as the tiny girl beside him was still again.
Now what? I can't move, I'll wake her up. Do I just stay here until she wakes up? That could be hours! And what about Gavroche? Will he wake up in a minute to find me and his sister… cuddling next to him?
Oh God, we're cuddling.
What does this mean!? It's not like it was deliberate, we were both asleep! Do we address it when she wakes up? Do I pretend it didn't happen? Do I wake her up? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN!?
There's only one thing for it, I have to move slowly and carefully away so I can forget this ever happened. Without waking her. How do I do that? Kind of… shuffle?
Slowly, one body part at a time, Enjolras moved backwards a few inches. He wouldn't want to freak her out if she woke up, would he?
Gavroche was the polar opposite of his sister in that long, deep sleeps came very naturally to him. He was also not familiar with the concept of waking up early for Christmas Day, unlike most 10 year olds, so the excitement didn't hit him until Jacques shook his shoulder at 9.30 in the morning, with an excited whisper of 'IT'S CHRISTMAS!'
Gavroche grinned toothily and jumped up to wake Éponine, shouting 'PRESENTS! CHRISTMAS! WAKE UP, ÉP!' with Jacques.
His sister groaned and rubbed her eyes, mumbling 'OK, OK, I get it Gav… OW, stop jumping on me!' She then jumped up herself and gathered both him and Jacques into a tight hug, planting kiss after kiss in their hair as they protested loudly.
'ÉP, STOP!'
'GROOOOSSSSS'
'GERROFF!'
She laughed as they wriggled and shouted, teasing 'that'll teach you to jump on me in the morning!'
'BUT PRESENTS!' Jacques yelled.
'Ahh you're awake!' Enjolras observed cheerfully as he appeared from the bathroom, his curls damp and a little wild around his smiling face.
'PRESENTS!
It was the best day of Éponine's life. She'd never forget the magic and unbridled joy on the boys' faces as they ripped the wrapping paper off box after box of toys and food from her, Cosette, Les Amis, Sylvie, Musichetta… even Grace had sent a box of mince pies (although strictly speaking they were addressed to her, Enjolras and Ferre, she just wanted the boys to keep opening boxes). She had also been an unbelievably lucky girl: Bahorel, Joly and Bossuet got her a CD player and several albums so she could play music in her room, which she'd never been able to do before; Feuilly and Sylvie gave her a beautiful hand-made necklace with antique-style music note and Eiffel Tower charms; she received a pot of sweet-smelling Poinsettias and a book of poetry from Jehan; cake from Musichetta; tickets to see Sister Act with Courf and R; a fabulously warm, green duffle coat from Ferre; flowers, chocolate and DVDs from Marius and Cosette, and a photo frame with pictures of her, Gavroche, Jacques and Les Amis in it from the boys (she suspected Cosette had helped them). Her favourite gift of all came from Enjolras: a silver bracelet engraved with 'have faith in your dreams and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through' – her favourite quote from Cinderella. She'd almost cried when he gave her it, and threw her arms around his neck in thanks.
He seemed pretty pleased with his gift too: she'd gotten him a bright red vintage bomber jacket, for which she received a wide smile, several thank yous and a hug.
Christmas lunch was also a success – between her and Enjolras, most of the food ended up cooked fairly well and went out on the table at around about the same time. As they wolfed down the enormous meal, they pulled crackers and laughed at the terrible jokes, put on party hats – even Enjolras! – and listened to Christmas songs on Éponine's new CD player, laughing and talking and singing all day.
After dinner, they all squashed together on the sofa under duvets to watch 'Brave' – the DVD was one of Jacques' presents – with popcorn, Musichetta's cake, beers for her and Enjolras and Fanta for the boys. To top off her amazing day, Grantaire made a surprise appearance later in the evening, fairly drunk and carrying tubs of ice cream, so the five of them all sat and talked, playing with new toys, drinking and laughing until well into the night. The night only ended when Enjolras noticed Gavroche yawning widely and Jacques almost nodding off where he sat on the sofa, and pointed it out to Éponine, who put their duvets back on their beds and made them go to sleep. She then returned to the living room to continue the evening with R and Enjolras, until eventually they all fell asleep, fully clothed and still wearing party hats, in what remained of the duvet nest.
All in all, Éponine mused to herself sleepily as her eyes closed and she snuggled into her pillow, it had been the best day ever. As she slowly drifted off, she sang along in her head to one of the songs Les Amis had all sung with her the other night in the Café Musain
The boys of Café Musain choir were singing 'Galway Bay'
and the bells were ringing out
For Christmas Day.
I know it's a little filler-y, but I hope it's not too boring, and I promise it's relevant
Please review and let me know what you think, it really makes my day! Special mention to MaryEvH for all FIVE reviews, so so sweet of you, thank you! Glad you enjoyed! :D
I'll be back asap, promise guys :)