CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

50.

1834. It was crazy how fast time passed. Timothy was almost a year old. Yvonne would've turned 11 a few days ago. Bastien and I had grown even closer together and we fell in love even more.

We held Yvonne in our honor, I even had a portrait of her hanging in our house. She was right beside me, Bastien, and Timothy. Right where she belonged.

"I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise?"
"Yes, Lizzy."
"Lizzy? That's a new one.", I said.

"Well, do you like it?"
"Well, I guess."
"I'd also have suggestions like Nell, Anne, Lisi. Whichever you prefer."
"All of them sound horrible. Why don't you just call me Annie?"

"That's what your father calls you. I am not your father."
"You're not. But still. It's all I went by, except for Lisl."
"Oh and you complain about Lisi?", he asked.

I laughed.

"I didn't complain. I just said I didn't like it."
"What's the difference? I just want to give you a pet name, to prove my love to you."
"You prove your love to me every single day.", I said.

"Meet me at sunset at the hill. The same hill we spend the night before you left."
"You mean after I worked at the Musain for a year?"
"Yes. Exactly. Be there and give Timothy to Courfeyrac or Combeferre. Maybe Combeferre can learn how to deal with a baby."

"Oh, Delilah would love that."
"Of course she would. Be there and be punctual.", he said, before kissing me and leaving.

He closed the door and let out a squeal out of excitement. Timothy laughed.

"Do you think this is funny?"

He nodded.

"Would you like to go to Delilah?", I asked.

He nodded again.

"I wish you'd say a word though.", I whispered.

I got up from where I was kneeling. Then I heard his attempts of speaking. I turned around and looked at him. He waved at me and said his first-word 'mama'. I let out another squeal of excitement. I hugged my little boy. He wrapped his little arms around my neck.

"Mama is here. You look just like your father.", I whispered.

Timothy looked like Bastien. He had shorter hair but curly. His eyes were blue like the ocean.

I dressed Timothy and went to put him in the carriage. I sat down beside him and off we were to my family's home. It wasn't long until we reached it, but Timothy would be very excited, every time we would arrive. He loved the horses and Gerald, the stable boy, loved to show him the horses.

"Would you like to see the horses again?"

He nodded.

We arrived at the family home and once I was out of the carriage, I lifted the little boy out. The door was opened and we entered.

Carrie ran towards us.

"Bonjour Annelise, Bonjour Timothy.", she said.
"He wants to say hello too.", I said, as he waved to her.
"Here's a letter for you."
"From whom?"

"Bastien."
"Bastien?"

I opened the letter and began to read: his wife had given birth to a daughter and her name would be Archduchess Lauren. I knew she was pregnant and I knew that it wasn't Bastiens baby. They had no contact since he moved out. His father had requested to see his grandchild but he denied it once more.

I took a deep breath.

"Was it something bad?"
"No, don't worry about it. Just that we now have an Archduchess called Lauren."
"Is it his majesty baby?"
"No, it is not Bastiens baby. They had no contact. He was with me all the time.", I said.

I saw Delilah on the balcony. I walked to her.

"Delilah, are you alright?"
"I'm more than alright.", she said.

I could hear in her voice that she was smiling.

"Delilah-."
"I am with child.", she said.

I gasped and ran towards her. I embraced her in a loose hug.

"Oh my god, those are wonderful news. I was wondering if you could watch Timothy tonight. Bastien asked me to meet him at the hill."
"I'd love to. I know already. I know everything. Go get ready while I take care of my favorite nephew.", she said, running back inside.

I went back inside and into my room. I got ready for the meeting. It was almost sunset. I had to hurry now.

I rushed down the stairs and on my horse. I had realized that I forgot to do my hair, but none of it mattered. I had to be punctual. I could see him from far away.

I jumped off my horse and fell into his arms. He caught me.

"Well, you make quite an entrance."
"I love to impress."

He laughed.

"I love to be impressed."
"I heard the news about your wife."
"She's still saying that it's my child. Even though it is not even possible."
"It doesn't matter. Our boy matters the most."

"You're right. Now sit down and let's watch the sunset together.", he said.

We both sat down when he began to talk.

"Do you remember our conversation on the balcony?"
"Yes."

"You told me you wanted to stay alone for a few more years because you wanted to travel. I told you I missed home. What I didn't realize at the time, was that my home, stood right beside me this whole conversation. You have gifted me with your love, with a son. I could not imagine a life without you."

"What are you saying?"

"I want to marry you."
"What?"
"What do you say? Will you marry me?

"Yes, a million times, yes."