CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

86.

November 1839

"Mama, look, the portrait of Papa is finished.", Timothy said.
"Is it? Well, show me.", I said.

Tim ran upstairs to get the painting. A few seconds later, he reappeared in front of me. He held the painting in his hands. I felt very proud.

"Wow, this is beautiful. You did an amazing job. It deserves its own place. Above the chimney or in the ballroom?"
"Why not above Papas seat at the dining table?", Tim suggested.

"That's a fantastic idea."

I would ask Combeferre to hang it up for me the next time he came to visit. Today we would travel home to celebrate Natalie's birthday. She would turn 5 today. Crazy how fast time passed.

I got Eliza ready and ushered Timothy to get dressed. He hated family gatherings and I didn't blame him. Bastien also hated going to family gatherings. He just didn't feel well in the company of so many people.

"Timothy, are you ready?", I yelled.

Then I heard him stomping down the stairs. I began to laugh. He looked just like his father during his revolutionary-times. His hair was styled a similar way and his clothes resembled his father a lot. He even thought of the suspenders.

"What?"
"You look amazing."
"Thank you. Great-uncle Raphael told me Papa wore something similar when he was a revolutionary.", Timothy explained.

"That is true. But now we need to hurry and get going. Natalie can't wait to see you.", I said, ushering him into the carriage.

Not even 10 minutes later, we arrived at my old family house. Timothy went to knock at the door while I caught up with our stableboy. He was now married and expected their third child. I walked into my family's home.

I was greeted by all my siblings, my father, and my grandmothers. All of them were happy to see us. Of course, I got all these questions 'how are you doing without Bastien?' 'My condolences'. It made me sad. Today was not about me, but my niece Natalie.

"Grandfather.", Timothy said, running towards my father.

My father lifted my little boy and swung him around. When he put him down, he came towards me with a huge smile on his face. He greeted Eliza and then me.

"Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes. Thank you. Have you noticed what Timothy is wearing?", I asked.
"That is Raphaels doing, isn't it?", he asked, taking a quick look at the boy.

"Timothy!", Natalie yelled, running towards his cousin.

I chuckled.

"There's the birthday girl."
"I am excited to see how Eliza will react to her first birthday. Natalie is exactly like Delilah.", my father said.
"I am sure she will be like me then. Unless she's like Timothy, then she will step into Bastien's footsteps."

"You miss him a lot, be honest."
"Yes, I do. I am grieving still. But life goes on. He's not here but always in my heart. He's never truly gone. And if I pass one day, my legacy will be continued through Timothy and Elizabeth.", I explained.

"We won't talk about your passing. I don't think I can handle another funeral of one of my daughters.", he said, walking away.

My father now relied on a walking stick. He had a heart attack after Yvonne's death, causing him to have issues. He was right. Another funeral would end him. It was false of me to talk like that. But I had to be realistic. This was not a fairytale.