CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

90.

February 1840

I really thought I would recover. But things didn't go as planned. I was lying on my deathbed. I kissed my children goodbye one last time. I signed all the necessary documents. I was finished. But I was not alone.

My family had gathered to be with me for my last days.  I was not afraid of dying, I knew it would come either way. I was only thinking about being reunited with Bastien for the first time in a year.

"Annie, tell us a story.", Raphael said.

I smiled at the nickname. I haven't been called Annie for so long, I almost forgot people even called me that.

"You remember when we performed for the Crown Prince? He was dancing with me and told me I was a good dancer. That same night, we spoke and that's when I began developing feelings for that man."

"That smile had captured me from the first second. Then that night at my ball, he kissed me. That's when I knew, I loved him.", I whispered.

"Remember when we sang with Madame Louisa in the forest and the wooden table broke under your feet?", Caroline said.

I chuckled. I did remember.

"I remember. I remember when you had your Italian lesson. You had an important test and didn't know much. So Delilah and I were standing by the window, helping you with napkins.", I said.

My father laughed. Caroline laughed. Bastien laughed. Wait, Bastien? I looked in front of me and saw a smiling Bastien. I begged him for a few more minutes and he agreed. He disappeared from my vision.

"Papa, I am tired."
"It's okay. You can go to sleep."
"Will you be there when I wake up?"
"Yes, we will always be there. No matter where you go.", he said, having tears running down his cheeks.

"Good night everyone.", I whispered, having a tear run down my cheek.

This was it. Bastien came back into my vision and smiled at me.

"Finally.", he whispered.

"I love you.", I whispered before I closed my eyes.

I felt my last breath escaping my body. The next time I opened my eyes I was with Bastien. He kissed me. I missed his lips on mine.

I looked back and saw my family cry at my bedside. I gasped.

"It's alright. They will be okay."
"I just left our children as orphans.", I gasped.
"Delilah and Combeferre will take good care of them. Come with me, there is someone you should see.", he said, taking my hand.

I looked back one last time. I blew a kiss towards my family and followed him. I had no idea where he was leading me.

"Where do you lead me?"
"Just wait. She's here.", he yelled.

Yvonne and my mother walked hand in hand towards me. I ran towards them and hugged them. Yvonne was smiling and laughing when she saw me.

"You were a wonderful mother. I am incredibly proud of you. Your children will look up to you, always and forever. They will be wonderful people and will do wonderful things in life.", my mother said.

"Can I guide them?"
"Yes. You can."
"You haven't noticed that I have guided you all along. I knew that the baby would be a girl and I knew this day would come.", Bastien said.

"And you didn't tell me?"
"No. And it was for the better. You have created memories with our children and kept me alive. Now our children will continue to tell our stories.", he said.

"And they will blossom like beautiful flowers.", I whispered.