A Promise

Chapter Twenty-Two

        "Ring out the bells upon this day of days! May all the angels of the Lord above, In jubilation sing their songs of praise! And crown this blessed time with peace and love!"

        The song ended, and the crowd exploded into cheers as the newly wedded couple kissed. I clapped along with the crowd, beaming at Musichetta and Joly. They couldn't have made a more lovely couple. I was wearing a long, dark green dress that 'Chetta had made for me, feeling honored to be her bridesmaid. All of Les Amis were there, and Marius had brought along Cosette. Everyone was in a joyous and festive mood, all except Bossuet. He looked happy for 'Chetta and Joly, but I could tell that he was heart-broken as well.

        The crowd left the church and headed to the Cafe Musain for the reception. We filled our plates with food and danced joyfully. Enjolras walked up to me and took my hand. "You look lovely tonight, Eponine," he said, smiling at me.

        "You look quite handsome yourself," I replied. Enjolras grinned. "May I have this dance?" he asked.

        "I would be delighted," I said with a laugh. Enjolras put his hand on my waist and we glided around the room, spinning and twirling. It felt like we were dancing on a cloud. Everything about that dance was perfect. When the song ended, we stopped unsteadily, giggling and breathless. He planted a kiss on the top of my head, and then we broke apart.

        "May I butt in?" Grantaire asked, taking my hand.

        I nodded my assent, and Grantaire and I began to dance together. He was clumsy and unsteady, and many times he stepped on my toes. I could tell he was drunk. "When are you and Enjolras going to get married?" he asked in a slurred voice.

        I laughed. "He hasn't even proposed!"

        "He should," Grantaire grumbled. "Everyone knows he's fallen head-over-heals for you. I'll be darned if he doesn't propose soon."

        I shook my head. "He's got the revolution to worry about. I'm not as important."

        "We'll see..." Grantaire said with a shrug. The dance ended, and I quickly let go of Grantaire. My toes were in a great deal of pain from being stepped on. I hurried back to Enjolras, who took my hand and offered me a plate of cake. I bit into the sweet icing, my taste buds tingling with delight. The night went on and on, with much laughter and festivity. Grantaire became so drunk that he passed out in the middle of the floor, and Combeferre had to carry him home.

        "It's about time we headed home too," Enjolras told me. I nodded and went over to the newly-weds to offer my congratulations. After giving Musichetta a big hug, Enjolras and I left the party and began our walk home, hand in hand.

        "Can we make a quick stop before we go home?" he asked me.

        "Sure," I replied. "Where are we going?"

        "You'll see," he said mysteriously.

        We walked in the darkness of the night, talking quietly. I did not pay much attention to where we were going. "Don't you think 'Chetta and Joly make a wonderful couple?" Enjolras asked me.

        "Yes," I said with a smile. "They seem so happy together."

        "Do you... Do you think we could be that happy?" Enjolras asked. He sounded nervous.

        I smiled even wider. "I already am that happy."

        "I mean... Happy together. You and I."

        "Enjolras, what are you asking?" I said, perplexed.

        "Do you know where we are?" he said. I looked around, confused at first, and then I realized it. We were under the bridge where we had had our first date. "This is where our relationship began," I said softly.

        "It is," Enjolras affirmed. "And every day since that first date has been amazing. Eponine, I've never been happier than when I am with you. You're the most important thing in my life, and I want to spend every day with you until the day I die." He took my hand and knelt before me. I gasped as I realized what he was doing. "Eponine Thenardier," he said in a hushed voice. "Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"

        I had never been the kind of girl who cries much, but tears came pouring down my face as the man I loved knelt before me, asking me for my hand in marriage. I nodded, too happy to speak. "Yes!" I finally choked out. "Of course!" Enjolras let out a sigh of relief.

        "Thank God," he murmured. "I don't know what I would have done if you had said 'no.'" He rose from the ground and pulled me into his arms. Gently, we pressed our lips together. I couldn't believe it. I was going to be a bride.

        (Author's Note: Ah writing this chapter gave me the feels!! Anyways, I've started a short story called "The Beauty Underneath." It's a Phantom of the Opera/Les Mis crossover, so if you like both of those musicals, then check it out! :-)