Thanks, Javert || Adopted by the Barricade || A Les Mis Fanfic

Chapter 12: In Which Valjean Reveals Himself Again

Valjean had asked me to keep his true identity quiet, including his name. He said I could call him Mr. Madeleine. It was a miracle I hadn't said his name when I first met him. I wanted to ask why, but I figured it wasn't my place. This man was giving me a place to stay, and I didn't want to jeopardize that.

A few days later, Valjean said he had a surprise for me. He led me through the house until we entered the main hall. Leaning on Cosette's arm and slowly hobbling around, was none other than Marius Pontmercy.

"Marius!" I exclaimed, running over to him and throwing my arms around his torso.

"Careful," Valjean warned, but Marius hugged me back.

"Elaine! It's so good to see you!" I stepped back, glaring at him.

"I thought you were dead!" He chuckled.

"I thought I was dead too. But," he turned towards Cosette. "Thanks to your father, Cosette, I'm still here. And that's what matters."

Marius was still very weak in the beginning, but he quickly got better until he was able to walk around by himself. Sure, he wasn't going to be running marathons anytime soon, but he was able to function on his own. For the most part, he was in good spirits, happy to be reunited with Cosette. However, I knew he felt guilty just as I did for what happened to his friends. He felt guilty that he was the only one to survive. We spent hours talking about our guilt and sadness. He understood what I was feeling, and slowly, both of us began to heal.

Marius proposed to Cosette one night. There was a large feast and the four of us celebrated long into the night. I was proud of Marius. I knew he was nervous to do so after Eponine's death. He still felt bad that he never realized how she felt about him. But, he had always been a good friend to her and I had a feeling she was happy for him.

It seemed as if everything was going well. I wasn't sure how long Valjean was going to let me stay, but it seemed as if he had no plans of making me leave. And I was content with that. I loved living with Valjean, Marius, and Cosette, who had become like an older sister/mother to me. However, nothing good could last forever. I was walking past Valjean's study when I heard him talking to Marius. My curiosity got the best of me and I listened in. Marius was thanking Valjean for allowing him to marry Cosette. However, Valjean just shushed him, saying there was something he needed to tell Marius.

"I have a story to tell you. That you alone must know," he said. I listened, tearing up slightly as Valjean told his story, just as he had done the night before the final battle. "I couldn't tell Cosette. If I'm caught, she's disgraced. It would break her heart to find out." There's a silence as Marius puts it together.

"You're Jean Valjean." Marius's voice is sad as he realizes his fate. "What am I to tell Cosette? Anything I say she'll never believe."

"Tell her I've gone on a journey a long way away," Valjean said.

"And what about Elaine?" I didn't want Valjean to leave. I loved Marius and Cosette, but I didn't want another person to leave me all alone.

"She knows of my past. Just tell her the same thing; that I needed to go," Valjean explained.

"You can't do that to her. She's lost so many people. You can't leave her too," Marius said, echoing my thoughts.

"I'm sorry. I have to. She'll survive. She's strong," Valjean said. "Promise me you won't tell Cosette? And promise me you'll look after Elaine?"

"I promise," Marius says. I scramble away as he leaves the room.

Shortly after, Valjean is lugging his trunk into the back of a carriage. He struggles and has to sit down for a moment. Cosette is holding back tears as Marius consoles her and promises he'll never leave. Valjean looks at the window where the three of us stand once more. Thank you, I mouth to him. He nods once and climbs into the carriage. The driver pulls away and Cosette buries her head into Marius's shoulder, crying for her father. I don't realize I'm crying too until Marius puts his free arm around me, the three of us holding each other tight. Because right now, everyone else in our lives has left us. It seems as if we only have each other, and no one wants to let go.

AN:

Final sprint! We're almost done!

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ImTurtled