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

Chapter 13: In Which There's a Wedding

Marius and Cosette's wedding day. Smiles were shared all around. Cosette looked beautiful in her puffy white dress and Marius cleaned up nicely as well. I was wearing a slim, plain white dress. I wasn't one for attention. Luckily, Cosette understood when we picked out my dress. My hair had been pulled into a bun matching Cosette's. She seemed happy, but I could tell it stung that her father was not going to be there for the wedding.

The ceremony went smoothly. When they were proclaimed husband and wife, I don't think anyone cheered louder than me. I was happy for them. I was happy that after everything they had gone through, they found true love. It was time for the dance. Marius and Cosette began by themselves, but then everyone else joined in. They let me dance with them for a song, which was sweet. The party continued on, until a voice interrupted.

"The Baron and Baroness de Thénard."

Two vaguely familiar people walked in. Marius's face darkened and he looked pissed.

"I'll handle this," he said. "Stay here." Cosette turned back to the woman she was talking to, but I wasn't as good of a listener. I followed Marius as he ushered the people out.

They spoke briefly, but I could tell Marius was angry.

"Go away, Thénardier! Do you think I don't know who you are?" he spat.

They bicker for a few moments until Marius forces Thénardier to tell him the information he came to share.

"Your bride's father is not what you think," his wife says.

"Jean Valjean was in the sewers that night. He had this corpse on his back. A boy he killed in a vicious attack. I found me this fine souvenir!" Thénardier showed off a golden ring.
"That's not true!" I put in. Marius held up a hand and I gave vent to a large sigh. Valjean had saved Marius! Why wouldn't he listen to me?

"I know this. This is mine!" Marius exclaimed, staring at the ring. "Then it's true. Then I'm right. Jean Valjean was my savior that night." I let out a breath of relief. "As for you, take this, too." Marius punches Thénardier and the guards usher them out.

"That's what I was trying to tell you!" I exclaim, looking at Marius.

"He told you? You knew?" he asked in shock. I nodded.

"You didn't?" Marius eyed me for a long moment.

"Let's go. We have to get Cosette and go find Valjean."

Soon, we are rushing into a church. Valjean is sitting off to the sides in the shadows, resting in a wooden chair. He doesn't look too good. Cosette rushes over, immediately asking if he's okay.

"Cosette, my child, am I forgiven now? Thank God, thank God, I've lived to see this day." Cosette smiles at him with tears in her eyes.

"Cosette, it's me who should be giving thanks," Marius starts. "Your father saved me. He carried me from the barricade home to you." Cosette tries to hold back her tears, putting her hand on top of her father's.

"Thank you, Dad," she whispers.

"Now you are here, again beside me. Now I can die in peace, for now my life is blessed," Valjean says.

"No, you're going to live!" Cosette exclaims.

"I will try. But on this page, I write my last confession. It is the story of those who loved you." Valjean hands Cosette a letter in a white envelope. He sighs, and I know his time is almost up. "Forgive me all my trespasses, and take me to your glory." Tears are streaming down Cosette's face, and they are welling up in my eyes, too.

"Thank you, Dad." I don't even realize what I've said. It just came out. Valjean smiled at me, and then his eyes closed one last time.

AN:

WE'RE NOT DONE YET!!!! Last chapter, but there will be an epilogue, so stay tuned. I am aware I broke the daily streak yesterday, and I apologize, but I'll try to make up for it and upload the epilogue quickly. Thanks for all the reads and votes! :)

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ImTurtled