I come to fight. Or at least, to listen.

chapter 27

Chapter 26

~The Gillenormand Winter Ball~

Evelyn grimaced in Musi's vanity mirror. The heat radiating from the tong that Musi was using to curl her hair was unpleasant. She involuntarily shrunk into her dressing gown.

"So. Remember if things get heated after the ball, you go to Enjolras's apartment not yours. You don't want the kids-"

"Musi!"

"What? Now that they're home you don't want them, you know..." Musi kept her voice low. Evelyn glared at Musi's reflection and just allowed her friend to talk. "What'd he get you for Christmas, anyways?"

"Marco Polo's travels. It's quite interesting, actually."

"And what did you get him?"

"Surprisingly enough, he didn't have one of Voltaire's books. So I got that for him. You know he gave Rene a gun? I swear to God one of us isn't going to make it to 1833."

"You guys are the cutest little pseudo-family I have ever seen."

"He's good for them, honestly. They've never really had a significant male role model so they look up to him."

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Musi carefully placed the tong on the glass table top and strolled over to the door. She carefully twisted the silver knob and pulled in, revealing Enjolras in a three-piece suit. Evelyn was very happy that she was sitting down.

Not to mention he looked mildly uncomfortable with the cravat (for once) tied tight. It was slightly adorable.

He nervously drummed his fingers on the box in his hands, but that was the only sign of nervousness he gave up. Only Evelyn knew him well enough to pick up on it.

They locked eyes, dark blue on light blue. Musi looked gleefully between them then shouted "Oh! Coming Joly!" and pranced out. Musi's voice shocked Evelyn out of the stare she held and she looked down at her lap, tucking a loose curl behind her ear.

Enjolras carefully took the few steps from the door to Evelyn and stuck out the box. Evelyn hesitantly took it, knowing full well that the blue velvet meant that it was something expensive.

"You mentioned a while ago that your birthday was in December? And Musi said that you needed something to wear..." Enjolras said. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, hands clasped behind his back. He intently looked at Evelyn's face, watching for her reaction.

Evelyn slowly pushed the top part open, peeking just under the lip of the box. She let out a little gasp when she saw what was inside.

A diamond and sapphire necklace was placed in the center, and matching earrings were to the right and left of it.

Evelyn flicked her eyes from Enjolras, to the necklace, then back to Enjolras. Her mouth hung open a little. Joly and Musi poked their heads in through the door.

"It's from all of us, Enjolras!" Joly corrected. He walked into the room and clasped Enjolras on the shoulder. "Give credit where credit is due, my friend!"

"I picked it out," Musi added.

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Evelyn felt her eyes water up a little, but she quickly blinked them back. She felt cared for, special even.

She placed the box on the vanity and hugged Musi. Then she went to Joly and planted a kiss on his cheek and pulled him in a tight hug. Then came Enjolras. She briefly hugged him, but just that short amount of time was enough for it to be electric.