I'll Cover You

Chapter 4

Marius sat down on the couch, and patted the spot next to him for Cosette to sit down. After fixating herself on the couch, she took in a deep breath. She remained silent for a few moments in an attempt to gather her words together. How was she going to put her situation in the best way possible? What was the best way to phrase it without scaring him away? What would he think of her after she finished her story?

Cosette took all of these things under consideration, and then drew in a deep breath. She spoke in a bit of hushed tone, "I wasn't always this bad. In fact, until a couple months ago, I had lived a fairly normal life. I lived with my father, and I had all I could ever ask for in my life. Still, it was not all sunshine and happiness. I always felt as though my father was hiding something from me. Every time I would ask him about it, he would simply try to change the subject. It made me feel like he still thought I was a child..."

Cosette shuddered a bit, and then continued. "He passed away about a month and a half ago. Before his passing, he wrote me this letter." She took a piece of paper out of her pocket, and handed it over to Marius. "It talks about everything I had been trying to get out of him for years. He was never truly my father, and raised me as a promise he made to my real mother. I was so angered that he had waited so long to tell me all of this, and how he could leave me here to fend for myself... And that right there is why I drink. I thought it would be better to feel ditzy than to be angry."

Tears form in her eyes, "And I am just such a disappointment to everyone I've ever come in contact with. I wish I could just turn back time and change everything, but I can't."

Marius pulled Cosette close to him for a hug. He wished that he could take away all of her troubles with a wave of the hand. She didn't deserve to go through this. No one did. He held her close, and let her weep gently into his shoulder. When he finally spoke, his voice was comforting, "I am so sorry Cosette."

Cosette managed to heave out, "I'm a horrible excuse for a daughter."

Marius lifted her chin up so she was looking him straight in the eye. He stroked her hair gently with his other hand, "No you are not. Yes you have made some mistakes, but who hasn't really? It's never too late to turn this around. You still have the rest of your life ahead of you."

Cosette closed her eyes tightly, "I can't do it. It's too hard to do on my own."

"But you are not alone," Marius replied, "I'll help you."

Cosette shook her head, "I can't ask you to do that. I don't want to burden you with my problems."

Marius took one of her hands in his, and looked at her, "It is no burden. I want to help you."

She opened her eyes to look at him as well, and asked, "But why though?"

Marius wondered himself why he was so willing to help Cosette. Was it because of the things he had begun to feel for her since leaving with her? He couldn't tell her that. What if he scared her away? He mentally smacked himself. Now was not the time for him to sort out his romantic feelings towards Cosette. Now was the time to help Cosette as much as he possibly could until the revolution. Finally he came up with his answer, "Because it's what you deserve."

Cosette gave Marius a small smile, and hug him tightly. Her tears began to cease, "Thank you so much Marius."

Marius hugged her back, "It is my pleasure." Marius thought to himself, "Yeah, it's official. I love her."