Even if the Barricade Should Fall

Chapter fourteen

"Gavroche, do you want to go into the bakery and pick something while Enjolras and the boys start the rally?" I knelt down to match his height and offered him, he immediately nodded and showed a big smile.

"Come on then" I wink at him and stood up. He held out his hand for me take, I always thought of Gavroche as independent and I didn't think he'd let me hold his hand and safely guide him through the streets of Paris... then I remembered. The poor boy had never had a mother figure growing up, plenty of older brothers, uncles and, although Enjolras may have not noticed, but he played a father figure to him. I didn't want to just be like a friend to him, I wanted to protect him with my life, love him unconditionally and hold his tiny little hand in the street, I wanted to keep him safe... like a mother should.

"What do want?" I smiled down to him as he drooled over the glass cabinet.

"I- I've never been so close..." he wrested his hands on the glass. God bless that child, what I took for granted he was practically speachless over, he had never been this close to cakes before.

"I'll tell you what then, why don't you pick two?"

"Really?!" He turned his head in disbelief.

"Of course" I ruffled his hair. He then turned back and after around 7 minutes of deciding, he finally chose a strawberry tart and a chocolate cupcake.

"Hello there" Julien came from the back and greeted Gavroche with a smile.

"Hello monsieur" Gavroche have Julien a nod.

"I don't believe you've met before, Gavroche this is Julien" I introduced the two of them, placing my left hand on Gavroche's shoulder.

"Hello Gavroche-" Julien smiled then acknowledged my hand, I didn't even think to hide it...

"You're engaged?" Julien's voice went very mono-toned he stared at the ring on my finger.

"Uh, yes. I'm sorry..." I shyly looked down, noticing Gavroche was now staring at the ring on my finger in disbelief.

"Don't be sorry! Congratulations Gen!" Julien chuckled, I could see some pain in his face but we after talked things over in the garden the other day, I guess he must've known what was coming.

"Thank you!" I sighed in happiness and slight relief.

"Not at all. Now what can I get for you?" He looked down at Gavroche who was still staring at my finger.

"A strawberry tart and one of those s'il vous plait" I filled in for Gavroche as he remained frozen.

"We need to talk" I leaned down to his ear and spoke in a low volume then lifted myself back up to Julien, who was carefully selecting the best cakes to give Gavroche.

"Alright, that'll be..." he trailed off doing mental maths then his gaze went to Gavroche and softened at his tiny little nose above the cheekiest, yet sweetest little grin.

"You know what, this ones on us" he smiled at Gavroche.

"Julien, I insist-"

"No Gen, I insist" he guided my penny-filled hand away then looked to Gavroche, who was beaming even brighter.

"Now you run along, and keep her out of trouble!" Julien chuckled to Gavroche with a wink as he nodded his head towards me.
Gavroche found it funny, I did not.

We walked out into the now last lively and busy street and saw the boys in full swing, passion bouncing off of each other and inspiring one another.

"Thank you!" Prouvaire called.

"We'll be back!" Bahorel jumped in after. The boys all jumped off of the platform and crates in front of General Lemarque's house.

"Hi, how long were you here for?" Enjolras jumped down and strolled over to Gavroche and I.

"Not long, we just caught the end didn't we Gav?" I gave Gavroche's hand a squeeze as he shoved a part of croissant in his face.

"Why don't you go see the others Gavroche?" I smiled down to him trying to hide the worry in my voice.

Gavroche dropped my hand and walked over to the others, immediately I grabbed Enjolras by the wrist and led him into an alleyway.

"He saw it" I panicked to him.

"Saw what" Enjolras questioned, confused by my panic.

"The ring, Gavroche, he saw it" I started pacing around.

"Hey, hey, slow down. They were going to find out eventually" Enjolras grabbed my shoulders, bringing me to a halt.

"Enjolras, Julien saw it aswell... what if he tells my father?" Tears threatened at my eyes as I thought of how my father would react. He doesn't know Enjolras, yes he was trying to find me a suitor but one that had a stable job... most of all, he did not support the supposed 'revolution'.

"I see..." he looked to the ground.

"I guess I'm just going to have to ask for his blessing then" he said to himself as he became deep in thought.

"What?!" I couldn't stop the word from coming out my mouth.

"Well, what do you expect? We need to tell him eventually Gen, he can't not know his own daughter is engaged to be married!" He stressed to me.

"I know..." I lowered my head.

"Hey, it's ok butterfly-girl. I'll never stop loving you, despite any opinion your father has of the matter" he took my face in his hands. I just nodded in response, I knew that words wouldn't come out right if I dared to speak. I knew he loved me, but I couldn't bare to even think of what father might do, never mind see it happen.

He lightly kissed me then pulled away, showing a kind of nervous face.

"Come on, we've got some explaining to do to sweet tooth over there" Enjolras looked over at Gavroche, who's face was covered in chocolate... he looked like he was going to vomit.

"Look at him" I laughed as we both acknowledged that he'd eaten too much.

We walked over to Gavroche, who didn't look so hot compared to his hungry little self before.

"Never again, Gen, never again" Gavroche trailed off holding his stomach.

"Come on" I giggled, picking him up gently so I didn't bring anything up that should stay down and rested him on my hip.

"We've got something to tell you..." Enjolras avoided eye contact.

We walked back over to the alleyway, I didn't dare put Gavroche down, I didn't want to move him in case he spewed.

"We're engaged Gav" Enjolras nervously spoke. I never thought of him as the nervous type as he showed no fear when it came to the revolution.

"I know" Gavroche whined because of his tummy.

"The ring on her finger makes it a bit obvious. It's stunning by the way darling" Gavroche chuckled and kissed my cheek, when he did I saw Enjolras grow jealous, which made me giggle.

"I think you're fine to stand now Gavroche"