Odette || Les Misérables {Marius P.} ✔

♤2 - It's Javert!♤

1831

Pulling sharply at the bell cord, Odette waited outside Rue Plumet, ready to walk with them to church. Softly humming her prayer under her breath, she let the time pass patiently, just fiddling with her fingers.

"Good evening, my dear." Cosette's father greeted, nodding at Odette.

"Good evening Monsieur." Odette smiled, following closely beside the father and daughter as they followed the pathway down to the church.

Tepid weather wrapped itself around Odette, even though sewage water was getting into her shoes. She was still in better conditions than other people, and she wasn't going to complain about where she lived, or how she lived. She worked hard for every franc she had, scrubbing floors, doing laundry, fetching and cleaning. Her faith was strong, and she enjoyed submerging herself in it in the company of the Church. Too busy in her own imagination, she forgot about the horrid scent of France, the smell of rotting foods, poverty and waste. Smoke and cigarettes, burned the back of everyone's throats, but Odette was too caught up in her thoughts to feel the sensation. Even though she could barely breathe because of the density of the thick foggy air, her mind was racing with thoughts of Marius and Éponine. She had to stomach her love for Marius so Éponine could feel love for the first time.

Upon arriving at the church, Cosette's father opened the door and allowed the two women in, the church heat rushing past them, making their pink cheeks seem due to heat not the lack of. Dipping her fingers in the Holy water, Odette did the sign of the cross and made her way into the church before genuflecting at a pue. Taking a seat and being joined by Cosette and her father, Odette started to pray silently, until the priest spoke up, welcoming the members into God's presence. When the priest began to read out the Beatitudes as a part if the homily, Odette's mind cast back to her childhood.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

-Flashback-
-Odette's POV-

1820

I was sitting on the chair that was stationed outside Mama and Papa's room. Mama lay in there, very sick, a doctor tending to her. Papa was beside her the whole time. They were so deeply in love and I knew it was coming to an end in this life. It seemed like I was waiting for hours, but in truth, only twenty minutes had passed since the doctor went inside in the first place. A clicking told me that someone was leaving the room. It was Papa.

"Come now, Odette." He whispered, offering out his hand to me.

I took it and in return, Papa helped me off the chair, taking me into his bedroom as the doctor packed up and left. Mama looked so pale and weak, her eyes dull and dry. But when they lay on me, they lit up and glossed over. Papa picked me up and placed me onto the bed where Mama was dying. Understanding the situation, I rested my head on Mama's chest and hugged her. Papa joined in too as we cried as a family.

"I need to go soon, Odette." Mama whispered, her voice weak but loving.

"I don't want you to." I sobbed.

"It's going to be okay, I promise. We'll see each other eventually, but I want you to remember something for me. Can you do that? Promise me you will love everyone, no matter what." Mama cried.