The Prisoner

Chapter 40

Hugo awoke with a sharp cry in the night. He was panting heavily, beads of sweat were on his forehead, and his mouth was dry. He looked around him and found Javert kneeling next to him.

"It was just a dream. I promise you it was just a dream" he muttered while stroking his hair. Pierre had heard him whimpering in his sleep and went to Javert so he could help him. By the time Javert reached Hugo he was writhing in the bed, the sheets were tangled around his ankles, and he was screaming out. Hugo reached out for Javert's hand and held it tightly in his. Javert slipped in next to him.

"You don't need to treat me like a baby" said Hugo.

"I don't need to. I want to"

"I guess I am. What kind of man still has nightmares" whispered Hugo.

"You don't think I still get them. I get them at least once a week, and I have learned to deal with them now" Javert told him.

"What are yours about?"

"The past mostly" Javert didn't want to go into too much detail.

"How do you deal with them?"

"Like this" said Javert and then wrapped his arm around Hugo's shoulder. He pulled the boy closer to him until he was halfway sitting on his lap. To Javert's surprise, Hugo leaned into the touch. He buried his head into Javert's chest. Javert felt tears dampen his nightshirt.

"Shh" he whispered while tightening his hold on Hugo.

"You're my boy. I am here for you. I promise" the boy's crying seized but he did not lift his head from Javert's chest.

"Did your father hold you like that?" The question was normal, spoken softly into the darkness, but Hugo didn't understand. How could he? How could Javert explain to his son? How could he explain to his son that the question made his heart clench in such a way that it hurt.

"N-No, he didn't" replied Javert in a tone that made Hugo not question it further. After a minute, Hugo's breathing deepened and Javert slowly left the room. Pierre had gone to sleep with Lilith for the night, to spare Hugo some privacy. Javert walked back to his room. Surprisingly, Rose was awake and was standing by the window, as if waiting for him.

"How is he?" She asked him while turning to face Javert.

"He'll be fine" said Javert.

"And how are you?" She asked softly. The question took him off guard and all he did was shrug. Rose walked to where he was standing and wrapped her arms around him tightly. She pulled him towards the bed, not breaking their embrace and they sat down.

"Why did my past have to be like that?" He muttered. Javert rarely spoke about his past, and Rose was surprised that this was what was bothering him.

"The past is what made you the man that you are today" she said while stroking his short hair.

"And who is that man? A troubled man who still has trouble accepting himself. I am a grown man who still has nightmares about his mother. Pathetic. What am I?"

"No, your past is what made you the man you are today. And the man you are today is the best man I have ever met. I still get nightmares about the barricades. Forget about your past. The present is what matters. And the present has three children and a wife who love you more than you could ever imagine" Javert slipped out of her embrace then and kissed her on the lips softly.

"What would I have been without you?" He muttered. They laid down and for the first time in a while, they fell asleep in each other's arms.