Forever and Always

Chapter 40: Home Sweet Home

        It was all Marius could do not to give into exhaustion and fatigue. With each step, Gavroche's body weighed on his shoulders more and more, until it felt like he was carrying a ton of bricks. He placed his hand on Gavroche's leg in order to steady the child. With the other hand, he awkwardly dragged a half-conscious Eponine through the knee-deep pool of raw sewage. She had grown very quiet and thoughtful since the encounter with her father. Her skin was hot and damp with sweat, and she feverishly stumbled forward, desperately clinging to Marius' body. Marius noticed with great concern that the bullet wound in her chest had begun to gush a steady flow of blood. He wished Joly were here to help her. The thought of Joly brought a lump to his throat. He pushed his grief aside and continued to persevere through the winding tunnels of the sewer system. As Thenardier had instructed, Marius took the next right. Almost immediately, he saw a light at the end of the tunnel. He rushed toward it, silently thanking Thenardier. Gavroche helped him remove the grate, then Marius lifted the child through the exit. Next, Marius helped Eponine through the opening. He could tell she was fighting to stay conscious. Finally, he lifted himself through the exit. The fresh air had never been more welcome. Marius took a few breaths to steady himself, then gazed around,  taking in his surroundings. Thenardier had been correct; there were no police patrolling this alleyway, and Marius knew why. He recognized the place. The alleyway led out into a low-crime neighborhood populated with rich bourgeoisie. It was the neighborhood where he had lived all his life.

        Marius did not wish to return home. By now, his grandfather would be back home from his trip, and the old man would not be pleased to see him. His grandfather did not approve of Marius' political views, and he would be furious to discover that Marius had participated in the rebellion. Still, Marius knew he had no choice. Eponine needed a warm bed and good food, without which she would have no chance at recovery.

        Marius looked down at Eponine's pitiful form. She lay sprawled on the ground, covered in raw sewage, shivering with fever. Blood oozed from the bullet wound in her chest, and her right hand was now swollen to almost three times its normal size. Despite her sickly appearance, Marius still thought her to be the most beautiful girl in all of France. He wanted more than anything to tell her how much he loved her, but the prospect frightened him. What if she had completely given up on him, and now hated him for never understanding her feelings? What if her heart was still too broken over Enjolras to move on? Marius reminded himself that he still had a commitment to Cosette. So, instead of telling Eponine how he felt, he took her frail body into his arms and held her close.

        "I will keep you safe, and I will keep you close," he promised her. "Come, Gavroche."

        "Where are we going?" Gavroche asked.

        "We're going to meet my grandfather," Marius said decisively. With Eponine in his arms, he led Gavroche through the streets of his childhood. With a pang, he noticed the spot where, four years ago, he had met Eponine for the first time. Eponine, the girl with more spunk and independence than Marius had ever believed possible. Eponine, the girl whom he had thought to be his second chance at having a sister, but had actually turned out to be so much more than that. Eponine, the girl who had shown him that true love meant perseverance and self-sacrifice, not mushy "love-at-first-sight" feelings. Eponine, the girl whom he could never bear to lose. He gazed down lovingly at her. She had fallen asleep against his chest.

        All too soon, they reached Marius' house. Marius swallowed nervously, but he knew he had to face his grandfather for Eponine. Tentatively, he knocked on the heavy wooden door. After a few long seconds of anxious anticipation, the door swung open to reveal Madame Lafaire, a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She gasped at the sight of Marius.

        "Marius!" she cried out in shock and relief. "I've been so worried. I thought you died at the barricade! What is that filth all over you? You smell terrible. I'll draw you a bath..." Her voice trailed off as she caught sight of Eponine. "What's wrong with her?"