Epilogue

3 months later

I've got you a hot chocolate. Marius looks like he's about to explode with excitement. No one else is here yet. Please save me. I love you x

Éponine smiled at the message she'd just received from Combeferre and quickened her pace. Cosette and Marius had summoned all of their friends to meet at the Musain at four o'clock, as they had some 'big news'; Éponine had her suspicions about what it was about (they all did), but it would be nice to have their speculation confirmed.

Be there soon. Love you too x she quickly typed out and sent, before sliding her phone back into her pocket.

"Ugh, you're doing it again," Gavroche grumbled from her side.

"What?" she said, raising her eyebrows.

"Going all gooey," Gavroche said. "It's sickening."

"Shut up," she said. "One day, you'll be like this too."

She'd finally decided that Gavroche was ready to meet her friends, and decided there was no time like the present to do it. Cosette and Marius' summoning had happened to coincide with her fortnightly meeting with Gavroche anyway. She'd made sure to prep all of her friends on meeting him, particularly Courfeyrac, because she was a bit concerned about what her friends might bring out in Gavroche.

"I just can't wait to finally meet the guy," Gavroche muttered.

"Why?" She nudged him with her elbow. "Going to go all protective on him?"

"Maybe," he said, going a little red. "Don't want to see you hurt again," she added, eyeing up her ankle, which had been out of its cast for a while now.

"Combeferre was nothing to do with my ankle," she said, as they reached the Musain. "Here we are."

She pushed open the door. Despite Combeferre's earlier message, he was now accompanied by Jehan, Bahorel and Enjolras, as well as Marius. No Cosette, but her handbag was sat on Marius' knee.

"Hey," she called. "This is my brother, Gavroche. Gavroche, this is Jehan, Bahorel, Enjolras and Marius, and this," she paused, smiling at him. "This is Combeferre."

The others raised their hands in greeting, but Combeferre actually stood up. He held out a hand to Gavroche. "It's nice to meet you," he said.

Gavroche looked a little confused for a moment, but then shook his hand. "You too," he said.

"Sit down," Éponine said, to Gavroche.

"Sorry, I would have got you something, Gavroche, but I didn't know what you'd want," Combeferre said, sitting back down.

"It's fine," Gavroche said. For the first time since they'd been reunited, Éponine saw that he looked nervous and a little apprehensive.

"I'll get you something," Éponine said. "Go on, sit down. I'll be back in a second."

At the counter, Éponine ordered him an apple juice. She was waiting on it when a pair of hands touched her hips.

"So that's Gavroche," Cosette said, giving Éponine a little hug.

"Yep, that's him," Éponine said, smiling at her. "Any hints on the big news?"

Cosette grinned. "I think you all know," she said.

"Well, yeah, we've got some ideas," Éponine said. "Either you've got the pitter patter of tiny feet to look forward to, or –"

Cosette rolled her eyes, and held out her left hand, showing off the delicate little diamond ring glittering away on her ring finger. "I'm not pregnant," she said.

"Congratulations," Éponine said, giving her a one armed hug as the waitress handed her the apple juice. "Seriously, I'm happy for you guys."

"But keep it quiet," Cosette said, in a low whisper. "I think Marius wants to tell everyone. He actually thinks no one's guessed."

Back at the sofas, Gavroche and Cosette were properly introduced. Gavroche was instantly enchanted by Cosette, and seemed to be struck dumb by her very presence. This condition only worsened when he met Musichetta, but was improved by the presence of Courfeyrac, who naturally was able to bring out Gavroche's true personality with just a few winks and a few jokes.

The rest of them assembled very quickly, with the exception of Feuilly, who had work commitments he couldn't get out of.

Marius wasn't able to hold in the news for much longer, and it was over with a quick shout of "We're engaged!" that was possibly a little too shrill. After that there were a lot of congratulations, and hugs, and the combined charm of Courfeyrac and Gavroche persuaded the waitress to give them a bottle of champagne half-price.

Éponine hadn't been aware that Gavroche was capable of acting like Courfeyrac, but was already beginning to wonder what on earth Gavroche would be capable of once he was Courfeyrac's age.

She was sipping from her own glass of champagne and watching Gavroche laugh at a story that Courfeyrac was telling him when she felt a hand on her knee. Combeferre was smiling at her.

"Hey," he said. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," she said. "Happy."

"Really?" he said, eyes glancing towards Marius and Cosette, currently kissing.

"Really," she said. "I love you, remember?" She rolled her eyes, and took a gulp of champagne.

"I know," he said, and kissed her. He pulled away, and followed her eyes in the direction of Gavroche and Courfeyrac. "He's a great kid."

"Yep," she said, a little proud. "He's really taken to Courf, hasn't he?"

"Oh, yeah. But Courfeyrac's always had that effect on kids and teenagers." Combeferre took her glass off her and sipped from it, ignoring the way she batted ineffectually at his hand. "Gavroche had a word with me when you got him his drink, you know."

She took back her champagne and raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"Yes," he said, nodding slowly. "Warned me not to hurt you, or I'd have him to answer to."

"Wow." She fought to hide her grin. "Does that scare you?"

"Immensely," Combeferre said, seriously. "I reckon Gavroche could be very scary indeed."

"You'll just have to not hurt me then, won't you?" she teased.

"Oh, I couldn't if I tried," he replied.

Éponine doubled over laughing. "That was cheesy," she managed to get out. "I can't believe you just said that."

He grinned at her and laughed too, and then he kissed the laughter out of her mouth.

A/N: So that's it :) Thanks to everyone who has read/reviewed/favourited/followed this story, I've really enjoyed writing it and I hope everyone has enjoyed reading it just as much :)

I do plan on writing a (probably shorter) sequel/spin-off. The main character this time will be Azelma, and I think that it will probably be Azelma/Feuilly, but I'm not sure. So if you're interested, look out for that :)