Prolouge

"Maman, what's a castle? And why is it on a cloud?" Little Adele Pontmercy asked, waving a piece of paper in her mother's face. Cosette took it from the three-year-old and stared at it for a minute, then sighed.

"A castle on a cloud is a happy place where no one can hurt you. It is a special place all your own, where nothing is ever sad."

"Maman, do we live in a castle?"

"I hope we do, Adele, I hope we do." She held out her arms and her daughter climbed into her lap, laying her head on Cosette's shoulder. Within minutes of her mother's gentle rocking, Adele was asleep.

Papa, papa, Cosette sighed, if only you were here. I have Marius and Adele, but I miss you so. Papa, you are my castle on a cloud!

She looked at the paper again. It was old, over fifteen years old, but the melody to the ditty was teasing her brain. "There is a castle on a cloud. I like to go there in my sleep..." Papa, dear Papa...

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On the other side of Paris, just outside the city...

"Focus, my darling, breathe!"

"Raoul Christian de Chagney!" Christine paused, fighting for breath as a contraction seized her. She squeezed her husband's hand, so fiercely that he nearly screamed out in pain more than his wife did. As it subsided, she groaned, "This is all your fault!" A voice in the back of her head whispered, No it's not, liar, but she shoved the taunting thought away.

"The head is crowning, Christine. The baby is almost here!" Madame Giry encouraged.

Christine moaned, but she was cut off by a pressure so intense that no sound issued from her pretty lips. The next thing she knew, she fell back on the pillow and a slippery infant was laid on her chest.

"Christine, we have a girl. A baby, Chrissy," Raoul murmered. Christine couldn't say anything. Her eyes welled with tears as she gazed at her tiny daughter. The baby's tiny wails grew louder as she nudged hungrily at her mother's breast. When she found Christine's nipple, she latched on hungrily, as tears bathed her tiny face.

"Sophie. She is Sophie Marguerite Anne de Chagney." Christine announced when she could speak again. Raoul nodded and kissed his wife, then left the room to alert Meg Giry of the baby's arrival... and check his emotions. Madame Giry bustled away to find clean towels, and Christine was left alone with her baby. Papa, how I wish you could see your granddaughter. She is beautiful, Papa. I know she would love you. Papa, please speak to me! Please...