He smiled as she searched the tree for her gift, then held his breath, waiting for her to open it. Rarely had he ever felt so nervous. If she said no, he'd be fine with it. He had to be. He'd be patient and wait and ask again someday. But there was no question in his mind that this was the girl he belonged with, hopefully forever, and he would continue to wait for her if that's what it took.
The look of surprise and confusion that crossed her face didn't surprise him. It didn't even cause him to worry. This was Eponine. His wonderful but never truly sure of herself Eponine. A woman who didn't think herself worthy of beautiful, wonderful things and God above, she was. He'd spoil her till her last breath and make her see, in time, how very worthy she was.
So when she looked back down at the ring in her hand, he got off the seat and knelt in front of her, properly on one knee, as proposals were meant to be done. He took the hand not holding the ringbox in his and looked up at her imploringly. "I know the timing isn't the best...but I did already have it wrapped," he added sheepishly. His eyes searched hers. "Sometimes it feels like everything is moving too quickly, and for this time, perhaps it is. But back home, we'd likely have done this by now, and I would have accepted because for once I know, with complete certainty, that I'm where I belong."
Hesitating for only a moment, he took a breath and continued. "I spent a lifetime fighting against the world, fighting against people and situations and circumstances. I never paused to let anyone in, to focus on me. You made me see that having someone else to care for can make me stronger in my pursuits. I wish I'd seen that sooner, seen you for what you were."
He brought her hand to his mouth, kissing her knuckles gently. She was beautiful, that part was obvious, but there was so much more to her. The light behind her eyes even in the darkest of moments. Her optimism, her clever wit, her ability to see things under the surface. And the way she loved him, so completely, in return.
"But I have you now," he continued, his heart in his throat, waiting. For what, he didn't know. Protests, anger, confusion, misery. The lingering ghost of Marius Pontmercy between them. Something. Anything. But he continued on. "I don't wish to ever lose you. I love you, more than I ever expected to love anyone. And...my beautiful Eponine, it would be the greatest gift I could ever ask for if you would agree to be my wife."
The words had practically become a speech on him and he released a breath, but his eyes never left hers.