Valjean smiles, that is all. Go and live with them? It is not possible.

'Monsieur le Baron. You will take care of my little Cosette, it is all that is needed. Live your lives together, you do not need my shadow at your hearth. It is well, I need nothing more.'

He moves his arm towards Marius, and only then notices there seems to be a tube of some kind in it. He had not noticed it being placed there, and stares at it for a moment before lowering the limb back to the sheets.

And then he sees that his sleeves are rolled up, and his breath catches in the back of his throat. He releases Cosette's hand and starts trying to pull them down. For the first time today, a tear makes it to the corner of his eye and quiet terror begins to make its way over his face.

'Monsieur,' he says to Marius, clearly pleading.