It is the first Christmas after Cosette has married Marius. Paris is covered in snow, and Valjean and Javert try to navigate the newness of family, and the depth of their feelings for each other.

While travelling, a storm leaves Madeleine and Javert lost and cut off from all roads. But even more worrying than the need to find food and shelter is the fact that Javert is injured, and Madeleine cannot leave when that might mean Javert's death. Then another accident forces Madeleine to choose between keeping his secrets and watching Javert die, or revealing himself...

"He hungers. It is not a physical thing – or rather, it is a physical thing imposed upon one who has stripped off the physical, who handed in the body with all its cravings and needs at the same time as he handed in his resignation to that great superior." - Not everything is over after Javert commits suicide. There are yet more choices for him to make.