Rated: PG-13 (T)
Genre: Romance/Drama
Summary: Sequel to Lessons on Love. It's been eight years since Erik left and Stephanie's heart is broken. But when Fate intervenes once more with the past, will she find a new love or will the separation of time keep them apart? OCOC, EC.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything of the Phantom, but I do own Stephanie and Etienne.
A/N: The tale is back again! I wasn't planning on a sequel, but the characters came back demanding for a better closure and some romance. And here it is!
I strongly recommend reading Lessons on Love first to get a better sense of the background story and characters.
And I would like to point out that this and LOL are fictional! FICTIONAL! I am not implying that all people with mismatched eyes are treated wrongly. But for the sake of the story and characters, Stephanie was treated horribly as a child. If anyone has a problem with that then please don't read if you're only going to comment about it. This is meant to be entertaining.
Now without further ado, here's the first chapter!
His Modern-Day Angel
By: Erik'sTrueAngel
Chapter 1: Star-Crossed Lovers
"Christine, I love you…"
Twenty-four year old Stephanie Larson gazed dreamily as Erik sang his heartfelt love declaration to the young soprano. Breathing deeply, she reached over to turn off the CD player for the radio to play. As Natasha Bedingfield poured from the speakers, Stephanie sighed.
"At least someone had a happy ending," she muttered, as she drove to her parking spot outside her apartment. Turning off the ignition, she looked up into the rearview mirror, a ghost of a smile flitted across her lips. "I miss you Erik. I truly do."
It was hard to believe that eight years had passed since the Phantom had stumbled into her life, virtually changing everything she had once known. In her heart, Stephanie believed that when Erik had returned to his World he took her advice and married Christine. Not a day has gone by when she often thought about her dear friend and what had transpired in the past years. She hoped for some kind of sign to let her know what happened, but nothing new changed in the ending of the movie.
Nonetheless, Stephanie was optimistic about Erik's future. It had to have worked since she was with Dan…
Opening the door, Stephanie was greeted by a lethargic Harper. His wild, youthful age had depleted him from his energy but the Jack Russell Terrier managed a good race now and then.
Bending down, she placed a kiss on top of his fuzzy head. Grinning, she ruffled his fur and stood up to check her answering machine. No messages.
Frowning, she glanced over at Harper, his dark eyes filled with sympathy as his tiny tail wagged. Shaking her head, she forced herself to be preoccupied with making dinner. She cast a few glimpses over to the phone, mentally wishing for it to ring. It had become a bad habit and each day she hoped that Dan would call.
Her mismatched eyes misted over as she reminisced the good times they shared together…
The first date had been a dream comes true.
The most popular guy in school was spending his time with her. Her! And from that moment on, they were inseparable.
The last time she felt wanted and loved was when Erik dropped into her life. He helped open her eyes to find the real beauty within and Dan continued on, always doting upon her with sentimental messages and spontaneous presents. It was Dan who pushed her to throw away the contacts and it was Dan who loved her for who she was. With him as her boyfriend, none of the other boys teased her anymore and she was given respect from her peers. It was like a gate had opened in her that Stephanie was willing to stand up and seek attention. People noticed her as Stephanie Larson, not a monster, and gone away was the shy, protective shell she created.
The relationship with Dan never wilted and their romance blossomed all the way after high school and into college. Both attended a local university and bought an apartment together. As they matured, their affections for one another grew and getting married was inevitable.
Except that wasn't the case for this happy fairy tale. A year ago, Dan came to Stephanie and wanted to end things.
He was stuck in this internal struggle over his identity. He felt that he didn't know himself at all and wanted to explore and test his abilities as a human being. He wanted to reunite with his inner self in order to become whole and decide what course he should take. The door closed and she hadn't heard a word from him since.
Had it been anything else, Stephanie might have been able to accept the loss. But she became a horrible wreck and there was nothing anyone could have done to erase the ache in her heart. She assumed it would be her and Dan forever. She was in love with him and he loved her; everything should have fallen into place. Out of the blue he wanted out and left. Left… like Christine did with Raoul.
Stephanie collapsed to the floor, her body wracking with sobs. Holding her hands to her face, she wept for the love of her life. He was her soul mate… they were supposed to marry and have babies and grow old together. How often had they talked about their future? Dan said he wanted her to be at his side and have his children, to be his wife. Where had all that gone to? What happened to him?
Harper's gentle kisses didn't cease the tears as she lay in a heap. If anything, she needed her Angel of Music the most…
xxXXxx
Paris, 1898
The clouds overhead had been foreboding since the moment Etienne Destler stepped into the hansom to escort, yet, another girl to his godfather's ball. Unlike the others, this was an old friend from his childhood, whose father was a generous backer to his father's theatre.
Jeanette LeBlanc was a beauty, one of the most prized socialites in Parisian society. She had charms, sophistication, and an amiable appearance. At one point in his life, Etienne had enjoyed her company and once believed to be in love with her. But with her silly flirtatious behavior and naivety, Etienne lost his former wishes of a courtship.
At twenty-seven, he was at the prime of his youth, a successful composer like his father and an eligible bachelor. He was also the only Destler not to be married. His sister, a year younger, was the first in matrimony. And the twins were the last to procure spouses; Elizabeth Stephanie wedded a month ago.
His parents, especially his mother, fretted over him about finding a wife. He was constantly swindled to attend soirees and parties of all natures to search for a suitable bride. Yet, most of the girls he was forced to meet were all the same—boring, dull, frivolous, ignorant, conceited, the list goes on. None of them held appreciation to his true love of music and only attended the operas for his attention.
Etienne Destler was a handsome catch. Compared to his father, Erik Destler, the resemblance would be uncanny had it not been for the deformity on his father's right profile. However, Etienne found beauty to be sore sight. His musical talent was disregarded to the love-hungry debutantes for what they wanted was to be at his side, to reveal how lovely a couple they make. It sickened him and further pushed him away from the intimate designs his mother set for him.
Ironically, as a lad, he longed for a marriage similar to his parents. Never had he seen a couple so much in love than the Destlers were. Oh yes, his godparents loved each other, but they never seemed to have the sort of ardent emotions like Erik and Christine.
It was Erik who told his children that their marriage never would have occurred had it not been for an Angel. This "angel" was mentioned often amongst his parents, but Erik wouldn't elaborate much when the children were near. He called her the Modern-Day Angel that had advised him about the ways to win his wife's heart. It has always been a favorite story of Etienne's, practically beating the tale of the Angel of Music.
As the evening came to an end, Etienne wished for the comforts of his childhood. At least he wouldn't have to put up with such torture as he did now. Returning Jeanette to her home was a weight off his chest as he hurried on home. He planned on losing himself in brandy to forget the recent festivities.
Exiting the carriage, Etienne's looming stature stalked into the manor where he was ambushed by his awaiting mother.
"Etienne!" Christine cried happily, rushing to her eldest son to help him remove his coat and hat. "How was your Uncle's ball? Did you and Jeanette have fun? You must tell me all about it!"
Before he could say a word, Etienne was rescued by his father's interruption. "Christine, let him be for a moment. He has just arrived!"
The former Phantom of the Opera appeared at his wife's side, his superior height in line with his son's as Etienne nodded his thanks. Erik smirked and ushered his family into the parlor to converse.
Etienne was grateful to relax on the settee as he rehashed the party to his parents. As always, the de Chagnys knew how to host a splendid evening with friends. The hired musicians were good and Etienne had insisted on one of the violinists to audition for the Populaire, which Erik was pleased to hear. The food was delicious and he managed to steal a recipe or two for their own chef.
The conversation was well but Christine and Erik were anxious to learn about Jeanette and him. Etienne had recounted the trivial matters of the party, except the lady he attended it with. He had saved the last bit for last, knowing it would disappoint his parents. Of course, they had a feeling of what Etienne would say. It was usually the same.
By the time he finished, Etienne carefully scrutinized his parents' faces. The information he shared wasn't what they were expecting.
Yes he and Jeanette were good friends, but he could not see their relationship leading into anything permanent or profound. It had been a few years since the last he saw the beautiful Jeanette LeBlanc, yet his feelings were reserved and platonic. He wanted nothing of hers.
Overwhelmed with exhaustion, Etienne made his excuse to leave so he wouldn't have to hear their protests. For he was certain, his mother would have an earful for him.
He retreated to his bedchamber, running a hand through his dark hair. He loved his parents, he did. He understood they wanted the best for him and wanted him to be happy. But Etienne couldn't find it in himself to please them.
The women he had to put up with were hapless twits, lacking personality and in some cases intelligence. He could not even find a woman decent enough for him to be contented with if he could not love her. There were flaws somewhere that would make the match unsuitable.
Shedding his formalwear for his night dress, Etienne laid in bed, pondering.
The qualities he wanted in a wife were understandable. He wanted her to be his Muse, his world, and his soul. Beauty wasn't an option. Etienne wasn't shallow to allow appearances to sway him. Beauty lurks in every person, even if they can't see it for themselves.
Alas, society dictates what is proper and what is acceptable for a man in his status. Society could go to Hell for all Etienne could care for.
"If only I could find an Angel," he murmured softly, his arms crossing underneath his head. "Perhaps she would save me from my solitude."
TBC…
There would be a back and forth thing between the two Worlds, but the past one is marked as you can see. Love it, hate it? Please don't forget to review!
