Kristoph paced restlessly in his lab. He was very much looking forward to Frank's arrival; he couldn't wait to see his erstwhile star pupil, and hear about everything he had accomplished on Earth. Gwendolyn had told Kristoph that Frank made several very important discoveries, and needed to speak with him right away.
At last, Frank knocked on the door of Kristoph's lab. "Yes, please come in," Kristoph said, excitement permeating his voice. Frank let himself into the lab and smiled. "Frank?" Kristoph said, eyes wide. "My, you look – you look wonderful, my dear boy." Kristoph walked to Frank and hugged him. "It looks as though Earth treated you much more kindly than it did me."
"Yes, Kristoph, it has been quite wonderful."
"Please, you must tell me about your discoveries. I've been so anxious since I spoke with your mother. But first, please allow me to congratulate you on your remarkable achievement. Creating life! You must tell me how you did it! I cannot begin to tell you how proud I was when I was informed. You have more than lived up to the formidable potential I had always seen in you."
Frank smiled. "Thank you. The fact I had the finest scientific mind on the planet tutoring me certainly had a great deal to do with what I was ultimately able to accomplish."
Kristoph shook his head, but there was an expression of unmistakable pride on his face at Frank's words. "You give me entirely too much credit."
Frank shook his head and smiled. "Not at all. And I will be more than happy to set aside some time later today to give you all the details."
Kristoph smiled broadly. "Wonderful. I shall look forward to it." His smile took on a more teasing flavor. "Incidentally, I was told you have found a rather special young lady." Kristoph chuckled and put his hand on Frank's shoulder. "I wondered if I would live to see the day when Prince Furter settled down."
"Had I been a gambler, I would have bet against it," Frank smiled. "You'll learn more about that shortly as well. However, to get back to the main purpose of my visit…I am having some wonderful experiences working in a pharmaceutical company on Earth, and I will inform you of everything I've done. However, I have two key things I must share with you first."
"Of course, Frank. I'm assuming these must be your greatest discoveries?"
"Yes, that is most certainly the case, Kristoph. However, these are probably not the sorts of discoveries you may be expecting. Perhaps you should sit down." Without giving it a second thought, Kristoph sat on a nearby stool. Frank turned and walked back to the door; a broad smile spread across his lips as he opened it. "Come in," Frank said, trying his best to sound nonchalant.
Audrey stepped into the lab, and Kristoph stood immediately. He was shaking his head and trying to speak. Finally, words forced their way out of his mouth. "This can't be possible. Audrey?" Trying to keep herself from crying, Audrey nodded. Kristoph walked towards her, afraid to touch her. "Audrey, I – I'm not sure what to say. How are you here?" He looked at Frank. "How did you find her? How did you know about her? How…"
Frank interrupted him. "It's a rather lengthy, but quite wonderful story, Kristoph. You will know everything very soon. Perhaps you should hug your wife?"
Kristoph looked at the floor. "Surely, Audrey, you no longer consider me your husband. It's been so long – you must have met another…"
Audrey finally spoke. "No, Kristoph, there was never anyone else." The couple embraced, and both burst into tears.
Frank quietly opened the door a second time; he hardly wanted Eva to miss this moment. Eva entered the lab and gloried in the sight before her. Aside from Faye's birth, she had never seen her mother look so happy. Frank let the couple's embrace linger a while before clearing his throat. "Kristoph?"
Kristoph broke the embrace, but only enough to turn and face Frank. Wiping his eyes, he said, "Frank, I cannot begin to thank you for bringing Audrey here."
"Well, you may want to hold those thanks for now. I did tell you I wanted to share two important discoveries."
"Yes, of course, my boy. Please, do continue." Only then did Kristoph notice the young woman next to Frank. "Oh, how very rude of me, Frank. Is this young lady your…" His voice trailed, and his eyes began to study Eva. He slowly walked toward her. "Dear Goddess above," he said softly. He looked deeply into Eva's eyes, then turned and looked back at Audrey; she smiled at him and nodded. "Eva?"
Eva smiled and erupted into tears. She felt like a child, and it didn't bother her a bit. "Daddy," she said, struggling to catch her breath. She reached out to him and was met with a loving embrace.
Kristoph held on to his daughter for what felt like a lifetime. When he finally let go, he put his hand on her face and said, "My baby girl, look at you. You're absolutely gorgeous." Eva could only smile in response.
Kristoph let her go and made his way to Frank, who was beyond elated at the reunion he had just witnessed. "Frank, I don't know how to thank you for bringing my family here." He hugged Frank.
"Well," Frank responded, hugging Kristoph back, "I do have one more bit of news for you."
Kristoph broke away. "I'm not sure you could tell me anything else right now that would be able to sink in."
"Well, we'll see. I know you were told about my marriage. However, I made it very clear no details were to be given until my arrival."
"Yes. Where is the woman who managed to settle you down?" Kristoph laughed.
Frank slipped his arm around Eva's waist and smiled. "I believe you were just getting reacquainted with her."
Kristoph couldn't believe what he was hearing. "My daughter? She's the one who has so drastically changed your life?" He looked at Eva and smiled. "Do you have any idea what you've accomplished?"
"I think I do," she smiled. "And I think he and I have accomplished something rather wonderful together." At that moment, Gwendolyn walked into the lab, smiling more than anyone had seen her smile since Frank left; she was holding Faye in her arms. She handed the baby directly to Kristoph; his eyes began to tear yet again.
Frank put his hand on Kristoph's shoulder and said, "I know this may be too much for you to take in, Kristoph, but this is Faye, your granddaughter."
"Too much?" he asked softly. "My dear boy, you've no idea how much joy you've bestowed on me today. Thank you. However," he laughed through his tears, " you said that you made two discoveries, not three."
Frank chuckled. "To be technical, two discoveries, one creation...well, two, including Faye."
Gwendolyn, still smiling, approached Eva. "I'm sure you and your mother would like some time alone with your father, Eva. Would you mind terribly if I took Frank for a while?"
"Not at all," Eva smiled, tears still shining in her eyes. "Would you like to take Faye with you? I'm sure that you've missed her – haven't you?"
Gwendolyn hugged Eva for the first time. "Yes, terribly." She refused to let herself cry. "I've missed you as well."
Frank joined them, a lone tear falling from his eye. He cleared his throat once again and looked at Eva. "May I see you for a moment, love?" Eva nodded, and they walked back out into the hall. "This may sound a bit odd, but I'd like us to wait until tonight to see each other."
"Why?" Eva asked, concern embedded in her voice.
"I know my mother wishes to speak with me, and I'll also want to speak with your father, as well as catch up with some other members of the court. Meet me in my chambers at ten o'clock tonight."
"How on earth will I find my way there?" Eva smiled, though still a bit confused.
"Someone will escort you. Indulge yourself today, Eva. Arrangements have been made for you to relax and get pampered. After everything you've been through, you richly deserve it." Eva cocked her head, questioning him without saying anything. "Trust me, it will be wonderful. Please, just enjoy yourself."
Eva did trust Frank, so she put her questions aside and kissed him. "I guess I'll see you tonight then." They walked back inside the lab, and Eva rejoined her mother and father.
Frank approached Gwendolyn and motioned that it was all right to leave the lab. She excused herself and Frank, and they, along with Faye, retreated to her chambers for a reunion of their own.