Chapter 2

The two arrived at the train station early. Stephanie had just realized that her parents had never seen Sportacus in his above-average hero uniform.

"What do you think they are going to say? I mean they've never seen you in your outfit." Stephanie asked.

"Well I guess they'll have to deal because I can't take it off now. Don't worry. What I wear shouldn't be important. Its who I am that is important." Sportacus seemed edgy and he quickly apologized.

"I'm sorry. I'm just nervous. I want to make a good impression on your parents. I mean I only met them a little while ago and now…" Stephanie cut him off.

"Its ok to be nervous. To tell you the truth, I'm nervous. But there's nothing we can't face as long as we're together. I'm in love with you and as soon as my parents realize that they will love you too." Stephanie smiled.

"You think so?" he sounded very unsure.

"I know so." Stephanie said as she kissed him. It was then that the train sounded its whistle.

"Ready?" Sportacus asked.

"As I'll ever be." Stephanie replied. Soon her parents got off the train. Neither one looked to be in a good mood. Quickly Sportacus offered to take their bags and Stephanie agreed to help him. No one said a word the entire walk back to the Mayor's house. In fact, it was Bessie who broke the oppressive silence, when we welcomed everyone inside. Milford showed his sister and her husband to the downstairs guest room. Sportacus squeezed Stephanie's hand. The moment of truth wasn't far behind.

Bessie pulled Milford aside. She could tell by the looks on Stephanie's parents' faces that things weren't going to go well.

"Milford, I suggest we let Sportacus and Stephanie escape and we try to calm your sister and brother-in-law down."

"Excellent thinking dear. But what are we going to do?" Milford asked. Bessie shook her head. She didn't know what to do, but if they didn't do something she feared the situation would get worse before it got better.

Stephanie kept twirling her shoulder length hair around her fingers. She hadn't had her hair cut since graduation. Sportacus even commented that he liked her longer hair so she decided to let it go. But she could see by the looks on their faces her parents weren't that thrilled. What else is new? She thought to herself. It was then that she heard Sportacus' crystal go off.

He only nodded to Stephanie. She knew he had to go and she could tell he didn't want to leave her there. Sportacus didn't have a choice. The people of LazyTown had to come first in this type of situation. Family crises had to come later.

"Where is he off to?" her mother interrupted her thoughts.

"Sportacus is off to save someone. That's his job." Stephanie answered her mother's hostility with some of her own.

"Now dear don't get upset with our daughter." Her father cut in. "Sportacus has important things to do. He just couldn't just let someone who needs help down." He went over to his daughter and gave her a hug.

"How are you Stephy? I've missed you."

"I'm great Daddy. I missed you, too." Stephanie smiled weakly. It felt good to get a hug from her father. As of late they had been getting closer while she and her mother had been growing apart.

Sportacus interrupted them as he knocked on the door. Stephanie answered it and gave him a strange look.

"You didn't have to knock."

"Yes I do. A gentleman always knocks before entering." Sportacus answered.

"Sportacus! Its nice to see you again." Stephanie's dad extended his hand.

"Its good to see you, too, sir." Sportacus said accepting his hand. Stephanie could tell that he was completely confused as to the change in her father's behavior.

"I understand that you have asked my baby girl to marry you." Her father continued.

"Yes, sir, and your wonderful daughter was gracious enough to accept." Sportacus smiled.

"That's why we're here. This can not happen." Stephanie's mother cut in.

"Why not?" Stephanie asked.

"Because you are coming home with us and going to college." Her mother told her.

"Stop right there. She isn't coming home with us." Stephanie's father said. "This young man has asked her to marry him and that's what she'll do. They are in love and there is no good reason to stop them." Stephanie's mother had no answer to that. Stephanie had a confused look on her face and Sportacus was trying to keep his jaw from dropping. What made Stephanie's father change his mind?

To Be Continued…