A/N: For the record, I do appreciate constructive criticism to help improve the story because I want to make it as good as I can for everyone to enjoy. However, profanity will not be tolerated and especially when there's no reason attached. I don't need to point fingers so you know who you are, but in the future please refrain from using derogatory remarks unless you want to prove something worthwhile.

To everyone else, thank you for the feedback. And thank you Halley as always for being my beta.

Chapter 5: An Unexpected Reunion

Stephanie scrambled off the bed, away from the man as he stood with a dumbfounded expression on his face. Feeling highly uncomfortable and confused, she eyed the silent intruder warily.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my room?" she demanded, her voice shaking.

The man blinked as if he didn't comprehend what she just said. He took a step forward causing her to jump back, her hand held in front of her. "Don't come any closer or-or I'll call for help," Stephanie warned. "Just turn around and I'll pretend this never happened."

He tilted his head, one dark brow rising. "I should say the same to you, mademoiselle," he replied. "And what are you doing in my bedroom?"

"Your bedroom?" she scoffed in disbelief. Snorting, she looked around and dread began to pile up in her belly. It was twice… no thrice as large as hers, the bed—a nicely decorated wooden poster—with a navy blue canopy wasn't hers and by no means was the hand-crafted dresser hers.

A pompous smirk stretched at his lips as Stephanie returned her gaze on him. Had it not been for the arrogant pretence she would have thought him to be rather dashing. He was handsome; short chestnut brown hair curled at the ends fashionably, intense turquoise eyes and a strong chin and mouth. His white shirt buttons were unclasped at the top, exposing his muscular throat and a dusting of brown hair on his chest.

Heat rose to her cheeks, as she sheepishly looked away. He had her there but how was she going to defend herself? She wasn't entirely sure how she ended up in his room to begin with. All she could remember was the horrid date with Bernie and falling asleep in her respected room. Oh, then there was that pointless wish about Erik.

"Well?" he inquired, crossing his arms over.

"I-I," she stuttered, wringing her hands nervously. "T-this must be a joke. I-I don't know—"

She was interrupted as another came busting through.

"Etienne, we heard screaming and—" his mother's voice trailed off as she caught sight of the trembling woman. "Oh my word…"

Stephanie stared at the new intruder, a wave of familiarity washed over her. Dark russet curls, cocoa brown eyes, and flawless features… Her face was older, though retaining a sense of youthfulness and newfound wisdom. Was she…?

"What the Hell is going on!"

She tore her attention away from the woman, a gasp slipping out as the one person she thought she would never see again, magically appeared at the doorway. For a few moments, both gawked at the other, taking in the missing years of transformation.

He stood straight, his head high, the dark periods of abuse and sorrows were erased from his eyes and countenance. Love, happiness, and joy reflected in the beginning stages of aging with slight crinkles around his blue-green orbs and mouth from too much laughing and smiling. Even the harsh redness on his right side seemed to have faded to a light pink.

From his own scrutiny, he was surprised how the young timid girl he met had turned into a ravishing woman. Her hair no longer was dull, but vibrant and wild. Her skin was a healthy white, her cheeks rosy and glowing. And the part of her she distasted so much didn't hide in the glassy mask anymore, but her mismatched coloring was out for the world to see. She had become a beauty, beating the cruel suffering as a child. He noticed lastly the smudges on her face from her make-up and dismissed it as from being awakened by the commotions.

"Erik?" she squeaked, believing her mind was tricking her.

"Stephanie…" Erik's façade lit up as a large grin spread across. "Mon Dieu!"

He flew over, crushing her in a tender embrace, tears glistening in his eyes as well as hers. Forgetting they had an audience, both began speaking out at once.

"When did you get here?"

"Did you marry her?"

"Did you marry your boy?"

"You're not wearing your mask!"

"You don't have contacts!"

It wasn't until a loud "ahem" made them remember they weren't alone. Embarrassed, Stephanie unwound her arms from Erik, looking down at her feet as the Phantom did the talking for them.

"Christine this is Stephanie Larson! This is the girl I told you about!"

Lifting her head up, Stephanie was suddenly drawn into another hug, this time from Christine Daae.

"It's you!" she cried happily. Pulling apart, Christine was beaming with delight. "My husband has told me what you've done for him and I thank you sincerely for the kindness you bestowed on him. Imagine, after these years, and you're here! There's so much to tell you!"

Stephanie smiled politely and amused by her actions. At least she now knew Erik and Christine were officially married!

The only person in the room, who was starting to feel agitated and lost, glanced from the woman, Mlle Larson, to his overzealous parents. This couldn't be the Angel that his father had spoken fond of when he was a lad! It was twenty-eight years ago when they met and she looked about mid-twenties not forties. There must be some mistake…

"This is exciting! There are some things I wanted to know, that Erik was lacking in knowing about you. The Modern-Day Angel in our home! I cannot believe it!"

"Modern-Day Angel?" Stephanie repeated, shooting a look at Erik. He simply shrugged, mirth shining through his eyes.

"That's what you are to me Stephanie," he said. "Had it not been for those slave-driving lessons, I wouldn't be the man that I am today."

"They were not! You were a big baby that's all," Stephanie retorted, playfully punching him in the arm. "And did they come in handy?"

"Yes…"

"Then quit complaining Phantom of the Whininess," she teased. Rolling her eyes over to Christine's attention, Stephanie added, "You should have heard him. Fought me tooth and nail just to clean up his behavior and forgo the damn mask."

"I can imagine," Christine winked as Erik put on a "ha ha" expression.

Giggling, Stephanie looked up as the unspoken third person merely stood and glared at them. It hit her then of how much he resembled Erik before meeting her—so gloomy and paranoid, like the world was going to run him over any second…

Her eyebrows rose. Is that their son? She pondered. Dear Lord, they had to have him way before I helped him…

Erik caught her and Etienne's looks and cleared his throat. "Stephanie, this is our son, Etienne. I see you two already must have met."

"Sorry," Stephanie replied, chuckling nervously. "Nice to meet you Etienne. I didn't know—"

"Yes, well, that makes two," he responded stiffly. Etienne made a light bow to her, though his impatience was easily readable. "Mlle Larson is it? You know my father?"

"I do," she answered, frowning at the rude young man. Definitely father's son. "Is that a problem?"

Her blunt question took him aback. Fixing his posture, he fixed a hard, cold eye on her. "Then clearly, you must know, you look awfully young if you had only met him twenty-eight years ago."

Christine's mouth dropped at her son's audacity. Before the Destlers could react, Stephanie stepped in. "Sorry to break it to you, but it was eight years not twenty-eight."

Jerk, she thought. Yes, it was wrong of her to think bad about her friend's son (if he is what she thinks), but that gave him no excuse to be mean to her.

"Actually, my dear, you're both right," Erik interjected, though looking disapprovingly to Etienne. "It could be twenty-eight for us in this World and eight for yours. At least it would explain our young appearances, well, for some of us."

His comment earned a slap to his shoulder by his wife. "And what is that suppose to mean, M. Destler?"

Stephanie couldn't help the smile breaking through. "Yeah Erik. After being married, one would think you should know what to say."

"Absolutely!" Christine agreed.

He scowled. "I didn't mean to insult anyone. I was directing it towards the fop."

"Erik!" Christine scolded. "That fop happens to be our son's godfather."

"Godfather?" Stephanie said. "Oh Erik!"

"It's not like I had a choice!" he announced, crossing his arms. "I only went along because he married Little Giry."

She couldn't stop laughing much to Erik's chagrin. "S-s-orry!"

Erik grumbled incoherently as Etienne shifted his weight around, wanting them all to leave so he could sleep. This wouldn't have been a problem if Stephanie Larson hadn't appeared in his bed of all places.

Stephanie sensed a hostile tense in the atmosphere, which happened to be radiating from Etienne Destler. She watched him carefully as he shifted about, his toe lightly tapping. After his "friendly" introduction she knew right from the get-go he was one difficult individual. How anyone sweet as Christine could produce a man like him was a mystery. Erik did have his moments but after his lessons he was as docile as a lamb. Why would their son be so moody?

"As wonderful as this reunion is, I wouldn't mind freshening up Papa and Maman," Etienne pointed out, hating have to resort to a childish plea to get his way. But the way everything was turning out, he wouldn't be able to doze if they wish to remain chatting. Yet nature called for rest and rest he will surely have one way or the other.

"Oh of course, dear," Christine said, wrinkling her nose. "Maybe a bath might be in order too." A knowing glint in her eyes told Etienne she knew what he was up to during the night and he gulped unconsciously.

Taking Stephanie's hand, Christine began to lead her out of the room with Erik at their heels.

"I apologize for our son's lack of manners, but he's not normally rude to guests. You'll see sooner or later. Now, I'll have Claudette prepare the guest room that's down the hall from here for you to use—"

"You don't—" Stephanie started.

"Ah, but we must! If you're going to stay I won't have you be uncomfortable. I'm sure you and Erik have plenty to catch up on and then you and I must talk. There were some details my husband has failed to elaborate on…"

"Christine," Erik wheedled.

"Oh, I have some juicy stories," Stephanie cackled, tossing Erik an evil look.

It was good to see him again.

TBC…