A/N: School's out and summer is finally here. Thank you everyone and to my beta Halley. Please don't forget to review!

Chapter 6: Erik and Stephanie

"Are you hungry, my dear?" Christine asked as she escorted Stephanie into her bedchamber. Erik was already gone, excusing himself to see to the chef.

"Famished," Stephanie replied, her brow creasing in confusion at their location. "Um, I don't mean to be rude, but what am I doing in here?"

Christine laughed. "Why we need to make you look presentable of course! No offense but your dress is… lovely but doesn't fit in this time. Erik told me countless times when you took him to buy clothes. And I figured we should do the same for you. I have some dresses that would fit you perfectly for the time being and later we will have to go to town for your own clothes."

"Oh! T-that's awfully kind of you but—"

"No buts. Now let me see what I have here…" Christine dismissed her as she searched through her closet. "Ah! Here we go!" She pulled out a gorgeous lavender gown with white fringe around the bodice.

Stephanie tentatively fingered the soft material and grinned. "It's beautiful."

"It might be a little long, but it shall do nicely. Though, I don't know if my corsets might fit."

At the word "corset", Stephanie stiffened. "I can do without."

"I'm afraid it's part of today's fashion. It would be improper if you didn't," Christine pointed out.

Stephanie shook her head. "If Erik hasn't told you this, I don't follow the crowd when it comes to fashion statements. Especially anything that requires my organs to squish together."

The singer thought about it. She detested wearing the whalebone as well, but unfortunately she didn't have much of a choice. Without would be scandalous, making a woman seem loose unless she was enceinte. And Christine didn't want any misunderstandings to occur with their guest. She already felt a kinship towards the young woman.

"Perhaps just this once. Parisian society, however, won't be too acceptable. We'll handle it when it comes. Let's get you ready."

Just like Christine thought, the dress fit Stephanie perfectly. The latter really liked the color, accenting her eye colors and fair skin. While the former Daae helped Stephanie, she told her about the family.

Etienne was the oldest; followed by Madeleine and the twins, Charles and Elizabeth Stephanie. All three were married, except Etienne. Maddy had a boy and girl and Charles's wife had a baby girl several months ago. The twins and their spouses lived in France, while Maddy and her family lived in England. All of the Destler children were accomplished artists in some form.

As Christine talked about her children, the pride for them was evident in her tone and countenance. Stephanie only wished her mother felt the same way when she became a journalist. But that didn't matter. She was here in Paris with her good old friend and she was going to make the most of it without thinking about her worries and troubles at home. That is… if she tried.

Stephanie snapped out of her thoughts as Christine motioned her to come. "We don't want to keep the men waiting," she teased with good nature.

By the time they arrived in the dining room, the various scents of pastries, breads, and meats invaded their nostrils, causing Stephanie's stomach to grumble with anticipation. Erik was sitting down conversing with a servant when he sighted his wife and Stephanie. Grinning broadly, he rose to greet them and helped the ladies into their seats. Etienne was nowhere to be seen.

"I'm going to have to talk to that boy," Erik mumbled as he sat back down. "There's no reason for him not to be down here."

Christine sighed. "You're truly going to have to excuse our son, Stephanie. Etienne… he's quite amiable but at the moment he's in a conundrum sort of speak."

"Oh." Stephanie briefly wondered what she meant, but didn't press it. She rather not think of the haughty Etienne Destler. He was no sweetheart like Dan. And Dan wouldn't have been so discourteous. A tiny smile painted her lips at the thought of Dan reprimanding Etienne for his behavior. She could already hear him say, "No man should contradict a girl unless he knows her."

She bit into a sweet roll, the dough literally melted in her mouth. And the coffee was richer tasting than any cup of Starbucks. Stephanie ate her fill, watching the loving interaction exchange between Christine and Erik. She was extremely proud of who he became. Mostly because he overcame his insecurity in regards to his face. She knew people would accept him for the man he is and she was right. None of the servants seemed to fear their master. And surely so has society.

"So what's new with Mlle Larson, or should I say Mme Shaw?" Erik asked as all of the dishes were cleared away.

Stephanie froze. She knew that sooner or later her relationship with Dan would be brought up; certainly Erik was curious to know how she favored. But she was hoping for the "later" part.

Looking into his excited irises, Stephanie knew he would be disappointed to hear that he was gone. She was disappointed in herself too and she couldn't have her friend feel that way. This happy reunion couldn't be turn to sour so soon. And a little fib couldn't hurt for the time being.

"It's still Mlle Larson, I'm afraid," Stephanie replied. "But we have been discussing marriage."

It wasn't a complete fib. They did discuss marriage and she still thought about it, except Dan's not present. That was the only difference. Nonetheless, Erik accepted her response without question and went on to ask how she was doing. An easier topic to speak of and she eagerly told them about her job as a critic for her paper.

"You'll be happy to know, Erik, I specialize in operas and the arts. I'm the only one on the staff who's not even bored with the entertainment."

He laughed. "Then fools they must be if they cannot enjoy what they must write about. I suppose my own knowledge of music had rubbed off on you to go into the field of critiquing."

"You wished," Stephanie jested, winking.

Christine carefully observed Stephanie when she talked about Dan Shaw. Unlike her husband, she noticed the failure of the continuation of the conversation. There was something painful, almost, that flashed in her eyes when Erik mentioned him, but Christine dare not say a word. She hardly knew Stephanie, only of what she was told, and that didn't seem enough for her to pry further in. But she was no fool to the ways of the heart. She did raise two daughters after all. This was something that should be known strictly to her husband.

"Well, ladies," Erik stood up and bowed his head. "If you would excuse me there's a matter I must attend to my son."

"Wait Erik!" Christine exclaimed. "Why don't you take Stephanie around the grounds? It's only fair that you two should spend time together and I'll speak to him. I'm sure there are more stories to be told between you. Go on."

Stephanie liked the idea and it gave her an opportunity to be alone with him. She took his arm as Erik began to show her around.

xxXXxx

A couple hours passed as the two friends made way to one of the few gardens surrounding the Destler estate. Stephanie smirked as she saw the variety of roses in their path. Can't have a garden without roses, she thought.

"And this, here, I designed for Christine for our tenth anniversary," he explained, gesturing to the many blooms of reds, whites, pinks, and yellows. "It's the largest of all of the gardens and the longest to create. But in the end, it was worth the wait."

"I'll say," Stephanie remarked, stretching her hand out to touch a velvet petal of a crimson rose. "Your home is so beautiful Erik. I can't believe it's been eight, err twenty-eight years."

"Yes," he said, staring off at the buds. "Yet look at us now." He tilted his head, smiling. "Everyday I thought about you and what you would think I came to be. I can't begin to tell you how I wanted to thank you, but I had no idea where to start to return. But it seems Fate decided that for us."

She nodded. "Perfect timing, I must say," she added. "Care to enlighten me how this came about?"

"Well," he drawled. "I returned in the same spot from which I was taken from. And there I saw Christine, alone at her vanity, brushing her silk curls. For a second, I was terrified to even call out to her, but then I found the necklace you snuck into my pocket and I found the courage I needed to walk out of the mirror. I startled her, as you could imagine, but I did not let my fears dissuade me from confessing my feelings and apologizing for deceiving her for years. I told her how much in love I was with her, from the very moment I first heard her sing and that I was frightened to even tell her the truth about her Angel of Music. But, I was visited by my own Angel who gave me the strength to stand before her and I presented the necklace as a first token for my love."

"Then what?" Stephanie squealed.

"She wept. Not the reaction I was going for and I thought that I embarrassed and frightened her with my honesty. I was about to leave when she grabbed my arm and asked if what I said was true. I told her she was one of the loveliest creatures I ever laid eyes on and that no goddess could ever compare to her beauty or gracious soul. Then… she said she was happy her prayers were answered at last. She was in love with me! Christine was always wishing that I was a man of flesh, not a heavenly being, so she could love dearly. We cried in each other's arms but then came the true test. I took off my mask to reveal the kind of man she loved, but that didn't seem to matter to her. She kissed my deformed cheek and assured me of her devoted heart. I invited her to come to my home and… ah… you can guess what happened."

Stephanie's eyes were dotted with tears and giggled at his reddened face alluding to the intimate action that took place. "You old tiger you! So…?"

Erik gazed at her blankly. "So what?"

"Duh. Were you tender and romantic? Or wild and animalistic?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Dear Lord woman! Can't you get that out of your head!" Erik cried, mortified that she would bring his… bedroom behavior up again.

"Newsflash: I'm still a phangirl Erik. Spill the details so I can brag on those chat rooms or I could always ask Christine and throw in how big—"

"I see your immaturity hasn't faded since the last we discussed this," he muttered, his left eye twitching.

"Ah, but you love me," Stephanie teased. "Now I'm curious as to how Raoul felt."

Erik growled. "Believe it or not, the fop accepted Christine's rejection with that prissy silly noble dignity. He began courting Little Giry after we married. Their marriage was a couple years after ours. The only good thing I can say Christine was pregnant within a year and Raoul became a father fifteen years ago. At that point I had all of my children."

"Wild and animalistic it is," Stephanie answered herself when he finished. "Many girls' fantasies have come true."

"Yip-yee," he replied sardonically. "Leaving my love life, you haven't said a word about you and Dan. How is he?"

"Um, Dan's fine," she lied. "We're happy, you know. Been together for those eight years. Though I won't say what happens in the bedroom. It's a private matter for women."

He grunted, rolling his eyes. "Yet mine should be an open book?"

"Of course! But we are taking things slow. Marriage, I mean. We don't want to rush into it. We're saving for an expensive dream one." God, what is wrong with you? Bad enough I lied that we were together and now I'm lying about a made-up wedding.

"That's good. It should be taken slow by two young people. Marriage is a fine commitment and should be savored when both are ready. Though was it wise for you to consummate so quickly, if I may ask?"

"We're using protection, Daddy," Stephanie scoffed. "Don't give me that look. Everything's fine. Don't worry. I'm a big girl if you haven't noticed."

"Yes but I see you as my little sister," Erik clarified for his concern. "Well, it seems we both got what we wanted. I have Christine's love and you have Dan's. Just how it should be."

"Yeah, just how it should be," she echoed softly, gazing out into the distance.

TBC…