A/N: Hi everyone! I know many of you are happy that they got together, me too! But… there are some loose ends that need to be tied up. This story has a few chapters left. Thank you Halley for the great betaing and please don't forget to review!

Chapter 30: Loose Ends

"Can I open my eyes?"

"No."

"Okay…now?"

"Not yet."

Pause. "Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Oh… are we there yet?"

"Impatient are we? All right, now you may open them."

Stephanie, grinning madly like a mad hatter, did and gasped. Etienne brought her back to the standing stones, but this time there was a blanket on the green dewy grass with a basket on top- the handle intertwined with scarlet roses. In the center of the blanket were several roses, all a deep shade of red and a black ribbon tied around the stems. Taking a deep breath, Stephanie could smell the sweet aroma of fresh baked bread and meat.

"I wanted to surprise my lady on this special occasion," he said, taking her hand and leading her to the blanket. "This is only half of it."

"Half?" she repeated. Already other romantic possibilities were flying through her mind—a street violinist playing as they eat, doves soaring over their heads, riding in a horse carriage, walking on the beach under a full moon, a proposal…

Her thoughts were interrupted as her stomach began to grumble noisily, announcing itself without further word. They looked at each other and chuckled.

As Etienne rummaged through the wicker basket, Stephanie picked up one of the roses. Admiring the delicate beauty of nature, she inhaled the rich scent as she thought back to the last several days.

Oh yes, it was a special occasion indeed. It has been four days, six hours, and five minutes since she and Etienne came together. And each day was heavenly than the last.

Every morning was a new surprise as Etienne would leave a note by her bedside, his sentiments either reflected by a poem or his own words. Usually the latter and accompanied at the end of every one was—Eternally yours, the Man who wishes never to be parted from you. Then somewhere hidden in her room would be a trinket of sorts. This particular morning Stephanie found a miniature of herself, painted by the talented Etienne Destler. Where he found the time she did not know, but she treasured everything she received.

Not once in her whole life could she remember anyone doting on her so diligently that it brought tears to her eyes. This kind of attention was the kind that every girl dreams of and here she was, having her every heart's desire granted. It was too good to be true.

Etienne noticed her tears and immediately asked what was wrong. Stephanie shook her head, giving him a small smile. "These are happy tears," she told him in assurance.

He nodded, smiling brightly. Judging her reaction, Etienne could only conjecture that no man took the time to romance her with a simple treat as a picnic lunch. He was just pleased that she was enjoying herself. While they took turns in feeding each other from the basket, Etienne reflected on where they should go next in their unusual courtship.

After their first night, Etienne still felt guilty for his carnal desires and wanted to put off any future consummation until later. The second night, he found it difficult to sleep without Stephanie by his side and went to her. She allowed him into her bed and they spent the rest of the evening and later ones curled up in each other's arms.

Etienne knew he wanted to make her as his wife. Already, he felt they were married by spirit but he wanted it to be official. He envisioned Stephanie walking down the aisle in a flowing white gown, her auburn curls let wild over her shoulders. And then there was the wedding night… Etienne closed his eyes as he imagined in making her his in more ways than one. He would erase past memories of other men touching her, ensuring she would only remember him as her lover. A delicious little chill went down his spine at the thought.

Stephanie jumped as Etienne abruptly stood. His blue-green eyes were alit with fire, his voice rumbling within his throat.

"Stephanie," he purred. "Do you remember that day in the garden? When Jeanette was here?"

She looked at him with surprise and then narrowed her eyes. "Yeah… how…?"

"I knew you came upon us. For so long I wanted to tell you the truth that when I sung, it wasn't to her but you. You were on my mind, no one else. You are my muse Stephanie Larson, my angel… My Modern-Day Angel."

Stephanie couldn't speak. The emotions whirling in her were too much as Etienne opened his mouth, "The Music of the Night" pouring forth.

Transfixed, she couldn't take her eyes away from him or his mouth. If listening to him was torture, this right now was tenfold. His rich, chocolate melting timbre was reaching every shock point on her body. Her legs quivered, her stomach pulled inside out, her eyelids heavily leaded as her whole body was going into lust shutdown.

The corner of his lips twitched upwards as he circled her, seducing her with the power of his voice. Reaching the end, Etienne lowered himself to his knees, gently tracing her jaw as he murmured,

"Help me make the music of the night!"

As he sealed the distance between them, the last coherent thought of Stephanie's were—He did get those romantic traits.

xxXXxx

"You must tell me everything that has happened!" Maddy exclaimed to Stephanie, finally finding her alone. Ever since the Masquerade, Maddy hadn't had the chance to speak to her newfound friend about her and her brother. It was obvious a change took place between them that much said by the way the two would look at the other during meals and their presence constantly missing.

Just as eager for some girl talk, Stephanie took her by the hand and led them to a room that would lend them some privacy. She broke out into a huge smile, her mismatched eyes twinkling.

"He loves me Maddy. My God he loves me!" she gushed. "You were right about Jeanette and everything. He kissed me and told me how he felt. I still can't believe that this is real. But it is."

"I'm so happy for the both of you!" Maddy couldn't help but squeal as she hugged her. "Everything is settled then, I hope?"

"Sort of," Stephanie admitted, her smile fading away. "I haven't told him about Dan."

Maddy groaned. "Stephanie, my dear, you must! Etienne deserves to know the truth once and for all. There should be no tip-toeing around this subject."

"No need to remind me," the future woman grumbled. "I'm waiting for the right time and it's coming close."

"Are you sure? Or you're not just saying so?"

Stephanie gave her a pointed look, which Maddy shook her head and laughed. "Okay, I get it. So what is going to happen now that you and Etienne are courting?"

"Well, I thought about telling Erik. And then we'll see how it goes from there, I suppose."

"Papa would be extremely happy."

Stephanie grinned. "I hope so."

"He will and Maman too." Maddy winked. "Welcome to the family."

"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you."

xxXXxx

After talking to Maddy, Stephanie went in search for Erik. She knew this was something her and Etienne should do together, but she felt it would be better if she were to do this on her own. Erik was her friend and he knew everything that has happened in her life. He should also be the one to know that she found happiness at last.

He was in the library reading a heavily thick book when Stephanie entered. Wringing her fingers nervously, she approached him. Everything she had planned earlier in the day to say flew out the window and she settled for the direct method.

"I love Etienne!" she blurted, startling him in his seat.

The book fell off his lap and Erik stared at her, momentarily dazed by the sudden guest. Slowly, as her words registered, his countenance beamed with delight and he surprised Stephanie by picking her up, swinging her around in a hug. To say this was what she expected was a big fat understatement.

"I knew it!" Erik cried emphatically. "At last! "

He was about to swing her again, but Stephanie pushed on his chest, shaking her head. "Whoa, take it easy cowboy. What have you been smoking?"

Erik threw his head back in a hearty chuckle. "You have no idea how long I waited for one of you to tell me the news. About time I would say."

"So you're cool on this?" Stephanie asked

"Of course! Why wouldn't I?"

"Oh, I dunno." She shrugged. "Could be that it's me and your son. Together. You know, as a couple."

"I get it Stephanie. Why do you want me to object? I thought I had made my consent clear before."

"Erik! Future and past! Me from the future! Etienne from the past! Get it?!"

He sighed, nonplussed. "Stephanie, I'm glad you and Etienne at last came to realize your feelings for the other. There could be no other woman worthy for my son. I just came to that realization once you appeared. Do you regret loving him?"

"Goodness no." Stephanie crossed her arms and kicked her toe. "I…I'm happy. For the first time in a long time I'm happy. But Erik, I'm stuck."

"I do not understand," he said.

"I'm scared. Not of Etienne or a commitment, relax. It's just where do I belong now? I can't abandon my job, my friends, and Harper. The past is swell, don't get me wrong, but I can't live in this world. I'm not cut out for this lifestyle. You understand, right?"

Sadly, Erik nodded. "I do Stephanie. I hope you know that you do have a family here. For the good and the bad. I've always loved you like a sister and now I'm happy at last to call you my daughter."

"Erik…" Tears were swimming in her eyes. "I do know. I love you too."

With that, Stephanie buried her face into his shoulder, holding him tight as he returned the embrace. She knew if she were to never return she would have Erik, Christine, and Etienne for support in the transition. Perhaps in time she could get use to the nineteenth century. However, Stephanie knew in her heart she wanted to go home. That was where she belonged. She could picture Etienne, more at ease, in the future. There would be no constraints like it was here and maybe that could help improve his mood swings.

"There's only one way to find out and that depends how fate goes," she murmured. "I came here to fall in love. And fall in love with Etienne I have."

He smirked and stepped away. "You will know when the right time comes."

"Yup. I don't know what I would do without you."

"I'm a genius that way."

She rolled her eyes. "Nice to see you so modest."

"You know me."

"Yeah. Unfortunately, I do."

"Now that's all cleared up. I assume that the Dan loose end is tied up?"

Stephanie furrowed her brow. "Um, actually haven't gotten to that yet."

"Stephanie…"

"Erik…"

"You know, communication is—"

"Communication is key. Geesh, I know. I had a feeling my own words would come back to bite me in the butt."

"He has the right to know," Erik pointed out. "This whole time Etienne believed that you and Dan were together and he was waiting for you."

"I know! I'm aware what I led him to believe," Stephanie mumbled.

"Then in that case you know you must fix it," Erik stated.

"I hate you," Stephanie said.

"I love you too."

xxXXxx

Stephanie found Etienne in his room, tinkering with a brass telescope. He glanced up, smiling as she walked in.

"Good evening, mon ange," he said, his voice merely a soft brush in the quiet room.

"H-hi," Stephanie replied shyly; and bit the inside of her cheek. He went back to straightening the telescope to get a better angle of the stars.

Stop messing around, she angrily told herself. Tell him! It shouldn't be so hard!

Etienne would feel so hurt…

But he needs to know…

Not yet…

Stephanie closed her mouth. Her resolve was fading and with one last glance, she left him to do his work.

Coward, her inner voice scolded.

I will tell him. Not yet but soon. Very soon.

TBC…