A/N: It's snowing out and classes were cancelled as soon as I left my last one. Just my luck for the fates to work against me. But here's another chapter! I know you guys are truly going to hate me after this for being so evil. Believe me, I won't disappoint. Thank you Halley for a great job and please don't forget to review!

Chapter 32: Etienne's Proposal

The next morning Stephanie wasn't down for breakfast. Everyone at the table was wondering where she was, but Etienne kept his wonderings to himself. He still felt ill over the fight and barely said two words to his family. He was just grateful that his siblings and their families were leaving today.

Maddy had the strangest feeling that something terrible happened. She felt it in the pit of her stomach when she woke up and as she helped her husband packed their bags. Looking over to the empty seat where Stephanie should have been, she sent a questioningly look over to her brother. She noticed he was pale, paler than usually and there were dark bags under his eyes from staying up the whole night. She wasn't the only one to notice his haggard appearance.

"Etienne, are you feeling well?" Christine asked. Turning to Erik, she said aloud, "How about Stephanie? Did she say anything to anyone?"

Erik shook his head and set down his fork. "No. I'll take her some breakfast after I'm through."

Christine nodded. "Etienne?"

"I'm well mother. Excuse me." Etienne stood and left.

The rest of the Destlers and others watched him leave and then began conversely profusely about his odd behavior. Erik frowned, not sure how to decipher Stephanie's disappearance and Etienne's abrupt leave.

Maybe a lover's spat? He thought and decided he would talk to Stephanie.

Of course, what everyone didn't know was that Etienne knew the reason why Stephanie wasn't there and he wasn't ready to look at her face yet. Her actions cut him deeply and he wasn't sure how he would behave in her presence.

He closed his eyes in disappointment; his hopes and dreams were dashed. He walking out was final, but in his heart he knew there would be no other woman but Stephanie Larson. Any other love would be false to his conscience and as Etienne sat in the library, staring off, no other woman could satisfy.

He thought back to the night they came together for the first time. It was perfect, how well they fit with one another and how well attuned they were. Even though it was the only time, Etienne took great pleasure in spending time with her—holding her hand, walking with her, kissing, teasing… and to think it was just a wonderful well-played dream.

His rational mind was trying to convince him ending the relationship was for the best. Stephanie was from the future, she didn't belong… she couldn't. He wouldn't wish her to assume traditional roles that were expected of women. She would be unhappy and he couldn't wish that for her.

Yet, part of him was disgusted with himself for not giving her the chance to fully explain. For cutting her off when she was about to…

Why do I torture myself so? Maybe she never loved me and perhaps its better that way. No, no. That's a lie in itself. I saw her eyes. I saw love… it could have been my own imagining. You fool. You know that's not true either. What is wrong with you? You love her and you hurt her last night. How can you do that to someone you love? Go to her… beg for forgiveness. Do something. You can't let her walk out… I can't let her leave me…

Etienne straightened. He loved her. He wanted her. She was his. Enough of what was proper. He was tired of this careful dance, the lies, the tricks, the pain. He wanted what he always wanted once he saw her. And she would see that.

Jumping to his feet, his face glowed with excitement. Yes, Stephanie would learn. The more he thought about it, the more he became eager to whisk her away. They could escape the eyes of society and the world. They could live happily if they worked this out.

No one will find them. No one could take her away from him. No one…

He ran out and towards the stairs, his heart beating wildly. He would break her door down if he had to and he would get down on one knee and…

The sight before him caused Etienne's blood to run cold as he froze in the hall.

Erik was holding Christine, her petite form shaking with cries. The Phantom's visage was nothing but a state of shock, unconsciously soothing his wife without looking at her. Each of the Destler children was all distraught, their spouses confused. They all stood outside Stephanie's room and Etienne was acknowledged by Maddy.

"She's… Stephanie's gone," she whispered.

The world as Etienne knew came to a crashing halt.

xxXXxx

Two Months Later…

Stephanie Larson had returned back to her world that day. No one could fathom as to how or when it took place, but her absence was felt by everyone.

Maddy and her sister and brother stayed a little longer, in hopes it had been a fluke and Stephanie would return. Unfortunately, their wishful thinking was for naught. They left after several weeks of waiting.

Christine felt the loss acutely, along with her husband, for she lost a daughter. Erik never saw it coming. He assumed, like last time, he would know when the time came for good-byes. At least they had each other to talk to but Erik could only imagine the heartache his son was silently suffering. They loved each other and he had hoped Fate would be kind to have her stay with Etienne. Alas, it was the past repeating itself… if Erik had followed the path set originally for him.

What the Destlers didn't know was that Etienne secretly blamed himself for Stephanie's sudden departure. Every night he would replay the events of her last night with different scenarios, but at the end of each one was the same—her leaving. It seemed no matter how hard he tried to keep her with him, some invisible force was pulling her away.

Now… now he was alone. Again.

No one could cheer him up. Music lost its favor to him and Etienne kept to himself. Each new day held despair for him. Etienne lost a bit of weight, his appetite lacking. His parents did what they could to help, but nothing was the cure he needed. Nothing would do except Stephanie to heal this pain and gap in his heart.

If he could see her he would have behaved differently. He would kiss her, hold her, and lay out his heart to her if she were to stay. If only he was given a second chance…

"Etienne, this moping around won't bring her back," Erik said, sitting beside his son. Glancing at him sideways, Erik set a comforting hand on his shoulder and squeezed reassuringly. "We miss her too. And I know she's missing all of us, especially you."

Etienne cringed but allowed his father to continue.

"I only wished I would have known. But Fate is a tricky thing and no one can predict when it takes you for a sudden turn."

"Papa—"

"Son," Erik interrupted. "I know you loved her. But there's a chance she wasn't suppose to stay. She fulfilled her purpose and it was time for her to go back to the future. I only wish that this hadn't left you heartbroken or her for that matter."

Etienne couldn't lift his head to look at his father. If he knew the truth… his father would most likely never forgive him. He already couldn't forgive himself.

"If you would care to join the rest of the living, there's a visitor for you."

Etienne's brow creased. "Who? I wasn't expecting anyone."

Erik rolled his eyes and sighed. "Who else but Mlle LeBlanc?"

xxXXxx

Etienne reluctantly made himself go to the drawing room where Jeanette was sitting. He wasn't the best in moods nor was his appearance.

He hadn't shaved in weeks, his chin was starting to sprout a beard; his hair wasn't brushed properly but he made a poor attempt to have the sides look decent, and his clothes hung loose to his body.

Jeanette was startled when she saw him, not surprising when Etienne was positively wild, yet he still held that sleek and demanding grace as her white cheeks flushed. But despite his physical features, there was an obvious underlining of sadness in his blue-green eyes.

She pitied him. As hard as it was to admit, Jeanette knew Mlle Larson's leave of absence was felt strongly by everyone in the Destler household. She heard from visiting the Comtess what happened. The story was that Stephanie received an urgent letter from her guardian in the States and her presence was needed immediately. A pretty good lie, but Jeanette wasn't going to divulge that she knew the truth to Etienne.

"Hello," Jeanette greeted, smiling timidly to him.

Etienne nodded his head, muttering his salutations. Jeanette was lovely that day, her blonde ringlets pulled high on top of her head, and her peach dress hugged to her shape, giving a tantalizing view of her bosom. However, her countenance was not fitting for seduction. For the first time in their acquaintance, solemnity was plastered upon her façade.

"I know it's been sometime since we saw each other and I wanted to apologize for my behavior. I was rude to Mlle Larson and I can't seem to forgive myself. Pray, is all is well with her?"

Etienne swallowed. "She is fine. Her guardian insisted she return, apparently a friend is terribly sick."

"Oh. Will she come back?"

He stared at his hands. "It's hard to say. Whenever she has the time, but my father feels it won't be for sometime."

For several minutes, neither would look at the other. It wasn't until Jeanette stood to signify she was leaving. She knew it was probably for the best since conversation was so interesting.

"I wish all the best for you Etienne. Perhaps I can call again?"

Etienne at last looked at her. Really looked at her and saw no harm in it. He needed some distraction from his self-loathing and there was no fear of any serious attachments.

"I would look forward to it Jeanette."

xxXXxx

Fall became winter as the first snow covered the roads and grounds of the Destler mansion.

Etienne stood near the window, overlooking the roads waiting for Jeanette's carriage. Many more months passed and though the ache in his heart was present, Etienne couldn't deny he missed the companionship of a female. Jeanette seemed to have undergone a transformation. Her frivolity was outgrown and she was blossoming into a beautiful woman, capable of greater kindness and intelligence.

Time had caused some feelings to develop, but there were not as gripping or passionate as it was for Stephanie. It was a tender, sweet love for a dear friend.

Erik and Christine were grateful Etienne had cleaned himself up and was eating heartily, but they feared this arrangement between him and Jeanette would be nothing but pain. Christine was upset that Etienne was spending time with her, worried that if Stephanie were to suddenly reappear how this would affect her. Erik tried to console his wife that Etienne was a smart lad and knew Jeanette would be nothing more than a friend.

Though, deep down Erik was worried that he might do something rash.

Arriving, Etienne was quick to be escort down from the hansom and instead of taking her inside; he led her to the garden. Jeanette wasn't sure what to make from this action but followed anyways.

Having her sit on the bench, Etienne nervously gazed at her as he tried to recall his speech he prepared.

His heart was screaming for him not to do this, but he blocked the sound out. He knew this was something he should have done a long time ago and maybe in time he could get over Stephanie.

Stephanie… please forgive me, he silently prayed.

Getting down on one knee, Etienne stared into her adoring blue eyes all the while fumbling for the words. It wasn't easy, not even when he made an attempt to pretend it was someone else.

"Marry me?"

The proposal was weak, even to him, and any other woman would have turned him down when there was no prelude with his feelings. But Jeanette didn't seem to care as her eyes were full of tears and she happily replied:

"Yes."

TBC…

Now before you all go and kill me, there's something being set up which will make you all very happy.