Protect Her, At All Costs. (Phantom of the Opera AU)

Thanksgiving

"Lizzy, you don't have to." Gustave spoke into the phone. He secretly hoped his sister wouldn't come up for Thanksgiving.

"But we already have plans there won't be enough room. Lizzy- No, don't hang up you aren't coming- Damn it." He threw his phone on the couch.

"Christine!"

Christine hopped downstairs and walked into her father's office.

"Yeah?"

"Uh, Aunt Elizabeth and your cousin Ashley are coming for Thanksgiving this year."

Christine paused.

"They live in Virginia."

"Yeah."

"They're flying all the way across the country for one night?"

"Well, we haven't seen them in a few years-"

"Yeah for a reason, Dad. They talk crap about Mom."
"I know but can we please just try to be civil? Like you said, it's only for one night."

"Don't tell me to be civil, tell them." Christine stormed out of the room.

Gustave leaned back in his chair and sighed.

Christine's fingers drummed on her arm as she waited in an aggravated state.

"Ye- oh hi." Erik opened the door.

Christine pushed past him and stood in the foyer for a minute.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

She turned to face him.

"Are you coming over for Thanksgiving?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Yes, I need emotional support. I also need someone to tie me to the chair so I don't end up being talked about in a true crime podcast."

"Why is that exactly?"

"My aunt and my cousin are coming up from Virginia."

"Oh, that's nice."

"No! It's not nice!"

"Sorry. That sounds rather unpleasant."

"I know." Christine crossed her arms.

"Why is it unpleasant?"

"Because they talk crap about my mom every time we see them. Whenever we would fly down there, they made me work on their farm and I always had to do Ashley's chores."

"Who's Ashley?"

"My cousin."

"Oh."

Christine groaned and stormed to the den. Nadir looked up from his book and smiled.

"Oh, hello Chris-"

"Pour me some Brandy."

He laughed slightly.

"Is that a joke?"

"Does it look like I'm joking? Come on, I know you keep your Brandy in here."

"Christine, I'm not going to let you drink!" Erik stopped her by her shoulders.

She stopped and rested her head on his chest. He brought her in for a hug as she molded herself onto him.

"I'll get you some water." Nadir said, standing.

He came back in a minute with a glass of water. Erik brought Christine to one of the chairs and sat her down.

"You look like you're going through it." Nadir laughed.