"Why are you going for so long?" Meg whined

"Because Erik wants to make sure Anna is alright." Christine shrugged, "And I'm paying you two back for the two weeks you left me."

"I was on my honeymoon!"

"And I was on a much needed break!" Chris cried

"Well I'm going to spend time with Erik's family since he spends enough with mine." She said, "So you want to give me some advice for meeting the family?"

"Be yourself." They answered,

"Something a little better than that please." Christine sighed

"They're going to find out what you're really like sooner or later." Chris shrugged, "Its better to make it sooner, trust me."

"You're just lucky its not more than ten people you have to meet." Meg put in, "Just show you love like you do when you guys are with us."

"Wait," Chris looked at her, "Didn't you say his cousin is younger?"

"So?" Christine shrugged,

"So that means she's probably either overly protective," He explained, "or young and in love with love. How old is she?"

"She's eleven years younger than Erik so she's… twenty." She nodded, "Her husband is twenty-two. But their mature, I think because I spoke with her one time and she did not sound twenty."

"Hey isn't your birthday in August?" Meg smiled, "meaning you are going to be in England for your birthday!"

"Does Erik know?" Chris asked

"I doubt it." She shrugged, "Just because he's different from most guys does not mean he's that different."

Christine leaned against the window frame and looked out to the city. It was so busy. The cars just kept moving and so did the people. Erik told her the house in England was not by the city. That it was a good five hour drive. Which was fine with her, she needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of the over crowded city.

"All packed, love?" Erik kissed her on the head and circled her waist with his arms,

"Yep." She smiled, "I cannot believe I'm going to Europe."

"I suppose it is fun visiting a new country." He shrugged,

"You only say that because you travel too much." Her eyes rolled, "You have to take your time. People live longer these days."

She looked out the window again. Still water, damn it! They have been flying for at least ten hours now! Christine had not checked a watch, but it could not take this long!

"Christine." A sleepy voice said beside her, "Go to sleep."

"But Erik," She whined, "I can't! And this is taking way too long! Shouldn't we be there by now?"

"We've only been flying for three hours and you have been fidgeting the whole time."

"But I'm excited!"

"Go to sleep, Christine." He sighed,

"Fine." She lay down and did her best to snuggle next to him, "But I'm warning you, I'm not promising anything."

Christine looked out of the window of the car. The scenery was beautiful. If it was sunny out, the grass and trees would have been green, but hey who would complain? She was in England with Erik! Unknowingly she squeezed his hand. He looked at her. The dark glow from the window made her skin luminous as she watched the trees go by. He touched her cheek gently. She turned and leaned into his hand.

"They're going to hate me." She laughed quietly,

"I doubt anyone could hate you." He kissed her, "They are going to love you."

"If you say so." Christine put her head on his shoulder and held his hand. It was morning here, but she was extremely tried, because she had not slept on the plane. Really she had not slept in the past twenty four hours give or take a few hours. Christine was very tired right now and was drifting off trying to stay awake.

"Go to sleep, love." His lips lightly touched her forehead and she closed her eyes and finally fell asleep.

"Christine wake up." Erik said quietly in her ear. Her eye fluttered open and widened as the driver drove them to the main drive way to a huge house.

"You really live here?" She looked at him

"It has been in my family for generations." He nodded. The car came to a stop.

"It's as big as the apartment building." Her eyes looked up at the great house as she got out of the car.

"Actually this is only three stories." Erik guided her into the house "The apartment building is fifty."

Christine looked around the main entrance way. Her jaw dropped. It was fully decorated in rich ebony wood, giving off the dark feel but very warm at the same time. There was a staircase that literally filled the whole room up and as it went up it split into two different hallways.

"Erik?" A voice came from up the stairs somewhere "Is that you? Is Christine here?"

"Yes, we're here!" He called back and turned to Christine's questioning gaze "That is Anna."

"Does she have to stay in bed?" She looked concern,

"No," Erik chuckled, "She is probably finishing up the nursery. She's a bit of a perfectionist."

"So that trait runs in the family." Christine mumbled,

"What is that suppose to…"

"Erik?" A woman waddled down the stairs, her belly protruding. She was beautiful with dark blond hair and the same color eyes as Erik's. She was smiling.

"Anna." Erik rushed forth to help her down the stairs.

"Oh please I don't need your help." She tried to shoo him away, but he insisted "You are almost as bad as James."

"Well at least someone is looking out for you." He sighed and when they finally arrived at the bottom of the stairs. Christine smiled and waved, "Anna this is Christine Daae…"

"Oh it's such a pleasure to finally meet you!" The girl hugged her warmly, "Erik refused to let me talk to you. I think he was afraid that I might scare you off!"

"Anna I…"

"Oh please Erik," Anna rolled her eyes, "Anyway, where is Nadir? Usually he comes with you."

"He'll be here in three days." Erik nodded,

"Alright I'll have his room made up by then." She smiled and turned to Christine, "So would you like to see your room?"

"Anna," Erik said, "Where is James?"

"I sent him out to go get some food."

"The servants are paid to do that." He crossed his arms, "Where is he really?"

"Out to go get you two." She replied a little sheepish. Erik sighed and she shrugged "What? He was starting to annoy me!"

I hope everyone had a great holiday! And now back to work/school...

Ok I'm still looking for a beta soooooo if you know of someone PLEASE contact me or them because I want to see if a new story I'm brewing is good enough. Thanks for the reviews and please keep reviewing!

E.V. Oleander