he tall man in the back seat of the Model T hunched over due to the top being on.
Another tall man, sat beside him, but he was lanky enough to push his body forward in the seat, "I will regret sitting this way tomorrow but it's better than being cut by the December wind."
"Thank you, Mr. Y."
"Erik, you can call me Erik."
The man pulled his buttoned jacket tighter, "I know no sir. You still boss."
Erik laughed, "Last I checked my son was the boss. And didn't I invite you?"
His large mittened hand patted the pocket of his jacket, "She no know I'm coming?"
"No." Erik met eye contact with the man. "Rasputin, I can tell you and Charlotte really love each other. And…" he paused and sighed, "And as much as it pains me as her father to see I am no longer the top man in her life, I am going to do all I can to welcome who she loves into our family."
"You know I have nothing but love to offer. I only have money I get from work."
Erik smiled and winked at the Russian, "I am pretty sure once she graduates from high school you both will be taken care of."
"No, no, sir," The Russian waved his large hands, "I no take money, no handouts! Only what I work for."
The car came to a stop outside of the Y's townhouse and both tall men exited before the driver took it around to the carriage house.
From her vantage point on the couch, Christine saw who entered the house. She smiled as she stood, "Angel, I wondered when you were going to get back. Gustave called, he and Rose are on their way."
Erik walked up to his wife but the other man lingered in the foyer. He kissed his wife, before kissing the cheek of his infant daughter, "I suppose Albert is staying at home with the nanny."
"Correct. And this one just ate and is going up to her bassinet."
"I shall help and remove my outerwear up there." Erik turned his attention to his oldest daughter, "Charlotte, you have a guest in the foyer." He turned to his other children, "You are to stay in here and finish decorating the tree. Bridgette will make sure of it." Before following his wife upstairs, The Phantom put on a record of Christmas music.
"A guest?" Charlotte hung the bauble in her hand before smoothing her light green holiday dress.
"Check your hair too?" Matilda rummaged through the box of ornaments. "And don't try to act so surprised and innocent."
The oldest sister poked her younger sister in the arm as she walked briskly to the parlor. Her doe blue eyes lit up upon seeing Rasputin standing there. He'd removed outerwear himself and hung it on the coatrack and it revealed a tuxedo. While not tailored as she was used to seeing on her father and brother, oh did he cut a tall, crip silhouette!
"Rasputin!" Charlotte squealed.
"Happy Christmas, Lottie!" He smiled large holding his arms out. "Your father invite me."
"Happy Christmas indeed!" The young lady exclaimed before throwing herself into his arms. They kissed passionately, the tall man once again hunching over. Though this time he didn't seem to mind.
From the landing on the second floor, mother and father watched only for a few seconds before father walked away.
"That's my baby girl, Christine," Erik whispered, his hands in fists. He looked out the window at the end of the hallway. "She's a young lady, a proper young lady…"
"Not quite with what we just saw," Christine pulled her husband into an embrace. "She's turned into quite the lovely young lady. Something I never thought would happen. But she still has the passion of her parents." She rested her head on his chest and gently caressed his back with her fingers. "We should be proud of her."
"I gave him my blessing. Saying they would be taken care of once she graduates high school."
Christine felt his tears drop on the top of her head.
"Oh Angel, I don't want to lose her."
The Soprano, lifted one of her hands and dried his cheeks, "To put a spin on the advice you gave me, you won't be losing a daughter, you'll be gaining a son."
The doorbell ringing interrupted the young lovers.
Christine pulled away from the upset Phantom, "Speaking of which, that's our daughter-in-law and son now."