Erik nodded.

"Good night, then," he said.

"Night," Crystal mumbled, starting in on the fridge. Charles frowned a bit, not liking having to leave Crystal so upset, but allowed Erik to lead him off to bed.

If she's still upset in the morning, then you can interfere, Erik placated as he led Charles upstairs. Let her work through it on her own, first.

Charles sighed. She shouldn't be that angry. She's too young to be so angry, Erik. This isn't just about today, I don't think.

It isn't, Erik replied. Even he could see that much. This is an old pain, love. But she is too upset tonight to even begin to talk about it, so let her work through it some.

Charles sighed but gave up for the night finally, getting ready for bed and settling in with Erik and Thomas.

The next morning, Paige quietly crept down to the kitchen to see if she could find breakfast. She tried not to make a sound; she didn't want to deal with people yet, not even the kids. She just wanted some juice, maybe some toast, and then to head back up to her room again.

The kitchen was sparkling clean, as was the living room. That was all Crystal had been able to do the night before, though she was currently holed up in her own room. So no one else was around to bother Paige for the moment.

Once Paige had gotten her little breakfast of juice and toast, she headed back upstairs. Instead of going to her own room, though, she headed towards Crystal's, and knocked on the door softly.

It took Crystal a minute to open the door, and she looked at Paige for a moment before stepping aside to let her in.

"You're up early."

"Wasn't sleeping well," Paige said as she went into the room. "I just don't want to stay downstairs and face everyone yet."

"Yeah." Crystal shook her head a bit. "Well, based on Charles, he doesn't care what happened. The rest of the family pretty much follows him."

"I just didn't want to deal with them right now," Paige said. She sat down on the bed and pulled her knees up. "Not after last night."

"Which part of last night? The wedding or the aftermath?" Crystal sat down next to her.

"Just... all of it, I guess," Paige said. "If Charles and Erik hadn't shown up when they did, I don't know what would have happened."

Crystal nodded. "I think it would be a good idea to cut ties with your family now," she said quietly.

"I know." Paige was quiet. "I just... they're my family, they're not supposed to hate me." Her voice got thick. "I didn't do anything wrong, it's not my fault, and they hate me."

"No, it's not your fault," Crystal said, wrapping an arm around her. "There's nothing to be done for people like them, they'll hate you no matter what you do. It's not your fault, and there's nothing you can do. If you ever think it is your fault, it's not. Just remind yourself that it's not your fault."

"I did everything I could," Paige said, leaning against Crystal as she started to cry. "Everything they asked for."

Crystal rubbed her shoulder, letting her cry and keeping her there. "I know," she said quietly. "But it was never enough, and it was never your fault."

Paige cried for a while longer before the sobs tapered off. She stayed leaned against Crystal, though.

Crystal didn't let go of her, just holding her there and giving her time to come to terms with everything. She knew how it was, after all.

Paige eventually calmed down enough that she stopped crying.

"Sorry," she murmured. "I didn't mean to do that to you."

"It's okay," Crystal assured her. "We've done that to each other enough times over the years that it doesn't matter." She grinned briefly. "Besides, you needed it."

Paige hugged her friend.

"Thanks," she said.