The Hall of Pictures
Every picture in this mausoleum was serious. None of these people seemed to smile and maybe they had nothing to be happy about. She felt the same way. Being "dead" does that to a person, Elizabeth thought bitterly. Five years of her sons life were gone forever, this Fall he had started Kindergarten and it was one of many thing she'd missed. Along with his first step, his first word, and many countless other first times. "DAMN!" she thought angrily. So many "why's" had been answered in the last five years that she had simply stopped asking questions. After awhile, the answers were too painful to hear. There was only one truth, she and her son were Cassadines. Elizabeth needed to convince him to allow Cameron to come to the island and live. "Elizabeth" her grandfather called warmly. He was an aging man who had once been quiet handsome. His Greek features masked his Russian accent until he spoke. It was the last thing people expected when they visited with him. "I'm here," she replied. "Again?" he asked. "You seem so drawn to this hall of pictures. Isn't the castle decorated to your liking? I thought Christmas was your favorite holiday." he sighed. Viktor extended his arm and she took it. They strolled through the castle's corridors to the great hall. Her grandfather was an enigma. She didn't understand him. On one hand he could be quiet cruel with his truths and on the other the exact opposite. However, Elizabeth firmly believed he was incapable of love perhaps it was a family curse. Less than a month ago, he had broke what was left of her heart with the news of Audrey's death. For two weeks, she locked herself in her room and wouldn't receive anyone. Grams was the only person who loved her, warts and all. "I've been thinking about what you said." she began. "If grams, I mean Audrey is dead, then I have only one wish for Christmas." Elizabeth looked into his dark questioning eyes. "Please let my son, your grandson, come live here on the island." she pleaded. "No one else will love my son and give him the home he deserves now that she's gone. You know my words are true, because they didn't love me. Audrey and her husband took pity on me and loved me enough to make up for the lack of love her son and his wife felt for me. Please make this happen, if you truly love me as you say you do." she pleaded. "Let me think it over." he replied. Viktor felt a great deal of pleasure in knowing he would be able to deliver her Christmas wish. Not wanting to press the issue and anger him, Elizabeth casually changed the subject to how festive the castle looked.
