"There they are, Mama! Look!"

Alexander Crawley then immediately rushed to the new part of the garden, where all the new flowers are now planted. Cora follows shortly behind him, smiling happily

Most of her favorite flowers were there: Hyacinths, Daffodils, and Anemones. There were also Orchids, Lavenders, Peonies, and Roses; the last ones being her late daughter Sybil's favorite

"They are all so beautiful" Cora said, looking around and admiring the new flowers in awe

Alex was then handed a small bunch yellow daffodils by one of their gardeners, whom he thanked before giving the flowers to his mother

"I know it isn't as...grand as Granny's bouquet," he said "But I suppose these daffodils are enough to fulfill my promise for now?"

Cora chuckles softly, and takes the daffodils before hugging him

"It is, Darling. And thank you very much for this"

Alex hugs her back, smiling softly


They then continued walking around the estate, mainly talking about the past, among other things

"Did Papa really don't love you when he married you?" he then asked

"At first, yes" Cora replied "It took him a long while before he got around on it"

"But why?" Alex said as he tries walking backwards, facing his mother

"Well, before there is what they call us: the American heiresses" His mother said "Young ladies who have new money, but is rejected by the old society in America. That is where we go to Europe, looking for entitled men to get married to"

"But be honest, Mama" Alex then turns back around and catches up a bit on her "Do you really want a title? Really, did you ever dreamed to be a Countess? Or any Lady of sort?"

"Not really, no" Cora said, holding onto her son's arm again as they continued walking "I just want to find someone who will love me, whether I have money or not"

"But then why didn't you marry someone in America? Like some man from a rich family like you are?"

"Your Grandmama had other plans, Darling. She thinks that our family will get accepted to the old society back in America if I marry an aristocrat, like many other mothers think at that time"

"Do you think it worked?" Alex looks at her "When you married Papa, the Levinsons are accepted in the elite circle of America?"

"It did, surprisingly" Cora smiles "If you count Mrs. Astor herself being there at our wedding"

"Mrs. Astor herself?!" Alex said, looking very surprised "All the way from America?"

"Oh yes!" Cora smiles, remembering that moment "We were all surprised, I thought my mother would faint on the spot!"

"I suppose that made Grandmama very proud" Alex chuckles softly

She then nods, and chuckles along "Yes it did, while it leaves your Granny Violet very confused"

"Does Granny not know about America's elites?"

"She is very aware of it. But at the same time, she doesn't really care about it, she didn't want to be involved it their circle"

"Hm...sounds like Granny, all right" he nods in agreement

They then saw Mr. Barrow jogging towards them down the path

"Your Ladyship, Lord Downton" Barrow said "It is now teatime, and the Dowager Countess has just arrived"

"Thank you, Mister Barrow. We'll be there in a minute" Alex smiles before Barrow went back ahead inside the house

"Are you ready for another battle royale, Mama?" He then joked

Cora laughs softly, and gently smacks her son's arm "I don't think it will be a battle royale this time"

"Depends on what she'll talk about today, that is" Alex smiles as he gave his hat to Andy before heading inside after his mother

"We'll just have to wait and see" Cora gave him a wink before heading ahead to the library

"Sorry we're a bit late. Alex and I went for a walk at the garden"

Cora then announced as she arrived first at the library, seeing the rest of the family already there


"Oh, it's quite alright" Violet said as Cora kisses her cheek "I have just arrived, anyway"

"Granny!" Alex then came in and kisses his grandmother's cheek as well "Aren't you a sight to behold this afternoon?"

"Thank you Alexander...for that wonderful enthusiasm" Violet replied

"You didn't tell us that you are coming, Granny" Mary then said, sitting down beside her mother on one of the settees

"Didn't your brother tell you?" She then looks at his grandson, who was smiling nervously at both of them

"Well, I mean..." Alex then tries to explain "I forgot...to tell you earlier at breakfast. And I apologize for that"

"It's alright, Alex" Tom then said "You don't have to apologize, really. We were too busy discussing business earlier"

Alex sighs softly in relief, and smiles back at his brother-in-law

"What brings you here today, Mama?" Cora then asked as she sips her tea

"Well, I just thought to discuss something, now that Alexander is here as well" Violet replied

Alex's head snaps back up, hearing his name

"What is it, Granny?" he asked cautiously

"You are turning thirteen in a few months, if I remember correctly" Violet told him "And once you are thirteen, you need to go to an elite institution"

"But Mama, Alexander just finished his seventh year in school" Cora then said as Robert sat down beside her and held her hand "He's just about to start his eighth year in a few months, surely we can discuss this matter soon"

"But I need to know by now on what school he's going to once he finishes his eighth year at Hampton" Violet countered "I allowed him to go there in your insistence, but now I want to have a say on where he'll go this time"

"Mama, I don't think–" Robert tries to speak, before being cut off by her

"Now, Alexander" she then turns to his grandson "What school do you want to go to?"

"I...I haven't thought about it yet, Granny" Alex lied "But Mama's right. I shall finish my studies at Hampton first, then I will decide about what's next for me"

"But has Eton College crossed your mind?" Violet asked "You know that your father and your Grandpapa went there before. Surely you'll want to go there"

"It has crossed my mind, yes. But like I said, I'll decide when I finish my studies"

"And there you have it" Robert then said "Alex said what he has to say. Now, we just let him think about it"

"So, you are giving him options, like before? Is that what I'm hearing from you?" Violet looks at her son

"Well yes, I am" Robert replied "Well, we are. He has a right to choose the school he'll be going to next, or will he stay at Hampton"

Violet was surprised at what she heard, clearly not expecting it from her son "Are you out of your mind?"

"Unfortunately Mama, I am not. And if there's anything I've learned in being a father of four wonderful children; is that whatever decision they will make, as long as their happy about it, Cora and I will support them in their decision"

"But Eton is an elite school! Alexander belongs to an elite family, and therefore is entitled to go there!

"Entitled, yes. But that does not mean he is required to go there, which is what you told me when I was his age. Let him decide on what his own path will be, not us dictating on what his path should be"

The room fell into silence. All of them were surprised at Robert's statements, most especially Violet. She herself was too stunned, and didn't argue any further. All remained silent until the kids arrived in the library

"Uncle Alex!"

Alex quickly stood up, and opens his arms to them. The kids giggled as they run to him and hug him tight

"Hello, my little ducklings!" Alex smiles at them, and kisses their cheeks

"Little ducklings?" Mary asked, a bit confused on hearing the nickname while Tom chuckles as he heard it

Alex chuckles along "It's from one of the story we read: The Five Little Ducklings. They decided to make me the 'mother' duckling, while they are my four little ducklings...and the fifth one is little Johnny"

"I think it's an adorable nickname for all of them" Cora smiles at them

"Can I be excused now, Papa?" Alex then asked "I promised to play with them"

"Alright then. But like I said: don't break anything, especially the vases" Robert smiles

Alex then nods, before he and the kids run to the grand hall to play

"Are you going to have dinner with us, Mama?" Robert then asked "It's the first time Alexander's joining us for dinner"

"You're letting him join in our dinner already?" Violet asked as well

"Of course. He is almost an adult, and he thinks he's old enough to join our table...and I completely agree. And also, Isobel and Dickie will be joining in as well"

"I will" Violet then answered "But there is...one more thing"

"What is it, Granny?" Mary asked

"I find it really weird that your Papa is embracing the modern world more than ever before"

"I suppose one at my age, should simply just go along with it" Robert replied "You should try it too, Mama. It will change you for the better"

The rest of the family tried their best not to laugh by sipping their teas. Violet, on the other hand, looks at her son. She doesn't know if she'll be amused, or utterly disappointed at him