"Mama! Papa! Come on, let's play!" their children cheered as they dragged their parents along at the grounds of the Abbey.
It's been years since they played a proper game of croquet—and with their children leaving on their summer break, Robert and Cora Crawley finally agreed have a full day of the competitive game with all three of them.
Their children—now seven, six, four, and three years old, respectively—have taken much of the last two weeks of summertime between playing around with both of their parents. It has also been a long while since both of them are together, both of them busy with their careers.
Adorable laughter echoed in the afternoon air as the five of them enjoyed a few rounds of the game—which came along with a bit of flirting of Robert to Cora, with the latter trying to hide their blush as much as she can.
And as nighttime came along, Robert saw his small family out as they head to the car.
"Can't I persuade you to stay for a few more days?" he said to Cora.
"I'm afraid not." Cora replied, as she helps the younger ones inside their waiting car "The girls' school start in a few days—as well as Alex's first day in preschool, so we do have to leave as early as possible."
The Earl smiles softly, and looks at her "And your…editorial job? Does it start soon as well?"
"Yes."
"I heard from Edith that you are taking on your very first fashion assignment."
"Oh, yes." Cora chuckles softly "And she seems more excited than I was when I heard it."
"But of course, you are happy to finally take this on."
"Of course! I can't believe I am finally writing a piece as an editor of a magazine!"
Robert smiles proudly at her "Good for you." he said "And I'm so proud of you."
Cora blushes softly "Thank you."
They then stood in front of one another in silence, smiling softly at one another. Robert then slowly moves closer to her, and gently takes her hand. Their children, on the other hand, were watching the scene unfold through the back car window.
"May I…request something?" he then said softly "Even though we weren't brilliant at being married, can we...can we brilliant at this?"
Robert then looks over to the car, smiling at the sight of their children. Cora smiles as well, and looks back at him.
"I think so." Cora finally replied, nodding in agreement.
"Not just for them," the Earl then added "but for us, too."
Cora smiles softly "She didn't get to keep the man of her dreams, but a friend of her dreams."
Robert smiles back, gently rubbing her hand "I mean, it is much more than a friend." he gently countered "A partner."
"'All right', she said. Giving a brave smile of a runner-up, not the winner." Cora said once more, before gently planting a kiss on his cheek "Let's be brilliant at divorce."
Robert then kisses her knuckles, and nods in agreement "Thank you. And I wish you all the luck when you five get back in New York."
"And I wish you all the same, Robert." she smiles "Until next time."
"Until next time, dearest."
As the car slowly pulled away from the driveway, Robert smiles softly to himself, knowing that this time—they parted ways in better terms.