The Life of Viscount Downton [Book 1]

XXXIX

A hour and a half later, and they've finally finished the entire stage design. Everyone gathered around to see it, and was amazed

"Well...great work, everyone!" Alex then said, making the rest of them cheer in celebration of their efforts

"And with all of that done, we can all go home early now!" Jo announced "Good luck with all of us tomorrow, and Merry Christmas, everyone!!"

They all cheered again, before heading out happily of the school hall. Jo and Alex walked behind, smiling happily at one another

"Thank you for all your help as well" Jo said to him "We really appreciate it"

"You're most welcome" Alex smiles "We're glad to help the school out"

"I suppose you can help me convince your family to come see the play, then?" she then asks

He looks at her, and chuckles softly "My, my, Miss Josephine Lewis...that is quite a leap!" he teased

"Well, don't you want your family to see all of the effort that you and The Fellowship made?"

Alex thought about it for a moment, before looking at her again "Well...you got me. I'll try my best to help you convince them. But the only ones I am sure of who might be interested, are my mother and sister, Lady Hexham"

"At least we got two, out of...how many are all of you?"

"A lot. And that includes the servants, too"

They then both shared a light chuckle again, before smiling at one another and shake hands

"I'll see you later, Jo" he said softly, smiling sweetly at her

"I'll see you later, Alex" she said, and gently pulls him close to kiss his cheek

Alex then watches her head off to give her goodbyes to the rest of his companions, before hopping on her bike and heads back to her house

Alfie then saw him blushing, and waits for him to catch up

"Well, well, well...if it isn't Lord Downton blushing" he teased, making his friend chuckle softly

"What? No!" Alex said "Of course not!"

"Then why is your face as red as a tomato, then?"

"It's just so cold out today, you know" Alex shakes his head

Alfie chuckles softly, and pats his back "Yes...of course"

"Andy, Albert" Alex then called his valet and footman "You can all go ahead. The boys and I will look for some last minutes gifts"

"Are you sure you don't want us to accompany you, milord?" Andy asks

"No need. But please do tell Lady Grantham that we will be home in a few minutes" Alex smiles. Andy and Albert then smiles back and nods at him before heading back to the House

"Last minute gifts?" Vince asks as he he and Richie jogs back to them "I have never seen the great Alexander Crawley procrastinating when it comes to finding gifts"

"Well, it's just a few more gifts" Alex said "And besides, this is the only time I'll procrastinate on what gift to give"

***

The boys then entered a small shop, where there are all sorts of stuff and Christmas décor to choose from. Alex then takes a few more things, both big and small, before he heads to the cashier stand to pay for the items

"Good day, sir" he said, as he places the items on the counter "May I ask if you sell any bracelets?"

"Well, of course! Flower bracelets, most of them" the owner of the shop said "They've just arrived yesterday, too!"

The owner then takes out his box of new bracelets, which of them are indeed, flower bracelets: chain bracelets with a small and colored flower pendant in its center. They are also all labelled by which flower it has as its pendant

"Go on, then. Choose which one you like"

Luckily for Alex, he immediately saw the yellow daffodil bracelet. He carefully takes it out of the box, and takes a closer look

It was a mix of both chain and pearls, with a bright yellow daffodil flower in its center. He smiles at it, and gave it to the owner

"That's it. That's the one" he said, smiling

"Ah! Yellow daffodil. Excellent choice!" the owner said as he looks at the bracelet "Can I ask who are you giving this to?"

"To my..." Alex hesitates for a moment, before answering "To my friend, sir. A lady friend"

"Well then, I suppose she is now the luckiest friend on earth. Not everyone receives a beautiful gift like that" the owner said, and starts putting the items he bought in a paper bag

Alex then thanked the kind man and pays for the items, not taking the change as well as his sign of gratitude. The other boys then thanked the owner as well before they all head out of the shop

"Lady friend? Really?" Richie then said as they walk back home

"Why? She is only just my friend. Nothing more" Alex said "You are all just quickly assuming that I have a crush on her"

"Are you really going to continue on lying like that? Saying that you have a don't have a crush on Miss Lewis? Because it clearly seems that you have a HUGE crush on her" Vince countered

"I am not lying" Alex explained "I will never have a crush on Miss Josephine. Not one bit. She is only my lady friend, and that's that. I am not going to explain any more of that matter"

He shakes his head in annoyance and walks ahead of them. The three boys looked at one another, clearly knowing more than what he said. They all shared a concerned look, before jogging to catch up with him

***

Alex then heads upstairs, and gently knocks on the door of his mother's room. He was then granted permission, and he opens the door to find his dear mother wrapping hers and his father's gifts as she sat on her chair

"Have you come to have some of your gifts wrapped as well?" Cora chuckles softly

Alex nods, and chuckles along softly. He then gently places the gifts on one side of the chair. Cora then looks looks inside the paper bags, and saw most of his gifts

"I labeled them already by the way, Mama" he then said "So you know who's name you are going to put in the cards"

"Thank you, Darling" she smiles, and looks at her son "Are you sure you got everyone a gift?"

"Yes, I have"

"How about the Miss Lewis and her family?" Cora then asks "Have you gotten them gifts as well?"

"Yes...of course, I did" Alex smiles a little "Uhm...may I go now? I will...change for dinner now"

Cora looks at him, and notices something wrong "Darling, are you alright? You seem...out of the blue today"

"I am alright, Mama" his smile then widened, assuring her that everything's fine with him "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Very well, then" Cora then said, still a little concern about him "Go on and change now. I also will be changing in a few minutes"

Alex then went to kiss his mother's cheek, before leaving her room and heading to his own to change in his white ties for the Christmas Eve dinner