The Life of Viscount Downton [Book 1]

XLVI

Violet Crawley has never cried so publicly before. She was always kept her tears and emotions to herself, as she was taught that it was unladylike to show one's emotions

The first one on where she publicly cries was at the death of her husband Patrick Crawley, and the last time was at the death of her granddaughter Sybil

But now, in front of family and friends, she was crying once again, of both sadness and in joy as she saw the last painting that her grandson had made for her

***

The painting was in a landscape format, and features almost the entire family. The center being her and her husband sitting down beside one another. Robert and Cora were standing by Patrick's side, while Rosamund and Marmaduke were on her side

Sitting in royal-looking stools where her four grandchildren and their current partners sitting beside them. Mary and Edith, along with their respective husbands Henry Talbot and Bertie Pelham, are on her side. Alex and Sybil, along with her husband Tom, sat on Patrick's side

Matthew Crawley is seen standing behind his mother. Isobel was also on Patrick's side and sitting beside her current husband, Lord Merton

The location was in the Grand Hall at nighttime, with the large Christmas tree behind them, hinting that it was loosely based on the 1900 New Year photograph. All of them were in their day wear, all smiling and happily looking at one another

Patrick is also seen holding his wife's hand and smiling lovingly at her direction, an additional detail that Alex himself added, which was against what his grandmother said about his grandfather not being quite a romantic person himself

***

Violet was speechless. So speechless, that the entire family then became worried as she also stared and cried at the painting

"Granny?" Alex then said softly "Are you...alright?"

"Oh, Alex..." she then finally managed to say "Thank you"

"Y-You're welcome" he slowly smiles back

As if her crying wasn't surprising enough for them, Violet then went on to hug her only grandson. Alex was stunned that he didn't move at first

His grandmother? Hugging her? He has never even seen her even hugging someone. The closest thing that he sees is a kiss on a cheek whenever she comes around to visit them

After finally processing everything, he then slowly wraps his arms around his grandmother. He lets her sob in joy on her shoulder, while he motions for the rest of their family and friends to come and take a closer look at all of the paintings

"Thank you for recreating that photo" Violet said as she looks up at him "I had a feeling you'll do justice to it...and you did"

"I'm glad I did it justice" Alex smiles sweetly "Although I thought you'll find over the top, as I have literally put almost everyone in our family"

"I am actually that you put almost everyone in it. But also, thank you for managing to control yourself and not put everyone in, or else it will be like The Last Supper"

The two then shared a light chuckle, before joining the rest to look at once again on the paintings, who are all still amazed by his skills

"How did you have such wonderful painting skills?" Rose then said

"And you did this all? in five days?" Atticus added "Impressive indeed"

"These should be hanged at the Louvre, if possible" Maud said