Une Nouvelle Ère [Book 2]

XII

The following day however, Alex woke up quite late—which sent him sprinting down the stairs and missing breakfast, only grabbing a piece of toasted bread from the dinner table as he sprinted his way out of the house.

"Alexander Isidore, do be careful!!" Rosamund then called to him as he sprinted out to the car waiting down outside.

"Sorry, Auntie!" Alex called back, almost stumbling at the last few steps of the stairs "I am already late for the test!"

His aunt shakes his head, and slowly smiles "Alright then! Good luck on the test!!"

"Thank you, Auntie!"

Once arriving at Hampton, Alex sprinted to his classroom, where he was met with a quiet audience—and his history professor looking at him.

"Oh, Mister Crawley, I was beginning to think that you wouldn't be coming to school today." his professor then said.

"My apologies, sir. I was tired from last night due to a...sudden family affair." Alex explained, his head down in embarrassment.

"Well, you're in luck, we just about to get started." he then handed the test paper to the young Viscount "Please take a seat."

"Thank you, sir."

Alex then took a seat beside his friends, which are all snickering as he arrived. He grins back, before they listen back to start the test.

***

"All hail Alexander Crawley, the once complete attendance—now first-time late in class."

Alfie McGregor teasingly said as the Fellowship strolled down the large halls of their school on their way to the library. The rest of the boys laugh, while Alex chuckles along and shakes his head.

"Sorry, a lot of things happened yesterday." he explained "It was...one of the happiest days in my life."

"Funny you brought that up—because we were about to ask you about whatever you are in a hurry yesterday." Richie then said.

"I can't say much about it, but we did welcome a new family member yesterday." Alex said. His friends were confused for moment...all before realizing what it is.

"No way!"

"That's awesome!!"

"Congratulations!!!"

"Well, on behalf of Edith and Bertie: thank you." Alex smiles "They're the most beautiful bundle of joy I have ever seen...as were all of my other godchildren, of course."

"You are not really going to reveal the gender, aren't you?" Richie inquired.

Alex chuckles ''Once you all visit in the summer, you will know eventually."

"Can you at least reveal what the baby looks like?" Vince asks.

"Looks like their mother, but with their father's eyes and nose."

"Seems an adorable baby indeed." Alfie commented, to which of them agreed.

"By the way, is it true that Mister Branson and Miss Smith are going to get married soon?" Vince then asked.

"Yes, in 3 months time." Alex replied.

"He will still be your in-law, right? After all, he's still marrying in the family."

"Cousin-in-law, yes." Alex smiles a little "But I will miss him as my brother-in-law."

"Why so?"

"Because he was like the older brother that I never had. Him and Matthew, really. But since Matthew died early, he stood up to be the brother I never thought I would have."