Gradence | White Lilies

"Departure" | Chapter 14

"You plan on letting our child go with a stranger to another city?? You don't even know him that well! Who knows what can happen!" Mary Lou was furious but tried to act as a caring mother.

"He's not a stranger! He's my best friend! And yes I do plan on letting our son go and make his dreams come true. I don't want him to miss a chance like this!" Alexander replied, not being able to understand what was Mary Lou so worried about.

"But it's dangerous! And at what cost? You don't even know will anyone even like his art. What if he gets disappointed? What then? And besides, there's no bread from art! He'd do better in life if he'd focus on going to law school and becoming a successful lawyer like you!"

"I'd rather have him be happy than rich!" Alexander replied to his wife, "And I don't want to discuss this anymore, he's going and that's it!"

Mary Lou glared at her husband when he turned to put his drink away, her blood boiling from the fact that she won't be able to stop Credence from going.

"Now I'm going to go tell our son to start painting more, he doesn't have too much time to prepare." Alexander made his way up the stairs, ignoring his wife's glare that followed him all the way till he got out of her sight.

He came up to Credence's room and knocked on the door, "Credence, are you in there?"

"Yes father-", Credence opened the door quickly, letting his father in.

Alexander walked in, his eyes going over Credence's room. "You're not painting?" he asked after realizing there's no scattered art supplies and unfinished paintings laying around like usually.

"Uhm no.." Credence looked away, not knowing if Alexander knew about Mary Lou's attitude about him going on that exhibition.

"Why? You don't have that much time till you have to leave with Mr.Percival to the exhibition." Alexander looked over at his son with bit of a confused look on his face.

"Well mom said-.." Credence started but didn't know what to say to his father.

Alexander sighed at his words "Ignore what she said. You're going! I don't want you to miss an opportunity like that." he smiled at his son and cupped his cheeks, "I'm proud of you Credence, and I'm sure you'll do great on that exhibition!" he smiled warmly.

Credence smiled back brightly, being so happy to hear these words come out of his father's mouth, and gave Alexander a big hug.

Alexander hugged back happily, "Now get on with painting, you have a lot of work to do." he gave his son a warm smile.

.
.
.
.

Days passed by like minutes and the amount of gorgeous paintings laying around Credence's room seemed to increase greatly.

He painted everything he got his eyes on; plants, buildings, animals,.. - everything, but the subject to most of his paintings was a certain someone. A certain someone who was lately his biggest inspiration.

The two spent their last days before the exhibition together, and the greatest thing is that they could spent that time with each other without having to hide and keep it a secret. It was wonderful, one of the best experience that they could share together, right after that shared dance and the kiss that is.

And after those few days came to a close, it was time to leave.

Credence packed a small suitcase with necessities that he might need for the trip, got a nice suit on and put on a hat.

He made his way down the stairs with Modesty, his paintings already all packed and waiting for him in the carriage that Percival and him will share, small talking about how exciting all of that was.

It really made Modesty happy that her brother got to do something as amazing as this, and all that with the approval of their parents.

As they stepped off the final step they noticed their mom, dad and Chastity already waiting by the door to say their goodbyes.

Chastity gave him a kiss on both cheeks and a gentle hug while Mary Lou made sure she gives him a tight enough squeeze during the hug as a warning to mind his actions while on that trip.

After both of them said their goodbyes to their brother and son, it was Alexander's turn and he gave his only son a big strong hug with a wide and proud grin plastered across his face.

"Make us proud son," he exclaimed with so much warmth in his words.

"I will pa," Credence smiled in return, the words Alexander said meaning the world to him.

And with that, after Modesty gave her brother a thousand and one hug and kisses all over his face all while chuckling at his expressions, Credence was escorted to the carriage by his father, Mary Lou and Chastity staying by the door.

"Take care of him, Percival," Alexander shot a smile at his friend, who was waiting by the carriage patiently.

"Of course I will," Percival returned with a grin.

They shook hands and Percival helped Credence into the carriage and soon enough the two of them were carelessly and with excitement pumping through their veins on their way to a brand new adventure.