Hamilton waited by the gate for the next person to welcome. He didn't know who he was waiting for. He was never told ahead of time. He just had to wait to find out who he was waiting for. While he stood there he couldn't help the knot forming in his stomach. His Eliza was only 60. She still had to have more time. He could only pray that it wasn't one of his children. They were too young. Taking a deep breathe he looks out in the distance and just waited.
A figure began to appear in the distance, Hamilton could make him out as a man. That relieved him a little bit knowing his Eliza still had more time. The figure got closer and Hamilton could make out a full head of hair. At first he looked like Lafayette but on closer inspection Hamilton's stomach dropped as he recognized the man.
Jefferson.
Of all people he could have welcomed into the afterlife, why did he have to welcome him. He should not even be here. He should be in the other place.
"Hamilton." Jefferson said as he approached. "I guess it's really true."
"What's true?" Hamilton asks.
"I'm dead." Jefferson said looking a little put off by it.
"The shock wears off. It takes a few minutes." Hamilton tells him.
"Am I in hell?" Jefferson asks.
"Unfortunately not." Hamilton replies as they go through the gate.
The two men made their way into the town square where people were moving all around. Jefferson looks around taking it all in. There were faces all around him he hadn't seen in years. The two men walk through the busy square, engaged in banter as per usual when Jefferson was completely silent. Hamilton perplexed by the sudden quietness turned around.
He saw Jefferson completely taken by something in the distance. Looking where Jefferson was staring he sees a woman in a sewing shop getting fabrics.
"Martha.." Jefferson whispers under his breath.
He walks quickly almost breaking into a run into the shop. Hamilton watched through the window as Jefferson approached the woman. He watched as he put his hand on her shoulder. The material falls from her hands when she realized he was there. No words had to be spoken before his lips found hers. A smile found it's way to Hamilton's lips. It was nice to see two people reunited even if was Jefferson.
Meanwhile Jefferson was looking at his wife for the first time in 44 years. It was almost surreal that he could hold her and kiss her again.
"Thomas." She whispered. "I've waited so long."
"We don't have to wait anymore." He whispered as he look her hands and put his forehead on hers. "Let's go home."
The two walked out of the square and down a dirt road where their house sat in the distance. The two of them went up to their bedroom where their bed sat in the middle of the two rooms. They fall on the bed and he wraps her in his arms. For the first time in 44 years Thomas Jefferson fell into a peaceful sleep.
Two days later Jefferson was sitting in his invention room absentmindedly toying with an invention. Martha sits next to him.
"You miss him." She says.
The sudden remark took Jefferson by surprise. "Who?"
"James." She says.
Jefferson did not know what to say.
"I know you Thomas. I also know he's your best friend." She says putting her arms around his shoulders.
"It's just weird that he's not right around the corner anymore." Jefferson says. "He was always just right there. He even made being across an ocean seem like a short distance away. I guess you're right. I do miss him.'
Martha pretended not to notice the tear that Jefferson wiped away quickly.
"God, I miss him," Jefferson said letting his walls come down.
She gently kisses his head.
"It gets easier."