Hey! So this is a longer chapter this time. It tells the story of Eliza and Alexander's wedding, and Eliza's feelings during that day. I hope you enjoy it!

Dearest Alex,

I remember the day we got married. I remember from the moment I woke up to Peggy crying that it was the end of an era and Angelica drying her tears with a besotted but fond smile, to the moment you took me to bed and showed me what I'd been missing out on all those years of avoiding men.
It's been running through my head a lot recently, the day our true adventure started.

We were married at my parents' house, seeing as you had no family to pay for the wedding (as per tradition), and it was still a profoundly beautiful day. I remember watching Peggy walk up the aisle first, with John Laurens, your best man of course (I never did figure those two out). Then Angelica, my maid of honour, followed, being escorted by Lafayette. And then my father and I came up last. I had been nervous the whole morning, scared that Laurens would convince you to run away with him instead, or that I would spill something on my dress or something, anything, would go wrong. But the moment I walked up that aisle and saw you, everything just stopped. The white noise in my head went silent, and everyone around us seemed to disappear. I wasn't even aware of my father placing my hand in yours. All I knew was that you were there, in front of me, and you were holding my hand, and everything was good.

It was a short service, and before I knew it you were placing my ring back onto my finger (my sister had given it to you the day before, remember? I hadn't been allowed to see you), and I was placing yours onto your finger. Then the priest said "You may kiss the bride." and your lips were tenderly against mine, and I could hear Laurens whooping in the background. That kiss was filled with a thousand promises. To love and to cherish and to be faithful until we lay on our death beds. I returned those promises eagerly in my kiss. I couldn't have cared that you were poor, or war was imminent, or you were seemingly angry at many things in the world, because I was your wife, and that was all I'd wanted for what felt like a very long time.

Then we were dancing in my parents' ballroom, and you stepped on my toes every now and then but I didn't care because finally I could be in your arms without people gossiping, or receiving warning stares from my sisters and my mother. Eventually, when the night was up and it was time for us to leave, you pulled me outside and we slipped into a carriage without a fuss. No big send off or parade, I simply kissed my mother and sisters goodbye, and Laurens whispered something into your ear that made you blush and stutter back a retort.

You later told me that he made you a promise, a wedding present of sorts. One that you'd never be able to repay. But one that you knew he'd keep.

When we were finally in our carriage, alone and away, only then did you lean over and whisper into my ear "I love you." And for that I was extremely grateful. You saved those three words that meant the most to me for the moment when I was feeling most vulnerable, when I was leaving my home and venturing onto a new one. I turned to you and mouthed it back, and you smiled a greater smile than I had ever seen on your face. I surprised you then with a stronger kiss than we had ever had before. One of your hands reached up to cup my face, while the other tenderly (and hesitantly may I add. Who ever thought that the brazen Mr Hamilton may be hesitant?) held my waist. I wrapped my arms around your neck, and twisted one of my hands into the auburn-red hair at the nape of your neck.

We arrived at our new house only twenty minutes later, as it was only on the other side of town, closer to your work. You helped me out of the carriage like the gentleman you were, and pulled me into your side as we gazed up at our house in the moonlight. Our first house was small, wasn't it? And my parents had to help you pay for it, seeing as you were still a poor man. But we couldn't have cared less about any of that. It was ours. Our own home. You took me to the front step, unlocked the door, and swept me off my feet. Picking me up and carrying me in. I'm scared to admit that I may have squealed when you did that, but you surprised me and it was the last I expected you to do. It's times like that that I remember most fondly. The ones where you are your least composed and we both smile like tomorrow isn't a day where we have to face a new opponent. Make me smile like that again Alexander. I beg of you.

You asked me if I wanted to see the rest of the house. But I shook my head and replied that I thought that that could wait until tomorrow. You grinned at me, knowing that we were on the same page, and whisked me up the stairs, still in your arms.

I remember trying to get your clothes off of you, and struggling to undo those hundreds of unnecessary brass buttons doing up your jacket. You married me in your army uniform, a requirement I grant you. But a painful one at that. It was simply another reminder that it would not be long after our marriage that you would be going off to fight in a war. You helped me out of my dress and then we were both under the covers, breathing heavily. My head was lying on your chest, and we were silent for once, until you couldn't hold the silence for any longer.

"You know I love you, right?" I hid a smile by pushing my face into your chest, and mumbled back a reply. You leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of my head, and we fell asleep in that position.

As a girl, I'd grown up knowing that one day I would have to marry. And yes, I have brothers, so I knew that it was not up to me to marry a rich business man whom I loathed. However I always imagined that I would have to marry a man of substantial power and influence. I never dreamed that I would get to marry a man I was completely in love with. You made me feel important, like I was a valuable part in our new nation despite me being a woman.

You loved me back then Alexander. And then in a flurry of words you made me feel like another piece of paper you had tossed in the bin because it did not do what you wanted it to.

Once yours

Elizabeth Schuyler

Remember reviews are very welcome. I haven't had any so far, and I'm desperate for writing improvements or notes to boost my self-esteem. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Look out for the next one on Sunday.