WELCOME TO CHAPTER FOUR! Thanks for sticking with the story! I can't tell you guys enough how much I appreciate you continuing to read. I have received Washingdad approval! ON WITH THE STORY!
This is still from Washington's point of view.
Washington was shocked into silence. Alexander's father?! But he'd always thought the boy was an orphan! Apparently he wasn't. Despite himself, he realized he felt oddly angry towards the man, even though he'd only just met him. But he couldn't stop himself from feeling that this man should have done more for Alexander, because the poor boy was always so unwilling to talk about his past, presumably because of bad experiences. Washington had always known that Alex's mother had died when he was younger, and that his father had left, but he assumed that both of his parents were now dead.
He noticed he was making a bit of a strange expression as he tried to keep his emotions in check, and quickly rearranged his features into a more neutral look.
"Pleasure to meet you. I can't say that I've heard very much about you. Alexander never told me about any family members of his."
Was it just his imagination or did the man just shoot Alex a bit of an angry look? No, it can't be, because Hamilton remains stoney faced and continues to listen to Washington, not paying one bit of attention to his father.
So he addresses his so- his secretary. "I see you are finished with those reports. Good work, Hamilton. If I might request one more thing?"
Alexander quickly responds, "Of course, sir, whatever you need."
James Hamilton suddenly cuts in, "Actually, sir, if you don't mind I would like to speak with you for a moment. In private."
He places extra emphasis on the last word, and Washington definitely sees him shoot a glare at Alexander. Clearly whatever bad blood they had between them still hasn't been resolved.
However, he thinks he should humor the man, hear him out and then he can hopefully get rid of him so work can continue as usual.
Addressing James Hamilton, he replies, "Very well. I can spare a few moments." He doesn't miss the crestfallen expression on Alex's face.
Turning to the boy, he tells him, "Hamilton, I will speak with you further tomorrow. Dismissed."
Alexander salutes him and walks out the door, leaving Washington alone with James Hamilton.
"So, what can I do for you? Is this a political matter or a more personal one?"
James quickly responds, "Oh, it's more of a personal one, sir. I'd actually like to talk to you about Alexander. I feel there are some things about him that you ought to know, and well, he clearly hasn't told you himself, so I'd thought I'd take matters into my own hands."
Washington leaned forward slightly and frowned. "I cannot think of anything else that I would need to know. He is hardworking and loyal, even if he does occasionally run his mouth."
He inwardly laughed. Saying Alexander ran his mouth off occasionally was like saying that the sun only rose every other day. Some may have found it obnoxious but Washington preferred to think of it as endearing.
James pressed his fingertips together. "Sir, this isn't about my son's work ethic. I am sure that he is quite loyal, but Alex has always been a bit of a…..free spirit, if you will. He's nearly impossible to control, especially if you're not willing to use a bit of force."
Washington sat in stunned silence. Force? Did this man mean for him to use the threat of physical violence towards Alexander?
His brow furrows. "If you are implying that I should harm Alexander in an effort to subdue him, you are dearly mistaken. He has not, and I doubt he ever will, done anything remotely close to deserving such a punishment."
The other man sighs and says, "He was a good deal better behaved when he was younger as opposed to now. In my humble opinion, discipline is a particularly important lesson, sir, and I think it is one that you'd benefit greatly from if it were to be exercised on Alexander."
If he stays and listens to this man say such things about Alexander, Washington thinks he just might do something to this man to encourage him to get out of this building and away from his so- no, his secretary; he firmly corrects himself. This man is Alexander's father, for better or worse, and he cannot keep thinking of himself as such, no matter how he wishes things were different.
Hoping to end the conversation faster, Washington replies, "I respect that Alexander is your son and therefore you likely know him better than I, however I will have you know that I will not intentionally harm Alexander while he is in my employment."
Unfortunately, this only seems to spur James Hamilton on. "Mr. President, I know that it isn't my place to tell you how to treat your employees, but seeing as I am indeed Alex's father, I hope you will allow me to make my own choices regarding the matter."
Washington feels slightly ill. He cannot allow this man to harm Alexander, but at the same time he does not have the power to force him to treat the boy in a different manner.
In the end, he can just hope that James will get the message. "You are free to make your own choices, but I believe you should act in Alexander's best interest."
James nods. "Thank you for the advice sir. It has been an honor to speak with you." With those parting words, he turns and exits the room, leaving Washington to his thoughts.
He quite simply does not know what he should do. The conversation had opened his eyes to the fact that this James Hamilton's arrival meant nothing good. Washington has only had one encounter with the man and already doesn't like him. And what does his appearance mean for Alexander?
Washington is fully aware that the man had harmed Alexander in the past, and that he seems more than willing to do so again. He also knows that no matter what he may have led James to believe, there is no way on this earth that the man will be allowed to hurt Washington's son- no, Alexander is his secretary. That does not stop him from being rather fond of the boy, perhaps a little more than he should.
Pausing for a moment, Washington fondly recollects on the day he met Alexander. He had seemed nervous and eager to please, but Washington later discovered that he worked with determination and passion.
He smiles as he remembers how the boy stayed up long into the night-and still does-, and how his hand flys across the page as he writes nonstop.
Suddenly he becomes lost in his memories.
He is walking along the corridor of the building they are using as their temporary headquarters, lost in thoughts of war and food and weaponry.
Washington passes by a door that is slightly open, a thin bar of flickering candlelight shining from the entrance. Odd, faint sounds emanate from the room as well.
Frowning, he leans his head around the doorframe. He immediately has to stifle a laugh.
Alexander Hamilton, his aide-de-camp, is sleeping at his desk, his head laying on his arms atop a stack of paper. Quills, quite a few of them broken, are scattered around him, and ink stains his jacket in splotches.
No one else works as late as that boy, but even he cannot go forever without succumbing to sleep. He snores softly, his back rising and falling as he breathes.
Washington moves closer to the desk, smiling softly down at Alexander. Placing a gentle hand on his back, he bends over slightly to whisper in his boy's ear.
"Hamilton, wake up, Alexander, come on, wake up."
Alexander's breathing changes, and he shifts a bit. "Hmmm? Iszzit morning alreaaady?"
Washington smiles, amused. "No, you fell asleep at your desk. You need to get to your bed, son."
"Mmmmmm. But it's so far, 'nd my work's all here, 'nd I gotta get back to work."
He straightens sleepily, fumbling for a quill. Scooping one up, he attempts to jab it into the inkwell, misses, and promptly slumps over, asleep again.
Laughing outright, Washington pulls Alexander to his feet. Wrapping an arm around him, he helps the boy stumble over to the window seat, laying him down on the cushions.
Hamilton immediately relaxed against the pillows, sleeping peacefully. Washington pauses for a moment, gazing fondly at his aide, before shaking his head gently and walking out of the room with a laugh, shutting the door softly behind him.
Washington comes out of his memories with a smile. His boy. Alexander may not be his son by birth, but he is still very dear to him, and he vows he will do all that he can to protect Alexander from James Hamilton.
Ok, the story is now back to the original perspective.
Alexander arrived back at his office and slumped down into his chair. His father was alone in a room with the person he respected more than anyone else. Even as he was sitting here, James could be ruining his entire career. He dropped his head into his hands and groaned. He could only sit and wait now, and he hated waiting. He'd much rather act, but his hands were tied.
After what seemed to be an eternity, but in reality was only about fifteen minutes, James burst into his office without so much as a knock on the door. He had a self-satisfied and triumphant smirk on his face.
"So….I spoke to Washington." he drawled. "And he did seem quite interested in what I had to tell him."
Alexander looked up. "Good for you." He tried to sound unconcerned, but his voice betrayed a bit of his fear about what his father may have said.
James' mouth curled into a cruel smile. "Be prepared for a few, ah, changes in the way things work. I received some wonderful advice from your dear employer, and I intend to follow it to the fullest."
What could Washington have told his father? Is Washington mad at him? Did he do something wrong? Oh God, he can't lose this job, he has to get his financial plan through Congress, there's still a million things he hasn't done, please, please let his father not have ruined everything.
The rest of the day passes uneventfully. He and James walk home earlier than he typically would've, but James is insistent on leaving. His father bids him good day and hails a coach. Alexander watches as it clatters away over the cobbled streets. He turns away to climb the stairs into his home, still praying that he'll still have his job tomorrow.
Chapter four is out! What do you think? I will get the next chapter up as fast as possible, be prepared for more Washingdad! What do you think will happen between Washington and James? Please review! ~RedCoatsRedder