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-Peggy's at Camp-
Three days in and the soldiers started developing respect for Eliza. They greeted her when she passed. Eliza did her job well, started showing good results and better combat. But even thought it's just been three days, Eliza found herself homesick. Till one evening, while Eliza was relaxing in her tent, the tent door opened wide. "ELIZA!"
The girl who just entered the tent had a sunny yellow clothing that matches how bright she was smiling. One weird thing was that instead of wearing a dress, the girl was in pants. Peggy dropped her suitcases. Eliza stood from her bed and it was just enough to hold the impact of Peggy running in to hug her. Eliza hugged her little sister back, "Peggy! When did you arrive?"
"Just now. Ran straight here."
"Wait, you haven't report to Mr. Washington about your arrival?"
"You're way more important than reporting to Mr. Washington." Peggy stated, slumped next to her sister on the small bed. They turned to look at each other face to face. "So, how's Mr. Hamilton?"
Eliza rolled her eyes, "Instead of that, how's Mr. Laurens?"
Peggy's hand went straight to Eliza's face softly. Eliza laugher was muffled by it. Peggy laughed along. She stood up and gave one suitcase to Eliza which was filled with her clothes. Peggy sit down on another bed, one that Eliza asked for since she knew Peggy was coming. From the outside, someone called out, "Excuse me?"
In fast motion, Peggy and Eliza grabbed masks and put it on. Charles Lee walked in, "Sir! Mr. Washington asked for the guest and your presence immediately."
"Confirmed. Thank you Lee." Lee walked out immediately. Peggy and Eliza stood at the same time, tucked their hair nicely to cover it and put the mask on better. When they deemed themselves presentable, they walked out of the tent side by side.
Peggy urged, "Who was that? He kinda looked scared of you?"
"Charles Lee." Eliza answered, tried to say it as sweet as possible, didn't work. "He's jealous of Mr. Washington. So he decided going against orders' the best way to work it out. I almost snapped his arm within the first hour we met."
"That annoying?"
"No. Worse." Eliza sighed. She called out from outside the tent and heard Washington's respond. Peggy and Eliza walked in, surprised to find Laurens and Hamilton standing in front of Washington. After Eliza closed the tent, the girls took the mask off. Peggy didn't hold back as she ran to Laurens, hugging him tight, she got hugged back. It was a shy hug, almost mortifying. Eliza easily smiled and walked next to Hamilton, saluted to Washington and relaxed on her spot. Washington wasn't fazed at Peggy's outburst although Laurens was blushing red. Hamilton leaned to Eliza.
"Are they always like this?"
"Nope. But it's Peggy. If John can't cope with her outbursts or sudden decisions, then there's no chance for them to be together."
"But in front of Mr. Washington?"
"I'm used to it. I've known the Schuyler Family for such a long time." Washington cut in, handed Hamilton a load of papers. Stood up and waited a few seconds for Peggy and Laurens to stop hugging each other. After they separated Washington started talking, "Sorry to disturb you two, but I need to talk to the girls alone for now. Laurens, go back to the tent and informed what I told you to the others. Hamilton, I'm counting on you for those papers."
"Yes sir!" and with longing eyes of Peggy and Laurens, they separated.
Eliza and Peggy was calm around Washington, considered him their uncle. Washington slouched back on his seat and smiled softly at the girls, "How was your journey Margarita?"
"Awesome! Feels great to go around without someone having to watch over."
"Yeah? That's great to hear. How long will you be staying?"
"Only two nights unfortunately." Peggy pouted, "I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow."
Eliza pouted along, but at least she won't be home sick much as long as Peggy's here. Washington nodded, gave her options to help Eliza out or just enjoy her time around the camp. Peggy chose to help Eliza around, wandering how much Eliza had trained them. After a few more talking, Peggy made a weird request, "Um, Mr. Washington, is it possible for me to get one of those soldier uniform?"
"What for?" Eliza and Washington asked in unison.
"Just for fun, I'll blend in easier that way." Peggy answered, shrugged her shoulders but eyes was pleading. Eliza looked at Washington, and rolled her eyes.
"I have the uniform that I never actually wear. If you want to, you can wear that."
"Yes!" Peggy screamed in victory. Eliza and Washington just smiled at how cute she was. They finished their briefing after a few more talk of rules, saluted and walked out. Eliza wasn't surprised when she found Laurens standing outside the tent. His hands to his chest, trying protect himself from the cold of the night. When he saw them walking out, he looked at Eliza as if asking for something. When Eliza looked at Peggy, she had the exact same face. She sighed.
"Sure, go, just be back before midnight, okay?" Peggy hugged her and muttered 'okay'. Eliza glared at Laurens, mouthed at him, "If you dare do anything inappropriate to her, I will make sure you never live to see another day."
Laurens sweat cold. He mouthed back, "Never." But the threat really got to him. Peggy finally broke the hug and said goodbye to Eliza. Accepted Laurens' hand and started walking wherever Laurens lead him. Eliza watched as they walked away, thinking how perfect of a picture they were.
"He has been waiting for an hour outside of the tent, y' know." At the sudden voice, Eliza jumped to her defensive stance. Turns out it was Hamilton behind her, he was also surprised at Eliza's sudden movement. One thing, Eliza was glad he actually learned to sneak around, but really that scared her. Eliza composed herself.
"An hour?"
"Yeah, he ran to the tent, pretty much shouted everything Washington told him to tell the other and ran back here. I tried telling him that they can go tomorrow but he's stubborn. Didn't want to leave." Hamilton offered his arm. Eliza took it, looped her arm around his. He started walking toward her tent. Eliza breathed. This is not something she normally do, and with her crush too! Her heart's beating calmly but her cheeks are burning.
"Does he like her?"
"'Like' would be an understatement. He would trade away every turtles in the world for her." Hamilton laughed, "And you know how much John loves his turtles."
"Love? You mean obsessed, right?" Eliza teased. It earned them their share of laughter. They didn't realize how fast time passed by until they were in front of Eliza's tent. Hamilton stopped. He doesn't know what to do, never had much experience with girls. Eliza stood, waited for Hamilton. This is not a very good scenario. Hamilton scratched the back of his head.
"I'll- I'll see you tomorrow." He said, took a few steps back.
"Yeah. Yeah… good night Alexander." Eliza answered and slowly went inside the tent. Hamilton walked off, waved goodbyes, also said good night. But he waited, made sure Eliza was safe and sound inside the tent then took off for his own tent.
Eliza waited in her tent for Peggy to come back. She dimmed the light, only one candle illuminating the room and she can clearly see the shadows of anyone passing by. She was sitting down, writing letters back to Angelica and her father. Occasionally taking time to reread the plan for trainings. She was going to stop, but she decided to stay awake until Peggy get back. Which was exactly midnight.
Eliza saw to figure holding hands- nopeeeee, they were holding arms with the shorter figure resting her head on his shoulder. Eliza raised an eyebrow, how did they get close so quick? She heard their giggles clearly from the silent of the night. Peggy separated herself from Laurens but he stopped it, holding her hand still. Eliza wished she had some snack to watch the interesting shadow play going on in front of her tent. She heard Peggy laughed, "We'll meet again in the morning John."
Eliza giggled silently, thinking, 'Oh, they're already on first name basis too.'
Eliza grabbed her pillow and hugged it tight. She didn't hear any replied from Laurens. Just that, all of a sudden, Eliza saw the shadow of Laurens pulling Peggy to his chest. His hand leading her chin closer to his. By the silhouette of it, Eliza saw they shared a kiss under the moonlight. She wanted to squeal so bad, but she didn't want to ruin the moment. Slowly and romantically, they pulled away. Based on the shadows though, Eliza would say they were lingering.
"I love you Peggy." Eliza had to hold her breath in the pillow. She heard her little sister giggling with soft voice.
"I love you too John." Peggy then pushed him away. Probably because if they stayed any longer like that, they wouldn't let go of each other. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Ah, yes." Laurens' voice was cheerful, "Your promise to kick my ass. I'm looking forward to it."
"Better get ready." Eliza put the pillow back to her chest and watched the shadows. Peggy was standing on a stance Eliza knew Peggy would use when she's mocking someone, hands on her hip with head held high. Eliza heard Laurens approval.
"Come on, get inside already." Laurens pleaded, "I don't want you to get cold."
"Then maybe you can warm me up." Eliza's pillow was back on her face, trying so hard to keep her voice down. It's proving hard to be done because she had never seen Peggy so romantic like this.
"Don't tempt me now."
'Oh perfect.' Eliza thought, 'Laurens just also have to be a smooth talker at this time.'
"But what if I want to?" Peggy teased, but her voice was inviting. Eliza put the pillow down, she had to stop this or she might wake up with her cheekbones hurting from all the smiling. When she was about to, Laurens had walked up a few steps, closing the distance again. But this time, not with a kiss to the lips, just on the forehead and small caress to Peggy's head.
"We'll have all the time in the world one day. But for now, I think Eliza's worried about you."
'Oh I am not.' Eliza stated in her mind, 'Trust me, I am just fine. If you don't take to the account that my soul is slowly being killed of how cute you two are of course.'
Peggy whined but Laurens' hand crept to open the tent slightly. In which Eliza responded by running back to her bed and covering herself with the sheet. She heard Peggy walking in, a few brisk voices of uniforms and Eliza heard Laurens stepping in as well. Peggy probably pulled him in. Eliza tried to not make any sound, put her hands on her lips to prevent it. Peggy whispered to Laurens' ear, "One more kiss and I'll go to sleep."
"One more kiss and I'll tuck you to bed."
"I'm not a baby."
"But you're my baby girl."
Eliza wanted to scream, so bad. She heard small kisses being given and then a kiss to the back of the hand, maybe, Eliza's not entirely sure. Eliza heard Peggy and Laurens said their goodbyes and Laurens walked out of the tent. Eliza heard as Peggy slumped to her own bed. That's when she opened the cover to the bed and gave Peggy a teasing knowing look. Peggy looked back, surprised but then scared, "Don't tell me you were awake all those time."
"I was awake all those time." Eliza answered. Peggy turned red immediately. Eliza laughed and threw her pillow at the little sister. She stood up from the bed and re-enacted, "Oh, one more kiss and I'll go to sleep."
"Shut up!"
"Sis. Peggy. You're so cuteeeee." Eliza sat next to Peggy, booping her nose and pinching her cheek softly. "Where did you guys go?"
"A bar near here. Pretty awesome how he can hold his drink. But we stayed sober. Then it was night walk all around the camp."
"Did he take you to that lake near here? It's beautiful at night."
"He did! And… he confessed there…" Eliza held her breath, "So now, he's courting me." Eliza gripped Peggy's hand, "But I mean, Daddy and Mama doesn't know yet. So he's going to come visit at a free time to tell them personally."
This time Eliza didn't hold back. She screamed. Resulting in Washington coming in running to their tent, since his tent was the closest to the girls. He came in with a sleepy look, clearly he was in the middle of sleep when Eliza's scream woke him up, "What's wrong? What happened!?"
"Mr. Washington! Laurens' officially courting Peggy."
"This is not the time for jokes Elizabeth."
"I'm not joking!" Eliza defended in which Washington turned to look at Peggy for confirmation.
"She's not joking." Peggy confirmed. "Oh, but don't tell Daddy or Mama yet, we want to tell them personally."
"Congratulations! Well, I can tease John about this though, right?" Washington asked, having a smirk glint. Eliza nodded while Peggy couldn't believe the commander was happy for shipping them together. Washington took at the problem of a few soldiers running to the tent as well. Told them that they just had a nightmare and is fine. The soldiers walked away, still confused because they're pretty sure they heard a girl's voice. They shrugged it off and Washington went back to sleep. Eliza made Peggy told the whole story of their date, until they both drifted to sleep.
