Chapter 7
Months and months passed by after the wedding and Angelica's night with Alexander. Alexander helped the revolutionary cause, but he never actually fought the British. Instead he worked as a secretary/advisor to General Washington. Angelica and Eliza hardly saw him, and when they did it was a tense meeting as Eliza begged him to return to her in their home, far from the violence of the war. But Angelica knew he wouldn't quit until the colonies had won their freedom, so Eliza was left alone at the Schuyler mansion with only her sisters to keep her company. Sometimes, Angelica was glad that Eliza knew the pain of having a husband gone all the time. But mostly she just worried for the both of them and hoped Alexander didn't get himself killed.
One rainy Sunday evening, Angelica, Peggy, and Eliza were all sitting around the table, conversing and laughing, when a resounding knock echoed through the mansion. Wondering who would be calling at this hour, Angelica went to the front hall where a servant was opening the enormous wooden door. Angelica watched a drenched figure enter the hall, eyes downcast and clothing dripping onto the floor. The figure removed his coat, and at last Angelica was able to get a good look at the face. She bit her lip, trying to hide her astonishment when she realized it was none other than Alexander Hamilton.
"Angelica. Hi," Alexander spoke quietly, his tone a departure from his usual purpose to his words.
"Alexander, wh—what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Washington?" Alexander looked up, a sarcastic smile forming on his face.
"Yes, yes I should. Where is Eliza?" he asked, trying to conceal the anger and confusion on his face. Angelica frowned, but pointed him in the direction of the dining room where Peggy and Eliza sat. She watched him hurry to where she had pointed and followed him hesitantly, trying to discern what was going on. She arrived in the dining room to find Peggy, sitting alone, her face white with fear.
"Peggy! What's going on? Are you okay?" Angelica ran to her sister, placing her hand on Peggy's shoulder and massaging it softly. Peggy looked up at her, then glanced towards the adjacent room, the door tightly shut.
"Alexander… he just came in, and Eliza started crying… and they went in there. I don't know what's wrong, but Alexander was panicked and Eliza was so upset…" Peggy gasped the words out urgently, the worry for Eliza evident on her stricken face. Angelica hurried towards the door, trying to open it, but it was locked. She pressed her ear against the thin crack between the door and the wall, trying to hear what was taking place. She heard anger in Alexander's voice, and pleading in Eliza's. Eliza began crying, and Alexander's harsh tone slipped away, followed by a soft, comforting voice. Angelica stepped away from the door, fearful for her sister. She waited with Peggy, calming her sister down and tensely watching the door.
Minutes later, the couple emerged. Eliza's eyes and face were red from crying, and she was clinging to her husband, who was staring straight ahead, his eyes unfocused and scared.
"Eliza…" Angelica said tentatively, keeping her eyes trained on her sister, "Eliza, are you alright?" Eliza let out a cry and let go of Alexander, running into Angelica's arms. The two sisters wrapped their arms around each other, Eliza sobbing into Angelica's shoulders. Angelica whispered words of comfort in her ears, completely forgetting about Alexander. Eliza let out one last whimper before looking up into Angelica's eyes and speaking.
"Angel… I— I'm… Angel, I'm pregnant," Eliza cried the words into Angelica, then sank into her arms completely. Angelica drew in a sharp breath. Pregnant? Whatever Angelica had been expecting, it wasn't this. She pulled Eliza closer and peeked over her shoulder to see Alexander who, for the first time in his life, it seemed, looking completely helpless. Angelica's eyes dropped to Eliza's stomach. Was there life inside?
"Eliza, little Eliza," Angelica spoke into her sister's hair, "How long have you known?"
"A month," hiccuped Eliza. She placed her hand on her stomach, touching it gently, "Angelica… how can I tell Daddy?" Angelica knew Eliza was scared. Scared of the life growing inside her, and of what she would do when she had a child.
"We'll do it together. Okay, Eliza? We'll make it together," Angelica squeezed her sister tightly, forgetting about Alexander and her father and everyone else. Peggy came to them, her face wet with tears, and joined Eliza and Angelica. The three sisters pulled together, Peggy and Angelica surrounding Eliza and letting her cry softly into their shoulders. Angelica felt an overwhelming sense of pure love rush over her, enveloping the sisters and weaving its way through their tight embrace. Together…
OK, so there's that. I'm really enjoying writing this story, and I hope you guys are enjoying reading it. Sorry (again) for the short chapter. More to come! (:
