...hi
It has been almost a year since I updated this story (as you probably all know) I cannot really offer a proper explanation for this, other than I honestly grew tired of the musical, characters and the direction of my plot. So I've shaken things up. I cannot for a moment guarantee that regular updates will occur, but this new plotline may keep me motivated and inspired enough to maybe, JUST MAYBE, see things through.
Historical and musical context is going t out of the window but, stay with me, I desperately want to keep this retold story interesting for me as the author and you as the reader. I am very sure you will make your opinions known in the reviews.
Speaking of reviews and PM's, thank you honestly for very kind and thoughtful messages, I honestly expected a few angry keyboard bashings and that wasn't the case so, really thank you for being patient and supportive. Even when I was/am clearly prioritising other W.I.P over this one.
Happy 'longoverdue' Reading,
Sarah x
Eliza quietly moved about the house, smiling at Ruth as she slowly brought it to life.
With children becoming her life, Eliza liked to have a few hours to herself each morning, meaning she rose earlier than most.
She would sit upon the veranda beside her bedroom and watch the sunrise, usually accompanied by a warm cup of tea.
Eliza had grown somewhat accustomed to Alexander spending his nights at his office, so her nights and mornings were often quite lonely.
However, the peace she had taken for granted this morning came to a halt.
Through the mist that hung over the city, a stumbling figure was making his way down the street, staggering towards houses only to continue his journey.
Eliza set down her drink and leant over the balcony, unsure what to do if the man came onto their property.
The man wore a wide-brimmed hat which hid his face from view, but he looked startled as he gazed upon the house, pulling a small piece of paper from his ragged coat he seemed to study it carefully.
Eliza stepped back from the edge of the balcony, as the man looked up towards her. Hoping she had not been spotted.
When she dared to peek over the railing again, the man to her relief was gone. A quick scan around her calmed her nerves and she sat down again. Eager to tell Alexander of this mysterious figure and how strange he looked.
For another moment or so, she was content, until loud pounding on the front door sent a cry from her lips.
More frustrated than scared she moved quickly through to the corridor. If this man woke her children early she would have very little kind things to say.
Ruth met her on the stairs, also with a confused look upon her face. "Miss Eliza, who is it?"
"I have no idea" replied Eliza. "But I will find out"
"Perhaps Samuel could…" suggested Ruth.
"Nonsense, I shall answer" proclaimed Eliza, "But"
She hurried down the rest of the stairs and into Alexander's office, quietly retrieving his small pistol. Ruth had followed her and looked alarmed.
"I won't open the door without this," said Eliza.
The man still banged his fist against the door, to which Ruth replied. "We've got sleeping babes in this house, quit your noise, my lady is coming"
Eliza thanked her and unlocked one of the three locks and peered through the gap. "Who are you and what do you want?"
The man lifted the brim of his hat up, revealing a worn haggard appearance. "I'm here to see my brother" the gruff voice replied.
"No brother of yours is here," said Eliza plainly, "I am closing this door"
Unsatisfied, the man threw his full weight against the door, sending Eliza stumbling back.
Ruth caught her and the pair watched as his skilled hand reached around and undid the two remaining locks. The man kicked the base of the door and it swung back loudly, stepping very confidently inside, unphased by her threats.
Eliza pulled out her pistol and pointed it at him, "Get out of my house"
"Madam I have no argument with you," he said. "I am here to see my brother, that is all"
"Who are you?" demanded Eliza. "I do not know you"
With a sigh, the man took off his large hat, the dim light of the morning revealed someone who could be Alexander's double.
Eliza slightly lowered her pistol and narrowed her eyes, "Hamilton...James Hamilton?"
James seemed relieved, "He has told you about me"
"Nothing worth repeating" replied Eliza sharply. "Why are you here James?"
"I have a message for him" replied James, "One I would give to him in person"
"Then you must come back later, my husband is not here," said Eliza.
"When will he return?" demanded James. "Time is of the essence"
"He will return for his breakfast in an hour or so" she replied. "Until then I can not help you"
"Very well" he sighed, replacing his hat. "I shall sit on the porch until he returns"
"No" called Eliza sharply. "You shall not. Undoubtedly you have already caused a stir, you must stay inside"
"But Miss Eliza" protested Ruth.
"Ruth, please take Mr Hamilton into the dining room and get him some breakfast"
"Miss Eliza, you have nothing but a name" cried, Ruth. "He could be anyone"
James yawned loudly, before reciting from memory. "Alexander Hamilton, youngest son of Rachel Faucette and James Hamilton. Born on Nevis Island in 1755. Anything else?"
"My husband was born in the year 1757" replied Eliza.
"Forgive me, but I was there, I remember" smiled James clinically.
"Never the less," said Eliza, lowering her pistol completely. "Ruth escort Mr Hamilton to the dining room"
"Much obliged" he replied, following Ruth as Eliza quickly closed the front door.
Alexander climbed out of his carriage and thanked George. "Go in and get some food, you are good for coming so early"
"Yes Sir, and thank you" replied George, steading the horses.
Alexander walked up to his front door, but noticed a large boot scuff on the base, glancing around, nothing looked untoward. No doubt Philip would be to blame, or one of his friends.
Taking out his key he unlocked the door and walked inside, wiping his own boots before noticing muddy footprints on the rug.
"Eliza?" he called out. "My love, what's this mess by the door?"
Such relief rolled over her as she heard his voice, she had sat in the drawing-room since James had arrived, waiting for Alexander to return.
After a quick kiss, she quietly explained. "Darling, we have a visitor"
"That explains the scuff on my door and mud trodden into the rug?" he replied unamused.
"Alexander I need you to remain calm," asked Eliza.
"Please just tell me," he said, "I am very tired"
"Your-your brother is in the dining room, here with a message for you," she said slowly.
She could see the anger, confusion and disbelief rise up his face like boiling water. "What did you just say?" he asked.
"Your brother James is here and he has a message for you" repeated Eliza gently.
Alexander flinched upon hearing his name, Eliza had to quickly grasp his coat to stop him charging into the dining room.
"Why did you let him in?" he breathed.
"He was happy to sit on the porch but what would the neighbours say? he would cause gossip" said Eliza defending herself.
"That is one small relief" agreed Alexander.
"Please do not quarrel in the house, the children are excited enough as it is" urged Eliza.
"That man-" he paused. "I swore to never set eyes on him again"
"But he will have had good reason to find you, I am sure he hates being here as much as you despise his presence also" replied Eliza. "Please do not bring violence to the house"
"Very well," said Alexander.
Philip watched this stranger carefully. He had awoken shortly after the commotion and despite his mother's protest remained downstairs.
James ate hungrily pausing as he felt the young boys stare. "Making a study of me are you?"
Philip did not respond.
"Are you the eldest then?" asked James.
Again he was met with icy silence.
"Won't you speak to your Uncle?" remarked James.
"You are no family of mine," said Philip sharply.
James smiled. "You have your grandfather's nose, we are more family than you think"
"You abandoned your mother and my father, you are no family of mine" snapped Philip, pushing himself off the chair.
"Down boy, there's no need for that" laughed James. "Your father will throw enough insults at me without you having to help"
Philip took a breath to retaliate, but movement at the door silenced him.
Alexander let the door swing open, "Philip out please"
He obeyed his father but not before taking one final glance at his supposed Uncle.
"Goodbye Philip" called James. "Be sure to watch that temper"
Eliza escorted Philip away from the door which Alexander shut behind him. For once he said nothing, simply moving to pour himself a cup of coffee.
James watched this with amusement. "The little man has nothing to say? You do surprise me, Alexander"
Alexander sat at the opposite end of the table, "I have many things to say to you, I am deciding which is best to say first"
James sat back in his seat, "I am all ears"
Leaning closer Alexander said in a low tone, "What are you doing here? How did you find me?"
"Come, brother, it's not difficult to find a man who does not wish to hide from public life," remarked James. "A few inquires once I disembarked my boat and I was lead in the right direction"
"Why are you here?" said Alexander, his patience wearing through.
James' manner changed slightly, his eyes became softer as he spoke. "Father is dying, he wishes to see you"
"No" replied Alexander. "Your father is dying, mine is already dead"
"Alexander listen to me-"
"No you listen to me" exploded Alexander. "That man you call father left my mother and me to die in a shantytown. It's been nearly twenty years and I have heard nothing, not one word from the man whose form I share. Don't you dare set foot in my house and tell me he wants to see me now"
"He does not have long" retorted James angrily. "I will not let your fucking pride and arrogance keep you from a dying man"
"My pride and arrogance?" twitched Alexander. "That's bold brother"
"That's the difference between you and me, you live in a fantasy, you always have. I have always known what I am and where I belong. Whilst you dreamt of fame and fortune I kept our families plantation alive" spat James. "You may live in this fine house, in your fine clothes and with your wealthy wife but you will always be a penniless orphan bastard. No amount of money or influence can change that"
"If your only purpose here is to insult me and my achievements then I only ask you don't further damage my door as you leave" replied Alexander.
"I am not leaving without you," said James. "Our passage to Nevis leaves in four hours"
"Have you lost your senses?" demanded Alexander. "I am a government official, a husband and a father. I cannot abandon my responsibilities to give a hateful old man his dying wish"
"You will come willingly or unwillingly" he replied. "It does not bother me"
"And you call me arrogant" scoffed Alexander. "My answer is no" He stood up from the table, "You may finish the food and then I ask you to leave"
James brow furrowed, watching his brother slam the door behind him.
"The nerve!" cried Alexander, pacing in the hallway. "Eliza, can you believe it?"
She paused which concerned him. "Darling" she began.
"If you are actually about to tell me that you agree, I shall take leave of my senses" he breathed.
"Alexander" she hushed, "He is your father...you owe him this"
He scoffed loudly, "You know all the pain that man caused me, how can you say that?"
"Because you will regret not seeing him again," said Eliza plainly. "He wants to see you I imagine to apologise to you"
"You have a soft heart Eliza" replied Alexander. "But that man has never apologized to anyone"
"And what of your brother?" exclaimed Eliza. "He has not said a word for nearly twenty years and all of a sudden he comes and begs you to return to the island of your birth. Surely he would not come all this way and retrieve you if he thought all your father wanted to do was further curse and hate you?"
Alexander gave a deep sigh. "You want me to go with him, don't you?"
"I want you to say goodbye to your father and make amends," replied Eliza softly. "Of course I hate to be parted from you but surely you can see the need. You always preach to the children about the importance of honouring their parents. What example would you be if you let your father die without honouring his final wish to see his sons"
"The journey would take days, it is not easy" replied Alexander. "Nevis is not a safe place"
Eliza smirked. "Do not tell me you are frightened, General?"
"No," he said slowly. "Just prepared to fight my way home again"
"Papa?" called Angie, stood halfway down the stairs, accompanied by a trail of her siblings.
"Children!" exclaimed Eliza. "I told you all to stay in your rooms"
"Papa are you leaving?" asked Angie, urgently.
"For a few days, nothing more" assured Alexander. "Now please go back upstairs"
At this moment James had wandered into the hallway, much to Alexander's protest he waltzed forward to see his niece and nephews.
"I thought I heard voices," he remarked. "Goodness there's a few of you"
Angie was puzzled at this strange man but Alexander Jr was bold. "Who are you?" he demanded.
Eliza by now was trying to shelter her children, half decided to carry them away to safety. This man's influence was one she wanted to keep far away.
"I am your Uncle young man" replied James. He leant over to his brother. "At least let me say hello to them"
With some reluctance, Alexander called, "Eliza, let them come"
Trying to hide her distaste, she allowed the small cluster of curiosity to descend the stairs, all eager to see this new family member.
Alexander began, "This is my brother, you can call him Uncle"
"Hello little ones" smiled James, "Go on Alexander, introduce me" He playfully patted his brother's shoulder which Alexander looked on with displeasure.
"You have already met my eldest, Philip," said Alexander, referencing his son who was carefully watching this situation from afar, from the safety of the library.
He continued, "My only daughter, Angelica, and my three other sons, Alexander, James and John"
"Hello" smiled James, "Especially to you young man"
He bent down and spoke to little James, "Do you know why I like your name the best?"
The child shook his head, "No Sir"
"Its because it is a family name" replied James. "It is your grandfather's name, my name and now yours"
"Mama said it is a bible name" the young child piped. "Not yours"
James turned back to look at Alexander, "If that helps you sleep at night brother, denial is a heavy blanket"
"Do not lecture me on family values in front of my children" warned Alexander. "All of you, upstairs now"
With some grumbles and whines, the children followed their mother and slipped away from view.
"I notice your wife looks a little round, are you expecting another one?" remarked James in the silence.
"Is it so wrong that we both desire more children?" replied Alexander swiftly.
James raised his hands in defence, "I meant no harm, just curious"
"I have had just about enough of your curiosity" muttered Alexander.
"Both my wives gave me no children," said James, "I commend you for carrying on our family name"
"Our name meant nothing until I changed that, history will remember myself and my achievements and that of my children, not of you or our father" snapped Alexander.
"Christ" snickered James. "You do work for the government don't you?"
"Do not mock me in my own home" retorted Alexander.
"Alright, alright" smiled James. "I won't experience your temper quite yet, I'll save that privilege for the boat passage"