July 1783.

Eliza braced herself on the dresser as Adalyia tightened her corset. She had her best dress on for the ball that the Washington's invited them to. She pinned up her hair and put on her jewellery.

"You look handsome", she commented when Alexander was dressed. He smiled at her.

"Your virtues give a commanding power to every mortal, my dearest, Eliza. I am not half nor even not even close to how beautiful you are", Alexander complimented her. Eliza blew him a kiss, a blush on her cheeks.

"Are you ready?" He asked her. She nodded as she sprayed perfume on herself. He helped her into the carriage.

"We're ready James", Alexander told the servant as he drove them to the ball.

Eliza smiled knowing that she wasn't going to the ball to look for a husband. She glanced up at Alexander watching her.

"A penny for your thoughts?" He asked her. His whole focus was on her. At the last dinner with Washington, he kept getting distracted by other women.

"Just thinking about how glad I am that I don't have to flirt with lots of vulgar men again. I used to be a nervous wreck going to these balls. Angelica loved them, Peggy loved chatting to the men. She still does", she laughed at the last part.

"Also thinking about how much your mind wonders", she smirked at him. He frowned.

"And?" He asked unsure what she meant. She took his hand as she shifted so that she was sitting on his lap.

"Eliza don't start something you can't finish", he growled at her as he wrapped an arm around her.

"I have no intention of finishing till later", she wiggled her hips. He groaned.

"You're a tease", he kissed her neck. Eliza bit her arm to stop herself from moaning too loudly. She sat back down, facing him. She tried not to laugh at how uncomfortable he looked. He helped her out of the carriage, once they arrived.

"Betsey!" Martha hugged her. Eliza grinned as she hugged her friend close.

"I got your recent letter, I haven't had a chance to respond yet", Martha told her as she led them into the ballroom.

"I'll get us a drink", Alexander told her before he disappeared.

"How is Philip?" Martha asked Eliza. She smiled thinking about her son.

"He's obsessed with Alexander right now. He won't leave him alone. He's running around now", she spoke with pride for her son.

Alexander handed her a glass of wine. She sipped it as she talked to Martha. John Jay chatted with Alexander.

He offered his hand.

"May I have this dance?" He asked her. Eliza smiled up at him. She took his hand as he led her to the dance floor.

"I love you", Eliza whispered to him when he spun her. He grinned. She loved the waltz, it gave her a few moments where she could whisper to him.

"Kiss me", she whispered when they got close enough before she stepped back. He led her outside to the balcony. Alexander pulled her close, kissing her.

…

August 9th, 1783.

Eliza closed the door to her room, she undid her corset changing into her nightdress. Philip was asleep for the night. It is still bright out but she couldn't bring herself to do anything for the evening. The nights were still long in August.

She took off her makeup and jewellery, and laid in the empty bed. Alexander had to be away. He was away for 3 days but it just had to fall on August 9th, her birthday. The bed felt colder when he was away. She curled up under the sheets, hugging a pillow.

"It's just a stupid day. It's not important. It shouldn't matter", she cried as she tried to reason with herself. She knew she was being unreasonable. He will be home tomorrow.

She shivered slightly from the cold.

"God dammit Alexander. Right from the start you were a thief, you stole my heart. I let you see the parts of me that aren't so pretty. Just one touch and you fixed them. I'm sorry but I'm being selfish. I want you here with me", she reached over to where he normally lies.

She glanced around the room. It seemed huge. She doesn't remember a time when she slept alone. Only since she got married as she started to sleep alone. At home she would sleep with her sisters, for warmth. Eliza wiped her eyes. She sat up, taking in a shaky breath. She took out his old army jacket, putting it on before lying back in the bed. It was ridiculously big on her. She swore she could smell Alexander off it.

Last year he was away too, the year previous he was at war. How did she always end up alone on her birthday? Memories of days filled with dread flood through her. Especially the day that they were held captive in their own homes.

Eliza wrapped the jacket further around her. Last year, Philip was only a few months old. She spent the day with Angelica.

Now Angelica is in London. They had yet to hear from her. She didn't know if her sister was alive. What would she do if she wasn't? Loving really can hurt sometimes.

"I assume you missed me?" Alexander asked as he sat on the edge of the bed. She hadn't realised she fell asleep.

"What makes you think that?" She asked as she grabbed his hand. She laid her cheek on it, her eyes still closed.

"Oh I don't know. You wearing my old jacket perhaps", he pondered. Eliza nodded.

"It was my birthday yesterday", she stated. She kept her eyes closed, not wanting to see his reaction. She didn't trust herself not to cry again.

"I cannot express how deeply sorry I wasn't here. You know my work is important but I left at first light to be here when she woke up", he caresses her cheek. She looked up at him, a tear escaping.

"I know", she sat up and hugged him.

"Will you show me how much you love me?" She whispered in his ear. He smirked at her.

"It would be my pleasure", he kissed her. Eliza laid back, pulling him with her.

"Happy birthday", he kissed her neck causing Eliza to moan.

…

Alexander laid down beside her. She panted as she cuddled into him.

"Please don't do that to me again", she cried with relief that he was home. He stroked her hair.

"I was gone for 2 days Eliza", he reasoned with her. She shook her head. He didn't understand. Maybe she was being hysterical. Was she acting insane for wanting her husband home on her birthday?

"Next year. Will you just be home, please? I worry so much when you're away. I know you're safe now. You're only at meetings with congress but my mind drifts back to the revolutionary war. I didn't know if you were coming home", she placed her hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat.

"You'll deal with the worry any other day but you don't want it on your birthday?" He finished her statement. She nodded. She couldn't express the worry, the emptiness she felt in the house when he was away.

Thanks for reading x