September, 1783

Alexander cheered as he opened a bottle of champagne. The war was officially over. The British had signed the treaty of Paris. Eliza grinned at her husband as he showed her the letter he received. He is now ranked Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton.

"Congratulations Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton", she sipped the champagne he gave her. He kissed her, wrapping his arm around her.

"I love you so much, my Eliza. I have been waiting for this for so long, too long. I started to doubt it would happen", he bounced on his feet. Eliza laughed.

"Go. Give my love to Martha", she laughed as he ran to write to George Washington.

…

Eliza knocked on his door. She carried Philip on her hip. He poked his fingers through the lace on her dress.

"Come in", he called to her.

"Daddy!" He reached for Alexander. Eliza handed Philip to his daddy.

"How's your day been?" He asked her. She smiled at him.

"Busy. I've cleaned the house, organised our finances and started the planning for the dinner party we are hosting for James Madison and John Jay", she told him. He nodded.

"Very busy indeed. Maybe a break is needed", he handed her a small envelope.

"I wasn't here for your birthday. I hope this makes up for it", he smiled at her before focusing his attention on Philip. She opened the envelope, taking out two tickets to the theatre. Eliza grinned.

"Thank you", she kissed him. Philip pushed them away and kissed Eliza. They laughed.

"You have competition", Eliza laughed. Alexander was wide eyed.

"And he's cuter", she tickled Philip. He smirked at her.

"I still want you home next year", she reminded him. Her mind drifted back to when she was a child.

August 1769

"Elizabeth Schuyler your dress is filthy", her mother scolded her in Dutch when she reached the back door to their house in Albany, New York. Eliza bowed her head down. All she was doing was playing with her brothers. They were never scolded for having muck on their clothes or shoes.

"Take it off at once. Your shoes too and wash them", her mother instructed her once again. She spoke Dutch to them at home.

"Ja, mother", she replied to her as she shivered from the cold. She had a vest and underwear on underneath it. Eliza scrubbed the dirt from her shoes then scrubbed her dress clean. She didn't understand why the boys just got to hand their clothes to the maid, yet she had to clean her own clothes. The water froze her hands. Eliza hung her dress up to dry, rubbing her hands dry and warm in a hot towel that was placed over the fireplace.

"Angelica, help Betsey to wash her hair. We have guests over this evening", Catherine ordered her oldest daughter. Angelica put down her sowing patch and went with Betsey.

"Who's coming to dinner?" Betsey asked her sister. Angelica shrugged.

"It's the first I've heard of it", she admitted to Betsey. Angelica filled a bucket with water and poured it over Betseys hair.

"Ah it's cold", Betsey cried a little, her head being frozen from the water. Angelica rolled her eyes.

"If you weren't out playing with John and Philip all day, you wouldn't have to do this", Angelica reminded her. Betsey smiled.

"We found rope and built a swing. It feels like I'm flying when I go on it", Betsey smiled as she remembered the day.

Angelica picked out a fancy dress for Betsey.

"Wear this", Angelica handed her a white dress with a red ribbon around the waist. Betsey grinned, taking it. She had gotten it for her 12th birthday and was waiting for an occasion where she could wear it again.

The two girls headed downstairs once they were both in fancy clothes for their father's guests. Catherine sat them in the parlour. Peggy gave Betsey a doll to play with her. Betsey sighed, she'd rather play with the ball or go on the swing with John and Philip.

Angelica laughed at her.

"Could you be more of a boy?" She laughed as she helped Peggy make a dress for her doll.

"I am not a boy. I am a girl", Betsey pulled Angelica's hair.

"Ow", Angelica cried and ran to Catherine. She ran into their father before she could reach her mother.

"Betsey, come in here", Philip called her into his office. She gulped, her stomach in knots as she entered his office. She was never in here for a good reason.

"You are a young woman of 12 years Betsey. You should know better than to pull your sisters hair", he scolded her as he took her hand. He took the white glove she hand on off before taking his ruler up. Eliza shook her head.

"She called me a boy", she tried to argue back as she struggled to take her hand back. She wanted to run.

"Don't interrupt me!" He shouted at her. He slapped her hand 12 times with the ruler.

"I'm sorry", Betsey cried, her cheeks red from her tears.

"No use saying sorry to me. Go say sorry to your sister", he led her to the parlour. He handed her back the white glove. She held her mouth shut as she put it back on. Her hand stung.

"I'm sorry for pulling your hair, Angelica", she apologised to her sister. Peggy hugged her. Betsey smiled at Peggy.

"It's okay", Angelica smiled at her. Their father sighed.

"No. Angelica it's not okay. By saying it's okay you are accepting that what they did was okay. They will only do it again. I am not saying that Betsey will pull your hair again. I am saying that the three of you are going to grow into young women who will marry influential men in high power. You must always remember that they must treat you with respect and never do anything to hurt you", he corrected her and gave them a lesson. It was a lesson that would be stuck in Betsey's mind when she is older.

Angelica nodded. The three of them were listening to their father's every word.

"You say I accept your apology", he told her.

"I accept your apology", Angelica smiled as she forgave Betsey.

Present day

Her father had always been so persistent that his daughters knew their worth.

"Come have dinner with us", Eliza asked Alexander. He glanced at his work. She sighed.

"It won't kill you to take a break. In fact it will help. I need to talk to an adult for more than a few minutes", she persuaded him. "And we should celebrate by getting this one to bed early". Eliza smirked.

"You're pointing at me. Oh!" He laughed as he carried Philip downstairs to the dining room. He sat at the table with them. They would have to start teaching him table manners and etiquette.

…

Eliza giggled as Alexander showered her with kisses while they danced.

"I prefer dancing at home", he commented.

"I prefer this too", she smiled as he held her waist backing her into a wall. He kissed her.

"I'm so proud of you", she told him as he kissed her neck again. He stopped, looking into her eyes. He looked so innocent at this moment. She could break him with her next words. She caressed his cheek.

"I am proud of you", she repeated. He kissed her again.

"You have me lost for words", he laughed slightly. Eliza smiled at him.

"Why don't you show me how much you love me then?" She suggested. Alexander smiled at her.

"I could do that", he led them to their room.

Thanks for reading x