Another Chapter.
Also, happy new year, 2020 is over. Whoop Whoop.
Lets hope things get better from here, and that in a years time this note won't look really stupid and naive.
I don't own.
Please enjoy.
"Who knows Lexy, one day you could end up married to one of the ladies in this ballroom?"
"Or you, dear John. I am not the only man whose status would befit him marry whether he liked it or not."
They were in the home of the Schyulers, a predominant family headed by a loyal man who had been made scapegoat by Congress for a loss a few years prior. He'd heard quite a bit about the family over the years, knew the daughters were at the forefront of a woman's campaign to raise them money by influencing their husbands and fathers and all around spend less on themselves and more on the soldiers defending them. It was admirable.
"My marriage has already been arranged, once the war ends, so even if I never leave your heart, try to marry a woman whose eye catches yours."
"Speaking of, John, the pretty girl who's been eyeing me all night..."
"You think she's pretty...?"
"I think she's coming this way with Miss Angelica Schuyler."
"Oh no. That'll go well. You remember the dances I showed you."
"Don't tease. I remember."
"Colonel Hamilton?"
"Ms Schuler," he kissed her hand, "a pleasure to see you again, allow me to introduce Colonel John Laurens."
"A pleasure, allow me to introduce my sister..."
"Elizabeth Schuyler," the other lady interrupted, "a pleasure to meet you."
"And you, Ma'am."
She curtsied and he kissed her hand too.
"Forgive me for interrupting your conversation sirs, but I think my sister would like a dance."
"A dance, I think Colonel Laurens is the one you want for that. He's been trying to teach me, but I can't quite seem to master the steps."
"He's lying, and he'll be happy to dance with you, Ma'am."
John gave him a small shove and he laughed as he joined Miss Elizabeth Schuyler on the dance floor.
She was beautiful, and as they talked, he found she was intelligent and kind and outspoken.
An incredible patriot too. More passion than many of the men in the army seemed to have.
His heart belonged to John, and yet, if he were to be forced to marry for his status, and let's face it, they both would be, she was the type of woman he could grow to love all to easily.
.
.
.
"You danced with the beautiful Miss Schuyler for quite a while..."
Alex turned onto his side on the bed, watching John remove the outer layers of his clothing. He'd already stripped to his smallclothes and buried himself under the blankets.
"Worry not, my dear Laurens, there are no wedding bells ringing on the horizon. Her father flat out refuses to let her marry someone of my perceived status. We both knew it the second I told her of my background as an orphan from the Caribbean, hell, my hesitation to say where I was from at all, her face just fell. I felt bad, genuinely."
"But after the war, when you're Alexander Washington again..."
"After the war, who knows. I will likely be more than acceptable in her father's eyes. And I think she would be acceptable in mine. He kept giving me looks, John."
"How do you think her father will feel when he realises, he rejected the 'prince' of America?"
"We're fighting against a Monarchy, love, I'm no prince."
"Could you marry her? Could you love her? Could you be happy?"
"I... I hate these conversations."
The bed sank as John sat next to him, brushing his hands distractingly through Alex's hair.
"I know. But it is the reality we face. It is illegal to love as we love, we both knew this could never last. My father has plans for me to marry, she is a sweet woman, but I feel no attraction to her. One of the reasons I chose to leave and fight rather than to go into the political route was the same reason I was in York City when we met, to escape this wedding as long as possible. Please, Lex, when you are to be married, make sure it is someone you can love. I can't imagine the General won't afford you that."
"I'm sure I could love her, John. I could. But to betray you..."
"As long as I hold a place in your heart, it could never be a betrayal. This is the way it must be, and I want your happiness more than anything."
Alexander pressed his forehead to John's, relishing the closeness.
"You will always have a place in my heart. Always."
John smiled, pushed him onto his back and straddled him, working to remove Alex's shirt with one hand and using the other to bring Alexander's wrist to his lips, kissing the inside at the pulse point.
Alex melted into the touch and allowed John to show him how loved he was.
.
.
.
"So, Elizabeth Schuyler?"
Alex dropped his stack of papers on the desk with a sigh.
"Please don't."
"No?"
"Her father would not approve of a man of my perceived standings, and in finding out about this... rouse, or thinking on that he rejected me the first time, it is unlikely to happen."
"You looked happy with her though."
Alex perched himself on the edge of his desk with a sigh.
"She was kind, and smart, more strong willed than I think most would credit her to be."
"Then you should try, after the war."
"I've met her once."
"I want you to be happy, and Martha wants grandchildren."
"You mean, you want grandchildren."
"I have no idea what you mean."
"I will get married, I will, I just... a year ago I was an orphan without a dollar to my name, astounded I'd lived as long as I did. Now... a lot has changed, too much. I can't think about weddings or lifelong commitments. She deserves someone a little less messed up, and... and, I'll need time if that's going to be me. Besides, meeting once is hardly love. In time I am sure I can find love, but I will not rush it."
He ignored his fathers pressed lips, and the slight concern in his eyes. At least, ignored them as best he could.
"When the war is over, Alex, please consider it. Life doesn't settle, there's always something new. If you're always waiting, you'll miss your chance. I want you to be happy."
"I know, but I don't want to ruin someone else's life because we tried to force something that wouldn't work. Loveless marriage and social obligations. Someone like Elizabeth Schuyler deserves better than that."
So, a couple of people have asked in the comments, and given the contents of this chapter, I'd like to explain that Alexander is Bi, and while currently in love with a man, in the future he might fall in love with a woman. It's not love at first sight, but he and John know that when the War ends they will need to separate. If Alexander falls in love after that, it will be genuine.
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed.
Please R+R.