I don't own these characters/historical figures. I don't even know how that would work.

A/N: welcome to the second part in my series starring Angelica and Maria. This picks right up where Be Satisfied left off. If you haven't read that, you will need to in order to understand what's happening here. I hope you enjoy it.

Special thanks to my beta, TheCrowDawg. I hope you guys enjoy this and come say hi to me on Facebook. I'm also on Tumblr.

The Means to Go On

1: Longing for Angelica

Maria hummed to herself as she stood in the kitchen, making breakfast. She never would have thought there would be a time when she would be happy to be up early in the morning and making breakfast for a lover. Especially in a swanky place like this. The kitchen and everything in it was modern, top of the line, and Maria delighted in making things in it, making it hers, even though the condo was not hers.

She thought she knew what happiness was, but nope. It was not until she met Angelica Schuyler. Best accident ever.

She had gone from living as almost a pet to her husband James Reynolds in a tiny apartment where she had no say in anything to living in an expensive condo where she had a say in everything. She wished she could rub it in James' face. He used her for a honeypot one too many times. Little did he know it would lead to her freedom and chance at true happiness. I'm glad I kept on going, even when his plan went to pieces.

Beyond her happiness, her existence, her presence led to someone else's happiness. The appreciation she felt from Angelica was like nothing she had ever considered possible. Angelica made her feel loved in a way James never could, not that he ever tried. Angelica did not try to control her the way he did, did not try to bully her, and was supportive in everything she did. The very thought of it made Maria's heart flutter and she was light.

Maria wanted to make Angelica feel the same way. She wanted to take care of Angelica, which was why she woke up at this ungodly hour to make breakfast. She never would have done this for James unless he threatened her.

Angelica never threatened her. It probably would never occur to Angelica to threaten her. In fact, Angelica wrote her poetry and love notes. James probably did not know how to write a love note… unless it was part of some grand scheme.

Angelica was a sweet angel, and Maria enjoyed making meals for her sweet angel. So, she made some silver dollar pancakes, enough for both of them, but she would eat after Angelica. She made sure the eggs were scrambled just right. Angelica liked them just a little brown. She turned the sausage in the pan and then popped some bread into the toaster. She got some grapes from the bunch in the fruit bowl on the counter and put them into a dessert bowl. She even had some tea going. Breakfast right out of the movies, but she did it with love, especially on this day.

Maria laughed just thinking about it. She was almost giddy, but not quite there yet. This might be the most significant day of her life just outside of her birth. And this day was made possible by Angelica.

Maria wished she could do more than make a picture perfect breakfast. Angelica deserved so much more, but for some reason, she wanted Maria. The very notion seemed so farfetched, insane really, but it made her heart flutter once again. She could float off to the stars thanks to this feeling.

"Why the hell does this amazing woman want me?" Maria asked the air, which, of course, had no answers. Maria did not have any answers either, but did not think too deeply on it. She focused on the food, focused on the good feeling, and focused on making Angelica feel special in some way.

Once breakfast was done, she plated everything and put it on a tray, which was decorated with a plastic red rose, so it would never die. She picked it up one day and thought it was cute. The way Angelica's eyes lit up each time she saw it, Maria was certain it was the right decision. I hope she always looks at gifts from me like that.

She carefully ascended the stairs to the main bedroom with a heavy tray. It was harder than it looked in television shows. The cups rattled and the tea pot made the tray tilt off balance on one side. She had to catch it a couple of times.

Entering the bedroom, Angelica was as she left her, laid out on her back, sank into her pillow and the queen-sized mattress. She looked peaceful and calm, like she did every morning. She's such an angel. She was going to hate being taken from her sleep, but Maria knew how to handle that.

Maria secured the tray on the floor beside the bed and then crawled back into bed. Leaning down, she kissed Angelica's cheek, and then her nose, and then her lips. It took a couple of pecks, but then Angelica's lips pressed back. Angelica reached up to cup her cheek with one hand. Maria melted at the touch and purred. Angelica cooed in return. Well, it sounded like a coo, but it was definitely a yawn, but still quite adorable. I am smitten. Totally helpless with this woman.

"Good morning, my dearest," Maria said with a smile and her heart practically danced just from seeing Angelica move.

Angelica gave her a drowsy smile without opening her eyes, as if she was still trying to hold onto the last seconds of sleep. "Morning." She's so beautiful.

Maria got another kiss before a chuckle escaped her. "It's so funny to me that you're not a morning person." She often fell asleep before Angelica and found out in the morning Angelica stayed up well after midnight every day.

Angelica groaned in a low tone as she blinked and focused on Maria. A small smile settled onto Angelica's face. "The morning used to be overrated."

Maria arched an eyebrow. "Used to be?"

"And then you walked into my life."

Maria smiled. "Oh, you." There was another kiss. "I've made breakfast."

Angelica yawned. "I'll be down in a second. Just gotta work on actually sitting up." She rubbed her eyes, as if that would help. Time was the only thing that would really get Angelica up after the kissing did its initial work.

"You don't have to move." Maria hopped off the bed to retrieve the breakfast tray. She carefully picked up the tray and eased back into bed. She then made herself comfortable on the bed.

Angelica blinked as she took in the tray. She rubbed the corner of her eyes, as if she could not believe what she was looking at, even though Maria always made her breakfast. "Breakfast in bed. What's the occasion?" And then she shook her head. "Divorce day."

With a smile, Maria nodded. "Yes, I'm meeting with the lawyer Alexander set up." Her voice was chipper, which did not seem appropriate as she was about to start proper divorce proceedings, but she could not help herself. It was like a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. She was almost free.

"Burr." Angelica said the name as if it was a profane word. It was a little amusing, especially since Maria could not figure out why Angelica held such distaste for a man Alexander had some esteem for. Alexander and Angelica seemed to be like minds on everything, except for Aaron Burr.

"What is your problem with him?" Maria cut into the pancakes and put the fork to Angelica's mouth. She made sure to keep the food position, so the syrup would drip back onto the pancakes on the plate.

Angelica looked down at the fork with a little wrinkle in her brow. "You don't have to feed me."

Maria smiled. "I want to." She really did. "You don't know how much meeting you changed and improved my life. So, open up and tell me why you have a problem with Mister Burr." She put the pancakes to Angelica's mouth.

Angelica opened her mouth and ate the pancakes. She chewed politely and swallowed before she answered. "He disgusts me."

Maria's face wrinkled up as she cut up more pancakes. "Why?" She put the fork to Angelica's mouth, but Angelica shook her head and pointed to Maria's mouth. Maria smiled before eating the forkful. It was so intimate to share a fork, even if they put their mouths in other places. There was just something so deep and connecting. I want this all the time.

Angelica frowned. "He's a womanizer. Not to mention, he tried to pick me up while blatantly referencing my wealth. Just disgusting behavior."

Maria groaned and fed Angelica more food. "Okay, that's bad." Maybe this was not the best of ideas.

Then, it was like Angelica read her mind. "He's a good lawyer, though."

Maria stared at Angelica for a moment, trying to read her. "Are you just saying that to make me feel better?" She ate some more breakfast before feeding Angelica some, scrambled eggs this time. Angelica moaned and it hit Maria somewhere she could not place. It was not lusty, but comforting and made her feel appreciated.

"I am not." Angelica flipped over the two empty cups and poured them both some tea.

The way Angelica picked up the teapot and poured the tea was… delicate. It was not something Maria would have noticed, except she had felt those delicate hands on her skin, on her thighs, inside of her. They had made her feel things she had never felt before. She could not wait to be divorced, so she could be in a proper relationship with Angelica.

Angelica sipped her tea. "Alexander is quite possibly the most brilliant man I've ever met and also the most arrogant. He's readily admitted Burr is a better lawyer than he is. That's massive."

Maria nodded. "Is he a better lawyer than you?"

Angelica smirked. "I'm in a league of my own." She winked.

"Yes, you are." She had to kiss Angelica once more.

Breakfast was eaten; it took much longer than usual. The kisses might have had something to do with it, but neither of them complained. Somehow, Angelica got out of the door on time. Maria cleaned up before she got dressed to go to see this Aaron Burr.

-8-8-8-8-

Maria let out a breath as she stood in front of the glass building on Madison avenue. What do I even think I'm doing? There was no way she would be able to afford this. She felt like she owed them money from just standing in front of the place. Her stomach dropped and she caught sight of her reflection in the door glass. She wore one of her best dresses, her best coat, and made sure her hair and make up were flawless, but she was certain she still looked like little more than a whore. Why did I think I'd ever be free of James? Why did I even think this would work? I shouldn't be here.

"Maria!" Alexander's grin was visible from several feet away. He approached in a dark green suit and his hair pulled back into a long ponytail. Somehow, he looked neat and professional, shouldering a brown leather satchel.

"Alexander," she replied and something in her chest loosen at the friendly glint in his eyes.

He squared his shoulders as he stood before her, like he was ready to do battle, but still looked ready and willing to be her best friend. "I was waiting for you."

She craned an eyebrow. "You were?"

He nodded. "Yes." He looked to the building and motioned to it with one hand. "I was informed this could be a little intimidating."

She smiled, or so she hoped. She tried not to fidget, but her hands had minds of their own. "Just a little."

"I've got your back. I will take the best care of you and leave you in capable hands. Come on." He pulled open the door and waved her inside.

Maria walked in and followed Alexander's lead. Inside, the firm was a quiet hive of activity. There were people going to and fro around the lobby, moving about each other with their own agendas and too busy to pay too much attention to each other. She and Alexander became part of that, going right to the elevator and it climbed close to the top floor. They arrived at an office with the door ajar. Alexander knocked on the door as he poked his head in.

"Aaron Burr, sir," Alexander said with a jovial light in his face.

A man at the desk looked up. "Alexander." He did not sound as happy as Alexander, more surprised than anything else.

Alexander opened the door fully and stepped into the office. She followed him inside. The space was about the size of a bedroom. It smelled soft, like fading chocolate. There was a full bookshelf on the far wall with the desk opposite. The cleancut gentleman had a smile as he sat behind a laptop. He climbed to his feet, buttoning his blue suit jacket while he was at it. He stepped from behind the desk, offering his hand to her.

"You must be Maria Reynolds," he said and shook her hand.

"I am," she replied.

"Please, have a seat." He motioned to the seats in front of his desk. He went back to his cushy leather chair and moved his laptop out of the way. Alexander pulled out Maria's chair and she sat. He sat down next to her while Aaron pulled out a leader and grabbed a pen from the assortment in a cup near a framed photo Maria could not see.

"Now, Mrs. Reynolds—" Aaron started, but she interjected immediately.

"Please, sir, call me Maria." She hoped someday soon she would not have to be "Mrs. Reynolds."

He smiled. It was a cute smile with just enough teeth to make her comfortable. It was hard to imagine him saying anything rude to Angelica. "Of course. You're seeking a divorce, so why would you want to carry his name, right?"

She nodded. "Right."

"So, Alexander explained to me your situation and this should be simple enough."

She glanced at Alexander and then focused on Aaron. "Why should it be simple enough?" Alexander and Angelica seemed quite baffled over matters.

Aaron flipped a page and then glanced at some notes before turning back to the clean page. "Well, mostly because he tried to make it so complicated, it should work out in your favor. It was clear he was being deceitful from the beginning with you. You were underaged when he married without your parents' consent and he forged documents to misrepresent who you were. Technically, these are crimes and void your marriage license. You were a minor and you were not who he represented you to be. I've searched for his claims that he married you in Mexico, which seems to be a lie, but even if he did, once again, you weren't of age there either. This might actually just be a series of lies meant to confuse and control you."

"Are we even actually married?" she asked because if James lied about everything, why not that as well?

"Yes, there is a marriage license. It's just that everything used to get that license was a lie," he replied.

Maria blinked. It all sounded too easy. James made it always seem impossible to leave, like she was bound to him forever, and things would never get any better. And, now, escape was before her and it sounded so easy, like she could have done it at any time. Tears burned her eyes and it was hard to breathe.

"Are you all right?" Aaron moved, but Alexander was closer. He took her hands and held them with both of his. Apparently, he was not so formal when she was clearly in distress and she was glad for it.

"Do you need a moment?" Alexander asked.

Maria nodded and sniffled. She tried her best to keep the tears at bay, but could not. Aaron handed her a box of tissues. She plucked one out and dabbed at her eyes. Keep it together. This was a good thing. So good that she felt like she was ready to fall apart. Her insides seemed to vibrate. She might shatter, but somehow from joy. The men watched her and that was enough to stop her from outright sobbing, but the tears came.

"I'm sorry for crying. It's just I've always felt trapped, like locked in a cage with no way out, and now you're telling me I could just leave. It's overwhelming," Maria said.

They both smiled at her. "It's very much okay," Aaron said.

Maria shook her head. "He just made me believe I couldn't leave. There was no way out. No matter what I did, where I went her would be there."

Alexander sucked his teeth. "The man's a cad."

"If that means an asshole, yeah," she replied. She understood what brainwashing was now. For so much of her time with him, she truly believed she had no choice in being with him. She made excuses for every time he hurt her and brought his excuses every time he claimed he was making it up to her. She did everything he asked and would have defended him and his actions to anyone before Angelica came into her. No more.

Her chest hurt, but somehow from relief. It was like an elephant had been sitting on her torso and was gone now. There was still an ache there, but she could breathe now.

"It's fine. You're fine. Take a breath. Burr has this," Alexander said. She took several deep breaths and slowly exhaled.

"Alexander, maybe you should leave us alone for now. I can get some details and see how we should proceed," Aaron said.

Alexander nodded. "Of course." He turned his attention to Maria, patting her hand. "He'll take care of everything. Just trust him. He wasted no time getting all of this information after I explained your situation to him. He's got you."

Maria nodded, as she did not know what else to do. Alexander glanced at Aaron before giving Maria's hand one last pat. He left and now she was alone with a stranger who knew very personal things about her. He smiled at her. He looked a bit like an elf and that made her smile.

"I know this is hard. Do you want time to think about it?" Aaron asked.

Maria quickly shook her head. She did not need any time to think about it. She knew exactly what she wanted. "No, sir. Just the thought… my life used to revolve around James." For most of her developing years, he was her life.

"And I'm sure he set it up that way. Looking at all of the confusion here, the lengths he went through." He tapped the top of his ledger. "It's clear he wanted to keep you close. I know it might seem scary to move forward without him…"

It really did not. The last few months with Angelica made her want to go forward with Angelica. James never made her feel the way Angelica did, and vice versa. She was worthwhile to Angelica, but worthless to James. It was like the sky was the limit with Angelica while she was stuck on the ground floor with James. James had clipped her wings while Angelica wanted her to soar.

"I want to move forward," Maria said, voice strong, so he would never question her again.

"Okay, so we're doing this," he replied, still smiling.

She took a deep breath. "Yes."

So, he got to business. The situation was not as stressful as Maria thought it would be. Aaron was also not the creep she expected thanks to Angelica. He told her personal anecdotes to keep her at ease. An hour passed before she realized it.

"I'll get started on all of the paperwork and keep in touch," Aaron said.

"I know this is crazy to mention now, but I don't know how I'll pay you," she said. She was able to start saving since living with Angelica, but she did not have much. Her job did not pay much, but it was hers and that meant the world to her. Too bad she could not pay him with her feelings.

His forehead wrinkled. "You don't have to worry about that now."

She was sure her face had to look as confused as he did. "No?"

"No, we'll get money from him." He chuckled.

"Oh." That had not occurred to her. "Really? But, he makes his money illegally."

"Alexander has told me all about him. We'll still get the money from him."

Maria could not wrap her head around this. "Really?"

"Yes, really. You don't have to worry about it. Why should you pay any more than you have after having this man in your life? I'm not hurting for cash. You don't have to worry about my hours. I'm going to give you just as much attention as any other client and then collect from him," Aaron said. How could Angelica think he was rude or disgusting? He seemed so sweet.

"Thank you."

"No, thank you. It's been a pleasure to meet you." He stood up and walked her to the door. They smiled at each other.

Maria felt pretty good about herself as she made her way back to the street. It was smoother and faster than she expected, too. She could still go to work. Every little bit counted.

"Maria?" A familiar voice called her name.

Maria turned to her right and found herself face to face with Angelica's baby sister, Peggy. She smiled. "Hi, Peggy. It's nice to see you again."

"You, too." Peggy hugged her without hesitation. It was nice, welcoming. It helped pep her up even more after visiting the lawyer. It was amazing that Angelica's family welcomed her like this. Peggy let her go and smiled at her like a happy imp, ready to get into some mischief. "What are you doing here? Is Angelica around?"

Maria smiled back. "No, Angelica had work today and I asked her not to come when I met with Mister Burr since she doesn't like him. Alexander was nice enough to meet me down here and sit with me."

With a chuckle, Peggy nodded. "Sometimes, he's such an adorable, considerate jerk you can see why Eliza loves him."

Maria was not sure what to do with that, but pressed on. "Do you work here, too?"

Peggy laughed even more. "Oh, no! I'm not a lawyer. I was going to bother Alexander, as I sometimes do when I'm in the area. But, I'll bother you instead." Peggy looped their arms together. "Are you free?"

"Yes." I guess I'm not going to work, after all. She did not feel too bad over it. She already took the day off and she could use her time ingratiating herself to Angelica's family.

"Then let's go get to know each other. Perhaps how we were separated at birth, yet my mother claims I wasn't a twin."

Maria laughed and offered no resistance as Peggy dragged her down the street. After a few steps, it seemed like Peggy had a destination in mind. Maria fell into step, so it did not look like she was being kidnapped.

"Do you like gelato?" Peggy asked.

"It's November. And ten in the morning," Maria replied.

"We'll be inside and ice cream is diary, making it a breakfast food."

Maria pursed her lips as she studied Peggy. "Are you sure you're not a lawyer?"

"Are you sure you're not a lawyer?"

Peggy only laughed. They ended up on the subway, but only had to go a couple of stops Peggy insisted, not that Maria cared. Maria could not help texting Angelica that her sister was kidnapping her. Angelica responded with a laughing emoji. Sweetheart, she's already sent a picture of both you while she's in the middle of the crime. I'm waiting for her ransom demands. Maria smiled and looked at Peggy, who winked at her. What have I gotten myself into?

As soon as they came out of the subway, Peggy grabbed Maria by the hand again. They turned a corner and went inside a little cafe. Peggy kept holding her hand as they got on line for service. Only a couple of people were before them. There were not many people inside, but it smelled good, like candy.

"So, they obviously have more than gelato here. I'm going to have a crepe with whipped cream and strawberries and hot chocolate first," Peggy said, pointing to the menu on the top of the back wall.

"That sounds nice," Maria replied, even though she had breakfast already. She looked at the menu, wanting to see something a little smaller than a crepe.

"Okay and this whole thing is on me because I just sprang this on you."

Maria held up her hands. "You don't have to." She could pay for her own way. She would love to pay her own way with money made from honest work.

Peggy shook her head. "No, no, no. I insist. I really did just snatch you off the street and took you on an adventure. The least I can do is pay."

Maria stared for a moment. She wanted to be independent, but she did not want to be so insistent that it was rude. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

They both got crepes with whipped cream and strawberries, along with hot chocolates, which had even more whipped cream. Peggy even got chocolate sprinkles with her hot chocolate. They sat in the front by the window. It would be nice to people-watch if Peggy ran out of integration questions. This was probably a shovel talk. At least Peggy brought her breakfast beforehand.

"So, you're not the type of person I expected Angelica to fall for, woman or not," Peggy said.

That sounded insulting, but Maria ate it like it was part of her crepe, which she took a bite of. It was delicious, but dulled by the possible insult. "Who did you expect?" Where did Peggy think she did not measure up?

"You know Angelica was — I don't want to say in love with — but infatuated with Alexander?" Peggy asked.

"Yes, she told me."

"He's sort of her standard. Angelica tended to think she was in love with men like her. Active, extremely intelligent, out to change the world as loudly as possible." Peggy's eyes shined as she snickered a bit.

Maria wilted a bit. She was nothing like that. Her crepe even seemed to lose taste at that realization. What the hell is she doing with me? Was it just a matter of time before Angelica got bored with her? They did not have much in common. Yes, they enjoyed each other's company and liked doing things together, but how long would that last? Maria did not want to think about it, but it was there now.

Peggy sipped her hot chocolate and then continued on. "My dad says Angelica has masculine energy. He thinks it's a compliment, but it's his way of making sense of Angelica. They don't usually see eye to eye and it's because he doesn't really get how to talk to her. He equates her to a man, but then doesn't talk to her in the same manner he would another man. Anyway, she gravitates to energy similar to her own and that's why she makes such poor decisions in dating."

Ouch. Maria did not expect Peggy to say that to her face. Peggy seemed so nice when they met last week. Hell, she seemed nice when she bought their food. Guess I should've gone to work. She would not be doubting her relationship if she had gone about her proper business.

"Anyway, all of this to say, I'm really surprised she realized you're what she needs," Peggy said.

The conversation whiplash made Maria's head tilt. "Wait, what?"

"I'm really surprised Angelica realized she needs someone like you. I never understood why she thought she would want Alexander when they're almost the same person. She's clearly less goofy and annoying, but still. She wouldn't have the patience to deal with him and he'd eventually get on her nerves. Anyway, just like he needs Eliza, someone who will support him in a strong, quiet way, she needs that. She needs someone who will remind her to eat, not argue the Constitution with her."

Maria still could not quite believe what she was hearing. She leaned forward on the table and stared at Peggy for a long moment. "You think I'm good for her?"

"Yes. She needs a complement, not a mirror image. I don't understand how she didn't figure that out. Damn book smart people."

Maria laughed. "I'm sure you're book smart, too." The knot in her stomach untied herself. Okay, so Peggy did like her. More than that, Peggy approved of her. This trip was definitely worth it now.

Peggy put a finger to her lip. "Shh! Don't tell anybody."

Maria smiled. "I won't." She was calm enough to take a sip of her hot chocolate. It was excellent and went so well with the crepe. She could see why Peggy liked the place.

"Don't worry about your divorce either. It'll go okay."

"I'm not." This was true. Aaron made her feel very comfortable about getting out of her marriage. With all of the deception that went into it, he seemed confident they would walk away with a lot more than what Maria went in. "I'm ready for this change. I'm ready to live my life."

Peggy smiled. "Like having ice cream in the morning, which we're definitely doing after this."

"You're a bad influence."

Peggy snickered. "You have no idea. We'll have fun, as long as you take care of Angelica. She's very special and she needs as much TLC as anyone else. She'll definitely give as much as she gets, so treat her right."

Maria nodded. "This was the best shovel talk."

Peggy's eyes lit up. "Because snacks, right?" She pointed down at the crepe and then took a huge bite of it. Once she was done, she drank a gulp of her hot chocolate.

"Yes." Maria could not deny it helped. She ate more of her crepe, as well, and sipped her drink. The flavor danced on her tongue.

Peggy grinned. "But, be aware if you hurt my sister, I will bury you. And I have the trust fund to do it!"

Maria nodded. "Of course, I expect Angelica would handle that on her own."

"Or she'll be too heartbroken to properly murder you and I will have to handle it with Eliza's help." Peggy held up a finger and wagged it at her. "Don't think just because Eliza comes off all smiles, freshly baked cookies, and rainbows that she won't burn shit to the ground if necessary."

Maria did not doubt that. "I promise to do my best with Angelica. I really like her and she's so supportive of my life. She's supportive of my independence. She's amazing."

"She is that. I'm glad you like her. Take care of her. She's precious."

"You'll get no argument from me." Angelica was just that and Maria planned to let Angelica know in every way she could. She wanted to be The One for Angelica and Peggy's faith in her to be the right one helped. If Peggy thought she was good for Angelica that meant something. She would not disappoint. Their relationship would not fail. They had already come so far. They came all this way, so time to keep going. So, focus on the divorce, get James out of your life, and live life with your angel.

Peggy interrupted her thoughts. "Time for gelato. Gotta keep the corruption going." Maria had to laugh.

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: Maria and Angelica host the Schuyler sisters and Alexander.