I don't own these characters/historical figures. I don't even know how that would work.
4: By Your Side
Angelica sat in the corner in a small, designer coffee shop. The smell of the place was perfect advertising, coffee and fresh baked goods. There was a little, blue lunch bag on the table with her, pressed against the brick wall, not too far from her muffin. She sipped quite a delicious iced mocha and broke off a bit of muffin as she people-watched out of the front window. Everyone was in a rush, as was expected of a New Yorker. Tourists always outed themselves, having the luxury to pause. She did not even glance up as a man sat down across from her.
"You're pretty in person," James said.
Angelica studied him as if looking through him. He was handsome and probably smooth-talking, considering his history of grifting. His voice had a steady confidence to it along with a slight incline of his chin, head up as if he was always right. But, she had dealt with silver tongues that would put James Reynolds to shame.
James Reynolds' body language screamed how highly he thought of himself. He sat straight up and looked her in the face, like he was the most honest man on Earth. His brown, wide brim hat was probably part of a signature style, giving his a dash of personality in his appearance. He dressed business casual, khaki pants and a short-sleeve button-down shirt. It was all pressed, his pants creased, and a neat dark brown tie just down the middle. He was presentable, but Angelica was a lawyer. She met plenty of presentable people who would tear the world apart to have their way.
"Are those the words you use to pick up fifteen-year-old girls? You might find them a little stale on someone my age," Angelica replied with a smirk before taking another sip from her drink.
He flashed her a charming smile and held his hands up in surrender. "Feisty, but remember you invited me here."
That much was true and she was quite surprised he took her up on the offer. He probably thought he had her and he was about to make a fortune from her. She had news for him.
"Yes, I asked you, so that we may discuss your… threats," Angelica said before she took off a bit of her muffin and ate it.
His eyes danced as he smirked. "Business proposal."
She laughed, the mirth in her voice. "Blackmail is a business now?" That was a great joke.
He leaned back in his chair, keeping eye contact. "I never said anything about blackmail. It's a simple business transaction."
She arched an eyebrow and ate more of her muffin. She took her time chewing and watched him. He was patient, did not squirm or fidget. He stared at her from across the tiny, white table, willing to wait. He definitely thought he was in full control.
"If that's what you want to call it. I have a business proposal of my own, though," Angelica said.
He mimicked her and raised his eyebrow. "Oh, and what's that?"
Angelica leaned forward. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." She could already guess what he could choose. He thought he was running the show, but she would give him his options. Maybe he was smarter than he looked.
He laughed and rapped on the table with his knuckles. "Oh, really?"
"Yes, really. It's all entirely up to you." She could not help the small chuckle that escaped her. She really just wanted to let him have it.
"How's that?"
"Well, in this bag…" She pushed the lunch bag toward him. "It's more than you asked for and to get all you have to do is leave me and Maria alone forever." Now, one would think he would take it, but he would never be able to go away forever. He would come back, like the cockroach he was and she would squash him.
He reached for the back, but did not take it. Probably already considering how he would get more out of her. "How much more?"
She tilted her head as she sipped her drink. "That's for you to find out. But, again, you get this upon agreement to leave me and Maria alone forever."
"She's my wife."
"Yes, but she's going to serve you with divorce papers soon. My suggestion is you sign them or this situation will only get worse." And, this was where he would make things difficult. He would not want to relinquish, not of Maria, not of her, and he would think because of how things went right now, they would always go that way.
He chuckled. "It's looking pretty good from where I'm sitting." He spun the bag of money.
She shrugged and sipped her drink. "It's in your favor now, yes, but tempt fate if you must. I'm sure you know I'm not the type to roll over and die." Anyone who knew even a little bit about her was more than aware, she knew how to make a nuisance of herself. It was one of her more endearing traits as far as she was concerned.
"Yeah? And what's to stop me from telling dear old dad about things then?"
"I love that you think he'll believe you." Her father heard plenty of things about her. Some true, some bordering on true, and some outright lies. He was poor at guessing which was which.
"Maybe I have pictures for him to believe."
Could be a bluff, but he knew where she lived. Maybe he stalked her with a high powered camera. Maybe he invested in a good private investigator. She had two balconies and she and Maria spent time on both. That would certainly make things messy. Not just her father finding out, but possibly having her relationship leaked to the tabloids. She did not want to deal with that, but it would come eventually. Just, hopefully with no nudity. There were times when being the outspoken daughter of a senator was annoying, even though it gave her such an amazing platform to fight injustice.
"And maybe I have to call a contact at the FBI about you and your extracurricular activities," Angelica replied.
He pressed his hands together and leaned forward. His eyes stayed on the lunch bag. It was killing him probably to not know how much money was there.
"So, you're really not going to tell me how much it is?" he asked.
"I am not. It's for you to find out. Do we have a deal or do we have to do this the hard way?" Angelica pursed her lips.
He laughed, but his eyes never left that bag. He wanted that money, probably needed that money. She would be nice right now, but not when he showed up again.
"The bag means you'll leave us alone forever," Angelica said.
He snatched the bag and secured it on his lap. "Pleasure doing business to you."
"So you say," she replied. This was not the end, even as James Reynolds walked out the door with thirty thousand dollars. Still, she finished her drink and muffin. Time to make her next move.
-8-8-8-8-
Angelica had dashed out the moment she let Maria into the condo. It did not even occur to her until she was downstairs Maria had grocery bags with her. She should have helped put the groceries away. Too late now. It was nice to know she would come back to a delicious dinner, but she was on a mission.
When Angelica came back with a single rose and small envelope in hand, Maria was at the stove, checking a pot. She was dressed in soft, powder blue capri pants and a white tank top. Her face was free of makeup, but lively and bright. She looked comfortable, cute. Angelica wanted to do everything in her power to keep things that way.
Angelica hugged Maria from behind. She pressed her nose into Maria's hair, inhaling. She smelled like cinnamon. Angelica could enjoy that scent for the rest of her life if Maria allowed it. Maria turned her head and they shared a kiss.
"Are those for me?" Maria asked, nodding toward the rose and letter.
Angelica held the items up. "Indeed they are."
Maria grinned and her eyes twinkled. "You are too sweet." She looked around at the things on the stove. "Could you put them away from here? I'll enjoy them when I'm done."
"Of course." Angelica nodded. "Smells good."
"It's just teriyaki chicken." Maria shook as she turned her attention back to the pot.
Angelica gave her a squeeze and kissed her neck. "But, made by you, so there's no 'just' about it. One day, you're going to have to let me cook for you."
Maria turned in her arms, kissed the end of her nose, and smiled. "Never."
Angelica was not expecting that and her brow furrowed. "What? Why? You don't think I can? Because I can. I'm good."
"I don't doubt you. You're good at everything you do, but you're already doing so much for me, including giving me roses apparently. Cooking is something I can do for you and I like it. So, just let me, okay?"
Angelica sighed, resting her chin on Maria's shoulder. "Yes, but I don't want you acting like my housekeeper." That had to be annoying. Maria spent her days cleaning other people's homes. Why should she come home every day and do other housekeeping chores?
"Why?" Maria spun in her arms and leaned in close to her ear. "I like when you tip me with your mouth."
Angelica groaned. "You talk so dirty."
"You love it." She did.
"Speaking of talk, let's talk while dinner's heating up. I've got an offer for you."
Maria's face scrunched up. "An offer?"
"Yes, let's go sit on the couch." Angelica took Maria by the hand and led her to the sofa. Maria sat close, pressed against her. Angelica enjoyed the contact.
"Does this have to do with you running out of here when I came in?" Maria asked.
"I went out to get you a present beyond the rose and this is definitely a love letter," Angelica replied.
"Oh, a present with a rose and love letter. Because I've been such a good girl." Maria purred and batted her eyelashes at Angelica.
"Stop that." Angelica swatted at Maria, caressing her thigh.
"But, you love it."
Angelica could not deny it, so she did not bother. She presented Maria with the rose and letter. Maria smelled the rose and her face lit up. The letter she held, which was fine.
"You don't want to open it?" Angelica asked.
Maria nodded, but made no move to do it. Her eyes glistened, like she was ready to weep. "I just want to hold onto it for a little while. I dunno. Savor the moment before I find out what you wrote."
Angelica nodded. "Okay." She would walk around on pins and needles until Maria opened it, but it was sweet that Maria wanted to enjoy the mystery. Angelica pressed forward and went into her pocket and pulled out two keys.
Maria gasped. "Is that a key to the door?"
Angelica smiled. "And the mailbox." Her smile dropped a little. "We have to wait for the front door key. I would need to put you on the deed and it's just a lot of red tape, but at least everyone at the door knows you, so they'll let you in."
Maria threw herself onto Angelica and kissed her on the lips. She accepted with equal enthusiasm and then dropped the keys. She laughed, but had to find them later as Maria struggled to save a now burning meal. For dessert, Maria opened the love letter and wept over the poem Angelica wrote her.
-8-8-8-8-
It was quiet for three months. Angelica and Maria enjoyed domestic life, even though it probably was not healthy to move in before a proper first date. They had gone on several dates in the last three months, though. They had run into some people they knew. Angelica did not care since none of those were her sisters. If they ran into her sisters, she would not be able to lie to them or downplay who Maria was with her. This was not a conversation she wanted to have with them on a crowded Manhattan street.
Still, three months of bliss was more than Angelica ever thought. But, that was over when she came in from work and found Maria standing at the kitchen counter with an envelope in her hand and it was not a love letter from Angelica. Again, there was no way for him to make things easy.
"What's that?" Angelica asked, even though she could guess. She kissed Maria on the cheek.
"James," Maria replied.
"Have you opened it?"
"It's addressed to you."
Angelica smiled. Maria worked hard to prove she was trustworthy. Angelica did not have any doubts at this point, but Maria did not seem to be listening. She would not stress Maria out by repeating how she trusted her. She would just show her and eventually Maria would believe her.
"Do you want me to open it?" Maria asked with wide eyes. Dread did not begin to cover what Angelica saw in those always beautiful eyes.
"Go ahead." Angelica wrapped her arms around Maria's waist and pulled her close.
Maria sighed as she tore into the envelope and pulled out the folded letter. She hastily opened it, revealing a short typed written message. They read it silently to themselves. How's the honeymoon period going? Not well, I have to assume since your whore girlfriend is still my whore wife. The divorce papers came a month ago and I've never in my life laughed so hard as I did as I set them alight. You must be out of your mind if you think you've got bite. I'm not afraid of a bitch, especially one I've got on a leash. I'm still in need of fiscal assistance or in this instance your family will get pictures.
Maria gasped. "He has pictures of us?"
Angelica scowled. "I guess he wants to do this the hard way." She knew he would. She doubted he had pictures, but she definitely had reach. He was going to feel her now. She would enjoy putting him in his place like the mangy dog he was.
Maria's perfect little eyebrows knitted in close. "The hard way?"
"Would it bother you if James went to prison?" Because he was on his way if she had anything to say about it and she would have plenty to say with a simple word from Maria.
"Prison?" Maria turned around to look at Angelica's face.
"He's not going to just go away." She had given him a chance and he made his choice. There would be consequences.
"But, won't he out you if you do something to him?"
"I'm not worried about him outing me." The second she learned he knew, she knew what would happen eventually. She had put it off for as long as possible, but it was time. "I'm worried about you and your emotional connection to him." She did not want to hurt Maria in any way.
Maria shook her head. "I finally served him divorced papers. There is no emotional connection."
"You were with him since you were fifteen." There had to be something there just from a developmental standpoint.
"And thanks to you I know and understand it was a very abusive, not normal relationship. So, no, I'm not going to be upset if he goes to prison, but wouldn't I go to prison, too? I helped with some of the schemes."
"And if you help uncover them, that helps you a lot. Not to mention, he falsified documents to wed you as a minor and then abused you throughout the relationship. That looks real bad if they want to take that to trial." Angelica would love to see that. She knew more than enough lawyers to lean on any arguments against Maria until they apart, herself included. Beyond that, she suspected James Reynolds had a lot going on beyond whatever he allowed Maria to help with.
Maria gulped. "Are you sure?"
"I am. I wanted to give James the chance to take the easy way out. He wants to go to war. Do you?"
Maria glanced down and scanned the floor. Then she locked eyes with Angelica. "Let's do it."
Angelica smiled. It was good to know Maria was with her, and believed in her. "Yes. But, now we have to go see one of the smartest, most annoying humans I've ever met."
"Your platonic soulmate?" Maria asked with a chuckle. Angelica knew she talked about him enough, but not enough for Maria to know immediately that was who she was going to say. Of course, he was in her phone as her "platonic soulmate/annoyance" and she let Maria hold her phone often, as it was much better than Maria's cell phone because Maria would not allow her to buy her an upgrade. Maria was happy and proud to be able to afford her own phone without someone's help and Angelica respected that.
Angelica smiled. "Yes, but you can call him Alexander Hamilton." He would probably explode at the opportunity to uncover fraud when there was money involved.
-8-8-8-8-
They stood on the Hamilton front steps in the crisp autumn air. Maria looked around, as if she was seeing it for the first time, which was sort of true. The other two times she saw it, it was dark. Angelica rang the bell. Alexander opened it.
"Alexander. "Angelica smiled and held in a laugh. He was dressed in his "house clothes," which was a white button down shirt and tan dress pants. It was just the right amount of pretentious ridiculousness for Alexander that it could only make sense.
He grinned that smile that made her heart flutter once upon a time. She thought she had "fallen in love." She definitely loved him, but it took her too long to figure out it was not in a real romantic sense. It was a good thing she introduced him to Eliza or things would have ended with him the same way they ended with John, and that would have hurt more. Despite not having those feelings for Alexander, she loved speaking with him and spending time with him.
"Hi." Alexander wiggled his eyebrows a little as his eyes danced with playfulness. He glanced next to Angelica, noting Maria. He held the million questions she knew went through his mind in less than a minute. "Eliza's out."
Angelica could not help laughing. "I can't be by just to see you?"
"Of course." Alexander motioned for them to come in. Warmth and a low-key lemon scent greeted them. "Are you going to introduce me to your friend?" He closed the door.
"Of course." They turned to face him. "Alexander, this is my girlfriend, Maria Reynolds." Angelica motioned to Maria, who gasped. She had never said "girlfriend" to someone else. It was a word used only in the safety of the condo. "Maria, this is my platonic soulmate, Alexander Hamilton."
"Nice to meet you," Maria said with a smile as she extended her hand. She was already somewhat familiar with him thanks to the phone thing.
"It's a pleasure." He shook her hand with the enthusiasm of a small child meeting a cartoon character. Sometimes, it was quite baffling to consider he was a financial and legal genius. "So, what brings you by?"
"A legal matter," Angelica said.
Alexander's eyes lit up with that childlike glee conflict brought to him. "Oh? Come to my office."
They climbed the stairs to the third floor and went to the first door on that level. Alexander's cozy office showed the chaos of his mind with books and papers everywhere. There were folders and binders on every available elevated surface, including the chairs for them to sit on. He moved those in a hurry, dumping them on top of other files on his mahogany bookshelf, and then motioned for them to sit. They all made themselves comfortable at his desk, which was almost impossible to see under all of his work.
"So, what's the issue?" Alexander asked as he sat opposite them. He folded his hands in front of him and placed them on the desk. She was never quite sure if that was his way of trying to look calm or he wanted people to see how eager he was to listen to their issues to then offer his own spin.
"James Reynolds," Angelica replied.
"Reynolds?" Alexander looked at Maria.
"My husband," she said.
His brow furrowed and he tapped his thumbs together. "I don't really do divorce law, but I know someone who does."
"You misunderstand," Angelica said as she held up a hand. "He's extorting me." She went into her briefcase and handed him the two letters.
Alexander's eyes went through the two documents. "Oh, shit."
"Yeah."
He looked at her. "Wait, so when you said girlfriend you meant…" He pointed at them, like that meant something.
Angelica held Maria's hand. "She's my partner." It was easiest to say this to Alexander. Their relationship was built around telling each other everything. And it was not that they cast no judgment. They judged the hell out of each other, but also offered the best support, sometimes to the point of enabling the other. Often, Eliza hated to leave them alone together, certain they were just feeding each other's impulses. She was not wrong.
Alexander looked between the two of them. Maria squeezed her hand, expecting the worst. And then, Alexander shrugged.
"And here it is I thought you introduced me to Eliza because you were testing me," he said with his damn adorable smile. "This makes more sense."
"It was more subconscious at the time, but also, you're not that great," Angelica replied.
Alexander laughed as he spread his hands in front of him. "You came to me for help."
"Because Jefferson goes back to Virginia on weekends," she replied.
He pressed his palm to his chest, properly wounded and back down to Earth. "Ouch." He looked at the letters again. "Has he told anyone?"
"It's not in any tabloids and TMZ hasn't called me yet, so I'm assuming, no."
Alexander nodded. "You have a point. You could just go public and beat him to it."
"Yes, because I want my father to know I'm a lesbian. No way that doesn't kill him or get me disowned." While she and her father did not get along, she was not in the mood to cause his death or be ousted from the family should he believe Mister Reynolds or if there were pictures of any kind. Pictures would definitely kill him.
"Besides, people shouldn't be forced out," Maria said.
"Right. People should be allowed to come out at their own pace," Angelica said. "In an ideal world, people wouldn't even have to do that. Love is love."
Alexander held up his hands in surrender. "I'm not arguing with you. Just offering the easiest solution to this mess."
"We're not doing that," Angelica replied.
"Besides, there's more, sir," Maria said.
Angelica grimaced. "Don't call him 'sir.' It'll go to his head."
With a grin, Alexander leaned forward. "It's already there. Now, tell me the rest. Tell me everything."
It would not be wise to tell him everything, but they started from James Reynolds bursting onto the scene. Maria sprinkled in James Reynolds' crimes as they related. Alexander took notes on a legal pad.
"This a lot. I'd usually defend a man like this," Alexander said. That much was true. Nothing got Alexander more riled up than a financial crime and he was the one arguing for the defendant.
Maria's eyes went wide and she gasped. "You wouldn't!"
Alexander shook his head. "Of course not. I said usually. No one messes with my favorite older sister."
Angelica laughed. "So, what should we do?"
"I'm going to investigate the scams and his financial records with a fine tooth comb. I will talk to literally any and everyone who has ever had dealings with him. We will know every fraudulent scheme he's pulled since birth by the time I'm done. Also, him forging documents to marry you when you were underage is definitely criminal beyond all of the fraud going on. This is a lot." He tapped his notepad.
"The marriage is still somehow legal, though," Angelica said, which blew her mind. James Reynolds muddied the waters enough where they would have to prove the documents he used to marry Maria were false, and to make things even better, he married her in Mexico. It still was not legal to marry a sixteen year old, but it was one other thing about tracking information down.
Alexander threw his hands up in an exaggerated shrug. "Still criminal."
"But, you'll look into it, right?" Maria asked.
Alexander rubbed his palms together. "Oh, yes. This guy is about to be destroyed. I can't stand by and let him try to ruin my dearest Angelica." He turned to Angelica. "You should tell Eliza."
Angelica scoffed. "Not likely."
"Come on. You always say I'll never find anyone as trusting or as kind. Everything you feel about her, she feels to you. She looks up to you so much."
"I know that's the truth, but that's why I can't tell her," Angelica said. She could not risk losing all of that.
Alexander sighed and his face fell. "That's not like you."
It was not, but things were different with her sisters. She could not chance them looking at her differently. She would not be able to handle losing them. They were the Schuyler sisters. A team and she refused to lose her time or let them down or have them look at her differently. Before she and Alexander could get into an argument over it, they heard the children charge into the house, Eliza calling after them.
"Alexander," Eliza said loud enough for the entire house to hear, but was somehow not yelling.
Alexander stood. "We definitely have to talk more, but I have to go downstairs now because I'm already in trouble."
Angelica could not help snickering. "When aren't you in trouble?"
He shrugged and hurried them out of the room. By the time they hit the ground floor, the children had vanished and Eliza had an armful of jackets. Her face lit up the moment she saw Angelica.
"Angelica!" Down went the jackets as Eliza rushed her.
"Eliza!" Happiness flooded Angelica as she wrapped her arms around Eliza. They laughed. It had been too long.
"What are you doing here?" Eliza asked.
Alexander leaned in, breath on Angelica's ear. "Tell her."
Angelica frowned as Eliza's faced changed, worry clouding her eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Alexander just offering advice no one asked for," Angelica replied, forcing a smile on her face.
Eliza's face remained the same, but then she noticed Maria. "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met. I'm Eliza Schuyler Hamilton."
Maria smiled, but Angelica jumped in before Maria could say anything. "This is my friend, Maria Reynolds."
Maria's face fell and Eliza's brow furrowed for a moment before she managed a confused smile. Angelica's stomach dropped and she immediately felt dirty and unworthy of both of them. She had just lied to Eliza's face and then downplayed her relationship with Maria, her genuine sweetheart, who did nothing but take care of her. This was not her. She was never one to hide anything. She lived her life with confidence and flair for all to see. Let them judge her, but she was always certain she did no wrong, until this moment anyway.
"Actually, Eliza, can I talk to you for a moment?" Angelica asked. She ignored how Alexander's face lit up.
"I can get more information from Miss Reynolds while you talk." Alexander directed Maria to the living room and they were gone before Angelica could completely understand what happened.
"Tea?" Eliza asked as she picked up her children's jackets.
"Please," Angelica replied.
They walked past the living room, down the hall with a stop at the closet to hang up the jackets, and went to the kitchen. Eliza went to work on the tea while Angelica sat down at the nook against the wall by the window. She watched Eliza move and tried to come up with the right words. She almost always had the right words. Her words charmed people, made them adore her, and made them consider her point of view. None of that happened now. There were no words, except the plain truth.
"Are you all right?" Eliza asked as she eased a cup in front of Angelica followed by a plate with a slice of yellow cake. When had she done all of this?
"I…" Angelica focused on the table as Eliza sat down. She licked her lips as memories of her childhood with her beloved sisters ran through her brain. The times they stood up for each other, whispered nonsense secrets to each other, and laughed over every little thing while embracing and delighting in each other's existence. There did not have to be words, except the plain truth. "Maria's my girlfriend."
Eliza's expression did not change. She sipped her tea. "Okay."
"I mean she's my partner. Romantically."
"Okay."
Angelica studied her sister. "Do you understand what I mean?" She was certain Eliza did, but this was going so calmly maybe Angelica did not understand.
"Yes, you have a girlfriend that you told Alexander before me." Eliza glared at her.
Angelica put her hands up in surrender. "I told him because I needed legal help, I swear."
Eliza sucked her teeth and pursed her lips. "You needed legal help? Just say you prefer your so-called platonic soulmate to your own sister." She pouted.
Angelica chuckled and got up to hug Eliza. Eliza returned the embrace as always, giving her an extra tight squeeze. Nothing had changed between them.
Angelica stroked Eliza's hair and looked her deep in the eyes. "You know no one beats out the Schuyler sisters, not even Alexander."
"Why didn't you tell me? Where did you meet Maria? How long have you been seeing her? Is this why you haven't invited us over beyond your very brief housewarming?"
Angelica laughed. "So many questions."
Eliza gave her the most adorable glower. "Answer all of them."
Angelica sat back down. "First off, the housewarming wasn't supposed to be brief. If you recall, there was a fire and that was out of my control. But, I didn't tell you out of fear. I only just figured out this is who I am after meeting Maria a few months ago."
"You've been with her for months and I'm only just now hearing about it? Angelica."
"Again, I was scared. You've worked with enough LGBTQ kids to understand that."
Eliza frowned. "But, if Peggy and I knew, we wouldn't ever think to reject you."
"And Daddy?"
Eliza grimaced. "Okay, Daddy will probably take this a few different ways. All of them wrong."
Angelica gave her a look. "Exactly."
"But, Peggy and I are not Daddy. This is unacceptable. One, you have to tell Peggy. Two, we have to properly meet Maria, see if she's good enough for our older sister."
Angelica chuckled. This was her punishment for keeping a secret from her sisters and that was fine. She would have to prepare Maria, especially for the whirlwind that was Peggy. God, Peggy would make this difficult and it had nothing to do with Maria.
"May I get time to handle some business first?" Angelica asked.
Eliza shook her head. "No, you may not! Dinner here next weekend. I'll get Mom to watch the kids, so we don't have to worry about our parents or kids. It's happening," Eliza decreed. So, they were doing this.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: the end.