A.N. This chapter was re-written on July 1, 2020.

Mount Vernon, February 22, 1760

George Washington always wished for a child. Of course, he had Patsy and Jacky but none to call his own, that was until Martha told him she was with child. He ecstatically approached the small crib holding his newly born daughter. Holding her close, he gazed into her bright blue eyes. He smiled as her tiny hand grasped onto his shirt collar.

"Hello there little one," he whispered, "I'm your papa."

Glancing over he could see his wife, Martha, chuckle, "George, we still have to name her."

"I want to give her a unique name," he answered, "There's too many Marys, Annes, Elizabeths, and Margarets."

"Something from the classics then, perhaps Persephone or Minerva" Martha suggested.

"No, something more English," he smiled remembering his days as a British officer.

"What about Guinevere," she suggested.

Looking back to his daughter, he thought about the name. He loved calling her Gwen but Guinevere was too formal. Turning back to his wife he answered, "Gwendolyn. Her name is Gwendolyn Cate."

"And where did Cate come from?" she questioned.

"I can already tell she will be a strong spirited woman," he replied.

Mount Vernon, May 1763

George Washington was in his study reading one of Shakespeare's classics when his three-year-old daughter walked in. Not noticing her quiet entrance, he slightly jumped when she called for him.

"Gwen, what are you doing awake at this hour," glancing at the clock in his study. It was nearly 10:30 at night.

"I couldn't sleep, Papa." She then had a sly grin as she asked, "what are you doing up so late."

George couldn't hold back his laughter at his daughter's response. Over the past few months, she had developed a quick-witted and cunning personality. Most would argue a young girl should never speak like that, but he could never bring himself to reprimand her. He could tell it wasn't out of disrespect but it was simply a part of her personality. Of course, he would attempt to reign back some of it as she grew up, he would never want to see her in trouble. He loved his daughter and wanted to give the world to her.

Snapping out of his thoughts he answered, "I am reading," hoping his answer would satisfy her curiosity.

It didn't for her next question was, "what are you reading?"

"The Taming of the Shrew," looking back he knew another question was to follow.

"What is it about? Can you read it for me?"

Knowing he was defeated he picked her up and set her on his lap. "Ok," he said, "your mother won't be happy knowing I let you stay awake but I shall read it to you."

Giggling, Gwen kissed her father's cheek as he continued. A few minutes later after some explanation, she interrupted him saying, "but why is he forcing Katherine to marry him. Doesn't she get to say no! Why isn't her papa listening to her! You wouldn't do that to me, papa… would you?"

George's heart melted at her last comment. It was at this moment he realized he would never force her to marry anyone. He wanted her to make her own decisions. After reading for nearly an hour he closed the book, seeing Gwen curled up. He smiled hearing her soft snores, reminiscing

The next morning Martha found her husband and daughter sleeping together in the chair. It pained her to disturb such a sweet moment but it was late in the morning and George had to go out and run the farm. Tapping her husband's shoulder, he stirred before meeting his wife's gaze. Everything from last night came back as he saw a somewhat disapproving look.

"Now what were you two up to," she said as she picked up the sleeping child.

"Reading," he said. He then saw the clock and jumped from his chair. "Oh dear the time, Martha I must be going but I need to speak with you later tonight.

After supper and putting Gwen to bed he approached his wife.

"Martha I want Gwen educated. I want her to be able to read, write, and learn anything she pleases. I don't see her being content with needlework"

Beaming Martha replied, "Of course, now you need to go to sleep. I can hardly imagine a wooden chair is comfortable."

Laughing, they both climbed into bed thinking about their daughter's future.

Mount Vernon February 22, 1770.

It was George and Gwendolyn Washington's birthday. The former turning 38 while the later finally reached the two-digit marker.

After the small celebration's Gwen and Patsy went to go to play. Patsy, being 14 years old always looked out for her sister. Ever since Gwen was able to walk the two enjoyed running around the house and garden. However, three years ago Patsy's condition prevented them from playing as much as they used to but it never stopped them. After her episodes, Gwen would often sit at Patsy's bed where they would play with dolls together until she was well enough to walk again.

Jacky on the other hand slowly grew protective of his younger sister. Becoming lazier with schooling the 16-year-old was often found outside playing with Gwen when Patsy was ill. Against their mother's wishes, he would teach her how to climb trees and tell her all about hunting and war.

Gwen and Patsy came back downstairs later in the afternoon with huge smiles plastered on their faces. Behind their backs, they revealed a card for their father wishing him a happy birthday. George scooped his two daughters into a hug kissing both of their heads.

"Thank you both," he smiled then turning to Gwen, "but before we do anything else I have a surprise for you, Gwen."

Taking her by the hand the two walked towards the stables. Soft white snow covered the ground giving an audible crunch sound each step they took. He then opened the door leading her inside to a pen in the far corner. Walking up to it he revealed a beautiful palmetto mare.

"She's all yours," he said watching her growing smile. "I know you've been wanting to learn how to ride for some time so your mother and I decided that this coming spring I would begin teaching you." His words were cut short by a tight hug. Looking down he saw his daughter hugging him tightly.

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!" she repeated.

"So, what will you name her?"

"Gemma!" the young girl exclaimed, "because she's a gem".

Mount Vernon, Summer 1770

Gwendolyn had been a quick study. In a few months, she was riding Gemma by herself, under her father's supervision of course. Her education was well underway as well. Her tutor, Walter Magowan, had begun giving her advanced lessons a few days ago seeing the potential and thirst for knowledge in the young girl, unlike her half-brother. As she approached her father to help her dismount Gemma, she heard her mother scream for him. Quickly pulling her down from the saddle, her father handed the reins to his slave, Billy, before rushing towards the house. Gwen watched her father run while Billy took her to the stables knowing what was happening in the home.

"Billy, what's happening," Gwen asked before realization dawned on her. "It's Patsy isn't it."

Billy gave her a small nod as he shut Gemma's gate before saying, "Don't worry Miss Gwen, I'm sure Miss Patsy will get well again."

The two walked into the house, as they approached they heard shouts for Patsy to wake up. Not wasting any time Gwen picked up her skirt and ran as fast as she could towards the door. Throwing it open she saw her distraught papa picking up Patsy to take her to her room. Mrs. Washington threw her arms around her other daughter telling her that Patsy had another attack, but this one was more severe than any others the family had seen.

Over the summer all attention was directed to Patsy who had over 25 seizures for the rest of the season, sometimes having two a day. Gwen didn't mind though, she never liked to be the center of attention and cared too deeply about her dear sister.

Mount Vernon, April 10, 1772.

Jacky had done it again, sneaking out his twelve-year-old sister out of the house. The brother-sister duo laughed as they ran through the field towards the Potomac.

"I'll race you to the shore," he laughed as he took off.

"Hey," Gwen cried, "No fair!" trying to keep up.

Reaching the river's edge, the seventeen-year-old brother scanned the beach while waiting for Gwen to catch up.

"What took you so long?" he joked, picking up a stone.

"Very funny," she huffed. "You're bigger than me and can run faster."

"Sorry sunshine," he laughed, ruffling her hair.

Gwen playfully glared at her elder brother's latest nickname for her. He constantly came up with new nicknames every few weeks, the last ones being Canary and Peaches. His explanation: this is yellow and your hair is yellow.

"Soooo, what are we doing?" she asked, moving the ruffled hair out of her face.

"This," he said, skipping the stone across the water.

After finding a good amount of potential rocks, Jacky showed her how to hold it. "Now put your thumb here, and this finger here. And then you'll throw it like this" he instructed, guiding her hands through the motions. "Make sure that the rock spins fast."

Standing back up, Jacky backed away as Gwen attempted to skip the rock. It splashed, and sunk into the river, trying several more times with the same outcome, Gwen was getting a bit irritated.

"Here," said Jacky. "You're throwing it too hard, you want to throw it like this."

But his demonstration resulted in the same as Gwen's. Gwen started laughing as Jacky scratched the back of his head, holding in his own laughter.

"Yes, that was an extremely enlightening demonstration," Gwen giggled with the tiniest bit of sarcasm in her voice.

"You know mother doesn't like you talking like that," he chided, watching his sister's grin vanished. "But I don't mind… sunshine," he smirked, earning even more laughter from the younger sibling.

Mount Vernon, June 19, 1773

Thirteen-year-old Gwendolyn Washington had become an excellent horse rider. She was often found accompanying her father in the mornings when he went to survey the land. Her brother Jacky, who now went by Jack had gone to New York for college but his fiancé, Eleanor, was visiting Mount Vernon. Her schooling had progressed rapidly and she was beginning to think about trying to apply to a college. It was unheard of a woman attending college but Gwen was always one to try new things and her sister had always been there to support her.

Ever since 1770, Patsy's condition had grown worse and her parents did everything they could to help her. They went to multiple doctors and tried a variety of medicines but nothing seemed to work. Patsy had to stop schooling when her seizures became worse. Gwen knew Patsy wished she could ride horses and freely roam the estate but she had to remain close to someone for her health.

Walking toward Patsy's room Gwen heard a thud and ran. Opening the door she saw Patsy violently thrashing on the ground and immediately yelled

"Mama, Papa! It's Patsy!"

Not even a few seconds passed when she heard the heavy footsteps of her father running up the stairs. He ran past her and put Patsy's head in his lap trying to soothe the young woman. Her mother ran in moments later and cried at the sight of her eldest daughter.

"Billy!" her father boomed, "Get the doctor."

Gwen knew not what to do so she took her sister's hand and did her best to comfort her. Then Patsy stopped moving. In all her years Gwen had never seen her father cry but tears streamed down his face as he placed his ear near her still sister's head. Shakely he pulled away after hearing her draw no breath and brought the girl into his arms. Her mother let out a sickening sob as she soon realized. Her sister was dead.

A.N.

This story will be following TURN: Washington's Spies and then continue following the plot of Hamilton.

I will be doing a lot of research to ensure I make this story as historically accurate as possible (minus the existence of Gwen). This is also my first Fanfic so bear with me for a while, I'm only writing this now because of all the free time provided by COVID-19. I am in college classes so I apologize if updates slow down sometimes I also have ADHD and sometimes I forget I have a project going on. Another thing, I am an EXTREMELY self-critical writer and I constantly go back and rewrite the same sentence over and over. I'm trying to break this habit but it gets the best of me. Please leave feedback, it will help encourage me to keep writing if I know others are holding me accountable to finish.