And the next chapter!
I have decided that I will update on Friday's because I am super impatient.

And disclaimer, I'm no doctor so this chapter (but especially the next one) might seem extremely stupid, but just go with it :)

Enjoy!

~TH~

January 1798
Eliza

The cries of her infant brought her out of blissful sleep. Blinking herself awake, she turned in the darkness. As quietly as possible she lit a lamp and picked her son up out of the cradle.

"Shh," Eliza cooed, "is somebody hungry?"

As she prepared to feed, she looked over at her husband. His eyes were closed as he breathed evenly. She smiled at the sight. It wasn't very often she managed to catch him asleep, much less in bed.

Her smile faded. Her husband was working himself sick. The only reason he was in bed was because of an injury. If Jamison hadn't found him and brought him back...

Ezra. It had been such a long time since she had seen him.

"My dear, Eliza," he said pushing a stray hair behind her ear, "you know my feelings towards you. I have not kept them hidden. If only you would agree tothe marriage. Then I could give you everything you deserve and so much more."

She had turned him down. After her parent's response to Angelica and John's marriage, she had been warry to truly partake in a serious relationship.

Then she had met Alexander. Eliza had found herself caring little of her parent's opinion. She loved him and wanted to be with him. It was the young Hamilton who had insisted on making everything propper. She was, of course, glad that it had been done as such. Her father adored Alexander and had readily accepted him as a son.

When she had finished nursing, she put William back in his cradle. She would let her husband sleep for now.

With one last smile at the sleeping form, she went to wake her other children.

~H~

"Phillip love, take your elbows off the table." Eliza gently scolded.

Her eldest son jerked his arms back and smiler back sheepishly. He took the book he had been studying and moved it under his seat.

William was placed in the wooden playpen before she took her place at the table.

"Where's Papa?" Her six-year-old, John, asked wiggling in his seat.

She smiled at him, "He's asleep." When she had gone in to get William, he hadn't even stirred.

Philip glanced at her in seeming disbelief. "He's asleep?"

"Is he sick?" Angelica frowned.

"He's fine," she assured, "but he needs rest." More than the children even knew. Eliza had started to notice the deep lines etched in his face. The exhaustion was so palpable there were days when she wanted to force him to rest. Nothing she said ever seemed to convince him. Her husband was working himself to death and there was nothing she could do.

Clearing her throat, she turned back to her oldest. "Phillip, will you please say Grace?"

~H~

"Alexander?" Her husband had appeared only moments after the children were sent to school. He looked even worse than he had the night before. He was a shade paler than his already sickly parlour. The rings under his eyes had been, if anything, darkened by his full night's sleep. He stumbled down the stairs, moving dangerously on his feet.

"Good morning, Love." He gave a weak smile.

"Should you be out of bed?" Eliza made her way over to him, drawing him into a kiss. He didn't feel warm. "Maybe you should see the doctor."

"No, I'm fine. Just... Tired." He conceded with a sigh.

She hated seeing him like this, exhausted past his limit. "Stay home with me." She whispered into his neck.

"I can't," he sounded disappointed. Eliza pulled back, looking into his eyes. "I have so much I need to do."

Pushing away from his wife, he rubbed his temples.

"Headache?"

He grunted in response. "I need to go. I'm already late."

"You're sick. You can take a day off-"

"Not if you enjoy living in a house." He snapped.

Eliza stood shocked for a moment. He rarely spoke to her in such a way. Only when he was truly distressed or angry. And he never brought up their failing finances if he could help it. Instead of annoyed, she grew even more concerned.

Alexander pressed the palm of his hand between his eye. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." His voice was pitifully weak.

"All's forgiven." She tried to muster a smile. "If your headache gets worse, come home." She said, placing a kiss on his forehead.

"Promise." He kissed her back.

Eliza watched with a sigh as her husband half walked, half stumbled out the door.

~H~

Angelica's tutor was late. It was not of serious consequence as Eliza was just as capable of teaching her as any college graduate, but they were paying him. Alexander felt very deeply that things should be done properly. She suspected it had to do with the fact that, in his own childhood, nothing had been done properly. She never argued with him, though if he continued to work himself to death over finances, she would have to.

A knock at the door brought Eliza's attention away from her embroidery. The noise must have woken her sleeping child as a cry was heard from the downstairs nursery. "Angelica, see to William." She was going to have words with the tutor.

Opening the door, Eliza prepared to give a speech about being on time and how improper it was to appear at such a late hour and wake her sleeping infant. She was caught off guard, however, when she was met with a bouquet of flowers.

"Jamison?" She gaped, "How on earth did you find flowers in the middle of January?"

Ezra gave a slight bow, handing over the flowers. Eliza giggled in spite of herself.

"Such a beautiful lady deserves nothing less than a spot of brightness in such dreary weather." He smiled.

Eliza blushed, "I've forgotten myself, please come inside."

When they entered the parlour, Angelica was sitting on the couch making faces at William.

She looked up, noticing the company. "Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't realize-"

"Oh, think nothing of it. Your mother used to do the same thing to her siblings."

Eliza swatted playfully at Ezra's arm.

The fifteen-year-old girl glanced between her mother and the man she had never met.

"This is my eldest daughter, Angelica. Angelica, this Ezra Jamison. We knew each other when we were children."

"Angelica? Named after your sister I presume?" He addressed to Eliza.

She nodded. Then she remembered, "Speaking of my sister, she's having a dinner party this Saturday. You should attend with us!"

"Oh, I wouldn't want to impose-"

"I insist!" She smiled, "Angelica won't mind at all!"

"I suppose I could attend if you are sure your sister won't mind. She can be terrifying."

Eliza laughed, "I'm sure. I'll send a proper invitation later tonight. Where are you staying?"

"I'm boarding with Mrs Brubaker for the time being."

"Such a sweet lady." She smiled.

He nodded, as they both walked back towards the door. "Well, I must be on my way. It was a pleasure seeing you again." He lightly kissed her hand.

"Thank you for the flowers," Eliza said in answer.

Jamison gave another curt bow, then left.

~TH~

So... Yup. Sick Alex and caring Eliza.

And... Sweet(?) Ezra. Being a good friend to her.

More on Alex's injury in the next chapter!

Please comment and let me know what you think!

God bless,
Jamie