Alexander was furious. Three years after Jefferson, Madison and Burr had promised to keep his affair secret, Jefferson had spilled the beans to a journalist while drunk. And that journalist, being a Hamilton-hater, published this in a best-selling book, "Observations on the Year 1796", and of course accused him of stealing money from the government. He almost dueled future President James Monroe, but Burr intervened. Ironic I know.

Although his friends and family assured him that they knew it was all slander, Alexander couldn't help himself. He worried about his legacy, and thought back to all the times his writing saved him. After making sure Eliza, who was pregnet with their 6th child was alright, he published the Reynolds Pamphlet.


The whole country was talking about it, even in England. Alexander Hamilton, the respected former Secretary of the treasury, who was constantly slandered, admitted to a torrid affair. It was the nation's first sex sandal! Although he was respected for his honesty, many felt that it was too honest. Indeed, many of Jefferson's supporters cheered over Hamilton ruining himself.

He went to his study, to try and hide for a bit. While he was thinking how best to handle the chaos he had unleashed, his door flew open. He turned to see who it was. "Angelica." He greeted with a sigh of relief. "Thank God, someone who understands what I'm struggling here to do."

"Alexander." Angelica, who had moved with her family to New York shortly before the scandal even started, greeted as she entered the room. He went to kiss her hand, but she swiftly removed it and slapped him. "Congratulations." She coldly told him. She pointed her finger at him, "You have invented a new kind of stupid: 'a damage you can never undo' kind of stupid; an 'open all the cages at the menagerie' kind of stupid. 'Truly, you didn't think this through?' kind of stupid!" She calmed down, "Let's review: You took an acusation that everyone accepted as slander, and refuted it
by sharing an affair of which no one has accused you! I begged you to take a break, you refused to."

She marched towards him, and out of fear, Alexander backed away. "So scared of what your enemies might do to you; you're the only enemy you ever seem to lose to. You know why Jefferson can do what he wants? He doesn't dignify schoolyard taunts with a response! So yeah, congratulations!"

Alexander was getting close to the wall. "Angelica." He cried, scared of being cornered with no escape.

"You've redefined your legacy, Congratulations!" Angelica yelled as Alexander hit the wall.

Trapped, Alexander yelled back: "It was an act of political sacrifice!"

Angelica was taken aback. "Sacrafice?" She slowly backed away. Once the shock wore off, Angelica looked down, filled with sadness, "I languished in a loveless marriage in London, I lived only to read your letters." Tears started to form in her eyes as she thought back to those years. As she wipped them away she said, "That doesn't wipe the tears or the years away," She dared to look up at him, "but I'm back in the city and I'm here to stay" She went to him and gave him a kind and almost forgiving smile, "and you know what I'm here to do." Her hands were almost touching his.

Alexander smiled, took her hands and caressed her face, "Angelica."

She let herself enjoy this last touch. Then she quickly pulled away, throwing his hands back, "I'm not here for you." She was angry, and let it show, "I know my sister like I know my own mind, you will never find anyone as trusting or as kind," Her voice quieted and saddened as she continued, "and a million years ago, she said to me, 'This one's mine.' So I stood by." She went back to glaring and raised her voice, "Do you know why? I love my sister more than anything in this life! I will choose her happiness over mine everytime! Put what we had aside, I'm standing by her side. You could never be satisfied, God I hope you're satisfied!" Then she left the room in a huff and slammed the door. She then hurried upstairs to comfort her sister.

OOO

Caroline was furious. Her friend had done it this time, her poor Eliza! As soon as she read what happened, she immediately made her way to the Hamilton's house. She knocked on the door, and a maid answered.

"Ah, Mrs. Robinson," The maid greeted, for Caroline visited every other week, "back so soon?"

"Yes." Caroline replied in a calm manner, "Is Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton here?"

"Mr. Hamilton is in his study, Mrs. Hamilton is upstairs with her sister."

"I'll see Zander first, no need to announce me." Caroline said as she made her way in.

"Don't do anything rash." The maid told her, having a feeling of where things were going.

"I won't." Caroline promised. "Can't be rash if you planned it out." She went to his study and burst open the door. "Zander!" She yelled, full of anger.

"Carol!" Alexander replied in shock, "What a surprise!" He suddenly remembered the threat she had made all those years ago, and grew nervous.

Carol marched to his desk, while she did so, Alexander quickly went behind his chair to defend himself. She threw a scrunched up piece of parchment at him, "How could you!" She yelled!

"I had to pro—"

"Not that!" Carol yelled, then she quieted a little and added, "Well a little, but what I mean is, Eliza has been nothing but a loyal, kind and devoted wife to you," She pulled out her copy of The Reynolds Pamphlet, and yelled, "and this is how you repay her!? By having a three month affair with some abused woman, and then blabbering about it to the world!?"

"I ended it!" Zander argued.

"After three months!" Carol yelled.

"I tried ending it sooner, but Reynolds, well he knew how to get me. But I never slept with him, I swear!"

"I read the letters." Carol remarked, "You couldn't just have waited until you absolutely had to to keep your mouth shut? You're a lawyer, you should know better!"

"I'm not perfect!" Zander replied.

"I never said you were." Carol retorted, "And we've told you multiple times that you need to take breaks from your work to eat and chastely sleep."

"Sometimes I forget!" Alexander shot back.

"You should've gone with them, Zander." Carol told him, "That way this wouldn't have happened! Think of what people will say about Eliza? Of Mrs. Reynolds?"

"Actually Burr said she divorced him, so I think she's doing well. But I see your point."

"Why can't you ever think things through!" Carol yelled at him. "You know why it took you so long to get a command? Because you're so dang impulsive!" She slapped him hard, leaving a bruise. "You don't see Laffie publishing about his affairs, he tries to keep them private, and same with Jefferson, and every other person!" She pushed him with such force, he slammed against the wall. "You're lucky I didn't bring my bayonet!" She turned to go, and when she was at the door, she turned around to face him, "I'm going to comfort my friend, who you've ruined along with yourself. I will keep your secrets, as I know you will mine, but never think of me as a friend again." She left the room, then rushed upstairs, where Eliza was crying into her older sister's arms.

Later that day, Peggy came by and poured ink on her brother-in-law's head.


It was late. Alexander went upstairs, hoping his wife was recovered, and wouldn't hold a grudge. When he entered the master bedroom, he saw Eliza surrounded by her sisters and Caroline, reading letters. Hoping for forgiveness and understanding, he entered.

Eliza looked up when he did. Instead of smiling, she turned to the ones around her, and they exchanged looks. She sighed and was helped up by Angelica and Caroline. She turned to him, with papers in her hands as the other three women went into the hall. "I saved every letter you wrote me. From the moment I read them I knew you were mine. You said you were mine. I thought you were mine."

"Eliza…." Alexander began, but his wife cut him off.

"Do you know what Angelica said when we saw your first letter arrive?" She said as she pulled said letter out, "She said: 'Be careful with that one, love. He will do what it takes to survive'." She grabbed another letter and stared lovingly at it, "You and your words flooded my senses." She began to dance around with the letters in hand, "Your sentences left me defenseless. You built me palaces out of paragraphs, You built cathedrals."

"Maybe things won't be so bad." Alexander thought.

She grabbed more letters, "I'm re-reading the letters you wrote me. I'm searching and scanning for answers in every line, for some kind of sign of when you were mine." She looked sad, unable to find what she was looking for, "The world seemed to burn." She grabbed her heart as tears fell, "Burn."

"Eliza, I'm so—" Alexander began as he went to comfort her, but he was cut off.

"You published the letters she wrote you." Eliza said in a sad and angry tone which became more and more angry, "You told the whole world how you brought this girl into our bed. In clearing your name, you have ruined our lives. Heaven forbid someone whisper 'He's part of some scheme', your enemy whispers," she balled up the Reynolds Pamphlet and threw it at him while yelling, "so you have to scream!" She quieted as she continued, "I know about whispers. I see how you look at my sister."

Both Angelica and Alexander tensed. Alexander tried to explain, but Eliza wouldn't let him.

"Don't! I'm not naïve. I have seen women around you. Don't think I don't see how they fall for your charms, all your charms! Do you know what Angelica said, when she read what you'd done? She said: 'You've married an Icarus. He has flown too close to the sun.'"

Alexander neared her, but Eliza put her hand up, "Don't, take another step in my direction I, can't be trusted around you. Don't think you can talk your way into my arms," She turned away from him, arms close by her, "into my arms." She looked back at the letters, "You and your words obsessed with your legacy… Your sentences border on senseless," She turned to him, full of anger, "and you are paranoid in every paragraph; how they perceive you." Her anger vanished into sadness and she fell to her knees as she cried, "You, you, you!"

"Eliza!" Alexander cried as he rushed to her. He put a hand to her to see if she was alright, "Please, forgive me."

Eliza brushed him off as Angelica and Caroline entered the doorway. She got up by herself and stared at the lit candle. In a quiet voice she announced, "I'm erasing myself from the narrative."

Alexander was shocked. All his wife ever wanted was to be part of his life.

Eliza's voice steadily rose as she gathered the letters on the floor, "Let future historians wonder how Eliza reacted when you broke her heart." She got up and went to the candle as she yelled, "You have torn it all apart! I'm watching it," She held the letters over the candle and watched them ignite, "burn." She carefully threw the burning letters into the coal bucket, "Watching it burn." She gathered more letters and threw them in the bucket as she continued, "The world has no right to my heart. The world has no place in our bed. They don't get to know what I said. I'm burning the memories, burning the letters that might have redeemed you." Alexander tried to stop her, but she resisted.

When she was done, she angrily turned to him and yelled, "And when the time comes, explain to the children the pain and embarrassment you put their mother through. When will you learn, that they are your legacy? We are your legacy! If you thought you were mine, don't!" She removed the wedding ring from her finger and threw it at him, "You forfeit all rights to my heart." She grabbed his pillow and a blanket, "You forfeit the place in our bed." She shoved the items into his hands, "You'll sleep in your office instead. With only the memories of when you were mine!"

Alexander grabbed his night shirt and turned back to her, "Eliza, I'm so sorry."

But only coldness followed, "I hope that you burn."

Alexander sighed, and went downstairs into his study and slept there.

Eliza couldn't bear the sight of her husband at all, so even though she was heavily pregnant, within the week, she and the children moved out and went to live with her parents.

OOO

Alexander soon received a letter from Fanny, who was now living with her sister and brother-in-law:

Uncle Alex,

I just read the Reynold's Pamphlet, and how could you! Aunt Eliza does not deserve to be cheated on and for the whole world to know! I can only imagine the pain she and my cousins must feel, and if I could, I would go to your office and yell this to your face!

I have always revered you, but I cannot bear this. You have certainly ruined us all.

Fanny


Burr heard a knock on the door. Knowing that the servants were either busy or out, he answered. He saw a familiar looking girl.

"Hello." The girl answered, "I'm Susan Reynolds. Remember me?"

Burr had to think about it, "Uh, yes? You're Mariah's daughter, right?"

"Yes." The girl answered, "She and my step-father fled to England."

Burr knew why. Hamilton wasn't the only one being humiliated. For you see my dears, the human world, especially back then, vilified a woman who tempted a man into being unfaithful. Not always, for having a mistress wasn't always seen as bad, but one had to be careful. And poor Mariah was slandered in the papers, and on the streets when it was found out she was Mrs. Reynolds. Her only defender was Burr.

"Why didn't she take you?" Burr asked.

"She said a life on the run was no life for a child." Susan answered, "So she sent me here."

Burr nodded. "Come in. I'll figure something out."

"Thank you sir." Susan answered, and entered the house. She was soon sent to boarding school at Burr's expense.


Eliza paced outside her eldest son's room. He had been ill for a while, and she was worried. She, like any decent mother, didn't want to lose a child. She had already lost enough siblings, nieces and nephews.

The doctor exited the room, he looked rather grim.

"Well?" Eliza asked.

"There's nothing I can do." The doctor answered.

"Will he live?" Eliza desperately asked.

The doctor shook his head. "Doesn't look good."

Eliza put her hand to her face and started to cry. Suddenly she remembered Edward Stevens. "Is he alright to travel?"

The doctor was taken aback. "What?"

"I asked, is he alright to travel?" Eliza repeated.

"How far?"

"The city."

"Yes, yes he should be."

"Alright then." Eliza turned to a servant, "Ready the carriage, and inform my family. I'm taking my son Philip to the city. I know a doctor there who can save him."

"You sure?" The doctor asked, feeling quite certain in his abilities as a doctor.

Eliza turned to him and stared him dead in the eye, "Yes. Dr. Stevens saved my life when I was ill with Yellow Fever during the Philly epidemic. I know he will save my son's." And that was that.

OOO

Life was relatively quiet since Alexander's family moved out. No longer did the children pop their heads into his office to see if he was busy. No longer could he justify any delays by spending time with his beloved children whom he would always readily welcome into his office with open arms. Indeed, many guests and servants would comment on how loving and doting a father and uncle Alexander was.

So my dears, you can imagine how surprised he was when he looked out the window and saw his father-in-law's carriage stopping by his house, with his beloved Eliza inside. He rushed outside to greet them, but when Eliza exited the carriage, she coldly told him, "I'm not here for you. Philip is ill, and the county doctors can't do a thing! Go get Ned!"

After a brief shock, Alexander replied, "Yes, of course!" Then he rushed to his foster brother's house. When he arrived, he quickly went to the office where Ned was just finishing up with a client. "Ned, it's an emergency!"

"Alex?" Ned asked in confusion, "What is it?"

"Philip, he's ill." Alex replied as he caught his breath, "The country doctors can't do a thing."

Fear and concern filled the doctor, "Of course." He turned to his patient, "So see me if things get worse, and remember my instructions."

"Yes Dr. Stevens." The patient replied.

"Good." Ned replied, "I have to see my nephew now." Ned quickly grabbed his bag and followed Alexander to his house.

When they arrived, Philip was in his room, being tended to by Angie, Eliza and baby William (Whom Alexander had never met).

"Hello." Ned said to everyone there.

"Hello Uncle Ned." Angie and Philip replied.

"Ned, can you help him?" Eliza asked.

"I'll see what I can." Ned answered, and gave Philip a check-up. While Ned was working his magic, figuratively, Eliza and Alex chatted.

"C-can I hold our youngest?" Alexander awkwardly asked.

"No." Eliza answered.

"I know you're still mad, but at least let me meet my youngest son."

Eliza rolled her eyes, "Fine." She and the baby turned to him, "William, this is your father. Alexander, this is William. There you've met." Then she turned around.

"That was rather short."

"Well excuse me for not wanting him to know the man who ruined our family. Just yesterday I was called out in the newspapers for not being able to keep you faithful. I was slandered, Alex. Called names that shouldn't be repeated in front of young ears."

"Who called you that?" Alex asked, wanting to hurt anyone who would dare hurt his wife.

"I let it go, Alexander." Eliza answered, "Something you should learn."

"I told you I was sorry." Alexander told her, "I never wanted to hurt you."

"Well you did." Eliza then covered William's ears, and quietly said, "I was accepting of your relationship with Laurens, I even toyed with the notion of him sharing our bed. I said little when I noticed you and Angelica flirting. I put up with the women who flaunted around you. I put up a good face when you were made Treasurer," She smiled and she removed her hands from William's ears, "I even took pride in being a leader in society. I bore you six children," Her smile faded, "I governed the family's finances, I was a devoted mother and wife." She turned to face him, "I did everything I could to save face and to stop you from being reckless. And yet that wasn't enough. I was never enough for you. Nothing we did was enough." Tears started to form in her eyes.

Alexander grabbed a handkerchief from his pocket and dried her eyes. She would've grabbed the hanky herself if she weren't busy with William.

"He will live." Dr. Steven told the family.

A huge sigh of relief came from the Hamiltons.

"He should rest, be given plenty of clean water to drink, daily bath in warm water, and good food." Ned added. "I'll stop by tomorrow to check on him. He should be better in a week or two."

"Thank you Ned." Eliza and Alexander said in unison. They looked at each other, then they along with Angie went to the bed.

Alexander grabbed his son's hand. "Oh my dear Philip. I've missed you so much."

"Pa." Philip weekly said, "I still think what you did was wrong, but I don't want to die still mad at you."

"You're not going to die." Eliza, Angie and Alexander all said in unison. They looked at each other, then back at Philip.

"Even so, I've had a lot of time to think lately." Philip replied, "And I forgive you."

Tears started to form in Alexander's eyes. He was forgiven my one of his loved ones. Sure Ned had already, but to hear those words from his son…. "Thank you." Alexander whispered.

Time went by. Philip made a full recovery, and Eliza decided to stay for the children's sake instead of moving back in with her parents, but she refused to share a bed. One by one, the children followed their big brother's example and forgave their father. Eliza warmed up to him, but she still couldn't find it within her to forgive him fully. They would act friendly with each other, play and raise the children together, but at the end of the day, they would sleep in separate bedrooms.


"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Aaron Burr asked his 14-year-old daughter.

"Yes Papa. It's only a few days." Theo answered, "I'll have the servants and my siblings to keep my company." Theodosia Sr had five children from her previous marriage, and Burr had a three-year-old son from an affair he had with a servant.

After hesitating for what seemed like forever, Burr finally kissed his daughter goodbye and left.

As soon as he was out of sight, however, Theo turned to her hand-maid and asked, "Did you get any replies?"

"Yes Miss." The maid answered, "Almost all of them said yes, including Dr. Hosack, Dr. Bard, and Bishop Moore."

"Good." Theo answered, "Well, we've got work to do." Then she went inside the house to get it fit for a dinner party for Chief Joseph Brant of the Six Nations.

"Miss, shouldn't you have told your father about tomorrow's guests?"

"He doesn't trust me." Theo answered as she got the house ready, "I want to show him that I can be a hostess without him being here."

"But won't he be mad?"

"What's the worst he can do?" Theo asked, "I'm his little angel."

"Miss you're gonna end up in a lot of trouble with an attitude like that."

A mischievous smile crossed the teenager's face, "I don't care." Then she finished preparations for the party that would go on to be a success.


Lafayette, Adrienne and their daughters were finally released from prison. It seemed wonderful, but they couldn't access their funds. Even so, they were just happy to be free.

When this news reached their friends and family, they too were joyous.

"As soon as I graduate from Harvard," Georges said when they received the news during dinner, "I'm going back to France."

"Are you sure it's safe?" Philip, who had grown rather close to him asked.

"Yes." Georges answered.

"Don't be so rash." Alexander Sr warned, "Just because they're free doesn't mean they aren't in danger."

"I'll be done next year." Georges replied, "Things will surely be better by then."

"That's true." Alexander Sr remarked. Then knowing there was little he could do to stop the adventurous young lad, he said, "Just be safe."

"I will." Georges said, "I've traveled across the ocean several times in greater peril."

"Maybe if you had a companion." Philip suggested, clearly indicating himself.

"Philip, you are far too young to go to Europe without proper adult supervision!" Eliza said.

"But Mama!" Philip complained, "I want to go."

"When your older!" Eliza told him.

"Besides," Angie added, cutting her older brother off, "we need you here."

"I'm sure that an intelligent, witty and beautiful young lady like you can handle things without me." Philip told his sister.

Angie pouted and thought about it, "Maybe for a little while."

"Will you two stop it!" Alexander Jr exclaimed, "You're siblings, not a couple."

"Who says we can't be both?" Philip remarked.

"PHILIP!" Angie yelled, "Gross!"

"I'm just teasing." Philip said.

"Such teasing has no place at the dinner table." Eliza said.

"Your mother's right." Alexander Sr added, "She always is."

Eliza couldn't help but smile. She knew she was.

"Maybe I could go." Bertie, who was there as a guest along with his mother, suggested.

"Bertie, you're far too young." Caroline told him.

"But I want to meet my father." Bertie pleaded, "Georges can take care of me."

Caroline was torn. Bertie was her only child, but she couldn't deny him the chance to meet his father. And she knew that Lafayette would want to meet him too. "What about Adrienne?"

"I'm sure she won't mind." Bertie replied, he then turned to his brother, "Right?"

Georges wasn't sure. "Ummm... If we word it right."

After much debate, Bertie was finally allowed to accompany Georges and his tutor to Europe.


It was a cold winter night. The children were sound asleep in their bedrooms, although Angie was in Philip's room again. The two had a developed a habit for sharing a bed since Fanny left. Of course this brought up questions, but they eventually let it go because they were just close siblings. Yes, like Aunt Rita and Uncle Max.

Eliza felt incredibly thirsty, and so got up to get a cup of water. As soon as she grabbed the water, the roof of her bedroom collapsed. Most of the house was too fast asleep to hear the collapse, but not Alexander. He immediately rushed out of his study to investigate. His jaw dropped, and Eliza was scared.

"Do you think it'll spread to the rest of the house?" Eliza asked.

Alexander inspected it. "Doesn't look like it. I'll call for a roofer in the morning." He turned to her, "If you want, you can sleep in the study with me."

"No." Eliza replied. "I'll sleep in the living room."

"Will you be comfortable?" Alexander asked.

"Yes." Eliza answered, then she went to the living room to sleep. It wasn't very comfortable, and she was getting cold. Eventually, she was forced to swallow her pride and went to her husband's study. When she entered, she found him half asleep on his desk. A small smile crept on her face, but then she remembered the pain he had put her through. She looked around and saw a small cot, it could fit one adult, but two could if they were small enough, or squeezed properly.

Eliza, not wanting to share a bed with Alexander no matter how desperate she got, went to her husband, put a blanket around him, and slept on the cot. "You can sleep on the floor or your desk, but until the roof is finished, I get the cot."

"Ok." Alexander mumbled. He was just happy that his wife was comfortable.

However, as the night and the repairs went on, Eliza began to feel sorry for her husband. So on the second night, she let him on the cot. But they were just sleeping. But, as the nights wore on, they began to cuddle and other stuff. You have imaginations, use them.

When the roof was finally repaired, Eliza discovered that she was pregnet. She felt a little ashamed of herself for becoming pregnet by her cheating husband, but she was also looking forward to the possibility of having another girl.

When the child was finally born, she was named Eliza after her mother's nickname. Although she was sometimes called Eliza Jr, Liz, Lizzy, Liza and Ellie. For consistency, I shall refer to her as Ellie.

Angie was happy to have a sister, and Alexander was happy for the hope of his wife's forgiveness and the joy of another child.

But Eliza, not wanting to bring Alexander back into her bed, told him when he sat on the bed to hold his newborn daughter, "Alexander, this is the last time you will be welcomed back in our bed."

"You sure?" Alexander asked, for he remembered bringing comfort to his wife during her pregnancy when she needed it.

"Yes." Eliza Sr answered, "That was just a temporary, one-time thing. Now that things are back to normal, expect that please."

Although hurt, Alexander accepted his wife's order.


Although free, Lafayette and his family were now poor; the family funds having been seized by the authorities. All they had was Lafayette's pension and the hospitality of friends and family.

The family had settled in Vienna, living in a house that Adrienne's sister and aunt (they were two different people) owned. It was rather quiet, not much to do. Although they didn't have to worry about guards and a confined space, it was still not what the family was used to. Having to rely on charity instead of being able to buy anything they needed without fear of cost.

On a particularly boring day, Lafayette was in the living room reading a book while Adrienne was spending time with Virginie and the newly married Anastasie. Then a maid entered, "Monsuir, there are two young men here to see you."

"Really?" Lafayette nervously asked.

"Yes, they claim to be your sons, Georges and Bertie."

"Bertie?" Lafayette asked in confusion.

"Yes that was his name, John Gilbert Robinson and Georges Washington Motier de Lafayette. One of them had a letter of introduction." She handed the letter to him.

Lafayette took the letter and read it, it had a familiar handwriting.

Dearest Laffie,

I'm not sure if it was the right decision, but Georges was determined to return to you when he heard you were free and safe. I didn't want Bertie to join him, but he was determined to meet you. I tried to talk him out of it, but he was determined. I feared that if I refused him, he would run away like I did.

Bertie is to stay for no more than a year, and if he insists, please write to me.

Both know the Truth, and please, I do hope your wife won't be angered. Bertie told me everything that's happened since he left.

Yours faithfully,

Carol

Lafayette stared at the letter. He re-read it, again and again. "So it's true." He thought. "Better find a way to tell Adrienne." "Send them in." Lafayette told the maid.

"Yes Monsuir." The maid answered. Then she did a quick curtsy and fetched the boys. When she returned, tears began to form in Lafayette's eyes.

"My sons." Lafayette quietly said. Then he and Georges went to each other and hugged each other tight. When they finally let go, Lafayette said, "My how big you've grown."

"Yes." Georges answered, "And I have so may stories to tell you. But first, I have someone to introduce you to." He turned to the other young man, "Father, this is my brother, Bertie."

Feeling awkward, Bertie awkwardly smiled and said, "Hello."

Lafayette went towards him, and took him in. "You have my face and hair. But your eyes are your mothers." He smiled as he remembered her, "Ah, her beautiful eyes." He took on a dream-like stare as memories came flooding back. "Able to express so much emotion, very intelligent. And her wit, some of the best I've ever seen."

"Father?" Gorges asked.

Lafayette was quickly snapped out of his thoughts. He smiled at Bertie and put his hands on his shoulders. "My son, you are very welcome here."

Bertie felt shocked. He wasn't sure how his father would feel meeting him, or how he would feel. But, hearing him call him his son, Bertie felt warm.

"You'll always have a place here." With smiles, he gave him a hug. When he let go, he told his sons, "I will show you to your room. Your sisters will be very happy to see you."

"What about Mother?" Georges asked.

"She'll be happy to see you Georges." The Lafayette turned to Bertie, "You I'm not so sure."

Bertie felt guilty for some reason.

"No matter, I'm sure everything will work out." Lafayette said, trying to ease things. "Let me tell you about everything that's happened so far." Then as he lead his sons to their room, he told them everything that had happened since Georges went into hiding.

OOO

"Georges!" Anastasie and Virginie yelled in excitement when they saw their brother for the first time in years.

"Ana! Virginie!" Georges yelled as the three rushed towards each other. The three had a long embrace, as if nothing else mattered.

When they finally let go, Georges said to them, "I have a surprise for you." He turned to Bertie, "A brother."

Bertie smiled, "Hello. I'm Bertie."

"Hello." The girls answered. Then Ana approached him and offered her hand, which Bertie kissed with all the gentleness his father would kiss a lady.

Ana smiled. "I'm Ana. Nice to meet you."

"And you." Bertie answered, "Georges has told me a lot about you and Virginie." He then then turned to the other girl, "And you must be Virginie."

"Yes." Virginie answered, "It is a pleasure to meet you. Georges has written about you in his letters."

"I know, he uh, told me on the way here." Bertie answered.

There was a bit of awkwardness in the air, so Ana decided to break it. "So, what's America like?"

"We'll tell you." Georges answered. Then he and Bertie told their sisters all about their time in America, and Georges told them of his time in London.

OOO

It was an awkward dinner. Adienne wasn't sure how she felt about Bertie being there, but she loved her son. After Georges told the family all about his time in exile, Adrienne made up her mind.

"I'm so happy you're home Georges. We've all missed you. Now that France is safe, it is time we set to work returning properties to their rightful owners, including my mother's."

"But I'm not allowed in France, my dear." Lafayette replied.

"I know." Adrienne replied, "I'll go alone, or with my sister, and see what can be done for you."

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Lafayette asked. He knew his wife was left ill from her time imprisoned; suffering from: stomach pains, blisters, sores, and abscesses.

"Yes, my love, I'm sure. I may be suffering from the trauma I endured, but we owe it to our fellow countrymen to help them recover what was stolen from them. And we owe it to those who were murdered to honor their memory. I plan to erect a memorial for them."

"Will the government want that?" Ana asked.

"Will the people want that?" Georges asked.

"In time." Adrienne answered. "I plan on being very busy for the rest of my life. I even finished my memoir." While she was imprisoned with her family, Adrienne had written a memoir using toothpicks and china ink. When she was released, she properly wrote it down.

"Are you going to publish it?" Lafayette asked.

"Yes." Adrienne answered, "But I might only be able to get a few copies."

"At least it will be better than nothing." Virginie said.

"Yes." Adrienne said with a smile. And she kept her word, doing all that she said she would. Even getting compensation.