Alex was very quick to call Mr. Washington the second the 4 of us entered my office. I was confused as to why, at first. He could always just talk to him, but he might not see him today or someone, like Thomas, could walk into his office as Alex is trying to get the president on our side, and then our whole scheme is ruined. I was also confused as to why all of us needed to be in here. To me, it made sense for Alex and I to be in here and talking to the president. What did Angelica have to input into this? Why was Peggy even here, I didn't tell her about the trauma from highschool, she must feel so out of the loop.
The phone, which was placed on my desk and on speaker phone, rang. I sat down, too nervous to stand. Alex looked nervous, too. Maybe he should sit instead of me. I can sit on his lap if I need to.
Then, he spoke, "Hello, Alex. What can I do for you on this fine morning?"
"Uhm, Hi. So, I was curious if you would want to come to dinner, tonight. I need to discuss something important with you."
"Is this work related, Mr. Hamilton?"
I step in, "No, it's not. Mr. President, I hate to interrupt your, rather awkward, conversation with Alexander, but this is extremely important. This has to do with one of your cabinet members."
"Oh, hello, Eliza. Can you specify anything?"
"Over the phone, I can not, but we would love to have you for dinner so that way we can discuss the matter. You can even bring Mrs. Washington, if you would like. We would love to have you both."
"Well," He clears his throat, "I will talk to Martha, and let Alex know when he comes in. Does that sound alright to both of you."
We both respond, "Yes."
"Thank you, Mr. President." Alexander says.
"No problem. I'll see you in the White house soon, Alex. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Eliza."
"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. President."
"Please, call me George."
"Alrighty, bye now." Alex rushes.
"Goodbye." The phone hangs up.
He hugs me and whispers, "Thanks for saving me. I didn't know what to say without just saying it all."
"I could tell. It's all okay, now. You should go to work." I let go of him, "And you girls, should go, too. I have a lot of work to do and as much as I love hanging out with you both, I need to make up some of the work I didn't do yesterday."
"It's all good." Angelica says.
"We understand," Peggy tells me.
"I'll lead everyone out." I say, starting out of my office. My kids run up to me asking who's leaving, "Oh, kiddos. Aunt Angelica and Aunt Peggy are going to go back to their house and Daddy is going to work."
"You aren't leaving this time?" Phillip asks me. The words hit me in the stomach hard. I didn't expect him to ask that.
"No, baby." I crouch down without flashing anyone. My hand rubs his cheeks, "Mommy isn't going anywhere. She learned her lesson."
"Good." He hugs me.
I stand up to hug my sisters goodbye and Alexander goodbye. After that, I take my kids to school. We decided that a small walk to drop off Philip, Angie, and Alex Jr. wouldn't hurt. I carried James the whole way, which was fine. After 20 minutes I was back home with James and it was time for him to nap and for me to work.
Around 10:45, Alex told me that George and Martha would be joining us for dinner at 6:30. That gave me a frame of time to work so I was motivated to get the majority of Lafyette's living room done and part of the design for Aaron Burr and Theodosia's dining room. The only problem was around, noon, I was starting to feel sick. I ran to the bathroom puking.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" I muttered to myself.
I ignored it, and made James and I lunch. We had toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with cucumbers, carrots, and humus. It was really good. But immediately after eating, I felt ill again. I ran to the bathroom puking again, but I felt fine afterwards. My mind was confused. What could be happening to me? I skimmed through ideas in my head. The biggest give away was that I felt fine after I threw up. I could only think of one thing that would give me that exact reaction. Pregnancy.
I took the test and set the alarm on my phone. I wasn't extremely nervous. I mean, I had done this exact thing 4 times before. The only thing is the timing. I am facing the biggest hurdles of my life and a child wouldn't exactly be convenient right now. Also, not even 2 days ago I was black out drunk. I don't drink often or ever, but I did two days ago… What would Alexander think if I was pregnant? Would he be excited or would he be upset? It was just too much to think about. My phone timer went off. I looked at the test that I had on the counter.
Looks like 4 is going to 5… I started to cry. I need Alex. I'm going to go see him, even though he is at work with Thomas and I don't want to see him. I grab the test, and grab my purse. Thankfully, James was down for his second nap of the day, and I could run out for an hour to talk to Alexander.
The walk was brisk but it was much needed. I walked into the front of the White House. I got weird stares, it was not often that the spouses of cabinet members came in to visit, but it happened every once and a while. I walk to the front desk. A younger woman with very dark hair that has purple and red streaks in it looks at me. She has a septum piercing and an eyebrow piercing.
"How can I help you?" The front desk lady asks me.
"I'm here to see Alexander Hamilton. My name is Elizabeth Schuyler-Hamilton."
"Please have a seat. I'll let him know."
"Alright, thank you." I walk to the 5 chairs that sit on the opposite side of the room. My hands fidget with the hem of my skirt. Anxiety starts to take over my body. The lady from the front desk walks over to me. She is wearing a dark knit top and a leather skirt with fishnets and combat boots. She looks edgy despite being really nice, "He's ready for you. Would you like me to walk you to his office. He told me to ask you."
I nod, "I would really appreciate that, thank you."
She leads me to his office, which is right across from Thomas's. I feel like I can't breathe, just knowing he is in there makes me weak. She knocks on his office door and he yells something that sounds like 'come in' even though it is muffled. She opens the door for me to walk in and closes it after I'm gone.
"My dearest, Eliza." He gets up and hugs me, "I hate to be rude, but what are you doing here? I thought you had work to do at home."
"Well, I have some news to tell you." He sits down on his desk and I sit beside him, grabbing his hands.
"What is it, Betsy?" He looks directly into my eyes. Worry fills his eyes.
"I…" I take a deep breath, "I... am pregnant. You are going to be dad to the 5th power with child number 5."
He kisses me, "Oh, Eliza! This is the best news!"
"I thought you should know before tonight at dinner, so I came to tell you."
"I'm so glad you did. Thank you, Eliza."
I hug him and he kisses my head. I feel safe here, "I love you Alexander."
"I love you, too, Elizabeth." He kisses the top of my head again, "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can't wait to help raise baby number 5."
"Me neither."