Hello everyone! Since it's the first day of the month. Across the globe now, I thought I would share a new story I wrote! I think it's really cute! If you want more please Heart, Follow and Review. It really makes my day and inspires me to write more! I found that my Phillip and Alexander stories are quite popular, so I will be writing more!
The guilts of working:
He watched as George began to reach for his coat. The war veteran slipped the coat over his shoulders and buttoned it up. Alexander smiled, having had a great time. Just as he was about to open the door, the general paused. Alexander proceeded to open the door, before the general opened his mouth and then closed it. He watched as George began thinking about what he was going to say. Suddenly Alexander heard the sound of footsteps running towards him and George. He saw his son run down the hall to the door. The six year old ran so fast, he crashed into Alexander.
"Phillip, what is it?" he asked.
"I just wanted to say thank you to Mr Washington for coming over!" he chirped.
Alexander saw George's face soften with a smile.
"What a fine boy you are raising! You said he is only six! Am I correct?" George asked.
Alexander nodded, feeling pride swell inside his chest. Philip grinned before turning to walk away.
Finally, George found his words and spoke.
"Are you still accompanying me to Virginia?"
Alexander nodded.
"Yes, I am very much still coming and I look forward to the business trip," he replied. Forgetting his son was there. He heard someone draw in a short breath. Alexander turned to see Phillip looking at him bewildered. With shocked and betrayed eyes. The six year old suddenly ran off into the house.
"He didn't know yet…" Alexander sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. George face-palmed himself in realisation.
"Sorry, Alexander. I best be off anyway. Thank you for having me stay for dinner with you tonight. I will see you in the coming days," George said, with a curt nod before leaving.
Alexander shut the door and went to search for Phillip. After a while of searching under tables and chairs. He finally found his son sobbing under the bed that he and Eliza sleep in. The boy was curled up in a small ball, knees close to his chest. Alexander bent down until he was on his knees. The gaps between the floorboards hurt his knees, the longer he stayed down on them. Finally he got down to Philips level. His son stirred and turned to see Alexander.
"Hey Philip, I…" Alexander started.
Suddenly Philip looked angry and scrambled out from under the bed, brushing tears away from his eyes as he ran. Then hurried to hide somewhere else. Alexander chased after him. Trying to catch up with Philips speed. Eventually he lost him and ran out of energy. Alexander collapsed onto the sofa in the living room, exhausted. He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. The news wasn't supposed to be let out like that. He felt even more guilty, remembering that he would be missing his son's seventh birthday.
"I'm a horrible father…" he said quietly.
He suddenly felt warm hands wrap around his shoulders.
"No you're not. Just give Phillip a bit of space and time, then explain it to him," his wife said in a soft soothing voice. Alexander gave her a warm smile.
"I better go find him again."
He slowly got up, then stretched his back. Eliza left and went back to the kitchen while he went to search for Philip.
He scoured the house. Bending down, looking under tables, moving things out of the way. In the end he was unsuccessful. He felt his heart sink. He needed to explain this to Phillip. It was a very important work trip. He called Phillips' name a few times with no answer. He thought about where Phillip could be hiding. He had checked the whole house. Or had he? Alexander stood there thinking for a moment. He then realised he never checked his office. Mainly because no one was generally allowed to be in there. However, he and Phillip had a special spot in the corner. Where they would read stories.
He quickly hurried upstairs, and into his office. Just as he thought, there was the six year old sobbing in the corner. Alexander quietly walked over, sitting beside Phillip on the small red sofa that sat in the corner of the room. He gently placed his arm over Phillips shoulder and pulled him in for a hug. He took a heavy breath before speaking.
"Phillip, I know that I will be missing your birthday next week. And I am truly sorry. This is a very important trip that I have to make."
Phillip turned his head, still angry with Alexander.
"But you always work. Why can't you stay home pa?" Phillip mumbled.
Alexander looked away. He hated upsetting his son. He hated not being there. But he enjoyed work. He thought carefully about what he was going to say next.
"Phillip, I hate that I can't be there for your birthday. I promise that when I get back I will do something to make up for it."
He noticed Phillips' face lighten slightly. Alexander sighed, knowing that it still wasn't good enough.
"What if I got you a big present all the way from Virginia?" Alexander suggested. Phillip smiled at the idea.
"A big one?"
"Yes Phillip. A big one," Alexander assured.
"Do you promise pa?" Phillip sniffed.
"I promise."
After that, Phillip snuggled close to Alexander's side and they sat together in silence.
I wanted to post it when I knew that it would be the first in the Northern Hemisphere and still be the first in the southern hemisphere! Enjoy! :D
~ CreamPeach56
