"Eliiiza?!" My sister yells.
"What now?" I ask, for the fifth time since she put on that apron. It's only been about half an hour since the oven caught on fire and the milk spilling and, well, you don't really want to know truly how bad of a cook she is. I think you get the point.
I hear footsteps climbing the stairs.
"Just a minute!" I say scribbling down a few more words before I'm swept out of my seat.
"Wha-Alex-" I manage to say before my words are replaced with a kiss on his lips.
"General Washington said I could take military leave. Well, actually he kinda ordered me to leave, which is strange but no need to question it. I'm here with you and that's a blessing!" He says holding my hand as we start to walk down the stairs.
"Washington?" I ask, frowning as I let go of his hand, staring into his handsome violet-blue eyes. We stop a quarter way down the stairs.
"I have to go, by order of my commander." He says.
We stare at each other for a second.
"Eliza and Alex! Stop your little love fest and get down here!" Angelica says with a teasing tone.
I roll my eyes as Alexander and I continue down the stairs.
"So," I say as Alexander and Angelica embrace, "This man is responsible for this kitchen almost burning down," I say teasingly.
"Well I had to prepare something for the man!" Angelica blushes.
"And what did you cook up?" Alexander asks.
"Why only a feast good sir! Come, sit!" Angelica says, gesturing towards the table. We all sit down and I begin to serve myself while Angelica starts to speak again.
"So, Alex, you come on military leave?" She asks.
"Yes. I have a week off." Hamilton says, obviously waiting for a reaction from me. I look him in the eyes expressionless.
"A week. A week?! Then of to war again? Just like when we were wed, you may kiss the bride and leave her two weeks later. You've gone mad if you think a week will satisfy me." I say, anger rising within me. Alexander sighs at my outburst.
"I'll leave you two to it…" Angelica whispers before slipping away.
"Eliza… Like every other man I have to go to-" Hamilton starts but I won't buy it.
"No. You go to war for glory. When will you ever be satisfied?! I guess I'm not enough for you am I?" I yell, throwing my napkin on the table before running out to the garden, tears swelling in my eyes.
"Eliza!" Hamilton runs after me, his meaning nothing but of pity. Everything looks blurry, the stars in the night sky, the trees around me. "Eliza," Hamilton repeats.
"When will you be satisfied?" I turn around, tears making my husband appear but an outline.
"I cannot say," Hamilton says, knowing lying will do no good. He takes my hands and brushes a strand of hair out of my face.
"When will this war end?" I ask him, tears staining my cheeks.
"When we are truly free." He says, giving me but a stub of an answer.
"I never should have told the general to bring you home, will only break me even more, for I must watch again, helpless, as you leave," I say, backing away from him slowly. I turn my back on him. Despite the trouble it was to bring him here, all I wish now is for him to never show his face again. It better be done with sooner than later, for every moment he stays, is another moment of gushing tears once he is gone.
"It must be urgent then," Hamilton says, curiosity peeking into his voice. I nod. "What is it then? What be such a fuss?"
"Our first child," I say, turning to face him, my expression unreadable. Hamilton stares at me, his face slowly lights up. "I tell you our first child is on the way and you stare at me dumbfounded? With what will you give me? A week till you leave again?" Though tears dare to surface with my temper, I fight to keep them inside. However, it is a lost cause to try to keep my temper submerged.
"Elizabeth, I-"
"Don't Elizabeth me young man. You are the one to be reasoned with. Alexander why, tell me why, why do you leave me every time? Why am I not enough? Are we not enough?" I ask my hands where our child lays.
"Eliza. You are enough-more than enough. But you see… I'm not." Hamilton solemnly states.
"What does that mean?" I ask. If only he would speak in a manner of which I could understand.
"I have to be remembered I have to-"
"You are remembered. By me. By Angelica." I say, trying to make him see as I do.
"Yes, but I need to make a foundation for our children. I need to show the world that I-as an immigrant can do so! I have to make a name for myself outside of Hamilton, one that has been passed to me by a dying mother and a father I am starting to forget. Legacies build futures, for us, for our kids!" Alexander says.
"Wanna build a legacy? A future? For us? Then make us your legacy and stay with us through thick and thin! And who cares about the world? You've shown your worth to me." I say. Alex sighs. I drop the subject, it's no use to argue, I know he is speechless.