[JOHN's Point-of-View]

I am finishing some of the last cleaning and tidying in preparation for Herc and Laf's arrival. I'm so excited, I haven't seen them in a really long time.

I am just reassembling the table when I hear a knock on the door.

I sigh. Who could it possibly be?

I stand up and open the door.

I am surprised to see Aaron Burr on the other side, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Oh hello, Burr!" I say cheerily as I invite him inside.

I accept the flowers, and place them gently on the couch.

"So, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" I ask him, sitting on the couch.

He sits as well. "I know Hercules and Lafayette are coming with their wives tomorrow, I just wanted to drop by and say hello. Also, I wanted to wish you and Alexander a happy new year."

"Thank you. The same to you." I reply.

Alexander wanders in. "Hey, what's up Burr?"

Aaron looks a tiny bit distasteful, but answers anyway. "I brought you some flowers for Hercules and Lafayette, who I understand are coming tomorrow."

"Oh, thank you." Alexander says appreciatively, which I am glad of.

"Would you like to join us? They are coming over tomorrow morning." He offers.

"Certainly. Thank you." Aaron accepts. "May I help you with anything?" He asks, surveying the room.

"That would be lovely. In our storage room, there is a beautiful red rug, bring out here please." I decide to make use of his kindness.

Aaron goes to the room and returns with the rug. He spreads the rug out over the floor as I finish sweeping the floor and adjusting the table.

I noticed Alexander had picked up the flowers and left the room. Now he reenters with the flowers in a vase with some water in it.

Aaron wanders into the hall, finding Philip tidying his room. He steps inside.

I hear Philip ask him, "Hello, Mr. Burr! How is Theodosia? Did she come with you?"

Aaron smiles. "No, Philip. But she is doing well. I think she went to Mr. Adams's house to finish a project with his daughter. I am forgetting her name at present."

Aaron pauses before continuing. "She has been asking about you to your father frequently since the party."

Philip blushes.

I turn back to Alexander, letting them continue their conversation. I am struck by how handsome Alex looks bent over the vase.

"Hey, Alexander?" I say to get his attention.

"Oui?" He replies, absorbed in the vase.

"Ah, le français! Je t'aime!" I exclaim.

[Ah, the French! I love you!]

And I punctuate it with a kiss.

He smiles and my heart soars. I love this man so much.

His smile is contagious. I smile really wide, and we knock teeth. He grunts in disapproval, but doesn't move at all. I grab him around the waist, and he laughs.

Aaron starts coming back down the hall with loud footsteps, and Alex and I break apart and go hurriedly back to work folding blankets and doing other random tasks.

We show him to the door, and then we continue with our preparations.

Philip goes out to his basketball practice in the afternoon, and Alex and I finish tidying.

Then, Alex and I go shopping to buy ingredients to make one of Lafayette's favorite dishes.

I prep the kitchen once we get back, and start cooking immediately. I'm so behind that I enlist Alex to complete some small tasks that I don't have to watch him all the time for. He is a terrible cook. But I love him anyway.

Alex, Philip, and I turn in early, knowing what tomorrow will hold.

Alex and I fall asleep entangled in one another. Which is lovely, until we have to wake up in the morning to an alarm, an extremely difficult task.

I actually have to lift Alex out of bed. I'm so responsible, but I guess it comes from instructing my siblings on how not to get hurt by my dad. But I took most of the beatings, so nothing bothers me anymore. I've had it pretty bad, but not the worst by any means. I can't complain.

I feel really bad about keeping the information from Alex, but I don't want him to be upset. The time that I didn't tell him about Theodosia was because I was too busy thinking about the advances of one of my surgeons. She is really sweet, but that day she wanted to kiss me. But I'm married and love Alex. Alex is such a wonderful person, but if I tell him that she kissed my cheek, he will get mad. I don't want to do anything to hurt him.

I shake my head to clear it, we have other things to do, I can address that issue with Alex later. I have already mentioned this advance to our department, and hopefully they will do something.

Anyway, I feed Frances, our turtle (I named her what I was going to name my daughter) that Alexander gifted me for our first anniversary. He knows I love turtles, especially since I work as a marine surgeon.

Then, I wake Philip and start brushing, cleaning, dusting, etc. until it's time to go and pick up Herc and Laf.

"Viens, Alex! Appelle Philip aussi!" I call up the stairs.

I hear Alex call Philip, and footsteps thunder down the stairs.

Alexander follows me into our bedroom to get dressed, and Philip goes into his room.

Alexander dresses into nice pants and a neatly printed office shirt. He tucks in his shirt and wraps a belt around his waist. He looks so screwable.

I dress myself similarly, and Alex sighs, probably thinking the same. Philip also dresses nicely, as he has only met Herc and Laf when he was a baby, with Alex, but not me.

We clamber into the car and drive to the airport. I park the car and we walk inside and locate the gate at which to expect them.

After a couple of minutes, Alex spots a curly brown ponytail.

"There's Laf!" he exclaims.

Laf and Herc come forward with their wives, Adrienne and Elizabeth respectively, as does a young girl of about age 6.

"Bisous!" Laf says, giving each of us two kisses on the cheek.

"Ah, at least you're normal now." Elizabeth remarks amusedly. "These two gentlemen were sitting together on the flight and making such a ruckus."

"Yes, well, college reminisces." Laf says, winking at Herc, who blushes slightly.

"Yeah, Gil was a crazyhead, remember?" Herc says, using the nickname only he was ever allowed to use on Laf, which causes Laf to blush.

They go on making each other blush. I think back to our college days. Laf, Herc, Alex, and I went to college together.

In college, Laf and Herc were quite a thing. They had such good chemistry, everyone expected them to be either bi or gay and an item.

But we were shocked to learn that both are straight, and therefore not together. I wonder about that frequently.

I give Laf a hug, looking him up and down. He looks very healthy, dressed in office pants and a nice blazer, but I laugh on seeing his shirt. It's a combination of the French and PRIDE flags, and I wonder once more if he's straight. He's certainly a pride advocate even if he's straight. Which is better than being homophobic. I notice Laf has reacquired the slight French accent he had at the beginning of college but which had disappeared by graduation.

Laf got a connection flight from France through England, where Herc lives, and they booked the same flight coming over. Which is very convenient for us.

I hug Herc too, he looks healthy as well. He is built sturdily and has office pants and a jacket on, with a read turtleneck sweater underneath which exudes warmth. Oh, and of course his telltale beanie.

I greet their wives as well. Adrienne whispers, "Bonjour!" in my ear, and I smile. Both look very pretty. However, I've never had a liking for women, so I can't appraise them.

My eyes finally fall on the girl.

"And what is this young lady's name?" I ask cordially, bowing and gently bopping her nose playfully.

Adrienne, who tends to get more involved with us than Elizabeth does (friendlier), jumps in.

"She is mine and Gilbert's daughter, Anastasie Louise Pauline, but we call her Annie Louise for short."

I remember Laf talking about his daughter once in a letter, but he did not mention her name.

"Well, I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Annie Louise Pauline." I tell her politely, as though we are from the 1700s.

I kiss her hand, and she giggles.

"I know…" she hesitates. "vous. Vous vous appelez Oncle John."

[you. Your name is Uncle John.]

"Oncle John?" I quip at Laf, raising an eyebrow. "Je m'appelle Oncle John?"

[My name is Uncle John?]

"Well, you're old enough to be an uncle." And here he laughs. "And you and Alex are so close to me, I figured Uncle is fine. I can change it if you want.

"Awwww…." everyone, myself included, says, finding that heartfelt statement about closeness wonderful.

Lafayette continues. "And Adrienne and I speak French around our home, so young Annie Louise has not quite, how you say, 'picked up' English yet." And he kisses Adrienne lightly.

I smile. Laf and Adrienne are really sweet together.

Annie Louise stands beaming up at Alex, Philip, and I.

"She's very cute." Philip tries, having little experience with small children.

"Merci." Lafayette says graciously.

"Oh, we've just been standing here, you must be tired. Please, come with us." I announce.

Laf smiles and picks up a couple bags. We each grab a few bags and head out toward the car.

I remind Alex to text Aaron that he can come over now, and I see Alex pull out his phone to do so.

We drive home, chatting merrily and laughing.

When we get home, our guests come inside, where Aaron and Theodosia are waiting.

Laf, Herc, Elizabeth, Adrienne, and Annie Louise introduce themselves to Aaron and Theodosia, and Aaron and Theodosia do the same to the guests.

I bring everyone a drink and let them rest. I see Theodosia chatting pleasantly with Annie Louise and indulging her happiness, which seems to relax Laf and Adrienne.

That afternoon, we all go out to the mall and we find a lot of after-Christmas sales. Which means, by the time we get back, we're all really tired.

We rest for a little bit, and each person goes to his or her room. The couples have been out together to allow more space.

In the evening, I finish cooking and serve everyone Laf's favorite dish.

We settle on the couch around the television for the New Year's program, everyone murmuring about how nice the dinner is.

I smile. I'm glad everyone likes it.

Alex brings our champagne out of the cabinet, pouring everyone a glass. I notice he pours Aaron a little bit as well, even though Aaron doesn't drink.

I see Aaron raise the glass to his lips and take a tiny sip, and I am surprised. Looks like Aaron is finally loosening up. The holiday and new year seasons are wonderful.

Lafayette and Adrienne, of course, have a few glasses, being very French. Hercules also has more than one glass, but Elizabeth drains only one glass, obviously hoping to keep her wits about her.

Alexander and I share a glass, and it is a very peaceful evening. I look into Alexander's eyes, and there is only pure love there. Which makes me upset again about the surgeon.

I look around to see Philip with his arm around Theodosia, and Theodosia is leaning into Philip. I am so glad that Theodosia and Philip are finally spending proper time together, they are perfect.

Annie Louise is settled on the floor, mumbling to herself in French as she watches the new year program and plays with Aaron's fingers as he sits behind her and offers his fingers.

[LAFAYETTE's Point-of-View]

I am starting to feel a little bit tipsy, and starting to lose control of myself.

Elizabeth goes to the bathroom just as the ball starts dropping and the countdown begins. We all count it out loud.

I know Alexander and John will be kissing. They don't need a reason.

"Three, two, one, HAPPY NEW YEAR!" We shout.

I turn my head and kiss Adrienne, and she smiles.

Then I turn my head to face Hercules, and he looks a little sad.

I love him so much, but he told me he's straight, so I went ahead with Adrienne.

Oh, but he looks so nice. I think, and perhaps it is my impaired judgement, but I press my lips to his and it feels so amazing. I have wanted this for so long, we were almost together in high school. He presses back against me and I can feel him straining. It is mutual, he likes me too?!

Hercules is so handsome. The kiss deepens and I can smell the alcohol on him.

Drunk. We're both drunk. He does not like me. The realization hits me hard, and I pull out of the kiss.

Hercules looks a little surprised, but then he seems to realize too. We look away as Elizabeth comes out of the bathroom and wishes us a happy new year.

[HERCULES's Point-of-View]

Oh my goodness. Laf's lips are so soft. I just want to stay connected forever.

I deepen the kiss and I can smell alcohol on him.

Suddenly, he pulls away, and I am left confused. Then I realize we are both drunk, and he probably doesn't like me. He loves Adrienne, I know that. When she became his girlfriend, I broke it off to avoid issue by saying I was straight.

Oh this is such a mess. Elizabeth comes out of the bathroom and wishes us a happy new year, and I feel so bad, like I betrayed her. I love Lafayette, but it's too late. We are both married and he has a daughter! Oh well.

[ALEXANDER's Point-of-View]

John and I kiss each other, and it is lovely. I love John, and he's been working so hard, he deserves it. We break apart.

I notice Laf kissing Herc, and I point this out to John.

John smiles. "Looks like they might still have a thing for each other."

I look over to Philip, and he and Theodosia are sharing a kiss too.

[PHILIP's Point-of-View]

Oh no, kisses again. But I love Theodosia. So it is fine.

I turn my face down and kiss Theodosia. She wraps her arms around my waist, and I feel really calm.

[THEODOSIA's Point-of-View]

Yay! Philip was able to kiss me and felt comfortable to do so. Happy New Year!

[AARON's Point-of-View]

It is a bit lonely with all these couples around me kissing, but at least Theodosia is happy with Philip. And I sense something interesting going on with Hercules and Lafayette.

[JOHN's Point-of-View]

After we cheer in the new year, we all feel really tired. I'm sure Laf and Herc do, they had something interesting going on.

So we all retire to our rooms. Laf grabs Adrienne around the waist and practically carries her to their bedroom, she is very intoxicated.

We all fall asleep, the night bringing relief from the chaos of the day.

The next morning, Laf, Herc, and their families have to continue on to their other relatives, but I'm grateful that they chose to spend New Year's Eve with us.

We bid them goodbye and they pack up their objects and climb into the cab.

"Au revoir, Oncles John etc Alexandre!" calls Annie Louise.

[Bye, Uncles John and Alexander!]

"Au revoir!" We call back.

Soon, it is just Alex, Philip, Aaron, Theodosia, and I, with all the chaos gone.

"Hmm...Herc and Laf really had an interesting night." Alexander remarks.

"Yeah." Aaron and I reply.

Philip and Theodosia weren't paying attention to Herc and Laf's moment, they were too busy kissing to notice.

"Oh well." Aaron says.

The Burrs help us clean up our house and put things back, and then they are about to take their leave when….

"Wait a minute!" Philip says.

"Theodosia, I like you a lot. Would you like to go on a date with me?" He asks, and I wonder why he didn't ask her earlier. It would have saved some embarrassment.

Theodosia looks at Aaron. For once, Aaron smiles and encourages such involvement. "Go on, Theodosia."

Theodosia smiles. "I would love to. When would you like?"

"Um...how about the second Saturday of next month?" He says.

"Sure. We'll see each other in between, but that will be our alone date." Theodosia accepts, looking pointedly at her father.

Aaron laughs. "Of course."

"Happy New Year!" He wishes us, and we wish him the same.

They take their leave, and I close the door, noticing Philip looks much happier, almost giddy now.

"Happy New Year!" I wish Alex and Philip.

"Happy New Year!" They chorus back.

In that moment, my life feels full circle, and I realize once again how lucky I am to have a wonderful family.

SCANDAL! Happy New Year to all of you as well! It is the new decade, and my hiatus has ended. I wrote a lot over break, and I will have a new chapter to every story coming up, as well as new stories for requests. Gigi Kingsman, I did not forget about you. Your story will be out on Friday. Thank you to all of you who left me reviews on Christmas, it made my day to read them. Let me know if you want to see what happens to John, Herc, and Laf. If not, I'll leave it at this. I realize I kinda belabored the kiss, sorry. I know the day of the date is odd, but it'll be explained in the next chapter. Updates will be consistent for the rest of the month.

Batgirl'66, I realized that I gave Hamilfan 321 credit for your statement, I have now corrected it. I am very sorry. Also, I corrected a mistake earlier in chapter 2, Martha died in 1781, there was no divorce. Their child was an orphan after John's death.

Hamilfan 321: I am perfecting your chapter, it will be out as the first update next week.

M.J.: I am so happy to hear about your casting! Congratulations! The next chapter is about Lafayette. I am on Episode 3, it is quite intriguing, thank you for introducing me to it. I will add that information in later.

Jessie B: I was excited to see your review. Your chapter is next! Also, what if the story was Eliza and Alexander as the beast? Wouldn't that be cool too? Just asking your opinion. Oh, and I watched the movie. I felt like JeffMads might also work for Gaston and Lafou, what do you say?

Batgirl'66: Thank you for your patience. I will put your chapter out next week.

Annie Samsons: The information you have given me is really helpful, so thank you for that. But now it's all over the place, could you please repeat what you have told me so that I can refer to one place? Thank you!

Fiona White: Your information was really helpful, I have written the cast introduction now. Would you like cast descriptions or historical descriptions? Also, I saw you requested Marliza. I'm a little hesitant about that one, but I noticed there was no description of Maria in what you sent me, should I add her in? What is her power?

Please review!

-HamiltonAsparagus