Title: Family Where you Least Expect it
Series: Hamilton: An American Musical
Ft: Alexander Hamilton, Theodosia Burr, Aaron Burr
Written by: Rikareena/FoxieSango
Genre: Hurt/Comfort; Family

Ft: Alexander Hamilton, Theodosia Burr, Jack Hamilton (John Laurens), and Aaron Burr

Summary: Even in trying times, you can find family where you least expect it.

A/N: So, this is kinda Father's Day-ish, in that Hamilton is serving as a Father figure to Theodosia when she needs it. Also, this is part of my Pup!Laurens AU because having a dog around always makes things better! :3

Reviews are welcome! Plz forgive typos!

Alexander was taking the family's dog on one of his daily walks while also stopping by several shops in town to run some errands: a bit of tailoring work to his jacket and pants, making an ad hoc appointment for a long overdue eye exam, buying some jewelry for Eliza, purchasing much needed parchment paper and bottles of ink for himself, speaking with some gentleman about some furniture for sale that they'd been eyeing for a while, etc.

It had been a busy afternoon, but the last thing he expected near the end of his trip was to hear the telltale sounds of sniffling and crying coming from a nearby, narrow alleyway. He would've chalked it up to imagining things had Jack not began pulling incessantly at his leash.

"Woah, alright boy, heel. It's okay." He muttered lowly, pulling back on the leash just a bit. The duo made their way to the sound, Jack with his nose low to the ground searching out the source. As they rounded the corner, Hamilton was shocked at the sight they found.

Curled up in a tight ball was a dark-skinned, little girl, her black, thick Shirley-Temple-esque curls draping like curtains atop her bowed head as her body racked with sobs. The frills of her hot pink dress were smeared with dirt, and there was a basket of groceries at her side. Hamilton frowned.

"Theodosia?"

She gasped and her head shot up, eyes blurred with tears.

"O-oh. M-mister Hamilton," she tried in vain to rub away the hot droplets on her face with her palms. Jack came forward, sniffing at her legs and whining on cue.

"What are you doing here? This isn't a safe place for a young lady like yourself," Hamilton said, eyes casting about the street. He noticed a few unruly chaps who'd had the previously unaccompanied girl in their line of sight for a while. He decided then to stay with her.

She sighed, hugging her legs with one arm and placing her free hand on Jack's head.

"Ahm…ahem…I-I was…..fetching groceries for papa when….I uhm….I just…." the tears came again and she swore silently, wiping at her face. Her voice went high,

"D-dammit. N-no one is supposed to see me cry! I have to stay strong!" She whispered. Hamilton's eyes grew wide, as swearing was so unladylike and unexpected, particularly hearing it from Burr's daughter. But he chuckled, reaching into his breast pocket to pull out a handkerchief.

"Theodosia, no one would question or blame your current state. You're 100% entitled to how you're feeling right now."

She quietly took the handkerchief, idly playing with the edges.

"My deepest condolences for your loss. From me and my family. Washington allowed your father several bereavement days after your mother's passing, and Philip's been worried sick about you."

She gasped,

"H-he has?!" she was surprised….not because Philip was concerned–that was in his nature. But because it really was not his burden to bear. Why was he worried about her plight at all? It had nothing to do with him so he shouldn't have been…but Hamilton nodded.

She took a breath and looked down.

"Um…to be honest, Mister Hamilton. …I went shopping to get my mind of things. But I….it all hit me at once and I just…." she bit her lip, "But…I couldn't let anyone see me cry so…so I ducked in this alleyway….just for a bit. I knew it wasn't the best idea but…I just needed a moment."

"Understood," he sat next to her. By this point, Jack had made himself comfortable in her lap. She smiled and rubbed his ears.

"You're lucky, Theodosia," Hamilton said. At this she shot the older gentleman a glare. He raised his hands in defense,

"Y-you current situation notwithstanding, of course….but because in spite of it, you still have a father who cares for you deeply and loves you so much. He's really proud of you, praises you all the time. And he'd give the world to you if he could. You both are lucky to have each other, and you should bask in that. Not everyone is as fortunate," he said. She looked back down at the English Foxhound who'd begun licking her palm. A small smile graced her lips,

"Hmm…my father told me about how he lost his parents. …..I just never thought I'd lose one of my own so soon…I-I wasn't ready for her to go…." the tears came back, ugly and unforgiving. "W-why'd she have to go, Mister Hamilton? I-I still need her! W-we both do!"

"Shh…shh, okay. C'mere. It's alright," he immediately wrapped and arm around her, pulling her into his side. She buried her face in his jacket and cried.

For a moment there was quiet. Then Alexander spoke,

"…..I never knew my father, you know. He left us when I was very young," he said. After a while, she quieted down, one hand still curled into the fabric of his jacket.

"And, your mother?"

A beat.

A sigh.

"I….also lost her. when I wasn't much older than you are now, actually," he said. She blinked up at him in surprise. "Yellow Fever took her. We were in each other's arms…she was holding me when she died. We were both very, very sick but….she didn't make it."

"Oh, oh Mister Hamilton, I'm so sorry. I-I never knew. I mean, Philip's never told me….well…he never talked about his paternal grandparents but…I thought it rude to ask…"

"He doesn't know. No one does. Not even Mrs. Hamilton," he said. The only other person he'd ever told was John when he was still alive. The spirit of whom, he swear he could feel wrap around him warmly as he shared this with Burr's daughter. Jack let out a whine at the reveal of one of Hamilton's most guarded secrets, knowing how rare it was for him to let any of his walls down. Theodosia rubbed his head again, comfortingly, but frowned,

"So….why are you telling me?" she asked. If it was such a sensitive topic, and he hadn't told anyone, what made her the exception? He smiled down at the girl,

"I just want you to know that you're not a alone. That you'll get through this. You're strong, and you also still have your father with you, and he'll need you as much as you'll need him. ….Don't take that for granted, embrace it and cherish him as much as he does you," he said. She smiled at him weakly and rubbed at her eyes again. She needed to hear that.

"T-thank You Mister Hamilton," she said, leaning up to kiss his cheek. At this, the dog in her lap, who'd been fairly quiet, lunged forward and began licking her face and yapping like crazy before cuddling close to her. She giggled and kissed his head, "Thanks to you too, Jack," she said, hugging him.

"And if you ever need to talk….or anything…our door is always open. We'll be more than happy to have you," he said, referencing the Hamilton household. She smirked,

"Even in light of your rivalry with my father? He might have a heart attack at that," she said.

"Well, good thing Mrs. Hamilton knows the best treatment for such things," he joked. And she giggled. "Besides, that's mainly all bluster. Burr's like a brother to me…like family….but if you tell him I said that, I'll deny it six ways to Sunday," he winked.

"Mums the word," Theodosia said with a smile, mimicking buttoning her lips.

"Theodosia!" A voice called. The trio looked up to see Aaron Burr before them, panting and out of breath.

"Speak of the devil," Hamilton muttered.

"Hi, daddy."

"Sweetheart, oh, when you didn't come home right away, I got worried, are you alright?!" Burr asked, approaching and kneeling before her. At this, Hamilton began to stand.

Theodosia's eyes shined with tears and she threw herself at her father in a tight embrace.

"T-Theo?"

"I-I'm fine daddy. I just…..I wanna say that…I love you so much!" she gave him a squeeze.

"Oh," he gathered her in his arms and stood up, still able to hold her despite the fact she was a pre-teen. "I love you too sweetheart," he said, caressing her hair and squeezing her back warmly.

Alexander smiled before picking up the end of Jack's leash and turning to leave.

"Hamilton! Thank you, for staying with her," Burr said, genuinely. Hamilton nodded,

"Anytime, Aaron," he said.

Reviews are welcome!