Update: I AM SO SORRY. I forgot about this and now it's been over a year,,,,, I apologize for the horrendously long wait. Forgive me, I am so sorry!

I hope I can make it up to you with this… fun chapter mmm

Chapter 5

Alexander teetered as he stood on both legs without his cane. "I'll do it this time, you'll see."

Angelica watched nervously as he took a step. "Are you sure you won't fall again? It's only been two weeks and you're at least supposed to rest six-"

Alexander laughed. "Two weeks is plenty of time for me to heal completely, don't you think? I do have quite a tolerance for pain." As he was finishing his words he took an overachieving step and started to fall forwards. Angelica gasped and lunged to his front, trying to catch him, resulting in them both tumbling to the floor.

"Alex!" Angelica gave him a concerned look. "Are you alright?"

There was no response.

"Alexander?..."

He lifted his face from her shoulder with a smirk and a glint in his eyes. "You smell like lavender."

Angelica felt a rush of relief come over her but a moment after, embarrassment seeped into her face. She laughed. "You scoundrel," she giggled as she shoved him off and rolled him onto the floor. He let out a soft chuckle as Angelica got to her feet and smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress. "Now I have to pick you up again." She reached down and interlocked arms with Alexander and began to pull him upwards to help him get momentum to rest on his good leg. He leaned forward and with her help he stood, resulting in the two of them chest to chest. She paused. She could feel his eyes gazing through her and his warm breath on her forehead. She casted a glance up into his face where their eyes met.

One second felt like an eternity.

He leaned closer.

Another eternity.

She could almost feel his lips on hers. "Alexander, I…" She started to whisper.

"Talk less…" he murmured. His breath was on her lips.

Angelica's heart pounded so heavily she was worried it would break out of its prison cage of ribs.

Suddenly the door swung open.

"Angelica, Alexander!" Chirped the ecstatic voice of Elizabeth. "I came to tell you that dinner-" She froze when she saw them.

Angelica and Alex quickly stepped away from each other, red-faced.

Eliza blinked, then seemingly collected herself. "My my… was I interrupting? I can leave if you are busy…" She smirked.

"N-No!" Angelica fumbled with her words and brushed off her dress again. "We were just wondering if dinner was about to be ready."

Alexander folded his hands casually behind his back. "I actually was starting to get hungry."

Eliza raised her eyebrow as she looked at the two of them. "Dinner actually will be ready in a couple shakes. I'll call you again then." She turned and winked at Angelica as she fled the room, closing the door behind her once again.

Angelica let out a breath, not realizing she was holding it during the whole encounter. What could have been going through Eliza's mind as she saw them like that?

Alexander sat back down on the edge of the bed and Angelica silently joined him, flashes of their almost first kiss replaying through her mind. She swallowed. She didn't even know how Alexander truly felt about her, let alone Eliza. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I shouldn't have…"

Alexander held up a hand to stop her and shook his head. "I should apologize for not explaining… you don't really know, do you?"

Angelica gave him a confused look. "...Know what?"

"When Eliza and I spoke to each other, we talked about you. We talked about me. We talked about us." Alexander looked into Angelica's eyes. "She told me you loved me… and that she loved you. She wants you to get what you want without thinking of her for once in your life."

"But what about what you want?" Angelica protested. "It's not all about me, it has been and never will."

Alexander thought for a moment before continuing. "I loved your sister." Angelica felt her heart drop. "But," he continued. "I loved you more."

Angelica stared, not believing what he was saying. "But why? I brought you to Eliza, I introduced you! I did everything right- I left you with her, and I-"

"Because of that very night, I fell in love with you." Alexander placed his hand on hers. "I had gone to that ball wanting to prove I could catch a Schuyler. But when you approached me it changed. You were dazzling the room. It wasn't about the "Schuyler" anymore. It was about you."

Angelica couldn't comprehend Alexander's words. Her? It was about her?

Alexander smiled softly. "When we danced it was like I knew you. Not just who you were, but who you are. And that's what I fell in love with."

"Alexander, I don't know what to say," Angelica clenched her fist.

He leaned towards her. "You don't have to say anything. Just talk less."

His lips met hers in a soft embrace.

"My sincerest gratitude for allowing me to stay here for the past five weeks." Alexander took off his hat as he bowed.

Angelica and Eliza both smiled sadly.

"Must you leave so soon?" Eliza sighed. "You were supposed to rest for six to eight weeks, not five."

"I agree," argued Angelica. "You should stay longer to be sure you have completely healed." She took his hand in hers. "I don't want you getting hurt again."

Alexander lifted her hand and kissed the back of it softly. "Don't fret, can't you see I can walk perfectly fine? My leg has healed and they need me. Washington has requested I lead in Virginia."

"That makes it all the worst," muttered Elizabeth.

He chuckled gently. "I should get going." He opened his arms and took the two women into an embrace.

"Just stay alive." Angelica wiped away a tear swiftly. "That would be enough."

"I'll be back soon," Alexander promised. "If all goes well this may be the battle needed to begin our nation." With that, he picked up his luggage and headed down the driveway and got into the carriage that had come to collect him.

The driver motioned for the horses to begin their trot and Eliza turned and headed back into the house. Angelica watched it move further down the dirt road.

Suddenly Alexander's head appeared out the window and he waved back at Angelica. Her eyes lit up and she waved enthusiastically back until the coach was too far down the road to see the distinction between horse and wagon. She began to make her way back into her father's home.

Her step had more bounce as she strolled up the steps. She could feel her heart was in a different mood than before. Perhaps the effect of Alexander Hamilton had worked its way into her life. Or was it love? She couldn't tell, and quite frankly, for the first time in her life, she couldn't care less.