"Angie! Look there's a letter for you from General Washington!" I exclaimed as we opened the wooden crate that is left for us as we ready ourselves for Christmas.
"Give it here!" Angelica squealed as I handed it to her as Peggy took out two more letters. "Here is yours Eliza." Peggy said as I saw the familiar handwriting of Alexander as Peggy held her letter close to her chest.
"I take it that Hercules sent you a letter?" I asked her as she looked down and blushed.
"Well, let's finish putting the food and things away." Angie said as I put my letter on the small table next to me as I walked into the kitchen. I rubbed my hands together as Angelica tended to the fire. I put the rest of the peaches and the bags of flour away.
"Angelica, is it weird that the men have been gone for two months now." I said as Angelica nodded and she pulled out a small wrapped bird.
"Well, here is Christmas day dinner." Angelica said as Peggy came running into the kitchen.
"Hercules said he is coming back!" Peggy exclaimed as we smiled at her shocked.
"When is he due back?" I asked as I put a bag of potatoes away.
"He said before the year is out." Peggy said happily as I smiled.
"Well, you must be excited to see him again." I said as she nodded.
"Of course I am excited to see him. Maybe he will tell us that the war is going okay." Peggy said as we went on. "Angelica? Do you think we can decorate our evergreen?" Peggy asked as she pointed at the bare evergreen pine tree that took all three to chop down and carry in.
"Oh course, we can find some old candles and decorate it beautifully." Angelica said as Peggy clapped excitedly as I looked up from my book.
"Well, I think I saw colorful paper in the attic. We can make some new candles with some old wax that I found the other day." I said as Peggy looked at Angie.
"Can we decorate tomorrow Angie?" Peggy asked as Angelica nodded.
"Sure, after all it will be Christmas eve. What better way to celebrate." Angie said as Peggy yawned.
"I am going to get ready for bed." Peggy said as she pecked our cheeks and hurried upstairs with her letter in hand.
"So Eliza. What does Alexander have to say?" Angelica asked as I picked up the unopened envelope.
"I haven't opened it yet." I said as she got up from her chair and yawned. "Are you wanting to read it in private?" Angelica asked as I nodded sheepishly.
"Well, I will leave you be. I still have my letter to read from a letter to read from George." Angelica said as she kissed my cheek. "Make sure you water down the fire please." Angelica reminded as I nodded.
"I will, good night Angelica." I said as she walked upstairs leaving me alone with my letter. I opened it quietly as I pulled out a thick piece of parchment.
"My dear Eliza, I do hope that you are well and are safe. I wish you best for Christmas and wish we all could be back in the company of you and your sister. This battle has finally gotten the attention of the British resulting in King George the Third calling in more troops. Washington has yet to give me any command. He has instead given command to Charles Lee. He is now second in command; he is certainly not the choice I would have gone with. He nearly killed all our men in the Battle of Monmouth. Not until Washington noticed that this man refused to attack. He gave the lead to Lafayette. Lee has some strong words that Laurens and him engaged in duel. Laurens is fine and so is Lee after he had a hole in his shoulder. I was then chewed out by Washington. I still am left with no command and am missing you to the point of despair. I wish you could write me back but I know that you cannot because it would bring risk to you and your sisters. I writing to inform you also that Hercules is coming back to continue in his tailor to gain more information. I am sure that Peggy is joyful that he is returning. Hercules has been talking non-stop about her and I can't stop thinking about you. Washington doesn't speak about Angelica often but she does influence him. He is happy alone and has a small piece of paper that when she gave him. When I walk into his tent I sometimes catch him when the letter, smiling at it. He is insistent that the letter means nothing but secretly I think it does. I do still have your letter and I hold it close to me every day. Even though I am only Washington's aide-de-camp, I am happy that I at least have coming home to see you. Well I must be ending this letter to you. I will see you soon my dear Eliza.
Forever yours
~ A. Hamilton" I read to myself as I smiled and traced his hand writing with my finger as I got up. I put the letter on the side table and poured water all over the fire as the room went dim. I walked upstairs silently as I walked in and saw Angelica and Peggy fast asleep and the fire going out. I tended to the fire and smiled at the warm fire. I ready myself for bed and climbed into bed contently as I closed my eyes and thought about Alexander.
"Angie can you help me get the pie out of the oven?" I called out as I heard them chatter in the parlor as I smelled the evergreen.
"One minute." Angelica answered as I brushed flour off my hands as Angelica walked in and helped me pull out the freshly baked peach pie and place it on stove.
"It smells delicious in here." Peggy said as she walked in with three harden candles. One pinkish peach colored, one teal and the last one was bright yellow.
"What are these?" I asked laughing as Peggy handed me the teal one.
"They are our Christmas candles. I had some old flowers that I used to dye the wax." Peggy explained as I smiled at the teal candle.
"Oh Peggy they are perfect." I said as I hugged her. "Come on let's go put them on the tree." I said as Peggy ran out of kitchen as Angelica and I laughed, following her. Peggy put hers on first then Angelica and I put ours on. "Peggy the tree looks great." I said as I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and she smiled and then it fell.
"Yeah… I just wished Hercules was here to see it…" She said sadly as I rubbed her shoulder.
"Who knows maybe he will be here tomorrow." Angelica said as the old clock chimed. "Well you two better hurry to bed." Angelica said as we nodded and we hurried upstairs.
"I can't wait for Christmas." Peggy said as she sat on my bed and I started to braid her hair.
"I can't wait either. Though it won't be like it was in Manhattan. We can still have our little Christmas here." I said as I finished the end of her braid.
"I think we will have a better time here then back in Manhattan." Peggy said as I looked at her and smiled.
"Time for bed Pegs." I said as she got up and I followed her to her bed. I covered her up with her sunflower quilt. I smiled at her and kissed her forehead.
"Good night Peggy." I said as Angelica walked in.
"Night Eliza. Good night Angie…" Peggy said sleepily as I walked over to my bed and got in. Angelica tended to fire.
"Goodnight Angelica." I said before I rolled over and fell asleep.
"Eliza! Liza wake up!" Peggy whispered as I tried to swat her away.
"Liza, I think someone broke into the house." Peggy whispered as I sat up, rubbing my eyes.
"Where is Angelica?" I whispered to her as I looked up and saw Angelica pulling out the same large dagger that she always keeps with her as she looks at me. I got out of bed and I lit a candle.
"Peggy stay behind us." Angelica instructed strictly as Peggy nodded. We opened the door and we quietly walk down the stairs. Angelica held the knife up as she stepped on the first floor as Peggy and I followed behind her. We sat someone large and bulky sitting in one of the arm chairs facing the fire. Angelica slowly approached the man as he turned and jumped up from his seat.
"Hey it's me!" Hercules said as Angelica dropped her knife and we were shocked.
"Hercules?" Peggy stuttered out shocked as fire light filed the room.
"Merry Christmas Peggy." Hercules said as we saw Hercules covered in snow as Peggy rushed towards him and he lifted her up into a hug.
"Oh I missed you so much!" She exclaimed as Angelica and I smiled at the couple. "You made it back just in time for Christmas!" Peggy exclaimed as Hercules put her back down.
"I'm sorry for alarming you ladies." Hercules said as we smiled at him.
"It's alright, it seems like you are a Christmas miracle." I said laughing as Hercules laugher boomed through the house.
"How long are you back?" Angelica asked as Hercules looked down.
"Only till tomorrow. I leave before tomorrow afternoon." He said as Peggy gasped.
"But you just got here?" She asked worried as Hercules looked down at her.
"I'm sorry Peggy but I have to get the information quickly and hurry." Hercules explained as the sun rose.
"Well you are in time breakfast." Angelica said as she smiled and went to the kitchen.
"Angelica look there are presents under the tree!" I exclaimed as I heard her laugh. "Of course silly girl. Now come help with breakfast please." She said laughing as I left Hercules and Peggy alone. I walked away from the two love birds alone. I helped Angelica cook eggs and pieces of ham as I heard Peggy and Hercules talking as Angelica and I brought out two plates each.
"Here you go." I said as I handed Hercules his plate.
"Wow you ladies have surely made this place homely." Hercules said nodding as Peggy looked at him.
"Well, since you have off fighting in the war. We were bored and cleaned up this place a little." Peggy explained as Hercules nodded. "Well, come on let's open presents!" Peggy said excited as we all giggled and finished our food. "Oh Angie this is beautiful." Peggy said as she held up a small yellow rock pendant in her fingers.
"I am glad you like it Peggy." Angie said as I opened my present from Peggy.
"Oh Peggy, this is too sweet." I said as I held up a small lace pillow that had my name stitched into it in large teal letters as I smiled at her. "I see that Hercules is rubbing off on you." I said snickering as the two turned bright red. "Open mine up Angelica." I said as she picked up the small paper bag and opened it.
"Liza, it's gorgeous thank you." Angelica said hugging me as she started to put on the small gold chain that I found while cleaning up Alexander and Lauren's room with a small pink jewel in the middle.
"Well, we better start cooking dinner." I said getting up from my stop on the couch.
"After we go make ourselves more acceptable." Angelica said as I nodded and I got up and walked with Peggy upstairs. I hurried and got dressed and then hurried downstairs.
"So Hercules, how is the front line?" I asked as I started to cook.
"It's rough, Congress refuses to send the help we need." Hercules said as Peggy and Angelica got downstairs and meet me in the kitchen. "Well, I should get going. I need to get that information so that we can win this war. I promise I will make it back before dinner." Hercules said as he fixed his coat.
"We will see you soon." Peggy said smiling at him as he smiled back and then hurried out the door.
"Well, let's start cooking." Angie said as we then spent the rest of the day cooking and baking. Hercules walking in the house near dusk as we pulled out the cooked chicken and brought out the rest of Christmas dinner.
"Wow this is nice." Hercules said amazed as Peggy kissed his cheek.
"Well, you could say this is your Christmas present." Peggy said proudly as Hercules smiled down at her.
"Let's eat quickly. Then we will leave you two to catch up." Angelica said as we served ourselves chicken, potatoes and peas. After we finished our dinner, Angelica served my peach spice pie.
"This is amazing. Best thing I have tasted in almost two months." Hercules said as he finished his pie and he gave me his plate.
"Well, Angelica and I will leave you and Peggy to catch up." I said as Peggy and him blushed and we walked to the kitchen to clean up. "It's sad that he leaves tomorrow." I said as Angelica put the plates up. "Well at least he could give our letters to Alexander and Washington." I said as Angelica looked down blushing. "Oh Angie you two are made for each other." I said as we walked upstairs as she shook her head silently as she closed our door softly. I shed my day dress and tossed on my teal nightgown as Angelica and I talked till I fell asleep.
"Hercules, please swear that you will be careful?" Peggy asked looking up at him.
"Of course, and I will make sure that Alexander and General Washington get your letters. Please stay safe and out of trouble." Hercules said as he got on his course. "I will see you soon." Herc said as he got the horse moving and Peggy joined us on the porch. We watched him ride off as storm clouds rolled in.
"I hope he will be okay." Peggy whispered as Angelica and I put one hand on each of her shoulders.
"He will Pegs." Angelica said as we walked inside before the storm got worst.