It has been over eight months with negotiations with England and nothing has happened yet. Angelica, Peggy and I were folding laundry as I saw Laurens running towards the house, yelling something that we couldn't make out. "What on earth?" I asked as I got up from my chair on the porch.
"We're our own nation!" He yelled again as he made it to the house out of breath.
"What?" I asked shocked as Angelica and Peggy stood up from their chairs.
"We finished the negotiations. We are official our own two feet without England." Laurens said as we cheered excitedly.
"That's amazing." I said excitedly as Laurens smiled.
"We are going into town later to celebrate." Laurens said as we all jumped excitedly.
"When are they coming home?" I asked as Angie settled us down.
"They should be home soon." Laurens said as Burr walked outside with his book in hand.
"What is going on?" He asked as he looked at Laurens.
"We are finally our own nation Burr." I said excited as he smiled. "We are?" He asked we nodded.
"We are going into town later to celebrate. Care to join?" Angelica asked as he nodded.
"Sure, but after I finish my studying." He said as he walked back into the house and Laurens walked past us.
"Well, I think we should go fix ourselves up for a night out on the town." Angelica said as we finished the laundry.
"Come on." Peggy said as we hurried inside and we went up to our room. I pulled out my favorite teal dress as I changed along with them into our fanciest dress. "Angie can you please do my hair?" Peggy asked as she jumped around hyper while Angie laughed.
"If you sit down then I will." Angelica said giggling as Peggy sat on the floor in front of Angelica as she started to pull Peggy's hair. I started to pull my hair back and tie a piece of teal ribbon to pull it back.
"I can't believe we are own country!" Peggy said fidgeting as Angelica pulled too hard.
"Ouch! Angie!" Peggy whined as she crossed her arms.
"Then stop moving." Angelica said as she finished pulling Peggy's hair out of her face and it was up into a high ponytail.
"I think I see them." I said excitedly as I saw horses riding back to the house.
"Come on. Let's go greet them." I said as I grabbed the paper parasol that Hercules gave to me for Christmas as we all walked outside. Alexander got off his horse and ran up the porch steps to kiss me on the lips happily.
"Did you heard the news?" He asked as Angelica ran down the steps to Washington as they kissed quickly.
"I did. I also heard we are going to celebrate in town." I said as he nodded.
"We are. Is everyone else ready?" He asked as I nodded.
"I think they are." I said as he took my hand and we all started to walk to town. I saw people milling around cheerfully as flags were strung around. Children ran about cheering and laughing as Alexander squeezed my hand while I watched Peggy and Angelica went off with their boys as Laurens, Burr and Lafayette went straight to a bar.
"So what should we do?" He asked as he held onto my hand. I smiled at him as we walked towards a park.
"Let's just walk around for right now." I said as he nodded and we walked around contently as we chattered about. The sun began to set as the loud boom of a firework went off. "Look at the fireworks, they light up the night sky." I said in a sing song voice as Alexander laughed at me and kissed my cheek.
"Come on let's go find the others." Alexander said as I nodded and we walked back to town square. I saw a crowd starting to gather around the town square.
"What is going on?" I asked as I froze when I heard his voice.
"Eliza? What's wrong?" Alexander asked worried as he realized that Samuel Seabury was not dead... But was still very much alive.
"I am glad you came General Schuyler. Your daughters sir. They are here." Seabury said as I started to shake.
"Eliza? Your father? He's here?" Alexander asked shocked as Angelica saw me and ran over to me with Washington trailing behind her.
"Eliza? I thought you said that you killed Seabury?" Angelica asked lowly as I nodded.
"I thought… I thought I did. And he brought Father with him…" I said scared as Peggy ran over to us.
"Why is Daddy here in Yorktown?" She asked confused as the crowd started to move out of the way as I felt my heart raced when Seabury walked over to us with our father.
"Elizabeth, Angelica, and Margarita Schuyler!" Father yelled as I stiffened when he yelled at us.
"Daddy? What are you doing in Yorktown?" Angelica asked breaking away from Washington's grasp and stood in front of Peggy and I.
"I was told by Mister. Seabury that Eliza, his future bride, and you two were here in this town cahooting with these rebels." Father said spitting venom at Alexander as I held Alexander's arm holding back from saying something. "We are going home this instant. Eliza has a wedding and a voyage to England to prepare for." Father said as my blood went cold.
"No…" I said shaking as Father's face filled with rage. "What did you say to me?" He asked irate as Angelica stood in front of me protectively.
"I won't marry him. I don't love him." I said shaking my head.
"You will do as I say. I am your father and you will listen to me!" He yelled as Laurens and the others hurried outside to us. "Margarita, Elizabeth, Angelica to the carriage now." Father said pointing as I looked back at Peggy as she clung onto Hercules's arm with her Marigold flower crown started to fall in her face, She pushed it out of face as she shook her head.
"No… Daddy please. These are our friends they-." Peggy started to say before Father glared at her to silence her.
"We are leaving." Father said as he roughly grabbed Peggy's arm and jerked her away from Hercules.
"No!" She screamed as she started to fight against him as Lafayette and Laurens held back Hercules from lunging as Seabury grabbed Angelica and I's arm roughly as I yelled for Alexander.
"Let me go!" I yelled as I elbowed Seabury in the face, he let go of Angelica and I as Father let go of Peggy and she took off running to Hercules as he wrapped his arms around her as he hugged her tightly.
"You will marry Seabury, Elizabeth." Father said as Alexander wrapped his arm around my shoulders protectively.
"I won't." I said as he glared at me.
"One of you will marry the suitor I chose for you." Father said as Angelica cleared his throat.
"I will, but only if Eliza and Peggy are a loud to marry someone they choose." Angie said as I started to protest.
"No. Angie don't do this." I said as she hushed me.
"Alright then. It is settled Angelica then you will be accompanying Seabury here to England where you will meet your husband John Church." Father said as Angelica folded her hands neatly in her lap and looked him dead in the eye as I turned back to face Washington as he looked at this situation with a grim expression. "I will give you tonight to pack your things, then you will meet us in this square tomorrow. If you don't, then your sisters will marry who I choose." Father said snarling as he stalked off.
"Let's go home." I said breaking the horrible silence.
"Agreed." Angelica said as I nodded and we walked back home slowly.
"Ange, why are you doing this?" Washington asked as I felt my heart break.
"I'll explain later, George. I'm so sorry." She said as we made it to the house.
"Why don't us gentlemen make dinner for once?" Laurens said as I looked at them.
"If you want to." I said as we parted and I walked upstairs with Peggy and Angelica. "I can't believe that you are doing this. Angie, you know what you are doing right?" I asked as she nodded.
"Well… I'm sailing off to London, I'm being sent for by someone that seems to pay. Daddy found me a have found a wealthy husband. Who will keep me in comfort for all my days. He won't be a lot of fun, but there's no on who will ever match me for turn of phrase. My dearest George. How can I do this to him. But I don't then you two will lose your happiness." She said sadly as Peggy pulled a peach blossom flower crown from her small wooden basket and hands it to Angelica.
"I know this won't do anything but maybe this could raise your sprites." Peggy said sweetly as Angelica chuckles and put it on.
"Of course it does Peggy. Thank you." Angie said as Peggy gave me a flower crown made with forget-me-nots. I giggled as I put it on while Angelica and I embraced her.
"Why isn't Daddy having the wedding here in America? We want to be there for you." Peggy said as Angelica cupped her cheek with her hand as she sighed.
"I don't know Pegs. But I will certainly try to have it here." Angelica said as I sighed.
"I feel badly for Washington. He really cares for you Ange." I said as she nodded.
"I know. I will explain to him why I am doing this." She said as I heard Laurens call for us.
"Well, we can pack later. Let's go eat Angie." Peggy said as Angie shook her head.
"No, I'm not that hunger. I'll be down in a bit okay." Angelica said as we nodded and we left her alone.
"Where is Angelica?" Washington asked as I shook her head.
"She is packing. You need to go talk to her." I said as he nodded and took his plate and walked upstairs.
"Is it wrong that I might propose to her? Even though she is going to be married off to some man." He asked as I nearly dropped my plate.
"What?!" I exclaimed as he shushed me.
"I want to and us run away together but I don't know." Washington said as we all gather around the stairs.
"General Washington sir. Are you sure this is a good idea?" Alexander asked as I nodded.
"I want to do this." Washington said as he walked away from us.
"I want to go listen." I said as I scampered up the stairs quietly as I listened into their conversation.
"George, I am truly sorry." Angelica said as I heard them sit on a bed.
"Ange. I'm not mad but I am curious. Why are you doing this. Going off with Seabury to marry a guy you have never meet before." Washington asked.
"I am doing this because I know if I don't then Eliza and Peggy will have to and I want them to marry people they truly love. George I'm sorry but I have to do this." Angelica said as I heard someone get up.
"We can all run away together." Washington said as I heard Angelica laugh. "Where? You know if we leave that Seabury will just come for my sisters. George, I need to do this for my sisters." Angie said as I bit my lip guilty.
"What if I want to marry you. Angelica, I am willing to fight for you just like I did for this nation." Washington said as I heard Angelica gasp.
"George we can't get married. What about my sisters? Seabury will find them here and he will take them away. I need to do this." Angie said as I bit my lip.
"Just say yes to him…" I said to myself.
"Angie, I can make sure he will never hurt you or your sisters again. I haven't told anyone yet. But I was asked to lead. I can send Seabury away and I will be able to provide for you." George said pleading as I turned back and saw Alexander.
"George, are you sure? Are you sure that I am what you want." Angelica asked as I heard her gasp.
"Well, I know is sudden but Angelica. I know that when I first meet you I wanted to marry you. Angelica Schuyler will you marry me?" Washington asked as my jaw dropped.
"He proposed!" I said excited as Alexander silences me and we went to back to listening to them.
"Oh George. It's beautiful." Angelica said as I smiled.
"Will you marry me?" Washington asked.