Becoming A Founding "Father"- Historical Hamilton

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Mrs Washington

"What has gotten into that man? He's been like that since New Year's," Harrison commented, and I saw Alexander freeze in my peripheral vision. A violet blue gaze seemed to burn my back, pleading for... something. 

A beat. I shrug. "Chances are, Laurens forgot to get Hammie a birthday gift." I pause. Shit, I forgot that Alex's birthday's in six days, and I still don't have anything planned. 

The aides laughed, and we all exited the tent. As we were walking, I grabbed Lafayette's sleeve and whispered in his ear. "What are you getting for Alex this birthday?"

He hummed. "A pocket knife." A moment of silence. "You don't have a present, do you?"

"Well, I thought that he doesn't deserve a present when he unjustly shot a man-"

"I would not call it completely unjust, sir."

"-But now I feel a bit guilty. Alexander holds his birthday as a special celebration." I don't even bother arguing about the morality with Lafayette. He knows it was wrong. "And I want to give him something, but..."

Suddenly, the frenchman's eyes light up for a second, and he whispers in my ear. I look at him, shocked, before laughing. "Wait, could you get it for me?"

"Oui, though it may be a bit late."

"Yes, we should definitely do that!"

---

"You're kidding," Alexander deadpans, and I wheeze loudly. All of the aides also laugh at the small book that was revealed. I try to take a deep breath, but I choke on laughter again.

"It only seemed appropriate!" My voice kept getting higher in pitch as I laughed at Alexander's look of complete distain. He flipped the beautiful and clearly expensive copy of ' 1777 Code Duello- The Twenty-Six commandments', making everyone in the room burst into hysterics again.

A smile cracked through his wanted look of distain, and he flipped to a random page, before laughing himself. "'Any insult to a lady under a gentleman's care or protection to be considered as by one degree a greater offence than if given to the gentleman personally-' ah yes, this is exactly what I've needed all these years. "

We all laugh again, until an amused voice interrupts our fun. "What is going on here?"

I turn to see General Washington in the flesh, towering over all of us with a raised brow. I freeze, but everyone else laughs again. Meade goes over to His Excellency and whispers something in his ear. I watch as his white eyes widen the slightest bit, and he turns to Alexander.

"I wasn't aware that you participated in a duel, Hamilton." Though his facial expression remained stoic, I could hear a twinge of amusement in his quiet voice.

I slowly go to sit down at my writing desk. Lafayette huffs at the statement, and then says "Hammie's conduct was very questionable."

"...I see." His eyes slanted in distaste. "I would appreciate if you did not participate in such... behavior again. While we are in New Jersey, know that God does not favor men who duel."

Finally, someone gets it.

"Aye, Your Excellency, it shall not happen again." Alexander's eyes flit in my direction. "My anger has been relieved, and the man is currently in recovery. What is it you need of us?"

He hums. "My wife is arriving in four days- as you are all aware, I assume." The whole room nods. "I need everything to be ready as planned. As for now..." He puts a letter on Harrison's desk. "Tilghman, I am in need of several translations. Lafayette, Hamilton, you shall come with me. Laurens is... not present. Harrison- Congress. "