Becoming A Founding "Father"- Historical Hamilton

Chapter Thirty-Five: Only Bachelor Left

"Yeah- but wait a minute, what about you, Kidder?" Alex suddenly buts in with a grin. "I did not know that you have a wife."

And just like that, Meade's ever-present smile dampens. "Aye, I suppose I have not told you of her. I had a wife once. My Elizabeth passed away from a malady, along with my daughters." 

Silence. Alexander mutters a "I'm sorry, sir, I did not know."

Kidder shakes his head with a humorless chuckle. "I do not fault your curiosity sir. After all, I have not talked of them- a fault on my part, I suppose. After all, we should keep the dead alive through stories."

"Well said, sir," Tilghman says. Meade then puts on his usual grin again- though it doesn't seem as genuine now that I know of such terrible things.

"Now, shall we not continue to condescend Layden on his terrible lady skills?"

"Meade!" I cry. "Do you not have places to be?"

"Do you not have a wedding to attend?"

"I will, apparently- I shall also have to lead Alexander down the aisle and cry very dramatically, as most weddings go."

"Hammie's not the bride, Layden, that shall not be necessary! And how do you know that you shall be the man of honor?"

I scoff and then loudly ask "Alex, who's going to be your man of honor?"

A beat.

"Wayne," He deadpans and we all burst into hysterics.

"O- Hah-! Okay, fine, I can't- I can't-!" I guffaw again. "I can't compare to that!"

"After all, it's not everyday that someone gifts you a beautiful gun," He says with a creeping smile. Everyone else laughs at my frown.

"This is literal theft, gentlemen!"

"Oh, relax, Soul, I shall gift it back to you on your wedding day!"

"Fuck off, all of you. We've got work to do." Their jeering does not quell my burning cheeks. 

---

I met Elizabeth Schuyler a few days before her wedding.

"I hope you know that you are to marry a madman," was the first thing I told her. Me and Alexander had snuck out of camp in about 5 PM to meet in Mr Schuyler's gardens. She had come out with a simple green dress- her eyes brightened the moment they landed on Alexander, which was my reason to state what I did.

"Soul, you're supposed to be supporting me," Alexander grumbles. Ms Schuyler laughs, her giggle quiet and polite. She holds herself with impeccable grace, and an air of kindness shows on her white face. A wide smile blooms on my face, and I bow deeply.

"It's a pleasure to meet the Elizabeth Schuyler." My eyes flit to Alexander. "He has been talking my ear off for the past few weeks about yourself, miss."

Alexander and Ms Schuyler share a look- too familiar for my comfort- and a knowing smile. She turns to look at me again with a blush, and I notice the darkness of her eyes. Alexander described them as black as the night, but- in my opinion- they resembled molten dark chocolate.

I miss chocolate.

"And 'tis a pleasure to meet the Colonel Layden," she copies me with a smile and curtsies. "Alexander talks of you often."

It's fucking weird that she refers to Alexander by his Christian name. Last time I checked, he only lets me and Laurens call him by that.

Laurens. Does he know?