Tale of A Widow

Saying Goodbye

After Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story, everyone had decided to spend some time together before they left to their times. "You really are an amazing woman, sweetheart," Martha smiled, tears in her eyes as she held onto her youngest daughter. Esper smiled also, basking in the embrace of her mother after what felt like an eternity.

"I'm so proud of you, dear," Washington murmured as he took her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head. For a second, it felt as if she were back in her fifteen-year-old body, being hugged by her father after a nightmare about Lillianna and Daniel. "So proud."

After talkin with her mother and father, Esperanza turned to the soldiers who were all messing around. "Boys," she laughed, squeaking when Lafayette lifted her up into his arms and spun her around. The children watched, smiling as their mother laughed a proper laugh for the first time in years. "Laf! Put me down!"

"Non," he grinned, Alexander laughed with Burr, Mulligan, and Laurens. "I will not!"

"Please?" Sighing, he finally put her down only for Mulligan to pick her up. "Herc!" The soldiers laughed, Washington watching on with happiness as he held his wife in his arms. Aspen watched from the side-lines, heart clenching at the idea of having to separate them all once more.

"Everyone," she called, clapping her hands together. "It's time to return home." They all looked at each other, knowing it as bound to happen. Jefferson and Madison were the first two to step forward, nodding to Aspen before turning and waving goodbye to everyone else. With a flash the two Virginians were gone from sight. Next to step forward was Angelica, Elizabeth, and Peggy. They waved goodbye and disappeared. The children stepped forward next. They all waved goodbye to their father, uncles, and grandparents before leaving, knowing they would see their mother soon. Martha and Washington went next, Washington kissing the top of his daughter's head as he disappeared with his wife back to the time of the war. Burr, Laurens, Mulligan, and Lafayette went next after hugging Esperanza goodbye. And with a flash of light, the four of them were back in the time of the war with General Washington.

Alexander and Esperanza turned to each other, saddened smiles on their faces. They knew they had to depart from each other, but it didn't make it any easier. Alexander was going back to a time before the children, before the affairs, before his death, back to when life was simpler. Esperanza was going back to a time after the children, after the affairs, after his death, to when life was much more difficult.

"I love you, my Alexi," she whispered as they held each other close. "Forever and always." Alex smiled as he stood back, resting a hand on his wife's cheek before pulling her in for a soft kiss.

"Forever and always," he repeated as he stood completely back and nodded to Aspen. "We'll see each other again one day, my love. I vow it to you." Nodding with tears streaming down her cheeks, she watched as her beloved husband faded away.

"Are you ready to go?" Aspen asked, taking her sister's hand in hers. Esperanza nodded, allowing Aspen to send her back where all of her children, except Lilli and Philip, were waiting to bombard her with hugs. She will see her Alexi again one day, and it may be a good 60 years into the future, but she will see him again one day.