Tango

I'm so sorry.

TRIGGER WARNING MISCARRIAGE

Since the first of November landed on a Friday. They used that long weekend to take Grace to Monticello. Watch her run around the big open halls of the Mansion. And take the time to visit the Jefferson family graveyard. As Alexander had asked. They took the time to remove the moss from the graves, as well as tidied up the leaves that had fallen from the tree canopies above. Hamilton lit the candles, squatting with Grace standing between his arms. Careful not to light the flames anywhere near her, but letting her see the spark. She giggled every time the lighter sparked with its bright orange flame. She ran clumsily across the long stretches of land, as Thomas and Alexander strolled quietly behind her, happy she had a place where she was free to play, away from the dangers of the city.

"Ah! Kiddy!" She suddenly yelled in her tiny voice as she ran towards one of the garden sheds.

The two men watched as a small cat suddenly started to run away, frightened by the little girl's enthusiasm. They joined her to investigate. The cat had slipped inside the shed through a small hole under the wall. Curious. Thomas slowly opened the door of the shed to reveal a mother cat with two kittens. One of them being the cat Grace had spotted. The mother was ginger with a white chin and belly. While one of the kittens Grace had seen was a black and ginger tortoiseshell. The other kitten, which was a bit smaller, had a regular tabby brown coat, with a cinnamon swirl on each side.

Grace right away barged her way in for a pet, scaring the kittens, but the mother stayed. Her body language, cautious, ready to run.

"Careful, Darling. Be gentle." Thomas wasn't thrilled by what he saw, but he wasn't going to make a scene.

The little girl squatted next to the orange cat and gently pet her with an uncoordinated hand. The mother cat stayed put, despite the tension in her body. But as Grace kept petting her. Her body language visibly relaxed, and she laid on her side. Her curious kittens approached, slowly.

"Aw, this is so cute." Alex found himself saying, as he grabbed Thomas' elbow.

Grace tried to pet one of the kittens, but it quickly hid behind a shelf.

"Can we take kiddy?" Gracie asked with high-pitched excitement.

"No, Princess. The kitties have to stay here." Thomas explained.

Hamilton gave him a look that was presumably meant to sway him. But it didn't work.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure the kitties are taken care of, and we'll come see them every time we come to Monticello." He spoke to Grace, but his words were meant for Alexander as well.

Hamilton fished his phone out of his pocket and couldn't resist taking a few pictures of Grace petting the mother. While her kittens walked around her carefully.

***

In the last year or so, Hamilton and Jefferson had leaned into a certain rhythm. They would have a quiet morning, taking care of Grace and eating breakfast. They'd get ready one at a time, taking turns to watch their daughter and leaving her with her babysitter before leaving for work.

Today was like any one of those days. Jefferson awoke with his arm wrapped around Hamilton's middle. Both of them beat from their flight back from Virginia. Thomas gently caressed Alexander's stomach as he felt himself wake.

"G'mornin'..." He grumbled.

"Morning" Alex grumbled back.

"How' you feeling?" He rubbed his eyes.

"Mmm-" Hamilton stretched. "Nauseous... but I don't think I'll puke." One of his hands landed low on his belly. "I think we're okay today." He smiled.

"Glad to hear it." He gave him a quick peck on the lips and got out of bed.