Tango

Shut up. It's perfect.

The next morning was thankfully a day off. After their exhausting confessions, Alexander wanted nothing more than to cuddle with Thomas in bed, but when he reached for him, he noticed the empty bed. He checked the bedside table to see that it was around eight thirty. An hour and a half later than usual. Hamilton laid back and listened for any noises in the house. He could hear Thomas making conversation with Grace from downstairs. It made him smile. Once he made his way down, he saw Thomas making breakfast. An omelet with a side of vegetables, as little Grace wandered around her daddy with a plastic pan, mimicking his movements with her play kitchen.

"Yes, Princess, you're doing great. Are you making breakfast for Papa? That's so sweet of you."

He watched as Jefferson encouraged her, still focused on his own dish.

"Morning..." He made his presence known.

Thomas turned around abruptly.

"Oh, morning, Darling. I was hoping to still catch you in bed."

Hamilton laughed.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's cute that you wanted to bring me breakfast in bed." Alexander came over and pecked Jefferson on the cheek. "Thank you." He then focused on Grace, picking her up into his arms and giving her a morning kiss on the cheek as well.

The Day went by slowly, as Alex and Thomas didn't do anything crazy and decided to just take things one day at a time. They spent their time playing with Grace. After lunch, they went on a late afternoon walk and watched Grace run excitedly around the playground. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep that evening, as she felt her eyes close while Alexander read her to sleep.

They spent the evening together watching TV, and to Alex it felt like those days when they decided to be together but hadn't told anyone yet. Back when they were still learning to be comfortable with each other outside of work. And at the same time, it was so different. So much more serene. Hamilton was resting in Jefferson's embrace when he noticed Thomas seemed on edge, his pointer finger drumming up and down.

"Is everything okay, Thomas? You seem stressed."

He grabbed Jefferson's fingers so they'd stop.

Thomas didn't expect to be called out. He smiled.

"No, it's all good. I'm okay. No one goes to bed angry or sad, remember?"

"You know we've broken that rule, right?"

"Well then. I suppose I'm a sucker for second chances." He kissed Hamilton's hair in reassurance.

They went to bed in a comfortable silence. Brushing their teeth together in their en-suite bathroom. And once in bed, Thomas once again felt off. His frame was stirring from one side to the next every couple of minutes. But Alex decided not to pry. He didn't want to ruin the day they had had. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the movement next to him. After about five minutes, it seemed to have calmed down, and he felt himself almost drift away when he once again felt the bed move sharply. And Thomas began to speak.

"I know this might feel rushed. I wanted to wait at least a week since this is probably a terrible time for this, but - I just can't." His words sounded determined.

Hamilton flicked his bedside lamp on and turned to see Thomas kneeling in bed, towards him.

"I know we talked about this, and we would probably be content living as we are. But we've gone through so much recently, and I just want us to be happy for once." He quickly scrambled for something in his bedside table.

"Alex. I know you're not a fan, and-" He chuckled to himself. "...this is probably terrible timing, but would you humor me, and do me the honor of marrying me?"

He finally finished, a sheepish smile on his face accentuated by the low light of the bedside table. His eyes gleamed, making him look vulnerable. The light and silence giving this moment an intimate feel. Like no one else existed in this very moment. It was just the two of them. In his hands, a plain silver band.

Alexander knelt opposite Thomas and took his hands in his own.

"Thomas..."

"I know it's not m-"

He didn't get to finish his sentence before lips crashed against his own.

"You're the one doing me the honor. Yes. I will marry you."

They smiled together, their face just inches apart. Before the emotion compelled them to kiss once more. Jefferson's hands caressed Hamilton's face.

"Are you sure? This isn't too plain? Too fast after..."

"Shut up. It's perfect." He let their foreheads rest against each other. "You're perfect." He kissed him again, deeper as Thomas slid the band onto his ring finger.

Their hands began to roam over their bodies as Alex gently pushed Thomas down into the sheets.

"You know what? This reminds me. We never celebrated our third anniversary." Alexander smiled as he laid kisses on Thomas' neck. "Wanna do something about it?"

Thomas simply smiled.

"At your pace, Darling. At your pace..."

***

In the morning, Alex cuddled closer to Thomas. His feelings didn't change overnight, but recognizing them made him feel lighter. It still hurt, obviously. And yet somehow sharing his pain made it bearable, even if it was just for now. Alex looked at his left ring finger and wondered if the impromptu proposal might have also helped. The idea of unity. Of him and Thomas taking that step. Even though two years ago, he would've probably said no. He didn't regret saying yes either. He wants to spend the rest of his time with Thomas, and the thought of honoring that love with a ceremony, with a symbolic ring... gave him some kind of comfort.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when he felt two little hands on his back. He smiled to himself before he turned around.

"And who is that? What are you doing here, Grace? How did you get out of your crib? You little mouse. I didn't hear anything from the monitor. How did you do that?"

He whispered as he brought her up on the bed, trying not to wake Thomas. All the while, Grace giggled at her father's musings.

Next to them, Thomas turned over and opened his bleary eyes.

"Morning..." He smiled at what he saw.

"Morning, Thomas. How do we say Good Morning, Grace?" He turned her towards Jefferson.

"Goot monin, Dada."

The little girl excitedly waved her hands towards him. Thomas sat up and took her into his lap. Coming his fingers through her tight curls.

"Morning, Princess." He kissed her head and then leaned over to kiss Hamilton on the cheek.

"Did you see that? The little cat burglar came out of her crib without making a sound." Alex was still surprised.

"Well, looks like she's outgrown it. We're gonna need a bigger bed. Do you want a big girl bed, baby?"

Little Grace nodded enthusiastically.

"Alright, what time is it?" He wiped the sleep from his eyes, looking at his bedside clock. "6:20? Jesus, Grace, what are you doing here? I would've had a quiet little morning with Papa before work. Come on, girl." He joshed, making the toddler laugh. "Can you go and get ready for the day? Are you a big girl?" She nodded. "Go on, go get ready." He put her back down and watched as she happily ran to their en-suite bathroom.

"You know she's just going to make a mess in there, right?" Alex chuckled.

"As long as I get a moment alone with my Fiancé. I don't mind." He purred before kissing Alexander into the bed, letting his hands roam over his body. Making Alex laugh even more.