Tango

I do.

As expected, the longest day in June was as warm as could be, with a cloudless sky and full sun at its zenith. The three cats had now become mascots of Monticello and could be found sleeping in various rooms about the house. The preparations began early as catering and other staff were already running around the property, conducted by Lafayette like a well-rehearsed orchestra.

The ceremony wasn't till three in the afternoon, but the energy around Monticello was palpable. Understandably so, the event caused some stress for everyone involved, most notably for Alexander, who had been nauseous all week and even throwing up the morning of.

"This is stupid. How is this affecting me this much? We're just getting married." He complained to Gilbert as he ran about his room, getting the pieces of his tuxedo ready.

"Look at it this way, it means you care." Lafayette handed him his pants.

"Yeah, no shit, I care. It's not like it's literally the most important moment of my life to date. I've had meetings that were more stressful than this, but I never reacted like this before."

--

"Maybe it means you're getting soft as you age?" Madison calmly wiped the lenses of his glasses. As he watched Thomas fiddle with his hair.

"Don't say that. You know I'm sensitive about my age. Not to mention, I broke my foot at twenty-four. I don't think there was any hope for me walking on my own forever..." He dejected.

"Thomas, will you shut up?"

Jefferson stopped and raised his eyebrow as he looked at James.

"Yes, you sometimes have to walk with a cane. So what? You've been more on your feet lately. It's justified. You have an active toddler who likes to run. Your ankle is going to suffer. Also, didn't Hamilton tell you he basically likes the way it makes you look when you walk with it or something? Relaxs. Honestly." He sighed at the end of his monologue. Clearly, some feelings were bottled up for a while. Thomas blinked, stunned. He'd never expected James to speak so candidly.

"You know? Not everyone is so matter-of-fact about the passage of time, James..." He gave his cane a reluctant look as it rested on the back of a chair. "But I hate to admit it. You're right. Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on myself..."

--

"Exactly. Look at where you are. Look where you guys started." Somehow their preparations had turned into a therapy session.

"I guess I never thought I'd be here right now."

Neither man could help but think about the other and what they meant to each other as their friends' words swirled in their minds.

***

While insisting on powdering Alexander's nose, because it'll look better in the photos. Lafayette was called away. Having agreed to manage the hired help. On his end, Thomas tried clipping in his gifted cufflinks. The unusual "G" shape, as well as the shakes in his hands, didn't help his case. Madison was out, having been called to help with a last-minute detail in the garden, leaving Jefferson to try and finish this bit by himself.

He tried to no avail, as each time made him more frustrated and his hands less dexterous. On the verge of a curse, he stopped, closed his eyes, and sighed deeply in a desperate attempt at regaining control over his nerves. He opened the door to his room, hoping to find Madison or anybody who could help him in the hallway. To his surprise, a chestnut-brown head of hair welcomed him. A light smile spread across his lips, and his heart eased a bit.

"Alex, what are you doing here?" He asked, amused.

Hamilton turned around, startled.

"Uh- waiting for Gil; he's helping with something downstairs."