April 16th, 1788, Albany, New York
He remembers it all. Her dark eyes set on his violet ones. Beseeching tone in her voice as she asked for the unimaginable.
Look around, look around...
"Promise me, my love, that you will be happy... That you will keep our little ones happy... That you will remarry after you end your mourning...."
"Eliza..."
How lucky you are to be alive right now...
"Promise me Alexander, that our children will have a mother."
Oh, I cannot wait to see you again...
"I... I promise my Betsey."
It's only a matter of time...
Peggy's weeping was the only sound in the room as those eyes, that he loved so much, turned into glass. Eliza's hand in his, became cold. His sister-in-law supported herself on his shoulders. They were both crying. His children were crying. There was no place for happiness without Eliza in their lives.
Alexander's mind is absent during the funeral. When his Eliza and the little boy - they wanted to name him after his father, or mother if they were blessed with another daughter, like little Angie wished - who drew only few breaths, are buried at Trinity Church. He's waiting for the eye of the hurricane, but it's approaching him slowly and lazily. And he was helpless.
***
November 5th, 1789, Mason County, Kentucky
"Have you heard?" Lucy Marshall asked as she waltzed into library.
"What again?" Irritated voice answered her. Is one silent and calm evening to much to ask for, those days?
"There's going to be a ball-"
"Ugh..." Girl sitting on a divan groaned.
"Hey! You did not let me finish! Our Lady Presidentess is the hostess!"
That got Charlotte's attention. She looked at her older sister from above her book. "You mean we are going to New York?"
The capitol, and a ball hosted by the Lady Washington herself! The center of the events!
"Well yes, indeed. I am to inform you that you, dearest sister, myself and our brother Xander, are to accompany our father to the capitol." Lucy is standing next to the mirror, looking at her milky skin. Searching for non-existing flaws. Her caramel hair is pinned high at her head, green eyes catching light of the candles around them.
"Isn't Mama invited too?" At this point Lotta set aside her book, Goethe's The Sorrows of Young Werther, wasn't her favorite anyway. Even if female protagonist shared her name.
"She prefers to stay behind, with the children at home. But John will join us, surely."
Older girl stopped herself for a moment and sat next to her younger sibling.
"Papa" she said finally "has known Mr. Washington for many years, it's only proper for us to be there. Especially when we are both looking for right men to marry. A friendship with Lady Washington could help us find the finest suitors, love." So that's, what this is about... "Don't read all night."
With that said Lucy stood up and left. Charlotte saw her off to door and sighed.
They looked nothing alike and were nothing alike. It's sad that Judith married and left her alone with only books to share her secrets with. Xander was home only for a short while and spend most of his time with Louis, and Susan was, well... Susan was always more interested in their mother's company. Funny thing, isn't it, to have so much siblings but no one to talk to...
