Best Of Wives And Best Of Women: Alexander Hamilton X Reader

~~Chapter Twenty-Five~~

                                   October 15, 1789

       Very important men began to flood the seats around me, most of them glancing at me from time to time most likely wondering 'what is a woman doing here?'--and the thought made me unintentionally scowl. Alexander brought me to his first Cabinet Meeting against Thomas Jefferson. Due to their rivalry, I suspect there will be many, many more. 

       President Washington calmed the chatter in the room and fixed his coat. "Ladies and gentlemen, you could have been anywhere in the world, but you're here today in New York City. Are you ready for a Cabinet Meeting?" The men and few women that were sitting nodded their heads--I mimicked their actions. After all, I have never been to a meeting such as this one. "The issue on the table: Secretary Hamilton's plan to assume state debt and establish a national bank. Secretary Jefferson, you have the floor, sir."

       "'Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' We fought for these ideals; we shouldn't settle for less." Claimed Thomas, appearing humble to the audience, but in his eyes you can see a malicious glimmer. "These are wise words, enterprising men quote 'em. Don't act surprised, you guys, cuz I wrote 'em."

       James Madison--the man who seems to always be ill--leaned towards Thomas and assisted him in this phrase since it was too complicated for Mr. Jefferson to say by his lonesome, "Oww."

       "But Hamilton forgets, his plan would have the government assume state's debts. Now, place your bets as to who that benefits: The very seat of government where Hamilton sits." 

       Alexander furrowed his brows and visible pinched himself to prevent anything hurtful to his reputation escape. He sighed as his nails dug into the flesh of his arm. "Not true!"

       "Ooh, if the shoe fits, wear it. If New York's in debt—why should Virginia bear it? Uh! Our debts are paid, I'm afraid. Don't tax the South cuz we got it made in the shade." He cockily shrugged off invisible dirt from his shoulders, "In Virginia, we plant seeds in the ground. We create. You just wanna move our money around. This financial plan is an outrageous demand! and it's too many damn pages for any man to understand. Stand with me in the land of the free—and pray to God we never see Hamilton's candidacy. Look, when Britain taxed our tea, we got frisky. Imagine what gon' happen when you try to tax our whisky."

       Surprised 'ooh's' filled the room, men and women alike looking at each other in shock. President Washington walked in between Alexander and Thomas. "Thank you, Secretary Jefferson. Secretary Hamilton, your response." The President stepped aside to let the two men battle each other's morals. 

        "Thomas. That was a real nice declaration." Mocked Alexander, "Welcome to the present, we're running a real nation. Would you like to join us, or stay mellow doin' whatever the hell it is you do in Monticello? If we assume the debts, the union gets a new line of credit, a financial diuretic. How do you not get it? If we're aggressive and competitive, the union gets a boost. You'd rather give it a sedative?" Understanding hums spread across the audience. "A civics lesson from a slaver. Hey neighbor, your debts are paid cuz you don't pay for labor. 'We plant seeds in the South. We create.' Yeah, keep ranting--we know who's really doing the planting."

       I silently prayed to God that Alexander would not go to far in this. He can never seem to hold his tongue and that usually causes large dilemmas. My husband continued to speak, Thomas listening with raised eyebrows. "And another thing, Mr. Age of Enlightenment, don't lecture me about the war, you didn't fight in it. You think I'm frightened of you, man? We almost died in a trench while you were off getting high with the French!" Everyone—including me—gasped at Alexander's sudden outburst. An immigrant insulting America's favorite Founding Father. That should reach the newspaper by tomorrow morning. "Thomas Jefferson, always hesitant with the President. Reticent—there isn't a plan he doesn't jettison. Madison, you're mad as a hatter, son, take your medicine. Damn, you're in worse shape than the national debt is in! Sittin' there useless as two shits. Hey, turn around, bend over, I'll show you where my shoe fits."

       I flinched when I heard Alexander speak his last line. Not that I was not already feeling uncomfortable and unsure about the situation. 

       "Excuse me? Madison, Jefferson, take a walk! Hamilton, take a walk! We'll reconvene after a brief recess. Hamilton!" Commanded President Washington. 

       Alexander fixed his messy coat and saluted the ex-general. "Sir!" The President motioned with his finger for Alexander to follow him. 

       "A word."

       Although it was a bit faint, I could hear Thomas and Madison taunting Alexander. "You don't have the votes. You don't have the votes. Aha-ha-ha ha! You're gonna need congressional approval and you don't have the votes!"

       "Such a blunder sometimes it makes me wonder why I even bring the thunder," Thomas smirked at Alexander and walked up the stairs that led to the seating area, Madison following suit.

       "Why he even brings the thunder......."

       Thomas tapped my shoulder, causing me to look up. He looked down at me and grinned—Madison raised an eyebrow at Thomas' change in behavior towards women. From the few times I have seen him, he has been in some sort of flirtatious encounter with females. I rolled my e/c eyes and stood from my seat, walking away from the two men. As suspected, Thomas followed me. I turned around and squinted my eyes. "What do you need, Mr. Jefferson?"

       "I need you, doll." The right corner of Thomas' lip curved up into a smirk. "You should come live with me. I am much better than Hamilton."

       "I do not want to leave with you. I am happy where I am. Thank you for the offer, but I have to refuse. Scratch that--I do not want anything to do with you, so I would deeply appreciate it if you left me and Alexander alone."

       Moments later, Alexander walked towards me and Jefferson, taking my hand in his. "Ready to leave, amica mea." I noticed how he out a great amount of emphasis on 'amica mea'. Apparently, I was not clear enough when I told Alexander that I was his and only his. Yet, it is very entertaining and charming when he gets defensive and protective of me. It gives me quite the rush.

~~~

       "What did you and President Washington talk about?" The carriage began to jump a bit as we went over a pebbly path. 

       "Nothing important."

       "Tell me. I know that it's bothering you."

       "It's not." His expression changed from a concentrated pout to an upset scowl. 

       I raised my eyebrow. "Alexander, you cannot be unbothered by something when you have an expression like that one that practically screams 'I am upset'." I grabbed his hands. "What happened?"

       "If I don't get Congressional approval on my plan," he sighed, "They will call for my removal. I have to figure it out. That's an order from my commander."