[A.Ham]
I awoke to a soft knock at my door.
"Come in, Muda." I called and the door opened a few moments later. Muda carried in two trays, carefully balanced on her hands. I smiled and sat up in my bed, alone. Eliza had been respectful of my choice for her to reside in our guest room. Muda came to my side, offering up one of the trays. "Thank you, dear girl. Have you eaten?"
She nodded as I took the tray, allowing her to steady the other in her lap. I caught a glimpse of a small bundle of flowers in the other tray.
"Is that for Eliza?" I asked, truly curious. It was Friday, and the two had strangely got along rather well. After Eliza got a grasp of Muda's place and meaning to me, she sort of adapted accordingly to remain respectful. Muda nodded, smiling a little. Maybe she has made a new friend. "Then I will not keep you, dear. Go give her breakfast, then."
Muda nodded again, carefully standing with the tray in her hand and left, closing the door behind her. I chuckled once I was alone. It's actually a relief that they were getting along. I'll have to let Washington know that. It wasn't long before I could hear the echo of giggles from down the hall. It's going to be a good day. With the ball tomorrow, the girls would be meeting Lady Washington and I believe Angelica in town to pick up their dresses and maybe other pretty things. Good thing too, because I had a few meetings at the office with Washington, Lafayette and others to take care of so I could really relax this weekend.
After I finished eating, I got up and dressed and took the tray with me when I headed downstairs. Glancing in as I passed, I laughed to myself as I saw Muda kneeling on the bed behind Eliza, braiding flowers into her hair as she listened go stories of our children, Philip in particular.
"Enjoying yourselves, ladies?" I asked, stepping in.
"Oh yes, Alexander. I was just telling her about Philip's latest adventure at college. He'll be graduating soon, you know. A year early, in fact." Eliza said, a proud smile on her lips.
"Of course he is, he has my brain and your charm." I replied, chucking in hopes to hide how much I missed my children. "How have the rest of our children been?"
"They are well. Angelica has been helping me raise them since she decided to stay here instead of returning to London." Muda glanced to me with sympathy. She felt it.
"Good. Do you think I could visit them? Maybe come to Philip's graduation?" I asked, hopeful. Eliza stood, smoothing her dress.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. I... I know we aren't exactly together anymore, but if possible, maybe we could be friends? The children miss their father, and I miss my smartass." She giggled, and I felt myself light up. I gathered my Betsy in my arms, hugging her tightly.
"My sweet Betsy. Always full of jokes." I mumbled into her shoulder. Beside us, there was a soft applause. When we pulled apart, Muda was absolutely beaming, she was so happy. I guess she likes the happy endings too. "Alright alright, go take the trays to the kitchen and get dressed, Angelica will be here soon." She nodded, her smile never fading, and went about her duties, leaving Eliza and I alone.
"Does she know you love her or do you still need to tell her?" Eliza said, as if it were obvious.
"No, I haven't said anything-wait what? Eliza!" I blushed, giving her a little shove.
"You look at her like you used to me. Like she's the greatest treasure in the entire world! I'm not stupid, and I know Angelica will say the same thing." Well... she's not wrong. Muda is a treasure, and I'm so lucky to have her. It's been maybe four months since I got her, but it feels like decades. We have meshed well. "So what are you gonna do?"
"Fine. You caught me. I was kind if thinking I'd free her. I never liked the institution of slavery anyway. She deserves more than that wretched title." I confessed, "But I want to get her a necklace or something, so she still knows she's mine. And I want to do it right, like... I want to impress her."
"Awee... that's so cute. Want some help?"
"What!?" My eyes went as big as saucers.
"Do. You. Want. Help? Geez, Alexander. Open your ears."
"Eliza, we aren't even divorced yet."
"We hadn't spoken for over a year and we just agreed to be friends. I think it's safe to say our marriage is over. All that is left is paperwork." She said plainly with a shrug. "I can get something cute for you while we're in town. We'll be getting our dresses fitted, so I can sneak out while Muda is getting hers, and get a necklace for you."
"You'd do that for me?"
"Of course. You're happy again. That is worth it. And I know if it were me, you'd do the same." She pulled me in for another hug. "Just don't mess it up. She's too precious for your fuckups." I chuckled, dropping my head to her shoulder.
"Yes yes.. that has been a common reaction. I'm well aware my luck with women." I relented, but she kissed my cheek in reassurance.
"We won't let you mess this one up. She's made you a happier man." Eliza let me go as her face brightened with an idea! "What if you announced it at the party! I'm sure Jefferson wouldn't mind a little interruption of love."
"You think? It might not be a terrible idea, as long as Jefferson keeps out of it." I scratched the back of my neck, daydreaming of it. "Showering her with freedom in front of all of New York... I kind of like the appeal."
The moment was interrupted by a rather frantic Muda knocking at the open door. "What's wrong, precious?" She hurried forward, taking my hand and spelling frantically. "Woah, Muda slow down. Breathe." I closed my hand, using my other to stroke her cheek.
"I bet it's Angelica. She doesn't know Muda yet." Eliza said, shaking her head.
"Probably right. Was it a guest? Older woman, dark hair, stands with authority kind if like Washington but a little more intense?" Muda nodded, calming as she nuzzled into my palm. "That's definitely Angelica." I kissed my girl's forehead before nodding to Eliza. "Best not keep her waiting."
The three of us went downstairs and true to form, Angelica was waiting patiently.
"Alexander Hamilton, what is that woman doing in a collar with your name on it? If I didn't know better, I'd have thought you had a slave." She frowned, stalking right up to me. She was always intimidating...
"You'd be correct in thinking that because she is a slave, but Angelica I can explain. You see-" I was cut off with a sharp slap across my face. A startled gasp sounded, but neither Eliza or Muda stepped between us.
"There is absolutely no excuse, Alexander. You know better than that. Women are already subjected to being classed lower, but keeping one as a slave is just disgusting!" Angelica hissed
"I won't have her as a slave for much longer, but I need you to trust me and not hit me again." I said as calmly as I could while I righted myself. No doubt that would leave a mark for a while. I glanced over to Muda, who looked scared. Terrified even. Eliza sensed it too, wrapping her arms around Muda from behind, hugging her tightly with a soft whisper in her ear that seemed to calm her slightly, but she still looked unease. "So go ahead, ladies. I'm sure Lady Washington is waiting for you. I'll be at the office. Tell Mulligan I'll take care of the bill next week."
Just you wait, Muda. Just you wait.
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10/09/17
YOU ARE READING
Muda
Fanfiction"Jefferson, what's this?" I frowned, glancing over the chained woman standing beside him. "A peace offering, maybe a little incentive to stir on the compromises in the debate we had the other day." Thomas replied, as if it were obvious. "This is a...
