Apology Not Accepted

Chapter 19: Follow Through

Philip couldn't help but stare at his father in awe. "So....you-"

"Yes."

"Does Ma know?"

"I hid those letters so deep in this house only God himself should be able to find it."

"Or Junior."

"... Which one is that?"

"The Oldest™ of the other boys."

"Ah, that one!"

"We worry about you sometimes."

"So do I, but you don't see me caring now do you?"

"You need a therapist and a better lifestyle."

"What I need is more children,"

"Ma's pregnant."

"Yeah, but for how long?"

"Not much longer."

"Fantastic."

"I actually felt the sarcasm in that," Philip deadpanned. Alexander nodded and licked his bottom lip. "So did I. We haven't figured out a name for the baby."

Philip's eyebrows furrowed. "You haven't?"

"Nuh-uh. I think your mother is planning on naming it, if the baby is a girl, Catherine."

"After Grandma?"

"Yes," his father answered. He felt his eyes burn to the point of watering before blinking them away. The baby would add a lot more stress on the family which is already damn near ripping their hair out. If it's this close to the due date and they don't have a proper name, then Alexander will have to settle for calling the baby Gilbert because that's the only boy name he can stand at this point in life. "Do you have any ideas on names?"

Philip shook his head. No, he didn't have any idea of names. For some reason, he felt pain in his chest. Genuine pain. "Pops?"

Alexander hummed and kept his hand on his knees, fingers tapping in the rhythm of the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. The man didn't bother to look at him but instead focused on the coffee table in front of him. Blank papers practically begging to be written on.

"What if he hates me?"

That got Alexander's attention immediately. He turned and faced his son and frowned. "What?"

Philip tried to hold back another wave of tears as thoughts of Eacker came back to mind, but Alexander could hear the wavering and tightness of his voice. He didn't even know why he started thinking of the other man. "George hates me. I know he does. I did this to him and then up and left him without explaining." He felt like complete shit.

Alexander frowned and stood up. He looked down at his son and fixed his glasses. "Get up, get yourself together, and come on," he demanded. The freckled boy blinked and stood up. "Wait, what?"

"We're going to go explain to him what happened. You were never really good with sudden change."

Just before Philip could even move, a series of footsteps echoed through the entire house. They were quick, light, and approaching. "Wait! Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!" They heard an estatic voice shout. "I want to come too!"

Both men felt their eyebrows drop in both exasperation and irritation. It was Angelica. The girl shot down the stairs with her heels, sunday hat, and small handbag on her person. It took a second for Philip to recognize the outfit but the moment he did, he felt like his world was crashing down.

Eacker felt his eyes drop. Maybe he shouldn't do this? I mean, Philip is quite young. He probably just needs time to adjust to this. But the way he seemed so certain that they should go separate ways. It just didn't make sense. Why was he making excuses for the boy? Philip had every opportunity to turn around, say no, and go home. He was just as guilty as Eacker. He shouldn't sit here, feeling responsible for something that wasn't his fault. He had tried to avoid exactly what Philip achieved.

Picking up the gun, Eacker stood up and placed it in the pocket of his waistcoat. He was stronger than this. He'll go right over to Hamilton's home and tell him that he agrees to the terms and will see other people. Females. He still liked those. Nice bosoms to look at. Yeah, he's straight.

Why was that so hard to think?

Nevertheless, George threw on his favorite shoes and left his room. "It's not my fault. It's his fault. If it was up to me, we would be sitting here eating breakfast and watching the birds fly by, but no. We have to see other people. How can Eliza deal with him, he's so indecisive. One minute he's happy, one minute he's sad. One he's angry, and the next he's drying humping me on stairs. Just like his father. No, wait, that is what caused all this. I'll stray away from any thoughts of his father. Who thinks of the person they're sleeping with's father. That's just....I really need a drink."

George opened the front door and turned towards the nearest bar. It may be one in the afternoon but it's never too early to get drunk. But it is too early for anything to be open legally. Good thing, he has Benjamin.

"No, no, no. Take that off." Philip got up and marched over to his sister. Angelica frowned and crossed her arms. "Philip, get off your moral high horse. This is mine and I worked hard for it so you can choke,"

"Angelica!"

"Sorry, Dad."

Philip ignored the small exchange and stood face to face with his sister. "I don't care. Take it off," he demanded. Angelica crossed her arms and growled lowly. "And why should I? Scared that I'm going to get groped in our front yard too?" She spat. The boy felt his metaphorical hackles rise. So it wasn't just William and John. Everyone saw. Philip felt a firm hand on his shoulder. "Too?"

Alexander looked down at his son and had such a look of grief. "Philip..."

"I was wearing something over it and Eacker tried to get it off."

"Oh my-"

"Not like that. It was hot," Philip tried but Alexander had the look in his eyes. The Look. The look his mother described to him as his Dead Gaze. She had told him that whoever got this look would meet the worst of Alexander Hamilton. Mercy was no longer in that man's vocabulary and his determination and spite was at an all-time high. Philip has not personally seen this look for it was never directed at him. But now, in this particular moment, he knew that nothing he said or did was going to save George Eacker from the monster that's called Alexander Hamilton.  

"Father, no."