Walking Backwards (Phillip Hamilton X Reader)

19

     "Where is my daughter Hamilton?"

     "She is resting! Let her be,"

     "Please leave the kids are resting!"

     Screams are filling the air as I slowly rise out of my deep sleep. I look over to see an empty strange bed. Doors are slamming and footsteps are echoing. I quickly swing my feet over the side of the bed and hoist myself out of the comfort of the bedding. My bare feet hit the cold wood and yesterdays dress drapes messily upon my body. My sleeves were cascaded off my shoulders and my corset was aching my ribs. My hair was falling out of it's twist but I ignore everything and focus in on the screams.

      I open the door that was concealing me. I walk down the vacant hallway hearing the cries from downstairs easier. I'm next to Philip's door and I can hear him grunting. I look over towards my father who was scolding the Hamilton's for hiding his daughter from him. I look back at the door that held Philip.

     I quietly open Philip's door revealing his crying body. His outline was shaking and his sobs were muffled. Before I can close the door I hear one thing my father yells.

     "I heard that your whore son tried to have my daughter wrongfully lashed! I will have his head for such an act," I whimper at his words.

     "Philip what did you get yourself into?" I whisper. I close the door and tip-toe over to Philip.

     "Philip," I whisper. He turns his head to look at me.

     "Delilah, I'm so sorry," He cries, "please forgive me!"

     "It's quite all right just be quiet so you don't strain your voice," I tell him softly with a genuine smile.

     "My head is pounding and my back is set aflame," he sobs.

     "It's just your hangover. You will be okay," I reassure him.

     "No, no if this is how I die I want you to know how sorry I am. I can not live with myself for the mistakes and harm I have done," He cries tears down his face.

     "Don't be foolish! You will not die," I scoff and laugh softly.

     "Men die from lashes and I'm so tired I may join them," He rubs his head against the pillow in agony. He groans loudly.

     "Philip don't even talk like that! If you died imagine the pain and suffering we will all face! Do not be selfish and die on us. Do not cower away from the pain you brought upon yourself," I scold him as I rub my fingers through his hair.

     "I am a coward though! I was gonna let Orville take my hurt and pain out on you instead of having me face my issues," He cries out.

     "Yes, you may have been a coward then but don't die one! You are 17, you have time to live!"

     "Why are you so perfect?" He asks tiredly.

     "I am far from perfect," I laugh. He turns his head so we make eye contact.

     "But you are," He tears up.

     "You said so yourself 'no one is perfect'," I laugh softly.

     "And if I recall correctly I corrected myself saying you were the 'only perfect one'," He smiles. That damn smile I had missed.

     "Let us pray," I quietly say.

     "Lets," He smiles. I grab his hands and interlock them with mine. We close our eyes and I whisper a prayer.

     "Amen," We both whisper. I open my eyes to see those hazel enchanters.

     "Thank you for saving me," He whispers. I laugh.

     "Stop with that! You are not going to die. The wounds will heal in a few days and your headache is because you are hungover. You were never going the die," I laugh at him.

     "Well you know you made me feel comforted so thank you," He laughs softly.

     "There you go. Now I must go my father is here," I say standing up.

     "Wait," He calls. I turn around to face him. He reaches out his shaky hand. I roll my eyes and take his hand.

     "I want to see you again and like really try to make this work," He says.

     "That can be arranged but our parents can not know this time," I tell him. He nods and I let go of his hand. I walk out of his room and emerge into the hallway where the screaming continues.

     "Hamilton where is my daughter?" My father screams.

     "I don't know! She was in our room," Alexander yells fear laced in his voice. I turn the corner to see my father punching Alexander. Mrs. Hamilton was huddled with her children her newest daughter buddle in her arms. 

     "Father stop!" I scream. Everything goes still as my father holds back another punch to look at me.

     "Delilah-" My father starts. I stop him by holding up my hand.

     "Let him go," I say lowly. My father slowly lets go of Alexander letting him drop on to the floor. Alexander scrambles over to his wife and kids holding them close. His bloody nose getting on Mrs. Hamilton's dress.

     "When will you ever learn to control yourself?" I ask my father. Before he can answer I speak again, "Mother would be so disappointed in you." Alexander laughs.

     "Alexander you are no better! Your lucky you have no family to judge you," I spit at him. His eyes widen and he quiets.

    "Father let's go home, huh?" I ask him with a small smirk.

    "Yes Delilah. Let's go," He says hushed.

      "Goodbye Hamilton's. So sorry for my fathers rude integration. Make sure Philip's back is cleaned twice a day to prevent any infection," I say kindly to the frightened family. They all nod and I open the door for my father and I to leave. I walk out into the dark cold air with an exhale of breath.

     "What were you thinking embarrassing me like that!" My father spits as he climbs into the carriage. I follow him into the carriage sitting in front of him.

     "You have done that yourself scaring their young children and beating Alexander into answers he did not know," I spit at him. It was silent in the car for most of the ride.

     "I can smell the alcohol," I comment into the silence.

     "Well when I don't know where you are I drink," He sneers.

     "Why don't you be useful and actually look for me instead of drinking away you problems," I suggest to him bitterly. He becomes silent for the rest of the night.