Closed Flames|Burrliza

~Chapter One~

A New Friend

It was a warm summer day. A warm summer day without Eliza's husband. Only the 6th time this month, right? Something like that. Elizabeth had lost count anyways. But, she knew she couldn't let the coldness in her heart tamper with her life. So, she was going to make the most of the life she had. Time doesn't stop for tears and she had her own family to take care of. So, she was taking little Angie and Philip out for a walk.

She held each of her children's hands. Angie was looking around curiously, just being a toddler. Philip talked happily to Eliza about his newest accomplishments. That was until they heard crying. Eliza recognized the crying to be of a child. "Children, come along," Eliza said softly, walking in the direction of where they had been hearing the crying. They stumbled upon a house on their street, where she saw a familiar man sitting on his front steps leading to his porch. It was none other than Aaron Burr, a political opponent of her husband. Alexander had always told her to keep away from him, but when she saw Aaron in near tears, trying to calm his child, she couldn't resist.

Elizabeth let go of her children's hands and walked over. Philip picked up Angie and followed her. "Good afternoon, Mr. Burr. Are you having trouble?" She asked in her kind voice. Theodosia seemed to calm down when hearing the softness of Eliza's voice. She looked up at her with teary eyes, holding onto Aaron's neckpiece. Aaron looked up to Eliza as well. "Perhaps a little bit, Mrs. Hamilton. My daughter scraped her knee and I've been trying to help her with it." Aaron chuckled slightly. "My wife normally helped her with things like this. Though, she passed away... a year or two ago." He said softly. "Oh... I'm very sorry for your loss. I could help you with that... as I do have children of my own." Elizabeth motioned to Philip and Angie. Aaron gave them a wave and a smile. "That would be very much appreciated."

Elizabeth smiled seeing how much Aaron had seemed to love his daughter. The way he held her so securely and how each time he looked at his daughter, he couldn't be more awestruck. She wished that Alexander still looked at their children this way... Aaron then led Elizabeth and her kids inside. Aaron set Theodosia on the couch and Elizabeth knelt down, checking the wound. She hummed. "Well, first off, Mr. Burr, the bandage is tied far too tight." Eliza carefully untied the bandage. "And you didn't seem to clean it. There's still dirt in the scrape. Could you fetch me a warm towel?" Eliza asked. Aaron nodded softly and went to retrieve a towel.

Aaron couldn't help but smile to himself. It was nice to have the help of a woman's touch. It was always something he appreciated. He did believe women were very much unappreciated in their time. He knew that women were just as capable as men. He took a towel and ran it under warm water, then he went and handed it to Eliza. Their fingers touched when he had done so. Elizabeth smiled it off and she then applied to warm towel to Theodosia's scrape. She cleaned out the dirt and gently wrapped the bandage around her knee. "Can you bend your knee for me, dear?" She asked. Theodosia nodded and bent her knee a couple of times. Aaron smiled at this.

"Thank you, miss! It doesn't hurt anymore!" Theodosia chirped as she jumped off the couch and hugged her. Eliza smiled and returned the hug. "Anytime, dear." Elizabeth ruffled her hair gently. Theodosia giggled and ran to her father, hugging his leg. Aaron pat his daughter's head gently, looking over to Eliza. "How about you stay a little while? We can talk on the porch and the children can play outside." Aaron offered. Elizabeth stood and nodded. "That sounds lovely. Thank you very much!" She smiled, though that smile was lost when the image of her husband appeared in her head. He absolutely hated Burr. She thought for a good moment... If he doesn't make time for his family, then she shouldn't have to abide by his rules. Aaron looked at her. "Are you alright?" He asked. Eliza smiled at him. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you."

They then went out onto the porch. Elizabeth and Aaron sat side by side on the porch while they watched the three kids playing in the yard. Aaron and Eliza talked until sunset. It turns out that Aaron and she actually had quite a few similar views. Elizabeth was very pleased to have found some similarities with him. They also shared the pain of losing a loved one. Aaron has lost his wife and Eliza had lost her dear sister. They concluded that they would be there for one another. Soon, this led to a conversation about Alexander...

"I don't know, Mr. Burr. Even when Peggy passed on, Alexander was so consumed in his work that he wasn't even there to help me through the tragedy... Angelica was the one who comforted me. She has grown rather angry with Alexander as well... I'm not really sure what to do about it. It just feels as if he's... gone. Even if he is still here. We barely even talk anymore." Eliza said softly. Aaron set his hand gently on her shoulder. "Hey, don't worry. Alexander just doesn't like to waste any time. You know him... I don't agree with how he is treating your situations. In my eyes, the family should always come first." Aaron spoke. Elizabeth teared up slightly. "Yes, I agree completely... Even the children get upset that he's not around. I need to figure something out. Though, thank you so much for this." Elizabeth said softly.

Aaron reached out and brushed her tear away with his thumb. "Of course. Feel free to talk to me anytime. I'm always here to listen." He looked to the sky, then at Eliza once more. "You and the kids should be heading home. It's getting dark and I do need to get Theodosia to bed soon." Aaron smiled. Elizabeth smiled and stood. "You're right. Thank you so much for spending this time with me. It was very much needed!" "Of course. Thank you for helping me with my daughter." "Anytime." Elizabeth smiled at Aaron and he returned the gesture. "By the way, you can call me Eliza." She said. Aaron nodded. "Okay, if that's the case, call me Aaron." Aaron chuckled. "Alright. Well, goodnight! Philip, Angie, let's go home." Elizabeth spoke, heading down the porch steps. The two children pouted and Theodosia smiled and waved, running back to her father.

Elizabeth and the kids walked down the street, back to their home. Philip and Angie happily told Eliza all about their time with their new friend and she couldn't help but think about her new friend as well.