If You Had To Choose (Hamilton AU)

Last Day

Monday, August 29, 6:40 pm

Alexander Hamilton closed his dark brown suitcase with a sigh, finally satisfied with the contents packed within it. Tomorrow he has to get settled at his all new dorm, at an all new college, with all new people. Fun right? To Alex all of this change didn't sound as though it would be easy, let alone fun. He really didn't want to go because he felt perfectly content living with James and Dolly.

James Hamilton Jr is Alexander's older brother and guardian. James's wife, Dolly Hamilton, became Alex's mother figure soon after she moved in with the two boys a year ago. Having lost his mother at a young age, Alex was very grateful to have Dolly there to fill the hole inside him from when his mother passed. Though she could never replace Alex's real mom, it was nice for him to know someone was there.

 "Alex, honey, can you come to the dining room for dinner when you finish packing?" Dolly called from down the hall. In the one story house Alex lives in, hearing people all around the house is pretty easy.

 "Be right there!" Alex answered while pulling his suitcase to the side of his bedroom door so it was ready to go. He wanted to make sure nothing would be forgotten so Alexander also threw his backpack beside his suitcase. He quickly peeked in the mirror to check his appearance. Warm, brown eyes stared back at him, settled in a slightly tan face. His chocolate brown hair was pulled back into a low ponytail with a few stray strands gliding into his face. He tucked the flyaways behind his ears. Then, flicking off the light, he walked out of his room and down the beige hallway to the dining room.

Alex pulled a drinking glass from the drying rack and poured himself some cool water from the tap. "So what's for dinner?" he asked Dolly while taking his place at the table. 

 "Just grilled cheese sandwiches and some steamed broccoli. Nothing too big," Dolly replied. She then began to put the warm food on the plates to be served.

 "Okay, sounds good," Alex said with a bright smile. As simple as this meal was he didn't mind because Dolly always prepared tasty food. 

"Now where did your brother go?" Dolly asked with a hint of annoyance laced in her tone.

 "Right here," James announced. He walked past Alex and ruffled his hair out of its ponytail.

 "Hey!" Alex yelled partially from the surprise of James popping out of nowhere and partially from being bothered by the fact that now he has to redo his hair.

 "Hi baby," Dolly chirped, receiving a loving peck on the check from her husband. "I made grilled cheese!" she proclaimed in an excited tone. Then she playfully shoved a plate into his chest. 

 "Here you go Alex," Dolly said as she calmly slid a plate in front of Alexander who was putting his hair elastic back in place. 

"Thank you Dolly," Alex responded with a chuckle. He then picked up one half of the sandwich on his plate, the cheese stretching out with it, and took a bite. Alex pondered the probability of him just liking food in general compared to only liking Dolly's as he took another bite, sighing with content.

 "So Lex, are you excited to start college?" James inquired, sitting down on a chair inbetween his wife and brother.

 Alex froze for a bit, thinking of what to say. "Yep, really looking forward to it," he lied through his teeth. This gained two concerned looks at the table, but no one said anything. Alex just looked down at his food and slowly began to poke at it again, not wanting to meet James's and Dolly's eyes.

The rest of the meal was eaten in a slightly uncomfortable silence. Alexander finished eating first and brought his plate, fork, and glass to the sink to wash them. He grabbed a sponge and the soap bottle, pouring a drop of the blue dish soap onto the sponge. He scrubbed and rinsed his dishes then started to place them on the drying rack.

 "Can we watch a movie? I want to spend some time with you guys before I have to leave tomorrow," Alex asked, finally breaking the silence and placing his dripping plate on the drying rack.

 "Of course we can Lex," James replied. James turned to Dolly and asked, "Hun, can you make popcorn? I'll get some blankets, and Alex you can just chill and pick a movie. Scratch that, pick a bunch, we can have a movie marathon." Both Dolly and Alex grinned ear to ear while nodding their heads at James's instructions and got to completing them.

Alex settled down on the left side of the couch and picked four movies out. After selecting the softest blankets in the house, James threw all three fuzzy duvets he had collected at his little brother.

 "Really?" Alex complained as he picked up a blanket and threw it back. It landed over James's head and Alex couldn't help but laugh at the sight. James started to chuckle while pulling it off and plopped down on the right side of the couch to give his wife the middle. 

Shortly after, Dolly came in with two bowls of buttery popcorn and sat between the two boys, handing Alex a bowl. "Why does he get one all to himself?" James whined, pouting his lip like a child.

"Because we are sharing this one. Plus the bowl we are sharing is bigger than his, now stop acting like a baby," Dolly barked at James making him shrink in his seat.

Alex just giggled and shoveled a handful of popcorn into his mouth almost choking on it in the process. 

"And you, Mr. Giggles over there, will ya start the movie already, " Dolly said focusing on Alex now.

This stopped Alex's giggles and made him scramble to turn the first movie on. He grabbed the remote and turned on The Little Mermaid. James looked at Alex with a surprised look.

 "Why this movie?" he asked, truly confused by his brother's choice.

 " 'Cuz it's nostalgic, James, " Alex pointed out in a mocking tone. "And it's my favorite movie. You should know this! " he accused getting in James's face.

"Yeah it was your favorite when you were little, but I didn't know you would like it into your teens," James said, trying to defend himself.

" Alright boys, chill. Just watch the movie, " Dolly interjected. They both respect Dolly so the bickering stopped right in its tracks.

"" * "" ** "" * ""

While watching the third movie in their run, The Lion King, Alex fell asleep on the armrest. About twenty minutes after he did Dolly noticed and told James.

 "He looks so adorable when he sleeps," she quietly gushed.

 "Yeah, he does. Maybe it's because he's so small. It makes him look younger," James whispered back. "Speaking of, I'm going to carry him to his room and then we can finish the movie," he explained, still remaining quiet as not to wake Alex up.

 James carefully lifted Alexander from the couch and held him as though he were a sleeping toddler instead of an 18-year-old boy. He then proceeded to carry Alex to his bedroom and place him under the soft covers.

 "Sleep well, buddy," James whispered, closing the door behind him and joining Dolly back in the living room to finish the movie.

QUESTION!What are your favorite movies to watch?

Thank you for reading  ~Nye