"Un deux trois quatre cinq six sept huit neuf," sang Eliza, Philip repeating after her.
"Good!"
"Un deux trois quatre cinq six sept huit neuf."
"-Sept huit neuf!" he sang, lilting higher on the last three numbers.
"-Sept huit neuf." she corrected.
"-Sept huit neuf!" sang Philip, stubborn as he was.
Eliza sighed, and they sang together, fighting to make their variation heard.
"One two three four five six seven eight nine!"
I sighed, and left them to quarrel amongst themselves. Climbing the stairs and entering the study, I came across Alex reading a letter.
"My dearest Angelica, tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day-"
I sighed, it would come faster if you took a goddamn break and paid attention to your children.
"I trust you'll understand my reference to another Scottish tragedy without my having to name the play. They think me Macbeth, ambition is my folly, I'm a polymath a pain in the ass a massive pain,"
Yep, you can be a pain in the ass sometimes Alex, we all know that.
"Madison is Banquo, Jefferson's Macduff and Burnam wood is Congress on its way to Dunsinane."
Uhhh I probably would have got all those references if I paid attention to my books. I vaguely remember reading Shakespeare's works, but nothing really stuck.
"And there you are an ocean away, do you have to live an ocean away? Thoughts of you subside, then I get another letter and I cannot put the notion away!"
Damn Alexander. You really have a way with words and know exactly how to pull on my heartstrings. I looked closer at him, he was less of a mess than he was before, but it was evident that he was overworking himself. He hadn't slept in days, and his desk was overflowing with papers and books as he sat penning a letter to Angelica.
"Take a break!" Eliza sang, bursting in her room with her hands on her hips.
"HOLY SHIT! WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!"
Once again, I thanked whatever higher presence watching over be that no-one could see me or hear me except for Philip because that would have been a little awkward, to say the least. Hopefully Philip didn't hear that. Don't want to teach a young, impressionable kid that kind of language.
"There's a little surprise before supper and it cannot wait!"
He was too focused on his letter and bank plan to remember his son's birthday and pay attention to his wife? Alex, that's going a little too far beyond "working to keep our legacies alive", don't you think?
"I'll be there in just a minute, save my plate."
"ALEXANDER!" she snatched the quill from his hand, just as he finished signing his name.
"Okay, okay!" he laughed, slightly scared. Don't mess with Eliza. She'll guilt trip you so hard you'll regret existing.
"Your son is nine years old today, he has something he'd like to say. He's been practicing all day..."
They waltzed down the stairs together, and once again they reminded me of the old days when they were so young and in love. I sighed wistfully as I entered the living room after them where Philip was waiting.
"Philip, take it away..."
Standing beside Philip, I gave him a little thumbs up and he grinned up at me, eyes sparkling. I love this kid so damn much.
YOU ARE READING
I may not live to see our glory
FanfictionJohn Laurens was shot on the battlefield, but that doesn't mean he's gone from this world. He's been granted a second chance, a half-life, if you will. Vowing to protect this child, even if the only bond they share is similar looks and Alexander, h...
