Philip Lives...?

Chapter 6

A few hours later, Hercules, Lafayette, and Laurens walk in with food and entertainment. Everybody snacks and talks amongst themselves, until Theodosia's phone rings. Everyone stops and looks at it. Theo hesitates, then answers. "Hello.... yes....I understand.....yes, thank you..." She has no expression. A single, lonely tear races down her cheek. "That was daddy's nurse...no change so far, he still isn't awake. No news is good news...right?" She looks up with fearful eyes, tears falling, hoping someone would give her an answer. The room is quiet. They all knew what no news meant- just another waiting game. Anything can happen. Philip wraps his arm around her, rubbing her back, softly offering soothing words to her as she sinks down next to him. "Shh, c'mere. It's gonna be ok, love. Your dad's gonna be ok..." He looks at Alexander with a worried gaze. Alexander shifted anxiously before motioning the other men to join him in the hallway outside the door. They quickly gathered to talk about...well, you'll see.Alexander sticks his head into the room and announces that they'll be back soon. He subtly nods to Philip and motions to his phone. Philip nods and hides his phone under his leg, putting it on vibrate so Theo wouldn't hear. He doubted she would have noticed what was going on, the girl was fast asleep. Angie braided Lizzy's hair, while the boys talked about their favorite sports team, and little William was cuddled in Eliza's lap, both sound asleep. Philip sighed and lied back, careful not to wake up Theodosia, deep in thought. He thought about George, how he took his life over a simple conversation, and Aaron, his girlfriend's father who was battling life-and-death at this very moment. He came to a simple conclusion-this week sucks. Just then, the door flew open, grabbing the attention of everyone but Theo, who was still sleeping. Eliza sets a sleepy William in the chair and hugs the women who entered. They were Angelica Schuyler, Eliza's older sister. And Peggy, Eliza's youngest sister. The three women embrace, and all the children, with the exception of Philip, for obvious reasons, run to their aunts, excited to see them. Hugs were passed around until they reached Philip, who received careful embraces, and the infamous Aunt Pity Candy (or Aunt Pity Money. Take your pick). They women talked low, not to wake Theodosia, who was tossing and turning from a horrible dream. "Oh Philip, I'm so sorry we couldn't have gotten here sooner. As soon as I heard about the incident, I sailed back to London to get my belongings. I figured your mother and Alexander would need all the help they could get, so I was planning to stay at an Inn near by-"Angelica, you know you could have stayed with us. I will not have either of my sisters stay at an Inn when we have a house big enough for you to stay as long as you need""I know, but I didn't wasn't to be more of a burden. I digress. Anyway, I packed all of my things I needed, but the boat back to New York Harbor was cancelled, and it took forever to book another one."Peggy raised her hand in the back. "I was sick...figured it wouldn't be fair to give you guys my grossness."Eliza tisks. "Angelica, you are no burden. We have been staying here anyways. At least you and Peggy came. That's all that matters" Eliza grabs her sisters' hands and squeezes them. "I'm so glad you're here..."