And Peggy

Eliza was making lunch for a young Philip, herself, and Alexander when Peggy dropped by.

"Hello, Eliza!" She called.

"Hello, Peggy." Eliza did not look up from her work.

"Eliza? What's the trouble?" Peggy immediately knew something was wrong.

"Nothing."

"Something is."

"I do not want to upset you."

"Upset me?" Peggy did not expect that response.

Eliza sighed. It seemed as if she deeply regretted saying that. "Alexander has been very busy lately. I have barley seen him out of his study. It has been this way for a while, since...."

"Since what?"

"Since... John passed."

Peggy looked down. "Oh."

"That is what he does when he is upset. He works. He becomes seclusive. Watch." She walked over to the study room door. "Alexander! Peggy is here for lunch, can you please join us?"

"One minuet dear, I am knee-deep in all this writing." Came Alexander's voice from behind the shut door. "Please give dear Peggy my regards."

Eliza walked into the kitchen again.

"Well, I received his regards." Peggy hugged her sister. "It shall pass. He has always made time for you."

Eliza nodded. "It is not that, I am worried for his health. Doing that much work is not very good for your health, is it?" Eliza worried.

"Perhaps I can talk with him." Peggy offered.

"At this point, I shall try anything. But do not be discouraged if he denies you."

Peggy knocked on the study room door and walked inside.

There were papers everywhere. Peggy could barely walk to his desk. Alexander was hunched over a paper, writing vigorously with his quill.

"I said in just a minuet, dear." Alexander was clearly annoyed.

"You may want to check again." Peggy said, not bothering to hide her sassy tone.

Alexander turned around. "Oh, hello Peggy. How are you?" His tone was still slightly irritated.

"I was fine, but my sister is upset, because your nose is always in that paper."

Alexander shrugged. "I have to make a living, Peggy."

"You also have a family." She shut the door. "I know it is hard."

"What?"

"Getting over John. I am still not over it. I never will be."

Alex did not expect such a large subject change. "I am fine."

"Do not say that, it is inhuman."

"You are very wise, Peggy."

"More like I have common sense."

"I am not denying that it hurts. But I need to get this work done."

"You never did this much work before he passed."

Alexander did not answer.

"You are isolating yourself. Everyone is worried. You have a family now."

As if on cue, a chubby little Philip waddled into the room.

"He opens doors now." Alexander smiled.

Peggy smirks too.

"Dada!" The two year old ran to his father. Even he was careful of the papers littering the floor.

"Hello little Philip." His father picked him up as Philip grabbed the quill.

"No, that is not for you, little man." Peggy pulled the quill out of his reach.

"Whenever he sees a quill, he has to grab it." Alexander blushes as he bounced the child on his knee.

Philip giggled. "Constuon!" He laughed.

"What?" Peggy asked.

"Constitution?!" Alexander asked in disbelief. "What a bright young boy you are!"

They all laughed.

"See? Don't you want to watch him grow up?" Peggy asked.

Alexander nodded. "More than anything."

"Than come eat. You must be starving."

A large growl escaped from his stomach, which caused the child to giggle.

"I am." Alexander gave in.

The three walked out of the study and I to the kitchen.

"Alexander!" Eliza seemed surprised.

"Just taking a break." Alexander smiled.

"That is better than nothing." She kissed his cheek and mouthed a word of thanks to her sister. "Come, go to the table."

What a wonderful lunch it was! Peggy was glad her sister was happy once more. However, she knew it was only a
matter of time before Alexander returned to his studies. Sure enough, a few minuets after he finished his lunch, he stood up and announced that he was going back to work.

"But dear, you just-"

"Now now Eliza, I would love to stay here, but deadlines are deadlines, and I cannot avoid them." Alexander protested.

Peggy shot him a look, which he noticed, but pretended to ignore. "Good day." He left.

Small tears filled Eliza's eyes as she put Philip in his crib. "I am a second priority to him." She muttered.

Peggy stood up so fast she nearly toppled over. "No. That is not true."

"It has always been this way!" Eliza protested.

"Once the deadline is met, his work load will lessen."

"No Peggy, it will not. It has always been deadline after deadline after deadline!" Eliza threw her hands in the air.

"Hush, Philip is trying to sleep." Peggy reminded her older sister. "You have never lost your temper."

Eliza looked down and put a hand on her stomach.

Peggy's eyes widened. "Betsy..."

"I have not told anyone." Eliza whispered.

"Not even Alexander?"

"No. I never got the chance. I was going to today, but he left so quickly."

"Alex-"

"No! Do not call him!" Eliza protested.

"Why ever not?!"

"Because I... I am not ready."

"You have one child already!"

"I know." Eliza looked down. "But still."

"You are making no sense."

"Did you call me?" Alexander walked out of his study. "Eliza, what is wrong?"

For Eliza's face was pink and she seemed rather flustered.

"I am going to leave. Eliza has something to tell you. Goodbye!" She gave everyone a kiss on the cheek and left, ignoring Eliza's glare.

A week later she received a letter.

Dear Peggy,

How dare you! I am sure Alexander had begun to worry about my health before the truth finally seeped out of my lips. But we are thrilled, and he has been spending more time with us. So there is a thank you. Please come visit again soon!

~Eliza

Peggy smiled. Another Hamilton was on its way!