Requested by: melodiousoblivion

"Oh, won't you leave your work at rest for once in your life and join us upstate?"

The summer heat was in the distance of the city, dreadfully clinging to anyone still lingering around their homes. Many people led their papers and things to travel, or spend time with their family. Eliza found herself unable to convince her own husband to join her on a trip to see her father.

"You know my work is important. If you'd-"

She dropped the belongings she had been packing from her arms and strutted across the room to her husband. It was taking all her strength to not lash out or demand some respect from him. Instead, she silently bottled up her frustration and placed her hands on his shoulders.

Running circles into them, as she whispered, Eliza knew she would win him over surely with her methods. "Must you resist such an opportunity for relaxation and alone time? I'm sure the children will be well entertained by the presence of my family, so perhaps while they're captivated we could go elsewhere."

Alexander bit the corner of his lip, deeply listening. He quite liked her intentions and wasn't denying that. As her hand drifted across the front of his chest, he snatched it in his own and kissed it. "How could I possibly refuse that offer, my dear?"

Eliza pulled her hand from his, replying in a firm manner. "Very well then. We'll be leaving tomorrow. I'd suggest you start packing." A little smirk danced across her lips. She lifted up a shirt, silently folding it.

Sighing, her husband finally rose from his chair and left his work to rest. Before he went to check on the children, he reached out and pressed a kiss to her neck. Eliza inhaled sharply, but didn't say anything. It was difficult to hide her thrill for the summer upstate, now knowing her husband was joining them.

Early the following morning, all four children and two adults boarded a carriage, heading towards the upstate city. Along the way there, the children expressed their excitement on plans for the summer. Alexander made sure to show his interest in each of their wishes. He wanted to make it an unforgettable time.

After arriving at their destination, the children excitedly spread out. They all knew the area around their grandfather's home quite well, so each of them scouted out different places and spots to go to. The oldest, Philip, insisted that writing and studies were more valuable.

Eliza leaned close to her son and whispered into his ear, "You don't need to please your father on this trip. It's a well deserved rest for all of us." The boy looked vaguely startled by his mother's words, but he didn't respond. He was still only nine, so it was important for him to experience his childhood right.

"And you never fail to impress me with your intelligence, young man. Have a seat. We have much to discuss." The man of the household, Philip, insisted upon the adults having a clear conversation together. He took his daughter's hand and drew her closer to where the two men sat beside one another.

Alexander gave his wife an uneasy, but determined glance. Even after a successful and supported marriage together, he still felt intimidated by her father. Especially when he still called him young man.

"Such a pity my other darling daughter couldn't afford to be here with us. She sends her well wishes to the both of you." Philip raised his glass, before swallowing the contents of it. A bit of silence followed his words.

Eliza nodded her head, urging her husband to say something. Before he had the chance to, her father interrupted. "I hear often of your accomplishments. You seem to have named yourself as a man of honor, with only the flick of your pen." He raised an eyebrow, as if to ask how that worked out.

"Indeed. The writing consumes me, sir. It's one of my greatest strengths, but a weapon against myself." Philip looked concerned, but he got his answer quickly. "There are times I'm too involved in the ink on the page, rather than my wife and children. I confess to that."

Dryly, looking between the couple, Philip formulated what to say. What could he say? It had been out of the ordinary to hear such a thing, but he was willing to accept it. "Maybe this trip will the best for the both of you. How I enjoy the times my four blossoms join me up here with your mother."

"Four, possibly five." Eliza hid a smile, as her father realized what she said. He chuckled softly, glancing at Alexander, who looked slightly unprepared for what his wife had said.

Just before any of them could break the intense silence, James came running up, his short legs racing to keep up with his desired speed. He panted, "Mama! Papa!"

Holding out his hands, he showed his mother something he had captured. Still panting from the heat and exercise, his face glinted with sweat beads. Eliza glanced down at his hands and let out a gasp. "Oh, darling!"

By the surprise and pride in her voice, rising from his chair, Alexander asked, "And what might have you captured, my boy?" He also felt his mouth fall open in shock, when he noticed a tiny, spotted red bug crawling on the creases of his son's fingers.

Amazed his son could spot such a teeny creature, Alexander swooped the boy up in his arms. James giggled, being careful not to drop the bug. His eyes scrunched up when his father kissed his cheek several times.

"Free!" He shouted the word loudly, before lifting his hand up to the sky and watching as the bug flew off. His parents and grandfather watched with pride. Once the deed was done, the three year old scrambled down from his father's arms and gave a goodbye, before heading off to his siblings.

"You have such intelligent, bright children. I couldn't be more pleased to call myself their grandfather." Philip rocked back and forth in his chair, gazing up at his daughter and her husband. Alexander leaned over and kissed her cheek shyly, as if they were still young and without her father's blessing.

Later that evening, the family joined together at the elaborate dining table. Eliza scrambled to situate her youngest in his chair, while Alexander gave his other son's warnings to behave themselves. He passed his daughter while circling the table, and she just chuckled.

Once everyone was situated, Philip raised his glass to give a toast. "I'd like to toast to this exceptional family seated around me. To see these two fall in love, and their children to grow up before my eyes, I feel blessed. You are all the best gift in my life." He nodded his head and said amen along with the rest of them.

The evening was filled with the children sharing things about their lives with their grandparents. Philip tried to recite a poem, while Angelica told the table a story, and Alexander talked about something he'd read in the newspaper. James stammered out a few words, before returning to his dinner.

Alexander watched his children excitedly, as each of them shared something. He was touched by everything they said. His children were growing up right before his eyes, with their advanced words and knowledge. In a blink of an eye, and a slam of the study door, they had sprouted up too quickly.

After the meal, Eliza caught her husband by the arm in the hallway. "That look in your eyes was unmistakable. You're just as proud as I am."

"Those are my children? They're much more educated than their father at that age. I'm pleased by how eager they are and-"

She shushed him, quickly placing one finger over his lips. "I know." Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Alexander swept her around the corner, out of sight from the rest of their extended family.

Covered in shadows, he whispered, "But I'm most proud to know that you're their mother and my wife." He leaned his head closer to hers and their foreheads touched.

Eliza intended to reply with some meaningful phrase, but she was caught off guard by his lips attaching to hers. Breathlessly clinging to his neck, she kissed back. It had been too long since she'd been able to do that.

And it certainly had been even longer since she felt completely helpless, just like when they were younger and hopelessly in love.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
A/N: Thank you melodiousoblivion for the request! We can only imagine what might have happened had Alexander gone upstate, instead of staying with his work. So hopefully you enjoyed this! I wanted to give a huge thank you everyone reading this; I've just reached 50k reads on this book! I'm so thankful for all of you who continuously support my writing, thank you, I love you guys! In honor of that milestone, my covers changed, so that's a bit of a change as well.