Ok so this has been an idea I've had for a while now so I'm glad I can finally write it!

"Un deux trois quatre cinq six sept huit neuf," I said.

My nine year old son Philip repeated the French.

"Good." I said.

I tapped keys on the piano and sang with him.

"One two three four five six seven eight nine!"

I glanced over at the stairs leading to Alexander's office. He was probably still writing. Why does he write like he's running out of time?

I squeezed my son's shoulders and went to prepare supper. I finished and went upstairs. Philip was minding his sister Angelica.

I opened the door to Alexander's office.

"Take a break," I called.

"I am on my way," he responded, not looking up or putting down his quill.

I sighed. "There's a little surprise before supper and it cannot wait."

"I'll be there in just a moment, save my plate."

I huffed in frustration. Did he even hear what I said?

"Alexander!" I said.

He stood up and gave me a tired smile.

"Okay, okay."

I led him downstairs.

"Your son is nine years old today," I said. "He has something he'd like to say. He's been practicing all day. Philip, take it away!"

Philip started reciting the poem he'd penned himself.

"Daddy daddy look!"

I clapped along to the words.

"My name is Philip! I am a poet! And I wrote this poem just to show it! And I just turned nine. You can write rhymes but you can't write mine!"

"What?" Alexander cried playfully.

"I practice French and play piano with my mother!" Philip continued.

"Uh-huh," Alexander said.

"I have a sister but I want a little brother!"

I regretted not telling him to take that line out of his poem.

"Okay!" Alexander laughed. He gave me a little smirk and a wink. I blushed furiously.

"My daddy's trying to start America's bank! Un deux trois quatre cinq!" Philip cried.

Alexander clapped. "Bravo!"

Philip gave him a hug and ran off.

I took Alexander's hands.

"Take a break," I said. "Run away with us for the summer lets go upstate."

"Eliza," he pleaded, "I have so much on my plate."

"We can all go stay with my father," I continued. "There's a lake I know."

"I know," he repeated.

"In a nearby park," I said.

"I'd love to go," Alexander said.

"You and I can go when the night gets dark," I pleaded.

He kissed my hand gently. "I will try to get away."

Later he gave me a letter from my sister in London.

"Read it," he said. "It's addressed to me, but you can see it."

I took it and sat on my bed. It said,

My dearest Alexander,

You must get through to Jefferson.

Alexander was always complaining about Thomas Jefferson.

Sit down with him and compromise. Don't stop till you agree.

If what Alexander has been saying were true, that would be a far shot.

Your favorite older sister, Angelica, reminds you there's someone in your corner all the way across the sea.

I smiled. It was just like Angelica to say something like that.

In a letter I received from you two weeks ago I noticed a comma in the middle of a phrase.

What?

It changed the meaning. Did you intend this? One stroke and you've consumed my waking days.

I was even more intrigued now.

It says 'My dearest Angelica'

Okay. As far as I was concerned that was normal.

With a comma after 'dearest.' You've written 'My dearest, Angelica'

I was confused. I wasn't a deep thinker.

Anyway, all this to say, I'm coming home this summer at my sister's invitation. I'll be there with your family if you make your way upstate.

I squealed quietly as not to wake Philip and Angelica. I'd almost forgotten about the invitation I sent to Angelica at least a few months before. I'd secretly hope she could convince Alexander to join us.

I know you're very busy. I know your work's important,

Goodness, she didn't know.

But I'm crossing the ocean and I just can't wait.

You won't be a moment away. You will only be a moment away.

I fell asleep that night late, but I was in Alexander's arms and a smile came on my face.

A few days later, I called up to my husband.

"Alexander come downstairs! Angelica's arriving today!"

I saw my sister's carriage pull up in front of the house.

Angelica dropped her bags and ran towards me. We both squealed in delight.

"Angelica!" I exclaimed.

"Eliza!"

Alexander cut in. "The Schuyler sisters!"

Angelica embraced him. "Alexander!"

He laughed. "Hi."

"It's good to see your face."

I took Alexander by the arm. "Angelica, tell this man John Adams spends the summer with his family."

"Angelica, tell my wife John Adams doesn't have a real job anyway." Alexander said.

Realization dawned on my sister's face. "You're not joining us? Wait..."

"I'm afraid I cannot join you upstate," Alexander said.

"Alexander I came all this way," Angelica pleaded.

"She came all this way!" I repeated.

"All this way!" Angelica said.

"Take a break!" we both said.

"You know I have to get this plan through Congress," Alexander argued.

"Run away with us for the summer lets go upstate!" Angelica and I said.

"I lose my job if we don't get this plan through Congress."

"We can all go stay with our father!"

"There's a lake I know," I said.

"I know I'll miss your face," Angelica said.

"In a nearby park," I sang, adding rhythm to my pleads.

"Screw your courage to the sticking place" Angelica quoted.

"You and I can go," I begged.

"Eliza's right," Angelica added.

"Take a break and get away!" I said.

"Let's go upstate!" Angelica joined in.

"Where we can stay!" I added.

We launched into a series of pleads.

Look around look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now!

If you take your time!

When the night gets dark!

Take a break!

"I have to get my plan through Congress." Alexander insisted. "I can't stop until I get this plan through Congress."

I sighed and helped Angelica with her bags.

Maybe Alexander not joining us was for the best.