Chapter II

I wrote this I the car and edited really quickly on google docs so if there's any spelling errors and such lemme know. Thank you for reading and your waiting!!
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"Alex?"

"Yes, love?" I sit at my desk, my head in my hands. I run my fingers through my hair that hasn't been washed in days.

Aaron comes up behind me, placing his hand on my back and rubs. It feels amazing and I loosen up at his touch."I would ask if you're alright, but that would be proving there are stupid questions..."

I let out a dry laugh and rub my temples. He places a hand on the side of my face, guiding me to look at him. I turn in my chair. He eyes my face, how I have grown pale and the dark bags under my eyes.

"You need to sleep." Aaron rubs my cheek with his thumb. "You also need a bath. You're not going to help anything or anyone if you fall ill. Especially not your father."

His words hit me like a cannon. He is correct. After my father has fallen gravely ill due to what has been identified as yellow fever. I have taken on his duties. How he manages it, I have no idea. His advisors have been telling me I need to slow down and divide and conquer my work. I have given some tasks to Aaron, which he has taken care of wonderfully. However, If I too succumb to sickness...

"Alexander, come." I snap out of my exhausted haze to Aaron tugging at my hand. "I'll help prepare you a bath. Then, you are to rest."

"But, Aaron... I cannot rest there is still much to do... Papers...." I still get up and follow him like a drunk puppy. I giggle at the thought. God, I'm so tired.

"I will take your quills and ink away, Alexander. You are to rest." He uses his firm voice and I'm not going to lie, it makes my heart pick up a bit.

"Don't take my quills away..." I pout as he fills the tub of warm water and unbuttons my shirt.

"Then do as I say."

I grab his shoulders and look into his eyes. "I like it very much when you use that voice~" I lean in for a kiss.

"Yes, I know. Now, help me, Alexander. Undress and get in the tub and you will get your kisses." He gives me the sternest look he can muster. It's adorable.

"Yes, sir..."

I must admit, cleaning myself felt extremely refreshing.

"Aaron, I can go back to work now. I've only written eleven papers out of the sixteen I need to do..." I shuffle towards my desk, but he pulls me to the bed.

"Eleven!! You got those papers yesterday morning!!" He lays me down and tucks me in. "I have some things I need to do myself. I will come lay with you in a bit. Sleep, Alexander. Understand?"

I nod and pass out.
***

I wake to the room lit in a soft glow, and my husband sitting at the desk. I admire his beauty, how his skin glows in the light. The slight arch of his back when he writes. The rhythmic way he breathes and bounces his knee a little as he concentrates.

"Hey, baby... How long was my nap?" I pull back the blankets and slowly sit up. He giggles and it makes my heart melt.

"Nap?" He turns towards me, setting down his quill. "More like hibernation!! You have been sleeping for nearly thirty two hours!" He giggles again.

"Oh, God..." I rub my forehead. "What have I missed?"

"I finished your papers and many of the tasks you needed completed... Granted the wedding of servants Daisy Everine and  William Lee." His face falls. "Your father... King Washington is not showing much, if any, improvement..."

I stand suddenly and in a worried rage I swear, throwing a pillow at the wall. It hits a painting and it clatters loudly to the floor. I immediately regret it as Aaron gasps and flinches. True, his confidence and trust has healed... Well, I don't think he had much of it in the first place. But, I think a part of that dark past will forever hold him.

"I'm sorry, honey. I'm so sorry." I walk to him slowly and reach out to cup his cheek. He flinches back. Shit, Alexander what have you done. Progress was being made.

He relaxes and leans forward into my touch. "Forgive me, I have a splitting headache."

"I'm sorry, love."

"Come, I'm sure you are hungry." He stands, rubs his forehead, and motions for me to get dressed. I do so and we walk, arms linked, to get some food.

***

"You are not going to get anything?" I ask Aaron, eyeing him across the table as he sips at his tea.

"No, I ate not too long ago." He smiles. It's contagious.

"Hello, Princes!" One of the cooks walks in. She carries a pot of tea and sets it by Aaron. She's a cheerful soul, always smiling and lighting up the room. She's motherly, with four children herself. She is in her sixties and overweight but still hustles like a twenty year old.  "Nice to see you are refreshed, Prince Alexander." She nods to me and I smile and nod back. "Now, for you, Prince Aaron. Are you sure you would like nothing to eat? You have not eaten since... Well, since you and Prince Alexander were here last!"

"What!?" I set down my fork.

He laughs nervously and blushes. "Oh, that's not true-"

"Not true!? You have not touched a single crumb! Only tea!! I shall be back with toast and jam with a nice bowl of oatmeal, I know you like!" She hustles back into the kitchen.

"Not true..." Aaron whispers and stares into his tea.

"Aaron? You haven't eaten? Since I was here with you last? What has it been then? A day and a half at least?"

He winces. "Yeah..." he says quietly, refusing to look up at me. "But, I haven't been hungry... And with my duties, and..."

Amelia, the cook, comes back out with exactly what she said. "Now eat, Prince!" And she hurries back to the kitchen.

"Baby?" I say.

"Baby." He replies, staring into the bowl of mush, stirring it but not taking any bites.

I try to urge him to eat but he only stirs it and blows on a spoonful.... Before he hesitates and puts it back into the bowl.

I finish up my meal and he still hasn't taken a bite.

"Let's go see your father." He says before I can say anything. I don't argue, and we are off, his food untouched.
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I'm writing this on my way to Mt. Rushmore. How fitting, am I right?

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