A/N: Okay, so there might be some flashbacks and seeing the future in this chapter. It sounded like a good idea when I was about to fall asleep last night, so I don't see why not 🤷🏼‍♀️ (PS, I fell asleep at like 2:00am, so this'll be interesting) There will also be fluff and angst too 😊

~Two weeks later~

December 1776, New York City, New York

Y/N's POV

Tonight was the night of the masquerade ball. The sisters already had a few ideas on what dress they should wear, while I was struggling to find one. We were at Hercules' tailor shop right now, and the girls were waiting on me to choose.

Eliza chose a dazzling sapphire blue dress, which matched her eyes and her hair color perfectly. Peggy chose a soft yellow dress. The color complimented her skin tone and her brown hair. Finally, Angelica chose a bright coral pink dress. It wasn't the type of bright that would sting your eyes, but more of a dashing bright. The color brought out the deep cocoa in her eyes.

And there was me, not sure what to get. There was a light green dress that I saw, and it was the one that I was looking at when I formally met Laurens. I glanced over at the dress, my mind going back and forth before heading over to it.

"Did you finally find one?" Peggy asked, coming over to the light green dress I was looking at. I guess she took the news of me being a vampire pretty well. There were times in the past two weeks I had to glare at her so she wouldn't say anything.

"I think so? Do you like this one?" I asked her. She looked at the dress, running the fabric through her fingers before smiling.

"I think you'll look great in it! You'll definitely catch people's attention." Peggy said before grabbing the dress and bouncing towards the counter.

Eliza and Angelica were talking to Hercules, most likely about the ball tonight. Peggy placed the dress down on the counter, in front of Hercules. I walked up to them.

Eliza gasps and gives me a playful smirk, "Is that the dress you we're looking at when you met John?" She teased. I glanced at her and gave her a playful glare. She smiled, "Awwww, it is!!!" She squealed. I rolled my eyes before playfully smacking her.

Hercules smiled at us, "Well, the guys and I will be there tonight. Who knows, we might see you there?" He said with a chuckle.

Angelica paid for the dresses, and we all thanked Hercules before heading out of the store. We made our way down the street before Angelica and Eliza turned around, a smirk playing across both of their faces.

"We know your secret." Angelica whispered, her eyes gleaming mischievously. I gulped, slowly backing away from them. Peggy was right next to me.

"I didn't tell them, I swear." Peggy whispered quickly in my ear, so the others couldn't hear.

"Please don't tell anyone! I never wanted to be like this! Please don't cast me out!" I pleaded, eyes watering.

Eliza smirked, "I'm pretty sure we all know."

Well, fuck my cursed life.

Eliza then kept on talking, "We all know you want to impress John tonight~" She chattered.

Wait, what?

I let out a sigh of relief, trying regain my composure, "I-I mean, I-I might......." I said softly. Peggy let out a sigh of relief as well.

"Oh please, we know you do. So, that's why we are going to help." Angelica said, giving me a wicked grin. Should I be scared or excited?

Angelica and Eliza grabbed my gloves hands and dragged me all the way to the mansion, Peggy following at our heels.

"I honestly they were talking about something else." Peggy whispered behind me.

I nodded, "I thought the same thing. I'm glad they didn't find out though." I said quietly.

I soon found myself on Angelica's bed. It was only three in the afternoon, and the guests wouldn't arrive until six, but all three of the girls said they need hours to work on me.

So, I sat there, bored out of my mind as the Schuyler sisters put make up on me. I never really liked make up, but they insisted, since it was my first ball.

It took them about two hours to finish up on my make up. They were going to do my hair up in a tight bun, but decided to wait until I had my dress on.

Now, I was standing in front of a mirror. I squinted to look at myself and trying not to get a headache at the same time. My hair was done up in a tight bun, and the light green dress went great with my pale skin. I wore a white mask, while the Schuyler's wore masks that matched their dresses. The Sisters were standing with me in their ballgowns. Eliza had her hair in a small ponytail, letting some of her hair in the back flow down past her shoulders. Angelica had her hair down, her curls bouncing when she moved. Peggy had her curly hair in a ponytail, but her curls bounced when she would move.

We then made our way towards the stairs, but I quickly grabbed the girls' hands. They turned, looking at me in confusion. 

"I-I just want to thank you guys. For everything you've done. I never really had a close family, so I'm glad that I can call you guys my family." I said with a soft smile, tears pricking my eyes.

The girls smiled and pulled me into a tight hug. I saw Peggy, and she was looking at me. I mouthed 'Thank you'. We then pulled apart and made our way to the ball.

~Timeskip (brought to you by our Favorite Fighting French Fry)~

I had no idea that the Schuyler's knew this many people. I mean, yeah, they are rich, but still.

It's really scary.

I had danced with a few men, but I think the Sisters are getting most of the action. I'm totally fine with that. They can dance all they want. I just don't have their confidence or social skills.

Right now, I sat in the front parlor, listening to some of the stories the guests told. Most were about war adventures, but those were my favorite. They talked about the battles that had happened.

'What would it be like to be in the battlefield?' I thought to myself, my mind going down the path of this idea.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder, and I jumped. I heard a familiar giggle and turned to see Peggy. I laughed a little bit, mostly out of embarrassment.

"Look who is here~" Peggy said in a singsong voice. I looked at the door, and sure enough, the ragtag group of soldiers had made it. They all wore their soldier uniforms, and they all wore masks. It wasn't hard to tell who was who. The past few months I've been here, I've gotten to know them a lot better. John loves to draw, if Laf is excited or angry, he will speak French rapidly, Hercules is a soft guy, but will literally tear you apart if you look the wrong way at him or anyone he knows. Finally, Alex. He is a mystery, but I learned that he can get super crabby if he doesn't get enough sleep. It was a really interesting conversation when I found that out.

John had a green mask. The shade kind of matched my dress, but I'm going to go with it as a coincidence and not assume that Hercules gave it to him so it would match my mask.

Alex wore a burgundy mask while Laf wore a dark blue mask and Herc wore a gold mask.

Alex pulled the group into a small huddle. After a few minutes, I heard Hercules, Lafayette, and Alex laugh. Sadly, I didn't hear John's sweet chuckle join in. After they were done laughing, the group split up.

I watched as Herc and Laf walk together towards the refreshments while John and Alex made their way towards the dance floor.

Peggy then grabbed my hand and began to drag me towards the dance floor. I forgot she was still beside me honestly. I tried to stop her.

"Wait, Peggy, what are you doing?" I hissed, trying to pull my hand out of hers. Her grip was strong, so I struggled to get away.

"Oh, my dear Y/N, I am giving you a light shove in the right direction." Peggy chided as we merged with the crowd surrounding the dance floor. I stood there awkwardly, holding Peggy's hand.

What did this little yellow devil have in store for me?

We watched as men took women by the hands, bringing them onto the dance floor. Peggy was soon dragged off onto the dance floor, so I stood awkwardly, watching everyone through my mask.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned a bit, and came face to face with Alex. He smiled at me, and I smiled back.

He held out a hand, "Would you care to dance?"

I nodded, taking his hand, "Only once. I dance as good as a cat swims." I said with a laugh.

He pulled me out onto the dance floor, and we danced. His right hand laid on my waist, while his left held my right hand. My left hand draped over his shoulder.

We danced for what seemed forever, until I asked a question.

"Alex? I remember seeing you at the port the day I arrived to America. Where do you come from?" I felt him tense as we kept on dancing. "You don't have to answer. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable." I added quickly.

"It's alright. I haven't really told anyone about this. I grew up in the Caribbean, in a little island called Nev-"

Then everything went black.

~Flashback~

I slowly opened my eyes, blinking multiple times to adjust to the light. I looked around, my face exposed to the sun.

But it didn't hurt.

I heard a door slam, and I quickly turned my head. A man stormed out of his house, leaving his wife crying on the door step.

"James, please!" The woman cries. The man doesn't return.

The woman wept for what seemed like hours. The door opened slowly, showing a child around the age of ten. He had dark brown hair, and his dark eyes scanned his mother.

I could see him trying to figure out how to comfort her. In the end, he decided to give her a hug.

Everything is now black.

I wake up in a tiny room, the smell of sickness penetrates my nose as I looked around. My eyes land in the bed not far from where I stood.

Two bodies laid on the bed, and with a jolt I realize it is the mother and son from before. The mother looks deathly pale, and the slow but painful beat of her heart pounded slowly in my ears. After a few minutes, all I hear is the boy's heartbeat.

He moved, flipping onto his side so he was facing his mothers' back. He shook her, his eyes glazed, "Mama?" He says softly.

He shakes her again, a bit more urgently, "Mama?!" He tried to yell, but ended up coughing. I could see the tears fall from his face as he tried to wake up his mother, who was eternally sleeping.

Everything went black.

Wind whistled through my ears as I opened my eyes. Water was everywhere.

But I was above it.

I heard screaming, and I turned. There, a teenager held onto a wooden beam, his knuckles turned white by the effort. Shock took my body as I recognized who it was.

It was Alex.

He was screaming at another man who was struggling against the current, his head going under multiple times, then re-emerging. He went under one last time before going under.

He never came back up.

"JAMES!!!" Alexander yelled, his face wet with saltwater.

Then it was black.

My eyes opened up to the noise of the seagulls cawing. I was on a ship, at a port. I realized this was New York City's port.

'This was when he arrived.' I thought to myself.

He looked like a man on a mission. I looked in the direction he was looking, and immediately saw Aaron Burr.

Alex immediately rushed off to talk to him.

Everything is went black.

~The Future~

I was at a ball. It wasn't the masquerade ball I was at. It was a different one.

I saw Eliza, Angelica, and Peggy. They looked....older?

I gasped, placing my hand on my chest. Is this even possible?

Eliza whispered something to Angelica, who immediately walked in the direction of Alex. He was talking with Aaron and.....John.

He still looked the same. His freckles dotting his face like the stars in the night sky. His emerald eyes were sparkling in the light of the room.

I looked away from him, my cold heart aching a bit in sadness. My eyes then went to Alex, who was being introduced to Eliza.

Everything is dark.

I heard wedding bells chime. I woke up and was looking down the aisle. At the end, there stood Alexander, shoulders back and a smiled that could only be described as happiness.

Eliza walked down the isle, her wedding veil over her face as she made her way to Alex.

He removed the veil from her face. They said their vows, and kissed.

Darkness

Eliza stood outside in a yard that I didn't know. Her hand was on her stomach protectively.

Alex came around the corner of the fence line. He quickly opened the gate and ran towards her, giving her a deep kiss. His eyes trailed down to her stomach, sparkling in the light.

"How long have you know?" He asked softly, taking her hands into his.

"A month or so.." she whispered, pressing her forehead against his.

"Eliza, you should have told me." He said quietly.

"I'm not sorry. You deserve a chance to meet your son." She gently rubbed her thumb against his hand.

Pitch black

"Alexander, there is a letter for you from South Carolina." Eliza said, entering the room.

I stood by a crib, the child inside sound asleep.

"It's from John Laurens, I'll read it later." He said, watching his son lovingly.

"No...it's not." Eliza said quietly, looking at Alexander with a somber gaze.

Alex stood up, his eyes beginning to fill with worry. "Will you read it for me?"

Eliza opened the the letter and began to read. My stomach dropped when tears began to show. "On Tuesday the twenty-seventh, Lieutenant John Laurens was killed in a gunfight against British troops in South Carolina,"

I dropped to my knees, my hands covering my mouth as tears began to flow freely out of my eyes.

"These troops had not yet received word from Yorktown that the war was over. He's buried here until his family can send for his remains."

I cried harder, my hands moving from my mouth to my head. I pressed my hands against my forehead as I began to rock back and fourth.

"As you may know, Lieutenant Colonel Laurens was engaged in recruiting three thousand men for the first all black military regiment. The surviving members of this regiment have been returned to their masters."

I heard shuffling near me, and I looked up to see Alex staring off into space, Eliza right behind him, giving him a hug. She had been crying, as well as Alex.

"Alex, are you alright?" Eliza whispers, trying to look her husband in the eye.

He pushes away and walks out of the room, muttering, "I have so much work to do."

The calmness of the darkness

There was a curly haired boy by the piano, his face shone with freckles as he faced Alexander. He reminded me of John.

"Daddy, Daddy look! My name is Philip, I am a poet! And I wrote this poem just to show it. And I, just turned nine." He then crossed his arms before continuing, "You can write rhymes but you can't write mine!"

"What!" Alexander yells, encouraging his son to go on.

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

"Uh huh!"

"I have a sister, but I want a little brother!" Philip adds.

Alexander laughs, "Okay!"

"My daddy is trying to start America's bank! Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq!" Philip screamed the last part, earning a 'bravo' from Alex.

Darkness

Alexander stood near a bed, a women laying down.

It wasn't Eliza.

The woman had bruises all of her face, and by the judge of her look, she was hopeless.

She stood up and wrapped her arms around Alex's neck, kissing him passionately. Alex kissed back.

More darkness

Alexander was at his desk, writing something down. I slowly walked behind him, reading the paper he was writing.

The Reynolds Pamphlet.

Darkness

They were in a hospital. Alex has his arms wrapped around someone on a bed. I looked at the victim.

It was Philip.

His hand covered a bloody spot on his hip. His eyes were glazed in pain.

"Stay alive..." Alex whispered to his son, tears treating down his face.

Eliza raced in, "NO!" She screamed, racing to her son's side.

"Alexander, who did this?!?" She cried out, her eyes filled with fear.

"Ma....I-I'm so sorry...f-for forgetting what you t-taught me." Philip whispered, "W-we played piano...."

"I taught you piano..." she whispered back, running her hand through his hair reassuringly.

"Y-you would put your...hands on mine..." he said before coughing.

"You changed the melody every time..." she murmured, her other hand resting on his.

"I-I would.... always change the line...." He was struggling to stay awake now.

"Un deux trois quatre cinq six sept huit neuf." Eliza whispered, stroking her thumb against his hand.

"Un deux trois quatre cinq six sept huit neuf." Philip repeated, his words growing weaker every time he speaks.

"Un deux trois quatre cinq six sept huit neuf." Eliza whispered once more.

"Un deux trois....." Silence. His heart stopped beating.

Eliza began to shake him, trying to get him to wake up.

She then screams in grief.

Darkness

It must be years later, because Alex seems older. He stood, his pistol aimed towards the sky. Burr is across from him, his pistol aimed at Alex.

A gunshot.

End of flashback/future

My eyes adjusted to the ballroom, and I stumbled a bit.

"Y/N, are you alright?" Alex asked, looking at me worriedly. I didn't know I had tears in my eyes until he said that.

I quickly pushed away from him before running out of the mansion. My breath came in quicker gasps as I raced down the stairs and towards the gazebo that the Schuylers had in their yard.

There were people calling after me, but I didn't stop until I was sitting on a bench in the gazebo.

My sobs rocked my body as I rocked back in forth from where I sat. My hands where pressed against my head. It was probably the only thing that would stop me from having a panic attack.

I felt someone sit next to me, and the pulled me into a light hug. I didn't have to look at the face to know who it was. I let out a small cry as I wrapped my arms around John's waist, my face pressing against his chest.

My thoughts wandered back to the flashbacks I had, and the glimpses of the future. Will John really die?

No, not if I can help him. He has to live.

I felt his hand on my back, rubbing it reassuringly. I was still crying, but not as hard. I could feel the darkness creep up on me. I had to fight it. There was no way I would let that happen again.

"D-don't ever leave me..." I whispered softly. He shifted a bit before replying.

"I would never dream of it."

Total Darkness.

3376 words.

Y'all better be proud of me 😤 This chapter was so fricking long. Plus I couldn't wait until tomorrow to write it, so yeah 😂.

Also, I'm sorry if I made y'all cry. I cried too during the flashbacks and the glimpses of the future.

But this book has 20 reads!?!? I want to thank you guys for reading this book!!!! I really appreciate it!!