Two days after the conversation between Elizabeth and Alexander, Maria had caved into Susan's begging to be taken to the park. She walked down the dirt path, holding her daughter's hand. Susan was babbling and holding her Moana pig toy.

When they were halfway to the playground, she heard a voice that made her freeze.

"Hey, Maria!"

She unfroze and kept walking.

"Maria!" He easily caught up to her, since Susan walked at toddler pace.

Maria glared at him. "What do you want, Hamilton?"

"To apologize. I want to apologize. Just hear me out."

Against her better judgment, Maria nodded. "I'm listening."

"I... I was a di**. A total a**hole. I was stupid. I hurt you, I hurt Eliza, and I'm so sorry. What I did was uncalled for and arrogant. I was being selfish."

"You certainly were."

"I know I completely destroyed your reputation, and then didn't do anything about your situation. There's nothing that I can do to make up for that, and I'm sorry. Could you forgive me?"

"Mama, pawk!" Susan whined.

"Just a minute, baby." Maria thought about Alexander's words. He'd screwed up big time, but everyone did. She made her decision. "I forgive you. But if I was you, I would be focusing on getting Betsy to forgive you."

Alexander nodded.

"MAMA PWEASE PAWK NOW! PWEASE?!" Susan begged.

Maria laughed. "Yes, baby. We're going to the park now."

"YAY!"

She nodded towards Alex. "See you around."

He nodded and walked away.

Susan practically ran all the way to the park, cheering the whole time. She wanted to swing first. Maria tried to help her into the baby swing, but Susan was insistent that she wanted the 'big girl swing'. So Maria rolled her eyes and pushed her on the 'big girl swing'.

Then she wanted to go down the biggest slide. She ran over to the monkey bars, frantically babbling that she wanted to go on them as she watched a duo of six year olds playing on them.

"You're too little for that, Susie."

"No! I big giwl!"

Maria laughed. "Sure you are. But not quite big enough for the monkey bars. Maybe next time."

When Susan continued to pout and complain, Maria sighed. Then she saw a cart out of the corner of her eye. "Hey, Susie?"

"Yes, Mama?" The toddler grumbled. "Do you want to get ice cream?"

"Ice cream you say?" A voice said behind them. Maria turned around to see Gita. "I love ice cream. Don't you, Susie?"

Susan nodded.

"Then answer your mommy."

"I wan ice ceam," Susan said.

"Well, then, let's go get some," Maria said.

They grabbed some ice cream, along with Gita.

"You gonna get some for your siblings?" Maria asked her.

"If they've got the money."

Maria snorted. She herself had three siblings, and had pretty much the same relationship with then when they were kids.

They sat on a bench, eating their ice cream. Susan yawned as she finished hers.

"Someone's ready for a nap," Maria said. "See you around."

"Yeah. Bye. Bye, Susie!"

"Bye-bye Gita."

Maria picked Susan up and carried her home.