Sounds of a bullet whizzing through the air came back to Alexander as he remained still for the doctor to check his wounds. His mind kept crawling back to the duel, which had only happened a few hours ago. Burr. Clenching his hand around his wife's, he tried to remind himself that he was going to survive it and there was no reason to shame the man.

Eliza forced a smile, all the while watching her husband remain still. His face had gone slightly pale, but otherwise he was doing alright. Hand holding his, and stroking his hair, she knew the only thing she could do was pray.

The moment his physician left the room, a different person entered. It seemed that people just kept coming and going. Eliza politely gave the man a nod, but didn't let go of her husband's hand to shake his. The man, understanding, bowed his head in reply.

Alexander glanced at his wife anxiously. Her eyes brightened up for a second, but the spark diminished when she realized what he wanted from her. Dropping his hand, she left the two men to discuss things.

Once the door quietly shut behind her, the man introduced himself as Benjamin Moore, saying how he had been struck by the news of the duel. Alexander ignored the comment and hoarsely began to say, "My dear sir, you perceive my unfortunate situation, and no doubt have been made acquainted with the circumstances which led to it. It is my desire to receive the communion at your hands. I hope you will not conceive there is any impropriety at my request."

Before the reverend could speak, Alexander reached out and touched his hand. A pleading look danced in his eyes as he whispered to the man, "I was for some time past been the wish of my heart, and it was intention to take an early opportunity of uniting myself to the church, by the reception of that holy ordinance."

The reverend's mouth opened slightly and then shut. He cleared his throat, trying to formulate something to say. "Should it please God to restore you the health, sir, will you never be again engaged in a similar transaction?" Lying on the bed, Alexander began to say something, but he was hushed.

"And will you employ all your influence in society to discountenance this barbarous custom?"

With a slight wetness forming in the corners of his eyes, he replied, "That, sir, was my deliberate intention." It had been his intention all along. Facing the end of another man's pistol was something he never wanted to experience again.

Throughout the next few minutes, Benjamin explained the respect of receiving it, and the future beyond that for the forty seven year old man. Alexander remained silent the entire time, nodding his head, not once trembling from the pain above his hip. He was composed, despite his wounds.

The reverend began, speaking each word slowly and loudly. He kept a steady gaze on Alexander, who suddenly looked more alive than before. After he finished speaking, one eyebrow raised in question, awaiting a reply.

"With the upmost sincerity of heart I can answer those questions in the affirmative...I have no ill-will against Colonel Burr." He raised his hands slightly, gesturing to something that the reverend couldn't understand.

"I met him with a fixed resolution to do him no harm....I forgive all that happened." And he truly did. Alexander wasn't always forgiving, especially to his rivals, but he didn't feel anything against Burr for the damage he had caused with his pistol.

From a slit in the doorway, Eliza watched her husband raise his hands up higher for the reverend to hold, as he received the communion. The words he said seconds before had made a part of her crumble. He knew there might not be much time left. He needed hope.

Knowing herself there wasn't any time to waste, Eliza sent for the children. She wanted all seven of them to see their father, to be with him, even if it was the last time. Tears threatened to spill out of her eyes, as she rushed to tell them.

The twelfth arrived. Alexander woke up, mind spinning with meaningless things. He tried to reach out his hand, but was shocked when he could barely move. Weak and tired, he rested his hand back down. Eliza watched him from the side of his bed, with a growing sadness in her heart.

Lips moving slowly, he whispered something so soft she couldn't hear. Eliza could only take his hand in hers and give a hopeful smile. A delicate sigh left her lips, making Alexander clutch her hand tighter.

Later that afternoon, the reverend arrived back at the house. He nodded, before quietly observing the scene that was about to unfold. Eliza called for the children, letting them enter the room one by one. Not one of them dared to say a word, fearing they would wake their resting father. A few other people who she had alerted stood in the far back of the room.

The children anxiously stared over at their father. Their mother had been convinced he would recover, but now she wasn't. Two of the younger boys put their heads against one another, rocking back and forth. The eldest daughter wiped her eyes, trying to fight the pained feeling in her heart.

Two little hands gripped the edge of Eliza's dress suddenly. Just as she gained the strength to pry her attention away from her husband, the word papa was lightly heard from below. The youngest one, named after their first, could sense something was wrong.

Picking the youngling up by his arms, before placing his body on her hip, she looked over at Alexander. His eyes fluttered open and he noticed the little one. From the expression that covered his face, it convinced her to hold the child out and let him kiss his father a final time. She watched her husband tightly hold the child, before passing him back to her.

The time had come. Eliza could just tell. She let each of her children hold their father's hand one more time, not letting them linger too long. We must let him rest, she thought to herself. Ushering the seven of them to the foot of the bed, she waited to see his reaction.

Eyes opening slightly, he glanced at the foot of the bed. All of his children, all lined up, all there for his death. He didn't want to see the looks on their faces. He wished for them not to see the tears forming in his eyes. He wanted them to be shielded from so many things.

But his time was up.

Interrupting his thoughts, pulling him back into reality, a hand linked with his. Barley able to keep his eyes open, he looked over and saw his wife beside him. In all their years together, she hadn't once allowed her young beauty to pass her by. She still looked as lively as rose, similar to the day they met.

Alexander wanted to reach out and touch her face, but he couldn't even raise his hand. Eliza seemed to realize that, by the pained look on his face. One reached out, caressing his cheek gently. She finally leaned forward and kissed him softly. For the final time.

Face still close to his, she watched his eyelids drift shut again. Only this time they didn't seem to be opening again. A shaky sob left her mouth, as she rushed to press a hand to his chest. The heartbeat was still there, but slowing by the second. And all of a sudden it was gone.

Eliza leaned her head down. The feelings of sadness that had built up inside her seemed to break all at once. Everyone remained silent as she sobbed on her husband's chest. The children listened from outside in the hallway, having been swept away by their mother's order. All of them exchanged worried looks.

Eliza gripped his shirt, her cries becoming louder and more desperate. Why? The continuous loop of sobs only kept coming and she couldn't seem to stop herself.

He had been taken away from her. Too soon and too quickly. Alexander, her heart sang repeatedly. For the first time in her life she felt completely lost without him. Deep in her heart, she knew he would have wanted her to stay strong both herself and the children.

And that's what she promised herself to do. For her dearly beloved Alexander.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
A/N: So here's the one shot for Hamilton's death! The dialogue in the start was actually what Alexander said before his communion, according to the reverend, so I decided to include those bits and pieces. And yes, the part about the children lining up, and little Philip kissing his father one final time, was all historically accurate, so I therefore included it for this. Hope you guys enjoyed it! I'll have more one shots up later.