°~2 Weeks Later~°

(Y/N POV)

It was January, and the soldiers were set to go back to war.

Emily was rather displeased by this, considering her recent engagement to John. Alas, he stayed with her as frequently as he could before his departure. I was the lucky one, I supposed. Whilst many other women's soulmates were venturing out to battle, mine was left to remain at home. He had no chance out there.

Speaking of Charles, I'd have to pay him a visit, for my dresses were becoming increasingly tight. I'd coped with it before, but now it was almost unbearable. Therefore, I would join Eliza and Emily to the carriages with Alexander and John.

I heaved my coat upon my shoulders, trailing downstairs and into the living room. Eliza was helping Alexander with his uniform, and Emily huddled against John. I yawned into my arm, for it was still fairly early. Peering out through the window, wives were kissing their husbands goodbye. Children sobbed into their mother's dress. It was a surprisingly overwhelming sight, so I turned myself away.

"Are we all prepared?" Alexander asked, readying his leave. We all nodded, shy to speak. John held the door for us, and we left in a quiet manner. From the instant I stepped out into the open, the streets were filled with tender sobs. But I couldn't escape it now. As usual, the two couples hooked arms, and I walked to John's side.

Not a word. The entirety of the way there, the sorrow was enough to emote for us all. Of course, some were excited for the adventure, especially the newcomers. But the majority were wracked with grief. The carriages were in sight; it felt just like it had the first time. Except... I wasn't joining the soldiers.

The time was closing near, so Alexander and John joined the line to sign in. I stood away from the other soldiers, for I knew that they'd recognise me in an instant.

And they did.

I felt someone's presence haunt my side. "Good morning, Miss Hamilton."
"Good morning, General." Wilson stared out to his men thoughtfully. He crossed his arms and sighed.
"I'm sorry for the things I did to you. I shouldn't have acted so strictly, it was just my natural intention to do so."
"Don't blame yourself, General, it's your job. You just... wanted us all to do as well as you do, to meet your expectations."

"I understand. But if I'd have known, I would never do such a thing..." he admitted.
"Then maybe you should try to reform yourself this time around." I blurted without thinking. I thought that perhaps he'd give me a scolding look- instead, he smiled. Something that I'd never seen him do before.

"You're growing a full head of hair, I see." Wilson commented.
"Yes, it's... a pain." I laughed.
"Did you cut it, before...?" Was he genuinely interested in conversation? Because wow.
"Yeah, my sister over there was actually the one who cut it." I gestured towards her.

"I see. Well I don't want to waste your time, for we must be off shortly." Wilson concluded. "Be well, Miss Hamilton."
"And you, General." I moped back to the group, who were now exchanging their final goodbyes.

I met with John and Emily first. He pecked Emily on the cheek. "You need not worry about me." he comforted her. "When I come back, we are to be wed. So rather than stressing about me, stress about our preparations. Surprise me." Emily nodded, kissing him back.

John was distracted by me, pulling me into another hug. "Don't go doing anything stupid, alright?" I warned him.
"Me? Stupid? I'm far from it!" he joked.

As far as I could remember, which was very little...

...Nothing was going to happen to John.

"Stay with Alexander if you need to. But then again, he's just as bad."
"I'll, uh... actually be off to South Carolina within a few months." he told me.
"...Really? How come?"
"I've... organised a plan with a few others to grant slaves their freedom."
"John, that's a great idea!" I complimented.

"I just... don't want to make Emily frightened by it, so I won't tell her just yet." Emily was over hugging Alexander.
"I'll keep it secret until then." I reassured.
"Great." John was about to pull away, but twisted back around. "Oh, and don't get any ideas about joining the war again, alright?"
"I won't." I chuckled.

John took Emily's hand, leading her away to meet with Lafayette and Hercules. In the meantime, I threw my arms around Alexander. "The same applies to you: don't go doing anything stupid." I lectured.
"I'm always careful, aren't I?"
"If it weren't for Burr, you would've been murdered by Sammy." I reminded him of the incident.
"Murdered?" Eliza questioned.
"It was nothing!" protested Alexander.

"Now your job is to stay here and take care of my wife and your sister, not to come running back to the battle. Got it?" I nodded at him. We hugged for the last time, before a familiar face came charging at us.
"Oncle Alexander!!" exclaimed Anastasie, sprinting away from her father.
"Anastasie!" She hopped into his arms.

"Maintenant que fais-tu en courant de ton père?" he asked.
"Il est méchant." she grunted.
"Vraiment maintenant?"
"Oui! Et je veux venir avec toi!"

"J'ai peur que tu ne peux pas." Alexander disallowed.
"Pourquoi?"
"C'est beaucoup trop dangereux. Outre, vous devez vous occuper de votre mère et de votre frère."

"Anastasie!!" Lafayette jogged over to us, taking his daughter from Alexander.
"Mais papa!!"
"Non mais!" He handed Anastasie over to Adrienne. "I'm sorry, she can be rather boisterous when she wants to be." Lafayette apologised.
"No it's great! She has personality, and it will come well in her future."

"ALRIGHT, EVERYBODY ON!" Wilson ordered, men automatically flocking the carriages. Alexander kissed Eliza, and Lafayette bowed his head to both of us. John finally let Emily go with a kiss, hurrying along with the other three to one of the carriages. Once they were loaded, they set on an immediate departure. We waved them all a goodbye, and still John was the energetic one, blowing a kiss to Emily.

How I was going to miss him.

We all waited until they were out of our sights. The crowd began to depart, turning their separate ways with tear-stained faces. I rubbed Emily's shoulder with consolation. "Well I'll... be on my way, I guess." I finalised. "You two should get back home."
Eliza's face burned red, but Emily looked as if she were about to break down. "Come along, Emily." Eliza guided her away, shielding her in her arms.

I glared back down the street to which they'd fled.

...They really were gone.

~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys! So recently, I've thought of changing the cover, since I don't think it entirely fits that well. However, the option to keep the original cover is on offer, if that's what you guys want!

So I thought I'd make 3 new covers, but my brain thought "Nah ima give up on 2" and here we are. All you guys have to do is vote, and the one with the most votes gets to be our new cover! Or the same, if the original one wins.

Here we go!

Cover 1:

Cover 2:

Cover 3 (original):