I'M SO SORRY! NO, SERIOUSLY, I FEEL AWFUL. 
I never meant to go so long without updating. I just hit this giant wall of writer's block and could not get myself to words no matter how hard I tried. All I could write was Newsies One-shots even though I knew I should be writing this and... sigh... writing is hard. 

Anyway... thanks for your guys' patience! 

This is the last chapter *gasp* and no, I'm not rushing it because of lack of inspiration. This is just a natural place to end it. And before you completely panic, I have an epilogue (already completely written!) that I will upload at some point this week.

On a completely unrelated note, I'm on Tumblr now! It's Trekkiehood per usual. I shall be keeping you people updated on current and future writing endeavours, so please follow me if you are interested in that. 

Look at that, makes you wait a month and then rambles on forever. Again, sorry...

Please enjoy!

~TH~

February 1798
Eliza

There was nothing she could do. John was leaning over her husband. Alexander had collapsed right in front of her. She couldn't stop it.

Eliza stood near the desk watching her brother-in-law work. Peter was standing by the door with wide eyes.

John looked up, "He's still breathing. Peter, get a cab. We need to get him," he raised an eyebrow at Eliza.

"Home." She decided firmly.

He nodded, "We need to get him home as soon as possible."

The boy sprinted out of the room, a panicked look on his face. Eliza couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. It had probably been a chaotic week. Alexander could be... difficult to get along with when he was stressed.

Eliza was worried, particularly when her husband didn't rouse, even during the difficult transition into the Cab.

When they reached the house, she rushed to open the door for John. Angelical gasped when she saw her husband carrying Alexander.

"Wha-what happened?" she gasped, covering her mouth.

Eliza felt tears sting her eyes, "I-I don't know. He j-just collapsed." She couldn't let herself cry. She needed to be strong, for Alexander.

~H~

"Acute stress." the doctor said, closing his bag.

Eliza blinked, she couldn't wait for Dr Hosack to return. He had a special way with Alexander and knew of all his past ailments. It just seemed a bit far fetched. "Stress? But, he passed out. How-?"

"What you described was an attack of over baring stress. The reason he is now unconscious is a combination of lack of sleep and food. The stress just triggered it. I would advise to let him rest as long as possible. When he awakens, try to get him to eat something, keep him hydrated, and try to remove stress."

That was easier said than done in this particular situation. "Thank you, doctor."

The doctor nodded before leaving.

Eliza felt completely drained. She had hoped that talking to him would fix, or at least help, with things. It had only made things worse.

There was a quiet knock on the door. "Eliza?" Angelica let herself in, shutting the door behind her.

"He, um, the doctor seems to think that he will be okay. That it was just... stress." She worked to keep the tears from falling. Everything was just so overwhelming.

Angelica gently wrapped her arms around her sister. She just held her a moment before pulling away. She gripped her shoulders, keeping eye contact. "Eliza, I need you to listen to me. I know it's been a rough day. I know it's been hard, but Jamison is downstairs. He's asking to see you. This is something you have to deal with."

"Angelica... I don't know if-"

The older sister shook her head. "You have to. You have to decide if you want Ezra, or if you want Alexander."

"I already know who I want!"

"Then you have to tell him! If you don't tell him now, he's never going to leave you alone. You have to tell him how you feel so he doesn't think he just has to come back a month, or a year, later. He honestly thinks you love him. You have to tell him you don't."

"Angelica, please, I-I can't." Why didn't she understand?

"Do it for your husband."

Eliza stopped. Yes. She had to, for Alexander.

"Stay with him?"

Angelica gave a sad smile, "Of course, dear."

Eliza smoothed her dress, took a deep breath, and made her way downstairs.

"Eliza!" Jamison rushed towards her, taking bother of her hands.

She jerked away, he was undeterred. "I've spoken with Alexander-"

"Yes, and so have I." she kept her voice calm yet firm.

His face lit up, "Good! Oh good! So you know!"

"Yes, I am well aware of your agreement."

"Then run away with me, right now. We can get married in secret. We don't have to make it public." He reached for her hand again.

Eliza did the only thing she could think to do, she slapped him.

Shock was the first thing to register on Jamison's face, his eyes widened as he took a step backwards.

"Listen here, Ezra Jamison." she put a finger in his face, her voice low. Anger like few had ever seen shown in her eyes. The man in question took another step back. "I am married. Married to the love of my life. I love Alexander like I could never love anyone else. More than I could ever love you. I have promised myself to him. I have promised my love to him. You decided that I loved you, I never said I loved you."

"But-"

"The kiss? I believe you initiated it both times. Regardless, I think you should have consulted me before telling my husband I wished for a divorce!"

"But Eliza-!"

"You have no idea what I want! You think I want money? Power? None of that is necessary, do you know why? Because I have love! True, happy, fulfilling, love. I have a family. I have this little house in the city and a husband who cares more about supporting me then he cares for his own health. I have a husband who was willing to do whatever it took to make me happy. And I am happy Jamison. Something you will never be, even with your money and houses in the country. So no. I will not go with you. I refused the divorce. And even if Alexander never forgives me, I will stay by his side and love him. So," she smiled calmly, folding her hands in front of you. "If you would please leave my house, I believe you have overstayed your welcome."

Ezra stammered, backing up. Just as he reached to turn the doorknob, Eliza grabbed his arm.

"And Ezra," He turned back with a hopeful look in his eyes. "I never wish to see you again. All letters will be burned without being opened. So I advise you save your time and stationary." She dropped his arm.

Jamison looked as though he might cry. He yanked the door open and left without another word.

"Well my dear," Eliza turned to see John standing behind her, smiling. "I believe you handled that quite tastefully."

She smiled a watery smile. "I don't think he will be coming to call anytime soon."

Her brother-in-law nodded. "Why don't you go tend to your husband."

~H~

Alexander remained unconscious for hours. Eliza sat in a chair beside his bed, slowly becoming claimed by sleep as she listened to her husband breathe. Her eyes were closed, but she knew that there was a stack of letters on the nightstand. She planned to dispose of them, but she wanted Alexander awake for the occasion.

A sharp cry to her right caused her to jump. Hamilton had been sleeping peacefully since the initial collapse, but now he was tossing violently, making strangled noises.

"Alexander!" She touched his forearm lightly, only for him to jerk back, bolting upright.

His eyes were wild as he breathed heavily. "Eliza?"

"It's me." Her voice was so quiet, a stark contrast to her previous bravado.

He blinked at her, confusion in his eyes. "You're still here?"

"Yes," she choked out, her heart breaking at the implications. There was a pause. She took a trembling breath, "Yes, and there is something you need to see." She held out the letters.

"These, these are all of the letters Jamison has sent me in the last month. They mean nothing to me. He means nothing to me. I have told him so." She walked over to the fireplace holding them out over the open flame, before finally dropping them. The fire began to eat at them, browning the corners and curling in around the edges. "I have told him to never return. I do not love him. I love you."

Alexander didn't respond. He stayed silent, staring at her. Eliza could feel the familiar feeling of tears beginning to prick at her eyes.

"I, um," A small sob, broke through the careful mask composer she had been wearing all day."I will leave you to rest." She turned to leave when a voice stopped her.

"Stay." Alexander was propped up on one arm and holding out his other hand towards her. "Please?"

The dam finally broke, tears flowing freely down her face as sobs racked her body. She took his hand, curling up beside him.

"It's okay Betsey," he whispered into her hair. He continued to hold her for a moment before adding, "I love you."

Eliza cried even harder.

~TH~

And that's that! 
As I said, there will be an epilogue that kind of ties everything up at the end. 

And a final reminder to find me on Tumblr!

Please let me know what you think! Of this chapter, and the story in general.

God bless,
Jamie