"The family is going to miss you now that you are leaving for school once again," Angelica said to her brother Phillip as they began to pack up his clothes. They both were smiling as they worked as if enjoying the moment as it lasted.

"I believe that father will barely notice that I am gone as he cannot even look up from his writings," Phillip replied and for a moment his smile was gone, but as always Angelica was there to reassure him.

"Father is busy, yes, but I believe that you are his favorite of all of us children." Phillip smirked; he knew that what she said was most likely true. Although his younger brother was the namesake to his father, Phillip was his first-born and therefore the beginning of his legacy. Besides, his younger brother was just a child and it was difficult for him to relate to his daughters most of the time, though he cared for them all deeply.

"Yes, that might be true but you are most certainly mother's favorite," Phillip responded. Angelica chuckled a bit.

"If you can tell whom of us is Mother's favorite then you must be a genius," Angelica said. Their mother, Eliza, was a kind-hearted soul who could not hurt a fly even if she tried. She knew how to not show favoritism among her children, because she truly loved them all equally and saw each of their potential.

"My education has certainly done me well," he replied to her mockery. Before they even realized it, Philip's clothes were completely packed in nice, neat piles in his suitcase. They both knew that in a matter of moments Phillip would be gone until Christmas, much to Angelica's dismay. Although they were siblings, Angelica and Phillip were the best of friends. Since Angelica's birth, their mother had always said that she and Phillip were joined at the hip. When Phillip came of age to go to away to school, Angelica felt lost without him in their home. She thought she would be used to it by now, but each time he went away it became a little bit harder to watch him go.

"I surely wish that I could go with you," she said as she closed his suitcase and handed it to him. Phillip sighed, taking the suitcase. He often wished that he could stay as well, but he would do anything to make his father proud and getting a good education was a part of that.

"I believe that I do have a moment to play the piano, if you would join me," Phillip said. Suddenly, Angelica's face lit up and she smiled as Phillip led her down the stairs. She quickly ran ahead and sat down on the piano bench while Phillip took a moment to place his belongings down by the door. He then slid next to her and placed his hands in his lap.

"I would like to hear you play," he said, "you have not been one to do so all summer. Mother says that you are quite good." Angelica laughed as she gingerly placed her hands on the keys.

"Not as good as you. I am sure of it," she said confidently. He made eyes at her, as if telling her to play anyway.

She began to play a sweet melody, one that he had played before, and along with it, she sang, "Un deux trois quatre cinq six sept huit neuf." Phillip smiled. Not long ago, his mother sang and taught him the same song, but he always changed the way that it was sung and played. His mother never scolded him for it, she just sat along side him laughing and smiling.

When Angelica finished, she had missed a few notes but overall her playing was quite excellent and he told her so. "I'm assuming Mother taught you?" He asked.

Before Angelica had the chance to respond, Eliza appeared in the doorframe, "No, her father insisted on teaching her. Whenever he had a spare moment, he sat on that piano bench with her last year." Unlike the tone of bitterness another might have had, Eliza's was pleasant, because she was just happy that Alexander had taken time to spend with his child.

"Which explains why I'm not very good. He was not home very much last year," Angelica said sarcastically, facing Phillip. At that exact moment, Alexander walked into the room and stood next to Eliza. "Father," Angelica said with a look of embarrassment on her face, "I didn't mean it in that way." Alexander kept the smile plastered on his face although it twitched a bit.

"I know dear," he said with certainty. Phillip rised up off of the piano bench to greet his father, where he then reached for a handshake but was met with an embrace.

"Thank you for coming home to see me off to school," Phillip said after his father let him go. Alexander's face turned into one of shock for a moment but then quickly he regained his smile. Hamilton was known at work for being stubborn and angry most of the time, but at home he tried to be as pleasant as possible. He did not want his children to grow up in a household filled with tension, though it would be difficult for life to be that way with a wife such as Eliza.

"Of course," Alexander gently said, "Your education is of the utmost importance. I am going to miss you Phillip. The mood is always a bit more solemn around the house when you aren't here." The room became a bit more uncomfortable as his wife and both of his children's faces fell. "But before you know it the season will be Christmas," Alexander said, saving the situation, "and you will be home once again. Angelica, please say goodbye to your brother. We don't want him to be late."

Angelica stepped forward and embraced her brother, all the while whispering something in his ear that Alexander could not seem to make out. In response, Phillip placed his hands on each of her shoulders and kissed her on the forehead. He then stepped toward his mother and embraced her as well.

She in turn answered his actions with, "Please take care of yourself, dear. We will see you soon." He nodded, then moved to his father and only stood in front of him.

Alexander placed one hand on his shoulder and looked him straight in the eye, saying, "Make me proud son." Phillip smiled and in a few minutes, he was out the door. As soon as it was shut, Angelica's eyes welled with tears. Both Alexander and Eliza noticed right away and moved to comfort her. The three of them sat together on the piano bench as Angelica's sobs were muffled in the sleeves of Alexander's jacket.

"Oh, my dear, why must you cry? Phillip will be back before you can blink," Eliza whispered, stroking her daughter's hair. Angelica picked her head up off of her father and wiped away her tears.

"I do understand, but Daddy," she said turning to him, "You will be leaving soon as well. After the summer is over, everyone always leaves. You say that you will be home, but when you are you can't seem to not pick up your pen." Eliza held her daughter's hands in comfort, awaiting Alexander's response. She wondered if her husband really knew what to say in this moment.

"My love, if you ever need me, I will be home in a matter of seconds," he while holding her as tenderly as his muscles would allow. "Come, let's play the piano."

"Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf…"