Safe and Sound

Alexander and Philip spend a stormy evening together in Eliza's absence.

A/N: I don't own, obviously.

A strong wind blew and a steady rain drummed against the window as the man sat hunched over the desk in his bedroom, writing diligently. Suddenly, a small voice broke his concentration.

"Papa?" He turned to see his small son padding over to him, hair disheveled and eyes bleary from sleep.

"Philip, what are you doing up?" the man asked. "It's late, much past the time little boys ought to be in bed." The child pointed at the window.

"Scary noises." Philip looked around. "Where's Mama?"

"Mama went to visit Aunt Peggy, remember? She'll be back tomorrow." Philip's soft, brown eyes welled up with tears.

"Nooooo," he whined, "I want Mama!" Alex felt his heart crack a little and momentarily resented Eliza for leaving him alone with their four-year-old. Placing his quill back into the inkwell, Alex lifted his son into his lap and held him tightly.

"I know you do, but Papa's here, and I'm gonna make sure you're safe and sound." Philip cocked his head.

"What's safe 'n sound mean?"

"It means that I won't ever let anything that's bad or scary come

get you. Promise." A sudden, forceful gust of wind blew the window open, snuffing out the candle and scattering Alex's papers on the floor. Philip yelped in surprise and buried his face into his father's shoulder. Alex sighed heavily, and deposited his son on the bed nearby before latching the window shut again.

"Papa?" In the dim light of the re-lit candle, Alex could make out Philip peeping at him from under the quilt. "Can I...sleep in your bed?" The man laughed; this poor kid must really hate storms.

"Sure, buddy. Just for tonight." The child happily burrowed under the blankets. Alex tried to continue writing, but he was distracted by the way the candlelight flickered off of his son's face. It quickly became obvious that no more work was getting done tonight. The man quietly undressed and got into bed. Nearly asleep, Philip was conscious of the shift in weight and snuggled against his father's chest. Alex smiled tenderly at his boy. "I've got you," he whispered, raking his fingers through the mass of curls. Together, father and son listened to the storm rage outside until sleep claimed them both.

Eliza Hamilton arrived home early the next morning; the house was oddly quiet. She opened the bedroom door to find her family still asleep, and could barely contain her happiness at the scene. Philip heard the door open, and perked up.

"Mama!" he said excitedly, quieting down when he realized his father was still sleeping beside him, "I missed you!"

"I missed you too, my sweet boy. Did you sleep in Papa's bed all night long?" Philip nodded. He knew Mama thought that big boys like him ought to sleep in their own beds, but she wasn't there to hear the wind and the rain, she had no idea! He was relieved when she smiled. "Hmm...I guess Papa was scared of the storm, and you had to come in here and keep him company, huh?" Philip giggled.

"Yes, Mama. We was safe 'n sound." Now it was Eliza's turn to laugh.

"Good." She leaned over and gently kissed her husband's cheek. His eyes flickered open at her touch.

"Oh. Betsey, you're home...missed you."

"I missed you too, Alexander." Eliza got under the covers, too, and the Hamilton family spent a rare, lazy morning together, each one safe and sound.