And So They Move Uptown: A Theodosia/Philip Story

Twenty One: Adam

A/N: I'd like to dedicate the above picture to *cough* MADELYN and *cough* PHILIP

Holding his wife's hand, Alexander soberly walked down the street towards the park. She gently gripped his, still hesitant to trust him again. "Elizabeth?" His voice was soft. She didn't respond, looking tiredly ahead. "Do you like it uptown?"

Alexander looked down, tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry Eliza," he whispered, his shoulders shaking.

*********

Merely a block away, Madelyn was enthusiastically talking to Philip, trying to get better responses from him besides 'yes' and 'no'. Each time she failed, she'd hold his arm tighter. "The restaurant is just over here." She pointed to the warmly lit building, but her eyes followed in a different direction. 

Madelyn's breath hitched in her throat when she saw a figure near the place she was pointing. As they moved closer, she kept her eyes locked on him, trying to act normal. Letting go of Philip's arm, she moved slightly away from him, and as they walked past, she locked eyes with the stranger, causing her to smile. "I-I'll be right back, I think I dropped my bracelet," Madelyn lied, turning around once they were around the corner. "Do you want me to help you look for it?" Philip offered, glancing back. "No! No, I think I know where I left it. Stay here." She tossed her hair over her shoulder and went around the corner to where the figure waited.

"Hi handsome," she said, standing in front of him. He smiled, leaning against the wall. 

"Hello yourself. What's a pretty lady like you doing in an alleyway like this?" 

She smiled, twisting a section of hair around her finger. "Couldn't resist the opportunity to talk to someone as pretty as you are."

"What's your name love?" 

"Madelyn. Madelyn McVaughn." She put her hand on his shoulder. "You?"

"Adam Barlow," he winked, taking her hand and kissing it. 

"Madi? Did you find your bracelet?" Philip called out, glancing down the street. 

She looked exasperatedly at Adam. "I have to go. Give me your address so I can find you again."

Adam chuckled and scribbled something on her palm with a fountain pen. "See you tonight?"

"I think I can make some space for you," she winked, and turned the corner. Catching up with Philip, she grinned breathlessly.

"You find your bracelet?" He stared ahead, eyes trained on the street ahead.

She shook her head. "No, I have other bracelets." 

They were almost to the restaurant when Philip froze in his tracks.

*********

"Elizabeth. Eliza, look." Alexander stared straight ahead. Eliza glanced up, and looked up fully when he skimmed the corner of her eye. 

"Is that- it can't be." He walked faster towards Philip, Eliza following close behind. 

Philip grabbed Madelyn by the arm and yanked her down the crossroad. 

"Philip! Philip!" His parents called after him, trying to keep up. 

He quickly got away, hiding in an alleyway. "What was that for?" Madelyn snapped, her voice a harsh whisper. "Long story, no time to explain," he said quickly, glancing around the corner. "This is not how I wanted to spend our day out!" Philip shushed her, making her face turn red with anger.

Alexander was unable to carry himself any further, and fell to his knees, beginning to sob silently. Eliza kneeled next to him, crying with him. "My son," she whispered. "He's alive."

Philip covered his face frustratedly. I'm as good as dead.

Thank you so much for your feedback, it really inspires me to keep updating and writing chapters. It's really helped me these past few weeks, I've been struggling a lot with anxiety and depression, and seeing all the positive feedback and comments has really lifted my spirits.

Thank you so much

< Jella >