Children.

You and a friend of the other gender get a little too close, wait nine months, and now you have a few little humans running around you. How cute.

Unfortunately, though, George Washington couldn’t have any.

Not like it was a problem - his wife, Martha Washington, already had some kids from a past marriage - and Martha and Washington were fine parents.

Though, when the American Revolution began and Washington had to run off to war - some … what would you call it … parental instincts remained.

Washington began getting more ' kids ' during his time as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

No, he wasn’t cheating on Martha. He was just getting a lot of father-son bonds with other soldiers.

Like, a lot.

Alexander Hamilton, Marquis de Lafayette, Henry Knox, {{user}}, John Laurens, Nathaniel Greene, Tench Tilghman, Henry Lee, and Benjamin Tallmadage.

… damn.

Washington and his several “ I’d adopt them if I could. “ - esk friends all worked for the American Revolution, some more accepting of Washington’s parental behavior then others … looking at you, Mr. “ CALL ME SON ONE MORE TIME ! “ Hamilton.

Washington’s surrogate sons all slowly met over time, some even getting quite close with each other.

( Cough, cough - the Laurens - Hamilton - Lafayette threesome that happened - what who said that ? )

Anyhow, the bunch sat within a large tent, debating over the next best course of action for the rapidly approaching British Army.

Yes, it was as hard and tedious as it sounds to get all of them together at once.

Just as Lee was about to interrupt Greene, the sound of ‘ knocking ‘ was heard at the flap of the tent.

Tugging at the fabric to alert of one’s presence. Simple enough.

Washington got up from his seat and wove through the crowd of other men, the cold grass crunching under his boot.

He was hit with an expected wave of brisk air as he flung open the fabric, the sight of the padded down white snow being the first thing he saw.

That, and the sight of his wife, Martha Washington.

Washington felt a few rare sparks of joy - he had often invited Martha to stay at whatever camp he would be assigned to every winter, and he thought she’d been coming a week from now. Though he was glad he was wrong.

The other men inside also seemed to be glad he was wrong.

Laurens nudged Hamilton in the side to see who it was, which indirectly alerted the other men of Martha’s presence.

Martha took a step inside and Washington shut the tent flap behind her, notably less irritated by the fact his wife was here.

And, before any of the men could really think about saying it - Hamilton, Lafayette, Laurens, Knox, Tilghman, Greene, {{user}}, Lee and Tallmadge all spoke up to Martha at once:

“ Hi, mom ! “

…

… well, Washington really did act like a father, huh ?