The Parting Glass

An Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Story

London, March 1723

"What do you mean father?"

"I mean, do you like her?"

"Oh of course father. She's been like an older sister to me. I really like her."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Then I've got big news to tell you."

"What is it father?"

"Anne and I are getting married."

"What?!"

"What's wrong Jenny?"

"How could you marry someone who could be like my big sister?! And what about mom?! Are you trying to forget her?!"

"You think you're the only one who misses her? I could never forget your mother. She was a wonderful woman and I loved her with all my heart. I would give anything right now just to have her be with us."

"Then why did you leave her? And why do you want to marry Anne?"

"I didn't leave her because I wanted to. I left because Caroline's father, your grandfather, threatened my family. Said that if I didn't make myself a man of priviledge, he would hurt my family. So I left for the New World so that I could provide for us. And I love Anne. But she won't replace your mother's place. She's not even trying to. She just wants to help me raise you and be your friend."

"Well I don't like the idea father. I loved mom and I don't want anyone to replace her."

"She won't. Do you think you can give me your answer in the morning?"

"All right. But I think you know what my answer will be."

"All right. Good night my little angel."

"Good night."

I closed the door and let Jenny sleep. I went into my room where Anne was waiting for me. I crawled into bed with a sad look on my face.

"I guess things didn't go so well did they love?"

"It shows huh?"

"Yeah. She said she'll give us her answer in her morning."

"I'll talk to her in the morning."

"Are you sure Anne? She thinks you're trying replace her mother."

"And that's why I should be the one to do it. If she hears it from me then she can tell me how she really feels."

"All right. I know better than to argue with you. Come here."

We kissed and said good night to each other.

(This part of the story is told from Jenny's point of view.)

I didn't like the idea of my father marrying another woman. I just felt like father never loved mother. But I just really didn't know how to feel about this. It made me wish Mum was hear to help me. So I dreamt and hoped that I could hear from her. I dreamed that I was near a lake. The very same lake my mother used to take me to. We used to have picnics there and what made it really special was that only me and her knew about it. Once she grew ill we stopped coming here. I missed it. And I missed her. I heard a voice calling me. I turned around and saw my mother. She had set up a picnic for us. I ran towards her and hugged her.

"Hello mother."

"Hello Jenny."

"I miss you so much."

"I miss you too Jenny. Are you hungry?"

"Yeah."

We ate. She made us ham sandwiches, with apples and other things we loved eating together. After we ate, I laid in my mother's arms. I didn't want it to end.

"What's wrong Jenny?"

"It's father and Anne."

"You're afraid that Anne is trying to replace me as your mother aren't you?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

"Because I came to your father in a dream a couple weeks ago. He told me that he was going to marry Anne but didn't know if he should. He was afraid that he would be dishonoring my memory by marrying someone else. I told him that I like Anne and I knew that Anne would be a wonderful stepmom to have. And I told him that I will always love him just like he'll always love me."

"But I'm not comfortable with another woman trying to be my mother."

"Then why don't you trying being friends first and then see what happens from there?"

"You think that'll work?"

"I know that Anne doesn't want to take my place as your mother. She only wants to help you grow up. And one of the reasons she wants to help is..."

"Because she loves my father, right?"

"Well that's one of the reasons. The other is because Anne just lost her son."

"What?"

"Yes. She was recently a mother."

"What happened to her son?"

"He died a few days after he was born."

"Oh. Why didn't they tell me sooner?"

"Because a lot of things happened to them in the New World. They lost a lot of really good friends."

"I guess I shouldn't be so harsh on them."

"Just remember my child, that your father loves you more than anything. And Anne loves you. Just give her a chance."

"Okay Mom."

She kissed me and the last thing I remember I was swimming in the lake with my mother.

(The last of the story is told from Anne's point of view.)

The next morning, I woke up before Edward did. He looked really tired and I didn't wake him just yet. But I still kissed him and got dressed. I decided that I should go wake up Jenny. I headed towards her room and knocked. There was no answer so I went in. She was still asleep. I sat right beside her and nudged her. She woke up.

"Good morning Jenny."

"Good morning Anne."

"Jenny, do you hate me?"

"No. Of course not. I just didn't feel comfortable with another woman trying to be my mother."

"Jenny, I never want you to think that I'm trying to take your mother's place. She was very special woman and I will never take her place."

"I know. My mother came to me in a dream last night."

"What did she say?"

"She told me that she gave blessings to you and my father. And that she liked you. She also told me about your son. I'm so sorry Anne. If I had known, maybe I wouldn't have been so harsh to my father."

"It's okay Jenny. Your father just wanted to know if you were okay with us getting married."

"I am. But I don't to forget my mother."

"Well how would you want to remember her?"

"Well there's a place that we used to go together. Maybe we can go there together."

"I'd like that."

"And I'd like it if people are going to use my last name, I'd prefer to use my mother's last name. After all she did raise me before I met my father."

"I understand. There's something I'd like you to do for me."

"What is it?"

"I'd like it if you were the flower girl for me and your father's wedding."

"Really? Me?"

"Of course. I'd want no one else to have that honor."

"Thank you Anne."

"So how about we start by just being friends and we work our way from there?"

"I'd like that."

She wrapped her arms around me and shared a hug.

"So how about we go wake up your father and tell him eh?"

"Okay."