Great Inagua, September 13th, 1722"We should get married," Edward says peering over Mary's shoulder. She jumps, not expecting to see him at this hour. He catches her eye and grins. There's no mockery in his tone and her heart skips a beat, He's serious. She quickly glances away. "Well?" He asks quietly.
She places her hand over his and forces a smile. "I don't know Edward. We were both married before. Don't you think it's a little demeaning?"
Edward is sad, she can see it in his eyes. Even though they've been together for almost two years, she's just not ready yet. They fight often and if it wasn't for Sam they would have separated already. "I just don't think we are ready for such a commitment."
Edward hangs his head and turns toward the door. Sam starts to whimper, and Mary begins to unbutton her top. He glances back once more, she can see the determination in his eyes. She sighs knowing that when Edward Kenway is determined nothing will stand in his way.
Great Inagua, October 13th, 1722
"Edward, stop I have work to do!" Mary swats his advancing hands away. He grumbles something under his breath and she turns back to her work. Great Inagua was attacked by the templar navy and Mary needs to come up with a plan before-
"Christ Edward!" She grabs the nearest object, which just so happens to be her inkwell, and chucks it at his face. He ducks just in time and the glass shatters behind him. Samuel begins wailing from his cradle and Mary rubs her face furiously with her hands.
"Four targets, I've got four targets to eliminate and find without even leaving this room." she says, face still in her palms, "I'd be better off finding them myself." She knew being a mentor was difficult, but she just couldn't understand how At Tabai could stand being locked up in this room all day.
Edward rests his hands over her shoulder. He kneads the tension from her muscles and she sighs, leaning back into his touch. Her eyes shut, and she drifts off-
She suddenly leaps from her chair rushing to a table across the room. She begins rummaging through stacks of books on the table. Edward pulls crying Samuel from his cradle, "What are you looking for?"
Mary tosses book after book to her side, "I know it's here…"
Edward rocks their son softly, "I think he's hungry-"
"AHA!" Mary stabs her finger on the page. She scribbles down a note, ties it to the ankle of a pigeon and sets it loose. She turns back with that shite eating smirk he missed. He quirks a brow, "What was that all about?"
Mary pulls Samuel from his arms, the infant clutches tightly to the front of his mother's shirt. "Mentor has been teaching me a bit of the Mayan language. I remember reading something on our trip back to Tulum. This is going to sound crazy but," Mary leans closer, her eyes bright with excitement, "This is the prophecy." Edward smirks and she knows he's going to piss her off.
"Well what does your prophecy say about marrying me?"
Great Inagua, November 13th, 1722
A week goes by and then a month, Edward hadn't brought up marriage again, but this time Anne did. It'd been a late night, Mary was finishing a bit of paperwork when the redhead slipped into the office. She hopped upon Mary's desk, crossed one knee over the other and waited patiently for her friend's attention. When none came she asked, "Would you get married again?"
Mary was so shocked by the question that she stabbed a hole right through her paper. She sighs, placing the quill back into its pot then folds her hands neatly in her lap. "Did Edward put you up to this?"
Anne whips her head to the side and grins, "No, did he propose?"
Mary leans back into her chair searching her friends face for any falsity. Finding none she sighs looking towards the bassinet next to her desk. "I'd hardly call it proposal, but he did mention something about getting married."
Anne claps her hands excitedly and spins on the desk to face Mary. She squeezes Mary's cheeks and giggles, "Mary's getting married!"
Mary rolls her eyes and bats Anne's hands away, "I ain't getting married."
Anne gasps and hops from the desk, both hands on her hips in typical Anne fashion. "You said no?!"
Mary nods and Anne looks furious, "He loves you!" Sam whimpers from his cradle. Anne's tone softens when she notices the pain in Mary's eyes. "He ain't going anywhere Mary, you know that."
Mary rubs her face with her hands, "I know, I just," she sighs, "every time I'm happy something happens to ruin it. What if Edward turns out like Charles? I don't think I can do it again."
"You'd hurt whether you're married or not." Mary remains silent and Anne continues, "It's been nearly ten years, I think Charles would want you to be happy."
Mary nods, lifting Sam from his cradle, Anne heads towards the door to give them a bit of privacy. Mary asks, "Was there a reason you stopped by?"
Anne turns with a large grin upon her face. "I'm getting married."
Great Inagua, February 13th, 1723
The ceremony was small but captured perfectly, the moment that Anne Bonny became Anne Cormac. Anne and Nicholas were in love and Mary felt guilty for never noticing. Anne always knew what Mary was thinking and what she was feeling. But Mary had not once noticed her feelings towards the tutor.
Nicholas and Anne were made for each other. You could even tell in the way they danced. Not one missed step or trampled toe. Anne places a flower behind her husband's ear, the way she used to with James. It makes her heart ache terribly but she's happy her friend has finally found happiness. So much has changed but Anne has always stayed her jovial and fun-loving self.
Sophia sits happily in her father's lap as they clap along to the music. Anne spins, her white dress flows a dazzling orange by the fire. Jennifer dances around with Elizabeth, Thatch with Jacob. Nicholas pulls Anne against him, their bodies melding perfectly together. Mary hums to Samuel as the song reaches its peak.
Edward catches Mary staring but he does not say a word and for that she's glad. She's not ready to admit that she'd love to call him husband. She glances at the two lovers and back at her family, realizing that Anne was right. She'd be devastated if she lost him.
That night Mary led him to bed. They were stripped of their garments before the back of her knees even hit the mattress. Edward lowered her gently, placing kisses where he could reach. A gasp left her when he entered her. This was not like the other times they've made love.
Edward came with Mary's name on his tongue as well as his on hers. He made his way to her neck leaving his mark. His hands ghosting gently over her thighs. She wraps them around his waist, he brushes against her and they're both ready again. Before they join together Mary places a kiss upon his lips. She nods her head and he looks confused, "I'll marry you Edward."
Great Inagua, February 19th, 1725
"I'm sorry Edward but I just haven't the time."
"It's been three years Mary!"
"Hardly, when did you ask me?"
"When Sam was born!"
"I guess you're right, now how old is he?"
Edward slams his hands on her desk, "I know full well you know how old our son is!"
Mary rubs her tired eyes sighing, "I'm sorry."
Edward frowns, he can see how tired she looks. Her eyes are sunken, face gaunt, she's killing herself. "You need to stop this."
"I can't Edward, the Templars can't win. It's fate, Juno said-"
"To hell with Juno! This is killing you!", Edward shouts.
Mary's eyes narrow, "You know it ain't all about you Edward. Go."
They stare each other down, both too stubborn to admit the other is right. There's a knock at the door and without breaking eye contact Mary growls, "Enter!"
Ah Tabai peeks his head from the doorway, "I hope I am not disturbing anything."
Mary sighs knowing she's lost this battle, "No Mentor, have you word from our brothers?"
He grins and says, "Yes, Mary, we found him."
She smirks and turns to her fiancé, "Looks like I win, time to pledge to the brotherhood. Suit up man."
Mary joins Ah Tabai at the door, "We leave before sun down, get your crew ready Kenway."
St. Augustine, February 20th, 1725
The sound of a crying child fills the dark tunnel, the three pick up their pace running fast toward glowing red embers. A cackling sound picks up and the child begins squealing. "Shite, Sam we're coming!" Mary screams, throat raw from the thick billowing smoke.
This wasn't the first time a templar grandmaster kidnapped their child but it sure as hell would be the last. Edward, Ah Tabai, and Mary charge headlong into God only knows what. Mary lets out a shriek, "You fucking bastard! How can you do that to a child?!"
Jackson turns, a smirk upon his face. "Oh this?" He gestures towards the pole Sam is tied to, "It makes it easier without the child trying to escape."
"Mommy, Daddy!" Sam cries out.
Jackson shakes the pole causing Sam to burst into tears again, "Quiet you little shit!"
"Leave him be!" Mary shouts.
The grandmaster smirks again and this time lets the pole drop toward the fire pit. Mary darts toward her son and as her hand brushes his the red glow of the room suddenly turns white. Samuel hovers just above the firepit, the ropes falling away from him. He continues crying as he's slowly lowered in front of Mary.
Mary falls to her knees gripping onto her son tightly, "It's ok Sam, I'm here now."
He wipes his tears into her shirt and Mary looks into sparkling eyes.
"You've done well child, I'm sorry for putting you into this situation."
Mary gasps, "W-who are you?"
"That doesn't matter, Juno has led you astray child."
Mary watches Edward's slow-motion battle. "There isn't much time, Juno wishes to enslave your kind, not save you."
There's another flash, "Do not listen Mary, Minerva is manipulating you."
The two gods begin arguing and Mary feels faint. What is going on? Is she going mad? She must be. Mary combs through Sam's hair and squeezes her eyes shut tight, I'll count to ten and they'll be gone. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. She quickly opens her eyes but the two are still there. She sighs, waving her arm trying to gain their attention.
"Hello? Hello!" she shouts. The Gods stop arguing and Minerva points at Juno, "We must lock her away before she enslaves all of humanity-"
Juno interrupts her, "If you listen to Minerva she will destroy earth!"
"Juno stop lying! We are trying to prevent their destruction!"
Mary shakes her head, "How can I trust you? You've never spoken to me before."
Minerva smiles and with a wave of her hand Mary knows all of Juno's evil. Her eyes go wide, and she points a shaking finger, "You're mad!"
Juno puts her hands up in defense, "Mary I am like you, I lost my husband, I lost my son."
Mary pulls out her swords, tucking her son behind her, "You killed them!"
"It isn't true!"
"She will kill your son too; your sword will have no affect Mary!" Minerva shouts.
Juno steps towards them and Mary jabs at her, "Stay back!"
Juno's hand goes straight through Mary and a bright blue aura surround Sam. He begins floating again, "No!" Mary shouts, reaching for her son but this time her hand goes through him. Juno opens her mouth and Mary can see Sam's life being sucked out of him.
Mary weeps, feeling a strange heavy weight upon her shoulders. "You can still save him Mary, but it will be at a cost."
She nods, tears rolling freely down her cheeks, "Anything."
"We have to imprison her, but it will cost your life to save his."
Mary's head drops, and she lets out a choked sob, "If I must." She glances up at Edward who was oblivious to anything other than his battle with the templar. She then turns her head back to Sam. "I'm sorry Edward, I wish we could have been married but this is for Sam, you'd understand. I love you Edward."
Mary nods and the world goes dark around her.
There's another flash of light, this time Edward notices. Jackson brings his sword down hard, using the pirate's distraction to his advantage. A large figure looms over a nearly lifeless Mary. Edward's pulse raises, and he shoves Jackson back, "Mary! Mary! Answer me God damn it!"
Edward darts toward the figure but Jackson tackles him to the ground. Edward kicks at the man but it's no use, Jackson uses his weight to his advantage and pins the pirate to the ground. Jackson punches Edward in the face repeatedly occasionally switching things up by slamming his head into the stone below.
Jackson stops, looking down at the sword protruding from his abdomen. He looks back up at Edward and spits a mixture of blood and mucus into his face. "Fuck you", he croaks out before slumping over dead.
Edward kicks the dead man off and nods at Ah Tabai and the two men run, "Oi! Juno stop!" Edward shouts.
Minerva glances up but only for a second, "Do not interfere moral."
Edward being Edward, doesn't listen and instead blocks her access of Mary. Minerva glares at him and with a quick flick of the wrist he goes flying across the room. He lands with a hard thud and slowly, painfully raises to his feet.
"Juno if you don't fucking leav-" he starts.
"I am Minerva, Mary has sacrificed her life to save your son's life and your planet. Do not interfere."
Edward feels that familiar bite, his eyes sting and his throat swells. "Stop what you're doing! Take me instead!"
"It is too late and beside your heart is not pure." Minerva shakes her head sadly, "I am sorry."
Edward falls to the ground, a broken man. He sobs loudly, he already lost a wife and a child, now he will lose his best friend and lover. He couldn't possibly go on. Ah Tabai takes a step forward. "Is my heart pure?"
Minerva eyes him wearily, "Yes."
Ah Tabai places a hand to his heart, "Please use me instead, I have had a chance at life, Mary is still young."
Minerva shakes her head, "If I stop now there is no guarantee she will live. You both may die, even with your sacrifice."
"But there is a chance she will live."
Minerva nods and Ah Tabai smiles, "Please use me instead."
She slowly lowers Mary to the ground, Edward rushes over and cradles her lifeless body. Minerva lifts Ah Tabai from the ground and the room shakes. They're transported into many different realms during this ceremony. They're in Rome, then Masyaf, Egypt, London and what is that machine? France, these people are strange looking. Then finally they are returned to the cavern.
Everyone is gone, and the room is now lined with glowing cracks. There's a pedestal in the center of the room. Minerva's voice is loud in his ears, "Take this key and hide it far from here. Warn future generations not to look for this place or face Juno's wrath."
The voice fades and a pendant drops from midair. Edward scrambles toward it and ties it around his neck. He inspects it in the soft glow emanating from the cracks.
Great Inagua, December 4th, 1725
She stands at the end of the pier, her white dress flowing freely in the wind. She watches as a boat sails slowly past. She missed her time at sea, it wasn't long, but it was fun. She wishes she could go back in time to change the past but she's content now. She has a home and a loving family; the pain was worth it.
"Jenny? Are you coming?" Sophia asks quietly.
Jennifer smiles and waves her half-sister over, "Yes just watch a little while longer. I don't want to go yet it'll make me sad."
Sophia nods and the two sit, kicking their feet in the water. The fish nibble at their toes and the girls giggle sharing one last moment before the ceremony.
Edward stands at the quarter deck of his Jackdaw in his best state of dress. He's nervous and everyone can tell. Thatch claps a large hand to his shoulder squeezing tightly. "You'll be fine lad, you've been through worse."
Edward laughs and before he can reply the crew begins:
As I rolled out one morning
Away, you roller bowler!
As I rolled out one morning
I met a lady fair
She walks towards him with such grace and poise. The subtle sway of her hips keeps him entranced.
Timme, hey-rig-a-jig and a ha-ha
Good morning, ladies all
Away, you roller bowler!
Timme, hey-rig-a-jig and a ha-ha
Good morning, ladies all
Edward takes a deep breath and adjusts his constricting suit. He never was one for fancy clothes. He should have known what he was signing up for.
The first time that I saw her
Away, you roller bowler!
The first time that I saw her
That saucy girl of mine:
He's gleaming with joy as she approaches the quarter deck. Thatch helps her up the staircase, Edward's holding his breath.
But when she found that I was skint
Away, you roller bowler!
But when she found that I was skint
She left me standing there
She finally reaches him in after what felt like hours, he grabs her hands in his and their fingers entwine. "You're not going to leave me standing here are you?" he asks her.
I squared me yards and sailed away
Away, you roller bowler!
I squared me yards and sailed away
And to the ship I went
She smirks that familiar smirk, "If I was going to leave you, I would have left you in Nassau like the bloody bilge rat you are."
She winked & flipped a flipper
Away, you roller bowler!
She winked & flipped a flipper
She thought I was a mate
Her brown eyes sparkle in the sunlight, she's never looked so beautiful before. He's never seen her in a dress before and white is quite flattering on her.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God to join this man, and this woman in holy matrimony."
Edward grins at her, he has never been so happy in his life. All those years ago he never would have guessed they would have come this far. He's so engrossed in thought he missed what the priest said.
"What?" The crowd laughs and Edward scratches the back of his head.
The priest looking quite unimpressed repeats himself, "Do you, Edward Kenway take Mary Read to be your lawfully wedded wife and live together forever in the estate of holy matrimony? Do you love, comfort, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse for as long as you both shall live?"
Edward grins, "I think I've proven myself already."
The priest shakes his head and Mary slaps Edward on the shoulder.
"I do." Edward says.
The priest sighs and continues, "Do you, Mary Read take Edward Kenway to be your lawfully wedded wife and live together forever in the estate of holy matrimony? Do you love, comfort, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do" Mary says, wiping a stray tear from her eye. She never thought she'd cry at her wedding, she sure didn't do it the first time.
"What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. With the power vested in me by God I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
The two lean in sharing the first of many kisses under the Kenway name. This is a motion they know well, but the devotion behind it is new. The crowd cheers when Edward dips Mary backwards. They break apart, both knowing this would never end the way it had before.
They've been through far too many deadly situations. They are meant for each other. Through sickness and in health they will always be there to catch the other if they should fall.
And oh boy did Mary fall…
"Shite" Mary's knees buckle, "Not now."
Edward hoists her up, heading towards the house having been through this twice before. Mary tucks her head into his neck and he chuckles, "Our children have a knack for timing…"
Mary groans feeling (hopefully for the last time) the first set of contractions. "We should have held off the wedding Edward, I told you I weren't ready."
Edward shakes his head, "No better time than now, who knows what could have happened."
"This!" Mary shouts.
Epilogue:
Haytham Kenway was born the night of their wedding. Edward and Mary had many years of love together. All of their children join the brotherhood except Sam who suffers from a lifelong illness caused by his time with Juno.
Anne and Nicholas have one child together naming him Shay. Thatch and Elizabeth had a short marriage before he fell at the hands of the British navy. Elizabeth followed in death just two short years later.
Edward eventually hands his pendant off to Haytham explain the need to protect it with his life. Haytham takes off to the Americas shortly after learning the story surrounding the powerful object. He buries it in a location no one will ever dare to look.
During his time in America Haytham meets Kaniehtí:io. On their journey back Ratonhnhaké:ton is born. Mary is angry at first but after seeing the little baby's face she swoops him right up. Connor was the first of many spoiled grandchildren.
Edward and Mary die together at the ripe old age of 83, a feat not many of their time could achieve. They die in their sleep only to be discovered by their first daughter Sophia. Their small island had turned into quite a large city and all citizens attended their burial.
Their successors include Jennifer and her 3 children, Sophia with 1 child, Sam with the most at 5, and Haytham with 2.
End
AN:
I just wanted to thank everyone who suffered along with me during this massive project! This fic had a mind of its own. I planned to end it 3 chapters later, but I just couldn't write anything else. This story was meant to end this way because it was very easy for me to finish it. I am so sorry for the nearly 12-month delay.
As to Mary not dying, you all can thank my coworker for that. If he didn't remind me of Haytham this fic would not have had a happy ending. When I concluded that Mary had to die I was terribly upset. I wanted this to be a fix-it fic. It was a very hard making the final decision of either making all of Mary's pregnancies pointless or not to show the undying love of a mother.
Thank you again everyone for all the love and encouragement! I hope I'll have another story out soon!