LV.
A Good Life

Mary felt very uncomfortable that night.

It was not the storm that bothered her, although it raged something terrible outside. Thunder roared and the rain pounded against the glass. It was past eleven in the house though and Mary and Edward were the only ones still awake yet. She sat in bed, holding her swelled stomach. She was committed to bed rest, due to her history and Edward was attentive as ever to her. He made sure she was comfortable and happy at all times. Quite frankly, it was a little annoying. She knew he was just trying to take care of her though.

"You're not going to sleep tonight, are you?" Edward's words stirred her.

She glanced over to where he was lying next to her. Part of the reason she hated being pregnant was because it was uncomfortable at every stage. At first she felt sick and had a nearly constant headache, then she had too much energy and then her swelled stomach prevented her from doing most things. Not that Edward would let her lift a damn finger anymore.

"I feel restless" She answered.

"And so that's a no." He chuckled gently and turned to her, lying on his side. He lay his hand on her bulging belly. "I can't wait to meet him." He was clearly excited, his blue eyes sparkling.

"Neither can I" She placed her hand over his, wrapping her fingers through his. "Not too much longer until we can meet him." The thought of their little family growing bigger heartened her. She was nervous though, about having the child. She was older now, not as fit. She was distracted by Edward poking at her stomach.

"This little one will be a trouble maker, I know it already" He was saying, seeming amused.

"If you get that little one all riled up and moving about, I'll be keeping you up all night too!" She frowned at him. He gave her a coy smile and leaned up and kissed her.

"I'm sorry. I just can't help it. I love the idea of you having a child, Mary. Being pregnant suits you" He placed his hand flat on her stomach again. She rolled her eyes gently.

"I don't think it does. Its tiring and a long process and just…" She sighed. "I'm so tired, but I feel so restless" She groaned gently to herself.

"I'm sorry, love" Edward's voice was concerned, truly concerned, his eyes pinched with a little worried. "Is there anything I can do for you? To make you more comfortable?"

"No, no. There's not much you can do" She patted her stomach, gently so not to stir up the baby.

Then there was a particularly nasty boom of thunder. It roared so loud it shook the glass in their panes, starling both Mary and Edward where they lay. Edward chuckled lightly afterward and Mary leaned back into her pillows, intent on trying to get some kind of sleep. Instead there was a cry. Mary bolted back up right away, but Edward put an arm in front of her.

"Stay…I can…"

But before he could get the sentence out, the door opened and into the room slipped a young boy, of only three years of age. He ran into the room and scurried to the edge of the bed where Edward lifted him up and put him in between himself and her. Haytham looked up at his mother with tear filled eyes and she smiled ever so slightly.

"Mama!" He didn't get any further because she hugging him gently.

"Hush, my sweet. It's just a storm, you'll be alright." She stroked his hair and Edward rolled to be closer to the two.

"It's alright Haytham, the storm will pass soon" He smiled at his son who looked up at him. "You must be brave, Haytham. What will I ever do if I must leave your mother and sister in your care?"

"I'll be brave father!" He said, sitting up and looking determined. Mary gave Edward a glance and then chuckled slightly. Thunder rumbled loudly overhead again and he flinched though. "Bu-but it does sound awfully like there's a monster out there tonight"

Edward and Mary shared a glance. She sat back up again, leaning against her pillows for support. She drew her son back to her, looking into his brown eyes. "Hush, love. There isn't such a thing as monsters. You can stay here tonight though, just so you know you'll be safe." He seemed to calm after that and Edward smiled softly at her. She knew what he was thinking, it was something he had said very often since the birth of their son. He was thinking that she was a wonderful mother, that she should have been one sooner and that they were going to have a very long and happy life together with their children.

She settled back into bed, Haytham curled against her side. Edward placed an arm over his wife and son and together they all fell into a peaceful sleep.


June 1730

Mary stood at the window, watching her son and husband in the backyard. Haytham was growing so fast. Elizabeth was growing just as fast. She couldn't believe her daughter was going to be two in a month. She held her as she watched the two of the practicing with a sword. Edward made it a game of sorts for Haytham now, but when he was older it would grow very serious indeed. Haytham would someday be an Assassin, if he so chose and Edward wanted him to be prepared.

Jenny, on the other hand was being quite bitter of late. She was a young woman of seventeen now and she regretted her ploy against the Assassins now, wishing to be trained as one. Edward now refused, focused on teaching his son. Mary offered to teach her but…the joy she once had at having a young sibling had vanished and she was now a little cold to all of them.

Jenny didn't seem to mind Elizabeth as much as she did Haytham, but Mary worried for their future relationship for Haytham seemed to want to be close to her. He really did. She sighed, her eyes closing slightly, but she saw the men coming back in from their practice, Edward smiling broadly at his son. He stopped inside and kissed Mary and gave Elizabeth a kiss on the forehead.

"Where is Jenny?" He asked. Jenny walked into the room just as he asked that.

"Right here, father" Her voice was calm at the moment, but she was known to lash out. She no longer went by Jennifer Kenway, instead using the name Jennifer Scott. She sighed, her chest heaving and then stood, waiting to see why her father was looking for her.

"I figured we could all go out for lunch, as a family" He suggested. Jennifer nodded gently, seeming upset for her bitter behavior. "You ladies go and change into something more suited for an outing and us men will do the same"

Mary took young Elizabeth up and gave her to Rose, who was still loyal to them, to change her clothes and was helped out of her own and into new ones. She had gotten used to wearing skirts and uncomfortable shoes, but she still wore boots while in the house and even sometimes when they went out. She hated the shoes that most women thought were fashionable, the shoes that most men liked on their wives. More often than not, she kept the boots on anymore. After bearing two children, she didn't have time to have sore feet. She was very active at taking care of them, despite having a nanny as well as many servants. Elizabeth and Haytham were her pride and joy. She loved Jenny too, but Jenny kept her at arm's length anymore. She did try to stay close to Jenny though, she didn't want her to feel left behind.

Rose returned, Elizabeth toddling behind her in a different dress. Mary smiled down at the young girl, feeling her heart soften at the sight of her. She was a beautiful young girl with hair that was not quite as light as her father's yet not quite as dark as Mary's. Her eyes were blue though, just like Edward's. She held her hand out for Elizabeth as Edward entered the room, Jenny and Haytham behind him. Yes, their small family was just that, but it was very happy and even when Jenny spurred them, they knew she loved her siblings and she loved her father.

Mary had a good life, a simple life and she couldn't be happier.


4 Decemeber 1733

"What kind of chocolate do you think your brother would like, Elizabeth?" Mary asked, looking over the different sections of chocolate candies. It was Haytham's birthday and he was at the theater with his father and sister. They were seeing an opera while Mary spoke to the owner of White's. She was friends with them, or at least a pending business acquaintance. She figured she could bring the family more wealth and therefore ensure the future of the Kenway family. She was doing her part at least.

"This one, mama" Elizabeth pointed.

"Are you sure that's not just the one you want?" She asked, looking down at the five year old girl. She smiled up at her mother. Her hair had gotten slightly darker now, verging between Edward and Mary's now. Her eyes were still the same blue that they had been. Edward's eyes reflected back at her in her daughter, her own brown eyes reflected back at her in her son. Jennifer was growing up to be quite the woman as well, engaged to a suitor of Edward's choice. Though Mary didn't believe in that, Jenny was his daughter and she really had no right to tell him that she could not chose her own husband. Elizabeth would be different though.

Edward had decided he wanted neither of his daughters involved in the Assassins, just Haytham. Mary didn't agree with that so she had been training Elizabeth without Edward's knowledge. She knew that might have been wrong but, she wanted Elizabeth to know there were choices out there for her. She would be as free-spirited as her mother if Mary had a say. Beside that point, Edward had allowed the city to get to him, though they weren't close with their neighbors and all their children were homeschooled. Then again, their neighbors didn't trust the former pirates and therefore, Edward figured it was better to keep the children a little distant from them as well.

"Mother!" A voice suddenly cried as Haytham came running into the store, followed by both Edward and Jennifer. Jennifer smiled gently, a grim smile. Edward walked over to his wife and daughter. He hugged Elizabeth and kissed Mary before turning back to Haytham and Jennifer. Mary turned to Haytham kneeling slightly so she could hug her son.

"Happy birthday, my sweet" She told him.

"Thank you mother"

"How was the show?"

"Father's arm tired so we quit that posh gig so we could come here and surprise you!" He was grinning from ear to ear and she straightened.

"Well surprise me, you did. Elizabeth hadn't even finished helping me pick which chocolates to buy for all of you. But, well enough, now that you're here, why don't you pick one for yourself." She turned to Jennifer, who was standing closer to her than usual. She realized why. Her suitor, Reginald Birch was standing by Edward and looking rather frightened to come near Mary. She supposed the tales of her never really did die. She was still known to have a temper after all.

The kids picked candy and then all of them began to walk home. She made sure to carry the candy so that they couldn't eat it on the way home. Edward walked next to her, his arm around her waist as they walked. Reginald walked by Jennifer, trying to talk to her and trying to win her favor but failing terribly. Mary didn't blame her. The thought of being married off annoyed the hell out of her, but again, she was Edward's daughter and she had no say. She personally hoped that she scorned Reginald one of these days so he just left her alone. There was something about her that Mary didn't trust, but she couldn't place what made her so uneasy about him.

Elizabeth and Haytham were walking a bit in front of their parents. Haytham was watching his sister carefully as they walked, clearly protective of her. Mary had to say she was proud of her young son. He was becoming quite the swordsman and someday he would become a wonderful Assassin. Javi had been right, there was something different about having her own child. There was a pride she felt in watching him grow…

She was so busy watching her children and thinking about them that she didn't see the man until his dagger was against her throat. She came up short and Edward let go of her, stumbling back a step. The children froze and Jennifer and Reginald froze behind them.

"Give me your necklace and no one gets hurt" The man growled, his voice deep and gravely in Mary's ear. She threw a glance at Edward and a small smile came over her face. She leaned back, ducking away from the dagger and turned fast twisting the man's arm and sending him to the ground. Edward pulled her away as Reginald pulled a dagger from his boot.

"Gutless scum!" He snarled, raising his dagger towards the man who lay on the ground defenseless. Jennifer grabbed his arm with a yell. "Miss Jennifer, if you please!"

"No, stop, Reginald. There's no point in killing this man. No need to be ruthless. There are children here" He motioned back to his two children, watching with wide eyes. Jennifer didn't go of him, clearly planning on holding onto him until he was sure that he wasn't going to do anything rash. The man beneath himself was nearly pissing himself with fear. His eyes darted between them all.

"Get out of here" Mary told him. He didn't move. "Go!" She snapped and he scrambled to his feet and ran down the street. Reginald put his dagger away, a bitter look cast at Edward.

"He'll just try to rob someone else. Better he were dead"

"It is never better when someone is dead. A life lost is always just that – a life lost." Edward told him in a calm voice. "You may be skilled at killing, but you should never value that skill or use it unless you need to"

Mary smiled, her chest filling with pride for her husband. "Mister Kenway, I never knew you were so wise" She said, taking his arm. She pulled him along again, seeing Jennifer pull away from Reginald and following after them, leaving the man standing in the streets. She grabbed Haytham's hand as she walked past. "I'm very proud of you"

"Thank you, Mrs. Kenway" He said, leaning over to kiss her cheek. Elizabeth walked in front of him and he stopped to scoop her up in one arm. Jennifer came to walk on the same side as Edward. She was smiling even, probably content with Reginald being told off by her father. Mary knew she had been amused by Edward telling him off and very proud by the statements he had made. He had come a very long way from the man she had met…Well over twenty years ago. Had she really known Edward over twenty years now? She felt old at that moment.

They walked in peace to the house where Reginald saw them off and then they had a small, private party with only business associates there. Reginald was going to attend but he had other things to do that night and couldn't stay. It was just a small party to celebrate Haytham's eighth birthday. It wasn't a huge event, for Haytham wasn't flagged about the Assassins, not just yet. He would be told everything when he was ten or eleven. But eventually the party died down and Elizabeth went with Rose to get ready for bed.

Haytham, Mary and Edward went to the game room and Mary stood slightly behind Edward, standing by the mantle. Edward crouched down so he was at the same level as Haytham, adopting a serious look. Haytham gave him a serious look back, watching his father with wide brown eyes.

"Now Haytham, I want you to answer me honestly. Can you do that, son?"

"Of course father"

"Good lad" He smiled a little but his face fell back into a serious mask. "Remember that man who put a dagger to your mother's throat? How did that make you feel?"

"Angry. I…I wanted to kill him because he wanted to hurt mother" He clenched his fist.

"But I let him live" Edward tilted his head slightly. "Now, if I had given you the choice, what would you have done?"

"Well…At first, I wanted to kill him but…I would have let him live, I think. What point would there really be in killing him? No, I'd let him live. I'd offer him mercy" Edward smiled bright, standing up straight. He motioned for Mary to hand him the object she had hidden behind her back. It was a short steel sword.

"This is for you, Haytham. I think you're old enough to have your own sword now." He carefully handed the sword to Haytham who drew it from its sheath with a look of wonder on his face.

"Thank you father!" He was smiling brightly. He slipped it back into its sheath, careful with the weapon.

"Now, it is an object that can only be used when I'm supervising you." He warned Haytham. Haytham handed it to him and he handed it to Mary. She opened the hidden panel above the mantle, the one where he kept his journal, and then placed the sword in it. She closed it and locked it again before turning to her son and husband once more.

"You've shown great maturity for your age, Haytham" Mary complimented her son. "You're doing very well in your training"

"What am I training for, mother?"

"You'll see soon" She smiled at him. "Just know you are doing very, very well" He smiled now as well. "Now, off to bed. It's already past your bed time" She pressed her hand gently to his back, encouraging him to leave the room. He did, still smiling, clearly proud of himself. When he was gone she sighed and looked at her husband. "He's grown so much. I can't believe he's eight years old already"

"When I was his age I certainly wasn't learning to use a sword" Edward sighed, sitting down. "Reminding me, Miko found something and wants me to go with him. I'll only be gone a week, two at most. Will you be alright?"

Mary smiled at him. "Oh, Edward, that's a silly question. I'm still more than capable of running the household without you. I'm not so old, am I?"

"You'll never be old, Mary" He told her, pulling her over to him by a hand. He pulled her right onto his lap, as they had a moment to actually be together without a child interrupting them. They sat close together, forehead touching, silent for the moment.

"We should retire ourselves. We'll probably have an early day tomorrow" She sighed. They always had early days with three children. Well, Jenny was a young woman now and she knew that Edward sought for her to soon be married but…Mary opposed the idea and so did Jenny.

"Of course." He kissed her gently and together they rose, heading off to bed, their hands still linked.


November 1735

"Father, Mary, I need to speak to you" Jennifer came storming into the study and she never did that when the door was closed. Her eyes were worried, her face pinched, and her cheeks slightly red, as if she had run some distance. Mary looked at Edward and then at Jennifer.

"Close the door, Jennifer" She ordered and the young woman turned, shutting the door. She turned back to them and came over to where they were. Edward was at his desk, writing notes in his First Civilization journal, Mary had been leaning over him looking at another paper. His journal was in a secret code, known best to the two of them.

"What is it Jennifer?" Edward turned fully to face his daughter. He knew from her tone and her face it was important.

"Well...I…I overheard Mister Birch asking Haytham about his training the other day and while I didn't think much of it…" Her face pinched. "I…Well this slipped out of his pocket and I…I took it"

"Jenny, you know better than to steal-" Edward started but her hand opened and in her palm sat a Templar Ring. Mary looked at it, her breath catching in her chest. She looked at Edward, her mouth open.

"It's…it's the mark of them, isn't it, father?" Jenny knew about Assassins and Templars from when Edward had told her of his past. He had never told Haytham or Elizabeth about his past as a pirate. They didn't need to know their father's bloody past or their mother's for that matter. Mary kept silent on her own past as a pirate and as a woman who was more comfortable dressing as a man. She figured she'd still be more comfortable in trousers rather than a skirt, but…well she kept her comfortable boots on for a reason.

"You are sure this came out of his pocket?" Edward asked.

"Completely" Jenny looked at Edward with sad eyes. Perhaps she did not like the young man she had been engaged to, but she didn't want to believe that he was a Templar. Mary sighed gently.

"Is he here now?"

"No, but he'll be back shortly he said." Jenny bit at her lip.

"Go, stay with your brother and sister for the moment, watch over them. Me and Edward…" She looked at her husband. Edward took the ring from Jenny and put it in his own pocket. He walked Jenny to the door.

"Rose!" He called. "When Mister Birch comes calling, please direct him to the study" he walked back and took his journal and she knew he was going to hide it back in the game room. Then he returned to his seat. Mary leaned back against the desk, her arms crossed. She looked at him and he at her.

"What are we going to do?" She asked him softly.

"I'm going to do whatever I have to" He said darkly. "I have to keep you and the children safe"

"Oh, bloody hell, Edward! Do you hear yourself? Keep me safe? I can keep myself safe enough. Just worry about Jenny and the little ones. Perhaps we should send them away" She chewed on her cheek.

"Haytham's tenth birthday is next month; I don't want to send him away." Edward sighted, rubbing his forehead. "Can you believe that we've been married ten years, Mary? After all those years…" He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently.

"After all that struggling, you've kept your promise" She smiled.

"Maybe they couldn't remain by your side because they weren't supposed to be there. Did you ever think of that?"

"Maybe I had the wrong man all along, eh?" She chuckled gently. It was much nicer to talk about this than about what they were going to do with Reginald. "I can believe it. I've never been happier, Edward. I mean it."

"I know you do." He kissed the back of her hand gently. "Say, when this is over, when we have this mattered settled…Why don't we return to the West Indies? Take the kids on a trip? We can go and see Annabelle's grave and if we have time…perhaps we can swing to the Colonies and visit Anne's grave as well. I heard she was buried in North Caroline in her family's graveyard"

"You know, I really think I'd love to do that, Edward" She really would. She wanted to visit their daughter's grave and Anne deserved a visit too. Perhaps, if they found time, they could visit Rackham's and Vane's. Horingold and Thatch didn't have graves but they could pay their respects to them with their thoughts at least. It had been a long time since she had thought of her old friends and she regretted that. She regretted that a lot. She wanted to make it up to them by at least paying them some proper respects.

Just then Reginald came into the room and both Edward and Mary turned. Mary folded her hands in front of herself and Edward placed his hands on his knees before standing. To be kind, he shook Reginald's hand and greeted him. Then he sat back down and gave the other man a hard look.

"Is there something wrong, sir?" Reginald asked, innocent as ever.

"I believe you're missing something that belongs to you" Edward spoke calmly, but Mary could sense the anger hidden in his voice. Reginald seemed confused until Edward opened his hand and showed him the ring. His face paled a little bit but he drew himself up and smiled.

"Ah yes, my father's ring – quite the keepsake! Thank you for finding it" He reached to take it but Edward closed his hand and pulled it away from the other man.

"I'm no fool, Reginald." Edward's eyes narrowed. "This is a Templar Ring. I'm quite acquainted with them myself. I had one at one time, did you know that? A long, long time ago when I was about your age actually" He gave a smile, but it wasn't a friendly one.

"I…I did not know that sir"

"Ah, and see, I think you're lying to be Reginald. I don't like to be lied to" He stood and Mary pushed herself off the desk to stand next to her husband.

"And I don't like to be threatened, Mister Kenway!" He snapped. Edward tilted his head slightly.

"Threatening you? I'm not threatening you, Mister Birch. I'm giving you a warning. I don't want you in my house ever again. I don't want you to see my daughter. I don't want you around."

"You're making a mistake, Edward" He hissed. "Alright, so you caught me. Yes, I'm a Templar, but I do care for your daughter very much. Perhaps she has a smart mouth, but that can always be cured with time and persuasion." Mary stiffed, ready to give him a good smack to the head for that. Edward grabbed her wrist gently in his hand to calm her. "We can still part on good terms, old friend."

"I think you calling me a friend is a little foolish" Edward stated.

"And I think you've over stayed your welcome. Out of our house. Now." Mary snapped.

"See, she must get her smart mouth her step-mother." Reginald had turned his eyes onto Mary.

"You leave her out of this Reginald. You so much as glance my wife's way again, you'll leave here spitting out your teeth" Edward threatened. Reginald's eyes went back to Edward and they narrowed.

"Fine, fine. I'll leave, but I need one thing before I do. I just want to take a look at your journal, Edward" His voice got soft and refined, as if this was the major plan all along and Mary realized that it was. She pressed her lips together angrily.

"Get the hell out of our house!" She growled, stepping forward.

"Shut up woman!" He shouted back.

"Get the hell out of my house, now, Mister Birch or I will throw you out the window!" Edward thundered. Reginald's face paled and he drew himself back.

"Very well. Good day to you, Mrs. Kenway, Mister Kenway." He bowed his head and turned on his heel. Mary saw Haytham outside, watching with wide eyes.

Reginald stopped and seemed to smile at the boy before walking on. She didn't like that, what had he said to her son? He looked so afraid. Edward distracted her though by gently hugging her to him. She leaned against him, thinking about the conversation they just had. This wasn't over yet. That was what she thought. It wasn't over by a long shot.


A/N: Alright, so Haytham always looked more like Mary's child than Tessa's if you ask me. So, now he is! And quite personally, I'd like him 100 times more if he was Mary's child. Though I do really think Haytham is awesome. Anyway, I haven't exactly decided how to end this yet. So will a happy ending swoop out from under our heros? I'd like to think so. I really think they deserve a happy ending, don't all of you?