MsNevermind: Yes bad pun but it still made me laugh XD (I must have terrible humour... u_u)
Amy122: Hahaha me, killing off characters? I bet you weren't expecting this twist :D And I know how you feel, I have about four other ideas for stories, it's so annoying XD
Victory Goddess: Thank you! :) But yeah, the Kenways are badass to the bone :D
And so, without further ado, I give you the last chapter of this story. It's been a hell of a ride and I have become extremely, ridiculously attached to my characters. I hated writing this chapter because it's the end, and I hate endings, I hate goodbyes. But as The Doctor in Doctor Who said, if nothings ends then nothing begins (or something like that).
I would like to thank every single person who had read this, to each and everyone of you who has stuck with this, reviewed, favorited, followed... All of you, thank you. And I really, really mean it.
I have a couple of ideas for some one-shots about Jim and Nora, which I will write sometime within the next couple of months. I'll post them as a seperate story so be sure to look out for them (They'll probably be called something like "No one messes with the Kenways" or something silly like that - it'll only be a light hearted thing to give you an idea of what the kids are like away from mum and dad).
And now I'm off to put this story as "complete". It's killing me to end this :(
I awoke with a start, feeling sweaty as my hair and night gown stuck to my skin. It was still dark in our bedroom and I looked over to my side, desperate to hold Haytham against me but he wasn't there. " Haytham? " I called, panic rising inside of me as I felt tears falling from my eyes. " Haytham! " I called, rushing out of bed and out of the room. I pushed the door open so violently that I nearly fell over and I ran downstairs. " Haytham! " I called again. He wasn't in the kitchen nor the living room, and then I noticed a faint glow outside the front door on the porch. I pushed the door open and sighed in relief when I saw my husband sitting on the steps. " Haytham… " I breathed, sobbing even harder.
" Eleanor? " He asked, turning around. " Oh my love what is it? " He asked, jumping up to wrap his arms around me when he realised that I was crying. " What is the matter? "
" Nothing. " I sniffed, trying to calm myself down. Haytham was alive, he was safe. We were both alive, and at home, our own home. " It was just a dream. " I muttered. " Just a dream… "
" Come here. " He muttered, pulling me to him and burying his face in my hair as I clutched onto his baggy white shirt. " What was it about? "
" When we attacked Fort Niagara. " I muttered, breathing in his scent as I ran my fingers through his hair. " There were only two horses so you and I… We stayed behind. We died. " I swallowed hard, remembering the last moments I had shared with Haytham before we died.
" Shh. " He muttered, caressing my hair. " We made it out of there, we're safe, we all are. There were four three horses, we blew the Fort up and Nora recovered quickly from her injuries. We made a good team that day. " He reassured me.
I pulled back and looked into his blue grey eyes in the moonlight. He was such a handsome man despite the wrinkles and white hair. He was just perfect. " No one messes with the Kenways. " I smiled sadly.
" Exactly. We are one. " Haytham smiled, kissing me on the forehead. " Come on, let's go back to bed. " He said, taking hold of my hand and guiding me back inside where I cuddled up to him in bed and pressed my lips onto his cheek. " You seem happier these days. " I murmured, changing the subject.
" I am. " He smiled. " I never believed it was possible to feel this happy. I was wrong, as I turns out. "
" I'm glad. " I purred, rubbing my nose against his just as we used to when we first met.
" Thanks to you. " He continued. " You were the first person to ever be interested in me for who I am, not for what I am. You believed in me, supported me, loved me. You gave me a family, you gave me friends. You broke the heavy loneliness I had been banished to and made me a caring, loving man. I have found my place in the world, and it is right here by your side. " He whispered to me, making me smile.
" I did but love you as you deserve. " I smiled, shaking my head. " You give me too much importance. None of this would have happened if you had been different. " I told him. He went to reply but I pressed a finger on his lips softly. " And you have done the same for me. Before I met you I was nothing. I had no home, no money, no family, and I would have probably died a shameful death in an alleyway somewhere when I was still young. I would still be naïve and ignorant, submissive and with nothing to be proud of. "
" You make yourself sound no better than a scrawny thief. " Haytham frowned.
" Because that's all I was. " I scoffed. " Did you never notice that? "
Haytham shook his head. " All I saw was a bright, beautiful young woman who made my heart soar. " He purred, kissing me softly. " And that is what I still see today. "
I laughed, rolling my eyes as I cuddled up to him, resting my head on his chest and going back to sleep, this time dreaming about the time we met, and how he made me smile.
The next day I decided to host a small dinner party with Khan, Nakoma, Kevin and Sophie. All our children were out being adventurers, leaving us old people behind, so I wanted to make the most of it. It had been four years since we attacked Fort Niagara and since then everything had sorted itself out. Haytham and Connor were finally friends and had a true father-son relationship. Mary had married her French Astronomer and was now officially called Mary Flaubergues. They had stayed in America for a year and had since headed back to France. I was sad to see her go but she was twenty three years old now, she was a strong, independent woman. She may not be a warrior but she was intelligent, sharp minded and very witty, and both Haytham and I were extremely proud of her. She often wrote to us to tell her about her life - Honoré and she had bought a large estate in the south of France where they worked on Astronomy together, often travelling to Paris to visit the University there. She was happy and as long as that was the case, so was I.
Jim was another story completely. He was now eighteen and was living life to the fullest. The day he turned seventeen I gave him the Warrior Princess, and since then he had raised his own crew - a loud, hearty bunch of young pirates - and they travelled around America and the Caribbean. I wasn't happy about his lifestyle at first, as I had for so long fought against piracy, but he was a true pirate at heart - he loved drink, fights and women, and he always had a smile on his face and hearty laugh. He was so light hearted, nothing seemed to bother him and as long as he had his ship and some ale, he was happy. Khan and Nakoma's twins - Romulus and Remus - had joined Jim in his adventures. The three had been inseparable all their life so it was no surprise. They often came home together and Jim always pulled me into his large, muscular arms. Thanks to Connor's intensive training, he had grown almost as muscular as his older brother and he used it to his advantage. He was no longer our little Jim, he was the man he had always wanted to be. In some ways I was jealous of his life - he had freedom and friendship, family and happiness. I just hoped that one day he would find someone and settle down, though he would laugh at me when I suggested it.
And as for Connor and Nora? After the attack on Fort Niagara, it took two months to nurse Nora back to health. Her stab wound was deeper than I had originally thought and it left a nasty scar. Connor could have tracked down and murdered Charles Lee easily during those months but he chose not to. His wife was more important to him, and he didn't want to work without her. " She is my partner in everything. " He said. He wouldn't do anything without her by his side anymore, they were one. Eventually, Charles died and America was now Templar-free. The two had since settled down at the Davenport Homestead, as Achilles had passed away peacefully in his sleep. Though I'm not sure that 'settled down' is the right way to phrase it - they still fought off the bad guys and went on adventures together, but they were indeed a family. In fact, they were soon to bring in a new member to the family - Nora was due to give birth within the next few weeks. Though she had been ecstatic and happy about the news, Connor had gotten worried and nervous and it was only after a long talk with Haytham that he calmed down.
Haytham and I were the ones left behind, not that we minded. It turned out that the only people left at our Homestead were the original crew from the Warrior Princess - Kevin, Khan and I. We had each fallen in love, founded families and lead our own separate lives, but we were never far apart. We were the three to lead the Warrior Princess around the world, to lead our crew to the safety of Haytham's homestead. Our bond was solid, though not as solid as the bond I shared with Haytham.
Since I had first laid eyes upon him I had been drawn to him. He had never been just a Templar to me. He was a mystery, the only mystery worth solving, and I never regretted for a second what had happened between us. We had faced everything you could possibly imagine and came out stronger.
I was reading a book on the front porch one morning when Jim suddenly appeared in front of me, scaring me as I hadn't noticed him. " Morning mum! " He grinned, wrapping his arms around me as I stood and swung us around in a circle, making me giggle.
" Morning Jim. Miss me already? " I grinned, making him roll his eyes.
" I'm off to see Connor and Nora. They want us there for the baby's birth so I'm kidnapping you. " He winked. " Is dad home? " He asked, looking in through the open front door.
" He's chopping some wood up out back. " I told him. " I don't think he'll take kindly to being kidnapped. " I laughed.
" I'm sure he will if I let you him up. " Jim winked as he strode indoors to look for his father, leaving me to laugh by myself when I noticed two other figures make their way towards me.
" Mary? " I smiled, hardly believing my eyes. " My sweet little girl! " I cried, rushing over to greet her with a warm embrace.
" Mother! " She grinned as she squeezed me against her before pulling away.
" I didn't know you were coming! You should have said, I - " I started, but she didn't let me finish.
" It was supposed to be a surprise but… Jim kidnapped us from the ship we were on. Scared the hell out of us while he was at it. " She frowned. " Then he pillaged the ship of everything of use and left it. "
" Did he now? " I sighed, rolling my eyes, turning my gaze to Honoré who had grown some stubble, his hair much longer than it had been as he tied it up at the base of his neck. " Bonjour Honoré. " I greeted him with the little French I knew.
" Good day, Madame Kenway. " He smiled, taking my hand in his to press his lips to it. I admit he was charming, so long as he kept that side of him only to Mary then it was alright. Before I knew it, Mary had gathered her dress in her hands and rushed indoors, eager to see Haytham again. Even though they lived on the other side of the planet from each other, they were still as close as ever. The only problem was that I was left alone with Honoré, who smiled shyly before clearing his throat. " You 'ave not aged at all since before. " He said, with the heaviest French accent I had ever heard.
I giggled, wrapping my arm around his shoulders. " Liar. " I winked, knowing very well that my once ginger hair was now all silver. I refused to say it was grey, that sounded dull and boring. But silver? That sounded good.
We docked at the Davenport homestead one evening, the Warrior Princess once again dwarfing the Aquila. Jim was extremely proud to have a bigger ship than Connor - the two were always competing. Nora greeted us at the door, her stomach larger than mine had ever been. " About bloody time too! " She frowned. " Jim told me you'd be here this morning! "
" There was a storm! " Jim cried, not appreciating her tone of voice.
" Do I look like I care? " Nora spat, just as Connor ran up to us, wrapping his arms around Nora's waist and pulling her back inside towards him.
" Calm down. " He muttered into her ear, pressing his lips to her temple. " Let them inside. " He told her. Nora muttered something under her breath, turned around, pushed Connor out of her way and waddled angrily upstairs. " I'm sorry, she's been like this for a few weeks… " Connor muttered, looking very sorry, very tired and very nervous.
" It's alright son. Eleanor was the same with Jim. " Haytham chuckled, making Connor smile a little as the two patted each other on the shoulder to say hello.
" I wasn't that bad, come on! " I groaned, hugging Connor as I stepped inside behind Haytham. He didn't answer, merely raising his eyebrows to Connor as I felt the native chuckle against me.
" Women hey? " Jim winked as he shook hands with his brother, making me sigh in defeat.
" Watch it little brother! " Mary scolded him, slapping his arm whilst she glared up at him. " I still haven't forgiven you. "
" Do I care, beautiful sister? " Jim smirked, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, making Mary groan whilst Honoré laughed loudly, encouraging Jim to continue.
" That's not fair, you cheated! " I cried as I sat outside, playing chess with Jim as he laughed at me. " Come on! You know that's not fair! "
" You're a bad looser mum. " He smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. " Admit it, you're terrible at this. "
" I'm good at everything. " I sneered, staring down at the chess pieces as I tried to find a good way to smash him to pieces.
Suddenly the door burst open and Connor stood in the doorway, his eyes wide as he panted. " Nora… Baby… I… Help! " He cried, looking lost.
I shot out of my chair, making sure I 'accidentally' knocked the chess pieces over as I did so, and ran indoors. " Jim go get the Doctor. Connor, you're coming with me. " I told him as I rushed upstairs into their bedroom where Nora was lying, breathing heavily, her face covered in sweat.
" Ella you never told me it hurt this much! " She cried as I rushed over to sit next to her.
" You'll be fine princess. " I reassured her, brushing her hair out of her face. " Connor, get some cold water and a towel to cool her down. "
" I think I preferred getting stab-AAH! " She screamed as a contraction hit her, gripping my hand in hers so hard that I gritted my teeth to be able to bear it.
" Breathe, you'll be okay, I promise. " I tried to soothe her but she was getting angry.
" Where the hell is that doctor? And where the hell is Connor? CONNOR GET YOUR ARSE IN HERE NOW! " She screamed.
Connor stumbled in through the door with a basin of water. " I'm here Okwaho. " He said, brushing his fingers through her hair. " I'm here. "
Nora took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she calmed down somewhat at his touch, making me smile. " What does Okwaho mean? " I asked him.
" Wolf. " Connor smiled as he looked down at his wife. " It means wolf. She's loyal, affectionate and playful just as they are. " He muttered.
" Stop being so romantic. " Nora muttered, her eyes still closed. I noticed Connor smile at her words before her eyes shot open and she started screaming again, another contraction hitting her, just as the Doctor burst through the door, quickly followed by Mary.
" Hello . " He greeted Nora, setting his bag down at the bottom of the bed.
" About bloody time too! " She responded.
" Do you want me here? " I asked her, but the Doctor answered for me.
" Just leave Nora, Mary and I together, we'll be fine. " He smiled, indicating that Connor leave as well.
" I am staying. " Connor responded, his voice harsh, indicating that nothing would take him away from his wife. I smiled encouragingly to him as I took my leave, walking downstairs to find Haytham and Jim sitting together on the porch, the chess pieces still on the ground.
" Is everything alright? " Haytham asked.
" Fine, I just got kicked out. " I smiled, pressing my lips against his soft stubble. The older he got the lazier he was, and he often let his stubble grow out. I didn't mind, in fact I liked it and wished he had done so when we were younger.
Haytham, Jim, Honoré and I waited patiently outside for a while, hearing Nora's screams through the open window upstairs. I caught Jim scowling at her voice, and sent him a questioning glance. " Do all women scream that much when they give birth? " He asked.
" Nakoma did. " I nodded.
" Your mother wasn't as bad. " Haytham told him. " But she compensated with the longest and rudest string of curse words I have ever heard. " He sighed, making Jim laugh.
" I knew I was your son for a reason. " He grinned, making Haytham groan. He still didn't fully approve of Jim's lifestyle, but he went along with it because it reminded him of his father. I guess pirating was in the Kenway bloodline. Honoré though, looked rather uncomfortable, not understanding much of what we were saying, but soon Haytham started up a conversation with him so they were happy. Jim offered to get us some rum, which I frowned at but when he shrugged and went inside to drink on his own, leaving me alone with the other two speaking in French, I quickly dashed indoors to join him. A little rum was better than listening to French.
Eventually the Doctor walked outside and I immediately shot out from my chair. " Congratulations, you have a grandson. " He smiled, taking his leave. I rushed upstairs to find Nora looking exhausted as she lie in bed, smiling up at Connor as he sat next to her on the bed, cradling the new born baby.
" Father! " Connor smiled as soon as we entered the room, standing to come over to us. " Meet your grandson, Richard Edmund Kenway. " Connor smiled as he looked up at Haytham, who couldn't tear his gaze from the tiny baby in his arms.
" He… He looks just like you. " Haytham muttered, making Connor beam with pride.
" He's adorable! " I grinned, brushing my fingers over Richard's coloured face. He looked up at me with the same green eyes that Nora had, exploring the new faces. " He's going to be very good looking when he'd older. Native skin and green eyes? Everyone will want him. " I laughed, walking over to Nora as Mary got up to hug Honoré. " How are you feeling? " I asked her.
" Tired. " Nora sighed. " But proud. " She smiled, watching Connor and Haytham as they spoke softly to each other, smiling as they looked down at the newborn. " Look at them. " She continued.
" It's one of the best things I've ever seen in my life. " I smiled, looking over to them.
" It is. " She smiled before yawning. " I think I'll go to sleep now. " She added before turning over and pulling the blanket up over her. I pressed my lips onto her forehead lovingly before ushering the men out of the room to let her get some rest. I couldn't believe that I had just witnessed Nora give birth. I could still remember the day she was born, over twenty years ago. Back when Haytham and I barely knew each other, back when everything was so different.
Mary helped me get some dinner ready whilst Jim and Honoré played chess outside, and Haytham and Connor spent the whole evening together with baby Richard, spending some quality time as father and son. I couldn't shake the smile from my face as every time I looked over to them, I knew I was the luckiest woman on earth. I had been through hell during my life, lived through things that would have killed most people, but I made it through thanks to Haytham. He was the only reason I was who I was, the only reason I made it through it all. Looking back on my life, I couldn't believe I was the person who stowed away on a ship when I was eleven, grew up on the Davenport Homestead, picked fights with everyone I could. I would still be that person living in an abandoned house with a caved in roof if it weren't for Haytham. He was the enemy, he was everything I grew up to despise and yet he was everything I had ever wanted, ever needed. He gave me a home, he gave me a family, he gave me purpose.
If there is one thing you should remember about me, let it be this: I love Haytham Kenway more than anything else in this world. There is no life without him.
The end.