A.N. I want to apologize for the late update! I did a lot of rewriting of the story and combined quite a few chapters. Thanks for baring with me yet again! I hope you all enjoy this chapter, it's almost time for the birth! Will it be a boy or a girl? we'll just have to wait and see!
Great Inagua, June 28, 1720
"I think it may be in your best interest to stay with Edward." Mary scowls and carves a deep X into the wooden table. Her eyes flick up meeting, his unwavering gaze, "He hasn't even spoken to me since I told him he was going to be a father." His eyes soften and he places a hand over hers, "He will accept it eventually, give him time to adjust." Mary nods reluctantly and plunges her blade into the table.
Ah Tabai gives her a warm smile and helps her to her feet. "You look weary Mary, I think you should rest." She sighs, opening the door to her quarters as quietly as possible and tiptoes to the bed then gently sinks down. Her bed lets out a small creak and she stiffens. "Mary? What are you doing awake? It's so late." She curses under her breath and turns towards the voice, "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." She can barely see her friend through the dark, "I wasn't asleep, I've always had trouble sleeping on a ship."
Mary pats her mattress, "Come sit with me then." Anne shuffles to the bed and Mary wraps an arm around her waist. They drift off to sleep, Mary tries to at least, until Anne asks, "What were you two talking about anyway?" She rolls onto her side, propping her head against her palm. Mary rubs her eye and releases a large yawn, "Mentor wants me to stay with Edward." Anne nods "Aye, I heard Edward say he cleared out a room for us." Mary frowns.
"What's wrong? Don't you want to live with him?" Mary buries her face into her pillow and mumbles something incoherent, Anne lifts the corner of the pillow and laughs, "What? I couldn't quite catch that." Mary sighs again and looks away, whispering, "I told Edward he's my babes father." Anne frowns, " It didn't go well I take it." Mary shakes her head and Anne bolts upright, slamming an angry fit into her palm, "What an asshole!"
Mary's eyes drift to the ceiling, tracking a small cracks in the wood. "He hasn't spoken to me since." Anne wiggles to the edge of the bed, "That's it! I'm going to talk to that piece of shit!" Mary grabs her wrist and shakes her head. Anne brushes a hand through Mary's hair, "At least we've got each other." Anne gasps and places a hand to her stomach, eyes widening. "Oh!" Mary whips her head around to face her, "What?" Anne grins, "I think the baby just moved!"
The call for land goes up and the two women make their way sluggishly onto the blinding deck, Ah Tabai greets them from the quarterdeck, "Good morning Mary, Anne," He frowns, noticing the dark bags under both women's eyes, "I see neither of you slept last night." Mary grins sheepishly and scratched at the back of her neck, "We weren't tired." The two nearly topple over when the ship is pulled in, he chuckles and watches as Edward lowers the gangplank. "Somehow I do not believe you."
Edward guides the small group up the hill, not bothering to even glance at either women. Mary rolls her eyes at his unpleasant behaviour and the two quickly fall behind. Anne grabs onto Mary's arm, "Mary I need a second, I can't catch my breath." Mary nods and takes a seat next to her friend.
Ah Tabai peeks behind him, noticing the women's presence has disappeared. "Captain Kenway." Edward grunts and continues forward, Ah Tabai furrows his brows and growls, "Edward, stop." He huffs and spins around hands angrily on his hips, "What?" Ah Tabai gestures towards the women panting on the ground and Edward rolls his eyes shuffling over.
Mary shuts her eyes, the sun feeling so warm on her face, I could just fall asleep right here. She feels herself being lifted up and her eyes shoot open. Edward's eyes pierce through her like a sword, she kicks her legs angrily, "Put me down Kenway!" He ignores her and marches forward, she pounds angrily on his chest, "Just cause I agreed to live with you doesn't give you the right to touch me!"
He shoots her a look that shuts her up in a second, "If you weren't so slow I wouldn't have to carry you. You really think I want to do this? You weigh a ton!" Her chest feels heavy and her throat tight, she chews on her lip as she replays his bitter words. She feels tears brimming in her eyes, I'm only heavy because you made me heavy you bastard.
His eyes flick down at her and he huffs, "What are you crying for Mary?" She leans her head against his chest, too tired to bother holding it up anymore. "I'm not crying, shut up." Mary had nearly fallen asleep by the time they'd reached the top. She peels her eyes open as Edward pulls the door open, "Edward?"
"No, I don't want to hear whatever it is you have to say." Mary frowns, the tone in his voice was enough to make her want to disappear. He practically kicks the door open and she blinks, this room was huge! He sets her down gently on the bed but she clings to his neck. "Mary let go." She pulls him closer and he rips her arms away. He sends her a pointed glare and she frowns.
She runs a hand over the bed sheets, These are so soft. She snuggles into the bed and he heads from the room. "Edward?" He lets out an angry puff of air and turns on his heel. "What do you want now?" She shrinks back in the bed, "It's bright in here." Edward scowls and heads to the widow, pulling the curtains shut. She smiles and thanks him but he's already gone. Damn it, why does he have to avoid me like that?
She glances around the room, I think this room is bigger than my entire hut was back in Tulum. She yawns and her eyes move from the pretty paintings, over the large bookcases, to a cradle sitting just next to the bed. She reaches her arm out and gives it a soft push, it rocks gently against the floor and she smiles. She runs a hand over the design on top, He's spoiling his child before it's even born. She lets out another large yawn and this time when she shuts her eyelids she can't lift them back up.
Mary stirs as a large hand rubs over her bump, she cracks an eye open to see Edward poking curiously at her belly. She shuts her eyes with a smile allowing him a bit of privacy. The baby kicks and Edward rips his hand away, a chuckle escapes her lips, "It's not going to hurt you." He looks down in horror, embarrassed to have been caught, "Sorry." He stands to leave but Mary grabs onto his wrist, "You can stay..."
She scoots over to make room on the bed for him. He timidly pulls himself to the headboard and she lays her head on his chest, making herself comfortable. "What were you doing Edward?" He clears his throat and rests his arm over her shoulder, "I couldn't sleep so I took to wandering the manor and I ended up in here. I can give you an explanation on why I was touching you though."
Mary pulls his unoccupied hand to her belly and rubs it, "If it changes anything, the babe is most active when you're around." The two grow silent and Mary feels herself drifting off to sleep again.
Great Inagua, July 12th, 1720
Mary drapes her body over the bed trying to stretch out the tired muscles in her back. She drops her face into the mattress and lets out a frustrated sigh. Oh Mary, what have you gotten yourself into? Her back was aching and worse yet she could count on her one hand just how many times she saw Edward in the past two weeks. At this rate she'd be having this baby alone. She lets growls at the unrelenting pressure on her spine, "Son of a bitch."
Just at that moment Edward decides to pay her one of his delightful visits. "That's not a nice name to call yourself." Mary's head drops back into the mattress and she groans, "Will you just leave me alone Kenway." She hisses out in pain when she feels a sharp kick to her rib, If it's not one thing it's another. Then he does something unexpected.
Edward kneads her back softly and she sighs melting into the mattress as the tension slowly disappears. His hands glide down her back in soothing circles and she smiles as he works out the particularly tight knot near her tailbone. "That's not nice Mary, I just wanted to see if you were hungry." She groans and falls forward into the mattress grumbling something or another.
"What?" She wipes the bit of drool coming from the corner of her mouth and sighs, "I'm always hungry because of this little insect." He stops his ministrations and she rolls onto her back frowning. He begins rubbing her swollen ankles and cocks a suspicious eyebrow at him. "Why are you being so nice to me today?" He shrugs, "You look uncomfortable and you're my friend." She deflates and he rises to his feet, "Rest here and I will bring you some food."
She scowls, You're more than a friend Edward. She looks down to her stomach unhappily, making a horrified face when she sees a small foot in the side of her abdomen. She pokes at the foot willing it away. "What's with the look Mary?" Her eyes shoot up connecting directly with the plate of food in his hand, "It's none of your concern." Edward's smile drops, "You sure do say that a lot for someone who insists that your babe is mine."
He hands the plate to her and she gobbles the food hungrily. "Slow down or you're going to make yourself sick." Mary sighs and lowers the plate, "You know Edward, It doesn't matter if you believe me or not because it's there now." She shakes her head, "Ya know I never asked for this either, I don't know the first thing there is to know about being a mother."
She groans when the baby gives her a painful kick to her side, "Apparently the babe agrees, I have no business being a parent." She feels the bed dip as Edward takes a seat next to her, he leans back on the headboard with his arms propping his head up, "I think you're too hard on yourself, you'll make a fine mother. I mean you've made it this far haven't you?"
Mary looks down with an endearing hand over her stomach, "Aye, but how long will either of us survive when I have no way to support us?" Edward makes a face and gets up, "I have to go." Mary watches angrily as Edward leaves the room yet again, This is so fucked up, how is this my responsibility alone when it took both of us to conceive the damn thing!
Her eyes shoot open when she hears a soft voice, "Mary? What's wrong?" She quickly wipes any trace of sadness from her face and stands to greet the woman. "I'm alright Anne, what did ya need?" Anne smiles to her, "Well, it's such a nice day today, I was wondering if you'd like to go to the beach for a bit? I think it'd help you to get out of this stuffy room." Mary smiles at her friend and hooks their arms together, "That sounds wonderful, shall we?"
Mary pulls her boots off, tossing them to the side, then ties her pants up so they rest just above her knees. She sighs as her feet sink into the warm sand, Anne jabs a finger into her chest, "Aren't you hot in all those layers? Why don't you just put a dress on, it's not like you can be James Kidd anymore." Mary scoffs at her, "I ain't wearing that frilly shite, I don't need no dress." She tosses her coat off and wades into the cool water, chuckling when the fish swim up to nibble on her toes. Anne plops herself onto the sand and watches Mary curiously.
She glances at the Jackdaw and frowns as the crew loads the ship with sugarcane and rum, I wonder where they're taking that stuff. "What's wrong?" Anne asks from the shore, Mary shakes her head then chuckles, "As perceptive as ever Miss Bonny, I'm just thinking. I don't know what I'm going to do when the babe gets here, I won't be able to take any contracts without anyone to watch the thing." Anne grins, "I'll be here." Mary shakes her head, "I don't want to trouble you."
Anne laughs, "Did you forget about our pact on the Jackdaw? We were going to raise the kids together, remember?" Mary wanders out of the water and plops down next to her friend, "I love you Annie, I really do." The redhead grins and clings onto her arm with a grin. "I love you too, Mary, we're going to be just fine."
Great Inagua July 24th, 1720
Mary paces to herself, the baby had hardly moved since Edward had left and that was nearly two weeks ago! She pats her belly, begging for even the smallest movement, "Come on, move dammit!" She stops by the window, the moon was so large tonight that it nearly lit up the whole room. She knew she wouldn't be getting any sleep. She glances down at the dock, growing restless each night Edward failed to return.
Her heart races when a thought comes to her mind, What if he dies and the babe dies, I-I can't go through that again. She swallows the lump in her throat, tears threatening to spill. She hears a small knock at the door, "Mary?" She quickly wipes any trace of sadness from her eyes, "Oh Edward, it's good to see you. How have you been?"
Edward takes three quick steps towards her and spins her by the shoulders, "I should be asking you that, What's wrong? And don't tell me it's none of my concern." Edward tilts her face up, she frowns and grips his hand, "Something is wrong, the babe hasn't moved in weeks." He lets out a shallow breath and stiffens, "I'm sorry..." He trails off, unsure of his next words. Mary's breath catches in her throat and she grins, "That's why."
Edward cocks a brow at her, "What's that?" Mary laughs and place his hand to her belly, showing him the movements inside. She should have known it was nothing to worry over, "He must have missed his father." Edward grunts and rips his hand away, "There you go again with that shite, how do you even know it's mine?" Mary furrows her brow and pokes a finger into his chest, "Are you calling me a whore Edward?"
He throws his hands into the air, "I never said that, but it might be fitting, you told me yourself in the prison that it wasn't mine! Do you even know who the father is?" Mary clenches her jaw, "God dammit Edward! You're the father! Why would I lie?"
"To get at my gold! To get support for your child! Your mother did it so why wouldn't you?" She backs away from him, clenching her fists tightly, "That's not why she did it Edward! I knew I couldn't trust you! I knew you haven't changed!" Mary brushes past Edward, hurrying from the room and he grabs her wrist, "Where do you think you're going?" She tugs her arm away and his grip tightens, "I'm leaving! Now let me go!"
"You ain't going anywhere in your condition!" Mary pries his hand away and she rubs at the gouge marks from his nails. Her eyes flick up and she growls, "I'm pregnant not debilitated!" Edward says nothing so she turns on her heel and strides from the room.
She stands outside of the doors panting, her chest tightening like a vice. She heard hurried footsteps behind her and she darts to the edge of the porch. "Mary if you leave now don't think about coming back!" She glances back at him, his eyes glossy in the moonlight. She wants nothing more than to come inside but she's never been one to back down. Her throat tightens up and she takes another step forward.
"Mary..." he sounds so hurt, but it's not her fault, he shouldn't have said those things! Her legs are shaking and she doesn't even know where to go but she leaves anyway, the door slam shut and her heart drops, What now?
Mary never noticed how unnerving the forest was at night with no sounds other than the occasional rustling of leaves, her eyes widen when she realizes she's left her weapons back in the manor, "I hope there ain't any panthers here." She hears a noise and quickens her pace, finally seeing the assassin encampment down the hill. She shuffles down the hill carefully, maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
She trips over a vine and now she's sliding down the hill. "Shite!" And no amount of flailing with save her, in fact now she's sliding faster, "Oh god!" She shrieks, it's the only thing she can do. That and hope there's a hay stack conveniently below. But there wasn't. She lands, and she lands hard scared to assess the damage.
She's not sure how long she's been sitting there by the time someone wanders by. She shouts and they hurry over, she can tell by the look they're giving her she must be in bad shape. The young man helps her to her feet and they hobble to the healer.
Great Inagua, July 27th, 1720
"You're lucky you didn't harm the child." Mary hangs her head shamefully, her pride finally catching up with her. "You are not to leave this bed until the week is up, do you understand?" Mary nods sheepishly, the healer shakes his head and slips from the room. Mary lifts up her bandaged arms and makes a face, God only knows what they look like underneath because they're already soaked in blood.
She hears a small knock and she glances up, watching as her mentor peaks his head through the curtain. She lowers her arms and he gives her a bleak look. She bows her head and he starts, "Mary, what were you thinking?" She leans back on her pillows and shrugs, he pulls a chair up next to her bed and squeezes her hand. "Couldn't you have waited for morning?" She shakes her head and he gives her a sullen smile, "Why not?"
"I had nowhere to go." She bites her lip fighting back conflicting emotions. Ah Tabai smoothes her hair away from her face, "What are you trying to say?" She laughs humorlessly, "Edward told me to never return." He shakes his head, "Why is that?" Mary places a hand to her belly, "He doesn't want our child." He frowns and places a hand to her cheek, "I think there is more that you are not telling. You may stay here as long as you like, but please consider returning."
Great Inagua, July 31st, 1720
Mary realized she may have made a bad decision. Any chance she had with Edward was gone now and all she can do is sit on her bed twiddling her thumbs. So was all this really worth it? She sighs and picks up the project she had been working on and unravels the tangled yarn, "Dammit!" She'd been bored out of her mind and begged her mentor to find her something to do. This was not what she had in mind!
A small woman walks into the room carrying a set of wooden skewers. Hmm this should be interesting. The woman takes a seat next to the bed, giving her an unnerving smile. Mary sits up giving the woman a curious glance. She hands the skewers over and Mary blinks, "What's this for?" The woman laughs, "We're going to make something for your child!"
Mary's socks came out deformed and were so large they couldn't even fit an elephant. She sighs, alright they weren't that big, but they definitely were too big for a baby's foot. After that the woman decided it would probably be better to make a scarf. Mary pulls out another stitch and scoffs, What do I even need a scarf for anyway? It's bloody hot here! She frowns setting her project back down, The fight definitely wasn't worth it.
Great Inagua, August 5th, 1720
Mary was officially off bed rest and was more than excited to be moving around and even had work to do today! She practically skips to her Mentor's office, he'd been so adamant on not having her do any work yet he searched her out for this very important mission. She knocked on his door a bit too excitedly and ripped the door open before he even finished saying "Enter".
"Ah Mary, I'm happy to see you." Mary stands straight, we'll as straight as she can with her bulging belly, awaiting his orders, "What's my mission mentor?" He grins and guides her from the room down a dimly lit hallway, ignoring her question. "Not many days left until he is born." She smiles when they give her a strong kick in response. "Aye, hopefully they make their appearance soon."
They stop in front of a noisy room and he has a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Then you will not mind a bit of practice?" Mary's eyes widen when he pulls the door open, revealing a room full of noisy children. There were two women inside, each arm occupied by an infant, they looked exhausted. Mary gulps, knowing it will be her in just a few short weeks.
Ah Tabai leads Mary to the women and their faces brighten, "One of our care takers has fallen ill. Would you mind helping Camila and Victoria today?" She purses her lips and sighs, "This wasn't what I had in mind but alright." Ah Tabai pats her on the shoulder and disappears, Camila plops an infant in Mary's arms and beams at her, "You're just in time for dinner!"
Mary looks down at the little baby in her arms, "Dinner?" The baby clings to the front of Mary's shirt and her face flushes, "Oh." Camila smiles, "Don't worry Mary, we'll take care of the little ones. However we will need your help feeding the older ones." Mary nods and adjusts the baby awkwardly, it'd been so long since she's held one.
Mary sat on the couch with one of the infants, she must have made one damn fine meal because the pot was empty and the children were out cold. The baby she'd been holding grew fussy and she shushed her softly, not wanting to rouse the rowdy bunch. "Shh little one." She pat the baby's bottom and felt something squishy. "Oh no..." She hops up and finds Victoria, handing the child off. "You know you'll have to learn how to do this soon." She trails off.
Mary chases a little boy around the room, "Jaysus." She huffs leaning against her knees trying to regain her breath. The boy stands just out of reach dancing in front of her, knowing full well she was unable to catch him. "James!" She perks up as well as the boy. He's plucked up and promptly shoved in the corner. Ah, right... she wasn't talking to me...
She was completely worn out, it'd only been a few hours but she just couldn't keep up with the rascals. I'll just shut my eyes for a second. She leans against her arm and suddenly her eye lids are just too heavy. She closes her eyes and is out in a flash.
She wakes to the sound of shouting, Oh no! How long was I asleep! Her eyes shoot open and she looks around. A few of the children were laughing and a few looked worried. James, she soon found out, was a trouble maker. He had his hands behind his back while Camila scolded him. Mary rubs a hand over her face and surprised when her hand comes back red. She blinks, "Is that?" And then she hears it, "Where did you even get paint from?!" Mary's eyes widen and she rushes over to the wall where a large looking glass was hanging and gasps.
A large templar cross was marked straight over her forehead. Her mouth drops and she pokes at the symbol, How am I going to clean this mess up? as if on cue Victoria hurries over with a wet wash cloth and dabs at the paint. "I'm sorry Mary, I only looked away for a moment." Mary frowns, "No it's my fault, I fell asleep on the job." Victoria is quiet as she cleans Mary's face.
"James get down from there!" Camila shouts angrily. Mary turns with wide eyes, "Is he always like this?" Victoria shakes her head, "No, I don't know why he's doing this." He glances over at Mary, gives her a mischievous smirk, and jumps off the ledge. Her heart races, She didn't know weather to catch him and possibly harm her child or let him fall and probably break his arm. Luckily she didn't have to make a decision.
Victoria pulls her out of the way and catches him just before he hits the ground. "How many times have we told you to settle down?!" Victoria kneels in front of the boy and gestures towards Mary. "What would you have done if you hurt Miss Read's child?" The boy begins to whimper and Mary's breath catches in her throat. Victoria points to the corner and he slowly slinks away.
The sun began to set and Mary couldn't bare the thought of moving from that comfortable couch. Her eyelids were heavy but was determined to stay awake this time. She hears the shuffling of small feet and her eyes flick over to the source, it's little James. He hands her a piece of paper and hides his face from her gaze. She reads over the note with a smile and pulls the boy into her lap. She rests her cheek against his head and listens as his breathing even out. She lifts the paper back up reading it again, "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Mary is awoken yet again, James tightens his grip around her neck as Camila tries to pry him off. "James, let her rest." He buries his face into her neck and Mary chuckles. Camila sighs and places a hand to Mary's knee, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake up." Mary sits up and James clings to her tighter. "All I seem to be doing is hindering you, I should be the one apologizing." Mary pats the boy's back gently and he adjusts himself comfortably over her bump. Camila grins, "You're a natural Mary." She brushes a hand through the boy's light hair with a frown, "A natural snoozer maybe."
"Oh I can't lie anymore!" Victoria bellows, Mary glances at her curiously and Camila clamps her hand over the other woman's mouth. "Oh don't mind her, she's just a little-" Camila rips her hand away and wipes it on her pants, "Really? How old are you?" Victoria rolls her eye and starts again, "You-" Camila cuts her off, "Remember what Master Tabai said!" Victoria throws her arm out angrily, "To hell with what he said, she deserves to know!" Mary shifts uncomfortably James becoming slightly suffocating on top of her.
Victoria grips Mary's hands tightly, "We didn't actually need your help, Master Tabai asked us to keep you occupied for the day until.." She trails off and Mary's brows furrow, "Until?"
"Camila massages her temples and growls, "Until Kenway left." Mary's eyes widen, "Left where?" James wiggles on top of her belly and Mary groans uncomfortably. Camila is finally able to pull James off, he blinks once and is out again. She rocks the boy softly and explains, "Mentor sent Edward away, he said he'd be gone for more than a month and hoped it would convince you to head back home." She pulls herself up, "I think it's time for me to leave." She exits the building feeling embarrassed and used, I can't believe he'd trick me like that.
Great Inagua, August 10th, 1720
Mary sits on her bed as the baby kicked at her ribs. She pats her belly softly, hoping to settle the restless child, "You must be mad at me, but we are better off without him." The baby replies by jabbing her in the lung, the breath knocked right out of her. She takes a few deep breaths and gasps when her belly tightens up, Well that was different. She lets out a breath and stands, "It must be awfully cramped in there because it sure is in here. Let's go for a walk shall we?"
She strolls through the town, jumping when she hears a soft voice behind her, "Have you thought of a name?" She smile at her mentor and pats her belly, "I was thinking of naming him after one of the greats if he's a boy, and if she's a girl then perhaps either Lucy or Jennifer." Ah Tabai smiles, "I think it'd be nice to have a little Altïar prancing around." Mary smiles and they grow quiet.
"Edward has been asking about you." She sighs, Should have known."He knows good and well where I am, if he wants to talk to me he can come find me." She turns on her heel and hurries away. "Mary, you are being as thick skulled as him, you are better than this, don't let him best you." She sighs but continues on, Mentor is right, I should probably head back soon.
Great Inagua, August 15th, 1720
Mary jumps when she hears a Ah Tabai's voice behind her, "Mary?" She whips around angrily, "Quit sneaking up on me!" He chuckles, "Have you forgotten your training?" She purses her lips, eyeing the people behind him. "No, you're just too stealthy." Ah Tabai laughs and taps a hand to the shoulder of the only woman in the group.
"Mary, this is Ifé, she will assist you with the birth." The woman has a warm smile that lets Mary know she is in good hands."We must not waste anymore time. We will escort you back." She nods and slings her bag over her shoulder, following them from the room. A novice steps forward and holds out his arms, "Miss Read, may I take your bag?" She grins and brushes past the boy, "I can handle at least this much, thank you."
As they walk through the thick forest she grows tired and is forced to take a break. Jaysus, that was just the small hill! I'm going to have a lot of training when this is over. Ifé crouches next to her and places a hand on her knee, "Mary, I know you're used to doing things on your own, however you are heavy with child. It may do you well to have that young man carry your bag." Mary nods, deciding for once to be a bit less stubborn and the novice is more than eager to help his hero.
The group treads on quietly, the only sound is of their footsteps on the dirt path in front of them. She feels pressure building in her abdomen tying her best to ignore the pain. She kneads her belly but when that doesn't work she crouches and lets out a pained grunt. Ifé is at her side in a second, she places her hands to her sides and kneads her back. "Your body is preparing for birth." Mary groans and leans into her touch, "I just can't wait for this to be over.