A.N. So I haven't been happy with any of my chapters and I'm starting to think it's because I keep trying to reword the story after it's written. From now on I'm going to re-read only to correct spelling mistakes. I hope the story will be of better quality from here on out! Thanks for making it this far!
Great Inagua, August 25, 1720
"Have you thought of a name yet?"
"Hmm?"
"I said have you thought of a name?"
"Edward what time is it? Can't we talk about this in the morning?"
"It is morning Mary, you just have the Windows covered."
Mary throws her hands over her eyes, shielding them from the bright light as Edward rips the curtains away from the window. She glares at him through blurry vision and hisses, "Edward you are such a pest! Why can't you just leave me alone?" He grins and yanks in her arm, "Come on Mary let's get you on your feet, Ifé said you need to get moving." She rolls over, pulling the blanket over her head, "No, let me sleep." Edward goes quiet allowing Mary some much needed rest.
Then the baby begins wailing from her cradle.
Mary groans, rising painfully from the bed. She flicks the blankets to one side and swings her legs over, "Jaysus, I just wanted a quiet morning." She shuffles her way to the cradle, lifting her up before she wakes the entire town from her crying, "Shh little one." She rocks her softly and the small child grips her shirt tightly, Mary whips her head to the side, "Can you please give us a little privacy Edward?" They stare each other down until Edward nods and gives her a peck to the cheek before leaving the room.
Oh, if looks could kill Edward would have been dead already. She shoves him away and hisses, "Don't touch me!" He smirks and she knows he's about to say something smart, "Don't act like you didn't want it." She turns her back, not even dignifying a response, Screw you Edward. The door clicks shut and she undoes her top, offering her breast to the baby. But she just sits there, staring up expectantly at her mother. "What?" The baby blinks and whines uncomfortably.
She furrows her brows, brushing her nipple against the baby's lip, "Come on, I know you're hungry." She bites down painfully and Mary jumps, she flips the baby over to the other breast but she turns her head, denying the offering. Mary clenches her jaw in frustration, "I know I don't have the biggest tits but couldn't you just try?" The door squeaks and she panics, looking for something to cover herself with. She limps to the bed as fast as she can and rips the blanket off the bed.
"Mary? I heard you talking, are you finished already?" Mary tightens the cloth around her and the crying child just as Edward peaks into the room. She whips her head to the side angrily, "Christ, Edward, does it look like I'm done?!" He looks surprised at his out burst, she looks down and sighs, "I'm having trouble feeding her." He mumbles an apology and the door clicks shut, Mary shakes her head, letting the sheet drop from her shoulder, Thank God he's gone. Mary huffs and brushes her baby's soft hair, "I wish you would just eat." She mumbles.
"My sister had a similar problem."
Mary stiffens, I thought he left! She flings her head to the side, sure enough, Edward was standing awkwardly at the door. She flings a pillow at him and screams, "Get the hell out of here!" She curses to herself when it lands only a few feet away. He shakes his head and steps over the pillow, heading straight for her. God dammit! No respect I swear!
"My mother told her that the baby probably wasn't comfortable." He kneels next to the bed and taps the baby on the nose, she stares at him curiously. He tilts her onto her side and pulls her chin up, lining her up perfectly with the nipple. She latches on but doesn't eat, he frowns and covers her in a blanket and she immediately begins feeding. Mary scowls, "I cannot believe that a man had to show me how to feed my child."
He leans back with a stupid grin, "I was just lucky, past experience with the sheep I guess." She quirks a brow, "What the hell do sheep have to do with my child?" He shrugs, "When a lamb was cold they wouldn't feed, figured it'd be similar." They fall into an uncomfortable silence, neither knowing what to say to the other. Mary grows uneasy, with his staring so she clears her throat, his eyes meet hers and he flushes. She rolls her eyes, He's the one embarrassed? At least he's not the one exposed.
"You asked earlier if I had a name, aye?" He nods and she glances down, combing a hand through her daughter's blonde hair, "Well originally I was thinking Jennifer or Lucy, but now that she's here she seems more like a Sophia." He grins, "I like the sound of that, Sophia Kenway." He tries the new words on his tongue, anger growing inside her each time he repeats it. "So-phia Kenway, Sophia Kenw-ay Soph-" Finally she snaps.
"Will you just shut up already! What makes you think she's taking your name anyway?" Edward purses his lips, "She's mine is she not?" Mary shakes her head, "That doesn't make her a Kenway! You've made it clear these last few months that you don't even want her." He's tense, she can see it in his face, "That was before..." He trails off and she quirks a brow. "Before what?" He runs a hand through his hair, "Before I saw you in all that pain-"
"I do not need your sympathy Edward Kenway." She practical spits, he shakes his head, "It's not-" He sighs, "She looks just like me, how can I deny her now?" Mary bites her lip, turning away from him, He's only here because he feels guilty, Dammit! I'm so stupid. "Mary.." she wipes bitter tears from her cheeks and points towards the door, "Go." He stands, "But-"
"No, I ain't forcing you here if you don't want to be." His eyes widen, "It's not like that-" She bites her lip and growls, "Get out!" He sighs and shuffles towards the door, it clicks shut and she finally lets her emotions go, Stop it! Stop crying! Sophia begins crying along with her mother. Edward you're an arse.
It's well into the evening before Mary emerges from her room, she's had her time to mourn and now she needs to talk to Anne about finding a place to go, maybe they'll head to America. She overheard Ah Tabai saying something about building a bureau in Carolina, she really doesn't want to leave her life in the Caribbean but Edward has commitments back in Bristol. The sooner she gets out of here the better.
She pulls the door open and instead of walking into the empty hallway she slams straight into his chest. Sophia begins crying on impact and she curses the day she ever met that blasted pirate, "Jaysus Edward, can I please just have two minutes to myself? I finally got her settled and now you woke her up." he shrugs and holds his arms out expectantly. "I think you've had enough time with her, give her here."
She pat's Sophia's back and shakes her head, "You ain't touching her." His brows furrow, "Why not?" Mary smirks, "Because I don't want you to." Edward clenches his fist so tight his knuckles turn white, "You've been holding her since she was born, hand her over!" Mary ponders a moment but eventually growls, "I only pushed her out of my cunt but go on, take her." Edward smiles and leans forward, "Thanks for understanding lass."
"Do you not understand a lick of sarcasm?" She pushes him away and stops outside, practically knocking Anne over in her haste. "What's wrong Mary?" She stops in front of the stairs, her eyes bright and angry, "Christ! Can't even walk down some damn steps!" Sure, she might be able to get down but she knows she'd never make it back up. I'm fucking useless! She puffs out her cheeks, teetering angrily on the first step, thinking that maybe it would be worth it just to get away from him.
"Aye Mary, why don't you tell Anne what the problem is?" Her brow ticks, Can't he take a hint? She whips her head towards his irritating voice, "Tell our friend here that you won't let me hold our daughter." Anne raises a questioning brow and Mary bites her lip, God damn him, always painting me as the bad guy! "Shut yer trap Kenway!" Sophia is whimpering, than poor thing, "All you ever do is take take take, do you think about anyone other than yourself?" She rocks the small child trying hopelessly to calm her down.
Edward gestures towards the manor, "Did you forget who we are? We're pirates Mary! Everything we have we've stolen." Mary pops a finger into Sophia's mouth, quieting her long enough for Mary to growl, "That may be true for you but I've given just as much as I've taken!" Edward rolls his eyes and before he can say something stupid Anne intervenes, "You two need to control yourselves!"
She points towards the red-faced baby, "Look at what your arguing is doing to your poor daughter! Only a few days old and her parents can't even hold it together in front of her!" Mary tightens her jaw, Annie's right. She glances back down at her little baby with a frown, "He didn't even want her a month ago, why should I be expected to just hand her over?" Edward takes a step forward, she takes one back.
"You kept her from me, told me she was another man's!" Mary leans onto the railing as pain erupts from between her legs. "You didn't exactly make it easy for me! Every time I found the courage to tell you, you gave me a reason not to!" She groans and her knees buckle, Anne catches her before she lands, "Mary! Look at your pants! You're bleeding!" Mary brushes her away, standing straight and proud, "I'm fine." She takes a step forward but falls to her knees, this time Edward rushes over and she swats at him, "Don't you touch me!"
"But Mary-"
Anne places a hand to his shoulder, "Edward I think it's better if you just go."
"But-"
"Go Edward." Mary commands and he slinks aways, Anne helps her back to her feet, "Let's get you back to bed."
Mary sits down carefully, watching as Anne places Sophia in her cradle, "Why were you two arguing anyway? It couldn't have been just over holding your daughter." Mary tugs at her blood soaked pants, "I just- It's just-" She sighs, "It's not fair Anne." She raises her head slowly, eyes shifting towards the cradle, "Edward has all this love for her even though he didn't want her. I've had all this time and yet." She trails off, unable to finish her sentence.
Anne tilts Mary's chin up, gazing into uncertain eyes, "But?" She frowns, gaze drifting towards the open window. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath of the fresh air, "I don't feel any different." She opens her eyes again, meeting Anne's sad gaze, "She doesn't feel like mine, Christ she doesn't even look like me!" Anne shakes her head and starts, "Sure she does..." Mary clutches the front of her jacket, "Edward had to show me how to feed her!" She takes in a sharp breath, Why is it so hot in here? She pulls at the material, never having felt the What mother can't even feed her own child?!" Anne crouches, running a hand down her back, "You're still learning Mary, you've never had any experience with children before."
Mary turns away, that same pained look from the other day, Anne frowns. "I think you are doing just fine. The way you hold her, the way you fight for her, you're acting like a mother and you don't even know it! Now hold on, let me get Ifé she'll fix you right up." Mary nods and lies down, too tired to support herself. Sophia begins crying again but she just couldn't find the strength to get up, Just be quiet already. She rolls onto her side and rests her eyes.
Someone enter the room but she doesn't even make an attempt to check who it was. The baby stops crying and she feels her pants being removed. She bites her lip, "Don't touch me, please don't touch me." She sobs and Ifé frowns, "Mary, I need to clean you up." She doesn't seem to be listening and continues rambling, Ifé decides to clean her up as quickly as possible.
When she's finished she brushes dark hair away from Mary's face, asking softly, "What's wrong? Are you in pain?" Mary shakes her head and Ifé continues to stroke her hair, "Everything will be alright, just relax." Anne brings Sophia over, "I think she wants her mother." She bends over revealing the fussy child, Mary buries her face in her blanket and shouts, "Take her away, I don't want her!"
Anne straightens up and frowns, "You don't mean that." Mary shouts, "Yes I do, get her away from me!" Anne sighs and leaves the room with the crying child. Mary's throat constricts when she hears the door shut. She didn't mean what she said but she knew it was only a matter of time before Sophia left this world behind and she just couldn't bear the thought.
"Why would she say that? Only an hour ago she wouldn't let me near her!" Anne shakes her head sadly, "Something is wrong Edward, I've never seen her like this before." Edward rocks Sophia quietly, watching as her face contorts and she clenches onto his chest. He sighs when she chews on the material of his shirt, "I think she's hungry, Anne do you mind coming with me?" She nods and as Edward grabs the handle of the door and she stops him, "Edward, don't pester her."
He pulls the door open, barely peeking his head in and whispers, "Mary?" When he receives no response he walks to her bedside and whispers again, "Mary, are you awake?" She whimpers a weak, "Go away." Gee is that all she can say anymore? He sits at the edge of the bed, "I would but Sophia is hungry, she needs you right now." She stares down with a blank face and empty eyes. Sophia starts to cry and Mary turns away, tears flowing freely.
Edward brushes the tears away with a frown, "What's going on with you?" Mary stays silent and stiff as the baby continues to wail. "Mary, she's hungry, you need to feed her." She shakes her head and Anne begins unbuttoning Mary's shirt, "I'm sorry Mary, you're the only one who can do this right now." She leans back against the headboard and sobs as the baby eats. Please don't go...
Great Inagua, August 31, 1720
"Edward you must get her out of that bed, if she drifts further we may never get her back." Ah Tabai watches Mary from the doorway. Never expecting to see his most promising pupil so broken, Edward pat's Sophia gently, "I don't know what to do, I've tried everything." Ah Tabai looks over, Edward looks distant and tired. He looks like he hasn't slept in a week, which might be true.
"She said she didn't want to see the baby so I moved her into my room, but when I bring her for feedings she's sad that she doesn't get see her. When I bring her to visit more often she says it's too overwhelming." Ah Tabai pulls Sophia from his arms and she snuggles up immediately, "Get some rest Edward, I'll watch her for a bit." Edward smiles gratefully and he staggers away. Ah Tabai smiles at the babe and heads for his pupil with gusto.
Mary lies on her side staring out the window, watching as the waves lap against the ships in port, I could just take one of those ships and leave, no one would miss me. The bed dips next to her, they sit silently until Sophia sneezes. Mary's eyes shoot down to the baby, a smile poking at the corner of her lips. Ah Tabai pretends not to notice and breaks the silence, "She is a beautiful child Mary." She pulls herself up and he hands the fussy child over.
Sophia's blue eyes widen as she focuses on her mother's face, Mary can't hold back her grin. "That is a much better look on you." She gazes sadly out the window and he smiles, "Would you like to go outside with me?" She watches Sophia carefully for a moment and eventually nods. She shuffles off the bed and follows her mentor from the room.
She breaks into a small smile when she's hit by the warm summer air. "Mary, I'm so proud of you." She frowns, "For what? Locking myself away?" He grins and kneads her shoulder, "No, I'm proud of what you've done. I know you are hurting but this will pass." She sighs and looks down at her daughter, She's so fragile. She feels her heart race, scared of hurting her baby. "Mary?" She jumps, caught in her thoughts once again, "Are you alright?"
She shakes her head, eyeing the people around them, "Can we go back inside, people are staring..." Ah Tabai glances around, "No one is staring." Mary hoists Sophia up against her chest and crinkles her nose at the smell. "I think she needs cleaned up." Mary shuffles towards the house, abruptly ending the conversation.
She shuffles through the hallway, That was so disrespectful, Mentor will never forgive me. She beats herself up some more and watches Sophia writhing on the bed. Mary carefully unties the dirty cloth horrified upon discovering shit everywhere. She gags and holds her out, under the armpits. She shouts indignantly and Anne is in the room in the matter of minutes, "What's happened?!"
Mary looks up at her with wide eyes, "I don't know what to do, she's covered in shit." Anne giggles "Go grab a towel and a change of clothes, it's about time she got a bath anyway." Anne starts a pot boiling above the fire. Mary sets Sophia down and watches curiously as she reaches out for her mother. Anne plops down and toys with her blonde hair, the baby settles down and Anne grins, "She's such a cutie, She looks just like you."
Mary shakes her head sadly, "I don't see the resemblance. She has all of Edwards traits." Anne frowns, "That's just not true! Look! She has your chin." Mary frowns and Anne points towards her eyes, "And she may have the color of Edward's eyes but she has the shape of yours." Finally, she brings her finger down to poke at her little nose.
Sophia lets out a big yawn and Mary smiles as Anne continues, "She even has your nose. She may have the same eye color and hair as Edward but there is no denying the fact that she has your face." Mary watches her daughter sleep, Anne's right, she does look like me. Anne gets up to check on the water and Mary grins, finally happy to be a mother.
"Mary, bring Sophia here." Mary she trots over to the basin of water, awaiting her next order, "Set her down but be careful she doesn't fall under." Mary nods and Anne lathers the soap onto the rag, she hands the rag off to Mary. "Now clean her up, just be careful not to get it in her eyes."
Mary sets her freshly cleaned baby back into her cradle then lies back in bed, "Are you going back to bed already? Let's go do something before we're surrounded by children!" Anne pats her belly and Mary gives her a weak smile, resting her cheek against her pillow. "I'm just so tired." Anne pulls a chair over and plops down. "It's fine, I'm just glad you're finally talking to me."
Mary's eyes darken and Anne places a hand to her cheek, "There you go again, don't go disappearing on me." Mary rests her eyes and lets out a deep breath, "I'm sorry, everything I do is just so exhausting, even just laying here drawing breath is exhausting." Anne frowns and twirls a lock of hair between her fingers, "Where have you been?" She looks at her friend curiously, "I've been just here, what do you mean?"
"But you haven't been here, I want to know what's going through that head of your." Mary's smile falters for a second and Anne jumps, "Ah! There it is! What were you thinking about just now?" Mary's eyes flick over to the cradle and she says sadly, "She's lasted longer than..." Anne tilts Mary's chin, "Than what?" Mary takes a deep breath then fakes a smile, "Than I thought she would."
Anne watches her carefully, and Mary hopes her answer was good enough. Eventually she stands, "I'm going to draw you a bath." She winks at her friend, "You're starting to get a bit ripe." She flushes and watches her daughter sleep, carefully watching the rise and fall of her chest. I ain't letting you out of my sight.
She's not sure when she fell asleep or how long she's been like that but now Anne's waking her up, "Mary? Maa-ry your bath is reaa-dy." She rubs her eyes as Anne helps her to the bathroom. The fireplace is lit, keeping the water in the tub nice and hot. Anne helps Mary undress and guides her into the warm scented water. She closes her eyes and sighs feeling her muscles begin to loosen.
Anne runs her hands through Mary's hair and hums happily. Her eyes open when a flower floats over and taps her gently on the face. Mary offers the flower over to her friend, who tucks it in her hair, "Annie, you're too good to me." She lathers the soap into Mary's hair, "I'd do anything for you." Mary frowns, "But why? I've done nothing good for you. I got you knocked up, sent to prison, and forced you to take care of my child."
Anne giggles, "You hardly got me knocked up, I think I did that on my own." Mary's frown deepens and she sinks further into the water, "Yeah but if I didn't pull you onto that ship maybe it would have been with someone better than Rackham." Anne smirks, "I'm going to let you in on a little secret Mary," She leans forward and whispers, "I was pregnant before I even went on that ship." Mary gasps and taps her against the jaw, "A little doxy you are, ain't you?" Anne wiggles her brow and the two laugh, a good hearty laugh.
When they settle down Anne goes to rinsing Mary's hair, "If it wasn't for you I probably would have been hanged anyway, after birthing the bastard that is. I don't think my husband was dumb enough to think the kid was his." She smiles and scrubs the dirt from Mary's body, "You saved my life Mary, in more ways than one. I'm just finally getting to repay you." Mary smiles, a true happy smile, one that isn't bogged down by grief or pain. Anne pats her shoulders once, "Alright, I think we're done here."
Anne helps her from the bath and wraps her in a soft towel, guiding her the a stool by the fireplace. Annie thinks of everything. Mary grins, plopping down on the warm stool. Anne combs through her unruly hair, wincing occasionally when the comb gets caught on a knot. Mary's hair is eventually brushed back into place, Anne turns her towards the mirror with a grin, "You look like the Mary, but you smell like a lady now!"
Mary rolls her eyes but laughs, "I don't know, I think I prefer gunpowder and rum over cinnamon and roses." Anne makes a face and throws her nose into the air, "Do you want your kid to think you're some sort of pirate or something?" Mary laughs and envelopes her into a crushing hug and plants a sloppy kiss to her cheek, "I love you lass." Anne smirks and pats her back, "I know, now let's get back to your little girl."
The two walk into the room that was unexpectedly occupied, "Who is the cutest little girl in the world?" Edward rocks the small child gently, "You are!"She coos in his arms. "And who has the strongest mother in the entire West Indies? You do." He turns around with a grin on his face and says, "And who is the most handsome and charming father of the seven seas? I am!"
He places a kiss to the tip of her nose and strides over to the two women, reaching an arm out to cup Mary's cheek, "You look beautiful Mary." She rolls her eyes and brushes his hand away, but can't wipe the smile from her face. She staggers tiredly to the bed and he gives Anne a questioning look, she pats him on the shoulder and leaves the room, giving them some much needed privacy.
Edward walks slowly to the bed and plops down when Mary pats the space next to her. "I'm happy to see you out of this room, I thought you were going to turn to stone soon." He tries to joke but she purses her lips, "That's not very funny Edward." He apologizes and hands Sophia over, she's hungry and no amount of rocking will quiet her down.
Edward runs a hand over Sophia's head, smoothing a few stray hairs down, "She's got so much hair." Mary nods and Sophia starts to wiggle, whimpering quietly. He smiles and goes to stand, "I should go so you can feed her." Mary sighs and pokes a finger into the baby's mouth, she suckles happily. "I thought we could talk for a bit."
Edward leans back, wrapping a timid hand around her waist. She doesn't say anything so that must be a good sign. Sophia grasps tightly onto Mary's finger and she sighs, "How did we get here Edward? Nine months ago I would have never even had a second thought about a child but here I am, looking down at one." He rests his cheek against her shoulder and smirks. "Don't you remember?" She furrows her brows and he places a kiss to her shoulder. "You know what I meant."
He nods, "Aye and I wouldn't change a thing. I'm happy she's here." He rubs her arm with his thumb thoughtfully, "Well maybe I'd change a few things. For one I'd have joined your cause sooner. When I thought I lost you, l I couldn't live with myself. Then you told me that she wasn't mine, I cursed the arse who knocked you up for not being me." He chuckles and she looks over, "Looking back now I was stupid not to notice, if I would have taken a step back from the observatory I would have seen all the sighs of your being pregnant. You were sick for quite a long time and I didn't even seem to care. I'm sorry Mary."
Sophia begins to fuss again and she sighs, "I need to feed her now, I'll find you when I'm finished up here." Edward nods and leaves the room. Mary unbuttons her top, she latches almost instantly and Mary can't help but to let out a proud grin. Everything seems to be turning around.
Great Inagua September 5, 1720
But not always for the better.
Edward shuffles down the hallway with a tray of food in hand. Mary was genuinely happy, but it only lasted a few days and she went back to her solitude. She began locking herself away again but thankfully she stopped pushing Sophia away. Their daughter received much needed attention from her mother and that was all he could ask for at the moment.
Edward grins, feeling wonderful about his newest purchase and knew she would be happy about it too. He knocks on her door and opens it when, as he expected, received no answer. "Mary, it's time you get out of this bed! I brought you some breakfast and I think you'll be happy to-"
He stops, the tray lands with a clang scattering the fruit every which way. He darts to her bed and rips the covers from the bed. His heart is pounding in his ears, he hurries to the cradle and shouts, "Where is she?!" He tears up the room in the hopes of finding some sort of trace of Mary or their daughter.
Anne's in the room moments after hearing the noises he was making. "Edward what the hell are you doing?!" She shouts angrily at him, gripping him tightly by the shoulders. He whips around, tears spilling from his eyes, "They're gone Anne, Sophia and Mary are gone!" Her eyes widen but she remains calm, "I'm sure Mary will be back, she probably went out for some fresh air."
"She hasn't left her room in days!" He shouts frantically, and she shakes her head. "Even more reason for her to get out. Let's go look for them, they couldn't have gone far." Edward takes a few deep breaths, Anne's right, I'm sure she's just somewhere on the island. She couldn't have gone far, Sophia is only a few weeks old. She wouldn't endanger her life, would she?
He darts from the house searching the town up and down, inside and out. He runs up to the guest house and rips the door open only to be disappointed. He curses to himself then runs to the edge of the cliff. He lines himself up and dives into the water below. Once he surfaces he swims as quickly as he can to shore, he runs to the tavern. Not there. He runs to the small shop. Not there. He even checks the whore house, "Where is she?!"
"Who are you looking for Captain?" Adé pats him on the shoulder and he swings around, grabbing him by the front of his shirt, "Have you seen them?" Adé pulls his hands away and flattens his vest out, "Seen who?" Edward yanks at his hair, "Mary and Sophia! They're gone!" Adé shakes his head, "I'm sure they're fine, have you spoken with Master Tabai yet?"
Edward shakes his head and Adé knocks him on the chin with his fist, "Chin up, we'll find them, I'll talk with Master Tabai, you get your Jackdaw ready to set sail." He looks at him with wide eyes,"Why?" Adé gives him a stern look, " In Case we must leave at a moments notice, you said you've looked everywhere for her right?" Edward nods and Adé shakes his head, "The Templars may have them."
Edward's eyes widen, "Why do you think that?" Adé's brows furrow, "This island used to belong to Master Du Casse, they couldn't have just forgotten about it-" Edward darts away without even saying goodbye, that thought had never even crossed his mind! He hurries to his Jackdaw, determined to save his family.
Anne sits on the sofa, she grips onto her stomach and lets out a deep breath. Oh, why now? She let out a growl of pain as a contraction rips through her belly. "You couldn't wait until after we found Mary could you?" She hobbles her way through the manor in an attempt to find someone, anyone, that could help her. She groans again as another contraction hits her. "Shite." She looks down at her now sopping skirt, This is moving a lot faster than Mary's birth. "Oh God!"
She squats and takes a deep breath, hoping to make the urge to push go away. Instead it makes it worse, she lets out a cry as she feels the baby move closer to its exit. She crawls the rest of the way to her room and grabs the sheet off of the the bed. She groans as she feels another contraction. She leans on her side and hikes up her skirt, pushing with all her strength.
When she finished pushing she glances down at brown tufts of hair. Her eyes widen and she feels another urge, she guides the baby from her body with clenched teeth. The baby's head is out, now the shoulders, "Oh Jaysus!" She bares down and out pops the blue baby. He doesn't make a sound and her heart drops. She pats him on the back, he doesn't take a breath, he's turning cold. She begins sobbing, wrapping him up, trying to keep him warm. He's so small.
"Anne, are you alright in here? I thought I heard someth-" Ifé cuts herself off and runs quickly to her side. She pulls the child up, sticking her finger in his mouth pulling out bits of phlegm, he still doesn't breath so she hold him upside down and rubs his back vigorously. Anne lies down sobbing, "Oh god no! I don't want to loose him!"
A shrill, high pitched cry fills the room. Ifé takes a deep breath in and flips the baby over, handing him over to the newest mother of Great Inagua, "I'll be right back Anne, I need to go get a few supplies. You did a wonderful job." Ifé hurries out of the room and Anne clings her baby boy to her chest, OH Jack, he looks like you!
"Master Tabai is sending word to the encampments near by. We should check Kingston, they may have taken her back to the prison." Edward nods and Adé takes his old position next to the helm. "It's good to have you at my side again Adé, I just wish it were under better circumstances." He nods in agreement and shouts at the Jackdaw crew, "Full sail Lads! We're headed to Kingston!"