A.N. Thank you to the reviewer who pointed out my spelling mistakes! Can you tell I write the story on my phone? Thank you everyone for your support, the reviews, favorites and follows! I hope you all enjoy this next chapter, I know I enjoyed writing it! Please leave a review if you notice any mistakes or have any suggestions, anything you'd like to see in the story, if you enjoy the story and even if you don't enjoy the story! Now enough rambling, let's find out where Mary and Sophia are at!
Kingston, September 9th, 1720
"Where is she?!" Edward shouts at one of the guards as he pummels him with his fists. The guard cowers behind his arms, "I don't have a clue what you're talking about, we haven't had a woman here in months!" Edward doves him to the ground and curses to himself. He crawls to bell and rings for reinforcements, while Edward was busy talking to himself.
Suddenly he is surrounded with upwards to fifteen soldiers, "Dammit!" He shoots a watch tower guard with his blow dart. The guard aims at his comrades, taking three of the men out before anyone can even react. He shoots a brute in the shoulder and swings his cutlass down hard, aiming for his head. He rolls out of the way and the metal lodges into the ground. He ducks just as a dagger slashes next to his cheek.
He swings at the man but he's agile and hops out of the way with each swing of his sword. Edward rolls, barely dodging the swing of the ax from the brute. receiving a small nick from the blade. He throws his blade up into his neck and shoots another guard in the head with his pistol. He grabs onto the shoulders of a confused guard and shoves him in front of an incoming bullet.
He throws the dead man to the ground and shoots a dart at the lithe guard. He growls, foaming at the mouth and takes out three more men. He falls to the ground dead and Edward turns to face his final foe. He focus on the brute and pulls out his pistols, taking two shots at him. The guard falls to his knees clutching at his throat and Edward smirks, striding forward to finish him off.
The brute throws a knife in Edward's direction. He ducks but not fast enough, he earns a large cut to the top of his forehead, he curses and the man rises back to his feet. Edward, enraged, swings his cutlass down but the guard blocks it with his axe. "Come off it pirate, surrender now!" Edward growls and aims at his feet, "Never!" The man hops out of the way and Edwards blade just barely cuts his uniform.
The guard, jabs at Edward's gut but Edward rolls behind him. The man is too slow to spin around so Edward is just behind him, Perfect. Edward stabs the man in the back, impaling him on his sword. He lets out a garbled cry and slinks dead on the ground. Edward heaves, trying to regain his lost breath. He hears footsteps behind him and turns to watch his friend approach.
"Captain, there is no sign of her outside." Edward nods and pulls his sword from the man's back, "Aye, one of these men said they haven't had a woman here in months. I'd still like to go inside, just to be sure." Adéwalé nods and the two men slink into the building.
Havana, September 9th, 1720
"Shhh, Sophia, you will give us away. Remember, blend with the crowd. I can't quite do that if you're crying." Mary rocked the baby, attempting to soothe her. The crowd around her gives her strange looks, she growls and shouts angrily, "Ain't you ever see a baby before?" The people around her quickly look away and continue about their business. She huffs and storms angrily off to the bureau.
"Who's this little fella?" Rhona shouts and Sophia begins wailing, Mary rocks the baby and glares at the woman, "Can't you be quiet? Don't you know babies don't like loud noises?" She sighs and places the baby against her chest, running a hand through her soft blonde hair, "This is my daughter Sophia."
Rhona gasps, "Daughter? I didn't even know you were pregnant! Congratulations!" She shouts excitedly and the baby wails, Mary growls, "What did I just say?" Rhona throws her hands over her mouth and mumbles an apology. Mary shakes her head and walks into the small building with Rhona trailing behind.
She throws her hands on her hips and grins, "So who's the father?" Mary's face flushes and she looks away, avoiding the question. "I like what you've done with the place." Rhona smirks, "Thanks, now stalling and answer my question." Mary purses her lips and hands the baby over to Rhona's awaiting arms. She engulfs her in a tight hug and the baby squeaks. Mary cocks her brow and Rhonna gives her a sheepish smile.
Mary rolls her eyes and Rhona giggles, "Well, judging by the blonde hair and those sea blue eyes. I'm going to assume she has a welsh background?" Mary crosses her arms over her chest and Rhona gives her a hearty chuckle, "I love it when I'm right. How long have you two been together? I always had my suspicions but now I know for sure." Mary's eyes flick over to her daughter and she rubs the back of her neck awkwardly. "The funny thing is that we're not together."
Rhona gasps, "You mean he left you? How could he do something like that? I knew he was and arse but to leave a woman with child?" She babbles angrily, mainly to herself, and Mary grabs her arm that was flailing about. "It's not like that." Rhona stops mid sentence with a curious glance, Mary looks away and whispers, "We were never together, it was a drunken mistake." Rhona gasped again, "Does he know?" Mary nods and Rhona continues, "So are you going to try and make it work out?"
"I don't know, I do enjoy being around him. I think he's trying to do the right thing and support us, but I think it's only cause he feels guilty. And besides," Mary stops, she runs a hand through her hair, refusing to finish her statement. Rhona looks at her expectantly and Mary mumbles something under her breath.
"What was that?" Mary sighs and whispers, "He has a wife." Her mouth drops open and for once in her life, the loud woman has nothing to say, Mary looks away ashamed. Rhona grabs her by the hand and squeezes, "It's not your fault Mary." She pulls her hand away and reaches for her daughter.
Sophia begins to whimper and Mary sighs, "It's about time I feed her, do you have an empty room?" Rhona nods and points to an open door only a few feet away, "You can make yourself comfortable in there. By the way, Mary, Master Tabai sent me a letter that said you had disappeared. Would you like me to let him know you're here?" Mary stands rigid for a moment, "No, don't reply, not yet at least." And she walks to the unused room to feed her daughter.
Kingston, September 9th, 1720
Edward's footsteps echo in the empty hallways of the prison. He checks cell after cell but it's no good Mary is nowhere to be found. He feels a weight heavy in his chest and a lump forming in his throat. Once again, he was unable to save Mary Read. "Damn it!" He punches at the wall then hears a hoarse voice coming from the cell he was standing next to.
"Kenway?" He looks down at the figure lying in the cell, squinting and barely make out the face. He gasps, "You're alive? But, I saw you die with my own two eyes." The figure chuckles and makes an attempt to stand. "Hold on, let me find a key, I'll get you out of here." Edward runs from the cell and peaks his head around the corner.
He whistles loudly and attracts the attention of a nearby soldier. Edward grabs him as he rounds the corner, knocking him out. He lays the man on the floor and grabs the keys off of his belt. He runs back to the cell and quickly unlocks the gate, "Thanks Kenway, I'll have to repay ya later. Now let's get out of here before someone notices I'm gone."
Havana, September 10th, 1720
Mary watches the people of Havana pass by her window. Her daughter begins stirring in the bed so she picks her up. She places a soft kiss to her temple, "I love you Sophia." The baby sighs and nuzzles against her mother's shoulder. Mary smiles and sways gently, helping her daughter fall back to sleep.
"Awe, Mary, you're so sweet. Who would have known that angry old James Kidd could be such a sweet and gentle mother." Mary rolls her eyes and turns toward her comrade, "What do you need?" Rhona lowers her brows and places a hand to Mary's shoulder, "I can't wait much longer, what do you want me to tell Ah Tabai?"
Mary runs a hand down her face, feeling a headache coming on. "Just tell him I'm safe and that I'll be back eventually." Rhona nods and leaves the room, Mary looks down at her daughter's sleeping face and frowns, Can't I get some sort of peace? Why do they need to know where I am at all times?
Great Inagua, September 10th, 1720
Edward pulls his Jackdaw to the deck of his island. He hops off the ship and darts to the manor. The burly man looks to Adé and quirks a brow, "What's his problem?" Adé shakes his head and sighs, watching his captain jump out of the way just before he collides with a drunken villager. "Miss Read and her child are missing."
The man turns to Adé, "Who's that? Another one of his whores?" Adé smiles and places a hand to the man's shoulder, "I wouldn't say that too loud. She wouldn't be very happy to hear you say something like that about her." The man laughs, "With the way Kenway is carrying on you'd think she's the queen of England herself." Adé smile and shrugs his shoulders, "More like the queen of the Jackdaw."
Edward bursts through the door of Anne's room and shouts, "Has there been any updates? She wasn't in Kingston!" Anne whips her head around in Edward's direction and shushes him, "Edward, be quiet!" He furrows his brow, and walks just behind Anne looking at whatever it was that was on the floor in front of her. He crouches down and grins, "Leave it to you to make a bad situation better, do they have a name?"
She shakes her head, "I just can't settle on one, I was thinking maybe Jack after his father. Or maybe Jim after Mary. But I think that's just too cliche." Edward grins and pokes a thumb to his chest, "Well how about Edward? I think I'm a good role model." Anne laughs, "You're a cocky bastard Edward Kenway." She shakes her head and grasps onto his hands, the sleepy baby pops his eyes open for a second. "How about Jacob? Do you like that name?"
The baby smiles and she picks him up. "I think that's a yes! Well Jacob, meet your uncle Edward." She hands the baby over to the blonde and he rocks the baby sadly. "To answer your question Edward," He perks his head up, hoping for good news. "Ah Tabai said that Mary and Sophia are safe, he wouldn't tell me where she was though." Edward sighs and holds the baby tighter, missing his daughter.
Great Inagua, September 20th, 1720
"It's been nearly two week! Where is she? I'm going after her, this is crazy!" Edward stomps around the Assassins bureau angrily while Ah Tabai sat at his desk. "She asked us not to come looking for her, we must do as she wishes." Edward slams his hands down onto the desk but the mentor doesn't even flinch, "I can't sit around here any longer, she has my daughter!"
Ah Tabai places a hand to his shoulder, his eyes are soft, "Mary will come to us when she is ready." Edward clenches his jaw and brushes the man away, "What if she does something to herself or worse, what is she hurts Sophia?" Ah Tabai shakes his head, "You must have faith-" Edward slams his fist against the tabletop, "Faith? How can I have faith in someone who acts so recklessly."
Ah Tabai shakes his head and leans forward, "I recall myself saying something very similar about you Edward. But Mary told me to have a little faith, had I not listened I do not think you would be standing before me today." Edward is quiet, he watches Ah Tabai stand and walk towards the window.
"She is in Havana, I cannot stop you but I do think you should let her come back when she is ready." Edward is gone before he finishes his statement. Ah Tabai sighs as he watches Edward running towards his Jackdaw, "You must learn patience Edward Kenway."
Havana, September 20th, 1720
Mary wanders the streets of Havana with no particular destination in mind. Sophia was wrapped tightly against Mary's chest as she strolls through the market. She stops as one of the stalls, she picks up a small stuffed toy and dangles it in front of her daughter. Sophia reaches up for it and Mary laughs, placing it back down, "Sorry Sophia, I don't have any money right now."
Mary turns to leave but is stopped by the shopkeeper. She holds the toy in her hand and smiles. Mary cocks a curious brow as the woman places the toy into her palm. Mary frowns, "I'm sorry, I don't have any money right now." The woman shakes her head and points towards the child, "I see you and your child around here almost everyday. I've watched you giving money to complete strangers."
Mary attempts to protest but the woman shakes her head, "It's been sitting around for awhile now, please take it." Mary grins and stuffs the toy into her sling. "Thank you Ma'am." The woman nods, "Come back and see us when you have the funds, maybe we can work a deal out for you the next time you come around." She heads back to her stall and Mary can't help the grin on her face, touched by the woman's kindness.
She continues through the town, smiles as Sophia's bright eyes watch her. She pokes the baby's nose, and the child's eyes cross as she tries to look at her finger. The child leans forward and begins to suck on her mother's finger, Mary sighs, "It's about that time, I can tell you're starting to get hungry." As if on cue she begins to wail, Mary pulls the baby from her sling and rocks her gently to calm her.
Mary places the baby on her stomach and pats her back, Sophia's cries turn into soft whimpers. Mary hums to herself until she hears something in the bush next to her, It's probably just a cat. Sophia begins to moan and Mary frowns, she quickens her pace. Something heavy lands in a hay pile next to her, she furrows her brows and pulls out a knife. She pokes at the pile with her boot and jumps in surprise when a figure pulls themselves from the pile.
"Edward, what the hell are you doing here? You scared the bloody hell out of me!" She hisses and Edward stands upright, crossing his arms over his chest, "You wanna talk about scary? Well how about the fact that you disappeared two weeks ago with no explanation! I've been worried sick about you and Sophia!" Mary purses her lips and mutters a half-hearted apology. "Sorry Edward, I didn't think-"
He rips his daughter from her arms and the stuffed toy falls to the dirt, "You're right, you didn't think! What would you have done if something happened to her?" Mary bends down to pick up the toy and attempts to brush the dirt off of the fabric. "I don't know-" Edward cuts her off yet again, "How did you even get to Havana anyway?" She tightens her jaw, "Edward-" He continues jabbering, "Why would you leave anyway?!"
Mary's brow ticks and she tosses her hands into the air, shouting, "I don't know Edward! Maybe I just wanted to get away from you! Ever since I had her you've done nothing but hover! You won't let me do anything or even think for myself! I feel like a caged rat!" She notices the stares they were receiving so she stomps off, leaving Edward and her daughter behind.
Mary sits on the top of the bureau, twisting the stuffed toy in her hands, That arse doesn't care who he hurts, poor Sophia, I'm sure she's missing her new toy. Edward plops down next to her and she stares down angrily at the toy. "Mary?" She hums response and tucks her head in her knees. "Mary, look at me." She shakes her head and he rolls his eyes.
He tilts her chin and growls, "Look at me damn it!" She slaps his hand away and glares at him. "What do you want? Can't you see I want left alone?" She fidgets with the toy and he sighs, "I'm sorry Mary, I didn't realize how suffocating I was being." She huffs and turns her head away again, watching the sun slowly fade into the clouds.
Edward breaks the silence, "I can't believe how big she's gotten." She glances at her daughter from the corner of her eye, her heart is heavy with guilt. "Aye, I guess you're right. She did get a little bigger." Edward looks at her obviously upset, "You haven't noticed?" The hurt is clear in his voice, it's her turn to apologize. "I'm sorry for disappearing, I just needed to get away."
He places a kiss to Sophia's forehead and Mary hands the stained toy to him. "Where'd you get this?" She smiles, "She made a friend in town, apparently we created a beautiful babe." He smiles and hands it to Sophia, "I'd have to agree," He looks up, hopeful, "Will you please come home?" Mary glances away and lays her chin on her knees, "Aye, I think it's about time I went back." Edward grins and the two watch as the pale moon rose high in the sky.
Rhona grips onto Mary tightly and sniffles, "Don't be a stranger! And don't forget to bring Sophia with you!" Mary smiles and holds her daughter up so she could look at the boisterous woman. Rhona makes a face at Sophia and she pats her cheeks once, "I'm going to miss you girly!" They say their goodbyes and head to the docks.
The walk was awkwardly silent, saying things have gotten weird since having Sophia is an understatement. Once best friends and now strangers, the two have almost completely detached themselves from each other. Edward runs his hand through his hair and sighs, "Soooo." Mary raises her brows, "Yes?" Edward sighs again, "I don't know, I was hoping you'd have something to say."
Mary chuckles, "What? Like 'oh Edward thank you so much for bringing me home, you're my hero now make passionate love to me'?" Edward pouts and kicks a stone in the path, Mary chuckles and looks down at her daughter once again strapped to her chest. The baby sleeps happily against her chest and she has to hold back the temptation to wake her up.
"I am very grateful for you Edward, and everything you have done for me. I may not have ever come back if you hadn't come for me." Edward looks up, mouth wide, "But why? You would have kidnapped our daughter?" Mary clenches her jaw, "Well when you say it that way it just sounds horrible." Edward shakes his head, baffled, "What else is there to it? That's what it is."
Mary traces Sophia's lips with her finger, "I guess you're right Edward, I think I was just jealous. You were so good with her while I could barely stand to look at her. You picked up the whole fatherhood thing in less than a month while I had a whole term and I still didn't feel like a mother." He wraps an arm around her waist, holding her awkwardly as they walked.
"Well from what I see, you've got this whole thing down pat now. I'm glad you left because I think you might be almost back to the old Mary." The two stop in front of the Jackdaw. She shrugs off his arm and climbs onto the ship, walking quickly to his cabin. Edward frowns and heads to the helm, So much for that...
Great Inagua, September 21st, 1720
Mary runs a hand through Sophia's hair as she feeds, she trails over to her ear. "You're so small Sophia, look at these little fingers!" She picks up her daughter's hand and the baby grips tightly. Suddenly the door bursts open, Mary jerks her head to the side eyes wide. She quickly grabs a blanket and throws it over herself and shouts, "Edward what the hell, get out!"
He throws his hands over his eyes and blubbers out an apology, "Sorry, I just came to tell you we made it back. I'll be in the manor when you're," he pauses, gesturing blindly, "finished." Edward backs away with his hands still covering his eyes. "Shut the damn door!" He comes back, apologizes again, and shuts the thing.
She huffs and turns her attention back to her daughter, who was now looking up with her bright blue eyes. Mary brings her face back to her breast but she refuses to latch on. She grumbles angry words under her breath and lays Sophia down to readjust herself. Once satisfied, she stalks towards the manor.
She walks through the doors of the manor and grumbles, "Edward I hope you're happy, she wouldn't eat after your little interruption." She stops dead in her tracks and gasps. There sat Anne, a bit smaller than she remembered, and a very familiar man. He was tall and muscular and looks very strange holding such a small baby in his arm. The man squints and asks, "Who's the lass?" Mary remains in shocked surprise, Anne giggles, "That's James silly."
"James? What a strange name for a lass." Sophia stirs in the wrap, Mary glances down to check on her, "I thought you died Thatch." He quirks his brow, "And ye even know my name?" Mary laughs and takes a step closer, "You still don't recognize me? Let me introduce myself then," She holds out her hand and gives him her award winning smart arse smirk, "Captain Kidd."
Thatch's mouth drops open and she can't help but to laugh, he jumps to his feet and throws an accusing finger in her direction, "Captain James Kidd? How in God's name did ye turn into a woman?" Mary pats Sophia's back gently, Thatch leans close to get a good look, "What'cha got there lass?" She bends down, revealing the blonde haired baby to her good friend. He quirks a curious brow, "Who's kid is that?" Mary laughs and knocks him gently on the chest, "Mine you dolt." Thatch gasps, "What?" he belts out into a hearty laugh and she frowns, "What the hell are you laughing at?" He wipes a tear away with his finger, "I must be dreaming! James Kidd is a mother!"
Mary pokes Sophia's nose and the baby immediately suckles on her finger. She sends Edward a pointed look and he rubs the back of his neck. She faces her daughter once more, she's more than frustrated trying to eat. Mary shakes her head and sighs, "If you'll all excuse me, I have to try to feed her again because somebody," She whips her head to the side staring straight at Edward, "doesn't know how to knock."
After Sophia had supper and a quick change, Mary found her way back to the livingroom. Thatch is holding Anne's baby again and Mary can't help but to think what a great father he'd be. She hands Sophia off to Edward and plops down next to Anne. Her face softens and she pulls her into a hug, "I'm so sorry I wasn't here to help you with the birth."
Anne pats her back gently, "It's alright Mary, I know you wouldn't have gone away without a good reason. I'm just glad you're back." The two break away and Mary leans over to get a good look at the child, "They look just like you Anne." Anne shrugs, "I think he looks more like his father." Mary's eye's brighten, "You've got yourself a son aye? What's his name?"
She smooths the baby's brown hair away from his face, "Jacob," and he opens his pale green eyes. Mary frowns and Anne tucks a dark strand behind her ear, "What's wrong Mary?" She shakes her head but smiles, "Edward said that all babies are born with blue eyes but Jacob's are green so I guess her's won't change." Thatch lets loose a hearty laugh and the two glance towards the men.
Sophia's fingers are tangled in Thatch's beard hair, the two mothers join the chorus of laughter. Eventually they detangle her hands from the thick hair on his chin and Thatch asks the question Mary had been hoping to avoid. "Who's the lad that was brave enough to lay with the fearsome James Kidd?" She chews on her lip and watches her daughter squirm in her lap.
She lifts her knees to her chest and places a kiss to Sophia's nose, silence growing thick in the air. Thatch raises an eyebrow at her silence, "Seems as though you're avoiding the question, aye?" Mary finally lets out a huff, can't he see she doesn't want to talk about it? She mumbles under her breath, "Edward." The burly man smirks and slaps her on the back, "I knew it!"
Mary puffs out her cheeks and growls, "If you knew then why'd you ask!" Thatch quiets his laughter and gives her a genuine smile, "Ye two are meant for each other." She glances at Kenway who was more interested in Sophia than their conversation. Mary stands and hands Sophia back to Thatch, "Do you mind watching her so we," Edward glances up, "can talk?" Thatch nods and Edward's throat bobs down nervously.
She takes a step into his office, her eyes adjusting in the dim light of the room. She notices his make shift bed in the corner of the room and frowns, "What happened to your bed?" She can hear the amusement in his voice when he speaks, "There's only three rooms, where do you think I've been sleeping?" Mary turns towards him with a scowl, "I didn't know you did that for me, Thank you."
He nods and she wanders around the room, stopping in front of the locked cage containing the Templar armor. "Still haven't collected the rest of those keys have you?" She attempts at light conversation. He shakes his head, "I've been a bit preoccupied with the whole fatherhood thing. Don't worry, I know I need to get to it soon, I sure did make a mess of things." She nods, heading to his desk flipping a few papers over, "How's your fleet fairing?"
Edward presses himself into her back with breath ghosting over her ear, she stiffens. He rests his hands at her hips and slowly slides them down her arse. "You don't expect me to believe that we came all this way just to talk about my fleet do you?" She spins around to shove him away but he captures her hands. Her heart races and her eyes widen. "Let me go Kenway!"
She tries pushing him away but he only holds her tighter. "I don't think that's what you want." He leans forward and she bends back, He smirks, "Oh, I see, you just want to get right to it then." He nibbles at her neck and her heart thunders painfully in her chest. She looks around for something, anything, to get him off her. She kicks her leg out, landing hard in his groin. She knows it's a low blow but she had to get him off her!
He leans over, clutching at his painful manhood. She wets her now dry lips and squeeks, "I'm moving out." He forces himself up and grunts, "I just got you back, why do you want to leave again?" She crosses her legs uncomfortably and turns away, picking at the strings of her shirt. "I can't expect you to care for me when we are just mates." He stiffens at the words, just mates.
"Mentor said I can teach the children until Sophia is old enough for me to take contracts again. Obviously she will need to stay with me-" Edward cuts her off, fist to the table, he growls through clenched teeth. "Why can't she stay with me?" Mary quirks a brow, "Are you hiding a pair of tits under that shirt Kenway?" He grunts but otherwise remains silent.
"You're welcome to visit whenever you'd like." Edward shakes his head, "Mary, just stay here, I don't mind." She sighs, "No, I've already put you out too much." She gestures towards the pile of pillows and blankets in the corner, "For God's sake, Edward, you've been sleeping on the floor for months!" He grabs her hands again, giving her a shitty smirk he suggests, "We could always just share your room."
She furrows her brows, Apparently a kick to the nuts ain't enough. She shakes her head and rips her hands from his grasp, "No Edward." He pins her to the desk, "Why not? I mean we already have a child, what's the worst that could happen." She pushes him away, feeling her heart lurch. "Edward get off of me." She knows he wouldn't do it intentionally but she remembers that one guard in Kingston. She shivers.
He places a hand to her thigh and she squeezes her eyes shut tight. She lets out a shaky breath and Edward closes the distance, his lips land on her's and she stiffens. He attempts to coax her lips into moving but after a few moments he gets the hint and backs away. He's about to say something smart but that's when he notices her tears. He's quick to brush them away, "Shh Mary, what's wrong? Did I hurt you?"
She slaps his hands away and shouts, "Don't touch me! This is why I'm leaving!" He backs away from her and she hops off of his desk. "How did we end with a child if you had no feelings for me?"
She darts out of the door, passing Anne in the hallway. "Mary? What's going on?" She hurries to her room, slamming the door shut behind her. Anne's eyes widen when she hears the lock click shut. What did you do now Edward?
Anne storms into his office, he stands in the middle of the room with clenched fists, "Edward what the hell did you do?" He meets her angry gaze, "She said she was moving out." Anne pokes him hard in the chest, "Well what did you do to make her cry?" He shrugs his shoulders, Anne crosses her arms across her chest and taps her foot, "Well? Out with it!" He shakes his head, "I don't know! All I did was kiss her!"
She raises a brow, "You had to have done something else. She thinks the world of you Edward, she wouldn't cry over a small kiss." Edward shakes his head and explains, "I'm serious she was sitting on the desk and I was here." He straddles the table, the way he was earlier. "And then I kissed her." Anne grows silent, she shudders at the memory of the prison. Edward places a hand to her shoulder and she leans away, his brows furrow, "Anne?" Her eyes darken and he holds her jaw in his palm. "What's going on?"
She knocks his hand away with a sigh, "Edward, they did things to us. In the prison that is." He nods asking her to continue, she starts shakily and clears her throat. "They raped us. Mary never talked about it, I figured she was just taking it better than I was. She got the worst of the assault." She pales, ghosts of her friend's screams filling her head. "I can still remember her begging them to stop." Edward's wets his lips, "She thinks I'm like one of them?" Anne sighs, "I don't know Edward, but I've told you before, she's different."
Edward knocks on the door and tries the handle when there is no response. Locked. Nothing is going to separate him from his lover so runs out of the manor and climbs in through her window. His heart races when he sees no sign of her, Did she leave again? He lowers his gaze, noticing her quivering form on the floor. He hops over the bed and pulls her to his chest.
She pushes him away shouting, "Don't touch me!" He lowers his voice an octave, "I'm not going to hurt you." She falls to the floor bringing her knees to her chest and weeps loudly, "Please just stop." He lays down next to her and runs a hand through her hair. "Mary, please listen to me. I'm not going to hurt you, I'd never do anything to you without your permission. You don't have to worry." She cries quietly to herself, "Mary, I love you."
Mary jolts awake when she feels the weight on her hand, she quickly rips it away and bolts upright. Edward hops up and grabs onto her to calm her down, "Mary it's only me, you have nothing to worry about." Mary glares at him, "I can handle myself Edward." He clenches his jaw, "Anne told me about the prison." She pulls her knees up, her chest growing tight.
"I'm sorry they did those things to you. Why didn't you tell me?" She bites her lip and growls, "I never told you because it's none of your business!" Edward rubs his temples, "If I would have known I could have-" She snaps, "Could have what? There's nothing you could have done to change it! Why should I relive those memories?" He growls, "I could help you through this Mary, I can help you get through this!"
"The only way I will get through this is on my own!" Edward looks at her sadly, "What if you can't get over it?" She huffs, "Men only want one thing and that is sex." Edward looks hurt and stands, "That simply isn't true." She clicks her tongue and grumbles, "Don't you dare say you're different. How many times did I catch you in the company of other women?" She scoots away from him when he sits on the edge, he rests a hand on the top of her foot. "All the women I have been with were consenting." She kicks his hand away and he frowns.
"Mary I love you." She shuts her eyes and shakes her head, "You keep saying that Edward. But what about your wife? Ain't you going back to Bristol?" Edward gives her a sad smile and shakes his head, "She left me, I was only chasing after dreams. Caroline and I were never a good match, I think the only reason we even got married was to piss off her father."
Mary sighs and shakes her head, "I don't know Edward, I feel guilty enough as it is. I'm the mistress that is ruining your marriage, I don't want you to feel like you are obligated to be with me just because of Sophia." He inches closer to her and grasps onto her hand, "You haven't ruined anything, there wasn't even anything to ruin when I arrived in Nassau."
She traces the scars on his hand with her thumb and he continues, "To be honest I knew that I was never coming back, I promised her I'd be gone for two years. You know how long it has been? Seven years, I'd be crazy to think she has been waiting for my return." She meets his gaze and he gives her a pained smile, "I'm sure she has also moved on, she probably has her own children with some other man that makes her much happier than I ever could."Mary tightens her grip and he looks up, eyes sparkling in the candlelight.
"Fine, we can try, but if it doesn't work out I'm leaving." Edward grins and hops off the bed, "Where are you going?" She calls after him, disappointment in her voice. She just gave him the answer he's been begging for, you'd think he'd be more excited than that.
He walks backwards with a large smirk plastered across his face, "I'm going to get my things." Leaving a pouting Mary on the bed, How does he do that? Always getting his damn way. She thinks angrily but she can't help the smile growing on her face.