Great Inagua, January 8th, 1721
Mary wanders aimlessly through the dark halls of the manor feeling restless. Eventually she finds herself in front Edward's office and pulling on the heavy door, it opens with a loud creak. Edward and Ah Tabai quickly cut their conversation sort as she strolls through the room, "Tell me your answer in the morning." He stands from his chair as Mary takes a seat on the tabletop.
"What are you two planning?" She asks and Ah Tabai pats her on the shoulder, "Nothing to worry over." He exits the room and she turns to Edward, eyebrow raised, "What was that all about?" He sighs, lowering his eyes to his desk. He rifles through some papers, "He's sending me on a contract." She shifts and her legs dangle at his sides, "That's nothing new, so why the secrecy?" Edward finally looks up at her, "Rogers survived his wounds." Mary nods, "Aye, I've heard."
"He has returned to London." Her breath hitches and her heart drops. She tighten her hold on him, not daring meet his eyes, This is it, he's leaving and not coming back. She fights against tears that threaten to spill, "How long will you be gone?" He sighs and slips from her grip, "A few months I reckon, a year at the most." She bites her lip and when she tries to stand he holds onto her hips. "I want you to come with me."
Her heart thunders painfully against her ribcage, it'd been so long since she'd been in London. "I don't know Edward, I left a lot back there. I'm not sure if I want to go back." He places a kiss just below her ear, "Then I will tell Ah Tabai no." She shakes her head pushing him away, "No, Rogers needs to be eliminated, you must go." He pulls her to his chest, "I'm not going unless you come with me." She sighs, pushing him away again, "I'll think about it Edward."
Great Inagua, January 15th, 1721
Edward was a master manipulator, she was dead set on not going to London but all it took was those damn lips and she was like putty in his hands. It'd been a last minute decision but he had promised to let her captain his precious ship and she couldn't pass that up. So she finds herself walking towards the Jackdaw with Sophia perched at her hip. It was a sunny day, reminding them that they'd be on a ship no less than a month.
They purchased a bonnet for Sophia and she was not happy as she pulls angrily at the hat. Mary holds onto her small hands, "You're going to have to get used to it, squirt, otherwise you'll get a burn." Edward raises a brow and laughs, "Squirt? Where'd you get that name from?" Mary shrugs and adjusts the bonnet, "I mean if you think about it, she started off as just a squirt." Edward knocks her gently on the arm, "That's so dirty Mary!" She smirks and hoists Sophia a bit higher.
Anne pulls Mary into a hug once they reach the dock, knocking the wind straight out of her. "Mary, I'm going to miss you so much!" She pulls away and pinches Sophia's cheeks, "And I'm going to miss you too!" Mary laughs, "It ain't like we're never coming back, we'll only be there long enough to kill Rogers." Anne pats Mary on the cheek her hand lingering, "I know but..." Anne releases her and Mary smiles, "I'm not staying, don't worry." Anne nods and watches Mary cross the gangplank.
Edward gives Thatch a sturdy handshake and Anne a hug. She pulls him close and whispers into his ear, "You two better come back alive." He hops onto the ship, ignoring the plank, and leaning against the rigging says, "You do know who you're speaking to?" Anne rolls her eyes, "Aye which is why I said it!" Mary calls out a few orders to the crew and the ship shoves off, Edward waves to his friends until he can see them no longer.
At Sea, January 25th, 1721
Mary braces herself against the handrail, finding herself in the same position she was a year prior. She tosses her small breakfast over the edge of the ship then holds her head in her hands. She leans heavily over the railing, thinking about anything other than the fluids sloshing about in her belly. Bile burns at the bottom of her throat and only moments later she's vomiting again. Sturdy hands find themselves at her shoulders and she sighs when they begin kneading the flesh below.
She turns to face him, wiping her mouth on her sleeve. "Are you alright Mary?" She nods but her legs are weak and she quickly slides down to sit on the deck. Edward sighs and kneels down beside her, "Mary, I think you need to lie down." She shakes her head and grunts shakily, "No I'm fine, been through this before." Edward raises his brow but she shakes her head, hiding her head in her knees. He frowns and scoops her into his arms and walks them to the cabin.
He opens the door quietly, mindful of their sleeping babe and sets her gently on the bed. Edward combs his hands through her hair asking, "What's going on with you?" She sighs and tugs on his hand, "I find myself in the same position just last year. The only difference is I already have a child." His grip tightens then softens, "What do you mean by that?" She sighs and places a single hand to his cheek. "Edward, I think I'm pregnant."
At sea, February 5th, 1721
Edward was driving her nuts, anytime she tried to do something he was right at her side. Lift a crate, he was there. Load a cannon, he was there. Tie a bloody bowline, and he was there. "Christ Edward, I'm pregnant not an invalid!" She shouted and slammed the door shut, the crew eyed their captain as he stood there with both eyebrows raised. Unable for the life of him, to figure out what he did to piss her off.
That was hours ago and the door was still locked. Mary sat on the floor with arms outstretched, "Sophia come here." She had started crawling so Mary shoved all of the furniture against the wall. She didn't need her getting hurt or Edward's coddling would only get worse. Sophia, crawls quickly to her mother but something shimmers in the corner and she just had to taste it. Sophia begins crying moments later and Mary sighs, standing to retrieve her child.
"Shhh Sophia Shhh." Mary pulls her hands away and inspects her bottom lip. Her mouth is filling with blood and Mary's heart drops, her eyes flick down to the shiny object. A bloody knife of all things?! Sophia places her hand in her mouth, crying around her fist as Mary shuffles around the room to get necessary supplies. She cleans the wound with the alcohol and it quickly fills back up with blood, "Shite." She curses under her breath. "Sophia, I'm so sorry honey. This is going to hurt."
She takes a deep breath in and begins to suture the wound, Sophia lets out an ungodly squeal when the needle pushes through her flesh. Mary's eyes brim with tears but she continues on, with every brush of the needle Sophia shrieks and Mary's heart breaks. She finishes her last stitch and collapses onto the bed, Sophia's screams come out horse and Mary cries, "I'm so sorry Sophia, I'm so sorry."
The sun begins to set when Mary finally emerges from the cabin. She stops out onto the still warm deck and shouts, "Edward James Kenway!" His gaze immediately meet her's. She has a wailing Sophia secured tightly to her hip and his eyes nearly double in size. He leaps towards her, his first mate having to grip the wheel as is spins wildly. He holds his arms out and she slips Sophia into his arms. He rocks her gently, "What happened?"
"Our daughter had her first set of stitches!" The crew stops in the middle of their song as the couple's shouting grows louder, "You were supposed to be watching her!" She pokes him hard in the chest and he staggers back, "I was watching her you arse! But I can't do nothing when she puts weapons in her mouth thinking it's a toy! How many times have I told you to secure your blades?! How can you call yourself a proper captain when you can't even put your Shite away?"
"Land ho!"
The call for land goes out and Mary rips Sophia from his arms, "We'll talk about this later." She hisses and storms off, waiting for the gang plank to be lowered.
London, February 6th, 1721
"And you must be Edward Kenway." The man holds out his hand and Edward grips it tightly, "Aye." The man grins, "Preston Foster, I'm the mentor here in London, and this here is Miko." Miko looks quite similar to Edward and Preston is quick to point it out, "You could pass off as brothers." Sophia begins to babble to herself and Mary brushes blonde hair away from her face, humming quietly to her. Foster glances behind Edward finally noticing the girls, "Is this your wife?"
Mary cocks a brow and Edward clears his throat, neither had discussed the status of their relationship so he wasn't sure what they were. Mary takes a step forward and holds out her hand, "Mary Read." Preston hesitates a second and she rolls her eyes, "I'm part of the brotherhood." He looks skeptical but shakes her hand regardless. She tickles Sophia's belly, "and this is our daughter Sophia." She shrieks happily and Mary places a kiss to her nose.
Preston grins, "An assassin with a child so young, it's impressive, maybe someday you will share the same title as Edward." The both look at each other before bursting with laughter, the two men look at each other obviously confused, "Did I say something wrong?" Mary squeezes Edward's shoulder, "I'm ranked above him so I sure as hell hope I don't share the same rank. I'm only on leave right now because of the little one."
Mary pokes Sophia on the nose and she pulls the finger into her mouth suckling softly. Preston laughs, "My apologies Miss Read, we don't have many females in our branch." Mary smirks and looks down at her daughter who was slowly growing frustrated, "It's alright Mentor, now I'll leave you men to your business, I think it's about dinner time for this one."
"Ow Sophia, what are you doing? That hurts." Mary pulls Sophia away from her breast and peers into her mouth. "Look at that! You've got a tooth coming in!" Sophia grumbles and tries to pull herself back towards her food source, "Guess you're just starved ain't ya." Mary closes her eyes hoping to get some rest, but hears the door open only moments later. The bed dips next to her and his hands comb through her hair. "Back so soon?" She asks behind closed eyes.
Edward chuckles and leans in to place a kiss to her cheek. He folds himself against her back, nuzzling into her hair. "We're leaving tomorrow for his plantation I'm not sure when we'll be back." She frowns and turns her head to face him, "Be careful Edward, I know how anxious you can be. Take your time, we'll still be here when you come back." He leans forward connecting their lips and she breaks it off when she feels Sophia's suckling slow.
She readjusts herself and Edward eyes her quietly before asking, "How have you been feeling Mary?" She sighs and rolls onto her back, "I'm still feeling queasy but I haven't thrown up since the other day." He pulls her to his chest and she chews on her lip, "Don't get me wrong, I love Sophia, but I really hope I ain't pregnant." Edward nuzzles into her neck placing soft kisses to her skin. "I think I have to agree with you, though I wouldn't mind more in the future."
Mary nods and the two grow quite, simply enjoying each other's presence. "Mary, our introductions earlier had me thinking." She mumbles, sleep heavy in her voice, "That's a dangerous thing Edward." He rolls his eyes and continues, "What are we? I mean to each other. Are we together?" Mary sighs, "We can't quite court if your married, so I guess to you I'm just your mistress." He purses his lips, "But I want you to be more than my mistress, I think. I think I'm in lo-"
Mary puts her finger to his lips, silencing him instantly. "No don't say it, besides, you're married." He kisses her finger and she pulls it away, "I won't be soon, I've told you before Mary, I love you." She grows stiff under his touch, "Do you not feel the same?" She shakes her head and pulls him tighter, "It's not that, it's just..." she trails off. "It's just what?" She looks up at him, finally meeting his gaze, "Would you even feel that way if we didn't have Sophia? It was all a drunken mistake."
He groans and rubs his hands over his eyes, "It wasn't a drunken mistake, everything I said, everything I did that night, I meant." She grins and pulls him into a soft kiss, their lips tingling at the slight touch. He cups her jaw and pulls her into his lap. He cups her breasts gently and she has to bite her lip to quiet herself. "Aye Edward, I'd be happy to court you." She grinds her hips down, feeling his excitement through the cloth of her trousers. "Now make love to me."
London, February 17th, 1721
Mary walks the busy streets of London with Sophia strapped securely to her chest. She picks up a few small trinkets trying to decide which one that Anne would like best when she hears a familiar voice. Her head pops up curiously and her eyes widen at a face that looked just too similar to her own. She gasps, apparently a bit too loudly and the woman looks up, she'd aged so much. Her once black hair was now speckled with grey and there were deep lines in her forehead.
The woman asks, a bit uncomfortable with Mary's staring, "Can I help you miss?" Mary just continues staring, mouth gaping open and the woman backs away, "Alright, well I'm going to be leaving now, please don't follow me." She hurries away, leaving Mary to continue to stare after her stupidly. She's snapped out of her daze by the angry shopkeeper, "Are you going to buy that or not?" Mary pulls some currency from her purse, giving him more money than needed to pay for the trinket and hurries back to the bureau.
London, February 20th, 1721
Edward crouches down, waiting patiently for the perfect opportunity to strike. "I've told you before to guard the warehouse, do not leave your post!" Edward moves forward but motions for Miko to stay behind. Rogers gives one finally threat to the man and stalks off, Just get him alone and get the job done. Rogers shouts at a sharpshooter in the tower, "Look alive man, you've a job to do!" The man salutes his superior and Rogers roams further.
Edward lets him get just out of sight then hits the guard with a sleep dart. He jumps from his bush and darts quickly to his target. He's gone. "Damn it!" Edward kicks a few rocks, "I thought tonight was the night, where did he run off to?" Edward stops and listens to a few guards chatting to themselves, "I heard that he is courting another woman while still married to his wife!" The other man laughs, "So scandalous!"
Edward bites his lip and clenched his fist, What the hell? He stalks around the wall and slams the guards into the brick, "You ain't talking about me are you?" The men gasp and Edward flicks his blade up at their necks. One of the men stammer, "Who are you, and why are you here?" He bows mockingly, "Edward Kenway at your service." The two men look at him with wide eyes, The bastards were talking about me! "You're the pirate mister Rogers is always on about! What are you doing here?" The one with the spear points the thing into his neck but Edward is quick and slits the man's throat.
He slinks dead to the ground and Edward turn to the other man, "Who were you speaking of only moments before I arrived?" The man stammers as Edward pushes his blade into his neck, "Mister Rogers, he's gone to see his mistress!" Edward puts more force into his blade, "Where, where is he?" The guard Swallows and the blade bites into his neck. "They meet in a small brick house down the road, it's only two blocks away! I'm sure you'll see him there!" Edward's blade flies out, killing the guard instantly, "Thanks mate, sorry about your neck."
"Damn it Edward. You couldn't have gotten more specific directions? All of these homes are made from brick!" Edward glares at him, "Just give me a minute." Edward relaxes and his eyes glaze over, Miko shouts worriedly trying to get his attention. Edward only puts his hand up and tells him to shut the hell up. He points to a place a few houses down, "He's in there."
He sneaks into the dark home, following the voices through the hallway, stopping outside the door, "My wife is a whore, you've got nothing to worry about." He hears a response but they are far too quiet for him to make out. He taps quietly on the door, mumbling, and then Rogers quickly responds, "It's nothing, come on, off with your shirt." What a pig. Edward is left with no choice but to kill his target and whoever was with him.
Edward pulls the door open quietly, sneaking into the room, careful where he steps. "What's that?" A voice questions and it's a surprisingly deep voice for a woman. He slides under the bed when the person get up to check, "Nothing there, now where were we?" The person sits back onto the bed, he flattens himself along the floor when the bed dips. When he hears the sounds of flesh against flesh he nearly throws up. He slides back out hoping their fucking would be enough distraction.
His eyes widen upon the sight of Rogers on his hands and knees in a very compromising position. He notices the templar ring on the other man's finger, which was digging itself into Rogers side. Edward smirks, Killing two birds with one stone. He pulls his hand back and drives his blade into the back of the man's neck. He slumps forward laying dead against Rogers who releases a frustrated grunt, "Finished already? I thought you had more in you than that." Rogers eyes widen and he scrambles off the bed, "Bloody fucking pirate! Always ruining my fun!"
Rogers retrieves his blade, "This is the last time you ruin something good for me Edward Kenway." Edward grins, pulling out his sword, "I didn't know you fancied impaling men Rogers." The templar swings his sword forward, but Edward catches it before it slices into him. "Mind your own before I impale you." He jabs at Edward's gut and he jumps out of the way, the blade slicing a hole into his coat. Edward hops over the bed, flinging his blades down towards Rogers who knocks him to the ground.
He flings the window open and hops through with Edward trailing close behind, "Miko! Where are you man?" Edward spots Rogers lying on the ground, sword dug deeply into his shoulder. Miko twists the blade, forcing a cry from Rogers' throat. Edward knocks his hands away, "We're here to kill him not torture him!" Miko apologizes then backs away. He rips the blade out and Rogers grabs his injured shoulder, "You've finally bested me Edward Kenway. I wish we hand you on our side, you had so much potential."
Edward crouches, holding his blade to his neck. "Sorry mate, but I haven't l time to talk, I've a child to get back to." He cocks a brow at Edward, "A child? I didn't know you had a child." Edward laughs, "Neither did I, you remember that lass back in Kingston? Mary Read? Turns out it was my child she was bearing." The ex-governor begins laughing and Edward shoves his blade deeper. "What's so funny?" Rogers quiets his laughter and wipes a tear from his eye.
"I knew she was the one we should have tortured, not your wife. If your lips weren't loose when we brought up your sweet Caroline then obviously another woman had stolen your heart." Edward buries his blade deep into his throat, "You bastard! What kind of man hurts an innocent woman!" Edward's only response was gurgling coming from below, blood filling Rogers' throat drowning him in mere seconds. Edward pulls his knife from his pocket and stabs the man repeatedly in the chest and by the tenth time Miko grabs Edward by the wrist. "Calm Edward, he's dead, let us return."
London, February 24th, 1721
Mary paces to herself, thinking of her mother made her stomach roll in more ways than one. She glances down at her sleeping child and she makes up her mind. She deserves to know and I didn't leave on the best terms. I need to at least tell her I'm alive. There's a knock at the door and Edward peeks his head in, "Are you decent?" She pulls him into a warm embrace and plants a kiss to his chapped lips. He pulls away with a cocky smirk, "Though I'd love to see where this is leading we've guests."
He steps aside and in walks Preston, who guides the pair towards a table, "Please sit, We've important business to discuss." Mary raises a brow. "Did you miss your target Edward?" He shakes his head and gestures towards the Mentor, he has a sickening sweet smile and she feels uneasy. "Miss Read, Ah Tabai has been in contact with me." Her heart drops, "What's happened? Have they been attacked?"
He chuckles, waving away her worries, "No, well I can't know for sure, we haven't discussed anything like that. I've come to ask if you would stay here in London." She sighs and leans back in her chair. He watches her expectantly and she bites her lip, "I don't know, London is nothing but bad memories for me." She trails off and he places a hand to her shoulder, "Just think about it, please?" She nods and he exits the room, shutting the door behind him.
Edward begins massaging her shoulders and she sighs, leaning into the touch. She didn't realize how stiff they were until he began working the tension out, she rests her eyes. "What are you thinking Mary?" She hums in response and he laughs dropping his hands, she looks up at him with a frown, "I like what we've got out in the West." He nods trailing kisses down her jaw, "I was thinking the same thing, but let's think on it, it may be good for Sophia."
She nods and pats her belly, her nerves were shot and it was making her sick. He places his hand over top of hers, "How've you been feeling?" She shakes her head, "Still sick." She stands, "Edward, how would you feel about meeting my mother?" He eyes her curiously, "I guess it would be... interesting."
She straightens his collar, "Aye, that's the least you could say. I went to the market the other day, she clearly didn't recognize me and I think maybe I scared her." He chuckles, "You can be quite intimidating." She slaps him on the shoulder, "Go get yourself cleaned up, I'll feed Sophia and then we'll be off."
"So this is where you grew up?"
"Aye, it's a bit smaller than I remember though." Sophia babbles quietly on his hip as Mary knocks loudly on the door. They wait a few minutes and when there is no answer she tries again. She steps back with a frown, "Guess no one's home." Her shoulders sag and slinks away, then the door opens revealing a very surprised woman, "Hello?"
Mary turns around and the woman points at her, "You! You're the woman from the market, what do you want from me!?" Mary takes a step forward, "Mother?" The woman's eyes widen, "I don't know who you are, My daughter died years ago." Mary takes another step forward and the woman looks like she's about ready to slam the door in her face. "It's me, Mark."
Tears form in her eyes and her arms fall to her sides, "Mark? I haven't hear from you in years." She pulls Mary in for a hug, "It's thought you were dead, I haven't heard anything about a Mark Read since you left. I guess I was just using the wrong name. Please come inside." Mary crosses through the doorway and gestures towards the hallway, "Living room is through here right?"
Mary and Edward take a seat on the couch and her mother pulls a chair over. She holds her hand out for Edward, "Elizabeth Read." He pulls her hand to his lips with a bow, "Edward Kenway, it's a pleasure to meet you." She laughs and gestures towards Sophia, "And who is this little lady? Your daughter?" Mary pulls Sophia from his arms and kneels in front of her mother, "This is Sophia." She pauses, "Your granddaughter."
Elizabeth's mouth drops and she reaches out for her, stilling her hand just inches away, "May I touch her?" Mary cracks a smile and nods, Elizabeth brushes a hand through her short blonde hair. "Judging by the hair color I'm assuming that she is indeed yours?" Edward nods and Elizabeth glances at her daughter's finger, "Are you married?" Mary stands, "No."
Her mother shakes her head slowly, "You haven't learned from my mistake Mark?" Mary furrows her brows and hikes Sophia a bit higher on her hip. "Call me Mary, I don't go by his name anymore." She smiles holding her arms out, "May I hold her?" Mary nods, handing Sophia over. Elizabeth makes a face at her and she squeals, "How old is she?"
"Six months today." Edward says excitedly and Mary frowns, he places a hand to her knee, "What's wrong Mary?" She shakes her head, "She's just growing up so fast is all." Elizabeth cradles Sophia in her arms, "It'll feel like that, looking at you really makes me feel my age. Now tell me, what have you been doing all this time?" Mary leans forward resting her head in her palm, "It's a long story and you'd be disappointed if I told you." Her mother leans forward and gives her hand a tight squeeze.
Mary sighs and leans back, "Well, I ran off to work for the Navy back in 1708. I was wounded in battle and that's when my captain found out I was a woman." Her mother ghosts a finger over the scar on her eye. "Is that when you received this?" Mary shivers and leans back, away from her touch. Elizabeth retracts her hand with a frown. "No, that was another battle nearly a year later. We had boarded a Spanish frigate, I lost my footing and nearly lost my head too. When I woke up a few days later my Captain confessed his feelings and Four years later we were retired and married."
Elizabeth smiles and Mary could see the pain behind her eyes. Her chest tightens, she really should have invited her, Elizabeth's eyes shift back to Sophia, "You were married? What happened to him?" Mary bites her lip, "He was asked to reenlist and died at sea less than a year later." Her mother reaches out but Mary leans away, the next part she needed to stay strong for. "You had a grandchild before Sophia, he was small and only lasted three days."
Mary pats her belly thoughtfully and Elizabeth's eyes shift downwards, "Are you with child now?" Mary rips her hand away and her face brightens, "I think it may be too soon to tell but, aye, there is a chance." Elizabeth smiles watching Sophia's small chest rise and fall as she sleeps, "I've thought for years that both of my children were dead. But now I find out that, not only are you alive, but I that have a grandchild and one on the way."
"I wouldn't get too excited, it could be just a stomach bug." Edward leans forward and places a hand to her belly, "I wouldn't mind another." Mary rolls her eyes and smacks his hand away, "Anyway, so after loosing my husband and my child, I decided to become a privateer. My brig was taken over by pirates and that's when I met my good friend, Edward Thatch." Her mother glances at Edward, "You?" He laughs and shakes his head, "It'd be an honor to be the infamous Blackbeard but sadly no, the last name is Kenway."
She hands Sophia back over to Mary. "Sorry, I'm getting old, the memory isn't as it should be." She situates Sophia so she lays comfortably, with her head resting against her shoulder and Mary's hand over her back. Elizabeth's smile widens, "You're a natural Mary, I'm so proud of you." She pats Sophia's back and purses her lips, "Save that feeling because what I'm about to say may come as a shock. I Almost lost my life to that man but he decided to spare me because of my relation to William Kidd."
Her mother quirks a brow and Mary grins mischievously, "You said once my father may have been a pirate so I went under the alias James Kidd. A few years later she was conceived, I ended up in prison, barely making it out alive. Edward saved my life." Mary brushes a hand through her blonde hair and Sophia begins to stir, she knew it was getting late and Sophia would be hungry again so she ended her story there. "And that's pretty much it."
Elizabeth squeezes Mary's shoulder, "I am so proud of you, I only wish I could have been there." Mary's throat clenched tight and she stands before her tears could fall, "Thank you mother, we need to get going though, Sophia will be hungry soon." Elizabeth pulls Mary into a tight hug, "Will I see you again?" Mary shakes her head, allowing tears to flow freely now, "I don't know Mother, we've been offered a career here in London but we have friends back in the West. We haven't made a decision yet." Elizabeth pulls her away with a smile, "I'll support whatever you choose."