Great Inagua, July 8th, 1722
Edward peaks out of their shelter, the sounds of the forest returning around them. Schooner barks twice wagging his tail, the battle was over and everyone was more than ready to return home. Gunpowder and the coppery smell of blood linger in the air. Mary tightens her grip on Sophia, not ready to see who may be lying dead on the other side.
Jennifer plugs her nose and groans, "What smells so bad?" The adults stop, unsure of how to explain the carnage around the bend. Mary tucks Jenny's head against her hip, She glances up curiously.
"Jenny I want you to close your eyes, count to one hundred and then open them." Jennifer nods eager for another fun adventure. She squeezes her eyes shut and Mary guides her carefully around still-warm roundshots.
"One, Two, Three" she begins. They quicken their pace up the staircase, keeping the child away from the horror of battle as long as possible.
"Twenty-nine, thirty, thirty-one," the town is silent, Are they the only ones who survived?
"Forty, forty-one, forty-two," the air around them is abnormally warm.
"Sixty-eight, sixty-nine, seventy," Edward falls to his knees, illuminated by a pale orange glow. Mary places a hand to his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. There are tears beginning in his eyes, She knows he's upset and she prepares herself.
Instead of cursing, screaming, or even crying; he laughs.
He pulls himself up, takes one last look at the smoldering remains of his mansion and shakes his head. "To hell with the house, it wasn't big enough for us anyway." He places a palm over her belly and places a kiss to her lips.
"Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one-hundred!" Jenny's eyes pop open, watching curiously as Mary and Edward pull away from each other.
Great Inagua, July 18th, 1722
Thatch and Edward were busy drawing plans up to rebuild the town. Leaving Nicholas and Anne alone to watch the children. As much as Mary wanted to help, she had more pressing matters to attend to.
She bounced nervously from foot to foot, child inside kicking along to the beat of her heart. What if Mentor changed his mind. That's why he called me here, he's going to force me to retire. Her heart drops when the door swings open.
Ah Tabai steps aside, a frown etched into his usually cheerful face. Mary sucks in a deep breath, to calm her nerves. She takes a shaky step into his office. "Do you know why I have called you here?"
The door clicks shut behind her and she feels tears spring from her eyes. She quickly brushes them alway, angry at herself for crying so easily. Just another reason to add to why she hated being pregnant. "You've changed your mind and you're asking me to retire my blades?"
Ah Tabai chuckles, guiding Mary to a chair, "No, it is not that," She leans back in the chair, relief crashing over her like a tidal wave. "The men we sent to Tulum have returned. I wanted you to take a look at their etchings and tell me what you see."
Ah Tabai hands over charcoal blackened papers and Mary gasps, "That looks like me!" He nods as Mary quickly flips through the stack. "That is what I was thinking," He flips a few pages then stops, pointing at an inscription, "Sorrow follows the woman, but she will birth three."
Mary shakes her head, "I don't understand."
Ah Tabai grins, "Ezio Auditore once wrote that he spoke to those who came before us. They spoke of strange things, things beyond our comprehension. I believe you may be the next to contact them."
Mary stands in silence, soaking up all information. "No," she shakes her head, "there's no way, that can be me."
Ah Tabai grins wider and he nods, "I think it is, are you fit for travel?"
Mary places a palm to her belly, Why would they choose me? And why would I have to go through such tribulations? Why do I have to hurt for them? She looks back up, a fire burning deep behind her eyes, Only I can find the answer, "Aye, I think so."
Great Inagua, July 24th, 1722
"Mary?"
"Aye?" Sophia mumbles to herself at Mary's hip as she packs for her voyage. Edward was wary of her leaving but she promised him that'd she stay out of danger. Ah Tabai had promised he'd protect her should anything go wrong. And after nearly an hour of debate Edward agreed.
Jenny's hands were behind her back as though she'd done something bad. Mary keeled in front of her, placing a hand to her shoulder, "What's wrong Jenny?" Jenny grinds her toe into the ground avoiding eye contact.
"Can I hold the baby?" She asks with the most pitiful look she could muster and Mary laughs, "I thought you broke your father's favorite chest from the look you were giving me. Go sit over there and I'll hand her over." Jenny skips merrily to the couch.
Mary hands Sophia over and Jenny frowns, "I don't want to hold Sophia, she's too big. I want to hold your baby." Mary sits next to Jenny on the couch, "The baby isn't here yet." Jenny scrunches up her nose, "Where is it?" Mary scratches her neck, she wasn't sure what to say. Besides shouldn't Edward be the one to explain this?
As if on cue Edward shuffles through the door, he takes a seat next to Mary and pats her belly, "She's in here." Jenny's eyes widen and she points an accusing finger at Mary, "You ate the baby?" Edward laughs and Mary's face flushes with embarrassment, she glares at him and he sighs, "No Jenny she didn't eat them."
She pouts, "Well how'd she get there then?" Edward looks at Mary, who just shrugs.
"Well there's a thing called a pe-" Mary jabs him in the ribs, stopping his sentence abruptly. He glares at her rubbing the now sore spot on his side. "A what?" Jenny asks.
Mary rubs the back of her neck, not knowing where to even start. She places her hands back I'm her lap and glances around the room for some inspiration. Not seeing any she just decides that there's nothing to lose and Jenny seems mature enough.
"You know boys and girls have different... parts, right?" Jenny shakes her head, her blue eyes shining with innocence. Mary wets her now dry lips, "Well when a boy really likes a girl they," Mary looks to Edward who- for once-is surprisingly serious. He places a hand to Mary's knee and explains, "They kiss a lot and after a while a baby is made."
"But why is it inside of Mary?"
Mary pats her belly with a smile, "The baby has to grow before it can come out."
"When will it come out?"
"The baby stays inside until it's ready to come out, my baby should arrive in November." Jenny nods and Mary stands, thinking their explanations were enough.
"Mary, who's your baby's father?"
Mary and Edward both cock an eyebrow, it's not as though they'd been hiding their relationship. "Edward."
Jenny's brows furrow together, "There's another Edward?" He kneels so he is eye level with her. "Jenny, I'm the baby's Father."
"But mother said you have babies when you're married. So how can you have one with Mary, you should have one with mother. Like me!" Jenny looks angrily at Mary, "Mother said Father left us for a woman and started another family! It's all your fault!"
Mary's mouth drops as the usually well-composed child had a melt down. "Jennifer!" Edward tightens his grip on her shoulders and she falls to the floor.
"Tell her to go away, I want mother here!" Jenny pounds her little feet on the floor, "It's not fair!" Edward and Mary look at each other eyes wide, unsure of what to do or say. Ah Tabai knocks on the door and gives Mary a warm smile. Staying right now would probably make things worse so she hands Sophia back to Edward and follows her mentor back to Tulum.
Tulum, July 25th 1722
Returning to Tulum was sad to say the least. The town was empty and already over grown. It'd been almost two years since the assassin's left and was not even recognisable as the place she once called home.
Those who were lost in battle so long ago were now reduced to bones. A lump of guilt swelled on her throat, the dead were always given proper burials but Edward had screwed thing up so badly they were just now able to return. Mary paid her respects and they continued towards the heart of the island.
"The sage was only the beginning," was the first thing Ah Tabai said since they'd arrived. He placed the last stone in place and the large door in front of them shook. Dust and dirt scattered as the door opened for the first time after years of disuse.
Mary gasps as the room around them began to glow. Ah Tabai grins again, "So it is true."
"What is mentor?"
There is a flash of light and everything around her stops. All sounds fade and a glowing being stands before her. Mary blinks and she is being lifted from the ground. The woman circles her slowly, inspecting her like a fruit for bruising. "Who are you?" Mary gasps.
"He seems to be rearing properly." The woman stops and Mary is slowly lowered back to the ground. "Who?" She asks and the woman smiles, causing a shiver to roll down her spine.
"Your son."
Mary's heart races and she glances down at her well rounded stomach. Perhaps They should have waited, because this woman seems dangerous. Mary covers her belly with two protecting hands when the words finally sink in, "I'm having a son?"
The woman nods and Mary feels tears invading her eyes. "He will arrive quickly, but do not worry for he is ready." Mary's belly tightens painfully in what she remembers as early labor. Her heart begins to race and she points at the woman, "Who are you and how do you know this?"
The woman's laugh is as bone chilling as her smile, "I am Juno, I am here to save your kind."
"And why did you choose me?" Mary asks.
"I did not choose you, it was destined."
Mary protests but Juno simply raises her hand, "I do not have much time, please listen. You must find the key before they do. Your lineage is important as he will guard it with his life. In time there will come another, it is important that he may find the key so that he may save the world."
Juno disappears and the sounds slowly grow louder, Ah Tabai begins moving again and Juno leaves Mary with one final cryptic message, "Now go, learn, and grow. The future of humanity is in your hands."
The room shakes and Mary falls to her knees another pain growing in her belly. "Mary!" Is the last she can hear as the room around her goes dark.
Great Inagua, August 23rd, 1722
Mary groans from her spot on the bed, shielding her eyes from the blinding light.
"Father! Father! Mary's awake!"
She looks off to the side as Jenny scurries to the side of the bed. Schooner barks loudly and jumps onto the bed slobbering all over her face. Mary rolls onto her side protecting her unborn child from an unexpected jump by an excited dog.
"Schooner down!" Edward commands, he obediently hops from the bed, tail still wagging excitedly.
Jennifer bombards Mary with endless questions, Mary just stares blankly into Edward's concerned eyes. He brushes a hand through her hair and stops at her cheek. "You're finally awake."
"What happened?" She groans and attempts to sit. Edward helps her up, "I should be asking you that, Ah Tabai said that when you opened the door you fainted. You've been in and out for nearly a month."
Jennifer jumps onto the bed with Edward and pokes Mary's forehead, "Are you mad at me? I'm sorry I told you to go away, I didn't mean it! Please don't go away again!"
Mary shifts uncomfortably and Edward places another pillow behind her. She leans back and sighs, eyes shut, she's never felt so tired before. "Mary?"
She smiles and pulls Jenny to her side, "I'm not mad." Jenny starts crying and Edward pulls her away, placing a kiss to her cheek, "Jenny can you go tell Anne that Mary is awake?"
She nods, wiping the tears from her eyes. Schooner follows faithfully behind. Edward turns back to Mary who has a large grin plastered to her face. She places Edward's palm to her belly, their child kicking steadily inside. "We're having a son."
Great Inagua, September 3rd, 1722
Mary explained everything about Juno and how she knew their child was a boy. They began a list of names settling on one the pair couldn't find any more fitting, "God has heard". Heading Juno's warning, "He will arrive quickly" She knew her son would be arriving before the week was up.
Mary was currently bracing herself against the bed rail, thankful that these contractions were still short, less than thirty-seconds long and hours apart. She still had a long ways to go. The tightening stopped and Mary released a loud sigh just as Edward walked through the door, "Is everything alright Mary?"
She nods, pushing away from the bed to greet her lover, "Everything is fine Edward."
He rests his hands at the small of her back, pulling her protruding belly towards him. "Is that so? Then why are you sweating?"
"It's warm in here," She pulls him into a kiss as a distraction. Jenny skips into the room and shouts, "Father!" Mary and Edward break apart quickly and spin around worried something was wrong.
Jennifer grunts as she lowers Sophia back to the floor, "Sophia, you're so heavy." Sophia shouts something unintelligible to her sister and Jenny turns back to Edward. "Sophia wants to know if we can go on your boat!"
Edward laughs as Sophia toddles her way to Mary, "Oh does she now, she told you that herself?" Jenny nods and Edward taps his chin thoughtfully. "I'm not sure I even have a boat."
Jenny crosses her arms, tapping her foot impatiently, "Yes you do, it's outside!"
"Where?"
Jenny huffs, tugs on his sleeve and pulls him to the window. She points, "I meant your ship of course, I don't see what the difference is anyway."
"A ship can carry a boat," he says, "but a boat cannot carry a ship." Jenny rolls her eyes and stomps her foot, "I get it, can we please go?"
Edward kneels placing a hand to her shoulder, "Not today I'm afraid." Jenny visibly deflates and slinks towards the door.
"Now hold up a second," Says Mary, "Why can't you take her?"
"We should be here with you incase the baby comes."
Mary pats her belly, "It'll just be a short trip, I'll go with you I could use some fresh air anyway." Jenny bounces over tugging on Edward's sleeve again, "Let's go!"
Edward shakes his head, "Not today Jenny, you have to wait." Jenny gives him a face that breaks Mary's heart and she blurts out, "I'll take you then." Jenny's mouth drops open, "You can sail a boat?" Mary grins, "I sure can!" Edward cocks an eyebrow, "I really don't think that's a good idea Mary..."
She throws a fist to her hip and grabs Jenny's hand, "I'm tired of being cooped up Edward, if you don't like it you can stay here." They leave the room and Edward looks down at Sophia, "Well Sophia, it's just us now." She point to the door and furrows her brows. "Go!" Edward sighs, "I guess you're right," and he follows after Mary and Jenny.
"See Edward this wasn't such a bad idea!" Edward's fingernails dig into the wood railing as the Jackdaw nearly collides into a rock. His heartbeat is loud in his ears and all he can do is watch as Mary laughs at him. Jenny swings the wheel again and he nearly topples over.
Mary grips the wheel and smiles a the child, "I think I should take over before your father faints." Jenny pouts but takes a seat nearby, ready to jump into action if needed. Mary takes a deep breath of the fresh air, almost forgetting the freedom of captaining a ship.
"Sail ho!" The lookout shouts.
Edward pulls out his spyglass, "She's flying a black flag," Mary's brows furrow, pirates were becoming a rarity now, "and she's headed straight for us." Mary spins the wheel a quarter turn, guiding the Jackdaw away from the approaching ship. The ship continues on its was and Mary sighs in relief, she was by far in no condition for battle.
A silence claims the deck, tension heavy in the air. A calm before the storm.
Mary calls for all sail and just as they catch the wind they hear the sound of distant cannon fire. Edward curses but Mary's eyes remain glued in front of her. "Jaysus, they're shooting at us!" Mary's grip tightens on the wheel, this should not be happening right now, "Mary, get Jenny and Sophia downstairs!"
There wasn't much of a battle, but she knows they've been boarded. There were shots fired and poor Jenny cried herself to sleep. Mary combed through her blonde hair, hoping the other crew would leave soon. Mary stops, placing a hand to her belly, "Why now?" And she rises from the bed, "Christ..."
"Mary?" Little Jenny asks, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, "What's wrong?"
Mary leans against the tables, rocking her hips gently as the pain turns into a dull throb. She releases a breath and smiles at Jenny, "It's nothing to worry over," she shuffles towards the bed again, grasping Jenny's hands, "I'm going to need your help Jenny." She nods eagerly and Mary continues, "I'm going to need you to take care of Sophia okay? I'm going to be distracted for a bit."
Meanwhile on the other side of the door a pistol was held up to Edward's temple. The metal cold against his sun burnt skin, "Do you know who I am?" The man asks and Edward frowns, "Aye, you're Ned Low."
Low smirks and instead of lowering his pistol he cocks it. "That's right and I just got done with cutting the lips off of a merchant. Now hand over your wares and I'll leave butchering only a few of your crew." Edward furrows his brows. In another time he would have said something snide but his family is aboard and he can't afford to make any mistakes.
"I ain't a merchant." Edward spits and Low's smirk turns into a frown. He glances around the deck, eyeing the crew. "Well you certainly ain't part of the navy." Low taps his pistol against his chin as he takes a stroll around the deck. He leans against the ships diving bell and taps it a few times.
"You dive?" Edward remains silent and Low smirks, pushing off of the bell. "Well I'm glad I boarded because I recall a Spanish vessel sunk here years ago," Edward tightens his fist, "I think you're going to go diving for me!" Edward bites his lip, "As long as you don't lay a hand on my crew."
Low extends his arm aiming straight for his youngest member of his crew, Harris. A shot rings through the air and the lad clutches at his chest, he lands on his knees and Low laughs, "Like that?" Edward's chest tightens, Harris joined his crew less than a month ago wise well beyond his years. He'll be sorely missed.
Edward strips down to just his trousers. He'll have to make this quick, there's no telling what this maniac will do while he's underwater. If he killed the lad there's nothing stopping him from killing a pregnant woman and two children. Low instructs his lackeys to tie up the Jackdaw's crew and Edward uses the distraction to stuff the bell with bombs.
Mary hears a gunshot ring from outside and Sophia cries, Jenny tries her hardest to get her sister to quiet down. "Mary? I'm scared." Mary releases a slow breath as her contraction finishes and smiles, "It will be alright Jenny."
Mary is panicking but she doesn't dare let her worry show outside. Mary shuffles from the table, hoping to occupy her thoughts with something else, "Jenny tell me about the book you're reading."
Mary feels her trousers become heavy and very wet. Her eyes widen and her heart skips a beat, all sound drown out around her as another contraction hits. She can't help the groan that leaves her mouth. Jenny's blue eyes dart from Mary's wet pants and then up to face. "Did you just pee yourself?"
Edward feels the diving bell being raised and he knows now is the time. He stuffs a worn old chest into the top of the bell and readies the tinder box. Praying to whatever god is out there listening that the wicks didn't get wet.
The bell is pulled up and Edward strikes the box, his heart skips a beat. Nothing. He tries several more times, not even a spark. The bell is being pulled up over the deck.
"Let's be havin' you, let the dog see the rabbit!" Low knocks on the bell a few times but Edward doesn't budge. "Are you deaf!" Low peaks under the bell. "I'm not in the mood for fun and Games!"
"Shit!" Low scrambles away from the bell as fast as he can, "Ditch it over the side, hurry!"
BOOM!
Mary groans as another contraction rips through her abdomen.
BOOM!
A crash shakes the room sending Mary to her knees. She claws at the floor, "Christ! Why now?"
Jenny and Sophia are crying hysterically on the bed. Mary's contraction reaches the end and she pushes herself up. "Mary, I'm scared!"
Mary pulls Jenny to her side, "Everything is going to be alright, don't worry."
Gun fire picks up outside and Mary is on the verge of another contraction. At this rate their child will be born at sea!
The fight was over quickly considering more than half the men were blown away. And a finishing shot to a powder barrel blew Low's ship sky high. "That's for the men you killed, past and present." Edward tosses his gun to the ground and hurries to his cabin.
He kicks the door open, "Mary!"
She rocks Jenny softly, humming a tune. Jenny and Sophia fast asleep. "Thank God you're okay!" Mary winces and Edward hurries to her side. "Where are you hurt?" He shouts, inspecting her.
"I'm not hurt anywhere, but you better hurry unless you want your son born right here!"
His brows raise and he darts from the room. She can hear him scrambling up the steps, landing loudly in front the helm. "I want every inch of sail flapping in the wind! We've got a child coming!"
They arrived back at Inagua in less than twenty minutes, Edward carried Mary to the mansion as her contractions grew closer and closer together. Anne hurried off to gather the necessary supplies while Ifé checked her over. Edward paced in front of the door while Thatch tried to calm him down. Elizabeth and Nicholas distracted Jenny and Sophia from hysteria.
"What's wrong with Mary?" Jennifer asks innocently.
Elizabeth rolls the ball over to Sophia, who decided she was done with their silly game. Mary groans loudly from the other side of the door. "Your brother is on his way."
Jennifer frowns, "Why is he hurting Mary? That's not very nice."
Elizabeth smooths down the child's unruly hair, "It hurts to bring new child into the world, but it's well worth it when they are here."
Mary cries out again and Edward starts cursing under his breath. Thatch squeezes his shoulder and whispers, "Everything's fine Kenway, now stop pacing you're worrying your daughter."
Edward slaps Thatch's hand away, "Everything is not fine! This is too early!"
The room goes silent as a pair of proud, loud lungs fill the room. Edward smiles and Thatch slaps his shoulder, "Congrats new papa!"
And with that final, exhausted push, Mary Read became a mother again. Bringing another blonde-haired blue-eyed baby into the world. "Is it too much to ask for a child that looks like me?" Mary huffed tiredly as Ife hands over her new child.
The door bursts open and Edward hurries to the edge of the bed. Their son stops crying long enough to get a good look at his parents. "Welcome to the world son," Mary hands the newborn off. Edward cradles him gently in his arms, "Welcome to the family Samuel."
A.N. The Scene with Edward Low was from the Assassin's Creed: Reflections #3
So sorry for the delay! I've been pretty stressed but finally got back into the swing of witting! Thanks for all the favorites, follows, and comments. I appreciate each and every one of you for all your support! Thank you and I hope you enjoy!