Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Twenty Eight

I practically flew out of my bed in the morning when I saw a mop of blonde hair hanging in my face. Since when had I had blonde hair? Though, once my vision focused, I saw the wide eyes and beautiful smile which belonged to Phoebe. I sat up on my mattress, seeing as there wasn't a spare bed frame and how I had wanted Phoebe to have the bed and I had the mattress on the floor. She grinned at me.

"Scaredy cat." She snickered.

"I don't put my hair in your face!" She straightened up and held out a hand to help me up.

"Happy twenty fourth birthday." I smiled and ignored the helping hand and pushed myself up. "I'll get the room to myself finally." My eyes widened.

"Bollocks. I forgot I was going home today... You have to help me pack."

"You don't have that much stuff. How about I go get us both breakfast in bed and then we work on your belongings after we've properly woken up?"

"Fine. I'll go check to see if I have any letters."

"Nope. I will do that as well." Phoebe smirked at me and pushed my chest so that I fell to the bed. "Rest your pretty little feet. You have quite the journey back today. Maybe you could do a little bit of packing just to get ahead."

"No. I might have a bath. I will start drawing it now and then come and get any letters and I might even eat breakfast in the bathtub."

"Well, it is your birthday, after all." I followed her out of our room and I disappeared into one of the small bathrooms.

The tub and a small water boiler were the only things present in the room, except for a small pile of towels on a box in the corner. I set the pot of water from the pump over the fire and carefully lit the newly stocked logs. I filled the bathtub most of the way with the cold water and walked back to the room while I waited for the water to heat up. My small case was open at the foot of my 'bed' and one of my old dresses was laying inside. I sighed, a smile on my face. Oh how I missed wearing tight corsets and horribly ankle-breakingly high shoes. I picked the dress from the case and held it up against the light. It was pale blue with brown detailing across the sleeves and torso. I folded it gently, setting it on the mattress.

"Elisa! You've got a package!" Phoebe called as she stepped through the bedroom door. "Whoops, I thought you were in the bathroom." She held an oblong box, three envelopes and two bowls of fruit. I took the bowls from her and set them on our desk. She then threw herself onto my mattress, her feet tucked underneath her, and she placed the box down. "Open it, open it!" I pulled the lid off and removed the layer of thin paper from the top. A short, handwritten note lay on the top.

To my darling daughter,

Happy birthday. I cannot wait to see how much you have grown in these past years. I am certain that you will like this gorgeous gown. I found it in your favourite shop as a child. Your father would take you there every weekend. He once pointed this dress out to me and they had it in a size which would fit you.

With love,

Your mother.

I picked the dress up by the shoulders and examined the beautiful red fabric. It was light and airy and a layer of golden lace was draped over the skirt. I smiled as Phoebe gasped.

"You are wearing that home, even if I have to force you into it."

"I am most definitely wearing it today. Right after my bath."

"Now you have to open the letters." I did so, though they were all just from aunts and uncles who I didn't even know existed. I dropped the letters to the bottom of my case and skipped out of the room, new dress in hand.

"I'll take my bath and then I'll be back to eat my fruit." Phoebe nodded at me as I left.

The water bubbled in the pot and so I tipped it into the tub. I then undressed after bolting the door shut and climbed into the bath.

I emerged from the bathroom after two hours wearing my new dress and a side plait over my left shoulder. It was still slightly damp, so I continued to pat it with the towel. I entered mine and Phoebe's room and spotted her packing some of my things away.

"You want to get rid of me that quickly?" She turned her head and laughed.

"I am helping you so that you can eat breakfast."

"Well, I won't argue with that." I popped a blueberry into my mouth and took a seat to eat the rest of the food.

After five minutes I was finished with my food. I grabbed my huge stack of letters from Edward from under my bed. It was bound by a tied piece of twine. I slipped them into the case with a smile towards Phoebe.

"Those are from Edward, yes?" I nodded. "Is he back? Are you going to see him today?"

"No, he's still in the Caribbean somewhere. He should be back soon enough though. Well, in a few years."

"Who are you most excited to see again?" I tapped my chin. Phoebe placed the remainder of my belongings into my case.

"My little sisters. One of them is married, now, and my other sisters are planning their weddings. Meanwhile, I'm engaged to a man who I know barely anything about and I haven't even thought about the wedding." I sighed. "Oh well, at least I get to go home." I grinned widely, and shut my case, flipping the latches to lock it shut. "Let's go sit downstairs until my carriage arrives." Phoebe nodded and hopped up.

"Spend our last hours together by the fire."