Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Thirty Five

My stomach flipped at the scent of fresh meat being cooked. Recently, everything had been triggering my gag reflex, and everything made me vomit. So, after my daily routine of being sick just after breakfast, I went to lay down in bed. Clemence had insisted that I do so to get some rest and to hopefully get rid of my ailment. We suspected it was the same thing Martin had had just weeks prior, but he had gotten better within a few days, and I was still ill two weeks after I had first felt ill. I didn't have a fever, or headaches, nor did I feel tired constantly, though I still did some of the time. I was just vomiting at certain smells and textures or tastes. Some sounds even made me gag.

However, I did not feel as if I needed to stay in bed, but I did so because I knew that Clemence would hate me if I left without him making sure I was alright beforehand. A few pains shot through my stomach every now and again, but I got used to them, and they began feeling like a dull poke. Simply irritating, not painful. Alaina had advised going for a doctor, but I hated doctors. They just generally terrified me for no other reason other than the tools that they carried were usually huge and intimidating.

I decided that I would ask Martin to take a walk with me. I wanted to buy some new clothing. I stood before the mirror, spotting my pale, slightly yellow, face. My mouth was full of a strange, metallic taste, which was enough to ruin my appetite. My back ached. I simply combed through my hair with my fingers and pulled it back into a high ponytail. I felt two hands grip my waist and spotted Martin's head leaning forward onto my shoulder. He kissed my neck gently as I leaned back into him.

"I feel so ill, Martin."

"You will be alright. Do not worry. I still think we should get a doctor to check you."

"My monthly cycle hasn't begun." He froze, and stepped back. He walked into the bed frame, hit his ankle and tumbled to the floor.

"It is probably normal. Perhaps you are just running late this month."

"Two weeks late? I do not think so."

"Some women do miss them for the odd month. My mother told Alaina about that once, and I overheard." I sighed. Martin then started to stand up again. "Listen." He turned me around to look at him. "Everything is fine. I am sure everything will be back to normal next month." He gave a reassuring smile. "Maybe it is the weather."

"It could be..." I frowned. "What if something is wrong?"

"Then we will go to a doctor, or have one come to us. There will be no need for worry." His arms enveloped around me and I rested my head on his firm shoulders. "Everything will be fine and you will have worried for nothing."

"You are probably right... But something could still--"

"Ah, ah." He pushed his hand over my mouth. "Nothing is wrong. Shush. You just have to calm down."

"Never tell a woman to 'calm down', especially when she isn't calm." He chuckled softly and let go of me.

"I will bring you an apple for breakfast."

"Martin, I do not want anything. I feel far too ill."

"Yes, so it is good to give you some fruit so that you can get your strength back. You have hardly eaten in days. I do not want my fiance wasting away." He gave a little smile.

"Fine. You are so annoying, just go away." I laughed as he swiftly exited the room.

My sense of smell suddenly seemed heightened, and a strong smell of dirty clothing hit my nose. I frowned and peered at the door. After opening it, I saw that one of the housemaids was carrying a large basket of men's shirts. I was about to speak up before a light, cramping pain jabbed into my stomach. Despite only waking a few hours prior, I was also beginning to feel tired, along with aching muscles.

~~

A light knock at the door came an hour after I had eaten my apple. Marienne was standing in the doorway and gave a shy smile.

"A well known doctor is here. Clemence must have had him come. He was there to help me through the beginning of my pregnancy and the many illnesses Clemence has had in the past years. Let him give you an examination." I sighed, then nodded gently. A man in a long coat, wearing white gloves and carrying a large, leather case stepped inside.

"Take a seat, Miss Ward." I did as he said and swallowed hard. "Mrs. Labrousse informed me that you have many symptoms of an illness. You suspect it may be the flu?"

"Yes. My fiance had the flu four weeks ago, but was better within two. I have had my symptoms for around four days."

"And they are?"

"Nausea, vomiting, aching muscles, fatigue, slight cramping pains and a strange metallic taste in my mouth."

"And your monthly cycle?" I shook my head. He nodded. "I believe I know what is wrong. I would advise not doing too much physical activity, eating healthily and try not to drink too much alcohol. Miss Ward, I believe that you could well be pregnant." I spotted Martin walk past the door, and he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the doctor. I flashed him a worried look, and he swept in and sat beside me. His hand went to mine which lay on my knee. He squeezed it tightly and gave me a little smile. "I cannot be fully certain, since there is no legitimate way to check, though many doctors may insist that they do. However, I can only think of this as being what may be wrong with you." The doctor grinned sweetly. "Congratulations to the both of you, even if this does strike you as a surprise. I wish you luck and, once it is time to have the baby, perhaps you could call for me again."

"We will most likely be back in England by then, so I will have the same doctor as my sister. Thank you anyway."

"Any complications which may happen when you are here, then. I will ensure you are safe." He tipped his top hat and tugged his coat tighter around him. "Is there someone who could show me out?" A housemaid trotted over and nodded, leading the doctor to the stairs. I stared straight ahead. Clemence had made his way into the room.

"So... Baby brother is going to be a father? I am guessing that it was conceived on that day you told me about..?" Martin hung his head at his brother's words, his cheeks flushing red. Excitement bubbled inside me and I bounced slightly on the bed. Martin looked up with a confused look.

"You aren't excited? We are going to have a child, Martin!" I grinned at him. After a few moments, he laughed, and wrapped his arms around my neck. I cried happily into his shoulder. I could hear shuffling behind me and people were congratulating us. I pulled back away from Martin and faced everyone else in the room.

"You are going to have a wonderful life with your child. Good luck, both of you." Marienne smiled before giving me a hug. "You had better visit once the child is born."

"Elisa." Clemence chirped. "I will find an earlier ship for you to go home. I am sure you would like to inform your parents as soon as possible, dear." I nodded my thanks. "You might be able to leave by the end of the week. I will have to look at the ship schedules."

"Thank you so much, Clemence." With a wide smile, Marienne swept everyone out of the room.

"I am sure Elisa needs some rest. She has had a good shock today, and it isn't even noon yet."

~~~~

(A/N) OMFG. I've been waiting so long to write this. Kind of anti-climatic but ehhhhhhh. I don't really know, presently, what I am going to write now, but I will figure it out eventually.