Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Thirty Eight

I wore a pale blue gown, my hair was up in a bun and a headband covered in delicate jewels with ribbons hanging down around my face sat just on the top of my head. Caroline had planned out her bridesmaid's outfits in just a few days, and even managed to find a similar dress for little Evelyn. I had been given the role of making sure each bridesmaid got down the aisle properly and when they were supposed to. I felt incredibly stressed, as most responsibilities were thrown to me, being the eldest sibling. Caroline's bouquet of expensive gardenias, her elaborate hairstyle, the dress, the decorations. If I saw any more white fabric, I might have screamed. Luckily, the big day arrived a week after proper preparations were under way.

I took a seat in one of the pews once my duties were over. I sat beside my mother, Helena, Evelyn and Delia. Evelyn wiggled onto my lap, pushing her flowers into my skirt. Luckily, she didn't press them hard enough to leave a print. I held onto her with both of my arms and squished her tightly to me. She pointed to my stomach and whispered 'baby'. I smiled at her as the ceremony started.

~~

Caroline couldn't stop smiling throughout the ball after the wedding. She swept around, greeting guests and simply grinning at everything. I decided to meet up with her to talk.

"Caroline, how are you coping?" She had been having a lot of problems recently with large crowds, and I was worried she would overwork herself and become unstable. She took a deep breath.

"I am fine. I have been drinking water, not wine, and I have eaten plenty. That should help me stay alright. If anything happens, I know where to find you." I nodded. She looked down at my stomach which protruded ever so slightly at the bottom. Her lips grew into a smile. "And how are you two?" I placed a hand over my belly.

"We are perfect."

"Six months now, isn't it?" I grinned.

"Yes. I am so excited to meet this one." I felt a hand at my waist and it replaced mine on my stomach.

"As am I." Martin whispered. Caroline clapped her hands once. "The ceremony was lovely, Caroline. I can only hope that Elisa and I have a similar one."

"Your ceremony will be lovely. I will not let it be otherwise." She swivelled on her heel and started towards a table she hadn't yet visited. I turned to Martin.

"Well, sir, I haven't seen you for most of today. Where have you been hiding?" I prodded his nose with my forefinger.

"I simply wasn't sat with you. Plus, I then had to grab our gift for the couple as you left it at home." I gasped.

"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! It is the baby, it's making me forget everything recently. Soon, once the baby arrives, I shall be back to my old self."

"Not for a while yet I'm afraid, my dear." He pinned some strands of loose hair behind my ear. "However, we will have a lovely night tonight, celebrating your sister's marriage." He bent down to quickly peck my lips. "Come. We should finish eating. Your mother will be wondering where we went." He tapped his fingers slightly on the box he held at his hip. "I will put this on the table with the others. You take a seat." He brushed his fingertips up my arm lightly with a sweet smile. "I won't be a minute, mon cher." He smirked before setting off towards the gift table. I set myself back in my seat at the table with my mother. She placed a hand on top of mine with a little smile.

"How do you feel, sweetheart?"

"Fine, mother. And how are you? And Daniel? How did you both find the ceremony?"

"Oh, it was wonderful! Beautiful! I will strive for you and Martin to have a very similar ceremony, I swear it." I nodded.

"I would love nothing more. However, I do not wish for you to pay for everything. Do not buy anything too expensive." She laughed, swinging her hair over one shoulder.

"Of course you would say that, my dear." Her lips stayed pulled up at the corners. "I want you to know that I am very proud of you." 

"You tell me all of the time."

"Because I am always proud of you."

"Where is this coming from?"

"I thought that you were feeling a little bit ignored, what with Evelyn and the wedding. Of course, you and your family will be very well supported by Daniel and I. If you need any money, we shall lend it to you. If you need somewhere to stay, we are willing to give you and your family somewhere to stay." I moved my hand underneath hers. 

"Thank you, mother. I will not force you to do any of this. I would feel awful about it." She patted my arm gently, tears in her eyes.

"You are such a grown up, and I admire you for that. I can only hope that your children will be like you." I gave a quiet laugh, also tearing up.

"Please..."

"No, no, Elisa. I want you to know."

"Today is not my day. It is Caroline's big day. Please, pay your compliments to her." I grinned. "Next month is my wedding. Perhaps we can save this conversation until then, mother." She smirked and nodded.

"If you so wish. But the nice things will come in large bunches." She poked my cheek with a finger. "You can count on that." I held onto her hand.

"I love you."

"I love you more." I felt a hand on my head and looked to see Martin. He then kissed my cheek before slipping into the seat beside me. He fiddled with the fabric on his suit. His hands delicately traced along the tablecloth before then picking a flower from my bouquet. He rolled it between his fingers. "Martin, have you found a home for yourself, Elisa and the child?" He looked up and gave a grin.

"I was going to begin looking after the wedding. I believe that would be the best time to start." Mother nodded.

"Smart. Clever. Genius, even. It is a far better idea than buying a house before settling down." She grinned. "You both will have a wonderful life together."

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(A/N) For goodness sake... I hated writing this chapter while knowing exactly what is going to happen in the next two... You aren't allowed to hate me, guys.  I WON'T ALLOW YOU TO HATE ME!! MUHAHAH okay I'm done....