Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Thirty Nine

Martin waved at me from the deck of the small ship he was on. I waved a cloth at him, tears slowly rolling down my cheeks. He would only be gone about three weeks, but I had been increasingly emotional since I had gotten pregnant. The ship started to pull out of the dock. I felt the memories of us sharing sad kisses on the harbour before he left flooding into my mind. Holden tapped on my arm once the ship had disappeared.

"Miss, we should be going. Your mother would not want you to be so far from home in your condition." I nodded and followed him to the carriage. "What are your plans for this evening?"

"I believe mother and Daniel plan to take me out for a meal, but I do not feel up to it."

"I shall stay with you to keep you safe, Elisa."

"You do not have to do that, Holden."

"It would be my pleasure to entertain you for a night." He smiled as he opened the carriage door. I mirrored his expression. I climbed inside and rested my small handkerchief on my lap.

--

Two days passed since Martin had left and I spent the majority of my time reading and sketching. Mother had been sewing clothes for the baby ever since she had found out about my pregnancy and so I watched her do so. It was lovely to see her sewing - the way she delicately wove the needle in and out of the fabric with incredible accuracy. She was devoted to her craft and loved what she was doing. I could tell from the large smile on her face that she was enjoying herself.

Dave had been collecting my letters and parcels since I had arrived home from France. Today, he dropped a small package into my lap. I thanked him, and noted Edward's handwriting on the note which was tied to the parcel. It read 'For a wonderful mother.'. I smiled as I pealed the brown paper away. Inside was a small, brown blanket for the baby and also something for the baby to sleep in. Underneath it all, Edward left a letter in an envelope.

Dearest Elisa,

I had hoped to be home by the time you had your first child to support you, but it would seem that fate has not made that possible. I wish you the best of luck and, just know, that you will be a glorious mother. Your kind, caring nature will shine through onto your children. The stories you write are sure to send your children to sleep with a smile on their faces.

I shall return soon. It may not be for a little while, but I promise that I will try my best to come back. I hope you enjoy these things for your baby. Small children need warmth, so the blanket should suffice.

With luck,

Edward.

I set everything on the small side table next to me with a smile. Mother saw what it was.

"That from Edward?" I nodded. "That was sweet. With you use those things?"

"Of course I will. Why would I not?"

"Martin might think it suspicious."

"Martin doesn't have to know who it is from." I smirked. "We will not tell him." I patted slightly on the top of my stomach.

"Whatever you feel is best, Elisa." I scrunched up my face slightly. "What is the matter?"

"I have this dull ache in my lower back and pressure on the front of my stomach. It's very uncomfortable."

"Well, it isn't labour. Labour is far worse. Perhaps the baby is just moving about." I nodded.

"That sounds feasible." A sharp pain then shot through my stomach. "Feels like someone is pricking me with a needle."

"Should I get a doctor?"

"I do not know... Is this normal?" Mother pressed both of her lips together and pulled them into a straight line. "Mother..?" She set down her sewing.

"I shall get a doctor. Go up and lay on your bed. I will send the doctor there."

I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. I lay on my side, worried for the life of my child. I blamed myself, of course, because what other being could have caused this? A knock came at my door. Shakily, I invited them in. A short woman with brown hair in a bun stepped inside. She held her bag full of doctor tools and a light blue dress.

"Good afternoon, Miss Ward." She gave a sheepish smile. "Your mother tells me that you are experiencing some pain and discomfort." I nodded. "Where?"

"My stomach and lower back." She cocked her head slightly to the side as I shifted onto my back. "Please, help my baby. I beg you." Tears formed in my eyes.

"It may not be anything wrong with your baby. It could be another problem, not even involving the child." She gently patted my knee. "I will need to examine you. Is that alright?" I steeled myself and nodded. "If you would prop yourself up on the headboard for me." I did as she said. She stayed silent for a while, as if trying to figure out what was going on. She then faced my mother who was chewing on the ends of her fingers by the door. "Could you bring towels, please?" Without a word, she crossed to the other side of the room and grabbed a small pile of towels. "I suggest staying in bed for a week or until the bleeding ceases, whichever comes first. I am very sorry, but your fears were correct." She positioned the towels around the bed and placed one underneath me. "You will not be delivering a baby. I am so sorry." I pulled myself up to sit fully upright.

"Is it my fault?" The tears ran down my cheeks now. Mother sat beside me, gently rubbing my back.

"These things are no one's fault. Sometimes, the body simply rejects the baby or the baby does not develop properly and cannot survive. It is almost certain that you have done nothing wrong. I will be back to check on you next week." She stood and grabbed her bag. "Again, I am very sorry that there is nothing I can do. Once the body decides to miscarry, I have no way of stopping it. The pain should stop in a few hours, but the bleeding may still carry on for a few days. Bed rest is the best way for you to recover." She smiled sadly. "I will see myself out." She exited the room and shut the door behind her.

"Elisa..." My mother's hand on my back kept moving up and down. My eyes stayed fixed on my stomach, and my hands stayed there too. "Elisa, please say something."

"It's gone." I sighed and hung my head.

"But it isn't your fault, my sweet." She hugged me and I sobbed loudly into her shoulder. Once I had calmed down and she moved back, I went back to holding my stomach. "Will you tell Martin?"

"I will. When he gets back, I will tell him. It was his child too."

"And how about other family members?" I nodded.

"Yes."

"And Edward?"

"He is the one I want support from most. He promised that he would support me, and I need him more than ever."

~~~~

(A/N) I SAID YOU AREN'T ALLOWED TO BE ANGRY WITH ME! I'm actually really upset, like why did I think of this storyline? Next chapter is even more sad, in my opinion. Just the stuff in it. Not sad as in crying sad but sad as in, my heart hurts for you. Ya know?