A/N: This is a Drabble Challenge piece that I wrote for Tricky Raven. I couldn't stop from writing it once inspiration struck. ;)

The Prize

Sitting around the bonfire watching the embers float up into the sky, I lifted the jar to my lips yet again. It sucked that the only way that we could get drunk was the res shine. I used to love drinking JD straight out of the bottle a couple of years ago. It felt so good that it had become a regular nightly occurrence for me that it was not uncommon to wake up on the beach the next morning with a killer hangover. That didn't stop me though…I drank to ease the pain of a hard life and even worse childhood – abuse and neglect had led me to that point in my life. After I had shifted for the first time, I kept my tradition.

"You know, you can stop that whenever you wish. It's your hand that raises that to your lips…not them." Bella spoke from across the fire. She had been watching me closely as I drowned my sorrows in yet another jar.

Setting the open container back down with more care than should have been possible after drinking two quarts of shine, I raised a brow at her. "And why do you think that, Swan? What could you possibly know about my childhood?"

Getting up to walk over to sit on the log beside me, she sighed, propping her elbows on her knees as she continued to watch the flames flicker. Her voice dropped as she replied. "I may not have been physically abused as a kid, but I do know something about neglect. It hurts regardless." Bella chewed on her bottom lip for a moment. "You're continuing to let them hurt you with every jar you drink. If you want a better future, you need to stop, Paul." Her eyes cut to mine. She was serious.

Stretching my legs out in front of me, I leaned back on the log. "And what do I get if I do quit?" I gave her a sly grin, teasing her.

Thinking, she pushed her hair back behind her ear. "If you can go for two months without a single drink of any alcohol, I will give you the prize that no one else here has ever had."

Well then…my brows shot up. My mind went right down the gutter. How could I refuse that? Believing that I would be popping a cherry, I gave her my best smile. "You're on, Swan. Get ready to pay up."

It's been two months and I made it through. My nights had become nearly unbearable as I was forced to deal with my past rather than drown it. My demons were, one by one, losing their grip on my heart. She was right.

Bella walked up to me at our prearranged time and place with a smile. "Well, Paul Lahote, you made it. I'm proud of you."

Standing face to face with her, I grinned. "I did and I'm ready for my prize." Believing that she would throw herself at me, I was surprised when she closed her eyes and kissed me very tenderly. I was dazed when she stepped away and had to ask. "Why…did you kiss me?"

"Because I care."

She raised her eyes to look at me and the air left my lungs. I felt like the Earth had fallen out from underneath me as I stared at her. The world stopped spinning. My future was standing before me. Bella…she's so beautiful…and mine.