The crowd before erupted in laughter, clapping and cheers. I sat before the entire village that night reliving the tale of me and the shark from that morning. A fire was going, all eyes were on me and I felt like it was a scary, triumphant bedtime story. Eyes were wide, peoples' legs were folded and they sat staring at me listening.

"Now before I start there's just a few things you have to remember." I don't know if it was the adrenaline or what but I felt confident and eager to share my story. "Number one... you have to remain calm." There was some mumbling in the crowd and they shared smiles. "Number two... you have to show no fear."

Laurant nodded and pointed at me with a smile. I smiled back.

"You see, because the sharks... the sharks that sense that fear." I raised my eyebrows and looked around the dimly lit room. "They can sense fear just as easily as they can sense blood." I took a deep breath and imagined the gray beast whipping through the water at me. "And so it went for me... just as nature intended. It came for me." I used my hands to show the girth of the shark jaws, "Mouth wide open. It had row upon row of razor sharp teeth glinting underwater like a thousand jagged diamonds. It's tail fin sweeping back and forth as it surged in for the kill." I jumped out and shot a hand out toward the crowd making several people gasp and then laugh again.

My eyes scanned the room and I saw Bella biting at her fingernails. I winked at her and then continued. "My whole life flashed before my eyes. I had nothing left to offer except for pure reflex. Pure reflex and mankind's basic drive for survival that somehow shouts NO!" My voice raised slightly and I paced as I began to relive those final moments with the shark. "No! I will not die today!" I was shouting now but I couldn't help it and the roar of the crowd egged me on.

I took a deep breath. "At that instant I knew it was either the shark or me. The shark knew it... I knew it." I ran my hands through my hair and closed my eyes for a moment before nearing the end of what I considered my tale of survival. "I mean it was nothing personal. It's just the way the world works, ya know? It's nature. But if I remember correctly... in that last glimmer of its eye there was a moment between us." I looked at Bella again, who stared at me. "The shark looked at me and said... hey Edward, man... enjoy having me as your dinner!"

The man who had his tooth pulled earlier laughed loudly, prompting everyone else to do the same. He sat up front and clapped his hands. He and Jacob exchanged a high five and then the eruption of laughter and clapping capped off my story. I nodded to everyone and chuckled to myself before sitting back down in a chair at the head of the room. In that moment I felt like a king.

"Strange thing killing a shark, isn't it?" A loud, accented voice called from the back of the room.

My eyes landed on Aro, and everyone became silent as they turned to face where he sat. I swore I heard crickets and tried to make light of his comment. "It's just a big fish I guess."

"Yeah maybe," he went on, "Maybe when it's just a baby and hasn't learned to kill yet it's just a big fish, eh?" Aro's eyes shot daggers at me. "When it's a great white hungry mother with the taste of human blood on its tongue now that's a different story."

We stared at one another for a long moment which couldn't have lasted more than a few seconds. I was getting sick of his shit, to be honest, and so I kept my cool but opened my mouth. I gave the biggest yawn I could manage and stretched my arms. "I'm sorry, Aro, but is it me or is this weather making everyone tired?" I smirked. "So maybe we can hear your very different and I'm sure very interesting story some other time." I looked him in the eye for another second and then rose to my feet again. There was a hint of disbelief in his eyes and I finally looked away.

There was some quiet laughter and I even noticed Sulpicia grin to herself before putting a hand lovingly on his shoulder. She chuckled against his face but Aro's face remained stone-like and angry. I didn't care. I hurried over to the side and leapt onto an oversized couch and rolled onto my back. Bella was soon at my side, leaping as I did to get on the couch and I cuddled her against me. I couldn't keep a grin from my face.

Laurant waltzed around behind us. "Goodnight young lovers."

We both laughed and bid him a farewell. For awhile we were untouchable in our happiness. Weeks went by without incident. Aro left me alone, though occasionally gave me the look of death that I had become accustomed to. We played soccer, drank beer, had sex, sang around campfires and went fishing. There was nothing wrong with that.

When we were running low on supplies there were always people who had to make runs to the mainland. As Sulpicia explained they traded marijuana, got money and bought whatever it was we needed on the island. When she volunteered me to make the trip to Bangkok with her I was less-than-thrilled. I kind of forgot about life off the island and I in no way wanted to travel alone with her. Still, I had no choice as she chose me of all the people in the village to travel with. Great.

"Get the list of items from everyone we'll need to get from the mainland," she ordered, "We'll make the purchases and get back here as soon as possible."

"Okay." I nodded and agreed as a line began to form.

"Soap," Emmett was first in line, "I need the best soap and as much of it as we can afford. Please man. I can't smell like fish anymore."

"You got it." I scribbled his request down on a piece of paper and then waited for the next group of people. The line seemed to go on for miles and I suppose the requests were typical...

"I need tampons, hair conditioner... the big bottle, shampoo and hair elastics."

"I'd like a new hat and two bottles of whiskey, any brand."

"Asprin, grapes, a couple of sports magazines."

"A twenty-pack of double A batteries... a box of condoms."

"A thirty pack of any light beer you can get your hands on."

"Toilet paper... lots of it! And deodorant."

"Mouth wash and toothpaste."

By the time everyone's requests were in my hand was cramping and I didn't think I could fit anything else on the paper. Bella's requests were simple and she looked at me with eyes that I knew meant there was something on her mind.

"What?" I asked

"You and Sulpicia will be spending the night tonight in Bangkok... that's great."

I shook my head. "Bella..."

"She's beautiful, that's all."

"So are you," I told her, "The most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

Bella tipped her mouth up in a smile but I knew it was still bothering her.

"Hey." I took her face in my hands. "You have absolutely nothing to worry about. You're all I see. You're all I want. I would never do something to jeopardize that." I swallowed hard. "Do you trust that? Do you trust me?"

She smiled a little more. "Yeah... yes I do."

I kissed her. "Please don't worry. I'll be back in a day and we'll pick up right where we left off... okay?"

"Okay." We kissed again and then Esme entered the home last as Bella made her way back out.

"Hey," she said quietly.

"Hey." I smiled, "Carlisle went way earlier to tell me his stuff. Why didn't you jump in line with him?"

Esme handed me a piece of paper. "I need you to get this."

"What is it?"

"Read it."

I unfolded the paper and read the word in my head. I then shot her a look.

"I'm so thankful it's you who's going Edward." Esme took a deep breath, "Please try to be the one to get it."

My mouth hung open and then I snapped out of my daze. "Okay... yeah... okay I won't-"

"Don't say anything to Carlisle... please."

I looked down at the word on the paper again, feeling me own heart sink for her and I agreed, but I had to ask. "Why..." I took a deep breath, looked around and lowered me voice. "You want me to get your a pregnancy test?"

Esme took a deep breath and didn't answer. I knew living on this island, that was the worst situation for someone to be in. Sulpicia wouldn't let the man leave over his tooth. What would Esme do if... the words left my mouth.

"You're pregnant?"