I'm really excited to write this chapter. It is hard finding Edwards POV when he's with Bella so much. Just like in a ballet company, males often seems to just hold up the ballerina, when they are just as entertaining. Let's see if the next few chapters will bring out the boy we all love –
Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No infringement intended.
---
We had lounged in the bed most of the afternoon. After a quick dinner of hamburgers, we spent twilight on the beach. I gave Bella a small picture book, nothing that she wouldn't be able to read in minutes, but hopefully would enjoy nonetheless. It was my weak attempt at prose.
She flipped open the first page to the dedication: 'To my love, with all my love.' She smiled, which was encouraging. "Alice did the artwork."
It was a simple story of a man, his wife and a flower. When Bella finished there were tears in her eyes. "Thank you." She whispered.
I leaned forward and took her hand, "I'll never be able to say this enough or even in the right way to make up for the mistakes I've made. But in some small way, I hope the storybook will remind you that my search for happiness will always end with you and that I was so very foolish for thinking otherwise."
We swam and soaked in the moon light. When the sky held every star imaginable, we came inside to bed and held one another close, Bella falling into a deep sleep.
I was four days past my planned fourteen days between hunting. I was so concentrated on resisting my wife's wishes that it made it easier to ignore my thirst. I slipped out of bed and quickly got dressed. I pulled out a piece of paper from the desk and a pen. I wrote a quick note.
I'm hoping you won't wake and notice my absence, but if you should, I'll be back very soon. I've gone to the mainland to hunt. Go back to sleep and I'll be here when you wake again. I love you.
I folded the note in half and wrote "Mrs. Cullen" on the outside of it. I placed it on my pillow, wishing I had a flower to lie beside it. I gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead and admired her for another second before I turned and walked out of the bedroom. The sooner I left, the sooner I would return. With vampire speed, I was at the dock with the engine started. I hesitated to leave Bella on the island without transportation, but I remembered that the cleaning crew would return every few days and at any rate, she didn't know how to drive the yacht. Something I would have to remedy when I returned.
I docked the speed boat at a marina about fifty miles north of Rio and headed for the Brazilian Highlands. I followed the tourist path until it ended and then continued further into the jungles. I soon caught scent of my prey, a jaguar, and easily captured it near the basin. Once I relished my thirst with the predator, I picked up the pursuant the jaguar was unable to complete. The tapir weighing nearly five hundred pounds, left me full and satisfied. It was a nice change to have something other than North American animals.
I headed back to the trail that would lead me to my wife. It would be another uninterrupted fourteen days with my wife on the beautiful Isle Esme – I might even make it eighteen days.
It was an hour before dawn when I reached the boat; I figured it would be a good time to call home. I didn't look forward to the conversation.
"Edward, what a lovely surprise," it was Esme who picked up Carlisle's phone. "How are you enjoying your honeymoon?"
"Hello, Esme – You were right, the Isle is a perfect spot for a honeymoon, and we have truly enjoyed it. It was very kind of you to allow us to borrow it."
"Not a problem. So how much property damage have you done?" She knew from her past experience with Rosalie and Emmett that such was a part of the honeymoon experience.
"Actually, we have contained it to one room -- the blue one. I will need to replace the bed frame," I confessed.
"And?"
"That's all."
"Well, I can't say I'm not disappointed, it was a dear piece of furniture, but it is apparent that you are a true gentleman if that is all the damage. Have you all decided to return?"
"That is why I'm calling, I wanted to let you all know that it would be a few more weeks. Bella has decided to attend Dartmouth in the fall," I announced. "We will be in Washington a week before we move to New Hampshire."
"Oh, I see. I guess that is the proper course of things," she sounded just as disappointed as any parent of a college bound student. The nest would be empty.
"Mom, Is Carlisle there?"
"Yes, dear I will put him on the phone. You take care of yourselves and all my love to Bella."
"I love you mom, bye." I didn't wait long for Carlisle, even though I could have used an eternity.
"Hello Edward, How are you and Bella?" Carlisle sounded as concerned and diplomatic as ever.
"I'm fine sir. Bella is well." I hated to disappoint both my parents in one phone call, "I'm calling to . . . to confess that I was not as . . . careful as I should have been with her." My shame was over-taking me again.
"Is she hurt?" His concern was clearly medical, as well as fatherly.
"She is fine now. I bruised her, Carlisle, light bruises, but -- there were many." My acknowledgement sent grief and sorrow through me. "I've not harmed her since."
"I see. How did Bella respond to this?"
"At first, she tried to discount the matter, until she realized I would not have it. Then she said that she had expected worse injuries, which still sends shivers through me. She has decided to forget the bruises and be—in her own words, 'totally and completely blissed out'."
He cleared his throat, hindering a chuckle. "Yes, that does sound like her." He gained his composure. "You knew this would be very dangerous for her and I believe you did the best you could under the circumstances." His words were of little comfort.
"An apology seems insufficient to atone for my actions. I can't use the same words for this that I would use for spilled milk." I took an unnecessary breath, choking out the next words through my teeth. "And forgiveness can't be the same either."
"You're right. But, I'm unsure that an apology or forgiveness is necessary."
"I should not have touched her."
"It is much too late for that, Edward." His voice was calm and reassuring. "I think Bella is right. Since she has forgotten it, then you must allow time to right the unperceived wrong."
His words were final. No more discussion. No more self-flagellation. I would follow his advice. "Yes, I will."
"And, Edward."
"Yes, Carlisle."
"We look forward to seeing you both in a few weeks before you head to Dartmouth." He had a smile in his voice. "I gather Bella has decided to remain human a little longer?"
"Yes, she says she has -- another reason to stay human. We will see you soon. Thank you Carlisle." I hung up the phone and pressed the speed level forward. I needed to see my wife.
---
I arrived just as the sun was half way up, and found all the windows wide open in the large TV room. The television showed the DVD title screen from the same movie we watched the day before. There was a disgusting smell of food in the air.
My wife was asleep on the couch in front of the TV. She wore a yellow silk camisole and shorts and little beads of sweat covered her body. I took off my shirt and slid on the couch, pulling her burning body against mine. She started to stir.
I put my arms around her and wiped her forehead, "I'm sorry. So much for thoroughness. I didn't think about how hot you would be with me gone. I'll have an air conditioner installed before I leave again."
She began to struggle from my arms "Excuse me!" she yelled.
I let go of her, "Bella?" She threw her hand to her mouth and rushed to the bathroom. She was clinging to the toilet, her body emptying the entire contents of her stomach. I held her hair out of her face and kept my hand on the back of her neck, certain the coolness would help.
"Bella? What's wrong?" She was obviously sick, I couldn't imagine why I would ask her such a ridiculous question. What I wanted to know is -- what is causing her sickness? She is usually able to hold her nausea at bay.
"Damn rancid chicken," she groaned.
"Are you all right?" There I go again, asking another ridiculous question. What I wanted to know was – was she getting worse?
"Fine," she said weakly "It's just food poisoning. You don't need to see this. Go away."
"Not likely, Bella."
"Go away," she moaned and faintly tried to push me out of the bathroom.
There was no need for me to leave, her convulsions had weakened her and slowed her heart rate. I was staying.
We rinsed away any remnants from her sickness and I carried her to the bed. I gently set her down, not wanting to cause any jarring of her stomach. I then placed my arm around her and touched my hand to her head.
"Food poisoning?" I asked.
"Yeah, I made some chicken last night. It tasted off, so I threw it out after a few bites," she explained.
"How do you feel now?"
"Pretty normal. A little hungry, actually."
I decided that she needed to rest before she ate. After an hour, I gave her a glass of water to drink. She finished it dutifully and asked for some fried eggs. I made her three eggs, scrambled. She finished the entire plate.
I took her into the TV room and we sat down – actually I sat and she lay sprawled across my lap -- and watched CNN. It was nice to know the world was still going on -- even though we were not a part of it.
She became restless and turned towards me – I believed in search of a kiss. I leaned forward and her hand flew to her mouth. She jumped off the couch and flew to the kitchen sink where her body began to heave. I held her hair away from her face while she emptied the contents of her stomach for the second time in one day.
"Maybe we should go back to Rio, see a doctor." I suggested.
Her eyes widen in fear as she shook her head in response. She then backed away from the sink until she reached the glass wall. "I'll be fine right after I brush my teeth." She kept her hand on the wall as she eased to the bedroom.
I took slow, directed steps and followed her. She was not being reasonable. She was worse and she needed to see a doctor. She had to get over her fear of needles. I would talk some sense into her -- she would not avoid seeing a doctor. I considered calling Carlisle if she didn't cooperate -- I grabbed my phone on the way to the bedroom.
I knocked on the door. "Are you well? Did you get sick again?"
"Yes and no."
Why was she being so cryptic? I needed to see what was wrong, "Bella? Can I please come in?"
"O . . . kay?"
I opened the door and found her sitting on the floor next to her suitcase. Her color was ashen and she stared straight ahead towards the bathroom, not looking at anything in particular. I tried to read her mind because her face was expressionless. I found no answers. I sat down next to her and put my hand to her head.
"What's wrong?" I whispered,
"How many days has it been since the wedding?" She didn't turn to me when she asked -- in her quiet voice -- but continued to stare straight ahead.
"Seventeen." Eighteen days since I last hunted – the day before the wedding. "Bella, what is it?" Why won't she look at me? What is going on? What does the wedding have to do with her being sick? This was not making any sense. She must be in shock! I put my arm around her and started to call her name when she held up one finger – wait it said.
She wanted me to wait! Wait for what? She was trying to figure something out and I needed to figure it out as well. I could not wait any long enough. She had to know I needed answers too --I urgently whispered, "Bella! I'm losing my mind over here."
She grabbed a blue box out of her suitcase and held it up.
This was her answer -- a box of tampons? "What? Are you trying to pass this illness off as PMS?" Was she trying to get out of seeing a doctor?
"No. No, Edward. I'm trying to tell you that my period is five days late."
I froze. Late? I counted in my head. She was always regular, never late, never early. She had to know I could tell, her scent was more potent during her period, it was -- intoxicating. But what has that to do with food poisoning . . .
"I don't think I have food poisoning." She concluded.
What is she thinking? I'm avoiding the obvious. Snap out of it Edward, you know what she is saying. Pregnant.
NO!?!
I heard her faintly from a distance, my thoughts were so loud. She was rattling off her symptoms over the last two weeks – dreams, sleeping, crying, eating, sickness this morning . . .
I couldn't think. I had to think. I couldn't move. I didn't have to move. I could think. The monster in me was rejoicing.
Pregnant – was there someone else? I've been with her every day, nearly every hour since graduation. Only me. Only me.
A vampire. A monster bent on destruction of human life.
Jasper's tears. A vampire couldn't cry but Jasper did. I saw them! If a vampire could have tears then – maybe – not sterile.
Oh, what does this mean? Not sterile? Able to be a father?
No it's not possible. It's too soon, she can't know after five days. It takes nine months, unless -- the fetus is half vampire. Oh no. No. No. A vampire growing inside her. The monster would win, no wonder it was rejoicing.
It's not possible. Sterile. Void.
I considered the legend of the Incubus --a vampire that would consummate with human woman. The woman would be killed long before conception could be confirmed, drained of every drop of blood. So what if she wasn't murdered? Would she carry to term? What would it be? She would die from the pregnancy – incompatibility, long before the fetus could survive on its own. No children could be born.
They were well-known, these vampire lovers of beautiful human women. The Hebrew Estrie rumored to choose a human mate once every fifty years. The Filipino Danag burned himself to death after his human mate killed herself upon discovering her pregnancy. The Romanian Varacolaci had an unquenchable thirst for human woman but was forced to abandon his ways by the Volturi. I couldn't forget the Italian Volturi, formerly known as Stregoni benefici -- who still have human women to serve their pleasures. We saw one less than six months ago who was either killed or turned into a vampire. Either way no human survived. Any evidence of conception would be lost during the transformation or through the mother's death.
There were actual living legends of vampire woman who seduced male humans, succubus, my cousin Tonya claimed to be the original succubus. There was never conception from this pairing though. The male, although fertile, a vampire woman was not. Even if a female vampire conceived, the fetus would be immediately die being absorbed or dissolved.
Jasper cried tears. Strong emotions change us. Jasper changed and there were tears.
I changed. Stong emotions. Our love. Our passion. I changed.
I need to talk to her. I need to explain. My selfish desire was for her to have children – with me. Easy to wish when I was sterile.
What am I missing?
Something is wrong. – Incompatible.
Incompatible – it will kill her. I couldn't think. I started to count her heartbeat just to stop this spiral. I had to move and go to her – save her.
I remembered the story Carlisle told to Bella of the plague of immortal children.
Carlisle spoke, "what they were thinking, those ancient ones, I can't understand. They created vampires out of humans who were barely more than infants. They were very beautiful, endearing. Everyone near, would hopelessly fall in love with the children.
"Unfortunately, the children could not be taught to keep the secret. They were frozen in their development. Cute two year old vampires that would destroy entire villages. When hungry they fed and no one, no words could stop their temper tantrums. Tonya's mother after creating Tonya and her sister's also created an immortal child, I am unsure of her reasoning.
He paused to look at me worried that Bella was becoming too involved in the story. Shall I continue? I will have to tell her of the Volturi. There is no way to tell the story without mentioning the ancients Aro, Caius and Marcus. And their absolute enforcement of the law. You know that a violation meant certain death for all involved. Perhaps now is not the time? I gave Carlisle a slight nod to continue, my Bella needed to understand. He continued,
"The Volturi became involved and studied the immortal children. Caius decided that the young ones were incapable of protecting our secret, so they were destroyed.
"Covens fought to extinction to protect the lovable immortal children. The devastation was not complete, but much was lost, including traditions, friends and long-established covens. Aro studied the children, hoping to train them, but in the end, it was a unanimous decision to destroy the immortal ones. Vampires throughout the world knew from that point forward that it was taboo to create such a young one.
"Tanya, Kate, and Irina were totally oblivious until the day the Volturi came for them, their mother had created an immortal child. Tanya's mother and the child were already in custody. It was ignorance that saved Tanya and her sisters. Aro through his special touch was able to read every thought in their minds to determine that they were innocent and had no knowledge of the child.
"The only time Tanya and her sisters had seen the boy was as he was destroyed along with their mother. Tanya never knew why their mother did such a thing, but they were thankful of their ignorance, Caius wanted to burn them. Guilty by association, but Aro thought otherwise. The sisters became absolute followers of the law, never wanting to face the punishment of the Volturi." Carlisle finished.
I continued to count Bella's heartbeats in the separate part of my brain. I multiplied the beats by 700.
701, 702, 703 704 705 706 there was a ringing from far away – keep counting 1075, 1076, 1077 it was my phone 2150, 2151, 2152 ringing 2224, 2225 ringing, I kept counting 2575, 2576 . . .reach . . . move 3602, 3603 the ringing and ringing 3778, 3779, we would figure this out together 5823, 5824 the ringing stopped 5989, 5990 she was near me 5999, 6000. Sitting next to me.
I was calm and aware I heard her say "sixteen days before the wedding." I still hadn't moved.
She was talking to Carlisle. Yes, Alice was worried. I could hear the discussion, but I was unable to move, still counting her heartbeats, the only thing holding me to reality. 7520, 7521
"How do you feel?" Carlisle asked. I sought the square root of the numbers 7.4576 to the fourth place.
"Weird. This is going to sound crazy – look, I know it's way too early for any of this. Maybe I am crazy. But I'm having bizarre dreams and eating all the time and crying and throwing up and . . . and . . . I swear something moved inside me just now."
What?!?
I looked up, probably too quickly – Bella seemed nervous. I held out my hand for the phone. I had to act now, I could not continue to count and not act. That monster was happy, he was close to success. I took the phone and brought it to my ear and said three words -- "Is it possible?"
"Son, you know that is no longer the question. The obvious and only answer is standing in front of you. You both have been changed so completely by one another, of course, it is not only possible – I think it has happened.
"If you had asked me this same question, three weeks ago, I would have said no. I would have told you that vampires are infertile. But then, no one has ever been able to examine a male vampire for virility.
"The legends of the succubus and incubus were just legends. Remember I lived during the time of the Italian Stregoni benefici -- there was never any evidence of conception – it was all locker room talk; that I started in hopes to have vampires treat human differently, more humanly.
"Moreover, vampires and humans do not have the same chromosomal chains. Our DNA makes us incompatible. Vampires have twenty-five while humans have only twenty-three. We have two more than they do. This would seem to support the theory that conception is not possible. It would be like mating a lion to a house cat. Just too different.
"But . . . son, remember I told you strong emotions change us. Look at Jasper, he produced tears. Look at you, I think you produced a pregnancy." His voice was calming and hopeful.
"And Bella?"
"Yes, she is probably pregnant. The pregnancy seems to be moving along rather rapidly. For human women, the first movements are felt at the end of the first trimester. This means that she will only be pregnant for about three to four more weeks.
"I wish I could tell you that this is a good thing for you and Bella, but I believe that this is extremely dangerous for her, but I'm not certain.
"Whatever it . ." He seemed to reconsider his words, not wishing to offend. "Whatever is the most dominate trait with the fetus, will determine how dangerous it is for Bella. If the fetus is mostly human and grows at a quick rate, then, Bella will be fine. On the other hand if the fetus is mostly vampire then you might want to consider terminating the pregnancy. She will not be able to carry the fetus to term, her system will reject it or the fetus will . . . " He couldn't finish the sentence. It was too horrible to imagine. But I knew, the fetus would feed on Bella was what he was going to say.
Carlisle cleared his throat "I want you two on the next flight home. Until you get here, don't worry her about the incompatibility. You will need to bring Bella home to me. I will do everything I can to save her – keep her alive. Remember keep her calm and relaxed." Carlisle finished.
"Yes, Yes I will." I hung up the phone with Carlisle and dialed the number to the airlines.
"What did Carlisle say?" Bella asked.
"He thinks you're pregnant." I started to count in my head again.
"Who are you calling now?"
"The airport. We're going home."
I talked on the phone for the next hour. There was only one flight back to the states that we could make today, but the seats were full.
I told the ticket agent that it was an emergency and that we had to be on that flight. I argued with her for several minutes before I was transferred to her supervisor. The supervisor was of little help and it turned out that I would have to talk with the gate manager.
By the time I reached the gate manager, I had all our things packed. I set Bella's clothes on the bed for her to change. The gate manager was our best hope in making that flight, but we still had to get to the mainland.
The gate manager, a man with a heavy voice, named Juan took his sweet time coming to the phone. I told him I had an emergency and needed to get on that flight to the U.S. I offered him money to find a way to get us on the flight and told him I would pay anyone who was inconvenienced.
Juan said he would make a quick announcement and he was doubtful someone would be there to accept, the departure time was three hours away. He came back to the phone and said a missionary couple would sell their tickets to us. He put the couple on the phone and they garnered enough to purchase a van for their ministry and two first class tickets to America leaving the next day. I got their names and told them the van would be delivered in twenty minutes but the keys would not be theirs until their seats were given to us.
I called the car dealer in Rio, gave them my Centurion American Express Card and told them where to deliver the new van. I then called the taxi cab company and requested a taxi at the marina. I told them to start the meter immediately and gave them my credit card information.
I set the phone down and packed Bella's toiletries. Bella was in the kitchen sitting on the counter eating pretzels looking out at the ocean. "Bella?"
She was turned away from me. I walked closer to her and saw that she had tears streaming down her face. "Bella!" I panicked and streaked across the room. "Are you in pain?"
"No, no—"
I put my arms around her, in comfort – but I was the one needing it. She was in danger. That ugly fate was again threatening my wife's life. "Don't be afraid. We'll be home in sixteen hours. You'll be fine. Carlisle will be ready when we get there. We'll take care of this, and you'll be fine, you'll be fine."
If I had stopped counting her heartbeats in my head, I could have focused on Bella. Her actions, reactions, but I couldn't think straight. I was anxious to remove the threat.
"Take care of this? What do you mean?" Her voice rose as she asked.
I pulled myself away from her to look into her gorgeous coffee colored eyes, filled with fear. We're going to get that thing out before it can hurt any part of you. Don't be scared. I won't let it hurt you." I started counting again.
"That thing?"
I heard the chugging of a boat. "Dammit! I forgot Gustavo was due today. I'll get rid of him and be right back." My counting again kept me from observing Bella's reactions to my words of comfort.
I went to the boat dock and Gustavo and Kaure were already out of the boat and headed towards the house. I called out to them in Portuguese letting them know that their services would not be needed today and to come back tomorrow and close up the house.
Kaure kept walking to the house as if she hadn't heard me. He has killed that poor girl. She is dead I know it. I should have helped her get away. That poor girl is dead.
I responded to Kaure's thoughts and told her that my wife and I would be leaving for the states in a few minutes. The bags are packed. I realized that the more excuses I gave to get her to turn around the more adamant she became that I had killed Bella.
I resolved that I had to let her see Bella. It would be better anyway. Kaure might report Bella missing -- it would be quite difficult and cause unnecessary trouble.
I tried to take the food she offered for us so that she could quickly look at Bella and leave. She refused to let me carry the dish. I reached the kitchen before Kaure did and went over the Bella.
I removed the tears from my wife's cheeks and whispered in her hear. "She's insisting on leaving the food she brought – she made us dinner. It's an excuse – she wants to make sure I haven't killed you yet." The words stung as they came out my mouth. I could not kill her, but my unborn vampire monster would.
Kaure looked at my Bella. Poor child she is terrified of him. She has no color and she has been crying. Kaure spoke softly in her native tongue believing that I could not hear or understand. "She still lives, but not for long."
I lost all sense of civility. The venom swirled in my mouth and I growled through my teeth that she could leave her damn food and go. "My wife is not in a grave." Speaking in the same language.
Kaure turned around to leave. Bella gagged and went to the sink. I put my hands on her forehead and I realized it was the food Kaure left that had caused the nausea – it was onions and fish – very strong. I speedily put the dish away in the refrigerator.
The nausea controlled, Bella rinsed her mouth and I held her. She moved her hand to her stomach.
Kaure was watching. This girl is sick from the smell of the food and she holds her stomach. She is with his child! Kaure's face showed absolute horror. What a beast of a creature! The conception of an abomination! They must be stopped. The unborn beast cannot be born. Oh my dear god what have they done? I will die trying to kill them both. The conception of an abomination cannot live.
I put Bella behind me, shielding her from the small stature of the Brazilian woman. Too old and frail to do any harm, but I could not allow Bella to be in danger. Kaure then shouted what she had thought only seconds before.
I knew I had to calm the intense situation down. I counted quickly. There was no harm to any of us, Gustavo was in his boat. I would not take this woman's life but she sensed what I am and her legends may hold the key to our dilemma.
Her shouting became more directed at me and I stepped forward. Bella grabbed my arm, unsure of what I would do. I was calm and controlled. My response was whispered to Kaure in her native tongue. I asked her what she knew of the legend of the blood drinkers and whether the love I demonstrated to my wife and the joy Bella and I shared resembled the blood demons of her legends.
Her response was both a challenge and a question. She told me of the deaths of the beautiful women that fell in love with the blood drinkers that the demons would seduce the women. The women were all put in a trance and never recovered, even when they were minutes from death. If I were a demon blood drinker I must come forth and tell the truth and free my wife.
She continued describing the similarities, like the blood drinkers spoken of in the village legends, there was no food consumed in this house until the woman. There were no toothbrushes or dirty bathrooms until the woman. Your skin glows and you move too swiftly just like the blood drinkers. "You are that which the legend speaks?"
I stepped closer to her and nodded.
Kaure backed away from me and made the motion of the cross. Oh holy mother Mary protect us.
I had confirmed what she already knew. But she did not know my love for Bella. I would confirm that as well. I began to put forth my defenses.
I told her no harm would ever come to Bella as long as I existed.
You lie, I have seen the bruises, you must die. Kaure thought.
Bella was the only reason for my life and I reached and touched Bella's face softly, explaining that Bella had decided not to live without me.
You must free the girl.
I told Kaure that Bella's pain would also be mine.
Kaure replied that I should not touch Bella, Take your hands away -- such a touch was unnatural and I could not change the laws of nature and God. I must free Bella. I would kill her if I didn't.
I knew that not all of what Kaure knew of vampires was accurate. Even when Bella first found out, she asked me ridiculous questions about stakes, coffins and the sun.
I remained calm and again defended my love for Bella, my strong emotions and how I had changed. In the native tongue of Kaure, I told her that I never drank human blood, only animals. I asked her whether she had ever seen two more devoted lovers. When I touched my Bella she did not cringe away.
She looks at him with the eyes of youthful love.
I told Kaure to look at how she was holding my arm, pulling me closer to her.
She doesn't shiver at his touch, and seems to seek it no matter where he stands.
I asked in the ancient language if the tears that were on my wife's face could be there if she were in a trance.
She has changed her emotions from sad, frightened and I have seen her happy.
Finally, I begged her to tell me of the legends, so that I could save Bella's life. Bella was with child, I confessed in the Ticunan dialect.
Kaure, made a circular motion over her stomach in front of her own body. I nodded. Kaure then took a few steps toward us. She was still concerned about Bella. We began a rapid round of questions and answers in the guttural tongue of her childhood.
"Where are you taking her?" Kaure asked.
"To our home in the states, we do not know what she carries."
"Will you return here?"
"Only if my wife desires," I assured of Bella's choices.
"Will you leave her if she desires?"
"Yes."
"Is she able to leave you if she desires?"
"Yes."
"If she dies, do you promise that you will die also?"
"Yes."
"Then you may ask your questions." She agreed in her dialect.
"What does she carry?"
"A monster that will kill"
"Will my wife live?
"Your demon seed has killed her."
I remembered the pain of living without Bella, of believing she was dead and the stress of the last hour fell on my face. Despair.
"And the seed?"
Kaure considered Bella and walked to her. Bella's hand had not left her stomach. Kaure placed her hand over Bella's hand. She said the word that she had known would crush me further and she said it in Portuguese so that even Bella would understand. She said, "morte."
This small framed human woman had defeated me and sentenced me to absolute death. I did not move. Kaure left the house and got into the boat, vowing she would never return.
I wanted to count. How many heartbeats did Bella have left. Each one was a prized joy to my ears. I could not count now, we needed to leave, just as I was about to ask if Bella was ready she walked toward the bedroom.
"Where are you going?" I asked not moving my position or changing my facial expression.
"I want to brush my teeth again." She answered.
"Don't worry about what she said. It's just a bunch of old legends, it's lies told for entertainment purposes." I tried to make the words said by Kaure meaningless, but I knew, we all believed in legends and old folk tales. Bella was detached from my words of assurance.
"I didn't understand anything." She lied. I knew it, but it didn't matter. Death would not come to my wife. She was once again downplaying her concern for my benefit and I would let her.
"I'll get your toothbrush it's packed." I moved to the bedroom and removed the items.
"Are we leaving soon?"
"As soon as you're done."
I stood by the bathroom, glad to be her valet, but we did need to hurry. When she was done, I packed her toothbrush and grabbed the luggage.
"I'll get the bags into the boat."
"Edward?" Her voice was strangely emotionless.
"Yes?"
"Could you pack some food. I might get hungry."
"Of course. Don't worry about anything. We'll be home soon and this will all be over." I continued to move along the only road to keep Bella safe that I knew.
After the bags were in the yacht and the little food I grabbed, I carried Bella to the boat. She held tightly to me, crying softly in my arms. I wanted to soothe her but I knew we had to catch our flight. When I set her down, she handed me my phone.
"You forgot this on the counter."
"Thank you." I turned on the engine and we were heading west to the mainland. Bella stood facing me, both arms wrapped around my waist. Our bodies close together. I faced north, she south. I had one arm on the wheel and the other around her. I kissed her forehead. She cried. We were chasing the sun but our eyes were looking in the opposite direction east. We both watched Isle Esme forlornly as it disappeared into the darkening horizon.