Chapter 10
Jessica pops a volleyball in the air, doing practice serves. Angela takes a picture of her, then points her camera around, looking for another shot. Eric studies some fliers advertising the prom.
"Monte Carlo? That's our prom theme?" Jessica said.
"Gambling, tuxedos and - Bond. James - ow!" Eric said as Jessica head-butts the ball which hits him in the face.
"Oh. My. God." Angela said as she frozen, Jessica and Eric also look towards where Angela is looking.
They see Bella and Edward arriving together. All eyes on campus are turning to them, filled with curiosity, jealousy, envy.
Emmett had his arm around Ellie's shoulders as they walked next to Edward and Bella, smiling.
"Everyone's staring." Bella said to Edward.
Edward was smiling, "Not that guy over - yeah, he just looked." Off his rakish, but reassuring smile..
The girls hurry towards the entrance of the diner, trying to keep the joy on her face in check... with minimal success. Outside the door, she passes Mike, hanging out with several of his basketball teammates.
"Yo, Arizona. So. You and Cullen." Mike asks.
She shrugs, non-committal, but can't entirely hide a smile, as she and Ellie hurry inside to Charlie's table and slides in.
"Sorry I'm late. Biology project."
Cora sets a top sirloin steak in front of Charlie, a plate of seafood in front of Bella and the chicken Caesar infront of Ellie.
"I ordered for you girls." Charlie said.
"Order one for yourself next time. You should cut back on the steak." Bella said as Ellie scoffed.
"I'm healthy as a horse." Charlie defended.
Cora comes up to their table, looking at Charlie, "Say Chief, boys want to know, you find anything down by Queets River today?" she asked.
Charlie's aware of the loggers at the counter listening, too. He frames his answer carefully to keep everyone calm.
"The suspect's moving east. Kitsap County Sheriff is taking over from here. They're putting extra guys on."
"Hope they catch him fast." Cora said softly and moves off, with a measure of relief. Charlie, Ellie and Bella pass each other the salt, butter for bread, etc., with an easy rhythm now.
"Your friends are flagging you girls" Charlie said pointing to the window.
They turned to see Mike and the guys horsing around outside, straws in their noses, making faces at her. They both smile and turn back to their food.
"It's okay you wanna join them. I'm just gonna turn in early anyway." Charlie said.
"Yeah, me, too. I have training tomorrow morning" Ellie said.
"Bella? It's a Friday night. Go out. The Newton boy's got a big smile for you. Nice family, the Newtons."
"He's just a friend." Bella told him.
"None of the boys in town interest you?" he asked.
"We're not really going to talk about boys, are we?" Ellie asked.
"Just... you should be around people. I leave you girls alone too much."
"I've never minded being alone. Guess I'm a lot like my dad that way." she said genuinely, "And Ellie has her training and friends"
Charlie smiles. Him and Ellie have always had a close bond, but he didnt with Bella. Since the girls have been here, the two have come a long way. Cora returns, "Berry cobbler, two forks." She sets it between them. Off them, both reaching for forks.. And Ellie got her apple pie. .
Bella, dressed for bed, looks out the window as she talks on the phone with Rene. Bella's euphoria still lingers in her eyes.. Ellie sitting on Bella's bed.
"So spring training's going well?" She asked their mother.
"Phil's working hard. We're looking around for a house to rent, in case it becomes permanent. You'd like Jacksonville, girls.
"Actually, Forks is kind of growing on me. And Ellie has always loved it here."
Rene paused, thinking something is up, "Could... a guy have something to do with that?" she asked.
Ellie was trying not to laugh, "she saw right through you" Ellie whispered.
"Maybe.." Bella replied smiling.
Rene got excited, "Tell me everything! Jock? Indie? Bet he's smart. Is he smart?"
"Well... he is kind of a history buff." Bella said this as she turns to find Edward lying on her bed smiling next to Ellie.
"Ellie is seeing someone" she dobbed Ellie in.
"Ellie, is that true?" Rene asked as Bella handed the phone to Ellie.
Ellie took the phone reluctantly, "You bitch! I'll get you back" she whispered as she walked out of the room and into hers, "Hi Mom" leaving Bella and Edward.
Bella enters to find Charlie cleaning a rifle. He starts to say hello but she just blurts out, "I have a date with Edward Cullen."
He suddenly looks like he's having an aneurysm, "He's too old for you."
"We're both juniors. I thought you liked the Cullens." Bella defended.
"And I thought you weren't interested in any of the boys in town." Charlie said.
"Dad! She is a teenage girl, of course there is going to be interest" Ellie said as she walked into the room.
"Edward doesn't live "in town." And it's in the early stage and… whatever, he's outside right now." Bella told him.
"Now? He's out there?" Charlie asked surprised.
"He wants to meet you. Officially."
"Good." Charlie said as he cocks the rifle in mock-seriousness.
"Be nice, okay? He's... important." Bella told him.
Charlie was about to say something when Ellie gave him a stern look. His eldest daughter has always had him wrapped around her little finger. He gives the girls a reassuring nod... then Bella opens the door to reveal Edward in a parka and gloves and Emmett close behind him but as Emmett had already officially met Charlie, he says hello to Charlie and shakes his hand before going to stand next to Ellie.
"Chief Swan. I wanted to formally introduce myself. I'm Edward." Edward introduces himself and extends his hand. Charlie takes it, but grunts a hello, resisting him.
"I won't keep Bella out late tonight. We're just going to go play baseball with my family."
"Bella's going to play baseball?" Charlie questioned as Emmett and Ellie smiled.
Bella's equally surprised, but hides it, "Yes, sir, that's the plan." Edward tells him.
"Well. More power to you, I guess." Charlie said.
"She'll be safe with me, sir, I promise." Edward told him as he exits out of the house.
Ellie kisses Charlie on the cheek and walks out with Emmett.
Charlie holds Bella back, "You got that pepper spray?"
"Dad." Bella said rolling her eyes and walking old, closing the door behind her.
Edward and Bella climb into the back seats of a massive Jeep parked in the drive where Ellie and Emmett were waiting.
"Your father thinks you should go to an all-girl's school." Edward told Bella while smiling as it amused him.
"No fair, reading Charlie's mind." Bella told him as they climb in the Jeep, Bella notices a baseball bat, "And since when do vampires like baseball?"
"It's the American pastime. Plus, there's a thunderstorm coming. It's the only time we can play. You'll see why." Edward said as Emmett took off towards the field.
Storm clouds gather in the sky as the 4 pull up in the Jeep. Ellie takes in a rough baseball diamond, set into an enormous field in the lap of the Olympic peaks.
Michael and Esme come to greet Bella and Ellie.
"Good thing you're here. We need a umpire or two"
Emmett with his big grin put an arm around Ellie's shoulders, "She thinks we cheat."
"I know you cheat. Call 'em as you see 'em, Bella." Esme said.
She looked at her sister who nodded at her, "I'll be the ruler. So if it's disputed then my word is law" Ellie said as she smiled as Emmett put his hoodie jumper on Ellie and partially zipper it up.
Esme smiled at her, "Sounds good"
"It's time" Alice yelled out from the Pitcher's mound she said as a deep rumble of thunder shakes the forest.
Bella and Ellie stay close to Esme who plays catcher. Alice pitches with lightning-fast speed. Edward and Emmett take positions in the outfield.
Rosalie smashes the ball with the aluminum bat. It cracks like thunder - and is followed directly by real thunder.
"Now I get why you need the thunder." Ellie said to Esme who grinned at her.
The ball shoots like a meteor deep into the forest, rocketing through the trees. Edward disappears after it.
"That has to be a home run." Bella said.
"Edward's very fast." Esme told her as they watched what was happening, wondering if Rosalie will make it to home base.
Rosalie darts around the bases, almost a blur - Edward races out of the forest with the ball and whips it to home plate. Esme catches it a millisecond before Rosalie slides in.
"Yer out?" Bella said while Esme nods.
Rosalie glares at Bella as they get up and Rosalie walked past Bella.
"Come on babe! It's just a game" Michael called out.
Amazed, Bella watches as Carlisle hits a line drive. Edward and Emmett race for the catch, diving 15 feet and colliding with such might that it sounds like enormous boulders falling. They miss the ball - Carlisle is safe!
Jasper whacks the next pitch - deep into the forest. But before Edward can chase it, Alice suddenly gasps.
"Stop! I didn't see them.." They all stop. Edward is immediately at Bella's side and Emmett at Ellie's side. The family instantly gathers at home plate.
"They're traveling so quickly" Alice said.
"You said they left the county" Rosalie said.
"They did, but then they heard us.." then she looked at Edward, "And changed their minds."
Edward was fussing with Bella, "Put your hair down" he told her as Bella did so.
"Like that'll help. I could smell her from across the field." Rosalie said. Edward ignored Rosalie as he arranges Bella's hair.
Emmett zipped up the hoodie Ellie was wearing as she put the hood over her head and stood close to Emmett.
"We shouldn't have brought the both of you here. I'm so sorry." he said to Bella.
Before she could ask why, all their attention turned towards the forest edge.
There's a faint rustle... then James, Victoria and Laurent emerge. As they near, Ellie sees their bare feet, remembering what her Father had said about finding footprints after Waylon's murder, then she noticed the deep burgundy of their eyes. Laurent holds up the baseball.
"I believe this belongs to you." he said as he tosses the ball (his casual toss is still blindingly fast) to Carlisle who easily catches it and smiles politely.
"Thank you." he said
"Could you use three more players?" Laurent asked.
"Of course. A few of us were just leaving" Carlisle said as he continued to smile.
"I'm Laurent. This is Victoria. And James." he introduced.
Bella sees that Edward's eyes are locked onto James.
"I'm afraid your hunting activities have caused something of a mess for us." Carlisle mentioned to them.
"Our apologies. We didn't realize the territory had been claimed." Laurent apologised.
"Yes, we maintain a permanent residence." Carlisle said.
The three newcomers exchange a look of surprise, "Really? Well, we won't be a problem any more." Laurent told them.
"The humans were tracking us, but we led them East-" Victoria told them.
A breeze blows by Bella, ruffling her hair, carrying her scent which floats to James who suddenly stops where he is. His head whips around at her and he lurches into a crouch, his nostrils flaring, excitedly, eyes locked on Bella.
"You brought a snack." he said and notices Ellie, "Two, how nice"
Edward and Emmett spring in front of the girls baring thier teeth.
A truly menacing, feral snarl rips from Emmett's throat. James growls back then in a flash the Cullens rush into position behind Edward - Laurent and Victoria line up behind James.
"The girls are with us." Carlisle told the other vampires.
"We won't harm them." Laurent said trying to diffuse the situation.
"Just try it." Emmett said as he kept Ellie close behind him.
"I think it best if you leave." Carlisle told them.
"Yes, I can see the game is over. We'll go now. James?" Laurent said.
But James' eyes still looking at Edward's, then he looks at Ellie, causing her to cling to Emmett even more "I'll see you soon" he said to her. Laurent puts a hand on James' shoulder, and finally, James backs into the woods with his cohorts, disappearing. Once they're gone, Esme immediately gathers up the bats.
"Get Belle and Ellie out of here. We'll follow them." Carlisle told them as he, Jasper and a resentful Rosalie race off after the three vampires. Edward scoops Bella up and rushes towards the Jeep.
Emmett also guiding Ellie quickly to the Jeep, both girls got in to the car quickly as Edward straps in Bella.
Emmett kissed Ellie, "I'm going to make sure they don't come after you" he told her.
"Emmett, no…" Ellie went to say but he cut her off.
"Ellie, stay with Edward. He will look after the both of you. I will catch up soon" he told her as he kissed her again and raced off after closing the door.
"James is a tracker. I saw his mind. The hunt is his obsession, and my reaction set him off -" Edward explained as the tires spin, "- We're a large clan of strong fighters all protecting two vulnerable humans." dark with disgust, he continued, "I just made this his most exciting game ever." he admits.
Ellie looks out the window as the Jeep careens down the dirt mountain road, she was thinking about Emmett.
"Don't worry Ellie, Emmett will be fine." Edward told her because he had heard her thoughts.
Ellie looked at him through the rearview mirror and then back out the window, saying nothing.
A jolting, death defying ride, splashing through creeks, until they reach the road. The Jeep speeds wildly down the road.
"The first place he'll go is your house. He'll track your scent there."
Ellie moved forward in the car, horrified, "What?! Dad's there. He's in danger because of me. Because of us!" she expressed.
Edward being calm, "Then we'll lead the tracker away from him. Somehow." he told them as he angrily whips around a bend, mud flying everywhere.
End chapter 10