19. The Game
When we got to the field Alice and Jasper were warming up. Carlisle was marking bases, our distances were bigger than the human's used, it's nice to let go and have fun with speed and power when we can. It's almost like hunting, but without losing control. Esme, Rosalie and Emmett were sitting waiting for us. Alice, Esme and Carlisle were very happy to have Bella here, Jasper was wary and Rosalie was so furious she considered not coming here at all today, but Emmett softened her up a bit. That lasted until she got a glimpse of my face full of love towards someone that she considered inferior to her. She rose to her feet with everyone, but turned the other way.
Esme came towards us full of joy and excitement it pleased her to have Bella here with us, as a part of our family. My dead heart swelled with joy at the thought of having her part of our family. Emmett was a step behind her after he looked at Rosalie I hope she gets over this fast, but I don't think so. So this is the lucky girl ha? I glowered towards my favorite brother. I looked at Bella and she seemed nervous as she looked at Rosalie of all people. "Was that you we heard, Edward?" Esme asked as she approached us. It's been so long since I heard you laughing so freely. Alice was finishing practicing with Jasper; she saw that soon we can start the game. "It sounded like a bear chocking," Emmett said. Bella smiled hesitantly, and confirmed, "That was him." Well they still don't know how funny Bella can be, "Bella was being unintentionally funny." Unintentionally? Both Esme and Emmett were wondering, Emmett more hopeful. I hope I'll get to see some of these funny behaviors for myself, Emmett thought.
Alice run towards us, "It's time," she declared, and as soon as she spoke a rumble thunder sounded. Bella looked fascinated. "Eerie, isn't it?" Emmett said and winked at Bella, he seemed to like her enough right away, she gave him a smile in return. "Let's go," Alice said taking Emmett's hand and they ran towards the bases. No need to push you, Alice thought, smug, but her wordless thoughts took her into paths I didn't want to think of, so I tuned her out. Bella looked after them with eyes that were mesmerized. You can go with the others I'll stay with Bella; Esme thought for me, I gave her a smile. "Are you ready for some ball?" I asked Bella with eagerness. "Go team!" Bella said trying to put enthusiasm in her voice. I chuckled at her expression and run after Alice and Emmett and quickly out run them. I reached Carlisle when Esme took Bella towards us; I always kept an eye on Bella through Esme.
I saw that Bella was staring at me with her mouth open; I guess I enjoyed the way she looked at me, well it gave me something to work with since she was so much more then I deserved. Esme was joking with Bella, telling her about our fighting in games, that fact actually made me smile. "You sound like my mom", Bella laughed in surprise. Esme told Bella her full story, about her baby; I could read the sadness in my mother's thoughts as she thought of him, even thought she took all of us as replacements it will never be enough. I sighed internally, it was just another thing that I could never give Bella, and she could never have at all if she joined my world.
Esme was usually the referee, so we divided into teams. Emmett knew Rosalie wouldn't want me with her team, but he tried anyway. "So Edward, you're on my team?" Rosalie growled and glowered at me. If you want to be hanging off a tree, She thought. "Maybe its better that I won't," I told Emmett and eyed Rosalie, he got the point. This is getting ridicules, how long can she be mad at you? And then he flinched as he remembered just how stubborn Rose is and how long can this last, and sighed. Eventually we divided to teams, Alice, Carlisle and I on one team, Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper on the other. As we were arguing Esme was talking to Bella, about how happy she was that I was finally touched, "You don't mind then? That I'm… all wrong for him?" Bella asked Esme hesitantly. Can't she see that it was the other way around? That I was all wrong for her, that she deserved so much more than me? "No. You're what he wants. It will work out, somehow." Esme answered her, but she was worried as she saw the only solution that anyone could think of; Bella with white chalky face, but she pictured her with golden eyes instead crimson red yet still it was not the chocolate brown that I loved so much. Emmett and Alice also listened to Bella and Esme and we all took our places. Sounds like she really loves you too, Emmett thought, and that warmed me, and I smiled. Alice was also smiling, in her mind Bella was part of this family already, human or otherwise. Jasper was a bit distracted by Bella's scent; I guess it will work for our advantage when we play.
"All right," Esme said, "Batter up." The game started, and Bella just looked stunned, by the sheer speed of the game, she was ever more shocked that I caught the ball that Emmett hit so hard. Esme explain to her that Emmett was the strongest, but I was the fastest of our family. After I caught the ball again, I couldn't help it and ran to Bella's side, "What do you think?" I asked her, as always curious. "One thing's for sure, I'll never be able to sit through dull old Major League Baseball again." I got from Bella that sports weren't one of her strongest trades, "And it sounds like you did so much before," I laughed. "I'm a little disappointed," Bella said in a teasing voice. "Why?" I asked, puzzled as always by the workings of her mind. "Well, it would be nice if I could find just one thing you didn't do better than everyone else on the planet." I smiled, and she stopped breathing for a few seconds. She always thought too much of me. Emmett chuckled as he heard her breathing stopping too. Careful Edward you don't want her to pass out from love, do you? He teased , she already did once, but I couldn't tell him this now standing next to her. "Edward, you're up," Carlisle said in a voice too low for Bella to hear. "I'm up," I told her and went to take my place. It was more fun than usual, playing; it was only more fun since I saw Bella looking at me appraisingly the whole time, and lovingly.
We got more into the game, gaining more speed, but also more arguments, Esme had to call us to order a few times. It was my turn to catch when I heard Alice gasp and tuned into her mind immediately. I saw in her head the three vampires coming here, they were running faster then she thought; they want to join the game. With Bella here it was insanely dangerous. I immediately thought about taking Bella away right now, my head snap up as I thought of it, Alice looked straight at me. If you'll take her now, they catch her scent and start hunting her. We'll have to defend her here, it is the only way to gain time and see if we can resolve it peacefully. They'll still be wary since we out number them. I thought about trying to play it cool as if Bella was one of us, but I saw in her mind that if I won't protect Bella they will kill her immediately. I flinched internally at the sight my whole body went ridged with entire exchange took less than a second and I was on Bella's side in that instant. I was full of hate towards myself; how much danger I put Bella in just now? I brought her here and it was my fault. Alice was full of guilt too, she cared for Bella too, but I couldn't blame her for my mistake.
"Alice?" Esme asked tense. "I didn't see – I couldn't tell," Alice whispered horrified. Everyone was on Alice's side, everyone but me. "What is it, Alice?" Carlisle asked her in a clam voice. "They were traveling much quicker than I thought. I can see I had the perspective wrong before," she murmured. Jasper was worried about a fight take place and he leaned over Alice, protectively. "What changed?" He asked her, worried; after leaving his former life he didn't want to get into a real fight. "They heard us playing, and it changed their path," Alice was horrified seeing in how much danger was Bella, feeling guilty about it. I wanted to tell her it wasn't her fault, but I couldn't leave Bella, I couldn't move my lips horrified at what was coming. Bella didn't seem to realize what was going on, the danger she was in. Everyone eyed Bella as soon as Alice finished talking. All of their thoughts were worried too, all but Rosalie, who seemed more irritated than normal, angry even, that now this would be a problem, if Bella wasn't here then there would be no problem with others coming, she was right. "How soon?" Carlisle asked me. Oh Edward, how much danger is there? You think it will turn into a fight? Is there a chance that Bella will get hurt? I forced my lips to move, "Less than five minutes. They're running – they want to play." I answered his aloud question and not the silent one. He was worried about Bella and I as I turned into Jasper, Bella's fear was growing by the second. "Can you make it?" He asked me, glancing worryingly at Bella. I saw through Alice that the minimal slowing that carrying Bella would affect me. "No, not carrying. Besides, the last thing we need is for them to catch the scent and start hunting."
"How many?" Emmett asked Alice. "Three," was all Alice could say. "Three!" he scoffed, "Let them come." There's only three of them, we can take them out before they have a chance to react. He was right, but no one wanted it to turn into a fight. Carlisle was deep into thoughts and he thought of all the options, taking Bella away will be more damaging than if she would stay. And here when we're all together we could protect her better, our numbers will surly make them think twice before attacking. "Let's continue the game, Alice said they were simply curios," Carlisle finally said, it was probably the best choice at this moment. "Are they thirsty?" Esme asked me worryingly. I saw in my memory their vivid ruby eyes, and shook my head a little, she was relived. I wasn't Bella's blood didn't appeal only to me, it could be problematic. "You catch Esme, I'll call it now." I told her, I couldn't move from Bella's side, I had to fight to make my lips move and talk, I was petrified from worrying. I took one more step to put myself closer to Bella. The others went to game, but they weren't focused, they eyes always swept the woods, Alice and Esme always tried to stay close to Bella. Alice still felt horribly guilty.
"Take your hair down," I told her. She took her band out and shook her hair, but that only sent other wave of her scent, instead of blocking the scent from her throat. "The others are coming now," Bella said; she seemed motionless as I was. "Yes, stay very still, keep quiet, and don't move from my side please," I told her trying to hide all evidence of stress, but it still leaked through my voice. I took her hair pulling it forward trying to cover her up as much as I can. "That won't help, I could smell her from across the field," Alice said softly. "I know," I said in frustration, isn't there anything I can do at this point to protect her? Something, some way to keep her hidden? Was there a solution out there that I just couldn't see? "What did Esme ask you?" She whispered, though everyone could hear her. I didn't know if I wanted to answer that, but she needed to know, maybe she would worry less, "Whether they were thirsty," I muttered. The others played, but they kept it quite, everyone was stressed and worrying. Rosalie was beyond irritation, she was furious about the danger I was putting everyone in by being close to Bella, and mad that she also would have to protect her. "I'm sorry, Bella. It was stupid, irresponsible, to expose you like this. I'm so sorry." And I heard the thoughts as soon as I heard the sound. A tracker. This could be worse, and he could smell Bella. My breathing stopped as my eyes, zeroed on the spot they will emerge from. All the others turned their starts also, we all tensed.