A/N Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
EPOV
"Bella," I jumped in to cut off Bella's protests, surprising my family. "Please have a seat. We'd love you and your father to join us for dinner."
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I caught sight of the immense grin taking over Emmett's face, and the questioning look that came into my mother's eyes. I gave her a barely perceptible nod as Bella accepted my invitation and took the seat next to me, while her father, whom she introduced as Charlie, sat next to Emmett. My mother returned my nod with a triumphant smile when she realized that Bella was not just another one of Emmett's friends, but the girl I'd told her about that afternoon.
I'd gotten a fitful night's sleep after returning from the barbeque at Bella's the night before. I couldn't stop thinking about her. I'd learned so many new things about her, yet there was so much more I wanted to know. What was her favorite food, where is her favorite vacation place and what was the story behind the bowl from her mom? I finally gave up trying to sleep about an hour before my alarm was supposed to go off and gave the townhouse one last (and unnecessary) sprucing before waking Emmett and picking up my parents at the airport.
Emmett and I took my parents out for a nice breakfast and told them about how we were settling here in Tucson so far. Carlisle of course wanted to know how things were going on the baseball front. I told him about my recent plate struggles, but that the past two games things seemed to be turning themselves around and he promised to take a close look at my swing in tonight's game to see what he could detect. My mother was interested to see if we'd made any friends, so we told her about the barbeque at Bella's and she immediately detected something. I swear my mother has some kind of sixth sense. My father of course was more interested in the grill at Bella's house, and Emmett quickly decided that he and I needed one so that we could host our own barbeques, so after taking my parents back to the townhouse and giving them a quick tour, Carlisle and Emmett headed over to Home Depot to take a look at the grills, leaving me some quality time to catch up with my mom.
My mom was my best friend growing up. It probably doesn't sound too masculine or cool, but until Emmett came along, she was the one who played baseball with me and had after school snacks with me. It was my mom that I talked to about school and any trouble I was having with the team or on that very rare occasion, girls. Its not that I didn't feel comfortable talking to my dad about these things, but with him being on the road 81 games a year, my mom was the one who was there for me, so the second Emmett and my dad left to go get us a grill I still wasn't sure that we needed, she pounced, in her sweet and gentle way, asking what I was holding back from her.
"I can't stop thinking about this girl, Mom," I finally told her. "She literally tripped and fell at my feet the day I met her, spilling her hot coffee all over me and I haven't been able to get her out of my mind since."
"What's she like Edward?" my mother prodded softly, knowing that if she pressed or demanded too much I'd probably clam up like I usually did.
"She's beautiful," I said. "But she doesn't know it. She's tough, but still a little vulnerable too. And I know she's been hurt pretty badly in the past by one of my teammates, which is just one of the reasons that getting involved with her is tricky. Not to mention that I've never been able to focus on a girl and baseball at the same time. Oh, and she's a reporter covering the team.
"But there is just something about her Mom," I continued, not really sure who I was trying to convince, or what I was trying to convince them of. "She just lights up a room by stepping into it, her smile almost makes me forget an 0-for-4 day at the plate and she is so completely selfless and sweet. I tried convincing myself to stay away from her, that it was a bad idea to get to know her at all, but it was her barbeque we went to last night and I spent most of the night talking to her, which made me realize that she's everything I never knew I wanted. But even if the other factors weren't standing in the way, this amazing girl deserves better than a minor league baseball player who can't fully focus on her."
"Oh Edward," my mother nearly cried as she came over to hug me. "You don't see yourself clearly at all. You are a strong, caring, compassionate, brilliant, well-rounded and might I add gorgeous young man. And you also forget that in the case of true love all obstacles can be overcome. Do you remember how I met your father?"
"You met at spring training before his rookie year with the Mariners, didn't you?" I asked, pretty sure I'd heard this story before.
"We did," she confirmed. "But don't you remember what your grandfather did for a living?"
"Grandpop managed the Mariners," I answered, the light bulb finally going off. "You mean dad dated the manager's daughter before he even had a spot on the team?"
"Of course he did," she laughed. "I was irresistible. Your stubborn father of course thought it was a horrible idea and fought it at first, which not only upset me, but hurt his game. When he finally decided to give in and give us a chance, his game turned around, my father gave him his blessing and as cliché as it sounds, we lived happily ever after."
"Wow," I said. "How did I never realize this before?"
"Because you've never thought about it as a man on the verge of falling in love before," my mother replied calmly. "It wasn't always easy Edward, but your father was worth any risk and bump in the road that may have been lying ahead. If she's worth it, it may take a little hard work and some sacrifice, but you can do it."
"Mom, do you think you could go shopping with me" I asked softly. "Bella, that's her name, was startled last night when I went into her kitchen and broke a big glass bowl that I gathered from everyone else had some kind of special meaning to her. I know I can't replace it, but I want to get her a new one anyway."
"Sure Edward," she said smiling. "Why don't we go now. I'm sure we'll be back long before your father and Emmett are done drooling over the grills."
"Thanks Mom," I said, giving her another hug. I really missed my mom during the season.
I quickly snapped out of my daydream to introduce everyone, since Emmett was apparently too immersed in the menu to do so.
"Bella, Charlie," I began. "These are my parents, Carlisle and Esme Cullen and for all intents and purposes, my brother Emmett McCarty."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Esme said smoothly, shaking hands with Charlie and surprisingly getting up to give Bella a hug. Carlisle also exchanged handshakes and greetings with both Bella and Charlie.
"You too Mrs. Cullen," Bella replied, obviously surprised by my mother's gesture.
"Oh please, call me Esme," she insisted, causing Bella to blush that beautiful shade of pink once again.
"Charlie, how long are you in town for?" I asked curiously. "Bella didn't mention that you were coming."
"Just a few days," he replied nervously. Why was he nervous? "I missed my Bells here and had a few days off, so Alice talked me into coming down for a few days for a surprise visit."
"The house gets awfully quiet when the kids leave, doesn't it?" Carlisle asked. "Esme and I try to make it out to visit the boys every couple months during the season. Where are you from Charlie?"
"This is actually my first visit to see Bella in Tuscon," Charlie admitted sheepishly. "I don't get a lot of time off from work, so I normally have to wait until the off season when she can come see me in Forks, which is a small town in Washington."
Sensing that her father was still a little nervous, I leaned over to Bella and whispered, "Is your father okay?"
"Yea," she whispered back. "He's just star-struck. He can't believe he's sitting at a dinner table with Carlisle Cullen."
"You seem to be doing alright with that," I replied, holding in my laughter.
"I'm more in awe of his son," she answered softly as she turned about ten different shades of red.
Not wanting to embarrass her anymore, I turned back to the conversation still taking place at the table. My parents had just learned that Charlie was the police chief in Forks, which was about three hours from their house in Seattle.
"So Bella, what is it that brought you to Tucson from the Pacific Northwest?" my mother asked warmly.
"After college I got a job covering the Sidewinders for the Arizona Sun," she replied. "I'd always wanted the chance to cover baseball, so I jumped at it, though I didn't realize the weather would be quite this brutal here."
Being as we were all transplants to the area, we could agree on that.
"What was it that drew you to baseball, Bella?" my father asked. "I don't know too many women aside from my wife who get excited about a 6-4-3 double play."
"Well I wouldn't really say that it is necessarily the game itself Mr. Cullen," Bella answered timidly. "Not that I don't appreciate the finer points of the game, but it is more the players themselves. I love being able to tell their stories. Each person comes from such a different background and plays for a different reason, yet all 25 of these men make up one team that unite to accomplish the same goal. I like trying to find the human interest piece with in the game and statistics to make it relatable to everyone and not just the baseball junkies, though I must admit, I'm a baseball junkie at heart."
"That's quite an answer Bella, but please, call me Carlisle," my father said with a smile. "I've met plenty of sports reporters, but not too many with a genuine interest in the athletes or their stories. I think you'll make it as far as you want to go in this business."
"Thank you," she replied, smiling shyly.
"So Bells, when are you going to write a story on me then," Emmett interjected. "I'm interesting."
"Emmett honey, no one wants to read about the eating habits of bears," my mom told him gently, causing the entire table to burst into uncontrollable fits of laughter, including Emmett.
Dinner continued like this through dessert, getting to know you questions, light banter and more laughter. Bella fit in very well with my family and her father lost his nervousness somewhere around the salad course when Carlisle told him about his first all-star game in Cincinnati.
Once we'd finished dessert, when I'd learned one of Bella's favorite foods is a warm chocolate chip cookie and her favorite vacation destination was the Florida beaches, it seemed no one was quite ready to get up from the table yet, but it had been a long day for all of us. Charlie, Carlisle and Esme and flown in early this morning, while Emmett, Bella and I had spent a long day at the ballpark.
"Charlie, do you have any plans for tomorrow?" Carlisle asked after he insisted on picking up the tab for our dinner.
"Not that I know of," he replied. "Bella didn't know I was coming until after the game tonight, so I don't think she has anything planned."
"Good, then you can come golfing with us," Carlisle said. "We need a fourth and it doesn't matter if you've ever golfed before or if you're the next Tiger Woods, Edward is a decent golfer, but Emmett here spends most of his time chasing his ball in the woods and sand, so we've got a wide range of talent."
"Do you mind Bells," Charlie asked her excitedly. I could tell he really wanted to golf. "It's been a while since I've been out on the course."
"Not at all Dad," she replied. "Have a good time."
"Oh good, then you can spend the day with me Bella," Esme said excitedly. I knew she was dying for a chance to get Bella alone and learn more about her. I could tell she liked what she saw already. "If you don't have any other plans before you have to go to work that is."
"That would be nice Esme," Bella said. "What did you have in mind?"
"How about some shopping and lunch?" my mom asked.
"That sounds good," answered Bella. "My roommate has a boutique downtown, maybe we could start and go from there? I could pick you up at 11?"
"Perfect. I'll see you then," my mom said, giving Bella another hug, which didn't take her by surprise as much as the first.
We all said our goodbyes and suddenly I was left alone with Bella as my parents took off toward my Volvo, hand-in-hand and Emmett a few feet ahead with Charlie asking him questions about the stupidest criminals he'd ever apprehended.
"Thanks for inviting us to dinner," Bella said quietly, looking up at me with her deep chocolate eyes. "I think you made my dad's year."
"You're welcome," I replied just as softly, my eyes never leaving hers. "I had a great time tonight.
"Would you maybe be interested in doing it again?" I asked nervously. "I mean go to dinner with me, not my whole family. Not that this wasn't fun, but ugh! What I'm trying to say is Bella, would you go out with me sometime?
She blinked at me in shock a few times and didn't say anything for what felt like hours, but was probably only a few seconds.
"I'd like that," Bella answered shyly as I broke out into a grin that I knew wouldn't be leaving my face for a while.
Somehow as we'd been standing there talking our bodies hand moved closer and closer together so that now we were merely inches apart. Slowly taking a hold of her hand, I began to lower my head toward hers. I saw confusion pass through her dark eyes, but it was quickly replaced with an eager curiosity and desire that I'd venture to say matched my own. Her sweet, full red lips were only inches from mine now.
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
We both jumped back as if we'd been electrocuted. I turned around to find Emmett leaning out the window of his Jeep grinning wickedly at me. Silently cursing him, I turned back to Bella.
"I'm so sorry about that Bella," I apologized. "It looks like Emmett's in some kind of hurry. I'll see you tomorrow?"
She still looked too stunned to speak, so she just nodded. I gave her a quick, friendly hug, which after our near kiss, was not nearly enough and trudged back to the Jeep to curse out Emmett as Bella slowly found her way back to her truck where Charlie was waiting for her.
"Dude, Eddie, before you start, I did you a favor," Emmett said the second I opened the car door.
"What kind of favor was that?" I asked through clenched teeth. I was still trying to control my anger. He'd just ruined a perfect moment with Bella.
"Did you really want your first kiss with Bella to be in front of her father?" Emmett asked. "The man carries a gun for a living."
Wow. For once Emmett had a good point.
"Thanks Em," I sighed. "I forgot all about that."
"That's what I'm here for," he said smugly.
When we arrived home, Esme and Carlisle were waiting for us in the living room.
"She's lovely Edward," my mom said the minute I walked in the door. "Bella is exactly how you described her."
"But watch your step son," Carlisle warned. "Her father carries a gun for a living."
"You sound like Emmett," I groaned. "Now I know where he gets it."
Carlisle and Emmett just laughed at me, while my mom encouraged me to get to know Charlie on our golf outing tomorrow. She promised it would make a huge difference if Bella's father liked and approved of me.
"How do I do that Mom?" I asked, not really sure how to get Charlie to like me. He seemed in awe of Carlisle and he warmed up to Emmett's jokes and constant questions about jail and criminals, but I hadn't really had much of a chance to talk to him.
"Ask him about what he loves the most," my mother said simply.
"His job?" I asked, even more confused than I already was.
"His daughter," she replied. "Ask him questions about Bella. What was she like growing up, what type of things he wants to do with her while he's here, was he the one who got her into baseball, questions like that. The questions are about him, but also about Bella. You learn about her, but show her father that you have a genuine interest in her. He'll appreciate that there's someone here looking out for her, I'm sure of it."
"You really think so?" I asked skeptically.
"Trust her Edward," my father said firmly. "You're mother knows of what she speaks."
"Thanks Mom," I said gratefully. "I appreciate all of the advice."
We all stayed up for a little while longer catching up on the past few months. Emmett told my parents about Rosalie and his plans to take her out next week. My mom let us know about the renovations she was planning for the house in Seattle, but promised that she was leaving both mine and Emmett's childhood rooms the same because she couldn't bear to change them and Carlisle informed us of yet another professional team that offered him a management position, but he turned them down, happily enjoying his retirement with my mom. He also didn't want to miss anymore of his 'boys' games. It was good to have my family back together, even if just for a week.
Even though we all stayed up sharing our good news, I did keep one little piece to myself. I didn't tell them that Bella had agreed to go out with my sometime. I wasn't ready to share that with the world yet. I don't know why, but I wanted to keep that to myself for a bit. I needed to come up with an idea for a date that was going to completely win her over. I might have to let my mom know, she'd probably know just what to do, but for tonight, it was my sweet little secret.
A/N Again, sorry for the delay, life just gets in the way! Though I did get to go to NY to catch the Phils/Mets game yesterday and see Eric Bruntlet's unassisted triple play. Must say, that was amazing! Thanks to all my wonderful readers\reviewers\alerters\ and favoriters. I appreciate all the feedback, positive and negative, so keep it coming! Next up is Bella's shopping trip with Esme!