Chapter Eighteen: It's All Fun and Games…
Angela (POV)
His voice was strained and upset when I first heard his shouting, even though the rest of the house picked up on it several seconds before I did. Emmett had the door open before I could process what was going on as Mason appeared at the doorway with Rosalie in his arms. She looked radiant, almost ethereal even though she was unconscious.
Emmett didn't hesitate or wait for the rest of the family. In one smooth motion he exploded at Mason, propelling himself forward so fast I almost couldn't track his movement. He followed up with a punch delivered squarely to the right side of Mason's jaw. In the split second afterward, I could see Emmett right himself as he obviously realized he had over committed to his action, yet even though his body was contorted from the punch he managed to catch Rosalie in one outstretched arm as Mason let go of her.
"I suppose I deserved that. Understand that she requested my help." He held his jaw briefly as if it were broken, and then returned his hands to his side.
"What exactly did happen?" Carlisle stepped forward demanding an answer.
"She tricked me, and then pushed herself too hard, too fast. She must've put together that her ability could be used to compel the unfiltered truth from anyone. She practically begged me to teach her how to use it. With a bit of reluctance, I guided her though the process of bringing it to the surface, and then she turned on me. I can say with confidance that she will reawaken soon. She simply overloaded her mind and overextended the limits of her new power. It just causes the system to shut down, like a human going into shock." He seemed confidant, but in his eyes, I could see something buried like he was omitting something important. I felt confused, for some reason I didn't want to consider that he was lying to us.
"Emmett?" Rose opened her eyes, and the room gasped in shock. She sat up in his arms and looked around the room. Silence descended as her now bright crimson irises, which seemed to glow slightly in the low light of the dim room, locked with each member of her family. Their stunned expressions seemed to be filling her with anger. "Stop looking at me like that, I'm fine!" She snapped at the living statues staring at her. Everyone broke their gaze except for Esme, who just stared at her daughter in a way that only a mother could. I glanced around and settled on Emmett who looked livid. His usual boyish expression was twisted into one of hatred, and all of it was directed at Mason. He stared for what felt like minutes, no one daring to speak, until finally he broke his withering gaze and smiled as he met the eyes of his lover.
"I'm here baby, what did he do to you?" Emmett strangled voice cracked slightly as he spoke to her. Rose shook her head at him and motioned towards the couch. He quickly made his way there and as he began to lay her down, she grabbed a hold of his shirt and pulled him down with her. She wrapped her elegant arms around his torso and nuzzled her face into his hair.
"Nothing." She whispered to him just loud enough for the rest of the room to hear. "He just talked me through something personal." She was obviously trying to conceal what she had asked him to do.
"There is no point in lying to us Rose, Mason already spilled the beans." Esme said with a distasteful expression on her face. Rose shot a dirty look towards Mason, and then sighed dramatically.
"Fine, yes I asked him to bring out my power, and apparently, he was truthful about what it was. Then I asked him if he was trustworthy, using my new gift to make sure he couldn't lie. I'm satisfied that he won't betray us, and he can be trusted now." She frowned a little and looked up into Emmett's eyes. Then she pulled his face to hers and kissed him passionately, he seemed to momentarily forget his animosity and lost himself in her embrace.
"As much as I respect her for shielding me from one unpleasant truth, there is something I need to confess." Everyone turned on Mason with varying degrees of aggression, save Emmett and Rosalie who were still lost in their lover's embrace. "I am ashamed to admit that I don't know what the consequences will be for my manipulation of Edward's, and now Rosalie's gifts. The truth is these extraordinary talents are somewhat fragile and unpredictable things. From my previous interactions with the gifted, your power could grow in intensity, stay the same, or fizzle forever." Edward just nodded in acknowledgement.
"Personally, I don't really care if I get my powers back. They have been a burden I never asked for." Edward added solemnly.
"I'm not sure about what you've done, but you have shown that you care about the well-being of my family. And for that I forgive your transgressions, as long as Edward and Rosalie can forgive you as well." Carlisle spoke clearly and with a great deal of compassion towards Mason, who seemed to be struggling with how to take the responses.
"I don't think it matters, he has been trying to understand how to function in a family, and there has to be adjustment time. I can't see that what he's done is that wrong, he was only trying to help." I felt my face turn red in embarassement, I still wasn't sure of my place in this family and I didn't want to overstep my boundaries. Bella nodded in agreement and responded to my comment.
"Very true, I still feel like an outsider as well. I have so much to learn that I feel overwhelmed by it all, and I have all of you for support. Mason on the other hand is truly an outsider, and I can't fault him for trying to find his own way." The room fell silent, everyone seeming to consider her words. Then Alice chimed in, her high soprano breaking the short silence causing everyone to jump slightly.
"We need to break this tension and have some fun. I think with the impending thunderstorm we should go play baseball. It's been forever since the last time, and we have two new players to replace the one we lost." Alice's random interjection stunned the room out of its hostility and in a couple of seconds everyone was smiling again, even Mason. I shot him a sheepish grin and felt my heart race a little as his eyes met mine. Then something occurred to me that didn't make sense.
"I don't understand, why do we have to wait until there is a thunderstorm before you guys can play baseball?" I felt confusion written all over my face. Edward smirked at me, and then he winked so quickly that I wasn't sure if it was real.
"You'll see." Edward chuckled a little bit, and then continued. "Your right Alice, I think it would be a great idea." Alice nodded emphatically, and I noticed Carlisle shaking his head in amusement.
"I'll give you this Mason. You have kept our lives interesting. Bella, do you think you would like to play?" Carlisle looked earnestly at his new daughter, and she smiled at him timidly.
"I'll try, I've gotten a little bit more coordinated, but I make no promises to my ability." I could see her facial muscles twitch in that very familiar way that meant she would've blushed if she was still human.
"I'm still not happy with you Mason, but I'll take it out on you by whopping your ass in the game. So, I'm definitely not on Mason's team." Emmett had finally calmed down, his anger had just vanished, and in its place was an anticipation that bordered on bravado. He untangled himself from Rosalie and stood next to the couch. Then he offered a hand down to her, which she accepted graciously.
"What's the plan?" I asked a little unsure of what was going on.
"We get ready when Alice says it's time. Would you mind refereeing Angela?" Carlisle's pleasant expression calmed my nerves as I nodded with enthusiasm. I knew the game, but I had never been in charge of calling plays or trying to keep anyone from cheating, let alone dealing with supernatural players.
"Not at all, I can't wait." I grinned at Carlisle and glanced at Mason who was staring at me with an intense expression. I couldn't shake the feeling that he watched me more then I realized.
"Umpire, you mean Umpire, not referee." Esme looked at me for a moment then smirked at her husband.
"Oops, I'm a little distracted right now, sorry about that. But you're still willing to go?" Carlisle said with a small frown. They wanted me there, so I couldn't refuse.
"Of course, how could I say no?" Everyone then sprang into motion except Mason, who seemed a little out of place. I went and stood next to him; Bella joined us a few seconds later. I looked at both and began to chuckle. "I guess were the odd ones out?" Bella beamed at me then took my hand and squeezed it very gently.
"Just a bit, I don't even know if I should play." She seemed amused by the whole endeavor and a little nervous too.
"It's a simple game, I think you'll have fun out there." Mason tried to reassure Bella and she gave him a soft smile in appreciation, "if anyone doesn't deserve to be out there it is me. I think you should have fun with your family it will help you bond." He gave her another warm smile then glanced at me briefly to gauge my reaction.
"I'm a part of this family I don't need to confirm that. Honestly it is more important that they get a feel for you Mason. Playing a game will give them an idea on how you act in a team, it will probably make them a little more comfortable around you. I also know it is the only way you'll get Emmett's respect again." Bella smiled and let go of my hand and made her way over to Carlisle who was now laughing slightly at the situation.
It was settled a few minutes later and then I was driven home by Esme, who said she would pick me up when it was time. I felt drained, emotionally and physically, despite the visit lasting only a few hours. My mom, dad and brothers were still out when I arrived home and I went straight up to my room to take a nap. I fell into my bed and was instantly asleep. Car crashes and monsters lurking in the shadows trying to devour me populated my dreams. I woke up in late afternoon to the sound of a thunderclap and my cell-phone ringing.
I hesitated to pick it up, a part of me wishing I could reject them, reject her. Bella was important, but was she important enough to risk my life? I closed my eyes, tempted to just fall back asleep.
Two rings, three rings, four… I grunted and picked up the phone.
"We'll be there in a few minutes." Alice said with enthusiasm.
"I'll be ready." I said ending the call. I brought the phone to my chest and sighed, it was too much, but I was committed. I felt tears threatening to come, but I shook my head refusing to give into the urge to break down. I would get through the next few hours with a smile on my face, and I would be as good a friend as I could be.
A honk alerted me to their arrival, and I found that everyone was piled into two cars, if you can call Emmett's behemoth 4x4 a car, and then headed deep into the national forest. When the roads ended, we stopped out and began to walk the rest of the way. The ground was rough, and I wasn't much of a hiker, so we were moving slowly. The sky was darkening with thunderclouds, and twilight was approaching fast. At the rate we were walking, I doubted we would get to our destination before nightfall. Mason had lingered near the back of the group, but after a few minutes he came up next to me and leaned down to whisper to me.
"I think they are a little too polite, but if you would allow me, I image this trip could be a lot quicker." I looked into his bizarrely perfect eyes for a long second before nodding my head. I felt my heart almost pause as he smiled in acknowledgement, and then he lifted me onto his back, and I instantly knew I was safe. The contact felt very intimate, and it reminded me of the car crash and his mad dash to get Alice back to the Cullen's.
This journey was different I wasn't petrified with worry over Alice, and we weren't headed to meet my friend who had been turned into a vampire. This was a family outing, and I acutely aware that was still just a family friend. The idea that my fate seemed to be leading to a future where I would be a part of this family wasn't something I wanted to dwell on, it threatened to take me back to that point I felt earlier where I could feel my mind bending under the pressure of everything.
The wind was fierce as it buffeted my face, my hair which was neatly pulled back into a ponytail, came loose and started flapping wildly in the breeze. I wanted to fix it, but I couldn't let go of Mason for fear of falling. I also didn't want to stop, and the minor discomfort I felt as we started the run melted away with the exhilaration of it. I felt like I was flying on the back of a beast of such power that it could transport me to a magical realm of wonders.
It wasn't long before I was almost yelling with excitement, Mason quickly slowed down to see what was wrong, but I just patted his solid chest to urge him to keep going. At that moment I couldn't help but notice his body and the perfection of it. The lines of his jaw and neck, the soft fabric of his button up shirt that pressed against the cords of muscle in his arms and stomach. I had my chin resting on his right shoulder and would sneak glimpses of his bare chest through neckline of his shirt. I felt myself sigh in contentment at this Greek god of a man and wondered idly if he had seen the Trojan War or witnessed the assassination of Julius Caesar.
I knew he had hinted at his age, but I started to wonder how long had he been around? How much could he share about history that none of us could ever know. I felt a burning need to ask him these simple questions, but realized it was silly. This powerful creature would want nothing do with me. I suddenly felt insignificant being so close to him and wanted to leap from his back to get some distance from him. Nothing I could ever offer would be good enough for him. I wasn't special or vastly intelligent, and I couldn't block minds like Bella. But as the melancholy of the thought started to solidify, we breeched the tree line and almost immediately stopped.
Our destination turned out to be a vast and practically untouched field that overlooked a small valley vista dotted with trees and ending at the edge of the Olympic mountain range. I sat in the soft grass and waited as they quickly set up the bases. I marveled at the distance each goal was from each other. Home base felt like a football field away from first. The supply bags were unpacked, and a cornucopia of bats, balls, and gloves were deposited on a rack set up near the cars. Everyone grabbed the gear they wanted and then the teams split off into their respective positions.
The teams themselves were split evenly, Carlisle, Esme, Mason, and Alice versus Edward, Rosalie, Emmett, and Bella. Bella stood by me and after a few seconds nudged me softly. I looked up at her and she smiled brightly.
"You'll root for my team?" I looked at her and nodded, but then shook my head slightly motioning towards Alice and Mason who both chuckled silently to themselves, unfortunately Emmett noticed my betrayal.
"Et tu, Angela?" Emmett said with a toothy grin.
"Sorry Bella." I said sheepishly.
"You're no longer my best friend." Bella said seriously, although she couldn't hold in her own laughter for more than a few seconds. "Fine vote for the ancient hottie, I get it." She gave me a serious look and then smiled as I balked at her expression.
"I call unfair bias." Emmett said shaking his head at me.
"Overruled." Carlisle said ending the back and forth, everyone laughed, and then Carlisle's team took the field first after a coin toss. Mason handled the bases and infield, Esme was the catcher, Carlisle was outfield, and Alice was pitching. After they got situated everyone's attention turned to Alice expectantly.
A few minutes passed, until she finally nodded and in her clear sweet voice said, "Its time!"
The game was fast, and I immediately understood the need for thunder, every time they hit the ball it created a sound like a thunder crack. I tried to track their movements, but they were too fast. On a couple of plays I could swear they were cheating, but I simply wasn't sure.
Bella was up to bat last in her team's rotation, and she looked nervous. Her admittedly creepy red eyes focused intently on Alice as she pitched a fast ball. Bella swung, and with a crack so loud my ears started to ring, she hit the ball so deep into the forest that not even Mason tried to run for it. Bella giggled and rounded the bases for the first home run of the day.
"Newborn strength, no fair." Alice chided.
"You have an ancient, I'd say the teams are balanced." Edward replied with a smirk.
After a quick laugh, the game continued. The innings flew by, but only a handful of runs were racked up on each side, with Bella getting in two before the outfield started to anticipate her. In less than an hour the game had progressed to the bottom of ninth inning, and the score was tied.
Then Carlisle hit a spectacular fly ball that rocketed towards the mountains. He rounded the bases and waited patiently for Edward who had taken off after it like the Road Runner. After several minutes he returned with a giant crooked smile on his face. Carlisle was out, leaving the game tied. Overtime was like an exercise in futility as each team managed to shut out the other. This went back and forth for close to an hour, until finally Emmett got lucky and hit a ball so hard that it disintegrated on contact.
Everyone laughed but it basically ended the game. We were about to stop and clean up when Alice went rigid, her eyes blank. Carlisle rush in and caught her before she fell. Everyone stood in expectation, and a bit of fear. She was motionless for several seconds, until suddenly her eyes flew open and this intense expression of pain crossed her face. She searched the field for a second regaining her bearings, until she found my face. Then she stared into my eyes before speaking. It was obvious the vision was difficult for her.
"I'm so sorry I didn't see them coming." Alice looked mortified and pointed south towards a large cicada tree and the edge of an impressive section of the forest. She closed her eyes for a second and then ran over to my side in a flash. Soon she was joined by the rest of the family who gathered around me. They all stood sentinel by me except Mason who stood a little separate from the group. He took a position a few feet in front of us which placed him a little closer to the forest edge where the strangers would emerge. Yet he was slightly off to one side, leaving our view unobstructed.
"I know I am repeating myself but I'm so sorry Angela. They were traveling through the surrounding areas looking for a friend and were about to leave for good. But our game drew their attention, and they didn't even know about us until they heard our game." Alice seemed positively mournful and her tone made Mason scowl. He stared at me for a moment and then closed his eyes briefly letting out a soft sigh as he reopened them. He met my eyes, and our contact seem to linger for a while before he turned and set a deadly gaze back towards the area where these strangers were going to emerge from the forest.
Esme placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and whispered that they would protect me. Then we watched and waited, until finally two figures appeared from the south. One was an oddly average looking male vampire with long blonde hair tied in a simple ponytail. The other was a beautiful female with a mane of bright red hair and cat like mannerisms. Even from here I could tell that their eyes were not like the Cullen's, they were a deep burgundy. I sighed as I realized that meant that they were the terrible type of vampires, the kind that fed off the blood of humans.
Author's Note: A small note about timeline. This story takes place after Bella's 18th birthday, which places it around the time Edward had left Bella in the forest in New Moon. By that point Laurent had very likely already left James and Victoria and presumably found the Denali and Irina. Sure it is a small stretch to imagine that James and Victoria were still close enough to hear the game, I didn't feel introducing different antagonists would be beneficial to the story.
Thank you for reading, and please take a moment to leave your thoughts in a review.
