It was lightly drizzling when I got home. Bella dropped me off, telling me she'll be back soon.

"How was meeting the Cullens?" Dad asked.

"Really good. I'm going to go play ball with them today. Baseball."

"Cool. Have fun."

I went up to my room and changed. I pulled on my old baseball outfit—a white, short-sleeve shirt with dark blue pin stripes, blue jeans, and dark blue sneakers.

Bella was back within 15 minutes. There was a loud knock on the door, and dad answered.

"Hello, Bella. Welcome back."

"Thank you, Eddie. You are aware of our plans?"

"Yes. My son does love sports."

"He told me. Where is he?"

"Right here, love." I said. I ran down the stairs and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Ready to go?"

"Yup."

We went outside and I saw a huge, red jeep.

"Who's jeep is this?"

"Emmett's. We're going off the road, and this is the best choice."

"Okay."

I got into the front seat and strapped in. Bella started driving, not even bothering with her seatbelt. I wondered when we'd go off the road.

After a short drive, we arrived at the edge of the woods. She started driving along a hidden path until there was none. I knew what this meant: more running.

We both got out, and Bella gestured for me to climb onto her back. I sighed and climbed on.

Soon enough she was running. Running so fast everything was a blur.

Finally we arrived. The clearing was twice the size of a normal baseball field, with the bases too far out. They must be using their super-speed for the game. And why wouldn't they? Vampires play a game at a human speed? Guess I can't play.

Esme, the lovely matriarch of the Coven came over to me.

"Hello, Edward. It's wonderful to see you."

"You don't play?" I asked.

She shook her head. "I referee. I like keeping them honest."

"She thinks we cheat." Emmett shouted.

"I know you do! Especially you and Jasper." Esme shouted back.

I rolled my eyes.

Bella gave me a hug. "Wish me good luck?"

"Yes. Go girl." I kissed her head and she ran to her spot.

We started walking at a human pace closer to the field.

"Do they like to cheat, then?"

"Oh yes—you should hear the arguments they get into! Actually, I hope you don't, you would think they were raised by a pack of wolves."

"You sound like my mom," I laughed, surprised.

She laughed, too. "Well, I do think of them as my children in most ways. I never could get over my mothering instincts—did Bella tell you I had lost a child?"

"No," I murmured, stunned, scrambling to

understand what lifetime she was remembering.

"Yes, my first and only baby. He died just a few days after he was born, the poor tiny thing," she sighed. "It broke my heart—that's why I jumped off the cliff, you know," she added matter-of-factly.

"Bella just said you f-fell," I stammered.

"Always the gentleman." She smiled. "Bella was the first of my new daughter. I've always thought of her that way, even though she's older than I, in one way at least." She smiled at me warmly. "That's why I'm so happy that she's found you, dear." The endearment

sounded very natural on her lips.

"He's been the odd girl out for far too long; it's hurt me to see her alone."

"You don't mind, then?" I asked, hesitant again. "That I'm… all wrong for her?"

"No." She was thoughtful. "You're what she wants. It will work out, somehow," she said, though her forehead creased with worry. Another peal of thunder began.

Esme stopped then; apparently, we'd reached the edge of the field. It looked as if they had formed teams. Bella was far out in left field, Carlisle stood between the first and second bases, and Alice held the ball, positioned on the spot that must be the

pitcher's mound. Emmett was swinging an aluminum bat; it whistled almost untraceably through the air. I waited for him to approach home plate, but then I realized, as he took his stance, that he was already there— farther from the pitcher's mound than I

would have thought possible. Jasper stood several feet behind him, catching for the other team. Of course, none of them had gloves.

"All right," Esme called in a clear voice, which I knew even Bella would hear, as far out as she was. "Batter up."

The game was fun to watch. It was Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper against Carlisle, Bella and Alice. They used their super-speed, just like I thought. Bella was one of the faster ones.

After half an hour, Alice's eyes glazed over, and she shouted, "Stop!"

Bella looked at Alice, her eyes widened, and she ran to my side. Everyone else stopped what they were doing and ran to my side, hiding me from something.

"What's wrong, Alice?" Rosalie asked.

"The nomads….they're coming."

"Can you get Edward out of here?" Carlisle asked my love.

Bella shook her head. "No, there's not enough time. I can't get him to the jeep fast enough."

Carlisle nodded. "Understood."

"We have three minutes." Alice announced.

I sighed. From what I understood, Vampires were coming. And they weren't good. What if they decided to make me their prey?