Chapter Eight, Baseball Madness
The day of the baseball game had arrived and Valerie wished she could be excited but all she felt was anxiety. Her wolf was going mad and half the time she had trouble keeping her control, it's like she felt threatened.
"Darlin?" Jasper's asked, pulled her from her thoughts. She turned over and snuggled into his arms and deeper into the quilt not wishing to leave it today. Jasper had taken to staying over most nights, it started out as once a week as a break from everyone but mainly Edward, but the main reason had been to spend more time with his mate and son. His family. "I'm sure everything's going to be fine but if your worried we can always skip it." He told her seriously, kissing her temple softly.
"You would go that?" Valerie asked shocked. "Wait! No! No, you were so excited to go against Emmett and I won't ruin that." Valerie argued seriously.
"You know I'd do anything for you and Jace. All I care about is your both safe, happy and loved." Jasper said, kissing her again, he rolled them over so she was beneath him causing a startled laugh to escape her lips.
"Is this your way of distracting me and calming my wolf, Major Whitlock?" Valerie asked teasingly, an eyebrow raised and a smirk on her lips.
"Is it working, Ma'am?" Jasper asked in the same tone.
"Mmm not quite." Valerie teased.
"I guess I'll just have to try harder." Jasper replied, making Valerie gasp as a heated make out session ensued between them. It was just mainly kissing as their tongues fought for dominance with their hands running down each other's sides making them both moan. When Valerie's need to breathe became too great they pulled back both with wide smiles on their faces as Valerie caught her breath.
"Why don't I run you a nice, hot, relaxing bath and I'll short out the lil' wolf." Jasper said, pecking her lips. Before she could answer Jasper left the bedroom only to return a few minutes later. "Go on darlin. Go relax." Jasper ordered softly.
"I love you, you know that? How did I get so lucky?" Valerie wondered, as she climbed off the bed.
"I do and I love you too, my wolf. It's I whose the lucky one." Jasper said lovingly, caressing her face as he handed her her towel. With one last kiss Valerie left for the bathroom. She couldn't believe what Jasper had done. All around the bathroom candles had been lit creating an relaxing atmosphere with a wonderful aroma. Stripping out of her pyjamas and dumping them in the basket, Valerie climbed into the hot water and couldn't help but sigh with relief as her muscles all relaxed. Once she'd shaved, washed and conditioned her hair with mango shampoo and conditioner and washed with milk and honey body wash, she climbed out of the now cooling water wrapping a towel around her hair and body as she went.
After she'd pulled the plug out and blown out all of the candles she quickly brushed her teeth, dried off and used her deodorant. As Valerie entered her bedroom she couldn't help but smile at the adorable sight Jasper and Jace made: Jasper was sat on the bed with Jace in his arms reading a parenting book, one that wasn't Valerie's.
"You two make an adorable picture." Valerie smiled, drying her hair off with her towel.
"Thank you darlin." Jasper smiled, putting the parenting book down. "He didn't want anything just a cuddle with Daddy." He explained happily, smiling down at Jace and running a gentle finger down his cheek that Jace grabbed. "How was your bath?"
"Very relaxing thank you." Valerie smiled, coming over and kissing Jasper on the lips and kissing Jace on the forehead.
"Mama." Jace babbled, smiling up at his mother.
"Hi baby." Valerie cooed, kissing his head again.
"You get dressed darlin. I've got him." Jasper assured, heading into the nursery to get Jace dressed but stopping to give his mate one last kiss. Once all three were dressed and Jasper had showered: Jace was dressed in a cute white and green body suit, white socks and navy tracksuit bottoms. Valerie in light blue ripped jeans, a grey cami crop top, white socks and underwear, white plimsoles, Rosalie's navy blue baseball shirt and Jasper's navy blue cap, light makeup and her hair in a half up-half down style and Jasper was dressed in a white and blue baseball T-shirt, black trousers and black trainers and a blue baseball hat; the three headed downstairs.
"Hi sweetheart. Hi Jasper and hi my handsome little grandson." Charlie greeted, taking Jace from Jasper's arms.
"Hi Charlie."
"Hi Daddy." Valerie said, kissing his cheek, busying herself around the kitchen making breakfast for Jace and herself, her Dad another coffee and making sure Jace had enough milk for while they were out.
"Darlin," Jasper said sternly, later on that day and gently grabbing her arms and pausing her in step. "Calm down. Everything is going to be alright but I will do whatever you need me to do." He reassured, kissing her temple tenderly. Valerie nodded her thanks trying to smile but it came out as a grimace. But she couldn't keep still; she had barely kept still while she ate breakfast, and she had barely touched her lunch.
"Daddy, I think something is going to happen can you go and take Jace to Uncle Billy's. Please." Valerie begged, looking from her son bouncing happily in his bouncer chewing on the ear of his wolf stuffy, to her Dad sat at the kitchen table cleaning his guns. Seeing how worried his daughter was and how anxious she's been all morning made his decision for him. Nodding his head he put the the gun back together before putting everything away and cleaning his hands.
"Of course sweetheart." Charlie said, taking his worried daughter into his arms and holding her tight rubbing his fingers through her hair.
"Here you go Charlie." Jasper said, coming back into the kitchen with two bags one was Jace's changing bag and the other was a duffle bag. "I've packed everything for you and Jace for a couple of days."
"Thank you Jasper." Charlie said gratefully. "You make sure you take good care of my daughter." He said sternly.
"Of course Sir. I'll never let anything happen to her, Jace or you." Jasper promised, just as Bella walked back into the kitchen only to pause as Valerie was putting her brats coat on, Jasper was on the phone and her Dad was putting his coat on.
"Are you going somewhere?" Bella demanded.
"I'm going to stay at Billy's with Jace for a few days as your sister senses something happening." Charlie replied, leaving to get the car seat.
"Why do you always have to spoil everything!" Bella shouted, charging at her slut of a sister and her brat only to have her way blocked by an angry Jasper. His eyes were black with red swirling in them and he had a dark look on his face as he growled dangerously and threateningly at Bella scaring her.
"Dad was supposed to meet Edward!" Bella continued to shout. Too stupid to figure out it was not a good idea to anger her sister and Jasper right now.
"Dad and my son are in danger and all you care about is yourself and Edward!" Valerie shouted, her eyes a bright golden yellow as she tried to calm down her crying son.
"Bella that's enough!" Charlie shouted, coming back into the kitchen that had descended into chaos. "I'll call you as soon as we get to Billy's." Charlie promised Valerie, as Bella stomped out of the kitchen and up to her room. Slamming the door behind her.
"Drive safe Dad and I love you." Valerie said kissing her Dad's cheek. "I love you baby." Valerie said, kissing Jace's head and strapping him into the car seat now that he was finally calm.
"Be good for grandpa my lil wolf. I love you." Jasper said, kissing Jace's head.
"Have fun and be safe." Charlie said, kissing his daughter's head and shaking Jasper's hand before he got into the car and took off.
"It's going to be okay, my love." Jasper soothed, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing the top of her head.
"I know. I just needed them safe. I love you Jazz." Valerie sighed, relaxing back into Jasper.
"I know I needed them and you safe. I love you too. Let's go." Jasper said, holding her tight for a little longer and kissing her temple before they climbed into the Impala.
They drove for roughly ten minutes then up through one of the trails in the woods until they came to a clearing where they saw everyone was waiting.
"Val!" Rosalie called as she, Emmett and Iris came over to greet them pulling Valerie into a hug.
"Hi." Valerie laughed as Emmett spun her around.
"About time you got here." Alice called cheekily, as she sent Val a wink pulling her into a hug along with Carlisle and Esme.
"Sorry Alice, I feel like somethings going to happen and had to make sure my Dad and Jace were safe on the Rez." Valerie apologised, she'd gotten a call from her Dad saying he was at Billy's and that after the game he and Billy wanted Jasper to drop her off at Billy's. Which had surprised Jasper as they weren't allowed on the Rez until Billy said the council had made a decision, saying only Jasper could come on to Quielette Land as he was Valerie's mate.
"I haven't seen anything." Alice said confused, as they made their way back to the middle of the field where Emmett was now warming up as he calls it. But it looked more like he was preparing for a boxing match. "The Nomads have left I think."
"My wolf has been going crazy since I woke up this morning and I've learned to trust both of my instincts." Valerie explained with a shrug.
"Of course you have it's a mother's instinct to protect her children. And your wolf would feel that way too." Esme smiled reassuringly at her, giving Alice a look on not to argue.
"Besides this way you can bat and one of us run for you." Iris cheered, as Jasper and Emmett fought on the bat on who was going to bat first and who would be captains making Valerie laugh.
"Sure Iris." Val laughed, the two wrapping their arms around each other.
"When Bella gets here she is going to be umpire as Emmett and Iris like to cheat." Esme explained.
"I do not!" Emmett and Iris shouted together making everyone else laugh.
"I bet you do!" Val teased them. "You two are so alike even for twins!" She teased, laughing at their matching pouts.
"Are you sure you're okay ?" Rosalie asked concerned. "If you want to be with your Dad and Jace we would understand."
"I'm okay and I want to see you guys play but the pack and the Elders have given Jasper clearance on dropping me at Billy's. He's the only one allowed on the Rez as he's my mate." Valerie explained, shocking everyone as Edward and Bella finally arrived both of them in a foul mood.
With that Alice shouted it was time just as thunder struck in the distance. Rosalie stepped up to bat holding a titanium bat in her hands. As she struck the ball sending it flying off into the forest it sounded like thunder.
"Now I see why you need the thunder." Valerie laughed, looking up at Jasper who stood behind her, who chuckled and kissed her head as she watched Rosalie took off around first and second base.
"That's got to be a home run right?" Bella asked Esme.
"Edward is very fast." Esme said with a nod of her head to the forest where the ball came hurtling towards her out of the forest, too fast for Bella to catch but Valerie who had turned her eyes gold could see it making Jasper laugh again. Just as Esme caught it and lowered the ball to home plate Rosalie slid in just a millisecond afterwards. Both Rosie and Esme looked to Bella.
"Errr, you're out." She said hesitantly as Rosalie glared at her.
"Wooo! Out!" Emmett cheered, getting a nasty glare off of Rosalie as she brushed the mud off of her white leggings. While Iris shook her head at her idiotic twin brother.
"Come on babe, it's just a game." Emmett called to her.
Jasper kissed Valerie's neck removing his arms from around her as he moved a little away from her to warm up, twirling the bat which was incredibly hot. Jasper winked at Val chuckling, no doubt feeling her emotions. What can she say it was hot. Rosalie now stood beside her linking Valerie's arm with hers.
"Maybe next time Rosie." Valerie assured her pulling her into a hug.
"Thanks Val." Rosalie smiled hugging her tightly as they watch Carlisle bat. He was luckily enough to get home as both Edward and Emmett had jumped up to catch the ball at the same time only to end up crashing into each other. The sound of them crashing into each other sounded like boulders which was luckily enough covered by the thunder. Now it was Jasper's turn he came up to Val the bat over his shoulders which he dropped as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Good luck babe." Val smiled kissing his lips
"Why thank you Ma'am." Jasper smirked, kissing Val's lips again making her giggle. "What do I get if I win?" He asked mischief shinning in his eyes.
"You'll have to wait and see won't you!" Valerie teased, laughing when he groaned and buried his head in her neck.
"Come on Jasper!" Emmett shouted, laughing and holding his hands up in surrender when they glared at him.
"You can snog her later." Iris added, teasing her best friends. Rolling his eyes he kissed Val once more before taking his position twirling the bat again. "You're very distracting darlin'!" Jasper teased, winking at Val feeling her emotions again before he got ready and swung at the ball as hard as he could before he took off running.
Jasper ran as fast as he could around the base but as he was nearing third base Emmett climbed the tree rather like a monkey.
"My monkey man!" Rosalie gushed, as she and Valerie dissolved into giggles, and Iris gagged just as Emmett chucked the ball to Esme catching Jasper out.
"Sorry baby." Val whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist pecking his lips, as Iris stepped up to bat behind them, swinging the ball into the forest. Just as she's about to run Alice yelled to stop her eyes facing towards the forest where Iris had sent the ball.
"They were leaving, then they heard us." Alice exclaimed, as everyone raced to stand around Valerie and Bella.
"What's going on? It's them, isn't it?" Valerie asked concerned, thinking about the Nomads that had attacked her Uncle Waylon, as Jasper moved next to her and wrapping his arm around her shoulders, as Rosalie and Emmett joined them.
"Quick Val. Change with me." Rosalie said a frantic note to her voice, as she took off her shirt. Not arguing as this was what she had been feeling all day, Valerie quickly swapped shirts with her best friend.
"I thought vampires weren't attracted to my scent?" Valerie asked scared, as she understood what was happening.
"We aren't." Jasper replied. "They'll be able to tell you're my mate but-"
"But we want to make sure and make sure they don't smell your a wolf or your Dad and Jace on you." Emmett interrupted, as Iris swapped hats with Valerie, it had been Jasper's hat so she will be covered in his scent, especially as he stays the night now.
"Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you darlin'." Jasper said firmly, kissing Valerie passionately.
"Get your hair down." Edward told Bella rather roughly pulling the hair band out of her hair spreading it around her shoulders and placing his hat back on her head.
"Like that will help." Rosalie snapped at him. "I could smell her across the field." Edward just glared at her before he spoke to Bella pushing her slightly behind him. They didn't have to wait long as three figures came prowling out of the forest Edward and Emmett disappeared into when we were playing. As they came closer Valerie noticed they all had bright red eyes, they were all in worn clothes and barefoot. One of them stood slightly in the front of the other two; a dark skinned male with dreads who had the ball clasped in his hand.
The figure to his left was the only female of the group. She had bright red hair the same shade as my own, but her's was in unkempt curls. She had a fluffy jacket on over the white shirt that Val recognised: she had given it to Waylon for Christmas. She recognised it as it had a small trout on the left side of the shirt. It was a new fishing shirt the same as ones she had gifted her Dad, Billy and Harry as they often all went fishing together.
Looking to the last figure it was a male with bright blonde hair tied in a low ponytail at the nape of his neck. He had ripped trousers on, no shirt and Waylon's jacket and he was starring intensely at Bella and Edward. Val growled her eyes burning gold as she held tightly to Jasper's waist clenching his shirt in her hands to stop her attacking them. Jasper pulled her as close to him as possible.
"What's the matter darlin'?" Jasper whispered lowly in concern.
"They killed Waylon. The blonde is wearing his jacket and the woman the shirt I got him." Val whisper-growled, her throat tight with tears that she refused to let fall.
"It's okay my love." Jasper said soothingly, sending her waves of calm as he kissed her temple.
"I believe this belongs to you." The leader of the group said as he threw the ball to Carlisle, he had a slight french accent.
"Thank you." Carlisle said as he caught the ball watching them tensely.
"I am Laurent, and this James and Victoria." Laurent said pointing to each of his companions.
"I'm Carlisle and this is my family. My wife and mate Esme, our daughter Alice and her mate Iris, our son Emmett and his mate Rosalie, our son Jasper and his mate Valerie. And my last son Edward and his girlfriend Bella." Carlisle introduced a note of hesitancy in his voice.
"Hello." Laurent said waving briefly obviously the more amicable of the three. As Victoria was looking all of us over a slight sneer on her face, and James was having a stare down with Edward. Rosalie subtly moved more in front of Val as Victoria's eyes flashed over towards Valerie and Jasper.
"I'm afraid you're hunting activities have caused somewhat of a mess for us." Carlisle told them.
"Our apologies." Laurent said placing a hand on his chest. "We didn't know the territory had been claimed."
"Yes, well we maintain a permanent resident nearby." Carlisle hedges carefully.
"Really?" Laurent asked intrigued his eyes flicking over all of us. "Well, we won't be a problem for you anymore. We were just passing through."
"The humans were tracking us but we led them East." Victoria purred, Valerie got the feeling that they shouldn't underestimate her. "You should be safe."
"Great." Carlisle said, not really knowing what to say to them.
"So could you use three more players?" Laurent asked. "Come on. Just one game." He pressed. Carlisle sighed as he felt all of our eyes on him, he looked down at Esme, before looking over at everyone and then back to the three nomads.
"Sure. Why not. Some of us were just leaving, you can take their place. We'll bat first." He said as he threw the baseball to Laurent but Victoria stuck her hand out in front of Laurent's face catching the ball. Her arm darting out much like a snake does when they strike.
"I'm the one with wicked curve ball." Victoria said her eyes gleaming with what I didn't know, a smirk spread across her face.
"I'm sure we can handle that." Emmett laughed from his place next to Rosalie.
"We shall see." Victoria hissed. As everyone started to separate, going to their places the wind suddenly picked up and blew Bella's hair around her no doubt carrying her scent in James' direction if his reaction was anything to go by.
"You brought a snack." He purred as he crouched ready to attack, Victoria next to him in a similar position and Laurent slightly behind them as all the Cullens crouched ready to attack.
"The girl is with us." Carlisle growled. "I think it's best if you leave."
"I can see this game is over. We'll go now." Laurent said his hands up in surrender as he slowly backed away.
"James!" He called as James and Victoria showed no sign of moving their eyes fixed on Edward and Bella. Val squeezed Jasper's shirt tightly in her hands as he now stood crouched in front of her; his eyes were black with swirling red, signalling that Jasper was extremely angry and the Major was fighting to get out. She could tell by his stance, he was ready to attack, much like the wolf within her was fighting to get out. Jasper was ready to defend his mate much like Valerie was ready to defend him just as much.
Slowly James stood from his position a smirk on his face as he looked at Edward as he turned to follow Laurent, Victoria gave us one more look over before she ran after Laurent and her mate as they wrapped their arms around each other James pressing a kiss to her temple much like Jasper does to Val, before they disappeared into the forest.
"Edward get Bella out of here. Now!" Carlisle ordered, once he was sure they weren't coming back. "Jasper take Val to the Rez. We'll follow them." Carlisle ordered, once Bella and Edward were gone. Jasper pulled Val carefully into his arms bridal style and ran to the Impala helping her in before he sped round to the drivers side, driving to the Rez once her seatbelt was secured.
"Is he coming after us?" Val asked scared for her son, for Jasper, for her Dad, for the Cullen's and for herself. She's already lost her uncle to them she didn't want to lose more.
"No darling he's not. He's after Bella because she's a blood singer her blood is more appealing not just to Edward but other vampires as well. And as you're my mate your blood isn't appealing like I told you, sweetheart. Edward or one of the others will probably get Bella out of town to lead him away. Apparently, according to Edward, he's a tracker and Edward's reaction set him off, made it a game for him. But none of them want to go after you. I could tell by their emotions. Sweetheart, don't worry everything is going to be fine, I promise. You know I'll always protect my mate and our son. You two are my life and I'll never let anything happen to either of you." Jasper said, kissing the back of her hand as they drove.
Twenty minutes later they were pulling up outside Billy's where Sam, Jared and Paul stood guard.
"I thought-" Valerie started angry and confused as she and Jasper got out of the car. Ready to knock some sense into these idiots.
"We're not here to hurt Jasper, Val." Paul reassured, rushing over and hugging his best friend tightly.
"Esme phoned and filled Billy in on what happened at the game. We just wanted to make sure you're all right." Jared continued.
"Thank you for looking after her." Sam stated, holding his hand out to Jasper who slowly took his hand and shook it.
"You don't need to thank me. Val and Jace are my life I would do anything to protect them." Jasper said firmly.
"Can I see him before I go?" He asked, he could just walk in and see his son but he was going to respect them as he was a guest on their land and plus barging into someone's home wasn't how he was raised, even if it was a long time ago.
"I'll go get him and let Charlie know." Jared said, at the same time Valerie said, "Go? What do you mean, 'go'?" She asked demanded, still a big on edge which Jasper understood.
"I need to find out what's happening from Carlisle so I can keep you and Jace safe, darlin." Jasper said softly, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear tenderly. "I'll call you as soon as I know anything and to say goodnight to you and our son, I promise." He swore, taking her into his arms and kissing her tenderly.
"Val!" Charlie shouted, running out of the house with Billy and Jacob, the latter holding a sleeping Jace. "Are you alright? Is Bella alright?" He asked concerned, pulling his youngest into his arms.
Sighing Jasper launched into the story of what happened during the game and what their next moves were.
"Alice and Iris will most likely take Bella to Phoenix; while Edward, Rosalie and Esme will distract them with Bella's scent by wearing her clothes most likely. I will take Emmett and Carlisle with me to patrol the woods along the treaty line to make sure none of them are near here. I'm so sorry Charlie." Jasper apologised.
"It's not your fault Jasper you're all keeping us save as good as you can. If only Bella and Edward had listened none of this would have happened." Charlie sighed, not understanding where he and Renee went wrong with their oldest.
"Paul, Jared and I will patrol along our side too." Sam added. After the last full moon Valerie had stern words with Sam over how Jake and the others were being left to deal with the change by themselves.
Sam had argued that, that was the way things were done while Valerie didn't agree with that. It had started to turn into a heated argument until Paul and Jared piped up. Adding that if they had known about the change beforehand it would've made things a lot easier. Now, Jacob, Embry, Cara (Embry's twin sister), Quil and even Seth and Leah now knew about the legends of the tribe being real and that they could have the gene and what it entails, including imprints which helped Leah deal with and understand a bit more on what happened between herself, Sam and Emily. If they started to feel like they were going to change they were to go find Valerie or Sam as soon as possible and as a last resort Paul and Jared.
"If only Val could change at will. She's amazing and is much faster than us. Plus, her bite causes a slow painful death to vampires." Paul said wistfully.
"If I was a Hybrid I could. But I've only ever heard stories of them." Valerie said with a gentle shrug, rubbing noses with Jace causing him to let out loud giggles.
"Hybrid?" Jasper asked confused, his arms wrapped around his family as he smiled lovingly at Jace.
"Half vampire and half werewolf. The Moon doesn't control the change and the werewolf can change at will." Charlie explained, having heard the stories from Renee. Jasper smiled in thanks as his phone started ringing more constantly now.
"I better go." Jasper sighed, cancelling the call from Edward again. "Dada loves you, my lil wolf and be good for your Mama." He said firmly, kissing Jace and holding him close and breathing in his scent. "I love you darlin, be safe."
"I love you too Jazz. Please be safe too." Valerie begged, wrapping her arms around his neck carefully as he still held Jace and kissing him passionately. They were trying to put all of their love into that kiss. A few minutes later they pulled back reluctantly and Jasper handed Jace back to his mother. Jasper said his farewells to everyone else and took off.
"Come on Val." Billy said, wheeling over to her and gently patting her arm. "Let's go have some dinner and you can feed Jace and relax."
"Thanks for doing this Uncle Billy." Valerie said gratefully.
"You don't need to thank me your family, you know you can stay as long as you need. Jake has set up Rebecca's room for you and Jace." Billy refuted, smiling at her as he led the way back into his home.
"Let's play monopoly, Val." Jake said, with a wicked grin on his face making the others groan as Jake and Val laughed, successfully distracting Charlie and Val from what had happened this evening. The two always wiped the floor with everyone else.
A few days later Charlie got a call from Carlisle and Renee telling him what had happened to Bella and that she was injured in hospital after ditching Alice and Iris and went to James on her own. Luckily Carlisle, Alice, Iris, Edward and Emmett got there in time to save Bella but she had a broken leg and lost a lot of blood. Charlie had gotten on the first flight to Phoenix to check on his oldest while Valerie stayed home with Jace, Jasper, Rosalie and Esme watching some films in between the searches for Victoria as she had took off and they didn't know where she'd gone. All in all Valerie thought Bella had been very lucky, although, she had a feeling this would just make Bella more crazed and more determined about becoming a vampire.