Peter had gotten his fair share of amusement out of learning Edward wasn't gone hunting for their visit, but instead was spending all his time stalking a human girl that he was falling in love with. Peter laughed before declaring it would be good for him, would help dislodge that stick that had been shoved too far up his ass for too long.
The boys had managed to talk Carlisle into a game of football out at the clearing at the base of Mount Rainier. Carlisle usually tried talking them out of football given how rowdy Emmett and Jasper could get, but since Peter was the one to ask, Carlisle didn't want to be a rude host and assented to what was sure to be a rough and tumble game. Emmett was psyched and had even headed out to go get Edward but Rosalie convinced him to put a note on the newel post for him that he'd find whenever he decided to come home instead. Emmett was disappointed but still psyched about the game.
We got to the field as the first rumble of thunder echoed through the sky. Emmett cheered as he and Carlisle worked quickly to set up the field markers. Charlotte, Esme and I stood off to side, deciding to stay out of the action tonight. Charlotte was usually up for whatever game the boys came up with, the only exception being football, given her upbringing she wasn't fond of a game that required two side lining up and charging at each other. Esme wasn't fond of the game in general but would never stand in the way of someone else's happiness, so she was content to stand on the sideline and cheer with me while also acting as a referee when things got too rowdy. I didn't really see the fun in the game and tended to lose focus when Emmett began trying to explain all of the complicated rules and different plays, so I was content to join Esme on the sideline.
"Jasper graduates again this year." Charlotte stated and I hummed in agreement.
"Have you two talked about when or where you guys want to meet up with us?" She asked as the six on the field decided teams.
"No, not yet. Jasper wants to see the outcome of a couple decisions before traveling away from the family." I replied. Charlotte nodded at the unsaid explanation. Jasper wanted to stick around to help with damage control should Edward snap around the Swan girl. Esme looked over at me, her face a little pinched. Edward was her favorite, whether she admitted it or not and she didn't want to think about the possibility of Edward being so hurt should he lose control.
"What do you have planned next?" I asked to change the subject.
"Peter suggested that we visit Europe again, we haven't been since we traveled there in the 60s with you and Jasper. It'll be interesting to see the changes. Then he wants to go to South America, we'd travel there via Africa of course. Neither of us wants to risk passing through the South. I hear there are some skirmishes heating up down there, better safe than sorry of course." Charlotte said with a shiver and Esme looked concerned as I linked my arm with hers and pulled her closer.
"I truly wish that the Volturi would have just eradicated them all the last time they had to send the guard to contain the mess. The last time Jasper and I traveled on our own, we made a trip to Colorado during the winter. I don't know how she does it, but she sent a messenger to deliver a letter. I often wonder if she's managed to get herself a seer like Alice. It's the only thing I can think of to explain how she could have known about us being in Colorado. Anyway, she still wants him back, even said she'd make a place for me if it would make him more agreeable." I spoke softly not wanting to ruin the mood of the game.
"Jasper would have done the world a favor if he'd killed her when she came looking for him in Calgary." Charlotte replied and I nodded before sighing.
"He would have, but there was no way of knowing what contingencies she would have had in place in the event that she didn't return and that was something we were not prepared to deal with." Charlotte sighed in reply.
"Jasper and I are careful now, we haven't traveled anywhere south of northern Nebraska since. Perhaps we'll join you in Europe, it was all still a wreck from the World Wars when we were on the main continent last, I've never been to Germany." Charlotte smiled.
"I think that can be arranged. I think you'd like Germany. The Black Forest is beautiful." I smiled and turned to Esme.
"When was the last time you were in Europe, Esme?" I didn't want to exclude Esme from our conversation, when it came to traveling she'd done far more than I and her traveling was much different than Charlotte and Peter's.
"Um, 1984, Carlisle and I had spent a month on the island and then made out way to England to revisit Carlisle's father's grave and home and then we toured France before coming home. I haven't been to Germany since 1932 though, Charlotte's right the Black Forest is very beautiful. I imagine only one of your paintings would be able to do them justice, dear." She said and I hummed. Germany was definitely going to have to be our list of places to go then.
I looked up at the first crash of bodies, seeing Peter collide with Emmett while Emmett's feet dug into the ground in an attempt to prevent giving up any extra ground. While Emmett was occupied with trying to remain on his feet he didn't see Alice appearing at his side till she had plucked the ball from his clutch and was darting back across the field.
"Rose!" Emmett called out and Rose took off after Alice. Alice was dodging her expertly till she realized that Rose had herded her toward Carlisle.
"Jasper!" She called and threw the ball high over Carlisle's head before he could jump for it. Jasper caught the ball and ran the remaining yards to the posts marking the end zone. Jasper whooped and beamed proudly as he held up the ball. Emmett groaned, throwing his head back.
"Huddle up!" Emmett called and the two teams moved back to their separate sides to plot their next moves.
The game continued like that for a couple hours with the teams taking turns scoring. Eventually, Carlisle declared the game over and Jasper's team the winners. Jasper and Peter whooped, clapping hands before doing the same with Alice. The men's clothes were covered in grass stains and dirt, a quick glance at Alice and Rosalie showed that their clothes hadn't escaped the game with their usual tidiness either. Jasper and Peter both had big smiles on their faces as they walked off the field. Jasper and Peter walked over to Charlotte and I while Esme joined Carlisle in picking up the markers. Jasper pulled me into his arms and pressed a quick kiss to my lips before turning to face Peter and Charlotte.
"So where are you guys headed next?" Jasper asked. Charlotte looked up to Peter and he shrugged.
"Was thinking about heading to Europe. Heard some rumors about things heating up down south and you can't get much farther away then Europe. Plus, we haven't been there since the 60s, figured there's got to be a couple things that have changed." Peter smirked and Jasper nodded. I leaned my shoulder into Jasper's chest.
"Charlotte and I were talking. Maybe we'll meet up with them in Germany over summer." Jasper shrugged.
"We'll see how things are going here, we'll let you guys know for sure when it gets a little closer." Jasper turned his gaze to Peter and Charlotte and they nodded, though Peter gave Jasper an inquisitive look that Jasper pointedly ignored. Peter's gift would kick in or Charlotte would fill him in later.
"When we get to dry land, we'll give you a call with the new number. You'll let me know how it all goes?" Peter asked with a smirk, Jasper chuckled and nodded.
"Sure thing. It's always good to see you brother." Jasper said and let go of me long enough to clasp Peter's hand and share a quick hug while Charlotte threw her arms around me.
"I think this is going to be the best summer yet, we'll actually have something to gossip about." She teased and I laughed before letting her go to hug Jasper and I moved on to Peter. Next to Jasper, Peter gave the best hugs, it was strong but wasn't overbearing like Emmett's, and it was warm and comforting like Esme's while also providing a feeling of security.
"It was good to see you, Abi." Peter said and I nodded.
"It's always good to see you, Peter. Hopefully we'll join you guys in Europe sooner rather than later." I said with a smile and Peter chuckled.
"Yeah, if Jas doesn't get a bone between his teeth about all this. And if he's does we'll come see you guys as soon as we get back from South America." Peter promised and I gave him a peck on the cheek before returning to Jasper's arms. Charlotte had gone to say her good byes to the rest of the family and Alice.
"Safe travels." Jasper bid.
"Thanks brother we'll do our best, see you soon." Peter gave a nod to Jasper and a small wave to the rest of the family before running off into the trees, headed north to Canada to reach the ocean. I sighed and leaned into Jasper.
"I always hate watching them leave." I said softly and Jasper arms tightened around me for a moment.
"I do, too. But we both know that absence makes the heart grow fonder. You'll be just as happy to see them the next time we get together instead of secretly wishing Charlotte would disappear in a week." Jasper teased at the end and I slapped his chest.
"Don't tease me about that, you used to get annoyed with her too and we both know she near hated us before we started traveling and put a small measure of distance between us."
"I did." Jasper readily agreed and pressed another kiss to my lips before continuing.
"I just can't help myself sometimes though because you're just so easy to rile up and it amuses me." He chuckled and I glared for a moment before a thought struck me. I grinned at the idea and ran my hands down his chest.
"I'll show you a tease." I growled and pressed my lips to his in a passionate kiss before breaking away and running as fast as I could in the direction of the cliffs. I heard Emmett's booming laugh a second later and then the sound of pursuing feet. I grinned to myself and pushed myself to go faster. Now this was a game I was happy to play.
