The Cullen family are standing in an open clearing waiting for the last two people to arrive. Noah is swinging his and Jasper's arms back and forth, dancing. Jasper turns him into a spin and pulls him into a hug softly smiling down at him.
Storm clouds gather in the sky as Bella and Edward pull up in the Jeep. Esme and Emmett go to greet Bella.
"Good thing you're here Bella we need an umpire."
"She thinks we cheat." Emmett says with a crooked grin.
"I know you cheat. Call 'em as you see 'em, Bella."
Noah speeds out on the pitcher's mound. "It's time." Just as a deep rumble of thunder shakes the forest.
Bella stays by Esme who plays catcher. Edward and Emmett take positions in the outfield and Rosalie steps up to bat first. Noah pitches lightning fast and Rosalie smashes the ball with the aluminum bat. It cracks like thunder and is followed directly by real thunder.
"Now I get why you need the thunder." Bella says to Esme amazed. The ball shoots like a meteor deep into the forest, rocketing through the trees. Edward disappears after it. "That has to be a home run."
"Edward's very fast." Rosalie darts around the bases, almost a blur. Edward races out of the forest with the ball and whips it to home plate. Esme catches it a millisecond before Rosalie slides in causing a strong breeze to blow Bella's and her hair back.
"You're out?"
Esme nods and Rosalie gets up glaring at Bella. The game continues with Dr. Cullen hitting a line drive. Edward and Emmett race for the catch, jumping 15 feet in the air and colliding with such might that it sounds like enormous boulders falling. They miss the ball but neither are mad. Dr. Cullen is safe and the family is laughing having a good time together!
Jasper whacks the next pitch deep into the forest, but before Edward can chase it, Noah suddenly gasps.
"Stop! I didn't see them". They all stop. Edward is immediately at Bella's side. The family instantly gathers at home plate.
"Whats going on?"
"The nomads. They're coming here. They were leaving but heard us playing and changed their minds." Noah explains.
"How far out?"
"Not enough time for Bella and Eddie to leave but enough to prepare."
"Alright baby I need you to be a big boy right now." Jasper tells Noah in his serious voice.
"Yes daddy"
Noah takes off his jacket and Jasper rolls up his sleeves both revealing the multiple scars that cover their bodies.
"What are they doing?" Bela asks watching them in confusion.
Edward ignores her and says, "Put your hair down."
"Like that'll help. I could smell her from across the field." Edward ignores Rosalie as he arranges Bella's hair.
"I shouldn't have brought you here. I'm so sorry." She'd ask why, but suddenly, they all turn as one toward the edge of the forest where three figures emerge. As they near, Bella sees their bare feet, then the deep burgundy of their eyes. The dark skinned one holds up the baseball.
"I believe this belongs to you." He casually tosses the ball, which is blindingly fast, to Dr. Cullen who easily catches it and smiles politely.
"Thank you."
"I am Laurent. This is James and Victoria."
"I'm Carlisle and this is my family. Emmett, Rosalie, Esme, Bella Edward, Jasper and Noah." The three pause at the sight of Jasper and Noah.
Laurent shifts back intimidated by the two while James seems even more interested in the family.
"I'm afraid your hunting activities have caused a problem for us. You see we have a residence here."
"Really? What's your hunting range?" Laurent curiously asks.
"The Olympic Range here up and down the coast. There is also another permanent coven like ours up near Denali."
Jasper was using his gift to keep the conversation peaceful and Noah's glazed over eyes show he's watching their futures.
"Interesting. Could you use three more players? We could talk more about how you manage that as we play."
"Of course a few of us were just leaving anyways." Carlisle replied with that same smile on his face. He throws the ball back and Victoria is the one to catch it.
"Oh, I think we can handle that."
Edward and Bella turn to leave when an ill timed gust of wind blows, trailing her scent right to the three human drinkers.
"You brought a snack."
Edward springs in front of Bella, baring his teeth. A truly menacing, feral snarl rips from his throat. Jasper and Noah at the front as the most experienced fighters and the rest of the family surrounding Bella. James Growls back with Laurent and Victoria line up behind him.
"The girl is with us."
"We won't harm her."Laurent says trying to defuse the situation.
"Just try it."
"I think it best if you leave."
"Yes, I can see the game is over. We'll go now. James?" But James' eyes don't leave Jasper's. Laurent puts a hand on James' shoulder, and finally, James backs into the woods with his cohorts, disappearing.
Once they're gone, Esme immediately gathers up the bats preparing to leave.
"Get Bella out of here. We'll follow them." Dr. Cullen, Jasper and a resentful Rosalie race off after the three vampires.