Bella's POV
All Human
Chapter 12: Close to a Happily Ever After
The next day the Cullen's invited everyone over for a dinner. And by everyone I meant the Cullen themselves, along with both Hales, and of course Edward and myself and…Jacob! Edward and Jacob had a long talk with each other in front of my house that day. Though it was hard for me to stay serious when Jacob had mud on his face, I listened to them inventively. They were both serious about not fighting again, and they were willing to make sure that I was happy.
Both Jacob and Edward shook hands on never fighting again. When I told Charlie about this he couldn't believe it. To be honest I had a hard time believing it also but if you went through what I did, you just want to leave it at that. I am happy that the two made up, though now they are more competitive at everything I can live with it for the most part anyways.
The night I drove up to the Cullen's house on my own. I walked inside to see that loud music was playing –as usually. I walked upstairs to the kitchen to see that Carlisle and Esme were dancing and Jasper and Alice joined in. Rosalie and Emmett were helping with the cooking as they were feeding one another. And Edward was playing the music as he was sitting on his piano playing his guitar – my boyfriend was so musically talented.
"Bella," Edward said walking over to me, "Welcome home." Edward welcomed me with a kiss. I looked at his family and blushed as we walked into the kitchen and the fun went on, "Jacob is here. He's in the other room; the dog feel asleep," Edward told me as we both sat on his piano.
"You refer to Jacob as if he was a wolf Edward," I said giving him a kiss.
Edward grinned, "What can I say, Jake reminds me of one. Everyone seems to be happier Bella, because I am happy. They are happy that you remember, that Jacob and I aren't fighting, and that things are seemly normal." Edwards said blushing at his family who were having a tone of fun. I smiled and then took Edward's hands as I made him spin around.
"Didn't I tell you darling? That girl was made for this family." Esme told Carlisle as I overheard. That made me smile and get all bubbly inside. Jacob then came out and saw everyone dancing. I took his hand and pulled him over to everyone as Rosalie threw an apple at him. Jacob caught it with little effort and winked at her.
"Blondie has a good pitch," Jacob stated. It all most sounded like a compliment.
Rosalie grinned, "You obliviously haven't seen me in a baseball match before mongrel."
That's when Emmett slammed his hand on the table, "That's right! Jacob Black how about a little completion between La Push and the Cullen's?" Emmett said.
I watched the grins on both Edward and Jacob smile. Oh great another prize that they both need to fight about, I was so going to kick Emmett after this if things didn't work out. What does Rosalie pitching have to do with starting a competition?
"I know what you're thinking about Em's. A baseball match?" Jasper said picking up a carrot stick and pretending that it was a bat as he swung it at Alice but she bit the top off very cunningly making Jasper laugh, "Didn't see that one coming," Jasper added.
A baseball match? I never knew any of the Cullen's played sports. I watched Edward as he seemed overly excited about this, and when that happens that means that it's something he's willing to get competitive about, "I'm all in, how many men do I need to win this baby?" Jacob questioned in a tone that stated she was going to win.
"Bella will you be willing to play?" Edward asked.
I shook my head no right away, if I could have said no faster I would have, "Are you kidding? A simple game of baseball can very well cost me my life. I am just has happy watching everyone else play, far away." I informed them.
"Then it's seven against seven. We'll make this odd." Carlisle informed with a sly smile.
Just when I thought that we were going to settle things over dinner, it was going to be over a baseball match? I've met Jacobs friend before, they were all just as big and strong as he was, and the Cullen's were skilled at all most everything they did. One thing I knew for sure about the both of them was that they were both exceedingly competitive. I have no idea how this is going to turn out.
"What are the stakes then? We don't want to keep this game boring do we?" Jacob asked. Leave it to Jacob to get everyone hyped up about this match.
Everyone smiled; the Cullen's had an idea already? "We don't want things to get nasty so we're going to make things fun. If we win then your La Push team will have do seven favours for us. That's one favour for each person. If you win, the same goes. One favour for each person. Do we have a deal?" Esme asked – Esme was making the deal? – This seemed very appealing to Jacob and he nodded as everyone shook hands on it. This should be interesting.
***
We all gathered in an empty field as everyone got set up for the game. Jacob's team consisted of his good friends and people that he'd normally hand out with: Quil, Embry, Seth, Leah, Paul, Sam and Jared. We all gathered in the field as I took my seat on top of Carlisle Mercedes where it was safe. Knowing these guys things weren't going to keep the game friendly. Someone is going to get hurt…or seriously bruised. Either way it was going to be fun to watch.
Up on bat was Jacob and Rosalie took in the moment to pitch one at Jacob – am sure that she was imagining knocking his head off – but everyone was one their toes. Esme gave the single and then with the quickest swing Rosalie pitched that ball so fast that we could barely see it flying. But somehow Jacob made the hit and the ball went flying through the air.
Edward, Emmett and Jared were around the area that the ball was flying to. Emmett looked at Edward as the two instantly came up with a plan. The two then ran in different directions making Jared wide open to catch the ball. What were they thinking I thought. But then I noticed that Jacob ball began to fall and Jake was already hitting second base.
The ball was just about to touch the ground when Emmett came out of nowhere and grabbed the ball just before Jared caught it in his hands! Emmett threw the ball to Carlisle and then he called out "You're out!" I jumped up for joy clapping my hands! That was an amazing play; Emmett was so fast!
"That's my monkey man," Rosalie said giving Alice a high five and winking to me.
The game then got exciting with every move. Soon an hour and a half into the game it was a tie game. It was anyone's games. They called a time out and gathered together. Jacob's team seemed pretty happy about how the game was going. But knowing these teams no one was going to settle for less. Everyone was aiming to win and my tension grew. This was exciting.
"That Jared guy is fast all most as fast as I am. We're going to really work hard at this one," Emmett said rubbing Rosalie shoulders.
Everyone nodded, "All right who's up to pitch this time?" Esme asked as she looked over her nails and began to sob when she saw her pinkie nail was broken. I all most began to laugh; I guess once a model always a beautiful model. Just like Esme.
"I'll do it. Next up to pitch is Jacob, I want this one," Edward said as I looked at him. If this was something that he wanted, then there was no way of stopping him. Everyone agreed to have Edward bat. Alice then rubbed my hand for good luck, and everyone went back to their places. Alice and Emmett took the outfield – the sibling's team – Sam and Paul were talking to each other behind taking their spots also. I couldn't wait to see who was going to take the win. Either way I will cheer on both teams. Go Switzerland!
And then Edward came up to bat as Jacob grinned and bent over slightly, Esme was giving the signs. Rosalie staid on her toes blowing a bubble from the gum she was chewing and chewing impatiently. Finally Jacob nodded as I jumped down from the car and on my feet. Jacob pitched the ball faster than anything but Edward was also fast and hit the ball quickly and then ran. I watched the ball; Alice ran quickly for the ball and caught it seconds before Sam did.
"Ha!" She shouted sticking her tongue out as Sam as she threw the ball to Emmett who pitched it to Jasper. I moved my eyes from them to see Edward hitting first, then second, it was all most a home run! Jacob watched as Edward moved around the diamond. Finally Jasper caught the ball and pitched to Carlisle and Edward went flying onto the base. Smoke was all around that I couldn't see anything so I waited for him to call out just a few words to let me know what happened. I waited until all the dust was gone, after Edward hit the floor.
"Safe!" Carlisle shouted. I jumped up clapping my hands! We won! I ran to Edward and jumped in his arms as he held my above the ground and spun me around. Team Cullen gave each other a team hug and then walked over to the La Push team where everyone shook hands. I knew I said I was for Switzerland I still feel happy to see Edward happy. That's what it's all about.
"It was a good game. In the end anyone could have won. We were lucky to have faced great people like yourselves in this game. All fair?" Jasper asked shaking everyone's hands.
The La Push team smiled, "We're lucky to have played you also. And like you asked a favour for each of you right? I just hope that we can look forward to more games?" Sam asked. Everyone shook hands as I walked over to Jacob and shook his hands.
He smiled, "All fair in this game huh? I guess I have to suck it in," Jacob said. I was glad to see he had become a more accepting person when it came to an understanding of things. I was very lucky to see everyone getting along. Not too long ago everyone would have never thought of being five feet close to one another. And now they were, shaking hands, making jokes, smiling. It was a great feeling. Even Embry and Edward had worked out their problems. This was great.
***
That night everyone from the baseball game went to the Cullen's house for a dinner celebration – it is because of this that I learnt the Cullen's love to host dinner parties – Edward and I sat outside on the porch looking out at the full moon. Everyone else was inside the house attending the party. Everyone knew to leave us alone after what happened. Edward was seating an apple when he turned to me and smiled. At first I was staring at the moon when I noticed him.
"You see Bella Swan if you never came back to Forks, none of us would be this happy. We are the ones that owe you." Edward said kissing me on my lips. I accepted this sweetly.
I pulled away, "I know. Now I know anyways. I am so happy Edward that, words cannot express the amount of ecstasy that I felt just being with you all today. It was the most amazing feeling that anyone could ever express." I told Edward – I could not stop smiling it was incredible
Edward then took me in his arms, I rested my back against his chest as we just laid there for a moment, "Boring!" Jacob shouted coming in between us with a plate of food, "Cullen your mom is like the best cook ever! I really have been missing out now haven't I? Oh my god try this shrimp! Look how big it is, come on Bella try it," Jacob said holding the shrimp to me.
I couldn't help but laugh as I accept the shrimp, "Jacob you're timing is impeccable." Edward said taking a chicken from Jacob's plate, "Do you honestly plan to eat all of that?" Edward asked.
"Of course I am! I'm a growing man Cullen I need the food, unlike your skinny bones. And I just want you to know that whatever I do for any of you Cullen's I will get you all back later. Blondie is first on my list too," Jacob said shoving the food in his face.
Edward and I turned to him and smiled as we both took turns messy up his shaggy hair, "Hey! What do you think you're doing huh?" Jacob said with a mouth full of food.
I smiled and kissed Jacob on the cheek, "Nothing. I think you need a hair cut Jacob," I said winking at Edward.
Edward laughed, "Do you want a kiss on the cheek for me to Black?" Edward questioned puckering his lips to Jacob.
Jacob shoved a carrot in Edward's mouth, "Cullen if you so dare to come close to me with those cold lips of yours I swear to god I am kicking your behind to the other side of the world!" Jacob shouted shoving move food into his mouth that Edward couldn't help but laugh.
I watched the two argue about the bet they had at the baseball game. Both were complaining that the other team didn't have as much skills as their own team. I think they forgot that they were at a tie in the beginning but I sat there and watched the two under the full moon.
Coming to Forks I had nothing but ups and downs. Coming here knowing nothing only to find out that I had another world behind me. At the start is was nothing but drama and tears, and I have never cried so much in my life before. But now, I can't seem to stop smiling. Every morning and night I have a smile on, and it never fades. My family has grown so much stronger that it was mindboggling. I have a lot of stories to tell mom next time I talk to her.
I may have started out like Juliet, but I am sure happy that I didn't end up like her. More so I am happy to just live in this moment, to be here with the people I care the most about – even Charlie is here tonight – nothing could top this night. Nothing could even made me unhappy.
Not even a past obsession.
The End
Authors Note: It has been such an honour to write for everyone that read this story. Your comments gave me the support and ideas I needed to carry on writing this story and has inspired me to write more in the future. I only hope that my upcoming stories would be just as good as this. Thank you for reading
6
