Disclaimer. All publicly recognizable characters, settings etc., are the property of their respective owners. The original characters, ideas and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I only do this for fun. –B
Chapter 22
(Bella POV)
It was just beginning to drizzle when Edward turned on to my street. Up until that moment, I'd had no doubt that he'd be staying with me while I spent a few interim hours in the real world. And then I saw the black car, a weathered Ford, parked in Charlie's driveway – and heard Edward mutter something unintelligible in a low, harsh voice.
Leaning away from the rain under the shallow front porch, Jacob Black stood behind his father's wheelchair. Billy's face was impassive as stone as Edward parked my truck against the curb. Jake stared down, his expression mortified.
"This is crossing the line." Edward muttered in a low furious voice.
"He came to warn Charlie?" I guessed, more horrified than angry.
Edward just nodded, answering Billy's steady gaze through the rain with narrowed eyes.
"But I thought you said that your family spoke to the Quileutes about why the existence of your species must remain a secret?" I asked confused.
"They did, he is doing this behind the packs back, and only intends to speak to Charlie about it." Edward gritted out.
I felt weak with relief that Charlie wasn't home yet.
"Let me deal with this," I suggested. Edward's black glare made me anxious.
To my surprise, he agreed. "That's probably best. Be careful, though. The child has no idea." He warned.
I bridled a little at the word 'child.' "Jacob is not that much younger than I am," I reminded him with my eyebrows creased.
He looked at me then, his anger abruptly fading. "Oh, I know," he assured me with a grin. I sighed and put my hand on the door handle.
"Get them inside," he instructed, staying inside of my truck, "so I can leave. I'll be back around dusk."
"Do you want my truck?" I offered, meanwhile wondering how I would explain its absence to Charlie.
He rolled his eyes. "I could walk home faster than this truck moves."
I ignored his comment about my truck and looked at him wistfully. "You don't have to leave."
He smiled at my glum expression. "Actually, I do. After you get rid of them" - he threw another dark glance in the Black's direction – "you still have to prepare Charlie to meet your new boyfriend." He grinned widely, showing all of his teeth.
I groaned. "Thanks a lot."
He smiled the crooked smile that I loved. "I'll be back soon," he promised. His eyes flickered back to the porch once more, and then he leaned in to swiftly kiss me just under the edge of my jaw. My heart lurched frantically, and I, too, glanced towards the porch. Billy's face was no longer impassive, and his hands were clutched at the armrests of his chair.
"Soon," I stressed as I opened the door and stepped out into the rain. I could feel his eyes on my back as I half-ran through the light sprinkle towards the porch.
"Hey, Billy. Hi, Jacob." I greeted them as cheerfully as I could manage. "Charlie's gone for the day – I hope you haven't been waiting long?"
"Not long," Billy said in a subdued tone, his black eyes piercing. "I just wanted to bring this up." He indicated to a brown paper bag that was resting on his lap. I knew from the looks of it that it had to be Harry Clearwater's famous homemade fish fry, Charlie's favorite.
"Thanks," I said with a grateful smile. "Why don't you come in for a minute and dry off?" I offered, unlocking the door. I pretended to be oblivious to his intense scrutiny as I waved them in ahead of me.
"Here, let me take that," I offered, turning to shut the door. I allowed myself one last glance at Edward. He was waiting, perfectly still, his eyes solemn.
"You'll want to put that in the fridge," Billy noted as he handed me the package. "The fridge keeps it drier." He shrugged.
"Thanks," I repeated, but with feeling this time. "I was running out of new ways to fix fish, and he's bound to bring home more tonight."
"Fishing again?" Billy asked with a subtle gleam in his eye. "Down at the usual spot? Maybe I'll run by and see him."
Panicked, I thought quickly on my feet, but made sure not to let Billy see my anxiousness.
"No, he was headed someplace new…" I quickly lied, my face going hard, "but I have no idea where."
He took my changed expression, and it made him thoughtful.
"Jake," he said, his eyes still appraising me. "Why don't you go get that new picture of Rebecca out of the car? I'll leave that for Charlie, too."
"Where is it?" Jacob asked, his voice morose. I glanced at him, but he was staring at the floor, his eyebrows pulling together.
"I think I saw it in the truck," Billy said. "You may have to dig for it."
Jake slouched back out into the rain, clearly unhappy with his father's request, but willing to do it, since Billy could not. I wasn't sure if he knew that he was just trying to get him out of the room or not, and I wasn't worried about that. Only that Billy and I get this straightened out, and fast.
We faced each other in silence and after a few seconds, the quiet started to feel awkward as my impatience began to rise, but I knew that he needed to be the one to begin. I turned and headed towards the kitchen, trying to make myself seem more oblivious to the topic that was slowly rising to the surface. I could hear his wet wheels squeak against the linoleum as he followed. I shoved the fish fry on to the crowded top shelf of the fridge and spun around to confront him, hoping for him to start, even if I need to push him in the right direction. His deeply lined face was unreadable.
"Charlie won't be back for a long time." My voice was almost rude as that statement came out.
He nodded in agreement, but still said nothing.
"Thanks again for the fish fry," I hinted.
He continued nodding. I sighed and folded my arms across my chest in exasperation and he seemed to sense that I had given up on small talk. "Bella," he said and then he hesitated.
I waited.
"Bella," he said again, "Charlie is one of my best friends."
"Yes," I pressed as I continued to stare him down.
He spoke each word carefully in his rumbling voice. "I noticed you've been spending time with one of the Cullen's."
"Yes," I repeated curtly. "And I spend a lot of time with my best friend Lilly as well."
His eyes narrowed. "It's not Lilly I have a problem with and maybe it's none of my business, but I don't think that hanging out with the Cullen's is such a good idea."
"You're right," I agreed. "It is none of your business."
He raised his graying eyebrows at my tone. "You are aware that the Cullen family has an…unpleasant reputation on the reservation."
"Yes, I am aware," I informed him in a hard voice that surprised him. "But that reputation couldn't be deserved, could it? Because the Cullen's never set foot on the reservation, do they?" I could see that my less than subtle reminder of the agreement that both bound and protected his tribe pulled him up short.
"That's true," he acceded, his eyes remained guarded. "You seem…well informed about the Cullen's. More informed than I expected, to be honest."
I stared him down. "Maybe even better informed than you are."
He pursed his thick lips as he considered that. "Maybe." He allowed, but his eyes were shrewd. "Is Charlie as well informed?" Shoot, he had found the weak chink in my armor.
"Charlie likes the Cullen's and Lilly a lot," I hedged. He clearly understood my evasion. His expression was unhappy, but unsurprised.
"It's not my business," he said. "But it may be Charlie's."
"Though it would be my business, again, whether or not I think that's Charlie's business, right?"
I wondered if he even understood my confused question as I struggled not to say anything compromising. But he seemed to. He thought about it while the rain picked up against the roof, the only sound breaking the silence.
"Yes," he finally surrendered. "I guess that's your business, too."
I sighed with relief. "Thanks, Billy."
"Just think about what you're doing, Bella." He urged.
"Okay," I agreed quickly.
He frowned. "What I meant to say was, don't do what you're doing."
I looked into his eyes, filled with nothing but concern for me, and there was nothing I could say.
Just then, the front door banged open loudly, and I jumped at the sound.
"There's no picture anywhere in that car!" Jacob complaining voice reached us before he did. The shoulders of his shirt were stained with the rain, his hair dripping when he rounded the corner.
"Hmm," Billy grunted, suddenly detached, spinning his chair around to face his son. "I guess I left it at home."
Jacob rolled his eyes dramatically. "Great."
"Well, Bella, tell Charlie: - Billy paused before continuing – "that we stopped by, I mean."
"I will," I muttered.
"Are we leaving already?" Jacob asked surprised.
"Charlie's gonna be out late," Billy explained as he rolled himself past Jacob.
"Oh." Jake looked disappointed. "Well, I guess I'll see you later, then, Bella."
"Sure," I agreed.
"Take care," Billy warned me. I remained silent, not answering him.
Jacob helped his father out of the door. I waved briefly, glancing swiftly towards my now empty truck, and then shut the door before they were gone.
(Edward's POV)
"What's all this?" Bella asked when I opened the door to Emmett's jeep after meeting her father formally for the first time.
"It's an off-roading harness." I explained, helping her up into the seat and made it around to the driver's side of the jeep at human pace.
"Uh-oh." She mumbled to herself as she tried to find the right places for all the buckles to fit, but it wasn't going too quickly. I sighed again and reached over to help her. My hands would linger on her neck, brushing along her collarbones as she gave up trying to help me and I could feel her breathing hitch and her heartbeat pick up. Personally, I loved that I had that effect on her.
I turned they key and the engine roared to life and we pulled away from the house.
"This is a…um…big Jeep you have." She observed looking around.
"It's Emmett's. I didn't think you'd want to run the whole way." I answered casually.
"Where do you keep this thing?"
"We remodeled on of the outbuildings into a garage."
"Aren't you going to put on your seat belt?"
I threw her a disbelieving look as I watched as what I had said earlier began to sink in.
"Run the whole way? As in, we're still going to run part of the way?" Her voice edged up a few octaves.
I grinned tightly. "You're not going to run."
"I'm going to be sick." She groaned.
"Keep your eyes closed, you'll be fine." I said dismissing her previous statement.
She bit her lip as she fought the panic. I leaned over to kiss the top of her head, and then groaned. She looked up at me puzzled.
"You smell so good in the rain," I explained.
"In a good way or in a bad way?" She asked cautiously.
I sighed. "Both, always both."
I easily found my way in the gloom and downpour, and found the side road that was less of a road and more of a mountain path that Emmett and Jasper created when we first came here from Alaska two years ago. Conversation was impossible once we turned on to the road, because she was bouncing up and down on the seat like a jackhammer. I, however, was enjoying the ride, smiling the whole way as I watched her bounce around, trying to contain my laughter.
And then we came to the end of the road; the trees formed green walls on three sides of the Jeep. The rain was a mere drizzle, slowing every second, the sky brighter through the clouds.
"Sorry, Bella, we have to go on foot from here." I explained, trying to seem apologetic, but was honestly anxious to feel her warm body against mine as I ran us there.
"You know what? I'll just wait here." She laughed nervously.
"What happened to all your courage? You were extraordinary this morning." I challenged her.
"I haven't forgotten the last time yet." She murmured.
I opened my door and flitted around to her side of the car in a blur and started to unbuckle her.
"I'll get those, you go on ahead," she protested.
"Hmmm…" I mused as I quickly finished the buckles. "It seems I'm going to have to tamper with your memory."
Before she could react, I pulled her from the Jeep and set her feet on the ground. It was barely misting now; Alice was right, as always.
"Tamper with my memory?" she asked nervously.
"Something like that." I replied, watching her intently, carefully, trying to contain my humor. I placed my hands against the Jeep on either side of her head and leaned forward, forcing her to press her back against the door. I leaned in even closer, my face stopping only inches from hers, making sure that she had no room to escape.
"Now," I breathed, and ran my rose up and down her neck, stopping just shy of her ear, "what exactly are you worrying about?"
"Well, um, hitting a tree – " she gulped " – and dying. And then getting sick."
I fought back a smile at her ridiculous explanation, knowing for a fact that I would not be hitting any trees and definitely not letting her die. Then, I bent my head down and touched my cold lips softly to the hollow at the base of her throat. "Are you still worried now?" I murmured against her skin.
"Yes." She squeaked. "About hitting trees and getting sick."
My nose drew another line up the skin of her throat to the point of her chin, making sure my breath was tickling her skin. "And now?" I whispered against her jaw.
"Trees," she gasped, "motion sickness."
I knew at this point that I almost got her where I wanted her and lifted my face to kiss her eyelids. "Bella, you don't really think I would hit a tree, do you?"
"No, but I might." There was no confidence in her voice and I knew that I had just won an easy victory.
I kissed slowly down her cheek, stopping just at the corner of her mouth. "Would I let a tree hurt you?" My lips were barely brushing against her trembling lower lip, even though I was aching to kiss her.
"No," She breathed.
"You see," I said, my lips moving against hers triumphantly. "There's nothing to be afraid of, is there?"
"No," She sighed, giving up.
I took her face in my hands almost roughly in human standards, and kissed her in earnest, my unyielding lips moving against hers. Her arms reached up to twin tightly around my neck, and she was suddenly welded to my stone figure. She sighed, and her lips parted.
I staggered back, breaking her grip effortlessly. The second she opened her mouth and her breath hit my nose, my blood lust flared and put her at risk. I can't ever lose control with her. I couldn't live with myself knowing that I was the cause of her demise. I can't live in a world that she is not in; I refuse.
"Damn it, Bella!" I broke off, gasping. "You'll be the death of me, I swear you will!"
She leaned over, bracing her hands against her knees for support.
"You're indestructible," She mumbled, trying to catch her breath.
"I might have believed that before I met you. Now, let's get out of here before I do something really stupid," I growled.
I threw her across my back as I had before, making sure I used extra effort to be as gentle as I could with her in the state I am in. She locked her legs around my waist and secured her arms in a choke hold around my neck.
"Don't forget to close your eyes," I warned severely.
I felt her tuck her face into my shoulder blade, under her own arm, giving her a second to shut her eyes before I took off in a sprint towards the field where my family was waiting for us.
(Lilly's POV)
We were all at the field, waiting on Edward and Bella as I practiced throwing the ball back and forth with Rose while Emmett and Jasper ran around the field making the bases. Alice practiced pitching with Esme as her catcher, as Carlisle emptied the bag of extra reinforced bats and balls.
"What's taking them so long?" Rose asked as Emmett and Jasper walked over to us.
"She's human, Rose, what do you expect?" Emmett answered as if it was obvious.
"I still don't know why Alice invited her. It's not like she can play with us." She complained.
"But she can watch, and I think that she would really enjoy herself." I reasoned, sticking up for my best friends. "Not to mention, Edward really loves her and he wants to include her in the family activities. Not to mention, she is my best friend."
"Hey!" Alice pouted from across the field, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Alice, you and Rose are my sisters. There is a difference." I explained and the both smiled happily as we continued to practice for the game.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, we heard what sounded like a loud 'Umph,' followed by a round for roaring laughter. We stopped what we were doing and all looked at each other confused, before Emmett's expression turned in to a grin.
"What in the hell was that?" He chuckled.
"Emmett, language!" Esme scolded him, trying to keep her own smile off of her face.
"I think that was Edward and Bella." Jasper concluded, tossing a baseball up in the air and catching it. "I can feel two sets of emotions. One is full of hilarity and amusement, while the other is full of irritation and anger."
None of us said anything after that and Esme, Emmett, and Rosalie went to sit on a bare outcropping of rock, while Jasper wrapped his arms around me and turned me to face him before he leaned in to kiss me. We pulled apart with love struck smile on each of our faces.
Jasper took me by my hand and led me over to the large log that was near the makeshift baseball diamond and took a seat. I was then pulled to sit in-between his legs in the grass. Finally, a few minutes later, Edward and Bella walked out of the tree line.
She looked around the large field in awe as she took in all of us and her surroundings in. When they were further in to the field, the three on the rocks rose. Esme started towards them and Emmett followed after a long look at Rosalie's back; Rosalie had risen gracefully and strode off towards the field without a second glance in their direction.
I looked at Jasper and after his nod, I got up and flitted over to the small group to greet them.
"Was that you we heard, Edward?" Esme asked as she approached them.
"It sounded like a bear choking," Emmett clarified.
Bella smiled hesitantly at Esme. "That was him."
"Bella was being unintentionally funny," Edward explained.
"Hey, Bella! I'm so glad you came!" I greeted her, pulling her in to a hug as Edward smiled affectionately at us.
"Yeah, I'm glad I came too! I'm really interested to see what makes vampire baseball so different from regular Major league baseball." She grinned as we linked our arms together and made our way over to the field.
Alice had left her position and was running, or dancing, towards us. She hurtled to a fluid stop at our feet. "It's time," she announced.
As soon as she spoke, a deep rumble of thunder shook the forest beyond us, and then crashed westward toward town.
"Eerie, isn't it?" Emmett said with easy familiarity, winking at Bella.
"Let's go." Alice reached for Emmett's hand and they darted toward the oversized field; she ran like a gazelle. He was nearly as graceful and just as fast, yet Emmett could never be compared to a gazelle.
"Are you ready for some ball?" Edward asked us, his eyes eager and bright.
"Go team!" Bella said, trying to sound enthusiastic.
We snickered and after mussing her hair and grabbing my elbow, we bounded off after the other two.
We split up into teams and flipped a coin to see who would be up to bat first. We were all excited, since they could never play often, and this was only my second time playing sports with them, aside from the time we played football with Peter and Char.
By the time Bella and Esme made it to us, we were all set and getting everything ready for us to begin.
"You don't play with them?" Bella asked her shyly.
"No, I prefer to referee – I like keeping them honest." She explained.
"She thinks we cheat." Emmett grinned.
"Oh, I know you do." Esme chuckled, shaking her head at him swinging his bat around before turning back to Bella. "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," she laughed surprised.
Esme laughed, too. "Well, I do think of them as my children in most ways. Even Lilly, now that she pretty much lives with us. I never could get over my mothering instincts – did Edward tell you I had lost a child?"
"No," she murmured, stunned. I wrapped an arm around Esme's shoulders and gave Bella a sympathetic look as she took this all in.
"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.
"Edward just said you f-fell." Bella stammered.
"Always the gentleman," I mumbled and she smiled.
"Edward was the first of my new sons. I've always thought of him that way, even though he's older than I, in one way at least." She smiled at us warmly. "That's why I'm so happy he's found you, dear. The same with you and Jasper, Lilly." The endearment sounded very natural on her lips as she gave me a tight squeeze. "They've been alone for far too long; it's hurt me to see them alone."
"You don't mind, then?" Bella asked hesitantly, again. "That I'm…all wrong for him?"
"No." Esme was thoughtful while I looked at her incredulously. "You're what he wants. It will work out, somehow." She said, though her forehead creased with worry.
Another peal of thunder began.
Esme stopped then and I gave Bella a look that said 'we will talk about this later,' before I ran over to join my team. Edward was far out in left field, Carlisle stood between the first and second bases, and Alice held the ball, positioned on the spot that we deemed the pitcher's mound.
Emmett was swinging an aluminum bat as it whistled almost untraceably to human ears through the air as he stood on home plate and took his stance. Jasper stood several feel behind him, catching for the other team. Of course, none of us had gloves.
"All right," Esme called in a clear voice that we all heard. "Batter up."
Alice stood straight, deceptively motionless. Her style was stealth rather than an intimidating windup. She held the ball in both hands at her waist, and then, like the strike of a cobra, her right hand flicked out and the ball smacked into Jasper's hand.
"Was that a strike?" I heard Bella whisper to Esme.
"If they don't hit it, it's a strike." She told her.
Jasper hurled the ball back to Alice's waiting hand. She permitted herself a brief grin, and then her hand spun out again.
This time the bat made it around in time to smash into the speeding ball. The crack of impact was shattering, thunderous; it echoed off the mountains, making it the reason that we need the thunder.
The ball shot like a meteor above the field, flying deep into the surrounding forest.
"Home run," Bella murmured.
"Wait," I cautioned, listening intently, one hand raised. Emmett ran around the bases, making him look like a blur to human eyes, as Carlisle shadowed him as Edward flew into the forest after the ball.
"Out!" Esme cried in a clear voice. I watched as Bella stared in disbelief as Edward sprang from the fringe of the trees, ball in his upraised hand, his wide grin visible on his face.
"Emmett hits the hardest," Esme explained, "but Edward runs the fastest."
"Yeah, when the Major's not here." I mumbled, too quiet for anyone besides to hear. He turned his head and grinned at me, throwing a wink in my direction while I blew him a kiss.
Jasper had once confided in me that in all honesty, he was the fastest and strongest in the family. He explained how after his newborn year was over, instead of losing some of his strength and speed, he seemed to gain what he would lose. He has always kept it a secret from the Cullen's, because when he first arrived, they were afraid of him as it was because of his scars and didn't want to scare them even more. Not to mention, it would be just another talent that would attract the Volturi to them and if would be better if he just kept it between us.
The inning continued in our fast pace, as Bella watched us in amazement as she learned the other reason why we need a thunderstorm to play when Jasper, trying to avoid Edward's infallible fielding, hit a groundball toward Carlisle as I took his place catching. Carlisle ran into the ball, and then raced Jasper to first base. When they collided, the sound was like the crash of two massive boulders. I laughed as Bella jumped in concern, but then sighed in relief and awe as they got up unscathed, laughing.
"Safe," Esme called in a calm voice.
Our team was up by one – Rosalie managed to flit around the bases after tagging up on one of Emmett's long flies – when Edward caught the third out. He sprinted to Bella's side, sparkling with excitement.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"One thing's for sure, I'll never be able to sit through dull old Major League Baseball again."
"And you did so much of that before." I joked, laughing.
"I am a little disappointed." Bella teased.
"Why?" Edward asked puzzled.
"Well, it would be nice if I could find just one thing that either you or Lilly didn't do better than everyone else on the planet." He flashed her a crooked smile.
"Lilly and I are just good like that." He said bumping me with his shoulder.
"What about me?" Jasper asked in mock hurt as he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me.
"Oh, I can name a few things that you do better than anyone else on the planet." I winked, sending a burst of lust in his direction and I watched as his eyes turned black before he bent down and kissed his mark.
I stifled a moan before pulling myself out of his embrace and pulling him out on to the field in to our positions to play the game.
"I'm up," I heard Edward tell Bella before heading for the plate and picking up a bat.
He played intelligently, as is his personality, keeping the ball low, out of the reach of Rosalie's always-ready hand in the outfield, gaining two bases like lightning before I could get the ball back in play. Carlisle knocked one so far out of the field that he and Edward both made it in. Alice slapped them dainty high fives as Emmett harassed them telling them that they had just gotten lucky.
The score constantly changed as the game continued, and we razzed each other like any street ballplayers as we took turns with the lead. Occasionally, Esme would call us to order. The thunder rumbled on, but we stayed dry, as Alice had predicted.
Carlisle was up to bat, Edward catching, when Alice suddenly gasped. Edward, watching her vision right along with her, snapped his head up to look at her. Their eyes met and something flowed between them in an instant. He was at Bella's side before we could ask Alice what was wrong.
"Alice?" I asked, my voice tense as Jasper came to stand in front of me, watching out for any danger or threat to me.
"I didn't see – I couldn't tell," she whispered.
We were gathered by this time.
"What is it, Alice?" Carlisle asked with the calm voice of authority.
"They were traveling much quicker than I thought. I can see I had the perspective wrong before," she murmured, speaking of the three nomads that she saw in her vision earlier this morning. Bella stood there with a confused, panicked expression, not knowing what was going on.
"What changed?" Jasper asked, leaning closer to me with an arm wrapped around my waist, keeping me behind him. I made sure that we were standing as close to Bella as I could get, wanting to help protect my human best friend from any possible danger that was on it's way.
"They heard us playing, and it changed their path," she said, contrite, as if she felt responsible for whatever had frightened her.
Eight pairs of quick eyes flashed to Bella's face and away.
"How soon?" Carlisle said, turning toward Edward.
A look of intense concentration crossed his face as he stretched his senses and his gift to reach the nomads.
"Less than five minutes. They're running – they want to play." He scowled.
"Can you make it?" Carlisle asked him, his eyes flicking toward Bella again.
"No, not carrying – "He cut short. "Besides, the last thing we need is for them to catch the scent and start hunting."
"How many?" Emmett asked Alice.
"Three," she answered tersely.
"Three!" he scoffed. "Let them come." The steel bands of muscle flexed along his massive arms.
For a split second that seemed much longer than it really was, Carlisle deliberated. Only Emmett seemed unperturbed; the rest of us stared at Carlisle's face with anxious eyes.
"Let's just continue the game," he finally decided. His voice was cool and level. "Alice said they were simply curious."
"What about Lilly?" Jasper asked urgently.
"What about me?" I asked, turning to look at him in surprise.
"They can't find out about you! I should get you out of here. You aren't a normal vampire and they will ask questions that we can't afford to answer to our world, yet. What if they run in to the Volturi and Aro sees you in their thoughts and comes after you. They fear the unknown, Lil!" Jasper rambled at vampire speed. Bella just looked at us confused. I'm sure it must have looked odd since she couldn't hear what Jasper and I were saying.
"No!" I shook my head. "I'm staying here to make sure that Bella stays safe. I'll stay away from them and close to you so that they can't sense the slight different in my scent and my human features. From a distance, the way I move and act, I look just like one of you."
"We don't have time for this!" He argued. "Please! I can't risk you."
"And I can't risk my best friend." I answered back.
"Dude, she can take care of herself and if things get too heated here, she can make them not remember her. Let her stay." Emmett said sticking up for me.
He sighed. "Fine. But keep your distance if things go bad, you better not hesitate to use your gift."
"Then it's settled." Carlisle nodded.
"Are they thirsty?" Esme asked Edward, again at vampire speed. He paused for a moment and then shook his head 'no.'
"You catch, Esme," Edward instructed. "I'll call it now." And he planted himself in front of Bella.
The rest of us returned to the field, warily sweeping the dark forest with our sharp eyes. Esme and I oriented ourselves around where Bella stood.
"Take your hair down," Edward said in a low, even voice.
She obediently slid the rubber band out of her hair and shook it out.
"The others are coming now." Bella said stating the obvious.
"Yes, stay very still, keep quiet, and don't move from my side, please." Edward instructed her, hiding the stress I knew he was feeling.
"You too, Lilly; stay by me." Jasper added.
Edward pulled Bella's long hair forward, around her face.
"That won't help," I said softly. "I could smell her across the field."
"I know," A hint of frustration colored his tone.
Carlisle stood at the plate and the rest of us joined the game halfheartedly.
"What did Esme ask you?" Bella whispered to Edward.
He hesitated for a second before he answered. "Whether they were thirsty," he muttered unwillingly.
The seconds ticked by; the game progressed with apathy now. No one dared to hit harder than a hunt, and Emmett, Rosalie, and Alice hovered in the infield. Now and again, I would notice Rosalie's eyes on Bella. They were expressionless, but something about the way she held her mouth made me fully aware that she was angry.
Edward paid no attention to the game at all, eyes and mind ranging the forest.
"I'm so sorry, Bella," he muttered fiercely. "It was stupid, irresponsible, to expose you like this. I'm so sorry."
I heard his breath stop, and his eyes zeroed in on right field. Jasper and Edward both took a half step in front of us, angling themselves between us and the nomads that were coming.
Carlisle, Emmett, and the rest of us turned in the same direction, hearing sounds of passage as they made their way through the forest towards us.
A/N: Cliff Hanger! Sorry guys, but at least I gave you a nice long chapter in the mean time! I hope you enjoyed it! The confrontation with the Nomads is up next! It will be posted within the next few days…
Read and Review! If you have any questions or comments, post them in my reviews and I will answer them in my next Author's Note!
Check out my other stories!
'Attempting to Covet'
'Dhampir'
'Far Fetched Realities'
'Mirror Image'
'Other Worldly Beauty'
'Perplexing Revelations'
'Pretexting'
'The Heart's Desire' NEW!
'The Major'
'Twilight ReVAMPed'
If you enjoyed this story so far, check out some of my other stories on my FanFiction page! Also, I am still accepting Twilight stories that involve Jasper/any female leads or Bella/selected male leads if anyone is looking for a Beta Reader. I will make exceptions on the characters depending on the plot. PM me for details!
- Bella'Xo
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