A/N: Sorry! I didn't mean to post this so late, but I lost track of time in planning and my beta hasn't gotten this to me yet. I decided to post it like last time and then update it with the edited version later. I wanted to get this house before November, because I will be extremely busy at that time. But, I'm NOT going on haitus and I'm NOT going to disappear on you guys. Too many fanfiction authors do that, and I am refusing to be one of them! Happy Halloween everybody!
EDIT: UPDATED WITH EDITED VERSION. THANK YOU LIPSTICKLETTER!
Disclaimer: Though I will probably see many vampires walking around from door to door tonight, none of them are mine, which means none of them are Stephenie Meyer's. I own nothing!
Chapter Seven: Our Guest
"She's here! She's here! She's here!" Alice bounced up and down on our bed. I caught her in my arms before her vampire strength could break through the floor, causing both of us—and our bed—to fall on top of Edward's piano.
"Shh, Alice," I chuckled. "Edward requested us to wait, mainly because he knew you'd be this hyper." Alice stuck her tongue out at me, adding onto her childish behavior. "Now, he'll cue us in soon, and he expects us to be—"
"Where are Alice and Jasper?" Edward's voice sounded from downstairs and Alice was suddenly gone.
"Calm," I finished to no one before running to the top of the staircase, seeing my wife kiss Bella on the cheek. I stifled a gasp. How could she get that close to a human?
"You do smell nice, I never noticed before," Alice exclaimed, shocking and embarrassing everyone.
Oh, Alice . . . now I have to go in and fix everything. After gulping a large breath to hold, I strolled down the stairs at a slightly quick human pace, spreading calmness and comfort to Bella and allowing it to ooze over to the other members of my family. Edward raised an eyebrow at me.
It was for the best, I thought to him, Alice can be a little strong occasionally.
"Hello, Bella," I said, staying at the bottom of the stairs. I didn't move to shake her hand or greet her in anyway beside verbally—like Edward had wanted. I smiled warmly at the girl, hoping she wouldn't find my behavior rude or frightening.
"Hello, Jasper," Bella smiled shyly and looked at the others. "It's nice to meet you all—you have a very beautiful home."
"Thank you," Esme's happiness soared. "We're so glad that you came." I agree. Most humans would come here even though they didn't know we were vampires.
Edward and Carlisle were having a silent conversation as Bella politely studied Edward's piano. The silence was awkward, especially since I could feel everyone's take on it. Finally, Esme broke the ice.
"Do you play?" she inclined her head to the piano.
"Not at all," Bella shook her head. "But it's so beautiful. Is it yours?"
"No. Edward didn't tell you he was musical?"
"No," Bella glared at Edward, who was trying to look innocent. "I should have known, I guess."
When Esme raised her eyebrows in confusion, Bella elaborated.
"Edward can do everything, right?"
I snickered, unable to control myself. Now I had lost all of my air and couldn't talk whatsoever. Edward sure did believe he could do everything. I personally blame the mind reading for his conceited thought.
"I hope you haven't been showing off—it's rude," Esme scolded Edward.
"Just a bit," Edward laughed and Esme's pride overpowered every other emotion in the room. They shared a look, Esme smiling smugly.
"He's been too modest, actually," Bella corrected.
"Well, play for her," Esme ordered.
"You just said showing off was rude," Edward protested.
"There are exceptions to every rule."
"I'd like to hear you play," Bella said, sealing the deal. I don't really know what happened with him, but he seemed reluctant to play for Bella.
"It's settled, then." Esme pushed Edward over to the piano. He pulled Bella along and sat her down on the bench next to him. Alice walked over to me, locking her arm with mine. I tilted my head upstairs, suggesting we should give them some privacy.
Alice huffed, but nodded, and we flew off to where Emmett and Rosalie were just entering. They had returned from a hunting trip. I quickly filled my lungs with some nice, nearly clean air. Amazingly, it wasn't that bad. Sure, I hadn't really gotten close to Bella whatsoever and didn't dare even take a breath so I could nearly be numb, but I hadn't suffered. And that thought had put me in a very bright mood.
"Emmett, tonight there'll be a thunder storm," Alice suddenly announced and Emmett pumped his fist. My elation increased. I had played baseball when I was a human (especially to kill free time in the Civil War) and I had gotten pretty good at it. Playing baseball with my family was always something I looked forward to.
"Finally! That rematch!" he exclaimed and I smirked. "You're goin' down, pixie!"
I laughed as Alice glared at Emmett. Last time we had played with Emmett, Rosalie, and Carlisle on one side and Alice, Edward, and I on the other. We had creamed them and Emmett had been wanting a rematch just because we were the "special ones"—the ones with powers that could enhance our ability of playing. He claimed it was unfair and had demanded a rematch. Until today, there had been no thunderstorms and Emmett was completely ticked off.
"No way," she snapped back and they glared at each other intensely (playfully, of course), Alice standing on her toes and Emmett leaning down so their faces were close to each other.
"Okay, break it up you two," I said, putting my hands on Emmett's and Alice's shoulders, forcing them away from each other.
My mood darkened suddenly when Rosalie's emotions got to me.
"The human's here?" she asked through her teeth.
"Rose, you knew that she was coming over," Emmett sighed, rubbing one of her shoulders. Rosalie relaxed only slightly at his touch.
"Come on, I don't want to be here with this scent in the house much longer," Rosalie said, taking Emmett's hand and walking him to the window they had come from. Emmett glanced at us over his shoulder, mouthing his apology to us. I nodded, smiling knowingly and sent him a wave of understanding, hoping he'd get the message. By the way he slightly smiled before jumping out the window and into the forest, I knew he had gotten it.
Alice walked off and I quickly followed her, knowing that she wanted to lead me somewhere. She opened the door and walked right into our room.
"Isn't Bella wonderful?" Alice squealed as I sat down in my armchair.
"Um, I guess," I shrugged and Alice scoffed, offended. I defended myself, "Alice, she's only spoken two words to me."
"I guess you're right," Alice sighed and I smiled. She hated being wrong when I was right and I hated being wrong when she was right. It was a natural friendly competition we had made up one day a couple of decades ago. We both liked being right, so things were bound to come up like that one time.
"I'm sorry," I said, grinning wider. "I didn't hear that. Can you say it louder?"
Alice growled playfully at me, hoping onto my lap and mussing my hair.
"Hmm . . . you are an old man so I guess you'd be hard of hearing," she retaliated.
"You're a year older than me," I countered.
"I look nineteen and you look eighteen," Alice corrected. "You're really fifty-seven years older than me."
"Oh yeah, well—" Before I could say my comeback, I heard a big bang and Alice hopped off my lap, running straight towards Edward's room. I followed. Had something happened? No, the emotions were too calm and playful for Edward to be losing focus or hurting Bella.
Edward was laughing as Alice and I stood in the doorway. Edward was somewhat on top of Bella on his couch. He adjusted himself so she was sitting in his lap.
"Can we come in?" Alice asked, and I felt her happiness rise to dangerous levels. Bella blushed and venom flooded into my mouth. I had forgotten to take my breath before entering this room. I swallowed, glancing at Edward swiftly. He seemed to understand.
"Go ahead," Edward chuckled and Alice danced into the room. I paused at the door, staring at Edward a little bit more and realizing how close he was to Bella. Even I couldn't get that close to her without killing her instantly. I deliberately took a breath in, trying to embrace the burn and enjoy myself. We had company, after all.
"It sounded like you were having Bella for lunch, and we came to see if you would share," Alice said and I sent a wave of warning to her, feeling Bella's fear rise. Edward didn't seem fazed by her reaction at all, and smiled encouragingly at Bella.
"Sorry, I don't believe I have enough to spare," he said, holding Bella tighter to him. Edward's, Bella's, and Alice's joy and happiness had spread infectiously to me, and I smiled before walking into Edward's room.
"Actually," I said, "Alice says there's going to be a real storm tonight, and Emmett wants to play ball. Are you game?" Edward's eyes lit up and his excitement filled the room before going hesitant.
"Of course you should bring Bella," Alice chirped. I threw her a look, keeping it from Bella's eyes. It's not that I didn't want her to come; it's just that baseball is where we all cut loose. I'm not very sure if Bella would want to be in the clearing with me having less control.
"Do you want to go?" Edward urged Bella, his enthusiasm bouncing back up.
"Sure," Bella said. "Um, where are we going?"
"We have to wait for thunder to play ball—you'll see why."
"Will I need an umbrella?"
We all laughed out loud, but I stopped abruptly. I was taking this too far. She was a human, not a member of the family. We don't laugh at humans, or get any close to them.
"Will she?" I asked Alice.
"No. The storm will hit over town. It should be dry enough in the clearing." Alice was positive.
"Good, then," I grinned, letting my eagerness spread throughout the room.
"Let's go see if Carlisle will come." Alice bounded to the door and I followed.
"Like you don't know," I teased her, closing the door behind us. Alice winked and danced down the hall to Carlisle's room. She knocked once on his door and allowed herself in, what was behind the door.
"What can we do for you, Alice?" Carlisle asked as Alice jumped onto their bed. Esme smiled and went to sit next to her. I stayed standing, smiling at everyone.
"There's going to be a big storm tonight and Emmett, Jazz, Edward, and I all want to play ball," Alice squealed. "We were hoping that you would like to join us. Edward invited Bella as well."
"We'd love to come, Alice," Esme smiled, her love rising when Bella's name was mentioned.
"It's about time we've done some good old family bonding," Carlisle chimed in, nodding.
"Perfect," Alice grinned and hopped off the bed. This was going to be an interesting night.
A/N: Did you like it? Sorry, I sorta ended with a cliffy, but that's what I love to do. ;) Thanks for reading, and I'd be extra-happy if you left me a lil' review, too. ^^
~Eclipse-Vamp :)