Memoirs of Her Scent
by
Amaterasu Kinesi
Chapter Three
The Game
..….
" It sounded like you were having Bella for lunch, and we came to see if you would share."
At Alice's words, Bella stiffens for an instant. Until she realizes that Edward is grinning and I can't help but marvel at how impeccable Bella's trust in Edward is. I frown at that. Seems like her sense of preservation went right out the window.
"Sorry, I don't think I have enough to spare," Edward replies, his arm holding Bella recklessly close, causing her to blush once again. For a moment, I am impressed and shocked, but it comes quickly and passes just as swiftly.
"Actually," I interject, smiling despite myself, and trust myself enough to venture into the room. "Alice says there's going to be a real storm tonight," I continue, "And naturally, Emmett's agreed to play ball, once she told him." I smile winningly. "What do you think, Edward? Are you game?"
Apparently the context of my words confuses Bella, and with good reason. However, I can tell that Bella gathers that Alice must be more reliable than the weatherman, and I have to say, she is right. If that's what she is thinking, anyway. Which, even though I can't read minds like Edward—and from what he's told us, he can't even read Bella's—however, if her emotions are anything to go by, seems to be the case.
I see Edward's eyes light up but he seems hesitant and I understand why as his gaze turns to Bella. A frown adorning my granite features, I stare at the both of them with curiosity and contemplate the abandonment with which Edward expresses himself in front of his human girlfriend, Bella.
"Of course you can bring Bella." Alice chirps, which cause me to throw a quick questioning glance in her direction. However, I don't think I was quite quick enough, since I have the strange suspicion that Bella probably caught the exchange.
"Do you want to go," Edward asks Bella, excitedly, his expression eager. As this exchange happens between the two, my impression is that Edward seems completely at ease being exactly who he is in front of Bella.
"Sure." Bella replies. She seems to struggle as not to disappoint Edward. Though Bella's answering voice didn't given any of that away, which is quite impressive. Only the telltale uncertainty in Bella's emotions, which only I can detect, is what gave her away. "Um, where are we going?"
However, I observe, she too seems completely at ease around Edward and us. As if the events that unfold before her are second nature to Bella and natural. When obviously, they are anything but. Again, I find myself thinking that Bella Swan is an interesting little human, if foolish.
"We have to wait for thunder to play ball- you'll see," Edward promises in reply.
"Will I need an umbrella?" The three of us laugh aloud. Leave it to Bella Swan to worry about such trifle matters.
"Will she?" I ask my sweet Alice.
"No." Alice is positive. My eyes venture to Bella's and I attentively watch her and concentrate on her emotions. From what she's channeling, I gather that Alice's simple word seems to be the only reassurance that Bella needs, no further questions asked. However, Alice continues to explain, "The storm will hit over tow. Leaving the clearing where we'll play dry enough."
"Good then," I state simply. Soon, I'm feeling ecstatic with enthusiasm and without realizing, I'm channeling my own feelings and it is catching around the room. Naturally, Bella seems as eager as the rest of us, rather than rigidly scared.
"Let's go see if Carlisle will come," Alice urges and bounds up to the door in a fashion of heart breaking fluidity, grabbing my hand in the process. On the way out, I manage to inconspicuously close Edward's door behind me.
"Like you don't know," I tease, and we were swiftly on our way.
..….
"What will we be playing?" I hear Bella ask Edward, in a fashionably demanding tone.
Yeah, she's definitely something, demanding something from a deadly vampire.
Once more Bella's peculiarity reaches out to me and intrigues me. Bella had willingly stepped into our den earlier and been jittery with nerves about making a good impression on Edward's family. However, just now Bella had been talking with us as her equals and seems unquestionably comfortable here, even though she is completely surrounded in a home that is packed with no less than seven lethal Vampires that can strike at any given moment without warnings or preambles.
And I assure you, had that been our resolve, she wouldn't have been able to survive. There would be no escaping her fate, had we chosen to end her life. However, we hadn't and we wouldn't. Now I find myself amazed by her boldness. The child has guts, I give her that. And unable to ignore such facts, I find myself admiring Bella in this new light.
"You will be watching," Edward clarifies. The corners of my mouth quirk into a smirk I cannot hold back. The little human actually thought she'd get to play alongside the Vampires made of diamond? Amusing, little Swan, I chuckle silently. "We will be playing baseball."
"Vampires like baseball?" Bella's tone is incredulously amused as I vividly picture her rolling her eyes.
Normally, the human reaction to us vampire's is one of fear; they feel either scared witless or threatened. Which then leads to them fleeing for their lives and, or, the less likely, a stand off between human and vampire. Or in every rare case, some simply have the urge to kill such appalling creatures like us vampires. Since, in their foolhardy opinions, humans are wont to believe that creatures such as vampires are no more than leeches, tarnishing and threatening their society and day-to-day existence.
"It's the American pastime," Edward replies with mock solemnity.
My smile widens and I chuckle audibly. Bella is different in every aspect to this norm and doesn't fall in any of the aforementioned categories. It would seem that in Bella's case, she prefers the company of the undead and feels quite at home among them. In my opinion, given the distinguished properties of Bella's appealing blood, she should be feeling wary, scared, or at the very least threatened. But alas, that isn't the case with this foolish and naïve little human with such appetizing smelling blood in her veins.
From what I understand, this is the one detail that has been the cause of Edward's prolonged suffering. Though it is now the very reason for which he is happy, Edward still couldn't believe that Bella would accept him so easily and reciprocate his feelings without misgivings; him, a vampire, a killer, and a predator, a threat to her and humanity.
It disturbs Edward to no end, still. Then again, here sits Edward, content and holding Bella as close as he can possibly get away with. If Edward can help it or has any say in the matter, I would go as far as saying that Edward has no inclination of letting go of Bella or letting her out of his sight any time soon in the near foreseeable future.
Once again, I have to wonder about what would have happened had Edward never confessed his feelings for Bella. Would he have gone mad, pining after Bella? Or, perhaps, the rest of us would have been forced to lose a member of our family, while helplessly watching Edward inwardly self-destructing and purposely losing the battle to his own grievance.
Truth be told, Edward's dilemma really affected and troubled each and every one of us with varying levels of distress. Especially Esme and Rosalie who were the most affected of our group. Then again, what Rosalie's been feeling are eminent bouts of jealousy and contempt. However, I have to admit that, yes, there is a certain depth to Rosalie's jealousy; which isn't of a shallow and unwarranted nature, unlike the rest of her character.
Actually, Rosalie's jealousy runs deeper than even I could have ever fathomed, had I been looking from the outskirts. Rosalie seems to be unable to grasp or come to terms with the fact that someone like Bella, human and with the rest of her life ahead of her, would willingly want to be a part of our eternal damnation.
Therefore, Bella going as far as thinking of abandoning everything that Rosalie had once lived for and been so brutally stripped of in the past, just didn't sit well with Rose. After all, even knowing that it is impossible for her, Rosalie would give up anything and everything just to have her humanity once more.
Meanwhile, Rosalie sees Bella, young and vital, with her full life still ahead of her and plenty of choices to make while remaining human. Humanity and the freedom of choice, that's what Bella has that Rosalie doesn't and would literally kill for. However, in Rosalie's eyes, all she sees is human, vital Bella mindlessly gambling away with her own humanity for a chance at a life that Rosalie considers a curse…
Understandably, that simply idles Rosalie and puts her on edge. Even the sound of Bella's name or any mention of Bella herself, Rosalie finds to be a sore point and at the best of time manages to make it resonance like a curse in the midst of a silent night. Also, the fact that Edward desires such a child as Bella does not improve her odds with Rosalie, either.
Since Edward hadn't given the always-desired Rosalie Hale a second glance when she joined him and Carlisle in this life, Bella poses a new threat to Rosalie's cantankerous self-esteem. Though, admittedly, Carlisle had intentionally brought Rosalie to Edward, in the high hopes that Edward would choose Rosalie as his companion and mate to thus put an end his eternal solitude.
Unfortunately for both parties involved, Edward hadn't taken kindly to Rosalie and she's still holding a grudge about it that is now seeing the light of day, thanks to Bella's unexpected arrival. At the time, Edward was a very stubborn teenager and still is. In fact, he'll probably remain as a stubborn teenager for the rest of eternity. So you see, for once, Rosalie is entitled to her pettiness, in a way.
..….
By now, Alice and I have reached the door to Carlisle's study and without bothering to knock, we silently pushed it open. We proceed to enter and as expected Carlisle is here, seated at his desk with an open book in hand with the view of the surrounding forest before him. Carlisle is quietly engrossed in his reading and naturally, Esme is seated to his right, holding onto his free hand.
Prior to our appearance, Esme had been watching Carlisle intently with an adoring smile stretching and curving her lips and trying not to miss anything her husband did while reading, not even a frown. Although, now that we've entered Carlisle's study and disrupted Carlisle and Esme's comfortable companionship, after one last lingering look at her husband's face, Esme look's up at our arrival. Glancing between Alice and I, Esme acknowledges our presence with a warm and inviting smile and nudges Carlisle into awareness as we come to a halt before the desk behind which Carlisle and Esme are seated, still holding hands.
"What's in your mind, my dear Alice," Carlisle inquires with a smile and puts his book face down on top of his desk, when he spots Alice's mischievously excited face. Got to admit, the man knows Alice well.
As a result, I cannot help but cough in an attempt to cover the laughter that escapes my smirking lips. It does not work. Alice swiftly glares at me and I gaze back, attempting to look somewhat remorseful and failing terribly at that too.
Oh, I will be in sweet trouble for this later. I think happily.
"Yes, what brings you here?" Esme urges, "Speak your minds, for you seem to want to ask us something. Alice, Jasper?"
"There's going to be a real storm tonight," Alice announces, almost bursting with the news and her voice is laced with implication. "We figured we could play some ball. I've taken the liberty of informing the others and they have all ready agreed."
I smile encouragingly, nodding my agreement and say, "And so we wanted to see if you would like to join us."
Carlisle and Esme look at each other with a swift smile and a glint in their eyes, understanding.
"I believe, I'm sure," Carlisle pauses, smiling before continuing, "that you already know our answer to your cordial invitation."
It isn't a question but rather, a statement. And from where I stand, I can taste and feel the excitement and amusement that dominates both Carlisle and Esme's emotions.
"Clearly," Alice nods. "I just thought it would be polite to ask."
"Thank you, Alice. Undoubtedly, we will gladly join you," Carlisle says, appreciatively, with a calm smile adorning his lips. Also agreeing along with her husband and our patriarch, Esme nods and smiles.
"Will Bella alongside Edward be joining us?" Inquires Esme and looking hopeful, glances between Alice and me for confirmations. Clearly, she all ready loves Bella and has taken it upon herself to adopt her as another one of her daughters, without hesitation. That's Esme for you.
"Yes, Bella agreed to it. And now the both of them are on their way to Charlie's, to see if he is agreeable," Alice replies smugly. I simply grin and try not to roll my eyes or laugh.
"Obviously, he'll say yes, yes?" I offer.
Alice huffs smugly and rolls her eyes, but ultimately nods eagerly, which causes Carlisle, Esme, and I to burst out laughing. Good-naturedly, Alice pretends to look indignant, while attempting to hide her own fits of laughter, which are beginning to curve the corners of her lovely mouth enticingly.
Alice's mouth fleetingly distracts me, causing my laughter to cease. As a rich chant of silvery laughter escapes Alice's mouth, the parting semblance of her lips perfunctorily allures and begs me to take action to lean over and kiss her on the mouth. My desire must have been showing more than I realized, for Carlisle chooses that very moment to interrupt my tormented longing .
Distantly, I think I hear Carlisle clear his throat and call my name. But I pretend not to hear, still captivated by Alice's mouth and my undeniable desire to take what's mine for the taking and kiss her.
"Jasper?"
"Mum…" My distracted response is but a hum, as Carlisle calls my name a third and final time. Distractedly, I subconsciously notice that Carlisle's voice sounds foreign to my ears as if spoken by total a stranger.
As I try and fail to tear my gaze from her flawlessness, Alice catches my gaze demurely and becomes sheepishly seductive. Though I become intrigued, suddenly aware of the inviting and daring glint I spy in her eyes when Alice meets my gaze. I love how I can still make Alice, a woman who is never shy in any way or form, feel sheepish.
Who would have thought, looking at her now?
Once I finally manage to tear my gaze away from Alice's face and mouth, with much regret, I turn my attention to Carlisle and meet his amused eyes. Nodding, he smiles knowingly and I shrug, trying not to look away in embarrassment.
"You mentioned the others have agreed, even Rosalie?" Carlisle continues, now that he has my attention.
"Yes," I sigh. "They were the first to know."
"Right, thank you." Lastly, we are cordially dismissed, "Off you go now."
"Alice," I say. Looking up at me, Alice gives our twined hands a squeeze, sending waves of electricity from her fingertips to mine and up my arm. I smile and so does she. Her serenity tells me that she feels the shock too. "Carlisle, Esme," I bid curtly, returning my attention to them once again.
Inclining my head respectfully to each in turn, I offer them a genuine smile, which they promptly return. With Alice in tow, I retrace our steps from earlier and lead us back to the study door. In one swift movement, we exit Carlisle's study and are on our way to our room.
Being of one mind, Alice knows that I am thinking about our earlier interruption and understands. She knows as well as I do what will take place once we are behind closed doors. If I have any say in the matter, in less than a minute we'll be well on our way to drowning ourselves in each other's embrace. Besides, if I'm to allow myself to take into account and go by what her emotions are telling me, then I know that she is eagerly looking forward, as I am, to picking up right where we left off earlier.
..….
Once the door clicks shut behind us, Alice and I simultaneously turn toward each other. Apart from our straying hands caressing and groping as much as they can of the other's body, Alice and I have no need for further physicality at the moment, as our lips meet and clash in an urgent kiss with unquestionable longingly. When Alice touches me, I relish the simple and senseless way her touch makes me feel as they leave icy traces of fire upon my skin. As I taste Alice's mouth with a probing stroke of my tongue and my left palm caresses her breast firmly but gently, I feel great satisfaction in knowing that I have the same effect on her when she trembles against me.
Like I mentioned before, I have forever to make love to Alice, there is no rushing our lovemaking. Besides, even though we have nothing but time, at the moment, it seems like we do not have the sufficient amount. Given that the allotted time we have been provided with before the game will only be adequate enough for teasing touches and seducing, foreplay alone.
..….
As the six of us arrive and begin making our way toward the clearing that will once more bear witness to our crazed games of baseball, like so many times before, the drizzling that had persisted throughout the evening, until now, stopped. Just like Alice had predicted it would.
Glancing around the familiar clearing, I take inventory and notice that nothing has changed since we last played a good game here. The only thing that is different is everyone's varying emotions and expectations of the game to come.
Emmett and Esme are pleased and happy that Bella will be joining us for varying reasons, I imagine, especially where Emmett is concerned. Carlisle is equally pleased that Esme and Edward are going to enjoy this game in the company of Bella. Rosalie is trying with all her might to pretending that nothing will be different from here on and remain unaffected. As for Alice, she's almost vibrating with excitement and anticipation.
On the other hand, I'm not sure as to what I am feeling. With everyone's emotions on the rampage, my own seem to drown with the onslaught and I cannot seem to reach them long enough to even begin to decipher what might be going on within me. Not that I'm about to start complaining. I'm used to this, to having my own emotions pushed aside while feeling everyone else's.
While we wait for Edward and Bella to arrive, Carlisle occupies himself with marking the perimeter for our game; Alice and I chat away at the very heart of the field; Esme, Emmett, and Rosalie sit on a bare outcropping of rock, about a hundred yards away from were Bella and Edward are bound to be arriving through shortly.
A roar of laughter interrupts us momentarily and we take a moment to look in the direction from which it came, positive that it had been Edward laughing. At what, exactly, is Edward laughing? I wonder, and I'm not sure of the answer. But that doesn't matter at the moment; I'm beginning to feel the first rush of the impending game as it sweeps through all of us and overwhelms me.
Edward has indeed arrived and Bella is with him, following right behind him on unsteady footing, I can now hear and make out their proceedings with clarity. Even before my eyes are able to see her, I smell Bella. Upon realizing that Bella smells even more appetizing in the drizzling rain and with her damp hair, I almost doubt my nose. Even from such a great distance, Bella's scent is tantalizing my senses and stirring my inner demon into awareness with each beckoning sway of the wind.
I will be in control. That's what I try telling myself, before my resolve can plummet and dwindle. Alice is immediately at my side, closer than before, holding my hand, and squeezing reassuringly. Glancing at her in thanks, I smile tightly and try to breathe as much of Bella's as possible in order to get used to its burning down my throat.
A precautionary necessity before Bella actually appears before me, and it becomes a free for all. Otherwise, I cannot be certain of whether or not I will be able to control my demon's urges long enough to suppress it and give Bella a chance to walk away alive. Or with my sanity intact if I do manage to let her walk away.
Alice leaves my side and glides her way over to the couple as Edward and Bella finally appear into the clearing and everyone closest to them greets them, except for Rosalie.
"It's time," Alice announces and sure enough.
As soon as the words leave Alice's lips, a deep rumble of thunder begins to shake the forest beyond us and then crashes westward, toward town. A few more words are exchanged before Edward and the others that had been greeting Bella, except for Esme, can join Carlisle and I back on the field.
Even though I'm aware of the fact that the game is about to commence and I am eager for it, my focus remains on the human whose been left in Esme's capable care. With mild curiosity, my eyes follow Esme and Bella's approaching forms as they start walking towards us, at human rhythm, and up to the clearing, where Bella will be able to watch the game without being in harm's way.
Throughout the short walk Esme is talking amiable with Bella. Judging from the different surges of emotions running through Bella, I gather that Esme must be sharing with Bella her own personal story. Of how Esme was rescued by Carlisle, her compassionate husband, and became what she is today.
Smiling slightly, I am pleased by what I feel from Bella and even more so when I realize it is not pity. Esme doesn't like it when people hear her story and feel pity on her behalf.
Having reached the very edge of the field upon which we were about to begin our game, Esme finally stops walking and Bella does the same beside her. By now we've discussed who's going to be playing what position and organized ourselves into teams of two per Carlisle's rules of the game. Now all we need is for Esme to give us the word and we will batter up.
"All right," Esme calls in a clear voice that carries to us, "Batter up!"
Alice stands ramrod straight on the Pitcher plate, right across from my position as the Catcher, holding the ball with only her thumb, index, and middle finger, and keeping both hands at her waist. And then, like the striking of a cobra, her right hand flicks out and the spinning ball smacks into the center of my awaiting palm.
"Strike!" I call it.
The game has begun. From my crouched position, I hurl the ball back into my Alice's awaiting hand. Catching it, Alice permits herself a brief smile, which she sends my way, and I in turn return easily. A second later, Alice's hand spins out again. This time, however, Emmett's bat makes it around in time to make contact with the spinning ball and sends it zooming back and into the foliage beyond with a sound like a thunderclap.
Suddenly distracted by certain emotions, I zone in on them and feel understanding coming off of Bella's emotions. As everyone around me, except for Alice and myself, scurries into a flurry of motion trying to catch the flying ball, I take a moment to glance briefly in Bella's direction and watch her reaction.
"Home run," I hear her mutter, just briefly, as she watches after the lost trajectory of the ball with an awed expression.
Not quiet… I smirk and turn my head back in the game but keep Esme and Bella in sight of my periphery.
"Wait," I hear Esme caution her, listening intently, one hand raised.
Emmett is now running around the bases and Carlisle shadows him impeccably. Edward goes to fetch the ball, his emotions vivid with the want of showing off for his mate and doing the thing he loves most, running.
Though I suppose running will come in second now, I muse. Or whatever priority it might fall in, because Edward obviously loves being with Bella most now and probably will never exchange his time with her for anything.
Now that Edward seems to have fallen into the habit of taking Bella with him to do the things he most cherishes, showing it off to her, and well, making it even more memorable every step of the way, I doubt that's going to change any time soon.
With a smirk and a bemused shake of my head, I watch as Emmett exuberantly does, in fact, make it to homerun before Edward can catch him and he makes sure to flaunt, hollering with the rush of the chase. Next up, is Rosalie to bat.
Since Rosalie carries a mean punch, as one can imagine, she also has an amazing arm when it comes to batting and sends the ball right out of the park. Much to Emmett's smug pride and cheering, which puts a smile on Rosalie's face and changes her entire demeanor, relaxing her into enjoying the game the way she should and allowing me to further relax and enjoy the game myself.
As we continue playing, for some inexplicable reason, I cannot help but feel embarrassed as I race to first base and Carlisle collides with me; the sound thunderous like two massive falling boulders. Amidst my embarrassment, however, I content myself in the comfort I feel when I come to realize that Bella is jumping up in concern for Carlisle's and my wellbeing.
So her love does extend to the family as well and not just where Edward is concerned. I observe. From my periphery, I catch Bella's eye and try to send a little reassurance her way. That's good. It proves that she can easily fit into a large household, even if that household happens to be one filled with vampires.
When Edward catches the third out, Emmett and Rosalie's team is still up by one. Taking a break, Edward sprints to Bella's side, sparkling with excitement to ask Bella's opinion and what she thought of the game thus far. Vaguely listening in on their conversation, I occupy myself with the meager task of evening out the field once again. At least, until something Bella says catches my attention—
"I'm a little disappointed," she points out.
Feeling just as curious and confused as Edward's emotions inform me he is, I frown.
"Why?" Edward asks, voicing his puzzlement.
"Well, it would be nice if I could find just one thing you didn't do better than everyone else on the planet," Bella explains with a smile in her voice.
Oh, so she had been teasing him. I think, slightly disappointed. By now, without even looking at the pair of them, I can feel that Edward is smiling. Thus, leaving Bella breathless— And for some reason that…
"I'm up," Edward informs Bella, leaving her in Esme's care once again and heading for the battering plate.
..….
After that, the score constantly keep changing as the game continues and we razz each other like street ballplayers, taking turns in the lead. The thunder rumbled on but we stayed dry through it all—just as my Alice had effectively predicted we would.
Next, Carlisle is up to bat and Edward is taking his place as Catcher when, suddenly, my Alice gasps. Without reservations, I worriedly race to Alice's side. As usual, Edward meets Alice's eyes and in that instant something flows between them that I am unaware of.
A heartbeat later, Edward is at Bella's side, before any of the others or I can ask Alice what is wrong. At times like this, when I feel powerless to do anything for my mate, Edward irritates and evokes my ire. I have never thought it fair. How Edward can simply know what is wrong with my mate before even I do, just because he can read Alice's mind.
"Alice?" Esme's voice is tense, just like I feel.
"I didn't see– I couldn't tell," Alice whispers. Upon meeting my concerned and questioning gaze, I see how vulnerable admitting that makes Alice feel. All the others have gathered by this time, surrounding the two of us and inquiring.
"What is it, Alice?" Carlisle asks with the calm voice of authority. A tone Carlisle always adopts when addressing a reluctant Alice.
On the other hand, Carlisle's façade of calm makes me want to grab Alice by the shoulders and shake her until she says something, anything to end my torment. Instead, I remain as still as the others, waiting…. Impatiently waiting for Alice to finally open her mouth and tell us—tell me—what her vision has shown her that has her so wary.
"They are traveling much quicker than I thought. I can see I had the perspective wrong before," Alice murmurs.
Listening to her words, I flinch; I know how hard Alice finds it to admit to it when she is mistaken and how much she hates doing so. Tonight, I will comfort Alice. But right now, we need more information than what she is giving us at the moment in order to know what course of action to take.
Leaning over Alice, my posture protective, I slouch until my lips press against her ear and ask, "What changed?"
In my opinion, it's all about perspective. Therefore, I need to make sure that Alice understands that plans often change. Consequently, that could mean that whatever Alice didn't see coming might have been a result of that. A change, rather than a mistake she's made.
As I get a feel of Alice's mood, I try not to hiss in anger and frustration at her. It infuriates me but it looks like Alice thinks she's responsible for what has frightened her about her vision and feels contrite for what she has witnessed. Given how strong her guilt is, I know I have no chance of talking any sense into her right now, so I let be for the time being.
"They heard us playing, and it changed their path," she answers.
My eyes, along with another six pairs, flash to Bella's face in understanding and then away.
"How soon?" Carlisle asks, now directing his words to Edward. A look of intense concentration crosses his face as Edward searches for the answer in the minds of will-be the interlopers.
"Less than five minutes." Edward scowls, to my dismay, and adds, "They're running– they want to play." I can feel the tides of anger, frustration, and annoyance that flood through his body as my own. Trying to put some semblance of a barrier against Edward's myriad of emotions and distance myself from the onslaught, I fail miserably and end up having to accept it.
"Can you make it?" Carlisle asks him, his eyes flickering to Bella again before settling back on Edward.
"No, not carrying–" Edward cuts short, not wanting to waste time. "Besides, the last thing we need is for them to catch the scent and start hunting."
"How many?" Emmett asks Alice.
From the looks of him, Emmett seems excited and I have to grit my teeth together to fight the urge to growl at him and his inadequacy.
"Three," Alice answers tersely.
"Three!" he scoffs arrogantly. "Let them come."
His steal bands of muscle flex along his massive arms. That's Emmett for you, always looking for a challenge. Carlisle deliberates for a long pause. Yes, even to me the interim feels and seems too long. Only Emmett seems unperturbed. I, along with the rest, stare at Carlisle's face with anxious eyes and wait to hear what our patriarch has to say in regards of how we're to handle this situation.
"Let's just continue the game," Carlisle finally decides. My eyes narrow incredulously. His voice, however, is as cool and leveled as always, commanding no further arguments, and so are his emotions, under calm control. "Alice said they were simply curious."
All this is exchanged in such a quick flurry of fluid words that the discussion lasts only a few seconds. For some reason, I feel like I'm lost in translation; listening to the exchange of words and pieces of conversations, only none of it makes sense and I cannot understand a word or make sense of any of the things that has been said.
"Are they thirsty?" I hear Esme ask Edward with the silent vibrations of her lips, so that Bella cannot hear. Edward shakes his head and a look of relief spreads across Esme's face.
Suddenly, I'm back in the realm of understanding and I find that I want to shake some sense into Esme too. Doesn't she know better than to feel relieved because they're not thirsty? Whether or not they are thirsty, if they are hunters there will be trouble, either way.
"You catch, Esme," Edward says. "I'll call it now." And Edward proceeds to plant himself protectively in front of Bella.
Bella? All my thoughts come to an abrupt halt as I stare at Bella. Momentarily, I'm too shocked by the sudden realization that Bella's still here to even blink. But I manage to snap out of it after a while and have enough sense in me to take a moment to examine her emotions. Surprise, surprise, the girl is scared for once; just not as scared as someone in Bella's position should be. For now, I reason, it'll have to do.
The rest of us dutifully return to the field. Warily we all sweep the dark forest with sharp eyes. Alice and Esme orientate themselves to keeping their search in the direction where Bella and Edward stand.
"Take your hair down," Edward is telling Bella in a low, even voice. Only, I can feel the war brewing beneath the mask of reserve that Edward is trying to maintain. It is a pretty good front. It fools Bella, but leaves much to be desired for an empath like myself.
Obediently, Bella slides off the hair tie holding her long tresses in place and proceeds to loosen her hair from its hold. Unable to do otherwise, I watch as Bella's ponytail comes undone at her hands and she shakes her head, causing the dark cascading tresses to gather and settle naturally around her delicate shoulders.
Swallowing thickly, I cannot help but be a bit of a pessimist and think that that isn't going to work. Bella still smells much too appealing and delectable, edible, to go unnoticed.
"The others are coming now." Bella states the obvious.
"Yes, stay very still, keep quiet, and don't move from my side, please."
Edward hides the distress from his voice well. But I am sure that even Bella's human ears can detect and hear it in Edward's voice as well as I can because she says nothing and does as she's told. In one last desperate attempt, Edward pulls Bella's long hair forward and around her face, trying but failing to cover up her scent.
"That won't help," Alice says softly. "I could smell her from across the field."
As could I, unfortunately, I'm afraid.
"I know." A hint of frustration colors Edward's tone and Bella does not miss it.
So attentive for a human… I marvel.
Carlisle stands at the Pitching plate, and we rejoin the game halfheartedly. The seconds tick by; the game progresses with apathy now, all our previous vividness gone. No one dares to hit harder than a bunt, and Emmett, Rosalie, and I hover in the infield.
Now and again, Rosalie's eyes dart toward Bella. Something that Bella does not miss, despite the fear that numbs her. To Bella's eyes, Rosalie's eyes might seem expressionless but to mine, they show a very livid Rosalie, as I have never seen her before.
Edward pays no attention to the game at all, eyes and mind ranging through the forest. He is aggravated with himself and so am I as Edward keeps projecting his mood to me.
"I'm sorry, Bella," I hear him mutter fiercely to his Bella. "It was stupid, irresponsible, to expose you like this. I'm so sorry."
A wave of remorse washes over me, from Edward's direction, as he says this. Suddenly, his breathing stops and Edward's eyes zero in on the right field. Following suit, I fix my eyes on the right field and that's when I hear them before I see them.
Angling himself in front of Bella, Edward takes a half step forward to stand between Bella and what is coming. Carlisle, Emmett, and the others turn in the same direction, hearing as well the interlopers' sounds of passage, before seeing the intruders themselves.