Bella
When I awoke the next morning, the events of the previous day came flooding back to me. I whirled over, hoping to see Evie lying next to me but knowing she wouldn't be there. I was right, the bed was empty except for me. I sighed, laying back down and replaying my night with Evie in my mind. It had been more than I had ever dreamed of. I never knew that I could feel this happy.
There was something I needed to do, now before I chickened out again. I was done living in secret. Evie had become too important to me to hide anymore. I dug my cellphone out of my jeans pocket. My hands were shaking, and I hesitated.
As I was growing up, my mom was always searching for her niche. She tried out every fitness class, crafting group, and book club she came across. And then there were the churches, one after the other, but she never stuck with any of them. She would drag me to services almost every Sunday, and there was one thing they all had in common: no lesbians allowed. I was terrified that she would disown me if she ever found out. But after surviving last night, and knowing what true happiness feels like, I knew I could not keep this inside for one more minute.
I took a deep breath and dialed my mom's number.
"Bella?" She answered immediately.
"Mom, you're home!"
"Hi honey! How are you?"
"I'm great." I grinned. "Mom, there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it? What's wrong?" She was always sensitive to my tone of voice.
"Nothing, actually this is good news."
"Good news? Are you coming home?"
"No, and that's part of what I want to say." Another deep breath. "I met someone here in Forks."
"Really?" Her voice was full of interest now. "Someone special?"
"Yes, someone very very special."
"Oh Bella, I'm so happy for you!" She gushed. "When do I get to meet her?"
"Thank you I- wait, what?!"
"I said when do I get to meet her?"
I sat down on my bed, hard. "How did you know?" I whispered.
"Bella, honey, I'm your mother. I know you better than you know yourself."
I could feel myself hyperventilating now. "So, you've known all along?"
"Of course. I didn't want to make an issue of it, it's all the same to me as long as you find someone who loves you and respects you."
"But...but…" I sputtered. "What about all those church sermons we went to? I thought you were trying to tell me it was wrong!" My voice was shrill and hysterical.
"Oh no! No not at all! That's why I kept leaving all of them! I would never participate in a church that encourages that kind of discrimination and hatred. Bella I am so sorry you felt that way, I had no idea."
I was speechless. She already knew. She was okay with it. I had been living in fear for no reason.
"I love you so much mom." I choked out. The relief washing through me was cathartic.
"I love you too Bells."
"So, um, about me moving back to Phoenix…"
She sighed heavily. "I had a feeling, when I talked to you last week, that something had changed your mind about Forks. Now I know it's actually someone. I'm really going to miss you sweetheart." Now her voice was choking up. I was relieved that I didn't have to argue this with her, but it didn't make it any easier.
"Me too, mom."
"Promise you will come for a long visit this summer!"
I smiled through my tears. "Of course I will."
"And bring miss…"
"Evie, Evie Cullen."
"Bring miss Evie Cullen with you, okay?"
I gulped. Evie, in Phoenix? I didn't think there would ever be a sunblock strong enough to make that happen. "I will invite her."
"Good. I love you Bella. Call me again soon, okay?"
"I will, I promise. Love you mom."
We hung up, and I laid back down on my bed feeling drained.
When I had recharged a bit I picked the phone back up and called Jacob. He of course wanted all the details about my first kiss with Evie, so I told him everything- minus the part where she almost bit me of course. He was officially in awe of me, and I had to admit I was a little in awe myself. I couldn't believe my good luck in finding someone so amazing, who also seemed to feel the same way about me. I felt like I was floating and would never come back down to earth.
And then my dad knocked on my door.
"Bella! Want some breakfast? I made eggs and bacon."
"Coming Dad!"
I walked down the stairs to the smell of sizzling bacon, and my stomach rumbled. The ten-course Italian meal from yesterday felt like it was a very long time ago.
"Morning Dad," I greeted him as I helped myself to a large plate of food.
"Hey Bells," He replied with his mouth already full of eggs. I took my seat at the table and dug in. "So what's on your agenda for today?" He asked conversationally.
"I have a date with Evie Cullen." I told him nonchalantly, hoping he wouldn't ask too many questions.
His hand overshot the handle of his coffee mug and it skittered across the table. "That's the big guy with the dark curly hair?" He sounded worried.
"No Dad, that's Emmett. Evie is the redhead. Evie, short for Evalyn."
"Oh. Ohh." Comprehension finally dawned on him and he studied me critically. "Just tell me one thing."
I tensed. "Yes?"
"Does she make you happy?"
My face relaxed into a relieved grin. "Yes! Ridiculously happy, actually."
"Well, good. That's all that matters." He cleared his throat and went back to reading the paper. I was still grinning ear to ear, unable to wipe the giddy smile off my face as I finished my breakfast. It turns out my parents are awesome. Who knew?
I sat at the kitchen table reading, trying to pass the time until the sun left and Evie arrived. Finally after what seemed like forever, the sky darkened. I ran to the front door and grabbed my rain jacket.
"What's the hurry?" My dad called from the living room.
"Evie's on her way over, Dad!" I called back to him.
"Aren't you gonna introduce me?"
I groaned. "Fine." I ran out the door and sure enough, there she was standing next to Emmett's gargantuan Jeep. I threw my arms around her, and she laughed in surprise.
"Well hello to you too." She hugged me back, smiling hugely at me. We stood there grinning idiotically for a moment before Emmett cleared his throat loudly.
"Excuse me, ladies, but we need to get going if we're going to reach the clearing in time."
"In time for what?" I asked.
"Baseball game," He grinned.
"Really?" I asked, turning back to Evie. "But I thought-"
"Change of plans." She told me. "Alice believes they might follow your scent to your house."
"Charlie!" I gasped. It hadn't occurred to me that he might be at risk.
"So we decided to head out of town in the hopes it would draw them away."
"Plus, now we get to play ball." Emmett added.
"Yes, also that." Evie agreed, though I could tell it was not her first priority.
"Okay well, before we go...um...my dad wants to meet you."
"He does?" She looked surprised. "So does that mean-?"
"Yes. I told him. Mom too."
She grinned and hugged me again. "Right then, let's go meet your father!"
Emmett rolled his eyes. "Good luck with that Ev." And he climbed back into the Jeep.
I led Evie back into the house with me. My dad was waiting inside the kitchen.
"Hey Dad, this is Evie."
"Miss Cullen," He greeted her, offering his hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, Sherriff." She shook his hand confidently.
He appraised her with the eye of a police chief. "So what do you have planned for today?"
"We are just going to play some baseball with my family."
Charlie raised his eyebrows and looked at me. "Baseball?" He asked, knowing my complete lack of interest in anything sports related.
"Sure Dad, I love baseball." I replied a little too quickly.
"It is the American pastime." Evie added, smiling crookedly.
Charlie looked back and forth between the two of us. "Nothing illegal and be back before nine."
"Of course!" I told him.
"Bella will be safe with us," Evie assured him, and he nodded.
"Give my regards to Doctor Cullen." He requested.
"Absolutely."
"Okay then, have fun kids." He showed us out the door, and as soon as it closed behind us I erupted into a fit of giggles.
"What?" Evie asked me.
"The American pastime?" I howled.
She shrugged. "Well it's true!"
I pulled myself into the back seat of the Jeep and pulled the harness buckle over my head, still laughing uncontrollably. Emmett looked at me over his shoulder, grinning.
"That bad, huh?"
"Oh yeah." I chortled.
Evie shook her head. "I'm never going to live this one down," she told her brother, and we sped off toward the mountains.
Evie
I shook my head as Bella continued to giggle. It was impossible to feel irritated when Bella's very presence made me feel intoxicated. I got my revenge, though, as we left the highway and made our way through the mountains along a dirt road that was barely wider than a trail. Bella was bouncing in her seat so violently that Emmett and I had to tease her mercilessly, imitating her chattering teeth until she smacked both of us on the shoulders. That only made Emmett laugh harder.
We reached the end of the trail and the jeep would not be able to go any farther. Emmett parked and jumped out. "See you kids up there." He told us and disappeared into the trees at top speed. As he went I distinctly heard him muttering something about "kid's definitely lost her mind."
Bella climbed out of the back seat, looking up at the sky disparagingly. She pulled her hood tighter over her head.
"Maybe I'll just wait here," She said, turning back around to open the door.
"Oh no you don't!" I pushed my palm against the door to prevent it from opening and watched her struggle with the handle.
"Hey!" She cried when she realized what I was doing. She whirled back around to face me, fuming. I placed my other arm against the jeep so that she stood in the circle of my arms, her back pressing up against the vehicle. I pushed her hood down and swept her long hair back over her shoulder, brushing my hand along her neck.
I leaned in closer to her, letting her scent burn through me and once again marveling at the absence of the beast. Her heart was thundering in my ears, and I bent down to whisper into hers. "What were you saying about staying here?"
"Just that...it's raining and...cold...and…" She gasped as my lips brushed the side of her neck and traced along her jaw.
"And?" I prompted, making my way to her lips.
"And…" She stammered, her lower lip trembling as I grazed it with mine. "Well... there are so many... more fun things we could be doing... other than playing baseball." She breathed, and wrapped her lips around mine. I crushed her against me, my hands cradling her head. Her arms wound around my waist, clutching the back of my shirt and pulling me closer still.
Desire surged through me, and I pulled away from her with great effort. I pressed my forehead against hers, both of us breathing hard. "You will be my undoing, Bella Swan." I told her.
"I sincerely hope so," She replied with a wicked grin.
We stood there in the misting rain until her heart finally slowed. "My family is waiting," I reminded her, and she nodded reluctantly. I took her hand and led her through the forest to our clearing.
The others were busy preparing the field. Carlisle marked bases with white stones while Emmett practiced swinging an aluminum bat. Alice and Jasper were warming up, throwing the ball back and forth between them. I grinned, catching their enthusiasm for the upcoming game. It had been a long time since we had played.
"Evie!" Rosalie called from across the large field. "You take center field!"
"Just try and keep a safe distance." I told Bella.
She frowned. "But how will I see what's going on?"
"It won't matter either way, trust me." I kissed her swiftly on the cheek then headed to my position, jogging out as far as the field would allow.
"It's time!" Alice bounded happily to the pitcher's mound, ball in hand. A second later a loud peal of thunder erupted above us, reverberating off of the sides of the mountain.
"Batter up!" Esme called as Emmett stepped up to the home plate. I was ready.
He let the first ball go by, and it smacked into Jasper's hand with a loud crack. I knew he was just gauging Alice's throw. I crouched low, preparing to run for it.
Sure enough, the second the ball left Alice's hand Emmett was swinging the bat with all his considerable might. With a crash that rivaled the thunder, the bat connected and I was running. I beat the ball to the edge of the field, then launched myself into the trees. I used the branches to propel myself upward, and then I was flying through open air toward the ball. I caught it in my left hand and hit the ground just as Emmett was rounding third base.
"Out!" I whooped, holding the ball above my head triumphantly. Emmett scowled, promising payback with his glare.
We continued playing, rotating positions so everyone got a chance at bat.
It was the fourth inning, as I crouched behind the home plate waiting for Carlisle to bat, when Alice suddenly went rigid. Carlisle dropped the bat and ran to her. I knew what was happening before the others, as I watched Alice's vision unfold in her mind.
Three vampires entered the Olympic National Forest. They skirted around the town limits as Alice had predicted last week. I froze, waiting to see if they would catch Bella's scent and head into town as they had in the previous vision. They didn't.
This time they detected the sound of a ball game underneath the clap of thunder. They raced toward the sound, looking eager.
"They're coming." Alice said, as her vision went black. She could not see the outcome: they were coming for us.
"How soon?" Carlisle asked, glancing toward Bella.
"Less than five minutes."
Carlisle deliberated, and I listened to his train of thought. If we run they will be sure to chase, he reasoned. But if we stay...continue playing...perhaps they will be reasonable. Carlisle always wanted to think the best of people. I wasn't so sure.
I cast my mind outward, searching for the visitors. It wasn't long before I heard their thoughts as they approached.
"They want to play," I told the others, surprise coloring my voice. It wasn't often that we encountered other vampires who were interested in anything other than hunting. Maybe they were civilized after all.
We resumed our positions, playing half-heartedly now. I kept close to Bella, whose brows were creased with worry. "You will be fine, I promise." I told her, hoping it was true. I more than anyone knew the lure of Bella's blood. Had we been foolish to think we could keep them from her?
"No worries, Bella." Emmett called with a grin. "If they try anything, we can take them." I tried to take in some of his confidence. Then I heard their approach and turned to face them, pulling Bella behind me.
They emerged one by one from the forest, two men and a woman. Their eyes were wary, and their thoughts immediately became confused as they took in our clean clothes and easy camaraderie. They themselves were dressed in the well-worn travel clothes typical of nomadic vampires. None of them had ever encountered a group as large as ours, and they were intimidated.
"Hello," said the man in front with long dread-locked black hair. "I am Laurent, this is James and Victoria." He indicated the other two. His voice had a faint French accent. "Do you have room for a few more players?" His thoughts were clear: he wanted no trouble from us. I relaxed slightly.
Carlisle had taken the point position, with Emmett and Jasper on either side of him, Rosalie and Alice flanking them and Esme hanging back with me and Bella. I could feel Jasper using his ability to calm the situation.
"I'm Carlisle," he introduced himself, matching Laurent's friendly tone. "This is my family. Unfortunately we were just finishing up, but we'd be interested in playing another time. How long will you be in the area?"
"We were just passing through and thought we'd see who was in the neighborhood. It's been a while since we've run into anyone."
"We maintain a large territory here and don't meet many visitors." Carlisle told him pointedly. "I mean no offense, but we would appreciate if you don't hunt in the area. We are trying to remain inconspicuous, you see."
"Of course," Laurent agreed. "We didn't mean to encroach. Anyways, we just ate outside of Seattle."
"We'd best be on our way. Pleasure meeting you, and safe travels." Carlisle told them, hoping they would continue on without incident. I turned Bella around to head back toward the Jeep when the wind picked up. It blew her hair across her face and carried her scent directly into the path of the visitors. I tensed and pulled her behind me again, but it was too late.
The second male, James, caught her scent. His eyes immediately blackened, veins popping out along his eyelids. "You brought a snack!" He hissed through bared fangs, and took one step forward into a crouch.
Before I could stop myself a feral snarl tore from my throat and I crouched down as well, holding Bella behind me. James' nostrils flared and his muscles twitched as if to pounce.
Carlisle and the others closed ranks around us. "She's with us." Carlisle snapped. "I think you should be going now."
But I had already heard James' mind and knew that would be impossible now.
"We don't want any trouble," Laurent and Victoria were backing away now, and the woman took hold of James' arm to pull him along with them. They seemed to realize they were no match for the seven of us, and turned and fled into the trees.
"We have to get out of here, now!" I shouted, pulling Bella along with me as I ran the other way out of the clearing.
"Evie, what's wrong? They already left!" Bella cried, her voice shrill with terror.
"I heard his mind," I told her, "He's a tracker." The others gasped behind me. "Now that he's caught your scent he will stop at nothing to capture you. When I protected you, I challenged him." I stopped and turned back to look at my family each in turn, hoping to impart to them the seriousness of what I had learned from James' mind. "I just made Bella his most interesting target in a very long while, and that is his favorite game."