A/N – Allow me to express my sincere gratitude to you for reading and reviewing Mesmeric Stranger. I feel like I am on this amazing journey with you all; so without further ado… Chapter 44!

Chapter 44 - Baseball

I watched Alice as Charlie pulled into the drive.

She looked…

Nervous?

"Alice" I probed gently, as she turned and smiled.

"Showtime?" she suggested, as I started to laugh.

The door opened, and Charlie walked into the room.

And stopped.

My eyes were now on my dad, who seemed to be taking a while to gather his thoughts. I watched him swallow. Hard.

"Hi Charlie"

Alice was the first to break the silence.

My dad nodded, "Hello Alice… Bella…." His voice trailed off as he looked from Alice, to me, and then back to Alice again.

"I hope you're both having a… nice evening…." He asked, his voice waving a little.

"Yeah, we were just about to watch a film, but if you want to watch the game instead, we can head upstairs"

My voice was calm, and collected. I was rather please with myself.

"The game?" Charlie asked. He was obviously still thinking about things. About me and Alice.

"Baseball" I replied, as Alice jumped and squealed again, making Charlie jump.

"I guess you like Baseball" Charlie asked, a slight smile appearing on his face.

"I love baseball" Alice replied, adding a small jump in for good measure.

"I play with my family sometimes" she continued, as I looked at her.

"Maybe you can teach Bells here how to hit a ball" Charlie continued, as he glanced at me with a smirk on his face.

"Anytime" Alice answered, as she stepped to my side and took my hand in hers.

I watched as Charlie froze a little, and then took a deep sigh.

"Well… okay then… that's… okay…" I watched as my dad stumbled across his sentence.

Alice, realising her action, released my hand immediately and bit at her lip.

So adorable.

Charlie cleared his throat, "Before you girls go upstairs, I'd just like to say… well, that is… I'd like to…"

Alice and I both watched as my dad stopped, and ran a hand through his hair.

"Oh hell, I'm not making any sense here…" he continued.

Alice took a small step towards my dad and held out her hand.

"Charlie… I know Bella has told you about us, and I'd just like to formally say, you don't have to worry – about us, about her… I respect Bella, and I respect any ground rules you may want to set"

I watched as Alice then shot Charlie her award winning smile.

He really didn't stand a chance.

Charlie took Alice's hand in his and shook it gently, a smile now appearing on his face.

Slowly he released it as Alice joined my side.

"Thank you Alice…" he then looked at me, "I don't have any specific rules, but you still have a 10pm curfew Bells"

I nodded.

"And… just… don't rush headlong into… things…"

Both Alice and I nodded.

Okay, so perhaps we had already broken that particular rule, but what Charlie didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

Charlie, seemingly satisfied, turned to walk into the kitchen, no doubt to get himself a beer, or two.

I was about to take Alice's hand in mine, and give it a squeeze, when Charlie turned and looked directly at Alice.

"One more thing… just because my daughter is… dating you, Alice, doesn't mean I'll be going easy on you because you're a… girl. Hurt Bella and you'll have me to contend with, okay?"

I had to stifle a giggle then. My dad may be a law enforcement chief, but I suspected he may come off worst of he decided to take on Alice…

Alice nodded, "You can trust me Charlie, and I would never hurt Bella. Ever".

Charlie smiled, "Well that's okay then…"

'Okay' seemed to be my dad's favourite word this evening.

As Charlie vanished into the other room, I turned to Alice.

"You seem to be a pro at this" I jested, as Alice winked.

"I like your dad" she answered.

"I think he likes you too" I added, as I gave Alice a quick peck on the cheek.

Alice beamed again, "Well, I am a 'looker'" she replied, kissing me back quickly on the lips.

"You girls want a drink" Charlie's voice boomed from the kitchen.

"No, we're good thanks" I replied. I wasn't thirsty, and the last time I looked we didn't keep any O-negative in the fridge.

Charlie walked back into the room holding a can of beer.

"Want to watch the game" he asked, looking directly at Alice.

"I'm kinda in the room too, dad" I replied, jokingly.

Before anyone could answer, my phone started to ring. I glanced down and realised it was Jake.

"I have to get this, it's Jake" I answered, as Alice nodded and sat down on the sofa.

I walked into the kitchen, looking back to see my dad sit down next to Alice, flicking on the TV.

I smiled as I entered the kitchen and answered the phone.

"Hi Jake"

"Hi Bella… I'm just calling to… well, to see if you are alright? That storm seemed to mess with you a little".

I laughed, a little? Try a lot!

"Yeah, I'm good, thanks for asking, and thanks for coming over before"

Jake laughed, "Anytime Bella, sorry I made a hasty escape… I just… well, you both looked… busy"

Yeah, busy with each other…

I suddenly felt a wave of guilt pass over me.

"I'm sorry about that Jake, really"

"That's okay; I also called to say I'll be speaking to Sam and the others tomorrow afternoon, about the… suggested alliance…"

"That's cool Jake, I really appreciate it"

Silence.

"Jake?"

I could hear Jake's breath as his words suddenly escaped from his lips, "Bella, will you come and see me tomorrow afternoon? I think it's best if you're here with me, to… explain… things to Sam, if you don't mind?"

"Of course I don't mind" I answered.

Jake sighed, "You may when I ask one more thing…"

"Go on" I urged, as I heard Alice's laughter float into the kitchen.

"Can you come… alone? I know… she'll… want to come too, but I honestly don't think that would be a good idea initially"

Jake paused as I thought about his words.

"If this alliance is going to work, you'll… they'll… have to get used to Alice Jake, they'll have to get used to all of the Cullen's"

Jake sighed again, "I know, really, I know… but tomorrow we'll be on our territory Bella, and things could get… complicated… before we've had chance to talk it through properly"

Jake had a point.

"Okay, I'll come alone, but then we'll have to all meet up eventually"

Jake seemed to breath a sigh of relief, "Yeah, I know. Okay, I'll call you tomorrow"

"Till tomorrow, enjoy your evening Jake"

I rang off and wandered back into the living room to find Charlie and Alice both deep in conversation.

"Care to share" I asked, as I lent against the arm of the sofa chair next to Charlie.

"Pitch talk, you wouldn't appreciate it Bells" my dad answered, as his eyes remained glued to the TV.

Alice stood, "Is everything okay Bella" she enquired.

"Yeah, it was just Jake…"

I couldn't speak to Alice about the conversation, even though I suspected Charlie was so engrossed in the game he wouldn't hear a single thing I had to say.

Alice nodded, "Actually, I'd best be getting home now…"

My heart sank.

"Walk me out?" she gently asked, as I smiled.

"But you'll miss the game" Charlie interrupted.

Alice smiled again, "That's okay Charlie, I suspect one of my brothers will have recorded it for me"

Charlie nodded and stood, "Okay, well… it was nice to see you again Alice. Don't be a stranger; especially if there is a game on, Bella is absolutely useless at…"

"Yeah, okay dad, we've got the picture…" I interrupted, as Alice laughed.

"Good bye Charlie, hope the team win"

Charlie sat back down, "Me too kid, me too"

Slowly we walked outside into the fresh and warm air.

"I think that went well" I murmured, as Alice turned and took my hands in hers. Her touch was cold, but delightful.

"Me too" she replied, as she lent forward and then stopped. A giggle escaped her lips as she moved back to her initial stance.

"What?" I asked, a little perplexed.

"Oh, nothing. I just think your dad has become a member of neighbourhood watch that's all"

I turned to see the curtain in the front room move a little.

"Great, my dad the inquisitor" I replied dryly.

Alice laughed, "Don't be too hard on him Bella, he's merely cautious… we've had a chat, I'm sure everything will be well"

I turned and faced Alice again, the breeze was playing with the end of her hair and the temptation to reach out and caress them too was overwhelming.

"Talk?" I asked, a little breathless.

"Nothing to worry about, I promise" she replied, as she lent in a little closer.

"And your talk Jake?"

I replayed back the conversation we had, as Alice nodded her head.

"He is right… thought I hate the ides of you going alone. Just promise me you'll come straight to my house once you've seen him? Carlisle will need to know what was agreed and…" her voice trailed off as her gaze deepened.

"And?" I asked again, still breathless.

"And I'll want to see you… I always want to see you…."

Her voice trailed off again as I lent in.

"Charlie" she responded, her breath caressing my cheek.

"Will have to get used to it" I replied, as I lent in and kissed her.

The touch was gentle at first, but as the desire set in, and Alice's tongue gently pushed against my own, it became heated. My arms were around her immediately as she copied my actions. I needed to be closer to her. I could hear Alice growl gently as her lips moved to my cheek and then to my ear.

"I love you" she whispered, before taking a step back.

"The feeling is very much mutual" I replied my voice deep and laced with desire.

Alice smiled and climbed into her car. She lent out of the window and touched the palm of her hand lightly with her lips as she blew across her hand, smiling.

Nobody had even blown me a kiss before.

"Sweet dream Bella" she spoke lightly, adding "Think of me"

I winked, "I shall think of nothing else"