Chapter Six

I soon found myself invited to attend a baseball game with the Cullens.

I had never really gone to sporting events in the past.

I would always be sitting in the living room and forced to watch Charlie watch sporting events on the television when I was younger. I had never actually been a part of an actual sports team, partly because of the fact that I had always been unathletic my whole life.

I had tried to do sports, but they would always have me wind up in the emergency room. I'd be leaving the hospital with a cast around my leg or my arm, because I hadn't properly stretched myself out the right way before jumping straight into exercising.

Maybe in an alternative world I would have had Avalyn and she would happily be dressed up in the patriotic colors of the U.S. flag, probably a pattern on a onesie, and with a big bow on her head. We would be sitting in one of the stadiums that Phil would have his team play in. He would be the supportive step-grandpa, and everything would be fine and dandy. There would be a social media page with all of Avalyn's pictures posted on it, happy at all the sporting events she would go to in order to support her step-grandpa and his baseball team.

I hadn't expected to be told that the baseball game would be happening while there was a thunderstorm in the distance. I had thought I had heard them wrong, but from the expression on my face they confirmed that they had told me the right thing. They could play naturally and the way the baseballs would hit the aluminum bats it would be almost earsplitting. I both couldn't wait to hear the sound but also didn't want to hear it because I was somewhat afraid of going deaf.

I agreed anyway, and now I was dressed in a simple outfit–a quarter length sleeved shirt, loose but not too loose jeans, and tennis shoes. I pulled my hair up in a high bun and made sure that Charlie knew I was heading off to hang out with the Cullens and not sleep with one of the boys from school.

I knew that Renee would have been the one who would jump to conclusions automatically, but Charlie knew the trauma that had come from the miscarriage made it to where I was not into having sex anytime soon (the memories of what had happened with Avalyn were still too strong for me to want to have a serious relationship or even casual one with someone).

Rosalie and Emmett were the ones who had come by Charlie's house to come and pick me up. Rosalie was intrigued with the house and was the utmost polite to Charlie while Emmett was more into talking about the latest sporting events that were happening on the television. Charlie was enthusiastic with the whole idea of gushing about the latest hockey games or the basketball games.

I had looked out the window and saw the off-road jeep that made me look as though I was a little person compared to it. My mouth had hung open and Emmett peered at the jeep as though it was his pride and joy. The only thing that made him even more proud and happy happened to be Rosalie, and she even looked at the jeep with the same amount of pride and joy that he had.

I squeaked when Emmett picked me up and placed me in the backseats of the jeep. Rosalie giggled in the background. I was glad she never was jealous of how Emmett was happy to hang out with me. Sure, she shot cold looks towards other girls for even turning their heads in the same direction of her boyfriend/mate/foster brother.

We didn't go to their house and instead Emmett drove us towards where the clearing was, the same clearing they would play the baseball game. Rosalie had one of the random radio stations playing though it was a little static and went out every few songs.

No one seemed bothered by that, Emmett and Rosalie were too busy conversing with each other. I was too busy in my own thoughts about how the baseball game would go.

Everyone was practicing in the field when we arrived.

The field was the perfect place for them to play baseball. I was certain anyone who did baseball would want to play in the field though I was certain the Cullens were the only ones who used the field. I was about in the middle when it came to the interest in nature, but I could admire the field.

Jasper and Edward were tossing a baseball to each other, the both of them were doing complicated moves and trying to make a better combination than the other. Carlisle and Esme were conversing with each other, their attention focused entirely on each other. It was obvious they were soulmates and would have been soulmates in any type of universe.

I had barely headed in their direction when Alice appeared and hugged me just barely tight enough to make me squeal a little bit. I shot her a glare, but she brought her hand up and placed it over her mouth to try and hide her giggles. I rolled my brown eyes, not finding that there was anything wrong with her enthusiasm. I might not be someone who was as enthusiastic and friendly as her, but it was nice having someone who was the complete opposite of me when it came to our personalities.

"I'm so glad that you decided to watch us play baseball after all. I know that you aren't really into sports, and you probably have watched Phil play baseball all the time," Alice informed me, earning a nod from me to let her know I was listening to her.

I wondered how many times people would hold conversations with her only for them to not listen to what she was saying. I also wondered how many times she would have those visions that let her know they would let her conversations with her go from one ear out the other, yet she would still have the conversations with them.

I had a feeling she didn't have that many friends in the past, but then again, they probably didn't try to befriend any humans in the past.

It must have been partly because of the obvious fact they were vampires but also because they couldn't become too attached to them.

They would mourn their friendships in the end because they could only last a few years and they couldn't hang out with them outside of the rainy days where there was very faint sunshine that would come through.

I knew myself that it would have been a sad struggle I would deal with if I were in Alice's place and had the same personality as her. Thankfully I wasn't that kind of person, and I had the bare minimum of socialization with people.

It was quite funny though that the time I would spend my socialization with would end up being a family of vampires.

No one would believe me if I told them, they would send me to the madhouse, but I wasn't ever going to tell anyone about them being vampires. They were the only true friends I had and had quickly become a second family of mine.

Esme soon came up to me, and it was when she was coming closer to me that I noticed the whole family was wearing matching baseball uniforms.

That would be a nightmare for me.

It would be too much for me and I would surely be the teenager that would refuse to wear the baseball uniform (just like the teenagers that would refuse to wear the matching Christmas pajamas that their mother insisted on them wearing for the perfect Christmas picture).

Esme reached me and took my hands in hers, giving me a soft squeeze to let me know she was glad I was here. It wasn't as boisterous in action as her 'foster daughter', but it was just as loving.

I gave my signature awkward smile, thankful that I hadn't pulled my hands away and automatically began to fidget my locket. I was progressing with healing from my trauma, but it would still take a long time for me to get a good bit into healing from my trauma. So, I was at least glad about that, I wasn't as weak as I was before I had moved here to Forks.

"I was wondering if you wanted to be the empire or if you would rather, I be. I'm fine with it either way," Esme informed me, and I decided I would rather watch. I couldn't care less about actually being a part of the baseball game.

Esme nodded her head and crouched down in the empire position, and everyone got to whatever position they were meant to be playing this time. Emmett shot me a look as he smirked, letting me know that he was more than thrilled with the fact that I had said I would come to the baseball game. He was ready to show me how he played, and I knew that not only would he be spectacular, but the rest of the family would be as well.

After all this wasn't just a family outing with humans, inviting one of their children's friends to watch. This was a vampire family outing, with actual vampires playing baseball. Add in the fact that they would be playing with aluminum bats while it would be thunder storming in the distance and no wonder the results would end up being breathtaking.

As it would turn out, that was exactly what had happened. I could barely see what was happening, they were borderline blurring around the field. I had to pay attention with more focus than I normally did, and I soaked in all they were doing with such excitement.

I could watch them play for hours, though I would have already wanted to leave if it were Phil that was playing with his baseball team. Anyone else would agree with me though, they'd rather watch the Cullens play baseball with their vampiric speed and strength than my stepdad.

The good news was, there was no rain that was pouring down.

So, I didn't have to worry about the fact I would have been soaked to the bone with rainwater. The Cullens weren't water resistant though it wouldn't have surprised me if they could have been. They must have already gotten dried off before the rain could really soak through because of the speed they were running at.

Esme was keeping score though I could tell that the family mostly didn't care about who would end up winning, well at least that was the truth when it came to Esme and Carlisle. Alice would already know who would win but that didn't stop her having fun and doing complicated pitches whenever she would be on the pitching mound, her flexibility being the type of flexibility that would win every single gold medal from the Olympics.

By the time the game ended the thunderstorm was slowly progressing away, having lasted the right number of hours. I knew that Charlie would just be glad that the thunderstorm which had been here longer than he would have wanted it to be had interfered with the television at his house or else he would have been in a pissy mood. He'd be jealous that I would be able to watch the Cullens play baseball while he would have to find a random book that he hadn't read in years to reread (or find a book to read, which was a difficulty in itself since Charlie Swan was not a bookworm).

I was given the option to either head back to Charlie's house or I could come and hang out with them at their house. I had done the more fun thing and agreed with the decision to go to the Cullen house. I didn't hate hanging out with Charlie but there was only so much we could talk about to each other. At least with the Cullens we were able to talk about multiple things without having to worry about taking things wrong when there was no reason to do so.

The ride to their house was just the same as before, on the way to the field. There were light conversations that were happening with Rosalie and Emmett though I had been surprised when Alice insisted, she wanted to ride in the back with me. The others were fine with running towards the house but alas I wasn't a vampire, so I wasn't able to join them. (Just the thought of running voluntarily without the grace and speed as they made me want to cringe)

Still beautiful and unique, lovingly used and made, the Cullen house was waiting patiently for us when we arrived back. I fell in love with the house once again. There was just no way that one couldn't look at the house and not love it, or at least appreciate it because of its uniqueness. It was completely one of a kind and no other house would be made just like it.

The gloomy gray skylines above us were just another reminder of where we currently were. We weren't somewhere that was warm and sunny, it was damp and cold, but it was starting to slowly warm up. Before long I would be welcomed with the Cullens having a sunny day again most likely and I would be reminded that there was actual sunshine that came to Forks.

Before we entered the house Esme had everyone take off their muddy shoes so she wouldn't have any mud trekking through the house. There was a small basket that was outside of the front door that I hadn't noticed before and everyone had their shoes (well technically baseball cleats) within the box. There was no point in arguing with her, I was certain, and though I didn't play with them I took off my tennis shoes and sat them in the box also.

I could hear the faint sound of Alice singing upstairs in her bathroom she shared with Jasper. There wasn't really anyone in the front open floor plan living room, so it was obvious that the others had taken the same cue as her and were taking quick showers. I went over to where the blue sectional was and plopped down, curling my legs up against me and grabbed the remote I had hoped was supposed to be for the television and not one of the remotes that were connected to the house (such as automatic window blinds that opened and closed by a push on a remote).

Turning on the television I surfed the channels that were currently playing, stopping when my eyes landed on the sight of Gordon Ramsey in all his hotness yelling at the competitors on Hell's Kitchen. I took the blanket that was draped behind me and wrapped it around me quite smugly, not faulting the Cullens on how the house was quite freezing because the temperature didn't affect them at all (lucky bastards!).

I had barely watched ten minutes of the show when some of the family members came drifting down to the first floor of the house again.

Edward let his eyes flicker towards the television screen in interest before he rolled his eyes fondly at me and went to the part of the room where his piano was. He sat down on his bench and began to play.

Alice came downstairs with her pink phone in her hands, her fingers flying on the screen and texting to whoever she was conversing. Jasper was behind her with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans, his eyes showing amusement when he saw Gordon Ramsey on the television set–in fact he snorted some before he plopped down next to Alice (well actually he plopped down and Alice climbed into his lap before she kissed him on the cheek). Rosalie and Emmett went through the room and in the direction of where the garage was so they could work on some of the vehicles they loved. They didn't even turn to look to see what I was watching; they were too busy feeding off ideas to each other about how they should update some of the vehicles.

"Where's Esme and Carlisle?"

"Esme is in the greenhouse upstairs and Carlisle is having a conference call meeting on his computer in his office," Alice told me easily, without looking up from the keyboard of her phone. The sidekick had stickers on the back of the phone case now that I could see it, all of them were stickers that were from the television show FRIENDS.

I turned my attention back to the show but was surprised when Alice gasped and dropped her phone in her lap, which in return made everyone stop what they were doing and turn their attention to her again. Edward had a flinch across his face as though he had just suffered from a gnarly migraine before he had a look that let me know he wasn't pleased with what Alice had just seen. I didn't know if I wanted to know what vision she had been greeted with.

"What? What's going on?"

"They're coming."

"Who's coming?"

I didn't know if I wanted to know who was coming, apparently someone was coming so they could visit the Cullens.

From the way they acted about the people who were coming to visit them I was certain they were people you wouldn't want to trifle with, and they were vampires (obviously). I didn't know if it was a good or bad thing for them to know who I was, and that the Cullens had let someone who was a human into their personal lives. The shit was going to hit the fan and I didn't know if I would want to be there when the metaphorical shit hit the metaphorical fan.

"The Volturi."

The Volturi?

I must have had too much curiosity upon my face because Edward sighed and got up from the piano bench before he made his way towards me. He had dressed in casual late winter/early spring clothes. A light weight sweater with quarter sleeves, comfortable jeans, and funny enough he had on some navy blue fuzzy socks. He was still a good bit taller than me and he had sadness along with aggravation that was leaking from his golden irises and features on his face. He had his hands in the pockets of his jeans but brought one of his hands up to push pieces of his auburn hair out of his face.

"The Volturi are the leaders of vampires, a monarchy of three kings named Aro, Caius, and Marcus who actually live in Volterra, Italy," Edward started, a sourness dripped from his voice as though letting me know he wasn't someone who considered them his monarchs. I'd honestly be the same if I had lived as long as the Cullens.

"They enforce the three laws: never tell a human about vampires, never reveal our vampire abilities to humans, and never gain too much attention from humans by drinking too many humans in one area. They've enforced these laws since 1200 and 1100 B.C…."

"Two of the three kings are Gifted, such as me and Edward and Jasper," Alice added, earning a nod from me as she finally decided she would say something. She continued a moment later, "Aro is Gifted with the ability to know every thought a person has had by touch, while the other Gifted king is Marcus and he can sense mating bonds–he can know if two vampires are soulmates. The last king is not Gifted and he is Caius, he is the general of the kings and watches over executions to make sure that they run smoothly."

I absorbed what they informed me and nodded my head, allowing them to know I was taking this seriously. Finally, I said, "should I be here when they come to visit you? That's kind of a dumb question actually…I probably shouldn't."

"It's my fault."

I turned my head, noting how Carlisle was coming to us with guilt consuming him. I got up from the sectional and went to him to hug him, shaking my head at him. "No, it's not your fault, Carlisle. Why would you say that?"

"I'm the reason why they are coming, because I was a part of their coven for two decades. I was an honorary king in their eyes and they tried to have me drink human blood while I tried to have them drink animal blood. Eventually I wished to leave and I did so, but the one king that did not try to persuade me to drink human blood the most was Marcus…he and I bonded and he said he would come and visit me few decades to see how I am, I hadn't expected that he would wish to come now."

I took in all that he said and nodded my head, allowing him to know that I was taking in all he was telling me. I wasn't automatically getting onto him for something that he had done in the past, such as forming a friendship with the Volturi.

"Come to my office, I want to show you something."

I followed Carlisle through the house to his office and entered. He went to one of the bookshelves in the office and grabbed the top of one of the spines of the books. The click that came and the swinging of the bookshelf opening made me follow after him with renewed curiosity. There was a wall that was covered with antique framed portraits that must have cost millions of dollars, portraits that any museum would wish to own.

The center of the wall held the largest portrait, and I noted how the portrait took place in a palace.

The inside of a palace.

A gold and white marble balcony within a matching gold and white marble ball room that looked down upon the renaissance humans and vampires that were draped in the most stunning and expensive fabrics known to man. They had flutes that were filled with red wine and blood. They were happy and the grand chandelier made of pure gold above them sent out warm light.

Peering down at the celebrating mass below them were three vampires dressed in the finest royal clothes, I was certain they would have been welcomed with open arms from the Sun King at Versailles. The palace itself reminded me of Versailles with how everything was of the best material. The three vampires each had their own strong expressions upon their faces.

The vampire on the left reminded me of an elven king with the long white-blond hair, and a scowl upon his beautiful features. There were rubies and rare jewels that were braided into his hair, and complete disgust towards the humans that were celebrating below him. They were beneath him, not just physically but mentally and socially also. He was Caius Volturi, the executioner king that ruled with an iron fist when it came to violence.

The vampire in the middle looked just like Keanu Reeves with long dark hair that fell to his shoulder blades. An eccentric smile was upon his lips, and he had his hands folded together behind his back though I wouldn't be surprised if he was someone who communicated with his hands when he spoke. He also reminded me of the Mad Hatter, he just had that aura around him that was on the brink of insanity if not all the way there. He was Aro Volturi, one who could see all the thoughts a person had, which kind of made sense with his personality now that I thought about it.

The last vampire took my breath away, quite literally, on the right. I could see how his hair was made of soft wavy, curls that fell to his shoulder blades. A black veil covered his face and ended two inches above his plump lips. I could only tell the crimson irises that peered through the veil, full of mournfulness and pain. It was obvious that he was drenched in tragedy.

He was Marcus Volturi. The king who could see mating bonds between people.

"Bella, there's something I need to tell you something about Marcus…it pertains to you," Carlisle confessed, earning a nod from me though I hadn't turned to look at him. I was too busy enraptured by the sight of the veiled king in front of me.

"Marcus was married over a millennium ago, and lost his mate. He's been wearing his mourning veil ever since her death, but Alice told me not that long ago that she'd see him without it in the future with a new mate, a new wife next to him. A first of any in the vampiric world."

"What does that have to do with me, Carlisle?"

"Marcus's second wife is you, Bella. You're Marcus's mate."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: UPDATE 1 OF 3.

AS ALWAYS: TWILIGHT DOESN'T BELONG TO ME

IT'SEMMYNOTEMMA

ps: I love Gordon Ramsey and have a crush on him.