The sky above us was dark gray with heavy clouds. The humans in Forks would have to switch on the lights in their houses. But we had gathered in a remote clearing deep within the forests surrounding the city. Quiet thunder rumbled in the distance. Rolling closer as we organized the game.
Alice had put us all in individualized jerseys with our names on it and matching hats. And even though mine was once again fitting a little snug I had to agree with the others that we looked sweet as a group.
On the way to the playing field I sent Edward ahead and ran with Rosalie.
"Could we slow down for a second?" I asked her when we were surrounded only by towering trees and the symphony of nature. "I wanted to speak to you and explain myself."
Rosalie's graceful run slowed until she walked at a human pace. I matched her speed and walked beside her. I was unsure how I should start.
"Go on, Bella." She encouraged me when I was silent for a moment too long. "I will listen."
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "First, I would like to say that I will not ask for your story. It is yours and I do not want it until you actually want to tell me. From what Edward said I can deduce that it was something horrible and I think I know what it is but you do not need to tell me. I will not pry."
"You want me to believe Edward didn't tell you?" she asked skeptically.
"He didn't." I said calmly. "Whether you believe it or not Edward is trying to be sensible when it comes to the thoughts he can read. He won't speak of them if he can help it. He told me Dr. Cullens story because he is displaying large parts of it in the house and he told me about Alice's missing memory because there are no secrets there to divulge. I know Jasper is from the south and fought in vampire wars but that is pretty apparent.
But I do not know how Esme or you entered this life."
"That is surprising." Rosalie commented.
I shrugged. "But that is not what I wanted to tell you."
Rosalie nodded for me to continue.
"I know we have only known each other for a short time and I probably blindsided you by asking you to be a godmother. So I want to tell you that you don't have to feel obliged to accept the offer. I won't hold it against you if you back out because it's not good for your emotional wellbeing."
"You haven't." She interrupted me. "It is true that I don't understand why you wouldn't choose Esme or Carlisle. But I do want to be godmother. Unless you don't truly want me to be?"
It was the first time I had ever seen Rosalie insecure and I swiftly alleviated her fears.
"But it is true that I should have explained my decision better." I told her. "I understand that you have wished for motherhood in your human life?"
She nodded. "Desperately."
"You see I never truly thought of motherhood until I was already pregnant. Don't get me wrong, I knew I wanted children with Edward, but that was down the line. Someday, you know? But all that changed when I was told I was carrying Edward's child within me. He was supposedly dead and it was like he had given me one last gift. And I loved the child instantly."
"But not enough to survive for it."
"No." I shook my head in agreement. "I did not have the strength to do that. And when I first realized that my belly no longer grew I was sure it was another form of my godly punishment for trying to commit suicide."
"I would have survived for the baby." she said forcefully.
"Maybe," I told her. "But maybe not. You cannot understand what it felt like for me to lose Edward. I was no longer Bella without him, only a walking corps. And I pray you never have to find out who you would be without Emmett." I turned to look at her. "But that conviction you have is actually why I chose you to be its godmother. As soon as I realized you wanted a child in your human life I knew you would make an extraordinary godmother for our child, Rosalie. I know that you would love and protect this baby with the same intensity and passion that Edward and I would. I trust you completely on that front."
"I will probably still be envious of you." she warned. "I can't really help it. It's just as ingrained as my desperation for a baby."
"I do understand, Rosalie. Your feelings are valid, and I don't expect you to change your perspective." I smiled warmly at her.
"Thank you, Bella." she told me softly. "I appreciate your trust in me. And I can promise you that I will keep your child safe and happy."
"Thank you, Rose."
The forest around us was tranquil as we once again picked up the pace. When we arrived at the clearing the others were there already.
Emmett greeted me by once again trying to convince me to play with them. "Come on, Bella! You've got to play! It's going to be epic!"
"I don't know, Emmett. I never had any interest in baseball. And I'm not exactly the sporty type."
"Bella, you'll do great. Besides, it's just for fun. We don't expect you to be an expert." he told me encouragingly. "Come on, Bella! We'll make a killer team!"
"At least I wouldn't lose if I am on your team." I winked at him.
"Does that mean you are in?" he asked excitedly.
"No." I smiled.
"Bella!" he groaned. "Well, think about it this way—it's a perfect opportunity to bond with your new family. You will make us very happy."
I rolled my eyes at him.
"And what about little Eddie? He would want to see you play. And I'm sure he will find a way to repay you for your effort, afterwards." He wiggled his eyebrows at me.
I chuckled nervously and glanced over at Edward. He was preparing the field with Alice. Grinning from ear to ear. The stress of the past days, maybe even the past century, had fallen from him. His eyes sparkled and he laughed freely. It was almost as if he had become a little boy again. I knew that little boy would be even happier to share the fun with me. And all I wanted was for him to be happy.
"Alright, alright, I'll give it a try." I reluctantly gave in. "But don't expect any home runs from me."
"Yeah!" Emmett celebrated by jumping around and hugging me tight before pulling me over to the others. "That's the spirit, Bella! We're going to dominate this game!"
We divided the teams by mates. Emmett, Alice, Esme and I were on one team. Edward, Jasper, Carlisle and Rosalie on the other.
Emmett dragged me to the plate and gave me the bat. I gripped it tightly and tried my best to focus on the upcoming pitch.
"Bella, just watch the ball and swing when it comes. You'll do great!" Emmett said encouragingly. "Get ready! Here comes the pitch!"
I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath. I was determined to give it my all. Even if I did badly I would at least have tried.
I did actually hit the ball with my bat and it flew quite a long way.
"Nice hit, Bella! You're getting the hang of it!" Emmett praised me and I could not stop myself from grinning with him. It was surprisingly fun to play the game yourself, and the stormy atmosphere only heightened the excitement.
And after a while I slowly started to get the hang of it. I still needed to be reminded of the rules and my movements were less fluid than those of the others but I was proud to say that I did not completely drag down my team. The playful banter and laughter among us filled the forest clearing and I laughed with the others.
Alice was about to pitch for Carlisle when her eyes clouded over and her movements froze. "Oh!"
"Alice?" Esme asked.
Alice shook her head as if she was trying to get rid of the pictures.
"Three red eyed vampires." Edward answered for her with a strained voice as he came to my side. "They want to join our game."
"They heard us play and changed their path." Alice added.
Dr. Cullen shrugged. "I suppose we'll invite them to a game then. You said there are three?"
Alice nodded.
"Who wants to sit out?" He asked, looking at all the members of his coven and me one after the other.
"Can't we all just sit out a round each?" Edward questioned.
"Of course." Carlisle nodded.
"They will be here shortly." Edward warned us and soon after we all could hear them approaching. Loud steps sounded on the forest floor.
And with every step I grew more nervous.
I did not know how they would react to such a large accumulation of vampires. Would they stay friendly? Or would they see a challenging fight? I knew we would beat them. Edwards mind reading, Alice's visions, Jasper's emotional manipulations and my shield together made us close to invincible. And with the added numerical strength I knew I had little to worry about. But I still did.
Because I had something to lose again. Edwards family. The baby in my stomach. And most importantly Edward himself.
My thoughts came to a standstill when I saw the vampire in the lead. He was tall, had glossy black hair and olive toned skin. And I knew him. His was the very first face I had seen in this second life. "Laurent." His name escaped my lips before I could stop myself.
A red haired woman was to his right. She was beautiful. Her hair was long and her face distinctly feline, with almond shaped eyes and long dark lashes.
The blond man that traveled with them looked average. Especially for a vampire. There was nothing remarkable about him. Apart from the eyes nothing stood out. And even his eyes were normal in our world.
Edwards' head snapped around as he looked from me to Laurent and back again.
"Isabella Masen." He had an easy smile that made my skin crawl. "What a beautiful surprise to find you again after all this time."
Edward shifted to have me behind him.
"Obviously you are still mateless. The offer still stands."
A quiet growl came from Edward and he was lowered into a defensive stand. I gently placed my hand on his back.
"Even if I was mateless, I would decline your offer once again. Thank you very much." I said icily.
"What about Irina?" Edward questioned him.
Laurent looked stunted for a moment before narrowing his eyes at Edward. "How?"
"I can read your minds." Edward said coldly. "Every single thought you think."
Laurents eyes widened.
"Yes, even that dreadful song you play in your head." Edward answered him. "But you did not answer my question. Why would you pursue Bella if you have Irina as a mate?"
"That is none of your business." Laurent hissed back while keeping a focused face. His eyebrows were drawn together and his eyes narrowed.
"Everything that affects Bella concerns me." He told him.
"Laurent, we should just leave." The red haired woman said. Her eyes flitted between all of us. She was obviously nervous. She feared us. "James? Please."
Laurent nodded a little too fast. He was anxious to get away.
"For now." The blond sighed but agreed reluctantly.
The woman was the first to leave. And the blond followed close behind. Only Laurent stood for a moment longer. His eyes fixed on me. Until he turned and was gone in a flash.
"Let's go back to the house." Edwards eyes were still wide and there was a desperation and determination in his voice. "We all need to talk."
His iron hold on my hand did not loosen the entire run back to the house. He kept his pace adapted to mine. The others were around us.
Jasper was the first to enter the house, exchanging glances with Edward. His posture visibly relaxed when Edward nodded.
Dr. Cullen lead us to the dining room table and I took my place by Edwards' side. "Edward, you have gathered information regarding the three nomads?" He opened the conversation.
Edward nodded and ran his hand through his hair. "First, Laurent is mated to Irina."
"You already said as much in the clearing. Is it our Irina?"
"Yes. The very same one. I don't think any of the others knew of it and Irina has obviously kept her mind under incredible control. I never heard a thought of it before."
"Why should she keep this from her sisters?" Rosalie questioned.
"Perhaps she is fearing their reactions because he is drinking human blood?" I speculated out loud. "You said the Denalis were golden eyed, no?"
"That is a possibility." Edward said. "But the why is not so important. What is important is that she did and what more she could be hiding. I am sorry to say that I no longer trust her until she explains why she did what she did."
A sudden thought ran through my head. "Do you think she could be the golden eyed vampire that turned me?" I asked timidly.
"Possibly."
"Just a second," Esme said as she stood and flitted out of the room. "I can show you a picture." She handed me a photo.
All the Cullens and seemingly the entire Denali coven were together. But the familiar face of my creator stood out immediately. "This is her." I pointed at the striking vampire with alabaster skin and shimmering golden eyes. Even in the photo she exuded an air of both elegance and otherworldly beauty. She had straight, chin-length, silvery blonde hair and the eyes that had haunted me for close to a century. "This is the one that changed me."
Esme turned her head to see who I had pointed out and nodded. "Irina."
"So, Irina changed you. But why?" Dr. Cullen questioned.
"A favor to Laurent?" Rosalie speculated. "Can mates ever be unsatisfied and search for fulfillment in others?"
"I have never heard of cheating between mates." Dr. Cullen said.
"Me neither." Jasper agreed.
"What if it is the same purpose Maria had?" Alice wondered. "Could they have tried to create a born vampire?"
"For what purpose?" Edward asked.
"I have no idea." Alice shrugged. "Could Irina plan to change back her diet and the two of them wanted to conquer some territory?"
"I don't think Irina would ever change her diet." Dr. Cullen protested. "She wouldn't do that."
"Just as she would never change a random pregnant woman?" I said bitterly.
Dr. Cullen opened his mouth to speak again but decided against it.
"Whatever it is, we need to learn more." Edward said calmly. "Carlisle, would you be so kind and ask the Denalis to visit us?"
"Are you all in agreement that that would be the best?" Dr. Cullen asked and looked at his children.
All of them nodded.
"What will this mean for us?" Esme asked cautiously.
"I don't know." Edward shook his head. "But we need to learn more. And until we do, I want you to enjoy their visit."
Esme nodded and joyfully clapped her hands. "I have not seen Carmen in such a long time. It will be nice to see her."