AN: Hi everyone! here's the next chapter.

The really heavy stuff has passed, it won't be gone copmletely, but it will be lighter from now on. Bella will slowly start to heal.

Anyway we aren't there yet though, so enjoy reading this chapter!

Chapter 12 - Impossibilities

EPOV

Jasper and I were sitting in the media room after batting practice today waiting for the rest of the team to come in for the meeting.

We were finding out what was going to happen to us now, what the future of the Cubs were and the future of all of us players. Trades were not so farfatched anymore. The reading of the will had been yesterday and today we would get to hear what it had said. perhaps we'd even get to meet Isabella Swan. But I wasn't holding my breath for that.

'Hey did you see Paul today?' Jasper asked absentmindedly.

I shook my head. 'Nope, thank god.'

'Do you think he's gone?'

I smiled at the enthusiasm in his voice and couldn't help but feel the same. 'we'll find out soon.'

Emmett came into the room then and joined us. We talked idely for a few minutes as the room started filling up.

I checked my phone quickly as Emmett was asking Jasper a specific question and saw I had no new messages or calls. I sighed. I hadn't really expected her to call already, but still I'd hoped. I really did hope she called me.

The ball was in her court now… and I had to respect that and give her time. She would come to me I was sure of it.

'Still nothing?' Emmett asked.

I'd told him yesterday evening what had happened between me and Bella at the park. 'Nope.' I said, a slight frown on my face.

Jasper perked up. 'What?'

'He gave his number to a girl.'

'Dog walking girl?' Jasper asked, never having been slow.

I nodded. 'yeah. I met her again Thursday. She said she was in a tough spot right now when I said I wanted to get to know her. So I just handed her my number and told her to call me whenever.'

'Damn, that sucks man. What was going on?'

I shrugged. 'she didn't elaborate. She just said that she was struggling right now and didn't want to drag me in.'

'Well perhaps it's for the best then.' Jasper tried to console me.

I shrugged noncommitically as I glanced around the room, avoiding their questioning eyes. The room had been filling up nicely while we'd been talking and I noticed almost everyone was here.

'Did you see Laurent outside?' Jasper asked noticing I was uncomfortable and changing the subject.

Emmet nodded. 'its ridiculous. He knows we aren't allowed to talk to the press, but he's really enjoying his fifteen minutes it seems.'

'Is he here yet?' I asked.

We all looked around, but no one saw him. 'Seems he's still going at it then.' Jasper shook his head.

The door opened then and we all turned and quieted down as we spotted Harry walking in. There was someone walking after him, a lot smaller than him, they were completely hidden by Harry's large frame.

He called everyone to attention and asked if everyone was there.

I noted that Laurent was still missing. And as I did Harry shifted and my eyes widened in disbelief.

It was the girl.

Bella.

She was here!

I couldn't believe this.

She was looking better, as if she'd finally been able to get some sleep. She was still a bit thin, her cheeks slightly hollowed. But she was looking a lot better and my heart soared. Perhaps that meant she was going to call me soon.

But then I shook myself. What was she doing here? Was she Harry's daughter? Was she a PR consultant that had been hired?

I couldn't help but smile at her, as her eyes locked with mine and recognizition dawned on her face. Although instead of smiling back she looked almost sad and resigned.

Then Harry started speaking and my world turned on it's axis.

'Everyone, your attention please. Yesterday was the reading of Charles Swan's last will and testament and he has referred all of his holdings, including ownership of the Chicago clubs to his daughter.' He gestured to Bella beside him. 'Isabella Swan.'

My heart stopped. Bella… Isabella… Isabella Swan. Charlie's daughter.

My eyes widened and I stared at her in disbelief my mouth slightly agape.

She stepped forward. 'Thank you, Harry. Yes. My father left his club to me and I intend to run it and continue his legacy. I expect this will be a surprise to some of you, I haven't been around the last few years, so most of you are new faces to me. I have been in Arizona, finishing up my business degree and getting some experience interning here and there. I expect the media will have a field day with this. But I assure you, I was raised on this sport. I was swinging a bat as soon as I could walk. I am my father's daughter and I intend to run this club like he did and get us to the world series.' She stated confidently, her shoulders pulled back her head held high and her eyes fierce as she looked around the room.

I couldn't help but just stare, slackjawed and awed at this amazing woman. I couldn't imagine how hard this was for her. She'd lost her father after a long illness and now was taking over this club? The press was going to eat her alive.

'Paul Lahote was present at the will reading and objected to my taking over.' she continued.

'here it comes' Emmett whispered with glee.

'his words of choice to express his displeasure were entirely inappropriate. After also revealing some underhand plots afoot, we had not choice but to let him go. Effective yesterday Mr Lahote is no longer the manager of the Chicago cubs.'

There were whoops and hollers at that news and Harry quickly shut it down.

'We'll be starting the process of finding a new manager and coach.' She continued. Then she looked around. 'if any of you have any reservations about being on a team that is owned by a woman, I'd ask you to step forward today and we'll see what our options are for trade or buying out your contracts. We don't want to keep anyone here that isn't comfortable.'

Harry nodded in agreement as he stood alongside her.

'Now, I'll try and live up to my father in every way I can, but in the meantime please go about your regular routine and let's make sure we're all in great shape before the season starts. I'd like for the coaches and support staff to remain here, but the players are dismissed.' She finished.

'alright, you heard the lady.' Harry said clapping his hands together as he signalled for us to head out.

Emmett was staring at Isabella… Bella... in trepidation. He had to remain, seeing he was support staff.

'Good luck.' I muttered patting his back. Then I tucked tail and practically ran from the room.

I couldn't stay there and see her ignore me as if she didn't know who I was.

Jasper went after me, his hand clamping on my shoulder hard. We stopped in the hallway leading to the locker room.

'What was that?' he asked me.

'Fuck.' I cursed, rubbing a hand over my face. Then I blew out a big breath. 'That was bella.'

'what? Bella? You mean Isabella Swan?'

I nodded. 'yeah, or dog walking girl as you've dubbed her.'

His eyes widened as his brows rose. 'That's the girl you met? The one you liked and gave your number to? She's Charles Swan's daughter?'

'yeah apparently.' I muttered.

'fuck.'

'yeah you can say that again.'

he stared at me. 'fuck me, that explains why she said she had a lot going on.'

I snorted. 'yeah, you can say that again. Father passing away from cancer and then taking over all of his responsibilities. That's more than anyone should be dealig with.'

'Damn. Sorry man.' He said apologetically.

I shrugged, trying to shrug it off. 'I guess now I won't have to wait by the phone for a call that'll never come.'

'do you think she knew? That you were on the team?'

I shook my head. 'I doubt it. She never indicated she had even the faintest idea.'

We were silent for a bit as I stared miserably at my feet. The first time in a long time that I find a girl who actually intrigues me and sees more than just a major league baseball payer with a hefty bank account, and she's my new boss. I wanted to smack myself for getting interested. But I couldn't help it. She was just so…. Interesting.

and fuck hot.

But it was more than just her incredible curves, or the way she had fit perfectly in my arms when I'd carried her. She was something I'd never met before and knowing she was Charlie's daughter… well that made me want to know her all the more.

'What do I do, Jasper?' I asked finally, my voice taking on a hint of desperation. 'I want to know her.'

'I don't think she'll ever agree to date you now, man.' He said regretfully. 'I'm not even sure if it's allowed. You know Harry has a lot of rules in place.'

I nodded. It was hopeless then. I'd just have to avoid her it seemed. I had to get over her. I had to forget her smile and her dog… and just go find a new park to walk Mike in.

Yeah that would be best.

Jasper and I headed down to the batting cages for a bit again, I just wanted to let off a bit of steam. Plus we had media training in about an hour to tell us how we were dealing with this new development. We were probably going to be bombared with questions, requests for statements, opinions and interviews, when this was going public.

Jasper seemed frustrated as well.

'Hey, you okay man?' I asked as he let out an almost guttural sound after hitting one ball so hard the resounding clank hurt my ears.

He was panting and his eyes were narrowed. 'I…' he hesitated looking at me butthen sighed. 'I met someone too.'

I smiled. 'that's great.' I enthused.

Jasper had been hung up on his ex, Maria, for almost a year now. I had tried to get him over it, but he just wasn't interested in anyone else.

He scoffed. 'I doubt it.'

I frowned. 'what do you mean?'

Then he bit his lip and turned off the machine. He regarded me carefully. 'She's younger.'

I stared at him for a moment. 'how much we talking here?' Jasper didn't strike me as the type to go after underage and illegal girls, so I wasn't really sure what his problem was. He was only 25 after all.

'She's just turned 20.'

I looked at him. 'alright.' I was still waiting for the problem.

Sure twenty year olds were perhaps a bit less mature than us. In a different phase of life, still in college. But that didn't have to mean anything per se. everyone was different. As long as the dynamic was healthy and everything was legal and they were both consenting adults… I didn't see a problem.

'she's…' he blew out a breath. Then he closed his eyes. 'Fuck. Okay I'm gonna tell you, but you can't beat me up.'

I frowned. 'the fuck? Why would I?'

'it's Alice.' He admitted in a small voice.

I stared at him. 'Alice?' I echoed. 'My little sister Alice?' I asked, still slightly incredulous.

He nodded. 'look I met her at the funeral okay, she seemed upset and before I knew it I was comforting her and trying to get her to laugh and distracting her and she… she just mesmerized me man. She's amazing.' He looked at me uncertainly.

I opened my mouth a few times but closed it again, unsure what to say.

'so… you like her then?' I finally settled on. He nodded once. 'and she likes you?' I asked.

He bit the inside of his cheek and shrugged. 'I think so. I asked her out and she said yes.'

'when?'

'I'm taking her to dinner on Tuesday.'

I blew out a big breath again. Apparently this was the day for world changing revelations.

'fuck me.' I muttered, rubbing a hand over my face again.

'look. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to happen either. Trust me that was the last thing I was looking for but… she just… well… she's Alice…'

Well at least I could agree with him there. Alice was something else. A force to be reckoned with and I loved her dearly.

'look.' I said. 'you don't need my permission to date her. She's her own person. She would actually kill both of us if she thought that you were asking for my blessing or something like that.' I rubbed my neck awkwardly remembering the first and only time I'd gotten protective over her dating life.

She'd ripped me a new one and kicked me in the balls for good measure. She didn't like double standards. And I had to agree I could see her point. She was her own person and she was free to do as she liked. And that included enjoying herself just like I had done. I couldn't begrudge her that or judge her for it as she had so rightly pointed that out.

'her dating life is her own. So I won't stand in your or her way. You're a good guy. If she had to chose a baseball player, she picked quite okay. but don't think I'll let you treat her like shit' I warned. 'she's still my little sister and people who break her heart will answer to me.'

Jasper swallowed but nodded. 'that's fair.' He said smiling at me.

I nodded to him and then we headed to the locker room to shower and change before heading to the media training where I decided a little call to Alice was probably necessary tonight.