A/N: My thank yous to Team Jazzward for your help with this chapter. xx

DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, but if you're here, you knew that already. ;)

-FONO-

"Edward!"

I catch Mary Alice before she loses her balance and almost spills her basket of flowers.

"Whoa. Be careful."

"Can you believe she's here?" she asks just above a whisper.

It's difficult to resist the urge to roll my eyes, but I do.

"I can believe it."

"Isabella Swan is here—in my home and she asked me to call her Bella. She said only close friends call her that, which means I'm one. I'm a close friend, Edward. This is such an unbelievable day, and do you know what else?"

I shake my head, as nothing would surprise me at this point. "I have no idea."

"Felix winked at me when I brought him and Father lemonade. He winked at me, Edward. Little ol' me. When Mother gave Bella a tour of the gardens, Felix and I followed along, walking side by side. Had Mother not been there, who knows what could have happened. Maybe he would have tried to hold my hand or something. Bella said he's her bodyguard, but do you think there's more to their relationship than that?"

"No." With Miss Swan off limits to Felix for probably professional reasons on her part, I can only imagine the parade of women who warm his bed, and I hope Mary Alice doesn't aspire to be one of them.

She shrieks with delight at my confirmation. "Oh my goodness. Promise you'll sit next to me at dinner and keep me from floating out of my seat. Have you seen his eyes? They're so blue. O-Or those arm muscles? Would it be wrong to ask if I could squeeze one? Well, maybe I can ask when Mother isn't around. What if he sits across from me at dinner? Oh heavens! How will I ever be able to focus on eating?"

"I'm positive you'll manage."

"Let's hope I don't spill anything or choke. Although, I bet Felix would jump up to save me. His job is to protect Bella, but maybe that would extend to me now that I'm a close friend." Her eyes spark with a mischievous twinkle. "I know! I could pretend to be choking."

"You're forgetting that your father is a doctor. I'm certain he would be the first to respond."

Her shoulders slump slightly. "Right. Scratch that. No choking. Well, maybe I can think of something else."

I point toward the main lawn area. "I should say hello to your father and Felix."

"Oh, okay. I need to put these flowers in some water before Mother has a fit."

"She said dinner will be ready soon."

"Dinner with Felix and Bella! I can't believe this is happening!" Mary Alice lets out another squeal before opening the back door and disappearing inside.

I meander along the garden path until I arrive at the main lawn, but Dr. Cullen and Felix are nowhere to be found. It's clear they have completed their tasks of installing the wickets since everything seems in place for a match later. I glance around the area, locating them sitting in an area under a shade tree.

"Edward! Join us, please." Dr. Cullen stands, waving me over and directing me toward a vacant chair beside his, overlooking the lawn.

"Dr. Cullen."

He holds up his cigar. "Don't tell Es, but I couldn't resist the cigars Felix brought. I doubt she can see us from here."

It seems Dr. Cullen and Mary Alice have more in common than they realize, as they are both masters at evading Mrs. Cullen's watchful eyes.

"Masen." Felix nods, puffing away on his own cigar.

"Felix."

Dr. Cullen opens the box on the table next to their empty glasses. "Can I offer you one?"

"Sure." I take a long, appreciative drink, setting my glass with the others.

Felix's observant gaze never falters, scrutinizing my movements, as I cut the end and light my cigar. After the first few puffs, my body relaxes, releasing a tension I didn't realize I was carrying, but can probably be attributed to the additional guests this evening—especially the one assisting Mrs. Cullen with dinner.

"Is it safe to go inside?" Dr. Cullen wonders, looking toward the house.

"I wouldn't risk it just yet, but Mrs. Cullen said it won't be much longer."

"I've never seen Esme more excited in my life than after speaking with Miss Swan. They have been full of laughter all afternoon."

"The kitchen smells heavenly, and when I arrived, Miss Swan was removing freshly baked pies from the oven." The visual of her fanny in the air while completing her task is one I plan to recall fondly long after her departure tomorrow.

"I hope one of them is cherry," Dr. Cullen states, as the gentle breeze blows his smoke rings away from the direction of the house.

"I think you're in luck." I grin, looking forward to trying Miss Swan's pies myself.

The three of us get lost in a discussion about the Cubs chances this season. It's still early, but we share our concerns over how long "Old Pete" Alexander will continue pitching. Dr. Cullen wonders if Vic Aldridge and the pinpoint accuracy of his curveball is here to stay.

Felix expresses his excitement in looking forward to watching the Yankees in their new stadium. He insists they will find themselves in the World Series again this year with Babe Ruth's hot bat, which is on a record setting pace. This debate could go on for hours, but Mrs. Cullen's lovely voice brings our focus back to the present, and thoughts of baseball are left far behind.

"Carlisle! Dinner's ready!"

A/N: Thank you for continuing to read. xx