Wow, I've never felt Edward feel so...happy...and...in love. A smile spread across Jaspers face automatically at the cheerfulness in the room. "Actually, Alice says there's going to be a real storm tonight, and Emmett wants to play ball. Are you game?" he asked while walking into the room.
Playing ball did sound fun. I knew Emmett would be thoroughly pissed if I didn't show up this time. I remembered the vampires that are visiting in the area and without thinking about it I looked at Bella and realized I would never leave her for a moment with those creatures at large. Before I could respond Alice chimed in, "Of course you should bring Bella."
What? Jasper looked mildly surprised and sent Alice a quick look but turned back so quickly I wasn't sure if Bella caught it. Once again I had to remind myself that it was always her choice, "Do you want to go?" I asked as excitement burst through me.
She looked at me and without hesitating she said, "Sure. Um, where are we going?"
This is going to be so much fun! Alice's thoughts flitted through my mind.
I can't believe this. Oh well this should be...interesting. Jasper thought while curiosity was willing inside him.
"We have to wait for thunder to play ball - you'll see why," I smiled at her.
A sign of nervousness was evident on her face when she bit her lower lip. She didn't realize she was doing it when she looked at me and asked anxiously, "Will Ineed an umbrella?"
We all started laughing but I was relieved because I was finally aware of what her sudden apprehension was.
"Will she?" Jasper asked with a most peculiar expression.
"No. The storm will hit over town. It should be dry enough in the clearing." Alice said while the vision of the clearing ran through her head.
Jasper was so full of happiness and joyfulness from the situation happening in the room that he couldn't contain his smile, "Good, then," he exclaimed.
Being around Alice was always a little strange because I was constantly seeing the future. This time it was just the coming minutes going through her mind. I saw her going to Carlisle and asking about playing ball.
"Let's go see if Carlisle will come," Alice jumped off the ground and headed toward the door with a wink in Jaspers direction.
"Like you don't know," Jasper teased.
Jasper closed the door behind him, Have fun bro.
Bella turned in my lap, her heart fluttering at our closeness, "What will we be playing?" she wondered.
I laughed at the thought of letting her hold a bat, or worse, letting her try to hit a ball with a bat.
"You will be watching," I clarified, "We will be playing baseball," I explained.
She rolled her eyes at me, "Vampires like baseball?" she asked in disbelief.
"It's the American pastime," I said in mock seriousness.
Some very annoying sound was in my ear. I was driving down Bella's street when little droplets of rain began splattering onto the windshield. That was not what was bothering me. Billy Black was waiting for Charlie in his driveway so he could tattle tale like a little kid on Bella's new found relationship with me.
"Damn Quileute legends," I muttered so low that Bella couldn't hear me.
Jacob and his father were taking shelter on Bella's front porch and I was instantly tense.
Can't she tell there is something wrong with that kid? His cold white skin, his aversion to the sun...I will settle this though. Charlie will listen to me and force her to stop seeing the Cullen kid. Billy Black thought with a sneer and a curse in each thought with my name.
Charlie isn't even here, why are we waiting here in the rain like idiots? Jacob thought until he saw Bella, Oh, well...maybe this wasn't a wasted trip after all.
I had heard enough. The thoughts radiating off of them were about to drive me to let the monster free. I couldn't let that happen when Bella was around.
"This is crossing the line," I said vehemently.
Bella's eyes found mine and they were worried. "He came to warn Charlie?" she asked horrified.
I gave her a grave look and nodded. I turned toward Billy then and I was seeing red. My eyes were narrowed into tiny slits. I can just get out of the car and scare them off. Or maybe I could...
"Let me deal with this," Bella interrupted my internal rage.
I didn't want to let her leave my side. To think of the things she was going to hear from Billy's mouth. His thoughts continued to get snippier and nastier each time he glared in my direction. I knew if I left the vehicle now and released my anger that I would lose Bella, so I quickly agreed, "That's probably best. Be careful, though. The child has no idea."
"Jacob is not that much younger than I am," she reminded me crisply.
I turned my gaze on her because she pulled me from my anger. She always knew exactly what to say to calm my nerves and bring me back to earth. I grinned at her, "Oh, I know," I assured her.
She looked exasperated. She reached for the door handle and sighed. I needed to leave here before my temper came back.
What the hell are they doing? What is taking so long? Billy thought angrily.
"Get them inside so I can leave. I'll be back around dusk," I commanded.
Her eyes met mine again, "Do you want my truck?" she asked.