The Edge of Insanity | Rosalie Hale

Chapter 20: Collision Course

Emmett scooped Daniel up onto his shoulder in a joyous bear hug. "Baseball! Baseball! Baseball!" he roared, his booming voice echoing through the still night.

Daniel, despite his towering height, found himself hoisted effortlessly. A peal of laughter erupted from him, the sound rich and contagious. They were the first ones waiting outside, the anticipation for the game crackling in the air.

Moments later, Rosalie emerged from the house, a vision in her baseball uniform. She saw her husband hoisted playfully on Emmet's back. A wave of gratitude washed over her. Not many people could bring out such genuine joy in her husband, but Emmett seemed to possess that magic touch. As Daniel's laughter echoed in the night, Rosalie couldn't help but think that while she was his other half, Emmett would forever be his soul brother.

Just then, Daniel noticed Rosalie, his laugh sputtered out, replaced by a look of pure awe. "Jesus fucking christ," he breathed, his gaze lingering on the way the fabric clung to her. "How can you be real?" he added, a playful glint in his eyes.

Rosalie couldn't help but smile. "You don't look half-bad yourself, Dan," she countered, her eyes raking appreciatively over his form. And indeed, he didn't. Daniel, with his toned physique, looked like a warrior in a baseball uniform. The black compression shirt emphasized the width of his shoulders, and the low-slung baseball pants hugged his long legs. A silver army tag glinted on a leather necklace around his neck, a subtle reminder of his past life. The intricate tattoo that peeked out from under the neck of his shirt only added to his aura of raw masculinity.

A daze settled over Daniel Emmett released him. His eyes, fixed on Rosalie, held a magnetic pull. He strode towards her. Reaching her, he drew her in for a kiss.

Pulling back with a grin, he challenged, "Race you to the clearing!" He was off like a shot, a surge of exhilaration coursing through him. Seconds ticked by, and then he heard the pounding of footsteps flanking him - Rosalie's light and swift to his right, Emmett's heavier thud to his left. He loved these moments, these bursts of pure, unadulterated fun shared with his family.

Bursting into the clearing, Daniel let out a triumphant yell, "I totally won that race!"

Emmett's voice, laced with mock indignation, cut through his victory cry. "Not fair! You took off before we even budged."

"Sod off," Daniel retorted playfully.

The rest of the family soon arrived. Rosalie, announced their teams. "Emmett, Jasper, Daniel, and I are on one team. Edward, Carlisle, Esme, and Alice on the other."

"Mum's playing?" Daniel raised an eyebrow, surprised. "She's usually the referee."

"I can multitask today," Esme replied cheerfully. "Bella will help me out when she arrives."

"Right," Daniel acknowledged, grabbing an aluminum bat. He swung it playfully. Emmett, mirrored him and snatched another bat, and soon they were playfully fencing with each other, the metallic clangs echoing through the clearing.

Moments later, Edward appeared with Bella trailing behind him. Daniel sauntered back to Rosalie, stealing another kiss. "You look absolutely incredible in that uniform," he murmured, his voice husky with desire. "We should definitely play baseball more often."

Rosalie leaned into his touch, her heart fluttering. "Agreed," she breathed, her face mere inches from his. "Come on then," she added with a playful glint in her eyes, "You'll bat first."

With one last lingering kiss, Daniel reluctantly pulled away, heading towards the makeshift baseball field. The game was about to begin.

"All right," Esme called in a clear voice. "Batter up."