His Little Mystery

08

"It's just a baseball game." Bella says as dad starts cleaning his shotgun.

"Be nice!" I demand as I hear a knock on the door.

When dad traces a halo over his head, I go to the front door. Emmett and Edward are standing there, hands in their pockets. I grab Emmett's arm and drag him inside and Edward follows.

"Dad, this is my boyfriend, Emmett." I say.

"And this is my boyfriend, Edward." Bella says too.

"Emmett, Edwin...." Dad says slowly.

"Edward, dad." Bella sighs.

"Baseball, right?" Dad questions. "I see if with Esmerelda. But how did you rope Bella in?"
—
Esme grabs Bella's shoulders as she enters the clearing with Edward. "Glad you're here, we need an umpire."

"She thinks we cheat," Emmett says with a smirk.

"Oh, she knows you cheat." I wink at my boyfriend, and he kisses me.

"Call them as you as them, Bella." Esme coos.

"Okay."  Bella says, then the games begin.
—- the game does on a while __

"Stop!" Alice declares suddenly. "They we're leaving, but they heard us."

"Let's go," Edward says to my sister.

"It's too late," Carlisle mutters.

"Get your hair down," Edward demands.

"Like that'll help," Rosalie scowls. "I could smell her from across the field."

"I shouldn't have brought you here," Edward sighs. "I'm so sorry."

"What?" Bella questions helplessly.

"Just be quiet and stay behind me."

I stand in the front with Carlisle, not a bit scared. He smiles at me before we see three figures leave the woods.  I'm brave, but I stiffen when I noice how dark their crimson eyes are.

"I believe this belongs to you," the  man with dreads says in a heavy French accent, and throws the baseball back to Carlisle.

"Thank you," Carlisle replies.

"I am Laurent," the man says, eyeing me intently. "And this is James, and Victoria."

"I'm Carlisle, and this is my family."

"Room for a few more players?" Laurent asks.

"A few of us were just leaving." Carlisle replies, and throws the ball.

Victoria reaches out, and catches it. "I'm the one with the wicked curve ball."

"I think we can handle that," Jasper says back with a competitive smirk- Emmett is the same.

I turn to walk away and the wind heat blows my hair, and my sent hits James.

"You've brought a snack!" He hisses, luckily Bella left with Edward.

I crouch down, to defend myself.

"A human?" Laurent seems surprised, but more surprised by my bravery.

"The girl is with us." Carlisle says, eyeing me with James. "We hold a permanent residence nearby."

James's crimson red eyes bore into my brown eyes as we both straighten.

"James." Laurent snaps James out of his trance, barely. "Come on."

James's eyes lock into mine once more as he wraps an arm around Victoria's shoulder. James smirks before the three vampires walk away.

"Whoa." Emmett mutters. "What the hell, Esmerelda?"

"He doesn't scare me." I shrug. "Intimidating maybe. Scary, no."

Maverick just sighs. "My best friend is a crazy, brave, slightly psychotic human."

"Slightly?" I wink before Maverick picks me up in a fireman hold and flashes me to the house.

Laurent is coming down the stairs when I enter. I freeze.

"Don't be alarmed." Laurent says as he flashes down. "You brave, brave human. I came with a warning."

"What kind of warning?" I ask, alert.

"James..... I've grown tired of his games..." Laurent says. "He's a tracker. Your scent is locked. He won't stop until you're dead. Unless he is first. I have come to offer my help."

"I wish you could help, for once, Laurent." I sigh. "This is on me."

Laurent looks into my eyes. "Let this coven help. You won't win on your own."

"Fine, but only because I don't want to die yet." I shrug.

Laurent nods before he says, "you can only be so brave, miss Swan. Trust me."
—
My excuse for leaving? I'm spending some quality time with Rosalie. Dad approves, he loves Rosalie and Alice, he even likes Emmett somewhat.

"You'll leave with us all tonight." Alice says. "Lets go."
—

Alice gets us a hotel room, and I go to shower before laying down. Alice smiles softly at me before I fall asleep.