Honey (Book 1)

Chapter 30

(AN: Sort of spoiler but: Violence and trauma ahead, sorry. Also, we're getting down to the last bit of the story, guys. Stay tuned for other AN.)

Rosalie's POV

Emmett's jeep kicks up mud as it roars through the field, causing us to jerk around inside. Were it not for Bella's fragile body jumping around, it would've been fine. Lately, however, instincts and needs have change and zeroed in on protecting Bella. 

Sometimes I'm consumed with the need to take Bella and flee. To hide her and keep her safe until our bond is complete for almost no reason at all. 

Most of the time, I can tone it down, like now. Besides, the ride is short and Bella doesn't seem to mind. 

We pull to a stop with everyone else. Car doors slam, shit talk is spoken and bets made. I take a moment with Bella. Kissing her nose and wrapping my scarf around her neck, I breath her in one more time. "Go get 'em, babe." She chuckles.

I can't help but laugh back as I walk away. 

Her spot is close enough to Esme but far enough from the game to keep safe. I take my place at home and get into stance. Across the way is Alice, winding her arm up for the first pitch.

The crack strikes perfectly with the clap of thunder when I hit the ball. My legs seem to barely touch ground as I pass first and second base. I race harder as Edward emerges from the foliage and slide home.

"Out!" Esme shouts. 

Rolling my eyes, I step off the plate. "Its okay, babe! You'll get 'em next time!" Bella shouts, jumping up and down in cheer. 

"Whoo!" Emmett claps. "Close, but you are so going down, Rosie." 

"Yikes, Em. That's a lot of trash coming out of your mouth for someone who has nothing to back that up." Jasper shakes his head disapprovingly as he approaches home plate. He spins the bat, catching it in an impressive display. 

I can't help the amused smirk as Jasper bats and gets a home run, making Emmett curse up his own thunderstorm. 

The game goes like that, teasing and messing around. Jasper, Carlisle and I against Em, Edward and Alice. Or as Bella says, the blondes versus brunettes. Either way, it was brunettes up by 1. Personally, I'd say Edward was cheating but.

Edward and Emmett crash together like boulders in the sky, in a cacophony of noise as lightening strikes near by. 

"Whoo! Go Rose! Go blondes!" Bella cheers jokingly throughout the game and blows me kisses across the field. Her delivery could barely be described as enthusiastic, and it cracks up my family. Her amused smile stirs something in my chest and I can't help the wink I send her way. 

As Carlisle goes up to bat, he hit it out of eyesight and far into the woods. As the boys go to chase it, Alice is frozen, eyes vacant, mouth open. "Stop!" She shouts. Jasper is by her side in seconds, Edwards sliding up to Bella and me. 

My hand grips Bella's shoulder then, with the look in Edward's eyes. 

Everyone's talking and moving then. 

"Go, you need to go. Now." Edward tells us. 

"It's too late,"

"I didn't see. They were just passing through, leaving." Alice explains. 

"How many?" 

"Three."  

My grip tightens slightly, Bella moves off the rock she sat on and wraps her arms around my waist. Her eyes flew from Carlisle to Alice to Edward and back to Alice. "What? Who is coming?"