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"What are they doing here?" Bella muttered as we pulled up to the house. She insisted I come with her so she can change, so I did. But as I eye Billy's weathered vehicle sitting in our driveway, I feel some regret. I love Billy, but he hates the Cullens and if he were to find out that his practical daughter was dating one, he'd hate me too.

"Have them leave, and then we'll be back," Edward tells her. She nods and he kisses her hand softly before she exits the vehicle. I turn to Emmett and kiss his cheek before following after her.

"Hey Billy, hey Jake." Bella greeted them as we walked over. "Charlie won't be here until later, hope you haven't been waiting long." She smiled sweetly at them though I could sense the bitterness behind it.

"Not long. Just wanted to bring this by." He held up a brown paper bag. "Might want to put it in the fridge- it's Harry's famous fish fry." He said. Bella nodded and grabbed the bag from him giving him a small smile.

I observe Jake as Bella and Billy exchange words but he's not even looking over at us. His eyes are focused on the ground, his eyebrows are furrowed, and his mouth is tightly closed. He doesn't seem happy and it worries me that he isn't.

"Where is it?" I've pulled away from looking over at him as he speaks to Billy and finally meets my gaze. His eyes have darkened and narrowed as he glares at me and I force myself to look away. His unhappiness is aimed at me, but why?

"In the truck, you might have to dig for it." Jake nods and treads to the truck. I turned back to Billy and he was eyeing Bella and me harshly as we shift uncomfortably under his glare.

"Thanks for the fish fry." Bella nodded to him. He nodded back and silence once again descended upon us.

"Girls." He simply stated. Bella crossed her arms and looked him in the eye as he continued. "Your father is one of my best friends." Bella sighed quietly as I nodded, unsure of where he was going with this topic. "I see you've both been spending a lot of time with the Cullen boys." He knew and he wasn't happy.

"Yeah." Bella quipped.

"Maybe it's none of my business, but I'm not so sure that that is a good idea." He spoke roughly.

"You're right, it is none of your business." Bella snapped and I sighed quietly. The last thing I wanted to do was speak harshly towards Billy, but it seemed that his care for us was too possessive.

"You probably are unaware of the unpleasant reputation the Cullen Family has on the reservation." He raised his eyebrows.

"We're aware," I spoke quietly. Billy's eyes darted away from Bella to mine and I could see the sadness buried in them.

"You two seem well informed of the Cullens." He glanced between the both of us.

"Perhaps more than you." Bella snapped at him again.

"Maybe." He responded. "Just think about what you're doing girls."

"Okay." A small smirk planted itself on Bella's face.

"And by that I mean don't do what you're doing." His eyes met mine but I glanced away and settled my gaze on my boots.

"There's no picture," Jake said as he approached us.

"Guess I left it at home." Billy hummed. "Well tell Charlie I stopped by. See you later girls." He rolled out to his truck with a disappointed Jacob following behind him.

"Go change, they'll be here soon," I mumbled to Bella. She nodded and I was left alone. My sugar high had evaporated and the guilt had set in. Billy was upset with us but part of me didn't care. I was happy with Emmett, I wasn't about to let Billy change that.

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Just as Dad arrived home, the boys showed up. Dad had set down his jacket and set his gun down just as Bella ran downstairs. She had a frantic look on her face and I knew she was worried about the boys meeting Dad for the first time.

"So Dad, I sort of, um, have a date with Edward Cullen." She stammered. Dad set down his beer and eyed her warily.

"You're going out with Edward Cullen?" He asked her slowly.

"I thought you liked the Cullens," Bella stated.

"I thought you didn't like any boys in town." He retorted. I chuckled but stopped at the glare Bella sent me.

"He doesn't live in town, technically." She mumbled.

"He's too old for you." He ranted.

"We're both juniors." She replied.

"Wait which one is Edwin?" He asked.

"Edward," Bella corrected him. "and he's the one with the auburn-looking hair." She tried to describe him.

"Oh okay." He drawled. "It's better than the big one I guess. He seems too old to even be in that high school."

"Funny you mention that Daddy." I giggled nervously. He glanced at me but his eyes widened as he realized what I was referring to.

"Oh no not you too." He sighed. "You're dating the big one and you're dating the tall one?" He pointed his finger at us as we nodded.

"And you're about to go out with these boys now?" We nodded once again. "When will they be here?" He sighed sadly.

"They're outside." Bella smiled nervously.

"And what are you guys going to be doing?" He eyed us suspiciously.

"We're playing baseball with his family." Bella grinned proudly.

"Baseball?" Charlie rose his eyebrows. "Clary I get because she can play, but Bells— you don't play anything, ever." He chuckled as he took a swig of his beer. "You must like this guy."

"She does." I chuckled.

"Shut up." She aimed at me. "Anyway, just be nice alright." She scolded Dad. Dad drew an imaginary halo above his head as he took another swig of his beer.

Bella went to open the door as it rang and she ushered Emmett and Edward inside. I smiled brightly at my boyfriend who returned it and looked like he wanted to come over to me but didn't want to make a bad impression so he stayed put. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his sweats and smiled shyly at me.

"Hello Edward, Emmett." I could see Bella smile in relief as Dad got their names right.

"Hello, sir." They spoke in unison.

"I assume you'll both take care of my daughters tonight." Dad glared at them.

"Yes sir." They both replied. I could see Emmett begin to get nervous and I wanted to laugh at him but I coughed to hide it.

"Good, don't bring them back too late." Dad nodded, content with their answers.

"Bye Dad." I kissed his cheek as I walked past him and outside with Emmett. I smiled as Emmett's jeep came into view and I couldn't help the squeal that escaped me.

"She likes my jeep more than me," Emmett explained to my Dad as he eyed the jeep with awe.

"I can see why," Dad muttered to him. I rushed over and wedged open the large door. Emmett picked me up by my waist and gently set me inside. After I was strapped in, I turned around and saw Bella getting help from Edward to enter the vehicle.

"Let's go!" I cheered. Emmett laughed and started the engine before driving away. "Go faster." I groaned.

"Yes ma'am," Emmett smirked at me and pressed harder onto the pedal. I heard Bella let out a small yelp as the jeep lurched forward but I laughed. I placed my hand on top of Emmett's hand that was placed on my thigh and gave it a squeeze.

"We have to walk from here," Emmett said as he parked the jeep. The road came to an end and a dirt trail peeked out of the trees. I jumped down out of the jeep and Emmett picked me up bridal style and began to run. I kept my eyes open but focused purely on his face instead of the scenery. His eyes flashed with pride and determination as he sped and a proud smirk was etched onto his face. He truly loved his speed and I loved how happy it made him feel.

We finally came to a stop and the trees cleared away. We were at a large clearing and as I looked around I noticed the rest of the Cullens spread out sporadically across it. Rosalie, Esme, and Dominic were all huddled around a boulder, and further, out from them, Jasper and Alice were standing and talking. Carlisle ran around placing something down in different areas and I could only guess as to what they were.

"Finally, now we can play," Rosalie smirked at us as we approached them. Emmett set me down on the boulder and I sat criss cross as they raced away.

"Be my cheerleader babe." Emmett kissed me roughly before pulling away and zooming out to Alice.

"Come, Clary, you can be with me and Bella." I hopped off of the rock and followed her with Bella by my side. "Call them as you see the girls." She grinned at us. I glanced around the clearing and everyone seemed to have divided into teams and had taken their respective places on the field. Emmett came over to us swinging an aluminum bat. He sent me a wink before facing Alice. She lifted her leg as she threw the ball but as Emmett swung the ball landed in Jasper's hand.

Emmett groaned but refocused as Alice threw another ball. This time the bat made contact with it and he struck it hard. The ball flew in the air as Emmett dropped the bat and raced to the bases.

"Home run," Bella muttered.

"Wait," Esme began. Bella eyed her curiously but followed her gaze just as Edward caught the ball. "Out!" Esme shouted across the clearing. I heard Emmett let out a groan and more than a few colorful words as he kicked the ground. "Emmett hits the hardest but Edward runs the fastest."

"She's letting us know for future references if you know what I mean," I whispered in Bella's ear and she gagged as she shoved me away.

"Gross." Bella spat. I chuckled and watched Edward run up to us.

"I'm up." He smirked at Bella.

"Show us how fast you are." I giggled and Bella smacked my arm. Edward chuckled at me before stepping up to the base. He played fairly well. He flew around the bases as the ball soared high and Bella seemed thoroughly impressed. We both cheered on as the game continued and the scores settled. It was Carlisle's turn to bat when Alice let out a gasp. Esme tensed up beside us and Bella and I exchanged worried glances.

"I didn't see- I couldn't tell." Alice stammered as she sped over to us with a faraway look in her eyes.

"What is it, Alice?" Carlisle asked her. By now the others had sped to us and Emmett placed his arm around my waist as we watched his family converse.

"They were traveling faster than I thought. They heard us playing and changed their path." Everyone turned and glanced toward Bella and me before turning away.

"How soon?" Carlisle asked.

"A few minutes," Edward answered him as he placed an arm around Bella.

"Can you make it?" Carlisle asked, glancing around the area.

"Not carrying, besides they'd catch a scent." Edward shook his head angrily.

"How many?" Emmett asked. I looked up at him and saw his jaw clench as his eyes narrowed.

"Three," Alice answered quietly.

"We can take them," Emmett said confidently. For a short second, it grew quiet. Only Emmett seemed confident as the rest reeked of anxiety.

"Let's continue the game, Alice said they were only curious." Carlisle finally said as he glanced between all of us.

"I'll catch now Esme, go join in the game." Esme nodded to Edward and dashed away with Carlisle. Emmett hadn't let go of my hand as he moved closer to Edward. "You call it." Emmett nodded at his new position.

"Take your hair down." Bella yanked her hair out of the hair tie and spread it across her neck. "Stay still and don't move from my side."

"Babe," I looked up at Emmett as he stared down at me. "It'll all be okay. I promised you and I intend on keeping that promise." I nodded and he placed his forehead against mine. "I love you."

"I love you too." I leaned upwards and crashed my lips against his. He kissed me back just as urgently before we both pulled away. Emmett suddenly tensed up and he swiftly turned around and hid me behind his back. I peered out slightly and noticed that the family had surrounded us just as three figures appeared from the trees.

Emmett's hand tightened in mine and I could feel his anger protruding from him. I softly rubbed his back with my free hand and he relaxed a little but his body was still firm and poised to attack. He promised to protect me and I knew that he would follow through. He'd never make a promise he didn't intend to keep.