chapter┊ ✦. :: ten
♡ ﹙ baseball game﹚ ❋ ˚ ݂ ꛒ

Carlisle knew he was breaking a million rules by dating Lydia. He knew he was putting her in danger and that he should have pushed her away from the moment he felt attracted to her.

But why? He had lived long enough to know he was in love, and why give up that feeling? He also wanted to be happy, he wanted to be selfish for a moment and take what he wanted. He loved Lydia and would never hurt her; he would protect her with his own life if necessary.

He just wanted to love and be loved.

Obviously, he also loved his family and didn't want to put them at risk, but most of them had agreed to Carlisle's relationship, even Rosalie, which was not normal.

He just wanted to enjoy that while he could.

When Saturday came, Lydia woke up quite early. She had slept wonderfully after a heavy shift at the hospital and was excited about the game that afternoon. Carlisle had reminded her the night before with some enthusiasm.

She opened her half-empty wardrobe, remembering that she had barely packed a couple of suitcases with her clothes and since she lived at the hospital, she didn't have much to choose from. For months, she had been telling herself she would go shopping in Seattle, but for one reason or another, she hadn't done it.

She also remembered that most of her clothes were dirty; she hadn't washed anything in a good two weeks, and now she hated herself and her laziness.

She searched for something decent; after all, it wasn't just a game. She was going to officially meet Carlisle's family, and although she never cared about pleasing people, it was different now. She wanted to please them. At least she already knew Esme and Emmett, and as far as she knew, they didn't hate her.

She then found some black leggings that were fleecy inside, paired them with a white tank top, and a pale pink sweater on top. She left her military green jacket out and a woolen hat. She would be warm enough to walk halfway through the forest. She also chose a pair of very comfortable black ankle boots for walking on the ground, and finally, she fixed her hair and applied some makeup. The same one she used for regular hospital days. She didn't want it to be too much, but she also didn't want to look too worn out from the long hours of work at the hospital and the few hours of sleep.

She looked in the mirror, realizing that her outfit wasn't bad at all. In fact, she liked it a lot and encouraged herself. Although she wouldn't postpone washing her clothes again.

When they knocked on the door, she froze for a second, feeling her stomach churning. She ran downstairs, and when she opened it, she was met with a very smiling Carlisle.

"Hello," she greeted.

"Hi, come in. I'll just go upstairs for my jacket."

The man gently took her arm and pulled her towards him for a quick kiss. She backed away with a smile and ran upstairs. She wasn't quite used to those displays of affection, but she certainly loved them. Carlisle was always very careful. And she noticed that the man was wearing a striped shirt, typical of baseball players, along with a nice blue scarf.

When they left the girl's house, Lydia noticed that Carlisle's nice Mercedes wasn't in front of her entrance; instead, there was a very eye-catching yellow and black 4x4 Hummer.

"We have to go through a stretch of forest, and it's easier with this," explained the blond.

"It's nice," she said, terror in her eyes. She didn't want her clumsiness to suddenly appear, and she slipped off that thing. Not that she was clumsy regularly, but sometimes it happened.

Fortunately, Carlisle helped her get in and also helped her fasten the seat belts because it wasn't just one belt. Lydia felt more relaxed then and enjoyed the short trip, almost forgetting where they were heading.

"You're very quiet today," Carlisle observed with a smile.

She glanced at him quickly but didn't return the smile; it was more of a grimace trying to be a smile.

"Well... I'm nervous," she said, but the tone she used wasn't that of someone nervous. Carlisle immediately detected the lie.

He placed a hand on the girl's leg and made small circles with his thumb.

"What's wrong, Lydia?"

She looked away for a moment, then sighed deeply to start explaining.

"My mother called me last night. She calls whenever she can, and for the past month, it's been exactly the same thing—she wants to convince me to go to Lucy's wedding. I've told her a million times that I don't want to be there, but she keeps insisting, and... last night, I got tired and told her I would go even though I'm planning to tell one of the patients to infect me so I won't go."

"When is the wedding?"

"Next week. And if I go, it'll be too uncomfortable; everyone knows what happened, and I don't need pity looks or more discomfort in my existence."

"I can go with you," he suggested as if it were nothing.

She looked at him surprised.

"Oh, no. No, no, no," she put her hand on Carlisle's, which was still on her leg. "I mean, it's not necessary. Lucy and I always had a complicated relationship, and I don't think she wants me at her wedding, or maybe she wants me to go alone just to rub in my face what she did."

"You're not obligated to forgive those who hurt you, Lydia. Not Lucy or Jonah. But maybe your mother wants you to be together on this important day for your sister," he took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "We can go, make an appearance, and leave the same day. Plus, I could meet your parents."

Lydia smiled. Carlisle always had the right words.

"Okay. But if you regret it, I can come up with some very strange and highly contagious disease to not go."

Now it was Carlisle's turn to laugh.

The trip was quite peaceful with Lydia talking about her parents. And when they realized it, they had already arrived.

"Ready?" Carlisle asked.

"I think so," she sighed with a smile.

Carlisle helped her remove the seat belts and, with inhuman speed, opened the passenger door to help her get out.

From where they were, Lydia observed the vampire family waiting for everyone to arrive to start.

"Lydia, this is my family. You already know Alice, Esme, and Emmett," Lydia greeted them with a wave of her hand and a smile. "This is Evander, Esme's husband."

The man stepped forward with a big smile and extended his hand towards the girl.

"Lydia, it's a pleasure. I've been looking forward to meeting you," Lydia shook Evander's hand with a big smile.

"Likewise."

"If you ever need legal advice or a lawyer, don't hesitate to call me."

Both laughed. Lydia decided she liked Evander.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"I think you've seen Rosalie at the hospital before," he pointed with his hand. The blonde girl was really beautiful, Lydia vaguely remembered her because on that occasion, she had run away.

Rosalie stepped forward and frowned. She dangerously approached Lydia and smelled her hair. Lydia could barely react

, but she didn't move from her place.

"It's strange; she almost has no scent," she moved away from Lydia with a small smile and extended her hand. "Rosalie."

"A pleasure," Lydia murmured, taking her hand.

"It's true," a male voice spoke.

"Jasper?" Carlisle spoke to him.

"Her scent... I could hardly detect it until they got close, and even then, it's barely noticeable."

Lydia looked at Carlisle for an explanation, but he also seemed confused.

"He's Jasper," Carlisle stepped forward under the curious gaze of his whole family. Normally, it was hard for him to be near humans.

But still, he extended his hand, and Lydia took it gladly.

"Hello, Jasper."

"A pleasure, Lydia. Alice hasn't stopped talking about you since she met you."

Lydia looked at the girl who had gone to the hospital that time to deliver something to Carlisle. She was very smiling, and almost as if she had been waiting for her turn, she hugged Lydia.

"I thought it was because I was in the hospital, but Jas and Rose are right," she took her shoulders and sniffed her neck. "Jasper could be close to you, and nothing would happen."

"Alice," Carlisle called her attention.

"I'm sorry."

She returned to Jasper with jumps, and Carlisle approached Lydia again, putting his arm around her shoulders. He hadn't noticed that Lydia's scent was imperceptible to the other vampires. He had perceived it from a considerable distance the day he met her and could tell when she was near or had moved far away.

"We're just waiting for Edward and Bella."

The family dispersed, returning to the small makeshift field to "warm up" and joke among themselves.

"If they weren't all vampires, I'd beat them in a baseball game," the girl commented amused as she walked with the man across the field. "I'm a good player."

"Is there anything you don't know how to do?"

She shrugged.

"I guess not, I'm good at everything."

"I have no doubt about that," he left a kiss on her forehead.

Edward and Bella didn't take long to arrive. Lydia noticed how uncomfortable Bella seemed, and she didn't blame her, but it really seemed like she wanted the earth to swallow her at that moment. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't seen Bella since she had that accident at school, and it was almost always Charlie she found around.

"Lydia, this is Edward," he introduced her when he was close.

"Hello," she greeted animatedly.

Compared to Bella, Lydia was more enthusiastic and active. Which was weird because Bella was much younger than Lydia. Edward noticed that his uncle's girlfriend's thoughts were very positive, not noisy but full of enthusiasm. In fact, he didn't mind that her thoughts disturbed his mind.

Then the game began. Esme asked Bella to be the referee, and Lydia stood aside while cheering for and encouraging Carlisle's team. Emmett smiled at the girl's enthusiasm, which was contagious.

The first to bat was Rosalie, who unfortunately was out and gave a horrible murderous look to Bella as she passed by her.

The next batter was Carlisle, Lydia shouted with all her might to cheer him on and shouted even louder when he got the point. She ran to hug him when he finished the race and jumped on him to give him a big kiss on the cheek.

"If this is my reward for winning, I guess I'll keep doing it," he murmured happily.

"I think after all, you're not as bad a player as I thought."

"Please, find a hotel," Emmett shouted at them, throwing the ball to Alice.

Carlisle gave the girl a quick kiss on the lips without stopping smiling, and Lydia backed away from Carlisle not as embarrassed as she should be and kept cheering for the team. Her happiness really was contagious, unlike Bella, who didn't seem even a bit fun.

"Can I throw the ball?" she looked at Carlisle with puppy eyes, and he looked at Alice.

"Sure!" the girl replied from her place and quickly approached Lydia to give her the ball. "You have to throw it when I give you the signal."

"Okay."

Lydia smiled even more and went to the corresponding place. Evander and Emmett shouted encouragingly at the girl.

Evander was the next to bat, so he quickly took his position and waited for them to throw the ball.

"Now!" Alice shouted, and Lydia threw it with all the strength an average human possessed. But it was enough to throw it far away.

It was really exciting for Lydia to see everything from that position, and although she wasn't on anyone's team, she cheered for both sides from her place.

"Good throw," Evander congratulated her after completing the full round. They high-fived, and Lydia let Alice throw the ball again.

Carlisle couldn't be happier. Lydia and his family were getting along wonderfully, it was more than he could have wished for. Everyone was really having a great time. At least until Alice shouted for them to stop.

Rosalie had batted, but no one had started running when they gathered in a protective formation around the two humans.

"Bella, let down your hair," Edward had told his girlfriend, and she, very worried, did as instructed.

"It's useless, I can smell her from the other side of the field," Rosalie spoke slightly annoyed.

"Lydia, stay behind Emmett. They won't notice your presence unless they're very close."

The girl nodded without knowing what was happening, but Emmett took her by the shoulders and made her walk back a bit, protecting her with his body. He was huge and covered almost completely by the girl.

She peeked her head a little just to find out what was happening, and then she saw three people approaching. They were barefoot and their clothes were torn, but they still looked beautiful. Surely, they were vampires.

Carlisle led the family, he was worried about Lydia, but he wouldn't allow anyone to hurt her.

They introduced themselves as Laurent, Victoria, and James. Apparently, they were responsible for the recent deaths in the town. Lydia then decided that she didn't like them at all. She also noticed the red eyes of those three, they were quite terrifying.

"Well, do you accept three more players?" Laurent asked with a smile, and everyone looked at Carlisle. "Come on. Just one game," he insisted.

"Sure. Why not? Some of us were already leaving, and you can take our places," he didn't look at Lydia at any moment, although from her place it would have been complicated. "We bat first."

"My curve is deadly," Victoria spoke.

Emmett and Jasper laughed.

"I think we're capable of dealing with that," Jasper spoke, who was next to Emmett and also covered Lydia. They were moving away; Carlisle was approaching Lydia, who was still behind the biggest Cullen, but James didn't move from his place, and neither did Edward.

Everything happened so fast.

"They brought a snack," James spoke and was about to attack Bella. None of the nomads had noticed Lydia's presence.

The Cullen family protected Bella except for Emmett, who continued to protect Lydia. He didn't want to complicate things further if they found out there was another human.

"She's with us," Carlisle spoke defensively. "It

's better if you leave."

"I see the game's over," Laurent tried to calm things down. "We're leaving. James."

The three vampires walked away, and when they lost sight of them, Lydia let out the breath she had been holding. That had been really terrifying.

Carlisle ran to hug her, relieved that they hadn't noticed her, but worried about Isabella.

"Take Bella out of here," he told Edward.

Both got into the Jeep parked next to the Hummer, although Edward seemed desperate.

"I should go with her," Lydia murmured.

"No," Carlisle spoke firmly. "I'm sorry. But I can't allow James to link you to all this."

"But..." she took his arms.

"Lydia, calm down. Bella will be safe; we'll take care of that. Now it's better to go home."

She wanted to argue, she wanted to say that she also wanted to help with something. But maybe she was more helpful if she didn't get in the way. She trusted Carlisle, and if he said everything would be okay, she would believe him.

They got into the car they came with, and Evander and Esme also got in. Lydia didn't imagine she would get to know the Cullen residence in that way.

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