I asked Charlie to take me out for batting practice two days before the wedding. That way I wouldn’t be too terrible at baseball when I became a vampire. At the very least I would be more confident in my attempts, and I would know how to play.

Charlie thought I was showing interest in sports, and he was more than excited to do so. Reneé thought I was working to become more coordinated. Edward laughed at me and said it wouldn’t matter. I thought this would make all the difference in the world.

The only other time I remember playing baseball was in the little league back is Pheonix. It was hot, I was sweaty, and I hated the game. I would always trip and fall or miss hitting the ball all together. It was not my game. The one time I didn’t completely mess up was also the time when I ran the bases the wrong way. We certainly did not need a repeat of that when I became a vampire.

So, here we were, two days before the wedding, just like I asked, and I sat between Charlie and Reneé waiting to get a turn at the practice area. Charlie had bought extra padding for me under Reneé insisting and I was bundled up, hardly able to walk, much less take the bat and swing. Of course, padding or not, I was terrible at this – or so the last eight rounds said so.

I was not enjoying this one bit. It was hard and I wasn’t getting any better. Even worse, I had to be embarrassed in front of both my parents. At least Edward wasn’t here. He went hunting with Jasper and Alice in preparation. That was quite a relief.

“Bells, we’re up to bat.” Great! I thought. My ninth time at this and I still sucked.

I stood, a bit wobbly, and took the bat Charlie handed me. I stepped inside the cage and prepared for the onslaught of balls to come. It was always set on easy – like I could do anything at all. Who was I kidding? Maybe I could just sit out and help Esme.

“Dad!” I complained, stepping out. I had hit one out of the ten – and even that one didn’t go right. It kind of bounced off the bat and hit the floor, only to bounce back up and alter the course of the next ball. That left me scared, and I crouched into a fetal position for the rest of my turn.

“You should actually try hitting all of them,” he chuckled.

I stalked back to the bench and sat down. “Mom, why are you here? I mean, I only asked Dad, and no offense, but I don’t need to embarrass myself in front of you too. Couldn’t you have like, helped Alice today?”

“Alice wouldn’t let us do anything else. Every time we tried, she all but ripped our throats out.” Great! I really was stuck with both of them today. Thanks Alice….

I smirked internally, promising to get her back for this. If Reneé even mentions a hinting word about today’s activities or how they went, I would personally attack Alice. This was all her fault. She could’ve gotten Reneé something to do. She must’ve seen Reneé telling the family, and she wanted to know. Oh how I hated that sneaky vampire right now. The first thing I’m doing when I get back is telling Edward to rip Alice limb from limb and have Carlisle cancel all her credit cards. She won’t be getting away with this one.

“C’mon Bells, your turn, again,” Charlie called, handing the bat to me. He was getting in practice between mine just so I could have a break.

I stood and walked back to the cage and we started again. This time I hit two, and they didn’t bounce and alter the course of the next one either. I grinned. Perhaps I was getting better.

Ya right! You hit two on your tenth try.

“Ugh,” I groaned out loud, walking back to the bench. “This is going to be a long day.”

“It’s okay, honey,” Reneé said, rubbing my back. “I won’t mention how many times it took you. Just that you improved.”

I laughed. I suppose that was better than it could have been. Alice still wasn’t getting away with it, though.