Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Game Of Love

By Momma2Fan

Chapter 01:

The Will

BPOV

Two weeks ago, I buried my father, my friend and my only family. Today his will would be read. 

I woke slowly and lay in my bed staring at the ceiling. I knew I needed to get up and get to the stadium. Marcus, Charlie’s attorney, had requested the team be assembled and the will be read in the locker room. Of course I was to be there also. That could only mean one thing.

I finally pulled myself from my warm bed and padded to the adjoining bathroom. I started the shower and stepped in under the hot spray, letting the water cascade down my body and loosen the muscles that were tense in my neck and back. Once I was clean and my hair was washed and conditioned, I stepped out and wrapped a fluffy towel around my body. I went to the vanity and wiped the moisture off. I stared at my reflection and wondered how a nineteen year old girl was going to run a major league baseball team.

I dried off and stepped into my matching panty and bra set. I set about getting my hair dried and curled the ends loosely, letting it cascade down my back. My makeup was left natural, with just a hint of smokey eye. I left the bathroom and went to my walk in closet. It was February in Seattle, cold and wet. I pulled on a pair of black dress slacks and a midnight blue, silk blouse. My black heeled boots completed the look. My jewelry was kept simple; I wore the little grey pearl ring that my dad bought me when I graduated high school.

I walked down the stairs to the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee. I didn’t think I could handle food this morning, so I decided to forgo breakfast. The coffee felt like lead in my stomach, so I dumped it down the sink. I grabbed the keys to my car, my purse and jacket and made my way to Safeco stadium.

I pulled into the lot about thirty minutes later and parked in Charlie’s spot. I noticed Emmett and Jasper’s cars were here already and was comforted knowing at least they would support me. The rest I weren’t so sure about. 

I stepped onto the pavement and made my way to the suite of offices that were housed here. I took the elevator to the top level and walked to Charlie’s office. I opened the door and looked around. Nothing had changed since the last time I was here. I walked over to the large windows that overlooked the ball field and smiled. This was where I belonged.

“I’ve missed that smile.”

I turned and saw Carlisle Cullen standing behind me. “Hey, Doc.”

Carlisle crossed the room and pulled me into a hug. “How are you holding up sweetie?”

I sighed, “You know. Get up, get dressed, and try to figure out how to breathe. I’m hanging in there as best as I can. I miss him.”

“Of course you do, Bella. It’s only been a couple of weeks, give it time.”

We turned when a throat cleared behind us. Edward Cullen was standing in the doorway looking gorgeous in his washed out jeans and green button down. His unruly hair was in its usual disarray and his emerald eyes sparkled. “I thought I’d find you up here, Dad. Bella, the lawyer is here.”

“Thank you, son. We’ll be right there.” Carlisle answered. He turned to look at me, “Are you ready?”

“No, but it doesn’t really matter does it?” I followed him out the doors and to the elevator, down to the team locker room. While we waited for the elevator to stop, I took the time to study him. Chiseled jaw, straight nose, piercing blue eyes. Carlisle had been the team doctor since I was eleven. He had watched me grow up and patched up plenty of my cuts and scrapes. Edward looked a lot like him, except he got his eyes and hair from his mom. Esme was like the mother I never had. Renee had walked out on us when I was still a baby and never looked back. Dad had done his best with me, but when I needed a mom, Esme was who I turned to. That was also how Edward had been recruited to the Mariners. Charlie had watched him play ball in high school and always told me he was going to go pro.

The ding of the elevator broke me from my memories and back to the present. I followed Carlisle into the locker room and walked past him when he stopped to greet some players. I walked to greet the attorney, Marcus Decimus.

“Good morning, Marcus.” I held out my hand.

Marcus took my hand in his and gave it a gentle shake. “Bella, I am so sorry we had to meet again under these circumstances. Charlie will be greatly missed.”

I gave him a soft smile. “Thank you. We can begin when you’re ready.” I looked around the room at the players, coaches and trainers. My eyes finally fell on Eric Wedge, the team manager. I had a feeling after today I would be looking for someone to replace him.

I sat down next to Jasper and Emmett and smiled when they both reached out to take my hands. I gave theirs a gentle squeeze in thanks and turned as Marcus cleared his throat.

“Let’s begin, shall we.” After the noise of voices quieted, he began. “We are here today to read the last will and testament of Charles Swan. My secretary will record the reading to avoid any misunderstandings later. Please note that Isabella Swan is present, as well as the Mariners ball team.”

I watched as Marcus shuffled his papers, before he looked up and began to speak again.

“I, Charles Swan, being of sound mind and body, hereby leave the following to my only child. Bella, I passed my love of baseball on to you, so I want you to have the Mariners. They have been my pride and joy and I hope they can do the same for you. I also leave to you the house here in Seattle. I realize my actions may surprise some of you players and you as well, Eric, but there is nothing you can do. If you choose to be an arrogant ass, then I have had a contract drawn up accepting your resignation and buying out the remainder of your current agreement. You will also be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement stating that you will not reveal anything pertaining to this ball club, or slander the name of my daughter. Marcus, you may take a breath and let the shock wear off.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at Charlie’s attempt at humor. Even dead, he was still bossy. Of course the silence in the room was interrupted by the roar of outrage from Eric. “This is fucking bullshit!” Everyone groaned, knowing Eric was about to make an ass of himself. “What the hell does a woman know about baseball? She’s a child!”

“Eric, you may want to stop right there. You’ve only been with this team for two years. You don’t know anything about Bella.” Emmett tried to calm him down.

“Oh please, McCarty. I doubt she knows that much, she’s a girl. Girls don’t know baseball.” Eric guffawed.

I touched Emmett’s shoulder stopping him from saying anything else. I stood up and walked over to where Eric was seething. Once I was toe to toe with him, I spoke. “Do you really think I know nothing about baseball? The sport that was my dad’s passion. Are you stupid? Well, hotshot, give me your best.” The groans around the room would have been amusing if I wasn’t so pissed off.

Eric scoffed before he opened his mouth in challenge. “Okay little girl. Have you ever heard of Ty Cobb? Ernie Banks? I bet you can’t even tell me the stats of the players in this room.” He stood back and crossed his arms.

I decided to play with him a little. Cocking my head to the side I asked, “Are those guys, like, ball players?” I heard Emmett and Jasper chuckle quietly. “You really are an imbecile. Ty Cobb had the best batting average ever. Throughout his entire career he batted an average of .366. His OBP was .433 and he also had over 1900 RBI’s. Ernie Banks averaged about .274. While not as great as Cobb, he was still an amazing ball player. As to the stats of the guys here, there is always room for improvement. Newton, Crowley, and Yorkie are hovering dangerously close to the Mendoza line, something you should have been working with them on, but you better believe I will. Cullen, McCarty, Whitlock and the rest are all great ball players, but again, they all have room for improvement. Now that you won’t be managing the team, I can find someone who will work on correcting the issues and maybe we can get to the series. Any questions?” I stood back and slowly made my way to my seat, staring at him as he slumped down into a chair.

“Well, Eric, I guess we’ll be having you sign those papers before you leave today, correct?” Marcus spoke up. Eric just nodded so Marcus continued with the reading. “Carlisle, if at the time of my death Bella is still a minor, I leave her care to you and Esme. However, if she is an adult, then I ask the two of you guide her as she tries to enter the male dominated world of the major league. We have always thought of the two of you as family. Edward Cullen, I am leaving the house in Arizona to you, Jasper Whitlock and Emmett McCarty. I know the three of you will look after it and Bella as if she were your sister. That should about do it. Marcus has letters written to all of you and he will pass them out as needed. Bella, baby, I am so proud of who you have become. I know you can handle all that is going to come. If you need help all you have to do is ask and every man in the room with you now will help. Love you, baby girl.” Marcus shut his folder and put it back in his briefcase.

I wiped at the tears that were pouring down my cheeks and stood to thank Marcus. After a brief conversation and a small hug he left, telling Eric he needed to sign his papers by tomorrow. I turned to face the members of my team and my family.

“In light of all we have learned today, I think we should reconvene back here in one week to discuss whatever changes are going to be made. Trust me when I say this, I have no intention of giving up on this team and I hope you won’t give up on me. Excuse me.” I left and grabbed the elevator, quickly heading back to Charlie’s, well, my office. Once there I collapsed inside the doorway and let the grief take over. I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, but I felt strong arms come around me. I looked up into the emerald gaze of Edward and molded myself to his chest as I let the tears run their course.

Edward never faltered and her never left. That was the day I realized I was hopelessly and irrevocably in love with him. It was also the day I vowed he would never find out.