Carmen was pitching as Carlisle stepped up to the plate. There was a resounding crack as Carlisle smashed the ball clean over the heads of the defending side and set off running round the enormous diamond.

The cheerleaders began their routine of support for the batting side. They began with a simple series of high leg kicks before progressing to an amazing sequence of tumbles and somersaults, flinging themselves thirty or forty feet into the air with grace and ease. Alice could see exactly what the others were going to do and she launched herself along with them. As she sailed through the air doing a triple back somersault her spirits soared. She was really doing it! She was cheerleading!

As Jasper wound up to bat the girls began chanting: Go Jasper, Go Jasper, No One's Faster, Go Jasper.

Jasper scored a home run with ease and Alice cheered and shook her pom-poms in celebration.

Emmett was just as keen to show off his prowess and cracked a long ball off into the trees. Carlisle set off running and emerged from the trees seconds later clutching the ball. Emmett was just passing third base and knew there was no way Carlisle would get the ball to him in time to tag him out. He slowed to a gentle stroll exclaiming, "Gotta be faster than that, old man!"

Just before he reached fourth base he felt something touch him on the leg. Looking down he saw Irina holding the ball against his calf.

"Out!" called Esme, as Emmett looked back at Carlisle in disbelief.

"You were saying?" asked Carlisle, as he let the rounded lump of rock fall from his fingers.

"Mom, that's not fair," blustered Emmett, but was greeted by cries of 'It's only a game' and was forced to sit out till his team were up to bat again.

Tanya spotted Edward stepping up to the plate and did her own private dance of support:

Edward, Edward, you're the man

Hit a homerun for the fans

Edward wound up with his bat and stared levelly at Eleazar who was pitching.

And if you make that homerun, Ed

Tonight you'll reach fourth base in Tanya's bed

Edward cringed and tapped the ball directly into Eleazar's hands before joining Emmett on the 'bench'.

The game continued for hours until the storm began to fade. Joking and teasing the players left the field in twos and threes until only Jasper and Alice remained.

They lay down together in the middle of the field and watched as the dark clouds drifted away and shafts of golden sunlight began to filter down. The two didn't need words to express their love as they were like interconnecting parts of some complex puzzle and fitted together perfectly. Alice rested her head on Jasper's chest and he ran his fingers soothingly through her hair. Rolling onto her stomach she stretched out her bare toes and entwined her legs with his. A sense of utter peace and contentment enveloped them.

"You are a true blessing to me, Jasper Whitlock," she said, reaching up with her delicate fingers to softly trace the contours of his lips which always caused a thrill of electricity to spark through his entire body.

"There's just one thing puzzling me though," she continued. "Who did the girls get to stand in for me when they were working out those amazing routines?"

Jasper tickled her nose with the pom-poms.

"Who'd'ya think, darling?" He grinned.