tongue twister • paul lahote

xiv

H E R  W O R R Y carried into the night, as the thunder and rain worsened and the sky darkened. Paul and the others hadn't gotten back yet, and with each lightning strike in the sky her stomach knotted tighter in concern. Embry and Quil trotted outside the perimeter of Sam and Emily's home, watching for a sign of intrusion. Santana had called her father and told him she wouldn't be coming home that night, so he didn't have to worry.

"You know they're gonna be fine, honey." Emily said from behind her. She walked up and placed a hand on Santana's shoulder. "They're meant to do this." Tana's foot bounced up and down as she sat at the kitchen table. "I know it's your first time being around this but it gets easier." She took a seat beside the newest member of their family, and Santana relaxed a bit. If Emily wasn't worried, then she shouldn't be either. But there was a small part of her mind that couldn't stop wandering to the thought of Paul being hurt. The thought of something taking him away from her was agonizing.

She drummed her fingers against the cool wood of the table. Small talk between Emily and Kim carried through the room, but Santana ignored it. Instead, her eyes were on the clock. It almost seemed as if they were never coming back, but just when she started to lose her hope, footsteps and voices were heard outside. 6 bodies pushed through the doorway seemingly at once, and a weight seemed to life off her shoulders. She jumped out of her chair and rushed to Paul. He opened his arms and received her hug and held her to him. He had been worried about her all night just as much as she worried about him. He knew Quil and Embry wouldn't let anything happen to her but it was nothing like protecting her himself.

He held her for a few minutes before she separated, looking at him expectantly. "We chased her down to the Canadian border. We didn't get her though, we don't cross the lands." He said gently, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. Despite his hair being wet from the rain, the rest of his body was warm and dry. "Do you want to go back to my place?" He asked and she nodded. She turned around to face the others, and saw Embry and Quil. She walked over and pulled them both into a hug.

"Hold on, San, Paul may get jealous." You could heat the smirk in Quil's voice as he spoke.

"Shut up, you idiots." She continued to hold them and they dropped the smug facade and hugged her in return. She pulled away and pulled each of them down to her height and kissed them on the cheeks. "Just because you guys weren't running after her too doesn't mean I wasn't worried." That made both boys smile warmly and shake their heads.

"You have nothing to worry about." Embry assured her. "We're made for this."

"It doesn't mean I won't anyway." She rolled her eyes at their cocky attempt to calm her mind. "I have to go, but I love you guys." She pulled them into another embrace after seeing Paul waiting patiently at the door.

His heart couldn't help but tug sadly at the way she acted with the two, although he knew it was strictly platonic and nothing more. He knew she didn't want anything with them, and it eased his mind slightly. They knew her long before his time knowing her, but nothing could sever their bond. It was permanent, and nothing short of 1000 metal cable ties holding them together. They were meant to be together. Embry and Quil couldn't separate them no matter how hard they tried. After her chat with her two friends, Santana turned to face Paul. He held his hand out to her, and she glided across the floor blissfully and swiftly to place hers in his own. They bid farewell, and took off towards Paul's home.

On the lengthy walk through the reserve, the wilderness chided them. The wind tousled both of their hair, and the wet gravel clung to their shoes. The birds chirped and the small animals rustled in the forest. It was peaceful. The dark clouds lurched across the deep toned sky in more of a comforting manner than anything. The houses along the road had fogged windows and steam barreling out of some of the chimneys. It was a cool night, and families were ready to turn in for the day. Yet even after the exhausting run Paul had put into his job today, he was wired to stay up all night if it meant he got to spend time with Santana. Her heart raced as his closeness to her as they entered the driveway of his fathers home.

When the door creaked open the two filed in, Paul's hand resting on the small of her back. Her breathing was erratic at his touch. Nothing would ever be as good to her as him. Paul called out in greeting to his father, but there was no answer signifying abandonment for the day. Paul grinned down at the small frame of the girl. She greeted him with a toothy smile and rose tinted cheeks from the cold outside.

"Can I do something?" Paul asked in wonder. Her head fell in a curt nod, and he brought his mouth to her own. He felt like he was on fire. Every part of him burned for her. She kissed him back with the same intensity, breaking after a long minute. Her breath caught in her throat as his cocky stature returned after a moment of vulnerability. His face tormented her, making her chest burn with desire. We forced herself to break contact with him. As much as she wanted him, it wasn't right when she knew she couldn't maintain the relationship he craved.

"I couldn't help myself." He chuckled, and she rolled her eyes in reply.

"Right." She removed her shoes, and tiptoed down the hallway leading to his bedroom. She heard his thundering steps following her eagerly. When she reached his door, she slid inside and looked around. A little messy, but nothing appalling. A few pairs of shorts were astray on the ground. One blanket was strewn across the mattress on his bed.

She sighed in content and rid herself of her sweater and other clothing. She slid on one of his shirts which skirted her knees. She climbed in his bed, pushing her way back to the corner. He watched her in awe, amazed at the girl in front of him. She was so beautiful he could barely stand it. She opened her arms as if to tell him to join her, and he did just that. He took her into his arms, nearly flinching at the cold temperature of her skin. He closed his eyes as they rested together, and that's where they stayed. Asleep wrapped in happiness and each other.