tongue twister • paul lahote

xi

T H E  S U N  W A S bright, prickling her skin as she sat outside. It felt like it warmed her, despite her eternal chill. Her skin sparkled in the wave of brightness. She looked over the woods, at all the progress they made. The logs were lining the aisle where Bella would walk later that day. It was convenient that the forest was covering the sun, ensuring none of the vampires skin would sparkle. Their secret was safe for the most part, but to ensure, the reception would take place in the evening, just before the sun set. In the months leading up to the wedding, they tested the waters with Santana in public. To everyone's surprise, she had as strong of a will as a vampire as she did when she was human. There was a burning temptation deep in her mind, and the first trip was difficult, but the strife diminished the more she tried. Now, she went into the town easily. Nobody had recognized her. Her drastic physical change threw everyone off, and didn't give any suspicion.

Paul walked up beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist. He had come a long way from where they started. Now, he came around more often. He tried to hold less distaste for the rest of the Cullens, but it still slipped out every now and again. Progress came with time, and he proved it. He couldn't change overnight, and they understood that. His love for Santana was above all, and he made a lot of sacrifices to be with her. This was just another. "Are you sure we should go to the wedding together? Do you think people would think it's too soon for me to move on?" He asked.

"Nobody really knew we were dating, right? That's what Jared said." She reminded.

"Yeah, but we were close. It was assumed." She shrugged, taking his hand into her own. 

"Just come up with a story about how I'd want you to move on. You met the new me, and you fell in love. It was undeniable, or something like that. Make it corny. That's always believable." She laughed. "People around here are stupid." She recalled. "I mean, not one person recognized my face after I cut all my hair off. It's not like I changed that much." Paul would disagree. She had the same features, but she was much different now. The hair just made it much more believable. If he didn't have the same feelings for her, he might not have recognized her himself. She was just as beautiful, but now in a different way.

"You changed quite a bit, Tana." He sighed, turning her towards him. He placed a kiss on her forehead. "So what's the new name we have to call you? I keep forgetting it." He muttered. "I'm not used to it yet."

"It's Rae. Don't make it into a big deal, you only have to say it in public. I'm Santana to everyone here, we just can't use that name for anyone else." She said, kissing his cheek softly. "Cullen, too. I changed my last name when Carlisle and Esme adopted me." She reminded.

"Yeah," he nodded, wishing he didn't have to lie. He wouldn't even be going to the stupid wedding if it weren't for her, but she wanted him to be her date. To make her happy, he obliged. Rose tumbled up the steps, coming towards them now.

"Tana, we need your help moving some tables. There's so many, we need to finish soon." Even with their undeniable speed, the more hands they had was better. Santana gave a nod, looking up at Paul. He smiled slightly, giving her a swift kiss on the lips.

"Go, I'll be here when you're done." He assured her. With that, the two took off too fast to be seen. His heart ached at the sight, missing what she used to be, when life was easier. He looked down at his hands, where he was holding hers just a minute before, and shook away the oncoming sadness. He had to remember to cherish what he still had.

*

The wedding was flawless, a true statement of eternal love. Santana envied them, wishing she could have such an open love with her boyfriend. Instead, she wasn't even allowed to visit his house. She couldn't go near their land without a threat to her safety. She imagined that soon, maybe they could just get a house of their own. Then, they wouldn't have to worry about treaty lines and unforgiving laws. The reception was when things began to get interesting. Tana acquainted herself with the Denali clan, kindling a relationship. She found them all intriguing, kind at the very least. She enjoyed Kate the most of them all. Her power was strange, and so was Tana's. They bonded over that silently while she spoke with Tanya, Carmen and Eleazar. They quickly figured out who she really was. Irina did not speak with her, finding her relationship with a werewolf disgusting and of the utmost betrayal. Santana would soon discover why, that her boyfriend had killed Laurent, Irina's mate.