tongue twister • paul lahote

xii

" A R E  Y O U  S U R E this is a good idea?" Paul had worry in his eyes. Carlisle gave a shrug, a glimmer of excitement in his own. Bella and Edward were gone away on their honeymoon, and the family had to find ways to keep themselves entertained. Without the two around, there was a significant drop in dramatics.

"They won't hurt each other, it's all in good fun. I already told Tana to stop once she pins him to the ground." Carlisle gave a half smile. Out of the whole family, aside from his imprint, Carlisle was the most bearable. In the woods just before the house, Santana and Emmett stood a few feet apart. She had a smirk on her lips, and he mirrored it. She was cocky, but he was, too. That would be his downfall. "Besides, they'll never get over the internal power struggle unless they fight it out."

"As long as he doesn't hurt her, I'll be fine." Paul shifted uncomfortably. Carlisle gave a chuckle, finding humour in the statement.

"She hasn't been a vampire for a full year, yet. She is still considered a newborn, technically. She shows restraint of a vampire my age, yet she still has the strength." He reminded. Paul gave a slow nod. "Emmett is way more likely to get hurt. He's stronger than all of us, but so is she." That was the end of the conversation. The attention shifted to the two about to brawl. The rest of the family stood around, waiting in anticipation.

"Listen, Tana. I love you, but don't hurt my man." Rosalie spoke now, causing Emmett to scoff and Santana to smile.

"You really believe in me, don't you?" Sarcasm dripped from Emmett's tone. She didn't speak again, but took a step back. "You ready?" Emmett asked the girl before him.

"As I'll ever be." She grinned.

"You guys remember the rules?" Esme asked. "No further if you pin the other to the ground for more than five seconds." She was worried, too. She thought of the others as her children, and she didn't love the brutality they were about to bestow on each other.

"What is this, high school wrestling club?" Jasper laughed. "Let them start!" Esme shot him a glare, but pronounced the beginning of their match.

Emmett stepped first, reaching out to grab her. She slipped away from his fingertips, and grabbed his outstretched hand. He gave a grunt of discontent, but she paid no mind. She drove his arm upwards, taking him off guard. He shook her off, ready to grab her and throw her to the ground. She shimmied out of his grip, and struck a blow on his chest, sending him backwards. He sped towards her, but she outstretched her leg and kicked him backwards. He sprung back up in an instant, and charged her. She gripped his shoulders, trying to push him back. He flipped her up, sending her barrelling through the air. She caught herself on the ground, landing on her feet. He sent a fist towards her, but she ducked out of the way and grabbed his arm, flipping him over. He landed on his back on the ground. She went to pin him, but he kicked her off, sending her into a nearby tree.

She grumbled but jumped back up, dusting the dirt off. She ran towards the boy who had now returned to his feet, getting her arms around his torso. The brute strength of her run caused him to lose his footing, catching him by surprise. He brought a knee up to her stomach as she fell on top of him, causing her to lose her grip. He took his chance to pin her down, but before he got both of her arms down, she elbowed him in the chin, and threw him off. She grappled his shoulder and jumped over him as he tried to catch her, getting behind him. She rammed his back with her shoulder, knocking him down. She knelt on his back, and held his hands to the dirt. Jasper gave the five second count, and she jumped in the air, cheering.

"I told you I could beat you in a fight!" She quipped as he stood. He wiped the dirt off his shirt and rolled his eyes.

"I let you have it, Crowley. Don't think you're special." He smiled. They argued often, but never maliciously. She gave him a rude hand gesture.