Smack Down
I hit Emmett full force just as he was stepping from the trees. We collided with a deafening crash and fell to the ground, taking a small tree with us. "Thanks Em!" I shouted. Then I saw I had actually knocked the breath out of him. "Oh, Man!" I cried, "Are you alright?" I asked, helping him to his feet.
"Is that you, Bella?" He asked, recovering quickly. "I thought I just got mowed down by an elephant!" I smacked his shoulder and he actually flinched.
"Hey!" Rose yelled from the porch, "Watch it with my husband! Smacking him is my job!"
This time I flinched. Emmett's laughter boomed across the yard. "I know. She scares the hell out of me too." He whispered very quietly. "I'm fine, Babe!" he called to her. Then he turned to me. "Feel like flexing those newborn muscles?"
"Hell yeah!" I replied.
"Bella!" Esme chastised. I flinched again. I hadn't seen her come outside.
"Sorry, Mom," I said. Then I looked at her. From clear across the yard I could see her eyes shine. It was the first time I had called her that. And it had felt so natural. Before I could ponder my wonderful family anymore, I was suddenly knocked clean off my feet. Emmett had pounced from behind, sending me flying.
"Emmett!" Edward yelled, "That was low! Be careful with my wife!"
"She started it!" Emmett defended himself. I stood up, waving Edward off. To my surprise, he stayed back.
"Yes I did, Emmett. And I plan on finishing it," I said. My new voice made me sound more confident than I actually felt. I liked it.
"Oooooh, Emmett! Watch out, she's devious, remember?" Jasper called. I could feel the confidence he was sending me. I wondered if he was sending Emmett fear.
I laughed at the thought. Emmett was as surprised by the sound as I had been the first time I heard it. I smiled menacingly and crouched into the position I had seen Edward take a hundred times before. Emmett's eyes went wide. "Damn, girl! You look dangerous!"
"I am," I hissed. I almost made myself jump. I really sounded scary. Emmett seemed to notice too. He took a step back.
"Pansy!" Edward laughed at him.
Emmett turned to defend himself, "Hey, you're not the face to face with Beelzebub's daughter!" I took the opportunity to launch myself at him again. The stance I had copied from my husband had really worked. Emmett and I once again went flying. This time there were no trees to hinder our movement and we went thirty feet before we hit the ground. I hadn't really thought further than the pounce itself, so when we landed, we were both knocked senseless.
"Holy shit!" Jasper yelled as they all came running. Although it only took seconds for them to reach us, Emmett and I were already laughing hysterically by then.
"Bella!" Edward was very worried, "Are you alright?" He took me by the arm and tried to help me stand up. I pulled him down instead. Emmett took my lead and soon we were all in a heap of laughing teenagers. I heard several soft clicks and looked up to see Esme taking photos of her ridiculous children. Without saying a word, she shook her head and smiling went back into the house.
"Maybe we should start with arm wrestling until I actually learn some moves, Em," I suggested once I could speak again.
"Not a bad idea, kiddo," he shook his head and chuckled again. Then he was laying on his stomach, one arm bent at the elbow. "Ready?" he asked.
I laughed at him, but joined him on the ground. This time I was wise enough to ask Edward for instructions. I beat Emmett six out of ten times. "I thought I was supposed to be all powerful as a newborn," I pouted.
"Hey, don't sweat it lil' sis," Emmett patted my arm, "Your brother's got skills, that's all. You beat me more than not."
"Bella," Edward said, pulling me up from the grass. "If you're done playing with Emmett," he paused to brush the hair out of my face. "Would you like to go for a run?" he finished softly. His eyes were warm and soft. I decided I was done with Emmett, but I wasn't done playing. A wicked grin spread across my face.
"Tag!" I called, slapping his shoulder as I sped past him and into the trees. I could hear my siblings laughing and then heard the sound of Edward's pursuit, not far behind.
Okay, so they were both pretty short chapters, but it's the thought that counts right? 8P And yes, the elephant comment was on purpose, thank you to the devoted readers who got it.
