DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creation of the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Edward, Jasper, and Emmett train Bella in fighting and self-defense.
Training 2
"Bella," Jasper called. "Today, we're going to focus on your fighting stance and teaching you to throw a punch. The first thing you need to remember is that fighting as a vampire is very similar to fighting as a human. The differences are that we move faster, we hit harder, and our nails are capable of ripping through another vampire's skin. The mechanics of fighting are the same, however. The way you stand and throw your punch effects how much damage your blow causes. I'm going to explain the proper fighting stance to you first. Then Edward will help you move your limbs into the right position. Are you ready?"
"Yes, Jazz," Bella replied.
"Since you are right handed, your left arm, side, and leg will face forward. Keep both of your arms close to your body, either at your side or in front of your chest. Your elbows should point down toward your hips and your fists should point up toward your chin. By standing sideways and keeping your arms close, you narrow your size as a target for the attacker. You're going to plant your feet shoulder width apart, while bending your knees slightly. Keep your weight on the balls of your feet so you can move more quickly to avoid any oncoming punches or kicks. Always keep the back of your hand and arm facing outwards so you can block any hits coming your way. Did you understand all of that?"
"Yes, Jazz," Bella replied.
"Edward," Jasper said, nodding at me.
I walked over to Bella and grabbed her by her shoulders, turning her sideways. I gently kicked her feet apart to the correct width. Pressing down on her shoulders, I got her knees bent to the correct position. I grabbed her hands and checked her fists.
"Bella, you're going to break your thumbs by keeping them in that position. Take your thumbs out from between your fingers. You want them on the outside, resting across your fingers, without them poking upwards." I demonstrated with my own hands.
Bella nodded and changed the position of her fingers. "Like this?"
"Exactly!" I told her.
"Ready, Bella?" Jasper asked, drawing her attention back to him.
She nodded her head.
"When you throw the punch, you want to make sure the first two knuckles of your hand connect first. These are the knuckles above the index and middle fingers." Jasper touched Bella's knuckles to make sure she understood. "You also want to the knuckles to connect evenly, at the same time. If you don't, you risk popping or spraining a finger and that will break your focus. As you start to throw the punch, extend your arm straight out from your body. Keep your head and back straight. Do not lean into the punch! If you do, you'll make your head vulnerable to attack, plus you'll get off balance. Are you following along?"
"Yes, Jasper. Hit with the knuckles while standing straight for balance and to keep my head out of the way," Bella answered.
"I want you to breathe out as you throw the punch. It helps to focus your movement and momentum. Always imagine you are aiming at the other side of your opponent. It will make you more confident and your punch more effective. Fighting is equal parts skill, confidence and follow-through. If you imagine your follow-through, you'll be more confident with your skills. Once you throw the punch, draw back as fast as you can. Don't hit the guy and leave your hand sticking out at him. Bring it right back to the guard position. If you can, follow it up with a second punch. A steady stream of strikes will be much more effective than one punch, or even pausing between punches. You will also want to alternate where you're punching so your opponent won't be able to anticipate your moves as easily. Got it?"
"I think so," Bella said, with a nod of her head. "Hit with the knuckles, keep my balance, keep punching, but not in the same place.
"Bella, you are going to be punching Emmett and Jasper. I'll be walking around to check your stance and targeting," I told her. "We'll start you off with Jasper first. He won't be moving or hitting back yet. We want you to be comfortable throwing a punch first. Remember that you cannot hurt us."
Jasper moved so that he was standing within arms reach of Bella. "Just focus and you'll do fine, Bella," Jasper assured her.
"Go, Bella," I said.
Her punching arm shook from her nerves. She took a deep breath and threw her first punch. It was easy to see she'd held back.
"Bella, you can't hurt Jasper. Try again. As your fist leaves your side, lock your arm and put your body into the punch without leaning forward," I instructed.
Bella nodded, her lips drawing into a thin white line. I let her throw some punches before stopping her again.
"You have the stance correct, but you aren't putting any power into your punch. You have to do better, Bella."
"Maybe we should switch up," Emmett offered. "She might just be worried about ruining Jasper's pretty face."
"And we all know your big ugly face can only improve with some slapping around," Jasper shot back.
Bella laughed at our brothers, shaking her head.
"Remember how good it felt to pounce on me?" Emmett asked. "Punching me correctly will be even better, Bella. This is something you can do!"
"Maybe it would be better if I saw one of you do it so I have something to compare to," Bella said.
"She's got a point," Jasper told me.
I nodded. "Any volunteers?"
"I'll take a swing at Emmett," Jasper replied.
Bella walked over and stood next to me. Jasper and Emmett squared off. Bella watched closely as Jasper took his stance and threw a punch. It hit Emmett in the middle of his chest. Emmett just smiled.
"See, Picky?" Emmett called. "Jasper didn't even leave a mark."
Bella nodded her head as she moved back toward Emmett. She got into position and started throwing punches at him. Jasper and I watched her technique, hoping to see improvement. She was hitting Emmett, but there didn't seem to be much force behind her blows. If she didn't put her weight into them soon, I would have to do something I really dreaded.
'Edward, we've been at this for twenty minutes. She's still holding back!' Jasper
'Ed! Do something! We're wasting everyone's time with this!' Emmett
I clenched my jaw, berating myself for ever agreeing to this.
'That's not helping!' Jasper
I sighed, knowing he was right. I took a deep breath and clenched my hands into fists. I stalked toward her, before my determination could falter, and stood right in her face. "Damn it, Bella!" I roared.
She winced and cowered from me, and I nearly lost it. I couldn't stand the thought that she might be afraid of me. I wanted to hug her, to tell her I loved her, but I held my hands at my side instead.
"Sorry," she said in a small voice.
"I don't want you to apologize! I want you to throw a real punch! You wanted to train! Act like it! Stop worrying about hurting Emmett and throw the damn punch! If you can't, then say it and stop wasting our time!"
Bella stood up tall and squared her jaw. Her golden eyes darkened in a way I had never seen before. I was worried that she was about to start crying and would never forgive me. Apologies started running through my mind, but were interrupted by her fist connecting with my jaw. My head rocked back from the force of the blow.
"Holy shit!" Emmett cried.
"Those were probably the biggest waves of anger and confidence I've felt in a long time," Jasper said, with awe in his voice.
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BELLA'S POV:
Act like it! Was he serious? Wasting his time! He didn't even seem to care that this was hard for me. How could he say those things? He wanted a punch! Fine! I'll give him a punch!
I didn't let my brain fully register my thoughts. I just acted. My arm flew out and my fist met with the corner of Edward's jaw. His head rocked back from the force I had put behind my punch.
I stared at my fist as I realized what I had just done. I started hyperventilating when I noticed his head starting to turn toward me. He was going to be even madder! I was finally going to see the full Edward-wrath that our siblings told stories about.
When his head stopped moving, I saw something much worse than anger…I cocked my head to the side, trying to reconcile my eyes with my brain. A smile? Why was he smiling? I was more confused and frustrated than ever.
"Why are you smiling?" I blurted out. "I just punched you."
"I know," he chuckled.
"I'm…confused," I admitted, letting my hands drop to my sides and my shoulders sag.
"We've been trying to get you to do that for over twenty minutes, Bella," Edward said, as he rubbed my upper arms with his hands. "We didn't realize we needed to make you mad first. We'll have to remember that for next time."
"Next time?" I asked. "But…aren't you mad at me?"
My husband and brothers laughed at me. I'm sure I looked just as stupid as I felt.
"No, Bella," Edward said, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. "I am not mad. I am very, very proud."
"You're proud that I just slugged you?" I asked, frowning.
"I would have preferred for you to hit Jasper or Emmett," he chuckled. "But as long as you threw a real punch, I'm satisfied. Are you ready to try that against them?"
"Um…yes?" I wasn't sure how I really wanted to answer that question. I was still trying to figure out why my husband was not only okay with me punching him, but proud of it.
Edward laughed as he hugged me. "It's okay if you don't want to. Jasper says you're feeling rather shocked at the moment."
"Yes, but…Well, if you think I should try some more, I will," I said.
"I really think you should," he told me.
"Okay," I said, unwinding my arms from around his back.
Edward smiled and kissed my forehead once again. "I love you."
"I know. I love you, too," I replied, giving him the best smile I could.
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EDWARD'S POV:
She smiled at me, but even without Jasper's gift, I could tell she was still confused about my reaction. I chuckled to myself, as I walked away from her. Emmett moved to stand in front of her again.
'How'd it feel to get punched by your wife?' Emmett
"Emmett!" I yelled.
"Relax!" Emmett said, holding his hands up in surrender.
I glared at him, but he just smiled.
"You ready, Bella?" Emmett asked.
'She's okay, Edward. She's confused, but her confidence is still high.' Jasper
Bella nodded her head, as she positioned herself into a fighting stance again.
'Let's mess with him.' Jasper
"How?" I whispered.
'When she goes to throw the punch, call his name and I'll hit him with some of Bella's confusion.'
"Good plan!" I chuckled.
As soon as Bella's fist moved away from her chest, we put our plan into action. I yelled for Emmett and Jasper used his gift on him. Emmett stared at us, clearly annoyed that we were interrupting him. Bella's fist landed a blow on Emmett's lower stomach.
Emmett staggered back, shooting death glares at us as we laughed. "Don't think I don't know what you two just did!"
"Are you sure?" I laughed.
"You looked pretty confused," Jasper added.
"Bella!" Emmett called.
"I got him, Em!" Bella chuckled.
I stood up to see what they were talking about. I felt my eyes widen as I realized what was going on; I hit the ground with a loud crash and a giggling Bella sitting on my chest. I looked over to see Jasper in the same predicament, only with Emmett sitting on him.
"You should play nice with Emmett," Bella warned, grinning wickedly.
I grabbed her waist and tried to roll her under me, but Bella put up a struggle for once. We rolled across the area, neither of us staying on top for long. Bella started laughing when she realized I was really having trouble pinning her down. She was so small and fast that she kept slipping from my grip before I could tighten it.
'Edward, you are loosing to your wife!' Emmett
'She might really pin him for once.' Jasper
'Look at my little sis go!' Rosalie
'Edward, this doesn't end well for you!' Alice's tinkling laughter increased my aggravation.
I was faster than Bella. I would pin her.
"Do you give up?" she asked suddenly.
"Why would I give up?" I replied.
"Because I really don't want to pin you in front of everyone. Just call a truce," she explained.
"You aren't going to pin me," I chuckled, trying once again to grab her wrists.
"Suit yourself!" she said.
I opened my mouth to laugh at her, but found myself choking it down. My face was pressed to the ground by her hand and she was sitting on my back with my arms pinned beneath her knees.
"All that wrestling paid off, Picky!" Emmett boomed proudly.
"Edward…I never…wow!" Jasper stuttered.
"How's the ground, Edward?" Rosalie chuckled.
"I told you so!" Alice sang, as she bounced around, clapping her hands.
Bella leaned down and kissed my neck. "I offered for you to surrender." She jumped off of me.
I sat up, dusting the grass from my chest and the front of my pants. Our siblings were crowded around my wife, congratulating her.
'Edward, don't you dare sulk!' Alice warned.
I laughed as I stood up, dusting off the rest of my clothing. Alice was right. It was a good thing that Bella was able to pin me. I wasn't aware of any vampires who were faster than me. If she could get me, then she would certainly do well against everyone else.
"What made you guys come out?" Bella asked our sisters.
"We told you we wanted to see your training," Rose replied.
Bella crinkled her nose. "How long have you been out here?"
"Just a short time," Alice giggled.
"Alice," Bella said sternly.
"Since I got the vision of you slugging Edward!" Alice admitted. "Bella, you have to understand how priceless that is for Rose and me!"
"Why do you all delight in Bella hitting me?" I asked, pulling my wife into my arms.
"She's the only one of us you can't read. That makes her the only one you can't anticipate," Jasper explained.
"You're good, Edward. I'll give you that," Emmett said. "But you know as well as we do that part of it is because of your gift. Bella evens things out."
"So you are all living vicariously through my wife?" I chuckled.
"Yes!" our siblings laughed.
Bella turned in my arms and put her hand against my cheek. "I hit two people and pinned you. Can we stop now?"
"Okay, but only because we still need to go hunting. You shouldn't be afraid of what you can do, Bella," I replied.
Bella took my hand and started pulling me toward the woods. "We'll see you guys at the house later," she told our siblings, waving at them.
'Watch your back! She might tackle you again!' Emmett's booming laughter rolled through my mind.
"Idiot," I muttered.
"What?" Bella asked, looking up at me.
"Just Emmett," I said, shaking my head.
"Are you still proud of me?"
"Absolutely. You did a great job today."
"So you're okay with me pinning you? You aren't annoyed or anything?"
"No, love. You used all of your advantages and, very literally, came out on top. I am extremely proud of you."
"What shall we hunt for today?" she asked, a huge smile on her beautiful face.
"I think we've had enough excitement for one afternoon. How about we stick with deer?"
"Deer it is!" Bella giggled.
I was elated that she was okay with everything that had happened this afternoon. It wasn't getting any easier for me to be just her instructor, but at least I was doing it correctly. Bella was learning quickly and I really was very proud of her. I just had to keep in mind that this was all for her, no matter how much I hated it.
