.Sophie.

I had no idea how so many people had fit into such a small space. It baffled me to no extent the towering men leaning over Emily's small battered table. But all of them seemed so happy and excited to be together, about to feast on what ever delicacy Emily was whipping up.

I as slightly afraid to set Lacey on the ground due to the fact that the herd of overgrown men might trample the tiny girl. Eyeballing everyone wearily, I made my way past a few of the men I had met at the party my first, edging into the living room where I slowly placed Lace onto the grown and handed her her backpack filled with coloring books and small toys. She scampered over to Claire, an adorable little girl with a mass of black tangles tugged to the back of her head. She looked about seven or eight, but looked happy with the company.

Leaving me standing awkwardly in the doorway, my hands tugging at the bottom of my red tunic dress uncomfortably. This wasn't a good idea. I was ready to make up an excuse on having a headache just when a large warm arm swung itself over my shoulder.

"Hey So-pee! Emily said you were coming, you could have just hitched a ride with us." It was Jared, tall and relaxed as he steered her over to where Kim was sitting, her own relaxed expression on her face as she watched the chaos unfurl around her. She looked up and waved before gently patting the seat right next to herself.

"Hey, we didn't think you were going to make it." Kim said, gently shouldering her neighbor.

I smiled at her, while I spent more time with Jared, Kim just had an air about her that made it easy to relax around her. Hell, all of them did.
Except for the angry beast of a man leaning against the wall, watching Quil and Embry as they continued to play what ever card game they were playing. It looked like Texas Hold'em, but I couldn't be sure. They seemed in a pretty bitter argument about it.

But I swear his eyes flickered up from them every so often to watch me talk to Kim. And I know for sure he outright stared when Jared walked up and handed me a can of soda, leaning over the back of the couch to join in our light banter.

I'm not sure when their light arguing got out of hand, but eventually they were rolling around in front of us, limbs flailing. Embry, I think, was sent falling on to me and I let out a gasp of air at his weight. He felt like a truck of bricks being dumped on me, and my lungs fought for air.
But in a matter seconds he was ripped off me and yelling pursued.

Paul had the younger man beneath him, his knee pressed against his chest and his hands shaking.

"Paul, man, its fine! Chill out, shes okay!" Jared coaxed, grabbing at Kim slowly and tugging her over the back of the couch quickly.

Quil was up, gathering Claire and Lace into his arms before backing out of the room. A small crowd had made its way into the doorway leading into the kitchen, but when Sam shoved through everyone parted.

"Paul. Get off." He growled. And Paul obeyed, but he was still shaking as if he might snap at any moment. "She's okay. Right, Sophie, you're okay?"

"Y-yeah!" I stuttered out, standing up slowly, my body slightly tender. "See, no harm!" His deep brown eyes scanned over me, as if uncertain and afraid at the same time. But then he bolted, shoving past Sam and the others.
"Jesus Christ, what a fucking asshole." Embry growled standing up. "It was an accident!"

"Embry, Quil, if you ever pull that again, I will skin you and make you into a coat." Sam snapped at the two as Quil reemerged with the two girls. Both men nodded quickly, their eyes downcast to the floor. Eventually the chaos moved back to the kitchen as Emily announced that dinner was ready. I wasn't feeling very hungry, so Kim promised to make a plate for Lacey and I squeezed my way out the kitchen entrance.

Outside the air was cooler, the October wind drifting in from the ocean and starting to cool down the small reservation from the minimum heat the summer had brought. Shivering as the wind shifted the hem of my dress, I stepped down into the gravel of her walkway, glancing. I had missed the beautiful woods and the way the moon shined through them while I was gone. A small crack shifted through the air and I turned to face the tree line.
"Paul?" I whispered, stepping towards it.

"Sophie? What the hell are you doing out here?" Snapped the gruff voice from behind me. I swung around, and behind me ole 'an' behold stood Paul, no longer shaking, but obviously annoyed that I had followed him.
"Holy shit you scared the shit out of me." I gasped, placing my hand to my heart. I pointed towards the tree line. "I thought I heard you out there!"

He peered over my head scrutinizing the tree line with sharp narrow eyes and a pursed mouth. After a few moments he relaxed, looking down at me. "Just a rabbit. What are you doing out here?"

Crossing my arms over my chest to stop a shiver, I rolled my eyes at him. "Now how the hell do you know it was a rabbit?"

"I just do, okay? Aren't you cold."

"No!" I lied, but the shiver went through my body and gave my lie away.
The giant of a man sighed and slid his jacket off before draping it over my shoulders, and I marveled at the fact that it swallowed me, bagging around my thighs.

"Wont you be cold?"

"Nah, I run a little hotter."

We stood in silence for a few minutes me snuggled into his heavenly warm jacket and him staring off into the forest.
"Sorry I lost it. In there. And in the shop." Paul mumbled awkwardly, shuffling his feet. It was slightly sweet, seeing such a large and brawny man so uncomfortable. I stifled a laugh. "What!?" He growled, his mouth pursing again.

"I've never seen a man quite so big look so uncomfortable of tiny old me."

Paul grumbled shuffling his feet awkwardly. "Look, I'm not used to apologizing so just say 'okay', Okay?"

I smiled softly, holding the front of his jacket to my face to hid my own smile. "Okay. Apology accepted. Does this mean we're friends now."

If his face could have gotten any redder, he would have morphed into a giant tomato. "Only if you want."

"Yeah, I'd like that."

And then suddenly, Lacey was at the front door, screaming for me.

"I'll see you later...friend." I teased making my way back into the house.

"Later." He grumbled under his breath.

Once I reached the door I realized I forgot to return his jacket, but when I turned around, he had vanished.