"Don't leave," I whispered, running my hands behind Jacob's neck.
"I have to," he replied, kissing my forehead. "There's a huge group of newborns in New York, and we need everyone we can get to fight."
"Be careful." I dropped my mouth to his neck and fluttered kisses down it.
"I always am. I'll be fine. It's you I'm worried about. You have to stay strong for me."
"I will be. I love you."
Jacob
smiled. "You know I love you."
"I know." I
kissed him. "But you're leaving me."
"I'm
not leaving you," he whispered. "It's only for a month, and
I'll be there in a second if you need me."
"I'll need
you all the time."
Jacob kissed me. "You'll be strong.
I love you."
"I love you too."
I looked around
the yard. Kim was crying, and so was Emily. Embry was holding Amy
close to him, as he rocked her back and forth. Paul held baby
Valencia in his arms, cradling her and kissing her forehead. Quil was
with Claire, throwing her up and tossing her around. She was
laughing.
I was glad she didn't get what was going on.
Jacob took my chin softly in his hands and turned me back to him. He placed a kiss on my lips and then smiled.
"Go
say goodbye to them. It looks like everyone wants to say goodbye to
everyone anyways."
I engulfed Jacob in a hug and let tears
run down my cheek. Jacob held me effortlessly and rubbed my back.
"Shh, it's alright. I promise I'll be back soon."
I nodded and pulled away. Jacob smiled and brushed away my tears with his thumb. He kissed my cheek, then my nose, my neck, and lastly my lips.
"Be
a good girl."
I nodded and hugged him again.
"Shh... I'll call you tonight. Promise."
"Okay."
He wrapped his arms around me tighter. His warmth was suffocating me, but I didn't care. It was comforting, and I tried to take in as much of him as possible.
"I'll be back." He kissed me. "Go say goodbye to your father."
I walked over to Sam and Emily. Sam looked down at me and took me in his arms.
"You help out with Emily and Valencia, alright?" he asked. I nodded.
"And
don't get into any trouble." He kissed my head. "Be
good."
"Thanks Sam." I kissed his cheek and hugged
him. "Good luck."
"This will be a piece of cake
Jenica," Sam laughed. "There's nothing to worry about."
"Okay," I whispered.
"Go
get Valencia for me," Sam laughed. "Paul's going to
suffocate my little angel."
I giggled and walked over to
Paul.
"Hey
babe," Paul laughed. "What's new?"
"Sam wants
Valley," I answered. "And I want you."
"Jenny,
wow, I didn't know you felt that way about me..."
I hit his
shoulder. "Shut up fatty."
"I'll go give Valley to
Sam and be back."
"No
say goodbye to me first."
Paul smiled. "I can't very
well hug you with a one year old in my arms."
I rolled my
eyes. "Fine."
Paul gave Valencia to Sam. Sam held her up and kissed her nose. I knew he was going to be the best father ever.
"Now I'm back." Paul scooped me up in his arms and spun me around. I laughed and hugged him.
"I'm
gonna miss you." I kissed his cheek. "Be careful for
me."
"I will be," Paul laughed. "Don't worry
about me doll."
"Hey, it's my turn to hug her!"
Embry took me from Paul and threw me over his shoulder.
"PUT ME DOWN!" I squealed.
"Fine." He dropped me to my feet but still held onto me.
Embry tapped my nose. "Be a good little girl, alright?"
"I
will father." I kissed his cheek and hugged him. "You be
careful."
"Don't worry."
"My turn now."
Jared grabbed me and held me to him.
"Hey darling." He brushed the bangs out of my face and kissed my forehead. "Feeling okay?"
"Nervous,"
I whispered. "You?"
He shrugged. "Me? Don't worry
about me. Only worry about you and the girls. Watch over them for me,
especially Kim. She's been a little weird lately."
I nodded
and kissed his cheek. "Bye dude."
"Finally."
Quil
took me and smiled at me.
"Hello love. What's new?"
"Not
much," I giggled. "You?"
"Just getting ready
to save the human race," Quil laughed. "This should be
easy."
"Don't
hurt yourself."
He laughed and kissed my head. "I
won't."
"Alright guys, stop harassing my mate."
Jacob
pulled me into his arms and leaned against his car. I saw Kim rest
her head on Jared's shoulder, and Embry wrap his arms around Amy.
"This is awkward," I laughed.
"No," Jacob breathed. "I love spending every moment with you that I possibly can."
"Jacob."
He
kissed me. "Yes?"
"I
love you."
"I know. I love you too."
"Come on guys," Sam interrupted. "Pile in."
Jacob
kissed me one last time before climbing into the car. I held onto his
hand until his slid away from mine.
Emily stepped behind me and
put her arm around me. I looked at her and she shot me an assuring
smile.
As I watched the car drive away tears streamed down my face.
"C'mon
girls," Emily whispered. "Let's go eat all the junk in the
house. I bought ten different flavors of ice cream, a cake, frosting,
and a bunch of cookies for this occasion. We'll eat and watch soap
operas until we fall asleep."
That sounded better than
anything else in the world.
