Although Jake made it seem like he was ok with the travel back to Forks, he made me make some compromises with him. One being that we would visit La Push before anything else. Then in Forks, we'd visit Charlie before going to the Cullen house. And once we were at the Cullen house, Jacob would enter first just to make sure. It was a lot to bargain with, but agreed since I was so happy that I was finally able to go back.

It had all seemed to take too long. The week of waiting while Jake sold the house, the car, and quit his job, and the entire flight over to Washington. It was all so long. But we finally landed in the airport and rented a car. My stomach was all messed up as we drove closer and closer to La Push, twisting and turning with butterflies. I even made Jake pull over twice, although it never turned out to be anything as urgent as it felt. I was anxious, praying that there were some wolves still alive. But I was also anxious because I wanted to get this over with and go home. Seven years is a long time, I told myself, But they're ok. They just couldn't find me.

I was terrible at convincing myself.

Jake turned a corner into a familiar land. I glanced over at him while he looked longingly at the woods that surrounded us. I had only been to La Push a couple times, to visit Billy and some of the other wolves. They were nice enough to bend the treaty for me that way. As the forest area starting turning into housing, we noticed how quiet it all seemed. It was odd, unusual, with the strange sensation that we were being watched. I subconsciously took Jake's hand, the one that was resting, and fit my fingers through his. It was amazing how well our hands fit together...

Finally, after what seemed like years, Jacob pulled up to a stop outside his old house. It was always quiet over there, but not today. Billy was there, looking haggard and worn out in his little wheelchair. But so was Charlie, and Sue Clearwater was there holding his hand. A couple others were there, looking unfamiliar to me, as they all stood outside the small house talking to each other. Not one glanced up at the car as we drove up. I tried to figure out who the two others were, but it was incredibly difficult. They both still seemed very young, but the years had clearly been unkind to them. But I recognized the tatoos on their arms, which were wrapped around their knees as they sat on the ground, and I realized that they were werewolves. For a moment I felt hope, but then I realized that there was a possibility that these two were new werewolves, and Jacob could be the only remaining survivor.

The sixth person I knew I didn't recognize, clearly not having been born before I left. It was a little boy, looking about three years old. But hey? What did I know about how old someone looks? The kid was running in circles around the other five before getting scooped up by Charlie and kissed on the cheek. It only took me seconds to realize that Charlie had another kid, and it did bring a smile to my face, "Good for him." I muttered to myself.

Jacob either didn't hear me, or just didn't answer, because as I said that he stepped out of the car. I followed suit, closing my door quietly, but Jacob slammed his shut. To attract attention, no doubt, and it worked. All eyes turned to us, even the child gave us a quick glance before burying his face into Charlie's leg. All faces lit up with recognition at Jacob, and it looked like Billy was about to cry.

"Jacob?" He called, rolling his chair towards us. I walked a few good paces behind him, to try and stay out of sight remembering that Charlie didn't know about vampires, just werewolves.

Jacob picked up his pace to reach his dad quicker, "Hey Dad." he said with a smile before leaning down to give the man a hug. Charlie and Sue were over by his side instantly, both giving him greetings hugs. The other two, who had been sitting, stood up as if they were surprised to see Jacob. But once they saw me behind him, they sat back down, looking solemn again. What strange behavior, I thought to myself, but shook my head. Maybe it was my scent. I was sure it was just luck that Jacob didn't find it repulsive.

I turned my attention back to Jake and everyone else, who were still embracing him. I smiled at the sight...Jake seemed so happy. I listened from a distance as they all spoke to each other, and Charlie introduced the child, whose name was Blake. They didn't seem to notice me, but that was alright, since it was probably better that Charlie didn't recognize me, or else I'd have some explaining to do.

My eyes had drifted from the scene in front of me to my feet within a few minutes, as I waited for him to finish up and get any information he needed. But as I was waiting, I heard Charlie's voice silence everyone else. "Well I'll be..." He said, almost in wonder. I looked up to see what he was talking about. Of course, he was looking directly at me and that shouldn't have come as a surprise to me. "I thought I'd never see you again either." He took a step closer to me, as if he was awestruck.

I smiled at him, surprised he recognized me and already think up excuses as to why I was so grown up already. But I'd put that conversation off as long as I would be able to. "Hi Charlie. How have you been?"

I had a feeling that the answer wasn't going to be a good one.