AN: In this chapter I would like to give a special shout-out to yaoilover1013. This lovely person has reviewed every update since chapter fifteen, but your private messaging is turned off! I'm sorry not to have replied to all of your reviews sweetheart, but I want you to know that I appreciate all of the feedback, and thank you for being such an awesome, supportive person! :)

Also, I'm giving you guys fair warning that this is the second to last chapter! The next chapter is the last I have planned for this story, and while I may write a couple of one-shots or a short sequel to this eventually, I don't know if it will be any time soon. And sorry that it's not really exciting from here on out, it's all really just wrapping things up :)

Disclaimer: Maybe when it's finished?

CHAPTER 27

SETH POV

3 MONTHS LATER

It had taken Seth and Alec a little while to get themselves together enough to return to La Push. It didn't really help that Seth kept having second thoughts, and without Alec's support he was sure he never would have been able to convince himself to go back.

Eventually however, he had gathered the courage and, after steady support from Alec and near-constant correspondence with Paul, here he was, driving through Forks towards the Cullen's house.

Seth had been worried that the Cullen's may have moved on in the time since he'd left, but Paul assured him they had not. Apparently they hadn't wanted to leave without knowing Seth would be able to find them, which didn't manage to stem his guilt at all.

Before he could convince himself that this was a bad idea, yet again, Alec pulled the car up in front of the huge Cullen house and looked at Seth. That look said a lot of things, namely that if Seth didn't get his bum out of the car and knock on the door, Alec would drag him there.

Seth smiled sheepishly and opened the car door before Alec could follow through with his unvoiced threat, but not before he caught sight of Alec's smug smile and he couldn't help but laugh.

Seth slowly made his way to the front door with Alec's hand a comforting presence at the small of his back.

They stepped onto the porch, but Seth couldn't bring himself to knock. Alec moved his hand from Seth's back and entwined their fingers together before raising their joined hands to rap on the door.

Seth had been wondering why no one had come to the door already, the Cullen's should have heard them turn into the driveway, and his queries were answered when he heard Jacob speaking inside.

"I don't know why I have to answer the door Alice," he was complaining. "You could have been there and back by now."

Seth couldn't hear Alice's reply, but he heard Jacob laugh as he pulled the door open.

Jacob's laughter stopped abruptly as he saw who was at the door and Seth squeezed Alec's hand before speaking; "Hey Jake."

Jacob didn't reply verbally, but Seth found himself with his arms full of the other wolf. His hand was pulled from Alec's, but Seth knew his imprint wouldn't mind as he wrapped his own arms around Jacob in return. Jacob was hugging him so hard that his feet were dangerously close to leaving the ground, but he didn't care.

It was so good to have his fears proved wrong, although he had never expected Jacob of all people to judge him for leaving. He gave Jacob one last squeeze before pulling back and wiping his eyes with the back of his hand to brush away the happy tears that just wouldn't stop falling. Jacob seemed to be having the same problem, but they both manfully pretended not to notice.

Every time Seth looked at Jacob he could feel the tears welling up again, and he couldn't stop himself from pulling him into another hug.

"I've missed you so much Jake," he gasped.

Jacob just hugged him tighter and whispered; "Me too Seth."

They pulled apart again, and this time they couldn't help but laugh when they took in each other's tear stained faces.

They both wiped their eyes again and Jacob looked at Alec with a smile.

"Aren't you going to introduce us Seth?" he asked.

Seth grinned, this was going so much better than he had feared, and he was incredibly grateful for Jacob and the Cullen's, who he knew were staying inside on purpose to give them some privacy.

"Jacob, this is Alec," he said, "Alec, this is Jacob."

Jacob grinned and held out his hand, and Alec grasped in in his own and shook firmly, giving a small smile of his own, to Seth's surprise.

"It's great to finally meet you outside of a fight," joked Jacob.

Alec's smile widened slightly as he replied, "The feeling is quite mutual, I assure you."

Jacob chuckled in response and then called back into the house; "Okay, you can come out now, I know you can't wait to see Seth!"

No sooner had he spoken then Seth found himself completely swamped in a massive hug that he was sure involved every member of the Cullen family. Plus, they'd somehow pulled Alec in as well. Seth didn't know how they'd managed it, but it was definitely his imprint's hair that his face was buried in.

Everyone was laughing and crying (figuratively in the vampires' case) in turns as they all hugged. Alec was welcomed, and Seth was welcomed back, with open arms.

Eventually they all ended up piled in the living room. It seemed like every available surface was covered with people, and Seth found himself sitting comfortably in Alec's lap, incredibly relieved that no one in the room so much as flinched as he relaxed into his imprint's embrace.

Just as everyone had settled into their chosen chair Emmett spoke, "So, I think it's safe to say that we're all dying to know what's been going on since you left Seth."

Rosalie kicked Emmett viciously as Esme shot him a sharp look.

"What?!" asked Emmett, rubbing his shin with a look so pathetic that Seth couldn't help but laugh.

"Do not be so rude Emmett," Esme chastised. She turned to look at Seth and Alec, "Do either of you need anything?" she asked politely, "Water, blood, perhaps a bath?"

Seth smiled at her fondly; he couldn't remember why he had been so worried about coming back here.

"No thank you Esme," he replied, Alec nodding in agreement. "We're alright for the moment, but we'll be sure to let you know if we do need something."

Esme smiled, satisfied, but before anyone else could say anything Emmett interrupted.

"So you're all good, can we get down to the storytelling now?" he asked eagerly, actually leaning forward in his chair from excitement.

Esme glared again, but Rosalie simply rolled her eyes, Seth supposed she was used to Emmett by now. Maybe he would be in a few hundred years as well.

Seth could see that Esme was working up another telling-off for Emmett, so he spoke before she could start.

"It's alright Esme," he reassured. "I know you're all just as eager as Emmett to know, you're just too polite to say it."

He punctuated his last statement by poking his tongue out at Emmett, who laughed in response.

"Man, have I ever missed you Seth," he chuckled.

Seth's smile dropped from his face and he looked at the floor as he was filled with an overwhelming sense of shame for having left this family.

"I've missed you guys too, and I'm so sorry for the way I left, and for taking so long to come back."

Seth felt Alec gently rubbing his back in reassurance as Alice spoke, "You have nothing to apologise for Seth," she assured. "We understand why you left, and any one of us would have done the same in your place. I have done the same in your place."

That statement puzzled Seth for a moment before he realised that Alice and Jasper had disappeared before the battle with the Volturi because Alice had been afraid of what the vampire leaders would do to her mate for formerly being a part of a newborn army.

Seth smiled at Alice in understanding, and as he looked around the room he realised that not one of the Cullen's were looking at him in anger or disgust, and the last of his fears melted away.

Seth couldn't help but grin, "Thanks guys," he said with a smile. "And since you've been so patient for so long, for the most part," he added with a smirk at Emmett, "I suppose we'd better get down to the storytelling."

Seth spoke for hours, pausing only to take a drink and let Alec tell his own perspective of certain events. It seemed as though the tale would never end, but eventually he reached the point where they had met up with Paul and Rachel in Rjukan, before ultimately deciding to return to Forks.

Jacob chuckled at that, "Paul told me he'd seen you guys," he said. "He didn't think you'd follow his advice though, he's going to be so smug when we tell him!"

Seth couldn't help but laugh along. It had been so long since he'd seen these amazing people, and it was as though he'd never left, like it had always been this way.

Now that the tale was finally off of his chest Seth found himself to be unbearably tired. He tried to lean back into Alec subtly, but of course Esme noticed and spoke up: "Oh Seth, I cannot believe how rude we have been!" she exclaimed, standing up. "You have had such a busy day, it is no wonder you are tired, yet we all sat here and allowed you to talk yourself silly."

Seth tried to protest as the motherly vampire bustled over to help him from the couch.

"Now Seth, there is no point in protesting. You and Alec may have Edward's old room, he has not had any need of it since he and Bella moved to the cottage."

Seth tried to protest a few more times, but his arguments were undermined by a massive yawn, and he reluctantly let Esme and Alec lead him upstairs to bed.

Edward's old room was bare, with only a neatly made bed and a few empty shelves on the walls, but Seth barely noticed. He simply mumbled a quick thanks to Esme and kicked off his shoes before collapsing face-down on the bed.

Seth heard Alec chuckle as he gently closed the door and crossed the room. Seth didn't move as Alec stripped him to his underwear and gently manoeuvred him beneath the covers. He kept his eyes closed as he heard clothing rustling before the bed dipped and Alec joined him beneath the covers.

Seth shuffled over until he was comfortably snuggled against Alec's warmth and simply allowed himself to breathe in the scent of his imprint.

"Thanks," he mumbled against Alec's neck.

Alec shifted so he could wrap an arm around Seth's waist and Seth felt cool breath pass across his face as Alec replied, "No Seth, thank you."

Seth just hummed in response and let the even, instinctual breathing of his imprint lull him to sleep.