Chapter Twenty-Two

Emma's POV

I couldn't wait until Nick got back. Like seriously, I was going crazy. I ran all the way to La Push to tell my family about his upcoming return, then I ran all the way back so I would be sure not to miss his arrival.

I don't know when the crush started exactly. But since he left two years ago, I haven't been the same. He's on my mind every time I see an injured bird or look at Fang or even sometimes when I see my parents kiss. It's little things that remind me of him and make this so much harder for me.

All I know for sure is that I can't wait for him to come back and see the new, fully grown me. When he left, I was not quite fourteen but now I was eighteen physically (the oldest I was ever going to get) and ready for his love. I didn't care that he was older than me or that he wasn't completely like me.

Alice warned me that he wouldn't be back until at least nightfall, but I stood on the porch all morning and into the afternoon. At dinner time, Esme coaxed me inside but only because she said that Alejandro was crying for me.

I fear that he sometimes confuses me with his mother because she had died right after his birth and I was always helping take care of him. I knew it was hard on Max to watch her niece and nephew all the time, so I helped as often as I could. Besides, it wasn't like she didn't have her own kids to think about. And Collin tried to avoid his kids as much as he could, though I wouldn't really blame him. They were part of the reason she was gone now. If Alex hadn't been a wolf, or if Hope hadn't been human, then Ella would still be alive today and everyone knows it.

Alex calmed down once I sat and ate with him, though as soon as we finished eating, I took him to the backyard to play. Like I said, I wasn't going to miss Nick's return for anything. This way, I got to watch Alejandro and keep an eye out for Nick at the same time; win win.

I was in the middle of spinning Alex around, and grinning like an idiot at the little five year old, when I heard what sounded like a gasp.

I set Alejandro down, kissed the top of his head, and went in the direction of the noise. "Stay right there, Alex." I threatened, but didn't turn my back to see that he had stayed where he was.

"Emma? Is that you?" A voice asked from the treeline and I nodded with a huge grin.

I couldn't help what happened next, really I tried to act like the adult I now was, but when I heard Nick's voice I kinda lost it. I ran into the trees just as he showed himself and I flung myself at him. He stumbled back when I jumped on him, but I wrapped my legs around his torso so as not to fall. Or if he did, I was going to go down with him.

"Thank god you're alright." I said, pressing myself into him closer in a hug. "Fang was so worried."

"Fang was worried, huh?" Nick asked with a smirk.

I was never going to forget that look, and I was ashamed of my memory for not doing it justice. His dark hair had grown some since the last time I saw him, but it looked like it had recently been cut with a switchblade. His dark eyes were exactly the same though and I tried not to giggle as he went to lay his head on top of mine and his five o'clock shadow tickled my forehead.

I nodded, trying not to think about the awkward position we were in and I prayed that my family didn't come out here yet. Just as I thought that though, I felt someone tug on my leg. I looked down to see Alex and ashamedly climbed off of Nick.

"What is it, honey?" I asked as I picked up Alex and settled him on my hip.

"It's time for my bed." Alejandro said adorably and I couldn't help but giggle at the little werewolf. He looked at Nick and scowled. "Fang loves Max, not my Emma." He said, glaring at Fang's twin with anger that I didn't know he possessed.

"I'm not Fang, my name is Nick." Nick said, looking at Alex with a troubled look. "And who are you?"

"Oh, this is Alejandro. He's Collin's little boy." I explained with a smile. "His twin sister Esperanza is in the house with Max, I think."

"He a shifter?" Nick asked and seemed to get even more upset when I nodded.

"Uhm." Someone cleared their throat from behind us and I remembered that Nick was supposed to be bringing other freed experiments with him...and they all just saw my stupid display.

Six people emerged from the trees and I turned around, my face flushed with embarrassment. "Uh, Alice has a party planned in the Main House." I said, walking in that direction. The wolves had decided to keep their bonfire, but cut it short so they could be involved with Nick's Homecoming Party too. They would be joining our little party in a few hours once their bonfire was over.

I went straight upstairs to the nursery and tucked Alex in bed instead of going to the party first. I needed time to clear my head so I could try and not look like a complete idiot in from of Nick the next time I saw him.