Defective - Jacob Black {1}

Chapter 24: Honesty

Travelling home was just a huge blur.

When we arrived back in Washington I had never been so overjoyed to see such familiar faces. Ever. I saw Jasper first though he didn't stop to greet us and made straight for Alice, embracing her quickly before they shared a passionate kiss. Carlisle and Esme were waiting in a quiet corner, her eyes looking like they could weep when she saw us.

I became overwhelmed with emotion as I ran to her, the tears already running down my face as she caught me in her arms. I had missed them so much. She pulled away slightly to look at my face. "You're such a silly girl." She began to brush my hair away from my teary face as I held onto her arms. "I'm so glad you're safe." She hugged me to her again before passing me over to Carlisle.

"You were very brave." He told me as he rubbed my back. "But still silly all the same." I laughed then as Esme hugged Bella beside me.

"Thank you so much." She addressed us both, grasping both of our hands. Then she grabbed Edward, embracing him fiercely. "You will never put me through that again! Dragging your sisters and Bella into this." She scolded.

Edward grinned. "Sorry, Mom." Then he glanced down at Alice and I. "They dragged themselves into it." He shrugged jokingly.

"Thank you girls, we owe you." Carlisle said sincerely.

"Hardly." Bella mumbled, answering Carlisle's statement. She was swaying slightly from side to side as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

"He's family." I smiled up at Edward and he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"She's dead on her feet." Esme scolded Edward with a pointed look. "Let's get you girls home." Esme placed her hand on the small of my back as she led me along. Edward practically carrying Bella.

We exited the airport quite quickly before I caught sight of Rosalie and Emmett leaning against a black car. Edward visibly stiffened, his jaw clenched.

"Don't." Esme warned him. "She feels terrible." Rosalie looked distressed. Her eyes were black and not their usual golden colour, this had really taken it out of her.

"She should." Edward said purposely loud.

"It's not her fault." Bella said sleepily.

"Let her make amends, we'll ride with Alice and Jasper." By the way Esme kept her hand on my back I knew she meant me too. Emmett wasn't keen on that idea.

"That one," he pointed at me. "Is not going anywhere until I get my hug." I laughed happily as I jogged over to him. He was such a big teddy bear.

I leapt up, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Hey." I smiled as he swung me from side to side.

"Hi squirt, how you been?" He asked dropping me back to the floor as Bella, Edward and Rosalie hurried into the car.

"I've been better." I admitted with a half smile.

"Don't have to worry anymore, we're coming home." He beamed down at me, nudging my shoulder.

* * *

Jasper let me out the car a few miles away from the treaty boundary, that being as close as they could get me to home. I knew there would be an overwhelming amount of anger waiting for me when I returned. I had been gone for three days without an explanation... my father was going to be furious.

As I ran through the forest I let myself think about Jacob again and how I had left him three days ago. He was sure to be angry as well. He had hurt me badly and when he begged for my forgiveness and for me to stay I just threw it back in his face. I wanted to forgive him, I wanted to throw myself at him, but he had to know how it felt. He had to feel the pain that he had caused me for once.