A/N: Thanks to PTB. Those girls are amazing. (:
Next chapter will be longer. Promise.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Edward was gone.
Forever.
A week before our wedding, the Volturi stopped by. Jane and Caius were alone and when they saw that I had not changed, they were furious. They were prepared for this, but they were still incensed. Aro had a proposition – I was to be changed that very instant or else be taken back to Volterra. This, of course, enraged the Cullens and they tried to negotiate, doing everything they could. Finally, Edward stepped up, agreeing to go in my place. They quickly acquiesced - they knew that this would force Aro to forgive them for not accomplishing what they were sent to Forks for. He had wanted Edward to join their ranks for decades. Carlisle and Esme went ballistic and the Volturi ran. I think they were scared of the wrath of Edward's parents; I know I was, and I wasn't even on the receiving end.
Three days later, we received a letter. Edward had been killed. He had tried to escape and had unknowingly walked out into the sunlight in front of a crowd of people. The Volturi had no choice - they took action.
So, on August 13, instead of hosting a wedding, the Cullens hosted a funeral. It was closed casket, of course. There was a big turn out. Charlie came, naturally, and so did our friends from school - Angela and Ben and Mike and Jessica. Sam and Billy even came to pay their respects. I never did see Jacob. It was probably better that I didn't. I took it hard enough as it was. Carlisle had allowed me to have total control over the funeral and I requested that it not be some elaborate event. Edward wouldn't want everyone crying over him – especially not me. I could just hear him – he'd tell me he's not worth it and that I shouldn't waste my time mourning over someone who was burning in hell. He'd tell me to be happy and move on. And if being happy meant being with Jacob, well then he was more than fine with that.
I could just see him – he was probably in heaven right now, watching me and shouting at me, angry and frustrated. Angry, because I was doing the exact opposite of what he wanted. Frustrated, because all of his shouting was in vain. I bet he was pissing off God. If anyone could, it'd be Edward. I wanted to laugh at the thought. I probably would, if I wasn't so damn depressed.
I couldn't even cry. I've cried three times since the incident: when they took him away, when we got the letter, and after his funeral. This hurt so much worse than when he left me last fall. At least then, there was a tiny sliver of hope. Now there was none. Edward was gone and there wasn't a damn thing any of us could do about it.