I do not own anything in the Twilight Universe, I am just borrowing it.

Friends To Lean On

Seth hesitantly opened the back door to the Clearwater residence, he didn't hear anyone, but he didn't want to take any chances. The kitchen was filled with a mixture of aromas, from dozens of casseroles, and one pan meals, donated by friends and family. Edward took a step back until he could get his senses under control.

"Wow! Your friends and family sure care about you." Edward said as they made their way to the living room. Seth turned back to him, an unfamiliar mask of skeptic wariness took over his young friend's face.

"More like they are extending their friendship to my Mother." Edward started to protest, but Seth cut him off, not willing to accept platitudes from someone who truly knew the innermost thoughts of everyone. Edward closed his mouth, knowing it would fall on deaf ears. He looked up at Seth, in unbelief at the difference a few years had made. The boy who was so open and optimistic, who had a pure crystal clear heart, stood before him older, than his 27 years, jaded and closed up.

"Look, you don't have to babysit me. I'm going to take a shower and then I'm going to head to the church. I won't run away... I didn't run away! I just needed to get away from all of the hypocrisy in the house. It was choking me. I was just taking a little run." Edward looked worriedly at his friend. When he had stumbled across Seth's desperate thoughts an hour ago, it wasn't just a little run. He was reeling in anguish at the painful separation of an imprint. Edward had excused himself from his visit with Renesmee and Jacob to run out to intercept Seth.

They met at the rock outcropping that looked like a comfy couch. Stopping at a dead heat, Seth phased to greet his friend. He had no idea that Bella and Edward would make the trip from Maine to go to the funeral. The tortured expression that consumed Seth's features tore at the vampire's still heart. Seth opened his mouth to speak, but the pain seized his tongue and fresh tears welled up in his eyes. Seth's mind was a whirl of desperation, torn with grief. The vampire grabbed him in a sudden bear hug.

Edward clung to Seth, when he would have let go. The first true comfort he had felt since Lauren's death, caused the dam to explode, and all of the pain and anger, that he had forced inside came pouring out. He didn't need to say the things he wanted to say out loud, but it seemed to help and Edward encouraged the exchange.

"Oh, God Edward, they hated her! Everything about her. They tell me how sorry, they are about her death, and all that. But secretly, I think that they are glad. They think that I'll just find someone else... more to their liking. They don't understand. It does not work that way." He looked down into Edward's compassionate onyx eyes, seeing that he already knew what he was about to say, so he didn't have to voice out loud the things, that would make him feel, like he was betraying her memory. Things like he knew that she was not perfect. Things like she wasn't always the most caring person in the world. Her needs and feelings almost always came first in their relationship. Things, like he couldn't always trust her to tell the truth, or do the right things. Things, like she didn't always let the imprinting in their lives dictate her heart. And oh, God he read it! He read it in his mind. The thing he was trying so hard to keep secret from the rest of the family. He waited for the judgment, for the damnation. But his friend just gave him another hug, his breath hitched as he let him just feel comfort.

"Seth, I had no idea. You have been shouldering some heavy burdens. Why don't you talk to your family. They could help...." Seth backed away from his friend and quickly interrupted him.

" I can't man. They would not understand, and they would judge. I just can't take that kind of rejection." Edward placed a hand on his young friend, that was not so young anymore, and said trying to convince him.

"It's not your fault! None of this is your fault. You can't control another person's actions." Seth pleaded with his friend to stop.

"Stop, please Edward! I could have done something. I should have seen it coming. I was just deluding myself. I loved her so much, I thought that, that would be enough. That is the way it was supposed to work. Look at Sam and Emily. Look at Embry and Leah, Jared and Kim, man look at Drew and Amy. I was supposed to have what they have. What is so damn wrong with the Clearwaters? First Leah and her messed up genes. It took her years to get straightened out. Then my screwed up imprinting! And I don't want to get into Leah's kids. What did my elders do, that was so wrong, that we are cursed like this?" Seth begged with his eyes, for answers, that Edward did not have. They sat for several minutes in silence, contemplating . Seth, all of his failures, to be what Lauren wanted, and needed. Edward the information, that he had read from Seth's mind, and he wondered how his friend remained sane while he lived each day with the news, unable to share his burden with anyone.

The sudden shrill in the forest, roused the two from their troubled thoughts. Edward reached into his pocket and answered the phone. "Hello? Yes dear, I found him. No, ….he's ...alright. Yes, go ahead and call them. I'll bring him over. Yes, that's a good idea. It will give him more time to compose himself. I'll see you at the house. Love you more."

"Are you coming to the funeral?" But he already knew the answer. It would have been nice to have at least one true mourner, besides himself there. But the Quileutes, would not be the only ones there. Practically all of Forks would be there too. And with the Cullens the same age as they were 10 years ago, it would bring speculation on the family. They had moved away 5 years ago. Only coming back for visits, but only for family and friends. No one in Forks had seen them since. Edwards guilty eyes said it all.

"I can't be seen by the town," but he assured his friend, "I will be there, just out of sight. Both Bella and I. We really should get going. Your family is really worried about." Over Seth's protest, "No really, they are very worried about you. Your thoughts, through the pack mind, have been almost suicidal, lately" Edward was thinking back to conversations, and picking up thoughts of Jake and Sam, at their meeting today. "Even before her accident, you have been extremely unhappy. They have noticed it. They just assumed it was Lauren, being Lauren. They have no idea how deep her betrayal, to you was. You need to talk to them, even if it is to preserve your sanity." Edward shook his head and pretended that Seth meant it, when he said that he would think about it, knowing he had already made up his mind that he would not.

Edward paced in the living room, while Seth showered and changed. He was looking at the pictures on the wall, when he reappeared. The pictures captured the last ten years in candid and posed stills. There were pictures of Embry and Leah, at their wedding. Lauren had caught the bouquet, but they never had their wedding. There were pictures of Ethan and Jude, Leah and Embry's twin boys and Megan, their little daughter. Most of the time Seth was in the background, but whether Lauren was with him, or not, the visage of loneliness, on his face grew, as surely as the children did, in the pictures. They got into Edwards Ashton Martin, Seth's thoughts about him blowing any subtlety about being there, made Edward smile.

They made it to the Forks city limits, before they were pulled over. Seth was so lost in thought, he didn't realize that they had stopped, until Edward rolled down his window. An unfamiliar female face popped up by the driver's window. Her oval face displayed the common detachment of a law enforcer, doing their job. Her strawberry blond hair was pulled back into a severe ponytail, leaving her facial features uncovered. She had a clean wholesome appearance, free from any cosmetics or jewelery.

"Sir, do you know why I pulled you over?" She waited, obviously wanting a response. Edward looked at her, using his best persuasive expression and his soothing voice to admit that he was speeding.

"I'm sorry, I must have been speeding. It's just that we are late for a funeral. I must not have been paying proper attention." Edward smiled and waited for his usual charm to smooth over the woman. She looked back at him, then in a no nonsense way asked for his license and registration. She took them and went back to her vehicle to run them through the system. Edward whistled and smiled to himself. Seth looked at him and asked what was the matter. "So that is Tony, the new officer from Boston. Charlie, obviously was short on details, when he described the new guy to Bella. And his thoughts never let on he was a she." Seth's expression showed that he was not concerned with it as well. Edward's smile disappeared at the misery that was eating Seth up inside.

They both turned to the window, when she reappeared. "Well, Mr. Cullen, you were doing 95 miles per hour in a 55 zone. I would hope that, going to the Talley funeral, you would have more caution on the wet roads. I realize that, you don't have very much experience driving, but your friend here, should have told you. Under the circumstances, I will let you off with a warning, but don't let me catch you speeding again." She tapped the top of the door and went back to her car. Edward started the car, and returned to the highway at a more sedate pace, the police car following all the way to the church. Edward squeezed his shoulder, as Seth opened his door. "We will be close by. Let your family help you grieve. They love you." Seth shook his head, not trusting his voice. He stepped out of the car and slowly made his way into the church.

Sue was waiting by the entrance. Her tears streaked down her face as she caught sight of him. Her pain etched in eyes. She stepped forward, when he stopped and grabbed him in a bear hug. She swayed back and forth with him as she let her sobs mingle with her words of sympathy. Seth allowed her hold him, concentrating on not breaking down. It was so hard when he saw her pain. He assured her that he was fine and that they should get in the church. They pews were full with the whole town. The Talley's took up the first four rows. They hovered by the front. Seth took a deep breath at the sight of the flowers that decorated the platinum coffin. It still felt like a bad dream, not quite real. He had been walking in a fog for the last few days. But the sight of the coffin, hit him and would have taken him to his knees, if he did not have the sudden support of his brother-in-law, who put his arm around him and led him to a pew that was reserved for them.

Quileutes came to them to offer their sympathy. He accepted the handshakes and hugs, with muted words of appreciation. His family surrounded him, almost as if to hold back the blatant stares of Lauren's family, who glared from their pews. It was obvious that they laid the blame to Lauren's death at his feet. But he couldn't really blame them. They were right. When there was a lull in front of the coffin, he stood up. His mother stood up as well, but he waved her off, wanting to have a moment alone to say his goodbyes. Leah hugged her mother, letting the older woman let go of her grief, that her son would not allow.

He walked to the coffin, ignoring the glares. He took a deep breath and looked down at his imprint. He really did not know what he expected, but who ever made the comment earlier, that she looked so natural, was lying. Lauren's shell of a body laid in the coffin, but she was not there. Her vitality, and her spark that was so Lauren, was absent in the peaceful closed expression on her face. Her makeup and hair was perfect. Her dress was of the highest quality that Seattle could afford. But it wasn't her.

Seth couldn't believe the pain that the realization caused. He thought that he had hit the bottom, but he was wrong. Once again the thoughts, that they would not have their happy ever after, that there would be no wedding, no children, no future, came crashing down over his head. He gripped the edge of the coffin to steady himself, when he noticed movement to his left. He looked over to see the mourner, who had stepped up to the coffin. Well, there was at least one other genuine mourner here. And even though the other man was a part of the trouble between Lauren and himself, he couldn't blame him really. He loved her too.

Seth nodded to Tyler Crowley. The other man nodded back, releasing tears that had pooled in his eyes. They both turned back to the coffin and reflected on Lauren's short but vibrant life. Seth also noted the tenseness of the other man's shoulders, at the close proximity to him. He knew that Tyler blamed Seth as well. He also knew that the other man was the only other living person, besides himself, and now Edward, that knew the true reason for the fight, that led Lauren on that deadly ride.

"Hey man, how are you holding up?" Quil asked as he stepped up to the younger man. Seth looked up and nodded. They hugged and then they stood in comfortable silence. The minister cleared his throat and the rustling of the congregation, alerted the men that the funeral was about to start. Quil led him back to the pew. They sat down and watched Tyler's dejected form make his way up the aisle, his eyes straight forward as he took a seat in the back. The funeral blurred before his eyes. If anyone would ask him what was said, he would not be able to tell them clearly. The testimonies were one dimensional. There was so much more that made up Lauren, than what they remembered. And he admitted that not all of her makeup was nice and honest. But he still ached for her. At one point Quil stood up, not able to take the severity of the moment. He excused himself, to check on Claire, who was watching the nursery.

Quil stopped at the half door that separated the hallway from the nursery. Ethan and Jude were the oldest ones in there, both being 9. They were in the nursery on the pretense of helping Claire with the younger ones, but Ethan was standing next to Rachel and Paul's oldest girl Jordan, who was the spitting image of her mother at the age of 8. He was bragging about some stunt that he did in the woods, trying to impress the quiet girl. Jude stood in the background playing with a toddler, but his eyes were on the other two. His eyes followed the little girls every move and jester. Their own little sister, Megan, was crying for her mommy. The two brothers, obviously used to her antics, ignored her. There were at least a dozen other kids in the nursery running around, screaming and generally tearing up the place. In the middle, in a rocking chair, Claire rocked Paul Jr., a toddler, who was currently finishing his bottle, about to drift off to sleep. The sight of Claire kissing the top to the little boys head, warmed his heart and soothed his bleeding soul.

As if she could feel his presence, she looked up and met his eyes, her smile increasing her dimples. Then she sobered some and asked, "Is it over already?" She had lost track of time, trying to keep up with all of the little hellions. Jude was the only help she had, but he could only keep so many occupied at one time.

"No, it isn't. I just couldn't take it anymore, besides, I wanted to make sure that you were ok, and that the boys are helping you." He said the last with accusing eyes at Ethan, who had the decency to look guilty. He quickly went to his sister, whose tears were now dirty streaks on her little cheeks, to try to calm her down. Quil let himself in and went over to pick up Megan, who said through more sobs, "I want my mommy!" Quil rocked her back and forth as he moved to another rocker across from Claire.

"I know baby. She will be here soon. It's ok. Sshhhushhh." He cooed and after a few minutes, she calmed down to a deep breath hiccups. Then Jude did his best to distract her by building a wall with blocks and then knocking it down with a dump truck. It struck her as hilarious. Soon she scooted off of his lap to join her favorite brother, asking him to do it again and again. Quil gazed at Claire with wonder. She was such a natural at mothering. He still remembered the first time she had made him her first meal all by herself. It was during one of Heather's alternative treatments, and Claire was only ten. He had forgotten to make anything to eat and by the time he did remember, she had met him at the dining room with a piping hot pan of meatloaf. She was so proud of herself, he didn't have the heart to tell her that it was only half done. He had three helpings.

"What are you thinking about?" Claire asked, curious at his whimsical expression. He smiled, coming back to the present.

"You." Claire shivered at the way his eyes made her feel, as if she were the only thing that mattered to him. Then he ruined the moment by turning into a parent on her.

"You aren't missing anything tonight, coming to the funeral, are you?" He couldn't keep track of all her activities at school. But he didn't want her to miss out, because of the wolf pack. She bristled under his parental tone, that made her feel the whole fourteen year difference between them.

"Only the away game. It is no big deal. They are going to stomp us to the ground anyway. Who wants to cheer on a losing team to their death. You know go team, don't die, go team. Yea!" Quil scowled at her sarcasm. It was not one of her better traits.

"We only want the best for you..." Claire cut him off a bit louder than the toddler in her arms, liked and he jerked at the sound. She amended her tone minutely, and continued.

"Please don't start that "we" stuff again. It is not you and mom against me! I said I would do all this stuff to appease my Mother. But I don't like it. And I don't understand why you are agreeing with her decision to live vicariously through me." She was beginning to have the feeling that she didn't understand him at all. One minute he was like an attending servant, smitten to do her every whim, the next he was this condescending truant officer, scolding her all the time. It was nothing like the other couples. They had blind devotion to each other. Well, except Seth and Lauren, theirs was a torturous affair. They could not live with each other, and they could not live apart, but it was always passionate. Not this hot and cold. Maybe they were not truly imprinted. Could imprinting ware off, like sun tanning lotion, burned up by the suns rays, or the cold water.

"It's over." Claire and Quil turned startled eyes toward Heather who was at the doorway. "They need you Quil, as one of the attendants. They are going to the grave side service. I'll help Claire, until the parents collect their children." Quil was happy for the interruption. He did not want to fight with Claire today. His emotions were too close to the surface and he might say or do something that he would regret.

He made it back into the sanctuary to do his duty of moving the casket to the Hurst. The trip to the graveside was quiet in an eerie silence. He missed Claire's presence. Her calming influence, would have stopped his stomach from churning. Embry, Paul, Sam, Jared and Jacob made up the rest of the attendants. There was no real need, two could have carried the coffin with no strain, but it was in honor of their friend and family, that they did it. Once again, the families formed a separation at the burial site. The rain, that was just a drizzle, advanced to buckets during the ceremony, making the mourners more believable. Seth raised his face to the heavens and let the water that weeped from the sky blend into the ones from his eyes. And begged for relief, for his bleeding heart.

I know it starts out a little sad, but I promise I love happy endings. Let me know if you like the way it is going.