The next day was harder than I expected. Esme had been so much more loved than I realized. The entire house was packed with humans come to pay their respect, and more than a few Dogs. The pixie - I found out her name was Alice - had warned me about them. She insisted they were friends, but she still seemed uneasy.

There were others of our kind as well. Five more with gold eyes like Carlisle's family, although one of the males seemed to be having as much difficulty as me in a room so full of humans. A blond female, their apparent leader, practically knocked me out of the way to throw her arms around Carlisle and held him for longer than was strictly necessary. I hid my annoyance by taking the opportunity to change my contacts.

I didn't mind them as much as I'd expected when Alice told me I had to wear them. She had seen me coming and gotten a supply of blue, so for the first time in more than 200 years my eyes were violet again.

I walked out to find the strange woman child - apparently my Edward's daughter - crying into the arms of one of the mongrels. Such an odd family. I wondered how they fit into the greater scheme. Edward shot me a pleading look from where he stood with his wife and her father. I just nodded. None of my philosophizing today. I really should work on my concentration. Edward inclined his head the way I'd come.

I went back, painfully aware of my speed among the humans. The female had released Carlisle but she and her family were still standing around him.

He saw me as I rounded the corner, his eyes on the verge of panic. I should have known it would take her death to make him need me.

Still, I bit through my tongue twice to keep myself from flying to him. He grabbed my hand as soon as I was in his reach and pulled me against his side, his grip verging on painful even against my stone hand. I squeezed back just as tight.

The ceremony itself dragged on. The urn sat on a podium at the front, and a long procession of mourners, humans and vampires alike came to offer treasured memories of Esme, and offer their sympathy to her family. Even a few of the mongrels spoke on her behalf. Such an odd place this was. Through the entire ordeal, Carlisle kept my hand crushed in his, as though I alone could keep him in this place. I clasp both my hands around his, afraid to let him go.

At the close of the ceremony, I reluctantly released him to stand by the podium, Edward's wife quickly taking my place. Carlisle had requested I perform the final rites, not willing to leave Esme's soul in the hands of a mere mortal. When I finished, Edward played Esme's song and the crowd began to disperse, all but the others of our kind and a handful of the mongrels. Carlisle played the gracious host, thanking everyone for coming, but as soon as the lat human left, we were locked away again.