Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot.

Chapter3

(Bella's POV)

This town has not changed. I sigh as I pull into the one hotel in town and stepped out of the car into the drizzling rain that was a staple of Forks, Washington. The guy at the front desk stuttered as he took my credit card. "Th-this is our b-best room ma'am." Please enjoy your st-stay with us." I smiled at him and he dropped the room key. Once I was all checked in I called Jacob. The funeral was in an hour. I obviously couldn't just strut up to the coffin. Someone was bound to notice that I hadn't aged a day in the last twenty-five years. But Jake said that I could watch from the edge of the woods and then when the funeral was over he would come and get me and i could say my goodbyes.

I took a shower and let my hair dry where it fell in soft curls to my waist. I pulled a red sundress out of my bag. Jane had staged an intervention shortly after i joined the Volturi family. She, like Alice, thought my taste in clothing left much to be desired. Although, not liking me nearly as much as Alice, Jane had burned all of my clothes that she deemed offensive. I slipped on my cowgirl boots, my favorites; a gift from Alex who, despite Jane's best efforts, had managed to become a good friend over the last few years. I braced myself. I can do this. I can do this.

I headed out to Forks cemetery on the out skirts of town. The closer I got the more tense I became. I had to stop a few times to calm myself. As I reached the edge of the forest I could see a group of people gathered in the center of the cemetery. I could hear soft sobs coming from a small dark skinned woman who I assume was Sue Clearwater sitting near a silver casket covered in flowers. I could see several of the Quileutes by the russet color of their skin although it was tough to tell who was who from this distance. Angela Webber's father stood behind the casket. He had just started talking about what a great cop my father was and how he would be missed when my nose was overwhelmed with the scent of pine and musk that i remembered like it was yesterday mixed with the faint smell of wet dog.

I turned to stare into a pair of bright yet guarded eyes. Eyes both too old and too young for the handsome face they adorned. Jacob. My Jacob...no not mine...but still my best friend Jacob. We stared at each other for what felt like hours before he spoke. "Well you don't smell quite as bad as the rest of them anyway." I launched myself at him and hugged him with all that i had. He was taken back at my speed for a moment but quickly recovered and he was hugging me back just at fiercely. I could tell he was trying to put all the words he couldn't say into this hug. As we broke apart I smiled up at him. "Same old Jake, God I've missed you" "I've missed you too Bells. I'm so glad to see you. Though I'm sorry about the circumstances." This brought me back to where we were and I glanced toward the cemetery and the people still gathered. Seeing this Jake took my hand and led me to a fallen tree at the edge of the forest. We sat together and watched as they laid my father to rest. I felt the sting of tears i couldn't shed as i lay my head on Jake's shoulder and sobbed quietly while he silently stroked my hair.

(Jacob's POV)

Her smell surprised me. She still smelled like Freesia and Strawberries, just like always but with an icy undertone that tingled in my nose…not the unpleasant burn that I expected. I can see her standing at the edge of the forest. Her hair, still the same beautiful mahogany waves, but thicker and shinier falls to her tiny waist. I see her body stiffen as she takes in my smell; then she slowly turns to face me. She is beautiful, there is no denying that. At first I cannot find any of my friend in this pale exquisite face, but as I continue to stare I notice small things. Her eyes are no longer the chocolate brown that I loved so much but they are still wide and full of expression. Her soft pink lips are fuller but the lower lip is still a little bit bigger than the upper one. Her face is still heart shaped yet is slimmer with sharper features.

When the silence threatens to become uncomfortable I speak, "Well you don't smell quite as bad as the rest of them anyway." I barely have time to process the small smile that starts to pull at her lips and she is in my arms. Man she's fast…and strong. I stagger back a little but once I recover I wrap my arms around her and pull her closer. I have missed this. I have missed my friend. I wish I could find a way to tell her how truly sorry I am for all that has happened between us but I just hold her tighter. We finally break away and flashes me a killer smile that could melt your heart. She lets out a small sigh "Same old Jake, God I've missed you" her bell like voice tinkles. "I've missed you too Bells. I'm so glad to see you; though I'm sorry about the circumstances." I say glancing at the group of people gathered in the cemetery. She follows my eyes and her expression changes to one of deep pain and loss. The need to comfort her is overwhelming so I reach out my hand. She entwines her cold fingers around mine and I lead her to a fallen tree at the edge of the woods where she can watch. She starts to sob softly and lays her head on my shoulder. It surprises me how easy this is...how easy it is to be with her even now. I stroke her hair as I feel her sobs shake my shoulder.