Hey, guys! Okay, first: I'm really sorry about the lateness of this update! There's been a lot going on, and my birthday is coming up next week, or this week depending on when you read it. Also, there's been a ton of schoolwork piling up on me, but that's nothing new! Second, the details of the funeral will be sketchy because I haven't been to a funeral in eight years, so bare with me.

DISCLAIMER: If I owned Twilight, Stephanie Meyer would be jobless, and I wouldn't be on here, now would I? Unfortunately, or fortunately, I don't own Twilight.

Another Note! This chapter is taking place the next day, because I don't know how else to end the day!

Okay, with that said, on with the chapter!

EPOV

I woke up to the beeping of my alarm clock. Nothing new... until I looked at the date. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Today was Charlie's funeral. I rolled out of bed, only to land on the floor… hard.

"Ouch!" I muttered as I got up, trying to untangle myself from the sheets. The door suddenly opened, and Bella ran in.

"Edward! Are you okay?" she asked me when she saw me lying on the floor, wrapped in a cocoon of sheets.

"Yeah… just a little stuck," I told her, and she laughed. I love her laugh. It's so bright, and I just love it, end of story.

"Here, let me help you," she told me, as she walked over and tried to untangle me from the sheets. However, as we were trying to untangle ourselves, Bella got tangled in the sheets as well. We looked at each other, and started laughing. Alice walked in, looked us over, and smiled.

"I knew I'd find you guys like this," she said as she reached over to a loose end of the sheet, and tugged. The sheet unraveled, leaving Bella on top of me and me still on the floor. We looked at each other, and started laughing again. Bella got up, and reached down to me. I took her hand, and she pulled. But, just as I got up, she tripped and fell headlong into me, and we both ended up on the floor again, laughing. Alice smiled and walked over to us, pulling Bella up, then pulling me up.

"Bella! Come with me!" Alice cried, grabbing Bella's hand and running away with her.

"Help! Edward!" Bella cried, and I just laughed.

"Sorry Bella! I don't really think I want an angry Alice on my tail!" I called and she yelled at me.

"You traitor!" Then it was silent; probably Alice had effectively locked Bella in her bathroom. I chuckled to myself, as I got dressed, after I'd shut the door. I opened my closet and pulled out the clothing Alice had gotten me for the funeral. As I tugged off my pajamas, I thought passively about what would happen after today. No doubt, Renée would try to talk Bella into moving in with her. The thought of it made me feel extremely sad, and I had no idea why. (A/N: Three guesses why Edward is sad at the thought, and the first two don't count… hehe, I'm evil at times… Anyway… sorry for this. I'll go bye-bye now) I finished pulling on the black pants, black dress shirt, and the black socks and shoes, and walked out of my room. Walking down to the dining room, I heard a door open up, and saw someone being pushed out of a room. As I was walking, that person tripped, and began to fall. My arms shot out automatically and I caught the person. The person looked up, and I was met with brown eyes. It was Bella.

"Thanks, Edward! Alice just pushed me out of her room. I bet she did it know I would trip!" Bella muttered as we walked down the stairs. I chuckled, and she looked back at me.

"Oh, it's nothing, Bella," I told her, and she watched me until she was sure.

BPOV

After breakfast, we went down to the cemetery that was where the funeral would be held. We all piled into two cars: Alice, Jasper, mom, Edward and I in the Vanquish, while Carlisle, Esme, Emmett and Rosalie went in the Mercedes. I sat in between Edward and mom, with my head resting on Edward's shoulder.

As we pulled up, I clutched Edward's hand tightly, scared of what would happen. Almost all of Forks had come, since Charlie was their former Police Chief. Many people from the town came up and spoke about how safe Charlie made Forks, and what an amazing father and friend he was. Edward and I didn't have to speak, thankfully; otherwise, I'm afraid I might have cried then and there. Finally, it was time for the coffin to be buried. But, before that, people were allowed to go up and put their hands on the coffin. Edward and I went up together, placing our hands next to each other's. Mom watched us carefully, noticing everything we did.

The coffin was finally lowered into the grave, and was buried. Slowly, the people left, until it was only the Cullens, mom, Edward, and I standing by the grave. I'm not sure how long we stayed, but when we finally left, the sun was trying to peak through the clouds, showing the colors of the setting sun.

"I'm glad that's over," I whispered as I stood next to the car, waiting for my mother go get in. I felt Edward standing next to me and felt his hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah," he said as I slipped in after my mother. The car ride was a silent as when we were coming: not a word was said. Once we had gotten back to the Cullen house, the Cullens and Edward went inside while I stayed outside, my hand on the railing, looking at the sunset. I could feel tears streaming down my face as I watched the sun. I felt someone wrap his or her arms around my shoulders, and I knew it was my mom.

"Bella, sweetie. I'm so sorry. I can't believe Charlie…" she stopped when my head bowed. My hand moved to my heart, and I clutched the fabric there, my head shaking in denial. "Bella?" I heard my mom ask, but I didn't respond. I couldn't, my voice wouldn't work. My head shook even more violently.

"No!" I cried as I fell to the floor, curling up in a fetal position.

"Bella! Bella!" I heard my mother call, but I didn't respond. I didn't notice when Edward appeared until I heard his voice.

"Renée? Is something wrong?" I heard him ask. I bet that's when he saw me, curled in a tight ball, rocking slightly. "Bella?" he whispered, then there were footsteps and someone was kneeling next to me. I was lifted into the air, and placed on someone's warm lap. The same person began to rub soothing circles into my back,

"Shh, Bella. I'm here," Edward's voice murmured, and I stiffened.

"Edward?" I asked, my hands clutching at the black fabric beneath me.

"Yes, Bella. It's me," Edward replied, and I felt my body being to relax.

"Stay with me, please?" I whimpered. Edward nodded, and he bent his head so his mouth was level with my ear.

"I will. I won't let you be alone. I promise," he whispered in my ear. I knew my mom was watching what was going on with careful eyes. I stopped shaking, but I stayed curled up on his lap. My arms unwound themselves from my body and wrapped them tightly around Edward's torso, hiding my face in his chest. His arms wrapped around my as he stood up, with my arms still wrapped around his waist. He carried me inside and up to my room. He sat on the bed and I stayed in his arms, sad and afraid.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, clutching him tighter. Edward looked down at me.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," he told me, holding me tighter to his chest. "I know what you're going through, and I want to help. I'll be here when and if you need me, I promise." I smiled slightly and snuggled deeper into his chest. I could hear his heartbeat, could feel his chest rising, and could hear the sound of his breath.

"Mmh… Edward?" I asked sleepily, and Edward shifted slightly to let me know he was listening.

"Yes, Bella?" he asked me, his voice soft and smooth like silk and velvet.

"Will you play that lullaby for me, please?" I asked, my voice already groggy as I began to sleep. A quiet laugh came from somewhere above me.

"Sure, Bella," Edward said, his voice rolling off me like a blanket. He began to hum then, a gentle smooth melody. I faintly recognized it from when he played it for me. I smiled and dug my fingers into his black shirt, not wanting to let him go.

"Thank you… Edward?" I murmured before sleep claimed me. I heard Edward shift and something warm was draped over my.

"Yeah?" he asked, and I curled closer to him.

"I love you," I managed to whisper before sleep fell over me. I heard Edward's slight in take of breath and heard him reply to me.

"I love you too, Bella." Was the last thing I heard.

EPOV

I stared down at Bella. She loves me? No, she only loves me as a brother, nothing more. I can't let my heart believe something that can never be. The door opened and I looked up to see Renee standing there.

"Is she asleep?" she asked me as she shut the door and walked in. I nodded.

"Yes. But, she won't let go of me," I answered, and Renee looked over me with speculative eyes.

"Hm. Edward, do you care for Bella?" she asked me, and I felt my heart speed up a little bit.

"Of course. She's like my baby sister. I can't just not care about her," I replied, feeling Bella shift on my chest.

"How much do you care about her?" Renee asked me now, and I opened my mouth to answer, but found I couldn't.

"She means a lot to me, I'm just not sure how much," I replied, and Renee nodded. She watched Bella for a minute and watched as she snuggled, once again, into my chest. She nodded slightly and left.

"Well, good night, Edward," she said as she left, turning off the light as she did. I sat in the dark, wondering what Renee meant by asking me that.

There you guys go! Thank you for being so patient with me! Okay, so it isn't as long as I would've like, but I wanted to get this up to you guys ASAP! Any comments, questions? Leave them in a review, and if I get enough questions, I'll put up a Q&A. Any suggestions on stuff, put in review or a PM.

Thanks a ton!

Arear