Hi everyone. So I'm back writing this one now! I've finished off the other genre's story and I'm back at it.

I'd love to know how you think I should go with this. Would you like to read about the details of the event they are going to, or would you prefer not to read that? The more reviews I get to that effect the easier it will be for me to make the decision about the next chapter. If it is the full service (and I've written them before) it would be emotional, so be prepared to have tissues if that's the way it goes.

Anyway – please make sure to review and let me know what you think!

****

Previously…

"Come lay down, Bella."

She lay beside me, her head resting on my chest.

"Close your eyes, Bella. Just listen to how beautiful this is."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to help her body to relax. I closed my eyes and let the peace and serenity of this moment wash over both of us. We were there for around an hour and neither of us had moved. I opened my eyes and looked at Bella. She looked so peaceful lying beside me, her eyes closed. If I hadn't been the one that changed her, I would have sworn she was asleep. She seemed to sense that I was thinking about her and she began to stir. I ran my fingers through her beautifully soft hair, and without thinking I began humming her lullaby. I could feel her smile as she curled up beside me, our legs ending up being entwined with each others'. I held her in my arms, pressing my lips to the top of her head. She stirred and looked up at me.

"Thank you for bringing me here, Edward. This is perfect."

"You're welcome, Bella."

****

It was early in the morning on Saturday. Bella and I had been lying on the couch in the Living Room in the dark stillness while I attempted to calm her down after our small family hunting trip in the forest. Earlier we had met with the Funeral Commander for the Honor Guard to ensure that everything was coordinated properly. It was a difficult day for Bella, as the details of the full military honor service seemed so unlike Charlie who never sought attention, but due to the circumstances surrounding his untimely passing, protocol stepped in and took over. Though we had never really discussed religion in the time that we have known each other, it had turned out that Charlie was Catholic, so the service was to be held at St. Anne's Church in Forks. The town was swarming with officers from all across the nation, including officers from Vancouver and across Canada, wanting to pay their respects to a fallen member of the 'brotherhood'. It was very overwhelming for her to say the least.

We were sitting at my parents' place just enjoying the last few moments of peace before the craziness of the day descended on us. Bella was resting her head on my lap and it seemed, in the stillness of the moment, that she was sleeping.

"Carlisle, is it possible that she's sleeping?"

He looked over at me with concern.

"Anything is possible, Edward. Her human emotions have been haywire over the last few days and her body, though it doesn't need sleep, could be having a difficult time dealing with it all. She could be reverting to a somewhat human state where, due to the excess emotional stress she has gone through. I wouldn't be too concerned."

"I'm not, I'm just…"

"I understand, Edward. If she needs to rest, just let her."

I nodded my head as I continued running my fingers through her hair. Alice came into the room with what looked as though a little bit of good news.

"Well, the National Weather Service said that it will be cloudy all day today once the sun rises in 22 minutes. That's one good thing, I suppose."

We smiled up at her.

"Thanks, Alice."

"I suggest that we all take umbrellas just in case. If the clouds do break, we can use them to shield ourselves from the effects that will have. I don't see that happening though, but it's always good to have them just in case."

Esme nodded her head as Carlisle continued rubbing her feet gently.

"I think so too, Alice. How's Jasper holding up?"

"He's doing alright. Don't be surprised if he isn't too visible the rest of today. All the emotions this week have worn him right out."

We all nodded with understanding.

"He is coming though, isn't he?"

Alice nodded her head.

"He would do anything for her, Edward. He may need to help calm her, so he's prepared to be quite overrun tonight and tomorrow."

Just at that moment Bella's head lifted from my lap.

"Alice, tell him that if it's going to be too much for him to deal with he doesn't have to be there. I'll be just fine."

Jasper had walked into the room just as Bella sat up. He walked over to her and kneeled in front of her, his hand holding hers gently.

"Bella, you have been so strong for all of us, and I think that I, more than anyone, appreciate it. It would do me a great disservice to not be there with you. If you need me at all, I promise that I will be there to assist you."

Bella's features softened at his heartfelt statement. She wrapped her arms around him and whispered softly.

"Thank you, Jasper. That means a great deal."

"You're more than welcome, Bella. I'm going to go back upstairs now. Alice?"

He held his hand out for her and she took it in hers as they walked up the stairs together.

"I'll see you all soon."

I glance at my Bella and can see the emotional exhaustion on her face. I run my fingers along her cheek and she leans into my touch.

"How are you, love?"

She closes her eyes and sighs.

"All things considered, I'm doing ok."

I smile sympathetically at her, and can feel Carlisle and Esme doing the same. It's at that moment that I realize that the sun is starting to come up. This gives me an idea.

"Bella, I know that this day is going to be the worst for you, but if you'd like to come outside with me, we can start the day off right."

She opens her eyes at me.

"How do you mean, Edward?"

I smile and take her hand as I stand.

"Do you trust me?"

"Always."

She stands and we walk out of the house and I hear Carlisle and Esme's thoughts.

'Take your time, son.'

'We'll all be here when you're both ready to leave.'

I nod my head to let them know that I heard them, but my eyes right now are solely focused on my Bella. We walk outside and hand in hand we walk to our new spot. We sit under the tree that is down by the river and I wrap my arm around her. The sunlight is starting to come out, but there is a heavy cloud cover that I can see off in the distance. Alice was right, of course. We sit in silence for a little while, just allowing Bella's thoughts to process.

"It's going to be hard to say goodbye, Edward."

I bring her hand up to my lips and place a gentle kiss on the top.

"I know, love. It's going to be one of the most difficult things that you'll ever have to do. I wish I could say that I understand what you're going through but I don't, and that tears at me. If you need me at all today, Bella, I want you to promise me that you'll tell me. Alright?"

She nods her head as she continues to look at the river flowing in front of us.

"I promise, Edward. Just be right beside me all day and I'll get through it."

I kiss the top of her head.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else, love. That I promise you."

We sit in a comfortable silence for a few more moments, then Bella looks over at me.

"We should get going, Edward. We need to feed Nessie, and get ready. We have to be at the Church by 9:00."

"I'm following you, Bella. You tell me what you need to do and we'll do it. Ok?"

She smiles gently at me and nods her head.

"Bring me back here tonight?"

"I promise."

We stand up and walk to our house hand in hand, knowing that we have to get ready.

"I'm a little dirty from sitting down there, Edward. I think I need to have a shower to make myself feel somewhat normal."

"Alright love. Let me know when you're done and I'll have one after you. Do you know what you're going to wear?"

"I'm thinking my black dress with the jacket would be alright. Do you have any other suggestions?"

I smile at her.

"You'll look perfect, Bella. I'll set them out for you, ok?"

"Thanks."

****

It's 8:30 and we have arrived at Carlisle and Esme's house. Everyone is ready to leave, and this shocks Bella.

"You're all the best. You don't have to be there this early though, it's just me that has to be there."

Emmett steps forward, a serious expression across his features and puts his hand on her shoulder.

"Bella, you're my little sister which means that you're family and Carlisle always tells us that we support and protect our family. So, we're going together – as a family."

She throws her arms around him and gives him a hug.

"Thanks, Emmett."

He gives her a hug back.

"Anytime, kiddo."

There's the old Emmett that we all know and tolerate. Bella laughs a little at this return of his normal self.

"Edward, last night I spent some time in the garage and made sure that the Vanquish was tuned up for you. I figured that you would want to go in a car with Edward and Nessie, Bella. Carlisle, I rotated your tires for you on your car. Did you want to go just with Esme or how should we work that out?"

"As long as you don't wreck it I think the other Mercedes would be alright. It's up to Alice and Jasper who they want to go with."

Alice looks up at them.

"I'm not leaving anything up to Jasper today decision wise. We'll go with you, Rose, if that's ok."

She nodded her head.

"Well, I think that settles it then. Thanks for doing that for me, Rose."

She smiled and nodded her head.

'Anytime, Edward.'

I looked at Bella who was almost staring off into space.

"Bella?"

She shook her head and brought herself out of her moment.

"Yeah. Sorry about that. What's going on?"

"We're just about to leave. Are you ready?"

She took a deep unnecessary breath.

"As ready as I'll ever be. Let's go. Come on, Nessie."

We walked into the garage and climbed into the cars we were going in. It takes us about 20 minutes to arrive in Downtown Forks and the crowds are already lined up along the streets. Our parade of three shining black luxury cars are not helping the situation much as I can see that we're drawing stares from the people along the streets. Uniformed Officers from places that I don't recognize off hand are standing outside the Church, and the flag that is on the pole is flying half mast. We pull in front and as soon as I get out of the car to hold Bella's door for her the officers that are standing in front of the church stand at attention. If she could, Bella would be blushing. We walk inside and Alice comes to our car to drive it to the parking lot for us. We wait under the canopy for the rest of the family at Bella's request, then we all walk in together.