Hey guys. I know you weren't expecting a new chapter so soon but today is a special day.
Six years ago today I lost my granddad so, in honour of him, I wanted to share this chapter with you.
I hope you enjoy it :)
Chapter 12 BPOV
Together At Last
We all gathered in the church, the rows of pews filled with people who had come to share this moment with us.
Edward was seated beside me on my left, and to my right was Vanessa. Riley was beside her with Phil on his other side. Our hands were joined in a link.
Behind us sat my in-laws and my children. Charlie, who was now twelve, was trying to stay strong for his little siblings, nine year old Rae and five year old Leighton, but when I turned around to check on them I saw his chin wobbling. I let go of Edward's hand reached behind me, my hand finding the where the smaller hands of my three babies were joined and rested on top.
"Renee's husband, Phil, will now share some words on behalf of himself and his three children."
Phil let go of Riley's hand and stood up. He made his way to the front of the aisle and cleared his throat.
"Um, first of all, I just want to thank everyone for being here with us today. I know it would have meant a lot to Renee that you are all here today. For everyone who knew my wife, you will know that she was strong; she was a fighter; a fact that she made clear in her four yearlong battle with cancer. She never complained, she never stopped being happy, even when she felt like she didn't have the energy to get out of bed in the morning, she always did. She did it for me, and for our children.
"My wife was the most amazing mother; a trait that she passed down to her eldest daughter." He smiled a watery smile at me and then at my children. "Every day Renee would tell me how blessed she felt to be the mother of Bella, Vanessa and Riley and the grandmother of Charlie, Rae and Leighton. Even during the past year she would somehow find the energy to smile when being visited by her children and grandchildren. She lived for them.
"My wife was a people person; she loved people, no matter who they were or where they came from. She would stop in the street to help anyone who needed it. We'd spend hours in a store because she would be 'catching up' with the checkout girl, who she had never met before." Everyone let out a sad laugh.
"I want to leave you with something I heard recently. I overheard the conversation my stepdaughter, Bella, had with her children when she explained why their grandma wasn't coming back home. She told them that God had taken her to be by his side. When they asked why, she said, 'When you pick flowers from a garden, which ones to you take?' They replied 'the most beautiful ones.'
"God took the most beautiful person I ever had the privilege of knowing when he took my Renee, but I'm not mad. Because I know I'll see her someday. And now, she's reunited with her first husband, Sergeant Charlie Swan; a man who gave his life for us; and the man who I believe is the reason I was able to call Renee my wife for nineteen years."
He looked up. "I love you so much Renee. We'll meet again, someday." He smiled slightly and then returned to his seat while everyone clapped softly.
After the ceremony finished Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, Alice, Kate, Garrett, Angela and Ben took all of the kids to the town hall where the wake was being held while Edward and I went to the cemetery with Phil, Riley, Vanessa, Esme and Carlisle. We had decided it would be just family for the burial so my mom's friends went ahead to the wake, where we would join them shortly.
The priest read out a verse from the Bible as my mother's coffin was laid to rest in the grave beside my father's. When the short ceremony had finished, we all got ready to head down to the wake. Everyone made a move to leave but I stayed still.
"You coming, sweetie?" Esme asked, and they all turned to face me.
I nodded. "You guys go on without me; I just need a few minutes." They all nodded and turned to leave.
"Do you want me to stay with you?" Edward asked from my side.
"Could I get a few minutes alone? You go on to the wake; I'll join you soon." He nodded and kissed my cheek.
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
He kissed me once more before turning and walking back into town.
I sat down on the dry grass in front of my parents graves. Everything was silent for a little while as the tears I had kept at bay all morning began to fall down my face.
"Hey mom. I still can't believe you're gone. What am I gonna do without you here? Who's gonna give the kids too much candy the day before they come home so I have to deal with them being sick and help me chase away Riley's girlfriend when they so obviously aren't right for him? I need you here, mama."
I sighed and wiped a few tears from my cheeks and looked to my right where my dad's grave was. "At least you two are back together, at last. I love you both. Wait for me up there. See you again, someday. Love you mom, love you dad."
I stood up and walked down the hill, heading back towards town. I walked out of the cemetery gates and saw Edward standing there, leaning against the car.
"I know you told me to leave, but I couldn't."
"Can you do me a favor?" I asked him.
"I told you I'd do anything for you."
I smiled sadly. "Can you hold me?"
He didn't say a word as he wrapped his arms around me and held me to his chest. He rested his cheek against my head, which was pressed against his chest where his heart was.
We had been standing like that for a little while before Edward starting talking.
"Baby, I just wanna tell you that I'm proud of you. I know this is really difficult for you and I can't begin to understand what you're going through, but you're staying so strong during this whole thing and I admire you so much. I love you so much and our babies and the luckiest kids in the whole world to have a mom like you." I leaned back and kissed his cheek. "But, sweetie, just know that you don't have to stay strong for me. I meant what I said all of those years ago. I will always be here for you, no matter what you need. You need me to hold you; I'll do it. You need me to take the kids out so you have some time alone; we're gone."
"Thank you."
"You know what?"
"What?"
"I bet your parents are up there," he nodded to the sky, "right now and they're talking about what an amazing woman you've turned out to be. And your dad is probably thanking your mom for raising you in the way she dad. And your mom is probably thanking your dad for sending me to you," he joked and I let out a small laugh. "And they're probably standing in front of God thanking him for blessing them with the most incredible daughter in the world."
I smiled at him with tears falling down my cheeks. "I love you so much, Edward Cullen."
"I love you more, Bella Cullen," he told me before pressing his lips to mine.
What did we think? RIP Renee.
So guys, this is the last official chapter *started crying* there is a flashback coming soon and a crucial moment from Edward's POV but, other than that, we're done!
Thank you everyone who has followed the story. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. Your comments mean so much to me :D
xoxo
RKandCarrieFan
p.s. go check out my other story, Cali Girls.
