Epilogue
Mist from the ocean blew softly against Alice's cheeks. She could feel droplets forming on her skin but didn't wipe them away. She didn't care. What did a few droplets matter? A fiery warmth soon captured her cheek and she inhaled deeply as the blazing hand wiped the mist away. When the heat was removed from her cheek, she glanced to her left. Jacob smiled somberly at her and she returned it with a single nod, letting her hands fall. She felt it brush against his own and noticed it twitch from the temperature change. Taking a deep breath, she grasped it and entwined their fingers. Jacob looked down and wiped his eyes with his free hand. Alice felt him grip hers tightly and she returned it.
Despite what happened there, everyone was well aware that the infamous cliff was Bella's favorite spot in the entire world. The Quileute's had been kind enough to Alice onto their territory for the funeral. She was forever grateful to them. She looked around. There were quite a lot of people here. Jessica was clutching onto Mike, trying desperately to stifle her sobs while Mike stood with his jaw clenched, patting her on the back consolingly. Angela was a few feet away. She wasn't crying, but she was desperately close. Other kids from school were here and some adults from around town. The entire police force was here. Chief Swan was to right. His face was red and his eyes were swollen from crying. Alice gently touched his hand with her own, surprised when he took it and gripped it just as tightly as Jacob had.
Renee was next to him, sobbing quietly while Phil stood next to her with his head hanging low. Alice sighed. The rest of her family wasn't here. They thought it would be too dangerous. Especially since the entire town thought Edward to blame. And though he was to blame, they would never find him. Jasper and Emmett had taken care of him while the others helped with the evidence. They were invited of course, but they thought it best not to attend. Alice was saddened by this. Charlie knew that they weren't to blame. It would have been better if they'd come. She hung her head. The preacher was saying something but Alice couldn't focus on it.
Then, she heard the closing sermon and listened as he sang a beautiful hymn. They buried their heads and prayed for a few moments. Then, giving Alice's hand one final squeeze, Charlie stepped forward to the edge of the cliff. He hung his head for a moment, praying again, before he opened the lid to his jar and allowed the ashes to fly into the sea. Renee was next, then Jacob. And finally, it was Alice's turn.
She made her way slowly towards the edge. As she looked down at the briny water below, she longed to jump in it. To just immerse herself for the rest of eternity. But she just didn't have the courage. So instead, she mumbled a loving prayer and a declaration of love, and emptied her jar into the wind. She watched as it swirled slowly above her head before being carried off over the sea. Then she put the lid back on and resumed her place by Jacob. As the preacher finished, Alice opened her jar and looked inside. There, nestled around the edges of the jar, were some of Bella's ashes that had neglected to go. Alice smiled warmly at it, then clamped the lid firmly on it.
The rest of the eulogy was a blur. Alice merely watched the waves and cradled the jar in her palm. When it was over, Alice embraced Jacob. To lighten the mood, he pretended to gag on her scent. She hugged him once more just for being himself and then moved onto Charlie. Tears were pouring down his cheeks but he managed a soft smile as she said her goodbyes to him with promises to return. They also hugged and she smiled as she waved bye to them before getting in her car.
Once she was seated, she turned to place the jar in the passenger seat, only to discover that someone was in occupying it. Lifting her head, she saw Jasper sitting before her. He smiled warmly at her and took the jar, cradling just as carefully as she had. "I thought you'd like some company to the airport," he said softly, "and possibly beyond if you'd like."
Alice smiled, nodding as the crying came again. Jasper reached out and grasped her hand, holding it firmly and she sniffed once. "Some company and beyond sounds great." She had a lot of healing to do, but with Jasper by her side and Bella in her heart, she knew it would come eventually. Stilling holding his hand, Alice started the car and drove at human pace down the road.