Chapter 24
Carlisle and Edward held my hands as I walked into the small room where they had laid out Charlie's body for me. All the words of sorrow from Sheriff Crowley rang in my head as I looked down at him. He looked so peaceful. I touched his hand and held it as I said my goodbyes to him. Edward did the same. I watched as these strong men broke down and cried with me. Carlisle told of the things that always impressed him about my dad, and how thankful he was for him, both personally and professionally.
We signed the paperwork and learned that Charlie had things all planned, largest to the smallest detail, were already decided upon. My only job was to collect some pictures that would be used as a memorial slideshow. Every other detail was in place and paid for.
I walked down the steps and prepared myself to tell my kids that their Gramps was now gone from us. I wasn't ready to do that, but they deserved to know and not be kept in the dark.
Carlisle went before us to let Esme know we were on our way so she could have the kids ready. When I walked in the door of their house I was engulfed with warmth and feelings of home. I realized this was now the place in my mind I called my 'home'. It was my anchor, not my house, not Edward 's, and not my dad's any longer. Here, Carlisle and Esme's house, this was home, it was where we were all anchored and we all felt at peace. It was where chocolate chip cookies were baked and where we knew we could turn to when the day had gone sour!
Esme embraced me in a large hug that warmed my entire body. I felt a small amount of peace as she brushed the hair off of my face and smiled so tenderly at me. "It's going to be alright, dear. Not today, and maybe not tomorrow, but eventually you are going to be alright, okay?"
How could I argue with her? I just nodded and heard the stomps of the kids as they ran down the stairs. Edward scooped up Evie and started toward the family room. Drew took my hand and we followed behind them. When we were all sat down and the talk about how their day at school ended, Edward cleared his throat. I pulled Drew onto my lap and normally this is something that he would not have allowed, but I think he saw something major was coming.
"Drew, Evie, mommy and daddy have some bad news. Grampa Charlie died today. He didn't feel any pain and it happened very quickly, so he didn't have time to hurt in any way." Drew leaned into me and began to cry, which made me cry. I hurt for my sweet boy, he was so close to Charlie and it would hurt him so much to be away from him now. I searched Edward's eyes and sought a way to take the pain away. I knew he felt it as well, but both reflections admitted that there was nothing we could do. We just had to support them and allow them to hurt, to be close if they needed to talk. But ultimately, it was their pain to bear.
Edward's eyes welled up with tears and one single drop cascaded over the rim of his eye and fell down his cheek. Evie turned his head so that they faced each other and she wiped the tear away. "Don't cry daddy, Grampa Charlie is in heaven now and we can see him again one day." Her sweet face held so much sincerity and love at that moment that I cried harder at the beauty of our child than I did for the hurt I felt. She was in a word, perfection. She kissed his face and jumped down to hug her brother.
I watched the two of them as they took comfort in each other and she whispered to Drew. I marveled at how 'right' we got this parenting thing. Then I remembered the examples we were given and I could only say a silent prayer of thanks. Thanks for Charlie and his gentle ways and his loving heart, even though he was not an overly affectionate person, I knew he held it deep inside. There was never a day I doubted his love for me. He was a great example.