Edward POV

Every night it happens. Every night we heard sobs and screams. Every night we are reminded what we have lost. We would never forget, but Esme seems intent on reminding us every night.

We were all worried to begin with, but now we just leave her to sob until the morning. She sits in Carlisle's office on his chair or she stands by the bookshelf, just staring at his collection of medicine journals. She doesn't bother brushing her hair, or changing clothes. She spends the day in her bedroom, going through Carlisle's wardrobe, taking in his scent. Sometimes I stand by the door and watch her. I don't know why, but it makes me feel closer to my Bella, and the man I have thought of as my father for many decades. She knows I watch her, but she is so wrapped up in grief, she doesn't care or notice. I try to ignore her thoughts, but I can't. They are so inconsolable and miserable, it's a wonder she hasn't given herself to the Volturi yet. But she can't, that was her last promise to Carlisle.

A few days after the battle with the White Coats, we went back to the meadow. Renesmee went straight over to Jacob and wept. I rushed over to my Bella, she was motionless. Her head several feet away from the rest of her body, her arms about an inch away. Alice sat next to her husband's chest, his arms, legs and head all a few feet away. Esme just stood by the trees, staring at the meadow. She stood staring for a while, before Rosalie went over and hugged her. For a moment it looked as though Rosalie was the mother and Esme the daughter, they are quite close in age and Esme's sadness made her look younger, somehow. Rosalie then almost guided Esme over to Carlisle's body. I could see the pain in her eyes and her thoughts were all focused on grieving for her lost mate. When she reached Carlisle's body she dropped the ground next to his body. She picked up his head and a scream escaped her lips. She suddenly collapsed onto the floor and started fitting. I had never seen anything like it! Her mouth filled with venom and she lay sprawled on the grass. When she started to scratch her face and neck, Alice and Rosalie held her arms down, away from her face. The fit lasted about five minutes and when it was over her lay on the grass, completely still with her eyes closed. She stayed their while we burned our mates.

'Esme? Would you like us to burn Carlisle, or would you like to do it?' asked Emmett, softly.

'I'll do it. Don't touch him.' she growled. We left her to say goodbye, before burning her husband. I walked over to my daughter and picked her up. She was sixteen, but she would always be my baby. I held her close to my chest, before kissing her head and cradling her. I noticed she held something in her hand.

'What's that Ness?' I asked, motioning to her fist.

'A lock of Jake's hair. I miss him..' she trailed off, pressing her head into my neck. 'Do you have anything to remember Mummy by?'

'Yes, I've collected her ashes..' I whispered, my voice cracking.

'Okay, back to the house then? I need to tidy up the living room.' Said Esme. She held a lock of Carlisle's hair, and a jar full of ashes. I looked at her. Although her voice was steady, her thoughts were all over the place, filled with sadness. She was just putting on a brave face, she was the only parental figure Alice, Rosalie, Emmett and I had now and she had to be strong for us. Not matter how much she wanted to be weak. And she did try to be strong, but during the night, when Renesmee was asleep, she would break down. I know it hurts all of us to see her like this, but it's her way of grieving...

Several Years Later

We are currently living in London. Esme is posing as a single mother to us five. Renesmee is in a relationship with a boy named Tom, although she inwardly still misses Jacob, she knows she has eternity ahead of her and she wants to spend it with someone who makes her happy. Rosalie and Emmett are just as they were before the battle with the White Coats, just plus the slight ache in their hearts whenever one of the desist is mentioned. Alice still grieves for Jasper, but takes her mind off it by organising events. Normally I would find a party every few weeks annoying, but I understand what she is going through. Esme no longer screams at night, but spends it tidying, as she did before. She has dedicated her life to her work as a teacher in a nursery school. We all know she misses Carlisle more than anything, more than her baby boy, but we have our suspicions that she may be seeing one of the nursery school children's fathers. I miss Bella more than physically and mentally possible, but I busy myself with looking after my daughter and my music. I am also training to be a doctor, as I believe that Carlisle would have liked that, and I would do anything to please him, as he gave me this extraordinary life and family.