CH. 26-Showtime
Bella's POV

Carlisle took my hand and we started to walk to the front of the room. I sat on a couch between him and Jasper. Carlisle wrapped one arm around my shoulders, and I rested my head on his shoulder. He held Esme's hand tightly with his other hand. I reached for Jasper's hand also. He held it willingly. The minister stepped up to the podium and began to speak. "We are here today to mourn the loss of Edward Anthony Masen Cullen. He was a fine young man with great potential…" I tuned him out. I couldn't listen to this. My eyes later took in her shuddering form as Alice stood up to speak, but my brain didn't register a word coming out of her mouth.

Before I knew it, the service was over. People began filing passed the casket in front of us. Chief Collins paused to shake Carlisle's hand before leaving. Everyone gave me a pitying glance before walking towards the door and heading to their cars. It seemed like everyone in Forks had showed up. Little did they know that today was about to get a lot more interesting…

I stood as the rest of my family did after everyone else had walked outside. Ben remained behind as well as Mr. Weber as they had been asked by Carlisle and Esme to be pallbearers. Rosalie had "vehemently wanted to help" with this particular task. I stood with Alice and Esme as they carried Edward out.

I headed towards the front doors unable to take this any more—the smell or emotion. For added effect, I hastily wiped at my eyes. I walked quickly to the car and climbed into the backseat to wait for Alice and Jasper to return.

They slid into the car not too long after. Jasper was driving now. Alice was going to sit in the back with me. I would need the extra comfort right now in regards to the charade, but in reality, I needed a pep talk. All of the pain and heartbreak I've kept bottled up inside of me was going to come out in a short while. I had to make this convincing. I had been running the plan through my head constantly, but I still worried that I was going to mess it up. Alice continually assured me otherwise.

"Bella, you're going to do just fine. Trust me; I've seen it. Stop doubting yourself."

"But Alice, how can you be so sure? Edward always said that your visions were subjective; they change!"

"That's because Edward is too stubborn for his own good. I know everything is going to work out perfectly." She had a death grip on the tops of my arms and was forcing me to stare her directly in the eye.

I have to admit, though, she did have a point there. I couldn't argue with that logic. And Alice knew it. She smiled and leaned back into the seat.

Suddenly, her hands were fluttering about my face. "Alice, what are you doing?" I cried.

"You have to cry. I'm making it look that way," she said matter-of-factly.

I really didn't want to know what kind of make-up she was putting on my face now, so I didn't ask. I closed my eyes and waited for her to finish. I jumped when she flicked water at me. "What was that for?!"

"Open your eyes. I need to make them look wet."

I rolled my eyes but did as I was told.

A wrought iron fence started up next to the road, and we drove alongside it until we reached a gate making a break in it. Jasper turned and followed Carlisle through. They drove until we reached a spot where a pile of dirt was mounded next to a freshly dug hole. Jasper pulled the car over to the side of the narrow road. Alice looked over to me and grinned. "It's showtime," she chimed, clapping my knee. She turned and climbed agilely out of the car.

I followed her and when I looked at her face again, she had perfectly masked her previous expression and now wore an extremely somber one. Jasper got out and followed the others up to the back of the hearse. I walked a short way and stood next to Esme. They opened the doors and revealed the wooden box. I choked back a sob and hid my face by hugging Esme tightly. All of the humans were beginning to trickle forth towards the grave now, and we began to walk forward too.

They sat the casket down and headed away from the hole, Ben and Mr. Weber going to stand next to Angela and the rest of her family, Carlisle and the others walking towards the one row of chairs directly in front. Esme pulled away from me and we started to walk with Alice towards the rest of the family. I wrapped my arms tightly around myself trying to prevent myself from breaking down too early. I was well in control of my thirst, too. There was plenty of fresh air, and the wind was picking up, blowing in dark clouds with it, so any and all scents were quickly dispersed.

I took a seat next to Carlisle again. Alice sat on my other side this time instead of Jasper; I guess he could feel that I was well under control. Carlisle wrapped an arm around my shoulders comfortingly. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine, I guess. Worried beyond all reason is all, but I'm fine." I noticed then that his eyes looked red and wet, too. In fact, everyone's did. Alice had gotten to them, too, I see.

"Well that's good. We wouldn't want you to be too uncomfortable." There was a hint of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

I snorted. "Yeah, most definitely not."

He chuckled ever so slightly and patted my arm where his hand rested.

The slightly lighter mood immediately tensed again as the minister laid a flower arrangement on top of the casket. The roses were beautiful. They were snow white. I sniffled and stood up. I walked over to a bouquet of red roses that had been placed off to the side. I picked up seven of them and walked back to the row of chairs. I gave a rose to everyone and took my seat again. Alice laid her head on my shoulder as the minister began to speak for the final time. Now she no longer grieved in silence. Sobs tore from her chest. Her cries were heartbreaking. Someone who was usually so happy should not be so upset; it wasn't right.

Carlisle stood and approached the casket. He rested his hand on top of the glistening finish and let his head fall to his chest. I saw his shoulders quiver as he placed the rose on top. Esme approached him and rested her arm on his back. He turned and kissed her forehead. She put her rose down and the walked back to their seats with their arms wrapped tightly around one another.

Alice and Jasper stood next. Together, they walked forward and placed the roses with Carlisle and Esme's. Alice's hand trembled as she reached out. Jasper practically dragged her back to her seat.

Rosalie and Emmett approached it next. Rosalie left her flower wordlessly, but Emmett said his last good-bye. "I'll miss you, man." His voice was choked up—something I didn't event think feasible until now. They turned to come back to their seats. Carlisle rubbed my back and urged me to stand up. "You'll be fine," he whispered so no other human could hear. I hoped he was right.

I stood, and on shaky legs, slowly approached the spot where the only man I'll ever love lay.

A/N: This is a shorter chapter than the last one, but I just had to leave you with a cliffhanger. I couldn't help it!! Review and you'll get the next chapter faster… I will be offering a sneak peek to any lovely reviewer… : ) I would've had it up sooner, but I wanted to get a little of the next chapter done so that I could have a sneak peek available...