Hey all, was just a little curious as to which of the stories I've written thus far has been your favorite. Normal chapter reviews, too, would be great (as always - and thanks for the continual input that I get).

Chapter 37

Snow began to fall lightly onto the dismal grounds of the Quileute reservation. It had been five days since Embry and Jared had passed, and their families decided to have their burials on the same day.

The mid February air was crisp and cold, and had made the process of digging their graves all the more challenging. Snow still decorated the ground from the previous storm earlier in the week, in some places topping off at over two feet. A path was cleared for the services, and those who prepared it were graciously thanked for the work they put in to give the two young men the final farewell they deserved.

The Cullens all attended upon speaking with Billy to ultimately confirm that they were welcome. Their chats with Jacob, Leah and Seth had gone as they expected, and their willingness to aid in retribution for the wolves was passed on to Sam. He cordially accepted their offer to help, despite doubts that some of the family had. Paul and Quil were also on board with allowing the Cullens to help in their quest for justice. For some of the elders, however, it was not as easy for them to have faith in those who, historically, had been viewed as their enemies, especially under the current circumstances.

Carlisle and Esme lead the rest of their family to where the burials were about to take place. He held her hand as they walked, and had the other on Alexandra's shoulder as she and Michael walked on their left. Esme held on tight to Caleb with her free arm.

Masen and Leah were already with Cassandra at the burial ground when they arrived. Seth and Luciana stood next to them with Renesme and Jacob close by. Sue, Charlie and Billy stood together just in front of them. The two groups gave subtle waves and exchanged quiet 'hellos' with one another.

Renesme immediately gestured for Edward and Bella to stand with her and Jacob, latching on to Bella's free hand and already holding Jacob's with her other. Edward tried not to focus on the glares and accompanied thoughts of the older tribesmen across the way. There were still many of the older generations that did not approve of the interaction between werewolves and vampires.

"Thank you all for coming," Sue whispered to Esme, making eye contact with Carlisle.

They both gave her a nod and a melancholy smile before waiting in near silence for the funerals to begin. Tissues had already been passed around, as a few people were unable to control their tears. The elder tribesman leading the solemn ceremony began to speak, almost immediately sending another group of people into tears.

Seth was the first of the older boys to cry, and Luciana followed shortly after, rubbing his back. From the expression on his face, and how hard he was biting down on the inside of his cheeks, Jacob looked like he was trying to hold it in for awhile before he, too, broke down.

Leah leaned into Masen, who's arm was draped over her shoulders, and still let her hand hold tightly onto Cassandra. She let silent tears flow as the man began to praise the lives of her two lost friends.

"These were not just two ordinary young men," the man said aloud with pride ringing in his voice, "These were warriors. They helped protect us all, and gave their lives doing so. They shall never be forgotten, and will be remembered as heroes with many of the other great warriors of our tribe."

Alexandra looked over at her parents, noticing her mother using a tissue to dry her eyes. Just beyond them, Sue was doing the same.

Carlisle looked over at his daughter and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She let go of Michael's hand for a moment to hug him and he kissed the top of her head. A sigh left her mouth and she returned to her original position.

Esme glanced over at them and sniffed in once before keeping it together without letting any more tears out. Sue continued to sob and Charlie did his best to console her.

Across the way, Sam stood stern with Emily. He hadn't cried, nor did it look like he was about to. His expression looked as prideful as the elder's words, that coupled with that of anger, or determination. His female counterpart, however, had been crying throughout the speeches of their lost brothers. Even Paul was unable to control his emotions and sat with a strait face and damp eyes next to them.

Snow continued to fall, though it remained light as morning bled into the afternoon and the burial concluded, sending everyone on their way. Some parted with tears, and many of the Quileutes thanked the man who gave the wonderful tribute to Embry and Jared.

The packs got together, and Masen and Renesme decided to give their respective spouses some space. Masen draped his arm around Renesme as they walked and she held Cassandra's hand, who kept looking back toward where Leah was speaking with members of the pack. They joined where the rest of the Cullens met out by their cars.

"We're going to come back to the house with you for awhile," Renesme said to her parents, looking around at the rest of them as she did.

"Of course," Edward said. He gave her a small closed mouth smile and brought her into him for a hug, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, "Yeah."

"How's Leah?" Esme asked Masen. Cassandra looked up at the with big eyes, trying to soak in everything about the situation.

"She's alright," he said with a shrug, "It's not the easiest time, but she's doing better."

"Make sure you give her what she needs, whether it's someone to talk to, cry with or just space when she needs it."

Masen nodded, "I know. I will. She needs to be with them right now."

Carlisle patted him once on the back, and Cassandra reached her arms up. "Can I have a piggyback ride?"

"Sure," he told her, reaching down and throwing her on his back.

"We're getting the car in a second," Masen told her, giving her a look.

"I want to run home," she insisted.

Carlisle smiled at his son.

"Leave him be Cassie," Masen told her.

"It's fine," Carlisle assured him, "We can run home."

"Can Alex come too?"

Alexandra looked at Cassandra and couldn't help but smile, "Sure."

Carlisle reached in his pocket and handed the keys to Edward, "Take the car back, we'll meet you home."

He nodded and agreed, taking the keys from his hand.

A bunch of them piled into Emmett's Jeep, and the rest made their way into Carlisle's car.

Alexandra looked at Michael, "You don't have to walk with us if you don't want to."

"I want to," he insisted with a smile. They shared a quick kiss before he linked his fingers with hers. "I love you," he told her.

"I love you, too," she said back, "A lot."

Carlisle took his granddaughter a few feet ahead of them and watched their family's cars begin the drive home. Before he really took off, the four of them passed by a few gentlemen who appeared to be in their sixties or seventies. They flashed judging eyes in their direction, despite Carlisle's friendly gesture as he waved while they walked past them.

Michael was visibly uncomfortable from their glares, and Alexandra tried best to ignore the way they looked at them.

"Who were they?" Cassandra whispered in Carlisle's ear as they increased the distance from where they stood.

"They were some of the older members of the tribe," he said back.

"They looked kind of scary," she whispered again.

Carlisle snickered lightly, then tried to change her view on the men, "They're just sad about what happened, that's all."

"About Jared and Embry dying?"

He sighed, "Yeah."

"Are they in heaven?"

Carlisle looked down to where his feet left tracks in the untouched snow. His eyes then shifted toward the gray skies that continued to drop snowflakes down on them, "Yeah. Yeah they are."

She clutched onto him a little tighter, and in a split second changed the subject, "Go faster!" He smiled and did as she asked, sending a trickle of laughter into the air. She raised an arm up to trying catching the snowflakes as they fell.

Carlisle knew that despite the progress the two different sides had made, there was still an underlying tension that lingered between their kind, and the Quileutes. To some, history proved to be stronger than the current situation at hand, despite the imprintings, weddings and now children that were involved.

Cassandra was the first known combination of vampire and werewolf. It was a mystery to Carlisle if the older tribe members approved of this or not. He couldn't understand how they could possibly be opposed to her cheery, peaceful nature, but their 'feud' had previously lasted for decades upon decades. If it were up to him, there would never have been one in the first place. He hoped that the actions of the violent, stray vampires that attacked Jared and Embry would not reignite the war between their two kinds.