A/N: So, the story continues. What will happen next? Will Bella and Edward meet again? Is their love now impossible? Can a newborn control his bloodlust for his singer? All this and more will be revealed in the upcoming chapters… oh my jeez… I just sounded like a soap opera!

Your Face- Taylor Swift

I don't want to loose your face

I don't want to wake up one day and not remember what time erased

And I don't want to turn around

Because I'm not scared of what love gave me then took away

And I don't want to loose your face

Chapter 23

"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to honor a man who was lost for our freedom. Many in the community loved Edward Masen and all will mourn his death. Edward was top of his class at Forks High and joined the Marines soon after graduating. He was only eighteen years of age and he leaves behind his younger brother, Craig, his mother, Elizabeth, and his father Edward Sr. Edward also leaves behind a fiancé, Isabella Swan. Isabella and Edward were planning on getting married soon after she graduated and had such a promising future together. If you will take a moment of silence to remember him at this memorial." The pastor paused.

I absolutely loved how he had to point out that we had "such a promising future" and how he leaves me behind. I'd spent the past week going through pure torture just at the thought of that. Tears welled in my eyes for the umpteenth time and I felt the hole in my heart gain another tear.

"Thank you." He paused again and this time music started playing.

I spent the morning at an old friend's grave
Flowers and Amazing Grace, he was a good man
He spent his whole life spinnin' his wheels
Never knowin' how the real thing feels
He never took a chance or took the time to dance
And I stood there thinking as I said goodbye
Today is the first day of the rest of my life

I'm gonna stop lookin' back and start movin' on
And learn how to face my fears
Love with all of my heart, make my mark
I wanna leave something here

Go out on a ledge, with out any net
That's what I'm gonna be about
Yeah I wanna be runnin'
When the sand runs out

'Cause people do it everyday
Promise themselves they're gonna change
I've been there, but I'm changin' from the inside out

That was then and this is now
I'm a new man, yeah, I'm a brand new man
And when they carve my stone they'll write these words
"Here lies a man who lived life for all that its worth"

And as the cold wind blows across the graveyard
I think I hear the voice of my old friend whisper in my ear

I'm gonna stop lookin' back and start movin' on
Learn how to face my fears
Love with all of my heart, make my mark
I wanna leave something here

Go out on a ledge, with out any net
That's what I'm gonna be about
Yeah I wanna be runnin'
When the sand runs out

Tears we pouring down my face washing away the minimum amount of makeup I had on. Mascara was puddle under my eyes and Jake's strong arm wrapped around my shoulder and gave me an awkward hug.

"Do you want me to go first?" He asked me.

I nodded. "Please." I cracked.

He used his thumbs to wipe away the mascara from under my eyes and with a deep breath he stood from his seat and walked up to the pulpit. Craig sniffed next to me and I saw tears leaking out of his eyes.

I wrapped my arms around his tiny frame and he grabbed me around my waist balling into my side. Sobs raked his body and continued to get louder.

"I have to be strong." He said.

Jake watched us from afar. "It's okay little buddy, you can cry." Jake said into the microphone.

Craig shook his head. "No, I got to be strong. Edward was strong and I will be too." Determination was set in his eyes and he got up. In two seconds he was down the isle and out the door. I moved to get him but when I turned around I saw Renee smile apologetically to me and then duck out the door.

Jake took a deep breath and his eyes ran over the packed church. "Edward was so much more than just a friend to me. Edward was there ever since I could remember. From the time I was potty trained to the time we enlisted together and then some. Edward was the brother I never had and my partner in crime. If I was robbing the bank, then Edward was bringing the bullets. It didn't matter how stupid my ideas sounded, Edward agreed. Sometimes that got us into a little bit of trouble but we were inseparable. Then he met Bella. Who knew that inviting him along when Dad and I went to eat at Charlie's house would gain him a fiancé. When he wasn't with her, he talked about her. I guess you could say they were a match made in heaven. I'd never seen him happier though. Bella gave him a whole new outlook on life, something to live for." He paused to wipe a tear from his eye. "Edward was a man that will be missed dearly by many. Although he couldn't always be there for Craig, he loved him will all his heart. He may have had to work most of his life, but he wouldn't have traded a day for anything. He truly lived his life and he left behind a legacy that will live on until all the people he knew dies. Edward was truly a role model to all. I am honored to have been called his friend." He bowed his head and stepped back from pulpit.

Some days we forget
To look around us
Some days we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more

There's so much to be thankful for

Jake slowly descended the stairs and I took that as my cue to give my speech. I stood up and my whole body shook as I stood. Jake quickly steadied me when he reached me and walked me up the stairs. A small cry came from the pews in the undersized sanctuary. Jake led me up to the pulpit and I gave him a quick hug before facing the crowded church. There were a lot of people who had skipped school to come to Edward's memorial.

I took a deep breath and started my speech. "Even if I would have known that Edward wouldn't come back from war, I wouldn't have changed a thing. I truly believe that Edward is my soul mate, now and forever. I am proud to say that I love a man whose life was taken for his country. I utterly loved him with all of my heart and I always will. I can't sum really sum Edward up in one word, but if I had to I would say fearless. I always admired his courage. He wasn't scared to live life to the fullest. He joined the military, something most men would shake in their boots to do. Not only did he join the military, he dove in headfirst. On top of his good grades he held a job at the local garage and was the perfect role model for Craig, a boy that I just adore. I don't believe that anyone in here can truly say that Edward was anything but good. I believe a part of me died with him. I will always have a void in my heart left for him." I backed up from the pulpit, and with Jake's help I descended the stairs.

Then it was over. The pastor said his last remarks and then his memorial was over. We were expected to move on and get on with our lives. For those like Lauren and Mike it would be particularly easy, but for me. For me, going on with life without Edward was practically meaningless. I'm sure I would get the "you had a life before Edward" speech from Charlie, but I didn't care. Part of me was still hoping that he would fulfill his promise. He promised he would come back for me. Even if it were humanly impossible, I was still hoping, praying.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when Jake shook my shoulder. "Do you want me to drive you home Bella?" His big brown eyes were full of concern.

I shook my head quickly. "No, I have somewhere to be."

He nodded. "Okay, if you want me to keep you company later…" His sentence trailed off.

I gave him a weak smile. "You're on speed dial. I'll call if I need anything."

I stood up and wrapped my arms around his waist and stood on my tip toes to kiss him lightly on the cheek. "Thanks Jake."

He grinned. "No problem Bells."

A/N: Okay so I had to write the funeral. I was almost crying while writing this. I was listening to Thankful by Josh Groban and tears were welling in my eyes. It was hard to write. Remember Bella really thinks that Edward is dead.

Songs for Chapter

1st When the sand runs out- Rascal Flatts

2nd Thankful- Josh Groban

Review!

Kayla