Chapter 14

BPOV

"Zoey, was my best friend, practically my sister. We've had some great times together, and I will never forget them. She may not be here with us physically, but she will always be here with us in our hearts. We all love her dearly and she will be watching over us. God will help us all on her death because she always made everyone happy. Heaven just gained a new angel," I said, finishing my speech.

I had arrived here 2 days ago with Edward. It was a very hard time for me. I stopped by Zoey's house to see her parents. I had thrown up when I saw the trashed house. You want to know what is worse? Somehow her body disappeared when all this happened. She was alone when the tree fell on her. Jenny had left after her and Gerald got in a fight. Gerald, knowing he had left Zoey alone at night a lot, decided to go after Jenny, thinking Zoey would be fine. Well, during that time, the police think an animal came, considering they live out in the middle of the woods, and took her body. A piece of her clothing was found on some trees by her house and there was a pool of blood that led into the woods, then just ended.

I went into a new fit of sobs. Edward just held me close and never let go. He was always there for me. He even offered to postpone the wedding. I told him it was nonsense and that Zoey would want the wedding to go on without her.

My mother, Renee, was crying more than me. Zoey was always like her second daughter. Her and Jenny managed to get everything they could get out of Zoey's trashed room and put it all in boxes for me to sort out later.

I went and sat down next to Edward. They were having a closed casket, obviously, and the preacher started to speak.

After praying, they slowly lowered Zoey's empty casket into the ground. After they did that, everyone left but me and Edward. I was standing over her grave with Edward as they piled the dirt on. When it was fully covered, the graveyard men smiled apologetically at me and left.

I just stared at the tombstone, still not believing my eyes.

Zoey Lillian Whitely

August 11, 1991-2009

Loving Daughter & Best Friend

I felt Edward wrap his arms around my waist, pulling me close. I turned my face into his chest and sobbed quietly. He just let me cry like he has every other night.

"I love you," I mumbled into his chest, gripping his shirt tighter.

"I love you, too, my Bella," he whispered into my hair.

I had all of Zoey's things in boxes, ready to be shipped to Charlie's. I had already gone through her things, which was very hard for me to do. But I had Edward's help. He hasn't left my side once, which I am very thankful for. We were driving back to Charlie's now. We had just gotten off the plane. I was in Edward's Volvo, looking out the window, watching the green walls pass by. Edward had my hand in his in the middle of the console.

He parked the car in my driveway. Charlie's cruiser was gone. I leaned over and kissed him deeply. I pulled him close to me, to breath him in. I haven't kissed him in 4 days. I was just too caught up in all this mess.

I pulled away and leaned my forehead against his, my eyes still closed.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"For what?" he asked, rubbing my cheek softly.

I opened my eyes and looked into his gold ones.

"For helping me through all this mess. For being by my side this whole time. For putting up with me. For comforting me when I needed it the most. For everything," I said.

Edward just pulled me closer, across the console into his lap.

"You're welcome," he said.