A/N: Due to the amount of complaining I have received about fears that I will not continue to write this story, I decided to post this before I work on Ch. 2 of The Hogwarts Few. I dedicate this chapter to April, who has been bitching for days now. You better read this tonight, hooker! :P
If you haven't read my newest story, yet, you should!
All jokes aside, here you go, guys! Reviews are always, always, ALWAYS appreciated!
I'd only been in a funeral home twice before in my life. The first time was when my mother and sister died, so I can barely remember that now; but the second time was just the night before, when I had to brave my father's wake. I hugged everyone I was supposed to hug, introduced Alice to whomever asked about her, and tried to hide behind his casket as much as possible. I wasn't cut out for being the grieving daughter; all I could think about was running away and not coming back.
When we had gotten home around ten, I told Alice of my decision to not return to school or work. I felt that it was pointless, as I planned to change soon. There was nothing left for me in my human life, and I could always return to school later. She didn't argue, and only asked what my plans would be now. "You," I told her simply, and she smiled softly, giving me a tender kiss.
I didn't sleep the night before the funeral. I instead cleaned out the refrigerator in the kitchen and the deep freezer out back. I left a rump roast of one of my daddy's recent kills out to thaw, planning to cook it after I returned from the funeral, seeing it as a fitting goodbye dinner for myself as I left my childhood home for quite some time. I looked through Daddy's mail, setting aside the bills that needed to be taken care of, and sighing at the fact that I would have to have all the electricity turned off here. Drew was going to take care of the animals for me, and he was already looking for buyers on the horses. I felt relieved that I didn't have to worry about that, I didn't know how much more I could take on my mind, it felt stretched to a snapping point, and the only thing keeping me grounded was Alice.
Rosalie had poked her head into the kitchen while I was cleaning it, Alice sitting up on the counter next to me to trash the thing I handed her, and informed us that Jasper and Emmett would be accompanying Kate down here. It hit me at that moment that Rose had been away from Emmett for a few days, and I didn't understand how; I couldn't be away from Alice, not anymore. When I asked Alice about this, she smiled and admitted that Rosalie had followed us to South Carolina on foot not long after we had left, fueled by a feeling that something wasn't right. Alice was her baby, and Rose wouldn't let something happen that could hurt her. As it was, Rosalie ran up on me with a pistol down my throat, so she went off the handle, but then recovered when she found out that I indeed wanted to be with Alice forever; she had thought it was ludicrous that I once intended to live a very human life. Hence, her attitude change towards me.
At nine thirty the morning of Daddy's service, I found myself nearly catatonic as I took a shower and listened to Alice hum as she set up the bathroom with all sorts of girly things to make me pretty. I zoned out on the trepidation of meeting Kate, feeling my heart beat accelerate, and my throat go dry. What do you say to the woman with whom your father adulterated? How do you maintain a civil composure with a woman who may have inadvertly caused his alcoholism, which resulted in his early death? No, I couldn't blame Daddy's poor choices on this mysterious Kate. He was a grown man, and he made his own decisions. I just really wish he hadn't made that one.
The walk across the parking lot an hour later felt like I was trekking through knee-deep mud. Alice had forced me into heels yet again, refusing the Converse I'd wanted to wear with the ridiculous skirt she dressed me in, deaf to my pleas and protests, and the four inch heels were not aiding me in my quest to keep from falling down before I even made it inside. The lack of sleep wasn't affecting me at all, I still felt like I could never close my eyes again, what with the thorny tangle of nerves twisting in on itself in my gut. I still couldn't decide what made me more nervous: the funeral itself, or meeting my father's mistress. Alice was perfect, as usual, letting me lean into her solid form for support, and Rosalie was an angel that morning, which made me even more nervous, truth be told. I couldn't wait until she felt comfortable enough to be a bitch to me again, because this doting sister-in-law thing felt unnatural.
"There's Jasper, Emmett, and Kate," Alice said softly, and my eyes reluctantly shifted to follow her gaze over to three deities emerging from a black Mercedes, Emmett in the driver's seat and Jasper exiting passenger side front. The tall blonde coming from the back seat made my breath catch in my chest, and she heard it; Kate's yellow eyes locked onto my blue ones, and she gave a tiny, sad smile.
It was a relief to see Jazz, looking impeccable in his three piece suit and tie, and Emmett, tugging on the collar of his dress shirt uncomfortably. Kate looked like a cover girl for Vogue in her strapless black dress, and before I knew it, Alice steered me towards the group of newcomers. Before I could be introduced to my father's obsession, Jasper pulled me into his lanky form and closed his arms around me. "I'm so sorry, Andie," he whispered as he held me. "It'll be okay, though. We're going to take care of you."
I felt a reassuring calm wash over me, making me smile for Jasper's efforts with his empathic gift. As long as I kept my favorite brother near, I shouldn't have a breakdown or a temper tantrum with Kate. As soon as Jasper released me, Emmett swept me into a bear hug, making me grin again. I hardly knew the guy, but he was already my big brother in so many ways. Perhaps it was a gift of his own, the ability to accept people and love them regardless. He set me down into Alice's embrace, and she gently turned me around to face Kate for the first introduction. Kate looked almost as nervous as I felt, and somewhere–deep, deep down– I felt a pang of sympathy for this vampire standing before me. "Andie, this is my cousin, Kate Denali. Kate, this is my mate, my Andie," Alice said with a hint of pride in her voice, and I blushed automatically.
Kate held out a hand for me to shake, and I stared at it for a second, then hesitantly took it for a brief moment. "You've grown into a beautiful young lady," Kate said gently, her eyes taking me in from head to toe. "Thank you for allowing me to come, Andie. I know you might not believe me when I say this, but your father meant a lot to me, for a long time."
"He still loved you," I blurted out, my face growing darker. "He would have wanted you here." Alice's arm squeezed my waist, and I leaned into her again, and she kissed my temple. I didn't know what else to say to her, and Rosalie saved me the effort of trying.
"Are you ready?" she asked me quietly, placing a slender hand on my shoulder.
"As ready as I can be to put my father in the ground," I replied dryly, and she patted my shoulder.
The six of us made our way to the brick monster, Alice on my right and Rosalie on my left, and I took a deep breath before Jasper opened the door to allow us to pass, Emmett making a face at his brother for his manners. "Will you guys sit with me?" I asked in a small voice, my nerves getting the better of me again, and Jasper sent another wave of calm to me.
"If you want us to," he said, and I nodded.
"You, too, Kate," I added. I felt like she deserved it. "You sit by me."
"Of course, it would be an honor," she said in barely more than a whisper.
The ushers outside the door to the chapel took our coats, and stared at Alice, Rose, and Kate like they'd never seen a female before, but Emmett's glare at one of them was enough to force the young man to tear his eyes away from Rosalie's rear as we passed into the room where my father lay in front. I shot the other one a look as he eyed Alice, and slid my hand down over her butt, making her slap at my arm playfully, but I just shrugged. He needed to know what he was fantasizing about was mine. I stopped half way up the aisle and leaned in Alice's ear. "I'm going to walk up with Kate to see him; and I'm sorry, please don't take this wrong way, but I need you to kiss me right now." I couldn't explain it. I just knew these guys staring at my mate needed to be clear, and maybe the butt-touching wasn't enough.
Alice chuckled, brushing her nose against mine, then kissing me sweetly. I melted, all thoughts of the ushers gone, and only came to when she pulled back and pushed me towards Kate a little. "Go on, now, stop being a jealous mate. I'm yours, and they know it. I'll be waiting for you in the pew," she whispered, and I nodded, offering an arm to Kate, who took it with a smile.
"Thank you for really coming," I said as we ventured further slowly, and alone.
"I had to," she replied quietly, coming to a halt before we reached Daddy's casket. "Ever met a vampire who has to steel themselves for something unlpleasant?" she asked in a weak way, trying to joke.
"Yes," I replied seriously, keeping a straight face. "Alice, every time she tells me something she knows I don't want to hear." That got a good chuckle out of all of them, and an adorable eye roll from Alice herself. "Come on, Kate," I encouraged her, digging deep for strength for both of us to keep us both composed. "We're in this together."
She closed her eyes and opened them, determination set like stone in the golden hues, her vampirically perfect mouth set in a straight line. "You're right," she replied. "Let's do it."
I took her hand in mine and led her up to Daddy's open casket, and she gave a dry sob when her eyes fell on his waxen features, and she let go of my hand to place it on his cheek. "Thomas," she breathed, and I blushed with a feeling like I was witnessing a very intimate act. "He looks very handsome," she said a minute later. "Did you pick out the suit?"
I shook my head. "Alice and Rose picked it out, and I approved it," I told her, my voice thick with emotion. "They did very well." I took my glasses off to wipe away the tears that were beginning to fall.
"You look just like him, you know," Kate whispered, not taking her eyes from my daddy. "How ironic that you will be in my life, and the man I once thought to be my mate will not."
I looked up at her, my eyes wide. "You thought he was your mate?"
She nodded. "I believed he was until Garrett wandered into my life three years ago. I only ever left him because he had you. I couldn't take your father from you, and he would never have changed for me... I left because it hurt too much, I loved you both so much. You two were my family... did he ever tell you that I used to sing lullabies to you when you slept?"
I shook my head. "No. He told me you were a big help when Mama died, but he never elaborated. And I have no memory of you, so I didn't think you were around me too much."
Kate smiled at me, tucking a loose hair behind my ear. "I only ever got to watch you sleep. I loved you like you were my little girl, though... and I still do. I've checked in on you twice since I left him, and I was proud you were going somewhere... Who would have thought you were Alice's mate?" She laughed a sad laugh, shaking her head. "Who would have imagined that it was you who was destined to be like me, the mother you never knew?"
I sobbed a little, and threw my arms around Kate, the apprehension gone, and replaced with a bond. "I'm so glad you can't die," I cried, and she held me, rocking me back and forth.
"Hey, calm down, now. I'll always be just a phone call away, and we have eternity to get to know each other." She kissed the top of my head, and I thought I heard a hiss, to which Kate muttered, "Chill out, Alice, sheesh, she's like my kid."
I couldn't help but giggle at that. Then I released Kate, and wiped my eyes, looking back down at Daddy. I noticed a bulge in his jacket, and reached down to see what it was. I found his eye glasses folded and neatly tucked away in a breast pocket of the suit, and it made me smile to think about how, like me, he could never seem to get them to stay in place. "I'm going to keep these, I think," I murmured to Kate, and she nodded.
"You should. He's had that same pair for years," she sighed, shaking her head at my father's scrupulous nature.
I heard distant voices becoming clearer as they entered the lobby, and I glanced over my shoulder to see they were giving their coats to the ushers. "Excuse me, Kate," I said distractedly. "I think I'm going to sit down before I'm attacked with sympathy." She nodded, but made no movement to follow me, her eyes back on Daddy.
I took my place next to Alice, who draped an arm around my shoulders, and I buried my face in her neck so no one would catch my eye and try to come talk to me. "Please tell me this will work," I whined to Alice, hearing the place fill up around me.
"For everyone but Drew and his father, yes. They won't catch you until after the service, though, so you're safe for now." She kissed the top of my head affectionately, burying her face in my hair, leaving me to believe Drew was probably close, as she went into Mate Mode whenever his scent hit her nostrils. I didn't care, and in fact I pressed my lips to the side of her neck in response, making her purr slightly, and I chuckled.
"Better not let anyone hear that," I teased her. "And you call me a jealous mate."
"Well, you have history with him. He brings it out in me like I've never felt before. It's all I can do to not have sex with you in front of him," she griped, making me shake with silent giggles. Someone seeing it from afar would think it was sobs.
A second later I heard Rose give a characteristic scoff, and I asked her what was wrong, without lifting my face from Alice's neck. "Humans. Always have to whisper about us, and the best these people can come up with is that we've all had cosmetic alterations," she answered quietly so only our group could hear.
I felt something inside me shift. "Alice, are they looking at you?"
"Yes," she answered honestly. "Some of the boys seem to think that they could get a shot, if you were far enough away from me."
I growled, fighting an urge to give the room a death stare before tongue kissing my Alice in front of everyone.
"Okay, you're indecisive, Andie, but too close to dry humping me at your father's funeral. Focus, please, push the instinct down," she instructed flatly, and I swallowed hard, my arm sliding across her abdomen and pulling her closer.
"They need to know you're mine," I argued, and she chuckled.
"I hate it for anyone that approaches me once you're immortal," she told me jokingly, but I scoffed.
"Me too," I agreed seriously. "I don't know about repeating high school and college over and over. Teenagers and hormones and you being some jock's fantasy doesn't settle well with me."
"I'll be dealing with the same thing," she replied. "I'll tell you what I've seen: you're going to be one hell of a knock out as an immortal, Andie."
"Psh," I said, shaking my head. "If you say so."
"I know so," Alice corrected me. "On the first day of every school year, I'm going to have to give you a very heart felt kiss to ward off hormonal boys and girls."
"I think Alice is right," Emmett piped up from somewhere to my left. "I think you'll be smokin' hot, Andie." I heard a sharp slap, and Emmett gasp. "Sorry, babe," he muttered to Rosalie, but it made me giggle a little bit, anyway.
"Let me know when it's about to start, please?" I asked Alice, who hummed an affirmative answer.
I felt Kate sit beside me a moment later, and Alice reached for my daddy's glasses, taking them from my grip gently. "I'm going to put these in my purse for you, baby," she said lovingly, and I knew it was almost time.
"Okay," I said softly, and not two minutes later Alice gave me a slight nudge, and I raised my face from her neck to straighten myself up. The organist began the opening notes to "Amazing Grace", and I sighed heavily, noting that this was it. The final goodbye.
There was a man standing over my father next, his bowed in spoken prayer, and I realized my head should be bowed as well, but by the time I registered this, he was finished and was beginning to talk about scripture. I lost myself in my head, thinking about how Daddy used to laugh about how funerals were made into excuses for people to be saved, how people used the death of a loved one as a tool to force decisions on people that were vunerable and impressionable. I remembered having that conversation on a boat with fishing poles in the water, and a beer in his hand. I loved fishing and hunting with Daddy, as much as I loved football games on the weekends in the fall and early winter, and plowing and planting the garden in the spring. I remembered how proud of me he was when I caught bigger fish than Drew, and how my buck was prettier than his own, making him joke that I was the one that taught him everything he knew about hunting.
I missed my Daddy, I would always miss him. But I took comfort in knowing that he loved me, knew what was best for me, and had left me in capable hands. I looked over at Alice now, and she turned her gaze to me, and I felt more ready to be with her, to change for her, than I ever had.