Author's Note: Hi, Everyone! Sorry it took so long, I got busy and forgot about it for a while. Hopefully I'll be able to post chapters more often now that I'm off school.

Chapter 3- The Funeral

Bella's POV

Last night, like so many others, my sleep was haunted by nightmares. Not just the normal one either, maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if that's all there was. I dreamt of yesterday, when Jacob went after Victoria. Only in my dream he didn't come back, Victoria had gotten to him first and I saw it. I shuddered just at the thought of it. I had the dream over and over until it was finally morning, as if once wasn't enough. It was like everything I was worried about coming true.

When I finally I got up, still shaking. Come on, Bella, it was just a dream, Jake's fine. I shook my head to trying to wake up and get the dream out of mind. Maybe, a shower will help…

I groggily made my way to the bathroom. On the way I glanced at the clock. Ugh, only 6:15? These nightmares are killing me!

I took my time in the shower, letting the steam and hot water clear out my head. I slowly started feeling better. The dream seemed much less serious in the daytime. I could almost feel myself smiling actually.

By the time I was done I felt much better, almost perky, which is pretty unusual for me. I guess I was just glad to be alive after all that happened yesterday and happy that everyone else was too.

I skipped downstairs for breakfast, reveling in the happiness I felt. Then I saw Charlie sitting at the table, seeing the downcast look on his face was all it took to snap me back to reality. Not everyone had lived through yesterday. Harry died, the funeral was today. I sighed inwardly, of course today is the day I actually felt happy.

I slowed my pace and smiled at Charlie. "Good morning" I said, trying not to be too perky. Walking over to the cupboard, I grabbed a bowl and a box of cereal.

"Good morning", Charlie said trying to smile but not doing a very good job of it. As I sat down at the table I looked at him, concerned. "How are you doing?" I asked softly. He took a sip of his coffee before replying. "I'm holding up alright" he shrugged, trying to downplay the sadness in his words.

Deciding I was going to pretend I believed him, I simply nodded my head. We ate in silence for a few minutes. It wasn't really awkward though, just neither of us had anything to say.

"The funeral's at noon, right?" I asked, apprehensive, not really wanting to remind him of it. "Uh-huh", he mumbled, keeping his head down. I pushed my cereal around in the bowl; I wasn't that hungry anyways… "I was thinking about going over to Jacob's until then. If you'll be ok…?"

"Bella," he said seriously, "I survived for years without you. I'm sure I can handle a few hours."

I sighed, "Dad, you know that's not what I meant. You just lost one of your best friends, its ok if you'd rather not be alone."

He smiled softly, "Thanks Bells, but really I'll be fine alone. I'm sure Jake needs you."

I nodded, I actually believed him this time. He, like me, preferred to just be alone sometimes.

A few minutes later, I got up after finally finishing my food and starting collect the dishes off the table to wash them. It's too early to go over to Jacob's anyways. He probably hasn't got much sleep yet. I'll give him until nine and then I'll head over.

I finished the dishes quickly and started looking around for more to do. I decided to head upstairs to find something to wear to the funeral. After searching through my closet for a while I found something appropriate to wear. I didn't exactly own a lot of black clothes so it took a few minutes. I laid it on my bed for me to change into later.

Then I checked the clock again, hmm, only 8:15? Maybe I have some homework I haven't finished yet. I looked through my backpack but no luck; I'd finished most of my homework while hanging out by myself in La Push.

I eventually wandered back downstairs to see how Charlie was doing. I found him sitting on the couch watching TV, or at least that's what he was trying to do. He seemed to have zoned out a while ago, probably taking a walk down memory lane, which may or may not be good. I watched him and the TV for a little while then I decided he would be ok, at least for now. Well, I guess Charlie is usually ok by himself. I guess I'm just so used to taking care of my mom…

I very slowly started to get myself ready to go. After what seemed like hours it was 9 o'clock and headed out after calling to see if Jake was up. Most of the drive there I was thinking about how Jacob was. He sounded good on the phone, maybe kind of tired but that's normal when you stay out all night chasing vampires. I know he wasn't as close to Harry as Charlie but I know it still wasn't easy for him either.

No one I was really close to ever died but if it was anything like when Edward left it must be horrible. Even at the thought of their name I felt the pain in my chest coming on. But it also reminded me of something. Yesterday, when I was in the car with Jacob, did I really hear Edward say to be happy? I know it's just a hallucination but maybe it was like me telling myself it was time to move on…

Maybe today I would talk to Jake about it…I think maybe it is time to move on. Of course I'll have to take it slow but I'm sure Jacob will be ok with it.

Just then I pulled into the Black's driveway and saw Jacob's smiling face running towards me. The more I thought about it the more I noticed that he was really good-looking. He made me happy too. I am going to talk to him today. I will. I thought, clearly trying to convince myself.

As soon as I stepped out of my truck, I was crushed in giant bear hug from Jacob. "Hello to you too." I said, smiling.

"Hi Bella! So what do you wanna do?" He asked with a giant smile plastered on his face.

"I don't know…How about we go to the beach?"

"Sure!" he said still smiling. We started to gradually make our way to the beach.

"You're in a pretty good mood today! I guess you're doing better?" I asked.

"Yeah, it still bothers me of course, and I'm definitely gonna miss him but I'm doing better. How about you? How are you doing today?" He questioned looking at me curiously.

"Pretty good, actually. I didn't sleep too well but other than that I'm great!" I replied, happy that it was actually true.

"That's good!" He said looking relieved. "I was near your house last night and I thought I heard screaming so I went to check it out. You were alive, obviously, but I wasn't sure how you were doing…"

I looked away, embarrassed. "Yeah, I'm alright, just a nightmare…" I said trying to downplay it but still cringing slightly at the memory.

Jacob saw right through it though. He stopped walking and put his hand gently on my shoulder and looked at me. "Bella honey, are you sure you're okay? You don't seem okay, do you wanna talk about it? He asked softly.

"No… I don't know…At first it was just the normal dream which is bad enough but then I kept having this other dream… you know how about you guys when you're out chasing vampires…" I said fading out, letting my thoughts drift back to my nightmare.

"Bella, look at me. It was just a dream. Everything's ok." Jacob said looking right at me.

I looked away, "Yeah, I know…I really am alright now. Just last night I wasn't too good…You know how dreams always seem so real right when they're happening…" I said shrugging it off. "Come on, let's go to the beach!"

We quickened our pace a bit and soon we were at the beach. We found "our tree" as I like to think, a giant drift wood tree that had washed up on the beach, and sat down.

I look out at the sunny sky and smiled. "Today would have been a good day to go cliff-diving." I thought aloud.

"Yeah, you should have waited 'til today. Then I wouldn't have had to risk my life saving you." Jacob teased.

"Nah, I think you like risking your life to save me. After all, you do it all the time. It gives you a chance to show that you're man. "I smiled, teasing back.

"Hey! Maybe just I won't save you next time." He said, his eyes twinkling with laughter.

"No way, you'd miss me way too much." I laughed softly, my eyes sparkling right back.

"Maybe, you're right." He conceded.

I smiled, leaning back and enjoying the sunshine with all the rain in Forks I'd started to miss the sun.

We talked for a while (I carefully avoided "the talk" I was going to have with him) and before I knew it my watch said 11:15.

"I've gotta go! I still have to get home and get changed." I said jumping up. We rushed back to his house.

"Well, I'll see you later!" I said, once again being crushed into one of his giant bear hugs.

Jacob's POV

I stood there for a minute watching Bella drive away. I'm so glad she came over, and that she's coming to the funeral. Like I told her yesterday, everything really is better when she's with me. I think it's better for her when we're together too. That's why we should be together, whenever we're together everything's better. If only she understood that…

"Jacob!" I suddenly heard my dad call. "You have to get ready for the funeral!" Oh yah, the funeral…I sighed and hurried in to get ready.

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I was ready in a few minutes and next thing I knew we were at the funeral. I stood there awkwardly for a few seconds watching all the people walking by and then slowly headed in the direction of the building. Wow, there are a lot of people here! I guess he had a lot of friends…

I wonder if Bella's here yet…I looked around the parking lot for her truck but don't see anything. Oh well, I guess I'll have to find her when she gets here.

I walked in and found where my dad was sitting and got a seat beside him, making sure there were seats near it for Bella and Charlie.

I let my eyes wander across the crowd of people then my eyes came to the Clearwaters. Poor Seth, and Leah, and their mom, I'd definitely have to get over there later. As I thought about that my thoughts gradually turned to Harry, all the times we'd spent together and how much I would miss him. I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, fighting back the tears I knew would be coming.

Suddenly I felt a hand on my mine. I looked up and saw Bella smiling down at me sympathetically. She sat down, stroking my hand softly as the service started.

Bella's POV

I sat there rubbing Jacob's hand softly, carefully avoiding Charlie's gaze. I knew Jake was upset as soon as I saw him. I should have been here sooner.

The service went on slowly. It was weird, and kind of awkward. I hadn't been to a funeral since my Grandma had died a few years ago, I hadn't known her too well either. I guess that's kind of good thing, never having to go to the funerals of people I really care about. As my eyes wandered around the room though, I saw many people who I knew really did care. The tears running down Mrs. Clearwater's face, silent resolve holding back tears in Seth's eyes, the quiet sorrow written on Leah's face. Yes, he would most definitely be missed.

Before I knew it the service was over. I slowly got up, still holding Jacob's hand. As we walked out I could hear the sadness all over the place.

Then just when I thought I could get away from all this misery that was starting rip through my heart, I realized there was still the burial. Of course I couldn't leave Jacob alone for that. The gravesite wasn't far so we all just walked to it.

I watched lower the grave down and had to wipe a tear from my eye. Although I hadn't known Harry too well, he was a great guy. He was a good friend to my dad and like an uncle to Jacob. At that thought, I glanced up at Jake to see how he was doing. I could see tears threatening to spill out. I softly stroked the side of his hand with thumb, hoping to somehow comfort him.

Then, as I looked away, in the corner of my eye I saw a bright flash of red and gasped. Victoria! Jacob looked over at me questioningly, I shook my head. It's nothing. I was just seeing things… Victoria wouldn't be stupid enough to come to a funeral full of werewolves. Even if she did, I'm sure we'd be ok, right? That's what Jake was always telling me, they know what they're doing. Anyways, it probably wasn't her. I was probably just seeing things…

Author's Note: So, what do you think? Was that really Victoria or is Bella just paranoid? Review! I love hearing what you think!