Choice
Chapter 7

Edward:

We attended the funeral they held for Jacob and Leah. Bella stood by my side frozen in place at the sight of the coffins being lowered into the ground. One could appreciate the beauty of the day and the scene in which they stood if it weren't for the mourners that stood around them dressed all in black. This was the first time in a century that all the Cullen's stood on La Push land together and at the same time. The cemetery filled with warriors and chiefs overlooked the cliff side of Washington and the dark water below. Again I have to admit it is a very peaceful and serene place to be laid to rest. I almost envy them the relief of this world. But as I look at their three-year-old daughter who stands between Rose and Emily clutching both their hands, I now pity them. They will never see her grow up, never see her fall in love, and never hear her voice again. I read the child's thoughts and they're filled with confusion and fear. She wants her mommy to sing to her softly the Winnie the pooh song as she does every night and for her daddy to rock her in his arms as she plays with his shoulder length hair. I look at Renesme and thank god over and over again for giving her to Bella and me. I couldn't imagine my life without her in it now. Bella squeezes my hand bringing me away from my thoughts. I blink and do my best to keep us in the shade to avoid the sun's side effect on our bodies. Again I can't help but notice the beauty of the day...

"I would like to thank everyone for coming today...It would have meant a lot to...Le-Leah." Sue stumbled over saying her daughters name and was unable to control the tears that fell from her eyes. Charlie placed his arm around her shoulders and walked her away from the crowd, leaving Billy to finish.

"From the depths of our hearts, we thank you for your support of our family and our tribe as we mourn the loss of Jacob and Leah." and with that Billy wheeled himself to the coffin of his son and placed his hand on the top. With silent tears now sliding down his face he began to sing an old tribal song.

"What a beautiful song." Bella whispers.

Edward leaned down to whisper in her ear the translation, "It's a story of a boy who takes a spirit quest against his father, the chiefs wishes. The father told his son that if he goes against his word then he will disown him and never be allowed back into the village again. The son is angry and decides to leave for the quest earlier than planned. He didn't have the right rations and soon ran out of food and water. He came across a pack of wolves that took pity of his starving body and brought him meat. The boy ate hungrily and in return chased away any who hunted them. The boy lived with the wolves for many moons and soon felt himself become one. He grew to be strong and swift, loyal and brave. The boy had soon become a man. He decided after a time to return to his father and the village, and asked the wolves to come with him. At first the villagers were scared, until they recognized the man as the Chiefs son and welcomed him back with open arms. The Chief see's what has become of his son and is so proud, he then invites the wolves to stay and protect the tribe from any evil like they had done for his son. The wolves and the Chiefs son go down in history as the creators of the wolf warriors."

"Edward, I believe its time we go." Carlisle said as Edward finished the story.

He nodded in agreement and began walking towards the car. Bella stopped him and pulled on his hand. Turning back he noticed Sam and Seth standing toe to toe. The pack was backing up Sam while Rose and Emmit were supporting Seth.

"Why are they arguing?" Bella asked.

Edward didn't need to read minds to figure it out. Sarah stood between them, one hand holding Seth's and the other being held by Sam in a sort of tug a war. It was understood that since Seth and Rose were the godparents, then they would take responsibility of Sarah.

Apparently Sam had other ideas.

"Uncol Seph." Sarah called.

Seth kneeled down and lifted her in his arms. Sam grabbed a hold of Seth's Suit and gripped it so he wouldn't leave.

"We're not done here Seth. She stays with the pack." Sam said, trying to keep his voice down and yet still get his point across.

Rose hissed at his declaration.

"What do you know of raising a child?" Sam snarled.

Rose glared back without flinching, "a hell of a lot more than you would!"

Edward read Sam's thoughts, "You think that raising Sarah will relieve the guilt you had for Leah?"

Sam stared wide eyed at Edward who stepped closer as if to get a better reading, "What are you going to do when she begins to look like her?"

Sam grinded his teeth as he answered, "I'll protect her like I failed to do for her mother."

Edward sighed, "That wasn't your fault Sam. Please, Let Seth and Rose take her."

"Jacob and Leah made a choice when they asked Seth and Rosalie to be the god parents of little Sarah. And Jacob's decision will be respected. Though it pains my heart to let her go, I will not stand in my sons way of his last wish." Billy said. The words were final and Sam released Seth. Rose opened her arms and Sarah fell into them happily. The argument was still there brewing under the surface. Edward could read everyone's thoughts on the matter.

Sam wants Sarah in hopes to do the right thing by Leah. He feels raising the Alphas daughter should be his right and nobody else's. Even as Edward listens to his thoughts, he grimaces at the way Sam see's Sarah, even in his head he confuses the name and calls her Leah. Its not like he see's her as a woman, but as Leah when she was a child. Again Edward questions, what will he think of her when she begins to look like the woman Leah?

Emily wants to keep Sarah for her own selfish reasons too. She sees Sarah as a way to atone for the heartache they caused Leah by raising her child. She wasn't completely oblivious to Sam's reasons either. She was aware of how he looked at Sarah, anything she wanted he was ready to try and provide. Edward realized Emily was slightly jealous even if she hasn't realized it yet herself. But the truth was, she wanted to take care of the child, and in a way make Sarah her own daughter, because she knew she would never get the chance herself to have a baby.

They will tare her apart.

Edward looked to Sue who was standing beside Billy with a stricken look upon her face. Edward walked over to her and felt both of them tense. Apparently there was no love lost between the Cullen's and the Council.

"They're not going to give up." Edward stated.

Billy glared up at him from his wheel chair. Sue's lip trembled. They were both trying to control their emotions. And they were both failing miserably.

Billy Sighed and wheeled himself between Sam and Seth. "Enough!" He roared when they continued to bicker over his head. Both men quieted and looked down. Sarah continued to play with Rose's hair while looking over at her grandfather. Everyone was waiting for him to speak and out of respect stayed silent until he gathered his thoughts.

Clearing his throat, Billy looked up at Sam, "My granddaughter goes with Seth."

"Billy-" Sam tried and was interrupted by Sue.

"That's final Sam! Billy and I are too old to raise another child and Seth and Rose were chosen by Jacob and Leah because they trust them." Sue said angrily.

Emily jerked away as if slapped when Sue spoke of trust. Sue softened her features and placed her hand on Emily's arm in comfort. They were harsh words, but spoken in all honesty. Jacob and Leah did trust Seth and Rose to raise their child right, and the way they themselves would raise her if they were still alive. They trusted them more than anyone else beside their parents who they didn't want to burden due to their old age.

"We all loved Jacob and Leah, and we all want to keep a piece of them with us. But taking their daughter isn't going to do that. Emily, one day you will have your child to run after and I couldn't imagine how Sarah would feel then."

Sue turned to Sam, "Sam, you did all you could to save my daughter. But you must understand that Leah's death was not your failure at saving her. And taking Sarah will not bring her back and make it right. You have your own problems to deal with, and Sarah doesn't need to be apart of them."

Next, she turned to Seth. "I know why they chose you. Who better to raise their child than the person that knew them best?"

Sue leaned forward and hugged her son, tears silently coursing down her cheeks. She grips him hard and inhales his scent deeply, as if she may never hold her baby boy again. Finally she lets go and turns to Rose who was still holding Sarah in her arms.

"I don't know you all that well, but if Leah trusted you, than so do I." Sue said. Rose nodded in understanding and gratitude at taking their side. Sue leaned forward and brushed back Sarah's dark hair from her face, "As curly as her mothers was at that age." Sue whispered softly, mostly to herself. "Please don't let her forget us."

Rose looked down at Sarah who was oblivious to the drama around her. Edward read Rose's thoughts and smiled when she realized, she admits to herself how she would never have wanted to be kept in the dark about her own child.

"She'll never forget you." Rose answered softly.

Sue nodded in understanding and turned to Billy. They walked back to their cars, away from the wolf pack and vampires, away from the their granddaughter and away from the child they laid to rest that day.

Edward looked over at Nessie and smiled. She was currently playing little piggy all the way home on Sarah's feet. Where the child's shoes had gone, he wouldn't know. But the laughter coming from Sarah and Nessie made his heart swell. Innocence. Both were so fragile and so perfect, that he wished he could protect them from any evil. Instead all he could do was pray he would never have to experience what Sue and Billy just have. A parent should never have to bury their child.

~Please don't hurt me. I know your angry, but it's apart of my story. There are two more chapters and I promise there will be a happy ending! Trust me!

Anywho Review!

~Smo