Funeral
The day of his funeral there was a police escort led by my father, chief of police in Forks, which took his coffin with our flag on top all the way to the church. Just before the ceremony police sirens could be heard and everyone waited.
Barack Obama, the president himself stepped from the slick black car and held his hand for his wife. They were escorted down the path between the rows and rows of people. I couldn't care less that the president was here. I only cared that Edward wasn't; that he'd never hold my hand, look into my eyes or kiss me again.
The president took a seat in the front row next to me, I really didn't care.
"Welcome everyone. It has been a difficult time for many people lately. We are gathered here to say our farewells to Major Edward Anthony Mason Cullen. He was the youngest soldier to become a major. It has never been heard of for a soldier of six months to become a major. Being at the age of 22 when he became Major is the biggest accomplishment there is. We have fellow soldiers, cadets, majors, generals, Lieutenants, friends, family and the great President himself here today, but the one to be affected the most is one Bella Swan. Major Cullen talked about her non-stop. They loved each other. I'd like to give Miss Swan my sincerest apologies. I wasn't there to protect my squadron and for that we lost Edward. I will always remember Edward and I hope that you will all remember him too. Please stand for the national anthem."
Everyone stood as I made my way over to his coffin. I lay my hand over it as the national anthem began. Soldiers, Lieutenants, Major's and whoever else was there saluted as the flag was raised. The anthem ended and people started dispersing into the church.
I felt a hand rest on my shoulder.
"Isabella Swan?"
I didn't answer. I just kept crying over his coffin.
"I'd like to tell you that Major Cullen was an amazing man. He did something for his country that I could never do. He sacrificed himself for a friend, a brother and his country. I'd like to award him a medal of honour. It may not mean much to you; however, these are not given out lightly. From what I've heard Major Cullen was the best soldier you could find. It was not his duty to rescue his brother. He had the right to run; to save himself. All soldiers do, but Major Cullen saved a man in need. I want you to have this to remember that Major Cullen didn't die for nothing. He died for what is right."
I turned to see Mr Obama looking down at me in his suit and tie with a medallion in one hand.
"Wear it to show the people of this world what he has done. I'm sorry for your loss. If you ever need anything Miss Swan give me a call."
I stood there as he clipped the medallion to my dress and handed me a card. He saluted before walking towards his car with his wife and security.
Jasper, Emmett, Alice, Rose, their adopted parents and my parents made their way over to me.
"I'm sorry Bella. It's all my fault."
"Jasper stop blaming yourself. Please just don't. Edward would do anything to make sure you were safe."
"But he's my younger brother. I'm supposed to look after him. Not him look after me."
"He did it for all of us. Just please stop blaming yourself. I don't blame you."
"Bella why was the president over here?"
"He awarded Edward the medal of honour."
I said before breaking down crying again.
Present day
To say they had been shocked is an understatement. They spent the next month comforting me day in day out. It didn't help much but I pretended they were helping.
Jasper and Emmett went out to fight once more before coming home for good and getting different jobs. They had said that they couldn't face losing each other. Jasper became a history teacher at Forks high school, whilst Emmett was the Phys-Ed teacher. They'd always come to my classroom at lunch to make sure I was okay because I'd have my bad days, when I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. They were always there for me.
I wore Edward's medal with pride every day. All the students I teach know the story behind the medal and what Edward did for the country. I was pleased that all students I had enjoyed English. Because of my age I could relate to them better than any of the other teachers. They would smile at me in the halls, talk to me when they had problems and just came to chat when they needed someone to talk to. I had no one to talk to. There was no one who knew what I had to go through. I had contacted the President once since the funeral only because I had been through a really rough spot and almost lost my apartment. He had sorted it so that I wouldn't have to worry about rent ever again. I was really grateful because my apartment was all I had that connected me to Edward now. His presence lingered in the rooms as if he had been there only minutes before, but I knew better. He would never set foot in our apartment again.