AN: Thanks for all the reviews guys, happy you're enjoying this :)

Another Edward point of view, next chapter will return to Bella.
Still a rough one, so be warned.

Chapter 8 - Mourning

EPOV

When my alarm went off I groaned. I dreaded this day with every fiber of my being, but I knew I had to get through this. I took a quick shower before slipping into some sweats to quickly take Mike on a walk to do his business.

When I came back I changed into the black suit that I'd purchased for this event. I tied my tie with a sigh, staring at myself in the mirror. I looked tired.

I felt tired.

I sighed again and brushed some dog hairs from my slacks. This was as good as it was going to get probably. I grabbed a banana from the kitchen counter and then said bye to Mike before heading out the door.

I was heading to the funeral with Emmett and Rosalie. It made sense for us. The funeral was down town but the funeral reception would be at the field, which Charlie had loved so much.

I headed down in the elevator and stopped on Emmett's floor, heading to their door and knocking once.

It opened after a minute to reveal Emmett dressed similarly as me; a black suit and tie with a white blouse. Rosalie was dressed in a black pantsuit, her hair done up elegantly.

I nodded to both of them. 'ready?'

'As ready as we'll ever be.' Emmett groused and I nodded in agreement with the sentiment.

We headed back to the elevator and got in Rosalie's car. Usually I liked to drive, but Rose had insisted that her car was less recognizable than mine, which was a fair point. We drove through traffic and got to the venue in good time.

The media frenzy was well under way it seemed. Mourners were stoked by papperazi as they tried to enter. There were hundreds of people lining the streets. a camera crew was filming across the street and the paps were shouting at anyone that was passing by, hoping to get a reaction shot that would sell. It was despicable.

'God. look at it.' Rose said disgustedly. 'can't they just leave us in peace to mourn?'

'of course not, a picture of the daughter crying will probably bring them a few thousand. If not more. And I think thye're hoping for a scene.' Emmett scoffed.

'Fuck me they're really that desperate?' I asked, glancing at them. I knew they were low lifes, they had dogged my steps quite a lot as well, always insinuating I was breaking hearts left right and center, but I'd learned to ignore them now.

'Yeah, I hope they leave her alone. She doesn't need this shit right now.' Emmett said fiercely.

Rose nodded in agreement. We pulled up at the curb and as we got out the flashses from teh camera's were nearly blinding. A valet came over and took the keys from Rose. She threatened bodily harm if he so much as scratched the car. I wanted to grin, but with all the camera's trained on us I didn't think that was smart.

So I schooled my features, put my hands deep in my pockets and headed into the venue with my head down. Emmett and rose trailed after me, both also ignoring all the questions that were being thrown at us.

We stepped through the lobby and it was busy with all sorts of people. there were some socialites, the team players of course, members of the board, the managers, and coaches. I tried to see if I could spot his daughter. But I had no luck. We were ushered into a room and quickly found our seats.

The family was on the first row we were told, and there was a lonesome figure sitting there. She was small and slender. She seemed frail, but also resigned. Her shoulders were set and she kept her back straight. It was painful to see her there sitting alone. I wondered why no one was coming up there with her. Didn't she have any support?

Just as I was about to ask Emmett about it, someone walked up the pews past us, a woman. She was waearing a black dress and looked so incredibly sad it was heartbreaking. But to my intense relief she walked straight over to the first row and hugged the lonesome woman there. And she didn't let go, not for the entire service.

The funeral was relatively short and very moving. A lot of people spoke, but not the daughter, which I could understand. It had to be hard to have to stand up in front of all these people and say how much the deceased meant to you. I wouldn't want to do it either if it was one of my parents. I shuddered even thinking about it.

Harry stood up then from his seat on the second row and headed to the stand to speak next. He smiled kindly at the women in the front row before beginning his speech. He'd known Charles all his life. They had been childhood friends. It was a moving speech and I had trouble keeping the tears at bay. I saw Emmett wipe a few away himself and Rose was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

A few more people spoke after Harry before the funeral director took the stand.

'We now invite Charles Swan's daughter to say a private, silent goodbye. After that we invite all mourners to pay their respects.'

She motioned for the daughter to come forward and both of them stood up. They kept their backs to us as they faced the closed coffin. It was so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop. The scene was almost serene, if it weren't so sad; two women holding on to each other in front of the wooden coffin that was ensconced in a sea of white flowers.

Then as the daughter raised her head again, music started playing over teh speakers, filling the auditorium with the sounds of unchain my heart by Joe Cocker. And Isabella Swan left the room through a side door with the other woman. The director started leading the next row of mourners to the coffin under the melancholy tones of Joe Cocker.

When it was our turn I stood quietly in front of the coffin, with my head bowed.

'You will be missed.' I whispered under my breath. I knew that me and the team would miss him, but it seemed Charlie had touched a lot of lives. I was sure he would be missed by a lot of people for a long time to come.

As we filed out of the auditorium we didn't waste any time hanging around. The rest of the service would be at Wringley Field, so we made our way to the valet stand again, asking for the car to eb brought around. Since we were among the first leaving, it was brought round in no time and we quickly headed out to the car.

The paparrazi were horrendous, worse than when we came in. They were pushing against the barriers trying to get a snap of every teary face they could find. They were shouting questions, harassing people... it was disgusting.

'Where is Isabella?'

'how was the service?'

Questions were fired at us as camera's clicked. I kept my head down again.

We headed into the car and drove back to the park. Traffic sucked, but at least there were no paps anywhere around here. They probably knew of the service that was being held at the park, but it was invite only and the field was easier to cordon off so there would be more privacy.

As Rosalie pulled into the private parking area, there were no camera's in sight. I breathed a sigh of relief that we didn't have to deal with that again today. I wasn't sure I could restrain myself another time and the press would definitely have a field day with that.

We got out of the car and Emmett scanned his badge to open the side entrance door that was for personell only.

We made our way inside slowly. But even the side halls were busy. the entire park was teeming with life. Caterers were running around, people were wandering and there was an uneasy air all around.

We headed to the reception area and saw it was pretty packed with people. Emmett let out a low whistle beside me and I nodded in agreement. People who hadn't been invited to the service had been invited to the funeral reception.

There were pictures of Charlie all around the room. And I smiled at the one of him and the team that was blown up and hung right in the center of the room. He was decked out in cubs gear and was smiling so proudly, I couldn't help but smile at the memory that came with it.

Jasper found us there, staring at the picture.

He clapped me on the back before punching Emmett's shoulder in greeting, then leaned forward to kiss Rose on her cheek.

'Missed you at the service.' Rose scolded him. Rose and Jasper were twins, and usually had a great bond. But Rose was the older one by two minutes, and she liked to think that made her Jasper's caretaker when their mother wasn't around.

'I was a few rows behind you with the guys.' He answered. 'I spoke to Isabella just a moment ago.'

'How was she?'

'She's holding up, putting on a brave front.' He sighed.

Rose sighed too and glanced around the room. 'I'm going to go find her.'

'Is that the best thing to do, Rose?' Emmett asked her softly.

'She needs someone right now, Emmett.' rose said.

'Yeah, but you've only met her once before.' He argued.

'I know, but I really want to be there for her.' she insisted.

Emmett sighed and then nodded. Rose set off through the crowd.

We hung back and met up with the rest of the team, trading stories about Charles while drinking some coffee. Harry came by to thank us for coming on behalf of Isabella. We all nodded and told him his speech had been great.

He thanked us and before he went away again he pulled Emmett quickly aside and whispered something to him. Emmett nodded and then they both set off through the crowd.

Jazz and I spent a while longer reminiscing with the team before the feebdack of a microphone silenced the room. Our attention was drawn to the raised podium that had been constructed at the window where a lady stood with a microphone. She thanked everyone for being there to honour Charles Swan and conveyed Isabella's thanks. then she announced a few people would like to say a few words.

About four people came up and talked about how they met Charlie and how much he had impacted their lives. Then Harry came forward and asked for everyone's attention.

'On behalf of Ms Swan I want to thank you all for coming here and sharing your stories about Charles Swan. It really meant a lot to her, and to me as well.' He took a deep breath. 'I'd like to invite everyone to head down to the field as we'll be throwing out a few pitches to commemorate Mr Swan and we'll be unveiling the memorial plaque. Please be advised that press has been invited to attend, so please refrain from answering any questions they may ask you. Ms Swan for this reason will be absent.'

We all nodded in understanding before filing out and walking the familiar hallways down to the grass.

Emmett reappeared as we reached the turf and asked me and Jazz to throw a few balls. We agreed of course. I took off my jacket and warmed up my throwing arm before stepping up to the mound. The press was off to the side in a cordoned off area so they couldn't mingle with the guests. Their camera's were all trained on me and it was slightly unnerving. It was quiet as I wound up and let the ball fly out of my hand. Laurant was batting and the ball hit his bat with a loud crack, before soaring out into the left field. Everyone clapped. I stepped off and Jazz stepped up as Tyler stepped in to bat.

He hit the ball out into the field as well the crowd clapped again, before Harry took to the mound with a microphone in his hand and started a speech about Mr swan and what he has meant for the club. during his speech he'd started walking towards the home dugout, the one closest to the press.

'So in his honour', he wrapped up his speech as he stopped next to the dugout where paul and Emmett were already standing next to a piece of cloth draped against the wall. 'we'd like to unveil the Charles Swan memorial dug out.' he said, and Emmett and Paul pulled the sheet away from the wall.

And there was the new plaque, in all it's glory next to the home dugout.

Charlie would be proud. The crowd clapped loudly and the camera's went crazy as Harry stood by the plaque with Paul and Emmett for a moment. I frowned as I noted Paul smiling at the camera's. Harry and Emmett were definitely not smiling, they looked neutral if anything, but mostly just resigned. resigned they had to be there and have their picture taken on such a difficult day. But Paul seemed to actively be enjoying it, which was disgusting. I quickly turned away from it and headed back to the rest of the team with Jasper.

Thankfully that concluded everything and slowly but surely everyone started heading out. I wondered briefly where Isabella would be, but shook myself as I waited by the dugout for Emmett and Rose to finish up saying their goodbye's. Isabella Swan was not someone I knew, so I couldn't very well offer her any support. She had friends for that, a support system of her own, probably that could help her better than I could.

Emmett was heading back to me and Rose was finishgin up chatting to some socialite. As Em reached me we both headed over to save Rose, who had been sending me looks the entire time. I jsut didn't really want to head into that without some backup. those socialites were unpredictable. Rose latched on to Emmett's arm and I could see her fingers digging into his arm as she silently begged him to get her out of there. I had to stifle a chuckle.

'Emmett, Edward, have you met Irina?' She asked.

Emmett shook his head and held out his hand. 'It's nice to meet you, I'm Emmett and this is-'

'Edward!' Irina exclaimed and i winced. metnally preparing myself for what was next. she was a fangirl.

'Hi.' I greeted her awkwardly.

She latched herself onto my hand and started gushing about how she'd been following my carreerd from day one and some other blether. I was shooting looks at Emmett and Rosalie, begging them to help me. I didn't want to cause a scene at a freaking funeral, but this girl was making it difficult.

What the fuck was even wrong with her? how did she think this was at all appropriate?

'Yes yes.' I said interuppting her prattle. 'I'm sure you're a big fan... but I uh... I have to go.. you know... So yeah...'

She pouted up at me, yes actually pouted and i wanted to cringe, but held myself in check. Thankfully Emmett stepped in then.

'Yeah, sorry Irina. But I have to steal him away again. You know funeral business.' he said, adding emphasis on the word funeral.

That didn't seem to register in her mind though, because she actually asked for my number, insisting that we could catch up another time as she called it. for what we needed to catch up i had no clue.

'I'm sorry, he can't give you his number. I'm his manager and I can't condone that sort of private information being given out. i'm sure you understand.' she said sweetly, with a professional voice that was so convincing I wanted to hug her.

Of course Rose wasn't my manager and my actual manager couldn't really give a fuck whom I gave my number to, but it was a good lie, I had to say. Even I believed her. Before Irina coudl say somethign else I extracted myself and we quickly set off through the tunnels, putting as much distance between us as quickly as possible. I breathed a sigh of relief once we were out of sight.

'Thanks.' I muttered to Rose.

She shook her head at me. 'Only you seem to be able to pull at a fucking funeral.' she was a bit annoyed.

'how fucking tasteless can you be?' Emmett grumbled. 'trying to get with someone at a fucking funeral. it's a fucking disgrace.'

I had to agree with him there.

'Are you supposed to go to the will reading?' Rose asked Emmett to change the subject as we walked back to the car.

He shook his head. 'No, Harry is going and I believe Paul is too.'

She pursed her lips and nodded. I could see the indignation starting to form.

'I hope he fires paul in his will.' I muttered, trying to stop her outburst before it happened. I knew we both felt the same way about Paul, but she was a bit more vocal about her utter disdain for him.

Emmett gave a chuckle and Rose cracked a smile and nodded.

'we can only hope.' Emmett said as we climbed in the car and headed back home. I was more than done with today and couldn't wait to just get back home, crash on the sofa and just relax with Mike before we would hear the fate of the club tomorrow morning.