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“I’m going to check on the kids,” I said.
“Can I check on them? I want to tell them about Mom,” Edward
whispered. He took my hand, his thumb caressing over my knuckles. “You being
here, or rather being there with my mom, it meant everything to me and to her,
too. I don’t know if I could have done it without you, Bella.”
“There’s nowhere I wanted to be, Edward,” I said, brushing
his hair back. “Do you want back up with the kids? They’re going to have
questions. Tough questions.”
“No, I think I’ll be okay. Charlie sent a text that they’re
both in Grace’s room. He’s reading to them,” Edward muttered. He rubbed his
face, looking ten years older and so weary, despondent. “I love you,
sweetness.”
“Edward, I love you more,” I breathed, kissing his lips. He
hugged me tightly before heading upstairs, going into Grace’s bedroom. I pulled
out my cell phone and sat down on the couch. I dialed Alice.
“How is she?” Alice asked when she picked up the phone.
“She’s gone, Alice,” I cried, tears leaking onto my cheeks.
“She went peacefully and she was not in any pain. She just took a breath,
released it and was gone.” I curled up on the couch, clutching a pillow. “I
think it goes without saying that I’m going to be out for a few days, maybe a
week. I’m sorry. I need to focus on my family right now.”
“Don’t even apologize, Hells Bells,” Alice snapped. “Seriously,
you just lost your mother-in-law. You take all the time you need. I’ll speak to
the district office and get you some emergency time off. I’m sorry for your
loss. Send my love to Edward, will you?”
“I will, Alice. I’m sorry about putting you in a lurch and
leaving you with the Carters and dealing with Micah’s mom,” I said, the guilt
building up inside. “I …” A sob burst through my lips and I buried my face into
the pillow.
“Bella, no. It’s alright. Don’t cry, sweetie,” Alice
sniffled. “You take care of you. Take care of your family. I’ll handle
everything else. Call me anytime.”
“Okay, Ali-cat,” I cried. “Love you.”
“Love you, too, Hells Bells,” she murmured, hanging up the
phone.
I leaned my cheek against the couch cushion. My dad came
down, sitting down next to me. “Edward’s talking to the kiddos. Grace is in
shock. John is angry, trying not to cry but when he saw Edward cry, the dam
flew open. The three of them are curled up on Grace’s bed, crying.”
“He’s taking this hard, Dad,” I sighed. “I am, too. This was
the first death I’ve experienced since Jake. I feel lost, Dad. I don’t know how
to handle this. I don’t know how to make it easier for Edward, for the kids … I
know I have to be strong …”
“Bella, you don’t have to be strong. You’ve been strong for
so many years after you lost Jacob. You grieve how you see fit, sweetheart,”
Dad said, hugging me close. “And we’ll be here for you and for Edward. Your
mother actually went over to see how Carlisle was doing after you called. She
was concerned he wasn’t eating.”
“He did look really skinny, but he was so worried about
Esme,” I sighed. “We all were. Her illness was stubborn.”
“It wasn’t the cancer, Bells. It was her. She wanted to make
sure that her children were happy,” Dad explained. “Esme was a strong woman,
filled with spit and vinegar, but for so much love for her family. You were
included in that. I know that she loved you.”
“I loved her, too,” I sniffled. “But, I’m afraid for Edward
… he’s …”
“He’ll be fine. He’s a lot like you, Bella. He’ll probably
push everyone away, but be patient,” Dad said, kissing my forehead.
“I didn’t push everyone away,” I huffed.
“Yes, you did,” Dad snorted. “Bells, just love him.”
“You know I do,” I sniffed, sliding my arms around my dad’s neck.
Esme's Casket
Floral Spray from Carlisle
Flowers from Edward and Emmett
Flowers from Forks Elementary
Flowers inside of the casket
Hearse
Flowers from Renee and Charlie
Flowers from Rose and Bella
Flowers from the hospital
Carlisle's goodbye
