Earthshine (Twilight Fan Fiction)

Chapter Twenty-one: Rest In Peace

Chapter Twenty-one: Rest in Peace

I straightened my black dress that Alice had picked out for me. It had a lace print down the back, and had a tight pencil-skirt style end. I pulled a black cardigan over the top, even though I wouldn’t need it. It was a human habit of mine to wear more layers when it got cold.

Gale linked his arm in mine, giving me a soft smile. He also wore black: straight-cut trousers, well-polished shoes, and a black blazer over a crisp white shirt. Carlisle and the rest of the family had refused to come, saying that they were not invited, and although Gale wasn’t, he still felt as if it was his fault for Seth’s death.

We walked to the car, Gale holding the door for me. I looked up at the family, who were all lined up outside the house. Renesmee was in Edward’s arms, not in Jacob’s as I had nearly always seen.

He was also preparing for the funeral.

“How are you?” Gale asked me, breaking the silence as we drove down the road. “You look healthier than the last time I saw you.”

“Thanks,” I answered, trying to keep the ice out of my voice. Even though I had forgiven Gale a long time ago, I was annoyed at his attempts to make me feel better. “I went hunting yesterday. That’s probably what it is.”

Neither of us were ever good at deep talks, and it always ended with an awkward silence.

I wondered how the funeral would be, as I had never been to one. When my mother died, we didn’t hold a funeral. We didn’t have anything. I assumed we would be around Seth’s grave, wherever it was. There would be a priest, or an elder from the tribe. There would be many tears.

“Will you be alright?” I asked, suddenly remembering that humans would be there. “Around all those humans?”

“I hunted yesterday. I’m in as much danger to attacking than you are.” Gale replied.

I smiled. “I hardly doubt that. I’ve been getting better around blood.” I whispered.

“What are they doing here?” A woman, who I guessed was Seth’s mother, said, pointing a finger at me. Just like the rest of the Quileute’s, she had dark skin and long black hair. Her big brown eyes thinned as they focused on Gale and me.

Gale slipped his arm around my waist, holding me protectively. “We were invited.” I whispered to her.

“Sue,” Leah said, pushing through the crowd of family and friends of Seth. “Please, don’t get mad. I invited them. Or at least El.”

“El?” the woman, Sue, spat. “Fine. But who’s this?” she glared at Gale, who returned an icy look.

“Gale Nichols.” He introduced himself, his natural charm lighting up his blood red eyes. Although he could be horrible, he also had a very charming aspect to him, and it was defined even more when he transformed. Gale bowed his head, keeping his hand on the small of my back. His hair flopped into his eyes, and he raised his head, flicking it out of the way.

“And why are you here, you blood-sucker?” Sue asked.

Gale took a deep breath, considering whether to tell her or not. “I was the reason for your son’s death.” He finally said, and Sue’s eyes welled up with tears.

I turned to Gale. “You know you are not. You know it was me.” I whispered, my voice icy.

“No matter how many times you tell me, I am never going to believe you,” Gale said simply.