A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! THIS IS THE LAST CHAPTER. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ADDED ME AND THIS STORY TO THEIR ALERTS AND FAVORITES AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED.
Bella sat curled up in the corner of her room with her shield pulled up. She rocked back and forth as small tears fell down her cheeks. It had been two weeks since James's attack and Bella had only grown closer to the Cullen's. In fact she trusted them 100%. The only reason she was hiding at the moment was because everyone was getting ready for her parents funeral . It was just going to be small in a church with a few of her parents close friends. Bella didn't want to attend. Carlisle walked in.
"Come on Bella, the limo is here."
"Can you write me a doctor's note saying I've been given permission not to go?" she whimpered through her shield.
Carlisle chuckled. "Funerals don't work like that Bella. I am not going to force you to go but I really think you should."
With that Carlisle went downstairs. Everyone was waiting.
"I can't get her to go." He sighed.
"We've all tried, maybe we should just cancel it." Emmet said.
"No, we haven't all tried." Alice said.
"Where is Edward?" Carlisle asked.
"Talking to the limo driver. He should be back inside in a second. Do you think he can help?"
"Edward was the first one Bella ever trusted. If anyone can break through her shield he can."
Everyone nodded understanding the double meaning behind it. Edward came back inside.
"Everyone ready? The driver isn't going to wait much longer."
"Bella is still held up in her room. You need to go up there and break down her shield." Carlisle explained.
Edward went upstairs and into Bella's room. He sat in front of her.
"Hey you, what's with the shield? Was Emmet threatening to tickle you again?"
"No…"
"Was Alice wanting to play Barbie Bella?"
"No…"
"Was Rosalie mean to you in some way?"
"No…"
"Then what is it Love? Why are you hiding behind your shield? It's been months since you last felt the need to use it."
"I don't want to go today. I don't want to say goodbye."
"Oh Bella, it won't be easy trust me I know it's never easy saying goodbye to someone you love but we will all be there with you. You won't be alone."
"I can't."
"Yes you can. Bella I promise I'll be by your side the whole time. Come on you'll be kicking yourself if you don't go. It's your last chance to say goodbye."
Bella's shield slowly started to lower. "The whole time?"
"Until you tell me it's ok to leave I won't"
"I can stay with you?"
"Of course, the others won't get mad."
Bella let her shield down. She stood up. "Ok…let's do it."
Edward stood up and took her right into her arms. Together they went downstairs. No one said anything as they appeared.
"Bella's just going to cling to me today." Edward said.
They just nodded. Everyone got into the limo.
"Bella would you like to say something?" Carlisle asked.
"No. I don't want to speak."
"Ok. "
The ride over was quiet. Finally they got to the church. Everyone got out and went inside. They sat down in the front row and Bella whimpered when she saw the caskets.
"Shhh it's all right love. I'm right here." Edward soothed rubbing her back.
Soon the Pastor started.
"We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of two wonderful people. Reenee' and Charlie Swan were taken from this earth too early. Let it be of small comfort to us though that they are with the Lord now and aren't suffering any pain and are watching over their daughter Bella from above. Some of you may know Charlie because he was the Chief of Police here in Forks and was always keeping our city safe. We will always be grateful to him for that. These two would not want us all here today to cry over them but to celebrate the life they lived before their death. I'm going to open the stage if anyone wants to come and speak they may."
A few of Bella's parents friends got up to speak. Bella was too hysterical to say anything. She could barely breathe because she was crying so hard. She was in more pain now then she was when James attacked her. Edward just hugged her close wishing he could help her. He knew that if they were alone she'd have her shield up just because she was so uncomfortable with what was going on around her.
"Go on Bella go say something." Carlisle encouraged.
"I'm scared."
"What if I go with you?" Edward asked.
"I'll just cry more. I'll be up there crying."
"I'll keep you calm but only with your permission." Jasper said. "I want you to still grief like you have to."
"Just while I'm up there then you can stop." Bella nodded.
"Ok."
Bella stood up and went onto the stage.
"Um Hi I'm Bella Swan the daughter to the dea…to them…." Bella's breathing picked up. She suddenly felt calm wash over her. She looked at Jasper and mouth 'thank you'. Jasper gave a small smile and a small nod. "I was really scared about getting up here and talking. Making speeches was never my thing but I think it's time I let down my shield and stop living in fear. Anyway Pastor was right, my parents wouldn't want this time to be about their death they'd want us to celebrate their life and the people they were. They'd want us to grief but then move on. As hard as it will be I know I can do it. I know you all can do it because we've got friends and family to support us. When you have a great supportive family the bad stuff doesn't seem as bad. I learned that from my new family The Cullen's they took me into their home when they barely knew me but now we are all a family and I couldn't have gotten past these few months without them…."
Bella turned towards the caskets.
"Mom, dad I love you both very much and I don't want you to worry about me because I'm going to be ok. I'll always miss you and never forget you. Goodbye."
Bella went off stage and back to seat. Jasper let her feel her own emotions again and she broke out into tears. Edward just hugged her. "I'm proud of you Love. You did it."
"I couldn't have done it without you Edward I love you."
"I love you too Bella."
Edward kissed her and held her close, sure she'd need time to heal from her parents death but she took the most important step today and did the number one most important thing and in more ways than one, Bella had finally Let Down Her Shield.
A/N that's the end. Thank you to everyone who reviewed and added me and this story to their alerts and favorites. I also want to thank TwilightElena for co-writing this story with me. For sneak peeks at my future work fan me on facebook here: com/pages/Hopelessromanticgurl/122036234528562