A bittersweet story indeed; and one that touches me personally. My mother had polio when she was 9 years old and suffered lifelong health problems because of it, including severe scoliosis which left one shoulder several inches lower than the other even after corrective surgery when she was 33. Despite that she bore 4 healthy children who loved her deeply and miss her every day.

Since it's nearly extinct in the Western world we don't pay it much attention nowadays, but just over 50 years ago it was dreaded as few other illnesses were.

 

Author's Response:

Thank you for sharing your review as well as your personal story.  I did research polio for this story and was really touched by how frightened parents must have been of their children getting this disease.  I was also facinated by the state of children's hospitals at that time.  They were treated like mini adults in many ways.  I do hope the story was written with the comapssion I felt and gave readers an issue worth reflecting on.  Thank you, again!

Damn chica. That was amazing and beautifully written. I'm quite a fan of Carlisle and Esme, the whole family dynamic really. This was excellently rendered and I'm glad you shared this with us. Kwwp up the amazing work.

This piece was soooo hot!! It's always bothered me that we never got a glimpse into the depths of Esme's and Carlisle's love for each other which influences the love lives of all the Cullens within The Twilight Saga books! I so wanted to feel Calisle's and Esme's passion! I wasn't disappointed with this story that's for sure! It was fun to see Carlisle's and Esme's tastes in music; One might believe that Carlisle, especially, was "set in his ways," within classical and chamber music frameworks because of his prior human life. I can visualize both Young Kim's drawings and our flesh and bone Carlisle and Esme of the Twilight movies acting out these 8 days of lovemaking bliss!

(Note: No disrespect to Peter Facinelli's  and Elizabeth Reaser's marriages intended! You 2 will always be my kind, sweet, generous and loving Carlisle and Esme; you make each other look good without ego-tripping! It's a tribute to your mutual respect and professionalism for each other; it can't be faked!) 

Yes, it's an imprinting! (Smiles!) Edward never saw any females --human or vampire---emotionally, mentally, physically or spiritually worthy if his unique nature (regardless of his past human life or present vampire state,), his talents and his love until Bella entered his life. That self-loathing always halts Edward from seeing what is so blessed and beneficial to his eternal life!

Bella was just as unique as Edward was and her unreadable thoughts motivated and forced Edward to explore who Bella was as a friend and a sweetheart; despite all his misgivings about their future together. (Ooo, again I see a biological and heavenly plan in all of this! LOL!) ! Edward was also forced to examine that a relationship with any kind of female should be a natural occurrence and it shouldn't be feared. Yes, in a way, Esme was right---Edward was a bit too young to be changed; but, with Bella's and the Cullens' help and love, Edward ultimately matured.  I love how you filled the gap about the Cullens' feelings for leaving Bella! New Moon feels more complete now! Bravo! 

Now I think I'm gonna go check out the "Through Their eyes oneshots"!!!!!

Author's Response:

Thanks for reading and leaving a comment!  I hope you do enjoy the other entries in the "Through Their Eyes" series!  Happy New Year!

Such a good story.

Esme has the patience and love of a saint! She surely was the most loving and sweetest second mom Edward could ever hope for! Carlisle endures much for love too. I like to believe that Elizabeth and Edward Masen, Sr. would have been very proud to have Edward "raised" by Esme and Carlisle! You did a fine job of reflecting Carlisle's and Esme's internal anxieties and quarreling with each other. I look forward to reading the other stories in this series! 

I've always felt that the Cullens' acts of mercy towards humans meant that the Cullens deserved mercy and a second chance for "Heaven" in return; even if that meant an eternity of Heaven on Earth! There had to be some divine plan--Carlisle's belief in God's mercy and forgiveness is this family's foundation. So enters Bella with her total love, kindness, acceptance and unknown psychic abilities, as the heaven-sent catalyst for fulfilling Edward's and the Cullens' lost human life experiences. For her ultimate reward, Bella doesn't lose her human experiences (loving a man, becoming a mother,) before transforming into a vampire as Edward had agonized about. 

You give me so much to reflect over!

 

Author's Response:

Hello again!!  This story was a venture into a darker side -- Edward killing and justifying it with an edge of insanity, Carlisle losing his composure, and Esme going behind his back.  I can tell some folks balked at it as it is the only story of mine with a low rating on Twi'd.  But, stress makes us all less than perfect.

I love your perspective on heaven on Earth for the Cullen's because of their choices.  And as "perfectly matched mates" is does seem God grants them that!  Maybe that's another reason I love the characters so much!  Thanks for giving me that point to reflect over.

Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful review.  If you like things to mull over, do read Catharsis (in which Carlisle debates over the value of a life--mother's and baby's) and Saving Grace (which looks at the issue of mercy killing).  But maybe wait until after the holidays, too much heavy thinking isn't fun this time of year!!

Lisa

 

The good Doctor Cullen really had no choice. It wasn't in him to deny this mother's death-bed request. He had the power to grant her last wish, plus it gave him the companion he had so long wanted. Vampire or not, Carlisle's one of the good guys!

Author's Response:

I love Carlilse!!  Guess what, I got to "meet" PFach at a Twi Convention this past summer.  I have a pic with him and I brought my stethoscope and he wore it in the picture!!  PFach or Dr. Daddy -- he's hot.  Wish they didn't mess with his looks so much in BD1!

The power of a mother's love is an awesome force for good. Just look how much it influenced Edward! Esme knew there was a good heart under that vengeful killer facade, and her faith was rewarded. Good thing, too, as she and Carlisle would have never survived his killing Edward. Best outcome, all around.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much.  It was difficult to write a 'sour' Edward, but interesting to write conflict btwn Carlisle and Esme, both of whom were very distressed.  Thank you for being such a wonderful reader and reviewer!

this is a very good story. it brought me to tears

Great new story!!! Good to hear from you!!!

Thank you so much, for filling in a much needed hole in the saga. SM and the movie concentrated so much on Bella and Edward, that the rest of the family sort of got short shrift. I always thought their pain was nearly as bad, since Bella was family, too. They all loved her(except maybe Rosalie) as much as Edward, just in a different way. New Moon always has made me want to knock a couple of heads together, you know?

Author's Response:

Did I forget to respond to your review??? Shame on me -- such a wonderful reviewer should never go unthanked!!  I hear you on NM.  Thanks for reading this difficult chapter.  I promise the next addition to this series will be fluff and hopefully a little lemony -- C&E deserve a bit-o-fun!

This was amazing to read, and very emotional to read. I enjoyed every moment of the past that was written here.

Brie,

Author's Response:

Thanks so much for reading/reviewing/rating.  Your input is always appreciated, Brie.