Great, so Jacob puts her at risk by phasing when he's emotional and Edward's venom nixes getting closer to her. At this rate, if Bella wants a physical relationship she'll wind up with someone like Mike....

God Edward is a douche.  Please don't tell me we are going to have a New Moon event and that someone (preferably Jazz or Em) can talk to him.  Gosh, for 100 years old, he sure can't communicate.

Author's Response:

LOL! Pretty canon of his character, don't you think? I know a lot of readers won't be thrilled with him, but he does redeem himself once he grabs a brain...and a clue :)

thanks so much for reading and reviewing! I am uploading the next chapter into the queue as soon as I am done responding to reviews! In the meantime, here's your teaser:

After a quick, and rather chilly, shower to try and awaken me, I dried off and finished getting ready for my day. I found a black long-sleeved shirt and a pair of ripped jeans and pulled them on. I picked up my shoes and bag and hauled them slowly down the stairs before meeting Charlie for breakfast.

"Morning, Bells," he greeted me with a smile and the raise of his mug.

"Morning. Coffee?" I asked, both wondering if there was some for me and if he'd like a warm up. He nodded toward the pot as I made my way over there. I pulled out a coffee mug and filled it before taking the almost empty pot over to re-fill Charlie's. I took my usual seat across from him, pulling my legs up to my chest as I drank my coffee black.

"You should eat something, kiddo. I'll make you something if you want. I pour a mean bowl of Cheerios," he joked.

I snickered and shook my head. "Thanks. I'll just pop some toast in the toaster before I head to school. I just…need a minute."

He smiled at me and sighed before drinking the last of his coffee. "Alright. I'm off to work. Try and have a good day today, okay? Call if you need anything, you hear?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Dad." He got up from his chair and crossed the small dining area and kissed me atop the head before leaving the kitchen.

I sat there for a few minutes sipping at my coffee, waiting for the caffeine to kick me into high gear. As I placed my empty cup in the sink, I noticed the time on the microwave and realized I was going to be late if I didn't leave now. I rushed to the door and slipped my shoes on quickly before grabbing my bag. With the door locked behind me, I stumbled down the stairs and climbed into my truck.

Fortunately, when I pulled into the parking lot I was actually a couple of minutes early. It took me a minute, but as I crossed the lot I noticed that Edward's car was missing from its usual spot. I took a quick look around to see if maybe he parked elsewhere, but my search came up empty.

My chest tightened as I remembered my dream, and wondered if maybe I had pushed him too far by going behind his back to Alice. I felt sick as I ran across the slick pavement and through the double doors to the school. I made it to my locker and tried to focus on gathering the right books, but everything was blurring together as the panic rose.

I tried to tell myself that maybe he was just late. Or maybe he chose to skip a few classes this morning. Yeah, he'll be here for lunch,I told myself. I felt a little lighter as I repeated that over and over to myself and I was able to finally concentrate on my morning classes.

He didn't show, however, and this just propelled me back into a full-fledged panic attack. I sat with Jessica at lunch and she tried to cheer me up, but it was no use. My eyes kept travelling to our empty table, or to where his brothers and sisters sat as though everything was right in the world.

Alice looked over at me and smiled, but her smile seemed forced and…sympathetic. I tried to shake it off, but it haunted me. I was just about to stand up and make my way over there when the bell rang. As soon as Jessica and I parted ways, I could feel the anxiety creep its way back in. I walked slowly to biology, panicking the entire way to the classroom. A small part of me clung to the idea that he would still make it for class.

Mr. Banner started the video and I stared at the closed door, hoping and praying that Edward would pull it open and saunter in at any minute. I bit my lower lip relentlessly, each second more excruciating than the last, until the lights flickered on and the bell rang. I blinked rapidly, trying to force my eyes to adjust to the fluorescent lighting in the classroom as everyone bustled around me, gathering their things.

Having learned absolutely nothing from the video I stared blankly at for the hour, I stood from my seat and went blindly about the rest of my school day. My mind was constantly going back to Edward's mysterious absence in biology and what it could possibly mean.

When I arrived in English, I found Jess sitting in her seat waiting for me. Her smile faded from her face as soon as she saw the distress in my eyes.

"B, what's wrong?" she asked quietly, leaning across the aisle.

I shook my head as my focus blurred. "He wasn't there," I answered monotonously.

xoxo,

AG1981

Poor Bella. Edward should really work on his sensitivity. He's such an idiot.

And why is it such a big deal to Charlie that Bella had sex with her boyfriend? That he flips because of the bruises I can understand, but not because of the sex. She's what 17/18?  That's pretty normal at that age.

Author's Response: Yeah, Edward's not too bright :P And, yes, while teenage sex (Bella is 18), IDK that ANY dad ever wants that to happen in his house, KWIM? Couple that with what looks like an abusive relationship, and I think any parent would overreact (I know I would). so, had it just been sex, I am sure he'd have been upset, but he likely wouldn't have overreacted as much. Thanks for reading! I have just uploaded the next chapter, but, here's your teaser: When lunch rolled around, I found Bella sitting alone at our table. Her lunch was spread out in front of her, but she was staring at it—or rather, through it—instead of eating. I pulled a chair up next to her and kissed her cheek before sitting. Even that one small kiss sent sparks shooting through my body, and I found myself struggling to keep a minimum safe distance. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply as the image of her bruises came crashing back as if to ground me. "How was class?" I asked. I waited a minute, but Bella didn't respond, she just continued to stare through the table. I ran my chilled fingers across the warm skin of her cheek. "Love?" Her head snapped toward me. "What?" she asked innocently. She looked at me for a moment before wiping at her eyes, which had just started to threaten tears. "Oh, class. It was fine." She picked up her sandwich and looked as if trying to remember how to take a bite. "You?" "Also fine," I answered softly. "Are you going to actually eat that?" I asked, nodding toward her sandwich with a smirk, hoping to lighten the heavy mood. Bella's brow furrowed as she contemplated my question. "Nope," she said as she set the sandwich back down. "I'm really not." "You should eat," I suggested, pushing the sandwich a little closer to her. Bella offered me the first smile I'd seen from her in twenty-four hours and her hand reached up and cupped my cheek. I could feel the warmth from the pad of her thumb stroke underneath my eye. "Said the pot to the kettle," she said softly. With a sigh, I leaned my face into her touch and covered her hand with mine. "I will later. But right now, this is about you." "I'll be fine," she whispered, turning her face to look out the window as the rain poured down in sheets. "Maybe we should talk about this some more," I suggested carefully, not really wanting to start a fight in the middle of the cafeteria. Bella's sigh was strained. "We really don't. You made it quite clear where you stood on the matter," she told me, and if I hadn't heard a tiny inflection in her voice, I would have started to rejoice that she was working her way toward acceptance. "And after speaking with Alice last night, I'm okay with your decision." "Excuse me?" My eyes snapped back toward her and watched as she moved her face slowly back around to me. Bella sighed and offered me an uncertain smile as she leaned forward on the table and cocked an eyebrow again. "I talked to Alice last night. I can wait a few more months…until graduation. And then Alice is going to change me," she said with unwavering conviction. "There will be no more excuses for us not to be together." xoxo, AG1981

Oh wow.  I can't believe she told Jess and Charlie about the bruises!  This is a mess of epic porportions.  Can't wait for the next chapter!

Author's Response:

Trust our Bella to find a messy situation, huh? LOL!

Thanks for reading! I have just uploaded the next chapter, but, here's your teaser:

When lunch rolled around, I found Bella sitting alone at our table. Her lunch was spread out in front of her, but she was staring at it—or rather, through it—instead of eating. I pulled a chair up next to her and kissed her cheek before sitting. Even that one small kiss sent sparks shooting through my body, and I found myself struggling to keep a minimum safe distance. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply as the image of her bruises came crashing back as if to ground me.

"How was class?" I asked. I waited a minute, but Bella didn't respond, she just continued to stare through the table. I ran my chilled fingers across the warm skin of her cheek. "Love?"

Her head snapped toward me. "What?" she asked innocently. She looked at me for a moment before wiping at her eyes, which had just started to threaten tears. "Oh, class. It was fine." She picked up her sandwich and looked as if trying to remember how to take a bite. "You?"

"Also fine," I answered softly. "Are you going to actually eat that?" I asked, nodding toward her sandwich with a smirk, hoping to lighten the heavy mood.

Bella's brow furrowed as she contemplated my question. "Nope," she said as she set the sandwich back down. "I'm really not."

"You should eat," I suggested, pushing the sandwich a little closer to her.

Bella offered me the first smile I'd seen from her in twenty-four hours and her hand reached up and cupped my cheek. I could feel the warmth from the pad of her thumb stroke underneath my eye. "Said the pot to the kettle," she said softly.

With a sigh, I leaned my face into her touch and covered her hand with mine. "I will later. But right now, this is about you."

"I'll be fine," she whispered, turning her face to look out the window as the rain poured down in sheets.

"Maybe we should talk about this some more," I suggested carefully, not really wanting to start a fight in the middle of the cafeteria.

Bella's sigh was strained. "We really don't. You made it quite clear where you stood on the matter," she told me, and if I hadn't heard a tiny inflection in her voice, I would have started to rejoice that she was working her way toward acceptance. "And after speaking with Alice last night, I'm okay with your decision."

"Excuse me?" My eyes snapped back toward her and watched as she moved her face slowly back around to me.

Bella sighed and offered me an uncertain smile as she leaned forward on the table and cocked an eyebrow again. "I talked to Alice last night. I can wait a few more months…until graduation. And then Alice is going to change me," she said with unwavering conviction. "There will be no more excuses for us not to be together."

xoxo,
AG1981

Talk about over exagerrating on the part of all men.   Edward is the worst but Charlie comes in a close second.  God save Bella from over protective men.  Can't wait to read more,

Author's Response:

And let's not forget Jake for the first few chapters...he was also super over-protective :P

Thanks for reading! I have just uploaded the next chapter, but, here's your teaser:

When lunch rolled around, I found Bella sitting alone at our table. Her lunch was spread out in front of her, but she was staring at it—or rather, through it—instead of eating. I pulled a chair up next to her and kissed her cheek before sitting. Even that one small kiss sent sparks shooting through my body, and I found myself struggling to keep a minimum safe distance. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply as the image of her bruises came crashing back as if to ground me.

"How was class?" I asked. I waited a minute, but Bella didn't respond, she just continued to stare through the table. I ran my chilled fingers across the warm skin of her cheek. "Love?"

Her head snapped toward me. "What?" she asked innocently. She looked at me for a moment before wiping at her eyes, which had just started to threaten tears. "Oh, class. It was fine." She picked up her sandwich and looked as if trying to remember how to take a bite. "You?"

"Also fine," I answered softly. "Are you going to actually eat that?" I asked, nodding toward her sandwich with a smirk, hoping to lighten the heavy mood.

Bella's brow furrowed as she contemplated my question. "Nope," she said as she set the sandwich back down. "I'm really not."

"You should eat," I suggested, pushing the sandwich a little closer to her.

Bella offered me the first smile I'd seen from her in twenty-four hours and her hand reached up and cupped my cheek. I could feel the warmth from the pad of her thumb stroke underneath my eye. "Said the pot to the kettle," she said softly.

With a sigh, I leaned my face into her touch and covered her hand with mine. "I will later. But right now, this is about you."

"I'll be fine," she whispered, turning her face to look out the window as the rain poured down in sheets.

"Maybe we should talk about this some more," I suggested carefully, not really wanting to start a fight in the middle of the cafeteria.

Bella's sigh was strained. "We really don't. You made it quite clear where you stood on the matter," she told me, and if I hadn't heard a tiny inflection in her voice, I would have started to rejoice that she was working her way toward acceptance. "And after speaking with Alice last night, I'm okay with your decision."

"Excuse me?" My eyes snapped back toward her and watched as she moved her face slowly back around to me.

Bella sighed and offered me an uncertain smile as she leaned forward on the table and cocked an eyebrow again. "I talked to Alice last night. I can wait a few more months…until graduation. And then Alice is going to change me," she said with unwavering conviction. "There will be no more excuses for us not to be together."

xoxo,
AG1981

Aside from Edward's obvious overreaction, I loved this chapter.  :)  I'm so glad he came back to Bella, and that they made love, but please don't let him overreact to her bruises so badly that he leaves her, or tells her they can't be together.  Someone needs to make Edward understand that Bella bruises easilly, and that bruises are nothing compared to what could have happened.  Of course, I want them to be together forever, so I wouldn't have minded if he bit her.  But then, if he had bitten her, he would have overreacted even more -- even though she had told him before that this is what she wants.  Of course, with Jacob right outside this would not have been a good time for that.

Speaking of Jacob, how creepy of him to be outside listening to Edward and Bella make love.  What a pervert he is.  After hearing that they were making love, I'm sort of surprised that Jacob didn't burst in on them and try to stop them.  Trust me, I'm glad he didn't, but for him to stay there listening was just gross.  But after hearing Edward and Bella together, perhaps Jacob will get it into his head -- finally -- that Bella is in love with Edward, and will never want Jacob that way.  I hope this will be enough to make him leave her alone now.  Although, I'm sure, at some point, he will confront her about it.

Thanks for another awesome chapter.  I'm really pleading with you to not let Edward leave Bella, and for him to get over this overreaction sooner rather than later.  Maybe Alice or Carlisle could talk some sense into Edward, even though he's so stubborn!  Thanks again for this awesome chapter!  As always, I'm eagerly awaiting the next one.  :)

Great chapter.  Loved the lovin', but didn't love the leavin'.  Sigh.  Get your head out of your ass, Eddie Boy.

I thought the chapter was excellent.  I think that Jacob is so jealous cause you know his perverted self was outside listening to them make love.  I know that Edward thinks he hurt Bella but we all know that he didn't really hurt her.  Bruises are a natural part of rough sex and we all love rough sex right?  Can't wait for the next chapter.

Not slow, but getting to know the characters.

Well, about the shirt - he is really cute and does look great without the shirt

Nice variant on the original.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS STORY!

please update soon, I'm going out of my mind thinking about what's going to happen next chapter.

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! I just uploaded the next chapter, so it should be validated soon because I have the worlds' best VB EVER!

Thanks for reading and reviewing! Here's your teaser!

The wind was blowing lightly and the air was moist in anticipation of tonight's oncoming thunder storm. I could smell the electricity in the air as I stepped out of my car, closing its door behind me.

I stood motionless and just stared up at the looming white house before me. It was ridiculous, but I was incredibly nervous. I was over one hundred years old and I was pretty sure if my body were capable of it, I would be perspiring out of sheer apprehension.

The windows in the house were all blackened, save for Bella's room. There was a dim light coming from what I assumed to be her bedside lamp and Charlie's cruiser was nowhere to be seen so I figured it was safe to say that he was at work.

With a deep breath, I steeled my resolve and propelled my body forward until I was standing outside the door. With one final sigh, I lifted a shaking finger to ring the bell. It seemed like an eternity while I waited for her to answer and I started to wonder if maybe she knew that it was me and she wasn't going to...in hopes that I would take the hint.

I took a sharp breath and held it as the door opened suddenly.

Her body was visible, but she was leaning out of the entrance way as she rifled through her jacket pocket. "That was quick, how much do I owe y—" Her bloodshot eyes met mine as she stood up straight, and I couldn't help but notice the dark circles that had taken up residence beneath them.

She blinked a few times in quick succession as if she was seeing things before I noticed her eyes glisten slightly as a buildup of tears threatened to spill over. "Edward?" she whispered in disbelief.

I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She was dressed in a pair of flannel pants and a tank top, her brown hair wet from the shower she had taken very recently. She seemed exhausted, and she appeared even more pale than usual.

With my right arm, I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to me quickly. A flash of lightning lit up the sky and the booming thunder could be heard as her body crashed solidly into mine. She released the money in her hand and the coins clinked loudly against the front stoop as the bills blew off into the night.

Of course, she didn't soften into my embrace right away as I held her tightly to me, breathing her in completely. Her hair, her neck…everything. Her body shook softly in my arms as her sobs finally broke free and her tears fell onto my shoulder. With her body now moulding into mine, she wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her face in my shoulder as she cried.

"I'm so sorry!" she cried hysterically between sobs as her lips kissed my neck and she tried to strengthen her grip on me. I swept us both through the door, kicking it closed behind us as my lips sought out hers.

Another flash of lighting brightened up the darkened entrance way as our lips were finally one. Bella's body began to vibrate as my hands firmly gripped her waist.

"I was such an idiot," she mumbled against my mouth. "I didn't mean any of it. I take it all back. I need you in my life...no matter what. I'll let it go, whatever you want…just…" she took a deep, shaky breath and parted our lips, keeping her eyes closed tightly. "Can you ever forgive me?"

I leaned my forehead against hers and smoothed her hair back off of her face. Pulling her swollen bottom lip between her teeth, she opened her eyes slowly and looked up into mine. I could feel her forehead crease with worry against my own as her chin quivered.

"Please," she whispered, a lone tear falling down her cheek. Her voice cracked as she spoke and my un-beating heart strained as I cradled her face.

I smiled at her. "Bella, it is I who should be begging you for forgiveness. Not the other way around."

"But I…"

Pulling her body to mine, I embraced her tightly as I shushed her before placing my lips to hers again in a tender kiss. Her arms wound up around my neck as she twisted her fingers into the hair at the nape of my neck.

I began to kiss her jaw and trailed down her neck. "I love you so much," I whispered against the warm flesh of her neck.

Every inch of my body tingled as Bella pressed her body into mine. I brought my face back up to hers and met her eyes. There was no questioning my next move. It felt right.

I was going to live in the moment.

xoxo,

AG1981

What has she done now?  I can't believe that he believed her.  Dumbasses all around.

Author's Response:

Yeah, add stupidity to teens and it's just insanity all around :P

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! I just uploaded the next chapter, but in the meantime, here's your teaser!

The wind was blowing lightly and the air was moist in anticipation of tonight's oncoming thunder storm. I could smell the electricity in the air as I stepped out of my car, closing its door behind me.

I stood motionless and just stared up at the looming white house before me. It was ridiculous, but I was incredibly nervous. I was over one hundred years old and I was pretty sure if my body were capable of it, I would be perspiring out of sheer apprehension.

The windows in the house were all blackened, save for Bella's room. There was a dim light coming from what I assumed to be her bedside lamp and Charlie's cruiser was nowhere to be seen so I figured it was safe to say that he was at work.

With a deep breath, I steeled my resolve and propelled my body forward until I was standing outside the door. With one final sigh, I lifted a shaking finger to ring the bell. It seemed like an eternity while I waited for her to answer and I started to wonder if maybe she knew that it was me and she wasn't going to...in hopes that I would take the hint.

I took a sharp breath and held it as the door opened suddenly.

Her body was visible, but she was leaning out of the entrance way as she rifled through her jacket pocket. "That was quick, how much do I owe y—" Her bloodshot eyes met mine as she stood up straight, and I couldn't help but notice the dark circles that had taken up residence beneath them.

She blinked a few times in quick succession as if she was seeing things before I noticed her eyes glisten slightly as a buildup of tears threatened to spill over. "Edward?" she whispered in disbelief.

I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She was dressed in a pair of flannel pants and a tank top, her brown hair wet from the shower she had taken very recently. She seemed exhausted, and she appeared even more pale than usual.

With my right arm, I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to me quickly. A flash of lightning lit up the sky and the booming thunder could be heard as her body crashed solidly into mine. She released the money in her hand and the coins clinked loudly against the front stoop as the bills blew off into the night.

Of course, she didn't soften into my embrace right away as I held her tightly to me, breathing her in completely. Her hair, her neck…everything. Her body shook softly in my arms as her sobs finally broke free and her tears fell onto my shoulder. With her body now moulding into mine, she wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her face in my shoulder as she cried.

"I'm so sorry!" she cried hysterically between sobs as her lips kissed my neck and she tried to strengthen her grip on me. I swept us both through the door, kicking it closed behind us as my lips sought out hers.

Another flash of lighting brightened up the darkened entrance way as our lips were finally one. Bella's body began to vibrate as my hands firmly gripped her waist.

"I was such an idiot," she mumbled against my mouth. "I didn't mean any of it. I take it all back. I need you in my life...no matter what. I'll let it go, whatever you want…just…" she took a deep, shaky breath and parted our lips, keeping her eyes closed tightly. "Can you ever forgive me?"

I leaned my forehead against hers and smoothed her hair back off of her face. Pulling her swollen bottom lip between her teeth, she opened her eyes slowly and looked up into mine. I could feel her forehead crease with worry against my own as her chin quivered.

"Please," she whispered, a lone tear falling down her cheek. Her voice cracked as she spoke and my un-beating heart strained as I cradled her face.

I smiled at her. "Bella, it is I who should be begging you for forgiveness. Not the other way around."

"But I…"

Pulling her body to mine, I embraced her tightly as I shushed her before placing my lips to hers again in a tender kiss. Her arms wound up around my neck as she twisted her fingers into the hair at the nape of my neck.

I began to kiss her jaw and trailed down her neck. "I love you so much," I whispered against the warm flesh of her neck.

Every inch of my body tingled as Bella pressed her body into mine. I brought my face back up to hers and met her eyes. There was no questioning my next move. It felt right.

I was going to live in the moment.

xoxo,

AG1981