Man, what a sad, sad chapter!  Despite that, Edward's musings about the dog, were hilarious!!!!  I love Ed's personality, although right now I want to kill him! Grrr....He was such a bastard to her! He really needs to grovel big time!!!!  Hurry with the next chapter....

Author's Response:

Hi there TraceyJ!

Thanks for the feedback! I had to add in the section about the dog because Edward is so possessive even when it's practical (That breed of dog definitely would keep her safe) he can't stand the idea of sharing her affection with anyone. And I had to write the dog instantly reading his character, since they are good judges of people. The dog takes one look at him and knows before Bella does that he's a jerk. And yeah, I wanted to kill him to, and I wrote the darn chapter. It was important to me that he not use the NM reasons at all. He didn't leave out of welfare for her. He left to protect Mary Alice. He left because he saw his continued fascination with her scent as something that got in the way of him being able to protect his family. He left because he knew that he and Bella would never mate, but if one of his siblings were killed - that would take out two members of his family after he saw how Eve and her mate died. He can't bear that. And at the root of his delusion is the idea that the Cullens only value him because he protects them. So he has to go and do his duty in his mind.

And you are right, groveling doesn't even begin to cover what he needs to do. What precisely does one say if you re-read all the stuff he  hurled at her - believing every single word was the truth. Sorry? My bad? Oops? Just kidding? Can't you take a joke?

:)

Books

i think that the picture i put in the review doesn't show, so i'll send you the link...

http://www.welcomechile.com/donde/mundo.gif

Author's Response:

It did, It did show. It's muy bonita!

Many thanks,

 

Books

that was quite a ride... he convinced himself that he knew best and that his actions truly would be better for everyone... you couldn't help but feel badly for him when he was thinking that his actions would only help his family in the matter of wanting to keep him... he thought they would want to go back to how he was before so he had to do what he did to bella... it really was quite sad and I wanted to smack him for her as he was brutally honest (although we know that what he said was all how it had seemed in his brain because he still hadn't had his epiphany about his feelings and hearing how their relationship started in that way was quite harsh)... oh but when he did have his epiphany, it all just makes me crazy and I can't wait to see how cc bella deals with his actions, as she simply can't just let it go like in the books... it sure took a lot to get him here and I am really looking forward to see how all of this is dealt with!!!  edward, you really have made a mess of things, you mention that they will be in the same room in the next chapter, but I am definitely curious as to how that will go, as I really hope she lets him have it (I truly feel for him, but he does have some growing up to do, I mean being stuck at that age doesn't mean you have to always act like an emo teen, he really showed signs of his progress though)!!!

Author's Response:

Hi there fanficreader83!

Thanks so much for the feedback! That was a really tough chapter to write. And Edward was a complete asshole in picking on her disability, and arguing that the whole orgasm kissing business was due to her being a weak human, not to how she felt. I wanted to make sure that everything he said was true (in his mind). So when you go and re-read what he says and think of an apology......what the heck does he do with that? Oops? Sorry? My bad? Kidding?

So yeah, he really has his work cut out for him. And he will indeed be in the same room with Bella in the next chapter. You have my solemn promise that she is not going to take him back in a nano-second. If you look at how Bella has handled conflict throughout this story you will be able to predict a bit of what she'll do. To me, CC Bella does not talk much but when she does it matters. So the dialogue between them in the future will be all sorts of murder to edit. *whines*

Edward has more than Bella as a problem is your hint for next chapter. All the people who are mad at him are going to have to take a number and stand in line.

I'm having a blast with this section as you can see. :)

Thanks so for much coming with me on this crazy ride.

Best,

Books

Wow! Love that picture of the ocean undwer the noon! I miss the ocean, living in Denver now. I used to live right by the ocean and could go anytime and now...we have to plan long trips to the coatal states!

Anyway, GREAT chapter as always. I have not known you to write a bad chapter. This story is an epic! I wish other writer's at fanfic sites could take some lessons from you!

Great chapter as usual! You are the best!

Disney Vampire

Author's Response:

Hi there Disney Vampire!

I found that picture on the google maps. It is from the Forks area although it took forever to find it. :) I wanted pictures that would evoke the mood. Thanks so much for the feedback on the chapter. I've never written angst. And I'm not going to drag out their separation. I covered about 8 months in that one chapter. I think I march to a different drummer than other writers, but thanks for the compliment. Many are horrified at how long this story is. Not, mind you, that I give a damn. *snorts*

 

Best,

 

Books

 

Go Broncos!

I love protective Edward and was laughing over him and her smell changing after she flat ironed her hair.  I fear that I have quite a bit to catch up on but I have faith that I will do it sometime this year as long as you don't update too often!

Moving on!

 

Jaime

Author's Response:

You helped with the next chapter, Jaime, so it should be familiar to you. :) And yeah, there's a lot of reading ahead, some of the chapters are over 20k. But I am hoping you'll enjoy it. :) Thanks so much for the review, hon.

I had so much fun with the flat ironing. I don't know about you, but I remember the days of curling irons and how my hair would smell funny after using them. So I had to do that here. And the idea of Edward crumping a simple flat iron to protect her hair. Too funny.

Best,

 

Books

I think I'm seeing the connections b/n Bella and some of these visions, but I could be dead wrong and I really am not sure what it means so I'm withholding my ideas!  I can't wait to find out moreto solve this mystery.  You are great at weaving all of the mysteries into the plot of Edward falling in love and I can't wait to see how all o this relates together.  There is so much going on in this story, I wished I had the next 8 hrs to just sit and read it!

Author's Response:

Hi there lovebooks!

Thanks so much for your feedback! I can tell you that much of what you want to learn has already been posted, so you'll have time this weekend, right? I'm delighted to hear you are enjoying my sick and twisted romp through the Twilight universe.

Best,

Books

Starched Shirt Edward is praying for you. Winking at you, too.

Okay, you definitely caught me off-guard with the whole thing of Seth being Paula and Charlie's long lost son!  I love seeing Edward slowly allow himself real feelings, most of the time without even realizing it.  I may have to go back to the original chapters toreread in light of all this background, but still have so much to read to get up to speed here!   But from all this so far, Tanya NEVER stood a chance at seducing Edward away from Bella, and he hasn't even fully fallen in love yet!  Bella's confidence in him makes so much more sense though...

Author's Response:

Hi there lovebooks!

I live to surprise. :) Thanks for the praise. Edward's evolution will be slow and he's going to have several wake-up calls along the way - but he's also pig stubborn. Denial is his middle name. And you are right Tanya never had a ghost of a chance with Edward. Ever. Nor will she. Ever. *evil grin* Tanya still has yet to recover from that fact.

Thanks so much for the review.

Best,

Books

Once again Edard fails to undersatnd that Bella needs to be able to choose her future.  He needs to let her make the choice on the whole mortality issue.  I think that he is trying though.  He just needs help in figuring out how to let her understand his point of view without scaring her and then he needs to try to understand hers.  I think that might be the more scarry of the two personally.

Author's Response:

Hi there Lady Dragona!

You are right. :) The way I see it is that behavior that was considered normative in Edward's generation between men and women - would NOT be considered normative now. In his day, it was considered "normal" for the husband to make major decisions about the welfare of the family and inform the family members. Women couldn't vote when he died. So it doesn't really occur to Edward at this point that she should have a vote. He'll get there. :)

Best,

Books

What a rollicking good time that was! That would make such a cool movie scene!

Help, why does Bella say "please" to Carlisle re' the locket? Or something else?

The part with Eve and her mate was heartbreaking.

How Jasper, Alice, et al, will patch things up is hard to conceive. What a tangled web that Jasper didn't really weave. He's had such a rough life at times, and it continues.

Holy murderer of aphids Edward! For whatever I don't care what the heck it is reason, that must have been so hard for Bella to hear him say he'd rather she die. She seems to have already forgiven him some, or at least understood his point of view (not condemning her), since she does hold and squeeze his hand. I just know you're not done with that yet.

I cannot wait to see how you get from here to the first part of the story. That is gonna be so fun! Not all fun I know, but watching you weave the tale is very enjoyable. There is such a promise of more to come. E&B have a long way to go.

P.S. Yep, finally made it to twilighted just to review your story. :-) Does one usually just review either here or on ff, or copy the review to both places? Yep, dumb question (and yeah, there are dumb questions).

Author's Response:

Hi there CindyWindy!

Welcome to twilighted! I'm stoked that you enjoyed the chapter as I have never written a battle scene and that was not easy. :) And you are the only person so far to catch that "Please" from Bella so I'll tell you. She was begging him to change her. She heard every word and knew Edward wouldn't, so she was asking Carlisle in that word to either a) change her because she was in so much pain and feared she would die, or b) help bring Edward around. She was essentially begging him for help with their relationship because she knew she was in over her head. And Carlisle totally got it. Edward did not. 

I'm glad that Eve's death struck a nerve. I wanted to "show" how despite her loving Liam - she was happy with her mate. I also wanted to show it as a contrast with Jasper/Alice/Annie-Victoria. You're totally right on Jasper having a tough life. To me, he's had a far tougher road to hoe (pardon the pun) than Edward. And in my mind he's boat loads stronger than Edward.

And you are right in that it was devastating for Bella. Her squeezing his hand at the end of the chapter in Edward's mind was a sign that things were going well. To Bella it was her way of trying to "show" him that she loves him. He really ripped her heart out by refusing to change her. Bella assumed that he would change her so they could be together. She never asked. And Edward for his part was all about avoiding having that discussion in the first place. I would not make the assumption that because she's squeezed his hand that he's forgiven. It certainly meant that in the past (when he made that tactless comment when she vomited the first time). It doesn't mean that now. Bella's not unforgiving by nature - but she does hold onto hurt - and since she doesn't sit down and talk things through with people she either mentally excuses their behavior (think back on her telling Edward that her father always wanted a son and loves Jacob more than he loves her and that she doesn't blame him for it - because he's spent more time with Jacob than with her) or she avoids them.

I'm glad you are excited about the rest of the story. We are definitely going to be moving towards that end. Coming up next.

I have some readers who cut and paste their reviews into both sites, which I'm always flattered by, although they don't have to do it. I have other readers who will write one comment on one site, and another on the other. Do whatever you are comfortable with doing - I'm just ecstatic I got a review in the first place. :) And there is no such thing as a dumb question. :)

Thanks so much for your feedback,

Starched Shirt Edward is blowing a kiss at you,

Books

Intense battle scene.  Thank you for your throughness.  Jugurtha rocks!

Author's Response:

Hi there Cullen Concession!

I've never written a battle scene, before so thank you very much for your feedback. :) I was kinda sorta nervous about posting it. :)

 

Jugurtha thinks you rock, too.

He's throwing trout lilies at your feet.

Best,

Books

What a chapter.  The trip home and the MRI.  Poor Edward all that brain damage from using the powers.  He sure is in a catch 22.  I love that he took her to his special hideout.  What a great house.  It sounds close to perfect.  He is doing much better with talking.  He might figure this out yet.

Author's Response:

Hi there Lady Dragona!

Thanks! I wanted to give Edward multiple places that he goes to in order to "show" how isolated his life has been even while living as a Cullen. His existence in my mind consisted of going to school, pretending to belong to his family for an hour or two afterwards and then leaving the house to afford the couples privacy. Every night. For decades. And he would return in time to change for school and start it all over again. And a main theme of the wolfpire storyline has been "power requires sacrifice" so in order to use the powers, Edward has to experience pain. It's a balance, to me.

I modeled the house after one a friend of the family owned, He had cathedral ceilings in it and a wall of glass and it literally was like walking into a treehouse encased in glass. And the bedrooms were built downstairs against the side of the hill. Strange looking house on the outside, gorgeous inside. They could eat and watch deer graze.

Best,

Books

Um, wow.  These last two chapters have been doozies.  You know that I have a partiular fondness for CC Jasper and Alice, but there is no way I could have ever seen this coming.  How incredibly original!  You've woven every character into the story so far, and most of them in unique but ultimately canon-ish ways (or in many cases, better than canon ways!).  But Victoria...his wife?!?  Fantastic.  You feigned with the allusion to "Big Love" Alice, but then knocked it home with Jasper instead.  How to deal with the emotional onslaught with his Civil War era sensibilities.  Love it!  I must admit though, I am a little confused when it comes to Alice and James...were they really, or was he just working the angle?  I've got my fingers crossed for an inside look at the conversation that is sure to come between Jasper and Alice.  Hell, I'll even beg for it.  Just a *ahem* taste...?

And of course Edward kisses like that.  But that does not excuse him for his behavior.  No girl wants to hear that her newly bethrothed would rather her be dead than with him forever.  I really expected "the kiss" to be the turning point when he finally realized that it wasn't just about the scent, but it seems he still has a way to go.  I really, really hope, nonconfrontational style aside, that Bella does not let him off that easy.

I love this story.  There's just no other way to say it.  Wonderful!

Author's Response:

Hi there June!

I am delighted that I managed to surprise you. :) *evil grin* I wanted Annie to literally whallop Jasper over the head to the point where his tact and diplomacy literally went out the window - as did everyone else's because they all just froze. I have no intention of writing this as a love triangle in the traditional sense. Jasper is mated to Alice. Period. Jasper when alive loved Annie with all his heart. He "sacrificed" her by literally leaving her alone after being turned because he thought if he acted like his family was not important that was the only way he could protect them. It never occurred to him that she had been turned. And when he returned to the family mansion and found her grave, it broke his heart. He turned away from fighting because he saw that his sacrifice had been in vain. So her showing up and saying she's been searching the earth for him for over a century? Awkward. And to me it doesn't make sense to devalue his love for Annie. I never bought into that bit that SM did with imprinting of having the men "forget" their feelings of love for anyone else. Jasper loves Annie. He's fully mated to Alice. There is no decision that needs to be made. And he has no intention of insulting his first wife by asking her to "share" him. So, yeah, he's up a creek without a paddle. Because Annie has no intention of letting the other woman have him.

James is a lying scumbag. He was never married to Alice. He saw her at the asylum and her blood sang to him. Benedict turned her when he did to save her from James. James burned down the asylum in a bid to snatch her. He's been looking for her off and on ever since. You will at some point see that conversation between Alice and Jasper. I'll try to fit it in and if I have to, I'll make it a one-shot. But I promise you'll see that. Scout's honor.

The kiss for Edward most certainly made an impression. But he hasn't figured out how it worked and why. He hasn't had time to process it, and he's more than irritated that the Quileute elders took that power from him. How does he explain to Bella that he can no longer, ahem, perform like that? It's not you. It's me. Seriously. Swear. I'm not lying. This time.

Edward in his mind is completely justified in insisting that she stay human for several reasons. They'll be outlined soon but I don't mind sharing a few as they've already been articulated. First, the birds really do work now. Any one who bites her will be torn to pieces. So even if he wanted to, he doesn't see how she could be turned. Second, Bella pukes at th scent of blood. How, then would she feed? The algae is drying up, there's no guarantee that she could even tolerate it given her history of allergies to mold. Those are a few. He has more. Then there's the selfish side of him that simply balks because he's been told that she would lose her scent. (and she will) if turned. And he firmly believes that since her scent is what allows him to heal and to take succor, that it would make his existence miserable to be without it. That's the selfish bastard part of him that is in denial. Bella will not be letting him off easy. Promise. I'm also not going to write her as being a bitch because to me that doesn't flow with her character.

As ever, thanks so much for your review. :)

Best,

Books

Bella is waving at you, trout lily in hand.

Haha. I love that carlisle got called a pretty boy. That made me laugh. I also liked the whole edward calling pheonix ugly. That was another laughing point.

I really hope edward pulls his head out soon and decides to change bella! Great battle in the chapter though, this was just a great chapter altogether but I don't need to tell you that though because they're all great chapters!! I'll be watching for the next update to find out if bella is going to talk to edward again! I hope its coming soon!

Author's Response:

Hi there smiles!

Thanks for the review! I wanted to point out the irony that Edward calls Carlisle, "Father" when in physical age terms, Carlise is only 23, and Edward 17. And only Edward would be arrogant enough and clueless at the same time to call Phoenix ugly. Phoenix is like the big bad wolf in the immortal world. And Edward is blithely calling him ugly. If you re-read Lies, Dreams, and Schemes, in the front arc of the story, you'll see that Bella is still human. So he's not changing her any time soon. Bella and Edward will talk next chapter. Swear. :)

Best,

Books