Wow

Author's Response:

Thanks Emily Belle! I hope that's a happy wow. :)

-SwimmingBee x

 I had to download and install the Safari web browser from Apple in order to post this review and am not very familiar with the program, so this review is most likely extremely unrefined…let me apologize in advanced, Bee.   This might also be a jumbled mess, because I had to try to recreate my original review after the Ms Explorer debacle :(  Does anyone know what the deal is with MS Explorer 9?

Bee, Bee, Bee, just read your review reply for last chapter and I’m feeling an intense need to send some evil glares your way for even thinking that I might have abandoned my favorite story!   You never have to worry about that with me. Truth of the matter is that I read the chapters as soon as they come out, but will only review when I feel that I have gleaned everything possible form the chapter.  It's my perfectionist tendencies at work, it gets me every time. Take this chapter for example....I've read it like 6 times and am absolutely in love with it. Yet, have I reviewed it yet? No, because there is this one thing in the back of my mind that I can’t make any sense of.  Every time I reach the last few lines in the chapter, I'm hit with this feeling of déjà vu, as if Gemma has said something similar before, but I absolutely can’t recall where it was. You might not know this about me, but little things like that has the power to incapacitate me...it's my need to understand, or just my crazy OCD tendencies. So you see Bee, I'm very much still here obsessing over the story just as always, maybe a bit too much, LOL.  I've also been quiet busy with finishing my end of the semester presentation at school, but never too busy for Days!  My mind is its own worst enemy at times…I kid you not; this is actually my 6th attempt at reviewing this chapter.   I have been trying since Monday, and haven’t been able to submit anything to the site.  There are two possibilities as to the reason why…Twilighted has finally gotten tired of me and decided to ban me and my overlong reviews, or the new MS Internet Explorer is shittier than expected.  I have gotten smart though, and am saving this review in Word...YAY me, anyway on with the review! 

After everything that had happened, we always came back to each other. That connection was always there. The love was always there, even if it was unspoken on my half.
We would always be an "us," and there was nothing in the world better than that.

I think this might have been one of the most profound realizations that Gemma has ever made in terms of her relationship with Robert.  Those two lines really speak to me on a deep emotional level.  Might that be the cause behind the sense of déjà vu after reading them?  I felt as if you had written something like that somewhere along the way, but this was the first time that Gemma has ever thought or acknowledged the inevitability that is her relationship with Robert. Trust me; I would have remembered that amazing moment if she had! It’s really bugging me though!  With this realization though, where do they go from here?  Does this mean that Robert has been able to eradicate her fears when it comes to taking another chance on him and their love for one another?  God, but I really hope so.  When they finally get around to discussing things, I really hope he tells her the truth about everything.  She really needs to know how this new love of theirs is going to last, this time around.  He needs to be the one to tell her.  As cliché as it may sounds, Gemma really is Robert’s one more chance.  It’s obvious to me that she changed the taste and meaning of love for him.  The same is true for her as well, because Robert really is her one more chance.  She spent too many years believing in someone who failed to give enough of himself to her.  Her relationship with Aaron was wrong in every single way…it wasn’t meant to be.  I know, I know…my opinions on anything relating to Aaron are extremely biased.  Though Robert might have committed the same offense as Aaron, the key difference is that I really believe Robert regrets his actions and would give anything to be able to go back in time and undo it.  Unlike the nasty piece of garbage that is Aaron, Robert gave the best of himself to her and always will.  The intensity of his emotions for her causes me to believe that no other person can ever touch him the way that she does. 

Wow Bee, Gemma and Robert took my breath away, there are simply no words. Their passion and intensity is unparalleled. The scene on the bed was magically. Your orchestration skills are phenomenal.  The way you set the scene is absolute perfection. I could clearly picture Robert and Gemma laying on the bed with their backs to one another, desperately fighting against the gravitational force pulling them towards one another. Gemma and Robert are soul mates in the truest sense of the word. Their souls recognize one another and are always desperate to come together...To become whole. I see Robert and Gemma something like a circle cut in half forming two separate halves. The halves aren't constructed or made up of the same ingredients. Each halve is composed of essential elements that the other needs in order to survive or become balanced. The two halves will spend forever searching for one another, never settling for anything else because they simply can't. Another shape like a triangle, or a square can't fit the circled halves of Robert and Gemma, only one another can. When the circled halves find each other the connection is instantaneous, and impossible to fight against. The gravitational force pulling them together impossible to ignore. The two halves aren't complete being separated, simply put; they need each other in order to flourish.... Is it really any wonder that they lost the battle of staying apart? The battle was lost from the very beginning. Love that strong can't be denied, it knows no bounds, and there’s absolutely no shame in that.  It took me a while to understand that concept.  I was letting my pride get in the way of what I really wanted to see, which is for Robert and Gemma to be together.  I was stuck between what I really wanted versus what I thought I should want.  Don’t get me wrong, I was highly upset with Robert for a very long time.  However, even after my feelings of anger started to subside, I’d stubbornly do everything I could in order to hold onto the anger.  Somewhere along the way, I was able to let all of that go and still hold onto the love I had for the character.  Robert and Gemma’s relationship has been an incredible journey of self discovery for me.  I can’t believe that it’s almost over :(

I loved that Robert didn't take anything for granted with Gemma. He didn't make the assumption of sharing a bed with her, nor did he try to seduce her, which he probably would’ve been able to do. I felt very sad for him when he made up a place to sleep on the floor next to the bed. It was a very sweet and humble gesture, but I was ecstatic when her kind hearted nature kicked in and offered to share the bed with him.  I kept picturing him making up his bed on the floor and my heart just broke for him.  That wasn’t supposed to be Robert and Gemma.  As she once told him, “They don’t do that”.  They’re not supposed to be that far apart from one another….one on the bed, while the other is sleeping on the floor.  That just isn’t them, and it never will be. As I've already said, that scene was just wow!  I can’t seem to be able to stop writing about it…the tension after he joined her on the bed was outstanding!  Both of them lying awake, highly aware of one another and unable to sleep as a result of it.  You made me feel as if I was in that room, suffocating in the tense atmosphere.  OMG, I breathe a sigh of relief, when they finally turned to face one another!  It was all so incredibly sweet.  I had tears in my eyes when they finally made love to one another.  I did LOL, when he admonished her to be quiet though.  I was like “Gemma quiet…Good luck with that, buddy.” I really wanted her to profess her love for him at that time, but completely understand that she wasn’t ready to do so.  It’ll happen when the time is right.  It’s obvious that Gemma's comfort and well being means a great deal to Robert. The fact that he offered her his bed and was willing to suffer on the hard floor is a testament to that. He is putting her needs above that of his own and that's a beautiful thing.  Who said that chivalry was dead? LOL! The scene in the bed left me feeling very hopeful that they'll be able to get pass this roadblock. Their broken hearts can still survive, with a touch of grace from Gemma.

Even after all this time, I still marvel at your ability to hit just the right chord for each and every chapter. Every single character was a perfect complement to the beautiful scenery that you masterminded. Everyone played of each other beautifully....almost fluid like, seamlessly. Yes, there was a big pink elephant in the room, in terms of Robert and Gemma, but even that didn't deter from the ambience or the atmosphere. I think it very well might have added to it. There was a noticeable difference between this get together compared to their original meetings at the club. I don't know if it was intentional or simply your brilliance shining through on its own, but I love the way you did that. Everyone’s interactions with one another have evolved along with the evolution of their friendships. Did that make sense or has my insane attention to detail finally driven you nuts? Lol, let me try again. Most authors would’ve used the same atmosphere or ambience for this get together as well as their original meeting. They would’ve had everyone from this instant connection and camaraderie with one another. I know that did happen between ally and Marcus as well as between Robert and Gemma, but that's only individually in terms of couples, but not the entire group as a whole. It’s probably noticeable only to me, but there really is a marked difference between the two meetings, and rightfully so might I add. I can't believe that I'm still going on about this, but their first get together following the initial meeting at the club was friendly but didn't have the same vibe as this get together. This very much felt like a party between people who are family rather than friends. They all seemed to share a common goal of getting Robert and Gemma back together. The addition of Thomas is also brilliant! How can any situation get tense with that goof around?

OMG! Sarah is in love with Dimples? I'm beyond shocked! Pleasantly shocked, but shocked nonetheless! I'm so freaking happy for them! Gemma and Sarah’s conversation on the patio really resonated within me. The irony of the outcomes weren't lost on me. Sarah always wanted the bad boy but ended up falling in love with the safe boy next door, while Gemma always wanted the safe boy that would never hurt her, but ended up failing for the bad boy who not only hurt her, but tore her world in half. That conversation really spoke volume on the inevitability of love. What's meant to be will be.  Love isn't something we can orchestrate to play out in the manner we desire it to. Simply put, a person can't decide who they are going to fall in love with. Nor is it possible to make the decision to fall out of love, when we are hurt or disappointed by the object of our affections. Not if the love is real.  Despite what some may believe, we are not in charge of our own destinies. Aside from Gemma and Sarah, the other interaction I really liked was Thomas and Gemma. They didn't do or say much to one another, but their snuggle fest on the sofa was incredibly sweet. That one look they shared when Tom asked her if she was spending the night at Robert's apartment said so much. For some reason, I found their interaction very profound. Maybe it was the big brother vibe that was emanating from Thomas, but whatever it is was very reassuring and sweet.

Favorite Lines

It was beautiful, it was inevitable, and it was us. Almost as if it was meant to be. 

"Don't worry about looking for mine. I'll just wear one of your shirts."

"Because it's never just a ‘little kiss' between Rob and me, Ally."

"Nah. I think we'll stay a little while longer. I like Brad Pitt's muscles." ME TOO, ME TOO!

"Sar, this is big stuff. I want you to tell me this. Whatever I have going on doesn't matter. You're in love. That's amazingly exciting."

"You look gorgeous. They're all drunk anyway, they won't notice if your eye shadow has come off."

"I know where things are in your kitchen, Rob."

"And you can stop me from rambling like a complete wanker anytime you like."

"Rob, don't be silly. I'm sure we can share the bed and still behave ourselves. It's massive!"
"I'm fine, really. I offered you my bed, Gem. I wasn't implying any more than that."

He was already lying in his little makeshift bed, a blanket thrown over him. He was lying on his side, bare-chested, and looked completely adorable.

How had we waited so long to get here again? I knew there were things we needed to talk about and we would later, but right now, this was what we needed. Nothing else. We just needed each other.

"I need to be inside you when you come, Gem. Is that okay?"
 "Of course that's okay, Rob. Please. Make love to me."

We lay silently in each other's arms for a long time afterwards, catching our breath and letting the realization sink in that we had just made love again. After everything that had happened, we always came back to each other. That connection was always there. The love was always there, even if it was unspoken on my half.

We would always be an "us," and there was nothing in the world better than that.

Till next time, Kari

P.S I loved the fact that she wasn’t shy about asking him who he was texting.

Author's Response:

Hi Kari,

Yay, I'm so glad you're back... With a new web browser, in fact! Thank you so much for going to all that effort to review! It wouldn't have been the same without my amazing Kari reviews! :)

Hey, you know what? I'm sending some evil glares back your way! A jumbled mess? Gah! Your reviews could never be a jumbled mess. You write so well and so thoughtfully, they could never be anything but fabulous.

That being said, I'm totally running and hiding from your evil glares. Hehee, sorry! I know how you love to think about the chapters and process your thoughts before you post a review, and that's what I love about them! I should have known you weren't abandoning Rob and Gemma... silly me! Sometimes we all need an evil glare to whip us back into place. As for your deja vu feeling of Gemma saying something similar before... I'm really not sure on that one either! Sorry! Maybe she has. Eek. Maybe after 45 chapters, Rob and Gemma have started repeating themselves! Hehee, I hope not! I totally understand your OCD tendencies though - I have exactly the same problem! I read my chapters far too many times before I post them. I'm constantly making little changes to sentences and making sure I'm happy with it all. Eventually I just have to let it go and trust my instincts. But don't worry, I get it! :)

So hmm, maybe it was just the fact that Gemma's lines resonated with you so deeply that you felt a sense of deja vu with them? I really don't know! The only thing I can think of is that's remotely similar is when Rob told Gemma that nothing was more important than being with her, that morning when he didn't go to work and stayed with her instead. You weren't very impressed with him still at that point though, so maybe that's not it. I don't know! You're right though, it was a really profoud realization for Gemma to make. Throughout this chapter and the next one, they both realized and said a lot of things they hadn't before. They're really come a long way throughout the story and have grown so much, personally and as a couple. Hopefully the next chapter answered some of your questions about the big discussion they needed to have, but yes, he was honest. They both were. They've always done their best talking cuddled up together in bed, and this was no exception. It was just the two of them, snuggled together with no barriers, in the middle of the night, talking. But now I'm jumping ahead and talking about the next chapter instead of this one! Whoops!

Back to Rob's honesty... It's really one of the main differences between him and Aaron, and again, I think we see that a lot more in the next chapter. He pours his heart out to her and lays everything on the line. He's been doing that for a long time, really. But with Aaron, we're never quite sure whether he's being honest or not. He actually cheated on Gemma for a long time before he told her, remember? He'd been seeing someone else for a while. So again, that's quite different. That's a much worse form of betrayal than Rob's, I think. At least Rob was upfront about it and hated himself for doing it. Plus, he had his reasons. He did it to protect Gemma, by pushing her away. Aaron? Well Aaron was just a dick! Or as you politely put it, a nasty piece of garbage! Hehee!

Thank you so much for your lovely comments about this chapter! Aw! I love your analogy about Rob and Gemma being like two halves of a circle. They just fit together, don't they? And even when they're not trying to fit together, they have to anyway, just because that's the way it's meant to be. Soulmates, as you said. I know you went through your moments of being really, really angry with Rob, but really, I think you were just feeling what Gemma was feeling. When she was angry with him, so were you. When she was confused by her feelings, so were you. And now that she seems to have forgiven him, so do you! As a writer, I'm pleased because that's exactly how I wanted you to feel! It's tricky though, because although it's completely okay for you to feel that way (when you were angry at him, for example), I so wanted you to start forgiving him again. Hehee. But just like with Gemma, it takes time. And what's what I adore about your reviews, Kari. You're so invested in the characters and you understand them so deeply... it's fabulous.

Rob was quite lovely in this chapter, wasn't he? He's being so patient with Gemma, and as you said, not assuming anything. Of course he could have just kissed her as soon as he walked into the bedroom and she would have kissed him back, but he was trying to be so good. So instead he made up his own little bed on the floor! Aw. Chivalry indeed! You're right though - sleeping that far apart from each other is just not Rob and Gemma. She thought the same thing - that it just felt so wrong. And when he finally joined her in bed, and they eventually made love... phew! It was inevitable, really. It goes back to the gravitational pull of the two parts of the circle. But hehee, poor Rob, trying to make Gemma be quiet. Nope, never going to happen! She still couldn't quite tell him she loves him though. So close... but not quite there yet. Sigh! 

I'm so glad you liked the chapter in terms of atmosphere with their friends. Because of course it would be different from the first time they all got together. Back then, they were basically strangers. Flirty strangers, but strangers nonetheless. They were just boys, inviting some hot girls over to their hotel room who they'd met the night before. Back then, it was all just light-hearted fun. But now? Now they all have their own little connections. Rob and Gemma aside, there was Ally and Marcus who are clearly fully committed to each other now. Sarah has had her possible fling with Bobby, and a bit of harmless flirting with Tom too. Gemma and Tom have a brother / sister type relationship going, and Sarah / Rob have their own respectful tension and history we don't even really know about going on between them. And Gemma and Marcus have been through quite a bit too, especially after their icky night out when they yelled at each other. So... yeah! It was always going to be different. And actually, these two chapters when they all reunited were the most difficult chapters of the whole story to write. I was stuck on these chapters for weeks. Not because of Rob and Gemma, they were fine! It was because of the group dynamics. All the characters had their own histories and their own personalities that wanted to take over the chapter, and there were far too many of them in the one room to deal with! It stressed me out for a long time, honestly! So hehee, it really means a lot that you pointed that out and enjoyed it!

Yes, Sarah is totally in love with Daniel! Hee! I'm glad you're happy about that, too! Gemma and Sarah's conversation on the balcony was an important one. As you said, it really highlighted the fact that we can't help who we fall in love with. Sometimes love just takes over! Now it's up to Gemma to decide what she wants to do with that love. Hehee, Tom and Gemma's 'snugglefest' on the sofa, aww! How cute. I think you're right - I think he really does have a big brother type vibe going with Gemma, but a fun, supportive brother. Daniel also has a brotherly vibe going with her, but he's much more protective. Really, Tom was just happy that Gemma was staying the night with Rob. As you said in another review, he's incredibly loyal to Rob and only wants what's best for him. And clearly, that's Gemma!

Aw, so many favorite lines! I giggled at the one about Brad Pitt's muscles and your little addition. I've actually had quite a few Brad Pitt references scattered throughout the story but nobody has noticed them yet! I'll leave you to ponder that for a little while. It might test out your Brad Pitt knowledge, hehee.

And no, she wasn't shy about asking him who he was texting. Phew! She handled it well, I think. She could have freaked out about it, but she didn't. She just asked him, unfront and direct, and he answered her honestly. That little moment tells us a lot about their new and improved relationship, I think!

Okay, so we've reached the end of another AMAZING review! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and for all your support throughout this story. I know how much effort you put into writing your reviews... And don't try to tell me you don't, because I know you do! So thank you! I can never say it enough! :)

-SwimmingBee x

Wow - that really was an amazing chapter.  R's words were so well-thougt out and he expressed them so well to Gem.  How can she not say yes to that - guh, surely now she is ready.  I think what she has to say when she wakes up will make his day, night, life ... she's ready, I can feel it in my toes.  Thanks!

Author's Response:

Hey boomerand,

Wow indeed! I finally got 5 stars from you! Yayyy! Thank you! :)

So glad you enjoyed the chapter. Rob and Gemma really have come a long way throughout the story, and yes, his words in this chapter were lovely. He really put everything out there for her... so now we'll see what she decides to do. It's a huge, life-changing decision, but definitely one she seems ready to make, finally. Phew!

Thanks again for your lovely review and continued support.

-SwimmingBee x

aaaaaahhhhhhhh-that was too sweet  !!! i am so glad they had THE TALK finally......hoping for a hea in the last chap  :)  pleeeeeeeeease.....

Author's Response:

Hey kimjhill,

So glad you enjoyed the chapter! Yep, they finally had THE talk... It was an important one for both of them. We'll see what Gemma decides in the final chapter! :)

-SwimmingBee x

...things are right in the world again! (Well, almost, but I fully expect it to be after the last chapter!) It's been such a wonderful story that I've been totally engrossed in from the first chapter. Its been torture in a way, having to wait a week each time to read more. I can honest tell you that if it were in paperback and I could hold the entire things in my hands, that I wouldn't have been able to put it down!!! Can't wait to read how you wrap it up.  Hope nothing is  left up-in-the-air...I need closure from this story that has been taking over my immagination for so long!  Please, please, help me to move on!  Haha! Thanks again for the great chapter!
Love,

Jordan 

Author's Response:

Hey Jordan,

Aww, yep! Things are almost right in the world again! Rob and Gemma have both come such a long way throughout the story... We'll see what she decides to do in the next chapter. :)

You've been around since the very beginning of this story - even when it made a brief appearance on FF.net, I think!? - and I so appreciate all your support and kind comments along the way. Sorry for making you wait each week, hehee! I've had so much fun writing this story and sharing it with lovely readers like you. I hope you like the final chapter just as much as the rest!

Thanks so much!

-SwimmingBee x

OMG this was the best chap, s far, so honest. I loooove it

XO, G

Author's Response:

Wow, thanks so much G! That's so lovely to hear! :)

-SwimmingBee x

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Loved it. Very,very good!!!! Can't wait for more!!!!

Author's Response:

Yay! So great to hear you loved the chapter, nsturms72! Thanks so much! :)

-SwimmingBee x

Fantastic. It was definitely worth the wait.

Author's Response:

Thanks so much, danimcket! Glad you enjoyed the chapter. :)

-SwimmingBee x

HAPPY and EXCITED!

This chapter was great.  I'm so happy they finally had "the talk" and Rob was so eloquent and heart-felt in what he said.  ...And the love-making...Wow!  How can Gem not tell him she loves him!?!  I cannot believe there's only one more chapter.  Say it isn't so!  I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed this story and your wonderful writing talent.

Author's Response:

Hi Lavaughn,

Aww, thanks so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter, and it's wonderful to see how happy and excited it made you! :)

Yep, they finally had their big talk! It was such an important talk for both of them. They've really come a long way throughout the story and I think we saw that - especially from Rob - during their discussion. We'll have to wait and see what Gemma chooses to do now.

Only one more chapter, I know! Augh! I've had so much fun writing this story and sharing it with you all. Thanks again for your lovely comments!

-SwimmingBee x

AAAhhhh - the LAST CHAPTER!???!!!
Well, it had to end sometime but I gotta say this has just been absolutely amazing! Thanks for writing!!

Author's Response:

Hi beth cullen,

Augh, I know! The last chapter is next! I've had so much fun writing this story though, and sharing it with such lovely readers. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

-SwimmingBee x

Yes I love your lemons. They really belong to each other and I am glad they figured it out. I am going to be so sad when this is over. I have to go have a cup of coffee and cool down, you made me tired. Can't wait to see what happens after they open that bedroom door. Till next time.

Lilly

Author's Response:

Hey Lilly,

Whew, sorry I made you tired! Rob and Gemma do tend to wear each other out though, don't they? Hehee. Glad you enjoyed the chapter... And don't worry, I'll be even sadder when this story is all over!

Ooh, what will happen when they open that bedroom door? Hmmm... All will be revealed in the next (and final!) chapter! :)

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

-SwimmingBee x

Great talk! Loved the talk.
Only one more chapter?! That was fast!
Can't wait to read it!

Author's Response:

Thanks so much, Carly! Glad you enjoyed their talk, it was a big, important one. :)

And yes, only one more chapter! Fast? I guess it has come around pretty quickly... but I've been writing the story for 10 months now, so it doesn't really seem fast to me! Hehee.

Thanks again,

-SwimmingBee x