Man this chapter was great!  Go Bella!!!  I think I would have crumbled with Edwards hands on my face.

Can't wait to see where you take this!

I can't remember if I already posted a review for this chapter, but if I did, I'm going to again.  I just want to say that the people who thought there was too much angst are crazy.  I LOVE this story because it is so REAL.  If I were Bella, I would probably react the same way after facing such harsh rejection.  She reacted just like any normal human being would- and I'm surprised she lasted as long as she did trying to convince herself that she wasn't angry at Edward.  When you face rejection of that magnitude, almost everyone would be very spiteful and feel anger towards them for causing them pain- it's human nature.  We don't like our feelings being hurt and we hold it against those who hurt us.  I remember being broken up with and I just felt intense anger and hatred towards them because they hurt me so bad, along with the sadness.  Yes, it's childish.  Yes, it's foolish.  But yes, EVERYONE does it!  In this chapter, she let months of anger and denial of said anger flow freely at last... she NEEDED that release and I think everyone should be able to see that!  That is why I appreciate this chapter so much- she acted like a normal human being.  She acted real.  And it is so much more believable than SM's Bella would be in this situation, I know that for a fact.  I hated that SM's Bella was so self concious and she didn't fault Edward at all.  She wasn't even angry at him for leaving.  It just seemed SO unnatural.  Why wouldn't she be angry?!  I sure as hell would!  And you were right, she needed to do this so she could grow up.  This chapter was COMPLETELY needed.  It WAS a step in the right direction... and Bella DID take a step forward.  People need to take in consideration that the man she loves completely DUMPS her on her butt after leading her along (come on, her assumptions that he cared for her weren't baseless... he obviously did and just imagine how much more painful it would be to end up being persuaded it was all in your head or I guess more realistically that it actually meant nothing in the end...  that you were just a passing fancy.  OUCH!) and ignores her for MONTHS watching her waste away, then suddenly starts popping up constantly and now he says that he loves her.  I can't even imagine the confusion, doubt, insecurity, anger, and other crazy emotions that situation would bring!  To know she wasted away the last four months of her life because Edward thought he was "protecting" her... I would be very upset about that!  She comes off as bitter because it's too much to take at once... how is she supposed to react?!?  The answer is: exactly the way she did in this chapter.  It was completely understandable.  I applaud you.  Things in life aren't always peaches and cream... we don't automatically forget months of pain over a single confession.  And I get frustrated that some people don't understand that :(

So what I'm saying, and I'm sure you already know this, is that don't worry about the people complaining about the angst and the OOC.  If I wanted stephenie's version, I'd go read twilight.  Don't get me wrong, I love the actual series... but I connect so much more and FEEL so much more for your story and your characters.  They have the same characteristics that I love about them as in twilight- but are so much more believable and real to me... You took what was missing from SM's characters and added to them perfectly. And I just love you for that, because I honestly really dislike Bella as a character.  You make me love her and connect with her in a way I never did during Twilight.  I don't even consider her OOC... in all honesty, YOUR Bella seems more in character than Stephenie's did.  So I don't even consider her actions out of character at all... I've adopted her as my own Bella in my mind !  :D

I'm sorry that this is so long but I just really felt I needed to express my feelings for this chapter, these characters, this story, and your writing ability as a whole.  I am absolutely hooked and wait anxiously for the next update!  I couldn't ask for a better fanfiction story... this one is magnificent and definately the best I have EVER read.  And I've read a lot ;)  Keep up the great work... you are doing an amazing amazing job and I wouldn't have you change anything about this story for the world!

Author's Response:

Wow.  THANK YOU so much for that!  Really.  IVO does have its problems, don't get me wrong, but it's so nice to hear that people are still rooting for Bella even though she acted like such a bitch.  It was a very difficult chapter to write, b/c on one hand, we see Edward pouring out his heart to her.  That's hard to resist since readers know he means every word and has felt that way for quite some time.  The thing is (which you understand, bless you!) is that this is from Bella's perspective--she doesn't have the faith in Edward that the rest of us do.  She's been though so much.  The OOC argument, I think, is that she is OOC compared to how she's acted in IVO thus far, and I can see that point, but, as you said, she held it all in for so long.  It built and built and built and BECAUSE she hadn't let herself act angry before and always tried to be calm and rational, she finally just exploded.  Anyway, reviews like yours made me feel so much better about the risks I took in that chapter.  Again, thanks :) 

Love this story!!!

"I recognized the strange, idiotic look on my fae.  Except for the presence of my two fron teeth, I looked no different than Jessica Stanley in all her love-struck glory..."

I am grinning like a fool just like Bella as i read that line.  I loved the trip to the pumpkin patch and I love their banter.  Its so easy and playful and exciting to read.  I can't help but grin as I read it. 

Another fabulous chapter!

Natalie... All I can say is wow. I've never been much of a writer, so you can imagine how blown away I am by real talent, like yours. I always loved reading, and while others spend their downtime watching tv, I read. When I finished Twilight series, I was so enamoured with the stories that I turned to my favorite past time... Fanfiction. I read hundred of stories, some bad, most good, an excelent one here and there... But I kept passing over your story because I couldn't make myself read something that didn't have edward/bella in it right off from the beggining. But then I got the flu a few days ago, and for lack of anything else to read I bit the bullet and started reading it. And I didn't stop till I read all 31 chapters. The plot absolutely captured my attention. Bella from a different angle, even without Edward unsure about her life with Jakob, and then Edward and Alice appearing. I really love how you portrayed Alice by the way. And Bella... And Edward... And Jakob... LoL I think you get the picture. I loved Edward threatening Jakob and I hated that Jakob even had the nerve to shop up after what he did... But I love it all, and now I am addicted. I hope you know how much your work is appriciated by us readers. Thanks for letting us in a world where your imagination and creation rule.

Helena

oh the angst. Now I am all caught up with this story (it took me a while- b/c birthday weekend slowed down my reading.. *sigh* i digress)

I can't wait for the next update. I just love this story soooo much!

this is so great...i lve all the tie ins and the new attitude dialogue

I think that these last several chapters have been about Bella healing with some set backs.  She is combating both emotional and physical pain.  She is like her wound.  When the story is finished I am sure that this part will only make the end result even sweeter.  That is of course if it is a happy ending.   Until then know that you are my brand of angst and that us so. Cal. girls need something to combat our perpetual sunny happy lives. (Hahaha)

I discovered your story last night and stayed up till 3am reading it! It is amazing. I think it's the best story I've read on here, and I've read some good stuff! I had to sign up for a login just so I could review and till you how much I love it!

I really hope you're not getting too much grief about the angst. I think it's delicisiously angsty. Just the right amount to make my insides knot up and to make the reader feel, which is what all good writing should do. I love the angst, I love the light moments, I love the humor...I love it all!

One of the aspects that I think makes it so amazing is how real it is. If you took the whole vampire aspect out (but who would want to?) you would still be left with an incredible story with some very real characters experiencing very real feelings. Anyone who has ever had a crush on someone who they feel is way out of their league can embathize with the pain. Anyone wIho has ever been in a relationship with one person and fallen in love with another can relate to the guilt.

I also need to say that I love that you made Edward stay in Forks! I admit that I always thought he got off easy in New Moon. He didn't have to watch Bella fall apart after he broke her heart. I was secretly thrilled in the book when Jacob forced him to see the broken-hearted Bella through his memories. You made him stay and suffer. Good for you! Not that I am not in love with Edward...I just always thought he needed to see the consequences of his actions.

Anyway, I look forward to more updates (and to a certain reunion, hopefully.) Keep up the fantastic work!

I have finally finished all the existing chapters. Today was hectic for me so I had to wait all afternoon to get back to my computer. But now I've finished all the chapters and I can't wait for more.

I'm glad Bella finally listened to Edward in this chapter. She is bitter. (I know she's been through heaps but she seriously is starting to depress me). I'm glad Edward didn't listen to her lies and stayed until he told her everything. At least she knows he loves her now.

I can't wait to read more - the repercussions to their talk, Jake attempting to talk to Bella, etc. Please update soon. I still love this story, despite all the angsty stuff.

i just read this chapter again and i cant convey how much i loved it.  Bella's defiance got a little irritating but it was tolerable since Edward saw right through it. (although i did think she has been sort of too mean to Alice)  i LOVE this Edward.  i also really loved how you portrayed their body language in that last scene on the bench.  it reaked of sexual tension.  love it.  cant wait 'til they can make out.  i really hope the next update is SOON!!

So... tired... must... sleep... 6:48am!!

I will be back to read the next 5 chapters when I wake up again. This story is amazing so far. I think breaking up with Jake may have finally pushed him over the edge. I'll find out in a few hours when I have some sleep. I need to catch up in this story. I'm sick of feeling so behind. Be right back.

*Collapses*

i was skeptical about this one but honestly i have to say i am hooked.  -this is the first story (SM or fanfic) where Bella doesnt bug the living sh*t out of me (yet anyways).  and i really love how edward has a bit more backbone in this chapter.  cant wait for the next chapter (and also hoping that the NC-17 rating isnt just for the underage drinking)