You know Emmett is fantastic. His tugging her ponytail, teasing her gently, that is boisterous Emmett only toned down because he knows about her (how could he not? He's meeting Edward constantly to talk about her) but it just wouldn't have been Emmett to have him totally stand-offish; this is goofy, happy, big brotherly Emmett trying to be non-intimidating. And, like Jasper acting normal with her, I think him taking her in stride makes her feel more normal.

But poor Edward. He has to see her so comfortable with Jasper and accept it because they are best friends. He has to hear her squeal over the guys coming for Thanksgiving, knowing how much they mean to her and accept it because she's been with them for years. But now Emmett? Emmett who she's never met just gets shake her hand and tug her hair when her fingers tremble after weeks just to reach for his hand. Poor Edward. It has to be hard for him. I would for her to tell Edward after drinks that she felt so comfortable with Emmett because she trusts his opinion and that it's always been harder with him because she likes him [I feel like a 5th grader] you know 'likes him, likes him'.

Edward is next to perfect though. With his patient, kind rubbing her hand to help her through panic attacks and then "I’d go through this for you if I could. Since I can’t…I can at least go through it with you." From getting subtly protective and glaring at the gym in the morning because he figured out exactly why she hasn't been coming to reassuring her that he loves to see her with "seeing you is my favorite way to start the day". To rolling with her shifts in mood and worries even when Bella wonders how he can track her fleeting changes.

And I love the flashes of the boys interacting. Because you know that Emmett is trying not to laugh out loud at these two mooning over each other. And there's nothing like watching a guy go from talking to his buddies to talk to his girl. And Edward is going back and forth between working out and being sarcastic with Emmett and falling into Bella's eyes while Emmett gives him shit. And he knows he deserves it cause he's gazing at her like a love struck idiot. And he doesn't care. You can practically hear his little boy squeeing in this *cough, cough* manly, non-giddy excitement.

And Bella. Meeting him at the gym ever morning. Big deal for her. Starting to hang out - a lot - it sounds like. Coffee, going to Charlie's, gym, phone calls. And then meeting him at the gym in the afternoon; not only to meet his friend Emmett but also taking the initiative to meet up with Edward. And then after her panic at not being able to do physical things with him, her feelings of inadequacy against the other women there, she recovered (of course sexy Edward sauntering over not looking left or right but straight at her, thrilled to see her and glowing with it might have helped a wee bit). She recovered and realized that whether or not she understood it or felt worthy, he didn't want those other women. He wanted her. And he wants her enough to go through working up to hand holding and panic attacks. And you know . . . she wants him to want her ;)

Even though he doesn't know exactly what happened to her, Edward always seems to know what to say, when to hold her hand and when to step back. He reads her to an incredible level. the fact that he's so proud of her for joining them at the gym and agreeing to go out afterward, that he understands how much she is pushing herself to be with him and he appreciates in at her level.

They are like yin and yang. She is physically unavailable right now. Not that she wants to be, and she's working on it, but she is. He's been emotionally unavailable for years. The problem is, she's also emotionally unavailable - she's great with her friends but freezes at the thought of romantic emotions but i think because the lead to ideas of physicality. 

I do love the boys interactions though - and when they are together they are boys not men. They do that silent communication thing - with the 'get your own girlfriend' looks and 'we're cool' nod.

Emmett did really well at the gym with being himself and yet not crossing her boundaries. But I'm not so sure about at the bar. He seemed to disregard a lot of what Edward had told him (like having her walk in front of him in the door) and not understand when she was getting uncomfortable. I think he totally overstepped in basically outting Edward as a former manwhore. Yes she needed to know - eventually. They haven't even been on their first official date yet. Not his place. Of course it led to the conversation.

The conversation. Wow. Alice had mentioned old girlfriend in high school and then nothing else. So I had assumed she broke his heart. But wow. Yeah. I didn't realize she had removed it, crushed it, pulverized it and then burned it's remains. To turn someone who wanted to wait to make love until marriage, to have it be something special, into a guy who will fuck anyone with the right parts is a testament to just how crushed he was. In a way she took something very special away from Edward - the emotional, loving part of sex - just like something was taken from Bella.

They still have so much more talking to do. Not just the big talk about what happened to her, but the little talks. Like him telling her that she's his life now. He seems to understand how much she wants him because he sees how hard she's trying just to be with him. While she has flashes of self confidence when she realizes he wants her, she still seems to feel he is "stuck" with someone broken. But while he has put himself out there - and he's have reason to be wary of emotionally committing especially having been told she's unavailable - she really hasn't yet. Not just held back the big talk but she really needs to tell him why she seems more comfortable with almost any other guy than him, maybe what happened with Mike and why that's making her hesitant.

And rather than her being stuck and him getting bored, I love that she is getting comfortable with things like holding his hand while he is still thrilled wit her putting her hand on his knee.

Author's Response:

Karen, you always blow me away :)  I know I already rambled in responses to you, so I'll keep it brief here.  I really appreciate how closely you read and how much time and effort you put into your reviews. 

Emmett definitely did overstep his bounds in outting Edward - he's that way sometimes.  Edward occasionally needs a kick in the pants, and Emmett gives it to him.  It's not always right, but it's how they work. 

You are so completely right about what Tanya did to Edward.  She honestly killed a big part of him, not only by taking away something he had promised himself, but by then essentially spitting on him about it and rubbing his face in it.  She turned him into something he hated, and he's spent the last 573 days *grin* trying to find himself again.  Bella is, obviously, helping out tremendously in that respect.  I may eventually go back and write some outtakes of Edward's manwhore days, just so you guys can see the mindset he was in.  It's pretty freaking depressing...

The talks are definitely needed.  In many ways, Bella's past is not the biggest talk they need to have - though obviously it's a must.

I could go on for days commenting on your review, but I will just tell you that I love you, I love hearing your thoughts, and I totally love your Pinkieward avi.

Oh my... So I thought from your reply that I just hadn't gotten to the part where she spills her past, not that it wasn't written :) I'm going to be so distraught now. More so than I thought. I really liked him spilling his past though. No need to apologize for this chapter being long I enjoyed every minute. For me they could all be this long. Hope to see more soon.

Jess

Author's Response:

Well, it's written, actually - or at least the majority of it is.  I've been working on it for a looooong time :P  But it's not ready to be published yet.  It will be up within the next three chapters.  I enjoy the long chapters too and - honestly - I doubt I'll be able to reign myself in any more :P  Hopefully it won't annoy too many people.  Anyway, I'm so glad you are enjoying it, and thank you so much!

YET ANOTHER AMAZING UPDATE!!

It's amazing to watch Edward and Bella's relationship blossom. You do such an amazing job capturing Bella letting her guard down that I can barely believe it!! Thank you so much for another amazing update.

More soon?

Author's Response:

Aww, thank you so much!  I really appreciate your comment of how I portray Bella letting her guard down.  Those scenes are tough to write, so I'm happy it's coming across well.  Thanks for reading and reviewing :)  And yes, more soon.

So I tried but I was unable to finish reading last night. I was literally drifting in my seat. To the review... I think that the voices in both their minds always arguing is a very nice touch and insight into what they think. I also really like what's going on between them. It's so slow and careful with no jumping forward. It's frustrating as hell! But very realistic and perfect in its own way. :)

Jess

Author's Response:

*grins* I'm so sorry it's frustrating - believe me, I understand.  I'm really glad to hear you're enjoying it though.  I also appreciate you reviewing the chapters you read!  I love to hear what people are thinking.

How much longer til we find out what happened to Bella? The suspense is killing me!

I am really enjoying this story, looking forward to more :)

Author's Response:

Just a couple more chapters...thanks so much!

There is exactly the electrifying (for lack of a better word) connection I've been looking for. I really like this story line. Normally Edward is the rock in the story and even if Bella is weak she is always safe with him. In this he has to earn it. It's amusing.

Author's Response:

That's a really interesting way of looking at it...and yes, they do have a very strong connection :) That's one of the things I don't think can be touched in something like this.  So glad you're enjoying it!

this chapter was greaatt!!

i was so annoyed when my laptop died last night!!! but then when i woke up i rushed to my laptop, charged it and finished the chappiee...

it was goooodddd!!!  i'm glad they're closer now.. . i love emnett! can't wait til he meets roseee! is her boyfriend gonna get ditched??  (please?? haha)

wow.. i seem less hyper today... hmm.. easter eggs must not've kicked in yet...  oh well  =P

Happy Easter!!!!  :)  :)  :)

Author's Response:

LOL I know I've said it before, but I love you, tuff-duck.  I'm sorry your laptop died...that happened to me once when I was reading an update to one of my favorite fics, and I thought I was going to die.  I'm really happy to hear that you liked the chapter so much (and I love Emmett too - I'll be taking care of him, I promise).

You need more chocolate, I think.  Happy Easter :) and thanks for reading and reviewing!

Still reading :) I don't even know what really happened to her yet in detail and I'm mad at that guy. Her fear and grief are depicted very well I think.

Author's Response:

I always love it when I can follow someone reading - thank you for reviewing as you go and think of something :)  I'm thrilled that you're mad at the guy even though you don't know what happened yet.  It means a lot to hear that her fear and grief come through.

I am so enraptured with this story (which is only unfortunate because I am procrastinating from studying for exams). I absolutely adore this! I can't get enough, and feel quite sad that this is the last chapter available at this time.
I'll keep refreshing my inbox until the next comes ;).
Thanks for the fantastic read! It made my day to read about the growing sweet, strangely innocent love between your Bella and Edward.

Author's Response:

Aww, I hate that you missed your studying, but I'm so excited that you're enjoying the story :)  I'm working on the next chapter right now, if that makes you feel better.  I try to get out two chapters a week, but I definitely do at least one.  Thank you so much for your fantastic comments - I love the way you described their relationship.

Finally they are together! I am happy to see you didn't actually throw too much of that supernatural power drawing them together in a human setting as some do.  It is honest to goodness attraction which goes so much better when the story is not set in the vampire world. Not sure everyone understands that. Still patiently reading through to find out what happens to Bella!

Jess

Author's Response:

No supernatural powers here...unless the pixie has some we don't know about :)  I'm really glad you're enjoying it!

I totally loved this chapter! I loved everything about it... the gym, Emmett, Edward opeing up to Bella and him holding her! It was AWESOME! LOVE IT!

This story is simply amazing! The writing is great, the story is great and your characters are great!!! :)

Author's Response:

You are making me grin...and blush...and squeal.  I love it.  Thank you!

I start to get frustrated with Bella until I remember the reasons for her issues.   Edward is great.  Love your story.

Author's Response:

You definitely understand how Edward feels :)  I'm so glad you like him.  And thank you!