Wow.. at the end of this chapter (being the depthless and immature person that I am) if I was Bella, I'd probably say something like:

"Oh that's bs. Like some weak little humans could keep a newborn vampire captive."

But that being said... I am starting to think there might just be a weeensie bit more to the story. Something I haven't picked up on that is so blatantly obvious my automatic ignorance to stories has disabled me from picking up. You see, if I start to guess what will happen, I usually get it right.. and that ruins the whole story for me. So I have learnt that ignorance truely is bliss.

Well anyway, I better get back to my addiction that is Vampire in the Basement so I can see whether Edward decides to spill his metophorical guts to Bella. *Olivia crosses her fingers (and become alarmed when they make a cracking noise)*

Love it.  I admit I didn't want to read it but a couple of the stories I read praised it so I decided to read it.  And now you are on my favorites list for me to b updated when you post new chapters.

Oh,'Chelle-baby!  I'm so sorry it took me so long to get this to you!  Here you are, giving me the VIP treatment, and I let you down. *hangs head*

You can spank me now.  Well....you can spank me whenever...but you know what I mean. ;P  WARNING: I make no guarantees not to enjoy it.

I am soooo so happy that Edward is getting about more, as well as interacting with the Cullens more!  Your pacing with this story is achingly consistent, and oh so perfect.  And I'm glad that his captors' species has now been confirmed.....I figured it was humans, as my Evil William Stryker conspiracy goes, LOL :D

I would SERIOUSLY LUURRRRVE to know what was swimming through Edward's head as he saw Alice's thoughts about Bella being 'in love' with him, and THANK YOU THANK YOU for not forgetting to detail his perplexion at hearing other's thoughts, ESPECIALLY Alice's.

It was so very cool to read about Alice struggling with her thoughts around Edward and how she kind of totally fudged it.  It was a rare treat, since generally we read her in total control on that front.

As always, my heart breaks wide open for your Edward, and listening to his clear admission to Bella that it is just 'too much, too soon' for him to try to remember more about his captors just dug the crack in my heart a little deeper.  You make me want to be Bella, so I can huggle and snomfort him.

My love and admiration for your craftiness knows no bounds.  I am going to forego my usual quad-reviewage for this chapter, just because I am dead tired, but I love you no less!

I still plan to marry you.  Just sayin.

XOXO
Your ever-faithful fiance,
~JO~

PS: Was it not Christmas in May today with our first Shirtless Robward experience?!?! (Unless you saw Little Ashes....but that doesn't count cuz he wasn't freaking BUFF!)  Good GOT DAYUM! I was completely fucking useless today, swimming in a puddle of my own Rob induced drool.

 

Author's Response:

Oh, jo. You were the worst previewer EVER on this chapter :) I still love you though, how could I not?

So many people STTTTTILLLLLLLLLLLL say werewolves. Next A/N, bb, next a/n I'm just gonna be like "HEY -- ITS HUMANS!" Hahahaahaha. Ahh, I love people who are attached to their theories.

I figured that the Cullens would need to get used to controlling their thoughts around him, so yanno, of course Alice would slip up! They're not used to having a mind reader around, i imagine it'll take some time for them to get comfortable in their own thoughts, yadda yadda yadda.

I forgive you for your lack of quad reviews, since I didn't respond to them last time like the failship I am. SIGH.

AND HALE THE EFF YES @ THE NEARLY NEKKID PICS. *faints*

loved it loved it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really love this story. Not sure if I say that every time, but it needs to be said! I can't wait until I find out what happened to Edward. I loved the fact that he came out of the bedroom and stayed for her party! It shows progress and I hope he opens up some more!

Loved this chapter! Thanks!

Still my favorite story ever! Gah, I totally love this story too much.

It was half cute/half sad that Edawrd is rubbing off on Bella so much. Cute because it kinda made me smile at her paranoid "they're out there" thoughts, sad because it's true and because she and Edward both realize that.

And after this nice little beginning we get some Alice pov! :D  It was interesting to have it confirmed that Alice sees 18 as being Bella's last birthday as a human. I was really giggling out loud when she thought about chanting "I come in peace" in her mind as she approached Edward. Hehe, I could totally see Emmett actually doing that....except saying it both outloud and in his head with accompanying hand gestures.

I loved Alice's thoughts about approaching Edward being intense and wondering how Bella did it all the time and then realizing that Bella knew Edward wouldn't hurt her and thinking about Bella being in love with him. What I wouldn't give to know what was running through Edward's head at that time as he stared intently at Alice.

It was also just tooo cute when Alice realized she had given Bella away and got all flustered trying to control her thoughts. Alice flustered is definitely an unusual situation and it was very nicely done. I loved that she didn't back down from questioning him, even with difficult questions, and her method of looking in the future for his answers was great. LOLing again at her thought of her fingers as piranhas.

I was so proud of Edward following Alice downstairs....and of course we later find out that he did it all for Bella of course, which makes it even sweeter. And Alice was great communicating with him and looking to Bella's examples to help him and giving him his blanket. I do have to admit to a certain flare of panic when I read that Alice was placing rose petals in crystal bowls. I was just thinking "Oh please don't let anything horrific happen at Bella's last birthday party!" I was quite pleased when it turned out to be such a wonderful party with no mishaps!

After all that Alice had explained about the Volturi and Edward knowing that they are coming in four weeks to interrogate him (which I'm insanely happy that Carlisle was able to gain them a little bit more time before that vist!) his only thought was making sure Bella would be safe. He even spoke aloud and voluntarily to Alice to make sure that Bella would be okay. It's so clear that he's in love with her as well...and I'm just melting all over about it! :P

I definitely do see a potential for a big Bella related problem when the Volturi visit though....other than just if she shows up or demands to be there for Edward and her nicely scented blood tempting the non-vegetarian vamps. Because even if they keep her away physically from the Volturi, then how will they block Aro from knowing about her with his little talent. I'm wondering if that will open a whole new can of worms or if Alice's vision will be enough to pacify him as it was in NM and if Aro reads Edwards mind, what kind of revelations will that bring? And do the Cullens know about Aro's power or will that be a nasty surprise for them? Potential for soooo many exciting (possibly scary) things with the Volturi visit!

I absolutely loved Emmett's casual entrance...flopping down beside Edward, pretending (I think) not to see him, "Oh hey dude", and trying for a fist pound. So classically Emmett and soo giggle-worthy, as was Emmett turning on ESPN and that and his comment making Edward confused. And Edward didn't run! Still so proud of him and so convinced of how much he loves Bella.

Especially convinced of this last part (as well as Bella being in love with him) by their moment at her birthday party. The beginning of the second Bella pov part was nice and I liked her commentary on Alice's preparations and the unnecessariness of them, but her noticing Edward there, walking toward him (and everyone else fading away), and their hug, and him telling her Happy Birthday....that totally eclipsed all the other stuff to win as the coolest, greatest moment of this chapter.

It was so sweet of the Cullens to vacate the room so they could enjoy their moment in private....although they all probably did that as much for their benefit as for Bella and Edward's since it did have the feeling of a very private type moment to it. I can imagine most of the Cullens feeling voyeuristic witnessing this exchange (other than Emmett and they'd have to drag him out cause he probably wouldn't care, lol.) Alice peeking around the corner covertly was extremely cute!

Liked that the presents were mostly the same. Wondering why Edward focused on Carlisle during the party....if there was a significane to that or not.

The last part was magnficent. After seeing Edward around the family and seeing him once he and Bella are alone again, you can see how far he was come in his interactions with her. I was gushing as they held hands at the window, and at him telling her he wanted to be there for her party. Loved his chuckle about Alice. He likes Alice....yay!

It was definitely nice getting a tad bit more info about his captors and confirming they were humans, which I was actually right about so yay for that. Of course though, I was only right because I wasn't smart enough to guess any other group to have captured him, but oh well, lol.

It was Bella's best birthday ever and the best Bella birthday scene ever written.....miles better than SM's version of Bella's 18th b-day, lol. I think you know by now just how much I adore the story, so I won't waste time typing it again. Oh yes, I will. I love, love, love, love, love every chapter that you post and this one was no different. And as always, I'm left excited and eager for more VitB!

Author's Response:

I will preface this response by telling you how much I adore your reviews! They're so intense, I LOVE reading them! You give me so much to think about when it comes time to respond :)

It is very sad that Bella has come to be as paranoid as Edward. Because really, when it comes down to it, there's a very real and inherent danger in the fact that they're out there... Whether the Cullens can take them on or not -- to live in fear that they'll come back can't be pleasant!

It's so funny that you mention the 'I come in peace' line. It was one that I thought for sure would get edited out, and I was surprised and pleased that my beta did not lay down the law. Emmett would've been saying it out loud, so true! But we'll get to Emmett, LOL!

I think, in any fic where the Cullens just pick up Edward and haven't been around him, controlling their thoughts needs to be addressed. We didn't get any of it in the books because really, Bella was the only character who knew they were vamps and knew Edward could read minds, and he couldn't read hers. The cullens had already dealt with learning to be around Edward. Here, they need to come to grips with the fact that none of their thoughts are their own anymore, you know?

And -- EVERYONE expected a mishap here, so clearly there couldn't be one! Am I one to do what people expect? Based n the reviews, it doesn't seem like it, haha! When everyone expects tragedy, I gotta make good things happen, and maybe vice versa? we'll see :P

And very good point about the volturi coming! People are suggesting that they just keep her away -- but surely if Aro is coming it's not so simple :) The Cullens do know about Aro's power -- as Carlisle was still with them in his early days.. if that helps at all!

Again, thank you SO much for reviewing hon! I love seeing what you have to say, even if my responses fail :)

- Michelle

 

Oh yeah, a side note:

Emmett was hilarious in this chapter! haha

Absolutely LOVE the chapter! But, I'm a little confused with the timing... Not that you have to stay true to the SM timeline, but isn't Bella's birthday in September? So, would this be September of her Senior year? If so, she missed prom... ?

Again, not that you have to follow the SM timeline, but many people reading this will expect that unless you specify.

Author's Response:

It's following the timeline. She missed homecoming -- which falls in the early fall for most schools. It might've been a little earlier in Forks, but homecoming was always in sept/early oct in my school so I thought it was acceptable.

Prom falls in the spring, her senior prom will be coming up in about 6 months.

It more less follows SM's timeline.

Great story...totally different from any fanfic I've read. A question though: How in the world did Carlisle stall Aro? I wonder what he told them? Also, is Edward seeing Alice's visions? Looking forward to more chapters!

LOVE IT!!!! MORE PLEASE!!!

i thought we knew it was humans that did it from a few chapters back..

or was i just foreshadowing? lol

i dont thin i can tell you how much i love this story! I was heading to bed when this update came up and i went tearing around the room "whooping"

embarrassing..yes..but i couldnt help it

First, you don't have to respond, I know how busy life is and I'd rather hear more of the story when time permits :-)

This is one of the most moving stories I have read.  I find myself crying right along with Bella at Edward's fear.  The poor fella doesn't even realize that she's his singer yet but it's obvious with the way he's always swallowing the venom around her.  Of course, with his body's natural reaction to blood, it's probably pretty safe for her.

As for how this could happen, I could see it if he was given odd drugs as a newborn, and kept starved, 90 years is more than long enough to condition responses, and if Edward didn't know what he was, he would have no way of knowing what his capabilities should even be.  The mind reading alone would be terrifying for him.

I hope the Volturi won't be a problem.  I know they have their own issues and agendas, but I'd like to think that maybe they are no ALL bad and will give Edward time to heal at the very least. 

Of course, the humans captors should all be fed to the Volturi - no creature deserves that kind of life.  I am curious how he got into the woods...

Your story is heartfelt and very well written and your plot idea is wonderfully original and engaging.  I simply can't wait for the rest of the story.

Author's Response:

It's like an unwritten rule that when a review starts with "you don't have to respond" I ALWAYS RESPOND. So here it is:

I'm so glad you're feeling touched by this story. It IS a sensitive topic and I hope to be relaying his recovery with proper care, because I wouldn't want to botch something so significant. It means a lot that you're enjoying it so far.

And yes -- the mind reading! We haven't gotten a chance to explore his take on it, but it's entirely possible that he had no idea what it was until they told him he could read minds! Hopefully soon I'll be able to get into that, we'll see!

The volturi... well, I can't tell you too much about that, because.. it's a plot point! But we all know there's angst a'brewin, and it isn't all revolving around their visit... eeeee.

How he got into the woods is an excellent question, and I LOVE when people think back to chapter one and question how he got there. It's one of the most interesting things to read in reviews, knowing that people are thinking constantly! I love to see people looking deeper than what's outwardly said!

Thank  you so much for reviewing hon! I'm so glad you're still with it! :)