I have never reviewed a story, but want to say thank you! I have read and re-read the Twilight saga because I keep hoping to find something like this in there -- and it's not there. I can believe that Bella & Edward are "meant to be" and that their love is real and all that, but why, oh why, do we never get to see or hear what it is that makes their love work? They never HAVE a relationship in the books, because they never TALK (except some in Twilight, but that's before they really NEED to talk about so much!). Twilight gives us the idea we'll be reading the story of Bella, Edward and the Cullens, but from New Moon on, Stephanie seems to have decided she'd rather tell the story of Bella, Jacob and the werewolves -- Edward and the Cullens become secondary characters, moreso in each book (until we're getting JACOB'S point of view in BD, while Edward and the Cullens are just silhouettes of characters). So, I am just reveling in Bella and Edward finally addressing things that absolutely had to be addressed if their relationship was to survive eternity. I am SO glad to have Jacob put in the place he belongs -- I'm so tired of him spoiling absolutely every "big moment" in Edward's life, and having Bella merrily help him without any real thought about it affecting Edward (gee, he can't even get married, or come to know that HE could help create a loving, beautiful CHILD, rather than a monster, without Jacob becoming the focal point of everything -- sigh). Well, I could go on and on (and did, but deleted it) about all that, but suffice to say I'm very glad to read some Bella/Edward let's-talk-about-things-and-understand-each-other-and-forget-the-immature-pup stuff. And you've covered all the things they NEEDED to cover with such beautiful prose, it's almost poetry. Thanks -- I'm looking forward to more (and now I don't need to keep reading Eclipse and BD to try to find this)

I loved it.  It gave me closure to see them both talk out all the issues that were repressed and left unsaid in SM's books. 

 

I loved Edward's response to "Bite me..." and his joke about being wet.  He seriously lacked any sense of humor in the books and it's fun to see it here.  In true Edward fashion, he's incredibly witty and sarcastic.  I love it.

Author's Response:

I myself very much wanted to bring back EDward's snarky humor that we saw in Twilight and what better way than through honest communication between E and B?

   Thanks for reviewing!

Okay, glad you explained Edward's use of swear words.

Great use of Jasper.

Author's Response:

Yeah, it rang untrue for enough people I felt it was important to address it in the story, and not just author's notes.

 

 Thanks for reviewing!

"He had nearly purred at the feeling, rejoicing at being touched with love."

"I cried the tears he couldn't and quivered with him."

These words are magic. I read them over and over before I moved on because I loved them so much.

Emotionally, this chapter is right on and, as I've stated before, I love it.

The only problem I've had so far is Edward cussing, especially in front of Bella.  I just don't think he'd do it, even to get his point across.  (My opinion, obviously)

But that is a very small thing. 

I am enjoying this and will continue to the next chapter of your very well written story.

Author's Response:

A lot of people have had issue with Edward's swearing, and it gets addressed in chapter five. His walls, defenses, and filters are completely shot in the scenario he uses those words. To be fair, he did say a word he'd never said in front of a lady when he was saving Bella from Tyler's van in Midnight Sun..so there is a precedence. It just requires intense situations and really signifies the force of what he was trying to convey. He is afterall an eternally 17 year old boy, who has had to live and adapt to the times, as well as listen to the minds of all the kids around him. He's bound to have picked up a few things, though I do agree, he's not the type to walk around dropping the f* bomb willy-nilly.

 

Thanks for your thoughts and for reviewing!

I just found this story and here is my review of Chapter 1:

First off, I think your use of mythology not only denotes your intelligence but also the fact that you make correlations (or Bella does) to things that you/she knows.  Which is a good thing.

Second, I love your writing.  It's quite the flowing prose that makes you think about it when you read it.  That's not to say that it's difficult to read, it's just...hmmm...meaningful?  If that makes sense at all.

I love this variation.  I *LOVE* that Bella can finally see the unselfishness of Edward and that she can finally see that Edward ISN'T a god, he's immortal yes, but in love, we're all at risk for the same things.

Poor, poor Edward.

So, here's the gist: I LOVE IT. 

I cannot wait to read more...which I'm about to do right now.

Author's Response:

I will admit, I'm writing Bella as if she got the same high school education i did, and Edward my college years. I'm trying to limit hers to strictly the knowledge any 18 year old could have if they really paid attention in English class, and I hope it widens her intelligence that was always eluded to in the novels.

 

What's the Pride and Prejudice quote? We are all fools in love? That's Edward especially with Bella. He gives and gives and gives until there's nothing left of himself. It was time for her to see that.

 

Thanks so much for reviewing hon! And come over to the AU section of the forums and say hi in the Atlas thread!

"I figured since you, me, and paper are mortal enemies, a card wasn't the best way to approach the situation." Bwahahaha. I love how you get these moments of absolute hilarity in here.

Okay. And the comment on Carlisle streaking made me choke on my food. Seriously. You should've warned me not to make lunch between chapters 4 and 5. That that was the next place Bella's mind went--jeez louise.

I adore the scene with Jasper. He is both magnificent and hilarious, just as I would expect him to be. "Honey, I'm a strategist..." is I think the best Jasper line I've ever read. This inspires me to get him out of the periphery of Ithaca ASAP--I want me some Jasper, too.

I have no idea what Bella and Alice are planning. Glad I don't have to wait for a new post to find out. Sidenote: even Rosalie can't get from 0 to 60 in a car in .3 seconds. I'm sure it would piss her off that she can't do it , but there are limitations on automobile technology. On the other hand, if there were ever anyone to build a linear induction motor in their garage so that they could launch their cars at incredible speeds, it would be the Cullens...

 

Author's Response:

Since I'm rapidly coming to think of you as the Cullen expert, I'm giddy that you like my version of the 'kids'. I've never been all that attached to Jasper because we never had much to work with in the books. But then all the sudden Jasper listening to 'Love and Happiness' popped in my head and BAM Atlas Jasper was formed. Now I'm kinda into Jasper, I won't lie. I also wanted to see how he and Alice worked, and that came out (to me at least) with his interaction with Bella. He's laid back, chill, and funny, but you could tell he literally *has* to help in the same way Alice does. Plus they're both a little weird.

 

And I know cars can't shift it .3, I just wanted Rose to be a snarky bitch knowing Bella would never ever know that fact. But I agree, if anyone would build one.. it would be Rose. I don't know how it came to pass, but she is one of my favorite Cullens. I've got little or no use for her backstory, but in my head she's this awesome bitchy funny loyal gal with a big ass ego. I'd want to chill with her.

 

Thanks for all the reviews and sorry for my completely random order of responding to them!

  - Katie

Beautifully written - like being allowed to sit in on an intensely private counseling session for a married couple...

Lots of things that should have been said in the books, but we're glossed over.

Well done...update quickly.

Enthralled

Author's Response:

That's a very accucurate description, and oddly voyeuristic at the same time. haha.

     Thanks so much for reviewing!

I love this story -- It's like they've finally decided to talk to each other...instead of at each other. Can't wait for the next chapter!

Author's Response:

don't forget or not at all to each other ;)

   Thanks for reading!

thank you, thank you, thank you for making them talk.

your writing and your story are both beautiful.

Author's Response:

thank you for reviewing!

WOOOOOOOT! This has always bothered me in the books, and how you've fixed it. Thank you! Communication is the basis for any relationship.

Author's Response:

It is indeed, and those two drastically needed some!

   Thanks for reading!

I have to say, you write fabulously.  I am enjoying the reading.

Awesome!  Just...wow.

Author's Response:

thank you!