OMG, I am glad that their are 21 chapters when I started to read this last night as I wonder how everyone can wait for a new chapter!  How often do you update?  please tell me every couple of days, I don't think I can wait to long.  I cry for Edward, Bella, all of them, I can't stop crying!  My husband thinks I'm nuts so please update soon!  You will get my votes (going right now to razzle/dazzle and jasper/alice!    Please once again, don't be so hard on Edward, my heart can't take it! lol

Author's Response:

LOL!  My man thinks I'm nuts too.  It's okay:)  I end up updating about twice a week right now, although I may end up going once a week (I doubt it though).

Thanks so much for the votes and the reviews!

I am going to stand up for Edward for a minute before Charlie gets his hands on him. Because I know he is going to blame everything on Edward, just like Emmett does. And everyone else to an extent.

Edward breaking up with, and leaving Bella WAS his fault. Just like its the rest of the Cullen's fault for going along with it, and leaving Bella as well. But Bella's actions after he left were out of Edward's control. Bella is not a stupid woman. She is an informed adult and she made her own choices, so she needs to take responsibility for them. Bella running away and not taking care of her mind/body was NOT Edward's fault.

People get broken up with, divorced, and abandoned every day. People lose loved ones every day. People raise babies on their own every day. And people make the choices with how they are going to deal with those occurances every day as well. And not all of them choose the path that Bella chose.

Bella CHOSE not to make sure Edward new he was going to be a father. And by proxy, she CHOSE not to make sure she got the support she deserved. Bella CHOSE not to tell Charlie. Bella CHOSE to run away. Bella CHOSE to live in a nasty apartment without proper nutrition and medical care. Those were all choices SHE made, NOT Edward.

Bella COULD have chosen to demand help from Edward, because its his baby too. Bella COULD have chosen to stay with Charlie were she and her baby would have had proper resources to be healthy. Bella COULD have chosen to go to therapy. Bella COULD have chosen to stay in school. Would people have been dissapointed in her? Maybe. Would people look at her differently? Probably. Would she have to let go of her pride? Yes. But at least her baby would have been healthy.

Whatever Bella's reasoning (right or wrong) for leaving and hiding, she made her own choices. Those SHOULD NOT be pushed on Edward. Would things have been better if he had stayed? OBVIOUSLY. But there are plenty of single, underage mothers who get by without running away and living in the slums. Bella CHOSE that path. Horrible things happen to good people all of the time and Bella def got dealt a nasty hand, but it was her choice how to play her cards.

I am NOT saying that is was ok for Edward to leave. And I do acknowledge the fact that Bella wouldn't have had to make all these choices on her own if he had stayed. And I DO sympathize greatly with her situation. But Edward did leave, so it is what it is. Everything was her choice after that. And her choices shouldn't be places soley on his shoulders. I know its easy for the others to make Edward the scapegoat because Bella is sick and frail... and nobody wants to tell a sick person that they need to own up for their own actions... but it doesn't make it right for them to blame EVERYTHING on him.

I really am enjoying this story though. I pinky-promise. And I know it has to get worse before it gets better... but it kills me to see everything on Edward's shoulders. It was Edward's idea to leave but the whole family went along with it. They each made their own choices. And then Bella made her own choices as well. I hope people keep that in mind for when Charlie gets brought into the picture and for when Bella wakes up. In my opinion, they ALL (Carlisle, Esme, Edward, Emmett, Rose, Jasper, Alice, AND Bella) have things they need to own up to, and things they SHOULD have done differently. Edward was the catalyst, but everyone else's choices were out of his hands. He can only account for HIMSELF.

Please update soon :)

Author's Response:

You hit the *nail on the head* in the last paragraph and that is the point of the story.  Edward made the one GLARING mistake, but they *all* made bad choices.  They *all* have to own up for what they have done.  They *all* added to this mess.  Every last one.  And they all have different consequences and different feelings about it.  Everyone played a part in this disaster.  I'm glad that you are finding this in the tale.

And wait on Charlie.  You might just be surprised.

You make me *laugh* when I get your reviews.  I start to read them and think "Oh God.  This is a flame.  I need to duck or cry because she hates my story!"  And then I finish the review and you're so spot on and you leave me "Please update soon" :)" and I giggle.  You've beenright on target in your observations and I appreciate your every review.

This was so sad. I'm really worried about Bella. I'm also worried about Edward. He's going to have to go through alot.

I love this story but its making me depressed. Sometimes I like a bit of angst but code red is a lot angst. Can't wait for the break next chapter!`

Author's Response:

Well, next chapter is code green, so you'll get a break, and possibly even some laughs.

Hang in there.  It will be worth it in the end.

Thanks for reviewing.

Poor Carlisle, Poor Bella, Poor Edward, Poor everyone! So Edward is going to see Bella, that's probably not going to go so well if Carlisle had such a hard time seeing her. I know Bella's not responding but maybe she'll be able to sense that Edward is there. :0) I'm holding on to hope. Congrats on all the reviews!

Author's Response:

Thank you so much!

Edward will see Bella in Chapter 23.  We have another voice coming next instead.  But when he does see her, you're right, it's *not* pretty!

Brilliant as usual! Can't wait for the next chapter!

Author's Response:

I am so glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for reviewing!

This is intense. Leave it to Esme to have all of the right words.

Author's Response:

Esme so rocks!  Thank you for your reviews!

"New car for the first one who finds her?" That was good.

Author's Response: Lol! That is Emmett for you! Thanks for the review!

I just read this whole story straight through... all 21 chapters.  I'm gobsmacked dumbstruck or something.  I don't know what I am, but I'm anxiously awaiting more.

Author's Response: Wow! I am glad you found us! Thank you so much for the amazing compliment and the review!

Dear Lord this chapter broke my heart… and I only have more heartbreak to endure. Why am I doing this to myself? Oh yeah, because you have created a beautifully moving story and I can’t seem to quit it. When Carlisle begged Bella to trust them I couldn’t help but tear up. This entire family is going through so much and it all could have been avoided. I can’t imagine how Edward must feel when his father suggests that her current condition is likely (or at least partly) due to her mental condition… to her broken heart. I can’t imagine what that must feel like. Gah. 

During this chapter, and during Carlisle’s previous chapter, he mentions that he wants to take Bella ‘home.’ Is he referencing Forks or back East? I’m curious as to whether the family plans on moving back or if they wish to bring Bella with them.

Oh Angela. She is amazing. Her desire for Edward to see Bella before her offers a little bit of hope in this sea of desolation. If Angela can be turned into an Edward believer after a few hours than surely Bella, the love of Edward’s life, can forgive and believe in him eventually.

Author's Response: It truly is a sea of desolation and there are so many mistakes and wounds to heal. When Carlisle says home, I think he is more referring to togetherness rather than any particular place. Back into the fold. But I would hazard to say the Cullens would move back to WA rather than put Bella in the position of moving to ME. Thanks SO much for the amazing review!

oh boy! I cant wait for the next chapter! when is charlie coming into this??

Author's Response: The next chapter is a little change of pace and from a new POV. We will come back to E/B in 23, then to Charlie in 24.

wonderful.

Author's Response: Thank you. I appreciate the review!

My throat hurts.
I forgot my tissues.
Angsty music doesn't help.

God; you make me feel like I'm part of the walls.
That was, WOW.
I can't wait for the next update.

xoxo - Cherolyn

Author's Response: Wow! Thank you so much! I want you to be able to see, hear and feel the chapters. I will put up the teaser for 22 on the thread tonight!