Another awesome chapter. I liked Edward's conversation with Jasper and Peter. I especially like what you did with Jasper - you fleshed out his personality more that I've ever seen anyone do. He's the most underutilized character.

I love your AU. That was a great chapter, I thinks its a good twist that you write about his expierences in the early days. Looking forward to the next update.

Edward's prior life as you are creating it is utterly fascinating.  You handle his conflicted feelings about returning to Carlisle and Esme so well.  I also like the very distinct characters you have shaped for each family member.   Canon is your starting point, but you take it far beyond the cliches.   And subtly shown through action and dialogue.  Nice! 

Man I was so scared that Edward wouldn't act when those men had Bella cornered and had spilled her blood.  Thank goodness he did.   Love the image of him sticking his head out the window for a breath of air, like some frat boy after a night of excess.  What a perfect way to characterize the moment and the tension between his ages and stages in development.  

Yay, too, for your Bella.  Strong and resilient in a consistent way, moved by love, not ill considered infatuation as I felt she was in Meyer's writing.

Will wait patiently for your next update.....

Our Bella is one tough cookie.  This was obsurdly wonderful!  Thank you!

I cannnot start telling you how damn good is your story. I am totally enchanted, because you delve in Edward's past, and it is something one really wanted to know, and it is believable, and then the 'in the present' part is fantastic, deep, historically placed. Peter and Charlotte become two real people, and the interaction between Edward and Bella is moving, psycologically right, exciting.

Ah, by the way, the banner is divine.

Pleae update soon. Sooner that you say

Great chapter.

OMG!! finally a proper kiss!!! YAY!!  (from everybody- Ben and Ang, and Edward and Bella)  can't wait for the next chapter!

Yeah!  Now Bella knows...and they can move forward!

wow... wow...

This chapter was incredible. And long! All the good milestones pushed into one. It works better than the cannon this way I think--SM takes too much time getting Bella to understand things that the readers knew from day one.

I love that you are including rebelward, and am amazed at the amount of research that must go into this. Im wondering if there is a connection between then and now that will come up, or is it about giving us a better sense of Edward's character? Which it does a good job of.

Great kiss.

Question: did Jake turn already? Since his scent is werewolfy.... that is a big no no for the treaty--the reason he got away with it in canon was because he didnt know it was real! I wonder if anything will come of this.

Im kinda glad Bella got roughed up a bit. It seems like less of a plot device this way, since it leads to something important. Canon is so segmented, in comparison.

Overall-- I am completely blown away by this chapter, and by the fic in general. I nominated it for a Best Darkward Bellie (since lots of it is about Edward's dark past.) Hope it makes it to voting!

Author's Response:

"Question: did Jake turn already? Since his scent is werewolfy.... that is a big no no for the treaty--the reason he got away with it in canon was because he didnt know it was real! I wonder if anything will come of this."

 

Jake has not turned... however, another wolf has. I wink at you. Thanks for reading! (And thanks for the Bellie nom!)

I can't tell you how much I've wanted to read a story that went back to the early days of Edward's transformation!  Yea!  Loved your 20's slang and it was very thoughtful to put the translations in for those who don't know.  Also, finally someone who gives Jasper his southern twang.  Lawd awmighty it's bawt time yall got yer heads ta right.  Mighty 'preciative m'am.

 

Adding to favorites.  Eager to read the rest.

I understand needing mental space...because you GIVE us so much with each chapter...sigh...you need it...I'm still sighing....LOL!

Because every chapter is SO FULL...

Interesting that Peter pointed out that they have a BOND that can't be broken...

UGH, the bad guys in the alley...my guess is that Carlisle and Edward are going to deal with them?

Ah...Ben and Angela's kiss...very sigh worthy...but not nearly as much as

Edward and Bella's kiss....TOTALLY SWOONWORTHY...

And then Alice...popping in...and stating that they will be friends...LOVELY!

Thanks so much, now get some rest, eat some chocolate...and then get back to writing... ;)

Kathie

Wow, his murder of Emily...gulp....   I'm so glad I found this story.  I really love it that you're showing the good and bad sides of Edward, that you're delving into those dark first years that I've seen no one else cover.

 

I love the flashbacks and the journey into moral ambiguity that they trace for Edward's past.   So much more effective than endless inner angsting at fleshing out his character, and the burden of self-doubt that he bears.  I'm just going to call this canon and be done with it.

Completely in sync with that is the stalker Edward that you show us in the present, with all of his rationalizations to make this lurking outside of high schools and window-sills ok.

And then you have him acting completely adolescent when he goes over to the side of her bed to kiss her.  The tension between his chronological age and his emotional/developmental age is crucial, and you present it so well, by action rather than description.  Gotta take notes!!!

*****

"But of one truth, Edward was sure ..."

Great riff on "About three things I was absolutely positive ... "  :))