aw, those two really are adorable! thank you for the speedy update by the way! i can't wait for the big reveal; i would say that edward will help her through it! he won't go nuts like mike! although i shudder to think what will happen when they both find out the full story of how Edward got the rapist aquitted!

can't wait for more!

Another great chapter!!! I love how sweetly you are having this story be but at the same time how afraid Bella is....

 

It's complex, complicated and intriguing!!!!

How is Edward going to find out what the traumatic experience was?  This story always has me on edge.  On the one hand, there is so much both can gain from their relationship, but on the other hand, there is so much that can go wrong to each one personally and emotionally.  It's such a fine line in this case.

Oh, they had a wonderful day at the zoo!  And she felt safe enough to kiss him!  YAY!

I can't believe that  Jasper did that... well, I can... and it is funny as all hell... I can't wait till Alice gives her warning.

Another great chapter! I can't wait for movie night :-)

Men watching chick flicks is always amusing.

 

So, Edward now knows something traumatic happened...interesting...hmmm

Love the new chapter. I am from Alabama and I thought Jasper's speech was spot on. That is just how we sound around here. Keep up the good work. I am ready for Bella to open up to Edward a little more !!!

Author's Response:

Thank you!  I can send you the original draft and you can critique that if you like.  But would you agree that different parts of Alabama have different dialects?  I didn't write him in the original way to insult anyone.  I wrote him as a tribute to my wonderful family in Oakman, Alabama where their "I" sounds like "Ah".  They start every sentence with "well" and it sounds like "way-uhll".  I find it sweet and endearing.  Even my cousin who has her doctorate in nursing has that dialect.  It's the way we sound.  Some parts of Alabama (Walker County) have a more pronounced southern drawl.  Other parts (Mobile County) it's not as pronounced.  I have lived here for 34 years and I have heard this dialect my entire life.  I love it.  I'm sorry it offends a few people.  I'm thinking of changing it back to the original.

I can't say enough how much I absolutely love this story Nikki.  I'm loving the progression.  Their relationship is so sweet, innocent even, and I'm so thrilled that Bella responded to his kiss in the way that she did.  I was worried she might tense up and get triggered somehow.

Your B and E ... I can't say enough I just love your spin on them.  Both so fragile.  Love Cynthia, love Alice, love Jasper. 

I continue to be worried when I think about where this is headed - heavy stuff and angst I'm sure - but I know you'll handle it well.  You are very talented!

And my two cents on the accent - I liked it.  It was different, and I had to stop to read more slowly, but it added some color and added something.  Over and above everything else, it's your story - you write what's in your heart!

Thanks again for sharing xo

Author's Response:

Jasper will probably not speak again in the story.  People found his true accent too off-putting.  He was going to be a very important part of the story.  Now he will be a sideline character and stay far in the background.  He was under-utilized in the original and now he will be under-utilized here.  Sorry.  

fantastic! i love this story so far! i love the interaction between E&B. there is something very special about it...!

i loved their zoo date; the stuffed giraffe bit was very cute. and what about that kiss; it was beautiful!

i can't wait for more! keep it up!

Who knkew that spiders could serve as a catalyst for a first kiss. Fyi, I sleep with a stuffed rhino at night. The horn pokes me in the neck, but I just can't flip it over and have its butt in my neck...too weird!

YAY! I've missed you!!!

 

Oohh, absolutely LOVE Jasper and Edward here...would LOVE to see the original Jasper, if you're still up for e-mailing him around? (rolled-over-beethoven@fsmail.net)

The date here was SO cute....I loved Bella's obsession with Giraffs, and Edward's inner tirrade about all the stuff he wanted to do/get for Bella - uber cute. And Cynthia to the rescue again!

I look fowards to the next chapter (as always ;) ) and can't wait to see how Edward gets along with Bella's friends :P

awsome chapter....but he didn't get a really big hint though..I REALLY think she needs to tell him soon..the longer the harder. ;D

Author's Response:

Look on the forum thread before you decide that he needs to know soon.  There's a teaser on there that may change your mind.