I like the direction their relationship is going.

ONLY TWO CHAPTERS???????????????????NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

there's so much LEFT!!!???? HOW????

Oh my, only two chapter to go! Say it ain't so.  I'm so enjoying this story and your writing I don't want it to end so soon.

I have so missed the easy, carefree interaction between these two characters and I'm sooo glad they have found each other again!  I can't even express how much this story has affected me, and I'm just very grateful that you have presented such a realistic progression to their relationship.  Only two chapters left seriously brought a tear to my eye - I'm kinda completely in love w/ this fic. I do commend you on the absolutely tremendous job you've done with dialogue so charming it melts me, characters so endearing they feel real, and a plot that owns my heart and soul.  Thank you so much for the gift of this lovely fic!

I absolutely love this story! I love the progression Edward and Bella have made. You've done a great job with these characters. I'm sad to see this story end but I can't wait to find out what happens for these two.

This chapter was such an absolute joy to read! I've seen other people note how sublimely you convey the passage of time in this story, and I have to add my voice to the chorus. You seamlessly allow us readers to slip into the current point of the story after a time jump and the dialogue and events are exactly where they should naturally be.

Edward and Bella were so organic and lovely together. Their dynamic is still far from platonic but they are both being so wise. After all the heartbreak, separation, tenuous reunion, and subsequent six months of friendship, Bella finally *knows* Edward because he is allowing himself to be known, and he *knows* her. Bella is now not just his friend, but also part of his support system. She knows what he needs, how best to buffer his spirits, and how to give him the space to work through his lingering demons on his own.  And I love how circumspect and solicitous he is with her.

Their walk elicited such wonderful moments from their initial get-to-know-you stage, except now Bella is far more confident and playful. She might be childlike but it's because Edward makes her feel carefree enough to be that way. The sliding was such a great metaphor for the risk of a renewed romance. Bella is ready to charge ahead but Edward is holding back (a bit ironic from their first go-round). When he muses about wanting to "run and slide and tackle her in a snow bank, but I might actually break her arm that way," he might as well be talking about grabbing and kissing her and declaring himself, but being afraid of breaking her heart again.

I was so glad to see Carlisle and Esme make an appearance. I had figured that Jasper's boss Carl might have been "the" Carlisle and had reconciled myself to the possibility that he wouldn't be a secondary character. As always, you take the best parts of a canon character and perfectly fit them into the story. Carlisle has seemingly grappled with greater darkness than Edward, but he also appears to be stronger with a long history of restraint, and to have settled his existential angst. And thank you for giving us such a fantastic Esme. No boring little hearth mother in sight!

Lastly, perhaps this was your intent, perhaps I'm reading into it, but Bella's line about reading and writing about books that no one willingly reads reminded me so much of canon. Canon Bella did not have the typical reaction to Edward, she wasn't scared of him when she was supposed to be, and she didn't avoid the Cullens like others did. She was uniquely interested in and suited to Edward and his world, and when she became a vampire, it was more natural for her than being human was. Your Bella now uniquely inhabits the world of those who live with addiction, and she fits right in with her bond with Esme, participation in Al-Anon, natural and note-perfect instincts on how to best support Edward and draw him out emotionally, and ability to give him what he doesn't know he needs. Just like canon Edward's concession to turn her into a vampire, your Edward's willingness to let her in has prompted her to become something far greater than she otherwise would have been.

 

friends for now yea

Awww.. they've come so far! :)

Your pacing is perfect. This is my very favorite story on the site right now.

Glad Edward found a sponsor and things are going well. Dealing with his parents and developing a relationship with aunt and uncle has to be good.  Glad he and Bella can talk now.

 

Yeah  - they found a way to be friends.  Edward seems to to have some feelings for Bella.  I guess we have two chapters to see where this goes.

Two chapters! There is a lot of progress, they have intertwined their lives again and it's obvious that they really care about each other. The big obstacle seems to be uncertainty. I think they both need to realize that nothing is certain in this world and decide whether or not they want to take a chance. Bella said that she didn't believe her time with Jacob was a waste because they enjoyed life and love together while it lasted. So why not Edward and Bella?

I'm going to miss this story when its over.

There is a huge contrast between their conversations in the beginning and now. They speak more freely, there's less akwardness and a lot more honesty. You can definitly see lthe basis of a long term friendship now.

Glad to see that they're both gaining lives for themselves. Great chapter. ;)