awesomeness in a chapter. One of the nicest endings i have read. Who cares about the vampsex! there are 1000 others out there they can read.

 

i love how she has a limp still, makes the HEA so much better that it's not perfect. thanks for the pleasure of being about to read this story!

 

-H

Author's Response:

Thank you!  And yes, I think once she was changed, we can assume the sex is (still) good.  But it was really the struggle to meet in the middle while she was human that mattered. :-)

Katie, that was brilliant...  there really are no other words. 

I love that Bella's transformation did not make her physically perfect.  I love that they were all able to hang out at Billy's to celebrate with Charlie.  I love that Edward took communion from Martha.  That whole scene made me lose it!  The Kleenex advice was certainly warranted.

I will miss this story so much.  This story, more than any other, tackled everything that bothered me about the original canon.  The fact that Bella experienced no consequences in Breaking Dawn never sat well with me.  And I love that you didn't focus on vampire beauty - really at all.  Being human is beautiful.  Aging is beautiful.  I love the vamps, but they have their own set of issues.

I can't believe you've never written a book.  If you ever do, I'll be first in line to buy.  You really have a gift.

Author's Response:

Thank you!  And yes, I wanted to focus on human beauty!  We all know the vamps are pretty, and that's fine, but it's okay to be a human with flaws! :-)

Thanks for inviting us along on your journey. It was a nice ride.

Author's Response:

Thanks!

I really loved this epilogue.  I loved how you ended it...Death isn't an ending and too often people feel that it is.  As painful as death is to those left behind to the person leaving it's a wonderous, joyful thing!  The end of one journey and the beginning of something amazing!

Author's Response:

Thank you!  And I think the fact we die is part of what gives meaning to living!  While I agree that death too young can be really tragic for things left undone, for Martha, that wasn't really the case.  She was ready. :-)

Wow!  That was truly wonderful.  Exactly the kind of ending that this extraordinary story deserves.   Once again you brought tears to my eyes (when Martha prayed for Edward).  I'm so glad that you posted all the ending chapters so quickly.  It really helped to not loose the momentum and the emotion of the story.  I read LOTS of Twilight FF, but this is one of the few stories that will stick with me for a very long time.  I'm guessing always.  Thank you for sharing it with us.

Author's Response:

Wow!  Thank you!  I'm really humbled that it had such an impact.

What a wonderful story!  I'm sad it's over, but congratulations on the finish!

Author's Response:

Thank you!!!

wonderful ending-

Author's Response:

Thank you!

Thanks for the warning about the tissues. 

The bit with Renee was sad but funny.  Yes, Bella gave up that part of her human life, but I think it was good for Renee to have some closure.

I like how you handled Charlie's retirement, and I laugh at Jacob and Emmett as friends.

I think it fits that Bella can walk but is not perfect.  Figures Edward would blame himself, but they are together.  I like how Edward & Charlie finally bonded over baseball, and it 's good to know that Edward went back into medicine.

And Martha...you wrote this beautifully, and what a blessing that she was still part of Bella's life for those additional years.  My tears started flowing when she gave Edward communion.  Even as she lays dying, she is thinking of others.  I can almost picture Edward in a pew every Sunday. 

I would have liked to seen a deeper look into Bella & Edward's married vampire life, her struggles the first year, and the identities they chose.  But I respect your creative decisions, and I know other writers have explored these topics in other stories.  I appreciate for your author's note about that.  I will keep you on author alert for any future outtakes/editorials.

Thank you for sharing this with us, and congratulations on the completion of this amazing story.

Liz

 

 

Author's Response:

Thank you!  I'm glad you liked the little vignettes at the end.  And I think, if I were to tackle Edward and Bella's life as vampires, it would be a different story -- not the end of this story, if that makes sense?  I'm not sure how interesting it would be, too.  Bella does get her degree (several of them), Edward finishes his residency and becomes a doctor ... they travel, they get to visit family and spoil Jake and Irene's kids ... it's a pretty normal life, but not too exciting. :-D

Thanks for the ride. Despite some parts of this story not being comfortable and lovey dovey, this story spoke volumes to so many of us and I thank you for writing it.

Author's Response:

Thank you!  And yes, some parts of this story *weren't* meant to be comfortable!  But I hope the end makes it satisfying, at least!

Thank you for sharing your talent.  Loved the story from day 1.

Author's Response:

Thank you!

I'm sniffing back tears here.  Great ending. I love the full circle ending.  It's very real and very telling.  The fact that Martha helped Edward to see his humanity inside him again is very important.  Martha played such a huge role in Bella's life that her dying is integral - she will have to face her loved ones dying in her existence.  I really loved the story - all of it.  Thank you so much for writing it and sharing it with us.

Author's Response:

Yes, exactly!  The downside to being a vampire is that, even if one doesn't die one's self, people you love DO.  And even if Bella got to "keep" some of her family, at least temporarily ... she'll lose them.  So she gets to keep Edward, but she loses others.  There is no perfect ending.  But still a happy ending.

From the first chapter to this, you have been wonderfully consistent.  Beautifully written, throughly researched and true to your vision - I was thrilled to see your beautiful banner on the AU page, but also saddened to know that this was it.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful gift with us...like myself, I'm sure that many of your faithful readers were so grateful for such a wonderful and believable read...

Thank you and best of luck in the future.

Melissa

Author's Response:

Thank you very much!  I'm so glad you liked it, including the research.  I wanted this story to be as real as you can get with vampires and werewolves!