I really enjoyed seeing things from Emmett's perspective. We knew he'd have to find out about Edward and Bella sleeping together eventually. Great chapter, I can't wait to see what views Bella has on her night with Edward and how their relationship has progressed since then.

I continue to appreciate your slow build up to a relationship between them...a lot of people rush it.

I also really enjoy your Edward. I like seeing things from his perspective because he puts up a cold front so often, and yet he is tender beneath it all. Teaching her to swim is extremely sweet and I can see the beginnings of love in him.

This story is amazing!! I cannot wait for the next chapter, so update soon. :D

Ohhh!  Good read.  Update soon.

Author's Response: thanks :)

Just love Rosalie in this story.  Your comparison to her as a freight train without brakes is perfect!  Looking forward to reading what will happen between Edward and Bella next!

Author's Response: thank you :)

Still reading and loving your story!  If I am going to drink wine, I usually like the semi-sparkling kind.  Mmmm...

 Not sure why my two posts to your story have included my preference to alcoholic beverages.  I promise I do not have a drinking problem.  ;)

Author's Response: Edward and Bella don't have a drinking problem either! I love sparkling wine.

Another great chapter.  I liked that there wasn't any "morning after" talks.  Also, I really appreciate that Edward wasn't thinking "best sex ever" -- that angle is over done and it is so much more "real" without it.

Loving Emmett!  Glad he is back -- can't wait to see what happens next!

Great job!

PS - oh yeah, finally got a friend to read this story (she is anti AH) and she loved it!  :)

Author's Response:

Thanks!

Glad you're enjoying the story :) 

Well, when Rosalie puts it that way, it actually does seem quite unfair of Edward as well. And is it bad that I'm actually starting to appreciate Rosalie in this story? How fickle has this story made me?! Look what you've done! :)) GREAT greaaaat job!

Author's Response:

lol, we're all a little fickle.

Glad you're enjoying the story so far! 

OH DEAR LORD. Okay, I know Edward was a jerk and that what Bella is going through is a seriously dire situation but in no uncertain terms does that justify what she did. How could she even consider doing that? I mean, yes, Edward may or may not have kissed Tanya but God, that was SEX under HIS roof. She didn't even have the decency to go somewhere else for that. I hope you are not insulted by my rant. I know these are your characters and that this is integral to the story but I am just so frustrated with her. As we are all meant to be, I'm sure. FANTASTIC JOB, though. Not many stories get this much of a reaction out of me. Especially when it comes to Bella since I love her to death most of the time. :))

Author's Response: I'm not insulted. Believe me, there were worse rants. Much worse. Thanks for reading along and reviewing :)

You go, Bella! Mark your man! Even if he's not officially your man yet. :P

Pool table fun is always so sexy.

Oh and I wanted to mention that I love how open and honest Bella is. Even in the last chapter how she opened up about her insecurity with him. She is the polar opposite of Edward and I think just what he needs. ;)

Edward's compliment made ME blush even! Absolutely loving this story. Edward's so cool, calm and collected but I still think he has other layers to him. And who can resist multi-layers? :))

Emmett is such a sweetheart. Edward was a dick to Jessice but always have and always will hate her character so that caused a big smile on my face. And I cannot wait to see what Edward thinks of Bella? Girl-next-door? Hmph, I wonder what Edward will have to say about that. :P

Wow! I was expecting a great chapter from you and you definitely didn't disappoint! I was so excited when I opened my e-mail to see that this story was updated. I'm not sure if I've told you this before, but this story is definitely in my top five favorite fanfics ever. :) I don't exactly know what those five are, but I just know that if I were to compile a list, it would be on there. Haha.

Ok, I'll start from the beginning. :) I LOVED how Edward was worrying about what Bella would think when she woke up. It was so cute to see him nervously trying to decide if he should stay in the room or leave. Haha. Always overthinking. Edward finding her list of things to do before she dies was a really great moment. I was glad to see that the list affected him and it was adorable how he decided to help her learn to swim. She has him wrapped around her finger and neither of them realize it. I love it! Haha. I really liked the whole swim lesson scene. Of course Edward knows CPR. I loved his crack about how the toaster doesn't work. Ha! Excuses excuses. hehe. It was a really powerful moment (for me at least) when Bella was floating on her back and was trusting Edward to catch her if she started to sink. I think maybe it was a powerful moment for Edward too? I got the feeling that he realized that he likes it that she trusts him? Maybe I'm reading too much into it. :-P

All of the Emmett point of view was fun to read. I always enjoy getting into his head because writing from his pov in an E/B story is pretty unconventional (in a good way). I really loved his reaction to hearing about Edward disobeying him. He was the perfect mixture of confused and furious. haha. It's feels weird to say this, but I loved when Emmett punched Edward. It just felt like a reaction that the real Emmett would have and I though Edward not fighting him back was just the kind of reaction that the real Edward would have too. Perfect. :)

I'm really excited to see what the deposition will bring. I loved how Edward was insistant upon going to Portland with Bella. I don't think he's fully realized the depth of his feelings for her, but his actions and reactions about everything concerning her sure show it. I predict that when the deposition arrives next month, there's no way he'll stay behind wondering if she's even going to make it home. Even if he himself doesn't end up going, I don't think he'll be able to just let her go alone.

This chapter, per usual, was wonderful. I'm really enjoying watching this story progress and with every chapter I think I'm getting more and more obsessed. Great job and I can't wait to read more!

-Christy

 

Author's Response:

Christy,

Thanks so much (like always) for the thoughtful review. Edward was an Eagle Scout-- he just seemed like the CPR type. He's a great humanitarian from a distance, and CPR is one of those things that might help a random stranger. And yes, the swimming thing is big. We'll see how big, soon.

Glad you enjoyed the Emmett POV. Some people really only want Edward and Bella POVs, but Emmett has an important piece to play in this story. I was really surprised how many people loved when Emmett punched Edward. Only about 5% of reviewers were upset. The rest all seemed to think Edward had it coming... even though it was Bella who initiated the whole sex thing.

And the deposition hasn't arrived yet, so we'll tackle that when it comes.

Best,

Christina 

The chapter was awesome, even with no hot tub scene.  You gave us some hot tub action last chapter.  I know a lot of people would disagree, but I would rather have the attention on plot development.  The story gets better and better with each chapter.  It was very endearing having Edward read Bella's bucket list and then decide to help her learn to swim.  That just further serves to prove that there is a good heart under all that assholeness.  Even if he can't admit it yet, it's obvious he has developing feelings for her.  I am very curious to read Bella's take on the deed, and the events afterward.  She's probably confused as hell about the swimming lessons.  He sends such mixed signals. 

You have done such a great job with the creation of these characters and this plot that I actually find myself wondering what Bella must feel like knowing her days could be numbered.  Also, I wonder how Edward must feel knowing her life is in danger.  I appreciate that he wants to be protective of her and go to Portland with her.  I wonder how, and if, he'll manage to make the trek with her.  Emmett seemed dead set against him going along, but as we have learned Edward doesn't always do what Emmett tells him too.  I think if he makes the trip to Portland, with Bella's knowledge or not, that will speak volumes about his true feelings for her.  Even if she doesn't know he's there, it should tell him something about how he feels. 

Anyway, thanks so much for the update.  I am so looking forward to the next one, because I want the swimming lessons to continue and the deposition date to arrive.  Take care.

Author's Response:

You're right, a lot of people would disagree. But I'm glad you like the plot! We should catch up with Bella next chapter.

And we'll have to see about Portland... :)

Thanks so much for reviewing.

limona