FINALLY Edward, Bella and Nina can talk openly to each other!!! Quite a convo!
*random semi-related thought* You don’t have to think highly of yourself to be self-absorbed. People who wallow in low self-esteem are JUST as self-absorbed!
*and another one* You can care for others without it being at your, or anyone else’s, expense!
If I were Bella, I’m not sure I’d want to “find a better balance” if it meant that Edward would be able to hear my thoughts! :P
<< His total stillness marked his inner turmoil. >>
LOVED this! :)
<< "He attempted . . . to help you, when you were having nightmares. He tried to bring you some peace while you slept." … "Oh." Bella looked down. "Sorry." … He pursed his lips. "Don't you see, Bella? You're apologizing for something I did. >>
They’re BOTH wrong! He may have left town, but she’s in control of her reaction to it.
<< He scoffed, "I've failed miserably at that. Look at what's happened since I began trying to protect you. Utter ruin." … A little creased puckered in Bella's forehead, trying to discern why Edward was upset with himself. >>
Wow, she doesn’t see what we see: his constant self-condemnation.
<< … Nina said. "It's healthy to balance taking care of yourself with taking care of others. Too bad Edward doesn't heed his own advice." … His eyes narrowed, and Nina caught a glimpse of the furious predator within. >>
Eek!
<< "Forgive me for butting in," Nina backtracked. >>
heehee, careful lady!
<< Nina's smile was pleasant. "How about some couples therapy?" … Edward… leaned forward with a smirk. "Isn't that what we're doing right now?" … she smiled. "I suppose. I just can't help myself." >>
They’re both Nina’s clients so it’s understandable that she’d go into therapist mode when talking to them.
*turns to you* With all your time spent working with clients, your brain must be tuned into picking up unhealthy thought patterns etc. How is the transition, or lack thereof, when it comes to dealing with non-clients like family and friends? Being a therapist may be your “job”, but it would naturally become a part of how you deal with all people every day. After being ‘dumped on’ all day at work with people’s deepest stuff, you must want a break from that when you leave work? Do people tell you their problems or weaknesses because they think that you, as a psychologist, are ‘a good listener’, or do they avoid telling you their problems or weaknesses because they don’t want you to feel as though you’re being forced to take on an after-hours client for free? *burden* Or is this a non-issue? (some people might see you as… …human?) Do you think that, if your clients WEREN’T your clients, you could be friends with them, knowing (with foresight) what’s going on in their heads? Or would you be unable to stop playing free afterhours therapist / carrying that burden?
This just seemed to be the right place for probing questions! *Twific* :P
<< He brushed strands of her hair away from her cheek, leaving the cool trail of his fingertips down the side of her face, eliciting a little shiver up her spine. >>
<< Edward… gently clasped Bella's hand in his, smoothing his marble thumb over her pale skin. >>
I like how you describe Edward touching Bella every now and again – it’s very natural for “people” ‘in love’. :)
<< "They lost Victoria." >>
Eek!
<< "She's not coming here, is she?" Nina asked, looking worriedly at Bella. … Edward quickly ended the call, appearing perturbed. "No. Her scent is gone… >>
Phew!
<< But what about the treaty violation?" >>
Ooh, of course! :s
<< Noticing the very slight darkening of his eyes, Bella refused to accept that answer. "What did Carlisle say?" … She knew him so well. >>
:)
<< "He and Sam are meeting tonight at midnight." >>
Ooh, interesting! …This meeting is a good sign, I think! These two level headed leaders seem to want the best for their respective “people”; they are fair and wise.
<< Carlisle said we're both 'agitators'. >>
Yup!
<< “…that impulsive pup!" >>
Heehee :)
<< At first Edward's indignant comment about Jacob made Nina smile, but then she thought about her son and sadness overtook her. Had he lived, Adam would've been the most impulsive wolf of them all. But just like Jacob, he would've protected Bella. He would've protected the tribe. He would've protected his mother. She swallowed, wistfully stroking the length of her neck. She deeply wished his death could have been prevented. >>
Well put! A very real reaction for a mother…
<< He spoke so quickly when he answered that Nina couldn't follow, and Bella apparently was also in the dark given her puzzled glance. >>
Vampire super-speed! :D
<< "Alice couldn't see. Victoria might be changing her mind." >>
Interesting…. . I hope she doesn’t decide to come back!! :o
<< Nina guessed, "She, um, she sees the future?" >>
Dang, this lady is good! And so composed / ready to accept all this! It helps to belong to the tribe, I’m sure!
<< "But I wasn't speaking aloud," Edward said. "Bella could hear my thoughts." … Nina's eyebrows knitted together. "That's odd." … Edward studied her. "Odd? This entire situation is odd. I'm odd. You seem to be taking this all in stride, Dr. Carlton." >>
Odd indeed!
<< Well, if Bella thinks you're okay, then I think you're okay. Bella's a good judge of character. I trust her." >>
*wide eyed*
<< “Wait a minute," Nina said. "Bella, you know that Edward was there, outside the movie theater? You know he was there when you rode a motorcycle?" … "He told me," Bella answered. "Turns out I wasn't hallucinating, just like you said." Her lips parted. "Wait, Nina - you knew he was there too! No wonder you told me I wasn't crazy." >>
hee hee, incestuous bunch! :P
<< Edward froze. "Speaking of reading minds . . . Charlie's here." >>
heehee
<< Nina frowned. "How do you know it's him? I thought you said you had trouble reading his thoughts." … Edward sat up straighter. "Not when those thoughts are shouted." >>
Heeheeheeheeheee!!!
Charlie has every reason to be FURIOUS with Edward and terrified/relieved/angry with Bella! (He’s only seen their relationship from the outside – which doesn’t look so pretty.) You captured their interactions SO WELL! As you did his (awkward!) interactions with Nina. :) I would think that he’d be annoyed at her for encouraging Bella and Edward’s relationship by offering to help them stay together! I suppose he has a soft spot for her and his anger is already directed so strongly at Edward and Bella!
<< God, she smelled good. How long had it been since he'd hugged a woman? She fit so well in his arms. He found his hands gently pressing her closer to him, smoothing circles on her back, and he closed his eyes, wanting the moment to last just a little longer. >>
Aw. Charlie’s had a dry spell.
Ooh, so Bella knows now too!
<< She always thought she'd feel upset to see her father with another woman, but instead she felt giddy. Charlie deserved somebody in his life, and she couldn't think of a person better than Nina Carlton. >>
That’s good! (I think… I wonder how Nina will get around this ‘ethical’ thing!)
I’m glad Harry’s okay! :)
<< It's Seth she's worried about. He started feeling bad at the hospital - turns out he's got an insanely high fever. They admitted him right away." >>
hee heee
Lol, Charlie won’t let go of the steroid thing!
<< "It's true," Nina said. "My son Adam grew a lot when he was fifteen." She was amazed she could say his name and still remain standing. >>
<< Nina felt her eyes misting over, but the panic she normally felt about her son had dissipated with the new understanding gleaned from the pack. >>
Aw. I’m glad learning the truth has helped her deal with his death a little more.
<< "It must be something about the tribe. Our ancestors were very tall men." >>
Go Nina! ;D
<< Charlie looked distraught, and he glanced at his daughter. Their brown eyes met, and Bella could feel the intensity of his emanating love for her. >>
That’s so sweet!
<< She felt even more ashamed of her suicidal phone message, knowing Charlie would have been completely devastated if she'd carried through on the threat. >>
Yeah Miss Selfless wasn’t being so thoughtful of others back then, was she?
<< "Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to go to therapy if Edward's there with me?" >>
Ugh! If Bella and Edward commence couples therapy, I think they should continue with individual therapy too – to remind Bella that she CAN stand on her own two feet; EVERYTHING doesn’t centre around Edward being by her side.
<< "Well, you can forget about going anywhere, young lady, 'cause you're grounded." >>
Hmm…
<< Nina pressed her lips together. "You're grounding Bella for threatening suicide?" >>
*ridiculous!*
<< Charlie looked over at her, appearing flummoxed. "Well . . . not really . . . more for scaring the hell out of me, and, and, you. She's obviously not safe, leaving the house!" >>
THAT’S more like the truth! It’s understandable that he’ll be afraid to let her out of his sight for a while. She hasn’t exactly shown that she’s stable / trustworthy. :/
<< "I mean, of course, you're her parent and you know best," Nina added. >>
hee hee, ingratiate the parent! :P
<<"You and I are going to talk about this. Alone." >>
Good!
<< Bella nodded, trying to be brave. … "And then you're calling your mother." … "Dad!" she whined. >>
Bella’s so… young! *mentally* I have to remind myself that this is (supposed to be) true love. Teenagers can have just as intense loving feelings as adults, but …. she has so much growing up to do before she can commit to ‘ever after’ with Ed!
<< "I spent the whole car ride to the hospital talking her down after that phone call she got from you. >>
Yikes! Of course! :s
<< Jacob sat on her motorcycle, shooting her a satisfied grin as he revved the engine one more time, waiting for Charlie to approach. >>
JAKE! The traitor!!! He has a sick enjoyment of this -- the poor loser!
<< Charlie spun around and saw the three in the doorway. Even from that distance, Bella could see the veins in his neck throbbing. His roar wasn't hard to hear, either. … "ISABELLA SWAN!" >>
Ha ha, Fantastic Ending! ;D
I can’t say that I’ve ever been grounded, myself. (Or been ‘not allowed to go’ anywhere.) It seems so… …primitive. ;)
It’s easier said than done, but the key to good parenting, I think, is teaching your kids (by example) to make their own good decisions, instead of enforcing ‘rules’ like a police officer! :P
That said, I like the tactics of SuperNanny (have you seen that series?) when she puts the kids on the naughty chair / in the naughty corner for one minute per year of their life.
Thanks so much for the brilliant chapter, Jen! I love this story!
Author's Response: Hey Nix!
<< You don’t have to think highly of yourself to be self-absorbed. People who wallow in low self-esteem are JUST as self-absorbed!
*and another one* You can care for others without it being at your, or anyone else’s, expense! >>
I bow to your wisdom. :)
<< If I were Bella, I’m not sure I’d want to “find a better balance” if it meant that Edward would be able to hear my thoughts! >>
Good point. I was envisioning it like in Breaking Dawn (which you haven't read ha ha), when Bella can CHOOSE to lower her shield. It was a very special bonding moment for them.
<< *turns to you* >>
Eek!
I think a curiosity about people is always present for me, and at times I might recognize something on a deeper level, but for the most part when I'm not in the therapy office I'm just chilling. I'm just a friend or a family member. It takes intense concentration and a particular mindset when I'm in therapist mode. I think it'd be unrealistic to say that I could turn it all off, but I do strive to be off duty when I'm off duty. What about you, Attorney Nix? I bet there might be times in everyday conversation when you're thinking attorney thoughts?
<< "He and Sam are meeting tonight at midnight." >>
<< Ooh, interesting! …This meeting is a good sign, I think! These two level headed leaders seem to want the best for their respective “people”; they are fair and wise. >>
Yes, that's how I saw it too.
Glad you found Charlie's shouted thoughts amusing. :D
<< Charlie has every reason to be FURIOUS with Edward and terrified/relieved/angry with Bella! (He’s only seen their relationship from the outside – which doesn’t look so pretty.) You captured their interactions SO WELL! >>
Aw, thanks, Nixinette!
<< I wonder how Nina will get around this ‘ethical’ thing! >>
I have some thoughts about this but I'm not quite sure.
I wanted poor Harry to live in my version of the story!
<< Yeah Miss Selfless wasn’t being so thoughtful of others back then, was she? >>
Ha ha. *points above to your first observation*
<< Teenagers can have just as intense loving feelings as adults, but …. she has so much growing up to do before she can commit to ‘ever after’ with Ed! >>
Very true, though Bella is wiser than her years.
You've never been grounded? I have and it sucks. I love SuperNanny! She rocks.
Thanks for the gargantuan review, chica!
