The beach scene was very sweet. From begining to end with all the little bumps along the way. But we never got his reaction to her outburst of his rehearsal and acting skills on her on personal time. Except that he rolled in the sand and let the ladies in his life fake hit him. Seeing more of that would have been nice. And we didn't hear from him at all in the second half. Not cool. Either way, thank you.

Author's Response:

Hi, Turon!  I'm glad you liked the beach scene... they are quite entertaining together, I think.  He's finally figured out that he needs to appeal to her logical side when he has ideas, even if he's just really passionate about things.  Once things got silly in the sand, as they often do with four year old tired and giggling girls, they really couldn't talk about things further.  Frannie needed lunch and a nap, and there was the whole Camp Rock singalong, and then the after lunch naptime nookie... they just have to cram too much stuff into too short a time.  But his reaction was to keep pressing the issue, as he did in the bedroom.  He tends not to go head-on with Tina.  He just keeps going back at her a little bit at a time.  He usually gets his way, too, cheeky bugger!

It's hard to figure out what to include and what not to include.  If you read Taking Control, you know that most of what "happens" is in my head somewhere, but if I put it all down it would be 100 chapters and half a million words... so I try to pick and choose what's going to move the story forward.  Sorry I left out some things you wanted to see.  There are a lot of times where they have to go days without speaking, and with only texts or emails to connect them.  That's the nature of his life and the nature of hers - put them together and it doesn't make for the easiest communication schedule.  Not cool, but their reality, at least for now.

I'm glad you liked parts of it.  This is their last lengthy separation, so there will be a lot more of him coming up.  Ironically, I consider this to be a story about Tina, but he sure is around a lot, in body or spirit, isn't he?  Updates will be quick now as we head toward the final chapters.  *sniff*  Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Wow, that was a pretty intense and eye-opening conversation for Tina to be having with her mother. Sounds like she kept a lot from her daughter when everything went down, so perhaps there are some benefits to Tina hearing all of this now. There is a lot she can learn from her Mom :)

Rob, Tina & Frannie together are beyond gorgeous. It made my heart swell when it became apparent to Tina that Rob had been thinking about their living arrangements alot. The lad might jump in with his heart on his sleeve, but he certainly doesn't do things by halves, so Tina needs to just trust in him that he's wanting this for the right reasons. He's clearly realised that the best way to coerce Tina is to appeal to her logical side! *L*

Their last time together before Rob headed for Mexico was a perfect balance of love and steamy. Damn, if I got a lovin' from RPattz like that, I'd be surely having very pleasant dreams whilst he was away. Either that, or wild horses couldn't keep me away from being on the next flight to fuck knows where! *L*

Author's Response:

Hi, Rebecca!  Yeah, looks like Tina and her mother finally took off the superwoman capes and saw each other as human beings.  *sigh*  It's hard to tell how much of it was kept from Tina consciously and how much wasn't shared because of how Tina could put up walls.  But maybe this was a better time for the lesson, anyway.  Better late than never, anyway.  It's never too late to learn from your mother, imho.

They really are becoming a little family.  I think the weekend was important for that.  They have really had so little time to just be, and she needs to see that they can make normal life work.  He definitely has learned to appeal to her logical side, but he still shows her the passion that he feels, wearing his heart on his sleeve.  And the lad can deliver a line, can't he?  Poor Tina... she's so screwed!  But she must see that he's got his head and his heart involved in the process.

I'm glad you liked the naptime nookie.  One of my other reviewers said my lemons were getting really good... just in time for the end.  Whatever will I do with this newly developed skill?  *snort*  Yes, I don't know how she managed to stay away from Cabo, but I'm not so sure, if I knew which scenes he was filming down there and I'd never met Kristen, whether I'd follow him there even after that particular experience!

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!  Be prepared - the chapters are going to come fast and furious now as we barrel toward the end of this little tale.

What a great chapter, Kris.  Tina's mom has certainly got her number doesn't she?  I hope that Tina will finally listen and let him in completely.  I know how hard it is to drop walls that have been built up for so long, but sometimes you've just got to take that chance, especially when it is staring you right in the face like this.

Sorry about your vacation bb...

t.

Author's Response:

Hi, Teddi!  I hope you guys had fun today!  Yeah, Tina's mom sure has her number, indeed.  Probably comes from looking in the mirror a time or two, you know?  Tina seems to be listening a lot... much better than she used to.  Perhaps she's healing after all.  It's really hard to drop the walls, but it's worth it.  And she's getting some pretty important advice from someone who can truly say she's been there, done that.

Thakns so much for reading and reviewing!  I'm so glad you found my story!  The vacation... well, now I have my fabulous weekend adventure, so I guess maybe there was a reason.  Who knew?  Be ready for some fast and furious updates!

Have an awesome vacation!

Speaking of awesome, this cbapter fills the bill!!!

Author's Response:

Hey, Sarah!  Thanks!  By now you know vacation got sort of waylaid... but I'm going to take a long weekend and do something impulsive and fun with my dearest ET (lostluggage).  So I can't complain!

Thanks for the review!  I'm so glad you liked it.  These chapters have been an amazing experience.  I can't tell you what it means to me to have people respond to them.  Updates are going to come fast and furious now, so hang on to your hat!

Thank you for the chapter!!!!! I hope you have a great time in your vacation. I loved every part of this chapter. I love that Rob makes himself so vulnerable for Tina. I think he has figured that out, lead by example no? And her mom!!!!! I loved her. It is so interesting to look back at how we perceive our mothers (in particular us being girls) when we are young and then when we have children etc. It really was a beautiful chapter. I am torn about which was my favorite line. I think it was: 

Rob watched the entire process in awe.  He had never seen Frannie Lloyd Wright or Franzilla in action, and both were equally fascinating to him.  I alternated between watching her and watching him watching her.  His amazement was etched on his face.

And then when she thinks that she is so blassed that he loves Frannie... sigh....

Author's Response:

Hi, Catalina!  Unfortunately, real life sort of interfered with my vacation plans, so the family is up in the mountains but I'm here to work all week.  We're going to do something as a family later in the summer.  But it means I won't be two chapters behind on reviews, so there's that!

I'm so glad you liked the chapter.  There were so many parts of this particular chapter that just melted my heart... I don't think I could pick one line either, to be honest.  The whole conversation with her mother... it's funny, but as much as Tina has been the "responsible one" all of her life, she is really started to see her family through "adult eyes" now.  Suzie and her mother both are much more three-dimensional now that they aren't projects to be completed.  The interesting thing about Rob and Tina is their perspectives.  Since the beginning, Tina has looked at the obstacles right in front of them but Rob has taken a longer view.  So it's only natural that while she's still thinking about their upcoming separations, he's trying to figure out how they will be when they are finally together.  Sweet!

She really does believe that she's liucky he has such a bond with Frannie.  Since Frannie is the most important thing in her life, it helps that he understands that.

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.  We're really in the home stretch now.  We'll be finished by the end of the month.  *sniff*

See, I have noticed that I sometimes fail to comment on the awesome HAWTNESS that you generously donate to us. 

It's usually because it is followed by some form of wonderful snark at the end, which gives me the giggles.

 

You are awesome, sweets!!!

Author's Response:

And now here's our discussion on the lemons!  *snicker*  Truthfully, the snark matters more.  But that doesn't mean that I'm not glad you enjoy the hotness.  I'm just happier that you're excited about the snark!  But it's important to remember that you can't do this on Skype, you know?

Hahahahahahahaha... I effing knew it!!!!

Author's Response:

Yeah, you saw it coming!  But you have to admit, drunk Tina is entertaining.  The attention span of a fruit fly, but she's fun!

Awesomeness. :-)

 

May not catch all of them up today.... but I'm trying... lol

Author's Response:

I can't believe how quickly you caught up - just sayin'!  I'm so glad you like this story!

Ah, yes, smaller shoe sizes...  Too bad though clothing goes the other way... lol

 

Selfridges is awesome too, it's on Oxford as well... It's AMAZING inside!!!!! :-)

Author's Response:

Yeah, I kind of glossed over the clothing sizes... but I cling to the shoes.  Pregnancy was a killer - I was already a Size 10 before the whole mama-spread thing happened.  *sigh*

I have to go to London... never been.  If you've been to John Lewis, you have to tell me.  I had to pick one and JL had a good website and location.  Thanks for the Selfridges tip!

Oh my dear, what is it with you and hatred of my favourite hat?  LOL!  I LOVE that hat! 

It's nice to see some emotional connection between these two, it's been long distance for so long!  Seems to me that Rob is just looking for a nice stable normal life, and he's found it in spades with Tina - along with some other fun perks!

What will the beach bring?  Why do I think he'll be spotted?  Hmmm....

- Terri

Author's Response:

Hey, Terri!  I KNEW hating on the beanie would perk your ears!!  Heh heh!  Clearly he loves it, too, and she compromises well, asking him to just not wear it when he's with her.  Seems like she's a reasonable girl!

This weekend really is about them emotionally reconnecting.  I'm so glad you appreciated that part of it.  They have really only been together for about 3 weeks out of over three months.  The separations have to be brutal - well, we know they are from Tina's POV.  He does get that taste of normal from her, and he craves it.  Can you imagine what Rob's POV would be of those times they are apart?  And how he feels after he speaks to her?

You and I are similar creatures... we live where it's cold a lot of the time (you far more than me!) so we figure... beach = crowds.  Every time I've been to a beach that is just a beach (no pier or any other attraction but sand and water) in LA between October and April, the place is deserted.  So they are pretty realistic in thinking there won't be anyone there.  Plus, he's disguised as a NY dad!  They'll be fine!  Trust me!

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!  I really appreciate it.  You and the Tri-Os... you just rock my world!

Hi Kris!

I absolutely adored it! It was great to follow them in reconnecting, having a talk about the jealousy issues (which obviously isn't as much directed at a romantical/sexual way, as much as in 'every day activities' kind of things - quite understandable actually)...

Loved the hat-gift giving, especially the bit about them having their pap-pictures taken in public, and his adorable reaction to it (he's sooo sweet), and was soo in love with his Frannie interaction - it's just so adorable that this young guy is so taken by the little girl. They indeed have a special connection! But I miss the 'rabbit' pronounciacion (I miss the toddler language in my own kids too - they grow up way too fast)

Hugs - Irene (who just returned from a night out with the girls watching Eclipse, but just had to read this before going to bed! Isn't he just too gorgous in it? Damn, my heart was going into palpatations ;) )

Author's Response:

Hi, Irene!  How's Iowa?  bwahahaha!

I'm so glad you liked the chapter.  I know I said it was all schmexin', but you know I can't skip juicy plot things!  It's just not in my nature!  His issues are SO understandable... really, I think Tina knew it all along, but it was important that he realize it.  As a mega-star, I'm sure he has people telling him all the time he can have anything he wants, but there are a whole host of things he can't have as a result.  When it's front and center, that's not so easy to deal with.

Thanks for the compliments on the hat exchange.  There so much emotion in their gift-giving... they are both people who can really get themselves any material thing they want, so their gifts say so much more about what they think of each other.  And of course, I missed Frannie terribly!  So glad you liked her reappearance.  It's so clear she has a strong bond with Rob outside of his relationship with Tina.  That makes all the difference.  I miss Wabbit, too.  *sniff*  They do grow up too fast!

My elder daughter and I watched the trilogy last night at the movies (Twilight at 6:30, New Moon at 9, Eclipse at midnight) and then I took her with her friends this afternoon!  Of course, I'm now terribly behind on reviews.  And I took a day off from work, so heaven knows what awaits me there!  But it was all worth it!  Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!  I really appreciate it!

And yes, he is heart-stoppingly gorgeous in this one.  So glad that the hair, makeup, costuming, lighting, and cinematography came together in the film where he was so... ummm.... fleshed out?  Is that the right description.  He just looked fantastic.  Wow.

Wow, that was rough....

 

Author's Response:

You're making me go back and reread these chaps just to get in the same zone you're in... and yes, this was a rough one.  But Rob needed some tough love.  And you have to admit, the Tina and Mom convos provided a little comic relief.  She clearly cares, but she's got to worry about a lot of people.  Many depend on her, and she has to protect her family.  And yet... she still can only ask him not to make her choose.  She can't say the words that would have cut him.  The old Tina would have done it in a heartbeat.  She's learning.  Hopefully he is too.

I have to pack it in for the night... I'm an East Coast girl... but I'll get back to responding tomorrow.  Thank you again for laughing, and checking in so frequently, and for enjoying my little tale.  I can't tell you how much it means to me!