ok now I'm thinking Emmett needs to take Edward to the gym for the guy-machismo thing and lose some of the frustration that's building up in him.

Although getting some dedicated music time runs a close second...

The meeting coming up should be interesting, especially with Bella going along for the ride.

hmmm... I think "uncomfortably tense" is the best way I can describe that chapter. Ed Sr is still able to recognise that the things he does are wrong, but lacks the ability to decide to stop just one little thing, like drinking, to correct things.

Seomthing you mentioned before, that he did spend part of his time in prison getting help for his problems. However, it was in an already tightly controlled environment, and he didn't really have the skills to stick with it once he got out and had to make the decision for himself.

Performing in a bar environment since his release certainly wouldn't be helping (surrounded by alcohol, drunks, and other people with too similar problems); his options are severely limited due to his past, though he still has the power to choose a path out.

Ed Sr seems to see his not hitting anyone since Liz died as a success - when the truth is more likely that he's been surrounded by people that would not only hit back if he did, but hit harder, something he never had to worry about with Liz or Edward.

It's frustrating that he can see the path out in his own mind, but it's so clouded over and drowned out by all the negativity in his head, he can't act on it.

It doesn't excuse his actions, but fleshes out the background that created him, and the monster within that any "nice" part of Ed Sr is constantly overwhelmed by.

A small part of me hopes for some eventual redemption, but it doesn't really seem possible at this point.

Hopefully, Edward is able to get his own anger under control without scaring Bella too much more than he already has, his chances are far better than his donor's. :)

ohh little Emmett/Rose is on the way!! Loved the way the guys were all a little bit Sapward hehe

I think best line goes to Alice though, "et tu, Bella?"

I wonder, is Alice feeling particularly left out though with both Bella and Rose having this whole experience separate from her... and perhaps getting left out of the baby room decorating hurt more than we're aware?

Alice is happy for them to be sure, but also sad that it's something she's not up to yet?

First, before I forget, I've been thinking that Edward could get Bella one of those digital art tablets that she could use whilst having to endure the bed rest. He does enjoy spoiling her, and it would be a somewhat different medium for her to learn to use whilst being frustrated out of her mind otherwise :)

Anyways, enjoyed the chapter - I've had the (amusement/misfortune?) to be in the company of pregnant women and new mothers having a very similar discussion to that of the yoga class. Hmm... haven't thought about that in a long time :)

There were a few points I was holding my breath against something potentially bad happening, but thankfully it was in vain :)

Edward really sets the bar high for himself sometimes (in a good way), though we all know Bella isn't necessarily expecting him to top his previous best every moment hehe

hmm I wonder why Jacob and Leah are out of contact for now?

Oh, and the Haiti compilation truly is an amazing effort by all involved, and it's good to hear you're at least getting 6 hr blocks (or so) of stability :)

Another great chapter! Sad to hear we're nearing the end, though it's been a great ride. Hmm... in the sense that it's had strong characters and happy endings, and such, not that I've necessarily enjoyed the pain suffered by our beloved family.

Loved Emmett's description of Edward's breakdown after the birth. I kind of shared the thought that Edward could have said things differently, and I certainly felt my own level of wanting to smack him upside of the head. But I think he reacted out of his greatest fears. Bella is literally his world, air, lifeforce really, and vice versa for her need for Edward.

The intensity of the birth, all the troubles leading up to it, and Edward's own knowledge of how many things could go wrong, then hearing that flat-line go on for anything longer than a few seconds - it's actually kind of incredible he managed any speech at all.

Having said all of that, I'm looking forward to B&E&N getting settled into a regular family life... and would it be overly corny of me to entertain the thought of Sophie staying in touch with the Cullens enough that little Esme and Nathan become something of an item in the future? ;)

Oh and I'm curious about it, I'm not sure if the muffin recipe is a good idea - I'd probably eat the whole batch myself and then have to make more, and eat more, and... well, I'm sure you see where that's going :)

Such a relief to see that drama over with (for a while, at least) Though it's so hard after all this time with these characters to see them get knocked around again :P

Is it weird I'm thinking that Bella and/or Edward may not want to keep that new chair after Ed Sr having his moment in it?

I'd be hard pressed, myself, to hold onto items that might trigger overly negative memories. I've certainly done it, but with the never ending cycle of debate on whether I should have or not.

Depends on how easily you can put those things from your mind, and they did manage to have some happy memories there before Ed showed up.

Sad to see we're almost done, but I'm looking forward to Encore :)

awwwwww great place to finish it really. I mean, I kind of feel like Jake and Leah and their boys could get their own story/outtake in a way, even a short 2-chapter sort of thing, assuming one of them started talking.

The set up of the Foundation was a great idea - something I could potentially have seen them doing in the future even without the insurance payout. Bella would've wanted to do something like that with her art sales I think.

It's been a great ride across the two stories, I couldn't help but think that Bella's comments on nearly being done with editing, and ready for a break (however brief) from it, as being something echoed by yourself (and Alicedances) after such a long journey :)

Wow... I really let the ramble out of the cage that sentence-paragraph, my high school English teachers would kill me if they knew :)

Looking forward to Encore.

aww Edward got suprised a few times there!

oh, and Synchronised Mile-high, anyone? ;)

aww sad to see it wrapping up, but so cute to see Bella's reaction to Carlie's moving away after being ok with the engagement hehe

hehe even though I know this must end badly (since we're flashing back from Bella's time), it's still fun to see Liz so relieved that Esme's with Carlisle :)

hmm I know Bella's stressed/exhausted and all, but opening the door at night like that without determining just whom it was on the other side after all the noise, doesn't seem like a great idea :p

More than a little worried about Bailey's situation as well.

ahh out of all that chuckle-inducing madness I think Bella's spin-kick at the possible Newton-grab was the funniest... would've been slightly better were he THERE. Based on his behaviour this chapter, I'm guessing he'll give us all the chance to see that at some point :)