Now I'm wondering how old Bella is? And will she ever open up to Edward?

Thank god he went with her or Alice and Bella would both be missing!

I can't even imagine, nor do I really want to, what would have happened if Edward fell asleep that night in the alley! What a life to have!

No good deed goes unpunished! I'm very intrigued!

Well, that probably wasn't the best time to bring that up! Now, will Bella figure that this is more about him than her, or is he going to have to do some major groveling? I'm hoping that Bella knows him well enough and gets pissed off!

I love that Edward wants to make it in the world under his own steam, it's even more important that he does so because he wants to be the man and provide for Bella. He already has, in so many ways. It's also nice that he can swallow his pride a little to do right by her. I wonder if she realizes how much she means to him and how he would go to any length to please her? If she knew that, she would feel better about herself.

I'm so glad that Edward admitted out loud that he cares for Bella. I wonder what she has been thinking all this time! So, will she visit Alice? I hope so!

Could it be Carlisle, coming to clog up the arteries of his family?!!! I just loved Edward's internal freak out about Bella ditching him when she gets mentally well. It was beyond sweet that he cares for her so much that he can't bear losing her, especially since he actually tried to ditch her when he first brought her to the motel. If she knew how he felt, her confidence would probably improve exponentially! I can't wait to see what happens next, already the journey has brought them into contact with kind people!

Yes, you would think it would be a good thing to reconnect with family and friends, but there are a lot of things that are going to combust. Bella is going to have to relive horrible memories, deal with guilt, deserved or not, and possibly face her abuser. While Edward is going to have to deal with anxiety, he may lose the most precious thing to him ever, and the feeling that once again he can't protect someone he loves. Not to mention what of their living and working arrangements.

I liked the interaction between them and the admission that Alice had less than kind thoughts and hurt feelings of her own.

Author's Response:

I'm glad you liked it!

Well, I'm going to believe Bella if she says it was Alec! Even from the back, I'm sure she knows. As for Charlie, that was really a dumb move on his part to say those things in front of Bella. And it looks like he learned his lesson the hard way! Can't wait to see what Edward does on a date, it's probably the first date either of them have ever had with anyone!

I love the way the story is going! And even though they have no structural ties to Portland, they do need to bid it a true farewell! Let's hope that Charlie or Carlisle will come with them!