I really enjoyed Edward's champagne discovery, I like that he can find ways to enjoy his new life by encompassing habits of the old! Only one small correction, the drinking age in the U.S. didn't change to 21 until around 1983. It was 18 then went to 19 for about a year and then became 21. There was, of course, a lot of dissension about this as no one thinks that someone should be allowed to serve and die for their country and not be able to order a drink at a bar! But, lobbyists for insurance companies and other interests pushed on congress to force the changes because of the high rate of drunk driving accidents among the age group. I didn't really mean to give you a history lesson, but I thought you might find it interesting. And I'm glad that Bella stood her ground with Rosalie. I always thought she was very centrist with her views. Not everyone has the same priorities as her!

Author's Response:

Oh my - I asked every American I know about drinking age at the time I and was positively told that in Pennsylvania it was like that (21). I did not think it was a Federal thing, the same rule in all States, though. Well, what is done is done, here.

Love it! I'm excited to see how they are going to fit into this family. Edward has pretty much lived on his own or with Bella since he was changed, so he hasn't had to constantly deal with invading thoughts!

Author's Response:

Yes, a mind reading character is hell to write, because you shoul do a doubled dialogue, which is ackward, so I'll write thoughts only when they diverge from what is said. And this story will have many different PoVs and even no PoVs, when a certain other character will pop up, in the last chapters (and the story, I hope, will become really thrilling).  Thank you very much for r&r.

I have to admit that Edward's methods were unconventional, but effective! He could probably talk me into anything like that!

Author's Response:

Hi there. Yes, Canon Edward wouldn't have done it, I think. Thank you for the review. I really appreciate that you are commenting every time.

Interesting! She's like the vampire whisperer! I can't wait to see how you tweak the shield! Will she have some type of suggestive power as well?

Author's Response:

Oh, her latent power will come into play toward the end of the story ... and win the day. Thank you, as usual.

Well, that was tense! I can't wait to see if Eleazar has left the guard and what he will say about Bella! Will he mention her talent? I wonder if two way radios were yet invented? I will be in your neck of the woods next week, I'm so excited for my first trip to Rome! All your little tidbits about life there has made it feel more connected to me!

Author's Response:

Did you read my Eros and Psyche? I say it because it is a story also set in Rome (In the 17th century and today) and the places described are all there, starting with San Clemente.  I even posted photos on the chapters. One place I did not mention is Santa Cecilia, in Trastevere, my favorite place to understand Rome. History in vertical.  Cecilia was a patrician who was martyrized (beheaded) along with her husband, whom she had converted. No cyrcus for them, theirs was a good family. For this reason the memory was not lost and their house is still existing, under the church, or better, under different churches that were build, till the present late Renaissance one. In the 16th century there was an archeological exploration and Cecilia's body was found, buried under the Roman house. Air tight, the body, lovingly recomposed, was preserved intact (or so they say, albeit it probably  crumbled once the tomb was opened). In any case a sculptor, Maderno,  was present and then sculpted what he had seen. The statue is in the middle of the upper church and is one of the most beautiful and moving things I know.

I'm finally able to catch up! I'm so glad you continued Carmen's tale, it was wonderful and I like having these plausible backstories in my head! And thank you again for a great afternoon! My husband and I will never forget it!

Author's Response:

Thanks to you, dear. There will be a bit more of Carmen in a future chapter...

Hmm, will he attempt to seduce Bella? Will she be his singer? I'm thinking he will cause a bit of trouble!

Author's Response:

It looks like that, doesn't it? It has been so good to hear from you again.

So, does the family know why Ives departed so abruptly, was that part of their unease? Without any of the extrasensory vampires present, it seems as if they have left Bella in quite a precarious situation. I'm sure Edward will not be pleased! As to who is at the door, I'm going to guess Irina, who is maybe trying to keep Ives around by catering to his whims?

Author's Response:

Well yes, spot on. Indeed they should have left somebody to quard Bella. But the Cullens are used to consider their place in Alaska the safest place in the world and don't have any reason to suspect the Denalis. The traditional vampire they have seen with them had just said that he was going back to Quebec . So they made a big mistake. Thank you a lot for the review. I'll submit Sunday, I think.

I don't think Bella will be horrified at Yves' beheading. As you have pointed out, she has seen unspeakable horror in the war, she would have killed him herself if she could! And that is what I think she will say! As for the two "ladies", I can't see how they could remain friends. They can't really mete out a punishment, and they can't ever really trust them again. I'll be interested to see how you resolve that!

Author's Response:

I'll differentiate between the two so called ladies, you'll see...  (Hell, when asked a direct question I have to fight with myself not to give away spoilers..).

What to say now? It was a great story and I can't wait to see where you place the epilogue. I know that you (and I) liked that Bella was able to have a child in the series as a reward to all the struggles that the couple endured time and again, what do you feel will be Bella and Edward's legacy for their struggles here? Not that eternal life and happiness together isn't enough...!

Author's Response:

I don't know, much as I liked the idea in BD, a hybrid baby did not fit in my story. So they have not had one. Even more than the Canon Bella, my Bella did not want a baby, she clarified it to Rosalie and in fact she and Edward practiced birth control, just in case. If I go back to them with future takes, who knows, they too could adopt. But it is not something I have thought about. For sure, after the epilogu,e I am leaving them to their happiness, for a long time, if not forever. I am totally owned by the new story I am writing, creating two lovers who are original chracters and are coming out well, if I say so myself. It will take months before I post, though. I hope that you'll like the Pilgrimage too, even if it will be so different from The Parachutist.

And I hope she does! Can't wait to see how the invite goes!

I guess some surprises are good! Now that someone knows exactly who he is, maybe he can become more real?

Author's Response:

Edward still says surprises are NOT a good thing. We'll have to see if Isabella can change his mind.