That was fascinating.  So Edward took his defense and his ultimate offense from her to win a game he would have lost.  It's like she's playing herself, really.  Her level of mental discipline seems to be phenomenal.  She's still scary as all getout.  I've never read a Bella that was so intimidating without doing or saying a single thing to really cause it. 

Thanks for the update!

Oh Edward, you sweet, sweet exasperating boy. That was a lovely way to solve the mystery of the money. Callum was such a surprise, it's going to freak Edward out when he eventually learns about him and how he was found out.

Your story is awesome. I love how you address the issues that Bella never resolved within herself or even acknowledged. Edward isn't going to know what to do with all the changes within Bella at this rate.

Author's Response:

I agree, Edward is sweet and exasperating.  Glad you liked his restocking of the Forks library - I could just see him doing something like that.  Thanks for reading :)

Loved the little reference to that awesome little story Port Angeles Players. 

I am so relieved that Edward came to some conclusions while he was gone too.  It wasn't just Bella who learned from the experience, and that's definitely a good thing.  Of course, it would have been the height of irony (and frustration) if he had come back ready to change Bella, and she had changed her mind.  It must have really freaked him out though to have come all that way with his soul searching, only to have Bella being so casual and referencing staying human.  But more importantly, I'm glad that he realizes that it's her choice, ultimately.  It's so great to see Bella not pushing Edward on the more physical aspect of their relationship.  I always hated that.  I love how excited Edward is at the idea of going to college with Bella as a human.  I would have loved to have seen you cover that time frame, but I'm kind of guessing that you won't be. 

Thanks for the update!

So I just realized you've started a new story.  I'm all excited and happy and kicking myself for not realizing this sooner.  I love it so far, absolutely exciting to see Bella actively searching for Edward and using that brain of hers.  I love that she had the nerve to go to Alaska to search for him.  I bet she's not too happy to see someone else driving his car and wearing his clothes though.  I know how I'd feel seeing that.  What else can you think except that he's got a beautiful vampire girlfriend, after all? 

I had this mental image of Bella walking up to Edward after finally finding him, and taking a baseball bat to his head.  Then shouting, "if you ever do something so stupid again next time I'm really going to be angry!"

Thanks for writing!

Say whaaaaa?  Wow, that came out of left field!  I so didn't expect that.  Bella's trying so hard to make progress here, it's actually pretty amazing the little bits and pieces she's found.  I loved the locket, and it made me so sad.  I love how you're addressing these faults of Bella's, and working on them.  Not saying that Edward doesn't have faults (I mean, he LEFT), but Bella has to own up to hers, too. 

Thanks for the update!

I swear you always manage to surprise me. I wasn't expecting these twists and turns. First, bringing Edward back to take care of Victoria like that. Masterful stroke. I loved how it was a hollow victory for him. Then having her trying to chase him down and not being able to. Then him showing up - I didn't think it was going to happen. Oh, and the imprinting! That was a nice surprise. But now after all the planning and desperation and searching, he's here. I'm just so... Wow. I can't even find the words.

Thanks for the update! Amazing as always.

Wow, this was a long chapter! So much covered, I am going to jump all over the place in my review. First, Tanya-I'm glad that was discusses because I admit I raged with jealousy. But she did help Bella understand something important about Edward and his wish to show his love with gifts. But the other stuff she pulled was crap. I love that Charlie is helping out with dinner and actually spending quality time with Bella. I love how he reacted to Edward. It was pure parent but it was reasonable and just pure love for Bella that motivated it. It's important to remember he's not the bad guy. I admit i'm curious as to what Edward heard though in his thoughts. Going back to Bella's trip to Denali, you know I forgot all about Laurent too? Yeah okay, Edward had a point about it being mucho dangerous. He must be constantly surprised at the lengths and ingenuity that Bella showed to find him. I wonder what Edward is thinking about with Bella's offhand comment about being locked in her room for the next 80 years? Did he pick up her lack of fight on staying human? That's going to be an interesting conversation.

Thanks for the big update! As always, your provide insight I would have never considered.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much!  Yes, Edward did pick up on Bella's comment about "eighty years".  That little conversation will happen in the next chapter.  What Edward saw in Charlie's thoughts -- he saw Bella when she was carried out of the woods the night he left.  He saw her crying and screaming in her bed, fisting the covers while Charlie tried to break her out of a nightmare.  He saw her dark, hollow eyes in the early weeks of his absence.  He saw her pushing away plates of food, practically untouched.  He saw her curled up on the sofa, staring at the television but not seeing.  These are all the things Charlie had to see, and that's what Charlie was thinking while he was talking to Edward.

I've read this chapter 3 times, just so you know. There's a lot going on here, what with the surprise of carlisle's finding, and Edward's freakout. Can't blame him really, and he actually did handle it well I thought. As did Bella. I loved the auto pavilion idea, and the plans for the house. The mental image of Edward stripping for Bella was mind boggling. I'm serious, I was stuck on that paragraph for like 15 minutes trying to wrap my head around it. I was also stuck on the tidbit in which Bella got to touch Edward's, um, gear stick, but for entirely different reasons. I will be curious to see Tanya at the wedding. I think she may surprise Bella. I don't think of her as a bad person, and I think she genuinely wants Edward to be happy. Not that I blame Bella for feeling threatened by her, it's perfectly natural. Edward giving her the option with regards to the Denali clan was lovely, because it showed perfectly his priorities and loyalties.

Thanks for the update!

Author's Response:

Three times!  Wow, that's more than me.  I'm glad you liked it, and it makes me smile that you say you were stuck on Edward stripping.  I wasn't sure whether to leave that in or not, but he's feeling a bit more playful these days, and the thought of someone else doing it for Bella brought out his territorial side and gave him the idea.  And, yeah, um, she's got to touch his gear stick.  I'm getting ready to start on the next chapter now. Thanks for your review, I really appreciate it.

It was absolutely a treat to see Edward being relaxed, playful, happy.  As in really and truly, bone deep contentment.  The scene where Bella told him about the frat party was awesome.  I could completely picture it in my head, Edward going from 0 to 11 on the Richter Scale while Bella blinks at him in innocent astonishment.  It was hilarious how she so blithely informed him of the party without a thought on how he'd react.  And Edward losing at cards!  And pouting!  lol  She totally will have to tell Emmett about it. 

The fight was a train wreck.  Painful to watch yet unable to stop.  I really liked seeing it though because it was nice to see them being imperfect. 

Thanks so much for the story!  I adore your writing and you have the best Bella/Edward emotional growth storylines.  Blood Lines is still my absolute #1 favorite story.

I just found this story, really liking it so far!  I love the idea of a vengeful Bella who doesn't just go running into Edward's arms first chance she gets.  That's very important to me.  I also love the different coven, it's interesting!  I hope Edward gets his ass kicked.  *grin* 

Thanks for sharing with us, and I'm so sorry to hear about your iPhone.  I can't imagine mine going out, it's my Precious.

WTF, those dogs are pissed. They are acting psychotic, and do they not notice there are other random vampires around? Are they so focused on the Cullens they can't see anyone else? It's Only the Cullens could possibly have bitten her?I guess I can understand in some ways, after all it was their fear in Forks all that time. But how irritating!

So I just found this story, and I must say that it has always confused me how few stories there are with Bella attempting suicide.  It seems such an obvious route to me, all things considered.  I mean yes, she did promise Edward to be safe, but what good are promises compared to the pain she was in? 

Can't wait to see how she handles things!