Ah, I'm glad at least one Cullen knows the truth now.  And it's okay that there's going to be some angst in the future - that's what makes for an interesting story.  :)

Author's Response: Well, if you appreciate angst, you came to the right place! Thanks for the review!

Thank God for Facebook, eh?  ;)  Good chapter.  And I heart Emmett too. 

Author's Response: Facebook saves the day! Thanks for reviewing!

Oh man, that was awesome!!....! (you got a third ! in there b/c it was so awesome!)

Author's Response:

I am so glad you are enjoying and even more grateful that you are reviewing!

Yay, good chapter.  :)

Author's Response:

I am glad you are enjoying!

Thanks for the review!

You just don't make it easy to read, do you?  I wouldn't have it any other way though ;0)  Thanks for the update...I LOVE this story

 

~Susan

Author's Response:

LOL. Nope!  It's NOT an easy story.  There will be light points (like the next chapter) and there will be a happy ending, but there will be PAIN in betweeen.

Thanks so much for your review.

I do agree with the post on the thread. As much as we want Edward and Bella together and resolution....I do believe that you just can't rush a quick resolution. I, for one, would like a slower pace, and more chapters...than a shorter story where it feels that Bella was just left with accepting apologies quickly in order to get them together. I definetely want them dealing with all the hurt, I want to see them heal her and the work that they will have to put into that. This, I believe makes a far better read.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much.

I know it's so hard to wait for them to be together.  But when they fix it, the story is over.  And it's *not*.  Something like this doesn't fix overnight.

Also, there is the fact that, although Bella and Edward are the eye of the storm, they are not the only clouds in the sky.  This story is about *all* of them, therefore *all* of them need to be heard.

Thanks for your support, understanding, and review.

ouch your right that was tough!!!man i am stealing myself for the next chapter with Edward coming face to face with her even if she is asleep  

Author's Response:

You get a little break before Edward sees Bella in chapter 23.  There is someone who needs to speak first.

Thanks for reviewing.

If only Alice would just go looking for Bella...!

Author's Response:

I know! 

But hang in there!

Nice.  Wonder how this'll progress.

Author's Response:

There is a lot more to come.

Thanks for reviewing!

More- please hurry!!!!!

Author's Response:

That I will.

Thank you for reviewing.

OMG, I am glad that their are 21 chapters when I started to read this last night as I wonder how everyone can wait for a new chapter!  How often do you update?  please tell me every couple of days, I don't think I can wait to long.  I cry for Edward, Bella, all of them, I can't stop crying!  My husband thinks I'm nuts so please update soon!  You will get my votes (going right now to razzle/dazzle and jasper/alice!    Please once again, don't be so hard on Edward, my heart can't take it! lol

Author's Response:

LOL!  My man thinks I'm nuts too.  It's okay:)  I end up updating about twice a week right now, although I may end up going once a week (I doubt it though).

Thanks so much for the votes and the reviews!

I am going to stand up for Edward for a minute before Charlie gets his hands on him. Because I know he is going to blame everything on Edward, just like Emmett does. And everyone else to an extent.

Edward breaking up with, and leaving Bella WAS his fault. Just like its the rest of the Cullen's fault for going along with it, and leaving Bella as well. But Bella's actions after he left were out of Edward's control. Bella is not a stupid woman. She is an informed adult and she made her own choices, so she needs to take responsibility for them. Bella running away and not taking care of her mind/body was NOT Edward's fault.

People get broken up with, divorced, and abandoned every day. People lose loved ones every day. People raise babies on their own every day. And people make the choices with how they are going to deal with those occurances every day as well. And not all of them choose the path that Bella chose.

Bella CHOSE not to make sure Edward new he was going to be a father. And by proxy, she CHOSE not to make sure she got the support she deserved. Bella CHOSE not to tell Charlie. Bella CHOSE to run away. Bella CHOSE to live in a nasty apartment without proper nutrition and medical care. Those were all choices SHE made, NOT Edward.

Bella COULD have chosen to demand help from Edward, because its his baby too. Bella COULD have chosen to stay with Charlie were she and her baby would have had proper resources to be healthy. Bella COULD have chosen to go to therapy. Bella COULD have chosen to stay in school. Would people have been dissapointed in her? Maybe. Would people look at her differently? Probably. Would she have to let go of her pride? Yes. But at least her baby would have been healthy.

Whatever Bella's reasoning (right or wrong) for leaving and hiding, she made her own choices. Those SHOULD NOT be pushed on Edward. Would things have been better if he had stayed? OBVIOUSLY. But there are plenty of single, underage mothers who get by without running away and living in the slums. Bella CHOSE that path. Horrible things happen to good people all of the time and Bella def got dealt a nasty hand, but it was her choice how to play her cards.

I am NOT saying that is was ok for Edward to leave. And I do acknowledge the fact that Bella wouldn't have had to make all these choices on her own if he had stayed. And I DO sympathize greatly with her situation. But Edward did leave, so it is what it is. Everything was her choice after that. And her choices shouldn't be places soley on his shoulders. I know its easy for the others to make Edward the scapegoat because Bella is sick and frail... and nobody wants to tell a sick person that they need to own up for their own actions... but it doesn't make it right for them to blame EVERYTHING on him.

I really am enjoying this story though. I pinky-promise. And I know it has to get worse before it gets better... but it kills me to see everything on Edward's shoulders. It was Edward's idea to leave but the whole family went along with it. They each made their own choices. And then Bella made her own choices as well. I hope people keep that in mind for when Charlie gets brought into the picture and for when Bella wakes up. In my opinion, they ALL (Carlisle, Esme, Edward, Emmett, Rose, Jasper, Alice, AND Bella) have things they need to own up to, and things they SHOULD have done differently. Edward was the catalyst, but everyone else's choices were out of his hands. He can only account for HIMSELF.

Please update soon :)

Author's Response:

You hit the *nail on the head* in the last paragraph and that is the point of the story.  Edward made the one GLARING mistake, but they *all* made bad choices.  They *all* have to own up for what they have done.  They *all* added to this mess.  Every last one.  And they all have different consequences and different feelings about it.  Everyone played a part in this disaster.  I'm glad that you are finding this in the tale.

And wait on Charlie.  You might just be surprised.

You make me *laugh* when I get your reviews.  I start to read them and think "Oh God.  This is a flame.  I need to duck or cry because she hates my story!"  And then I finish the review and you're so spot on and you leave me "Please update soon" :)" and I giggle.  You've beenright on target in your observations and I appreciate your every review.

This was so sad. I'm really worried about Bella. I'm also worried about Edward. He's going to have to go through alot.

I love this story but its making me depressed. Sometimes I like a bit of angst but code red is a lot angst. Can't wait for the break next chapter!`

Author's Response:

Well, next chapter is code green, so you'll get a break, and possibly even some laughs.

Hang in there.  It will be worth it in the end.

Thanks for reviewing.