Oh my, that was beautiful! You wrote her standing up to Renee so perfectly. The fact that Edward had Caius' phone number and that she was not stubborn in the least about it, was a breath of fresh air. I was worried she would be stubborn when it came to that. Thank goodness you felt differently and had her knowing Edward helping her was not a crutch, but rather a necessity. Couples are stronger together than as individuals, you've proven that with these two. Little worried if he stumbles in the game that night that she may feel differently, and that would be a step backwards for her.

Absolutely loving this story. Oh and loved the part when he reminded her that there were seven people that really care about her and he almost said he loved her at the wrong moment. So perfect. Sigh.

Christy

This is so heartbreaking. All of that progress, what little she did make, is all gone within minutes of Renee being around her. Completely closing herself off from the "family" that has brought her in is so very sad to read. I just knew from the previous chapters, that Renee was going to be a class A manipulator. She is going to be the death of Bella's skating career. Phil is a piece of work, and this choreographer sounds like she is totally the wrong fit. I have my fingers crossed that you aren't going to drag out this Phenee drama much longer. Bella only has a limited amount of time to find a new manager and dump the momager . . . and get Marcus back so they can get her ready to get a spot on the Olympic team. Phenee won't get her there . . . she's too uncomfortable with their drama.

To get inside her brain like that and make her doubt the Cullen/Hale loyalty to Bella is pretty fucked up of Renee and clearly she needs Bella down to work her the way she does. So sad that the playoffs are happening at the same time . . . she really needs Edward . . . not that she would open up to him anyway. Ugh! You are good.

Christy

I want more Charlie! It seems to me as though Renee has blocked him out of her life and not the way Bella feels it is. What I am trying to say is that Bella feels that Charlie abandoned her and did not bother with wanting to see her. However, I think the man is completely in tune with everything she does, but from afar. He probably has watched every bit of her career that he could possibly get his hands on. Just not live and in person as Renee probably kept him away. His reaction to Renee having control of Bella's finances is more than a little disturbing. Even though Bella cut him off before he could say his part, I think Charlie has a better idea of why Renee is so hungry for Bella getting back on the ice as financial, as I have suspected all along. I have an idea that Renee likes the lifestyle that Bella's hard earnings have brought her. Also, I wonder if Bella even has any money left . . . this reader certainly hopes so . . . in a big way . . . I really hope it is not gone.

Loved the make-out session . . . she finally got what she had been craving for a while now . . . full on man weight on her . . . loved it. He pulled away because he got too turned on . . . sigh. He makes me swoon.

Bring on the bitchy Renee . . . this next chapter may "leave a mark". Onwards . . .

Christy

Her anxiety of not being enough for anyone is truly breaking my heart. She is very much a woman who deserves every happiness. I just know that you have a snag in their relationship coming and I really don't want that to happen to them. It will be all Renee, I am sure of it . . . but . . . I just don't want it to happen. This story is years passed being completed . . . not even sure you are getting these reviews . . . doesn't matter to me . . . you took the precious time to write the story, I can take a minute to jot down how those words are affecting me. :)

His little eskimo kisses were just delightful . . . poor Bella wanting more, but not knowing how to allow herself to take as much as give. It's a little endearing. Him explaining why he wasn't kissing her, when she finally got the nerve to ask, was also a joy. Her running and jumping into his arms in the lobby before they left to go to their "plunge" was so adorable. You can see her growth there, her getting that it is okay to have these feelings and even more okay to act upon them. And just sigh, the fact that she repeated to herself what Edward said about, "don't think, just jump" and taking it to heart and being the one to initiate the kiss was absolutely wonderful.

Love, love, love these two and how slow you have the characters building their budding relationship. I've said it before, I'll probably mention it again, these two are moving along perfectly. She needs to get to each plateau in the relationship on her own time . . . the fact that he is encouraging it . . . sigh.

Christy

I have no idea why you thought that chapter would be too long winded? I found it to be perfectly worded. Nothing was drawn out to me at all.

Love that they are working out together in the mornings. And, your shenanigan's when it is just her and the boys is very, very fun.

What Esme said to Bella was extremely needed and just plain fantastic! Having Esme noticing the signs of what she herself went through and having wisdom gained from it, will seriously help Bella.

I really like all of these characters so very much.

Oh my, how I really love these two. Him giving her time, but clearly not pressuring her allows her to grow to the idea of a "them". Him coming to the practice rink knowing she would be there said more to me about him, than anything else you've mentioned so far in this story. Him knowing that she would need a kick in the pants and giving just the right type, perfect! Her realizing through her program that he does indeed want her was absolutely what she needed, not words. You are brilliant so far in this.
Christy

I don't know how, but you've tapped into a listing of Christy's favorite things. I've already mentioned to you in the first chapters review that I absolutely love hockey and really like figure skating. Well, now you grabbed my second favorite Christmas song out of my head with this chapters song of Baby, It's Cold Outside. I prefer the Dean Martin version, but that's me. My favorite Christmas song is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams. Something about hearing that song nearing on December suddenly makes it Christmas time. Now I realized that those two songs make me seem really a lot older than my forty-five years. I really have quite the eclectic taste in Christmas songs . . . even a bunch of Radio Disney versions . . . LOL.

I am really sad that she feels that she is not worthy of him, when he is very much thinking the opposite. This will be a great growth for her. I can't wait to see her fire her mother and branch out stronger than before with her bad-ass self. Her relationship with Edward will be ever that much stronger by starting it off the way you have chosen to do. The slow build works with these two. Don't get me wrong, I like the jump right in stories as well, but again, this works for this Bella.

Will there be an EPOV? Or is this all BPOV?

Christy

I must admit, I was a little bummed when Renee verbally nagged our poor Bella to the point that she was too upset to go out on Tuesday evening, to have the encounter happen then, as I had expected. However, your little meet and greet version at the actual game was wonderful! I really enjoyed their official meeting of one another.

You are terrific at writing out the details. I can see everything so clearly through your words.

Now that I am back to work and out of my vacation haze . . . their is really a "Cullen" on the Wild . . . funny!

Christy

The chemistry reminds me of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir! I love them. And I love this story!

Your TTI story just arrived at the top of my TBR listing and I've just completed the first chapter. I am soooooo hooked already! The airport meeting and their undeniable attraction to each other . . . yummy!

I am an avid fan of hockey, actually hold season tickets to the San Jose Sharks . . . favorite player being Brent Burns . . . such a great player and soooo hot! I believe we stole him from Minnesota two years ago, if memory serves me correctly? I am also a huge fan of ice skating. I am so very happy that you've combined the two sports in your little tale here. Very much looking forward to reading it.

Christy

That was so cute I loved this chapter. Wonderful story.

I am just about to move to MN. I remembered you fic from when it first posted, so I thought I would re-read and enjoy a hockey fic. I look forward to reading it again- I enjoyed it so much the first time!

Thank you so much for posting this. Truly wonderful story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Just don't know what else to say - terrific!
Ging

The problem with reading on a Kindle is you often don't get around to giving reviews until the end, if at all. So, I've failed at that.
Really wonderful, well-written story so far, and I have no doubt, until the end. I will gladly rec this one and keep it to reread. Just loving it. (Oh, it was rec'd repeatedly on the FB page for Sarge's Girls and their story 'Coming Home'.)
This chapter? Should have had the tissues handy. Beautiful proposal. The way you've written Edward and I can really see the nomination for Best Gentleman. Hope you won by a landslide because you've done a marvelous job treading the line between just enough and too much sentiment.
Great job and thank you,
Ging

You totally have me crying over this final scene! So beautiful, so strong. Well done.