On a public beach? Dear god

First I want to start my review by apologizing. You put a great deal of effort and care into your story, and it kept me interested and wound tight until it's lovely fluffy end. I read it as a pdf on my kindle and didn't review as I read. I don't think I've read another fic where the author summarizes their readers' thoughts on each chapter. I found it added an interesting element to my enjoyment. I was admittedly not fond of the age gap at all. Lawd that's a lot years for a young inexperienced teenager, even without the added complications of his trauma. I figure though that in many ways he was more like an old 18 year old himself, than a middle-aged man. Unless I'm reading a WIP, I tend to just skim author notes to avoid spoilers. But I'm glad I read yours. I appreciated the explanation about your inspiration for the premise of this fic and why you decided to have Bella be in HS rather than college, or even for Edward to be a bit younger. I was conflicted. I was drawn in by your writing, intrigued by the story, but was feeling like Bella was infatuated very quickly- I was horrified as a parent. You nearly did my poor heart in when she had sex with him without a condom. OMG! Like not even a hesitation or a discussion of testing with a man who's been incarcerated for nearly two decades. I was big mad, lol. You crafted your story in such a way that allows your readers experience all those contradictory emotions right along with all the characters, not just Edward and Bella. I felt myself hurting for Esme and Carlisle before even fully knowing the details. A parent's worst, or one of their worst nightmares. Then I came to also admire and respect their tenacity and strength and resourcefulness. My heart was absolutely devastated for Edward. There's just no amount of compensation that could ever be worth all that was stolen from him and all that he endured during that time. 'Hearing' Edward explain to Bella how he doomed himself with his unwise, yet completely believable series actions and lies for a scared, teenager not wanting to fess up to being under the influence. And then the final nail in the coffin coming when Esme questioned why Edward's brand new sneakers were in the trash. My stomach dropped. How terrified he must've been. Even as horribly tragic as all of that was, I understood Chief Swan's position in cautioning his daughter to stay clear of Edward. I also understand his anger with Bella and Edward. I'd expect nothing less from any father worth his salt. Absentee mom or not, Rene was right too. Ultimately, Edward and Bella handled their parents well. They faced up to their concerns, but stood their ground. I respected it. I like that Angela called Bella out on neglecting her, and that Bella acknowledged it and did better at balancing her time with friends. I'm glad Edward paid his parents back. I did wonder if Bella punching Mike in the diner embarrassed Edward more than if they had just ignored him. Mike definitely earned that slug. I was afraid Edward going to slug him and end up in trouble with the law. It confused me when he told Bella that what Mike said wasn't true. He very evidently showed trauma from SA. Did he mean it wasn't an ongoing thing? Now as for Jane, while he understandably feels grateful for the protection and comfort she gave him, she abused him too. Seems like she may genuinely have cared for him, felt compassion or maybe attraction for him, but she could have been kind and protective without the 'gratitude' sex from her prisoner. When he said she found him, saved him what did he mean? Was it when he was stabbed, or did he try to end himself? I kept thinking he'd enroll in college and maybe get involved in prisoner advocacy or something, but I really like him learning and growing with Emmett's company and then organically discovering that he picked up his mother's talent for design. It was perfect. And that Bella was able to switch her focus to be more closely aligned. Fernando was a little pushy, but I liked him and loved Daisy girl. In the end Bella and Edward had loving, supportive parents-Rene had more of a relationship with Bella than she did before, they had a solid core of close friends, they created a family when they were both ready. It was a satisfying happy ending for a heartbreaking journey. I nearly choked on tears when Edward revealed their daughter's name. Couldn't have been more perfect. Thank you for sharing your fic.

YES! *fist pump!* I pushed the reviews over the 4,800 mark! Seems once Edward finally got the daddy bug, he couldn't get enough LOL! Well, this story certainly deserves to be read and reread for years to come! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hey, the 40's are the new 20's, right? Plus, Edward's gonna make a fabulous Grey Fox Daddy *swoon!*

Awww, this is a great HEA for them!

Told ya! Emmett's just the first friend to be totally acceptin' of Edward's past and I doubt he'll be the last!

Probably a good this the tests were negative but if Edward continues to insist on a vasectomy, he could always have some sperm frozen...just in case!?

I'm sure Edward wouldn't have been the only ex-con who disappeared into the woods never to reappear unless it's for supplies. Of course, Edward would have had his parents to make supply runs for him until they passed which I hate to think about *sigh!*

Fernando's gonna keep pushin' until he gets the truth but I don't think that's a bad thing! And kitties absolutely get mad when you leave them for extended periods and will punish you for days LOL!

I think Doc Banner is the right shrink for Edward...he takes no shit LOL!

Pretty dang sure the friends Edward and Bella have made in Tucson would absolutely understand and support whatever Edward wants/needs to do!

Aside from that one glitch, a good time was had by all! I wonder if Fernando will play a part in gettin' through Edward's PTSD

Could've been better, although I suspect any parent would side-stink-eye the age gap *sigh!* Bella still hasn't learned not to sneak up on our boy, dang it!

Baby kitty made out like a bandit on Christmas, as did Edward and Bella LOL! I'm hopin' Renee will be more "cool" with it than Charlie was *fingers crossed!*

Kitty purrs are more healin' than a dog's tongue...just sayin' as a die-hard crazy cat lady LOL!