Wow. I loved this so much. I got goosebumps, multiple times in this chapter alone, and that's always my big 'FAVORITE!' tell. Heart wrenching and true...loved the angst and the promise of a try at happy. Thank you for sharing. I hope you do visit them again!

"I'm in love with you, and I want to see what happens if you can love me back." - Edward. Just putting it all out there and KILLING me.

"I missed you so much. I'm never letting you go." - gah. Tummy flips.

"I can't believe I get to hold you again." *sobs*

This is my first purelyamuse story. I'm so excited to dive into your profile!

Dude, there are very few things better than listening to PJ with a boy...and singing.
Okay, I lie.
This may be one of them.

thanks.

This was rec'd by Ally Vera on Facebook, and I'm so glad I read it. Sorry for the lack of reviews, but I just couldn't stop reading it. Lovely story, so well written and an absolute delight. Thank you.

I don't understand. He loved her and she loved him but she was too invested? He was to invested too, wasn't he? And what is too invested? I understand it all, yet none of it. He knew she'd changed his life, knows it still. Doesn't that mean that the investment was already made, that leaving wouldn't remove that investment but make the market crash such that they'd both feel worthless? Why turn your back on the best thing that ever happened to you only to spend the rest of your life waiting to get over it, ignoring the fact that you know you never will. That is no life. Why choose no life? Why not fight for that person who made a difference? Why not believe you must be worth something if someone so special loves you? I'm railing, but not at you. I don't expect any of my questions answered, but please take my exuberance as amazing praise for your work. I'm practically shaking with emotion after reading what you wrote.

""She told me. How you left him there at the altar. And the only thing you said to her when she found you in the bride's suite was, 'why'd he leave me?.' And I knew. You were just like me. You were still in love."" - This is one of the most poignant things I have ever read. Moving and telling and absolutely perfect for these characters! I'm in awe.

I get frustrated with chapters like this one because I can't express how powerful it is. I can say I'm speechless, but that doesn't explain that my stomach is in knots or my heart is thudding in my chest or that your words have made me physically ache, my anger surge, my heart break. That it all makes sense, given their ages and Edward's past, but I don't care because I don't want these two to hurt. That I want to punch Edward until he blacks out, knowing that he'd stand there and take it because he knows what he did and did it anyway. I want to scream "HOW COULD YOU?" at him, but know I don't have to because nothing I could say would make him feel worse than he's made himself feel. And Bella... Gah! I can't imagine the depths of desertion she felt. Then again, I can imagine it because of the reaction she had to Edward's explanation in 2008. I feel hopeless and empty, just like I'm supposed to. Ah, the power of words. The power of your words.

She waited a long time for that 'I'm sorry.' Part of me thinks she moved past needing it, forgave him for whatever he said or did so she could be whole. The other part thinks it's possible she'll never recover from losing him and having him break her heart. Maybe she simplly packed her feelings and negativitiy away and patienly waited for him to apologize. Would she expect that much of him? At 17, I probably would have, naive as it would have been. As an adult? No way! Hopefully it's not too little, too late.

The 'I love you' went pretty much like I expected it would. The scene left me with an overwhelming feeling of dread. Boys and girls process love and relationships so differently. Those 3 words were the ultimate message of accetance to/for Bella, and, I suspect, a goodbye to Edward.

So Edward takes responsibility for whatever happened in the past. Bella's still mad about it, as well as surprised that he admits responsibility. Now I'm even more curious about what happened between them. Post-breakup awkwardness is pretty standard stuff, but something tells me they'll move past it. I think I might be as nervous as Bella to hear what he has to say.

I love that you brought them together in a very quiet moment. It's much more realisitic. And I like that Bella not only had doubts but wasn't afraid to share them. It showed me she was ready to move forward. Edward was patient and gentle with her, something I admire about his character and your writing. It doesn't have to be heavy to be hot, and this chapter proves that.

You've got me incredibly curious about what happened to Bella in the ten years between the end of her relationship with Edward and the present. Clearly, she is okay and has moved beyond whatever trouble she may have encountered, but I still want to know the details. I'm not surprised she still loves Edward, although I wonder why she won't admit it out loud. Does she see it as a weakness? Is she still vulnerable to the upset of the breakup some ten years later?

I thought you did a tremendous job with Elizabeth's character, using it as a tool to help us understand Edward a little more.

What Edward did with the shower was slightly unexpected but completely within his character. Oh how I'd love to know what was going on in his head in those moments-in most moments. He does love Bella, doesn't he? Even if it's in his own way. I dearly hope he's been honest with himself about his feelings for her.

sweet

This was a wonderful tale. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for writing.

I really enjoyed your story!

The 2008 conversation excites me as much as it confuses me. I have so many questions about their relationship. I'm glad he wants to talk to her, even if he thinks he needs to apologize. Something tells me Bella's long forgiven whatever sin he committed. Even Bella's question of whether talking is a good idea throws me off. Did something specific in their past make her doubt him?

Mothers always know, don't they? A woman doesn't have to be biologically related to a child to be in sync with them. Esme is proof of that! For the record, I think Edward was born into the wrong family, too.

So they're official. I'm not going to lie. I squeed out loud. I don't doubt that either of them felt it, but there's something about telling the world that you chose the person, telling others 'she belongs with me' or 'he's mine.' It's probably old-fashioned of me, but I don't care.

I think Bella is making Edward believe in love, something he needs more than anyone. They are good together. I only hope she can get through to him.

I love the shimmer of canon in Alice's 2008 meddling. Up to this point, I'd assumed that Edward had done something to break Bella's heart, but now I'm wondering if it was someone else who'd hurt Bella. That's not to say that Bella wasn't hurt by whatever broke up her relationship with Edward, but perhaps she was more adjusted to the unofficial status of their relationship than I gave her credit for. Then again, maybe none of this matters. But do you see the power of your words? You have me imagining all kinds of scenarios that may have zero bearing on ExB. You're amazing!

So I don't forget to mention this at least once, I adore the musical mentions in this story. They really help cement the story in the past as well as pull me into the story and characters. The music lends so much authenticity.

BxE learn so much about each other in this chapter. It's as much a contrast of lifestyles as it is personalities, and a truly imaginative way to develop the characters, showing instead of telling us.

I loved every word of the Christmas scene. Every single word. I loved how Carlisle handled Alice and his memories of the boys, Edward's possessiveness of Bella, the warmth and connection between Bella and Carlisle, Esme's unconditional love and acceptance of Edward and the way Esme brings out the best in him. There is so much love in that room.

ExB's goodbye, as hard as it was, was so well-written. It was completely in character for both ExB but conveyed every fear and emotion they were both feeling. Such an amazing, amazing job in those few short words.

The frank and honest talk between Alice and Bella has to be in my top ten of real conversations. Void of bragging or bravado, it was down-to-earth, sincere, and genuine. Brava, my dear!

I expected Edward's behaviour when he was home, but still... it made me ache for him. And for Bella because I don't think she has any idea what she's gotten herself into with him.

Bella is so bloody self-aware. I like that she distracted both of them in her uncertainty, a required detour, I think. They need to be on the same page at the same time. Clearly they're not quite there yet.

These 2 lines: ""I told her my life was here. It's here because of you."" and "My virginity is not taken tonight. Just my heart." will both stay with me forever. I can only imagine how complicated this whole scenario is for Edward, and thus, how hard it must have been for him to admit that to Bella. That's his 'I love you,' words with real meaning that he understands without a doubt. And Bella's words are just as weighty. She may not be able to expressly define love, but she knows what it feels like. There's no going back for her.

I love this story so much.

First off, a little apology. I swore I wouldn't fall behind on your story because I wanted you to know how appreciated your efforts were-your posting schedule as well as the wealth of words you bestow on your lucky readers. Unfortunately, February had other plans as it passed in an endless parade of viruses that cycled through each member of my family at least once, some twice. I swear I blinked and the month was over. So here I am, and even though the party is over, I'm going to pretend it's not and give you all of the gushing reviews I would have.

This chapter... there is so much to say and yet I find myself speechless, marvelling wordlessly at how you manage to say so much with so few words. You could teach a class on it. At the very least, your work is an example to follow and emulate. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

Edward's self-assuredness leaps off the page in 2008. It's in strict contrast to whatever consumes him in 1996, where he is anything but sure and controlled by what he thinks he knows about himself, life, and love. Regardless of the timeframe, Bella seems to understand herself. It's certainly something to be envied as a teen, as so few of them know much of anything, let alone who they.

Their fight under the bleachers is adorable and realistic. I like that it doesn't come between them, yet I can't help but think the reasons for it will come back and bite them in the ass. Edward's unpredictable moods suit his teenage personality as well as hint at the turmoil he tries to hide. He implies so much with his actions but leaves so much left unsaid.

The push and pull between these two characters is deliciously strong.

Your choice of using Heidi as a character is perfection. I can totally imagine what she represents to Bella and Edward.

I'm glad Alice and Bella found their way back together. In a small way, I can't help but think that's what Edward intended all along. When his repeated requests to Bella that she allow Alice a chance to apologize went ignored, he pushed Bella's limits in another way, knowing it would bring her and Alice back together. I'm probably wrong about this, but I could absolutely see him doing this.

You've got me fanning myself after that kiss outside. Holy hell, girl!

And the bit with Jasper was a perfect ending. What a perfect chapter!

This was so, so good! I'd love to see a future take / epi! I love your writing and how relatable your characters are!