As always, my heart belongs to InebriatedScaryTeethBaby, LusciousLadyLumps, TheFierceOnesAdmirer, and AWomanofRetribution. (It is embarassing how long it took me to come up with those).
If y'all noticed I'm posting this chapter before getting out my review replies. I'm still going to do those. Y'all can thank the people listed above for getting this back to me sooner than I expected giving me less time to reply. I figured y'all would want the chapter more than my silly notes of thanks in your inbox. Right? Love you bunches!
I'm careful not to wake you
Fearing conversation
It's better just to hold you
And keep you pacified
~~ Bend And Not Break, Dashboard Confessional
Fall
~~EPOV~~
"Can I get a large coffee? Black. Thank you."
"Sure I can't interest you in our seasonal venti pumpkin spice latte?"
I shuddered. I couldn't think of anything worse than drinking a pumpkin.
"God no. Just the coffee."
"What blend?"
"Shit, I don't know. I just want a coffee. Whatever. Just give me whatever is dark and hot."
"Sure thing, that'll be three-twenty-five at the first window."
Highway fucking robbery. That drink probably cost them pennies to make. Fucking bullshit. I'd drive off right now, but I seriously needed a pick-me-up. Since I was manning the wheel, the bottle of Jack I wanted to open was not my best bet. I was so damn tired, you'd think I had popped an Ambien instead of Rose.
I rubbed my eyes and glanced at her, curled in a ball in the passenger seat. She had her favorite silk travel pillow wedged between her head and the door, and she was breathing hard.
I'm glad she was asleep, she needed it. I hated that she had to take a fucking pill to do it, but now wasn't the time to worry about that. Whatever gave her a few blissful hours of nothingness was my best friend right about now.
She was so much more relaxed about this trip than I was. The last thing I wanted to be doing right now was traveling again, but I didn't have a choice. After spending what felt like the entire summer with my suitcase glued to my hand, I just wanted to be home.
Home.
Even that was ten kinds of confusing. I'd closed on the new house just before I left for the book press shit, so I didn't even live there before I left. When I got back, it was still a shell of a home. Things were put away, my stuff was in the closets, but it was cold. Rose hadn't dealt with me leaving very well, and stayed at the old house instead. She'd turned the downstairs into her office and kept a bedroom upstairs. Eric and Vas were next door and it felt like home to her. I understood, I guess. It still felt like rejection.
When I got back it felt like I had to drag her up the hill to stay with me, so half the time I stayed with her down there. It was like we were back to dating and keeping a toothbrush at each other's places. Can't say I minded the quiet in the day, I was getting more writing done during "work" hours than ever before, but it felt empty at night. And it I felt like the biggest asshole in the world for thinking it, but it was Bella I missed more.
In between it all, Rose's shit, the book press, the movie announcement, the meetings, the lunches, the endlessly long nights, Bella still waited in that quiet place in my mind. That place where I could go and everything else became smoke curling away in the breeze.
I thought about her smile and the way her eye teeth poked out just beneath her lip. I imagined her nose crinkling when she laughed and how her hair felt twirled around my fingers. I saw the way she rested her chin on her knees when she was lost in thought. I remembered how she'd trail her fingernails down my back when she lay next to me. Naked. In my bed.
I shifted in my seat and clutched the wheel. Rose snored softly and moved against the pillow. I shook my head and looked back to the rain slick road. I couldn't think about Bella with Rose next to me. I hated associating her with that feeling of day-old oatmeal stuck at the bottom of my stomach. Bella should never be attached to guilt. This guilt was independent of her and I refused to let it muck the shit out of her memory.
It was so hard not to think of Bella. Every interview I did, I wondered if she was watching. I thought about whether she'd change the channel, or listen closely while she folded socks or ironed her husband's shirts. I hated not knowing her life, not being a part of it. When I found out she'd won that contest I was ecstatic and heartbroken at the same time. I was so fucking proud of her, and so devastated, that it felt wrong to tell her as much.
I left town before she answered my letter. I worried that she wouldn't. That she'd be pissed about the book, or that I'd contacted her at all. It wasn't like last year, we said we'd keep in touch, I didn't think I'd broken any rules. When I got home the first night, I didn't even notice the stack of mail on the table. By the time I went through it, her package had been in there for way too fucking long. I felt like such an ass wipe until I read her letter and realized she was just as bad as me.
I wished I'd had her book on the road with me. Her words would have been the anecdote for the loneliness that slept with me each night. I'd opened it right then and there, abandoning everything else I had to do, and read until there was nothing left to read.
It was stunning. I'd never been so captivated by the written word in my life. It was the kind of work that reminded me why I wanted to write. That girl had a fucking gift, a god given talent, and I'd be damned if I didn't see her get it published.
I took my time going back through the manuscript, leaving notes, impressions, encouragement and unabashed praise. I was constructive in my limited criticism. I hoped it was helpful in giving her the feedback that would make that fucker sparkle, so that every agent would think the stars had fallen from the sky when it landed in their laps.
I was embarrassed at how long it took me to return it to her, but knew it didn't matter when I saw her status last month, a few days after I sent it.
Just received the biggest compliment I could ever imagine getting. I seriously cannot stop smiling. There's nothing in the world like having someone believe in you.
I hovered above the message and then clicked the "like" button. Other than that, and the hello I'd given via Eric in September, we hadn't talked at all. I asked how she was when he got back, and was treated to a vomit inducing tale of how adorable she and Jake were, complete with photographic evidence.
I squeezed the wheel again and stretched my legs as far as they could go beneath the dash. I had the seat all the way back, but it still didn't afford me enough room. Rose turned over in her seat and exhaled as she settled, facing me.
The only reason I was driving down this highway right now, was because there was no way I was going to fight her on it. She'd said she was told, flat out, that we had to come. Part of me thinks she wanted to anyway. I couldn't really fucking blame her for wanting to be around people that loved her. I guess if this is where we had to be, then so be it.
Welcome to fucking Forks.
I sailed past the sign and slowed down as I came into town. Not a damn thing had changed since I'd been here last, and I couldn't even remember when that was. I had some trouble finding the road to my parent's house, and turned around twice before realizing I hadn't gone far enough. They should make roads this hard to find in L.A., the real estate prices would soar even higher than they already were.
I could see my mom through the window as we rolled into the driveway, stopping next to Jasper's Land Cruiser. I imagined she'd stood there all damn day not believing I was actually coming, until I was here. The house door opened before I could even reach for the car handle, and she stepped out on the porch, wringing her hands and standing on her tip toes to see us.
"Rose," I said, nudging her arm. "Rose, wake up, we're here."
Her eyes fluttered open and her hand went to her hair. She didn't say anything as she looked around, confused.
"You can go back to bed when you get in the house, you just need to get to the house."
I went around to her side of the car to help her out and waved Esme down. The last thing Rose needed was my mom all up in her face. I held her elbow as we climbed the stairs.
"Hey kids. How are you? How was the drive?" Esme said, leaning in to hug me despite my hands being full of Rose and bags.
"We're good, Mom. Drive was fine. Rose is exhausted though, that flight was so early. Can she go right upstairs to sleep?"
"Oh, of course, hon," she said and moved aside so we could go through the door, "your room is ready, just go on up."
"Thanks Esme," Rose said. "Edward let go of my arm, I'm not an invalid."
She wiggled from my grasp and headed for the stairs with a sleeping pill induced bobble to her walk. I followed behind her, figuring I could cushion her fall if she ate shit on the stairs, but she made it to the top, and to the guest room my parents called my room, though I'd never lived here.
Rose tumbled onto the bed, after covering her up and dropping the bags, I headed down the stairs and into the firing range.
"Where is everybody?" I asked, coming into the kitchen.
Esme was at the stove and Alice was on a bar stool eating crackers. There was a small radio in the corner playing talk radio too low to hear, and the washing machine churned in the mud room.
"Jasper and Dad are golfing in Port A. They were going to wait for you, but I told them you wouldn't want to go anyway."
"No way, man, I'm beat. That flight and drive was murder."
I stretched my arms above my head to yawn and then wrapped one around my sister. It was good to see her. She leaned her head against me and squeezed my side.
"I can't believe you flew up from L.A. and then drove in from Seattle. Long day. Rose is sleeping?" Alice said.
"Yeah, she's out." I reached in her bowl, inspected the bland cracker, and threw it back.
Esme shook her head at me and disappeared into the pantry.
"Is Emmett here?" I whispered to my sister.
"No, he gets in tonight. And he's bringing someone. Should be interesting. Promise me you'll be cool."
"I'm cool. Whatever. He's the one that always acts like an asshole."
"It doesn't matter who starts what, just ignore him. I'm serious, I've never seen Mom this happy. She is over the moon excited for everyone to be here." Alice gave me a pointed look, reminding me that I was the one who most often chose to be the missing piece.
"I've got bigger fish to fry. Emmett's bullshit is the last thing on my mind," I said and then clammed up when Esme came back in the room holding a tray of chips and dip.
"Is Rose okay?" she asked, setting the snack in front of me.
"She is. She just doesn't want everyone to fuss over her, Mom, okay?"
"Who's going to fuss?" she asked, putting her hands in the air. She wore an apron over her sweater but I still could see embroidered turkey feathers peeking out from beneath.
"I'm just saying. Keep it low key."
Esme held up her finger as the phone rang and then stepped in the other room to take the call. I turned my attention to the pumpkin-shaped platter in front of me and dug in.
"Want some?" I asked, pushing it towards Alice.
She grimaced and shook her head.
"Weirdo. Mom's spicy artichoke dip was one of the only reasons I came."
"Seriously, Edward. How is she?" she asked.
I shrugged and filled my mouth with a dip laden chip.
"She won't talk about it with me," she said.
"She won't talk about it with me either."
"That's not healthy. She can't bottle it all up. This cannot be easy for her."
"Shit, Alice. I've gotten her a therapist, what else can I do? Force her to tell me how she feels about coming face to face with the man that brutally raped her? Somehow, I think that's less than helpful."
Alice rubbed her temples and sighed. "I'm sorry, buddy. This can't be easy for you either."
"It isn't. Not at all. But it's not about me."
"Are you guys okay?"
"Sure."
Alice gave me a skeptical big sister look, but said nothing. Instead, she pushed off the stool and refilled her glass of golden soda.
"I'm your sister first, her friend second. Jasper was worried about you. And then she got asked to testify and…"
"And nothing. Rose needs me. Period. I'm here for her. And I'll be there every minute of the trial in January."
"I just keep thinking about how messed up she was in high school. I'm so scared this is going to dredge all that up for her," she said.
"Don't remind me, and you don't even know the half of it. Emmett better play it cool. I swear to god, if he fucks with her, even the tiniest bit I'll-"
"You have to stop blaming him. He had no idea breaking up with Rose would set her off like that. He was a kid. You all were."
"I blame myself more," I said, and stole a swig of her soda. Fucking nasty.
"Why in the hell are you blaming yourself? You didn't do that to her, you didn't sell her to the highest bidder, you didn't stick her in a boarding school like it never happened."
"Right, but I used her like everyone else. I used her to get back at Emmett. To prove my heterosexuality, to have a good time. I never gave a second thought to how it could have hurt her. I'm no better than any of rest of them. I used her, like everybody else."
"You are so fucked in the head. I think you need therapy," she said, and pushed a finger in my chest.
I snorted, I couldn't help it. "Please, I'm as normal as they come."
Alice's laugh echoed in the open kitchen. "If you're normal, then we're all screwed."
"Alice! Language!" Esme came back in the kitchen, and put the phone back in its cradle. "That was the gal from the convalescent care center confirming that we're coming over on Friday."
"Of course," Alice said. "I wouldn't miss that, it's my favorite part of Thanksgiving."
"What, what is?" I was so out of the loop.
"We go to the nursing home in town on Friday afternoon. Bring them a Christmas tree, put up decorations, and visit with them. You'll come right?"
"Sure, why not?" I said. There was no reason not to. I'd planned on sticking close to Casa Cullen for the weekend, but I didn't think I was in danger of running into anyone at a nursing home.
"Alice, I thought it'd be nice if we made some cookie tins for the residents. Remember how much they liked that last year?" Esme wiped her hands on the apron. Her hair was blonder than I remembered, and shorter too.
"I do. That's a great idea, Mom. Should we get started now? You know we won't have time tomorrow."
"You are so right, dear. Edward, are you going to help? I know how you love to make sugar cookies."
Sure I did, Mom. When I was five.
"No, I'm actually thinking about taking a nap myself, if you don't mind," I said and yawned again.
"Of course not, sweetie." She came around the island and took my face in both her hands. They were cold and felt frail. She kissed my cheek with her paper lips. "It's good to have you home."
I patted her hair in response and turned for the stairs. I was as peaceful as Rose in two minutes flat, and when I woke up the room was dark and she was gone. I went into the bathroom to splash some water on my face and brush the funk from my mouth.
The lights were blazing downstairs in the family room, and I could see the full on holiday splatter in its glory. There were ceramic pumpkins, plastic pumpkins, stuffed pumpkins, real pumpkins, pumpkin candles, and pumpkin pillows. All surrounded by scarecrows, turkeys, dried ears of corn and fake leaf trailing things. Besides a three-foot stuffed pilgrim family, the room was empty.
I heard my mom in the kitchen singing to herself, like she does when no one's home, and I found her with flour streaked across her face, and a rolling pin in her hand.
"Still making cookies?" I asked.
She yelped and jumped up. "Edward! You scared me, I thought I was alone."
"I could tell from the singing." I winked as I teased her. "Dad and Jaz still aren't home? Where are the girls?"
"Dad and Jasper called. Dad ran into some doctor friends and they are having a drink at the clubhouse. They'll be here for dinner. I sent the girls to town because we ran out of sugar, and I didn't have the ginger for the ginger snaps. Can you believe it?"
"I can't, Mom. Wouldn't be Thanksgiving without your ginger snaps."
"Exactly. So the girls volunteered. Rose looked good. Your father and I have been so worried about her."
I cringed. I hated talking about this shit with my mom. She had the kind of gentle soul that was horrified by even the smallest misdeeds in the world. She was a strange breed of optimism and naiveté. It surprised her that people would be stabbed for no reason, yet she believed every chain email to cross her inbox.
I wasn't even sure she knew the whole story. I sure as hell never told her, and I don't know if my dad did. I mean she knew enough that Rose had something bad happen to her in the past, but I pretty much left it at that. I'd told my dad about the trial and Rose's testimony, so I guess he told her.
"She'll be fine, Mom. She's stronger than you think."
"Hmm, maybe you ought to listen to yourself there, son. Seems to this little birdie, that someone has been saying you've been putting on the kid gloves for months."
"What?"
"Oh, just some chit chat among the girls. None of my business. But from what it sounds like, Rose doesn't feel like you think she can handle all this. But I'm not saying a word."
"You already have. And I'm not treating her with 'kid gloves.' I'm just, you know, trying to support her through all this. Make sure she's okay."
"Oh sweetie, I know that. You're just like your father."
I felt myself bristle. "How's that?"
"You're a fixer. I was so surprised when you didn't go into medicine. I really did think it was your calling. Not that your novels aren't spectacular."
"I'm not a fixer." Me a doctor, that was fucking hilarious.
"Sure you are, dear. If there wasn't already a patron saint of lost causes they'd be knocking on your door. Remember that newborn kitten? And the apparatus you tried to make to feed it? You were so heartbroken when she died, even though we told you it would happen. You always persist even when it seems hopeless."
"Well, that's nothing like Dad. So I don't really see the comparison."
Esme dropped the rolling pin as her eyes rounded.
"That is exactly your father. He never gives up on anything. He is the most loyal man I've ever known, followed by you. I've never seen anyone persevere, the way he has."
"What are you talking about? Loyal? Persevere? All I've ever known Dad to be consistent with, was giving up."
"Exactly what are you talking about?" Her voice told me she was pissed. And my mom never got pissed.
"Hello? How many times did we move when I was a kid? How many times would Dad get sick of one clinic or another, or decide that Phoenix was too sunny, and just like that, we'd be gone?"
"Oh Edward, is that how you remember it? You were just a kid. I think Dad gave you silly reasons for moving to keep it lighthearted. You hated having to leave anywhere. So he'd say Phoenix was too sunny, or Colorado too mountainey . He was joking."
"Well, it wasn't funny. Whatever his reasons, it was still messed up how he'd walk out on his work, and make us start all over, again and again."
My arms were crossed and while standing in my mother's kitchen watching her make cookies, I was a little boy again. Hurt and confused, and mad as hell.
"I never knew you felt this way. Your father helped those clinics get on their feet. He breathed life back into them. He hired new staff and trained them to take over, and stand on their own. He was teaching them to fish."
"What? And then he'd walk away?"
"When they were ready for him to. That's why sometimes it took longer and sometimes not. In life, you have to know when to let go. If you're a crutch, they'll always lean on you, no matter how strong they can be on their own."
The front door opened and I heard Alice and Rose talking with Carlisle and Jasper. They got louder as they came in the kitchen where I still stood, like an insolent child trying to make adult sense of what was told to me.
"Hey babe," Rose said, leaning over and kissing my cheek.
Jasper gave me a hug and I held my hand out to my father. His stomach was rounder than I remembered, and his hair was thin and gray around his ears. He looked older than the last time I saw him. Tired.
"Edward, it's good to see you, son. How are you? How was the trip?"
"Fine, it was fine. I'm doing great, Dad."
"So I read. Very impressed with that article in the Times. I have it up in my office. Mom used the TIVO to record your interviews. I didn't much care for that Jimmy Fallon character. Was he on drugs?"
"No Dad," I said, trying not to laugh.
"Well he's an odd fellow, isn't he?" Carlisle put his hands in the pocket of his sweater and leaned back on his heels.
"Well, at least he had the sense to stay off Letterman, Carlisle, that guy is such a do-" Jasper said.
"Jasper," Alice interjected in a sing song voice. "Come help me set the table."
Headlights flashed against the window and Rose stiffened beside me. I wrapped my arm around her waist and gave her a reassuring smile. Hers was strained, but at least she tried.
The front door hit the wall as he swung it open with too much force, and called out, "Hail, hail the gang's all here. Thanksgiving can officially commence!"
Alice giggled and ran for the hall. She wrapped her arms around his neck and jumped up. He kept walking forward with her hanging there, both his arms carrying bags. What she saw in our brother, I'd never understand.
He set the bags in the middle of the floor, and gave Alice a squeeze before lifting her off his neck. He shook Jaz's hand and clapped Carlisle's back before kissing our mother. Rose and I stood off to the side, the obvious outsiders in this happy reunion.
"Hey, little brother," he said, coming over to me. "How's it hanging?" He shook my hand and squeezed it unnecessarily hard. "What, they don't feed you in L.A.?" he asked, and pinched my arm. Like we were twelve.
"Hey, Emmett, how are you?"
"No complaints. Rose, you look good."
He leaned in to give her an awkward hug, and they bumped noses against shoulders while trying to figure out where their heads should go.
"Hi Emmett," she said.
"Yo, guys, this is Heidi. Heidi, this is everyone," he said, motioning to the woman behind him that I hadn't noticed. She was as tall as him, but one tenth his size.
We gave the names Emmett didn't bother with just before Esme called us all to the dining room. We each had our places delegated with a name card, and I could have kicked Alice for not making sure I was as far from Emmett as fucking possible.
There was small talk, and, thankfully, cocktails around the table. Emmett was busy singing his praises to Mom and Dad, so luckily I didn't have to talk to him. Rose and Alice were knee deep in giggles while Heidi pushed her food around the plate.
"So Heidi, have you ever been to the Pacific Northwest before?" I said.
She look startled that I talked to her. "No, but I can't go this trip. I didn't bring my passport."
I glanced at Jasper for help and he shoveled a huge piece of meat in his mouth to hide his smile. Come on, what the fuck was I supposed to say to that? I opted for a nod and a smile.
Alice whispered in Jasper's ear and he grinned and stood up.
"Can I have everyone's attention?" he said, taking his fork against his glass.
Esme and Carlisle grasped hands and beamed at each other. What the fuck was going on?
"We wanted to wait until tomorrow to bring this up. Alice had this vision of us gathered around the table, sharing what we're thankful for, but she's informed me that if she has to wait one minute longer, she will "literally burst." So I've been told to give you the good news."
He paused, and glanced down at his wife, who was glowing at him. Wait a minute…
"Alice is pregnant, she's due in June and we're thrilled."
Esme threw her hands in the air while my father nodded and smiled at Jasper. Alice got up to hug everyone, and Emmett looked pissed that she'd stolen his thunder.
"Oh, I knew it! When you asked me to pick up ginger ale at the store, I knew it. You kids always had to have ginger ale when you were sick, but Alice would panic if she didn't have her ginger ale. A baby, Alice, a baby!" Esme went on and on.
"I don't get it. You're pregnant? You're not even fat," Heidi said.
"I'm only a few months, plenty of time for that," Alice responded, nicer than I imagined anyone else could.
I looked to Rose whose smile told me she already knew Alice's news. It was times like this I wondered if she really meant it, when she said she didn't want kids, even if she could have them. Not that we had any business bringing a child into this world, but still.
I squeezed her hand under the table, and she leaned against me while the conversation turned to pre-natal vitamins, morning sickness and shit I had no idea what the fuck it was. Rose got heavier and heavier on my side, but I held her there as long as she needed.
"Dude Jaz, carry your load, man. This tree weighs a ton," I said through gritted teeth. I had sap all over my hands and a pine needle rash working its way up my arms.
"Shut up, I am. Quit being a girl and get your arm in there. You can't carry it with two pinkies."
I grunted and flipped him the finger behind my parents' backs. He laughed and dropped his grip giving me more weight to grapple with.
"Why you… I ought to-"
"Oh, for heaven's sake, boys. It's not that heavy," Alice said, stepping over to reach for the tree.
"No!" We both yelled and hoisted the branches to our shoulders, and thus, out of her reach.
"Mary Alice, don't you dare. Carrying a tree in your condition..." Esme stopped on the path to scold her.
Alice rolled her eyes and pushed past us to run up the hill.
"Jaz, set it down a minute. I have to take a break." I dropped the tree to the ground and wheezed in the damp air. "Why didn't Emmett come again? Just when he'd be good for something…"
"The market never closes, you know that. He had calls to make. Poor boy is stuck in your father's study." Esme said.
No surprise she defended him even in his absence. I knew for a fact that stocks closed at one in the afternoon on Black Friday, and it was already two on the west coast. He just didn't want to come. Fine, good riddance, added bonus to doing charity.
Jasper and I struggled to heave the tree on top of Carlisle's Suburban when, out of nowhere, it lightened. I dug my head out of the branches and saw Heidi's arms pushing against the trunk. That chick was freakishly strong.
The drive to the nursing home didn't take long, and Jasper and I got the tree down with little embarrassment despite Heidi's help. Good thing she was there, otherwise Carlisle might have tried and thrown his back out, again. Alice said he did it every year, even when Emmett was there for the heavy lifting.
The residents were overjoyed to see us, hugging Alice and Jasper, and pinching my cheeks like they knew me. We were told by more than one staff member that is was their favorite day of the year. It was sweet how invested my family was in these virtual strangers, though both Carlisle and Esme volunteered here on a regular basis, Alice and Jasper only came once a year.
The tree was trimmed, the halls were decked, cookies were passed out and yes, even carols were sung. I saw Heidi carry on the first quasi-intelligent conversation since I met her, and Alice had promises of more knitted blankets, hats and booties then she could carry.
I wished Rose had come. I couldn't fault her for not feeling up to socializing, but I think being here would have done her heart good. It reminded me of how much I missed Felix, and I made a mental note to call him when I was back in town, and to find a place like this to spend some time. I'd always thought of nursing homes as the most depressing places on earth, but this one was full of smiles, and round the clock activities for the residents. Like this calendar had a million listed, including bingo nights on Thursday, karaoke on Friday. I was bummed I missed the bingo.
"Excuse me, hey, can you help me out a minute?"
I looked away from the bulletin board and over my shoulder to the nurse at the front desk behind me.
"Me? Yeah, sure."
"Oh thanks, that was our karaoke lady calling. All the male staff are busy, and she needs help carrying in the equipment. You don't mind do you?"
"No problem, what do I need to do?" I said.
"Outside, there will be a red truck. You'll see it. I really appreciate it. I don't want to pull something trying to do it myself." She held up a skinny arm and squeezed a nonexistent muscle.
I laughed. She should have asked Heidi to help, but I was better than nothing. I opened the doors and saw the red truck in the front of the darkening parking lot. It was wet, of course, and the blacktop was icy. I wished I had my coat. My nut sack was fucking freezing.
I jogged to the truck, careful of the ice patches, and opened the tailgate before the driver got out. It was colder than freezing out here, and I was in a hurry.
The door opened and a small figure jumped out."Thanks so much, I didn't want to chance carrying this across the ice myself," she said.
My throat squeezed the breath from it, as her voice filled my ears. The wind blew the scent of her to me, and there was no mistaking it.
Bella.
~~ I'd love reviews more than you'd love for Edward to come to your home town for the holidays.~~
Special thanks to feathers_mmmm this chapter. She rec'd this lil story on the Wallbanger update last week and Banger Nation flooded my inbox with alerts. So awesome!
I also had a blast doing an interview with Sue from the So You Think You Can Write blog. It's definitely worth a read! http://sytycw.blogspot.com . I'm still on the front page, second post down.
