Exactly!  One of the caveats of chapter by chapter posting, is resisting the temptation to minimize conflict to please readers.  It took me a while to realize, no one really wants a conflict free story.

Thanks so much for the review, and the enthusiastic response to the non-romantic parts of the story.  It's important to me to keep it real with regards to Mike and Sam.  Dads and their little girls... I could write a whole book on that alone.  This is a whole side story on its own, and there's a lot of ups and downs ahead with Mike's connection here.  

This Edward still has to take baby steps where she's concerned, no matter how much they want to rush things.  Look up Anticipation, and you'll see these two in the next couple chapters.  Thanks so much for the review.s; it makes me smile til my face hurts to know new readers are enjoying what I've written.  

I think he needed to see that even if the truth comes out, he can't back off and leave it all up to her.  He's got to decide to be all in or not.  She needs honesty, and no games.  He can't walk the line between truth and evasion.  

I'm sort of torn about the frequent updates.  Since I've previoiusly published this elsewhere, and the weekly updates took over a year, I wanted to have it up much faster here.  But I know there are some who might quit reading if they can't keep up, and I'm missing the chance to slowlly pick up new readers with a slower update.  Thanks for your encouraging note.  I would have trouble writing Bella as she was in the books, since I didn't care much for her behavior.  Maybe too much of this story was my way of confronting things I didn't like in the original.  Thanks again for reading.

Absolutely!  This encounter sort of popped up before their date.  Edward had plans to be the gentleman and take her on a proper date.  But neither of them could wait that long.  I love this chapter, because it's when they finally realized there's more to this than just a list of problems.  I also like that she's a grown-up, and not just tossing out that idea of him being dangerous.  Thanks for your continued support.  

Soon.  Once those barriers are out of the way, these two just can't seem to stay apart.  

It always seemed odd to me that in the original series, they never tried to lie about their ages or change their appearance.  Going through high school again and again seems like a terrible way to spend eternity.  

I wrestled with this one myself.  On one hand, she's an adult, and it's not like she's a virgin.  But on the other hand, she's not entirely free to pursue a relationship with him, no matter how much she wants to.  

I like real conflicts in stories, not just the typical personality clashes.  Most single parents with kids know the challenges of finding someone to share their life, because they have to consider their kids first.  Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.

I know the "y'all" wasn't a big deal.  But if someone points out something I got wrong, I'll give it a second look.  I want readers to feel free to tell me if I struck a wrong note.  If you're willing to take the risk of being the bearer of bad news, then I owe it to you to at least listen.  I'm my own beta on my writing, and I'm far from perfect.  Only in fan fiction do we get the benefit of readers who can tell us we goofed.  If this was an original, published story, I'd have to suffer the negative critiques, with no recourse but to bite my tongue.  

Besides, I was using the word wrong myself, and without your note, I would continue to look like a Yankee!  You saved me from making that very same goof in another story, and in a future chapter of this one.  

I'm glad you like the story so far.  As for her telling Denise, I think it speaks to her integrity, that she's trying to keep everything above-board.  One of the lessons of being an adult, is accountability.  Besides, I think Bella really needed a reliable girlfriend.  She doesn't have Alice to fill that role here.  

Hot flashes and night sweats suck!  I too run a degree or two cooler, and if I'm at 98.6 I've probably got a fever.  My husband and I use seperate blankets and sheets, because I'm almost always overheated -- unless I'm freezing.  Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.   

Thanks for the great rating and the detailed review.  

She's finally starting to get it.  I think somewhere in canon, Edward promised Bella that he would love her, even when she was old.  In this story, he is proving that, even though he never told her.  It's easy to love someone when they're young, fresh, and cute, but there are things that make it more problematic as you get older.  Some previous readers thought it was "gross" that she looked old, and he still looked young.  But I think it's more a sign of real love, rather than just physical attraction.  

And as to that physical attraction... when I originaly posted this story on ffnet, it was rated T for the first twenty-two chapters.  Then I changed it to M.  It was removed because a group of critics thought by chapter 26 it was too mature for the M rating -- and the site admin agreed.  Some people believe any sex is smut, and all smut must be NC-17.  I don't agree, but since it's not my site and I don't get to decide... I'm here now.  It's a little disconcerting that once something is given this rating, sex is expected.  This story takes a lot of time to warm up, but it does earn the rating.  

You can bet your bippy Eric would have been great.  I sure wish there was a PM feature here, so I could share my choice to play Eric, without ruining it for those who would rather use their imaginations.  

Next chapter should post on Friday, Fatal SQL error or not! 

I should be ready with the next chapter on Friday.  Thanks for dropping a note; I love seeing unfamiliar readers.  

I wrote this story for those who want the canon couple to stay together.  I've written two others with different pairings, but one happened long before Bella was born, and the other happened after the death of Edward.  I just can't see a way to write a break-up between these two that makes sense; if you're willing to give your life for someone and turn your back on everything you know, then that's not something  you walk away from -- ever.  As to Pattinson and Oedipus... maybe.  I chose Oedipus because of the older woman/young man in literature.  There really are not that many stories with that dynamic.  

Thanks so much for the reivew and the nice rating.  As a mom myself, I know that breastfeeding is a mixed bag of crazy challenges.  My son went for two months, before the Dr. decided my diet was giving him constipation and made me quit -- it wasn't the problem.  My daughter went seven months out of the planned year of nursing, then quit -- just decided she didn't want to anymore.  It feels like rejection and failure

As far as the emancipated minor legality... when I wrote this, seventeen was the legal age for Washington State.  The law says it's okay for them to be together.  But her job would definitely be at risk; I'm sure there's bound to be something in her contract that fobids anything with a student, no matter what the law says.  

I too had the same response with regards to Leah after reading the books.  Of all the HEA's, she sort of got stuck with the short straw.  My very first fan fiction was giving Leah her happily ever after.  Maybe I'll post it here too.  So many of the Leah stories pair her with Jacob, and so I followed that here.  But my Leah story gave her someone I think was better suited to her.  

Trying to get Bella to see what isn't normal is a lot harder now that she's an adult.  I think we'd all have the same difficulty; how many people watch a magicians act and think "magic" rather than "how'd he do that?"  

Yeah, imagine how hard it is to tell Leah what to do.  

Yeah, imagine how hard it is to tell Leah what to do.  

Thanks for the enthusiasm -- It makes me smile.  Edward can't just come out and tell her; I can only imagine how frustrating that must be for him.  I didn't intend to write Jake in, but he really fits well as the good friend of the family who didn't fall in love with her.  When you think about it, she was the one who made that connection with him, in order to get closer to Edward at first.  

He keeps pushing all the right buttons, but she just refuses to see what's right before her eyes.

Edward has had 25 years to lament what he lost.  He's not willing to be passive where she's concerned.  He's still got all his secrets to keep, so it's hard for him to get through to her.  She's probably not going to be so easy to convince -- not as long as she thinks he's her 17 year-old student.  

You've got some good ideas on where this story is leading; I will get there.  

I worry about my daughter all the time; she's 17.  Fortunately she's not dating yet; she's got a lot of "amigos," but the two boyfriends she's had weren't serious.  But next year there's college...

Thanks again.  I do have the answers to your questions in future chapters.  Even with his family, I always saw Edward as very lonely -- always being the odd man out.  I'm not sure what would be worse, being alone, or being alone in a group, especially when you can hear every thought, every loving memory, and even their pity.  

I'm lucky; I've got the best in-laws.  They do keep me busy, and it's hard to explain my fan fiction to someone who has never heard of it.  I'm going to try my best to make sure the next few chapters are on time.  I've heard that grandchildren are the best.  I've only got two kids, so I hope some day (year) there will be some grands.  

Bella carries pepper spray.  I'll have the next chapter for Tuesday.  Thanks for the five rating.  

Thanks.  Your comment made me laugh.  I actually love my in-laws, and I've told my husband if we ever split up, I'll fight him for custody of them.  I'm sure I'll have the next chapter for Tuesday.  

I like seeing such passionate comments; it lets me know the story's working.  Pretty obvious the pup doesn't like vamps, but Bella is stubborn, and she's become used to doing things on her own terms.  Thanks for the five rating!

So many questions.  Don't worry, they all get answered in the story.  Thanks for the review, and the five rating.  

Thanks for reading and reviewing.  Sometimes part of real life is figuring out ways to make things work out, even when it looks like they can't.  I really like Eric, too.  Too often writers make the competiton loathsome, so the choice is easy and obvious.    

A teacher?  Now I'm nervous.  I'll admit to playing fast and loose with classroom protocol.  Don't be afraid to call me on it if I really mess something up.  I'm a mother of a H.S. age daughter, and my son's 21.  I'm old enough to have grandkids too.  I absolutely look at that age as children, no matter how big or good-looking.  In fact, my daughter has an English teacher who's 23!  I'm at an age when even the teachers are babies.  

As to that line, thanks for reminding me, I need to add another note to my disclaimer.  This isn't a story about an older teacher pursuing her young student.  That line should never be crossed.  

Anyway, thank you so much for your reviews.

Thank you!  The first time I posted this story on ffnet, there were a few who were just grossed out by the idea of an older woman.  With maturity comes wisdom and a much-needed backbone.  

At this point, Bella is sincere about wanting to put a stop to what's happening with Edward.  She knows he's different, but he's not only a kid, but her student.  She's hoping for a little back-up from Denise -- sort of like an alcoholic and their sponsor.  

Thank you for reading and reviewing.

The job at the coffee shop is temporary, but rest assured, Carlisle isn't the only one of my Cullen's with a job.  

Thanks.  This is one of my favorites.  

I had a lot of fun writing Denise.  She's the kind of woman who would intimidate me.  I thought the dog would be fun.

Thank you so much for the review.  I wanted to show a more realistic side of romance and dating, where perfect really doesn't exist.  Age today is so subjective, with legal limits and society's judgment falling harsh and critical on anything that doesn't fit the norm.  What was acceptable fifty years ago won't fly today.  

Thanks for reading and reviewing.  Because they weren't together, there was no reason for Bella to drag Jacob into her schemes, so he's still just a family friend.  But it didn't seem realistic for no one to be interested in Miss Swan.  I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.

Bella and I both agree with you.  This Edward has had 25 years to regret and miss her.  He's not afraid to take chances.  But he's not helping her sanity any with his pursuit.  I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and I do appreciate your reviews.  

Thanks for following my story and letting me know something was wrong.  When I posted chapter 8 I got an error message.  I tried two more times to post it, and got the same error message.  In the manage stories it looked like the chapter didn't post, but when I pulled up the story, it showed it had been updated three times, all with the same chapter!  So I tried to delete the last chapter, and it wiped out the whole story -- everything!  I sent a message to the admin, and they said they don't keep back-ups, and I'd have to start all over.  So... I've lost my first 22 reviews, my first thousand reads, and whatever those five coffee cups stand for.  Live and learn, I guess.  This still feels better than losing everything from ffnet; at least this was my mistake.  

When I wrote that scene, I thought it was too much like a sit-com.  But I've sort of fallen in love with it now.  It shows how much bolder Edward is now than before.  

Thanks again for all your help.