Some people do keep score with gifts, and there is an expectation that if they give, it will be reciprocated.  It can be tricky.  For me, I try to be generous, and when someone gives something, I make sure I show appreciation.  I'm funny though, for me, the best gifts don't cost money.  Someone made me a loaf of homemade bread when i was sick, and that touched me more than any monitary gift could.  I always appreciate thoughtfulness more than expense.  

It's not important at all.  But sometimes those unimportant things take on new significance when you're a bride.  For me, it was having a good photographer, and getting some great pictures.  I'm not sure where those pictures are now; the album's gone missing.  I used to think that virginity til marriage was silly.  Who wants pain and awkwardness on their honeymoon?  But now that I'm older, I realize it's not so silly.  Who better to share pain and awkwardness with, than someone you love and trust.  

Every time I lack ideas, I need only turn to canon.  At least I took out the cliff-hanger after Bella tore open her wrist.  This one's much milder.    

Thanks.  I still giggle over dousing her in Emmett's cologne.  Much of this story is about human love and human issues.  But this chapter makes it real that we're really dealing with a vampire.  

Thank you so much.  When I read the original series, I couldn't wait to get to the end.  Mostly it was because Meyer wrote things so different from my own perception, and I couldn't tell where she was going with her story.  Bella behaved wildly different from me, to the point she seemed abnormal at times.  When I read or watch a movie, I try for willful suspension of disbelief, but Meyer challenged me on that note.  She was willing to break so many rules of what's normal and expected, and I had to read all the way through just because I had no idea where she would take it.  The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard was another of those books that just didn't make sense in my mind.  Her son goes missing and she goes off to get drunk.  It was hard to swallow that one.  

As much as canon bugs me at times, I try hard not to break with it, because it's ultimately her story.  I'll stretch it, rationalize it, and rework it, but I fight not to throw it out.  If she says vampires sparkle in the sun, can get human girls pregnant, and gestate a child in 30 days, then so be it.  I'm a writer, I can work with any prompt.         

I guess I wouldn't have had such an issue with the original, if Carlisle wasn't a practicing physician.  That Alice didn't see what was about to happen, I understand.  But that Carlisle allowed a dangerous, life-threatening pregnancy to progress so far, really violates his hippocratic oath--first do no harm.  Any real doctor would have had a better plan than letting his patient die, even if she could be changed into a vampire afterward.  As to the drama; that is a mistake on my part.  I worked so hard to fix what I saw wrong with this story, I took out too much drama.  Drama makes a story worth reading.  

As I read the original, I clearly had a different reaction than younger readers might have had.  Being a mother, the casual way Renesmee's fast maturity was dismissed, seemed moire unnatural than vampires and hybrids.  To miss out on so many stages of childhood, would have been extremely difficult for me.  

Yep.  You called it and I was afraid to say anything.  The venom still doesn't make sense to me.  But this, like so much of Twilight, is one of those things where I just have to shrug my shoulders and chalk it up to supernatural magic.   

I've written Sam a few different ways, since he's one of those minor characters that didn't get much development.  He's the one who hurt Emily, but he's also the one who found Bella in the woods.  He's the one who helped Jacob and the others deal with their change, but he's also the one who wanted to kill Nessie.  I think he sees himself as a leader, since he didn't submit to Jacob's authority.  I wanted to portray Leah as being vivacious and fun, before she met Sam.  So many make her out to be a bi...not nice person.  Take away the anger, and she's got a wicked sense of humor.    

At least early on, I tried to stick close to canon.  Over the years, my memory has started to fade, and I haven't reread the books to refresh the details.  

Wow, and thanks.  I think it's benefitting from some much needed editing.  That's what's keeping me from moving all my stories over here.  I feel like this site deserves my best.  

I'm really glad to have the offer.  But I decided not to add in language I'd only have to translate in author's notes.  I'm pretty sure the few words and phrases I added will seem odd to you.  Even if I can find the right words, the sentence structure in English is subtly different in Italian.  

The potlatch is a Native American ceremony that accompanies some special events.  It would normally take great wealth to pull off something like this with as many guests as Leah has coming to her wedding.  But her mother has been planning this for years, setting aside gifts and keepsakes a few at a time.  Most are simple and hand-made, like knit scarves, handkerchiefs, woven baskets, etc.  For the needier guests, Sue is giving more expensive gifts, but they're still within reason.  

Since the community is relatively poor, weddings are done differently.  Much of the work and preparation is done as a gift to the bride and groom, like the alterations to her dress, and the food preparation.  It's not uncommon for friends and family to volunteer to serve food, tend bar, play music, print the invitations, take the pictures, and arrange the flowers.  The event will be simpler, and involve more people.  In this way, it's possible to have a big wedding, with a lot of fancy touches, that doesn't cost a lot of money.     

Thanks for the kind words.  Maybe I was afraid to write a bit more drama, because Leah had it so rough in the books.  At least it's not one of my marathon stories, and I managed to get to the end before a year passed!

I'd forgotten all about it, until I started editing the story, and realized what it was I saw in my head.  Maybe that's why I didn't describe it very well in the story.  I was afraid too much description would edge into science fiction territory, especially after I glossed over the details of them making love.  I wrote this when I was very conscious of the rating. 

Hi!

It is a BIG benefit of this site.

Kelly Trobough has done me an enormous favour by uploading most of my stories here. I wouldn't have had time to do it on my own. She even put up the author's notes and the banners. So I'm very thankful.

Happy reading. :)

Ciao! xoox

Thanks so much for your comments, and especially for reading the story.  It's always nice to see familiar "faces".  

Thanks. If work and traffic let me, it will posted tonight.

May

Thanks. If work and traffic let me, it will posted tonight.

May

Hi! There will be more, this was the first glimpse about them. They have a real werewolf, not shapeshifter, with them. I'm also working on a picture of the coven. I hope this will help.

Thanks.

May

Hi!

Thanks. I hope next chapter will satisfy your curiosity ;)

May

Thanks! I hope you'll like where the story is going.

May

Yes, it is a complete Oneshot. I do love these characters and the uniqueness of the story line itself, and thought maybe some more details are left to come to light. I'm just not positive what's next if anything for these characters as it does span many years and leads to their HEA. I may add something more or I may decide to turn it into a story. But for now, as it is, it is complete. If I do anything, I will post it here so you may know.

Fyre

Thank you! I agree about Charlie and think it's unfair when people write him as stupid. Just because he's quiet doesn't mean he's an idiot. I think it's better when Charlie is in on the secret and given the chance to be a part of what's happening. :)

Much love,

~Lisa