thanks so much for the review, babes!  ;)

i want all the clothes, too!  the cullen's are my dream family!  ;)

i'm glad you like it!  the last line was fun to write! ;)

alice is sensing something. you are correct!  ;)

wow, thank you!  aro is a very dramatic kinda guy.  thanks for the review!! ;)

it definitely was!  thanks for all of your wonderful reviews!!! ;)

i'm glad you like it!  i'm a cannon shipper so everyone will get together in the end!  thanks for the review!!! ;)

I'm so glad you liked it. We're coming up on some good stuff, at least I think so, and I can't wait to hear what you think. Thanks for the review. I really appreciate it. Much love - D

Until next time...here's a peek at Bella's next chapter, which will be up later today:

"Talk to me, Angel." He pressed his forehead to mine. "Tell me about the city." He let out a strained laugh. "In all my travels, the only time I've been there was the night I found you."

"Really?" I drew back to look him in the eye.

I could see the sadness he tried to hide and I knew he was doing it for me. Edward loved my father and his illness had to hurt him just as much as it did me, but he tried to be strong. For me, he would always be strong.

"What was it like?" he asked again.

"I was terrified," I admitted with a shaky laugh. "So many cars, so many people and I had nowhere to go."

The arm he had around my waist loosened as I put a bit of distance between us.

"Mrs. Jones gave me ten dollars when I left but it wasn't enough. After a few days I was living in the street. I slept in alleys and stole food when I needed to eat."

"Oh Bella."

Hearing what I went through, the distance between us disappeared as Edward brought me back into his arms. Resting my forehead against his chest, I continued.

"I don't know how I made it as long as I did. I was scared and alone until..." My words trailed off as I remembered the day I met Lizzy, Johnny and Jack.

"Until what?" Edward urged.

"Until they found me."

I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for the review. I really appreciate it. Much love – D

Until next time...are you ready for something a little more playful? Here's a peek at Edward's next chapter, which will be up later today:

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" I growled low into her ear.

A low growl rumbled in her chest as she exhaled and leaned back into me. "We've been climbing trees since we were ten and you're worried now. Now that I can't be hurt."

"The trees we climbed when we were ten didn't have you hundreds of feet above ground."

"We, my love," she twisted to kiss me quickly, "are indestructible. I could jump from this tree and the only thing to get hurt would be the ground beneath my feet."

"I just worry about you," I admitted.

"Don't."

She turned to straddle the branch, lifting an arm around my neck and resting her other hand on my arm. Her smile was gone.

"I've lived through so much already; falling from a tree is nothing in comparison."

"But I could have kept you from all of that. If I'd been here, I could have saved you from so much pain." I touched her cheek. "I will make up for that. I'll make up for every bit of pain you suffered."

"By keeping me out of trees." Her smile returned. "You've lived a sheltered life haven't you?"

They're close, just not quite close enough. It's coming though...I promise. A major jump in time in the next two chapters will bring them closer to finding each other again. Thanks for the review, darlin. Much love - D

Until next time...here's a peek at the next chapter to be posted later today:

In the six years we'd been together, I'd never seen Carlisle so happy. Finally finding love had changed him completely and he was a whole new man. He actually reminded me of myself years ago when I was with Bella. She simply brought out the best in me and it was exactly what Esme did for Carlisle.

They could barely contain their love for each other so, after years of posing as husband and wife, they made the decision to make their relationship official. As they readied themselves to take this step together, Esme pulled me aside for a quick word.

"My dear Edward, for years you've played the role of brother to us and I have been proud to accept you in that role, but I want something more." She gripped my hand tightly as she spoke.

"Esme, you've brought so much happiness to Carlisle's life and I am grateful to you for making him the man he is today. So please, ask for anything you wish."

Yeah, Edward had a really hard time when he had a perfect love thrown in his face. Don't worry though, he won't be alone for too long. Well, too long in the life of a vampire, that is. LOL. Thanks for the review, darlin. Love you tons - D

Until next time...here's a peek at Bella's next chapter:

With a devilish smile on his face, he whispered, "Are you ready for more, my dark angel?"

Just as I was about to answer, his eyes widened and his hand flew to my mouth. My normal reaction would have been to struggle against his hand but the worried look on his face stilled me. He took a deep breath, tasting the air but when I tried to do the same, all I could smell was the scent of his skin.

His arms wrapped tightly around me. "Leave now." His whispered warning was just for me.

I tried to pull away but he gripped me tighter.

"Use the rooftops and run for the trees."

Sensing his sudden fear, I held onto him just as tight. "What is it?"

He loosed his grip and took one step back. One hand touched my cheek and his eyes bore intently into mine.

"Please, Bella, just go," he urged. "Now."

"But what about..."

He cut me off, knowing what I was about to ask. "I'll join you soon. I swear it. But you must go now." His eyes glanced over my shoulder toward the main street before meeting mine again. "You have only seconds, please go."

Bella's been in too much pain for far too long to forgive Edward right now. Give him time though, he will do whatever it takes to reminder her how much they love each other. He'll get his girl back again. Thanks for the review, darlin. I really appreciate it. Much love - D

Until next time...here's a peek at Bella's next chapter, which will be up later today:

A growl rumbled deep in my chest as Edward's scent pulled me from my thoughts. Turning my back to the shed, I scanned the darkness. I couldn't see him but I knew he was close.

"Don't take another step, Edward," I warned, knowing he could hear me.

I heard his footsteps come to a halt as silence hung in the air. A few minutes passed as I searched the area around me. He was nowhere to be seen but I could feel him out there.

"Please let me help, Bella." His voice sliced through the darkness.

"I don't need your help."

"Don't shut me out, Angel."

My eyes closed for a split second as the old name brought more memories of our lives together.

"I watched my father die, Bella," he continued. "I know how you feel."

"How long have you known, Edward?" I hissed, ignoring his last comment. "How long did you watch my father suffer before you came to find me?"

I'm glad you liked it. Edward and Bella made some breakthroughs in this chapter. And I know it's been a long time coming but they're about to make a few more. Thanks for the review. I really appreciate it. Much love - D

Until next time...here's a peek at Bella's next chapter which will be posted later today:

My fingers made a path across the map to the east coast of Maine, to the black dot covering the very spot Garrett and I walked into the ocean.

"A friend of Garrett's found us in the mountains and while they spoke, the man told him of his recent trip to Europe. Knowing Victoria was still hunting me, Garrett thought it would be the perfect time to take me away.

"We left from here," I said with a grin, remembering our fun on the beach. "I wanted to travel by ship, our own personal buffet, but Garrett wouldn't allow it. He knew I couldn't be confined that way so he brought me to this point and we swam the ocean to get there."

I turned to Edward and his eyes were wide with a look of surprise.

"Didn't you know we could swim like that?" I asked excitedly. "It was amazing, Edward. Someday I'll take you..."

"Darling. Are you awake?"

My father's voice rang through the air and my head snapped toward the sound. Edward's hands were on me immediately and I reached out for him, holding myself against him to keep from running for the door.

"Don't let me go," I whispered.

"Never," he whispered back.