In The Blood Epilogue Teaser

The end is here. Thank you so much to everyone for reading. This has been a wonderful journey and Fragile and I are both humbled and thankful that you've trod this road with us. Without further ado, here is the final teaser:

Everyone gathered in Emmett's loft, and Rosalie and Emmett sat on the couch, her legs draped across his lap as he massaged her feet. They were the picture of domestic bliss, and only their burgundy eyes indicated the violence that existed within them.

Emmett had been teasing Rosalie about her pick for the World Series, and she was in the mood to needle him in return. "So, Emmett, you never did tell me why Angela looks at you with those big puppy dog eyes every time we visit Edward at his office."

Bella, sitting in Edward's lap on a huge blue bean bag chair, stiffened. "I think maybe Edward and I..."

"Not a chance, love." Edward laughed, tightening his arms around her waist. "I'm dying to hear this story."

Emmett shook his head. "You really don't want to know, dude."

Rosalie wasn't giving up. She straddled him, pinning him to the back of the couch. "Spill, now."

The playlist for the final chapter of In The Blood is Let It Be by the Beatles:

In The Blood Chapter 24 Teaser

Wow. I can't believe we're finally here. The penultimate chapter. And after all the angst our lovers have been through, don't you think they deserve just a little more loving? Yeah, me too! Enjoy!!

“Do you have a better idea, my champion?” Her eyes were challenge and lust and black thirst, and for a moment Edward wondered if there was another hunger he should be attending to.

“I do, but you haven’t fed in some time, Isabella. I should take you out…” his voice trailed off as he saw the stubborn look in her eye.

“I told you my favorite meal was always going to be copper-haired American boy.” She pressed her body against his and he knew this was one battle he wasn’t about to fight. They would be together and nowhere near humans. She would be safe.

“It just so happens I know exactly where you can find such a dish,” he purred into her ear as his hands reached down to pull her more fully against him.

“I was hoping you might be able to help me out.” Bella arms were about his neck, pulling him back down toward her when she realized they had some place they could go and be alone. She leaned back suddenly and the kiss Edward had been about to place on her lips fell awkwardly on her neck. Not one to be deterred, he simply adjusted his angle and began to run his tongue along the soft skin of her throat.

“Edward,” her voice came out as a moan. “I want something.”

“I’m trying to give it to you,” he smiled into her flesh, not willing to stop worshiping her.

“Something else,” she giggled back and Edward straightened up, willing to play along with anything that might please her.

The playlist song for this chapter is "Let It Grow" by Eric Clapton:

In The Blood Chapter 23 Teaser

Now that the rogue had been dealt with, Edward and Bella must decide how they will spend their forever. Will Edward be horrified by Bella's violent dispatching of Jane? Will their families support them or try to tear them apart?

Approaching the Cullen estate, Bella lowered her shield, hoping Edward would hear her.

I'm here. It's over.

No sooner had the words rushed through her mind than she saw Edward and Rosalie rush through the door and down the steps. Their parents stood in the doorway, warily watching the scene unfold.

Bella froze twenty yards from her lover, watching his stunned reaction as she let him see in her thoughts that the rogue was truly gone. As Emmett ran past her and into the arms of Rosalie, Bella remained in place, Aro's hand on her shoulder.

Now that he'd seen how vengeful, how calmly lethal she could be, she wasn't sure he'd still want her. She may have sworn off the hunt, but she would still kill without remorse. For him. For her father. For her new coven.

Edward walked slowly toward her, her shield still lowered to allow him to know her doubts and her nature. When he reached her and placed his hand on her cheek, she looked down, waiting to hear the reaction she could not bear to witness.

The playlist song for this chapter is "Let It Rain" by Eric Clapton.

In The Blood Chapter 22 Teaser

I know you were all waiting for fragile's chapter last week as much as I was. And now we've FINALLY gotten to the promise land! Edward and Bella have hashed out the past, they've made some plans for the future, they've been reunited in the best possible way...

So what's left? Well, there is that pesky, homicidal vampire on the loose with the grudge against Bella. We'll get to Jane eventually, but for now, let's get to this week's teaser:

In less than a second Edward was behind her, pinning her back against his chest, his mouth by her ear. “And what if I want all of it, Isabella?” He held her body flush against his, letting her feel just how much he wanted her, now and for always.

“It’s yours,” she breathed out huskily, then twined in his arms to face him. Her eyes sought his out and he could see the sincerity in their burgundy depths. “Everything I have is yours, Edward.”

He leaned in and took her lips hungrily, marveling that no amount of time together was able to decrease his need for her. The opposite seemed true: the more he had her, the more he kissed her, touched her, made her cry out for him; the more he seemed to need. It was endless and he felt the enormity of it keenly. But it was a pleasurable thing; to feel so intensely again. He wouldn’t deny it for the world.

His hands roamed down her back, slipping under the waistband of her jeans to cup her body and even though his eyes were closed he could feel the electricity between them arching out all around them in reds and oranges and bright white lights. Then suddenly Bella’s lips were gone. Edward’s eyes blinked open in confusion only to find Bella had flitted over to the chair next to his desk and was pulling on her boots.

"If we start that again,” she smirked, “we’ll never get downstairs and I for one don’t relish the idea of putting on a peep show for the Volturi guard.” She walked over to his closet and tossed a pair of khakis to him. Edward caught them with a laugh.

“No. That’s certainly not something I want either.”

I for one wouldn't say no to a naked Edward peep show, but that's just me. *wink*

The playlist song for this chapter is Livin' For You by Al Green

In The Blood Chapter 21 Teaser

Edward has swallowed his pride and confessed his love to Bella. In return, Bella has dropped her shield allowing Edward to see the horrors that have shaped her. What will Bella do now that Edward understands?

Wrapped in Edward's arms, Bella felt safe and complete for the first time since Adam found her in the meadow and took her life. Edward's touch, his embrace, and his lips on hers were all things she never thought she feel outside of her tender memories. Having his arms surround her, even after the horrible things she'd shown him, was surely a dream, some twisted fantasy she'd created since he found her to preserve her sanity. His gentle kisses over her face were real, though, and she slowly allowed herself to believe he loved her.

Still, there were things that needed to be said, things he needed to understand. Otherwise, they would never be happy.

Pulling back, Bella gazed into the golden eyes she'd feared for almost two centuries. "I need to tell you about your change."

Edward's eyes clouded over briefly then were bright and clear again. "We don't have to do this now."

"Yes, we do. We finally do."

Edward nodded slowly then lifted Bella onto his lap until she faced him, straddling his hips, her back against the keys of the piano.

The playlist song for this chapter is "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green:

In The Blood Chapter 20 Teaser

So we've brought our lovers together. Everyone's under the same roof even. Things are looking up. And while Emmett and Rosalie are getting to know one another, Edward and Bella are finally getting some alone time of their own. But as much as they're eager to get to the fun part of their reunion, and who isn't?, they still have a few things to hash out.

“Please don’t blame Aro for this, Edward.” Her eyes were fierce as she spoke of the Volturi leader and Edward could see she cared about the man deeply. “You have to understand. He considers me his daughter and he would do anything to protect me.”

“From what? From love?” Edward didn’t want to quarrel with her but Aro’s deception had wreaked such destruction on both of their lives, had made them both so unhappy for so long. It rankled that she could forgive him so easily.

Bella’s shoulders slumped a little, wearily. “When you were in Volterra, did you hear what others think of your kind? Of those that follow Carlisle’s…lifestyle?”

Edward’s pride was pricked. Yes, he had heard what they thought of his father, of him. How they took the respect that Carlisle held for all life and turned it into something perverse, considering abstaining from the murder of humans to be an abomination. Not trusting himself to keep the rancor from his words he simply responded with a curt nod.

“Then you know how strongly other vampires feel about the way you live. When Aro realized that you were living with Carlisle, he came to Chicago to witness for himself if you were truly committed to this way of life. When he saw that you were…” her words trailed off. They both knew what Aro did next.

“And what gave him the right to decide this for you? Even if he is your sire, Isabella, you are a grown woman with a mind of your own. You don’t care that he treated you like a child?”

“Edward,” she sighed, clearly not sure how to explain her point of view to him. “Aro’s not my sire but it’s because of that, because of what he knows of my early years that he wanted to spare me the choice. He didn’t treat me as a child,” she emphasized. “He treated me as his child.”

If Aro truly thought of Bella as his daughter, how could he so blatantly disregard her free will? Edward tried to imagine Carlisle if the situation had been reversed but he couldn’t imagine his caring, loving father taking the choice out of Edward’s hands. His father had too much respect for him for that. Bella must have seen the lack of understanding in Edward’s eyes because she began to chew on her lip in worry. Then suddenly her eyes lighted with wary inspiration.

Can she make him understand? Here's hoping so! Because I, for one, am ready for our erstwhile lovers to reunite already!

The playlist song for this chapter is Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen:

No you didn't miss it...

Come on! You know you can't be mad at a puppy!

It's true. Chapter 19 of In The Blood did not post this week. It wasn't a fanfic.net alert fail or anything like that. The truth is due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, the chapter got delayed. We profoundly apologize and fervently promise that it will be there, come hell or high water, that we'll post it this coming Wednesday, March 3rd or earlier should the Almighty decide to stop treating fragile like the 21st Century Job.

In the meantime, I have this message for my co-author:

*ahem* Hello? Fragile?
This is Doctor Lemon.
I know you've been under the weather.
So I'm giving you a prescription.

Take two of these:



and go to bed for the rest of the night.
Heck, take the rest of the week, baby!
With two of these bad boys, you're going to need it!
*wink*

Feel better soon, fragile!!!!!!!!!!

In The Blood Chapter 19 Teaser

Edward called her ISABELLA!!!! *squee*  Okay, now that I've gotten that out of my system, here's this week's teaser:

Standing over Edward's crumpled body, Bella was terrified. She knew what Jane was capable of; she'd seen Jane wield her dark weapons time and time again. Regardless of how Edward now felt about her, if she'd been too late to save him she would never forgive herself.

Bella fell to her knees at his side and, unable to suppress the need to touch him, brushed the disordered hair from his face. "Edward," she whispered.

Clasping her hand in his, Edward closed his eyes. She expected him to shove her away in anger, but she gasped as his soft lips kissed each of her fingertips. She'd dreamed of his lips for 91 years, of their tender touch and the electricity that resulted from it. She never thought she feel the overwhelming sensation again, yet, here she was, drowning in it.

So, if the teaser is B & E, why is the pic above Rosalie and Emmett?  Oh, you'll see...*evil grin*

The playlist song for this chapter is "Killer Queen" by...well...Queen:

In The Blood Chapter 18 Teaser

While Emmett and Bella are learning just how innocent (or NOT) Angela is, Edward's getting some life lessons of his own.

This image is of an actual chair
that you can buy, should you be so inclined,
on eBay

As Edward crumpled under the weight of Jane’s torment, he barely registered being picked up and flying away from his house. Jane made sure he was incapacitated throughout the entire journey. As Jane’s torture burned through him, Edward had no way of knowing where he was being taken. His mind, normally able to focus on multiple things at once, was completely incapable of processing anything other than the agony he was in. When it stopped abruptly, Edward found himself sprawled out on a dank cement floor in a dark and musty room. His eyes fluttered open to see a tiny pair of black, lace-up, steel toed boots standing in front of him.

“Don’t move or I’ll do it again.” Jane’s voice was almost bored as she turned her back on him and walked toward a chair she had set up in the center of the room. The way the room was laid out reminded Edward of something, but he just couldn’t quite place it in his hazy state. When Jane twisted around to sit on the ornate, gold-adorned piece, it finally clicked into place. It was a throne. This dark, desolate place was Jane’s throne room. And, as he might have expected, it was but a hollow shell of the glory she sought. For a moment Edward felt very sad for the tiny child-monster before him. But only for a moment.

The playlist song for this chapter is Contact in Red Square by Blondie:

In the Blood Chapter 17 Teaser

Jane's on the warpath, and Bella is on her way to Edward's office. Who does she find? Why, innocent little Angela, that's who.

Closing the distance between herself and the moaning girl, Bella winked at Emmett over Angela's shoulder. "My, aren't you a pretty little thing?" Bella cooed, threading her fingers through Angela's silky hair. "I bet you taste so sweet."

"What the hell are you doing here? Get your hands off her!"

Bella turned her head and looked straight into Edward's blazing eyes. Smirking, she tugged Angela's hair, giving Emmett access to kiss her exposed neck. "Well, hello there, Edward. Emmett and I were just playing with your little toy." She laughed as she watched his jaw tighten. "So, how did your grudge fuck go?"

Edward's eyes widened then narrowed into angry slits. "You two...my office...now!"

Bella and Emmett shrugged as they pulled away from a panting Angela and followed Edward into his office. Once they were seated in the guest chairs, Edward slammed the door soundly.

The playlist song for this chapter is "Heart of Glass" by Blondie:

ITB Nominated for an Indie!

Could you all HEAR me squeeing? Because when I got the email from fragile last night that In The Blood was nominated for not one but TWO Indies I squeed louder than a tweenager at a Jonas Brother's concert!

That's right! In The Blood has the distinction of being nominated for an Indie Award in both the Best Love Triangle (WIP) category and the Canon or AU story that knocks you off your feet (WIP) category!!!

We are truly grateful that our readers enjoy this story to the point that they would nominate us for this awesome award. And the competition is quite stiff! But we truly are just happy to be nominated. You guys make our day...everyday!

Thank you so very much!

PS - is it crass to mention that voting begins on February 20th? It is? Oh, well then...nevermind. *wink*

A hiccup in the schedule

Usually, we tease a new ITB chapter on Monday and post it on Wednesday. Because of the general chaos that is my RL, the next chapter will be postponed a week and posted on 2/10/2010. While I think Greta is the only one whose entire Wednesday is planned around a new chapter *wink*, I'm sorry for the delay.

In The Blood Chapter 16Pictures of Jane's Chicago digs

When I was trying to figure out where Jane would be hanging out while in Chicago, I came across the following pictures of an actual, abandoned firehouse in the midst of the old stockyards. I've lived in Chicago almost my entire life, I even worked in a warehouse in the stockyards as a teenager, and I never knew this house existed. Thanks to I, Splotchy for the find and the amazing pictures.

The interior I found was of an abandoned NYC firehouse, but I still think it works.

In The Blood Chapter 16 Teaser

So seriously...who else cheered when Bella told Emmett they were going to pay Edward's office a visit? Uh, oh, Edward! Bella's tired of taking all the blame. And let's face it...that boy has some explaining to do. Fortunately for him, he won't be called upon to account for his actions in this chapter. Well, let me know if at the end of this chapter you think he should feel fortunate, because an old 'friend' is coming to town: Jane.

That's right girls and boys, this week's chapter is from Jane's point of view. Here's the teaser...Enjoy!

Silently Jane turned, making her way back to the main part of the castle and to her chambers beyond. Upon entering them, she removed her cloak and hung it in the wardrobe that sat unused on the far end of the room. Since she had joined the Volturi over four centuries ago, she had worn their cloak as a sign of her allegiance. She had never had any reason to set it aside, not even to exchange it for street-ware, as her talents elevated her above the menial tasks that called for their kind to mingle with humans. Now the dark grey fabric was gathered on a hanger and shut away in the wooden closet. She felt uncomfortably bare without it. As she glanced in the mirror that hung on the wall nearby, she was almost blinded by the stark whiteness of her peasant blouse. Unsettled but still determined, Jane shifted her eyes away from her reflection and set about preparing for her departure.

She moved swiftly about her room, collecting the few things she couldn’t bear to part with, leaving everything else untouched. As Jane’s hand closed around the tiny miniature of her brother, she closed her ruby eyes and sighed. Her face, always so carefully blank, cracked for a moment, revealing the heartbreak and frustration of a constantly thwarted girl. For an instant she appeared as what she had once been: no more than a child, overwhelmed by the world and so very powerless in the face of those around her. A quiet, tearless sob leaked out of her mouth and she clutched the image of her brother against her, holding onto it as if it were a talisman against her grief. A moment passed and her face calmed; the tightening of her jaw the only indication that any emotions had just passed over her visage. She tucked the miniature inside her shirt, just below where her heart had once beaten, then turned and calmly walked out the door.

The playlist song for this chapter is Hell's Bells by AC/DC:

In the Blood Chapter 15 Teaser

Comfort, Munch, 1907

During Aro's story, Bella sat up in the bed, pulling her knees to her chest and wrapping herself up into a tight ball. Emmett held her, stroking her hair as she rocked back and forth in stunned silence.

"Why will you not destroy me?" she finally whispered into the phone.

"You have asked me this favor twice before: once when I found you with Adam, and once when I told you Edward had died. Do you remember my answer?"

Bella leaned her head against Emmett's shoulder. "I remember, but I want you to say it."

Aro sighed. "A parent would never destroy their own child."

Venom pooled in her mouth and sprayed as she screamed at the phone. "Yes, but a parent would apparently betray their child!"

Bella knew that, even though Aro loved her, she was risking death by speaking to him this way. Part of her wanted the freedom and peace death would give her, but it was slowly losing ground to the part that was deeply wounded by Aro's lie and desperate to find a way to overcome it. She felt Emmett's body stiffen next to her, and she remembered her existence was no longer simply her own. She'd been selfish and forgotten her protector and friend needed her.

The playlist song for this chapter is "Back in Black" by AC/DC:



P.S. One Pushy Fox and I are each contributing a one-shot to MsKathy's Haiti Relief Twi FanFic Authors Compilation. Donate at least $5  through 1/24/10 and receive fanfic from over 200 Twific authors. For more information, visit MsKathy's blog.

Chapter 14 is up

Chapter 14 is up and I completely forgot to mention in my Author's Note that the inspiration for the Denali scene with the Vanquish was none other than Mrs. Vanquish herself. She was so helpful to me with the science stuff in Chapter 12, I just wanted give her some loving. :)

Claire Danes is my Tanya

Mrs V. - Sorry I couldn't write you into the story line, but.... hope you enjoy the lemon anyway.

In The Blood Chapter 14 Teaser

Photo by Justin Williams courtesy of fineartamerica.com

I know things are getting hairy for our erstwhile lovers and some of you are wondering if they're ever going to find their way back to each other. I'll tell you up front, that's not going to happen in this chapter. No, unfortunately, Edward hasn't hit his rock bottom yet. He has to sink just an inch or two lower into the sea of angst.

But before I give you the teaser I wanted to address the question of why. Why are we torturing these two characters? Why can't we just let them have a bit of happiness? Why do we insist on being cruel women? Good questions. And the answer, in my humble opinion, is because angst is an essential part of the narrative arch. There can be no light without dark, no love without hate and frankly Edward can't come to grips with who Bella truly is without walking down some dark roads of his own.

So he's a bit of an asshole when he's hurt. He says things he shouldn't. He does things he shouldn't. And it's not just there to yank your chain, it's because that's what real people do. At least it is in my experience. But at least working through these challenges is what allows us to grow. Right? And Edward needs to grow and in particular, grow up. However many years he's existed, he's still an 18 year old boy when it comes to romantic relationships because he's never allowed him self to experience these emotions with anyone else. And clearly he needs to work through some issues.

Who knows angst better than a 15 year old guy living out in rural Virginia?
I don't know but Justin Williams, the artist who took this photo,
definitely has my vote for best pictorial capturing of this emotion.

So....please bear with us through these next few dark chapters. We're getting to the end of the self-inflicted pain and soon we'll be moving on into the land of catharsis. And just so you know, Catharsis-ville is filled with lemons. Whole groves of them. *wink* And now, this week's teaser:

“Slow down there, Edward,” she grabbed his arm, breaking his stride as he tried to streak past her. “Who lit a fire under your ass?”

Edward shook her off angrily. “Leave me the hell alone, Rosalie,” he spat back before pointing an accusatory finger in her face. “Not one more word out of you. ‘Maybe you still have a chance at happiness,’” he sneered as he quoted her words from just a few days ago. “’Don’t you want some sort of closure?’ Ha! Closure?” He savagely dragged his hand through his hair in order to prevent himself from shaking the living daylights out of his sister. “Do you know what kind of ‘closure’ I got, Rosalie? Can you guess?”

Rose’s eyes were wide and wary. “I’d be willing to bet it wasn’t what you were hoping for.”

“And the lucky streak continues!” Edward whirled away, forcing the palms of his hands into his eye sockets as if he could somehow block out the vision of Bella entwined with her lover. “No, it wasn’t what I was hoping for,” he whispered bitterly.

So what now? You’re going to run away, then? There was no accusation in her thoughts, just regret for somehow precipitating the pain her brother was in and sorrow for how their parents would ache for him during his absence. Will you come back?

“I don’t know,” he sighed wearily. “I just can’t…I can’t be here; not knowing she’s here too.” With him, he silently added. He looked up into Rose’s eyes, struggling not to break down like a child, begging for her to understand.

Go…I’ll explain to Carlisle and Esme. She stepped aside so he could get to his car. “Just…please call them so they know you’re ok.” Don’t stay away long, Edward. Please. He saw her standing in the open door of the garage, watching him as he sped down the drive and out of sight.

The playlist song for this chapter is Wasted by Def Leppard:

In the Blood Chapter 13 Teaser

Edward has found his Isabella in the throes of passion with Emmett. His discovery is has broken his heart and made him question everything he thought he knew. What he doesn't realize is that his sudden appearance at Bella's window has made her question her own sanity. Once she sees truly sees Edward and hears his words, her entire world is turned upside down.

She was haunted by Edward's black eyes, full of hate and contempt, piercing her as his beautiful mouth spewed acrimony. He called her a monster. He compared her to the man who changed her and tortured her body and soul. She tried to explain, but he wouldn't listen.

He didn't care why she changed him.

He didn't care why she left him.

He didn't care that she thought she'd lost him forever.

He didn't care that she loved him.

He didn't care, because he didn't love her anymore. The realization left her cold and empty, and she lay in the wet, grimy street, praying that the same God who'd seen fit to take away Edward's love would see fit to take away her pain as well.

When I read Pushy's wonderful last chapter, it was painful, and she told me how hard it was for her to write. After writing this chapter, I understand what she meant on a whole new level.

The playlist song for this chapter is "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" by Def Leppard.

In The Blood Chapter 12 Teaser

If you haven't figured it out already, allow me to warn you now: this story is going into the dark place in Edward and Bella's relationship. That's right, there's enough pain to go around and everybody's going to get a big, heaping plate of angst. But just remember, no good thing comes without a price. In order for our erstwhile lovers to get their happy ending (and I do love me a happy ending), they're going to have to make it through the tough times.

artwork by dholl

Unlike my last chapter, I have known EXACTLY how this chapter would work from the very beginning. Let me set it up for you just a bit:

On a whim, he stopped by the park where she had found him again so many years ago. He wandered past the field with the tall oak trees where they had kissed for the first time. As he did, Edward caught the faintest whiff of something…not human. It was soft and lush like vanilla with a sweet undertone of ripe strawberries. But there was something else mixed in with it: an underlying odor of chocolate? Coffee? The aroma nagged at him. Like a sleepwalker, Edward followed it past the formal gardens, past the reflecting pond, and out onto the street and into the city again.

It led him to the heart of Isabella’s old neighborhood, only a few blocks from where her house once stood. For a moment he forgot the scent he had been following and remembered how he had stood on the porch of that house the day they had made love, how nervous he had been and how very much in love. In the thirties, not long after he had left Chicago to follow Carlisle to the Pacific Northwest, he had purchased the grand, old Queen Anne and had it demolished. It was the only time he acknowledged the anger and betrayal he had felt and done something about it. Though cathartic, it had not done much to cleanse his heart of the ichor with which Isabella’s leaving had filled him.

The wind shifted again, and the scent he had been following called him onward, past the seedy corner currency exchange with its neon sign alternately blinking “2:12” and “39˚F.” Edward barely noted the time, something that would have sent warning tremors through him normally, especially combined with the perfume he identified as Isabella’s. He inhaled deeply, turning his head up to where the aroma was strongest. He easily scaled the building and was streaking along the rooftops of the warehouses that dotted the main street when he heard her voice.

“Baby, please…come with me.”

Uh, oh.... something tells me Edward's about to see something he REALLY won't like. Oh well...

One thing I did want to mention was that the park described above (and in Chapter 5 when Bella kisses Edward) is based on Douglas Park in Chicago. It is still a beautiful place today. The following pictures were borrowed from The Jens Jensen Legacy Project.

The main park building


The lagoona

The playlist song for this chapter is The Chain by Fleetwood Mac:

In the Blood Chapter 11 Teaser

If you found the last chapter beautiful and lovely (which it was - onepushyfox wrote an incredible chapter), you will have emotional whiplash after reading chapter 11, "Give You My World." While Edward is returning to Chicago to find his Isabella, Bella is leading Emmett through his first day as a vampire:

“Bella? Is it over, Bella?”

Emmett's voice was shaky and quiet, but it was a symphony to Bella. She looked into his eyes, no longer clear blue but now inky black, and she smiled.

“Yes, baby,” she said, stroking his head soothingly, “it's over. I missed you so much.” She kissed his lips tenderly.

Sitting up slowly, Emmett carefully scanned the room. “Everything looks so different.” He reached out and cupped her face with his hand. “You're even more beautiful, if that's possible. You even feel different.”

These moments were the ones she had dreamed of having with the beautiful boy. Watching as Emmett opened his eyes and truly saw her for the first time, she once again mourned the loss of her mate. Still, she was devoted to guiding Emmett through the difficult newborn years, making sure he was the perfect vampire she knew he could be. She would not fail this time.

I feel I should warn you: it's chapters like this one that give this story its strong M rating, and, like we've said before, we're so not kidding about that.

It will be posted on FFn at 12:01AM-ish on Wednesday. We are still waiting for the last chapter to be validated on Twilighted, and we hope we're caught up soon.

The playlist song for this chapter is "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac.