SIB chapter 17 teaser

“One more thing, Cullen,” Luke said.

I turned back around to face him and was promptly met with his fist colliding with my jaw.

“What the fuck, man?” I asked rubbing where he’d hit me.

“That was for Bella,” he said in a warning tone. “That was for being a jackass in the library the other night. If she was my girlfriend, I’d have never walked away and left her with another guy. And it was also for making her cry tonight and to remind you that I will be there for her if you fuck this up completely.” 

“Not gonna happen.”

“We’ll see,” he challenged and turned, walking off across the parking lot.

My thoughts were a jumbled mess by the time I reached the table where Jasper and Emmett were waiting for me. 

I could now see that Luke wasn’t just playing to make me jealous where Bella was concerned. He really wanted her.

SIB chapter 16, pics

SIB chapter 15, pics

Bella's shirt from Skylar

 

 

 

Al's Barbie-pink Beetle

Bella's car

Edward in his scrubs with his new hair cut.

Bella in her scrubs.

Somewhere I Belong, chapter 15, teaser

“That’s very brave of you,” he told me.

“I refuse to give up on my dreams, on what I want,” I said to him, looking him right in the eye, hoping he understood the double meaning behind my words. “Do you remember when I told you over the summer how my mother’s idea of helping people was to write a check and then forget about it?”

“Yes. I remember everything you’ve told me, Bella.”

“What I didn’t tell you was that my parents had no idea where I was this summer until the other night. Because of their views and ideas on helping others, I knew they’d do everything within their power to prevent me from going to the DR.”

“And you didn’t want them to do that?”

“No I didn’t. I wanted to be there this summer to help those people, Edward. That was my only reason for going. I’ve stayed so far removed from my father’s political career that I had no idea you were in any way related to whoever his opponent was. In fact I had been paying so little attention to it that I didn’t even know who he was running against.”
“Just how were you going to vote then if you were so uninformed?” he asked curiously.

“Because I was determined to vote for whoever his opponent was regardless of who it was, because the one thing I did know about my father was that he was willing to promise the voters whatever he had to in order to win. And after living with him all of my life, I knew that his beliefs were not ones I wanted to back up. His and my mother’s answer to everything has always been money. Throw money at it and things will go how you want them too. So unless whoever he was running against was some kind of complete monster, he had already won my vote.”

“I see,” he said, his eyebrows scrunching together as he contemplated all I’d said.

Your Help Is Needed!!

Several of the authors and readers we all know and love in this great fandom of ours, were greatly affected by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. One of my favorite authors, Sarita Dreaming,  had a very touching message posted on her blog and I thought I would share it with you so that if you are so inclined to help in any way, you have the information to do so. 

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Fandom Fights Hurricane Sandy

by Sarita Dreaming

 Hurricane Sandy tore through many areas, leaving destruction, devastation, power outages . . . homeless residents.  I'm from New Jersey and live within five miles of the ocean.  We were lucky enough not to lose our home, but many of my friends, neighbors, and co-workers weren't so lucky.  Then there are our neighbors in New York, many areas of which were hit just as hard.

In the days after the storm, we were virtually cut off from everyone.  We were without power, phone service, Internet . . . most of the time our cell phones didn't work.  We had a hand crank radio we used to listen to news updates.  We waited in line for over two hours for gas.  We went into a Target to stock up on canned goods, and the shelves were emptying fast while the cold section was closed off with caution tape.  It was necessary to travel the homes of loved ones to check on them because we had no other means of communication.  The horrific events brought out the Good Samaritan in many, creating a sense of solidarity with neighbors and acquaintances as people offered what they had that others were lacking.  It also brought out the ugly in some.  There was looting, fighting, jealousy, and pettiness.  Generators were stolen during the dark of night.  There were even people calling police stations to complain about noise ordinances when their neighbors had generators and they didn't. 

Once things became more organized around us, we started to gingerly explore the area.  I couldn't stop the tears when I saw houses off their foundations, roofs ripped off, the contents of people's lives strewn across their lawns and the streets.  Residents were picking through what was left of years of memories, trying to salvage something, but the huge piles at the curb showed how futile it was for many.

Governor Christie and all the rescue workers and power crews from NJ and other states did a terrific job.  There were shelters opened, free ice and water, free hot meals, blanket and clothing donations.  But even with all of the assistance we've received already, it's going to take a long, long time for New Jersey to recover.  Many well known seaside locations were destroyed, many historical sites gone.

An event such as this changes you from the inside out and the outside in.  There is no coming through it the same person you were going in.  I think I've come out of it with a new appreciation for my blessings, although I've always been grateful for what I have.  I also have a healthy respect for how fragile our infrastructure truly is.  We can be knocked into the stone age so easily.

Thank you to the angels who put together the Fandom Fights Hurricane Sandy  This fandom always comes together for those in need, and this cause is obviously close to my heart and home.  I'll be writing a story for the compilation.  I hope if you're an author, you'll consider writing a story, and if you're a reader, perhaps you'll consider making a donation to the Red Cross.  For a minimum donation of $10 you will receive the entire compilation of stories.  For those of you out there affected by Hurricane Sandy, I hope you're getting your life back together and that you and your family are safe.

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Thanks for being the amazing readers that you are, and for all of the support you give to all of us in this amazing fandom, in all that ways that you do. 

Eternally Addicted 

SIB chapter 13, pictures

Just A Dream Banner

Here is the awesome banner that alicetheannoyinglittlepixie made me to go with the one shot.