Encore ... A Rainbow After the Storm by Sunshine1220

A Rainbow After the Storm

by Sunshine1220

We knew it would either make us or break us. When the unthinkable happens, will it bring us closer together or tear us apart? A story about losing what's held most dear, and finding out just how strong you really are.  A true to life, personal story about the loss and heartache of a stillbirth.

**********

We knew it would either make us or break us. When the unthinkable happens, will it bring us closer together or tear us apart? A story about losing what's held most dear, and finding out just how strong you really are.  A true to life, personal story about the loss and heartache of a stillbirth.

**********

Monday, September 24, 2001

"Hey, what's wrong, Bella?" Edward asks over the phone.

"I'm gonna go back in and see Kate.  The baby isn't moving like she should," I say just a little panicked.  "I'm going to drop Jake off with Rose and head over to her office.  Hopefully, I'll be back by lunchtime, and I can call you again.  John was okay with you taking a break to call me back?"

"Yeah, honey, don't worry about that.  Just call me when you find out what's going on.  I wish I could go with you."

"No, it's okay.  I just can't wait until you get home.  Something isn't right, and I need to go now.  I'll be okay," I say, trying to reassure myself more than him.

"Please, just... Just call the minute you know something, all right?"

"Yeah, all right."

"Love you, baby."

"I love you too, Edward."

Driving to drop Jake off at Rose's I feel like I'm on autopilot.  Leaving him, I almost feel guilty, barely giving him a kiss before I run back out the door.  On the drive to Kate's office, I start to question myself.  I just know the moment I sit in the waiting room, I'll feel a nudge or a kick.  Then I’ll feel like an absolute fool for driving all this way. I've already bothered them so much lately with my unfounded worries. Passing a Taco Bell, I think of grabbing some food, or even the caffeinated soda I've denied myself my entire pregnancy, just to elicit a kick or two from my baby.

Signing in, I don't even have time to find a seat before Kate's nurse calls me back.

"So, when you called, you said that you had decreased movement?" she asks as she leads me into the exam room.  I notice we've bypassed the usual scales, and went right to the room.

"Um, yeah."  My hands start to sweat, and my heart starts to beat a little faster when I see the concerned look on her face.

"Well, I'm gonna have Kate come on in here, and we'll see what's going on, okay?"

"Okay."

Less than a minute passes when Kate comes in, a worried smile on her face.  "So, you haven't felt any movement this morning?"

"No."

She busies herself with getting the Doppler ready.  "So, when did you last feel anything?" She squirts the gel onto my belly and flicks on the machine.

"Um, last night," I say with a quiver in my voice.

"Okay," she whispers. I can see the furrow of her brow as she listens to the swooshes and beat of my heart, but not finding my daughter's.  "All right, I'm going to drag the ultrasound machine in here, because this isn't finding anything.  I'll be right back."  She hurries out of the room, leaving me to my rising anxiety.

After the door closes, but doesn't latch, I hear her talking with her nurse.  "I need Dr. Baker in here."

"What's wrong? Is the Doppler not working?   Do you want me to-?"

"No, I can't find the heartbeat!" she says in a loud whisper.  "Just get me Dr. Baker!"

Posting begins on September 25th.

https://www.fanfiction.net/u/6671637/Sunshine1220

Encore ... Lonely In Your Nightmare by RobzBeanie

Lonely In Your Nightmare

By RobzBeanie

New neighbor Edward really gets Bella’s heart pumping, but what nightmarish secrets is he hiding?  Will he ever let her in?  Daddyward.

Teaser

In case they’re busy running errands, I wait until late afternoon, then cover the pie and cross the two yards to next door, hitting the doorbell with my elbow while my hands are full.

And then I wait.  The SUV is parked in the driveway, though assuming they have two cars, they could both be out in the other one, I suppose.

Just as I am about to ring the doorbell again, the door swings open.  My head automatically tilts up so that I can make eye contact with the tall man who appears in the doorway.

I’m struck dumb.  The man standing before me is gorgeous — like he belongs in Hollywood or on the cover of a magazine.  He has jade green eyes, cheekbones a woman would kill for, pouty lips, and a strong chin — all topped off with a head of messy reddish-brown hair.

Some part of me realizes I’m staring, but I can’t help myself.  It’s like God took all of the qualities that make a man attractive to me and put them all into one man.  I feel a bit like Alice, drooling over anything with a penis.  And after my two-plus-year drought, I nearly have to hold myself back from jumping him.

“May I help you?” a male voice asks, bringing me out of my stupor.  As I shake my head to clear it, I realize for the first time that my dream man is holding a child.  Well, not a child, but a baby, probably somewhere between six months and a year old.

https://www.fanfiction.net/u/1930561/RobzBeanie

Encore ... Promises To Keep by Ciara Shayee

Promises To Keep

By Ciara Shayee

Happily Ever After. It's a lovely concept; one Bella is ready to embrace after twelve years in captivity. Finally home with her family, she wants to live a quiet life with the ones she loves most. But they're not alone looking for happy endings in the wake of her captor's demise. Big questions still go unanswered. The past may be behind them, but that doesn't mean it can't catch up

Promises To Keep
Prologue

August 11th, 2019

“Mamma, Mamma, Mamma!”
Bella laughed, shaking her head as she pulled a platter of mini quiches and sausage rolls from the fridge. When she turned, knocking the door closed with her hip, she revealed the toothy grin of her son. Laughter bubbled up from her stomach as she took in the mess all over his face; he had blue icing over his cheeks and a smudge of what looked like frosting across his forehead.

“Baby boy, what on Earth have you been doing? You’re a mess!”

Bodhi shrugged, completely unconcerned by his dirty face, and wiped his rosy cheeks with the back of his hand. “Mamma, the c-cakes are all g-g-gone!”

“Well, sweet boy, it looks like you might have had enough cake for just now…”

Uh oh; there’s the pout. “But, Mamma—”

“Coo-ee!”

Sensing a great opportunity to distract her son, Bella gestured for him to go and greet his new guests. “Mimi and PopPop are here, baby. Go say ‘hi,’ please.”

Bodhi looked between the platter of food in his mother’s hands and the doorway, sighing and trudging toward the latter as Esme and Carlisle appeared. His face brightened as soon as he spotted the brightly wrapped box in Carlisle’s arms.

“Mimi! PopPop!”

Esme swung Bodhi up into her arms; no mean feat considering his size. He definitely took after Archie and Charlie and already had their stocky build, even at only three years old. “Happy birthday, gorgeous boy! Are you having a fandabidozi day?”

Bodhi grinned, flashing his teeth and leaning in when Esme pointed at her cheek, silently requesting a kiss. “The b-bestest day, M-Mimi!”

“Good! And how old are you, again?” Carlisle asked with a teasing wink for Bella. She grinned and watched Esme and Carlisle love on her boy for a moment before heading outside with the food. Unsurprisingly, just an hour into her boy’s party the food was already dwindling. Luckily, they’d prepared a feast, having anticipated their large family’s hearty appetite.

“Ah, there you are! Uncle El wants a photo of you with the kids. Do you want me to take over food duty?” Rosalie offered, looping her arm through Bella’s once she’d set the food down and had taken a step back to take a quick look around.

The garden was full of family and friends. With the fence between the Swan and Hale houses long-gone, they had just about enough room to accommodate everyone. If the family grew any bigger they’d have to look at breaking into Jasper and Alice’s garden next-door, or having large gatherings like this one at another location better equipped to deal with the rapidly expanding group.

Begins posting September 20th.

https://www.fanfiction.net/u/7945681/CiaraShayee

Classic ... from the FF vault

This Review is brought to you by Cheryl Sunshine Edmonds.

Foolish Hearts   By LyricalKris

As I'm sure many of you have been reading many of the Age of Edward 2017 entries, I thought you might enjoy reading a period piece from a few years back.  It's one of my very favorites.

Foolish Hearts is a story told against the backdrop of the Oregon trail. Bella, along with the Cullens and their extended family are traveling from the East toward the Northwest. They meet up with their guides in Independence, Missouri which happen to include one Edward Masen.

A bit more than a decade older than Bella, Edward tries his best to keep his distance. But from the start, their connection is undeniable. Trouble is, Edward has lost so much over the years that he's closed himself off to the possibilities of true happiness.

It's a story of love, family, and the hardships so many endured in their journey to make a better life for themselves. Rich in history and amazing details, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9745552/1/Foolish-Hearts

Overlooked ... Memories From the End by Golden Ground

I’ve been intrigued by this one from the beginning ... it was certainly something different, a fresh plot, at least to me.  

Consistent updates, and little by little we are given glimpses of the relationship between Bella, her mother, and Edward.

Low on reviews ... Let’s help a new writer.  Tell her Pay It Forward sent you.

Thanks,

Fran

Memories From the End
By: GoldenGround
One cold night changes everything between them. Edward pulls Bella from the ice and when the world thaws around them it's nothing like it was before. (Forbidden Love)

Chapter One: The Ice is Getting Thinner
It's been a year today but it feels like yesterday. It was the day that changed everything, the day that ruined everything.

It was early December, as cold as tonight, colder even. Edward and I were riding back from Seattle with the heat cranked up and the music blaring. I'm belting Christmas songs with hands flailing. He's laughing with that crooked smile and shaking his head.

After four years and a long afternoon Christmas shopping he's used to me. He's used to the eccentricities, the quirks that I'm too embarrassed to share with most people.

We're ten minutes from home when it happens. His Volvo's bright lights shine against the slick road, through the flecks of white fluttering from the sky. It's a deer that does it, prancing into the road and knocking down the first domino of many. He doesn't swerve but I feel the car lurch as he hits the breaks and then we're skidding, spinning over the icy asphalt. Screams rip from my throat and I'm clutching the cool leather seat. It feels like time is flashing before my eyes and slowing down all at once. Finally after what feels like years or seconds of spinning and falling there's impact and everything is dark.

Looking back I wish I could change that. Maybe if I hadn't fallen unconscious, things would be different now. If I were alert, maybe I could have saved myself. I could have opened the door or broken the window. I could have swam through the water as it cut through my skin, into my bones, a cold I could never forget, and reached the shore without his help. It would be traumatic, but maybe it wouldn't be life altering.

It didn't happen like that though. I did black out, and he did save me. I don't know firsthand the panic he must have felt, the responsibility for someone's life – my life- lying heavy on his chest. I don't know the time it took to decide an escape route. I don't know how the water felt, impossibly cold and piercing I imagine. I wish I remember all of that, but I don't.

The first thing I recall is his voice sounding so scared and so far away. He's saying my name over and over again, but I can't speak. It starts to move closer, the sounds, and the sensations. It begins with the ice. I feel the chill of it against my back and wrapping around me like an unwanted blanket. Hands are grabbing at my shoulders. They claw at the fabric of my jacket before finding my face with a gentler touch. Everything hurts, and I want to scream. I want to cry and run away from the darkness holding me down.

Instead, I'm trapped, stuck in oblivion and as frozen as the ground around us.

"Bella! Bella! Bella!" My name over and over again and the heartbreaking way he's saying it.

When I finally open my eyes, he's right there in front of me, then and now.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12610806/1/Memories-From-the-End

A Note from Fran ...

Hello, everyone ...

It has been harder than I imagined it would be to find new writers with my limited contact ability.  So this time around we have three seasoned writers showing us a glimpse of their next pieces of fiction.

Thank you to Stephanie, Kayla, and Amy, as well as May for giving us one of her favorite oldies.

Remember, we are always on the lookout for something new and for someone to give us their favorite completed fic.

And last of all, Amy/Louisa.  I couldn’t have done this without you.  <3

Classic ... from the FF vault

This fic review comes to us from May T. Brown. 

Sideline Collision by Nolebucgrl

The American football season is just getting started and what better way to enjoy it then with Footballward.

You don’t have to know anything about the sport or even like it to enjoy this fic.

Edward Cullen is a cocky quarterback, Cockyback, for Florida State. He literally runs into Bella, Reed Girl, on the field and the sparks fly from there. Our favorite quarterback is used to girls just falling all over themselves to be with him; however, Bella is the first girl that get under Edward’s padding and makes him work for it.

This story is well-balanced between romance and humor with the normal cast of characters, with the addition of a humorous cat named Rainbow, who is protective of her quarterback and has a strong hatred of blond men.

The story is continued in Getting Blitzed when our favorite quarterback makes it to the Pros.

Links:

Sideline Collisions: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6749059/32/Sideline-Collision

Getting Blitzed : https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10676370/1/Getting-Blitzed