A/N: What we've been waiting for. See you again at the bottom.
WARNING: This piece of fanfiction is rated M for slash, graphic language, and adult situations. Minors and wusses, click away, please. Also, S. Meyer owns all Twilight-related material. Thanks for letting us ride your half-pipe, Mrs. Meyer.
Chapter 6: Private Party
"Hey, Jasper, you wanna get out of here? Maybe go somewhere and talk?"
My mouth was dry, my tongue like cotton. I couldn't swallow. I couldn't speak.
I nodded.
*~*~*
The smile that lit up Edward's face was beautiful to behold. I couldn't help but grin back through my whiskey-induced buzz.
We made our way toward the stairs. I didn't bother saying goodnight to anyone, but I did catch Emmett's eye once more and nod to him. He winked at me again, tilting his head to indicate Rosalie sitting next to him. I flashed him a small grin, silently wishing him luck.
I followed Edward up the stairs, finding my eyes glued to the back of his snug jeans. The movement of his ass and thigh muscles under the denim fascinated me. I shook my head a little to clear my fuzzy brain before it made me do something stupid, like reach out and squeeze.
We walked through the foyer to the front door, which I held open for him like the gentleman my mama'd raised. He smiled shyly at me as he went through onto the porch. I followed him out into the unusually warm but still damp night air, and he waited for me so that we took the stairs down to the walkway together. With our matching long legs, we fell naturally into step with one another.
"Did you drive here?" he asked. When I nodded, he blurted out, "I'm not sure you're okay to drive. I mean, not that you're drunk or anything, just that you had two cups of that whiskey and if anything happened…" My chuckle stopped his nervous rambling.
"It's alright, Edward. You're right. I probably shouldn't get behind the wheel." I pulled my keys from my pocket and held them out to him. "You wanna be DD for me?"
He took the keys from me, and I shivered visibly when our fingers made contact. Embarrassed by my reaction, I dropped my head to look at the pavement, my hair flopping down over my eyes.
"You know," he said, "we could just walk to my house. It's really not that far from here. And my folks are back in Chicago, tying up some loose ends from our move, so we'll have some privacy." He blushed. "To talk, I mean. If you want."
I peered up at him through my hair. His expression was so hopeful, my chest tightened in sympathy. I didn't know if he wanted a friend or… well, more than a friend, but the vulnerable look on his face made me want to be whatever he needed.
"Okay," I whispered. That megawatt grin lit up his face again, and he started walking. I fell into step beside him once more.
We didn't speak for a couple of blocks. I kept giving him sidelong glances. A couple of times, I caught him glancing at me, too. Our arms brushed every so often as we walked. I shivered each time, feeling invisible sparks sizzle on my skin.
"Have you picked your Beowulf essay topic for Mason's class yet?" he finally asked.
"Yeah," I said, grateful for the distraction, "I was thinking about the redeeming qualities of the monsters."
"Cool," he said. "Uh, are there any?"
Conversation flowed more easily after that, moving from classes and school gossip to what we'd done over the summer. He seemed impressed when I told him about my Habitat for Humanity internship.
"That's amazing, Jasper. I've never known anyone who did anything like that. You gave up your whole vacation to help people." His voice dropped to an almost-whisper. "I really admire you. Uh, for that. For being so selfless, I mean."
Guilt touched me at his words. If only he knew how self-centered I'd been when it came to him the past few days.
Eventually, after we'd walked a mile or so, Edward pointed to a large home just past the next cross-street.
"That's my place. At least, I think it is. I am new around here," he joked. I smiled.
"I guess we'll find out when we get there and your key fits in the door."
He laughed.
"If not, we can always break in. I'm sure the owner won't mind two slightly buzzed teenagers crashing on their living room floor."
"Well," I said, "one slightly buzzed teenager, and one remarkably sober and responsible one. Except for the whole breaking-and-entering thing."
He laughed again, playfully closing the distance between us and bumping me with his shoulder. Sizzle. I caught a whiff from him of something incredibly delicious – like honey and the ocean combined, sweet and clean with a salty tang. Feeling bold, I bumped him back. I surreptitiously inhaled, smelling that scent again.
We walked up to his alleged front door and mock-cheered when his key turned easily in the lock.
I was amazed at how comfortable I felt with him now. At the same time, I could hardly believe I was actually here with him, face to face. He was incredible. Smart, funny, modest. Not to mention stunningly beautiful. God, I could stare at him forever.
I shook myself out of the daze descending on me, realizing that he'd asked me a question.
"Sorry, what was that?"
"I– uh– said you could just crash here tonight, if you want. I have some clothes you can sleep in, and I think my mom has an extra toothbrush somewhere. I've got a pull-out couch in my room. I'll take that, and you can take the bed."
"No," I said immediately. His face fell. "I mean, yes, I'd like to crash here, 'cause I'm too buzzed to face my parents. But you sleep in your bed. I'll take the couch."
His expression lightened.
"Well, we can argue about that later," he said with a small smile. "C'mon, my room's upstairs. Let's get changed so we can be more comfortable."
"Just a sec. Let me call home and tell my parents I'm staying over." I pulled out my phone and hit the speed dial. Mama answered on the second ring.
"Hello?" She sounded groggy.
"Mama, it's me. I just wanted you to know I'm staying at a friend's house tonight, so don't wait up for me."
"Okay, sugar. Whose house is it?"
"Uh, it's that new boy at school. Edward Cullen?"
"Oh, yes, the doctor's son. Alright, angel. Don't stay up too late. I'll see you tomorrow."
"G'night, Mama." I ended the call and turned back to Edward, who looked amused again. He didn't speak, but beckoned me to follow him.
I felt my jaw drop as he led me through his enormous house. Newton's was similar in size, but while Mike's parents had nice furniture and things, Edward's looked like something out of a magazine. On the way to the stairs, we passed through a large, elegant, but still unfinished great room. Boxes lined one wall, waiting to be emptied. Once upstairs, he pointed out two guest rooms, each with its own bathroom, and gestured toward his parents' room at the end of the hall. He stopped at a fourth door and pushed it open.
"This is my room," he explained, flipping on the light and waving me inside.
The room was big, with a queen-size bed and a navy blue sofa. A cherry wood desk and matching chest of drawers sat along one wall. Sleek shelves housed a state-of-the-art sound system and a large collection of CDs. A Macbook Pro sat on the desk, and a flat-screen TV was mounted above it, facing the bed. Two doors on another wall led to a bathroom and a walk-in closet, respectively. The colors of the walls and carpeting were soft, muted blues and grays.
I whistled in appreciation.
"Nice digs you got here, man."
Edward blushed. It made me want to hug him, he was so adorable.
"Glad you like it," he said. "Let me find you something to wear." He rummaged in his bureau for a moment, producing a plain white t-shirt and a pair of navy flannel pajama pants. "Will these work?"
"Yeah, that's great." I told him, taking the clothes from him. "Thanks."
"No sweat. You wanna use the bathroom first? I'll go find you a toothbrush."
I nodded and went into the bathroom. I stripped out of my jeans and shirt, and pulled the flannel pants on over my boxers. I was about to put on Edward's shirt when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror over the sink. I just stared at myself for a long moment. My eyes were red-rimmed from the whiskey, and my hair was all over the place. But my cheeks were flushed, and I looked kinda… happy.
Oh, god, I'm in Edward's bathroom! If this is a dream, please let me stay asleep!
My impromptu prayer was interrupted by a quiet knock on the door. I opened it, and Edward handed me a pink toothbrush.
"Sorry, it's the only new one we had in the house," he said, a sheepish look on his adorable face.
"S'okay," I said, grinning. "I'm a real man. I can use a pink toothbrush."
Edward blinked, his face reddening.
"Uh, w-well," he stammered, "I'll let you finish getting ready." He backed out of the room, closing the door behind him.
What was that about?
I brushed my teeth and emptied my bladder. After washing my hands and splashing my face with cold water, I put on the shirt and went back into Edward's room. He was standing by the bed, his back to me.
"Your turn," I said, and he jumped. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you."
"No, it's okay," he said. "I just didn't hear the door open. I'll only be a minute." He disappeared into the bathroom.
I stood still for a bit, just taking in my surroundings. There was that delicious Edward-scent permeating the room — honey and the ocean. I inhaled, enjoying the clean smell. I was still breathing it in when Edward emerged from the bathroom. He was dressed like I was, except his shirt was green. The color brought out his eyes, making them appear to glow.
"Hey, should I put on some music? Or did you just want to go to sleep?"
I shook my head.
"No, not sleepy yet. Music would be good." I sat down on one side of the sofa, stretching my legs out on the floor in front of me. Meanwhile, Edward crossed to the sound system and turned it on. A soulful female voice floated into the room.
"Eva Cassidy," I said, "good choice."
"You know her?"
"Yeah." I looked down at my feet. "Her stuff really calms me down when I'm stressed out and all."
"Yeah," Edward said softly. "Me, too. Her death was so sad."
I nodded, glancing up at him. He was watching me. I squirmed a little, and he dropped his eyes. I looked back at my feet, unsure of what to say.
"I'm really glad you decided to stay," he said after a minute.
I glanced up. He wouldn't meet my eyes.
"Yeah, me, too," I said. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself to you before tonight." Apologizing was the least I could do.
"Why would you?" he asked. "It's not like you…"
When he didn't continue, I cocked my head.
"What?"
"Nothing," he said, sighing heavily. "It's just— you're a little… intimidating."
My eyes widened.
"Intimidating? Me?" What on earth was he talking about?
"Yeah, you. I mean, you're this amazing guy who goes around saving girls from being raped and building homes for hurricane victims in his spare time. Intimidating."
I gaped at him.
"I—I—you don't—I mean, uh…"
I shut my eyes, mortified that this beautiful, wonderful boy could see me like that.
I felt the sofa dip as he sat on the other side of it. My eyes cracked open, watching him sideways as he pulled his feet up to sit cross-legged, facing me. He pulled in a breath and let it out in a huff.
"Okay," he said, "so, I want to say something to you, but I don't want to make you uncomfortable or anything. So please tell me if I do."
I turned my head toward him, letting my eyes drift up to meet his. His face flamed, but his expression seemed determined. I swallowed and nodded for him to go on.
"I saw you on the first day of school, before I knew anything about you, and I really wanted to go up and talk to you, but I was too shy."
I opened my mouth, not sure what would come out, but he stopped me.
"Wait, just… let me get this out, okay?"
I bobbed my head once more, wordlessly conceding.
"I was pissed at myself for chickening out. I saw Emmett at lunch, and he could tell something was bothering me. He asked me what had crawled up my ass and said I probably just needed to get laid."
A small chuckle escaped me at that. Good ol' Emmett.
"I told him he was probably right, and that someone actually had caught my eye," Edward went on. A bubble of tension began forming in my stomach.
"He asked me what her name was." Edward leaned forward, and I gulped. He continued in a soft but intense voice.
"I said, 'I don't know his name, but he's tall, blond, and beautiful.'"
I stopped breathing. The tension bubble in my belly threatened to burst.
He thinks I'm beautiful! Holy fuck! Wait, he told Emmett…
"Emmett was kind of surprised at first that I was gay, but he got over it pretty fast and told me to point out my mystery guy to him, saying he'd give me the lowdown. When he found out it was you, he laughed and said, 'Perfect!'"
My tension bubble exploded.
"He said what?!" I was pretty sure only dogs could hear that last word out of my mouth.
"Is this making you uncomfortable?" Edward asked, his brow furrowing.
Hells, yeah!
"No," I mumbled. "I'm just really surprised, is all. I mean, Emmett never…"
"Yeah, he said you weren't exactly open about your orientation. Then he said that you were his boy and he had your back. He— he really wants you to be happy."
I mulled that over. I guess I hadn't been as opaque as I'd thought. I had misjudged Emmett, too. Shit, I'd known him half my life, and he'd always been there for me… in his own Emmett-ish way. My attraction to him had blinded me to the fact that he was an amazing friend. Yet another item on the long list of evidence that I was a self-centered douche.
Wait. My sluggish brain finally caught up. Edward just told me he's gay. He called me beautiful. Does that mean…?
Edward had sat watching the play of emotions on my face as my brain assimilated everything that I'd just had thrown at me. Now I offered him a tentative smile, and he returned one just as shy.
"So," I whispered. "Now what?"
Edward bit his lip.
"Umm," he said, leaning even closer to me. "I'd really like to kiss you. Would that be okay?"
My breath caught. I was drowning in his eyes as they drew nearer to me.
"Jazz?" he prompted, when I didn't answer.
"Hmm?"
"Can I kiss you?" he breathed.
"Edward?"
"Yeah?"
"You don't ever need to ask me that again." With that, I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips to his.
His touch was electric, the current surging through my whole body. His hands came up to my face as mine wrapped around his sculpted biceps. He returned my kiss with gentle fervor, parting his lips and taking my lower lip in-between his soft, full ones. I couldn't help the moan that rose up in my chest. Our lips came apart and then together again, repeatedly. After a minute, Edward pulled his mouth away from mine, only to pepper my jaw and chin with baby kisses. It was the hottest thing I'd ever experienced.
That thought pulled me up short. Of course it was the hottest thing I'd ever experienced. I'd experienced almost nothing. My only other kiss was with Sluttica Stanley in ninth grade, and it had been unsatisfying, to say the least. The only person to perform any sexual act with me — other than myself — was Lauren Mallory, and I was just thankful that I'd been too wasted to remember it.
I was suddenly a bundle of nerves. I didn't know what to do, and I was terrified that Edward would be disappointed with my lack of experience. Would he ever want to be with me again?
I put my hands on his chest and carefully pushed him away. He looked at me, confused, and then lowered his hands, dropping his gaze down and away from me.
"No, Edward!" I blew out a frustrated breath. "It's not you, believe me. I want this. You're amazing, and gorgeous, and I just— I have no idea what I'm doing, and I'm scared."
His expression softened.
"Jazz, I promise, we'll go at your pace. I'm really not all that experienced either. We can do this together. The last thing I want to do is scare you. I just— I really like you. A lot. I just want to be with you, get to know you. Okay?"
I sighed, grateful that he understood.
"That would be great, Edward. I— I really like you, too. A lot. And I'd love to spend time with you."
He took my hand and squeezed it lightly in acknowledgment. A mischievous spark appeared in his jade eyes.
"So you think I'm gorgeous, huh?" he said, smirking at me.
"Well, yeah." I rolled my eyes. "I mean, have you seen yourself? Your hair, your eyes, your… everything. God." I knew my cheeks were red once again, but I looked him in the eye, anyway. "You are seriously hot."
He snickered.
"What?" I retorted. "You said you thought I was beautiful!"
His grin widened.
"Well, you are," he stated. "Those sexy, dark-blond curls, that angelic face, that body." I flushed at his assessment of me. "When I saw you in the bathroom before with your shirt off, I nearly— well, let's just say it really turned me on."
"Really?" I sounded like a girl, but I couldn't help it. It was dizzying to hear him talk about me like this.
"And your eyes, Jazz," he sighed. "I've never seen eyes that color before. They're gold. They match your hair almost exactly. It's incredible." He took my face between his hands. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
I swooned. That's the only word for it. I felt like an idiot, but a happy idiot.
"Jazz?" he said, leaning toward me again. "Did you mean it before, when you said I never had to ask to kiss you?"
Fuck, yeah.
"Yes— " Before I could get the word completely out of my mouth, Edward was on me, his lips pressing urgently to mine. This kiss was rougher than the last, needier, more demanding. Edward's hands ran down my neck to my shoulders, and he pulled me tightly into his muscled chest. I was breathless. The only word running through my dazzled brain was more…
My hands slid up and down his back over his t-shirt. I wanted desperately to touch him, skin on skin, and I tried to work up the courage to slip my hands under his shirt. I dipped my fingers down to the hem, playing with it for a moment, giving him a chance to stop me. When he didn't, I pushed my fingers up underneath the thin cotton, placing them like feathers on his lower back and caressing him. He was smooth and warm under my hands, and I felt the vibration of his chest against me as he groaned into my mouth.
Emboldened, I moved my hands higher on his back, slowly pushing his shirt up as I went. I was startled when he broke our kiss to pull the tee off entirely, immediately bringing his mouth back to mine. I pushed him back.
"Wait, wait," I panted. "I want to see you." He sat back a little, breathing as hard as I was, granting me access to him as his gaze raked over me in turn.
My eyes drank him in. The planes of his chest, the dips of well-formed muscle in his abdomen, his lean, strong shoulders and arms left me in awe and wonder at his beauty. I reached out a tentative hand to stroke the skin of his pecs, and his eyes rolled back at my touch, a soft keening sound coming from his throat.
"Edward, so beautiful…"
"Jazz, let me see you. I need to see you, too."
At his words, I pulled my shirt off and flung it to the floor. In that moment, I needed his hands on me more than I needed air. I immediately felt his fingers tracing my pectoral muscles, circling my nipples and making them pucker. I groaned at the sensations.
Edward leaned in and placed his lips on my chest. He dragged them slowly over to my nipple, taking it in his mouth and teasing it with his tongue. My head fell back, and I leaned against the arm of the couch. His body moved with mine. I felt his teeth close over my nipple then, and I let out a growl.
He paused, hovering over me, looking at me with hooded eyes. In that instant, a wall came down inside of me.
"God, do that again," he rasped. He bit down on my nipple once more, and a second growl erupted from deep in my chest. His eyes fluttered at the sound.
"You are the sexiest thing ever," he growled back at me. My cock jumped again, and his eyes flicked to the movement in my flannel-covered groin.
Slowly, tortuously, his hand crept down the front of my body until it came to rest on the waistband of my pants. I watched in fascination, my fear gone. I was throbbing and hard as steel.
"Jazz, is this too much?" he said softly. "Maybe we should slow things down…"
I gripped his arm. I'd been swept away, too far to turn back.
"Don't stop."
"Do you want me to touch you?"
"Oh, god, yes…" I whimpered. I literally ached for his touch.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his fingers playing with the elastic on my pants. His tone was teasing now, and I knew he was enjoying my reaction. I groaned.
"Please, Edward. Please touch me."
Edward responded to my pleading with a groan of his own. He finally moved his hand, grazing my length through the fabric of the pajamas. It was almost more than I could take. I grunted, willing myself to hold off. Lauren Mallory, Lauren Mallory, Lauren Mallory…
He continued stroking me with near-weightless, gossamer touches. Then, without warning, he squeezed me hard.
"Ungh!" I gave one involuntary thrust of my hips and came violently inside my boxers.
Shit, shit, SHIT!
"Shh, baby, it's okay," Edward murmured, stroking my thigh as I hung my head, mortified.
"I'm sorry…"
"Really, it's okay," Edward repeated. "I'm so worked up right now, as soon as you touch me, I'll probably shoot my load, too."
I giggled like a little girl at that, adding to my already considerable embarrassment.
"Stay right there," he said softly. He rose and strode into the bathroom, and I laid my head back against the couch, closing my eyes.
Edward touched me and made me come! Mortification and elation warred with each other in my chest. My come was cooling, and it felt gross and sticky in my pants, but there was no way I could move just yet to clean myself up.
I heard water running, and Edward returned a moment later with a damp washcloth.
"Jazz," he said, "will you let me clean you off? That can't be comfortable." He gestured to my crotch, which — incredibly — twitched in response. I nodded, not sure my voice was actually functional at that moment.
He took my hand and helped me stand up. Then he knelt down in front of me. He looked up at me for a few seconds, searching my face. I don't know what he saw, but after a moment, he carefully slid my pants and boxers down off my hips and to the floor, helping me step out of them.
I watched him, in a trance, as my body was fully revealed to him.
He reverently cleaned me off with the washcloth, and then dropped it on the floor and sat back on his heels to stare at me. My dick was growing again in response to his careful rubbing and wiping. He wet his lips.
"God, Jazz. You're perfect."
"Now you," I whispered, blushing at his words. He rose and slipped the rest of his clothing down to the floor, stepping out of it with urgent grace.
All I could do was stare.
I'm naked with Edward, I'm naked with Edward, I'm naked with Edward…
I had seen other guys' penises before. It was hard to avoid them in the boys' room or the locker room. Plus, I'd watched my fair share of internet porn. This was different. Edward's cock was long, thick, and standing up proudly. His head was purple with need, his shaft pulsing visibly. It was beautiful. And it was right here in front of me.
We stood there for a moment, taking each other in. I lost myself in the surreal intensity. Finally, Edward's blazing eyes met mine.
He took hold of me by the shoulders and gently backed me into the bed. I scooted onto it on my back, and he fell on top of me, supporting his weight with his arms on either side of me. His lips attacked my throat, and his tongue and teeth soon followed. His knees coaxed my legs apart.
"Jazz, tell me to stop, and I will."
Caught up in his heat and in the sensations he was giving me, I let my hands shamelessly explore his spine, his hips, his ass, pulling him into me. Sounds rose out of me, incoherent noises more animal than human. He sucked hard on the skin where my neck and shoulder met, and I whimpered. That spurred him on, and he sucked even harder, sinking his teeth in a little bit, marking me. The fleeting pain merged unexpectedly and exquisitely with the pleasure.
"Do you want to stop, baby?" he growled in my ear.
I was heaving, panting… gone.
"Don't stop… Edward, don't stop."
His hips began thrusting in earnest against mine, our cocks creating tectonic-level friction against each other. He pinned me beneath him, letting his weight rest on me. Harder and impossibly harder he ground into me, and my body responded helplessly in kind, my hips rolling up to meet his thrusts. The feeling of our erections rocking and straining against one another left me desperate to find release, and just as desperate never to let it end. I felt myself building toward a towering climax, so high that I was almost afraid to go over the edge. Regardless, I was flung into space when Edward cried out to me.
"Jazz, baby, come! Come with me, now!"
"Edwaaaard!" My voice was hoarse, but it filled the room as we both came, spurt after spurt streaming over our bellies. I clung to him, shaking, my orgasm so intense it was nearly painful.
Gradually, the intensity subsided, and I panted into his neck, utterly spent. I felt his rapid breaths on my shoulder and his comforting weight as his chest moved in and out against mine. I didn't ever want to move, but Edward soon rolled off me. He smiled when I whimpered in protest. His hand stroked my cheek.
"I just want to clean us up so we can get into bed."
He grabbed the washcloth from the floor and took it into the bathroom to rinse and re-wet it. When he came back, he'd already wiped himself off, and he cleaned me again with the same tenderness he'd shown the first time. He gathered all our clothes and threw them, along with the washcloth, into a hamper in his closet. After shutting off the sound system, he came back over to me.
My body was lethargic after coming so hard twice in a row. I whined when Edward pulled me up to stand so he could turn down the bed, and I fell bonelessly back into the cool sheets when he was done. He climbed in on the other side of the bed and snuggled up against me, naked chest to naked chest, pulling the top sheet and blanket over us. Our legs intertwined, and our arms came up to wrap around one another. His breath blew softly into my face, smelling of honey and the sea, with a hint of minty toothpaste. I closed my eyes in bliss.
"Jasper?" he said into the quiet room.
"Hmm?"
"Are you still awake?"
"Hmm." I smiled despite my exhaustion.
"Did you like that, baby?
"Yeah. Amazing."
"For me, too." He snickered at my sluggishness.
After a moment's silence, he spoke again.
"Jazz?"
"Hmm?"
"Was that… did we go too fast? I mean, we kinda skipped a couple of steps there, and with you not being all that experienced... I didn't push you too far, did I?" He sounded nervous all of a sudden.
"No," I said, rousing a little, wanting to reassure him. "You didn't push too far. You asked if I wanted to stop. I wanted to keep going."
"Really?"
I opened one eye and raised a brow at him.
"Are you kidding?" I snorted, and he chuckled.
He was quiet again for a minute. I started drifting off, but was brought back by his voice.
"What did you like best about it?"
I half-pursed my lips in pretend thought.
"Coming. Definitely."
He laughed loudly.
"Besides that, ya doofus."
I thought for real this time, fighting my desire to sleep.
"Like it when you call me 'baby,'" I said, nuzzling his neck. "Love it when you say my name. Love how you take care of me, and how you… look at me. Like I'm special or something."
"I want to take care of you, Jazz," he murmured. "And you are special. You're beautiful."
"You said that before," I teased.
"Well, it's true. You are beautiful, inside and out."
"You, too, Edward. Can't believe I got so lucky." I started to drift again, losing my grip on the conversation.
"I'm the lucky one, baby," he breathed, bringing his hand up to my cheek and caressing it with his thumb. "Go to sleep, now, Jazz. I'll see you in the morning."
"'Kay." I snuggled closer into his warm, strong body, letting sleep take me down.
A/N continued: Well, there you have it. We're caught up to the original one-shot, now, but with some differences. Next chapter will probably answer some of the questions raised by o/s reviewers (*cough*Emmett*cough*). The warm-heartedness of my readers and reviewers leaves me in awe. I know I am total reply-fail, but thank you all so much for your words of encouragement, and for making me laugh. You are all beautiful.