I got a lot of reviews from non-fanfictioners … so I will reply to the ones that say something more than blurbs like ' great story' or 'update soon'
Review Replies:
haseya07- you said: I totally love your plot and I can't wait for the next chapter! Please write soon.. I'm dying to read about Mel's wedding and Ian's proposal, haha.
Thank you for the compliment. It's really reassuring to know that my plot is good. Sometimes I feel like it's really boring or wishy washy. Mel's wedding is fast approaching and Ian's proposal is too.
annie_archangel- you said: i hope you're kidding me .i need more of this it's like my own personal brand of heroin .and i'm serious so yeah you get you're fingers working 'cause i'm loosing my mind over here .god looked at me when he created my soul and said "oh , sorry i have no more patience left in my patience jar so you'll just have to do without"and that really isn't fair everyone should have at least one ounce of i'm babbling by now i know but i really need more so you know what you have to do by the way i started thinking and realised that u said somewhere that jeb was married ...whom to?'cause i really can't remember that part and i just finished reading the book so i'd love to know .maybe i just missed it , which would make me pretty stupid anyways nice writing and please keep up the good work
first off YOU SERIOUSLY MOTIVATED ME to take a couple minutes each day to write something for this story despite my work load and writers block. SO THANK YOU! Haha fanfiction is definetly my brand of heroin…I have internet on my phone and that phone is literally never out of my hands because I'm always reading fanfiction on it. I love your babbling…you made my stomach hurt from laughing so hard and your little rant about god not giving you patience. I think we're on the same boat on that one. Jeb is married to Maggie. I'm not sure if you remember her. Sharon is their daughter. I hope you like this chapter. ;)
ocard- you said: so i pretty much read this story from beginning to end, finishing at 2am (and i had a history test that same morning which i dont remember taking i was so tired... but it was totally worth it). this is the first host fanfic i've actually kept up with; all the others i've tried to get into have gone almost too OCC, too cheesey, spelled things wrong, and had weird, totally non-realistic plot twists and.. ugh. but your story, my dear, is compelling, the characters are still the characters we love from the book, and your plot twist actually makes sense (GREAT idea btw... maudy= brilliant!).so yeah, i usually dont review, but i thought, ah hell this was so good why not... so here i am :] im totally suggesting this to my friend, so you'll probably have at least one more faithful reader ;]
i loved it, keep it up, and ian is my hero!
peace love and happiness,
ocard...which is draco spelled backwards. im totally guilty of being a harry potter nerd... so sue me!
Gah you guys are making me float like a cloud with all the praise. I seriously can't stop the heat from rising up to my cheeks! OMG I never thought that my story was that good. I mean I've been told it is good..but I never thought that it would get someone to read until 2 am. I read at night too either on my phone or on my laptop…once I even read a 40 chapter story until the break of dawn…and I had two test that day.I NEVER thought that my story would be one of those worth pulling an all nighter for. Sorry for being redundant but I'm in shock. FIRST FANFIC of host you've kept up with…gah I feel like I should be kissing the floor you walk on because you're raising my self esteem through the roof. KAY the maudy compliment definetly just made my confidence soar..because she is not stephenie's character; she is mine all mine..and somebody thinks she is brilliant! Aaah! Thank you for suggesting this to your friend. Did she review this? If not tell her she has the coolest friend in the world, you, because you are an amazing fan!!
Hey harry potter nerds unite..because I think spelling draco backwards is a brilliant user name!
LovesSparkles- you said: This is really good so far - the host has such a distinctive voice, but you've done a really good job capturing it. My favorite part of the book is after Wanda wakes up in Pet's body, but SM stops almost right after with no details! Thank goodness for fanfic:) I can tell already this one is going to be good!
So even though you reviewed for the first chapter…I'm replying. I really would like to know what you think of it after you read this chapter so please let me know. Why do I really want to know your opinion? Well because you said I did a good job capturing the voice that SM uses in the host and I want to know if I have faltered from it in any of the others also you said my story is going to be good. so did it live up to your expectations? P.s. TGFF- thank god for fanfic ;) totally agree with you!
Lila-you said: I am in love with this story. I am really sorry bout ur teacher tho. If u need time to recover, then I don't wanna pressure u. Just no that u have my support as well as the support of hundreds of other fans. Keep on writing like the way u do! I also think to make that one girl happy u should end the story at the end of wanda And ian's wedding and have Kyle stand up and propose to sunny and everyone be like ''here we go again!'' haha.
Thank you for your condolences. I LOVE Your idea of kyle proposing… but I might have to do it a little differently … you'll see why later. When I write a story I only plan out how im going to begin it, the character's role, the main idea, and the ending of the story. The rest just flows through as I write each chapter. I was having trouble thinking of a good ending..and YOURS is perfect SO THANK YOU! P.s. your support and love for this story is really appreciated, thank you again.
Alex-you said: WOw. You're a really good writer. I keep thinking that I'm actually reading the sequel to The Host. I'm gonna be checking the computer every hour this weekend for an update! :)
-Alex.
p.s. Sorry about your teacher.
I DON'T THINK MY CHEEKS COULD GET ANY REDDER! Thank you for thinking im such a good writer…its so reassuring. The fact that you think you're reading the host sequel just makes my heart soar because that is exactly what my motive was..to continue where SM left off. So I'm glad to know that I'm accomplishing my goal. OMG im soo sooo sooo sorry… crap I feel so bad you check your computer for an update so often and I didn't update until like a month later. SORRY! Thank you for your condolences.
PHEW now that the heat from my cheeks has finally cooled after all those flattering reviews, I think I can continue with my author's note.
A/N:
Kay quick question Do you guys read my author notes? In your reviews please tell me if you actually read my review replies and author notes. Because I usually love doing them but now that I'm so busy I want to know if I should even waste time replying on my chapters and explaining things in my author notes.
That being said here is my explanation for taking so long to update: my computer crashed and I lost the chapter. That led to a writer's block because I had to start from scratch.
Then LIFE CAME KNOCKING AND I HAD TO ANSWER THE DOOR FIRST BEFORE I RETURNED TO FANFICTION.
So every minute I can spare I try to write… but I haven't had a lot of time to spare lately. So I'm really sorry and I hope you'll forgive me. I don't know how long the next update will take..but I will try my best to make it soon.
Well here is what you all have been waiting for…don't forget to review!
Disclaimer: I only own Maudy and this plot. Stephenie owns all the other characters and anything else you recognize from the host. :)
Last two Chapters:
-IPOV-
As if reading my mind, Jared said "Let's call them and find out if they're done yet. It has been an hour and a half."
I tried nodding indifferently, but I knew you could see the eagerness sketched across my face.
Jared laughed, "She better be ready soon, because you can't live a second without her."
Then he picked up his cell and pressed the '1' key, speed dialing Mel's number.
-WPOV-
"Then why did you tell us you weren't?" Melanie asked the question that I was about to.
"Because, you're not a soul." She affirmed confidently, looking directly at Melanie.
Chapter twelve
WPOV
Before any of us could respond to Maudy's statement, Melanies cell phone began to ring.
She reached into her small purse, fumbling a little before pulling out the small phone. She stole a quick glance at the caller ID, before she flipped the phone open and answered it.
"Hey Jared." She said into the mouth piece, before removing it from her ear and pressing another button.
"Hey Mels. How's the shopping going?" Jared's voice filled the empty silence in the store.
"It's going well. Why?" Melanie answered.
"Well, we just finished and Ian is practically going insane with the desire to see Wanda. So I thought maybe a phone call would appease his anxiety." He laughed, as I heard a muffled "Shut up, Jared."
I had to stifle my giggle, as Melanie laughed openly. I glanced at Maudy and she just raised an eyebrow, curiosity burning in her eyes.
"Okay, fine." We heard Jared mutter distantly to Ian.
"Mels, just hurry up and call when you're done. I love you and stay saf-" Jared said, before we heard Ian say " Cut to the chase Jared."
Jared laugh, " Okay I'll talk to you later. Can you give the phone to Wanda before Ian murders me."
We heard a shuffling noise and then Ian's deep voice rang through the speaker.
"Hello?" He said.
I giggled. "Hey, Ian."
"Hey love. Did you find your Maid of Honor dress?" He greeted.
"Yes, I did. I hope you'll like it." I said.
"I'll always love what you wear Wanda. You could make the ugliest outfit look extraordinarily beautiful." He replied, comforting my insecurities.
"You're just saying that." I contorted.
"No, I mean it." He affirmed.
I shrugged brushing off his compliment, even though I knew he couldn't see me.
"So, when do you think you'll be done? " He asked, attempting nonchalance.
I laughed at how eager he sounded despite his attempt. "Soon, Mel just has to try on the dress she found. Then we have to find some heals for the both of us. "
"So that should take about 10 minutes, right?" he asked desperately.
"Don't be stupid, Ian. It will probably take at least another half-hour." Mel said, and then clasped her hand against her mouth. She'd blown our cover.
"Mel? I thought I was talking to Wanda. Wait, are you guys on speakerphone?" Ian deliberated.
"What the hell are they doing on speakerphone?" Jared yelled in the background.
"Calm down guys. Just give us 30 minutes to find our stuff. Then you can come on over and we'll explain everything." Mel said calmly.
"Mel what's going o-"Jared started to ask.
"Nothing. " Mel cut him off.
"Melanie, what do you mean NOTHING?" Jared practically yelled.
"Jared. Just trust me. Okay? Just give us 30 minutes then come to the store." Mel retorted sternly.
"Fine, but only 20 min-"Jared started again.
"Jared," Melanie said stretching his name. "30 minutes. That's it. Now I'm going to go, I'll see you soon."
With that she snapped the phone shut, and dropped it into her purse. Then we both turned to face Maudy, eager to get back on topic.
"So where were we?" Maudy asked.
Without any hesitation, Melanie asked "How did you know I was human? Is it really that obvious?"
Maudy laughed lightly, before explaining "After living among souls and interacting with them on a day to day basis, I could tell you were different. You had this vibe around you that told me you were human. It was obvious to me, but I doubt it would be obvious to any soul. They just don't know what to look for, except for the eyes and the scar on the back of the neck. Unlike me, they can't tell if a person's a human by the way they hold themselves up. "
Before Melanie could respond to Maudy's explanation, Maudy turned to face me.
"Now it's my turn." She said, curiosity burdening her voice.
I gulped my Adam's apple bobbing slowly up then down. I had promised her that if she would answer my question I would answer hers. But now I was nervous, I didn't know what she could possibly want to know, and I anticipated the worst. After much deliberation, I warily nodded encouraging her to continue.
"Are you a human or a soul?" Maudy questioned without missing a beat.
My eyes widened. I was caught off guard and there was no way of going around it. I didn't want to admit that I was a soul. I was afraid that she would be disgusted by me, appalled even. I was afraid that her demeanor towards me would change, that the kindness shining in her eyes when she looked at me would be replaced by hatred.
I stole a glance at Melanie, and she threw me a comforting glance that told me that despite what Maudy thought she would always love me.
I sighed, as I resolved that Maudy deserved the truth after all she had confessed to us.
"I'm a soul." I said dismay coloring my tone. I dropped my eyes to stare at the floor and my head drooped down as well. I could feel the salty tears brimming heavily on my eyelashes. Admitting the fact that I was a soul out loud reminded me that I would never be a human. I would always be a soul.
But before I got a chance to dwell on those feelings for long, Maudy reached over and lifted my chin so that my eyes were forced to stare into hers. When my eyes locked with hers, I saw that the kindness that shone there before my confession was unwaveringly still shining.
"No, you're like me. You used to be a soul, but now you're human." She said her tone affirmative.
It took me a moment to understand what she was saying. When it finally dawned on me that she was implying that I was a human despite the fact that that I was a soul, the tears that had formed in my eyes were now flowing freely. Except this time they were tears of joy. I always felt misplaced. I didn't feel like I belonged with the souls and despite the love I received from Melanie, Jamie, Jared, and Ian I never felt like I truly belonged with humans.
But Maudy's conviction, reassured any doubts that I belonged with humans.
I guess it seemed that I was convinced with Maudy's reassurance, because Melanie added, "Wanda, she's right you know. You're more human than any of us could ever be, and that's why Ian loves you so much."
I tried to control my sobs of joy. When they finally began to wane, I whispered brokenly, "I finally understand. I'm just overwhelmed by happiness that you see me the way I have always dreamed of being seen."
Maudy closed the space that was between us and enveloped me in her arms. My sobs instantly ceased as a wave of comfort took over me. Maudy released me, after one tight squeeze, and reached around me to get the box of tissues.
As I wiped the tears away and blew my nose, Maudy said "Well, ladies. I believe you came here for a reason. And If I'm not mistaken those delectable boys that dropped you off here are eager for you to finish up quickly. "
I laughed at her description of Ian and Jared.
"Knowing them, they'll be here in exactly thirty minutes." I added in between giggles.
Melanie rolled her eyes, as she headed for the fitting room, and said "Overprotective fools."
*****
I just finished walking around in the heels that perfectly accompanied my dress and was taking them off, when I heard the creaks of the fitting room door.
Maudy, who was putting the shoes back in their boxes, and I both glanced expectantly towards the door.
I could literally hear our jaws pop as they fell open. The sight of Melanie in the dress was like a picture perfect bride.
The dress hugged her in all the right places and it accented the glow that had been shining in her face ever since she got engaged.
As I watched Melanie turn slowly in front of the mirror, my brain and my heart finally conjoined their feelings and I realized the obvious. I wanted to be in Melanie's position. No I wasn't envious of her and no I didn't wish I was marrying Jared. I wanted to be a bride, I wanted to feel the thrill of finding my perfect dress, and I wanted to get married. I finally knew that I was ready. I was ready to take the next step with Ian. I had to let him know that I was more than ready and that there wasn't a single doubt that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.
"Maybe, if we lift and pinch the fabric here slightly the train won't get in your feet as much." Maudy said interrupting me from reveling about my epiphany.
She was now standing next to Mel her hands clutching some of the fabric of the dress. It was obvious that they would be preoccupied for a while, so I decided to act on my new found revelation.
"Maudy, can I go in the back and look at the other wedding dresses you have?" I asked casually, hoping to feign indifference.
Melanie turned to face me and lifted her eyebrow questioningly. She could always detect when I had a purpose behind my actions, no matter how nonchalant I was about them.
Later. I mouthed back to her and she nodded slightly.
"mm hmm." Maudy replied mutely due to the pins that were being held between her lips.
I looked at the clock before heading behind the counter to the dark storage part of the boutique. Jared and Ian would be here in no more than 20 minutes.
*****
I had gone through at least half of the dresses Maudy owned. I wasn't sure what I was looking for. At first I was just browsing through the motley collection, but then as I foraged through them I felt a growing need to find the one. Maybe I was hoping that finding my perfect dress would be somewhat of a sign to further ensure the fact that I was ready to become Ian's wife. Or maybe my epiphany just made me realize that the sooner I found the dress the sooner I would be Mrs. O'Shea. I felt like a teenage girl, technically my host was one, but I felt like the girl who would scrawl a combination of ways that her name could be connected to her lover's on her notebooks.
I looked at the clock that was next to a window in the dim, confined storage room. The light splayed across the clock enough to enable me to read the time. It had only been ten minutes, and I was even more persistent to finish rummaging through the rest of the dresses.
I only had about five more dresses to examine and I still hadn't found one that sparked my interest. Before I could begin to look at the remaining dresses, a light knock distracted me. I turned to see a smiling Maudy.
"You have such a beautiful collection." I said to Maudy, hoping she wouldn't notice my frazzled demeanor.
Maudy let out a hearty laugh and said, "I guess i do, but none of the ones you looked at are your type. Right?"
I tried to keep my jaw from dropping. How did she know that I was looking for my type.
She tapped her chin lightly, like she had done before she had found Melanie's perfect dress.
"No, none of them are." I agreed earnestly.
She stopped tapping her chin and her eyes glanced down at the pile of five dresses that I had yet to look at.
"Well, don't give up yet sweetie. I have a feeling you'll find it soon enough." She said vaguely and her head jerked slightly towards the pile of dresses.
"Maudy. Could you help me get out of the dress?" I heard Melanie's distant voice.
"Be right there." Maudy said to her before adding to me. "Let me know when you find it."
Then she winked and left me to finish my probing. She was so sure that one of these five would be 'the one'.
I instantly dismissed the first one and let out another frustrated sigh. Then suddenly I felt a small tingly feeling start from the pit of my stomach, as I lifted the first dress and saw the one underneath. I didn't even have to pick it up to examine its full length. My heart was soaring and my breathing hitched with excitement. The dress was perfect; it was beaded and laced on the strapless, heart shaped bodice. I picked it up so that I could see the entire dress. The fabric was cinched at the waist, before the silky, ivory fabric continued to flow to the ground. I slowly turned it around and saw that the train had a ball gown effect to it. It was beautiful and I wanted to try it on. I stole a glance at the clock; 5 more minutes. I quickly closed the storage room door, stripped, and pulled the dress over my head gently.
I patted my hair back into place and reached out to open the door. Before I could open the door, Melanie threw it open.
"There you ar-"she started before she gasped and her mouth fell open.
"That's the one I had in mind. " Maudy confirmed with a wink.
Finally Mel regained her composure and wrapped me in a warm and tender hug.
She squeezed me one more time affectionately with excitement and exclaimed, "Wanda you look beautiful. You should get it, so that when you feel ready to get married you'll already have a dress."
I smiled sheepishly and replied "I'm ready, Mel."
Melanie's smile brightened and she enveloped me again. "I knew it. "
I felt hands groping at the fabric of the dress and I glanced down to see Maudy squatting and examining the dress with her measuring tape.
She slowly got up and proclaimed "Wanda this dress couldn't be more perfect, I don't have a single thing I need to hem or mend."
I could feel my heart thumping frantically against my rib cage. It finally hit me like a ton of bricks. I had found the PERFECT dress. It was the seal on the envelope or at least on my decision. I was going to marry Ian O'Shea. I was going to say yes, without any hesitation, when he would ask me.
"Wanda, earth to Wanda…" Mel said snapping her fingers in front of my face.
I shook my head, a sheepish smile stretching across my face. "Sorry, I was just having an epiphany." I explained.
"Oh really? And what would that be?" Mel asked curiosity lacing her voice.
"That this dress has made my decision to marry Ian official." I affirmed.
Mel laughed. "I never doubted you would marry him."
"Girls, I believe your men just pulled into the parking lot." Maudy informed from outside of the storage room.
I looked at Mel frantically.
"They're going to kill us." I groaned, remembering that they sounded pretty pissed off and upset on the phone.
Melanie laughed like I had just told a joke. "Nah, they can't live without us."
I laughed. "True, very true."
She nodded and said, "Let's get you out of this dress; Maudy can pack it up nicely while we appease our men."
*****
30 frantic seconds later, I was out of my wedding gown. Yes, MY wedding gown. Maudy was in the storage room stuffing our dresses into their respective boxes. Melanie and I were pretending to admire each other's purchased heels when we heard the bells above the front door chime.
We both glanced up to see Ian and Jared walk in swiftly with wary expressions. When they spotted us near the shoe rack, they smiled but their smiles didn't reach their full potential.
Mel and I rose from our seats simultaneously and walked towards our significant other.
"Hi." I greeted Ian and tapped his nose playfully.
He smiled in response. " Hey love." He greeted and grazed his lips with mine. I felt those familiar sparks run through me and I felt like telling him right then and there that I was ready to marry him.
Before I could blurt out my epiphany, Jared commanded "Start explaining, you two."
"You don't waste time do you. " Melanie teased raising her eyebrow playfully.
I watched Jared's scowl falter a little before he said "Mel you promised. "
"Okay. Okay." She said raising her hands up in defeat. "The reason we were on speakerphone is because there was-is no soul present."
I was about to argue that I was there and I am a soul, but she didn't give me the chance.
"Wanda, you're not a soul." She said shutting down my argument before I even vocalized it.
"You're more human than anyone of us." Ian whispered in my ear.
I looked up and met his intense blue eyes. "I love you." I whispered back.
Jared cleared his throat, breaking our intense connection. "What do you mean there is no soul?" Jared questioned incredulously.
"Maudy, could you please come out here and meet our delusional hunks?" Melanie said, rolling her eyes at Jared's scowling expression.
I laughed lightly, as Maudy came out burdened with shopping bags filled to the rim with our purchases.
Ian let go of my hand, his expression softened with kindness, and he strolled over to where Maudy was trying to walk.
A smile stretched across my face and I marveled in awe, as Ian took the heavy bags out of Maudy's hands.
She looked at me and winked. "Wanda, you've got yourself a good one. Handsome and humble."
I smiled and kissed Ian's cheek when he reached me. "You were wrong. I might be more human than a lot of people, but I could never be more than you."
He shook his head, but didn't argue. Instead he placed sweet gentle kiss on my lips.
"Ian, Jared meet Maudy. Maudy meet my fiancé Jared and the handsome humble Ian." Melanie introduced.
"Like I said, there wasn't a soul amongst us when you called." Melanie reinforced.
Jared still looked unsure. " No offense, Maudy. But Mel how do you know for sure she isn't a soul?"
Before Mel could answer, Ian did.
"Jared, it's obvious she isn't. Have you ever seen a soul with wrinkles? A soul willing to let his or her host get old?"
" Ian, that doesn't justify it completely." Jared argued.
"Jared." Melanie scolded. "Do you trust me? Because if you did then you would trust my judgment that Maudy is human."
"I trust you Mel. I don't trust her." Jared replied and then added quickly. "No offense. "
"None taken." Maudy said. "But can I explain my story before you set your judgment in stone?"
Jared nodded and Melanie scowled disapprovingly at her fiancé. Ian took a seat on the same bench that Maudy, Melanie, and I had sat on when Maudy told us her story. He pulled me onto his lap, wrapped his arms around my waist, and rested his chin on my shoulder.
Melanie pulled her hand out of Jared's grasp and sat next to Ian and me on the bench. Jared stuffed his hands in the front pocket of his jeans and stared at Maudy expectantly.
Maudy took a deep breath and began to recap the same story she told us.
A/N:
So Wanda has finally realized she wants to get married. I made Wanda find her dress in this one shopping trip because when Ian does propose to her I don't want to re-write yet another shopping trip.
I wanted to congratulate Bella1985 because her dress is the one that won!! And personally I was rooting for that dress her taste and my taste are so alike. It was between choice 4 and 5 and then someone miraculously voted last minute and choice 5 won. The dress link is on my profile.
I would like to thank everyone who submitted dresses and who voted.
I will try and update again soon. But I have been extremely busy lately. So don't think that I gave up on this story if i dont update in a week or two..and please don't give up on it. Next chapter will be in Ian's point of view..and I think the wedding will be in a chapter or two… I don't really plan the story out I just write what comes to me..so I can't tell you what's going to happen next because I don't even know.
So even though I had a lot of work this week I spent at least ten minutes on this chapter every day. That being said please review and let me know what you think… ;)
** remember to mention if you do or don't read my author notes and review replies in your REVIEWS **
Xoxo
rmla