Emancipation Proclamation: Valentines Day

I’ve finally got to that part in EP that my friends have nudged me enough for me to know that it’s something to special: it’s Valentines Day in Forks, Washington and Edward is worrying a hole in the floor with his constant pacing.

Bella’s never been made to feel special, but Edward is about to set that right. She’s the dearest thing in his life and she will know it.

“We were supposed to be together. I don’t know what force it was the drove us together, if my mother had a hand in it or even my father for that matter, but whatever it was led us to where we were. And it was right. So fucking right. Laying there, holding her after making love to her and discovering exactly what the fuck that was, I knew there could never be another.”

Emancipation Proclamation, Chapter 47 by Kharizzmatik

I am typing this while listening to The Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga and it seems strangely appropriate – that eagerness and anticipation precipitating that leap, the jump off of the edge of life when you reach for what you want, that excitement when you free fall for an instant waiting for the moment to be real. Not to mention the possible puns about falling over the edge… *giggle*

Edward is a little more sentimental and sets the scene beautifully with Blue October’s 18^th Floor Balcony – singing to her from the heart, laying himself more open than he has ever been.

“So we talked about mom's and dad's 
About family pasts 
Just getting to know where we came from 
Our hearts were on display 
For all to see 
I can't believe this is happening to me and,
I raised my hand as if to show you that I was yours 
That I was so yours for the taking 
I'm so yours for the taking and
That’s when I felt the wind pick up 
I grabbed the rail while choking up 
These words to say and then you kissed me
I knew from the start 
My arms are open wide 
Your head is on my stomach 
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep 

But here we are 
On this 18th floor balcony
We're both flying away

And I'll try to sleep
to keep you in my dreams
'Till I can bring you home with me
I'll try to sleep 
and when I do I'll keep you in my dreams”

It was a lovely chapter to read, a sensual awakening, love shining from two souls – both jaded and hurt inside, though innocent in their own ways. It was beautiful to see how they can come together as a whole and leave their pasts behind.

You can find Emancipation Proclamation here: http://kharizzmatik-ep.blogspot.com/2009/08/prologue.html

Rhian

xx

Emancipation Proclamation: Strength

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

 Mahatma Gandhi

Isabella has a strength of spirit that has allowed her to survive a life of brutality. Edward has cut himself off from the world to survive, living an empty life pushing everyone away rather than actually feeling anything inside.

What use is survival when there’s no will to live; no life to truly live?

Strength comes from within, but sometimes, it has a little outside help. 

“I was broken until you came into my life and I’m finding myself again. I never thought it would happen, never thought I’d find someone like you. My mom used to talk about fate all the time, and I think now that you’re my fate. You were brought to me for a reason, for us to save each other. Because you weren’t the only one needing saving, Bella. I was drowning, and you rescued me. You’re my life now.”

Edward, Emancipation Proclamation

“Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind.”

 Alex Karras

Emancipation Proclamation: Hope

"In every man's heart there is a secret nerve that answers to the vibration of beauty."

Christopher Darlington Morley

All Isabella ever had to look forward to was a life of hardship and cruelty and to dare to dream was to dare too far, for the loss of hope is more painful than a life without it.

Edward’s soul was shattered as a young child. The loss of his dear mother crippled him, his suffering could not be eased and he never even tried to heal.

But there it is – that little glimmer of hope that changes everything. The light is still dim, the dream still ethereal but now there is a chance that there never was before for something more than mere survival; a chance at life.

 “In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”

Albert Schweitzer

Emancipation Proclamation: Edward and Bella

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

Anais Nin

Isabella Marie Swan. Edward Anthony Cullen. Worlds apart. Born into different realities. But there is a spark. A thunderbolt. Colpo di fulmine.

Can they break a cycle of hate and pain?

"Just as despair can come to one only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings."

Elie Wiesel

Rhian

xx

Emancipation Proclamation: Carlisle

“I was sobbing loudly. Dr. Cullen stood up and took a step back, eyeing me. I glanced up at him, frightened and uncomfortable. He seemed to be contemplating something, and after a moment he grabbed the roll of duct tape. He pulled a piece of duct tape off, ripping it with his teeth, and pressed it over my mouth quickly to muffle my sounds.”

Emancipation Proclamation Chapter 17

I may be hating Carlisle right now.

I have been sobbing for Isabella’s pain. I wailed the most when he speaks to her the next day, saying that he hadn't intended to be so cruel. I honesty can’t quite pin point exactly why that section got to me as much as it did, I'll let you know if I figure it out.

I really hope that he does redeem himself.

Now I’m going to go cry some more.

“Punishment - The justice that the guilty deal out to those that are caught.”

Elbert Hubbard

Emancipation Proclamation: Isabella

“Abraham Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, outlawing ownership of other human beings, but it didn't end there. Slavery exists in every corner of America. With enough money, you can buy anyone.

It’s the year 2005… and today I’m being sold.”

Emancipation Proclamation Chapter 1

“Sleep is good, death is better; but of course the best thing would to have never been born at all.”

Heinrich Hein

EP is such a poignant tale that I have been drawn into completely. The harrowing tale of Isabella, born into slavery, sold to a new master at the tender age of sixteen. She knows nothing of the world and much of human cruelty. She inhabits the dark side of the world where life is mere survival without hope or possibility. Isabella’s life is about to change. That much I can tell already.

Find the story here http://kharizzmatik-ep.blogspot.com/2009/08/prologue.html

Rhian

xx

Emancipation Proclamation: Edward

"This is a world of compensations; and he who would be no slave, must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it."

Abraham Lincoln

Babsiebaby has finally talked me into reading Emancipation Proclamation. I put my big girl panties on and I’ve cried like a baby already. I am only part of the way through, so no spoilers please, but my Photoshop vibe has come out to play.

Kharsizzmatic has some of the best quotes to start her chapters that really show an insight not only to her story, but to humankind. She shows us humanity in all it's guises. Naturally, I felt inspired.

This banner was inspired by Edward and who he is at the beginning of the story.

"Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and oftentimes we call a man cold when he is only sad."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Find the story here http://kharizzmatik-ep.blogspot.com/2009/08/prologue.html