Content1's Cravings

Breathing Hope by The Joker's Daughter

Summary: Carlisle and Bella have been separated for 5 years, with painful consequences. Now, they are reunited, but are they too broken and without hope. Inspired by 'Breathing Hope' a Carlisle Cullen tribute by Natalie Nicole Gilbert.

This is my first posting for Darkest Temptations. I know I don’t have the finesse of my fellow Temptations, so I humbly offer this first recommendation. Breathing Hope by The Joker’s Daughter.

First, let me initially say that this author has several other stories that I find fascinating. The first being Feral Blood, which is a story about Carlisle and Bella. In short, the premise of the story is that Bella realizes on that fateful day of her birthday that in fact, her feelings are not for Edward, but the leader of the Cullen coven. What follows is an admission from our favorite doctor vampire that Bella is his mate, but that he has allowed the romance with Edward because he thought it was what made her happy. The story quickly progresses from there and becomes very…um…sensual.

It is a WIP, but won the Best AU and Best Non-canon pairing over on the vampies. The author has another WIP called Demonic Desires which is only a couple of chapters in. It also shows a good deal of possibility. In that story, Carlisle is a futai stringoi, a sexual demon that preys on the blood and energy of humans. He meets little Bella in Forks.

Do you notice the recurring theme?

The Joker’s Daughter loves the Carlisle/Bella pairing, which seems to be popular in so many fics right now. Now for those that know me, I am an Edward/Bella diehard, so for me to read something other than those two together is a miracle to no end. Sure…sure, as a famous wolf would say, I can accept them being with others while they find their way, but in the end it is what is supposed to be.

I know! Let me live in my own little world.

Back to the purpose of this post.

The Joker’s Daughter writes very nice Carlisle/Bella pairings. But let me digress, when I say nice, I mean the pairings are written with depth and feeling. Her stories are not fairy tales. Each of them have a different flavor, but she helps you to see her purpose and plan with the writing she utilizes. There are moments of uncomfortability where the readers is challenged to assess their own selves to determine – what would you do?

Breathing Hope is a short piece of work (approximately 10 chapters) that also deals with the aftermath of that fateful birthday party. I made this recommendation, because I do believe if you like the darker side of vampire’s decisions, you will enjoy this one. It is also my hope that you will go over and give her WIPs a look at the same time. Tell her I sent you.

What should a reader expect in Breathing Hope? A very broken Carlisle and a self-destructive Bella. This fic deals with alcoholism and rage, so if these are trigger points for you, don’t venture forward. Carlisle has become a shell of the vampire I grew to love. Letting Bella go, as she requested, has led him to a very dark and dismal place. Although the family is still together, Rosalie has become his sole source of comfort in the darkness in which he exists. He is lost and desires to be destroyed.

Bella, without revealing too much, has lived with the consequences of what she thought was a “good decision” for five years, quickly spiraling down into the world of alcoholism.

What I adore about this story is that we see just what could happen when a vampire and “human that should be a vampire” lose their mate. I missed that in the canon stories. I wanted to feel the pain in a way other than the infamous fade to black and listing of months. I get that in this story - the rage, the pain, the heartbreak, and the consequences of stupid, stupid decisions. What I also appreciated was that Bella grew up a little and realizes the pain that veggie vamps face every day in their chosen existence. I’ll allow you to read how she honors that for yourself. Fairly poetic IMO.

NO great f’ing scenes in this fic. If you are looking for that between Carlisle and Bella, go to Feral Blood. The Joker’s Daughter was nominated for a Golden Lemon for it, but I think if you are looking for a short disturbing read, you will enjoy Breathing Hope.