The Kübler Ross Model by JadedAndBoring

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5425315/1/The_Kubler_Ross_Model
Word Count: 17,852

Official Description: A tragic death. A failing relationship. Two very different events with hauntingly similar effects. M for language and difficult situations.

Don’t miss Heartbreak Warfare, the outtakes, sideshots, and alt-POVs, or the sequel, Tie Me Here in Time.

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HattieB99 says: Unique is not a word often used to describe fan fiction, considering the use of the same six characters repeatedly. However, there are occasions when a story surfaces that is not only unique, but extraordinary. The Kubler Ross Model by jadedandboring, is truly a unique and extraordinary story.The story is only seven chapters, including the prologue and epilogue.However, jadedandboring has managed unparalleled storytelling, raw, imaginative, and unique. KRM is original, unpretentious, heartfelt, and powerful in its no frills approach to the reality of life and death.

In KRM, Bella and Edward meet at the funeral of Bella’s late fiancé, Dexter. Dexter, in my opinion, is by far one of the most creative and enduring original characters that I have ever read.The story follows Bella through the five grief stages and Edward as he attempts to end a relationship.Reading about Dexter and Bella’s relationship inspires visions of Rockwell and Americana. Their bond formed when two mothers met while pregnant and forged as they gave birth three days apart. One of the most difficult pieces to read in KRM is Bella’s eulogy, where she recalls moments that conjure up laughter but also cause heartache as you envision this 22 year old girl saying good-bye to her friend, lover, confidant, and all things in between.

“My name is Bella and I’ve known Dexter all my life. Our moms were pregnant at the same time;we always said that we were best friends, even in the womb. Our birthdays are three days apart and we did absolutely everything together. I’m sure all of you got a good laugh at the picture of Dex pouring sand in my hair at the beach. That’s from a joint family vacation when we were five.Or maybe you saw the picture of Dex in a tux, dashing as ever,and standing next to walking knees and elbows in a fancy dress – that’s from our eighth grade dinner dance.”

One of my favorite moments is when Edward and Bella first exchange words.The ease at which these two connect in the briefest of moments is natural, unforced, and depicted in a way that does not demean the circumstances but rather enhances the obvious link between the two. She narrowed her eyes at me like she was trying to place me.

“I’m sorry, have we met?”

“Last night, at the funeral home.”

“Right. You’re Rosalie’s boyfriend.” She stuck her hand out to me. “Bella.”

I jumped slightly when she slid her delicate hand into mine. The handshake was rather weak, but I’d expected that. She looked exhausted. I jumped because my hand suddenly buzzed a little, like I’d accidentally touched the prongs of a plug when it was far enough into an outlet to get acharge.

“Edward Cullen.”

“Well Edward, this is a shitty place to meet someone, but it’s nice to meet you,” she said, waving the pack of cigarettes at me. “Can I offer you a death sentence?”

Jadedandboring is what I would describe as an organic writer. She breathes life into the characters making them three dimensional and real. You feel their pain, their passion so deeply that you are haunted long after you have finished reading. Jadedandboring is authentic in real life, this translates in her writing. The beauty of KRM is not simply Edward and Bella; rather it is the beauty of life. KRM does not use Dexter’s battle and subsequent death as a crutch or a catalyst;it is merely a fact of life in this story. You fall in love with Bella, her strength and her weaknesses. You cannot help but to root for Edward in his efforts to explore his feelings for Bella. Dexter will remind you of your first love, the one that still has your heart even as years pass.Each of the characters are fully developed, rich and vibrant. This fic reads like a brilliantly crafted independent film. KRM is a story written with integrity, heart, and truth. Jadedandboringis humble in her words, even more with praise. As a writer, she is talented. As a part of this fandom, she is a treasure. She takes the time to respond to every review, no matter how small or how long. KRM is a small story with little attention, however one needs only to read the reviews to realize that KRM is so much more than a “fic”. KRM is a story with heart, that will inevitably touch yours.

AmeryMarie says: This fic tore me up. As the name implies, it’s a story chronicling the five stages of grief with each chapter covering one stage in order, but Jadedandboring takes it one-step further by paralleling it with the end of a relationship. The story shifts between BPOV – in both the present day, and during the span of time from when Dexter was diagnosed and when he died – and EPOV, present time only. Surprisingly, it’s only seven reasonably sized chapters, including the prologue. Don’t let that fool you though – it may be a quick read, but it’s not an easy one.

The story opens with a prologue that starts in EPOV and finishes with a small part in BPOV. Bella is giving a eulogy for her life-long friend and first love, Dexter (an original character), while Edward is in attendance to support his girlfriend, Rose, who went to school with Dexter (and was apparently in love with him). Despite the grief and seemingly inappropriateness of it, there is the hint of a spark of attraction between Bella and Edward.

Now, I would ordinarily scoff at that, because seriously, how contrived and ridiculous can you get, but Jadedandboring pulls it off. Their way in which she shows their attraction to one another is done so simply and in such a tactfully subtle way, especially on Bella’s part, that it doesn’t feel wrong or dirty in any way. In fact, it may slip past some readers.

Moving effortlessly between the different time frames and POV’s, Jadedandboring avoids giving us a day-by-day accounting. Instead, she gives us what feels like little anecdotal stories, or snapshots, for each of the, essentially, three storylines. In many stories that would be too many storylines to keep track of, but the way in which she weaves them together, and how each of the parts mirrors/relates to the other ones is so brilliantly done that it works. Not once did I feel lost.

I really have so much more I would love to say more here, but I am running out of time (because I am time-management fail). I have to get this turned in before I make Kass and MF’r regret ever asking me to be a Guest Fictionator. I don’t think I am doing this story justice, but you really should read it. It’s a lovely, heartbreaking, story of love, loss and trying to move on. When you finish with it don’t forget to read the sequel, Tie Me Here In Time (WIP).

SnowWhiteHeart says: Those of you who know me know this is NOT the genre of story I’d choose. Edward’s human, it’s a tear-jerker, and it’s lemon-free.

But it’s beautiful and I totally love it.

The
Kubler Ross Model is essentially the theory of the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. What Jadedandboring does with this theory is structure her story around it, paralelling Bella’s and Edward’s stories perfectly.

Brilliant.

Bella is mourning the loss of “the love of her life”, Dexter, to cancer, and Edward is beginning to mourn his failed relationship that is hanging by a thread. In six chapters, the author is able to develop Bella’s background and tragedy incredibly well, while at the same time narrating an interesting Edward/Rosalie relationship and breakup. It is not the usual recipe for success, but Jadedandboring does it and I’m glad she did.

Dexter wasn’t just my best friend. He was the love of my life. I try so hard not to be angry with God for taking Dex from me at such a young age, because we had twenty two amazing years together and spent the last four as a couple. We talked a lot about what I would say today. There was never a question who would deliver his eulogy and he joked that he was just going to write down what he wanted me to read. He did write some things and though many of the things he wrote are true, the one that sticks in my head is this: ‘I am the best person that Bella has ever known.’ He was. He is.

Normally, any self-respecting Twilight fan would cringe reading that. Nooooo, we’d think, EDWARD is the love of her life. EDWARD! But Bella’s eulogy, which surprisingly enough starts off the story, is so powerful that the reader is already sympathetic for her and Dexter. It’s automatic.

Edward’s relationship with Rose is equally surprisingly realistic. While I have never been able to imagine that pairing, the author paints a picture of their strained relationship with remarkable clarity.

I’d just opened the door to my apartment after an exhausting day at the office and was looking forward to chilling out with a beer and the White Sox game. I rolled my eyes when I heard Rosalie start griping from the kitchen.

“Edward, I’ve asked you a million times to please not leave your shoes lying around wherever you take them off. Did you put your briefcase in the spot I cleared for it? We’re having dinner with my brother and Alice tonight. They’re only in town until tomorrow, so we can’t reschedule.”

Thanks, babe. Good evening to you too. Thanks for letting me know in advance that we had plans, I’d have tried to come home earlier.

“Sorry babe. Briefcase is in the spot you cleared. Why are Jasper and Alice in town?” Especially on such short notice.

And, again you’re shocked to see how Edward really does try to save their relationship. Instead of pushing him into mourning Bella’s arms too soon, you’ll be applauding Edward for trying to do the right thing in a bad situation.

The Kubler Ross Model is a really great exploration of the complexities of love and loss and how the two oftentimes overlap. Make sure you have tissues on hand, since for possibly the first time in your fanfic career, you’ll be mourning the loss of Bella’s love to someone other than Edward. And then at the end when the star-crossed pair we know and love give it a shot.

MF’er says: If, after reading these amazing things that the other ladies have written about KRM, you haven’t already been convinced to read it, let me give it one more shot by throwing in my own two cents.

For those who don’t know this, The Kübler-Ross Model is more commonly known as the five stages of grief.

Denial.
Anger.
Bargaining.
Depression.
Acceptance.

This was my first experience reading writing by jadedandboring, and what a beginning it was. From the very first paragraph, I was completely sucked in to these characters’ lives as I began to learn – through a eulogy, of all things – just how they’d arrived at this point.

Jadedandboring puts so much depth and emotion into the characters she has created, it’s almost impossible not to feel like you are a part of that audience with Edward; like you’re watching Bella eulogize the love of her life. And those feelings just continue.

From the first chapter forward, you begin to see Bella work through the stages of grief while reflecting on memories she has of Dexter. She has the support of her best friend, Emmet (who has to be one of my favorite Emmett’s ever) and the relationship they share is great.

Bella is snarky and doesn’t take any shit, and I love that about her. She’s strong. She wants to move on, because that was what Dex wanted her to do. She just needs for everyone else to understand that, and this story is the beginning of her journey through learning how to live without him.

It will make you cry, it will make your heart hurt, but it’s so beautiful and original that you’re truly missing a great piece of writing if you don’t take the chance and read it!