Since the boards were locked, and I was finishing my latest revamp of Eclipse, I looked through all the topics and didn't see this question. (please tell me where it is if I'm wrong because I really looked)

In Eclipse after Bella leaves her trail for the newborns, and Jacob shows up to take her "camping", why doesn't Edward kiss her before he sends her off with Jacob?
I mean Edward already knows how Jacob feels, and I think he also knows that Bella has feelings for Jake, so while I was reading this last time, I really wanted him to just sweep her up and plant a nice big one on her. Why doesn't he?
I have an idea, but wanted to think what all of you ladies might think.

I think it might be a combination of a few things:

1) Fear. In New Moon after they escaped the Volturi Bella was glad that even though he kissed every other part of her face, he never touched her lips. He may have been thinking something similar.

2) Battle prep, perhaps? Even though he didn't think he was fighting, he was listening in on the wolves' thoughts and strategies. It seemed as though when he was connected to the wolves he was filtering in their thoughts and feelings. I would think it would effect him emotionally.


or perpape the simpilest reason:


Stephenie didn't think to put it in. Tsk!


Definitely a missing moment that needs exploring.

*grin*
Spring

What a great question!

Here's my theory... Our lovely Edward is overreacting again...

I think that Edward has only really kissed Bella once in front of Jacob in eclipse - and possibly ever. That was the first time he dropped her off at the treaty line in order for her to go hear the Quileute legends. Edward was trying to tease Jacob then, show him Bella was his... After the kiss, Edward's reaction became 'panicked', and I think he realized that he may be inciting Jacob's temper, and putting Bella in danger. (see page 237)

OR, maybe he was reading Jacob's thoughts after the kiss - something like 'two can play that game' and seeing Jacob's plans to kiss Bella... In any case, I think that Edward may have decided that such displays are not the best way to secure his claim on Bella. In his overreacting way, Edward then decided not to ever do it again.

Edward has always felt that he was above Jacob in many ways, and the thought that he had stooped to Jacob's level would disgust him. The foundation of Edward's manipulation of Bella is that he is the more mature one for Bella - in stark contrast to what he saw as Jacob's juvenile school boy flirtations.

That, combined with the looming battle, the fact that Edward knew Bella wasn't particularly happy with the plan, and that Edward knew the plan wouldn't work without Jacob's help; all led Edward to just depart the meadow without kissing Bella.

Edward would have thought of all these things and more...

I didn't find another case where Edward kisses Bella in front of Jacob after this - am I missing them?

Should he have kissed her? You bet!

Good catch qjmom! I also went back and scanned every incidence where Jacob was present, and found no smooch on Edward's part either.

I agree that Edward, being Edward, over thought everything again, but he still should have kissed her.

Interesting....I'll have to go back and revamp that part! I hadn't thought about it before.

Edward knew her feelings for Jacob- maybe not 100% but he had an idea. That is why he went to extreme measures to keep her away(safety my butt).

I think he realizes kissing Bella in front of Jacob is a bad idea- for both of them. Jacob getting angry- then mentioning it in his mind that he could do it better-making Edward mad- not a good idea with Bella in the middle.

You are right on that point as well Pixie. Let's not forget, both Edward and Jacob believe " all's fair in love and war."

ya know, edward only kissed her once in front of jacob. I think thats AWESOME. i don't think he is over reacting, i think it makes him that much more of a stud..... why

well here are my theories, while bella is head over heels for edward, she says in teh book that jacob's pain is her pain... and so edward doesn't want to cause him pain which in turn would cause bella pain.

Plus when edward did kiss bella in front of jacob it almost seemed out ao character for him, and someone said that he was just trying to provoke jacob knowiong that he couldn't cross the treaty line to do anything about it. Edward is old fashioned and in his time displays of physical emotion were a NO NO

Edward shows his devotion so much more through other things that he does and i like it. Kissing is so intimate maybe he realized that he wanted to keep it that way and by gloating jacob he was taking away some of that intimacy..... just a thought

OK, qjmom - what's YOUR theory?

hmmm?

Yes do tell...

My thought on that is perhaps it was a test for Bella. Maybe Edward was waiting for Bella to kiss him first in front of Jacob....to make a show of affection toward Edward that would've put Edward one step ahead of Jacob in Bella's affections. Had she moved in to kiss Edward, he certainly would've kissed her back. Now I'm kinda ticked off at Bella for NOT kissing Edward!

My theory was pretty much how you said it blondie. He never feels the need to flaunt his love for Bella. While Jacob is a small threat to him, he still has confidince in his relationship with Bella. It is one of the things that makes me love MY Edward! I think that someone who hasn't lived for as long as Edward and seen the things that he has seen, would have made a spectacle of kissing Bella in front of his rival (Jake totally would have done it - not Jacob bashing - just commenting on his teenage boy ways).
Of course, I can't say it as perfectly as blondie who has Ed in the head like no other.

But, the great thing about this site is getting all kinds of info. queenofmycastle brings up and interesting point too. Does he want to see how intimate Bella will be in front of Jacob?? Now I am wondering.

The reason I thought about this is because EVERYTIME I read that part I wait for him to kiss her and am always like "what the??" In my version in my head, Edward goes with his heart instead of his head and kissed her (a really good on too!)

QJmom, I agree! I think that he really thinks that he has the upperhand here. I think he feels pretty secure with Bella at that moment. They did just have that discussion in the tent about all their favorite moments.

Over confident maybe? Or maybe he doesn't want to cloud Bella's judgement...let her have some time to decide?

Wow! am I waffling or what!!! HAHAHA!

This is actually BEFORE the snow storm, when B&E meet Jacob for the run up to the campsite...

I think Edward may sense he's 'ahead' in the race for Bella, but I also feel like he is perpetually insecure about her. He fights for her, protects her, will do what ever he thinks is right for her, but if she decided that she didn't need him any more he would go. He seems to struggle with being such a superior being (admitted God complex) and yet being completely inadequate and undeserving of Bella. I think he fears that this will happen... even at the end of eclipse... maybe that is why he is so willing to give in to her demands at the end... {sorry, thinking out loud}

I wonder what will make him truly realize that Bella feels the same about him as he feels about her? The wedding, maybe? The dynamics will change so much when she becomes immortal, though - will that increase his insecurity?

Sorry for the rambling...

I agree with you. I hadn't thought about this until now, but while I do think that Edward is pretty secure about him and Bella, I also think there is a part of him that is still a little bit insecure (jealous...). I could definitely see him wanting to her to be the one to show affection in front of Jacob at that point in the story...