First, that's the longest last chapter ever! Thank you so much for not just cutting it short like most do. You really nailed the who nesting, labor, birth! Written like a pro. Don't know 'bout you, but I was climbing the step ladder, taking down all the "light fixtures" to clean them all sparkly, mind, I hadn't give a rat's ass if those suckers were clean in the 2 years we lived in this house, but the day before my oldest was born...THOSE LIGHT FIXTURES HAD TO BE SPIT SHINE CLEAN AND GLEEMING! And EVERY piece of washable fabric in the house from jeans that wouldn't fit even with baby oil and crisco to that grody pot holder that should have been tossed in the rubbish bin was spot treated, soaked and washed, then ironed - yes ironed (today if it needs ironing, I give it to the goodwill). My Stars! I surly don't miss the nesting instinct (although it would come in handy during Sping cleaning time!) But there is NO Way in HELL I'm getting Pregnant just to improve my cleaning skills!

Ok, so that chap was absolutly FREAKING fantastic! You had everything in there, especially for someone who's been through it all a couple of times! And I'm so sorry it took me so long to review. I actually finished reading it a few days ago, but then got side-tracked and when I came online tonight to see if there were any updates to other tales I'm reading, I stopped to see if you posted a reply to my review and imagine my shame when I discovered I didn't write one! I think the last review is the most important to the author because so often, people don't leave a last review, they figure, there's nothing in it for me, cause the tale's over, it won't make her post faster or write a steamy chap cause it's over. But I know you've got billions of plot bunnies just waiting for that one word in a review, that one nudge to get you moving on to a new tale, or to take that other tale to the next level. So I feel totally like a turd for forgetting to write one. I beg your forgiveness. Please don't punish me for my neglect. I'll do better next time... oh wait, did I reivew the other tale I was reading. Damn, I better go check before another senior moment hits! Hugs Dear Lady. This tale ROCKED! but I of course I knew it would cause the author ROCKs SOOOOOOOO good!

Author's Response: Oh God, *groans*, do I ever remember everything needing to be spotless - I swear my toilet was clean enough to eat off of, lol. I figured since every chapter was pretty full in length, I wanted to stick with it. It wouldn't have felt right writing a short one, hee. No worries on reviewing darling, I know that job has you busy these days. Can you belive IAN just recently got nominated over at spuffy awards? Woo hoo! As well as LFL and TE too. I was flabbergasted. Somebody loves me, *giggles*. OMG - sooooooo many plot bunnies in the works it's almost too many. But alas, I need a break so the muse can play and hoefully finish up HMG so I can epublish it soon, woo hoo! Thanks so much for the lovely review my friend, I'll try and email you today hon. Smooches.

Though its highly unlikely that a private and a Sergeant could fratenize this story is absolutely amazing! I kinda wish I could get into the army but I probably would never make it though basic training!

Author's Response: LOL - it goes on waaaaaaaaaaay more than you think darling, trust me. I'm super pleased you enjoyed the fic sweety, I had such a great time writing it. Thanks for the review. Huggles.

Totally loved this.
Didn't read it for the longest time cos I really don't get the whole point if they are not vamp and slayer so I tend to give all human au's a miss.

But the other night I noticed it was finished and was also fairly long, since I do love a nice long fic I thought I'd give it a whirl.

So glad I did... the smut alone made it worth it, and the initial ust had me bitting my fingernails and sleepless until their first time.

Enjoyed the whole thing immensely, your last chapter gave me flashbacks to the birth of my own kids. (shudder)

The whole plot was entertaining and believable, so bonus points for making it credible to someone who really finds it hard to see them as any thing other than canon.

Author's Response: WOW! How awesome is that? It's like the ultimate compliment to have someone who normally only reads vamp fics to have chosen my AU and liked it. I adore vamp fics, don't get me wrong, but AU has so much more room to be creative - at least for me. Hee hee, glad you liked the UST, I had a great time building it and of course the sex scenes too. An explosion was in order both first-times, giggles. Ah yes, the birthing scenes, something I had to revisit myself in order to write it... so NOT going there again, LMAO. I can't say thank you enough for such a wonderful review, it really pleases me to have entertained you on an AU leve... it's really meade y day sweety. THanks so much - hugs you tight.

What a great story. The absolute best line ever was when Spike was in Buffy's hospital and they had to move his toe and she leans in and says, "Scream for me Spike" God, that was hysterical! Thank you so much. Please continue to write, you are fabulous

Author's Response: ROFL... now that I think about it, I guess that was pretty funny. At the time I worte it, I just imagined Buffy getting back at him on a different level using something he'd said, hee hee. Glad you liked that part and of course thanks for such a wonderful review. Hugs.

What a richly detailed, wonderful ending. Buffy nesting was delightful, and Spike having to physically restrain her to get some one on one time had me grinning. I loved her ignoring the contractions and just rolling over and falling back to sleep, again and again. Spike panicking enough for the both of them was also delightful.

Then, the reality hitting home once Buffy's in that hosptal bed feeling what the pain's going to be like jump started the tension beautifully. The entire hospital room scene was funny and touching and exciting, and I loved the added bonus of Xander there at the end. His asking for permission to just slap passed out Spike was stellar!

And, yay! A perfect baby. Boy or girl didn't matter, but you imbued a lot of real emotions into Spike's “Thank you, kitten, for giving me my son.” It was really sweet, and totally in character.

I loved this story from beginning to end. It was loaded with sharp dialogue and original scenes. The development of the relationship was organic and your attention to detail made each of the scenes vivid and ring true emotionally. Thanks for sharing this wonderfully entertaining piece.

Author's Response: Ahhhh yes, nesting. I think every woman whose gone through has probably scrubbed her house at least twice over, *giggles*. Oh god, that was me, ignoring my labor pains and trying to sleep - and of course my hubby being all with the watch-timing, LMAO. I wasn't ready to go until I absolutely had to, *grins*, not fond of hospitals myself. Oooooo good, I'm glad you felt the tension once she was there cuz really? Not so fun a time. I simply had to bring Xander back during the labor, it was a funny angle that I knew would have the charcters involved shocked, on all sorts of levels. I went with a baby boy b/c of the fact my husband was soooo convinced we were having one even though I didn't allow the dr. to tell us and of course we had a boy first... it's what my husband said to me once he was born and I thought it was so touching then that I wanted Spike to say it. So I'm pleased you liked that part. Wow, such wonderful compliments sweety. I really did try my best with this fic to draw the reader in to feel the charcters and to go out of the way with unusual scenes.. . mainly to see if I could make Buffy and Spike fit such an unusual plot backdrop. Your review really has made me feel like it's been worth all the effort, thank you so much. Hugs you tight.

awww i absolutely LOVE this story that i just went through an read it all again lol:)....you did an awesome job :):)

Author's Response: Wow, you went back and read it again? To say I'm blushing would be an understatement. But of course I'm thrilled you' liked the story enough to re-read it hon, I so enjoyed writing it. Thank you very much for such a great review. Huggles.

Right. So I had plans for today. *Had*

Instead, I read this whole thing and I completely loved it. Not *only* cause it gave me a few ideas, but it was so well paced and kick ass.

So, now I have to cram a lot of work into not as much time as I would have had, but oh well, it was a great read and I loved it. Spike is so yummy in this. (Not like he isn't always)

The army backdrop was really well done. I was initially worried going into it, not knowing that you'd actually been in basic yourself, so you knew what you were talking about. It shows and it made for a really grounding influence on the story and it was interesting to see a little piece of that world while enjoying the walking sex that is spike and buffy together.

Excellent job.

Author's Response: LMAO... sorry, didn't mean to disturb your plans. It gave you ideas, really? Cool, hee hee. I couldn't resist painting Spike as having all the power for the first half of the story... makes for an evil version of him, huh? Ahhhhh, I see, about the Army backdrop. Yeah, I never would have attempted it had I not been in the situation myself - too much detail could go wrong and render it unbelievable. I'm so pleased you didn't mind the arena for the fic because it was too tempting for me not to do. Such a wonderful review you've given me darling, I truly appreciate it. Thank you so much. Hugs and kisses.

Man...I am never having a kid! lolx. Sounds way too painful!!! I love this story!!!!!!

Author's Response: LMFAO, it's painfl to be sure but brief in the over picture of things I suppose. Glad you liked the story hon, thanks for the great review. Hugs.

A great ending to a great story. This story was well written from beginning to end, and I'm a little sad to see it go. Thank you so much for sharing, and i can't wait for your next fic!

Author's Response: You're very welcome and of course thank you for the lovely review. I'm sad to let it go but of course pleased you feel it was written well the whole way through - I defintely tried my best. Smoochies to you darling.

First: Thanks for posting for said author in question. Good to hear from her. And second, please give her my get well wishes! It was sad to see her go but I know she had her reasons. All the best to you hon, I guess you'll read it here too. *hugs*

How many guests does Buffy expect? Or she thinks Spike will be very hungry. :) Yeah, being in the field and now knowing if your pregnant wife is OK will be worrying for Spike. It's the first child for both of them. And he even didn't know what Buffy did in their house, rearranging everything. Ah she has extra energy. She's lucky :)
Heh heh, the Braxton Hicks joke was fun :)
The rest of the chapter? From Buffy having all time of the world and Spike getting jealous to the scenes in the hospital, Xander and the birth itself later? Hilarious :-D I loved it. Well I loved the whole story, that's a fact. *nods* Enjoyed the ride *hugs back*. (PS: She made an icon from this manip too. But in this case it says: Daddy's girl) :)

Author's Response: No problem, the poor dear breaking her finger at the moment really upset her. Seems Buffy had a roomful, huh? Spike was surprised of course to see the reslts of her nesting and oh yes, worrying about her while he was away simply couldn't be helped. I couldn't resist the Braxton Hicks part - a peek at the jealous side of Spike - and w/ Xander too of course. I'm so glad you enjoyed the last chapter sweety. Thank you for every review you've left, you're so faithful, smooches to you hon.

That was a great ending, and that last scene was so cute. Lol. I can't believe he passed out. I love this story so much. Thanks for writing it. Waiting for more from you.

Author's Response: You're welcome and of course thank you for the great review. Having Spike pass out was a must in my mind with the blood and all, giggles. I'm so glad you enjoyed the update. Huggles.

What a great send-off for these characters. The Spuffy bantering was wonderful, and the birthing scene totally rocked! I loved how you threw in all those personal moments it really made everything so realistic. Thank you for the entertaining read, it was definitely fun! Fantastic story! :D


Author's Response: I'm pleased you liked the send off I gave them, I figured the birth of their baby would make for a sweet ending. And I couldn't help but throw in some personal experience into it, I had some pretty comical moments during both my deliveries, hee hee. Thank you for such a wonderful review darling, I'm glad you liked the wrap-up. Kisses.

I loved this story, I had mixed feelings when I saw it was completed but all good things must come to an end. I look forward to reading more from you. I am grateful you will still be posting, I was very sad to hear another of my favorite authors would not be posting any more.

Enjoy your break, I look forward to more from you.

Author's Response: It really was hard for me to end it, but of course it had to be. Yup, I'll be posting again, just need some time off to rejuvinate the muse. Thank you so much for the review hon. Smooches.