i loved this story - you are a wonderful writer!

I enjoyed this. There were times I feared it would go down a route that I don't like (infidelity) but that is a personal thing anyway, but the angst went a different route. I enjoyed this but felt frustrated by the stupidity of the characters and didn't feel sympathy for them. I was pleased they grew up enough to sort it out by the end but I didn't connect to them like I often do in your fics. I really enjoyed a lot of the supporting cast characterisation, particularly Mona and Lorne which were great. Joyce and Giles were also well dimensioned and really helped pull the story along with some great real life depth.

Ok, well, I realize that all the flames about this story are long gone, but I just have to write something (yes, I have read some of the ugly comments). I think the story is very realistic - I have been with a guy that was on a way of becoming an alcoholic for more than 4 years and in the relationship we behaved sometimes much worse than the characters here. And I also think that once there is a problem in the relationship, some people just deal with it by shutting their partner out, not communicating and simply leaving them (been there, done that). So those accusations about the story not being realistic are just laughable, relationship can go south in a heartbeat without people even noticing something happened and sometimes really love is not enough. People make irrational and stupid dicisions all the time. so the story is great and I liked it very much, although it sort of brought back some memories that I would rather keep boxed somewhere deep in my brain. Thanks for this and keep writing because you truly are very good writer! Have a great day!

Reading this fic was a journey and a half. Yes, it's a long one. But I also don't tend to read AU fics. However, now I've gotten to the end, looking back I can tell you I did truly enjoy the ride. Actually cried a few times (darn you! ;) ) and I love how things ended up.
I did start to wonder about 1/4 of the way in if I should continue reading or not, cos it did seem like angst for the sake of having angst. But I'm glad I stuck it out, because now I can see the reasons for everything you did in previous chapters. I especially enjoyed the 3 year gap and the phone conversations - probably because a similar thing happened to me so I could really relate (NOT a step-brother :P haha). You can't stop true love!
Thanks for a great fic :)

I liked your disclaimer at the beginning, about Buffy and Spike being related by marriage, and I was pretty iffy. I haven't read a Spuffy fic in years! I'm very glad that I ignored the disclaimer. It was nice to see them overcome an adversity that was being a vampire or having a baby. And it wasn't too smushy! Which is very refreshing.

I started reading last night and was terribly anxious to get home from work and finish it. Thanks!

i loved it and I am sorry that you had to endure some harsh criticism to a well written story. The fact that people became so passionate over the misfortunes of these two should be an indicator more of how deeply they cared about them because you made the characters beloved.

Wow!!! First, I have to apologise for not leaving a review after each chapter. I meant to, but I wanted to keep reading and it took too long even leaving a couple of words.

The story was absolutely fantastic. I cried, shouted - was just so completely involved in it - I loved it.

Thank you so much for your hard work, for sharing your creativity, for making this story live and breathe.

Wow.

i LOVED this story so much, cried ++ but totally trusted you that it would all work out in the end. Great plotting, lots of angst - but its spuffy, they are angst :(
usually not as keen on AU spuffy but everything you write is fantastic. Felt really bad for you that some reviews had been flames, i feel that you are the writer, its your story, we can choose whether or not to read it. Anyway, as you can tell i think was all fantastic, i have spent about 2 days constantly reading this & haven't done any housework, husband not speaking to me but it was worth it

This is an INCREDIBLE story. I don't think there's enough praise in the world to be given for it. I understand what it's like to write something for years. I'm sure it's very important to you because of all the time and effort, and it shows. It got rough through the angsty parts, but the smut and happy moments more than make up for it. You did an amazing job with this. It wasn't completely terrible and it wasn't completely bubbly. It felt real and it portrayed realistic people, problems, and emotions. Congratulations on a job extremely well done :) I'll definitely be reading more of your fics.

Beautiful ending, I've read this story twice before and I love it =D even the angsty parts.

I only started reading after this fic was finished but I loved it. I can't wait to read Opedius Calling if it's half as good as this one. Loved it.

Just started reading this about a week ago and it was brilliant. Have to say that in the middle it was so angsty that I wanted to give up but I was so hooked that I couldn't. I carried on and I'm so pleased that I did. Fabulous writing - as ever - and I have a happy smiley face now. Loved it.