Happy New Year to you too! ~ I hope the cooling off will help. Joyce playing match maker and pushing sure didn't. Joyce cheating first and Hank having an emotional affair? That was unexpected. Hopefully Buffy and Spike will get better too.

What I don't like hearing about from Buffy is this whole jealousy "rage" stuff. She should be focusing on the real problem she had with him - the checking up on her part. Even though William had been to Envy before without her knowledge or permission, so I guess he is not allowed to be anywhere where she currently is. Must be another of her rules she set up. But the jealousy issue - if the roles were reversed - if Buffy saw William dancing closely around several women and smiling, she would be jealous, too. She might not be mature enough to confront him about it immediately, but jealousy would definitely be there. That seems to be the norm between both of them. So her issue with him is trust not jealousy - unless she wants to hold him to a different standard than she holds herself.

Great chapter! Wow! What an eye opener!! Never pegged Joyce for starting an affair. Looking forward to the next update!

While it is wrong and not trusting for William to check up on her....what is he supposed to do,he is in an incredible limbo with her where he doesen't know where he stands or where he's going..and he can't ask for anything because she has already said if SHE'S uncomfortable, she won't do anything asked, while he is uncomfortable and trying to be patient and doing everything asked of him. I can see how he would come to this.

The end result wil hopefully not be William on his knees begging for forgiveness and the wrong solely placed on him....this is a two party relationship and she has not made this easy either.

Tough chapter but a good one.

yes, but she has not let him into her world, has kept him distant from her....yes asking about him, but seems to be avoidiing talking about her, and how she feeling other then telling him he overwhelms her. Yes, he went to check on her, for he feels he is losing her for she does not let him in her world, be with her and her friends....almost like she is hiding him.....I guess I just see that as being a bit selfish....but then again I'm just going by how it reads to me....and I will admit, it's not always the same as it will read to others. Plus I'm biased and admit it......you've made William the perfect man any woman would have to smack herself if she let him get away......I guess I can see William's part more then Buffy's since been there done that. love isn't hard, it's the staying in love that is the hard work, that is once you realize it is love......and not just an attraction or something you can't put a name for it is the love that scares and overwhelms you to the point you lose focus and sight of what is right in front of your face.......LOVE YA

Buffy's reaction to William's jealous confrontation at the club was in character, and so was the breakup. You're doing a good job writing the strained aftermath. Buffy's mother and father are certainly being emotionally available. The truth finally comes out about her father's affair, and the revelation about Joyce was a huge surprise.

How are the heartache and separation going to bring them back to one another? I'm looking forward to finding out. Happy New Year!

Author's Response: Thank you; Happy New Year to you as well!

Well, maybe she should take a page out of their little chapter of lonely marriage.......IT takes two to make it work and not just one side giving......it needs to be a two way street......and It's been one way Buffy for far too long........it's time she realized she is a part of the relationship melt down between her and William, just as much if not more in a way....since she's been asking for things to be done her way and never really asking what she could do to make the relationship grow.....it's all been about HER....and HER needs....Love is only has hard as you make it.....and I do question if she does love him....like and attracted I get, but not love. I wished William had stayed away and gave her time to find out what it means not to have him in her life.......might even be a good time for him to take a vacation.......LOL....he can come to my house.

Author's Response: I don't see Buffy as being completely selfish here, she wanted a break, but she still wanted to spend time getting to know him. She didn't want to end things completely because the idea of that upset her. She just needed to gather her head while William was full steam ahead. She's young and inexperienced. She doesn't want to half ass anything or hurt William intentionally. The course of true love never does run smooth. She has given to him; she wanted to experience his world, she immersed herself in it, wanting to be part of him and learn who he is. I see that as being very giving. And he was checking up on her. Which, I agree with Buffy here, I would NOT like that at all. And he knew he was in the wrong for doing it.

I'm relieved that this finally happened. Actually I am probably was the only one hoping for a breakup. I think they both need it. Especially Buffy to realize what she actually has in William. Yes, it was pretty possessive of him to go all caveman like that, but I think clearly the circumstances led him to that. Anybody could go crazy with doubt. Can't wait for the next chapter!

Author's Response: Thank you :) I thought they needed to break up too. Happy New Year!

Again the circumstances you depict in this chapter ring sooo true (bit of an age difference in my marriage also) - master stroke! It's still early in the relationship however so it needn't doom them completely - depending on how they deal with things when they've both had a chance to cool off and tend their wounded egos ~crosses her fingers and prays the angels of their better natures will be in attendance~. Here's hoping they'll be able to consider the other's viewpoint when the dust settles, and that nobody does anything that can't be forgiven (out of sheer frustration or anger maybe) in the interim. Great update and wishing you a safe and happy holiday season 8-)

Author's Response: Thank you :) I find it very interesting to hear someone's perspective on the situation who has an age difference in their relationship/marriage. It helps to know I'm depicting it right. Happy New Year!!

no, why do you have to do that? i don't want them to break up. make it better.

Author's Response: lol Happy New Year!

Well hello CAVEMAN Spike.. Things were so perfect on their date..I hate that it all was for nothing.
On the flip side...Poor Spike just loves her so much..he could't help but get jealous..Guess we'll see where you take us after this fiasco. *Broke up Buffy and William BAD*
lol

Author's Response: lol thank you.

Great and sad chapter! I understand how William is frustrated over the situation. But Buffy was only dancing! Please update soon!

Author's Response: Thank you, Happy New Year!