Nicely done. Buffy's talk with Annie was well done. Nothing like throwing down the gauntlet with Spike. Of course he could do that position. The book of positions was really interesting.

Author's Response: Hi Bridget! Glad you enjoyed Buffy's talk. I actually think Annie having the basic stuff from Anya, along with the book, kinda helped her cover some things that were just as important and break the ice. Yeah, Spike can resist anything but a dare! heehee! Of course he could do it ... LOL! That book has some really mind boggling suggestions in it - seriously? Does anyone really do some of those things? Maybe Slayers and vampires. LOL! Thanks so much for stopping in! Love hearing from you! -p4s 2011.12.09

The reality of Bess slipping through their fingers and out in the world has really impacted Spike and Buffy, their children no matter how much they love them, ultimately will be on their own one day and the best they can do is to prepare them for whatever the world may throw at them. The talk Buffy had with Annie was therapeutic as well as terrifying for her, the mere idea that Annie may be unprepared for “life experiences” and make the wrong choices is not something Buffy wants to be responsible for. Hard as they may try, their children will not always be sheltered from harsh realities and may have their hearts broken or even put in harm’s way as Annie was when she was abducted. All they can do is be “a safe haven” for their children to come to when they are hurting or are in trouble. Bess doesn’t consider them her “safe haven” and on her journey to face her past human life, she may come to terms with the fact that her previous life is gone and she will have to put it to rest to accept her new chance at a better one with her real parents. Spike may accept the fact that he cannot force Bess to be in their lives but that doesn’t mean he has to like it the best they can do at the moment is to give Bess her space. Spike, Buffy and Bess were tortured by the watchers and the behavior that Bess is exhibiting is her opening up the flood gates of her humanity again. They all have been emotionally scarred and Bess has not had the emotional support of others to fall back on. The love that she has been shown is hard to accept because she has yet to love herself first. Hope she gets to say goodbye to her old family in her heart during her journey to her past and understand that no matter how flawed and patronizing she may view Spike and Buffy, that they are better than not having anyone at all in her life. All her parents were trying to do was to make things “normal” again during all their stress and worrying about finances. Hope that she reflects on her circumstances and even though she felt abandoned and hopeless before, that when it came down to finding about her imprisonment, they dropped everything and left their loved ones behind to rescue her at considerable risk and pain. When all others turn you away, your family will always welcome you back with open arms and hearts. Let Bess know through Billy’s dreams that her family misses her and prays for her safe return. Hope that your muse has “it’s a wonderful life” moment and give us a Christmas miracle to smile about before he goes back to being the Grinch. BTW, the illustrated sex positions were interestingly funny yet curiously sadistic and challenging!




Author's Response: Well crap! I replied and suddenly SR wants me to sign in and lost it all! grrrrr .... Ok, try agan! Hi Vette! LOL! You are very right, Spuffy got a big wake up call and they need to realize that they can't shelter the kids forever, no matter how much they'd like to. They definately need to see that Annie is growing up and treat her that way; easier for Buffy to do than Spike, I'm afraid. She, in particular, will always be 'his little girl' even more than the others I think. I will try to make my muse find some Chirstmas spirit and not be so evil ... but it won't be easy. We will catch up with Bess and see what all she's been through and how she's coping with her journey of discovery, but first a few chapters in SunnyD. I love your reviews, always so in depth and insightful. You are absolutely right, some of those moves (and yes, I picked some of the hardest ones, although there are even more that had me scratching my head .. huh? Is it worth that much work?) in that book of positions are quite challenging! Who does that? Apparently Slayers and Vamps! heehee! Thanks soooo much! Love hearing from you! -p4s 2011.12.09