I got here at last! What a wonderful involved enthralling Universe you have created!
I'll try to pick out the parts I loved most:
Poor abused Bess & Troy (and who is the Troy picture of? He's goooooorgeous!) and their shared motorbike passion.
The Tara/Willow/Giles family. Well, they couldn't have Spike, so who better to provide the y chromosome?
Buffy's fight for 5 years to put things right, even though she 'lost' so many memories, and her instictive urge to protect all her children.
And to re-invent scrunchies! What genius for you to have this small random change that wasn't fixed so that she could make the family financially secure!
Spike being swallowed and partly digested by a giant pussy. Stupendous!
Giftless!Spike and his ultimate sacrifice to try to make the world better for everyone in both dimensions.
All the Weckerly children - so perfectly characterised.
Gertie!
I'm sure I shall remember many more highlights that stood out, but in such an epic, there were too many to pick out all at once.
Can't wait for the next thrilling instalment of the Unexpected Universe to find out more about this new prophecy.....

Author's Response: Hey All4Spike! Wow! You made it! Even I haven't re-read the whole thing in one go!

I'm so glad you liked Bess. I was really nervous about creating a main character like that from scratch. (Well, I did Annie and the other kids, but I was able to do that over time as they grew - this was BOOM! NEW CHARACTER). I've always wanted one of the kids to be a run-away, but didn't see Annie doing that and my muse didn't want to wait for the next possibility: 'Kenzie. So, Bess got to fill that little wish for my muse as well as give us another superhero in the house.

Troy is based on Troy Polamalu, an American football player - I just gave him those aquamarine eyes and made him an Archeology student.

I *seriously* considered having Spike donate for the Willow/Tara baby, but it would've required some kind of spell like the Monks did to make him alive and it would've been done ... errrr ... au naturale (with Buffy's blessing, of course). But, in the end, I thought Giles deserved a family and Spike had enough kids. I actually still like the idea of Spike donating that way - did you ever watch the movie 'The Big Chill' ? There was a plot like that in that movie and I always just really liked that for some reason. I would have to be with Tara, though - I could see Spike sleeping with Tara, but not with Willow for some reason. Probably TMI for you! :)

When I was writing the alternate world that Hallie's wish had created, I was searching for *something* that would allow Buffy to see that she hadn't actually *reversed* the wish/spell, but simply thwarted it / changed history by 'stepping on the butterfly' when she went back in time. I didn't want it to be some huge thing like - the invention of the automobile or something, but a little something that we take for granted everyday, but really isn't that life-shattering. I have no idea how my muse settled on scrunchies - he just comes up with this stuff and I go along... :) Glad you liked!

LOL! The giant pussy - that's just classic. I too am apparently twelve. heehee!

I totally loved Giftless!Spike. I had a really great time torturing him and letting him once again find his courage and true heart.

I'm so glad you like all the children. They all do have their own quirks and personalities, and will all have their own 'superpowers' of one sort or another. Someone asked for more from Dani, as we haven't concentrated on her too much, so she will be more featured in the next installment.

Ahhhh, Gertie! I wanted a new-age hippie to just drive Spike and Buffy crazy. As I wrote her, I realized that Annie would *love* her - she would represent something spiritual that Annie hadn't had any real exposure to. Gertie will be back later to help Annie with her Keyness and she'll be in SunnyD to drive Spike and Buffy crazy. :)

I actually have the next installment pretty much done and we will find out more about the origin of the Gem and get some advice on how to create another one. We'll be seeing much more of Troy too. The next installment is short and is sort of a lead-in to the real mission to create another Gem for Bess. The only delay I see is that my beta reader has been swamped with RL. Stupid RL! My chapters aren't horrible even unbeta'd, so I may have to post that way if things don't loosen up for her. We'll see. I don't want to make everyone wait too long. I know as a reader, I hate waiting too long between updates.

Thank you soooo much for the re-read and stopping in here to let me know you enjoyed the ride. I don't know if readers really understand how much it means to writers to know that the story is being enjoyed - but it means THE WORLD. So, thank you so much for making my day with this. It really does mean an awful lot to me. {hugs} xoxox

Just caught up with a few chapters. Loved them all, as always. I especially like the chats that Spike and Annie have.

Thank you, thank you for sharing your talent!

Author's Response: Hi IT! Thanks so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story! I also love the chats Spike has with all the kids - he's a good dad and tries to be protective but honest at the same time - not always easy! :) Thanks so much for reading and stopping in! Reviews really do keep my muse inspired! Thanks again!