That was cute at the begin (Spike’s 3 girls) and hot at the end. :-D Looking forward for more. Thanks for this chapter, and thanks too for you’re A/N’s, the summarize of the previous chapters.

*fans her self* OHHHHHH that was just so damn yummy.....Ok that scene with the three women was just touching and full of emotion and tenderness that well most of them did not realize or know much about in their lives. Tara doing Spike's laundry that is fantastic.....I loved how you took the scence of Buffy offering Spike healing blood and not letting it get into some kind of emotional bruhaha of shit...Thank you for that...what needed to be done was done and it was done with love....GODS Niamh you are just compelling and an amazing writer....BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A nice twist on a spoonful of sugar. Think it could catch on.

Oh Nia. The moment between the three girls and Spike in Buffy's bedroom was just so touching. You created yet another moment for Spike that I would pay money to see onscreen. -- “Surrounded by beautiful girls. Must’ve done somethin’ right.” -- I can perfectly see the expression Spike would have on his face while saying this. JM would have loved acting out this moment and given us a piece of perfection. It's such a wonderful moment of family, of belonging. The kind of moment Spike never truly was allowed to have in the Jossverse. Wonderful, lovely moment, but also somewhat bittersweet. *sigh* Sorry, just got a little maudlin for a moment there. The oh, so sexy disrobe and bite scenes after were a wonderful panacea to my melancholy. I particularly enjoyed the "Your fault kitten", and Spike's whispered, "soon, pet." Five little words that undoubtedly had Buffy's heartbeat soaring, blood racing, and thighs clenching. Damn. Now if only I could get JM to record your story using his Spike-voice. The only thing that could make this chapter any sexier would be hearing it from the Big Bad himself. Loved your use of Tara this chapter too. She wasn't front and center, but it still was incredibly enjoyable seeing her fill the nurturing role with Spike and Dawn. It's nice to see a mother presence in that home again. I'm also glad that you didn't allow her to doubt her earlier actions too long. Where Tara truly wants to help in times of need and crisis, Willow seeks to fix. Willow may tell herself and others that she just wants to help, and sometimes that may be the case. Willow often, however, NEEDS to help, whereas Tara WANTS to help. Willow's need to help and fix situations takes precedence often over what others desire. When Buffy died, and even before that, when Tara was "brain sucked" by Glory, Willow's tight reign on control started to crumble. Whenever Willow is faced with an emotional overload, she counterbalances that with a great desire to control the environment around her. She may feel like she's spiraling out of control inside, so she over compensates. Her mother may have instilled, even subconsciously, the value of control of one's emotions. As witnessed in many early episodes of BtVS, Sheila is a woman who is in complete control. She seemed to prize intellect, reason, logic over emotion or feeling. It's possible that Willow was taught, by example and word, that emotional reactions to situations weren't appropriate and that logical reasoning was valued. Willow is naturally a very feeling individual. She feels with her entire body and soul. A natural reaction to stress for her may be seeking control of some kind. Magic gives her an outlet for both her desire for control and her perceived unwanted emotions. I know I'm no therapist, but some healthier coping mechanisms may be in order here. Gosh, did I just go off on a tangent or what? I'm sorry, didn't mean to do that! Anyway...adore this chapter and adore this story! Thank you for putting up with my long-winded musings. I promise to keep a lid on my soap-box meanderings next time! Can't wait to see what happens the morning after!