Noooooo! He never changed back?!

I signed out so I could comment again. I’m a dirty cheater and I know it.

Did Neal revert to his adult self, or did he stay a 3-year-old? I’m so confused.

This is sweet. Little Neal was adorable and Peter and Elizabeth were the best parents. Imagine suddenly having that responsibility? Without a plan? It was hard to see Neal scared of the police and having nightmares. I loved his day with Diana. I don’t know if you are still involved, this was written a long time ago, but I wanted to say something in a review. Thanks for writing, I enjoyed this.

I love it. Can't wait to read the next chapters!

Awesome!

This story is a true gem. I wanted to review each chapter individually, but I couldn't stop reading "

I love how you use songs...and how you explained Neal's troubles and reactions.

Glad Diana, Jones and Hughes know. June too. I missed her a lot. If there's a follow up story, will she be babysitting him?

I felt similar to Peter when Neal talked about how his father talked down on him for loving art... I hate that guy so much. Hated him on the show too, when he broke Neal's heart (and forced him into a desparate gamble to get Peter free, which put him into Hagen's hands)...gosh, that broken, lost expression. *cry*

Poor toddler Neal seems as much a trouble magnet as his older aldut self. The various injuries and scares he had...wow. And then his confusion over what Peter felt for him- poor boy.
That polar bear Mario was a nice thought and it made me laugh remembering Neal teasing Peter about his beard (seriously though, the beard was awful, IMO).

The zoo outing was great as well, though I wish it had been somewhere else. I don't like zoos (animal cruelty, IMO), sorry.

I loved the many bonding moments and Neal learning to play baseball from Peter. Most satisfying was the both of them having fun doing it.

In general, the park outings were my favourite outings.

This last chapter brought me to tears (happy ones!). That letter is beautiful and so loving and honest and the idea with the photobook is awesome. You were very skillful in making it ambigous until the very end whether Neal had changed back or not. I love that he didn't. I mean, yeah, I do miss adult Neal, but people would never have allowed him to forget and truly heal from his past. This Neal can now grow up in a loving home and grow up right. He has a chance to heal, a beautiful second chance.
And best of all- he has an amazing father and mother at his side. Ok, no, the best thing is Neal having been adopted by El and Peter and calling Peter "Daddy".

Lovely idea there at the end. I would love that very much. I think you've already started the sequel, did you?

Thank you so much for this beautiful story.

Argh, those damn Marshalls. Now poor Neal is spooked into thinking they'll take him away from El and Peter if he ever leaves the house... dammit...

Aww, poor Neal...he's sick. It was bound to happen at some point.

I know the story is already finished, but I'll still add my two cents here. While I miss adult Neal dearly, I think Neal should remain a child. It would give him a chance to heal from his past and also allow him a real second chance to do things right.

Because from what we had in the show, while Neal worked his butt off, genuinely wanting to drop the life of crime and just being accepted, both the "good" and the bad side wouldn't leave him alone. They kept lording Neal's past over his head and didn't give him a chance. They refused to believe Neal could change and that he deserved to be free. Kept insisting he was a criminal and that's all he'd ever be. Worst of all of course, was Peter's inexplicable 180 in season five. After working with Neal for four years, he should know the kid was being genuine in his wish to reform. Not only that. Neal did reform. He earned his freedom twice over and season 4 Peter recognized that. Season 5 and 6 Peter reverted to the narrow-minded view of "Neal Caffrey is a criminal that cannot be trusted and he'll never be any different" and treated Neal abysmally. The one person that should have remained at his side, that Neal thought would never abandon him, did. Sorry. Still smarting about that...

Poor Neal. But Petew (so cute, Neal calling him that) is right- it wasn't El's fault. Yeah, she should probably have been more aware of Neal, but she's a first time mom without any prior experiences. She's bound to make mistakes. She and Petew both are.

I loved the goofing off in the kitchen.

That poor pizza delivery guy though... Haha.

Aww, what an endearing thing to do, drawing that crayon picture. And Peter almost destroyed it- bad Pete, bad...*waggles finger in admonishment*
He does tend to react rather harshly, even overreact, whenever he thinks Neal has done something...even if Neal HASN'T done anything. *grumble*

I pray that Peter's nightmare never comes true. Nor Neal's.

...poor Neal. He's completely helpless now. Or is he?

Aww, poor baby Neal. How did he change and why? He's very cute and endearing though. Awkward Peter was great :)

Thank you.

Very cute story

Loved The story!

the last chapter! sooo much loooveee!

HAHAHA THIS IS HILARIOUS