Hello everyone. :)

Due to the fact that I've received multiple messages recently - many of them not particularly kind - I have decided to give you an explanation as to why I've not updated this story as of late.

I'd like to say that I primarily started writing this story for myself. I fully believe that part of its success is because I started writing whilst I was in a good place. I'm amazed by how many people are interested in it, like it, follow it, review it - and I'm so thankful for all of this - but that is definitely not why I started writing. I'm not a writer. I'm not a great writer, and will probably never be a great writer. But that's okay, because I write for myself, which means that I'll never be able to write to a schedule. It's just a very small hobby of mine. I'm sorry. I enjoy reading much more than I enjoy writing and I'm surprised I've got this far in the first place.

I suppose I best provide an explanation though, because that's what people are asking for. In the last year, my life has totally flipped upside down. I haven't been happy for a while. My long-term relationship ended suddenly and incredibly badly, I have been in and out of medical treatment, I've started and dropped out and started university again, I'm working a full time job sixty five hours a week, I've moved out and moved home again and moved cities three times, I live in a town where I have no friends outside of work - I just haven't had time to sit down and write, and I haven't had time to write to a standard that means I'm satisfied to share it on the internet. I haven't followed the Vampire Diaries for a long time. It's difficult to write about something that doesn't inspire you anymore especially when you're not in the right mindset. I'm not going to give up on this story because I'm proud of what I've written so far, but when you have to force your way though something it takes the fun out of it and the last chapter I posted was a bloody nightmare to write. I'm not sure if anyone's noticed, but I have been editing/rewriting chapters previously uploaded because I want to get into it again.

Now, I love constructive criticism. I really do. However, there's no need to bash me for not updating fanfiction, because I don't write to make others happy. I have responded and spoken to many of you through my PMs, and I'm glad that many of the questions I've been asked have been put to bed.

To 'Guest' in particular - thank you for keeping up with my story, and thank you for following for so long. Unfortunately, I can't respond to anyone who doesn't leave me any way to contact them, and I hate chapter long authors notes. I've already said that I can't reply to anyone who's anonymous. I apologise for disappointing you.

This story is not up for adoption. It will never be up for adoption. I'm not sure why that's even a question. At the end of the day, I owe nobody on the internet anything. If you choose not to follow my story anymore because I don't update regularly enough, then that's absolutely fine.

But! To end on a positive note, for the most part, you've all been incredibly lovely and many of you have been very understanding about the fact that life takes priority. Thank you so much for the lovely messages I have received amongst the shit, because it's so helpful when you're feeling down that someone genuinely cares about your wellbeing. I am in a very selfish place right now out of necessity, and I'm sorry. But I really appreciate all of the positive vibes from you all, and hopefully I'll have an update for you soon. Life is finally starting to settle down.