Now that's what Christmas is all about- I'd like to think Riley could've had a holiday just like this, and he truly did wish Buffy all the happiness she deserved. :) Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for loving Riley and giving him everything he deserves. I always loved him so much and sometimes I felt like I was the only one. He's what Clark Kent would have been if he hadn't had superpowers.

Co-incidentally, I read this while listening to Rascall Flatts "God Bless the Broken Road". Great combo!

This is gorgeous.

This is the sweetest story, with just enough realistic touches to keep it from being cloying. The irritating siblings, the fear that Riley still has for his child (very realistic for a military parent)and the gratitude he still feels towards Buffy. Glad to see Riley having a normal life, in the best sense of the phrase, and to see that Riley and Buffy stayed on good terms. Love it!

Made me smile. Pitch perfect.

Inspired. Lovely, quiet, heartwarming, and with a point.

It's almost a relief to see Riley-to see *anyone* from Sunnydale-with a normal, lovely life.

As always, your grasp of voice, characterization and poignancy are touching. Thank you for this piece.

This is a cute story. I really liked reading it.

Wow. Holy sweetness! You even made me *like* Riley; good job!

Thank you for the Riley love. And nicely in character, and sweet. I must have 'aw'ed about fifteen times.

I also loved the line about the church ladies.

Aww...that's just so...I mean, it made me like Riley...and...so now...I hate you.

No, really. I've spent years hating Riley. You're not allowed to effect that sort of reversal with one fic!

That's great, though. .

Glory be, I'm usually all about the angst in fic, but this just warmed my cynical little heart. I'm another one on the lookout for good Riley fic, and like another commenter said, I could completely hear Marc's voice on this from the beginning. Loved the lines about the church ladies. I have a hard time seeing a happy ending for Riley, so it's nice to have this one to imagine!

Aw this was so sweet! I loved how Riley thought about Buffy and how he wanted her to be happy! He's just perfect *sigh*

Aww... Sweet. I've been looking desperately around for some non-bashin Riley fic. Glad to have found this.

Awe. this so so incredibly sweet. You handled Riley's character really well. I liked it a lot.

OMG. I love this. I know Riley is not the most liked character in the Buffyverse, but I've always been one to go against the norm. It took me a while to warm up to him, considering my B/A heart, but with one smile, he won me over. You've captured some of Riley's most endaring traits in this fic, and I couldn't get that damn smile off my face the entire time I read.
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I love his conversation with Buffy. His concern for her happiness even after everything that transpired between them. Just great.