I'm here seated and trying to breathe as normally and calmly as I can muster. this was quite a feat of adventure, pain, heartache, frustration, hopefulness and intense giddiness and pleasure. oh the pleasure of it all. I've read the sequel first unintentionally. I would have found it another daunting task to see that this prequel ran for 145 chapters. But having read the sequel, I only found 145 even more thrilling anticipation to which I'm not the least bit weary. this is like a warm blanket over the coolness of the sheets of the sequel. I feel utterly complete...almost... because now I feel I should read the sequel again. how can I deny my need for continuity? I don't think I can. thank you. I feel so spoiled and lucky to have read this marvelous writing. you are a treasure.

Gwen bringing the tray can be seen in a deleted-scenes compilation on YouTube. I would cheerfully commit mayhem for a restored/re-edited extended version of DA!

I am really enjoying these, and this one in particular. I, too, would have liked to see more of Mama B!

How great! I'm so glad I still have the sequel to read, thank you so much for this.

Excellent last line.

It looks like I didn't review this chapter the first time around. I can't imagine why. I'd have LOVED to see this scene on screen. I adore RoBates and would have killed for this scene. Robert must have been so happy. And I always imagine he would have teased Bates just a bit too.

I’m currently watching this episode.

I so love this taking us through their time to this point! Such a strong love they have and slow getting there but well worth the wait. Love the bromance parts too! I will def reread this again and again :) thank you for writing it

I love this story :) we missed so many details on the show...luckily the actors were so good you could pick up on it without explanation. But it is so nice to get more glimpses of it here.

Gaghhhhhhhhhhh, I have my own butterflies!

This was completely beautiful.

Gosh I know I'm late in reviewing this. I've read the first 100 chapters or so multiple times but life always got in the way...so I've finally made my way through the whole thing, and what a wonderful journey it was! You're such a brilliant writer and this was completely and utterly perfect.

Just read through. That was absolutely wonderful! Thank you for including the scenes that existed in the show as well. Many of these between the scenes type stories do not often include the scenes that are canon, so they often have a feeling of being incomplete. Such lovey writing, such perfect dialogue. Off to read the next story!

One review at the end of an all-encompassing, perfectly nuanced work of art is woefully inadequate, especially given how much I thoroughly enjoyed it. But I was so caught up in it as I read - during every chance I got over the past week - that I found myself eagerly clicking on to the next chapter until, before I knew it, I was at the end. Still, I want to say something. So:

Thank you! Thanks so much for all the time and care you obviously devoted to this wonderfully written story, and for sharing it all with us. I've loved every bit of it, and have come away with a whole new appreciation for such a great couple.

The best part about finding this after it's completed? I can just move right along to the next installment. (And I have!) :)

If only this was the end! A wonderful place to finish this, with their hope for the future. I loved seeing the marked change in John's restraint in this chapter. Matches wonderfully with his behaviour during 3.8, and the flashes of it that we saw in episodes 3.1 and 3.2.

On to the sequel! I'm sure it will be trying because the whole prison thing was incredibly frustrating at times, but I'm sure you will give us some wonderful moments and a satisfying reunion at the end of it. :)