ChubbyCheeks65

I don't have wildone's hesitation. Jackie is a BITCH with a giant B. I have to go back and reread the early chapters because I never saw this kind of reaction from her coming. His father's reaction was not surprising. Mark knew what to expect from him but this Jackie thing has to have crushed him. Clearly she wanted to hurt him. I hope her husband lets her have it but I don't think it will matter to her one way or the other. Grief can make people do some strange things but I don't think this has anything to do with Jackie's grief over their mother. So glad that Gary and Diane are there for him.

Another great chapter. Do I sense a little insecurity in Marcus when it comes to the smokin' hot dancer? I hope that Marcus' hesitation in agreeing to coffee and then his overly enthusiastic lovemaking are not signs that trouble - real or imagined - is on the horizon.

I had such a strong emotionally reaction to chapters 4 & 5. I read them when I got home Thanksgiving night and these guys have been on my mind ever since. My heart is breaking for Noah and Zack and I am SO pissed at Scott. Based on the revelations in these chapters, I think we can figure out at least some of what led to Scott leaving. Grief can make you do all kinds of things and Noah was astute enough to remind Scott that he does not handle grief well. I want to believe that Scott meant his promise when he made it. I really do. But it’s hard when he left without even a goodbye. When he took off after Steve’s death, he did not leave behind a grieving husband and son. To disappear the way he did was the ultimate act of selfishness and cowardice!! So while part of me is still hoping for a Scott/Noah reconciliation, I will totally understand if Noah can't forgive him. I don't think I could in his place. And I don’t know how he will ever be able to make things up to Zack. They both deserve better treatment than they got from Scott. I don’t hate Scott but the idea of Noah with someone else doesn’t feel as awful as it did when you first introduced Mike into the story. Great chapters, Fitz. You have created characters that I feel strongly about and a story that keeps me hooked. As always, I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next installment. Lynette

At the end of the last chapter I thought Noah was going to find Scott when he rushed into Tom's office without knocking. I'm not sure if I'm disappointed or relieved that he didn't. I guess the part of me that needs answers wanted him to be there but the part that doesn't want to see Noah further traumatized is happy he wasn't. I'd rather them see each other in a planned situation not an unexpected one. I'm enjoying the way Noah is filling in the blanks with his daydreaming while the story continues to move forward. I see you've given us a few live changing events that, if things didn't work out, could potentially lead to Scott leaving. Since these events began shortly after getting back from the honeymoon, we'll have to wait to see what exactly happened 6 months ago. My brain is now actively running through a number of different scenarios. I can't wait for the next chapter! Lynette

This is my second time reading this (read it first over at Saber Peak) and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. I loved Darla's snarkyness even more this time. I look forward to seeing what happens with these two. Being the hopeless romantic that I am, I want them to have a HEA along with Noah and Scott. (I know we're not promised that but at this point I refuse to think that Noah and Scott's story will end any other way!) Lynette

Great chapter as always. The way that Noah is telling the story makes complete sense to me. The story keeps moving forward (he-he) but we also get caught up on the last four years. Besides, people and situations change over time so getting a peek into those years may help us understand Scott's reaction to whatever happened 6 months ago. That last sentence left me with a bit of an uh-oh feeling. I think I know what's coming but I'll have to wait and see if I'm right. Lynette .

Oh, Fitz. A great read as always but I had a bad feeling from the moment I starting reading. The Mike reveal still hit me hard. I know that life is not a smooth path of happy ever after but that doesn't stop me from wanting one - especially for characters I've come to love as much as Noah and Scott. I know we are just starting this journey and that you will fill in the needed details as we go. I 'm sure the story will be a good one no matter the outcome but I sure most of us will be pulling for Noah and Scott to be reconciled by the end.

Knowing this was the finally chapter, I found myself tearing up almost as soon as I started reading. So by the time I got to the really emotional stuff, the tears were flowing freely. My heart stopped for a moment when Scott reacted angrily (understandably so) to Noah giving him Steve's ring. I was afraid I was going to have to be pissed at you for throwing us a curve. So glad Scott gave him a chance to explain and didn't let his habit of jumping to conclusions allow him to run away in anger. Whew! Thank you so much for sharing this story. You have a gift for creating both characters and a story line that elicit strong emotions and keep us wanting more. I can't wait for the next chapter of their lives. I think I'm going to go back and re-read this in its completed form while I'm waiting for Moving Forward to begin. Lynette

Another awesome chapter. I think it was great that Noah held his ground about staying home. What couple doesn't benefit from some time away from each other from time to time? I also think it was good for both Zach and Scott to have the experience of traveling without him. And how smart was Scott to make sure he had custody paperwork with him just in case? These days people tend to jump to conclusions first and ask questions later. Being pulled away from Scott for even a brief period of time would have been traumatic for Zach. That professor was a total butt head. It would have taken everything in my power not to call him a few choice names.I think anything that Scott would have done to teach him a lesson ultimately would have backfired so I think it was wise that Noah said no. I was in my 30s when I went back to finish my undergraduate degree so I know the anxiety that goes along with being "old" and in college. I don't think I had any professors that were significantly younger than me but there were definitely quite a few in my peer group. I'm glad I never encountered one with that attitude. He is definitely the kind of professor that end of the semester evaluations are meant to catch. One of the bad things about reading a story while it's in progress is that you have all the time between chapters to think about it and get really attached to the characters. I will be very sad when this story ends next week but look forward to Moving Forward. Lynette

I'm glad that all of the significant people in Scott's life have now had a chance to meet. I had no doubt that everyone would love both Noah and Zach. And you do such a good job writing Zach. From his misused words (appreciable lol) to his 4 year old logic, I love him a little more each chapter. How wonderful it is for him to go from having one trifling mother to having a loving extended family! Yay! Weekly installments! Definitely something to look forward to for the rest of the summer.

You gotta love passion that is so hot that you barely get in the door before the clothes are coming off. And the call from the security guy was funny. I think it's great that Zach got to spend time with Nana and the boys. Hopefully, he'll get many more chances to do so. I can't imagine that he had many opportunities to play with other kids when he lived with that witch of a mother. And a kid can never have too many grandparents to love and spoil him! Nana seems to have the balance of love and limits down pat so I think she'll be a good model for Scott and Noah too. As angry as I was at Will, he really isn't a bad guy. Hopefully he and Jason will be good for each other. I have an idea about where they're going for vacation and if I'm right, Zach will be over the moon. No matter where they end up though, I'm sure they'll make Zach's birthday an event he will always remember. I think visiting with Scott's family will be good for everyone. No way can his mother meet Noah and Zach and not feel better about the situation. And I am so excited that the end of this story will not be the end of their story!! (I'm sure there will be plenty of ups and downs in four years but please, please, please let the family still be intact!!) As precocious as Zach is now, I can't wait to see what he's like once he gets a few years of school under his belt. LOL.

Great chapter! Your song choices for Noah and Scott were perfect for getting the their feelings across to each other. I think Tom got the most therapeutic benefit from the night. How often do you get to repeatedly say "f**y you" to someone who wronged you, in a public place, where it is not only tolerated but applauded! I'm not big on public embarrassment and humiliation but Sarah deserved what she got.

I didn't think you would be cruel enough to break that little boys heart and I'm glad I was right. I would have been devastated if Zack had ended up in foster care. Of course just as soon as I started to relax a little, here comes another potential bombshell. My guess is that it has something to do with Steve's death - it was a murder so maybe the detective was somehow involved in the case. Whatever it is, I just hope that it doesn't throw a wrench into the vacation plans or cause a hurdle in their blossoming relationship.