It's nice to see Tina not freaking out as much when something unscheduled happens!  Looks like she's letting go a little bit and learning that being with Rob requires a certain flexibility - especially when he's making decisions before he's had a chance to speak with her.

Loved the image of them paddleboating out in the lake.  Very serene!  Looking forward to the next chapter to see what sort of plans he has up his sleeve - perhaps something to apologize for jumping to conclusions??

- Ter

Author's Response:

Hey, Terri!  How are you??? I miss you guys... between LOC and RL, I hardly have time to breathe!  I can't wait until Thursday for the Steph and Kris version of Thelma and Louise!  Minus the homicide, of course.  And the suicide.  But if there could be a Rob in place of the Brad... but I digress.

Yes, our Tina is learning to go with the flow a bit, isn't she?  Letting go is part of it, but so is the healing that's finally (FINALLY!) happening.  Sometimes you have to experience some pain to get things to where they need to be.  Both of them had some things to work out, and most importantly, they needed to stop taking all the blame and learn to forgive themselves.  Being with either of them requires some flexibility.  And sometimes it may mean they are apart instead of together.  Getting zen with that is a necessary first step for both of them.

I'm so glad you liked the paddleboating.  That little scene was so rife with symbolism it was disgusting, wasn't it?  The next chapter will be up Friday, so you'll know soon, dearie!  Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!  I really appreciate it, and my Tri-O sisters as well!

Well, firstly I'm scared I'm not going to do such a lovely long, and meaningful chapter any justice as I'm just about dead on my feet. Still haven't recovered from a 16hr working day yesterday.

I'll have to promise to do a much more thorough and deserved review next chapter, but I truly loved how Rob & Tina managed to navigate their way through the awkwardness that ensued after their big fight.

The last section with RJ and Tina automatically reaching for him - it just goes to show that sometimes your instincts transcend your feelings.

Author's Response:

Hi, Rebecca!  You're so sweet!  I'm sorry you're so tired... I've been having a bear of a month in RL at work too, so I feel your pain.  I'll warn you that these last chapters are all kind of dense (hopefully you'll agree that they are dense with wonderfulness, but there's just a lot going on).  They both recognized that they were hauling around some baggage that needed to be dropped.  How refreshing that they did it, huh?

There was a lot of symbolism in the paddleboat scene, and you definitely clued in on it if you saw them navigating their way past the awkwardness.  We can chat about it later if you like, but I think you saw what was going on.

Of course RJ and Tina... once she'd seen Rob with Helen's boys, and realized that she had to forgive herself for everything that went wrong in her life, suddenly that baby wasnt quite so scary any more.  Hopefully her son's memory will not continue to haunt her, although it will always make her sad.  Deep down, she also knew that one of RJ's gifts to her was to help her get past this thing that was holding her back.  For that, she owed him a hug.

Thanks for reading and reviewing, in spite of your exhaustion.  I really appreciate it and you!  See you Friday!

"Receiving no response by the time I was finished brushing my teeth and changing into pajamas, I assumed he was probably on his way.

Getting up the following morning was challenging.  I was trapped.  Rob was pressed behind me, his long arms wrapped tightly around me and one leg draped over my thighs."

For some reason, this part just tugged at my heart. I think maybe it's because it shows just how far these two have come. They moved past the fight over Peter and Tina just seemed so confident (finally) that everything was O.K. when she didn't hear from Rob. Her reward for her faith in him returning as promised was his long lanky body wrapped around her IN BED.....GAH! LOVED the Suzie dialog, especially when she calls Rob Pigpen.  Priceless. The imitation of Mama Dienstag and the birth control pill response gave me a much needed belly laugh after a rather intense day full of RL grown up shizz. Kris, your story and your humor (especially in your chapter and author notes) keep me off the ledge and smiling. Hugs to you, bb.

Author's Response:

Hey, Teresa!  She has sort of found her happy place, hasn't she?  So as hard as the last days have been for her, they really did need to happen.  Closure is really what she needed.  Closure from the baby and from her divorce, and also closure from the terrible things she did early on to push Rob away.  She hadn't forgiven herself and that's just not a solid foundation for a relationship.  The irony of it was that both of them could take shots from each other without a problem.  They couldn't stand to see how much the other person suffered when hurt, though.  Martyrs make good posters but not good lovers, I guess.

He's always been a possessive caveman in his sleep.  I really figured that night of all nights he'd have her wrapped up tight.  I'm glad you liked it.  It really is such a great sign, because it's what they do in their sleep, so it certainly can't have any affectation to it.  He wants her close, which is funny considering how uncomfortable he was sharing a bed at the beginning.  Now he's addicted.

I've been using the Pigpen nickname, but I don't want to assume... if you haven't read Taking Control (and I can't remember if you did or not, I'm sorry!), you should.  You'll find out about the nickname and the AmEx Black card reference, too.  It's a fun six chapter side-shot.  Check it out if you haven't.  It's just humor.

Glad I could give you a belly laugh.  Those two sisters crack me up with regularity.  Honestly, you made my day because the humor is actually so much more important to me than the lemons.  Harder to write, too.  And it takes a sophisticated reader to get some of it.  I'm thrilled you do!  I do like to have fun with the chapter notes - kind of a gift for the people who read them, since not everyone does.

Thanks for your comments and your readership.  I really appreciate it!  Hugs to you, too, bb!

Kris,

..... needless to say "staying in" would have suited me just fine too, god bless his little heart for wanting to surprise her, knowing your writing skill and imagination I'm sure we are all in for a treat.

Let me just say, I love your Suzie..... I had a few minutes in between meetings today, and I remembered when you updated last time that you said new chappie would be up today, so when I looked and saw it I was totally thrilled.

Suzie is a hoot, I love her and want one..... I lol when she said I was going to take his balls too, but figured you'd want them, and I giggle to myself every time she calls him "pigpen".  Just too funny, you have such a wit about you.

One of my favorite Tina lines....wish I'd worn a shirt that said he's at a photo shoot..... and loved shen she told him, 'we dumped all that shit in he Lake".... she is really coming into her own in this relationship, so so glad u didn't make her wallow in all that happened.

Also loved that he got to relax and play "football" with the boys, and how she got a glimpse of what he might have been like as a boy, and is more and more thinking it might not be such a bad idea to think about having a family with him... at least I'd like to think she's thinking that way.... she so deserves it, I love how she interacts with Frannie, when the princess is with her, she's a great mom.   Til next time, please keep them coming , so look forward to all your updates..... Fondly, Ang

Author's Response:

Oh, Ang, I just want to give you a hug, buy you a drink, and say "thank you, thank you!"  I can at least do the last... Thank you so much for your kind words.  I so wish I had a Suzie.  Always wanted a little sis, especially if she could be all kinds of awesome like Tina's Suzie.  I'm assuming you've read Taking Control - the origin of the Pigpen nickname - and really the place where we get all kinds of wonderful Suzie-ness.  If you haven't, run over now.  It's only six chapters - a little novella birthday fic gift for my wonderful beta, LightStarDusting who is the closest thing I have to a Suzie - and it's really fun.  I'm glad you enjoy my warped sense of humor.  I honestly care more about the humor than the lemons.  Not that I don't enjoy lemons, but I find funny is harder to write and much less common.

The funny thing about Tina is that she doesn't tend to "evolve" to places slowly.  She jumps tracks.  So when she hits a tipping point like she just did and then decides to change, she just does it.  Nothing slow about it.  Like flipping a switch.  Lordy if it doesnt take her an eternity to get there, but once she does - boom.

I also loved the soccer/football thing, and even more so the chat with Helen while she looked on.  Helen was certainly an enigma.  Tina has no idea the effect she has on people, helping them to be more confident in themselves.  She doesn't see how she's done that with Rob, so she can't understand these little backslides that he has every once in a while.

I'm glad you see her as a great mom.  Too often in fanfic (and some fiction) the kid is just a prop, and there's nothing about how hard it is to really be a parent, particularly if it's not the focus of the story.  I wanted her motherhood to be realistic.  I think Rob really was there for Frannie when her parents were divorcing, and she has a special bond with him because he made sure she remained a kid during that time, but her relationship with Tina mattered to me a lot.  Thank you for that.

The next chapter will hopefully be to you before the end of the week.  It all depends on ComicCon.  Cross your fingers.  Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Looking forwar dto finding out what Rob has planned.  I hope they are serious about communicating better.

Author's Response:

These two are cerainly - and finally - getting serious.  Quite a wake-up call they had, huh?  Neither of them really appreciated how vulnerable they were to the other one's pain.  They knew they could hurt each other because they'd done it in the past, but they'd never really had to witness the aftermath of that pain.  Until now.  It nearly broke them.  But it opened their eyes, too.  Because they are each quick to forgive others, but not quite so forgiving of themselves, and when you're in a relationship, especially one as complicated as theirs, you have to let yourself screw up every once in a while, as long as the other person has forgiven you for it.  Tough lesson to learn, but I think they got it.  Do you?

Hmmm... what could Rob have up his sleeve?  I guess we'll just have to wait and see.  Not too long, though.  I hope you have it by the end of the week!  I'm putting it in the queue tomorrow.

Thanks for reading and reviewing!

This was a really good chapter. They basically resolved their differences respecting each other and moving forward, which is really fundamental. Could Rob be planning a proposal? Gah! I really want to know :). I have felt throughout the story that Rob was always convinced that he wanted more and it was Tina who was holding things back. Getting through this hurdle might have shown Rob what he really wants... I don't know I am always wrong when I guess what is coming next in my favorite stories. Anyway I really like d the Uno game and Jason seems to be a very nice guy. Thank you!

I think my favorite line was "That vampire guy is your boyfriend, right? " 

hehehe

Author's Response:

Hey, Catalina!  I'm glad you liked the chapter.  They know they still have issues, but they've finally let each other in - they saw how much they were capable of hurting each other.  First they pulled back completely and tiptoed around each other, but now they realize that they really haven't forgiven themselves.  Both are always quick to forgive the other one, but never let themselves off the hook.  That martyr thing may seem good, but in the end it's really pretty toxic.

Rob's got plans, and you won't have long to wait before you see what they are.  Regarding who wanted more and when... I think there's been a bit of an ebb and flow.  Since Rob had the overall plan for longer, he had more time to venture down that path.  But she has been there as well.  And you're right.  They are starting to realize what they really want.  Jason is just a loveable sweet guy who loves his Suzie.  Her manic nature doesn't scare him because he's really just living in the moment.  He makes the best of every situation, just like Suzie (only with less OCD).

Lucas is funny, isn't he?  I'm so glad you liked that line.  I know it was kind of a throwaway, but I loved it too!  Thanks so much for reading and reviewing (and telling me your favorite lines!).  *mwah*

Haven't got a clue. She's an idiot, for sure. But I'm sure he has a plan.

Author's Response:

We do have to put our faith in him, don't we?  Because she still clearly has issues.  The girl was seriously broken, and no matter how incredible the magic peen may be, it isn't going to cure all the fucked-upedness that she has going on in three weeks.  Sad, but true.  Good thing he's stubborn.

I don't know, I would probably be thinking the same way Rob did. Knowing Peter wanted her and here he is holding her and she letting him. Then she takes forever to come back and they both walk into the reception at the same time just freshly showered. Yeah  Tina would had a field day with that one if the shoes would have been on the other foot.. I'm glad how you left it though, I didn't want them to walk out on each other, they have been through too much and come too far to start that again.  I am glad Suzie is there, she is good for them both. I hope Tina takes her mother's advice and opens up to Rob and let him in because she hasn't done that yet. Well I'm rambling now and you've just updated talk to you after!!!

Author's Response:

You have to admit, the "evidence" is kind of compelling.  Circumstantial but persuasive.  You're absolutely right about Tina and how she would have handled all of that.  So the fact that they fought is really tragic, because it's a house of cards.  If either of them had simply talked it out, they would have understood.  But maybe it's a good thing (as long as Suzie is there to be the goalie and keeps throwing the ball back in play!), since they finally have some idea of how much they can hurt each other.  The vulnerability they have with each other is telling them something, and maybe now they'll listen.

I can't wait to hear what you think about the update.  Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

I wasn't expecting this to come up so early in the day - I happened to be on fan fiction for another category and checked other before I left - believe it or not - I am eating a turkey sandwich (from the deli but still turkey).   I read the author notes and started laughing.

Author's Response:

Hey, Ruth!  I have a new validation beta and she's really prompt (isn't MsKathy fab?).  Sweek was great, too, but she generally couldn't get to the queue until late.  MsKathy gave me a choice.

The turkey connection - powerful mojo, isn't it?  I hope your turkey was moist.  Of course, deli turkey usually is.  And now I know how to make roast turkey that's as moist as deli turkey, thanks to Alton Brown.

You know I love to make you laugh in the author's notes, and it makes me happy that you read them.  That's kind of my little gift to the wonderful people that do - changing them up every chapter just to keep them entertaining.

Thanks for reading and reviewing!  Are you ready for this heat wave to end so it's not hot as the surface of the sun anymore?  I know I am!  See you in the updates on Friday!

Of course not, I'd probably faint if I was that close to him.

Author's Response:

I'm building up an immunity slowly.  I stood near Sam.  Now I've spoken to Bobby.  Maybe in another 6 months I'll have worked my way up to being in his presence.  Who knows?  One can only hope.  I used to work in theatre and I got really good at the feigned indifference thing.  My biggest fear is that I'd just totally ignore him and then he'd be gone and I'd have missed my chance to say hello and tell him I appreciate him.  True story - I'm a huge George Will fan (of his writing, not his politics) and I went to a restaurant in DC one day and he was two tables away from me.  I was so busy being cavalier and indifferent that the entire meal passed with me saying nothing, and I missed him completely.  I also had an actor for a next door neighbor, and I was so busy being cool and nonchalant that in almost three years, I never asked him about how it was to work with any of the many, many actors he knew.  Jerry Orbach was such a favorite of mine, and my friend did a bunch of Law and Orders, and I never said a word.  Fortunately my hubs did, so I got the stories eventually, but I would have preferred to hear it directly from my neighbor.  Sad me.

Anyway, I just saw that you're almost caught up!  Homeward Bound already.  You go, girl!

I love Rob and I don't even know him. It's not that hard to do. He is extremely lovable. Just sayin'

Author's Response:

He is, isn't he, Kathy?  *sigh*  And the idea of him doing anything "properly" just warms my... heart.  That's right, my heart.  That's all I'm sayin'!  You're really moving along in the story - thanks so much for reading and reviewing!  I hope you're taking time to eat and sleep and bathe and stuff.  I'd feel terrible if you were skipping important stuff for me.  Not that I don't appreciate it, but you should rest.  I'll be here.

I appreciate you!  Thanks again!

WHOA...that was intense, bb. In reality, though, it was a classic case of bad days for two people colliding with misinterpretations and jumping to conclusions. Haven't we ALL been there and done that? I think these two handled it well so far, though, but all I can say is thank God for Suzie Q. I have missed that woman and YES...everyone needs someone like that in their life. Just so you know.....I'm all into Need to Escape and On the Threshold, thanks to your recommendations. I consider these stories my methadone since I'm going to have to withdraw from LOC soon. But never fear....I always go back and re-read my favorites. Looking forward to the next update!  Hugs to you! 

Author's Response:

I tried to not leave it as too much of a cliffie, but lots of people seem to think things are still up in the air.  You are so right about the perfect storm of bad days, Teresa.  I'm writing Rob's POV on this chapter as an outtake so people can really understand.  He's not going to tell her a whole lot about his day because he doesn't want it to sound like he's making excuses.  *sigh*  It's all very difficult.  But this was certainly a tipping point for them.  Neither of them really understood how invested the other one is in their happiness.  So they had their explosion and said their terrible things... and usually that would be followed by hanging up the phone or closing the email.  This time, they had to stick around and watch how the other person was effected.  He broke her... and that broke him.  She saw the true, unraveled, raw Rob.  Saw his pain and finally realized that he was just as confused as she was.  He wasn't trying to control her... he was struggling just to control his own life.

Suzie Q is just a rock star in my opinion.  Tina sees everything in life as a chess match.  Suzie turns everything into checkers.  So much easier when things are simplified.  I adore her.  And her presence at that moment was so critical to helping Tina see what was right there in front of her.  Yay for Suzie!

I'm so glad you're enjoying NTE and OTT.  Steph is my amazing ET (evil twin) and I love her stories.  Fortunately, they're really long, so you'll have lots to distract me as LOC comes to a close.  I am so grateful for your readership and your reviews.  I'll see you again Monday!