so tragic but lovely, please update soon!

UGH. I was going to write "happiness is a warm OrangeShipper fic," but it's not warm, it's cold and burning and tragic and exactly what I thought was going to happen on the show. That denial... if he doesn't say it, it's not real, and for them both to finally understand at this terrible juncture what it is they have. GAH. Everything you write... it's just so easy to SEE.

So perhaps "happiness is ANY OrangeShipper fic"... especially one with the promise of M to come. :D

GAH. That was guh, just painful, but exquisite. How is it that you can turn your hand to anything? I think what I enjoyed most was the dialogue and the mannerisms within the conversation, it was so well characterised, particularly of Mary and Matthew as they would have been after Lavinia's death. And what was that... M IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. WHAAAAAAT? OH LORDY LORDY. I am going to assume this is not Mary/Richard M-ness, she doesn't seem to be into that - I'll never understand why not but anyway... enough of my preferences ;P

Gah, the angst. The wonderful, glorious angst. The only way to properly express what was going on in my head when reading this is that my computer was on mute, but I started hearing "An Ideal Marriage" playing as accompaniment. That is how awesome this was and, more importantly, how true to the characters. You hit all the right notes with them (pun not intended) and it feels as if this really is the continuation of series 2 (no cs, onviously).

Much like the way All That is Left still feels like it really could be cannon. Most impressive.

Now I'm just going to crawl into bed and cry at all the feelings this and two other angsty fics have given me tonight.

God, that was intense. I had avoided reading this because frankly I hated that graveyard declaration. It is breaking my heart. Richard, oh so can' t stand him, what a peacock! I find it incredible that she would actually marry him, but for the Pamuk scandal. How women were contained them. Its heartbreaking. But Matthew, had he been more brave and honest, he could have won her. She would have been able to tell him... But he was weak and self absorbed. I hope you find a way for our favorite couple.

This made my heart hurt. It is scary how realistic this is...I'm glad they got it all figured out in canon but I'm excited to see what your resolution to the story is! Thanks for a riveting chapter!

Very good! Pleeeeease let Matthew and Mary end up together!

Going up to M? Hmm I wonder why that could be! ;)

(I AM SORRY. I'm still recovering from CotC. I need to be stopped.)

The thing that really struck me though was the "I love you". Despite them knowing it, and everyone else telling them, they've never actually said it to each other (yet anyway!) and I think that you have definitely created that sense...the nervous anticipation of the verbalisation of what they both know. And also, that bit was ridiculously hot! Angsty passion seems to be working for me at the moment (WHY did I write *THAT*?). It reminds me a lot of Moulin Rouge and when Ewan and Nicole have the secret song (which I am now singing to myself) and it's what they have to remind them that they have each other's love. So, yes, reminded me of that.

I am still so intrigued to see where you take this though, especially if there's only one chapter left... Hmmm...

Wonderful job, as always! :)

Mary has got to escape Richard. She and Matthew can run off. She can run off. Sir Richard can die. But she has got to get the heck away from him. And yes I love this angsty drama. Run Mary run.

Oh, it HURTS, but so GOOD. :( This is just so utterly realistic, which is what makes it so unbearably devastating. :( The missed timing...it's wrenching! Mary contemplating a life at Crawley House that never was. How Matthew thinks Thomas would be on Mary's side (GAH - she's truly all alone). The fact that the only time Mary could've told Matthew, he was in no position to take her (OMG, but Matthew upset at the fact that she told Carlisle and not him...sigh). By far the saddest thing about this fic though is that there's no way out for Mary. As Violet said "marriage is a long business." AHH, but the ending - have those three little words EVER been so heartbreaking? :( This is such a brave and bold look at a horrible "what if" scenario and it's just written impeccably. PLEASE update soon (if I can read through my tears! :( )

Lately I've been so used to reading fluff and happiness and smut that I had forgotten how these two can hurt each others and hurt ME in the process. They have been an angst couple longer than they've been a happy one, after all.

So. I actually loved this conversation, however painful it has been. I loved that Mary was sometimes bitter and angry despite herself - because HE ran away, HE didn't give her a chance, HE closed every door on their future. She doesn't blame him, but it still hurts and now that he's trying to understand why she couldn't break it with Carlisle everything is coming back and she just spats at him. LOVED IT. This scenario could've so easily happened! And it scares me.

OH Matthew when he suspected Richard was hurting her! In that moment, his fury was dark and dangerous, and I loved it...I know it's probably wrong of me, but to see Matthew's countenance change so rapidly...worry and confusion and tenderness toward Mary and then the ghost of rage to protect the woman he loves.

You killed me with the last moments. She wanted to hear him say "I love you" and that was just...heartbreaking. One last time, to treasure it in the years to come, forever in her heart - where Richard cannot take it from her. Oh God. This last kiss...and then one last union. I cannot imagine Mary's life without him, but it'll have to happen. Her child will have blue eyes. :'(

I am really enjoying this - I do hope you update soon.

NO no no no no! Why why why would you end the chapter there? (I mean, I know why, but still). Please update again soon!

It's just so heart breaking, but I do love a good conflict! Great angsty story! Sorry it's taken me so long to review!

God I love this fic! I love that M/M got together FINALLY in the CS but I MISS THE ANGST! There, I said it... so this is perfect :)