Okay now that I have had a chance to read this and not just skim it at work haha. I liked how you tied Lauren into it and how it was ambiguous at the beginning who he had bumped into and how you revealed that it was Peggy. Sad that it didn't work out for them, but it's nice that they're both happy! I think it was interesting especially because they were able to work through so many issues before, but that doesn't always mean that everything will be fixable in the future and it doesn't guarantee that a relationship can withstand anything. In that respect I thought this was very real. You know how much I adored 30 Days, I thought this was a great continuation and fit very well with the original story. Well done, my friend! :)

Oooh this is getting intense, and quickly. Poor Howie, and of course poor Holden and Leigh. I love the little nods you have in here to the awkwardness between him and Nick, how Nick would go out once he found out Howie wasn't going, and how Howie was grateful for his concern. Looking forward to more! Also - I had assumed the first bit was Nick narrating with Howie having committed (attempted?) suicide, but now I realise that it's ambiguous and I'm more leaning towards it being Nick because it's easier for me to see Nick doing something like that. Anyway.. speculation! Loving this! :o)

Author's Response: Thanks!! I had fun with the awkwardness between Nick and Howie. I love what you said about the prologue being ambiguous. I originally wrote it with names, then took the names out that way in hopes you wouldn't be able to tell who was narrating for sure, so I'm glad I changed it. I like it better that way. Thanks again, and glad you're enjoying it so far!

"What this means is that it takes advantage of people who have their guard down – people with weakened immune systems" That was when I knew for sure, and that was when I actually gasped.

Picture at the end is amaze. Can't wait to see where this goes. Poor Holden, Poor Leigh...Poor Nick! Poor Howie, I guess LOL.

I don't have much else to say other than that was completely shocking and unexpected. I assumed that Holden was going to die, I never assumed it be in this way or have impacts like this. Enjoyed this chapter a lot and eagerly looking forward to the next!

Author's Response: I love that you gasped! I figured people might start to catch on at about the point you posted, but I knew no one would see it coming before that, so I'm glad you were shocked! This is where my mind took the whole "slash" challenge. It started out as kind of a joke, but you know how my joke ideas have a tendency to turn into real stories. LOL I'm glad you liked it and are looking forward to more. Thanks, Steph!!

I love this story an unhealthy amount.

Anyhoo, sticking to my theory that Nick had it first and is the one who gave it to Howie, who then passed it onto Leigh who passed it onto Holden via breast milk. But we shall see!

Back to this chapter, I thought that Leigh's reaction was completely justified. Actually, if I was her I would have thrown Howie out of the house. What an awful thing for her to have to go through and be completely blind-sighted by. I do feel bad for Howie, but I don't feel as bad as I should? Maybe it's because he's sort of the "villain" at this point in the story. I don't know, but I mostly feel bad for Leigh and Holden and oblivious Nick (despite my theory above lol) Looking forward to seeing what happens next :)

Author's Response: LMAO Thank you!! I'm glad you thought Leigh's reaction was justified. It's hard to know how someone would react in that situation, and Leigh and Howie seem to have a good marriage in real life, but I can't imagine NOT reacting with anger when you find out your husband cheated on you and infected both you and your baby with an incurable disease. Even though he didn't know, he is kind of the "villain" at this point. Thanks for the review!!

Oh my god this was so sad :( Nick finally acknowledging Howie as his partner was so bittersweet - finally Nick has accepted their relationship and it's all ending. I loved how Howie was describing Nick throughout this, that he was just shutting down. But Nick really did come through here. It was nice that Howie chose him to have power of attorney. And the other guys ribbing Nick about it was funny - though I did feel kind of bad for Nick while that was happening. Like he's not going through enough, lol. Howie talking to his kids and to Leigh was sad too. Ugh, just sad all around! And you ended it with such uncertaintly - is this the last thing Howie's ever going to see? I feel like it probably is, considering we've only got one chapter to go. But maybe he'll make a miraculous recovery! Love it.

Oh also, you'll be amused to know that when I was reading yesterday's update my husband asked me what I was reading, so I told him. This morning as we were getting ready for work he casually says to me, "I feel really bad for Howie's wife and kids in that story. I know they're fictional versions, but still." LMAO.

Author's Response: Thanks for the review! Nick did come through - too bad he might be too late. I'm glad you liked the guys ribbing Nick about being Howie's power of attorney; I had to try to get some comic relief in there while I could. The part with Howie talking to his kids made me so sad when I was writing it! OMG, that cracks me up about your husband! LOL!

At first I thought that this chapter was going to end with Nick going to his appointment and finding out he had AIDS. Glad that wasn't the case! It also seems like he's sort of figured himself out. But part of me thinks he's still on the fence and has decided to just go with Howie as the easiest option. Like, he likes him well enough so why not just give it a chance, you know? He did seem a bit more open this time (kissing Howie right away and being way more aggressive than he had been in the past.) But we'll see. Whatever it is, Nick better figure it out because I doubt Howie's making it to the end of the story! I feel like he's the one with AIDS at this point, brought on by his liver failure and all the complications that came with his medication for that.

Oh also, I have to commend you for the sex scene in this chapter! It came off as really tasteful and I think it was important to show their relationship from a physical standpoint right before Howie got sick again. Great work as always.

Author's Response: Can you believe I had the opportunity to give Nick AIDS and didn't do it? Trying to change things up a bit! LOL Thanks so much for the compliment on the sex scene! I wasn't planning on writing one, but thought, like you said, that it was important to show their physical relationship at least once more before the end of the story. I really tried to make it not graphic for the people who don't like slash, so I appreciate you thinking it came across as tasteful. Thanks!!

Hah! Love all the South Park references. Poor Howie, though. Things are really getting bad for him. I'm glad Nick decided to stay with him instead of leaving at the first chance he could. He still seems conflicted but at least he's being less of an ass about it now. And ugh, Howie at the end trying to get Nick to say he loved him back. I get it, he's going through all this rough stuff and he was just hoping for Nick to reciprocate his feelings. But if Nick had said it back I wouldn't have been natural. Good on Nick for just throwing in a Star Wars reference lol because there was really no other way to handle that. I hope if/when Nick does tell Howie he loves him it's sincere and not just because Howie's got all this liver fluid to drain LOL. Great chapter as always.

Author's Response: Thanks! I didn't think I'd be able to get through a whole story about HIV/AIDS without some South Park references, LOL. Nick is still conflicted, but he's stepping up. Him pulling a Han Solo with the "I know" instead of "I love you too" felt very Nick-ish, especially in this situation. Like you said, if and when he does say it, it needs to be sincere. Thanks, Steph!