I am so glad she chose Nick even though I kinda feel bad for Brady... I know he didn't treat Isabelle the way a girlfriend should be treated but it's kinda sad to think that one of his closest friends/one of the only people he hung out with is not there anymore... I'm really glad that Nick and Brady didn't let Isabelle leave the tour because that would of totally affected her and Nick's relationship in a negative way... awesome job like always, can't wait for more!

Author's Response: Yeah, it\'s hard to just completely shut Brady out. It was sad to see him leave, but at the same time I think this gives Izzie and Nick a chance to kind of get to know each other better. I\'m glad you\'re enjoying it! Thanks for reading & reviewing!

Mel! I am like 3 ch. behind which has never happened before, stupid work and school for keeping me busy, but im here now...lol.. As soon as I read the whole wet clothes part i knew some sort of hooking up had to occur...and Yay they finally did! And it was totally awesome from where they did it to the whole situtaion... major props! But they were also different from before, theyve grown... like Nick was very concerned for Alyssa not necessarily in just satisfying her physically but also being there as someone she could talk to... not the Nick we knew in UMS...Alyssa also finally let go and just went with it which I should of seen coming since she so much more confident and stronger in general than in UMS... Im freaking out to see what is going to happen the morning after... are they going to continue with an affair? are they going to tell Sean? So many questions...oh is Alyssa going to be preggers now with Nicks baby? Awesome job as always Mel!

Author's Response: It's okay Thia! It totally happens. School and work have been kicking my ass too, so don't feel so bad. Thank you SOOOO much for the review. I'm really glad that you enjoyed it because it was like one of the most important chapters so far. I'm glad that you notice the changes in Alyssa and Nick because you are dead on in everythng you say. I did a lot of delibrate things to show how much they've both grown in their time apart. I've said many of times I'm REALLY trying to strengthen Alyssa as a character and as the story goes on you'll see her do and say things that you'd never expect her to too. What happens next? You'll have to keep reading, but I can tell you this much. There's going to be a lot of heavy emotional stuff up ahead before they hook up again.

Im so glad Alyssa was finally able to confide in Meg about the whole Nick and baby situation because not only does it help her get it off her chest but it also lets her hear what someone outside of the situation's perpective is. It is about time that her and Nick talk about what theyre going to do, is Nick going to leave Shayla? Is Alyssa really going to really just drop the bomb on Sean from the cheating on him, to the baby not being his, to the fact that she continued seeing Nick while he was overseas? What will theyre families say?There is a lot that is going to happen if they decide to get together! I dont think it should really matter, they can say the hell with everything, as long as they are on the same page and will be there for eachother! Great job!

Author's Response: Yea she did tell Teri, but Teri is a lil more involved in their circle than Meg, so I guess Meg can be more objective. They DEFINITELY need to talk this all out. It is a VERY sticky situation and being together is definitely going to cost both of them a heavy price. They just have to decide if the risks outweigh their happiniess or not.

I am so glad that Alyssa is finally a confident woman(hello, to be able to wear that dress takes some guts) since Nick is a better person as well, they can finally be together, which probaby won't happen since that would be to short of a story... I kinda feel bad that Nick is begining to regret marrying Shayla(even though I'm not her biggest fan, you can't compare being separated by a tour to being separated by a war)but I think this was bound to happen since Nick and Alyssa really love eachother and are meant to be.... I really like Sean!! It's so cute how he stuck by Alyssa through everything and how he protects her, which makes it kinda hard since I'm all for the "Nick and Alyssa team"...there are so many ideas bouncing off in my head as to where the story can be heading... Is there a possibility of an affair between Nick and Alyssa ater Sean is deployed? LOL... awesome job, update soon!

Author's Response: Thank you SO much for the review hun! I've kind of been having doubts about my writing and this story and that's kind of exactly what I needed to hear right now. I'm SOOOO glad that you are beginning to see the change in Alyssa. Yes, the dress was defintely to show that she's a lot more confident right now and I think that Nick definitely is noticing the difference. I'm also REALLY glad that you like Sean. I'm trying to make him a REALLY nice guy overall, but of course he's going to feel threatened by Nick. As to where the story is going to go, you're just going to have to stay tuned, but I have outlined 32 chapters so far and I don't think I'm halfway done so there's definitely going to be a lot of twist and turns. The situation is going to be a complicated one!

I totally agree with Terri, its not selfish if it makes you happy! Its about time that Alyssa starts thinking of what makes HER happy! Im so glad that her Nick FINALLY hooked up again! That was a really good scene, I loved it! I wonder if now theyll finally get together together? Loved it Mel and Im off to read more!

Author's Response: Thanks! I'm so glad that you agree with Teri's philosphy. A lot of people have complained that Alyssa is selfish and I don't mean her to be, but sometimes you really do have to do what makes YOU fee happy and fuck what everone else thinks. As for how together they'll be? Well, it'll still be a slow process, but there is some possibility I suppose.

Awww..this was a really good chapter, I love the way Nick and Alyssa are able to hang out with eachother and talk about spouses, the past and even Alyssa not always giving blowjobs(even though Nick didn't mean to bring it up, LOL), they are more mature now which means they are ready to be together, except for the fact that it may be a bit soon and they are both married, lol! BTW, I was dying of amusement picturing Howie about to beat Nick up, that was a extra touch...ummm not such a good idea to go shopping in L.A. with a married AND famous ex, those damn paparazzi about to stir some trouble I'm guessing...awesome job and can't wait for an update!

Author's Response: Lol I'm glad that you enjoyed the chapter! I was really trying to show the difference between them now versus a few years ago and as you can see Alyssa has definitely learned not to take things so seriously. About the whole Howie beating Nick up thing I did hear that suposedly Howie did take a swing at Nick over something stupid and I just thought that was hilarious so I had to include it somewhere lol. And about the paparazzi well you'll find out... Thanks for the great review!

Hey. it's ok you can vent as much as you want, and don't listen to anyone that doesn't like where your writing is heading, you're an AMAZING writer! I loved UMS and so far ALTOS, it would be kind of dull if you just wrote always-loving stories, because thats not real! I love your writing because it always seems so real and it always has interesting twists that makes them exciting and makes me look foward for an update. This chapter was very interesting because its the first time we see Nick and Shayla have such an intense argument, plus the unveiling of "Nick's and Alyssa affair"... I totally expected Shayla's reaction to be how she reacted but I was actually proud of Nick because he kept calm through most of the argument(except maybe the throwing of the gift to her face, lol)... I'm freaking out for Alyssa because it is bound to get crazy when Sean sees the picture's... Awesome job, can't wait for an update, but don't feel pressure I know it can get crazy busy... so hope my support helps you keep you going/writing!

Author's Response: Thanks a lot! It defintely helps a lot! I actually got a page of the next chapter done, so that's good. I feel like I haven't shown much of Nick and Shayla's relationship so thats what I'm trying to do. Nick handled it well, but what's a fight without Nick getting a lil angsty and throwing something or punching a wall lol. You'll find out Sean's reaction in the next chapter, but he may take it a little better than you expect... This time lol

LOL, Nick actually being celibate, totally unbelivable, but I understand why...Shayla seemed totally suspicious with the comments she has made about accidentally getting preggers. That seemed totally funny to me how Nick turned to A.J for advice, but it does seem that besides Nick, A.J would probably have a lot experience with awkward situations as well. It looks like Nick is starting to think a lot about Alyssa... maybe these pics will bring them "closer"... Awesome job Mel with the chapter and can't wait to see what Nick decides to do about the pictures!

Author's Response: Ha I know its hard to believe that Nick is voluntarily giving up sex, but yea under the circumstances he is a little wary of Shayla right now. I'm so glad you liked the Nick/AJ scene because I had a lot of fun writing it. I've never really written a "guy talk" scene, so it was actually pretty entertaining. AJ just seemed like the perfect person for Nick to go to for advice about the pictures. Next chapter you'll find out if the pictures bring Nick and Alyssa closer.