Date: 07/26/11 09:34 am Title: Epilogue
OMG Rose, tears are rolling down my face and I'm glad I'm home reading this and not in work!
Fantastic story from start to finish. I knew there would be no happy ending to this, but it doesn't make it any easier. But even though he doesn't know who he is, or who anyone else is either, he seems happy enough in his own world. I really felt for Brian when he had to decide to put him in the care home, it was from there that I began to cry. Don't know what else to say, I loved it and you owe me a box of tissues!
Author's Response: I'm glad too! LOL. And yes, there had to be no happy ending, I knew that from the beginning. But you're right, just like with Brian, knowing that doesn't help any. But the best I could do is let still be Nick, even when he doesn't remember. It seems to be the case with some afflicted with this, and I wanted that for him. Brian had the hardest job of them all. How can you do that to your best friend without breaking your own heart? Thank you so much Steph! LOL I'm gonna go broke buying everyone tissues...
Date: 07/26/11 09:03 am Title: Epilogue
Damn you for making me cry! This was one of the best fanfics I have ever read!
Author's Response: Awwww! I'm flattered I did since it means I affected you so much. Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
Date: 07/26/11 08:58 am Title: Epilogue
OMG, you have me literally sobbing now. As in, crying out loud - not even exaggerating. IWITW did it. You're right (or Brian's right); not every story has a happy ending, and this one was soooo sad, yet perfect! Absolutely, angstfully perfect. You did such an amazing job on this story, Rose, from all the anal research you put in to the impeccable way you translated the facts into feeling. The emotional depth of this story is what made it so good - all the way through, I could feel Nick's fear, anger, frustration, and eventual acceptance, just as I could feel the other guys' sadness as they witnessed the progression of his disease. I'm sad to see the story end, but so happy for you!! Congrats on finishing a masterpiece, ZDR!!!
Author's Response: Wow! You know how I love tears :). Totally flattered I got you like that. *hugs* You know I've had the idea of IWITW for a long time, it was just a must. And yeah, not every story has a happy ending, and this story didn't deserve one, it would've ruined it. Thank you so much Julie! That's totally what I wanted to do, was get the emotions across and as real as possible. I'm sad to see this one end, but I feel accomplished. Thank you SO much for all the help too ZDR! You're been totally ZDRATWATS :)
Date: 07/26/11 08:50 am Title: Chapter Forty
Crying now... :'( The beginning of this chapter was totally heartbreaking. What a nice idea, to get the whole Backstreet family together for one last holiday... too bad the Carter Christmas turned into chaos, and it wasn't even Jane's fault! The last scene with the four other guys was so bittersweet, but it really sums up the whole point of this story and works in the title well. LOVE IT!!!
Author's Response: Awwwww! *hands you a tissue* I figured that's something Brian would do, but you know me, I can't let it be too peaceful. I like the irony of a Carter Christmas turning into a mess, but it NOT being Jane's fault this time. I'm glad you liked the last scene with the guys, wasn't sure if it came off cheesy. But to me, like you said, it comes back to the entire theme of the story. Thank you!
Date: 07/26/11 08:45 am Title: Chapter Thirty Nine
Aww... I loved every bit of this chapter! The scene with Nick and Baylee was my favorite. Baylee seems to be handling this with maturity, though I can only imagine how hard it must be to see his "Uncle Nick" forgetting who he is and mistaking him for his father. Very realistic, though. Probably more realistic than the Boys beating NSync's record or Nick being nominated for a Grammy, but hey, wishful thinking is fun! Magic muffin ftw! Reading on, since you went on an updating streak while I was gone all day! No wonder I had so many emails! LOL
Author's Response: Awww thank you ZDR! I love Baylee and Nick and sometimes wish I could've touched on that a little more. But before it ended I really wanted to return to it. And yeah...the sales records and Nick being nominated for Grammy aren't soooo realistic but hey, a girl can dream. I was kinda hoping with the whole "things sell more when an artist dies" could apply to the sales, morbid as that is. LOL yeah see, you're gone all day so my SPP was on overdrive! :)
Date: 07/26/11 04:40 am Title: Epilogue
Awww...what a great story. You really captured Brian and Nick's friendship in this epilogue. I'm sad that this story's over. lol Amazing, amazing job, Rose.
Author's Response: Awwww I love the Nick/Brian bond, and I knew the end I wanted to really showcase that above everything else. If it helps, I'm sad it's over too lol. I'm gonna miss writing it. Thank you so much MA! You've been fantastic with all your feedback :)
Date: 07/26/11 04:24 am Title: Chapter Forty
It's so good that they have decades worth of memories of Nick. That's what's important. :)
Author's Response: Exactly, they can't change what's happening, but they can remember him for how he was. It's what Nick wants, and it'll help them deal. :)
Date: 07/26/11 03:29 am Title: Epilogue
If you could see me now you would see so many tears. Very rarely do any stories effect me this way. It ended like I thought it would. Peacefully and with dignity. Thank you so much for gracing us with such a wonderful story. All I can end with is Perfection.
Marguerite
Author's Response: If I could I'd hand you a box of kleenex lol. And yeah, I've debated about how far to go, but I liked the idea of ending it here a lot. Thanks for all your feedback on this story! And I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
Date: 07/26/11 03:26 am Title: Epilogue
Beautiful way to end it. And I had a big dopey smile on my face about the grammys thru my tears. Sorry to see it end but you did it beautifuly. Great job Rose!
Author's Response: I had to throw that in there, it's a small detail but I needed it dammit lol. Thank you so much!
Date: 07/26/11 03:22 am Title: Chapter Forty
AH dammit you made me cry. This was bittersweet. I cannot imagine letting a friend like Nick go. That would kill me. And yes I used some Kleenex. On to the last part.
Marguerite
Author's Response: I'm sorry! (Sort of...) it wouldn't be easy, which is why Brian was fighting the idea of it so hard. Even when he knew it was for the best. Sadly, this sent him over the edge into making that decision. Thanks!
Date: 07/26/11 03:13 am Title: Introduction
I can't believe I'm saying this.... But I actually cried reading the last chapter. No joke... I had tears running down my face. This story hits home for me. I watched my grandfather at 50 get this disease and by 60 he didn't know who he was never less who his family was but he still remained to us the same man Thank you for writing this story. While it was sad it shows even how precious life is and how people just want to be remember.
Author's Response: Awwww! It sounds horrible but with this story I love hearing that I made people cry, cause I tried so hard to grab at emotions like that. And it lets me know I did. This disease is so tragic, and it really tears everyone up, not just the person afflicted with it. What touched me is that sometimes, some manage to stay the same person, even without everything else. I wanted that for Nick in this story. Thank you so much for this amazing review!
Date: 07/26/11 02:57 am Title: Epilogue
:( that's so sad.....Nick didn't know who Brian was and he didn't know I Want It That Way....I am in tears right now....I know how Brian felt. Its how I felt. Like you mean nothing to them. Great ending Rose...I loved reading this. It helped me cope a lot.
Author's Response: I've had this ending in my head a long time. I knew one of the last things he'd forget (before he started being unable to eat, pee, etc) was IWITW. *hands you a tissue* I'm so flattered I got you to cry. Thank you so much! So happy you enjoyed it as much as you did.
Date: 07/26/11 02:49 am Title: Chapter Forty
I knew Brian was going to make that choice. This story seriously makes me miss my grandmother and remember things...but it doesn't get easier and I know what these guys are going through. I will miss this story. You have helped me a lot.
Author's Response: It was definitely coming. He knew it, but this pushed him over the edge. Awww I don't mean to depress you about real life stuff. I'm gonna miss this story too. Thanks for all your reviews Tracy!
Date: 07/26/11 01:32 am Title: Chapter Thirty Nine
That was a sweet moment between Nick & Baylee. Like old times. I just want Nick to have peace & stability. Keep up the excellent work.
Marguerite
Author's Response: Thanks! And you and the Boys both want that :). Thanks!
Date: 07/26/11 01:25 am Title: Chapter Thirty Nine
My chest tightened up when Baylee asked Brian why...I can't even imagine how an adult would feel watching someone they love going throught that, let alone a CHILD. That was a very sweet scene between Nick and Bay. And I gotta say, my heart did a little leap with the grammy nom thing. Excellent chapter once again! Sorry to hear this one is close to the end...but I can't wait to see how you end it.
Author's Response: Well...a teenager, but yeah I can't even think of how hard that would be for Baylee to do. I mean it's not even for the adults to handle, but Baylee, it gets ten times harder. I love Nick/Bay when I get to showcase them though. Thanks Jen! I'm sad to see it end, but I'm happy about it too.
