Always exquisite. You have a real knack for breathing life into the Pretender, an eye for every aspect of writing. I continue to be impressed to have found writing as elegant as yours in fanfic, and of a caliber I'd be apt to associate with the literary greats. Your writing isn't amateurish. In other words you could be writing your own novels. I'd pay to read your writing.

I have zero complaints. This chapter could have been longer but I understand that you are writing for a living now. I saw no typos, I think Cate's warming to Jarod wasn't rushed or delayed. You know these characters well...so well that it's spooky, you have impeccable timing, an innate ability to tell a story and tell it in a way that pulls in the reader and doesn't let go.

The fruit cake was a subtle honorable mention. I like the idea of MP enjoying something that Jarod personally baked for her. You don't have to include past references to the television series. I can tell these characters are MP and Jarod when you write them. A testament to your talent. I appreciated the reference to Lavinia Fontana. I'm happy to see Jarod and MP on friendlier terms and you know already that the kiss was out of this world. I'd like to see Jarod confront Miss Parker about the past abuse. I understand if that doesn't happen.

Until next time.

you are a wordssmith, love your writing ! you arethe reason that i chekin

Please don't ever stop writing. Seriously I love everything you write and how well you write Jarod and MP. Hope you had a great xmas. More please?

Ahh, Mirage! Any piece of writing from you is a Christmas present! Or holiday gift.

Thank you for still writing. Thank you for updating. Above all thank you for the wonderful way you bring Jarod and Miss Parker to life in every fan fiction you write. I love them in this one. The way they just keep enacting the way they were on the show. They way they 'pretend' or at least MP does not tofeel anything. And I'm glad that Cate has finally come around to her father.

Happy holidays and I can't wait to read more in the new year.

By the way I was 're-reading 'Sweet Dreams' the other day and finally got the Eurythmics reference. Better late then never my mind WAS on other aspects of the story! :)

spectacular Mirage! It's nice to see tht someone is staying true to the characters I love so deeply. This wasn't too rushed to me. I think it took you too long to bring them closer but I think it was more special because of the emotinoal connection that you developed the previous chapters. You do right by them so don't worry. Merry Christmas to you!

Too lazy to login pleaze forgive me. I saw no typos. All I could see was wonderful writing. I saw a bleeding bruised sunset, patchwork of colors. Your writing is earthy and raw, acute. I sit here crying like a baby when MP was trying to keep composed. She wasn't trained to be a mother, to feel so much feel it so fast. She didn't want anythign to do with the girl as Jarod said because she felt Cate would be better off for some reason and then she fell in love with the child with being the mother and the love is painful. Love is painful even loving a child.

It's like watching water go pass me in the river the way you write, it's so natural and that kiss was the most beautiful kiss I've ever read or seen and it might have something to do with it coming in a moment of real pain and anguish. I'm shocked to read this to read how well you know these characters. Liked the fruitcake mention and quinoi you make me hungry Mirage! You have Italian, Latin and French in your fiction with English. Its too nice! Thank you for this. You are truly talented and last years xmas fic was the best one I've read so don't be mean to yourself. Pleaze don't let Parker marry Xander.

The Return has become my favorite series of all time! I've read your two new updates three times already and I keep refreshing the page in hopes that you'll have updated again. I need more woman! Write, write, write! Hurry.

Why aren't you writing the pretender novels? You should be!

God I LOVE THIS! More!

dont stop i love it

"Mario's tunnel" bahaha. Miss P's wit is in great form. Finally Nia leaves! I feel sorry for her. I always thought that Jarod pitied her felt bad for leaving her after having sex with her. I loved the inclusion of the caulbearer. It sheds some light on her 'inner nonsense' as you say. Thank you for helping me make heads or tails out of season 4. I'm a gardener so of course I love the secret garden. Your descriptive work is so exquisite. It's beautiful. Incredible writing as always..."Parker turned to stare out at the darkness, to see anything except Jarod's face, and disengage, withdraw, hide in silence."

Exquisite. It's a treat to see a humble Miss Parker. She is offering him tea this time! I had to read that sentence a dozen times to make sure I was reading it correctly. Like Jarod, I was concerned about the cup's contents. Don't shoot. I'm kidding.

I prefer it when Miss Parker comes to Jarod this way. You are making an effort to keep him in check and doing a darn wonderful job.

Will Miss Parker tell Jarod about the abuse she suffered as a child now that they are on friendly terms again? I think she should talk to someone. Your body of work doesn't include a conversation that refers back to abuse that occurred during a character's childhood. I'd like to see it written unless you are uncomfortable. It's one of the few topics that you haven't written of. I always believed that something of that nature had occurred to make Ms Parker who she is. It would be nice to see that resolved at last.

The conclusion is telling. Jarod has always delivered those words in the past and each person he helped was receptive to his comfort and found comfort. We see here that Parker remains doubtful of him. An in character Miss Parker to the end. She made an effort to find common ground. She reached out to share grief but she still doesn't trust. Jarod could help her with that too. Something holds her back and she can't trust him completely. Your insights astound me.

I'm impressed as always with your abilities. You write all of the voices accurately, including Jarod's. I continue to be surprised that a woman speaks his voice so well. The only other time besides in Mirage fiction that I've seen the characters fleshed out so well they were on tv.

I impatiently wait for future contributions.

I am crying... I'm overjoyed that I can see and hear the characters. I always want to see and hear Michael and I look for him in ff by other authors and in the first novel. The Pretender lives when I read your fiction. Only your fiction. They are coming together as friends again. I'm so happy. I can't stop crying. Merci! Congratulations on the accomplishments.

Bravo! I've read this 8 times already and I LOVE IT. I giggled, snorted, frowned, smiled, giggled some more when Jarod mouthed those words behind his mom's back lol, I cried and I smiled. In that order. You amaze me. Please please please update all of your fics soon.

Author's Response:

Eight times? I haven't even read it eight times. I'm glad this is to your liking, O Dark One.