I am
so late coming back to this folder that it's embarrassing.
I'm so sorry, everyone! I really, really appreciated all your wonderful comments and can't tell you how much they mean. I've just been so up to my eyes lately, and will be for some time to come.
Thank you. I loved reading your comments. I'm so pleased that everyone enjoyed reading the story. And, Annette, though your birthday is well and truly over by now, I hope it was a terrific one and I'm glad you liked this!
Glad you liked it, anyway!
Chris... no, no nfic sequel! Even if I were inspired that way, which I'm not, I really can't see Lois being ready for lovemaking for some time to come. In this story, she has serious trust issues. She's decided to trust Clark, but lovemaking would be too much of a leap for her right now, especially as some of the betrayals of her past have centred around sex.
CC, thanks for the compliment on Lois's dating habits! And I'm delighted that you and Lynn commented specifically on Clark's honesty about his feelings:
But my favorite bit is what you did with Clark here. Of course he loves her (this is well-established, right?), but he makes it clear to her that unrequited love might not last forever. Because he does want to be married some day, and if Lois just is not interested in that, then he can't automatically discount finding someone else....
I love this part where Clark is honest with himself about this feelings for her. That although he knows for certain that she's the one for him, that he's not a doormat that will waste his life pining after her endlessly should she decide NOT to risk it. This acknowledgment makes this story more satisfying because it's based on real feelings rather than fairytale fluff - Clark's love is real, therefore not perfect.
Exactly. The way I see it, unrequited love can't last for ever. Eventually it gives up - you would become resentful and bitter, perhaps, when the object of your affection doesn't feel the same way, or you would make a conscious decision to walk away, because you simply can't take it any more. For the sake of your sanity, you have to leave and try to find happiness somewhere else. The alternative is to turn into some kind of a stalker, never able to leave the other person alone and jealous of everything s/he does that doesn't include you.
Clark's realistic here. But he's also not above using the suggestion as a bit of a threat, shock tactics to try to bring Lois to her senses.
Anyway, thank you all very much indeed!!!! And apologies again for being so late in saying so.
Wendy
