Aw, thank you, this was such a lovely review to come home to this evening!

I think Spike was hit hard by Buffy's revelation, enough that he couldn't hear what Buffy was trying to tell him. I'm not sure he could have believed her right then, even if she had been able to put her feelings into three short words.

I'm glad you like the ending! In my own reading, I find that while I can appreciate both happy and sad endings, I best remember the ones I have to work for – so if readers have to think about and choose their ending, I'm pleased as punch. :-)

Thanks again for the wonderful words! I really appreciate them!