Finally got here
This follows on so well from part 1, and also properly introduces the magical element, and even directly addresses the title, by the end, explaining why it is a Halloween story, and a very fitting one as well.
Reading the story, I often found myself in two minds about John and his history, how it hangs over him, and wondering how well him and his ex wife had ever communicated and discussed what they actually wanted and needed out of life. Not that this is a new issue in relationships!
The story and the writing does a very good job of showing his real worth, as well as the damage the betrayal of his wife, and the way the past still follows him. At times I wanted to focus more on the "now", but even as I wanted that, I was very aware that to do so would be to rob the story of the context, the history and the emotional depth that it requires to really come alive and be all that it is.
You need this history for the present and the future to make sense, to be properly appreciated, and to really bloom as we want them to!
Watching Jane being so careful, playful and teasing at times, but also so deeply concerned and considerate was lovely. She has the power and will to be every bit as forceful and demanding as is required, yet this is tempered, at times, by such consideration, concern and tenderness. No way was she going to railroad John into anything, but if he really was the person he appeared to be, well, she was such a good fit for him.
The comment about her competing with many others for him struck me both as very tellingly correct, ironic because clearly he wasn't on the radar of any of the other women who could and would appreciate the many good things he had to offer, and a very interesting echo of the conversation that has been going on about Summer of Dares, and our submissive having a lot to offer, and people having to compete for her, even as she is the slave with no say in events *playful smirk*
The ending here is very wicked, most fitting and for all that it isn't something John ever asked for, it really DOES feel appropriate and justified! The date of course is just the icing on the cake