I enjoyed.

Loved this story was so wonderful and sweet. Keep up the great work.

Such a sweet story. It almost made me cry from sweetness.

It is always great to read about their moments alone, it brings out their love for each other even more (because they are in love, even if they haven't said it; but their actions do speak loud), and how important they are to each other.

Brilliant work really!

Thankd for writing it.

Hugs,

C.

I love how realistically you tell your stories. Two naval officers in hot pursuit of their careers couldn't make the same promises people who see each other every day can. Good work on creating this relationship built on friendship and love.

This was great. I'd love to read about how they decided to cross the line from friends to lovers.

That was soooooo great! Ohhhh i love the stories about their past! Thank you very mutch!

Wonderful story! I love your series. You totally capture Steve and Catherine. Thank you.

Biggest smile ever. Just sayin! GREAT present tense story with a very much needed look into Steve & Cath's history!

The first tattoo line *still* made me laugh out loud. And the 2nd tattoo line was even better! :)

So happy to be McRolling along in the REAL world!

OMG! I LOVE THEM! So bummed that they are giving him a new girlfriend when the new season starts. STEVE CATH 4Ever!

In this one AMAZING fic you PERFECTLY encapsulate EVERYTHING that is so AWESOME and AMAZING about the Steve & Catherine relationship. They are not one of those couples that engage in endless PDAs or pepper their speech with flowery words. They don't need to prove their love to anyone on the outside because they are so rock solid within themselves. The foundation of their relationship-that you show so BEAUTIFULLY here-is unshakeable. They know each other COMPLETELY. They UNDERSTAND each other completely. They are verbal when they need to be but their non-verbal communication is off the charts and negates the necessity for constant words of reassurance or devotion. They feel it, they are secure and confident the other feels it, they can see through action and deed the other feels it. And that's all that matters. AWESOME AWESOME job boiling it all down and distilling it into this one AMAZING story.

The intimacy level of the physical details is SPECTACULAR. Her hands running up his spine and into his hair, his kisses along her jaw, her humming happily. The leisurely pace. So BEAUTIFUL! A STUNNING portrait of how you can convey a BREATHTAKINGLY deep and intimate relationship without being overly explicit.

LOVE the teasing about him going downstairs to get the champagne. His smirk showing he had no intention of leaving was SO SWEET and so WELL DONE!

Absolutely GORGEOUS the way he nuzzles her neck and rubs his stubble against her skin in a way he knows she loves. The way she guides his head up and kisses him passionately. Very subtle but absolutely unmistakeable snapshots of the depth of their relationship and their desire to please each other. You always do an AMAZING job of showing not telling the strength of their relationship with little details like this.

ADORE that Steve is the one who first talks about remembering their first time. AWESOME continuity throughout this whole series of stories. But also that she is right there with him in terms of the clarity of the memory.

"First promise you ever made." Really really well done!

I can not say enough how much I ADORE the continuity between their first time together and the current day. The same type of very intimate physical details of him running his hands through her hair and stroking the bare skin of her back. Her comments before she comes fully awake. The way she moves with him flawlessly when he rolls to his back. It all speaks to a level of comfort with and knowledge of each other that is SPECTACULAR. Even the first time they had sex it wasn't just about the sex. ABSOLUTELY ADORE THIS!

"I'm not getting your name tattooed on my back." HEE LOVE THIS LINE!

The emotion of the exchange about how he didn't want to lose her friendship made my breath catch in my throat. It was SPECTACULAR!Such a realistic concern for a man in his situation and yet another AWESOME example of how deep their emotional attachment is. The way he brings her hand to his mouth and kisses it then lays their joined hands on his chest. The way she leans up on her elbow to look at him, but knows she needs to wait patiently till he's ready to speak-AWESOME! She knows him and what he needs.

"This is us." I think I scared the dogs by standing up and applauding!

Her words to him about how they don't have to define their relationship on anyone's terms but their own are PERFECTION! No other word for them. FLAWLESS characterization.

"All I need ... is for you to be careful. Okay?" Damn. It just got really dusty here at my desk. LOVE THIS!

"I'll promise if you'll promise." SPECTACULAR!

"I'm still not getting your name tattooed on my shoulder. Or anywhere else." HEE. LOVE LOVE LOVE

The possibilities for this AMAZING series of stories are endless and I for one will be first in line to read every one you come up with. Along with anything else you write. AWESOME JOB!

Wonderful story! Loved it!

Sweetie, I have one big problem with your writing... it's too short! :D I always want more and become so desperate when I find out it's the end while it feels like I just had started reading. The truth is, the length is perfect, but I wouldn't mind reading for hours and hours, it's so good :)

Your stule and ideas are lovely, and let's be honest, I wouldn't mind reading about Steve and Cath simply cuddled up together and kissing or talking.

I'm so glad you mentioned their first time together and the morning after, not only because it's sweet, but with Steve and Catherine the physical closeness is just as important as the emotional one. That's one of thousand things that make me love them so much. Each aspect is valued, there's emphasis on everything, both deep love, playfulness, devotion, but also sexual attraction and passion.

Love that the "no labels" aspect was brought up so early in their relationship and that Cath from the beginning was the one anchoring Steve and supporting him, telling him that she just wants to be with him, no matter what anyone else thinks and asks, because it's about the two of them, not about the social expectances. You greatly portrayed that specific Steve's uncertainty. It's so sweet and touching, that he feels insecure sometimes and so vulnerable, and Cath is there to shield him and support him.

And the parallel of "Promise me" almost made me cry... instantly brought back 4.21 to my mind, when Steve asked her to promise him she'll be careful...

Beautifully done and very sweet!

In their line of work now and especially back then, it is the most important promise that anyone could make, I'd guess.
The whole getting his name tattooed somewhere talk made me think of 'matching' tattoos for them. Nothing silly like names but something that might remind them of the other one w/o being obvious to everyone else...