Oh my goodness, I almost didn't read it as I was worried John was dead :( , but I can't not read a Banna story so I read on and loved it, made me have tears coming down my face! Reread it again :)

This will never fail to make me cry. This is beautiful.

I promise I will let a smaller review than I did on tumblr.
It was so perfect, and cute, and lovely, and it... I have no more words (literally, because my english is worse than I thought). Okay, my sense of humor is bad this time of the day.
Anyway.
Your fic is perfect, and you have a wonderfull writing.
Thank you!

Really enjoyed it! Felt really well developed for a one shot.

The beginning of the story paints a very lonely, melancholic image. Reading the first section, I actually worried for a few moments that John had died, even though that didn't mesh neatly with the summary. You did a great job of keeping it ambiguous, as well as building up a fantastic sense of trudging through the day to day life. I really liked the touch of the photo album, and Anna using it as a tangible link to John, as well as her flashbacks to the chair and him telling her that she would regret him one day. I loved her strong assertion that she never would, even if he wasn't there to hear her.

The throwback to their first meeting was great. I loved the detail of them catching each other's gaze across the pub, and Anna thinking that they would forget about each other in a couple of days. Yeah, right! As if! It's always wonderful to see that no matter the situation they always have a wonderful rapport, and I liked the recurring theme of "not-quite-stranger". Anna's analysis of John's job based on his appearance was a nice touch, particularly her observations about his arms and shoulders. ;) The way that you built up a wonderful sense of their relationship in just a few sentences as time wore on was a testament to you, and I particularly liked the part where she wasn't sure whether to kiss him or call him a silly beggar first, and how the latter happened first but the former became much more frequent. Their goodbye was heartbreaking, but her having a photo of him to keep with her was a wonderful throwback to canon.

The reunion scene was incredibly intense, and one of the best that I've ever read. Wow. The raw emotion seeped through everywhere, and my heart was breaking for both of them with the confusion and hurt and pain. I wanted so desperately to sweep them both up. John's continuing belief that he is nothing, and the shock of him hitting himself in the knee over and over again was overwhelming, and I had to stop reading for a moment to gather myself. Anna's staunch assertion that she would be there for him, even through her own hurt and confusion, was so beautiful, and a real relief. Loved the final image of her holding him - they have always been each other's strength, and it never fails to make me well up.

It must have been so hard for Anna to let him go again, and you highlighted that so well without needing to go into details. I can't even imagine what it must be like for families who do this all the time in real life. I liked the light heartedness of Anna setting a condition that they get married before he left, and him proposing to her even though he'd done it already. The canon elements were bittersweet, with their lovely little wedding but shortlived honeymoon.

The twist on the enforced silence between them was really well thought out as well as heartbreaking. God, what Anna must have been feeling through those long months. The letter he sent to her to explain made me sigh so much, especially the reiterations of how much he loves her. And "dearest heart", just beautiful.

Their reunion made me tear up with joy again. Honestly, perfection. I loved the line "all hers, always hers". It sums them up so well and there's something so deeply urgent about the way it was presented that really emphasises their desire to be together again. The fact that she fell pregnant and he was able to experience her pregnancy and the first eight months of his son's life made me happy, only for my to be crushed by the bittersweet edge to it, with John saying they should work on making their baby girl and him having "two hearts to leave behind". Literally sobbing at this point, especially with the little tokens Anna makes him take with him.

Anna and Mary's relationship has only deepened with them having more shared experiences. Poor Mary, losing Matthew in that manner. At least she still has George, and has been able to move on with her life if she now has a daughter. Matthew would want that for her. I can totally understand why Anna would want to keep Theo away from following the same path that John has, and the two of them dancing together was such a lovely scene. They've only had each other for so long, and that little scene really encompassed that.

I swear my heart stopped for a moment when Mary told Anna to come into the hall. The myriad of feelings and fears was just overwhelming. The fact that it was good news and that John was home for good made me smile so much it hurt, and the image of the little family unit was everything I'd wanted. I loved the line "mirror images only parted by years" in regards to John and Theo, what a gorgeous way of highlighting the family resemblance. I loved how the evening ended full circle, with John and Anna sharing a dance with each other. Great point to end it on.

My only criticism? That this isn't a multi-chapter because damn. I always love your stories and I always know that it's something that I'll enjoy, but I think this is one of your best pieces ever. An emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, and one I never wanted to get off. Thank you for such a beautiful, beautiful read.

This was so lovely, *sniffles.* I love how you worked in so many lines from the canon, and of course the general themes. I'd end this review with many hearts if this website would let me, lol. :D

Not going to lie I have read this over like five times already. It's so good. You packed so much into a tiny space but it still held its own and had all the details I wanted. Andon't still in craving more to know what their life would be like after his return. Happy I assume, but ahhhhhhh I must know! Great job with this one! Absolutely love it!

I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this... because I loved this toooo much!

I love the little touches in the beginning, with the album and the chair. I can just see the two of them bonding over leaving a party early, because they were always two loners who found each other, and it just makes it all the more special. My heart ached for Anna when he left the first time, but of course I never doubted she would wait for him.

I love that so much changed when he got back, even if he was willing to let her go. Moving in and then, OMG, they're engaged! And it's perfect. I love the little elements you brought here from canon; their fast wedding, no honeymoon, the fact that she didn't get pregnant from that night... But she did afterwards! And awww, it's just so heartbreaking when you say it was more difficult now that he had to leave two hearts behind. :( Also the letters that took so long to come, and at last the "Truly" quotes...

I loved the scene with Mary, and I love the idea of the two friends being army wives, as well as their two sons being best friends. The last scene is my favorite though; I love how Anna is worried that it might be bad news, but then little Theo says "Daddy" and everything is alright again. Too lovely!

Seriously... this is too lovely and a joy to read. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

Beautiful story, beautifully written.

This is heartbreaking and endearing. Thanks so much for sharing it.

I absolutely loved the style of this piece. The narrative flows so easily and just sucks you into their world. When Anna found John in the hospital I could barely keep reading through my tears. Anna is such a tremendously strong woman and someone John can rely on forever. He would never be a burden to her. How difficult it must have been for Anna to let John go back into the line of fire again. So much Banna love. I started to weep again when John's letters piled through Anna's door...no lie! Thoughts of Anna keeping John alive and hopeful during his captivity is a beautiful thing. The joy the birth of their son gave them was glorious. John is being called up again? Another painful separation? *reaches for another box of tissues* Mary is such a good friend to Anna and she has suffered a permanent loss. Two and a half years this time? Anna raising Theo on her own and all the time her heart breaking :( Their last homecoming broke the tear dam again, you are so good at bringing forth an emotional response from your readers. I loved the way you wove canon dialog throughout your story too.

This was superb:
Her hand reached to touch him, only for a split second, though with one brief touch it was almost like seeing forever before her.

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderfully emotional story with all of us!

I absolutely love this!

I really like that you managed to take practically their entire story and not just translate it to a modern setting, but you also managed to do so in a relatively short story. It's all tied up in a very neat package! The ability to pack so much in so few words really proves your skill as a writer! Well done!

Oh holy cow this was wonderful. What a dream you had and thank you for sharing it with us. I loved everything about this story and when Mary said come into the hall, at first I was so excited thinking it would be John, but then I think my heart seized up as much as Anna's did thinking it could be bad news. I actually teared up reading this. Great job!

Amazing.
I'm in tears, I can't imagine how painful that time must have been, but you did an excellent job in conveying it.
Not to mention how tough it would be for John to miss their little boy growing up.
Oh my heart.

LOVED it! Now I want an epilogue...what can say, I'm greedy.