Aww....
And so it is with a sense of melancholy that I finish this series. I am going to miss reading about these characters. Yes, especially Emerson and Brandon and their two kids, but also the rest of the family.
This story was actually my favourite in the series, which surprised me because, as I've said, I don't read alot of stories about Potter kids. Even AngieJ's (Ebony)'s Trouble in Paradise/Paradise Lost kids didn't appeal to me as much as your Potter offspring. The fact that Harry/Hermione were barely mentioned except when it came to Emerson didn't worry me - in fact, I remember thinking when they did make an appearance that I hoped they wouldn't outshine Emerson at all. Not that you really
could outshine her. Yes, she is my favourite fictional character at the moment. Funny, I went from wishing I had a kid like her in Above it All to thinking Brandon was a lucky arsehole in Writing...before I remembered she didn't exist.
Yes, I fell in love with a fictional character.
And again, she definitely is not a Mary Sue. While Emerson Potter is beautiful, loveable, friendly and to-die-for, she's also stubborn, annoying, hot-headed and sometimes so emotional (and a bit self-indulgent at times!) that I wanted someone to give her a smack upside the head. Which was
exactly the way her character should have developed after seeing her in Above It All! Brandon was the same - although I though in some instances he was a little
too perfect, especially since he was an annoying prat of a kid. Then again, I can believe that he would have matured greatly after Em's episode with Stella the Mad Bitch. As I said before, this was the only HP fanfic I've ever read where the canon chatracters were not centre stage - and I didn't care.
I have a few criticisms, but they're minor. First, the fact that Em's episode in Above it All was only mentioned once was a bit weird. It was a seminal event that shaped her life, and really messed her up for a while, and it was also the event that paved the way for Brandon and Em's feelings towards each other - but it was hardly discussed. I supopse from Em's POV that it's all water under the bridge and old history and that she was trying to forget it all - and I suppose for most of the story she was so happy that she barely gave it a thought. it just surprise me though.
And finally, i wish you'd told us a bit more about the extended family and friends of the Potters. In the Epilogue you talked about the Potterlets and their lives and future loves - but what happened to the Malfoys, the Weasleys, the Lupins? I know it was a lot of them (actually, come to think of it, a lot is an understatement...), but it would have been nice to know what became of them. Oh, and I almost forgot - what happened to Kady??? last we hear of her she's modified Matt Adler's memory...did she find the love of her lilfe? Did she and Em stay friends? She was also quite a loved character of mine...
Anyway, as I said, minor criticisms. I think that after this story I'm taking a break from reading fanfic, as I've not read much that comes within pissing distance of these stories lately (yes, that definitely
was a compliment!
). The whole Safe in Harbour universe was quite an achievement and I can understand you not wanting to write more. You've left quite an impresssive legacy and even if you don't write any more I think you'll never want for readers. I don't know if these stories have been recced but I'm going to do it anyway!
Thank you for finishing them, and thank you very much for writing them in the first place! If you do write again you can be sure that I'll be reading.
Anyway, thanks for a really nicely written series.
I'm so glad you like grown-up!Emerson (to the point of falling in love with her! Hmm...). She is definitely all those adjectives you used, and I really strived (strove?) to get a realistic balance in her character. You're right about Brandon, though.. sometimes I do think he's a tad too *pat*, but at the same time, it really required someone with such a vast reservoir of patience to deal with as high-strung a person as Em could be.
I love both your other stories. And I know for a fact that I'll love this one. 
But I can't say that I'm not glad the story ended. Didn't mean I didn't like it, like I said at the top, I loved it, but well I wanted to see how Emerson's and Brandon's life was going to be like in the future. Enjoyed reading this. Loved it a whole lot! Loved it a whole lot! Loved it a whole lot! Loved it a whole lot! Loved it a whole lot! Loved it a whole lot!