I really enjoyed this story. But what I really wish was that in canon John had actually praised Sam more. Maybe the whole series would have been different?!

Author's Response: I agree. I can't help but think that John couldn't have been all bad. He must have shown some affection to the boys. There are hints. Like the one smiling moment between John and Sam when he tells Sam about starting the college fund when the boys were born and when Sam admits that John did right by them or they could have ended up like Max. Just the fact that he called Sam Sammy is an indication of affection to me. I picture John as tough and strict but not mean and certainly not brutal.