I liked it. I love alternate universes stories and 'what if' stories.
Fewer pairings? Well, we have picked the low-hanging fruit and we have raised our ambitions. And I think we ask each other for help more - that eats a lot of pages.
I've found that if you treat people well, they generally treat you well in return. Sure, there are a few exceptions, but I'm willing to accept that in exchange for all the good I get. Besides, I like being kind to people.
My best friends wife has an ancestor who was born 15 months are the 'father' died...