xwind

Thank you so much for your replies! I guess it's not something for me to worry about then.

OMG guys, I just checked my bank account and it looks like my check is being processed! I'm not sure if this happened just by chance or if somehow my phone call from yesterday triggered it. I'm hoping this is a good sign for all us April filers!

OMG guys, I just checked my bank account and it looks like my check is being processed! I'm not sure if this happened just by chance or if somehow my phone call from yesterday triggered it. I'm hoping this is a good sign for all us April filers!

OMG guys, I just checked my bank account and it looks like my check is being processed! I'm not sure if this happened just by chance or if somehow my phone call from yesterday triggered it. I'm hoping this is a good sign for all us April filers!

OMG guys, I just checked my bank account and it looks like my check is being processed! I'm not sure if this happened just by chance or if somehow my phone call from yesterday triggered it. I'm hoping this is a good sign for all us April filers!

OMG guys, I just checked my bank account and it looks like my check is being processed! I'm not sure if this happened just by chance or if somehow my phone call from yesterday triggered it. I'm hoping this is a good sign for all us April filers!

OMG guys, I just checked my bank account and it looks like my check is being processed! I'm not sure if this happened just by chance or if somehow my phone call from yesterday triggered it. I'm hoping this is a good sign for all us April filers!

OMG guys, I just checked my bank account and it looks like my check is being processed! I'm not sure if this happened just by chance or if somehow my phone call from yesterday triggered it. I'm hoping this is a good sign for all us April filers!

Yeah I hope I didn't make a mistake with the tickets either. I kind of took a risk there. I did make sure the tickets I got were refundable/rebookable (with a fee). I think if we don't get our visa in time, I'll still go back to the US and rebook my family to fly at a later date.
Likewise, we saw quite a few people get destroyed at their interview while we waited for our turn. One lady barely had any evidence.. just a couple pictures and letters, no chat logs or anything. She had 2 kids with her and could barely understand the questions asked. I could hear the interviewer's frustration from my seat.. The lady was in tears by the end, begging that they grant her a visa for the kids' sake. Didn't end well...
There was another lady that almost failed right at the start. I overheard the interviewer say "You mean to say you can't speak English at all? Well how do you communicate with your fiance?" ...she answered "Umm English?" She was asked "Ok...show me any evidence of your communication." She had nothing, no chat logs or phone logs. She only had 1 picture too...
The interviewers were pretty forgiving actually. They really try to look at all angles. If they ask for something and you don't have it, they'll try asking for something else, or change up the questions. They don't just outright deny you on the spot because you answered a question wrong or couldn't give what they want. I thought that was a good thing.
The whole process is nerve wrecking up to the 2nd interview, it's only natural to be nervous. But as long as you have complete paperwork, lots of relationship evidence, and nothing to hide, then there's really nothing to fear, just be yourself at the interview.
We had tons of evidence with us. Skype and cellphone message logs, 50 more photos, a police clearance from the Japan Embassy due to my fiance's employment in Japan nearly 10 years ago, flight itineraries and hotel receipts from prior visits, greeting cards, the CD from the medical interview, paystubs, letter from employer and bank... none of which was asked of us. I think the CO was already satisfied with what we provided in the I-129F package and to the pre-screener.
Oh, I forgot to add one more thing to my post above. Besides attaching the number to our DS-160 (which was entirely useless for us because they never announced the numbers on the electronic board that day...) they also stapled a small list of requirements that you need to give to the pre-screener. It says:
SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DURING INTERVIEW:
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS:
Valid passport NSO Birth Certificate NSO CENOMAR or Marriage Certificate Updated NBI clearance (for Travel Abroad) Affidavit of Support from the petitioner (Form I-134) Proof of relationship with the petitioner PHOTOCOPIES:
Latest Income Tax Returns (Form 1040) Latest Withholding Tax Statement (W-2)

Anyone? I would just like to know what a lawyer can actually do to improve the likelihood of obtaining a Visitor Visa?