Saving an Expanded Master Document

[Paulvana]

I am creating a master document and numerous subdocuments. When I save the complete document (master document and expanded subdocuments), I still only have the master and subdocuments - each time I open the master document I must expand the subdocuments. Is there a way to save the document as a complete document (all subdocuments expanded) so that I can circulate it (as one document) with friends and colleagues for reading and commenting (I realize I could make a PDF, but I want to keep it in Word)?

Thank you so much for any suggestions,
Paul