Date: October 15, 2020 03:51 am Title: Chapter 9
Don't know how I missed this update but wow, I loved it.
Your depiction of Michael was just right - matured and evolved, self-aware but still with the playful edge that makes Michael, Michael.
Perfect use of the line: Never, ever, ever give up.
Bravo.
Author's Response: Aww thank you so much Maxine! Writing Michael into this story was an absolute joy, and I love the idea as you mentioned that with age came some maturity for Michael but deep down he’s still himself. His relationship with the Halperts is one I’ve imagined never stopped when he moved to CO, I see him in their future quite a bit. :) thank you for your review!
Date: October 07, 2020 10:08 pm Title: Chapter 9
Oooof. This is a really great mixture of comic relief and sweetness and angst here. I like seeing Mama Bear Beesly in action and the families (Michael included) rallying around them in their time of need. Plus it allows for some callbacks both entertaining (the evil witch Jan) and tear-inducing (LISTEN TO HIM JIM). And the fact that Michael snuck into the hospital with pizza is just terrific.
Anyhow. I don't have much intelligent commentary here, but this was a really solid chapter top to bottom.
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I was so nervous writing Michael in to the story but it ended up actually being wonderful, and I love imagining Michael and Holly and their little family in Colorado. I felt like the support he could bring to them would help even just a little, but especially for the kids.
Thank you so much for always reviewing, I love hearing your thoughts each chapter, they make me so motivated!
Date: October 07, 2020 09:32 pm Title: Chapter 9
Awww to Uncle Michael. And the "never give up" quote at the end was perfect and tugged at the heart for sure. I love how you wrote him here.
I always love a Larissa appearance as well. I don't know what it is, because their interaction was fairly brief, but I could sense a closeness between her and Pam and I thought it was sweet during this time where their shared favorite person's health is up in the air. I like to imagine they become really close after Jim and Pam get together.
Another great chapter and I always look forward to more updates. :)
Author's Response: Awww thank you so much, I love when you review! I'm extremely close to my older brother, he's like my best friend, and I feel as though Jim and Larissa would be close because his brothers are morons lol.
Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts, I love hearing them!
Date: October 07, 2020 06:44 pm Title: Chapter 9
This story continues to be amazing. Loved the image of Cece curled up next to Pam. The quick Facetime conversation with Phil was nice too. Yes, he's under the strain of it all as well, but if there's one thing that's a relief it's that he's not in the hospital with the rest of his family.
Very heartfelt conversation with Larissa. Seems like everyone's struggling right now. Hopefully Gerald also pulls through whatever has him under the weather as well.
Now of course the main this about this chapter. Phenomenal job with Michael. He's still his goofy self, but I sense that being a husband and father has finally smoothed out his rough edges. He still loves to have fun, loves to entertain, loves to be a people person, but it feels like he finally gets that there are lines that one need not dance across at all times in order to keep the attention on oneself. I love the fact that Jim and Pam truly do consider him and Holly family. Likewise just him showing up brings life and joy back to Cece, as well as her appetite. I'd be right there with Pam, just happy she's eating anything. Some of my favorite Michael moments are when he's truly sincere with everyone. This has that in spades. How he's just there for them.
Then him sliding upstairs to Jim's room? There couldn't be a more perfect callback. Like I said I love good Michael moments and that was one of the first ones in the show. Bravo for bringing it back here. Just what everyone needs to hear, especially from the best boss Jim ever had.
Also one more quick thing. "The birth of his first two sets of twins." Does this mean Michael and Holly have two sets of twins? Meaning they have four kids? That's how I read it at least, in which case, my hat's off to both of them for having to endure that kind of chaos back home in Colorado. Still fun to envision.
Author's Response: Oh Eric, I saw the length of your review and squealed. I love reading your thoughts SO much after I write a new chapter, and I am so happy you’re enjoying this story!! To answer a few thing, Jim had traveled to PA to help his Mom get his Dad in an assisted living facility becsuse he has early signs of dementia, and yes Michael and Holly have two sets of twins, they are BUSY. Michael always wanted a lot of kids, and I imagine with age Holly may have had IVF, so they lucked out, Twice!
It means so much to me that you like how Michael was written. I was terrified writing those moments but I got so sucked in while writing I spaced out for a couple hours getting this chapter done, I needed his interactions, as you said, to still be silly and goofy, but he has learned what lines not to cross with age. He’s still a big kid, but having his own four and an amazing wife has taught him a thing or two. I love the idea that he and the Halperts stayed close and always were in each other’s lives.
The callback to Booze Cruise seemed to fit here perfectly in some advice to his old friend. He is, as you said, the best boss he’d ever have. Michael will definitely be making more appearances, but I’m so happy to continue to hear your thoughts!