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okay, have to be honest, even though I knew ther would be no Jim/Pam interaction in this chapter, I was still so disappointe! I feel like I am on pins and needle waiting to find out several things, the results of Karen's phone call, I mean how it's going to be handled, what in the world the inscription is on the inside of Jim's ring and there was something else that I've forgotten. Just generally getting so impatient to see the next move. Thst said (SORRY, just HAD to say it!!) it was a great chapter. I did wonder when Pam called and the phone was in Jim's mom's room, I wondered if the ringtone (which BTW, you could NOT have picked a better one to sum up Jim's feelings for Pam! SO perfect! I also love that hers for him is Lean on me! Out of all the songs in the world you somehow picked like the perfet ones!) anyhow, just wondered if it registered with his mom that he had set that ringtone especially for Pam's calls. Anyhow, I undersand his mom's resentment and generally being I can't think of the word I'm sooking for but her not being happy with Pam but it would be nice if she could understand the position her son put Pam in and then gave her no time to think before leaving and taking her best fried away from her when she needed him most. Also, I assume his mom would hae no idea of just how terrible he had recently been treating her and the fact that while Pam may have been careless with his feelings, he had not long before Casino Day assured her that all he's had was a crush when he firststarted, it was a long time ago and he was totally over it which to me makes it even more believable that she was blindsided on Casino Night. Anyhow, I just wonder if Jim's mom will wonder about Pam's mom's feeligs about Jim after she DOES see how purposefully cruel he was upon returning. WOW, I'm rambling (resuls of no sleep and strong medication!) Anyhow, I think Larissa was able to see both in her interractions with Pam in the room and seeing the stuff she did and realizing ho muchof that was Pam, not Jim, not to mention Pam taking her time of work to be there for Jim. How she's been able to just very quietly let him and his family know just how much she loves him. I really am geatful for the quick update and am SO looking forward to the future chapters! You've done such a wonderful and realistic job wih this story and I admire you for sticking with it wvn after long breaks! You're a wonderful writer!

Author's Response: Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here! Don't worry, I think you'll be happy with Pam and Larissa's relationship! I hope I'm not going to tick off readers here but I may as well set expectations because I don't want an insurrection or something. I don't see this as a story just about Pam and Jim, so there are these other relationships I want to explore with them. There will be TWO more chapters where Pam and Jim are interacting with the parents before they see each other again. Just hang with me though, because that chapter is already drafted out and I HOPE everyone will think it was worth the wait.

What a very happy, happy way to head into the weekend!

I enjoyed the quiet time spent inside Larissa's thoughts. What good mother wouldn't resent the girl who was holding your son's heart hostage, causing him to make really poor decisions and blow up at his parents??

I was so so so nervous when Pam called Jim's phone and the mom answered!! But I was super-proud of our girl Pam, taking it like a pro, and managing the job at hand, making sure that the Halpert parents are taken care of and as comfortable as possible. She really is doing a fantastic job with that, as Jim's mom was able to see, thankfully.

While, yes, I cannot wait for Jim and Pam to finally have interaction {maybe Pam can go to Ted's room on an information mission for his wife}, I really have enjoyed these past two parent-centered chapters.

Looking forward to more! {of course}

Author's Response:

Thanks so much for leaving this nice detailed review!  I live for reviews.

I'm having a hellacious day at work and just came to check for reviews, so this nice long one made my evening.  Thanks!

VB, I loved this chap so much.  Honestly, I didn't even miss Jim and Pam because I was so caught up in Larissa.  I enjoyed her interesting take on the situation.  Learning about her feelings toward her husband made me feel emotional.  Great job. I hope you have another chap in the works!  ::crosses fingers::

Author's Response: Hey, Nancy!  Thanks a lot!  Next chapter is in the works.  I should have a few hours to myself tomorrow to start writing.  My fingers are crossed, too!

Thank you for the fast update!
I'm looking forward to the JAM action but really enjoyed Larissa's point of view.

Author's Response: Thanks, bcd!  And thanks for the rec over on the boards.   We have a bit more parental relationships to explore in the near future...

Ann, I was all ready to go to bed, but I have to check one more time, cause you said this would be up soon. I've been patient, not emailing to bug you about the next chapter... Proud, right? :)

I was excited about this one, cause I've been waiting for Pam to meet his parents! I've wondered what they thought of her. I know everyone is anxious about J&P interaction (myself included,) but it's nice to see Pam through someone's eyes who isn't Jim. I think/hope Larissa and Pam become friends before Jim finds out they've met. I hope another quick update is on it's way (please,please,please!!) I don't know if you're going to write this in, but I hope we see Larissa get an update on Ted, so it will help her relax a bit.

Love, love, LOVE! :)

Author's Response: Thanks!  I'm glad you enjoyed this one.  I'll write the next one as fast as I can.  It's outlined at this point.

Well...it's just as good as I remember it.  ::sigh:: here's the bad part though.  Now I just want more and I'm deathly afraid of having to wait for it (ok, so that's just slightly dramatic, but you get my meaning). Be quick about it see! ;-)  Honestly this story just never disappoints. The attention to detail you give every chapter is proof of why your turn around time is not as quick as those of us who shy away from bothersome things like "facts". lol.  Thanks for continuing to write so well and continuing to know the characters the way that you do. 

I was so excited that Jim got to be with his dad and it was such a huge thing for his dad to say he was sorry...ugh.  Here's hoping for a bit of PB&J in the next chapter! :-)

Ah, I was holding my breath a little to see if Ted was going to want him to stay. I'm looking forward to them making amends. Nicely done.

Author's Response: Thanks, jazz! And welcome back!

Thanks for coming back, VB! This was a great update, I really loved the change in relationship between Jim and Ted, that was a pleasure to read. Please continue, and let me know if you want another beta, I'm glad to help you if you'd like that. Keep going, and let's see some JAM moments!

Author's Response: Thank you, pmh! I'm definitely continuing till this story is complete. Right now I have a solid beta crew of three readers (jazzfan, andtheivy and Blind Assassin) but sometimes a beta gets too involved in, you know, real life and has to "resign." I will definitely remember your kind offer if any of my betas has to do this. :-)

LOL a beer cosy is kind of like a tea cosy, love it :)

Okay, so I cannot begin to tell you how happy I was to see that you'd updated this. Your story telling really amazes me, it's so descriptive and I always feel like I'm rightthere. Like I'm right there with Jim - watching his dad pull his tube, or watching Jim do breathing exercises with Ted. I also love how you throw in some medical garble, but not too much that it puts you off reading.
I’ve really missed this – and your stories in general *hugs tight* don’t leave us that long again, k?

Author's Response: Thanks, Ms. HH! You know, when I read the stuff of some of the other writers here at MTT, especially some of the old stuff by Talkative, wendolf, stablergirl ... I feel like mine is pretty dry. So I truly appreciate your saying that you feel like you're right there with this story. And I'm glad you think I've hit the right balance on the "medical garble!" I should be around for at least the next couple of months it takes to finish up this story and the series that I'm doing with jazzfan.

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Wow! I'm totally late for this party! Busy couple of days including today, but wanted to pop in really quickly and read this chapter while I have 10 minutes to spare before dinner/movie date night. Anyways... I have to tell you how incredibly amazing it is that you contacted a respiratory therapist for this chapter. That is ENORMOUS commitment to this wonderful story. The description of Jim's dad pulling out the tubes was so vivid and descriptive, I could literally see it in my head! I love the last part, where they apologize to one another. I also really really love how Jim's thoughts on how to speak to the hospital staff are all 'I remember Pam saying...' It speaks volumes of how much her being there has helped him get through this. I'm sorry this review is so short, but I have to run! I really can't wait for the upcoming chapters! Very very well done VB!! (this story needs a ribbon -just saying.)

Author's Response: Hi, Deedles! Thanks for leaving such a detailed review! It means an awful lot to us authors when people take a few minutes to leave feedback like this. I have draft TWO of the next chapter out to the betas. I hope to post it by Thursday or Friday. So this one shouldn't be a long wait. Thanks again!

10

I read this basically as soon as it was posted but I took while to get around to reviewing mainly because I was afraid I would start it with "SQUUUUEEEEEEEEE YOU UPDATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" And I didn't think that was very helpful.

But I'm afraid the excitement has screwed with my brain so it might still a bit fuzzy. Here goes: I love how uncertain Jim is about his relationship with his father. How they left on such a negative note and now he just doesn't know what to be like around him. That whole moment where he was panicking that his Dad was going to say he didn't want Jim there...my heart ached for poor Jim. And I'm so relieved that things seem to be looking up between them. His Dad had a point but even so, after everything Jim's gone through in the last few days, he deserves some forgiveness!

As always, I'm thoroughly impressed with the medical descriptions. It's so vivid and so detailed (as well as the beautiful emotion), it means I can just see it happening. I would never think about how uncomfortable his Dad would be and how he would rip out his own tube! Oh that must hurt!

I cannot stress enough how much I adore this and how so unbelievably grateful I am that you've pushed through the struggle that is writer's block and you've been determined to keep going. Thank you, thank you, thank you. xxx

Author's Response: Wow, I hardly know what to say. Thank you for leaving such a detailed review. The reviews ARE what keep me going, after all. :-) I'm so grateful when someone takes the time to write one like this. . Mr. Blood keeps threatening to have a sign made for me, "Will write for reviews."

10

So happy you've updated this! I hope the next one isn't too far off. :) M'poor little Jim. I'm reading this and ticking off things in my head like I know these people (well, his mother sounds like she's doing better, and his dad's awake, that's good...). I wanted Jim to talk to him, I'm really looking forward to Jim telling his dad he's not such an arse anymore. Awesome, Ann!

Author's Response: Thanks, Kate – I appreciate it. BTW, you'll REALLY feel like you're getting to "know these people" after the next chapter!