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The way you wrote this chapter was unexpected and absolutely awesome! You know, the reaction of Mrs Halpert was really a disappointment to me. I mean, she knew... REALLY knew as in Jim admitted it to her, knew and was 100% willing to completely turn a blind eye to it and allow his feelings to be trampled on for Roy. Honestly, because of the way mothers love their children, especially their sons, the person she should be disappointed in is herself because rather than exploring Jim's feelings and the fact that I think they probably all knew that she returned them, at least to a degree, she was willing to sacrifice the happiness of one son AND her future daughter in law for the sake of the other. You know, I just wonder, did they think that the marriage happening ws going to fix things? Would it wipe out Jim's feelings? Make Roy an attentie husband though he couldn't quite get being an attentive boyfriend? Would it wipe out Pam's doubts and obvious feeling towards Jim? The unexpecte and SO wonderful part of the chapter is Jim and Roy's dad and the things he has to say. They were basically how I would have expected their mom to react but it was for some reason so much more delightful coming from the dad, maybe because I expected him to be upset with Jim. I just LOVE that the dad not only takes the blame but comes clean saying that they all knew including himself and his wife, Tom, the Beeslys, all of them, yet were ready to turn a blind eye. I love that he is supportive and encouraging and fully expecting Jim and Pam to not only have a relationship, but not to hide it. LOVED the remark about how if things go bad with Jim and Roy, two Christmases. I STILL just can't wrap my mind around the actions and reactions of their mom, being the mom of three children, two of them grown, I simply cannot see ever sacrificing the happiness, especially when it comes to a matter as delicate and permanate as love, of one of my children for the sake of the other. I would kinda love to hear the interraction between Mrs and mr Halpert about all of this. I mean, did she tell him what Jim told her at Christmas and the fact that she expected him to smply keep his mouth shut? Based on the things he said to Jim on the phone, it just makes me wonder exactly what his reaction to a confession like tat would have been. It seems to me ike he would not have been very happy with her and probably would have said some of things to her that I have been thinking like, how coud you just sit back and let this happen when you KNEW to the extent that her had actually TOLD you! Also, in thinking back to all that happend at Christmas (it was Christmas, right? I think you MAY have referred to it here as Thanksgiving but maybe there was something on Thanksgiving I'm forgetting about. I just remember Jim's fould mood on Christmas and helping to unload the truck, the gift of the ugly sweater from grandma and gifts between Jim and Pam) anyhow, thinking back to that day, Roy should have SOME kind of a clue and when I think of that it makes me feel a little less sorry for him because of the way he walked by the door with Jim and Pam in the room and was making fun of Jim's feelings.

Anyhow, I also really loved the way you did the second part of the chapter. I knew it was unlikely that Jim and Pam would be able to stay apart for long, but SO like Jim to totally respect hr request for a few days so it was simply perfect for her to show up to see him. I cannot imagine how much of a relief it was for Jim to see her there. I also loved that she not only esentially asked him out, she also let him know WHEN she felt it would be okay to make that move and really, I think it's a good idea for them to wait a month. It really WOULD seem disrespectful to all that has happened for them to dive right in immediately. Then there is the hanging out just as best friends... pERFECT! I mean, they've done it for years, why ot now when she likely needs her best friend more than ever and frankly, so does he. The observation that in their 'Would you still love me' game, that he had never said he wouldn't love her, that was just brilliant because really, I don't know that there's much of anything that Pam could do that would cause Jim not to love her. Actually, in thinking about it, she questioned him back a couple chapters about him saying he would still love her if she married is brother but the thing is, it was true and that was the really sad part of it all. Even her marrying his brother would not cause him to not love her, and honestly it wouldn't have stopped her from loving him either.

Just another in a series of amazing chapters. This story, while I thought it always pomised to be good, has exceeded my expectations by so much and just keeps getting better and better.

Oh, I keep thinking about something the dad said if I can go back to that for a minute, when he said, that girld had your heart and held 'Roy's life together' it seems that the fact that they felt that Pam was what was holding Roy's life together, that's probably exactly why they were willing to turn a blind eye to it all. I mean, as long as Pam was there, holding Roy's life together, and honestly, by extention in so many ways, Jim was the one holding Pam's life together, well, then they didn't have to worry. I just don't get how any of them could ave seen this, no matter how vaugely, ad not gotten that it wasn't a recipe for a marriage tat would work. Honestly, the marriage would have just made things worse I would think.

I CANNOT wait to see what happens when Roy and Jim talk and then when Jim and Pam start dating. You are just making this story sooooo great! Thanks!

Author's Response: It was Christmas, you're right. I must have been hungry when I was writing that, still kind of hungry now. Think about Mrs. Halpert's disappointment more in a timing way. She never actually says that he was wrong to do it. She's only upset that they did it two days before the wedding. We will explore all of their parents' expectations when we get to the chapter when Roy finds out. And those expectations will have something to do with Mrs. Halpert's personal disappointment.

AWWW! I really adore Jim's conversation with his parent's, how his dad jokes and his mom is all serious. I can totally picture them that way. I'm glad they didn't disown him too. And the end, even though there was no physical contact, I'm all warm and squishy that they're just hanging out, drinking beer, and how adorable it is that he called her a slob. I definitely can't wait for the next chapter, I'm aching to see what Roy's reaction is when he finds out!

Author's Response: Thank you, perfect_match! It felt nice to write them together having fun.

Oh, poor Roy. His reason for wanting Pam, being that she was the only thing he hadn't failed at, but when Pam is in the process of ending it all, his response was for her to talk to her mom, or Jim, so they could fix things? I wonder if he will realize the reason the relationship lasted was because of the work being done by people not in the relationship? Pam was right about them both having a miserable future if the marriage worked out.

I wonder what Mom Halpert will say to son Jimmy when she calls him with the cancellation news? And where will Pam go, once she separates from her life with Roy? And what expectation will the rest of the Halpert family have for Jim, as the brother of the jilted groom, and the best friend of the runaway bride? Will they expect him to abandon his dear friend, since she broke the heart of the other brother? And, oh boy, what kind of fall out will there be when everyone finds out that Jim and Pam are in love?!?

Can't wait until your next chapter! You are so awesome!

Author's Response: You're awesome, Aivilo! Next chapter should answer most of these questions. I think...

I am so interested to see how you handle the Halpert family's dynamics toward each other and toward Pam when she and Jim start to be open about their feelings for each other.

Author's Response: This next chapter will start to skim some of that. Hope you enjoy it!

I am so happy that I woke up this morning and this was posted. I like the way you are portraying Roy and I'm interested in seeing how he reacts when he learns of Jim and Pam! I don't think there was too much dialogue, just the right amount. Well done once again!

Author's Response: Thanks! I think we have one or two more chapters until the reveal to Roy depending on how wordy I get next chapter.

This was soooo good. Poor Jim, hell poor Pam.... maybe even a little poor Roy... eh, he'll get over it LOL. What is going to happen next? Eeeeee

Author's Response: Thank you, Hannah_Halpert! Next chapter will probably have you saying poor Roy again.

I'm really enjoying this. I like that you haven't made Roy into a total ass. Makes the predicament all the more sticky for Pam & Jim. I found this one sentence to be most telling:

The kiss wasn’t sweet like either had imagined, it was hungry, and sad.

I'll be interested to see the fallout of calling off the wedding.

Author's Response: Vampiric Blood, let me just say first how much I love your stories. I've made it a goal of mine not to make Roy an ass. Roy and Pam's meeting at the diner in The Negotiation has always stuck with me, and that's my favorite way to remember Roy.

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OMG! That was some trip to the store for milk! When she gets home to Roy, he is gonna wonder what is happening at the grocery store these days!

I enjoyed the writing style you used here. I felt both Jim and Pam's urgency during dinner and the dancing that followed. The way Pam felt like she absolutely HAD to say something in deep contrast Jim, feeling that he'd be in the clear if he could just stay quiet until after the wedding. I think I felt both of them exhale when Pam confessed and Jim responded, 'don't marry him!' Really know, you are a fantastic story teller!

Good idea for them to give a few days after the wedding detangling before they meet up again... I actually am most looking forward to the post-breakup Jim/Roy interaction....

Author's Response: Thank you, Aivilo! The grocery store is no joke these days. Haha. As of right now the Jim/Roy interaction post-breakup will get a good amount of attention.

This had my heart racing! Flashbacks of the Casino night were everywhere in my head! Please update ASAP! This is soo good!

Author's Response: Dedeen, that's exactly what I was going for with this chapter. Very subtle Casino Night chapter. Thank you!

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::::breathing huge sigh of relief while trying to swallow past the lump in my throat:::: OMG I am SO invested in this story. I honestly sighed in relief when he finally confessed his love and also when they finally allowed themselves to admit both to each other AND to themselves that they belong together and sealed it with a long awaited kiss. You know, in this scenerio, Pam kinda makes me mad She takes tiny steps then backs WAY off expecting Jim to do all the hard work. Meanwhile, It doesn't seem that she has any real appreciation for the horrible situation that Jim finds himself in. I believe that Pam is smart enough to know that Jim has had to cover for Roy all those times. Also, she HAS to know that it seems that Roy appears to be the 'golden child' in his family. It just seems that Pam would have to see hints that Roy and Jim's family are not only okay with, but even expect Jim to ignore the feelings for Pam that I believe had they gone unspoken they would have eventually destroyed him and probably her too. I mean, it's been in my head since the last chapter, how in the world does she ignore how Jim HAD to feel when his brother tells him that she is the only good thing in his life? I would think she would unerstand that those words, without a clear signal from her, would prevent Jim from speaking up. I just really understand in this situation what an absolute impossible place Jim found himself and the fact is, he may well be making a choice between having his family or having her and while being truly in love and esentially knowing that she IS 'the one' for him, there is just NO WAY he can take that step without knowing that she feels the same and in the process lose evrything in the process. I know that most of this really applies to the chapters preceeding this, but this chapter, and particularly Pam's anger at Jim, really got me thinking about it all and just how much Jim could lose. I hope his family will see when they find out, that this is right. It seems like they kind of like Pam being there to steady Roy and really so he can be her problem rather than theirs, but it's selfish and I really do hope that in the fallout that is certain to come, they can see that they expected both Jim and Pam to ignore their true feelings so that she could be whatever Roy and his family wants her to be for Roy. I am holding my breath SO excited for the next chapters! I can't wait to see how it all goes when Roy is denied what hec wants. I thought it was great insight into the mind of Penny and probably her family as well when Penny danced with Jim and said she thought it would be him. (and immediately after he professed his love to Pam no less! Makes me wonder if it was maybe even some sort of a last ditch plea, you know, "wake up Jim! You are better for my sister, you belong together and you're going to lose her forever!" I also noticed (unles I somehow missed it) that Pam didn't tell Jim that she also loves him, though I'm sure it is implied. Maybe she feels she needs to have things over with Roy before she actually says it! I just cannot wait to see what comes next! Good luck with your family stuff but PLEASE, hurry back! You can't leave us hanging here! :o)

Author's Response: ftmil16, I absolutely love your long reviews! I can see how invested you really are. I get being mad at Pam, but remember way far back in chapter 4 when she was ready to let it all go to be with Jim and then he called and let her down and he never brought it up again. So give her a little slack. For her she was ready for that big step and it didn't happen, so now she's going to be more cautious. The family stuff will be more tricky than his parents liking Pam with Roy. There was a reason his mom only consoled Jim but didn't tell him not to say anything. And Pam didn't say I love you, she's still coming to terms with calling off her wedding but we will get to that. It will be a big thing for her and them as a couple. Again, thanks so much for the review. I love hearing all of this.

An update on my lunch break--woooohooooo!  Exciting chap, italianfood, a real nail-biter!  I'm so swept up in this!

Author's Response: Thanks NanReg! It makes me happy to know that I can sweep anyone up in this, especially you.

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OMG I was so thrilled when you started adding chapters to this story again and now I find myself waiting holding my breath for each chapter, hoping it's finally the one where they are both honest with each other and where Pam can see that Jim is what keeps her relatioship with Roy alive. I find it makes me furious how the parents and brother are simply fine with overlooking Jim's feelings and the fact that this hurts him deeply, not to mention how they completely overlook how Roy takes Pam for granted and Jim and Pam are simply the perfect fit. I so hope that Jim and Pam will be able to get a happy ending and his family won't resent them. I have a feeling that Pam's family has known for a long time who the best man for their daughter is. Just on a side note, do you think there's any chance of you continuing your Mifflin Designs this is Jim, story when you are done here? I adore all of your writing and I think leaving that story (or any of yours) unfinished is almost a crime. You have a wonderful gift, not with just the skill and quality of your writing which is without a doubt supurb, it's the scenerios you come up with and the ways that you work through the obstcles in those and make them work that is brilliant. I absolutely cannot wait for more of this!

Author's Response: Thank you so much! We will definitely cover the family's involvement or lack off coming up. As far Mifflin Designs, I have worked on that story since I stopped posting it, I have anywhere between 7-10 different versions of the unposted chapter that I haven't deleted. I hate them all. I'm just really lost with it. But I will finish it, I just have to figure out where I was going with it again.

Whatever will Pam do with her realization that she is about to enter into the worlds most boring marriage, while she has an amazing time with her future brother-in-law, who is also her bestest friend ever!

Cannot wait to read more soon!

Author's Response: Next chapter Pam will do something... that's all I'll say.