Date: November 27, 2011 04:28 pm Title: Insight, in four parts - a bonus chapter
I'm thankful for your wonderful stories...
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I'm thankful for your kind reviews! :) Hoping to have another one after tonight's episode.
Date: November 27, 2011 02:27 pm Title: If you don't stop crying...
Love the callback to his wedding toast and faking not being able to cook to get her to be close to him :) And let's not forget a basic staple in his cooking arsenal. His famous grilled cheese sandwhiches ;) I mean it was the first time someone had cooked for her in ages!
Author's Response: Thanks so much! I love the idea of early Jim and Pam dating and him just wanting to be close to her to hug her, and I'm glad you liked that too! I'm betting that Jim cooks for her somewhat often, if he was willing to do that for her back then, he should be willing to do it now too, right? I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, and I'm so happy that you enjoyed it! :)
Date: November 27, 2011 11:10 am Title: Insight, in four parts - a bonus chapter
What a Thankgiving delight this was! So sweet and just athe amouth of fluff we needed. Oh and, all the different POVs - briliant! Thank you so much for giving this bonus chapter!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! Nancy gets the credit for the different perspective idea. I wanted to do a Thanksgiving fic, but wasn't sure how to do it without making it cheesy. I'm so happy that you enjoyed it! And I hope you're diligently working on your chapter 13! I can't wait to read it. I keep checking the site non stop for an update. Thanks so much for the kind review, it really means a lot to know that you liked it! Hoping to have another one after tonight's episode. :)
Date: November 27, 2011 07:32 am Title: Insight, in four parts - a bonus chapter
It took me 3 days to finish this story without any interruptions. It was worth it. I loved everyones thoughts and feelings. I am thankful you took the time to give us this special gift.:)
Author's Response: Thanks so much, I'm glad you were finally able to read it uninterrupted! I have to give the credit to Nancy for the idea of different perspectives, and it fit in so well with the holiday theme. I try to avoid it being cheesy but sometimes it happens. I'm so happy that you enjoyed it. I really had fun writing it. Hoping I'll be inspired again after tonight's episode. Thank you so much :)
10 [Report This]Date: November 27, 2011 05:16 am Title: Insight, in four parts - a bonus chapter
I've been a bad reviewer, so I apologize for that. Anyway, I really liked this bonus chapter. I especially liked the part about Pam's mom and her jealousy as I felt like it's a very realistic possibility.
Author's Response: No worries, I'm happy to see that you enjoyed this one. Something about the new Helene (I still call her that even though she's been on way more than the season 2 Helene lol) Anyway, something about her makes me feel like she's just a small itty bit jealous of Pam and Jim. Not to the extent that she'd wish them harm, but just because her marriage didn't work out and Pam and Jim are so close to one another, I think that it could be a point that Helene would envy. Glad you thought it was realistic! Thank you so much for the lovely review, and I'm so happy you liked it. Hoping to have another one after tonight's episode. We'll see. Thanks so much :)
Date: November 26, 2011 11:57 am Title: It’s not easy, coddling a grown person…
I just loved this chapter -- it gave so much meaning and depth to a difficult (for me) episode. That's the Jim and Pam I know and love -- Jim made a bad choice -- Pam didn't like it -- but she was willing to deal with it and move on. Great writing!
Author's Response: I'm so sorry! I don't know how I missed this review! I just noticed! I completely agree, Jim made a bad choice by going to Gettysburg and I really did think Pam would have been annoyed with him. I know it didn't seem like it during her scenes but they've never been the type to say much about their relationship to the cameras, so I thought it was a possibility that she'd be a little annoyed with him. Plus, I love writing banterish joking fighting between them. Thanks so much for the review, and sorry again that I missed replying to it! :)
Date: November 26, 2011 09:09 am Title: Insight, in four parts - a bonus chapter
Danielle, you have outdone yourself. That was so so so awesome and just what we all needed. The way you write Jim and Pam always gives me goosebumps, and the way Jim interacts with both his bubbas is so perfect and how I picture him at home.
Is it weird I also imagined Jim squinting at the recipe needing glasses?
Baking the pie with Cece made my heart explode in to little pieces,and the way he talks to her, asking her questions, even though she may not understand. Yeah, you have made me one very happy camper :)
Author's Response: Outdone myself? You're too sweet, thank you! And thank you for all your help and support, I probably wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for you and Nancy. I find the image of Jim squinting adorable, so I had to include it. I also love the image of him and Cece hanging out together. I can see him doing it for some reason. I'm happy you liked this, and I'm so happy to have you in my corner cheering me on. :) Thank you!
10 [Report This]Date: November 25, 2011 09:33 pm Title: Insight, in four parts - a bonus chapter
Eee! I was hoping that someone would write a Thanksgiving fic, and this was just beautiful. Seriously, wow. I can't even tell you what I liked the most. Just... really, really sweet, and the insight from different points of view worked really well. Thank YOU for sharing your talent with us :)
Author's Response: Thank you! I am so happy that you liked this, thank you so much for the lovely compliment! I was very close to not doing these anymore, but the thought of writing a Thanksgiving fic plus the great idea of different perspectives from Nancy, I couldn't not write it. I'm hoping tonight's episode inspires me to write another one of these. Thanks so much again for the lovely review, I really appreciate it so much. :)
Date: November 25, 2011 08:50 pm Title: Insight, in four parts - a bonus chapter
Danielle, I am thankful for you and your talent. This was a pleasure to read. One little detail (of many) that I loved was your mentioning Cece shrugging in the first part and then her grandpa shrugging in the second. It made me think of how we all carry the traits of those who came before us :) This was a perfect Thanksgiving portrait of love. Thanks for the bonus!
Author's Response: Thanks so much, Nancy. I thought Cece was the perfect age to start picking up on things that her parents and grandparents do. I had a lot of fun writing this one last week, and I can't thank you enough for the idea of the different perspectives. I'm so happy with the way it came out and I have you to thank for that. :) Glad you enjoyed how I made the idea come to life.
10 [Report This]Date: November 23, 2011 03:12 pm Title: It’s not easy, coddling a grown person…
You. Are. Amazing. Really. Seriously amazing. For me this was a very disappointing, very forgettable episode, and you came in and saved it. Well, maybe not forgetable, I mean, Jim and Pam are a bit of an obsession for me so I will probably always remember that some knucklehead who obviously is not clued in enough to Jim's character and personality, wrote this episode having Jim leave behind his pregnant wife who is due litterally any time, actually, because they gave us the date Pam was supposed to have concieved, Valentines Day so Feb 4, 2011. I'm lame and just went and did a due date calculator and Pam would have been due on Nov 7. (I was pretty sure she should have already had the baby on the show. I mean, they don't make ANYTHING make sense any more it seems!) Since that episode aired on Nov 17 she would already be 10 days overdue and most doctors would have either already have taken the baby or if she was insistent on waiting they would be likely doing very frequent stress tests to make sure the baby is still doing okay in there. Given THAT information, Pam already being 10 days PAST her due date, there is no way Jim would have gotten on that bus and certainly no way he would have without Pam. So, I am glad that yoyu were able to take the weak episode they gave us and do something good about it. I like how you wrote this with Pam, though obviously very forgiving, not happy at all with Jim for making the stupid decision to go on the trip. I mean, I don't know ANY woman who would be happy with her husband deciding on that even 10 days BEFORE the due date let alone 10 days after. So you wrote her so brilliant and believably with her sending all the text messages and then finally texting him saying he's on his own, she isn't waiting. You know, I promise not to dwell on this too long but really, I cn't see Jim going without a NOT pregnant Pam, KWIM? He doesn't like the people in that office that much to spend time with them away from his wife. I saw a deleted scene where he was apparently deciding to go because he's never been there and has always wanted to go. Still makes no sense. Thing is, they only live 3 hours away so if it's something he really wants to do I'm sure that after the baby is here and Pam has a time to recover she would be happy to go with him for a day or an overnight.
It's interesting that you conneted this to Beach Day. As my daughter and I were watching it we actually were discussing the fact that it looks like they used the exact same bus that they used for Beach Day. I just remember the print of the seats for some reason. Interesting all that has happened since THAT bus trip. (Not to mention, on that trip Andy was trying to get the job of regional manager from Michael and now he has it.) Since then Jim gave up the girl he just couldn't force hiself to want. Gave up the awesome job he couldn't force himself to want and he got the girl he had purposefully and hurtfully ignored that day at the beach. He found real true happiness. Got a wife. Fell in love with another girl... his daughter and is on the cusp of falling once more when the new baby is born. He may not have taken the job where he would have made so much more money (but would now be out of a job when DM went under) but I would guess, actually, I KNOW that Jim considers himself FAR richer at this point than he would have been with that job.
You paint a really strkingly vivid picture, I can see Jim in the cab, barely able to move because he is exhausted, getting out of the cab and walking to the door and I swear I can almost see the door opening as you hear a squeal from Cece and see a blur as she hurls herself at her beloved daddy. I LOVE in all of these the just warm and loving relationship that the small Halpert family has with each other but the one you paint between Cece and her daddy is si=o sweet, it's absolutely beautiful. I can almost see the exhaustion leave Jim's body and face once he is with his little girl. No matter what, I got the sense he ALWAYS has the time and energy for daddy's girl! I have a feeling that we'll see this type of relationship in the future between Pam and her baby boy.
I have to say, you do an absolutely excellent job with Cece's 'voice.' I'm always so amazed at how perfectly you are able to get the way a child that age would talk, the way they can't quite say the words right and such. You are also so perfect with describing her energy and just her interaction with Jim and Pam, you just really amaze me. I love that the first thing Cece notices are those godawful hats. WHAT was Andy thinking??? Sometimes I think that there can't possibly be anyone out there with worse taste than Andy. Anhow, here again you got this so right with Jim not just putting the hat on Cece's head but putting it backwards so it wouldn't fall over her eyes. That you think of a detail like that is remarkable!
Jim is very smart to sneak a peak at Pam to gauge how much trouble he's in first. I LOVE that he KNOWS that she has struck this pose just for him because he knows her well enough to know that with Cece on the loose so to speak, she is far too responsible she isn't going to prop her feet up and relax, she's going to be where Cece is. Such a smarta$$ and perfectly Jim thing to ask, so where's Philip? ROFL! It's sweet that her first comment though looking at the words themselves they don't seem like much, you didn't eat out did you? But knowing these two as we do we know that this is her loving way of not just checking up to make sure he didn't but of letting him know that she cares about his health, she loves him and she isn't going to let anything happen to him. Once she gets that in she gets in her insult about his hair and her joking yet dead serious dig about him being a wife abandoner by leaving her and going. I love that Jim admits to her esentially that he made a mistake by saying that he shouldn't have gone and I really love that he actually thinks the texts she sent all day were awesome. Of course, I suspect that much the way he realized soon after leaving that he shouldn't have gone and left her, I think he probably also realized just how unexciting the trip was going to be without her and he would have known that he was really going to miss her. I suspect that these texts and even more so because there were so many, helped him feel like he was still connected to her even though he made a mistake in going and I'm sure he knew quickly that she wasn't happ with him. I wonder justnhow freaked out the first few texts made him. I'm sure it took at least several before he knew that she was screwing with him.
I'm really glad that you addressed the issue that I know is getting so old for so many of us and that is Andy's need to be constantly validated and reassured. I have to wonder if at some point Jim is going to really regret not taking the job himself because in many ways, Andy having the job is making even more work for Jim. Jim is the one that when Robert demanded to see sales up so much, yes, Andy came up with the stupid incentive program that would have motivated no one. It was Jim's quick thinking, coming up with big thigs to work for, things the staff could get behind and clarifying about pooling the points, Jim coordinated that effort that Andy got credit for in the end but yet it was all Jim that made it work. Then there is Jim having to constantly coddle Andy and tell him he's a good boss, people like him... it would be draining. You know in thinking, this doesn't show Robert California to make very good decisions about people. I mean, he decided on Andy for whatever reason and so far he can't seem to get Andy focused on anything other than trying to impress him and that just brings to mind RC's total misunderstanding about Kevin this last week. I mean, IRL there is no doubt that if RC were the top with Andy the next rung, the business would be run into the ground in no time.
Anyhow, I like Jim being able to voice his (and our) frustrations about the whole situation to Pam. I also like that you did bring it up because IRL there is no way that Jim would have to constantly reassure Andy and watch others as they do without becoming frustrated.
I love the way you show here that yes, Jim is human and he makes mistakes but he cares so much about his wife and kids, he appologises and also no matter how tired he is, when he is with them, he doesn't neglect them because he's tired. Yes, he's tired and has a headache, which btw, here is where we see that thus caring and concern is no way one sided. She is concerned about him eating out because of his health. As soom as he mentions a headache she gets very concerned and even though he reassures her she quickly goes for asprin for him. Anyhow, though he isn't feeling his best, he atill just wants to take care of his family and on this night it means that he obviously saw or maybe just knows that by the end of the night Pam has nothing left so he sends her to lay down while he takes care of their little one. Not only that, it's SOOOO Jim to indulge her on the only being able to read one book thing. SO many men would either just read other ones anyhow or make her read to the baby but such a Jim thing to do. Such a nice chapter that leaves us with something to smile about after this episode. I love you showing that with Pam being more than 9 months pregnant, and after a day that wasn't their best, they still want each other and are obviously still very happy in that respect after being married a couple years and having (almost) a couple of kids. SOOOO much the way I envision our Jim and Pam.
Thank you Danielle for yet another wonderful and brilliant chapter. I have no clue how you do it, working on two stories at the same time. Keeping them both the very highest quality and keeping them both very fresh, exciting and true to character. You really have something very very special and I am so grateful that you are willing to share that special something with us!
Keep being amazing! *hugs* T~
Author's Response: Thanks so much for saying all of these nice things, I really appreciate them so much! I wasn't thrilled with the episode at all, and it really didn't hit me that Jim should have stayed with Pam. I don't want to start bashing the show because I'm finally feeling better about it, but yes, I think he should have stayed with her just in case. I envision Jim and Pam's relationship like how I would like mine to be. A little off, a little feisty and sometimes they argue, but at the end of the day, it's always them together. No one's going off at night to do their own thing somewhere when the other's at home with the kids. They're not snippy with one another, forgive easily and are in synch with one another. They have household rules that they made for their kids and they'll both agree to enforce them. I personally am so frustrated with Andy and his constant need for acceptance when he's already been told that he's accepted - it's just so annoying and drawn out. Also, how many times does someone have to say it to him before he gets it? I know men are dense, but still. It shouldn't be a running theme for ten episodes. Whoops, there I go. Okay, reeling it back in.... So, yes, I really wanted to show that Jim isn't perfect but at the end of the day, what matters is that they're them together as a family, even if he went his way and she went hers during the day. Thank you so much for saying such lovely things all the time. I appreciate each of your reviews so much. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. :)
10 [Report This]Date: November 22, 2011 09:19 pm Title: It’s not easy, coddling a grown person…
Can't sleep. Re read this. it makes my heart so happy.
Author's Response: Awwww! Seeing that made me so happy! :) thank you dear friend!
Date: November 21, 2011 08:43 am Title: It’s not easy, coddling a grown person…
Great job, Danielle. I didn't care for this ep all that much, either, but I love your supplement to it. Even through the crankiness, there's plenty of sweetness and love :)
Author's Response: Thanks, Nancy :) I'm glad you liked this one. I can never imagine them being really super mad or nasty to one another, just a little cranky but still loving. I hope these aren't getting redundant. I'm worried lol Thanks for always being so supportive! :)
Date: November 19, 2011 08:29 am Title: It’s not easy, coddling a grown person…
This is just what I needed after Thursday's episode. Pam texting Jim like that was HILARIOUS, and her calling him wife abandoner just cracked me up.
I really love how you incorporate Cece in to the stories, if we can't see this on the show itself, this is the next best thing.
I also love that even though Pam is trying so hard to be mad at Jim, she's still worried he ate out :)
Author's Response: THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH for your help with this chapter! I really appreciate it, and yeah I think even if Pam was mad at him, she's still concerned about his health over all. And if the show wasn't going to follow up on it then I figured, I should lol I'm so happy that you've liked these so far. Not sure that a lot of others are so... I don't know if they'll be continued, but I really can't thank you enough for the help with this one. Thanks so much dearie! :) xx
Date: November 19, 2011 08:05 am Title: It’s not easy, coddling a grown person…
Thank you for giving this episode a better spin than the writers. I really didn't like that Jim went on that trip but you made it better. Love your take and additions to each week.:)
Author's Response: Aw, you're welcome. I did not like the episode at all, so I'm really surprised I was able to get this one shot written. I'm happy you're enjoying these too! Thanks so much for the feedback, it really means a lot! Not many people are saying much about these so I'm wondering if I"ll continue, but I'm so thrilled to know you've liked them thus far. :)
Date: November 15, 2011 07:28 am Title: I dreamt we were married for 75 years...
I absolutely applaud you for getting this one up right away. Also, Jim and Pam's POV... AMAZING! You are doing a wonderful job doing these post fics moments. I seriously wait for the update of this one after each episode!
Author's Response: Thanks Dedeen! I'm really happy you're liking these, and especially this latest one. It was tricky finding the balance between reality and over dramatizing it, and I'm glad you think I did a good job with it! :) The next one may or may not take me a while - not a super big fan of Gettysburg... (the episode, not the place lol) so we'll see what happens. I'm going to try to do it now. Thanks so much for the feedback!
Date: November 12, 2011 08:00 pm Title: I dreamt we were married for 75 years...
This is a nice glimpse of their end-of-the-day thoughts. It's interesting to see them thinking about something so real and scary, and I like how you handled their reactions-- serious, but also sweet. Lovely job :)
Author's Response: Thanks :) I'm happy you liked this one :) I keep thinking of new ways to write this one, so I am glad that what I did come out with was good. I worked around the image of them resting in bed and went backwards from there with their thoughts. I thought they would be more serious than normal just by the way he was walking so slowly and she was rubbing his back, telling him she'd call his doctor. That little bit on the show just spoke so many volumes to me about how much she adores him. Thanks so much for the lovely compliment! :)
Date: November 12, 2011 07:38 pm Title: It hurts when I do this...
Actually I just realized I've never reviewed this story before. I'm so sorry, its just I've reviewed several other stories on MTT, and could keep track of which one. Please forgive me. But believe me when I say, that I have been reading since the beginning and have loved all your chapters. I'll try to review next time too. :)
Author's Response: Thank you so much for taking the time to review, it really means so much to know you're liking these. I'm trying to keep them fresh and new, so hopefully the weekly updates will continue to be enjoyable to you! :) Thank you!
Date: November 12, 2011 07:32 pm Title: I dreamt we were married for 75 years...
Sorry for my recent silence. Lots to do, yah know? Anyway, I have loved every single chapter you have written here, and Love how they tie into the weekly episodes. I knew you would write a good one for "Pam's Replacement" (a good episode by the way) and you did. I love how they basically had matching thoughts. The world would be a better place if everyone had a relationship like that. It was so in character how Pam started to get rid of all the healthy food... wow, I just realized these kinds of things never would have happened if she married Roy. I think she realizes it to, and it just makes her love Jim more. Speaking of Jim, for a laid back guy he's going to have a lot on his plate. But he loves his family so it will be all good. You know what I love about FanFiction? Most of it is better then the original show/movie/book (my opinion). And yours is no exception. Anyways, Loved it all, keep it up, can't wait till next week. BTW, out of curiosity... are you male or female?
Author's Response: Thanks, I really appreciate knowing you've been enjoying these :) I'm female. I'm totally blown away by you saying that my writing is better than the original show. That will stay with me for a long time, I can't tell you in words how much it means to know that someone out there thinks the way you do. What I did find odd was that Jim is laid back like you mention, so I guess genetics coupled with some of the stress would lead him to have high blood pressure. I'm sure he's also not telling Pam every single thing he's freaking out about and wouldn't want his co workers to think that way. I'm really wishing I could go back in time and incorporate more of these things that I keep thinking of for him to stress about. But I'll leave this one alone and move on to the next later this week. Thank you so much :)
10 [Report This]Date: November 12, 2011 04:26 pm Title: I dreamt we were married for 75 years...
Loved it. I can emphasize with Jim's stress levels and consequent high BP. Same thing happened to me, although well after our son was born, and I did not have Dwight to deal with!
I thought you captured both POV as beautifully as you always do.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for the lovely compliment Labhub! I really appreciate that! After I wrote this, I thought I should have included something about how he was probably more stressed out because of the way the day had gone, with Dwight being at an all time high crazy. That's definitely part of it, along with the new baby and Cece and all the bills and things that have to be taken care of. It is stressful. I'm happy you thought the route I chose for this one shot was good. Thank you so much! :)
Date: November 12, 2011 07:11 am Title: I dreamt we were married for 75 years...
My sincere apology for not reviewing more often on this. I have loved each and every update. The latest one really got to me. The thought of them really having a health scare just brought their deep love to the surface again. I love having this couple to escape the real world with. Thank you for making that such a pleasure.
Author's Response: Thanks, KH, it's such a relief to know that you've still enjoying these one shots. I'm always worried that the drop off means I'm not entertaining everyone with these or that they're getting repetitive. I definitely took away the same thing from the episode, that this scare just made them stop for a minute and realize that they're not invincible. I'm happy to see that you enjoyed it! Thanks so much! :)
Date: November 12, 2011 12:20 am Title: I dreamt we were married for 75 years...
Oh Danielle! You broke my heart! I'm not even talking about the content of your story at much as it is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, if that makes any sense, but your authors note broke my heart and also made me feel really very guilty. I'm trying to keep up, I promise I am. November has been one of the hardest months for me, well, actually it started back around Oct 22, I'm adjusting to meds that just aren't doing well and the pain has just been unbearable pretty much every day. That said, it's just awful to 'hear' you voicing that your writing could EVER EVER disappoint us. Seriously. I think many of us get caught up in life, for me it's pain and others it's being overwhelmed with work or kids or any of a billion other topics and we read, I think many of us may have good intentions to return and review and then life gets away from us. At the same time I'm disappointed in myself because if I've allowed a writed as brilliant and talented as yourself to doubt herself because I didn't take the time to write a review, that's a real shame on me. We shouldn't take any of our writers who take their time to share with us for granted, much less one as talented as you. Heck, I rarely write reviews for stories that were written some time ago, especially if the writer isn't currently writing here because I doubt that the review will be seen. I recently reread a story that was older and I had always really liked it but I really appreciated it anew and realized that there is always a chance the writer would see the review and also as a reader I often look at reviews first to see if a piece seems to be worth my time, especially older ones. Who knows, maybe my review of an older piece could be the thing that makes someone else decide to read it. Anyhow, I review and amazingly just 3 days after I did the author just by chance was looking at some of her older work and saw my brand new review. She took the time to PM me thanking me and telling me that it meant a lot that I took the time and that she had been looking for inspiration for her writing and I had helped etc. The point is, we never know how us taking the time to let an author know our thoughts on a piece will affect that person. We should never take you guys, our wonderful authors, I believe those that write on this site are among the most talented authors out there and so many, you included, I believe strongly, would be able to make a living from writing in one way or another. I'm just really sorry that you have had any doubt in yourself, any at all, especially because of something I did, or didn't, do. From the bottom of my heart, I'm really sorry! NOW, onto the review of this chapter and I PROMISE, the Doomsday review will be coming soon!
You captured this episode and just all the things I took away from it, the feelings I had about the things that happened, just so perfectly. I loved once more getting to go on the journey with you, home from the office and into the home and lives, hearts and minds of Jim and Pam. I guess there are many aspects of Pam's personality that I've never thought a lot about and you really had me thinking and more to the point, had me believing. I can totally see Pam reacting to realization that Jim has HBP, ESPECIALLY after not only being there when Jim's dad had a heart attack but had one soon after they began their relationship. I know for me, the significant things that happen early in the relationship when you are still finding your footing, trying to make impressions and learning how to take care of and be there for each other, tend to leave especially big impressions. I'm sure this carried her back to sitting with Jim at the hospital and at his parents home after that event but this time, heck, especially with it being the SAME home they sat in then, she is picturing Jim in the bed his dad was in and herself in Jim's mom's place. Certainly not something that Pam EVER wants to think about. Because of this especially it's so realistic that she would be determined not to eat out and to purge their home of anything and everything that could possibly add to the problems for Jim. I'm sure the very first thing the next morning she found herself on the phone to Jim's DR setting up an appointment. I hope that after he sees the DR and the DR explains what changes need to be made and I am sure will start trying to find the right blood pressure medicine for Jim, I hope at that point maybe Pam will feel a little more at ease. I KNOW the whole thing with HBP, my husband has struggled with it for many years now. Of course, unlike Jim, he's not fit, in shape, athletic atuff like that. These things to me, would make the whole HBP thing more frustrating for Jim and Pam I would think because in so many ways, aside from food choices I would think, Jim is living the way that people with HBP should. (As a side note, I know that this is just a chapter in a much larger fic BUT, I would love if you would maybe think about making a bigger story out of this. I just think you could take this and follow it into the future with them. Tell us how it goes as they struggle with both trying to get Jim's BP under control while at the same time dealing with both a brand new baby who likely will keep them from sleeping a whole lot and introducing a second child into their lives and routines which will likely throw everything including Cece's life, at least for a time, into chaos. I'm wondering if, since this comes so close to the arrival of their baby boy, will Pam try and take too much on her shoulders to try and keep stress off of Jim? Also, what will happen even furture in the future. It's easy to slip back into bad habits after the initial scare wears off. Just something for you to maybe think about. I know you have this and the season 3 fic going right now but when you're done with one it just seems like the kind of thing you would do a great job with.) ANYHOW...
I just love the picture you painted, they didn't go home and have Pam go right back to questioning about Jim finding Kathy attractive, that was over for both of them the minute Jim's health became an issue. I just love the thought of them talking about wanting to return to Niagara Falls and Puerto Rico when they have been married so long. I can also no only see them wanting to be the 60 yr old couple that can't keep their hands off each other, I can see them BEING that couple.
I'm kinda having problems finding the words to explain what I am feeling... I just guess I really like and can imagine them taking care of each other exactly the way you describe. Jim has been freaking out about Pam and her pregnancy. I'm sure he has a lot of concerns for her health and this episode showed that he is very aware of her mindset in that he is just determined to make her feel secure. (funny thing is, it was probably too much. I know when I was pregnant and had an issue with my husband and two girls that worked for him, his denials of my most basic questions which I am sure was to keep me from having doubts and being insecure but because he wouldn't admit to ANYTHING, in my mind I didn't really believe anything he was telling me and it all became a MUCH bigger deal and for a much longer time than it would have had he just admitted to some of the things he later did. Things that BTW, weren't a big deal but he was just concerned they would be.)
The thing about Jim and Pam is that they really get each other. The writers show that and you always drive the point home in your stories. Pam KNOWS there is no way Jim doesn't see an obviously pretty girl as being pretty. She's not dumb. Jim, OTOH, knows his wife, knows her insecurities and is willing to go as far as he can to help with those insecure feelings. He even anticipates her little tests and gos as far as being willing to take part in Dwight's craziness because he knows that at the end of the day, Dwight IS crazy and won't prove anything. So we see Jim very much taking care of Pam but then comes the switch when we learn about the HBP and suddenly it's all different, those early concerns don't matter and after throwing out all the offensive food, Pam just wants to learn everything she can so she can take care of her soul mate, forever if possible. I really like that you bring up those old feelings, how she'd already had to experience living without him and because of that she is determined that she'll never have to do that again.
It's nice how you set up the story for future episodes about Jim wanting to go for drinks with co workers rather than going home. In THIS context, it makes that whole like of thinking easier to bear. I was really not looking forward to that being part of any story on the show, no matter how small, but you bringing it up the way you did, putting it in the context of trying to use it to deal with the stress. Well, it makes it easier to take. I also like how you have Jim thinking about the marriage falling apart but vowing to himself that it just cannot happen. I like him thinking that there is nothing he believes in more than him and Pam because I very much believe that's true!
It's so nice, and very sweet and true to their characters that when you switch from Jim's thoughts to Pam's. it shows just how very much they think alike. They both think about the stress their own situation is putting on the other. They think about how much their family and each other means to them. Them remember their vow about their 75th anniversary and you have Jim thinking of all the future functions he is determined to be there for while Pam is thinging how she needs him there for the same type of big moments he had thought about. The image you give us of Pam finishing with the computer and going and wrapping her arms around Jim, it's just beautiful. As is them standing in the darkened kitchen holding each other and heading up to bed as she tries to hold in her tears before finally surrendering. These two have come a long way as it shows when they talk about this and try to ease the burden on the others mind rather than bottling it up like the early seasons Jiam and Pam did.
Then what you left us with
'Tomorrow morning, when the alarm goes off, I’m not going to take waking up with my husband for granted. '
Such a beautiful place to leave it. You did an amazing job here. Truly, it may be your very best work to date. You always amaze me with just how talented you are and how vividly you are able to portray the lives of Jim, Pam and Cece for us. You do such an amazing, indepth job of digging into these characters, who they are, how they think and their wonderful dedication to each other an their family. I love how you always show how much they appreciate each other. Real, true talent. I am privledged to be able to read your work. Thank you for sharing it! I can't wait for more!
Hugs to you... T~
Author's Response: Thank you so much for saying that, Tina. I always fear that the lack of response means I didn't do something quite right. I'll try to keep things in perspective. It is almost holiday time now so people are getting more rushed. :) I'm sorry I've been so delayed with review replies, I get caught up in writing so much that I haven't dedicated an afternoon to reply until today. I'm so happy and thankful that you're in my corner through this story, I really appreciate it. I took away an idea that I incorporated into 15 Months where Jim's father goes to the hospital so that's where that little bit came from. I thought with the way he was walking away with Pam and the way she was comforting him just seemed like they were taking it very seriously. So that led to this piece of hopefully not too overly emotional inner thoughts. I think 75 years may be too long now that I calculate it, but I think I'll go with calling it another way of saying forever, since they'd be well over 100 years old by the time 75 years of marriage came around. I still think it works though. I know they don't show it much on the show, but I think Jim is definitely in love with his family and would want to be at all of his kids functions and I think he would have been sort of slapped in the face a little by the realization that he has hbp. I have actually considered writing a story where Jim gets ill, but I'm going to save that idea for a later date. It could work, but I don't want to do too many stories at once. I really think that for Pam, she's just so happy with Jim that this little scare could really have led her to empty the house of all of the things that were bad for him and make her search out information on how to take care of him. I got that all by her telling him SHE was going to call his doctor. It made me think that she really needed to step it up and take care of her guy. I definitely over analyze things with these two. I'm so happy that you liked it. Thanks so much! hugs back to you too, :)
Date: November 11, 2011 06:02 pm Title: It is always a treat...
You write Jim and Pam as parent's so wonderfully. This little insight in to the Halpert's at home never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm always smiling as I'm writing so I'm glad it transcends through the computer. :) You're so sweet, thanks for the lovely compliment, glad you're liking these!
Date: November 11, 2011 06:01 pm Title: I dreamt we were married for 75 years...
This was so beautifully played out on the show, and you have done an excellent job in showing us what could have happened at home.
Author's Response: Thank you so much. I love the scene where she's running her hand over his back, it's so them, and I thought maybe they'd be a little frantic at home with trying to figure things out, given they may be stressing over the babies and his job. I'm so happy you liked this, thank you so much :)
Date: November 11, 2011 05:15 pm Title: I dreamt we were married for 75 years...
Poor Halperts :'( You captured the tense feeling, the fear but most of all the intense love. I love your quick updates :)
Author's Response: Thanks Nancy. Something about that back rubbing led me to think they were more upset than they usually are about things, especially the slow way he was walking. I'm glad you liked this one even though it was kind of over emotional. I'm going to try to be better about updating this one on Friday's. :) Thanks!
Date: November 11, 2011 03:45 pm Title: I dreamt we were married for 75 years...
There is not one thing I didn't love about these chapter. You actually made me cry at the end. I could totally see this happening when they got home, Pam freaking out, cleaning out the fridge, Jim biting his lip nervously. Awww, LOVE!
Author's Response: Thanks! I'm not sure where the over emotional idea came from but I went with it. Sorry to make you cry! I'm happy that you liked this one :) Thank you!