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Well, call me goofy, but I missed the entire time theme developing (so that's how Frequency made the list!), and that all came together in quite clever fashion. (AND while I still don't have a precise title to suggest, it does occur to me there might be something to be done with the idea that a lot of high quality watches are stainless steel?)

And the way you brought it back around to the painting she didn't want to show anyone before them was just beautiful - a lovely sentiment and something that I feel like would've been very true to Pam in this period of their relationship.

And I think this is a solid explanation for WHY Jim didn't ask her to marry him until when he did. I do think it's maybe more about fear than he's admitting to himself, but the importance of making sure they get the timing right for this next step feels like something that would've weighed on him.

Personally, I like the idea of doing this all as a series - leaves you more room to write it as you'd like it without trying to reconcile a couple of different ideas into a single narrative. Like I like the way this one wrapped up, but definitely being able to jump over in the story where you bring it all the way around would be fun.

Kudos on putting the cap on this one! This was a fun ride through this particular relationship milestone.

Author's Response:

Ok - Goofy.

I'm a little surprised as you are usually so tuned in you sometimes pick up on things that even I didn't know I meant. But I hope the big reveal moment made it that much more satisfying - yeah, I know TWSS.

So I'm thinking maybe Golden Sands - now that it's completed I can give away an element from end. What do you think? 

Yeah, I'm starting to lean into the series idea. I'll keep on with the main story but now have a few more offshoots I'm thinking can tie back.

I'm glad you enjoyed the ride...it feels good to have a completed story. Thanks for all your commentary, insights and praise. It makes writing these all the more fun to see how others react.  

Thanks heaps again - see you in another cold open.

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Okay, the detail about Pam getting Jim to come over to retrieve things from high shelves that she absolutely needs right now, promise is just unbelievably cute and very believably them.

The movie marathon is a good note, and well-selected (and Pam's right - Frequency is an underrated movie).

As you might have guessed, I am a sucker for some good office hijinks and ensemble fun, and I'm psyched you ended up including it! You've got some good stuff going on here - Michael's misuse of words (and Oscar being the one to correct him) and subsequent conference meeting (you hit the Michael beats well!), some quality Kelly banter. And Pam's prank is genius and shows her soft spot for Dwight (and to a lesser extent Jim's) all at once. It's a quality prank - basically harmless but bound to drive Dwight insane.

Author's Response: You might recall the set up for the second shelf bit from chapter 5 of All the Glitters (or you might not since you read so much) but either way I’m glad you enjoyed it.  

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I’m really enjoying seeing Pam form the beginnings of a bond with her future in-laws – and that said future in-laws are IMMEDIATELY conspiring with her against him.

This is an interesting twist on Pam’s relationship towards football – you often see in fic her finding it boring or being resentful of Roy’s interest, as opposed to it being something that bonds her with other members of her family.

The casual quoting of movie lines feels VERY them. And I’m hooked by the tease of what his presents are going to be.

Sharing the line from the video is A+ parenting from you and Betsy both.

Also: boy, a quick Google search suggests this was a really good fall for Jim to be able to enjoy a new relationship, because there was not much to look forward to on Sundays for Eagles fans. Also, I am definitely thinking about a metallic title for this story...)

Author's Response:

I don't know how much it was alluded to in the show and I'm only first getting to deep dive into the fics but I always saw Pam as a mild football fan. You know being around it with Roy in HS and in what I think of as a kinda football town. Not such a die-hard that she watched every game or her mood depended on how the season was going but one that could follow and even enjoy the games, cheer on her team and even get caught up in the ups and downs of the game if she were watching.  And it would be one more thing that would draw a sports fanatic like Jim to her - her being able to talk FB. and yes, it was not a good season.

They are watching a lot of movies right now. Little Red envelopes are in the mailbox everyday (do you know what I'm referring to?)

Sarcasm or real - not sure my teen agreed with your grading when I showed her the video. But he's a good sport.

Looking forward to updating with a AKA for my little story with a credit to you.

Thanks as always!!!!! 

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Well done on the football research. Going back to find details of a real world event like that must have been tricky so kudos to you.

Yes a little disappointing the Eagles lost, but more than made up for in the sense that Pam slides so nicely into the Halpert family. They're warm and accepting of her and it's a joy to envison.

Nice little domestic scene there back at Pam's place. They are just happy being with each other and it's great.

Also sorry this is kind of late, but to answer one of your questions from a couple chapters ago. The family's doing fine. Still getting used to new routines, but they're coming.

Author's Response:

#1 - As you can see I have given up on sleep - consider it my stand in unity with you (and/or Mrs. Warrior) as with I have been there and know how little you exist on in the early days.

#2 - As soon as those routines really set in they will change but glad everyone is doing well. What an amazing time you have ahead. Enjoy it all.

 on to story...

Football research actually should have been easy - with the Internet you should be able to find everything BUT one of the stat sites had it wrong and it became harder than it should. But all the stat-seeking I was able to get into the game watching mindset.

 I feel very at home with them - glad you enjoy my depiction.

Keeping this short to get back to some reading - wink wink.

Thanks for your insights and reviews always.

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I really love this portrait of the early months of JAM - feels very accurate to them. Very strong details like Pam's mini-golf skills making a match take the same time as a regular golf game.

I'm also pleased you explored Jim's decision-making process about the ring. We don't read a lot about the time between him being it and Chair Model, but it's interesting to get a sense of where his head was at this point and how he's working through his decision on when to pop the question.

For the record, I think the idea of digging into Jim and Pam's relationships with each other's families is very worthwhile - it certainly feels like it would be a concern of THEIR parents, given their history and recent experiences, and I think it gives the whole piece more depth.

Adding in the artwork was creative - it's an odd thing with writing Jim and Pam stories, because such a huge part of Pam's life is expressed visually, and I think it's a really strong touch to try to account for that.

(Also, I love the note that Jim hadn't seen The Graduate, considering how much Benjamin Braddock gets referenced in early seasons Jam fic! And I think copper-headed is a reasonable compromise on Pam's hair color.)

Author's Response:

I've got one word for you, Plastics. The Graduate is a weird movie but iconic movie. It's what I pictured in the dream sequence when they ran away so I made this the foreshadowing element.

I'm into Metallics- Gold, Copper  - Think of an alt title for this story that is metallic and I'll make you some art for your next story.

Anyway, onto your review (thanks for always taking the time to go deep). I like to think it was a tricky decision due to their history and situation (when to pop Q) but I won't go into it too much here. But hearing his say how nervous he was (season 7) always sticks with me - glad I didn't have to do it. ****SPOILER ALERT FRIENDS*** (I think about the line from, and forgive me for bringing up Friends, about the reason girls don't.

Families are so important...I know on show it wasn't about the families but I think they hint at the strength of the relationship they had with each other's and I wanted to bring it to life some more.

I was excited to add artwork - part of the reason why I chose to jump to this story (since I had the vision to add it here) and temporarily neglect ATGIG but I hope to be back on that soon, too. 

There I go being wordy again so I'll finish off by saying THANKS.

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So that was a fun way to start out things. The dream sequence stuck home, things randomly changing from one thing to the next but while in the dream they make complete sense. Why wouldn't Katy turn into Dolly Parton? Of course they go right from the boat to Pam's bedroom.

Don't feel bad about not getting into graphic detail about things. Many times less is more. You did a good job with that here.

Love that Pam is right there with Jim and they're set to have a good time together. Looking forward to where this goes.

Author's Response:

Hey Warrior,

Thanks as always for your review. Always love to hear from you.

I do like to leave more to the imagination (at least when it come to the sex - everything else I go on and on about, right?) and glad to hear that the less is more approach works here.

I'm really into this story and hope it will be enjoyed as much as I enjoyed working on it. There a new thing I'm trying out starting in the next chapter.

Stay tuned.

Best to you.

PS how is the family? 

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Personally, I think steam as opposed to, you know, showing the fire can work really well, so I'm all good.

The dream was charmingly bizarre. Jim's subconscious sounds like a fascinating place to be, and possibly a lot like its own version of MTT.

(Also, I can't help but think of Cece's reaction to this story. "You were conceived on my birthday, after I had a sex dream about your mother that prominently featured Dolly Parton.")

Author's Response:

Thanks Darjeeling,

I can always count on you for a review that makes me smile with its praise and wit. Pretty funny to think of the stories here are the dreams of our beloved characters.

Dreams are pretty fascinating and I thought that would be fun to explore. 

Some crazy stuff occurred after I finish writing about Dolly -my son came downstairs singing 9 to 5 (who knows how he even knows that song) and my hubby was flipping channels next day and stumbled on a feature on Dolly (and watched it). I'm only a little sticious but weird stuff right?

Glad my "steam" worked. That's my style, too, at least when writing it.

I'm excited about this story and hope you continue to enjoy it.