More Jim and Pam and their adventures in raising baby Jill!
Don't know if I've ever told you this, but - in general (with some exceptions), not a big lover of baby fic. Which makes that fact that I LOVE this story all the more notable. And this chapter was the bomb - so appropriate that it's almost all told via a joint talking head. And so many delicious details - a lot of bling for a baby; Michael's karaoke baby songs; Toby's creepiness; Kelly's turning Jill into a pint size Princess Grace...how do you keep coming up with this stuff? Whatever it is, don't stop ;-)
Jim as Jill's accomplice in crime - he would so be co-conspirator dad and she'd have him pegged before she could tie her shoes. This: She's a genius who lives by a code: Be polite...Don't be a fool made me laugh out loud, as did several other lines (she's using her words at least - ha!)
Such a treat - but, then again, you probably have me pegged and already knew that ;-)
PS I know lots of adults who still have boundary issues with other peoples woah-woahs, so I think Jill will be just fine.
This made me a little ferklempt - seeing yourself in your kids is a scary and awesome thing, and you really captured that here, as well as how mind blowing it is when you begin seeing all the ways they're not you. And I LOVED Jim's journal entry - perfect. This was a delish little amuse bouche for tonight's episode...not that they're about to reproduce, but at least we know it's somewhere on the horizon now. For realsies ;-)
I seriously think you could market this fic as a mood enhancing drug. The Jilly/Jim dynamic is so delicious and believable - and his love for Pam oozes from how enthralled he is with their little girl. That Fun Run moment at the end was perfect - your words made me picture it exactly, as I read. This is pure love.
Author's Response: Thanks Miss Colette. You know, sometimes I have to remind myself to actually include Pam in the story because I just love writing Jim with his daughter...just the idea of that is so freaking adorable to me I can't stand it. I'm glad those scenes are as delicious for you as they are for me!
You already know (more than you ever probably wanted to know ;-) how I feel about this. (Love what you did with the ending, btw.) All too often fics depict Jim the Obscure and Pam Karenina, so I love how you balanced real-life angst (the kind a character like Pam would experience, not the hyper-self-consciously 'edgy' sort) with the humor and love and hopefulness that are essential elements of the show. Well done!
See this is why you rule the genre: writing a tyke that cute without making her the second coming of Shirley Temple (even credible - yet so adorable you could bite her - dialogue!) You pick just the right details - e.g., sticking out her tummy - to make her real, without overdoing it. Tasty as ever!
Author's Response: Why thank you Colette. Very kind of you to say indeed. ;-) In my head Jill is quite adorable - but not perfect for sure. Seems she's picking up sort of a whiny thing. lol. Thanks for taking the time to review, as always.
This was one of my favorite chapters - and that's saying a lot. It's uncanny how you captured each character - and that last bit was perfect. So funny and spot on, and in so few words.
Early in this series, I remember thinking: we'll never see scenes of them married, preg, with a baby, etc....so thank god for Lovefool! Little do those writers on the show know what a tough act they have to follow ;-)
A bit on the fly here, cause I have about 9 bazillion things to do before delivering the baby tonight (woops...that's Pam not me!) but had to commemorate this moment. You finished! And in TOP FORM, babe. You are still the queen of dialogue and those perfect little touches (looking for an iron, like the hospital is a hotel - hee!) Not to mention writing a small child who's adorable without making your teeth hurt.
It's was an honor to be even a very tiny part of this...and what the hell, for old time's sake: I believe it's Pitocin, not Pitosin ;-) Well done, missy!
10 I love these five thing fics, and this one had a great progression. You worked in so many key elements, but kept it direct and focused. And, here's to 'no longer being stupid.' They can't stop soon enuogh, as far as I'm concerned.
Author's Response:
The person that came up with the Five Things fics is... well, basically.. awesome. Thanks for the reveiw, Colette, it helps to know what works
Hooray for pro-active Pam, stepping up to the plate. And for Jim taking some of the responsibility too. And for putting a far nicer scenario in my head than the dreaded ones I've been torturing myself with. Thanks!
Author's Response: Thanks - you know, I actually felt Pam's stress as I wrote it, and I knew (well, had a good idea anyway!) of how it was all going to end. Too much angst around here anymore!!
Seven different ways to say I love you.10 I meant to only read the first couple of parts for now, but could not stop. You really got the characters down. And I love how you re-invented the parking lot scene...so much better your way! And what a sweet, sexy ending. Thanks for this!
Author's Response: Yay! Thank you, Colette!
He's playful and animated, quippy and sexy, and always, always just a little bit dark. 10 This was really terrific. I think you captured Karen (or at least as I imagine her) - she has so much on the ball and really feels something for Jim, but...she's just not the one. I like how we see Jim's reticence with her and his reconnection with Pam through Karen's eyes...the subtlety of the intertwining fingers. And her different phases of wanting to/realizing she can't make him happy and vice versa. And that she bows out gracefully. Well done!
Author's Response:
I'm glad you felt the subtlety with the Jim/Pam hands thing, I was worried that that wouldn't read as vivid as it was in my head. Thanks for reviewing, Colette.
This is Creed. So peculiar, yet also rather touching when he wonders about his brother...but then can't quite hold the thought. Spot on, Missy.
Oh Jim...yes you CAN. This is just too too sad. He's still lying to Karen, of course, a prisoner of his own iron-clad defense system. The last line is killer...go and break my heart why don't you? Very well done, Ms. Par. Very good indeed.
This really captures that Ryan disaffection...no conscious choice, but there he is...with pumpkin pie in hand. And yet, for all his resistance, there's still something sweet about him with Kelly. After all - he at least cares whether her father will like it. Gotta mean something.
Now, if you can make me feel empathy for Roy, you must be doing something right. And I - kinda - do. Great detail about the relatives being there who'd ask questions. Family can be treacherous when it's not a comfort.
The little mittened hand...how poignant is that? Toby is a freaking prince. This one is so simple, but so succinctly sad and sweet. Perfect.
My poor, sweet Jim...of course Karen will stay - apparently they're gong to have to pry her out of Scranton with a crowbar. One of those inexplicable things. The image of him watching Pam's taillights disappear makes me want to cry. No joke.
Hooray for her not stopping; she'd better find some fancy new glue and quick. Oh, why does this give me an ominous feeling?
10 Poor Ryan, just along for the ride...NOT. He's definitely got an itch that Kelly scratches, no matter how disinterested he claims to be. After all, he hopes her Dad likes pie.
Not that he didn’t like her, but he couldn’t remember ever making a conscious choice to be with her. Yup, that's it. Only by not walking away, he has chosen, silly boy.
BTW: Love your disclaimer. I can SO relate.
Oh, Michael. Vulnerable as a child. One with very poor judgement. And a lot of chest hair. No matter - I feel his pain here.
Aw. It's that pathos in Michael - which is so present here - that makes him so empathetic, not just a buffoon. All that in under 100 words...like magic.
Author's Response: Totally agreed, Colette. He's so tragic in his overwhelming need to be loved. The buffoonery is just a symptom of the disease, so to speak!
And whose going to supply the glue?? I think we know the answer to that. I already feel Pam's pain... but, imagining her in this scenario just crystallizes it beautifully. So glad she's feeling fancy enough not to go backwards...now if only Jim could stop hurtling forward enough to notice! Loved this one. Lots.
Author's Response: Aha! The answer to that takes much more than 100 words, but then again, as you said, we already know who it will be. Really. We do. And he WILL take notice. Thanks my dear!
10 He watched as the taillights disappeared from view. That sentence made me tear up. Just sums so much up about Jim and Pam's relationship. So heartache inducing.
I love how none of his 'options' are right - because there's only one that's going to work...hear that G. Daniels!?! I so hope he'll tell Karen soon - thank you for helping me imagine he won't waste another minute.
10 Kind of feel bad for Roy here...but, what can I say, I'm a cold hearted hussy. It's nice, however, to catch a glimpse here of the discomfort the break up has caused for him too. Now just keep him clear of Pam, please!
Author's Response: Don't worry, Colette, I think Pam is having Thanksgiving in another state. C'mon - you know I like Roy just as much as you do! I love the thought of all his relatives asking, "Where's Pam? What happened? Where's the wedding gift I sent, jerk?!"