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Happy to see an update to this story! I can't wait to see how things turn out for them.

I’ve been lurking here for quite a while (and have read some of your older stories!), but made an account just to review this one. Wow. This story has had me on edge since it started, and I check back everyday to see if there’s been any updates. It’s so captivating. I’m a sucker for hospital stories for whatever reason, and this fits the bill perfectly. I’m really happy things have been on the upswing for everyone, while there’s still such a long road to go. I can’t believe they’re about to have another kid in the middle of this! Wow! I hope things go smoothly for her; can’t imagine what would happen if something else goes wrong...

I loved seeing Michael show up. I think we could all use a Michael during sad situations, as crazy as he can be. He really does care about his loved ones. Anyway, not sure how much this review makes sense, but I’ll be waiting for your next chapter :)

Author's Response: Oh. My. Gosh. I feel so honored that you created an account to review! You have no idea how much hearing reviews means to me!! This story is based on true events that happened to me when I was just slightly older than Cece, and so it’s very personal, and my favorite family is working through it in a way I wish we could have. I make time to work on this story amidst the chaos of work and marriage and it has become my little pride and joy this last month or so. I ALSO love hospital stories, and so I wanted to write one that wasn’t too heavy on the melodrama but felt more realistic, and still gave folks a sense that our beloved Jim and Pam are still themselves. I adore that you liked Michael, it was a new challenge for me to write him in, but it came with ease, and I am very happy you liked how it turned out! That’s also so exciting you read my older stories, I wrote those gems about 10 years ago in college when I first started watching The Office but I am here again and writing once more! I’d love to hear more of your thoughts as we go along!

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I can't believe it's over (for now!!)

This story has kept me coming back to check for updates on a very regular basis. I really thought you were going to kill off Jim in the beginning. I'm so glad you didn't. The ending was great, and full of so much hope. Since I know this is based off of some of your own personal experiences, I hope your story had a positive ending, such as Cece's did with the upcoming move and her new school. I'm looking forward to your sequel story, and (hopefully) more positive progression for the family!

This story is so cute! I really love the AU where they are teachers. I was that kid who loved school and didn't even try to hide it, so I still enjoy a good book/story in that setting. I had a good laugh when I seen that Dwight was the German teacher; definitely suits him. We had an agriculture class at my high school, so I could definitely see him in that setting as well - he would be too excited to talk about the beet farm.

I have the feeling Roy is going to make an appearance soon. I kind of hope not, I really want to see how J and P's teacher friendship/relationship progresses!

Anyway, not sure if any of this made any sense, but I'm looking forward to future chapters :)

Author's Response: I’m so glad you are liking it, thank you!! I’m a big nerd who loved school too, especially my English classes, so it’s been fun to write. :)

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The suspense is killing me! I just want Jim to grow a pair and leave Karen already! Ahhhhhh, oh well, can't wait to see what happens next.

Author's Response: Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review! And haha sorry about that...Jim is slowly growing a pair though. Honest. I'm really pleased to hear you're enjoying it!  

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I really liked Never Give Up, and was a little saddened when I read your update pertaining to its status, but I'm super happy to see this story! I really enjoy how it's started off so far - the ending of Gay Witch Hunt was so cute, and I like how it's continued through The Convention. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the rest of this alternate universe plays out, mainly, I am really curious to how people will react if/when they find out J and P are together now, instead of months down the road in season 4. Will Karen still be an interference to their relationship? Will Roy try to get back with Pam at Phyllis' wedding? Anyway, I hope this isn't too off track and full of rambling, just wanted to let you know I'm enjoying it so far and can't wait to see more! :)

Author's Response:

Why thank you!

And yeah, my apologies on NGU.  The whole Peacock thing kinda messed up my plans trying to get it done (again, don't blame them at all for taking it all down).  I'll also say that it's getting a MAJOR overhaul; It will certainly remain the same plot-wise, but I'm wanting to improve the writing from how it is now down the road.

The "GWH" ending was really fun to write, the original scene was my favorite part of "Fun Run".  "The Convention" was even more fun because of how well the halves clicked.

You're not rambling at all.  Heck, just read my endnotes for evidence of that.  Here's all I'll say: There'll be a buildup to a "Dunder Mifflin Infinity" style announcement.  Karen WON'T be a roadblock, going on her own journey.  And Phyllis' wedding will have a *major* impact on Roy and Pam's dynamic.

I'm glad your enthralled with it so far and I'll be sure to keep progressing with it; it's already had a smoother start than NGU initially did so that's certainly a plus.

Thanks for the review! 

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I loved how this was set up so far. I love reading people's ideas of alternative endings to Casino Night. Looking forward to future chapters!

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Yay! I loved reading All I Needed, so I'm super excited to see that this is out! I'm looking forward to seeing your re-imagination of the rest of season 3. The latter part of the season has some amazing episodes. I'm also looking forward to seeing how Karen's friendship with Ryan progresses... interesting pairing. I know a lot of people have said this, but I would have loved to have seen Karen and Pam develop a deeper friendship than what they had during Benihana Christmas. I hope things don't get too messy between her, Pam and Jim, but I guess that's what keeps things spicy. I have really mixed feelings on Karen sometimes, but I was really glad she and Pam were on good terms in Lecture Circuit.

I honestly forgot about Michael and Carol being a thing lol.

Author's Response:

Appreciate the compliments, and I'm glad you enjoyed All I Needed!

A lot of people forgot about Michael and Carol... I thought they were rather compatible (considering the obvious) but his obsessiveness and impatience constantly gets the better of him.  Thank goodness he eventually learned the value of patience.

I personally really like Karen, but I understand others' opinions on her, especially her adamantly wanting to keep Jim for herself even after "The Return".  Karen's dynamic with Jim and Pam will become... interesting.  What I will say is the three will stay friends, but Ryan will constantly affect the dynamic, especially with his ties to Jim (which I've hinted at but won't go into detail just yet).  "Lecture Circuit" was a fun reunion episode and the closure that most fans wanted, since she's not nearly as hated as Roy.  As for her and Ryan, well, it makes sense on paper.  At least to me.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the season, it's my second favorite and just has a lot of stellar moments, great writing, and excellent character development.  I may hate the Jim/Pam arc in it, but everything else is just so sublime that watching it won't be nearly as frustrating as S9's Jim/Pam arc.

Thanks for the review!

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Booze Cruise!!! Honestly had no idea that this chapter was based off this episode until Jim breaks up with Katy. Well done incorporating the lines into this chapter. My heart just wants these two together :( Happy to see Michael and Holly doing well though.

On a side note, I wonder what it would have been like if we had seen Pam dating Danny in early season 3..

Can't wait for the next chapter :)

Author's Response:

The Danny thing was such a weird retcon. I don't even like that Pam went out on the Freedom Fries date, tbh, but it definitely would have been interesting in terms of what not getting called back by Danny would have done to her self-confidence. It honestly could help explain her holding back from Jim for so long.

Thanks for the review and for reading! 

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I'm currently rewatching The Office (it's my partner's first time seeing it in full). We just finished season 3 a few days ago. Reading this story + watching some episodes I haven't seen in a while made me forget how intense some of season 3 is.

I loved the conversation of Pam talking with her mom and finally admitting what happened on Casino Night. I also enjoyed the restaurant conversation between Jim and Karen. I like Karen as a character, but I am obviously a big shipper of J+P so I never really thought much about the inside of Jim and Karen's relationship, other than what the show gave us (late night talks is about all I can think of). Definitely liked seeing what you envisioned for them only starting to think of their future this far in.

I imagine the story is getting close to completion based on the timeline, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with for the final few episodes of season 3. Would love to see another fic based on a different season, such as 4 (l so wish we could've had the full season they had planned!) or maybe 5 or 9. Looking forward to the next chapter! :)

Author's Response: Thanks so much! We are getting close to completion, four more chapters to go. I like your S4/S5 idea, I'll consider that. Gonna need a fluff cleanse after this one. Happy to see you here, I hope you enjoy the rest!

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The poem absolutely killed me. I can only hope that someone one day passes me a love note of that caliber.