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The more I’m reading of your stuff, the more I’m enjoying it. This was so sweet and fun, glad it’s going multi-chapter.

Author's Response:

Thanks so much - that's really nice to hear. I do feel like it's the inspiration of what I read here that helps me be a better writer myself. But it is always so nice to get affirmation that I'm connecting with others in what I write. I love to find minute little things from the show and give them a back story - kind of how Jenna said she got into character I try to do for my stories - and add some stuff of my own too.

Thanks for the kind words and HAPPY 2021!!! 

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This is starting out great! I love that you have them spending so much time talking. They were best friends before, but now that they have all the time together, they're just strengthening that bond. I'm sure waitress Beth doesn't mind them to much. Also feels like they'd be the kinds of people to realize what they're doing and tip well.

The banter, humor, and wit during the discussions on the couch was really on par. I liked how you gave us an example of some of these discussions with Pam telling us about the bird funeral. That's just one example of the great writing through all of this opening chapter.

Jim looking through the yearbook was all sorts of cute. Pam look at you go. Being a heartbreaker from the earliest parts of your life and onwards. The transition from fun banter to more in depth discussions was also really good. Shows they're getting better at expressing themselves to each other.

Jim being then encouraging person he is towards Pam at the end is just the cherry on top. Can't wait to see where we go from here.

Author's Response:

Of course they tip well! And here's a little tidbit - Beth will be a major part of a new story coming this year.

Talking is the real foundation of any new relationship - sure chemistry is important but it's the talking that brings them closer. Really that whole episode I feel like Pam was trying to channel Jim - to make herself feel like he was there with all her wisecracking, but a the same time would be missing him since he wasn't there to see it. And though she may not see it herself she does have such a motherly instinct in the way she handles the situation with Michael.

The yearbook stuff I had extra fun with since I dug out my own. I don't think homeroom still exists now but I do remember how the kids who had names near mine I knew for ages because of how we were always thrown together. And then there they were all around me in the yearbook page. 

Thanks as always for your review. It has been the encouragement and inspiration here that has made this such a fun community I'm happy to be part of.

Wishing you all the best in 2021.  

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This is a fun bit of set-up for their New Year’s adventure!

I just really enjoyed their sheer joy in being able to talk to each other again, whether out of things to catch up on or just out of their love for/interest in each other. (And I appreciate that Beth is the exception rather than the rule in finding this habit charming. Those two are not fit to be out in public right now.) The banter is really good, and just feels like it flows naturally to the places you want it to go. It’s sweet and you can see how it would fill the hours and get Jim thinking.

I love you bringing the bird funeral back, partially to give Creed his due, and partially because it’s such a perfect illustration of exactly why Pam’s going to be a good mom – she actually has years of experience mothering Michael, the biggest kid of them all.

The little glimpses of Pam’s youth were intriguing. I like the bit of depth you’ve given to Pam’s volleyball career.

There were some good small notes here about how happiness changes their perspective – the bit about Pam finding even the annoying habits of their office-mates a little easier to take felt real, as did how even the context of things she already had positive associations with like Jim’s desk taps is evolving.

The Office characters 100% would’ve watched Grey’s Anatomy. I have a fic in progress in which Kelly in particular is a major MerDer shipper, and I buy it as a show Jim starts watching to talk about with Pam and then gets really into. This was definitely still prime Grey’s, when the characters were people we knew and loved, the plots were fresh and only previously sick/injured people ended up horribly dead. *sigh*

Author's Response:

Well Happy 2021 and thanks for the in depth review that I can always count on from you.

I'm always glad to hear you feel that I get the banter and balance right with them - I do feel like their conversations are the foundation of their bond - when they are talking like this all is good with them and after a year where they were so far apart they had so much to talk about - you are right they were not fit to be out in public. PS - more to come of Beth this year.

 Creed is my families' favorite character and that scene with him, Jim and Oscar makes us all laugh out loud. "You're not real man". I only wish I could have worked that line into this story but hope that it makes you think it when you read.

And yes, while Pam was all about the wisecracks in the beginning of the day (IMO trying to channel Jim) once she saw him hurting she changed her tune and did what any good mom would -kissed the boo-boo.

Thanks for letting me know how you notice the little nuances - that's always so reaffirming.

And Grey's - I'm pretty sure I made my husband watch with me back in the day - and he did enjoy it, although he's now teasing me for my rewatch (still on season 2 since time is very limited). Always fun to hear we're on the same page - Kelly being 100% a Grey's fan and probably talking everyone's ear off about it and calling Ryan, McDreamy. Can't wait to read what you have cooking with it - especially with my rewatch - you know that will resonate with me!

Thanks as always and all the best for the new year.