1

That was an absolutely joy to read, a lovely story and I loved that it was true to canon, too!

1

Now I've finished my own story I can finally read other people's! I love this first chapter, you've captured Pam's internal conflict beautifully.

1

So that was fun. Larissa explaining it all, and winning the bet. Lovely to see how Pam has now grown so much that she's willing to be open about everything. The Pam from the first chapter would have clammed up in red faced embarrassment for sure. However now that she and Jim are fully together and she's grown so much as a person, she can be honest with everything. Loved it.

Tons of great Halpert family banter as well. The silent scheming about how they're all going to prank each other was just a hoot. Even more that Pam's going to be right in the middle of it all. Great stuff for sure.

Thanks for bringing this on in for a landing. Lots of fun moments through it all.

Merry Christmas.

Author's Response: Thank you and hope you've had a lovely Christmas! I am glad you could see Pam's growth here, especially as I didn't write quite as much of her as I had in previous chapters. I wanted the reactions she did have to show her progress and evidence Larisa's decision that Pam hadn't been ready previously to be confronted about her engagement ring. Always fun to write the Halpert family and the dynamics between them all. Thanks for reading along and reviewing! 

1

Loved the bet so much! Such a cute idea! And looking forward to the reveal of it!!
Also lolz at Jim not even saying Karen’s name to his family
Loving this so much. Can’t wait for more! Toddle pip old chap

Author's Response: Had a lot of fun developing the bet from its original form! I was like Jim is a prankster and would absolutely be down for an unknown bet with his sister lets make this a good one. I figured with Jim not wanting Karen to move to an apartment not even on his block, and all that, having moved to Stamford etc and come back and still be like oof still got feelings for old Pamalam over here, he'd not really want to share much about her with his family. Cheery pip old boy. 

1

DUDE SHE KISSED HIM?? You know I love that.
Absolutely love Larisa in this, she might be overtaking Betsy as my favourite Halpert family member
I'm begging you, don't make this canon. I want a happy Christmas
But also I will love wherever it goes (but please make them kiss again)

Author's Response: Thanks Pingu! I do have a lot of fun writing Larisa. She definitely takes after Betsy, I think. 

1

Ok I LOVED this chapter. This is exactly how I imagine a Halpert dinner. It was just perfect. And you nailed Betsy, your version of her is just my favourite.
And that proposal Pam wants was just too cute and I can't wait for it to come true for her
But also cheeky Larisa. She knew exactly what she was doing. And interesting Jim didn't tell his family about Katy
More please! Chop chop you keen crab

Author's Response: Why thank you old boy. Larisa is the keen crab here, she's got her plans. Not to worry, more soon!

1

One can just feel the tension bubbling in Pam here. That she knows she loves being part of this big, loud, rowdy, loving family, but yet she can't quite bring herself to tell the truth about her situation. Sadly she has a lot of practice by now in denying the truth about a lot of things. Her feelings about Roy, her feelings for Jim, her feelings about what she wants out of life. I mean we know she'll get there, but it's still a little frustrating to witness.

Still dinner with the Halperts was a lot of fun. They clearly know how to play off each other. I loved the detail that Betsy was one of the ones to teach the Halpert kids how to prank. A lot of times she's come across as the calm storm in the middle of the Halpert hurricane that was the four siblings. To think she was the one instigating a lot of it was a lot of fun to envision. Great job.

Author's Response: Thank you! Yes, and I think here she's seeing how easy it is to be herself when she's not held back by all those things, even if they're niggling at her throughout. I imagined Betsy to be a fun mom who can put them all in place in a heartbeat when needed! She was probably the one to put that clown painting up in the house as a joke, in my head anyway, and I thought Pam would warm to her being so different to her own mom. 

1

Good god! How in the world did Pam not see that huge red flag just billowing in the breeze like that? If it had been the first time, that would have been one thing, but after several years of ditching her in and around Christmas? Holy crap! Roy is just the worst here.

Lovely timing, for once this early in the canon timeline, that Jim and the Halperts were there. Clearly Pam just started to shine as soon as she sat down with them. Taking off her ring like that though is very telling about her state of mind. As we know, she'll get there in the end, but a little melancholy when we fast forward through what we know canon holds for them.

Looking forward to more for sure!

Author's Response: I think Pam learned to put up with a lot from Roy, but it does serve as a handy catalyst in this story! It's interesting to have them come into the story this early, but also gives Pam the realisation that she can be who she wants to be in this new situation - and she knows Jim won't hold her back from being herself, so feels a bit more comfortable. Thanks for the review!