There aren't enough words in the English language (or any other language for that matter) that I can string together to tell you how much I love and adore this story. I think someone else said, it's like poetry. I love them shopping in an Italian food market, eating in the park, and I love the addition of Turtle the Turtle is so cute. Her falling through a tree house when she was nine and him saying he likes knowing things about her is just so super sweet. I totally agree with your end note (and Paul Lieberstein) and I love how you conveyed that part of their history into this so subtly. It's purely fantastic and I seriously cannot wait for you to continue. And when it's complete, I hope that whoever gives out ribbons puts one on this, because it's fabulous.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I should probably have said the tree house thing was from personal experience. I'm glad you liked the notion that Jim just likes collecting knowledge about Pam (as evidenced in the mixed berries yogurt statement). I didn't want him to be trying to save her from her fears or some such thing. Thank you again for your thoughtful review. It's so encouraging.

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This is all so super lovely, Ivy. I love the Booze Cruise mention, it seems so natural.

I absolutely loved this “I know it’s crazy, Mom,” she’d confided to her mother in a fit of Cabernet-and-emotion-fueled over honesty, “but I keep thinking about going to a drive-thru with Jim. Just eating chicken fingers and milkshakes in the car, listening to some stupid CD or something. How ridiculous is that?” because it reminded me of them sitting in the car listening to "That One Night," during Dinner Party. That was so brilliant of you to include.

I really love that he leans across the table to kiss her, and I love that he tells her he likes doing it too. The flow is outstanding, the images you've created are so vivid in my mind while I'm reading. Super super great stuff, I love this so so much! I know I keep saying this, but again, this is perfect.

Author's Response: I thought of that scene too. I'm glad you conjured it as well. I kind of pictured the kiss as being like the pre-wedding one in Niagara, only in a diner. Thank you so much for your lovely thoughts.

10

I loved every single thing about this chapter. The what if conversation was really in character and so believable I could actually imagine that's what they would have said. (you know, if they weren't fictional characters, lol)

This is just perfectly sweet:

“So what now?” he asks.

She smiles lightly and mimics his earlier words. “I don’t know. I guess… we start dating?”

He laughs and pinches the flesh at her waist.

“It’s an okay start, though,” she says, “right?”

When he thinks about it, he knows he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Because tonight, right now, lying next to her, is just about perfect.

“Yeah,” he replies, moving his thumb over the soft fabric of her blouse. “It’s okay.”

Love it and can't wait for more and I really hope this isn't nearing the end just yet!

Author's Response: Wait, they're fictional?! Haha. Thank you so much! In truth, I'm not sure how much longer the story will go. It seems to be meriting less response of late and I fear I've done something to let people down. I'm prepared to close it with the next chapter but I'm also open to keeping it going. If I keep it going, however, I could use some suggestions of things you'd like to see them do/address. I do know how it's going to end, so some things are set, but I'll gladly take input for possible interim chapters. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I wholly appreciate it.

Oh man, sooo much I love about this chapter! (kudos on the quick update, and hope you feel better!) I love their playful shyness, it's so completely in character and wonderful. I loved this part:


“You like me.” Her feet are dangling above the ground and his voice sounds like he’s just taken the first bite of an ice cream sundae on a July afternoon. “Just admit it, Pam. You totally like me.”

She buries her head against his collar, breathes in the scent of his soap and aftershave, and admits no such thing.

It's adorable, sharing little stories, him catching her with the dancing/swaying debate. You've managed to make me feel like I'm really there with them. I really hope you have much more of this because it's so great. I can't tell you enough how fun this is to read.

And this, its' probably the cutest sweetest thing I've ever read in fanfic history. Seriously. Like tear in my eye.

“Can I hold your hand?” he asks then, and she knows he gets it, that he’s scared too, and she’s grateful, so very grateful, as she reaches across the table to put her hand in his, and she thinks that maybe sometimes things do turn out the way you wish they would.

I love love love this. So. Much.

10

I love this! All of it. It's perfect. Sorry not much of a review but that's what I thought all the way through this chapter. Perfect.

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm discovering one of the reasons we might not have actually seen the first date onscreen is that it's a real challenge to capture the emotions they must have been feeling that night. Though that's still the offscreen Jim/Pam moment I wish we'd seen the most.

10

Hey you posted! I'm looking forward to finding out what happened to Pam before the car accident with the headache and if she's going to be okay.

Author's Response: I finally did! =) I will be writing about that in the 4th or the 5th chapter about why she's having headaches and etc, I don't know yet because I'm still currently writing the third chapter. I hope that I'm keeping everyone on their toes and wondering if she'll be okay once she gets out of coma or not.

9

Very glad Pam is awake! Very sweet with them snuggling together. Hope she gets her words back soon. Send over the next chapter when you're ready.

Author's Response: Thanks so much Danielle for the review, I'm glad you liked this chapter! I will send the story soon when all this craziness at my house and school settles down more.

10

I love the playfulness of this, it's so cute to read behind the scenes things especially baby prep things. Really cute! Welcome to MTT! Hope you have more of this for us soon.

Author's Response: Thanks so much Deedledee! More to come very soon :)

10

Aw so cute! More please!

Author's Response: More to come soon Deedldee! Thank you SO much for the kind reviews, I always appreciate them.

10

Oh, this is so sublime and wonderful! I like your little twist on 'I can't' I've never seen anyone write that in a story. Also, very nice input into Company Picnic. Again, this is the first time I've read in a story where they were trying for a baby. Really cool and original while staying with the show. I like! Here are your stars. Please write more.

Oh, if only this would have happened on the show. I'll admit out of all if season 2 that valentines day episode is my least favorite. I liked your version :)

Author's Response: Hm. I may agree with that. And, thank you. It means a lot. :D

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I think back to slumping against the wall, looking over at my phone on the desk, listening to the camera crew discuss my dwindling relationship with my best friend. Their words run through my head when I touch Jim's face again. He tips his head back and looks up at me through the hair in his eyes.

So perfect. So so perfect. Beautiful.

10

Wow this is so amazing! I can't believe you took it down! And I'm so thrilled that you re-posted it. I had a busy weekend with the boyfriend and family, and just did some work so I'm just getting to read this now. It's so lovely! I love the comparison to her Thanksgiving with Roy to the one with Jim, how Jim just smiles when she just walks in a room, and all it took was seeing his face fall to know that she doesn't want to argue with him. It's so true to character of both of them (which is why my least favorite deleted scene of The Delivery is when she gives him the finger.) And Helene is just mean, I think we're all in agreement on that. She just comes across as cold now, which I'm not really happy about since I really loved Season 2 Pam's mom for the ten minutes she was in the episode. I really loved this all, and shame on the people who read this when you first posted and didn't review. It's really really great. My favorite part is her telling him how she can't wait to hold their baby in their bed together just the three of them - such a super sweet image that made me tear up. In case you couldn't tell, I loved this and can't wait for you to post more stories on here. Never take your things down again, okay? If you promise to do that I promise I'll loyally review. :-)

Author's Response: Wow, thanks for such a lovely review, Deedldee! I'm so happy you liked it. I really hate that deleted scene too. I've had fans argue with me over it, but I, too, feel it's out of character. I think it's something they threw in purely for a 'oooh look at them angry' laugh and then realized it didn't work. And Helene...I can only excuse her behavior by saying she's still bitter. LOL And to think Helene was the first person Pam called when Jim kissed her. :/ Anyway, thanks again! I really appreciate all your kind words and the encouragement. :) :)