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You really bring such insight through these chapters. There is an artistry in the way you attach 2 seemingly unrelated scenes and tie them together that makes these chapte so so much
More than the sum of their parts.

Not to mention the way you write this is just lovey too.

Now I happen to love the Michael/Pam relationship. I think what they have is very special. (I've written about it too)

Really enjoyed getting your take on it through both time periods of the story.

Once again, I love love love this WIP.

Author's Response: Oh please link me to your favorite Michael/Pam stories! And I'm glad you enjoyed that... Michael will be pretty integral to the fic. Thanks for reading!

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I think one of my favorite things about this chapter was the double play of the title. It's was the perfect tie together of the flash back and the present.

All of th metal pictures they spoke of were delightful fun. The sweetness of how he will continue to call her Beesley, the way she explains Michaels behavior to him (love that she gets him to be able to and you know I'm a slight sucker for the Pam/Michael relationship). Love what he says to Jim the night before

It's perfect That the producers and camera people saw it all before them and know how strong the bond is.

This line tickled me I’ve only ever showed off for you. The cameras just happened to be there.” PBS was lucky Pam was there because they would never had gotten even half the performance out of him had she no been.
Laughed out loud about the painting looking at them and lovely to end with Cece and Stanley. Oh and btw- there are some names we are never to mention in bed.

Well done as always. Wish I had some jelly beans left to give you.

Oh I so feel this chapter all of it. The start where the idea is brought up and they both 'forget' about it or at least that's what she thinks. The idea she can play with him about a wife on the side that comes back around when Nellie suggests he's having an affair and she "knows" without a shadow of a doubt he's not because he loves her too much.

Oh if you could jump into he TV and strangle someone that's what I would have liked to do to to Kathy. Oh and the vision of the side by side Dundies (and his win of Mr. Nice Guy) just delightful.

Oh course the rest not so delightful (love the writing but hard subj ct matter). The conflicted feelings Pam is feeling about wanting to be supportive as he has always been but having a hard time about his dishonesty and secretiveness is something I feel is so huge in the issues of this season. I'm interested to see where you take this since you are staying canon compliant. I had a little hard time how resolved on show --not enough insight into how - my feeling a hug and I love you wasn't enough to fix everything but we we don't see in their heads so it's left to our imagination. I'm sure with your imagination we will get some of that in the chapters to come.

Author's Response: I love their resolution in Paper Airplane. There's a lot of introspection coming up in the next couple of chapters and I hope it helps you appreciate that moment a bit more. :)

It's hard for me to write a review here because your title says it all they are so broken and the way you've painted it has left me a little broken too. The therapy session you wrote was intense and revealing and once again it actually makes me struggle with all of ,y feelings over this conflict. I like Pam am angry at his secretiveness but also wonder if he had been upfront how things would have played out. It seems like that tainted everything from the start but it wasn't everything Pam was feeling.

I'm shocked that Jim brings up her quitting at art school but glad you write it in to show that side of her.

Who is she calling. I'm very curious. Very curious.

Ok going to find out now.

Oh TD this was amazing just gorgeous and so restorative from the last heartbreaking chapters. Of course it was Michael she called and I don't know why I didn't see that coming and of curse it was Michael who could bring Jim to his senses...in a way a little foreshadowing itself of a "pay it forward" moment we know is coming.

Then there was this ..And suddenly it doesn’t matter who is right, who is wrong. Who deserves what, whose dreams are being put on hold. Something needs to change. Right now, in this moment, there is nothing else but Jim and Pam and an idling taxi and the golden sheen from the setting sun on her hair as she’s about to walk away from him and he cannot leave her like this. Not now. Not today. Not ever again. Uh gorgeous.

All the flashbacks, how perfect each one was and was written (my favorites may have been the making of Cece tied with the wedding vows). Now I still contend that there is still work to be done to restore and repair but with this glimpse of where he is coming from I know if will be done.

Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful moment on the show but I wanted more. But now I have it through you beautifully written fic. (Btw The lapses and empty spaces left in the show not just here but throughout were what had me seeking out the fan fic and then writing my own so I guess I Should be thankful it was just a :30 sitcom)

Really so well done how you wrote this very tough to write arc. Bravo.

Another beautiful chapter. I love how Delilah saw the love story from the beginning this look at things through her. Good for her protecting them from Brian best she could.

This twist on the DVD - I remember her saying she'd love to see it. Worked out well for Jim too.

Looking forward to seeing how this incredibly well written piece of arts wraps up.

Oh I did - enjoy the ending...what a perfect way to wrap it all up and bring it round back to the title (starting with the epilogue) -how completely Jim to find her a house with a terrace but he has learned from his past mistakes that big decisions need to be made together as partners...which leads to the powerful and meaningful juxtapositioning of the mural - how the butts and the fact that she had to start over was representative of the way things began with the job - it wasn't as much the job that was the problem but the way he went about it how it would never have worked from there but with a clean slate it could work out to something amazing. That was my favorite part.

Of course I loved the flashback with the video and the version of the letter. The last bit of this section brings me back to a single line from a song that gets me thinking about season 9 every time I hear it (Love like This - Ben Rector).

There was so much I could say - was touched by the Michael/Pam interaction and felt the line about the office being a family was particularly strong. And the I know you'll take good care of her...a throwback to a past chapter.

And got to touch on how perfect the name Gilda would be for Michael to name his daughter.

What a smart, wonderful, never-boring, amazing fic this was.
Can't wait to see what you bring us next.

OH I am so thrilled we were able to strong arm you into this. Your fic voice has been missed around these parts and it is so nice have it back again.


And somehow you made it better. I can so hear Jim in his talking head and so picture the cameras on Pam reminding her to the day.

So sweet Pam leaving him a note and sandwich - and my heart with how Pam reallly loves grilled cheese.

This is perfect! You made Grilled Cheese day even better!

Author's Response: You know, I remembered thinking it was a good idea when I first read the end of New Year's in New Jersey, so... kudos to you for suggesting it in the first place! Yeah, building around this one was fun. And really, there should have been a role reversed version of the Italian food moment at some point. I'm really glad you liked it! Especially since you're responsible for it!

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You came through!!!
I wasn't sure if Pretzel day was going to rank but you pulled it off and in some a clever way.

You know how I love when stories get twisted together (pun intended) and this was the perfect way to touch back on the prank that had Stanley all knotted up and still mad at Pam and Jim ( Although maybe he's not - It’s hard to tell when Stanley’s stopped being mad.) But if he is this will certainly get Snoopy and Co. out of the doghouse.

So I got that one - hard not to when you wrote it but I'm not sure which is the other - did it have to do with the sketch at end - if not and even if it did - brilliant but a little heartbreaking.

Fun stuff-

This is Sam, This is Pete - is it variations on using her letters?
Jim can't handle the phones - sounds about right.
I see Phyllis perfectly both in her baleful look and then in her atta boy look.
I also see Michael speed racing out of the office - you don't need to do much but you always seem to nail Michael.
Jim spinning in Pam's chair and using up the pad to throw stuff at Dwight.

Sad stuff-
Pam is back where she always is… and maybe always will be.
The sketch that he sees. (insert sad face here)

I guess by now Pam and Jim are forgiven! After if a hot, chewy roll of buttered dough isn't woryhy his forgiveness than what is?

I really hope I'm not missy the obvious with the other story/author. You will have to clue me in. But I love Easter eggs in stories - they are always such fun (especially when you are in on them).

As for writing continuously about the same thing - NOTHING WRONG with that. I'm going for a fourth story that touches on same thing.

Thank you for another wonderful holiday story. You really have a gift for this and like WW says when are you going to admit which one of the writers you are.

Bravo!

Author's Response: Are you kidding? Pretzel Day's one of the biggest holidays there is. Ask Stanley.

It's actually my considered opinion that Stanley was back down to normal grumpiness before this day, but we'll never really know for sure now, because I'm positive they're free and clear after this.

It did NOT have to do with the sketch. It DID have to do with the names Sam and Pete.

Phyllis and Michael are both a lot of fun to play with in small doses. And yeah, Jim was definitely enjoying his time in Pam's space.

I mean... important to remember, this is back in time. She'll get out from behind that desk, and one day she won't have to draw their hands together from memory, either.

Nah, it's maybe too subtle, but we'll wait to see if the author catches them.

That's true.!

Thank you for taking the time to review! Really glad you enjoyed it.

SO happy to see you active again and this was a lot of fun...and a perfect tribute to DG

Sadiq, as everyone's best friend is a perfect thing to set Nick off. Very in line with the Nick that goes off in the episode when Jim can't remember his name.

The borscht and the All Things Considered were my favorite bonding items but I felt Angela was very in character too (have to admit I was missing a Kevin bit so happy to get the little mention of what Kevin watches on his computer).

Now that you're getting back to it looking forward to more stuff from you?

Author's Response: In classic IT professional fashion, DG basically had to wrap his own gift here, making it even more perfect in its way! :D

Yeah, this was originally the product of a Season 6 rewatch, and noticing how much of an effort Nick consistently makes to be nice only to get slapped down every single time. Felt like there was potential for comedy there, especially given that Sadiq seemed to be integrated pretty neatly into the office the rare times he showed up.

Honestly, a lot of these bonding items really wrote themselves - glad you liked them! I feel like there was potential for Kevin, but also that he either would a) resent both of them or b) not have it in him to be quite as rude to Nick as the rest of the office does, so nothing really presented itself.

::Michael voice:: maaaaaaaaaaaaaybe

It's the morning after my personal new year and the morning of the one of my people. Like Jim, I'll be heading to synagogue myself soon. Is that why this fic got me so verklempt? A bit, but even without my personal attachment, this one was moving and very sweet.

Thank you for the birthday wishes and fic. I am touched by it. Thank you also for the image of Jim above the water. I can't help but think he might have been thinking of some other moments by the water as they pertain to Pam, on their boat trip where he could not find the words, and after the beach games, standing ankle deep in it as he maybe finally starting coming around to the 'right decision'. It conjured up other similar ritual images, him fisting his chest, reciting more general sins and (I borrow these words but it fits so well here) defibularating his heart to awaken a better self...one that Pam helped bring about.

Now Jim can just… be. And wouldn’t you know it, it turns out Pam loves him just as he is, unfiltered and unrestrained. Because Pam loves him. (Pam loves him!) - this was beautifully written.

Cute that Pam calls him out on his selective devoutness and I so relate with the uncomfortable folding chairs - (see Pam, many people become more Jewish around this time, so much that extra chairs need to be brought out). We've had to sit in them many times - hard to get two young boys dressed for temple (plus fancy myself up, since we all know that looking around to see everyone is what we all do) - and get to synagogue in time to get a seat in the pews.

Now the section where he atones via bread thrown in the water for all those he had wronged, that just got me. You got me starting with Karen (who as you said he had a lot to be sorry about).

Bread for his mom, and how sad he saw his own sadness made her. “A mother is only as happy as her least happy child,” she always says, and that’s been him for a long damn time. OH HOW TRUE THIS IS. More so as they are older since its no longer silly stuff, but real troubles that we moms feel as strongly perhaps as they do. I feel for what Betsy must have gone through during his darkest days following Casino night.

Of course he must atone for Dwight, even if he will be back to it by the next work day.
And for Roy, this was so poignant - the line about coveting...you don't often think about it how it was that, but for years he was breaking the 10th commandment. Not to mention how he upended what Roy had with Pam, even if he didn't appreciate it like he should have.

'For taking the olive branch she offered him after the pepper spray incident and snapping it over his knee. For the week she had to wait for him to come back after her Beach Day speech.' - another line that just got me.

The ending was just so sweet and perfect... the taste of the honey on her lips..delish.

And I love the justification for your continuity discrepancy. I say if GD (that being Greg Daniels) can do it, so can DJC.

Thanks you again for the birthday wishes and the fic. A Sweet New Year to you and all.

Author's Response: Well, verklempt was definitely my goal here, and I'm happy to take credit for the work of the calendar. A happy and sweet fresh start to both of your new years.

The latter images were very much intended, and I'm glad that came through. The comparison to all the Jim-and-Pam-by-the-water moments hadn't occurred to me and I wish I'd referenced it now!

Season 4 Jim is really fun to write sometimes. He's just so giddy.

The plight of the High Holy Days-only synagogue attendee is REAL.

I think, or at least hope, the pain he caused Karen is very much on his mind at this point in the story, not yet knowing that she's getting her happy ending.

Hmmm. By the way, if anyone non-Max is reading this and agrees, you really ought to read "Sleepless Nights."

He is sorry! Just not sorry enough to in any way restrain himself!

It's kind of hard to define what Jim did to Roy without getting into touchy questions about what the "theft" of a person is... I think coveting covers it pretty well, though.

Pam really does take it on the chin a lot from Jim in Season 3, and while I am a staunch Season 3 Jim defender or at least explainer, I think he would've been cringing at a lot of his behavior with 20/20 hindsight.

The ending mainly came about because I thought the "you get more Jewish when there's worked to be skipped or food to beaten" line, while funny, was maybe a little meaner than Pam might be and I thought she'd feel bad. She's a good egg, that Pam Beesly. Glad you liked it!

Continuity is for mortals.

You are very welcome, and thank YOU for being born.

So there was a Caffeine Corner fic after all...you sneaky devil.

So I'm old as a vampire so some of the pop culture references were lost on me but I knew exactly what a reach extender was even without the link.

Wish that Erin had gotten a monster perm to look more like Merida.

Believe it or not, I do know Blackadder (Mr. Bean too).

The best part of this fic was imagining Jim as Mr. Incredible, but seriously you really touched the mummy in me in that the family went as The Incredibles. It so just warmed my heart  - it's one of my kids favorite movies still and I have video asking "Jeffery Dahmer" (only you know who I mean) as a little kid if he was fast like Dash.  And Cece trapping Dwight in a force field - be still my heart, how adorable. 

I know why Dakota is featured and why she goes as Tes McGill - again because I'm from the dark ages.  SHould I spoil it for all - naw you know I know. Let them look it up.

I also caught the good at Jellos - and Clark dressed as HP and was there a nod with the phrasing 'like a traveler' or am I just overthinking as usual? 

Gotta tell you the Incrediperts had me howling.

And really the reason Angela goes along on this prank does track. 

Fun stuff - thanks for posting!!