s had been rough in the Halpert household. Rough was an understatement, actually. Things were downright uncomfortable. Couples therapy was a big step, and just the fact that both Jim and Pam were actively trying to use the strategies was a great source of hope. but the fact remained that Jim and Pam woke up this morning with their backs to each other, when they used to sleep intertwined in the middle of the bed. He was trying. He was trying so damn hard, and he knew Pam was too, so why wasn't it working? Jim tried to shake this thought from his head as he packed up for the day to leave Dunder Mifflin and head to Philly. Couples therapy would work. He and Pam were in love. This was just a rough patch. It was just a patch, right? Just before slipping his coat on, he knelt close to Pam, putting his hand in hers. God, her skin felt foreign.
"I know this was really weird, and it was really hard,but I think we're making progress. So I'm really sorry that I have to go, but let's keep at this. Okay?" He contemplates saying "I love you," but doesn't want her to feel pressured to say it back with such a strain already in their relationship.
"Okay," she responded, too emotional to look at him.
Jim let out a deep breath as he stood up and left the building. He missed the twinkle in the corner of Pam's green eyes. It physically pained him when he realized that he might have sent it away. He was just about to step into the cab when he heard Pam's voice calling him. The sound triggered a memory of a dream he'd had a few times while Pam was still with Roy. He'd leave the two of them in the office and head down to his car, and Pam would appear out of nowhere, running into his arms and telling her what he'd waited years to hear: she'd left Roy, and she was his. But no, Pam was just bearing the umbrella he'd left on his desk.
"Thanks," he nodded.
"Alright, have a good trip." She said, waving at him. People in love didn't wave when they left each other for a few days, Pam chastised herself.
"Bye," he said, wishing so badly for her to run to him like she had in his dream.
"Bye." She responded, and Jim shut his eyes due to disappointment. Wait, what the hell was he doing? He had legs, too, and he ran to her. It was his turn now.
"Hey!" She turned around and they looked at each other for a moment. Jim hadn't thought ahead to what he was going to say, and decided there was nothing to say, all he could do was hug her. She wasn't hugging back, but he didn't care. He wasn't surprised. He'd been a jerk, no better than Roy, even. She had a right to be angry, but right now, he needed to be close to his love, his wife, his Pam. He ran his fingers through her hair, which still smelled like lilacs, just as it had since the day he met her. After a moment, she hugged back, and Jim let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. The past few weeks had been a battle, certainly, but this, this was the triumph.