I want to thank everybody for sticking with me, reading and reviewing. You guys are seriously the best. I had fun writing this chapter, which I know it took longer than I expected. Hopefully another idea will pop into my head and I will be able to share it again. C'mon, I have to occupy myself until September. This has been great. This is the last chapter and without further ado…

………………..

Chapter 11

Pam puttered around the kitchen packing lunch for their trip to Scranton. She listened to the pitter-patter of Bella's small feet as she wandered about her. The light, rapid taps enabled Pam divert her thoughts from the trip. It wasn't that Pam was unwilling to go, but thought of returning to where it all had happened seemed overwhelming. She longed for closure, but didn't know how to deal with the growing knot in her stomach. She was jolted from her daze as Bella tipped over the garbage bag resting by the door.

"No sweetie…." Pam said unclenching Bella's tight grasp off the bag.

"Oh-ohs," Bella said pointing to a large yellow box contained within the bag.

Pam chuckled, "Daddy is bringing more cheerios honey."

"Oh-ohs," Bella insisted.

"C'mon," Pam said lifting Bella off the floor, "Let's bring the oh-ohs outside."

A beautiful summer morning was unfolding as the sun began reflecting its rays over the city. Pam relished days like these, where the warmth could be felt in the break of day. She walked outside, dispensing the trash as Bella waved it good-bye. It was almost a ritual for Bella to wave at anything she assumed was leaving— the trash, clothes put in the wash, even the tub water as it swirled down the drain. This and other of Bella's idiosyncrasies brought great amusement to the Halpert household. Upon reentering the apartment she found Jim, who was had returned from the grocery store.

"Hey," Jim said greeting Pam with a kiss.

"Hi!"

"What were you girls up to?"

"Well, your daughter was going through the trash again."

He chuckled.

"Oh-ohs," Bella said eyeing the cereal box on the counter.

"You want oh-ohs?" Jim asked lifting Bella to her highchair. "Here you go munchkin." Jim opened the newly bought box and poured it on the tray. Bella proceeded to grasp the small circles.

"So, when are we leaving?" Pam asked.

"Oh… We have to swing by corporate so I can pick up some paperwork, and from there we can head out."

"Sounds like a plan!"

They ate breakfast and finished packing the last of their suitcases before departing. They were staying at Jim's parents this time around. When he announced their visit, his parents had been so elated that they had turned it into a small family reunion. Pam loved Jim's family, even though pranks were more than a staple in that household.

When they arrived at corporate, Pam hesitantly accompanied Jim inside. The last time she'd been there was when she worked part-time during her semester at Pratt.

"C'mere Bell, let's go inside," Jim said removing her from the car seat.

"This is going to be a quick meet-and-greet right?" Pam asked.

"Yeah… I just have to grab some paperwork for Michael."

They were greeted by the new receptionist who was smitten with Bella. "Oh my God Mr. Halpert she is beautiful."

"This is my daughter Isabella and my wife Pam."

"It's so nice to finally meet you."

"You too," Pam said.

"Is Wallace in his office?" Jim asked.

"Yes, he is expecting you!"

They walked down the hallway to David Wallace's office, stopping every now and then to meet with other of Jim's co-workers. Bella assumed her customary post, grasping tightly to Jim's neck while people greeted them.

"Hi David!"

"Hey Jim, Pam! How are you?"

"Hi David, we're good," Pam said.

"I'm stopping by to pick up the paperwork for Michael" Jim said.

"Oh yes… I left it on your desk," David said before turning his attention to Bella, "Is this Miss Isabella Halpert?"

"She's the one," Jim said turning Bella to face him.

"How long has it been? She is so big! Thank God she looks like her mother!" David said teasingly.

"I know," Jim agreed winking at Pam.

"You're leaving for Scranton now?"

"Yes… And I will have Michael sign those papers and fax them to you ASAP!"

"That would be awesome. Well, have a safe trip. It was good to seeing you Pam!"

"You too David!"

"Say bye-bye Bella," Jim persuaded her.

"Buh-buh-ee," Bella mumbled.

…………………….

Their trip was uneventful. The car fell into a comfortable silence as Bella slept in the backseat. Jim gazed at Pam through his periphery, watching her play with the charm of her necklace. She was anxious, but that was okay. This time around would be different. They had talked so much about this trip that he knew that this was exactly what she needed— what they needed. Small uncertainties still hovered, but this would be one of the many steps they'd taken in the past week towards normalcy.

"You ok there?" He asked.

"Yeah, just anxious," she uttered quietly.

Jim didn't respond. He simply removed his hand from the steering wheel and intertwined with hers. Pam gave him a soft smile. Silence reigned once more before being interrupted by the frantic ring of Jim's phone. The cacophony startled Bella, who began whimpering softly.

"Jim Halpert," he answered his phone.

"JIMMM!" Said the too familiar voice on the other line, which could be heard as Jim pulled the phone away from his ear.

"Hey….. Michael"

"Where are you man?" Michael asked.

"I'm on my away… I should be there before lunch."

Bella's soft moans began turning into piercing cries. Pam was quick to soothe her, recognizing the repercussions of Michael's acknowledgement of Bella's presence in the car.

"Oh my god….JIM!!"

"No Michael!"

"Are you bringing your baby here????"

"No I am-"

"Hey everyone," Jim heard Michael say over the phone, "Jim and Pam are coming with their baby today!"

"No Michael," Jim looked nervously at Pam whom chuckled to herself.

"Ok Jim… I will see you guys soon…Party Planning committee…"

"Michael…" Jim attempted to interject, but Michael had already hung up.

"This is going to be interesting," Jim said smiling.

…………………

It wasn't long before they arrived at his parent's house. The condo Jim's parents had moved into was small, but comfortable nonetheless. It was in an enclosed community in Scranton, occupied by mostly retirees.

"Jimmy!" Larissa exclaimed.

"Mom, dad!"

"Pam… Bella" Larissa said lifting Bella from Pam's arms. Bella giggled as Larissa tickled her belly. "How's my favorite grandchild?"

"Shouldn't say that mom!"

"Come on inside," Jim's dad motioned with his hands.

They unloaded the car and settled their luggage in one of the guest rooms. Bella was quickly on her feet, wobbling around the house. Pam had become more relaxed now, talking about work and future promotions, while Jim stood in the background, listening. Every day he saw snippets of his Pam emerging at the surface. He looked at his own parents and couldn't imagine what she had gone through with the loss of her father. Looking back, Jim felt guilty for thinking otherwise of her reaction.

"How was the drive?" Larissa asked. "Was Bella any trouble?"

"Oh, it was great," Pam answered, "Car rides are like kryptonite to her. As soon as we start driving she falls asleep."

"Jim was the same way," Dan, Jim's father, interjected, "Whenever Larissa was out of town… the only way I got Jim to sleep was to take him out for a drive!"

Pam laughed at the new found fact. Her daughter looked like her, but she was a little version of him, aside from her reserved persona. They sat in the living room for a few minutes before Jim had to leave for the office.

"I'm leaving now," Jim said getting up, "I have to resolve some problems at the office."

"Already? I just started lunch!" Larissa said.

"Pam, you leaving too?" Dan said as Pam stood next to Jim.

"Actually," Jim said looking at Pam, "It would be better if you came later, if you come now I will not get any work done."

Larissa and Dan looked puzzled at each other. Jim noticed their reactions and began explaining, "I kinda let Michael know I was bringing them over."

"Oh," Dan said, "I can drive them later!"

"That would be great dad, thanks!"

…………….

When Jim took the elevator up the Dunder-Mifflin Scranton office, it was as if he had travelled into the past. So many memories, good and bad, flooded his mind. As much as he would like to erase them, this place was as much part of him as his ties. Heck, it was here he met Pam, and the reason he now had Bella. Thinking about it, it would be important to show Bella such a historical place. As soon as he pushed the doors open he heard voices chant, "Surprise!"

"W-what is going…"

Before Jim could finish, Michael interrupted, "Surprise!" Jim just looked puzzled and waited for Michael to finish explaining. "Where is Pam? And the baby?"

"Well… they will stop by later."

"What? No! Everything is ready!"

"What's ready Michael?"

"The party!"

"Well that's going to have to wait," Jim said redirecting his focus to the crowd agglomerated by the door. "Actually, now that I have everyone's attention, I would like to see you all in the conference room in ten, thank you!"

"It's good to see you man," Oscar said.

"Oh my god Jim! I can't wait to see your baby!" Kelly interjected.

"I promise they will be here later in the afternoon!"

"Jim…" said another too familiar voice.

"Hey Dwight!"

"Question, what will the meeting entail?"

"Just new corporate policies."

"Excellent! It's time cooperate acknowledged the suggestions I've made over the years."

"Computer mutiny will not be a subject."

…………..

Everything went as expected, even though Michael was more distracted than usual. Jim had to use bribery to finish the task at hand. It always worked with Bella, why not with Michael? Besides, if he wanted to see Pam and Bella he would have to comply with him, and comply fast. Wallace never understood how Jim could so easily deal with Michael. He guessed it was just good management skills on Jim's part.

Jim was in the kitchen grabbing a cup of coffee when he heard a small commotion coming from outside. Everyone had stood from their desks and agglomerated by the door. Even Stanley had made the effort of putting down his crossword puzzle to investigate the excitement. Jim slowly pushed the kitchen door open as Kelly sped by him from the annex. He walked out and could barely see Pam engulfed within the crowd.

"Pam she is so precious!" Phyllis said.

"She is like Shiloh, except for the curly hair and the green eyes!" Kelly squealed.

"Thanks?" Pam said lifting Bella to the floor. Bella stood, hiding behind Pam's legs, looking frightened by all the people hovering over her.

"Pam!" Michael said, but quickly diverted his focus to Bella, "Hey there baby… Wanna give uncle Micky a hug?"

"Sorry Michael, she's not comfortable with people she hasn't met!" Pam warned him.

"Come here… I have candy!" Michael insisted.

Bella began walking towards Michael, giving him a glimpse of hope. But she went right past him, stopping at Jim's foot and extending her arms into the hair. Jim smiled and scooped her up.

"I almost had her if it wasn't for you Jim!"

"Sorry Michael."

"Whatevs… Let's Party now!"

"Party?" Pam asked.

"Yes, there is a party Pam. Don't sound so surprised!" Jim said.

They all moved into the conference room, where balloons and a banner that said welcome baby displayed in the far left corner.

"Oh… Thank you… everyone," Pam said in disbelief.

"We've missed you guys," Michael started, "An office needs sexual tension to function..."

"Ok Michael," Jim interrupted, "How about that cake, uh? Mint-chocolate-chip?"

"You got it man!"

They celebrated the new addition to the Dunder-Mifflin family—Dunder-Mifflin style. Bella had become more comfortable amongst the office crew and wondered freely, playing with the various toys Michael had brought from his office. Michael sang his version of John Mayer's "Daughters," while she swayed with her wobbly legs, which would sometimes give in from under her. Kelly was overjoyed when Bella actually went with her. Pam and Jim stepped out of the conference room and found a quiet spot by reception, watching the show unfold. They could still hear Kelly yelling, "Jim she has you ears, Pam's eyes… Thank God she has Pam's nose." They only laughed, somehow the atmosphere felt right.

"Do you miss it Bees?" Jim asked as he saw Pam looking all googly-eyes at the conference room.

"Look at her? She is actually dancing!"

"She is equipped with your dance moves. It's cute."

"It will take me forever to remove the chocolate from her dress, her hair… Who gave her the idea her head was a napkin?"

Jim only chuckled!

"This place does hold a lot of memories, uh?" Pam asked.

"Yeah…" Jim trailed off—in thought—recounting the various pranks, phone calls, parties, and pointless seminar they had to endure.

Bella soon became tired, allowing her small legs to completely surrender from under her. She sat on Michael's lap holding a balloon in her hand. Pam and Jim returned to the conference room, welcomed by Bella frantically extending her chubby arms towards them. Michael smiled. He looked at Jim and Pam and assured himself that this family was as a result of his own doing.

"Hey Bella… If it wasn't for me… you wouldn't be here little girl!"

"C'mere Bell," Pam said chuckling. Bella scrunched her nose digging it into Pam's shirt. The universal signal for I need a nap mommy.

"I think we are gonna get going," Jim announced.

"Yeah, thanks everyone… This was great!" Pam said.

"Don't be a stranger Pam," Phyllis chimed in, "You, Jim, Bob, and I should go to dinner the next time you're in town."

"No," Jim and Pam said simultaneously, "We mean," Pam began, "May be Phyllis."

"Your baby is well-behaved and polite," Angela uttered from the far corner of the conference room."

"Thanks Angela," Jim said.

"Here," Michael said handing them a rectangular package, "It's from all of us, but more from me!" Jim and Pam proceeded to unwrap it, revealing the book Oh, The Places You I'll Go.

"Thanks everyone," Pam said.

With another series of good-byes, Jim and Pam were on their way to his parent's house. It had been a great walk down memory lane—apparently today's reoccurring theme. It was nice to have this little world where they could always turn to reassure their sanity—even if they fit well within this awkward puzzle. Upon arriving, Jim scooped Bella from her car seat—asleep, mouth slightly open, resting her head on Jim's shoulder. They entered the house, finding Tom, his wife Jen, and their kids in the living room.

"Jim!" Tom exclaimed, but quieted, eyeing Bella slumbering on his shoulders, "Sorry man… didn't know she was asleep!"

"Don't worry about it; she won't be waking up soon."

"Hey Pam," Tom said pulling her into a hug.

"Hey… Hi Jen!"

"Aunt Pam!" Jack, Tom's youngest son, exclaimed.

"Hey there… Giving your sister trouble?"

"No…" Pam saw the Halpert mischief in his eyes.

"Good to see you Pam," Jen said, "Sorry I couldn't come down to Bella birthday. I was stuck with the weekend at work."

"Don't worry about it," She said sitting down on the couch as she watched Jim disappear with Bella down the hallway.

"Vanessa wouldn't stop talking about the fishing game."

"Yeah, they had fun those two!"

Jim returned with a baby monitor in hand, taking a seat next to Pam. Jim's parents soon joined them in the living room. They were talking and keeping with the evident theme of descending down memory lane. It wasn't long before Pete arrived with his fiancé adding to the snippets of recollections. Dinner was pleasant and Pam radiated in her summer dress. The din light of the dining room accentuated her soft features tantalizing Jim, who couldn't take his eyes off of her. She felt his gaze penetrating her skin. It wasn't long before Bella was up and cooing in the baby monitor. Jim stood up and winked at Pam tugging at her hand. She excused herself and followed him down the hallway. He pulled her into a soft kiss. Her hands travelled to her hair, teasing his collar. They walked into their room, never breaking their kiss.

"Where is Bella?" She questioned, looking around the room.

"In my parent's bedroom. Mom insisted I lay her there for her nap, something about the humidifier… I didn't complain!"

"What about Bella?"

"Listen," he said pointing to the monitor, "I think she's ok!"

He proceeded to kiss her, carefully laying her on the bed. His hands quickly found the way to her the zipper on her dress and she was quick to work on his belt buckle. It wasn't long before their nude bodies were enveloped by the moonlight entering through the window. His hands found their way around her body, conveying the utmost pleasure. She gasped, conceding herself as she felt him inside her. Soon her warmth sent him over the edge and she followed soon after in sweet surrender. They embraced in the quiet of their room, laughing at what had just happened. She rolled on top of him kissing him one last time before picking up her clothing garments from the pile on the floor. She walked out the room, winking mischievously.

"Hey sweetie…" Jim heard Pam say over the monitor, "You hungry?"

Jim finished getting dress and headed back to the dining room. Everyone was so engrossed in their conversation that no one noticed their sudden disappearance. Pam proceeded to feed Bella as everyone agglomerated in the living room, apparently picking up their conversation where they had previously left off. Their banter went further into the night and it wasn't long before everyone retired to their rooms. It was nearing midnight when Jim and Pam finally whined down for the day with Bella sandwiched between them.

………………….

Jim and Pam were up early on the following morning. They were going to be making their trip to see grandpa. Pam had gotten herself and Bella dressed and retreated to the kitchen. Jim followed quietly—not wanting to wake anybody up. Pam's demeanor had changed; she was quiet and failed to smile at Jim's attempts to make her laugh. He waited for Bella to finish her bottle before approaching her.

"You ready?" Jim asked sipping his cup of coffee.

"No..." she replied with a mere excuse of a smile. Jim slowly extended his hand, which she took right away. He scooped Bella with his other hand and made his way to the car. The silence prevailed for most of their trip to the cemetery. Jim made sure to stop to buy flowers, which elicited Pam's first set of tears. They quickly arrived and Jim sat waiting for Pam to make the first move. But she didn't. She sat, intently gazing at the flowers in her hands. Bella fussed in the back seat and Jim decided to wait with Bella outside.

Bella was running around Jim picking random items from the ground and showing them to Jim. He smiled saying, "Grass, rock, leaf…" every time she presented something to him. Pam turned her focus to them—watching the cool morning breeze played with Bella's curls. She touched her own hair looking at the similarities. She then watched Jim lifting Bella up to grasp the leaves up on a tree. She was able to pluck a few, holding it tightly to in her hand. Pam quietly opened the car door making her way towards them. As soon as Bella saw her, she walked to Pam and handed the leaves housing inside her small hands.

"Oh, thank you sweetie," Pam said wiping tears cascading her face. She looked up at Jim, who gave her a lopsided grim— his trademark. Pam took in a big breath before extending her hand to Bella, leading her through various headstones. Jim held her other hand, squeezing it tightly. It wasn't long before they singled out his headstone.

In the loving memory of Joseph Carl Beesly (1952-2009), Loving husband and father.

Pam kneeled down placing a flower in Bella's hand. Bella stared intently at the colorful object in her hands. Pam walked a few steps further, placing the remaining flowers by the headstone. Bella followed, depositing the single flower next to the others. Jim approached kneeling next to them, enveloping Pam with his arm.

"Hi Joe- dad," Jim said, eliciting a smile from Pam— the first one of day. "Sorry we didn't come sooner. We brought Bella. She's gotten bigger since the last time you saw her…"

"Hi dad," Pam began, "I miss you… He all do! Anna is getting married in the fall. It's been hard here without you! I wish you were here…" Pam continued talking. Jim acknowledged her need for some time alone and slowly backed away with Bella. It had been a couple of minutes before Pam emerged from her sitting position, finding Jim with Bella a few steps away, playing catch with the wind. She made her way toward them—adorned with a smile.

"Ready?" Jim asked.

"Ready as I will ever be!"

Bella turned one last time towards the headstone, waving good-bye as they made their way through the grassy field. Jim took Pam by the hand, grasping Bella's tiny hand with the other, making their way—finally—home. It didn't matter what happened to them in the past or what was happening to them now. What determined their destiny was not the condition they found themselves in, but the decisions they made.

………………….

The end…

Share the love!