A/N: Here's another chapter. I'm not sure how it turned out. I rewrote it like twenty times this week. Let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: Do I own it? Yeah right.
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"So Jimmy, what are your plans for the big Fourth of July?" Michael asked leaning against his desk, arms crossed across his chest.
"Oh you know," Jim started, rolling his eyes at the use of his new nickname 'Jimmy' and worked to avoid Pam's glance and ignore her chuckle, "I'm just going to hit the lake with some friends and family and watch the fireworks. Nothing major."
"You know you can join Jan and me," Michael offered and Jim flinched, "if you don't have anything else to do."
"You know Michael," Jim started, "if I didn't already have plans I'd take you up on that..."
"Too bad," Michael answered sullenly.
"I'll join you Michael," Dwight piped up suddenly when he ended the call he was on.
"No," Michael responded, "I need to spend time with Jan."
Dwight turned away and Jim sighed as Michael walked into his office. Jim turned and glanced at Pam who was still struggling to keep her laugh in check. Jim shook his head in warning and Pam shrugged. Jim glanced at the clock and groaned as he watched the seconds tick by slowly. It was only three fifteen; he still had almost two hours before he'd be able to leave.
PBeesley: So...big plans for tomorrow Halpert?
JHalpert: Oh yeah Beesley. I'm meeting my girlfriend's family. I'm a little intimidated.
PBeesley: You Halpert? Intimidated? Wow, I'm shocked. I bet your girlfriend would tell you not to be nervous.
JHalpert: She might tell me that, but I don't think it will work. You see, her last relationship was very complex and from what I understand her parents adored the guy.
PBeesley: Are you really that nervous Jim? I don't want you to joke about something like this.
JHalpert: I am. I know you've told me I shouldn't...but I can't help. Your parents loved Roy...
PBeesley: They did. But you have to understand Jim...they knew him for years. He was my first real boyfriend and we've know his family forever. But that doesn't mean they won't love you too. My mom is really excited to meet you actually. She was upset she couldn't when she visited last time.
JHalpert: I'm really trying not to be nervous. Really? It's just the whole meeting the parents' thing. I'll get over it. I am ready to get out of here though.
PBeesley: I couldn't agree more. Only about an hour left and then we are free and tomorrow we have off and get to enjoy it in the sun. I'm so excited.
JHalpert: We are going to have fun. What are we doing tonight?
PBeesley: Actually...
JHalpert: Pam?
PBeesley: I've got some sketches I have to get done for my art class on Thursday and I need to do laundry...I was thinking that you just get together with Mark tonight...
JHalpert: Oh, yeah sure. We haven't had a guy's night in awhile.
PBeesley: You look so pathetic now. I'm sorry. I just know I won't get any work done if you come over tonight and I've got to have those done before we leave tomorrow.
JHalpert: I'm fine…don't worry about me. I'd rather spend tonight with Mark then have you working tomorrow while we are trying to enjoy our day off.
PBeesley: Okay. Hey look, we've only got about ten more minutes before the office starts clearing out. We waiting to walk out together?
JHalpert: You betcha. I wouldn't miss an opportunity to be able to sneak a kiss in the elevator.
Just as Pam was about to respond Michael burst out of his office, briefcase in hand, looking anxious.
"I'm outta here guys," he bellowed and Pam rejoiced in her head. "Enjoy the day off tomorrow and everybody can leave now if you're ready."
Michael was barely done with his declaration before Kevin, Oscar, Stanley, Creed and Meredith were practically out the door. Jim took his time shutting down his desk in hopes that Dwight would leave before he was ready.
Pam and Jim got their wish. By five o'five the office was empty besides them and they just laughed before Jim pulled her in for a quick kiss.
"I didn't think today would ever get over," Jim breathed against her forehead and she nodded. "Why do days before vacations always seem to last longer."
"Anticipation of not having to work the next day," Pam giggled. "It makes time go by more slowly. Come on Halpert, let's get out of here."
"Sounds good," Jim agreed. "So, I'll pick you up in the morning. When do you want to leave?"
"I told my mom we'd be there around eleven or so and it is a two hour drive at most, so lets plan on leaving about eight thirty."
"Sounds like a plan," Jim said rubbing his thumb against the outside of her hand, "I'll pick you up at eight thirty then."
"I'll be ready," Pam assured him. "Don't forget your bathing suit. I wouldn't want you to have to go swimming in your boxers."
Jim glared at her and she just smiled sweetly. "Don't worry about that. Anything else I should bring?"
"Well if you have any beach toys you can't live without I'd bring those, other than that we'll have everything else."
"I'm already bringing you so I don't have to worry about any other toys…"
"JIM!"
"Are you sure I shouldn't bring something to contribute to dinner? I feel bad."
"Don't," Pam assured him. "Mom has already called me to ask that I make my famous taco salad, which is our dish."
"Famous taco salad huh?"
"It was the only thing I could make at first," Pam explained, "It became the usual for me."
"I can't wait to try it."
"There will be plenty I promise," Pam told him. "Now, walk me to my car, give me a little kiss, and go home. I've got a ton of stuff to do tonight."
'Fine,'" Jim pouted, "but I have to say I'm not thrilled. I'm going to miss you tonight."
"I'm going to miss you too," Pam told him, "but we'll survive. We have to have separate time too."
"Who says?"
"Jim…"
"I'm just saying," Jim shrugged and then sighed at the look she gave him. "I know. I'm sorry. Is it too cheesy for me to say that I'm just so thrilled that I finally get to have couples time with you that I want to have as much as possible?"
"Maybe a little too cheesy," Pam giggled, "but I know what you mean. I love spending time with you, even when we aren't doing anything but cuddling on the couch, but I can't do that again. With Roy…we were together all the time. I lived with him for so long I didn't know anything else…"
"I don't want to be him…"
"You're not," Pam said automatically, "you never could be. I'm just trying to not be the same Pam I was when I was with him. I didn't like me all that much."
"I know."
"I love the Pam I am now, independent. Don't get me wrong though, having you in my life has made me happier than I've ever been and balancing my life with yours is a perfect mix."
"But we still need to spend some time apart doing our own things," Jim supplied and Pam nodded slowly. "I'm going to kiss you now and wave goodbye."
"Good boy," Pam teased and welcomed his kiss warmly. "I'll call you later okay?"
"Okay, bye."
"Bye."
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Pam was slightly unaware of her surroundings and squinted, rubbing her eyes, as she slowly sat up. There was knocking, somewhere, she wasn't sure exactly where, but it was getting louder. She wasn't moving, was she? No. Finally able to make some sense of where she was and what she was doing she realized she had fallen asleep at her easel.
"Pam?" she heard muffled from behind her front door. "Are you okay? Pam?"
She smiled at the concern she could sense in her boyfriend's voice and she awkwardly stumbled to the door and worked it open.
Jim couldn't help but chuckle at Pam's obvious disarray and received a scowl in return.
"Good morning," he said simply and leaned in to place a kiss on her temple. "Sleep well?"
"Apparently not," Pam answered, "I fell asleep at my easel."
"Pam…"
"I know," she responded, "come in. I've got to get ready."
"Do you have anything I can cook you for breakfast?" Jim asked, "I'll have it ready by the time you are ready to go."
"Eggs would be great," Pam told him happily, "and maybe bacon?"
"I'll see what I can do Beesley, now go get ready. I'm not going to be late to your parent's house on my first day meeting them."
"We won't be too late," Pam called from down the hall, "besides, my sister Bella is always late."
"And that makes it okay?"
"I'll be ready to go in twenty minutes at the most," Pam called back. "I'm just glad you came a bit early."
"Me too! Now, less talking and more getting ready."
"Alright," Pam called back and seconds later he heard the shower shift on. Jim smiled and went back to beating the eggs to get his mind off of what was happening down the hall.
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"You have to give me something to go off Pam," Jim argued with her, "I can't go into this get-together completely without a background on your family."
"But that would be so much more fun," Pam teased. "Most of them know a lot about you already."
"Bragging about me already Beesley? I didn't think you had it in you."
"Funny Mr. Halpert," Pam answered turning to look at him as he drove. "Actually, I've been talking about you for years."
"Really?"
"Don't get cocky on me," Pam warned, "you are my best friend, what do you expect?"
"I expect you to tell me about your family so I'm going into this blindly. Please Pam?"
"Fine you win," Pam finally relented, "what do you want to know?"
"As much as you can tell me in the remainder of this drive," Jim answered, "so start talking."
"It's my parents' lake cottage, but you already knew that. What you didn't know is that my great grandfather built it for my grandparent's to live in when they first got married. It was their wedding present. When my grandpa passed away he left it to my dad, their only child. I've gone to that cottage every summer for as long as I can remember. My brothers, sister, and I built a tree house there the summer I was eight, it still is standing, and I'll have to take you to it. Patrick my oldest brother is 35 and in the Navy and stationed in Hawaii. His wife, Alice, loves that. He is a military doctor there on the base and he loves his job. They have two kids, Emma who is ten and Jake who is eight. Oh, and just so you know I'm Aunt Pammy to all the kids."
"Aunt Pammy?"
"Emma started it when she was little, it just stuck."
"I'm going to have to remember that."
"Do you want me to continue?"
"Yes, I'm sorry, go ahead."
"That is what I thought," Pam teased and squeezed the hand she was holding. "Then there is Bryan. Bryan is younger than Patrick at 30 and he is crazy. He's a biology teacher in the high school we all went to as teens and is married to his high school sweetheart, Jamie. They have three kids, Erica who is nine, Alex who is seven, and Jenna who just turned four. Be careful of Alex, he tends to like to pounce, he's very athletic."
"Watch for jumping boys, check."
"They are all great kids," Pam said wishfully, "I love being an aunt."
"I can't wait to meet them all."
"Alex is going to love you," Pam told him, "you'll have to play basketball with him. He'd love that."
"I'll make a point to."
"You are the greatest, you know that?"
"I try."
"You don't have to try very hard."
"Well thank you."
"Your welcome. But I'm not done yet, and then this is Isabella, Bella for short. Bella is a wild child. But that is what makes her personality shine. She's twenty five, several years younger than me."
"Only three."
"I feel old okay?"
"You shouldn't."
"Anyways," Pam shifted the conversation, "she is a cosmetologist in New York. She works at this swanky salon and wears funky fashions. She's certainly a character in herself. I think you'll like her."
"I can't wait to meet everyone."
"I know Bella and mom are excited to meet you too," Pam assured him, "They done nothing but talk about this day all week."
"And your dad and brothers?"
"You might be interrogated," Pam warned him, "I'm not going to lie. Bryan especially. We were the closest in age, went through school together, he was the big brother that protected me in high school, all of that. He almost had a heart attack when he found out that Roy had asked me out. They'd known each other from football and I swear if he hadn't been cross country at school he would have beat Roy to a pulp. Luckily he was across the country and Roy and I were fairly serious before he came back for a visit. He eventually calmed down."
"So your family liked Roy?"
"Of course," Pam answered truthfully. "I'd been with him for so long that he was practically a member of the family already. Breaking off the wedding came as a big surprise to everyone but my mom."
"Why?"
"She knew what I felt for you," Pam answered with a shrug. "I think she always did. She knew that day I called to tell her and ask her help exactly what was going to happen and made sure that I knew she supported my decision, dad too. They just want me to be happy."
"And are you?"
"I couldn't be happier."
Jim was practically glowing, trying hard to ignore the butterflies that were swarming in his stomach anyways. They fell into a comfortable silence, fingers entwined as they raced up the highway and towards her family. They were interrupted by the shrill and obnoxious ring from Jim's phone.
"Hey mom," he greeted cheerfully into the phone, "happy Fourth of July."
"Happy fourth to you too James," Larissa Halpert answered happily, "are you at Pam's parent's house yet?"
"No," Jim answered, "we got a bit of a late start, but we are almost there. Has Aunt Joanna showed up yet?"
"James, please do not remind me that she is coming over for the holiday and you are not," Larissa scolded her son and Jim fought hard to bite back his laugh. "You will make this up to me, James Anthony Halpert. Sticking me with a full day of that dreadful woman…"
"Mom, she's dad sister."
"And she's dreadful," Larissa answered, "Now; I'm calling to finalize plans for this weekend. Are you still planning on coming to Josh's senior varsity football thing?"
"Of course mom," Jim assured her. "I wouldn't miss it. Anything to torment my little brother."
"I figured I could count on you," Larissa laughed. "Will Pam be joining you? You know I would love to meet her finally. You've only talked about her for years."
"I'll find out and let you know," Jim answered cryptically, "I'm getting ready to pull off the highway mom. Can I call you tomorrow?"
"You better James," Larissa instructed, "have a good time today."
"I will mom, love you."
"Love you too."
Clicking the phone off Jim threw it in the cup holder and grabbed again for Pam's hand. "Sorry about that."
"Don't apologize, it was your mom."
"She was calling to see…"
"You don't have to tell me, you know? I'm not that kind of girl that has to know everything that is going on in your life if you don't want to share it."
"I know," Jim assured her squeezing her hand, "but I'm supposed to invite you to this family thing on Saturday. My little brother is starting this year on the varsity football team for his high school and they have this celebration dinner for all the team and their families. They play a mock game against a rival school and then it's a carnival in the parking lot to help raise money for the sports program. They've been doing the same thing since I was in school there and my mom wants me to go, which is totally fine, because I don't think I'd miss it for the world. They usually do something to the players that is totally embarrassing and I'm not missing a chance to get it on tape for blackmail in the future, but she, well me too, we were wondering if you like to come with me. It would give you a chance to meet my family and my mom is dying to meet you. Practically every conversation I've had with her over the last several weeks…"
"Do you realize how much you ramble when you're nervous?" Pam interrupted with a giggle, "I wasn't sure you'd ever stop."
"Sorry, it's a nervous habit."
"It's cute," Pam cooed, "why have I never noticed it before?"
"I got real good at hiding it during college," Jim explained, "I usually just don't say anything if I'm all, you know, nervous or whatever. If I don't, things pop out of my mouth that I don't realize…"
"Maybe like Casino Night?"
"Exactly like casino night," Jim confirmed, "but if you don't want to go that is totally fine. You can meet my family later, there isn't any rush…"
"Jim, shut up. I'd love to meet your family. That is what girlfriends do."
"I'll call and tell my mom we'll be there then," Jim told her. "Thanks."
"My pleasure," Pam assured him pecking his cheek. "I'm so excited we are almost there! In just a few minutes you are going to be formally introduced to the Beesley clan, are you ready?"
"I was born ready," Jim answered in all seriousness and Pam burst out laughing. She was still laughing when they pulled into the driveway minutes later.
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"He seems great Pammy," Bryan mentioned as he came up to stand next to his sister, "he's passed every Beesley test with flying colors."
"I knew you'd like him," Pam told him, "didn't I tell you that?"
"You did, but I was still skeptical. He's good at hoops too." Bryan motioned in the direction Pam was watching intently as Jim played basketball with Patrick, Alex, and Jake. "How serious are you too? I mean, he is meeting the family…"
"Bryan," Pam scolded, "please. Jim has been my best friend for years; I'm surprised you haven't met him before this."
"You didn't answer my question sis."
"We're dying to know," another voice added in as Bella joined them.
"We're fairly serious," Pam answered, "We've both wanted this for so long though we are just enjoying taking our time getting used to the shift in our relationship."
"So you're in love?" Bella asked.
Pam looked back across the yard and caught Jim's eye. He smiled and waved before turning his attention back towards Alex his teammate. "Yes. I am."
"I'm still going to be your maid of honor right? My status doesn't change."
"Jumping the gun there a bit Bell," Pam answered quickly, "but when it gets to that eventually, of course you are still my maid of honor."
"Good, just making sure. I'm supposed to let everyone know that dinner is finally ready."
"I'll go get them," Pam answered starting to walk to the court, "we'll be right there."
The conversation flowed easily through dinner and Jim was finally able to say he was relaxed. He loved Pam's family. They had all be so welcoming and he felt like apart of the family already. The only thing that still made him a bit nervous was that he hadn't gotten the 'talk' from Pam's dad, Richard, or the brothers yet. He had a feeling it was going to happen soon. He was right.
"Alright boys," Patty Beesley declared as dinner was ending, "we ladies are now kicking you out of the kitchen so we can clean up."
"And gossip," Patrick added, leaning over to Jim. "It's like this every year."
"And you've never complained," Alice offered, "Now go."
"Yes ma'am," Patrick saluted gathering chuckles from Bryan and Richard. "Come on Jim; let's leave these ladies alone before we are harmed."
"Sounds like a plan," Jim answered squeezing Pam's hand before following Bryan out to the front patio. Richard and Patrick were right behind him and he knew it was coming.
"So," Richard started just as soon as the door was shut behind them, "you and Pammy?"
Jim looked at the other three men nervously and nodded, "yes sir."
"How do you see this going with my sister?" Bryan asked, leaning against the porch rail, beer secured in hand.
"I see forever to be honest," Jim answered. "I know we haven't been dating very long, but I've known for a long time that Pam was the women I was going to marry. She's my everything."
"Good answer," Patrick told him, his eyebrows raised in an unasked question.
"It's the honest truth," Jim assured them. "I've never loved anyone the way I love Pam. I've loved her for a long time."
"While she was engaged to Roy?" Richard asked, "You loved her then?"
"I did Mr. Beesley," Jim told him, his feet shuffling beneath him. "I tried hard not too, because she was engaged, but…I did. Very much."
"She's spoken very highly of you over the last several years," Patrick spoke up, "I'm relived to see that you are everything she said and I can see it, your love for her. It's evident."
"I've never been good at hiding my feelings," Jim admitted, "It's been both a blessing and a curse in my life."
"Be good to her," Bryan warned and it earned a quick jab in his shoulder by Patrick, "what? I'm just saying."
"I can guarantee you," Jim started slowly, "that as long as Pam is in my life, she will be taken care of and loved. You don't have to worry about that."
"I have just one request," Richard told Jim and he nodded, "I want you to come and tell me when you want to propose. That is the way things are supposed to be done and I want it to be right this time."
"Of course sir," Jim told him. "My father felt the same way when my younger sister got engaged. I'd be cut off from him if I didn't."
"Good," Richard nodded. "Now that is cleared up, let's move on to an easier topic shall we?"
Jim nodded in silent agreement and let out a deep breath.
Well at least that is taken care of, he thought as they dove into a conversation revolving around the new football season. Not as hard as I expected it to be.
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While the Beesley men were grilling Jim outside, the Beesley women were grilling Pam inside.
"You too are perfect for each other," Alice cooed, "I can't believe it took you so long to finally get together."
Pam shrugged, "I know. Our timing was definitely off."
"So tell us all about how he asked you out," Jamie pushed, "was it romantic?"
"In a Jim way yes," Pam smiled at the memory. "He came barreling back into the office after driving home from a job interview in New York that he ended up turning down and asked me out to dinner."
"Didn't you tell me he was dating someone?" Bella asked.
"He was," Pam confirmed, "he broke up with her that same day. I know, it was quick, but we have always been right. I felt bad for Karen, his ex, though. She got the short end of the deal."
"Does she work with you guys?" Patty asked her daughter, still unclear of some of the details.
"She did," Pam told them. "She ended up transferring that week to another branch."
"When did you know that you cared about Jim?" Alice questioned.
"Um," Pam started hesitantly, "long before I actually let myself admit to it. I was still with Roy…"
"So that is why the wedding was called off," Jamie cried, "it makes sense now."
"Yeah, I called off the wedding because Jim told me he loved me and then kissed me."
"That was over a year ago."
"I know," Pam said sadly. "I told him I couldn't that night, I broke his heart. Watched it shatter before my eyes before I realized what was happening. Even though I loved him too I was planning a wedding that was a month away. I felt…"
"We understand," Alice told her rubbing her back gently. "What happened after you told him you couldn't?"
"He transferred to Connecticut. I called off my wedding two weeks later. He didn't come back right away and actually I don't think he would have ever came back if it hadn't been for the branch he moved to closed down. He showed up back in Scranton with Karen and I felt that I had lost all opportunity. Things were strained and awkward between us at first. And understandably so. I didn't call or even email him to let him know about the cancellation of my wedding. He found out from another co-worker."
"Why?" Jamie asked.
"I dunno…" Pam answered with a shrug. "I guess I just couldn't tell him. It was weird. I was afraid he hated me. I guess I just didn't want to be turned down. He could've just as easily."
"Do you think that if you would have told him sooner you would have gotten together sooner?" Bella asked.
"Probably," Pam acknowledged, "knowing him he would have been back in Scranton before the phone call was over."
"How romantic," Alice breathed, "what a wonderful story."
"It was messy there for awhile," Pam told them, "but it definitely ended nicely."
"Are you going to marry him?" Patty asked her daughter and Pam nearly chocked on her iced tea.
"MOM!" Pam cried in between gasps of air.
"What? It's an honest question."
"He has to ask me first," Pam muttered, "and we've only been together for a month."
"More like years," Alice said, "he doesn't seem like the type to wait long or have a long engagement."
"He isn't."
"So you think you'll marry him?" Patty asked again and Pam just shrugged.
"I suppose there is always that possibility."
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A/N: So…what did you think? The best way to tell me is to leave a review! I hope to get a lot! (Hint)