13. Odnoliub - Someone that only has one love in their life (Russian)

Valentine's Day, 2014

"Are you ready, Beesly? We're about to enter the most romantic room on earth." Jim stood with his hand on the door handle of their lakeside villa.

Pam smiled as enthusiastically as she could, refraining from mentioning they have dinner reservations in 20 minutes and she really needed to change. Jim turned the handle and they entered the room.

They knew when they booked a room at Paradise Stream, home of the heart-shaped jacuzzi, that it was going to be kitschy. Still, they were not prepared for just how kitschy, and both walked wide-eyed through the stucco arch ways, passed the Greco-Roman paintings on the wall, and arrived at the bright red bathtub that was surrounded by an abundance of mirrors.

Jim was on the verge of laughter, "Wow, this is … very…"

"80s porno set?" Pam finished.

Jim looked at her and smiled, lifting a brow, "Well, later tonight, hopefully."

Pam blushed at setting herself up for that one and started for the bathroom, which ironically enough was the opposite side of the suite from the heart tub. They left work, dropped the kids off at her mom's and drove straight up to the resort so she was still in her cardigan and gray skirt. She slipped off both, and traded her everyday bra for something with more lace and more lift. This weekend only came about because Jim landed the resort as a client a few months ago and they offered a suite the weekend of Valentine's Day at a discounted rate. Jim and Pam booked it mostly because why not, it was an excuse to get away for the weekend, and yes a chance to get intimate without the danger of a toddler walking in. But as the date approached Pam got more excited, it was like a second honeymoon, less impressive scenery than Puerto Rico but also less morning sickness and this time more slinky clothing.

Once her makeup was on and her hair up in a loose French twist she walked out of the bathroom and found Jim standing by the couch. In typical guy fashion, his version of getting ready for dinner was pulling a navy sweater over his work shirt, but it was a great look on him so Pam was fine with it. He was flipping through a binder with a picture of the heart-shaped jacuzzi on it. "So, they strongly advise against actually having sex in the tub, that's kind of a let down-" He turned to her and the binder was forgotten, his eyes traveling up and down her tight back dress with a far lower neckline than either of them were used to.

Pam smiled at how Jim could still look at her in ways that made her cheeks burn. "What do you think?"

"I think if we don't leave this room and head to dinner right now, that dress is not staying on you long," he said in a low tone. Pam's cheeks became even more hot and they put their coats and headed out the door.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Pam."

"Happy Valentine's Day, Jim."

They clinked glasses and took a big sip over their empty dessert plate. The dinner was delicious and the champagne was giving Pam a nice buzz. "So," Jim leaned over to pick a bag up off the floor. "I know you've been eyeballing this all evening, and it's not what you think is it."

Pam pretended to be exasperated, but she had indeed glanced the bag several times, wondering what was in there, and should have known he would notice. She also had no idea what it was, too large to be jewelry. Lingerie crossed her mind, but this was far too public to be giving that and the way Jim set the bag down with a thud on the table informed Pam it was also far too heavy.

"This came from the documentary crew today." Jim pulled an album out of the bag. "Production photos."

Pam put on an excited smiled and tried to tell herself the sudden stomach drop she felt was just the champagne. The documentary aired through last summer on PBS and the effect on her and Jim's lives had be positive overall. It brought her a huge number of mural commission inquiries, as well as a ton of calls to the office, wanting to buy paper from Jim (though the time Erin came to Pam asking who she should put the caller who requested the "tall drink of water" through to, Pam immediately answered Stanley). But it had the drawback of having all their mistakes over a near decade of their lives broadcasted for the world to see. They were only occasionally recognized in public and the people who recognized them were polite, asking innocent questions. This was not the case on the internet, to the point that "Don't Read The Comments" had become the unofficial policy in both their household and the office.

"Why are they sending these to us now?" Pam said, slipping her thumb under the album cover.

"Dwight told me they're asking permission to come back and film during the week of his and Angela's wedding. Maybe they think we'll look at the albums, get nostalgic and all agree to it."

Pam rolled her eyes but then burst out in a laugh when she opened the album and saw the first picture, a snapshot of them at her desk on what must have been the very first week of the crew being there. "Oh my god, look at us, look your hair! Look at my hair! Ugh, I can't believe you liked me with that hair," Pam said.

Jim half-grinned at the photo, his hair long and floppy and hers frizzed and thrown back into a barrette. "I kinda miss the hair actually"

"I heard someone call it a 'girl mullet' one time." Pam turned the page to photos of Jim's barbecue, him singing with Michael and her watching and smiling widely, "Aww," she looked to Jim, "I think I was already a little in love with you then."

Jim smiled and took her hand, "I think I'm a lot in love with you now."

She squeezed Jim hand back, and with the other flipped to a page of them in the office at night, her in a purple dress, him in a black sweater. She remembered being so embarrassed when she learned the camera crew had caught such an emotional and intimate moment, but now she was happy they did. It somehow made it feel more real, not the fuzzy distant memory it had become in her mind. Still, once the episode with this part aired, Pam started weaseling out of viewing parties with her coworkers, not eager to watch the time she and Jim were barely speaking to each other, when anytime she tried to do anything it was two steps forward, two steps back. "I still haven't been able to watch after this."

Jim's eyes became worried, "Why not?"

"I was too frustrated with her," she motioned to her younger self. "At the fact that happiness was right in front of her and she was too scared to take it."

Jim gave an uneasy smile. "Yeah, well, this guy wasn't entirely fair to her," he said, gesturing to his younger self. "In fact if you continue watching you'll see this guy was actually kind of a jerk to her for the year following this."

Pam smiled, "Yeah he kind of was."

"Frankly, I was on Team Toby," Jim joked, and Pam laughed.

"I just, I wish I had realized everything sooner, don't you?"

"I think everything happened when and how it should have happened." Jim glanced down at the photo again. "You weren't ready at that moment, and truth be told, I wasn't really ready either."

"No?"

"You may not know this about me, Beesly, but I kind of have this bad habit of jumping into things before thinking them through."

Pam smirked and continued through the photos, pictures of Jim's proposal, their wedding, Cece's delivery, Pam catching Michael at the airport. She reached the last year of filming, and gnawed the inside of her cheek when she came across the photo of her with her face in her hands, crying at her desk.

"And here's where I couldn't watch," Jim said with a nervous laugh. His smile faded and he looked down at the table.

"Hey," Pam said quietly. Jim looked at her and her breath caught when she saw his eyes had become red and shiny. She put a hand on his cheek and wiped a tear away with her thumb before gently pulling his face to hers. "Maybe someday we'll get through the documentary together," she said once their lips parted.

Jim nodded, "Yeah, I mean, it has a happy ending, right?"

A chime came from Pam's purse and she gave Jim another kiss before turned to check her phone. It was a text from Carol Stills, saying she emailed a preliminary assessment on putting their house on the market now and hopes to meet both of them next week to discuss further.

"Everything okay?" Jim asked, naturally curious if it was a text from her mother about the kids.

"Just a client," Pam fibbed, "nothing that can't wait 'til Monday."

A young waitress with dark hair came over with a pitcher and offered to top off their water glasses. Pam saw the waitress' eyes dart between the photobook then up to them and then they became wide. "Oh my God, you're Jim and Pam. From American Workplace?"

Pam smiled despite her heart beating fast, and Jim gave a classic 'Jim Face' as it had been frequently dubbed. "We are, don't tell the paparazzi you spotted us."

The waitress laughed loudly. "Wow, you are funny. And you," she looked to Pam, "you're beautiful."

Pam blushed, "Oh, no-"

"I mean no offense but on the show you're, you know, pretty normal looking. But you're so pretty." She looked back to Jim, "She's so pretty."

Jim reached over and took her hand. "I know it," he said, and Pam blushed even harder.

"You two are so cute, I love your story. When you came back from that job interview, oh my God I cried so hard. And when you found out you were having a baby. That was all real, right? Like the reactions? I mean I know sometimes they kind of steer the drama on those reality shows."

Pam smiling, thinking about rapid-fire conversations with Kelly back in the annex. "No, no, it was all real."

"I was so worried during the last year though, I mean part of me always knew you'd make it but part of me wondered. I had a fight with my boyfriend about it." Pam gripped Jim's hand tighter and felt her smile fade a bit. "He thought Pam was stopping you from going after your big dream," the waitress said to Jim. "And I thought that too sometimes but I also thought she was just overwhelmed and really missed you and felt left out. But my boyfriend was like, 'No, Pam's so selfish. Athlead is gonna be this huge thing and she's ruining it.'"

Pam looked over and could see Jim clenching his jaw, but he was able to keep any frustration out of his voice. "Well, if for some reason you still have that boyfriend, you can tell him Athlead was just scraping by and it only looked good because we were overspending to impress people and no one was actually getting paid." Jim looked to Pam, "Besides, my 'big dream' has always been her."

Pam felt the tears start to prick her eyes and hoped her chin didn't tremble when she smiled. The waitress cover her mouth and sniffed, "That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard in my life, I'm gonna cry. You are so lucky, Pam."

"I know," Pam replied. "And I'm working on something for him." Jim lifted an inquisitive brow and the waitress gushed even more.

After taking a selfie and wishing them a very romantic weekend, the waitress finally left the table and Jim let an exhausted breath. "I don't know about our mild local celebrity status sometimes."

Pam shrugged, "She was sweet, just very enthusiastic."

"Should have told her to dump that boyfriend, though," Jim said shaking his head, and Pam giggled. He raised his brow again and started speaking in a husky tone, "So this thing you're working on, is it back in the room?"

Pam just smirked and tilted her head, and they were out of the dining room before their coats were even on.

About two steps into the suite, Pam was spun around and suddenly Jim's mouth was on hers, his arms wrapped around her waist pulling her flush to him. "So, what's next, Mrs. Halpert?" he said when they parted.

He was clearly were hoping for her to say 'Bed' but Pam smiled and replied, "I'm thinking a soak in the tub would be nice."

There was a flash of disappointment in his eyes, but he kept his grin on and let her go. "What's the dress code?"

"Oh, I have a suit, and I packed yours." He didn't even try to hide the disappointment this time and she just smirked as she walked to her suitcase. "Go draw the water, I'll meet you there."

Once she heard the faucet stop running, Pam stepped out of the bathroom in a robe, and crossed the suite finding Jim decidingly less disappointed, sitting in the tub with the jets going, head tilted back and eyes barely opened. "Okay, fine, a soak was a good idea. I wonder how hard it would be to get one of these at home."

"A heart-shaped one?" Pam said.

Jim scoffed, "Duh."

Pam giggled and then started to untie her robe. Jim watched her intently as she let the robe fall to the floor, revealing a very small red string bikini. It was nearly more string than fabric and was definitely nothing she'd ever wear in public, but when she quickly glanced passed Jim to the mirrored wall, she was fairly pleased with how she looked, her arms toned and her stomach not needed too much sucking in to look flat. Maybe Dwight's dumb Japanese-inspired morning exercises were good for something after all.

"Alright, the dress code was a good idea also," Jim said.

Pam smirked and climbed into the tub. Before she could sit down, Jim moved, reaching over to turn off the jets.

"Wait, you gotta sit right here."

She obliged and once she was settled, he flipped the jets back on, a line of them now massaging her back. Pam leaned back and closed her eyes. "Oh, wow, you might be right about installing one of these."

Without opening her eyes, she felt Jim side up to her, followed by a soft kiss on her neck. She hummed and kept still, the jets of warm water on her back and the kisses on her neck turning her into putty. She opened her eyes and was met with Jim's face, his eyes heavy-lidded and his lips parted and he kissed her deep, his tongue slipping into her mouth and his hand caressing her cheek, then her shoulder, then reaching around to the back.

She felt a tug and once Jim undid the knot, raised her hands to her chest, keeping the small bits of fabric covering her breasts in place. "Mr. Halpert," she exclaimed, pretending to be scandalized.

"The top was too small, it just burst open," he breathed against her ear as he pulled the tie around her neck. She dropped her hands and the top was discarded to the floor. Jim continued kissing her deeply while he stroked her breasts, his fingers gently tracing and teasing her nipples until they were firm. His hand then dipped into the water and slipped up her thigh to where her legs met, his palm cupped and pushing just hard enough to make her exhale shakily.

Without much prompting he gripped her hips, pulling her up out of the water until she was sitting on the edge of the tub. Starting at her collarbone he kissed down over her breasts, licking and sucking her nipples as his hands tugged at the strings on each side of her hips. By the time his lips reach her navel, the bows were undone and her bikini bottoms joined her top on the floor. He smiled at her before lowering his head and when he licked her slit, long and slow, her moan echoed embarrassingly loud through the room. His mouth circled her clit and sucked, his fingers slipping easily into her. When he crooked his fingers and put pressure on that certain spot, Pam gasped and threw her hand against the mirrored wall. This entire corner of the suite was wall-to-wall mirrors and when she looked over she was in a spot where an infinite line of her reflection were staring back.

With two small children now running around, their bathroom had become a popular quickie spot, she'd hike up her skirt and he'd undo his pants then click the door lock before bending her over the counter and taking her from behind. The mirror was a bit intimidating and at first she avoided looking at herself, if she opened her eyes she kept her gaze on his reflection, his eyes dark and focused as he pumped into her. But then one time, Jim groaned in a low tone how sexy she was and she looked at herself, her cheeks flushed, her lips in a pout and her hair curly and everywhere and she decided she was rather sexy on occasion, and that the mirror wasn't so bad.

This however was a bit surreal, the line of her naked figure with her breasts heaving, her mouth slacked letting out moans and mewls and Jim's head between her thighs, his dark hair in high contrast to her fair skin, it was rather 80s arthouse porno. She eventually just closed her eyes and focused on Jim's long fingers stroking inside her and his tongue working her swollen clit, building and building until she started to shake and cried out loudly.

After a few deep breaths she slipped back into the tub, giving Jim a sated smile. "That waitress got one things right, I am very lucky."

Jim let out a chuckle and Pam pulled his face to hers, her hand traveling down his torso. She unsurprisingly found him hard, his swim trunks already missing.

"You very stealthy removed your swimsuit, I see," she said against his lips.

"I learned from the best," he replied and Pam giggled. She recalled single-handedly pulling off her underwear in the back of their car a couple Valentine's days ago, and was amused at how impressed Jim still was by it.

"So," Pam stroked him slowly, listening to his breath become increasing ragged. "No sex in the tub, but what about on the edge of the tub?"

"Also not recommended due to … ah…. risk of slippage and injury," he recounted between gasps.

Pam stilled her hand, "Did that instruction binder really say that?"

Jim's eyes widened, "It was shockingly thorough." He pushed into her hand a little, and Pam got the hint and resumed her stroking. "It did not, however, say anything about the counter."

Smirking, Pam let go of him and climbed out of the tub. She toweled herself off and then hopped up on the counter adjacent to the jacuzzi. Soon Jim was in front of her, spreading her knees apart and stepping forward, his hand around his cock. She was still very wet and quite sensitive and Jim, already thick and long, felt absolutely huge as he slowly pushed into her and both their moans echoed through the suite. With her feet hooked at the base of his spine, she pulled him closer, longing for that deep, full feeling she got when he was completely inside her. He knew she loved that so he stayed still for a moment, then pulled back slowly and thrust back in. Quickening the pace, he leaned forward and she buried her face in the crook of his neck.

Then his tempo slower considerably, and Pam knitted her brows, no way he was already close to finishing. "What is it?" she said between heavy breaths.

"The mirrors are kinda tripping me out," Jim said into her ear. "Like a never ending line of bozos making sex faces back at me."

Pam let a half-scoff, half-chuckle. "Just close your eyes."

"I could do that but I know they're still there, watching me," he said, his hips at a near halt.

"Let's just move to the bed, my ass is going numb anyway," Pam said, shifting uncomfortably.

Jim laughed, "Wow, and they say romance is dead." He slipped out of her and put his hands under her thighs, taking a step back. But on the first step his foot hit a wet spot on the tile and he slid a little. "Okay, nope, we'll just have to walk normally over there," he said, setting Pam back on the floor.

They rushed over to the bed and laid down facing each other. Jim pulled Pam close, still hard against her belly, and kissed her. "Sorry, hope I didn't kill the mood."

"It's fine, I had the same infinite me problem on the edge of the tub, it also weirded me out."

Jim narrowed his eyes, "I literally can't think of anything hotter than infinite yous, naked and writhing with pleasure." He looked over his shoulder, "Hmmm, maybe we should go back."

"Or, you can settle for just one me." Pam scooted away slightly and reached up to unclip her hair. She kept her eyes on Jim and she laid back, her left hand cupping her breast and lighting brushing over the firm pink tip, her right hand lazily traveling down her stomach, and she hummed when her finger dipped between her legs.

A similar hum escaped Jim's lips as he reached down and gripped his cock. They watched each other for a moment, stroking themselves and slowly letting out gasps and soft moans. Then Pam reach out to still Jim's hand, moving up her legs into a bent position and Jim smiled and wordlessly shifted until he was kneeling before her. He moved forward between her knees, then lifted her hips and with one slow but steady push he was deep inside her again. Her eyes drifted down to his chest and arms, the morning exercises at work had also been doing him some good, he was long and toned, his arms flexing as he gripped and moved her hips rhythmically. Leaning forward, Jim reached above her and grabbed a pillow, stuffing it under her waist. "For your numb ass," he teased and she giggled until he resumed thrusting and her laughter turned back into moans.

She worked her hand between them and with her index finger made tight circles around her clit, and it wasn't long before she was on edge again. "Jim, I'm…"

"Yeah," he grunted, and she knew from his rhythm he was close also.

A few more swipes across her clit and she cried out, her head tilted back and her entire body trembling. Jim slowed for a moment, sharing in the feeling of her release, before moving again and a couple deep thrusts later he also cried out. Pam watched his face as he rode out his orgasm and she smiled a little. He may have been weirded out by his sex face in the mirror but she loved how he looked when he came, his eyes nearly shut and his brow looking almost worried but his lips always curled into the slightest smile, there was just something sweet about it. Or maybe she loved it because right after he would open those beautiful warm green eyes to her and grin widely before kissing her.

Laying side by side they watched each other with heavy lidded eyes, smiling as their breath returned to normal. "What are you thinking about?" Pam asked quietly after a moment.

"Mmm, how much I love fucking you," Jim mumbled. Pam laughed and Jim grinned slowly, "I'm sorry, that was utterly unromantic." He caressed her cheek, then curled a tendril of hair around his finger. "I'm thinking about the immense pleasure and joy I feel when I'm making love to you."

"I love fucking you too," Pam replied softly.

Jim responded with a chuckle and a kiss, and kept playing with her curls on the pillow. "What are youthinking about?"

"I'm thinking about that something I'm working on for you."

Jim's brows met, "The thing you mentioned to the waitress?" Pam nodded. "Oh, I just assumed it was the bikini."

Pam giggled and then bit her lip. "That text I got at dinner wasn't a client, it was Carol Stills."

"The realtor?"

"Yeah, she put together an estimate for us, non-binding, and wants to meet next week."

Jim couldn't hide his confusion, "Okay, you thinking we need to upgrade?"

Pam shifted nervously, "Well, see, after we got that email from Darryl about Athlead's merger with that firm in Texas, I … I emailed him back a few questions."

Scoffing, Jim shook his head slightly, "Pam, I'm done with Athlead, or Athleap or Ath-whatever-the-hell. They barely broke even with that road tour, and believe it or not I actually really like getting to go home at five and not worrying about kissing any athlete or investor asses."

"But that's what Darryl was telling me, with this merger it's a lot more stable. And they're not overreaching and trying and failing to land the biggest client anymore, they're building something solid with lots of smaller clients. Also Darryl said Austin is great, and he actually has time to enjoy the city. He even has a girlfriend now." Jim smiled, but still looked skeptical and Pam took his hand. "I just... I want you to have everything."

"I have everything," Jim quickly said. "And nothing is worth risking that."

Pam smiled, and took a deep breath. "Listen, Jim, a year ago I was so scared, I felt like everything was happening fast and I was just desperately trying to catch up and kept falling further behind. I felt-" Her breath hitched, "I felt so far from you."

"I know, and I won't let that happen again," Jim said, stroking her cheek.

"It won't, because we are so much stronger now, and we've both learned what it takes and I feel more ready. And I think you're more ready also."

Jim studied her face for a moment before looking off to nothing in particular, "Okay, let's say, hypothetically, I go back to Athlead-"

"Athleap," Pam reminded him.

"Ugh, how did the name get dumber?" Jim said with a slight sneer. "I go back to Athleap, what will you do?"

"Darryl says the art scene is great, and I actually have a decent portfolio now. Or he told me there's a gallery just a block from the office."

Jim knitted his brows, "Darryl sure told you a lot of things, how many emails did you two exchange?"

Pam shrugged, "Just a couple. He also said schools are good and the tacos are awesome."

"Oh, well, good, those were my next two questions," Jim joked, breaking out into a smile.

"Look, when we get home, we'll have plenty of time to work out all the details and answer all the hypotheticals," Pam said, running her fingers across his knuckles.

"Okay, okay, you're right, I just have one more question. And I kinda skipped this question last time and then we both were trying to pretend we were okay when we weren't." Jim took a deep breath, his gaze steady, "Do you really want to do this?"

Pam didn't hesitate, "I really want to do this."

"Now you're not just saying that because you think I really want to do this, are you?"

"Jim," she reached up and cupped his cheek, "I want to do this, I think this is the right time and the right situation and I really want to do this. For us."

The grin slowly spread across his face, and he reached over to pull her into his arms and she giggled as he kissed her. "I meant what I said before, this is exciting and all, but you," he reached up to stroke her cheek, "You are my big dream."

Pam blinked away the tears and smiled, "And you're mine."

After a few moments of kissing and laughing and just holding each other, Jim's eyes grew dark, his fingertips running down her ribs then into dip of her waist and up the swell of her hips. "I do have one more very important question - and it's only because I can't stop thinking about never-ending naked yous - do you want to try to have sex in front of the weird infinity mirrors again?"

Pam bit her lip. "Absolutely I do."

Moments later they were back by the tub, Pam on the countertop with her arms wrapped around Jim. It was definitely more successful this time around and while it was still a bit surreal to see, Pam smiled at the infinite reflection of them moving together; lustful, wild, and totally in love.

Three Months Later

When the cameras came back for Dwight and Angela's wedding, they decided for the first time to try a little acting, pretending Pam had put the house on the market without Jim's knowledge, and even getting Darryl in on making it seem like the decision to go to Austin and rejoin Athleap was spontaneous and not months in the making. They must have been convincing, since the camera crew never called them on it. And learning there was an offer on the house when they came back from the wedding was a true surprise and their excited reactions were genuine.

They came home from the warehouse mural unveiling and were greeted by her mom, who had already put the kids to sleep. Jim told Helene that they got an offer on the house and Helene quietly said how thrilled she was, hugging both of them before slipping out the front door.

"Only downside to all this is we're gonna lose our best babysitter," Jim said.

"If we say the word she'll drop everything and come to Texas," Pam said, smirking at Jim's wide eyes. "Might be good for her, she could meet a cowboy."

"Let's … get us settled there before we tackle that," Jim said. He offered to put Pam's watercolor of the Scranton Business Park that she swiped from the office on the kitchen table, and Pam handed it over and started wandering through the house.

It still hadn't quite sunk in that the house was all-but sold and in a few weeks time everything in it would be packed and on it's way to Austin. She slowly passed by the long table in their living room, full of portraits of her and Jim, with Cece and Phillip, with their families at reunions and graduations, and just with each other at their wedding. But Pam's favorite photos on this table weren't professional shot, and weren't from any particularly special event. It was the little grainy black and white pictures of them from the photo booth at the mini golf course in Wilkes-Barre, where Michael dragged them all for a 'singles' mixer' over a decade ago. Pam smiled at the girl with frizzy curls in the photo, she didn't know it yet, but that floppy haired boy next to her was going to become her everything, her best friend, her husband, father of her children, the love of her life. Picking up the frame, she walked to the kitchen to set it next to her watercolor.

She found Jim still in there, and once she set the picture frame down he walked over to study them, softly chuckling at their younger selves. She told him she thought the photos and painting should go up next to each other in their new home. He nodded in agreement, and turned her to him, wrapping his arms around her and giving her a kiss. Once they parted she rested her head on his shoulder, smiling when he took her hand in his and started to sway the two of them, almost dancing. A year ago she was so scared of change and of losing something, but now Pam couldn't wait to start this next phase of their lives. It was still a big change, moving to an all new state, still taking a chance on a young growing company, but she was ready to take on the challenge. For Jim, for Cece and Philip, for her, but maybe most of all for the young receptionist and paper salesman in that photo booth, who both had big dreams and had no idea they were already sitting next to the person who would make them come true.

While I initially had a couple more chapters planned, this felt like a good place to leave things, with the end series. I may write those other chapters someday but for now I'm calling this complete. Thank you everyone for reading!