All I Want for Christmas is a Ph.D.

December 14th

DeeDee walked into Dr. O's office and looked around. In the center was a big wooden desk, a couch on one side and a table in the corner. She swept her hand across the table as she made her way to his desk. There were plenty of late nights and early morning study sessions held in this office. She set down the research papers for his classes and took a seat in front of the desk.

And it was all coming to an end. This was the last time that she would be here as his mentee and graduate assistant.

Dr. O was seated behind his desk as DeeDee took her last walk around the office.

"Hey DeeDee."

"Hey Dr. O."

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm excited and nervous. I am ready to get it over with it already."

"You know you got this."

"I mean, I know my stuff but it's the normal before a major presentation anxiety that is kicking it right now."

"Well, you know you can always picture everyone naked right?"

"What am I, ten?" She laughed, "I prefer to look over the top of their heads and focus on a point in the back."

"Ok then." Dr. O stepped around the desk with a wrapped gift. "So, I have something for you."

DeeDee hesitated before taking it and gave it a good shake. "You didn't have to get me anything, Dr. O."

"Just open it."

DeeDee pulled off the wrapping paper, to reveal a medium sized box with a lid. She uncovered it and reached inside. She lifted out a brass nameplate with her full name and her future title on it.

"Dr. O, you really didn't have to do this."

He waved off her comment, "There's more, go on."

DeeDee looked inside and pulled out three books. She recognized the top two. A blue basic chemistry workbook by Dr. Bell and an orange organic chemistry book by Dr. O. She opened the front covers and found signed personal messages from them.

"Awwww, I am gonna miss you guys, too."

She set the books down and picked up the third book. A thin green book that looked more like a manual, 'Real World Science Applications' by Dr. Erik Stevens. DeeDee looked up at Dr. O.

"I know that you recently reached out to him regarding an article he wrote while he was here. So, I figured you might want to take a look at some of his other work."

"I don't understand the books."

"I was given the most popular works from my two mentors and one to grow on when I earned my doctorate." He paused, "So, I am honoring the tradition."

DeeDee looked at Erik's book sitting on top of the pile and shook her head. The man had already grown on her, but not from a professional standpoint. This isn't gonna do anything more then build up the crush she already had on him. She stood up and gave Dr. O a hug.

"Thank you for all your help over the years. I truly appreciate it."

"You're welcome, DeeDee. I am excited to call you a colleague and not just my student anymore." He put the books back into the box and covered it. "Now, that concludes our final meeting as mentee and mentor, let's get a drink."

"Shouldn't we wait until it's official?"

"It usually is when you are given your defense date. It's kind of hard to mess up work that you spent years doing."

"True." She looked at her watch. "I have time for one drink tonight, but we can go big on Friday."

"Deal."

---

DeeDee sat at her laptop and opened the document that would seal her future. She hadn't looked at it all weekend and like she told Dr. O over that drink, her anxiety was kicking up again. Fall classes ended last week and she took the next three weeks off from her job, so she doesn't have to be anywhere until the beginning of the new year. But the biggest thing looming over her head is her defense this Friday. The presentation is done and she has practiced as much as humanly possible, but she still felt off.

She picked up the gift box from Dr. O and pulled out Erik's book. So, Dr. O doesn't know about her conversations with Erik, that's interesting. She picked up her phone and hit redial.

"Hello Miss DeeDee," Erik breathily answered.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"Nope, just getting my evening run in. What's up?"

"Guess what I have in my hands?"

"DeeDee, let me get inside before you start this."

"Excuse me? What do you think I am talking about, nasty?"

---

Erik hung up and called her right back on video, all he saw was a book on screen. He took a closer look, "How did you get that? It hasn't been printed in years and that looks pristine." He sat on a park bench.

"I would ask your friend, Dr. O about that. He gave it to me." DeeDee moved the book away.

Erik was greeted by a blue hoodie and black glasses. "Why did he do that?"

"He said it was tradition. I was given 3 books total and a nameplate for my office."

"Oh yeah, two books from mentors or favorite professors and then one to help with future research."

"You know about that?"

"Sure, Marquis told me about it when he earned his doctorate. I think that's a great --" Erik looked away, "Why would he give you my manual?"

"You're the one to grow on." DeeDee's face ran hot when she thought about what she just said.

"I'm the one for you to grow on?" Erik smirked into the camera. "I dig it. Maybe, I already have."

DeeDee avoided his intense gaze.

"Miss DeeDee," he waited until she looked at him. "Have I?"

"Have you what, Mr. Erik?" She asked in a small voice.

"Have I grown on you?"

"Yes," she nodded into the camera, "yes, you have."

---

DeeDee watched as Erik's eyes flickered in the sunset. She shook her head so she didn't have to focus on them. She was afraid of what she would see in them, something she wasn't ready to admit.

"Do you think you can sign my book when I see you?" She asked to lighten up the situation.

"Of course, I can. But wouldn't you prefer a picture with the author?"

"I mean that would be nice, too." She smiled.

"Whatever the lady wants, the lady gets. I told you that."

She closed her eyes, "You did."

"And I plan to deliver that and more."

DeeDee took a deep breath.