All I Want for Christmas is a Ph.D.

December 16th

Erik was at home. He shopped a bit online for some last minute presents and was finishing up some projects before he headed down to Baton Rouge. He planned to stay through Christmas, so he could visit everyone while he was there. He mainly missed his godchildren, especially his favorite little girl, Jasmine. But he was definitely ready to see DeeDee in person.

He looked at the screenshot he took when she finally dropped her hood from their first chat. She could no longer hide behind the screen and her hoodies. And he was ready to be around her for a significant amount of time. Erik knew that spending time with her would confirm what he already felt. Maybe he'd discover how she felt about him, too.

His tablet rang, distorting the view of DeeDee in her Southern gear.

"Hey Quis."

"Hey man, you ready for this weekend?"

"Yes, I am. I cannot wait to see my favorite girl?"

"Which one?"

"Excuse me?"

"Nah, you mentioned someone the last time we talked and I want to know more about her. Especially since you made her sound like the one and I haven't heard you talk like that in years."

"You really want to know?"

"Yes, really." Marquis laughed, "Besides, I got to explain to Jasmine, who is coming for her spot."

"Man, no one is taking Jazzie's spot. She just isn't the only one who has me wrapped around her finger anymore."

"Ok then, I want to know. Tell me about her."

"Nothing to tell." Erik paused, "You already know her."

Marquis pointed at himself and shook his head. "I know her?"

"Yes, you put her in touch with me."

Marquis scrunched his face, "Wait, DeeDee?"

Erik nodded at him.

"Seriously?" Marquis' voice rose, "I mean obviously she sent you an email, but how did it get to you believing she could be it?"

"You remember my stupid note?" Erik emphasized the word, stupid.

"The one from O Chem in undergrad, yeah, yeah, yeah."

"DeeDee found it."

"How? I thought you lost it."

"In a library book that I returned."

Marquis laughed, "She never read any of your articles, did she?" He tapped his temple, "No wonder, she was shocked when I gave her a copy of your application manual."

"Not a one, until now." Erik's whole body shook with laughter, "And I can't believe you did that."

"What? I figured it would have been professional curiosity, but now I know she was thinking about you. Ewww."

"Man, shut up. She looked for me because she was curious about the person who wrote the note.

"Well, she was definitely one of my best research assistants. So, I'm not surprised she was able to track you down, but wow."

"Who you tellin'? I was not expecting that at all either. So, you know I was curious to find out what kind of person would search for me. And here we are."

"So? You really think she is?"

"That she is what?"

Marquis lifted his eyebrow.

Erik shifted the video and pulled up her picture, "Yeah, I really think so."

"You remember what happened the last time you thought that?"

"Yeah, I do. But trust me, this is much different than that."

"How can you be so sure, E?"

"It's in how she makes me feel. Hell, in how she acts with me. Everything just comes naturally when we chat. It's not forced on either side, and I'm not trying too hard or trying to be someone I'm not."

"No, you didn't? I know how you naturally are with women. DeeDee doesn't seem like the kind to respond to 'your' jokes."

Erik smirked and stroked his beard, "Quis, I hate to break it to you, but you know DeeDee, the student. I have gotten to know DeeDee, the woman. You don't need to know about that."

"Yeah, you can stop right there. Thank you very much." Marquis shuddered, "So, does she know you are coming to Dr. Bell's retirement party?"

"Yeah, I told her. And I even asked her out."

"Oooh, look at you." Marquis heard something and looked behind him. "I gotta go put the little princess to bed. Call me when you make it into town."

"I will. Tell the princess, I will see her soon."

"Of course, she's been ready to see Uncle E again. Later man."

"Later Quis."

Erik ended the call and put DeeDee's picture on full screen. "I'm coming for you, too."

---

The phone rang and rang, so he left her a message.

VM: 12/16 - 10:30pm

Hey you,

I figured you might be doing a last minute rehearsal for your defense this week. Or sleeping. I hope everything goes well. I wish I could be there for you. But I know you got this. We will celebrate when I see you.

Good night Miss DeeDee

---

DeeDee woke up in the middle of the night and saw a blinking light. She didn't get a 'Good night' text from Erik, but she assumed he was letting her study and prepare for Friday.

She picked up her phone and saw a missed call from him. She played the message he left and grinned.

In just a few days, she was going to see him face-to-face. The thought of that had her just as excited and nervous as her upcoming presentation. What would she say when she saw him? What would he be wearing? She jumped up from her bed and ran to her closet. She pulled the dress out and hung it up on her closet door.

"No need to avoid wearing this anymore."