All I Want for Christmas is a Ph.D.

December 19th - Part 2

It was a beautiful day at the Christmas Festival. It was held in a closed off chunk of downtown. Every year, with all the fun and activities, it kept growing bigger and bigger.

What started as a group of seven changed as they made their way around the festival grounds. The boys found their friends and drifted away.

Jasmine, Serena and DeeDee led the charge while Marquis and Erik just followed. They had just finished decorating ornaments and putting them on one of the Christmas trees. There was still time before the big tree in the Center was lit, so they decided to go on a few rides. They headed down Main street and walked toward the Ferris Wheel.

"So, peppermint hot chocolate anyone?" Serena bumped DeeDee's shoulder. "Who wants some?"

"Uh sure, I could go for some." DeeDee said.

"Can I get a coffee instead?" Erik asked, "And maybe some cookies."

"Yeah, we'll go get it." Serena grabbed DeeDee. "Ya'll go get in line."

"Here baby," Marquis folded some money into Serena's other hand. "We'll take Jazzie."

"Thank you dear."

Jasmine reached out for Erik and DeeDee, who was holding her, handed her over. He lightly squeezed DeeDee's hand before lifting Jasmine out of her arms.

"We'll be back." She mumbled as Serena dragged her away.

---

DeeDee walked quietly beside Serena. They approached the hot chocolate stand and waited in line.

"Breathe girl, it's not that serious." Serena tapped her arm with the money.

"I don't know what you are gonna ask and it's making me nervous."

"Fine. I want to know about your connection to Dr. Stevens. Whatever you want to share. Take your time."

"I like him." DeeDee blurted out.

"Yeah, that's a given. You are just as smiley around him as Jazzie is."

"Reena, how did you know you were in love with Marquis?"

Serena stared at her, "Wow, I was not expecting that." They got up to the front. "Hold that thought."

Serena placed the order and linked DeeDee's arms with hers. They moved to the side and waited for their names to be called.

"Love, huh?"

"I think so. Maybe. I don't know." DeeDee sighed. "I mean you know him. Can you blame me?"

"I do know him but clearly not in the way you do." Serena tugged on DeeDee's arm, "What do you think about him?"

"Do you know how I found him?"

"You mean how you told Quis that you found one of his articles while doing some last minute research for your dissertation?"

DeeDee nodded and laughed.

"Or the real one, where you found his note about the kind of love he wanted in life?" Serena smiled at DeeDee's shocked expression.

"He told Marquis about that?"

"Yeah, he did, eventually."

"So, then Marquis knew about me and him talking and stuff?"

"Yeah, but not before he gave you his book." Serena shook her head, "Men."

Their order was called and they walked over to the toppings table.

While DeeDee added crushed candy canes to her and Jazzie's hot chocolate, Serena popped the top to Erik's coffee.