Inside

Three Words

Normally under most circumstances I hate holidays. I enjoy the time off, and I like seeing my mom and brothers, but beyond that they just remind me of how much of life I'm missing out on. My nieces and nephews who I love, and I think are adorable at the end of the day are not my kids. They go home to their lives with their mom and dad and I go home to mine. This year is slightly different, Stevie's going to spend Thanksgiving in Arizona with her family, but she wants to spend Christmas in LA with me and mine. I'm so excited I don't know what to do with myself. Just one lonely holiday, and I'll get to show off my girlfriend to my brothers.

Maybe in a year or so we can show off engagement rings. Further down the line kids of our own. I've been reading up on invitro fertilization and other treatments for women in Stevie's predicament. There's every possibility she can still be a mother, and there's nothing I wouldn't give to make sure she could live that dream. If I have to work seventy hours a week to pay for the doctor's visits I will. But we're not there yet as a couple so I relax and bring back my enthusiasm for the time being.

In the mean time I'm going to E3 in two weeks! I normally go to E3 as Mick's right hand, someone to wake him up after hours of drinking and sleeping with women he meets at the bar. But this year, since Jenny put her ultimatum out for Mick, I'm going all by myself. I mean I want Stevie to go with me, but everyone would notice and the last thing I want is for her to get unnecessary attention from her co-workers because of our relationship. My latest project, discovering who accessed my computer, has turned up empty. My development team have all been cleared, as has Mick.

The camera which records accesses outside of my office has mysteriously erased the fifteen minute window when the list was altered, so whoever did it covered their tracks well. On break I visit Stevie's cubicle on the guise of getting my travel accommodations taken care of "Will this room be for one...or two?" I waggle my eyebrows at her looking around to make sure we're by ourselves "Maybe I could have someone over, they're nice rooms. Complimentary champagne, jacuzzi, couples steam" her eyes roll shut and she smiles "Sounds wonderful, too bad you'll be by yourself"

Feeling bold I reach down and touch her hand taking her fingers in mine "I don't have to be alone the whole time-I really only have to give a speech the first day. Afterwards" I feel almost giddy, the two of us flirting secretly; setting up a clandestine rendezvous in my hotel room. It's a major turn on, almost like we're having a forbidden affair "What time do you give your speech" running my thumb over her pulse point beneath the desk I move closer "It's at four-thirty on the first day" then I'm done. I have to visit Q and A forums the day after but that's a normal part of my visits to E3.

"Hmmm, well I may have to stop by" Yes! Our fingers disconnect when one of Stevie's friends walks by with a folder "Here are those figures Steph, new guy?" she looks me up and down curiously. Stevie takes the folder shaking her head "No, this is Mr. Buckingham from the development team, we're just discussing his forthcoming trip to E3" her co-worker nods sagely "Ah! So you're the boy genius Mick's always bragging about. Nice to see you, don't you have an office on this floor?" Yes, way in the corner. For the last six years. Glad people notice.

Taking my leave of this increasingly awkward situation I pilfer a cinnamon roll from the break room and hit my office again. A moment passes and my phone buzzes, a notification from Stevie.

Stevie Nicks>So...I was wondering

Lindsey Buckingham>?

Stevie Nicks>What are you doing for TG?

Lindsey Buckingham? What's TG?

Stevie Nicks>Thanksgiving

Lindsey Buckingham>oh, well I usually go to my mom's for dinner