Iridescent

You now I see even when I close my eyes

Mike messed around on the computer in front of him.  He felt nervous as he played around with different levels and layouts of different tracks that sat laid out in the Pro Tools software.  It had been almost four days since the family dinner at Mari's which had gone a lot better than he had thought it would.  Of course he didn't tell her that because he had already noticed her anxiety taking over.  Over the course of the week, he was able to pull some favors and get a studio at NRG so he could potentially, if she was up for it, record the piano piece Mila had written.  Mike had asked her once if she would want to and she said she would, but since then it hadn't been talked about.  That is what made him nervous.  What if she didn't want to play piano today? What if she had a difficult day and it made it worse? What if she no longer wanted to record it? 

He sighed softly to himself lifting the hat on his head as he rubbed his face.  He felt stressed and it was a stress he could have alleviated if he would have just talked to her before doing all of this.  Mike loved surprising Mila, but maybe this is the one surprise he should have mentioned to her.

"You know, I've heard that rubbing your face like that gives you premature wrinkles," Mila's voice said breaking him from his thoughts. Mike turned to her taking in the happy smile on her face.  "I have to say, handsome.  This is a lot more impressive of a work space than my office."  He smiled holding his hand out for her to take which she did after placing her bag onto the floor.  "Are you going to tell me why I am here? Oh, is it bring your girlfriend to work day?  Cause I would so be down."

"What would you do during 'bring your girlfriend to work day'?" He asked her wrapping his left arm around her waist while his right held her hand.

"Coffee and food runs, massages, relaxing kisses, lend an obvious amazing ear for listening, give you smiles when you need them, fire people if need be," She shrugged.  "The last one is something I always wanted to try."

"That's a long and impressive list.  I think I may have to test this out one day," Mike smiled leaning up pressing his lips to hers.  "Just maybe not the last one."

"You tell me the day and time and I am here for you, babe," Mila replied looking at the screen next to him.  "Side project?"

Mike shook his head.  "No.  Do you remember the big project I mentioned last week?" She nodded.  "This is for that."

"Looks...busy," She commented noticing the many layers and sound waves.  "I am suddenly thankful that I don't have that many areas in my notes."

He laughed turning a bit to see the screen fully.  "It's not that bad.  Each sound wave is a different instrument or vocal.  If they overlap then they are at the same time and if they don't then it's whatever the sound wave is that will be heard."

"So am I getting a lesson today, Mr. Shinoda?  Is that why I am here?"

"Why am I getting turned on by you calling me that?" He groaned softly as she smirked.

"Because anything I do or say usually does with you."

"Touché," He nodded kissing her shoulder.  "No, you are not here for a lesson.  That isn't a bad idea though, but we'll save it for another time.  You are here because I wanted to have you record that piano piece for me."

Mila looked at him with wide eyes.  "What?  You want me to record that here?  In this state of the art studio where record contract artist, who have made amazing albums, have recorded?" Mike nodded giving her a reassuring smile.  "My music is nowhere near half as amazing as the albums made here."

"That's because it's ten times more amazing," He told her honestly.  "Cams, I didn't have you come here to feel intimidated by the studio.  I had you come here because this is the best place to record that piece.  We could do it at my house, but it wouldn't sound half as clear or beautiful on a keyboard as it would on a piano.  You're an amazing pianist and a talented songwriter, you deserve to be here just as much as anyone else who steps through that door.  Record contract or not, you're on the same level."