Merry Christmas. I got a Felicity American Girl doll, as I learned how to read alone with her character as a kid, among a few other things. It was fun visiting my cousin and I think gave her daughter the third unicorn, she got that day.
Chapter Thirty-One:
"Finally, tonight, a reflection and a big announcement. First: Anna Duvall. She was the news anchor we all aspired to be. She was persistent, objective, and I thought kind. It turns out we don't know our heroes as well as we thought. The Anna I got to know was no longer driven by the search for the truth, but by preserving her legacy. During a meeting she called me a fool for love as I had turned down the offer to take her job. Anna was publicly humiliated by an affair her then-husband had a decade ago. I think she gave up on love at that point and focused entirely on her career.
I don't want to be Anna Duvall. My tenure as an anchor for PAX will end in August. I am ready to return to being a private citizen. I want to pursue my passion for life outside of news. This isn't the last you'll hear from me as I intend to write. I don't want anger and bitterness to enter my heart the way it did for Anna Duvall. Which is why I am leaving on a high note. We still have a little less than three months together and I intend to treasure every moment of it. I'm Gwen Calvin, thanks for watching."
When filming ended, the crew began to clap.
Calvin laughed.
"Save it for my last broadcast!" she said.
"That was done beautifully, Gwen," Connie said.
"Thank you," she said.
"Have you decided whether you're going to pick a successor, or let them fight it out?"
"I'm still giving it some thought."
"I'm happy for you, regardless, Gwen. Good luck."
"Awe, save the sappiness for later. I don't want to start crying now!"
"Oh, I'll make you cry later," Connie said with a laugh.
"I'll make sure to have waterproof makeup on," she said.
"Have any plans this weekend to celebrate?" Connie asked.
"None that I'll share with you or anyone else in the building."
"Tell Reid a random news producer said hello and that he is a very lucky man."
Calvin didn't say anything as she went to wipe her makeup off.
…
Calvin ran into Iris on her way to see Reid. They had planned a board game day.
"The NBA finals are on," she said. "The lunatics are running the insane asylum today."
"Don't call people lunatics," she said. "And this isn't an insane asylum."
"You can do whatever you want with Reid today and no one will notice," Iris said with a smile.
Calvin blushed.
"I don't like what you're implying," she said.
"I know I lack a filter because I wasn't raised according to conventional standards. I use it to my advantage."
"Iris," Calvin. "I like Reid but neither of us are ready for what you're suggesting."
"You may not feel like it, but you never know," she said with a smile and put something Calvin's coat pocket. She then darted off.
Calvin pulled it out and sighed. It was condom. She wondered where Iris got it from.
She knocked and found Reid wearing t-shirt and sweatpants.
"I'm ready to get my butt kicked multiple games," she said with a laugh as she took her coat off.
Why did the word "butt" sound so weird coming out of her mouth? Iris had gotten into her head.
"I don't know," he said. "We'll see how good a player you are."
She hadn't been a player in years. Calvin was starting hate Iris.
"Let's try Scrabble," Reid said.
"But with rules," she said. "No scientific terms and only English words."
"Okay," Reid said.
It was a surprisingly even game. Calvin's years of proofreading were paying off. Reid actually looked frustrated by the fact that he wasn't winning by more. All the while, Calvin couldn't get Iris out of her head.
"Does the scar itch?" he asked as he collected more tiles, over the sudden roar down the hall. The game must have been heating up.
"It is used to," she said and then boldly asked: "Would you like to feel it?"
"If it doesn't bother you," Reid said.
"No," she said.
Reid leaned over and touched it gently. He rubbed softly. Then her hand lingered down her blouse. He blushed when he realized what he was doing and tried to stop, but Calvin gently touched his hand as she partially unbuttoned her blouse. Reid pushed his hand deeper in and then let go suddenly.
"Are we really doing this?" he asked.
"We're only doing whatever you want to do, Spencer," Calvin said. "If you're not ready that's fine."
Reid scooted over and unbuttoned the rest of her blouse. He carefully took it off. Massaging her arms, he reached for her bra. At first, he struggled, but Calvin didn't dare touch him. Eventually, he got it off.
"May I kiss you?" she asked as she started to breath heavily.
"Please," he said.
She kissed him tentatively but he kissed her back with more force. Their lips were locked for a long time as Reid fondled her chest.
"Let's move," she said when they finally came up for air.
Reid simply stared at her for a moment. She stood up.
"Take everything off," she said.
She kicked her heels off and he slowly pealed every piece of clothing, stockings included, off.
"You're beautiful," he said.
"You're hot too," she said.
"You do me now," he said.
"No," she said. "Maybe next time, but it is up to you this round."
He undressed quickly. For a moment they stared each other as they stood naked. Calvin reached into a pile of clothes and found the condom.
"Good thinking," he said.
Calving let Reid lead in every moment of their intercourse. It was a little unnerving, as he tensed up occasionally, but at the same time it was a positively fascinating experience. Reid was extremely gentle. When they were done, Reid disposed of the condom and laid by her side.
"How uncomfortable was that?" he asked.
"Sex is almost always weird the first time," she said. "We don't know each other's likes and dislikes yet. It's a process."
"Are we moving too fast?" he asked.
"Does it matter?" she asked. "This is not a normal relationship Spencer. I think by having sex now, we're eliminating some tension in the air so the rest of the relationship can progress."
"It felt amazing," he said slowly. "I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it with a woman, but you were incredible Gwen. I think I love you."
"I think I love you too Spencer," Calvin said.
There was a sudden single knock on the door.
Reid threw a blanket to Calvin and looked to the door. He leaned down and picked up a paper and a condom.
"The basketball game has gone into overtime," Reid groaned. "Iris gave you the first one, didn't she?"
"She cares about you like an older brother," Calvin said.
"Thankfully nothing more," he said.
He proceeded to put it on.
"This time, you lead," he said.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Positive," he said.
They started again. Calvin had never felt happier than she did with Reid's arms wrapped around her.