“What is it, Dane?”  Alice asked seriously.

Dana was a bit torn.  She knew this decision was important, but, she didn’t feel qualified to voice a dissenting opinion.  But she also had to help Alice.

“Well…  I didn’t like him.”  Dana looked up at the group.  Both Harrison and Alice were looking at her closely – waiting to hear what she had to say.  Shane was nodding slightly.  It was both to encourage Dana and to let her know that she felt the same way.  Dana took a deep breath before continuing.  “He sat back.  He would wait to hear what someone else proposed and then jump on the bandwagon.  He is probably adequate for his current position, but, he’s not good enough to be moved to senior VP.”

Alice looked at Shane.  She trusted Dana explicitly, but, was a bit shocked that she could be so wrong in one of her choices.  “She pegged it.”  Shane confirmed.  “That’s what I saw, too.”

“Shit.  I didn’t catch that at all.”  Harrison shrugged to show he didn’t catch it either.  “I probably need to move to video teleconferences.  It’s hard to pick that body language up on the phone.”  Alice shook her head.  This was such an important decision and it scared her a bit that she might have made a mistake.  “Thanks, guys.”  She said sincerely to Dana and Shane.

“OK.  Suggestions on a replacement?”  The discussion shifted and they decided on three additional people to bring in for the scheduled meetings the next day.  

Dana and Alice were lying together in bed late that night.  “You have incredible instincts, Dana.  Don’t ever be afraid to speak your mind.”  Alice said sincerely.

“Thanks, Alice.  I just…  Sometimes it feels like I am playing dress-up or something.  And I worry about doing something wrong.  That I might mess things up for you.”

“Honey…  I thought I told you this before.  That could never happen.  There are too many checks and balances in place for one person to truly hurt the company.  But one person can help the company and you did that today.  You saved us time and resources on an unqualified candidate.  Thank you, baby.”

There were another two days of meetings in which they finalized the management team that would take over for Alice in the day-to-day operations of the vast empire.  The announcement would not be made to the group for a couple days, yet.  Alice had decided to take the day off on her birthday.

Dana woke before Alice on the morning of her birthday.  She smiled at the thought of her plans for the day.  Hopefully everything would go as planned.  Right now, Dana had plans for some morning sex.  

She was spooning Alice from behind and that gave her access to some of her very favorite parts of Alice.  Her hands were moving and she was kissing Alice’s shoulders and neck.  When she could tell Alice was awake, she moved close to her love’s ear and whispered “Happy Birthday, Alice.”

Alice slowly turned and gave Dana a bright smile.  “It is my birthday, isn’t it?”  Dana smiled back and moved closer to give Alice a proper birthday kiss.  But Alice wasn’t there.

Her girlfriend had shot out of bed and was currently doing some sort of…dance?  It took Dana only seconds to remember what Shane had said about Alice’s birthday dance.  It was truly a sight to behold.  Alice expertly blended the cabbage patch, sprinkler and moon walk into a dance of complete joy and abandon.  The fact that she was doing it while being completely naked was quite a nice bonus.  Dana grinned and enjoyed the show.  When Alice started to vogue, Dana got out of bed herself.  The delighted laugh that came from Alice as Dana started a very rusty version of the macarena was well worth any slight embarrassment.  They each did their little dances for a bit longer until they both collapsed into giggles.  Dana wrapped her arms around Alice and pulled her down to the bed and kissed her birthday girl thoroughly.  When they broke for air, Alice said with a grin.  “I guess you don’t mind that I am getting older?”

“Baby?”  Dana said while running her eyes appreciatively up and down Alice’s gorgeous body.  “You are like a fine wine.  You will just keep getting better with age.”