After a few hours, Cosima stirred, half asleep. Delphine's eyes opened heavily, but she immediately forced herself to wake up for Cosima. Cosima ran a hand over Delphine's face, making sure she didn't imagine her.
"I'm here, my love" she whispered. Cosima leaned in, kissing Delphine slowly. "You're supposed to be resting," Delphine whispered against her lips, but didn't break the kiss. Cosima smiled when they broke the kiss, unable to say a word.
"I don't know what to say. I can't believe..." Cosima started.
"So don't say anything," Delphine whispered. "But, Cosima I have to tell you..."
"What is it?"
"When I said goodbye, I promised myself that if given the chance, I'd do it all differently. I'd tell you everything..." she opened her mouth, but said nothing for a moment. "I lied when I said I wasn't jealous."
"Of Shay?"
Delphine nodded. "I could barely see straight and when I thought she had betrayed you... she lied to you and she put you in danger and I..."
"...threatened to cut the tops of her feet until she bled to death?" Cosima whispered, half amused. "She told me."
"It doesn't matter. I told her to tell you. I told her to be good to you. And I'll wait."
"Wait?" Cosima asked, still weak and slightly confused.
"I don't care how long you are with Shay. I'll wait. If you break up in two months or two years..."
"Del-"
"If you marry her, I'll wait. But just know if there is ever a crack in that foundation, ever a glimmer of hope... I'll fight for you, Cosima..."
...I don't want Shay," she whispered. "I'm sorry it took me so long to realize. I thought..."
"... you thought I didn't want to be with you?" Delphine laughed. "You really are the puppy," she smiled, biting her lower lip at their inside joke.
Cosima stroked Delphine's cheek, one finger moving along her lips.
"I slept with Aldous. Before you and I..."
"I don't care," Cosima whispered.
"I hate the way Sarah pronounces your name," she giggled. "I'll never admit it to Sarah, but I do."
"How does she say it?"
"Cosimer," she tried to mimic the accent, but piled on top of her French accent left both girls in a fit of giggles. "Shhh," she whispered, kissing Cosima's shoulder.
"What else?" Cosima smiled, intrigued.
"Every time we fight, I eat cake. The kind for a whole family. The..." she struggled for the American term. "The sheet of cake."
"You eat a whole sheet cake?" Cosima laughed.
Delphine nodded. "I'm not proud of it," she smiled. "Okay, a little proud. It's a lot of cake... but each time, I wish you'd stay with me, even if you were angry."
"Oh," Cosima realized. "I leave you."
"Every time," Delphine whispered sadly. "I understand you need your space, but I sometimes with you would stay with me, even to yell at me or ignore me." Cosima reached out, squeezing Delphine's hand.
"I never realized. I thought-"
"I wouldn't hide so much if you stayed with me even if you're mad," Delphine flicked away a small tear. "It kills me when you walk out on me. Or force me out."
"We'll both try harder," Cosima whispered. Delphine lifted her hands, kissing the tops of Cosima's hand.
"I've never met anyone like you," Delphine whispered. "You changed the way I see the world-"
They were interrupted by muffled voices outside. Delphine quickly put one hand over Cosima's mouth, silencing her.
"We have to be very careful," she whispered. Cosima nodded as Delphine released her hand, offering a brave smile. Cosima knew Delphine well enough to know that she was terrified but trying to be convince Cosima otherwise. Cosima didn't remember ever feeling this frightened.
