After what felt like years of driving to Cosima they finally arrived at what Delphine said was there 1st destination of many Marseille. Marseille is one of France's eldest cities or that's what Delphine said anyway though Cosima had to admit she was not really listening . She was more interested in the way Delphine's eyes glimmered in the late evening sunset. Delphine immediately took Cosima's hand and led her up path surrounded by cliffs . The view was just breath taking. Just miles and miles of free land and if you looked close enough you could see the vast area of rivers that surrounded Marseille. Delphine was so enthusiastic like a child so free spirited . Cosima was very confused after 10 minutes of continuous walking and following the path. But that confusion did last long when they stopped in front of a small village cottage uninterrupted by the vast city life and remote. Cosima's heart hammered as she took in her surroundings . She turned to Delphine and smiled before slowly pecking Delphine's lips in show of appreciation.

Delphine was beyond joyed that Cosima had fallen in love with the small cottage. She watched as Cosima slowly went up the garden path up to the front door before Cosima turned round and waited for Delphine to follow . Delphine sprinted up the garden path and reached in her dress pocket taking out a gold key. Delphine inserted it in to the wooden door and turned it slowly three times , as soon as she heard the door click she removed it and stepped aside to allow Cosima to enter first. Cosima stood in state at of amusement and wonder , Delphine was silent pleased with herself she knew Cosima well enough to the know the young girl was not often left speechless. The cottage was old with wooden furniture , and an old fashioned fire and kitchen, like something you saw in the 1930's . The bedroom was conjoined to and it had the biggest bed ever , which Delphine hoped herself and Cosima could break in . The bedroom then lead to an en suite , with an old time bathtub and a toilet, it was a simple cottage with simple living standards but Delphine had loved it here since she was a child . Her parents were not exactly short of money , they had houses , cottages and even a few mansions dotted all over France. Delphine inherited all of these after her parents deaths and now she could not wait to share each one with Cosima and create memories that would remain in her heart and soul. She never had a chance to do this with Jonathan. Jonathan was a simple man he did not like travelling he would profess that it was to much hassle , and every part of the world was the same . Delphine hated this opinion she was always an explorer even as a child and she was young at heart . Cosima was like a child herself but even more so with her innocence and mind. She still had so much to learn and Delphine was thankful she had not seen how cruel the world could be , but Delphine knew there was something in Cosima's eyes that said she had an idea but Delphine painfully ignored this because she could not think of her Cosima in pain plus Cosima had not willingly opened up to her yet and this fact hurt Delphine more then anything. Delphine's mind wandered to Veronica she so wished her daughter could be here to enjoy this part of her mother's life. So much of Delphine belonged in these childhood houses parts of her and her memories that she wanted Veronica to see and know. Maybe one day thought Delphine , it was only when Delphine finally pushed herself out of her own thoughts that she noticed Cosima had sat down on the arm chair and had pulled out what looked to be a cigarette but Delphine knew better she knew that smell , it was marijuana. Delphine was shocked well well maybe her lover was not as innocent after all , Delphine grabbed the joint from Cosima's relaxed hand and Cosima's eyes shot open and curiously watched as Delphine took a long drag and dropped to her knees beside Cosima on the floor .

The Joint took a few hours but it did its affect , they were relaxed and in there own little bubble . Both Cosima and Delphine went back and fourth leaning in for slow and sensual kisses to one another . Delphine felt safe with Cosima and Cosima felt safe with Delphine . As minutes of silence and loving longing kisses , Delphine did not know what it was but she finally said what was troubling her mind " why don't you celebrate Christmas ?" Delphine studied Cosima and instantly regretted asking that question , sadness pooled at the edges of Cosima eye's . Delphine grabbed Cosima hand and stroked it lightly showing Cosima there was no pressure to answer . Cosima coughed and Delphine thought Cosima was gonna avoid the question yet again but was wrong as Cosima began explaining her past.

Cosima really did not know where to begin so she started with the basics of how she came from San Francisco to Paris , she told Delphine about the happy memories that seemed long gone from her child hood and how her mother's death for a while made her heart and mind cold. How her father succumbed to the demons and heartbreak her mother left behind and she talked about his final days in an asylum . And made sure she spoke highly of her saviour and Grandmother. Cosima's Grandmother Siobhan or S as she was nicknamed had taught Cosima many things like what was expected of her in life , the right and wrongs and the meaning of life . Cosima's heart felt devoured in pain after she had done , and she could not breathe she felt as if she was drowning being dragged down and suffocated by strong tides. Cosima studied Delphine she saw shock ,pity , sympathy and something else recognition. Strangely Cosima felt a weight had been lift from her mind and comfortably joined Delphine on the floor and sat on her lap and buried her head on her shoulder and carried on sobbing.

Delphine was still in shock Siobhan or as she knew her S was Cosima's grandmother which meant one thing Beth was and had been Cosima's mother . Oh Fuck Delphine did not know what to say she knew Cosima was to vulnerable to hear that Delphine had in fact met her grandmother and mother , but at the same time Delphine was saddened , that meant Beth had died only 8 years after she had left Delphine's village , Delphine's only best friend she remembered , the first person who understood , the girl who Delphine granted to take her virginity was dead . Delphine did not know how to think or act Delphine knew Beth deserved Delphine's tears but holding Cosima right now was her main concern . Delphine almost laughed at life's funny ways of connecting people , the world was small place but she would have never expected this . Delphine kissed Cosima's head lightly and tightened her arms around her . Delphine closed her eyes slowly letting her eyes drift close.

Delphine awoke a few hours later with still sleeping Cosima in her arms . Delphine did not wish to wake her but she was in desperate need of air . She slowly lifted Cosima up cradling her weight and carefully placed her on the couch , she gave her one last kiss on the lips before stepping out of the door and in to the midnight air , it took a few seconds for her to realise it was raining she leaned against the cottage wall and as if on que the sobs she had held in for hours began , she cried for Beth , for Veronica , and mostly for Cosima life had been unfair to both of them but the pain Cosima had been through to her was cruel and she felt every inch of it from the tops of fingertips to the bottom of her toes and stayed there letting the rain be the only company for her and her tears.