The week continued and the days dragged on as Delphine longed to have Cosima in her arms once again each night. The hours of practice each day seemed endless and she cherished every break she got. On Thursday night, Cosima accidentally fell asleep in Delphine's bed. Delphine had to wake her up at 5 in the morning in a panic, hoping her parents were still asleep.
After Cosima left, it was always difficult for Delphine to fall back asleep. She had grown used to her girlfriend being there to help her sleep. This led to Delphine getting up extra early and practicing without her mother's critical eye on her every move, and her mother was pleased about Delphine putting in the extra work.
"Keep up this work and you'll be more than ready for the Duncan Showcase!" she would say.
Her mother didn't know that Delphine would practice her original music in the mornings, and switch to her piece for the showcase when she knew her mother would be waking up.
On Saturday morning, Delphine's parents called her to breakfast. There was already a plate of eggs and toast waiting for her at the table when she arrived.
"Delphine, we would like to speak with you," her father said. Delphine's eyes widened. They must have somehow found out about her nightly rendezvous with Cosima. She nodded and bit her lip, fearing the worst.
"You know we don't like punishing you," her mother continued. "But sometimes it is necessary. However, we see that you have learned your lesson and you are once again putting piano as your first priority, as it should be."
Delphine nodded along, unsure of where this was going.
"Since you are no longer distracted by trivial things and working hard on your piece for the showcase, we have decided to lift your punishment, effective tomorrow."
Delphine gaped; she couldn't believe it. "Really?!"
"Really," her father replied.
"So I get to see Cosima again?" she asked, hopeful.
"Yes, of course." Her father smiled.
"With some restrictions," her mother interjected. "Only with approval from your father and I, and only if you have finished your piano practice for the day." Delphine nodded, grinning. "And no more sleepovers!"
"Of course," she replied. "Thank you!" She lunged across the table to give both her parents a kiss on the cheek.
"Eat your breakfast, and get back to practice," her mother said, with a small smile. "You'll get your phone back in the morning."
Delphine scarfed her breakfast down quickly, excited to get back to work. She couldn't believe her luck. Soon, she would be able to see Cosima again, in the light of day, without having to sneak around. She hated lying to her parents, but she loved Cosima enough to omit the truth.
Starting tomorrow, Delphine would be able to talk to Cosima anytime she wanted. Her girlfriend would just be a quick text or phone call away. She wouldn't have to wait impatiently for Cosima to show up at her window in the middle of the night like a robber.
Delphine went back to her piano and played her heart out, excited for tonight, when she could tell Cosima the good news.
She kept practicing, but felt her joy seep into her playing and didn't want this creative surge to go to waste. She took a break from her piece for the showcase and played out a tune, fumbled with lyrics to go in place, and had a rough chorus of a new song before long. Soon, her father walked in. He watched her play for a few moments before Delphine saw him.
When Delphine noticed her father, she slammed her hands on the keys, stopping herself from playing anymore. "Oh, papa! I didn't see you there."
"What was that you were playing?" he asked.
"Euh, it was nothing. I was just taking a break, messing around," she stammered nervously.
"Delphine, canard, did you write that?"
Slowly, Delphine nodded.
For a moment, her father said nothing. Delphine closed her eyes; she didn't want to face the same ridicule she received from her mother.
"It sounds lovely."
Delphine's head jerked up. "Really?"
Her father nodded. "Of course," he said. "You're quite good."
Delphine smiled. "Thank you papa."
He smiled at her a moment, then left the room. Delphine breathed a sigh of relief. She smiled to herself, and then continued to play her song for a few more minutes.
As the day progressed, Delphine finished practice and returned to her room. She continued to work on her new song for the rest of the night and only took a break when her mother called her down to dinner.
After dinner, Delphine opened the window for Cosima when she arrived, then went right back to her piano to keep playing. Delphine wasn't sure how long she was playing, it might've been hours, but the time just flew by. She loved piano, but didn't get creative freedom when she was just practicing for one of her many showcases or recitals. When Delphine worked on her own music, she had freedom to do whatever she wanted. She could throw in a crazy riff, or use chords that would clash in a traditional classical piece.
Delphine thrived on her creativity, and it's what she truly enjoyed about playing piano. She would never admit it out loud, but she couldn't stand the cold, hard, calculated, rehearsed setting that her classical pieces provided. If Delphine wanted to make her mother proud and uphold her title as a piano prodigy, she could never admit that, nor could she stray from what she had been doing her whole life. But that didn't mean that she couldn't hope for more freedom in her art.
Delphine felt she was getting close to perfecting her song; she thought so as she played through it once again, for the hundredth time that night. When she finished, she stared at the keys for a moment. It was missing something, but what?
"That was beautiful."
Delphine yelped, and jumped out of her chair. She turned around, and found Cosima sitting on her windowsill with a small smile on her face.
"How long have you been there?" Delphine asked.
Cosima shrugged. "Not long." She jumped into the bedroom and plopped down on Delphine's bed. "But I did get to hear most of your song. Is that new?" Delphine nodded. "I love it."
"Thank you," Delphine muttered, smiling. She turned around, picking up her notebook and pen she was using. She shoved them back into a drawer.
Cosima got up from the bed and walked behind Delphine. "And I love you." She circled her arms around Delphine's waist and kissed her shoulder.
Delphine blushed. "Je t'aime," she said, and spun around to kiss Cosima's lips. "I have good news, chérie! My parents say my grounding ends tomorrow. I get my phone back, and I will get to see you again!"
"You're seeing me now!" Cosima joked.
"I know, but we won't have to sneak around anymore. We can go out and spend time together. We can stop hiding."
Cosima grinned. "That's amazing. I can't wait to take you on another date!" She pulled Delphine into another kiss, then dragged her to the bed. "How's practice going? For the showcase."
Delphine's smile faltered, remembering her thoughts from earlier. "It's good," she said. "I think I have my piece down."
"I can't wait to see you up there," Cosima said.
Delphine blinked. "What? You're going?"
"Of course, I wouldn't miss it! I got my ticket as soon as you told me" Cosima replied. "I want to support you."
Delphine forced a smile. She wasn't sure if she wanted Cosima to see her performing when she's not even sure if she wants to keep performing. Cosima was used to seeing her playing her own music, and having fun. She would probably be able to tell in a heartbeat that Delphine's heart wasn't in it.
Cosima could already tell that something was wrong. "You ok?" she asked. She tilted her head, curious and sympathetic.
Delphine nodded. "Of course, I'm fine." Cosima raised an eyebrow, and Delphine sighed. "It's just… I'm not so sure if I really enjoy performing anymore." Cosima had quickly figured out how to always make her talk.
"What?" Cosima was shocked. "But, why? You're so good!"
Delphine shrugged. Cosima touched her hand in comfort, urging her to continue. Delphine stood up and began pacing her room, unsure of how to say what she was thinking. "I don't know, I just- it's so stiff and rehearsed. There's no room for freedom. It's stifling, sometimes."
Cosima nodded in understanding. "Not like your music."
Delphine froze. "How did you know?"
"Babe, I see how happy you are when you play your own stuff. You clearly love it."
Delphine nodded. "Cosima, you can't tell anyone. My mother, if she found out, she would disown me!"
Cosima went over to Delphine and grabbed her hands. "Of course I won't tell anyone. But if you don't enjoy it anymore, why do you want to keep doing it?"
"I- I don't know…" Delphine shook her head and frustrated tears sprung to her eyes. "It's all I've done my entire life! I don't know anything else!"
"Hey, hey, it's ok." Cosima wrapped her arms tightly around Delphine, and Delphine cried into her shoulder. "It's ok to have doubts," she said. She rubbed Delphine's back comfortingly, and hesitated before continuing. "But it's also never too late to try something new."
Delphine cried for a minute longer, clutching tightly to Cosima, but soon she pulled back. She sniffled and wiped her eyes. Her eyes glowed as she gazed at Cosima in adoration. "How do you do that?" she asked.
"Do what?" Cosima wondered, amused.
"How do you always say exactly the right thing?" Delphine said. "How do you always know how to make me feel better?"
Cosima smiled, but before she could reply, Delphine pulled her up into a passionate kiss. Cosima's lips were soft against her own and their tongues slid softly together, and Delphine had never felt happier.
Neither of them heard the knock at the door.
Neither of them noticed the doorknob turn.
Neither of them saw the door fly open.
"Delphine, sweetie, I thought I heard crying—"
Cosima and Delphine quickly jumped apart and found Delphine's mother facing them, gaping in shock.
"Wh-what is this?"
Delphine opened her mouth but she couldn't find the words to speak.
"What is going on?"
Cosima glanced at Delphine, then back at her mother. "I am so sorry, Mrs. Cormier. We were just—"
"I was not talking to you," Delphine's mother spat.
Cosima immediately shut her mouth.
"Maman," Delphine started, "I can explain."
"NO! I don't want to hear it!" her mother exclaimed. "All this time I thought you were working hard but you were just disobeying me! How long has this been going on?"
"Since Monday," Delphine replied quietly, staring at the floor.
"Monday?!" Delphine's mother began ranting in French, lecturing Delphine, reprimanding her. Cosima couldn't understand a word of it, but she was still terrified.
"And you!" Delphine's mother said, switching back to English. She glared at Cosima. "Get out of my house."
"Mrs. Cormier, I—"
"Get out!"
Cosima glanced at Delphine, who refused to meet her eyes. She wanted to say something, anything, but she couldn't. She had no choice but to walk out the door.
Author's note: It's been so long I am so sorry. But a long time ago I promised that I wouldn't abandon this story and I am sticking to it! Thank you to those of you who held out for this long, even though it's definitely not worth the wait. Anyway, I'm planning on one or two more chapters, plus an epilogue, so we're getting to the end of it! Don't worry though, I have other fics planned once this one is finished.
I promise I won't disappear for eight months ever again. I'm so sorry.
Thank you so much for reading, and let me know your thoughts on the chapter! I always appreciate comments :)