Delphine awoke early the next day, eagerly awaiting Cosima's arrival. She felt silly. Nothing had really changed. She was just hanging out with her friend, but at the same time, everything had changed. She had acknowledged her feelings for her, which was a huge step. She still didn't know what she was going to do with that realization, but just the fact that she was feeling again was big.

Around noon, she heard a knock at the door. She opened the door to find Cosima smiling that same familiar smile up at her. "Hey!" she greeted her.

Delphine pulled her into a hug. Cosima seemed a bit taken aback by the action as she did not embrace her as she normally did. She broke the hug and invited Cosima inside.

She offered her something to drink, which she accepted, and they both sat on the couch.

Delphine smiled nervously at the brunette before breaking the silence, "Soooo, you didn't sound like you wanted to hang out with me when we talked yesterday," she half teased.

"No, no, that's not it, Delphine," Cosima stated. "I…"

"What then?"

"Delphine…" Cosima muttered. "I don't want to say anything to ruin this friendship. I'm nervous."

"What could you possibly say that would ruin it?" Delphine asked, moving her hand to Cosima's.

Cosima pulled her hand back immediately at the blonde's touch. Delphine felt embarrassed and anxious when she saw how Cosima was reacting.

"Cosima, what's going on?" she questioned.

Cosima took a deep breath. "Look, I'm going to tell you something, but I really don't want you to freak out. I just feel like you have a right to know." She paused. "Remember when you asked me if I've felt anything for anyone since…"

"Yeah?"

"Well...I haven't...until...until now," Cosima exhaled deeply. "Everything changed when I met you. And honestly, it's scary."

Delphine bit her lip as her heart pounded inside of her chest.

"Cosima, I—"

"Delphine, please don't feel like you need to say anything. I know you told me you didn't know when you would feel something for someone again," Cosima said, "I just thought you should know." She looked down at the ground.

Delphine grabbed both of Cosima's hands in hers tightly, not letting her pull them away. "Cosima, I know it's scary, because I just realized the same thing. I've been afraid to let myself feel anything, but...I can't help myself when I'm around you."

"Really?" Cosima asked, incredulously, looking up into hazel eyes.

"Yeah, I mean, I don't think I'm really ready for anything yet, but I can't hide the feeling I get when I'm with you, and the comfort you give me," Delphine confessed.

Cosima smiled the widest smile Delphine had seen on her beautiful face. "Well, what if we take it slow?" Cosima suggested. "Right now, I just love spending time with you, so I'm happy to do whatever, as long as it's with you."

Delphine felt a rush flow all the way through her body and she grinned. "That sounds wonderful." She moved in closer to Cosima, putting her arm around her shoulders as Cosima leaned in, laying her head onto the blonde's chest.

Delphine closed her eyes. This felt good, but she was so anxious. She tried to let the smaller woman's touch relax her.

"Is this ok?" she heard Cosima say as her eyes were still closed.

"Yes," Delphine answered quickly.

She heard Cosima let out a deep breath and felt the warmth on her chest. This feeling was so unfamiliar that she barely knew how to handle it. To have a woman in her arms again, it was foreign to her, but also, it felt so right.

"Delphine?"

"Yes?"

"Would you like to go out for lunch with me?" Cosima inquired.

"Sure," Delphine answered.

Cosima broke away from their cuddle to grab Delphine's hand, hoisting her up. "Come on, I'm bringing you to my favorite sandwich spot. We can pick up some food and go sit in the park."

"That sounds nice," Delphine smiled. She was so grateful to have this companionship and to be somewhat ok with it. She was trying, at least, remembering her father's words.

They picked up some food on the way to the park. It was a gorgeous day, the sun shining brightly and warm, somewhat rare weather for San Francisco in the summer. Delphine laid out the blanket she had brought and they sat on the ground, enjoying their sandwiches and each other's company.

"Elise and I used to come here," Cosima mentioned, "Is it ok if I talk about her?"

"Of course. I want to hear all about her," Delphine answered.

Cosima smiled. "She had a job not too far from here, and sometimes if I had a day off, I would meet her on her lunch break and we would sit here and have a picnic. I used to not be able to come here after, but now it's more soothing to me. I started coming back about a year ago, trying to remember the good things."

"I know exactly what you mean," Delphine responded, "It's important to remember the good memories, even though it's difficult sometimes."

"Yeah, I couldn't really think about any of those memories for a really long time. It was too painful. We lived together, and the day she died, I left that apartment and never went back. Luckily, Scott found me another place quickly," she told Delphine. "But sometimes, I find myself walking by it, standing out front, and remembering the great times we had there."

Delphine took Cosima's hand and scooched in a little bit closer. "It must be difficult to be around all the things that give you these memories. I left a lot of those behind. But, mostly for the bad memories. Our house was filled with sickness. I couldn't be there anymore."

Cosima let her fingers caress the back of Delphine's hand. "You're very brave," she complimented.

Delphine shook her head. "No, I have been a mess for so long."

"No, there's a difference. You are not a mess. You've been feeling. You've been dealing with it. And you've been doing it mostly alone," Cosima soothed, "That is brave."

Delphine gulped, feeling a rush of emotions flood her senses. "Thank you," she whispered. "You are brave, too."

Cosima grinned out of one side of her mouth. "Well, hey, you don't have to go through this alone anymore. I'm here for anything you need."

"I don't know how much help I can be in my state, but I am here for you too," Delphine replied.

"You help me more than you know," Cosima admitted.

Delphine smiled as she laid back on the blanket, staring up at the cloudless sky.

Cosima laid on her side next to Delphine, snuggling up to her, and rubbing her arm lightly with her hand. She laid her other arm under her head, resting her cheek on it, staring at Delphine's blonde curls, her face so close to them. They stayed like that for a while, in silence, enjoying the noises of the park, the birds chirping, the children playing.

Delphine felt at peace. It was not a feeling she was used to, but she let it overtake her for just a moment.

"You doing ok?" Cosima asked quietly.

Delphine nodded.

"Hey, so, some of my friends are having a little get together tonight. Would you want to come with me?" Cosima asked. "No pressure, of course, but they would love to meet you."

"You told them about me?" Delphine replied.

Cosima blushed. "Oh, yeah, I might have mentioned you, but I mean, like, they don't know anything. Just that we work together," she paused. "And I might've mentioned I thought you were cute, but like way back when you first started working with me."

Delphine was not used to flirting. She turned red, not knowing what to say in response.

"Oh my god, sorry," Cosima said, when she saw the look on the blonde's face. "Was that too much?"

Delphine finally found her voice again. "No, no, I'm just...not used to it, you know? I'm a little out of practice with the whole dating thing."

"Oh, well, you don't have to be worried around me. Just be yourself. I don't care if you do or say anything right," Cosima confessed. "I just love your company."

"But just for the record," Delphine started, feeling a bit more confident, "you think I'm cute."

Cosima blushed, giggling, "Ok, yeah, you got me." She paused. "So, will you come?"

Delphine thought for a moment. She didn't know anyone else in this city and she figured Cosima's friends would be as welcoming as she was. "Yes," she responded.

Cosima grinned wide and hugged Delphine, putting her arm across her stomach briefly before pulling back. "I've got some errands I need to run before the party so maybe we should get going. You can meet me there later. Is that ok?"

Delphine nodded as she got up to pack up their picnic. Cosima dropped her off at home and she settled in with some reading before she needed to get ready for the night ahead. She couldn't believe she was actually going out to a party. She didn't remember the last time that had happened.

As she sat in her favorite chair, she realized the aching sadness in her chest was no longer overwhelming. She knew it would always be there in some form, but maybe it didn't need to consume her entire life. She grinned as she thought about their earlier picnic. Cosima was so easy to talk to and she loved getting to know her. She was looking forward to seeing her again tonight, and that feeling of excitement was completely new. She didn't mind it.