September 2021
"I'm sorry I burned the soup. Still a pretty great recipe though. It tastes fine." Cosima comments optimistically. "I can totally scrub out the pot."
"No, no need. I will do it. I know you have more revisions to go… you… defend in less than two months, mon chou." Delphine gives Cosima an indulgent smile. Over the last few weeks she had tried to be as encouraging as possible.
"Yeah… time just keeps…whizzing by… even as it drags." Cosima offers it casually, ignoring the vegetal pet name. Cosima had been deeply disappointed the day she realized Delphine wasn't calling her ' mon chiot '. "You sure you're OK to clean up? I know Thursdays are your heavier days." Cosima's increasing concern for her energy levels and well being was sweet. Sweeter still when she'd admire the changes to her body. She knows Cosima's been looking at her, more intently than in years, probably. Novelty, Delphine thinks, isn't the worst side effect of all of this.
"I am fine. So… Baby names." Delphine finds herself prompting Cosima as they finish up their dinner. An interesting lentil soup recipe that they'll have to try again. Hopefully without burning the bottom of one of their good dishes again.
"Baby names." Cosima repeats, looking thrown for only a moment. "I thought that was a second trimester talk…"
"I am in the second trimester." Delphine points out. "And we know the sex of the baby… so… there's no reason to delay like…some couples do." Likely to reduce the amount of arguing and conflict over naming. Conflict Delphine is desperately hoping they do not have. The anatomy scan is almost three weeks away, and unless something changes Cosima is not permitted to attend. She has been avoiding bringing it up to avoid the inevitable grief over missing out.
A name could take months for her and Cosima to agree on. Especially adding in that it must work bilingually. She'd spent part of the last four weeks waiting to see if Cosima would come to her with ideas of her own. As that hadn't happened, Delphine knew it was best to start bridging the subject. There is still so much to do, they must get a larger vehicle, and begin preparing for baby's arrival whether or not they've had success in the real estate market.
"Right." Cosima nods. "I mean… I think the last name is settled. So that's a start."
"Niehaus-Cormier." Delphine tells her plainly. "It sounds better than Cormier-Niehaus. I am not flexible on this." And she's not, that she decided long ago. They both did. At least Delphine thinks they did.
"Agreed… Alphabetical order be damned." Cosima gives her a small smile. "In terms of first names, do you have a list? Or a starting point? Or are we just going to start shouting names back and forth until something sticks?"
"Lists… I think. Then… whittling down what we can both agree to." Delphine acknowledges that compromise may play a larger part of this than she'd planned.
"Right." Cosima draws a knee up, perching on the chair as is her habit when relaxing.
"Tea?" Delphine offers and she boils water, intent on making a pot of some new loose-leaf variety Cosima is currently hooked on.
"Yes." Cosima nods. "Ooh… can we have Chai? Especially if I am hitting the books after this."
"So… what names do you like?" Delphine figures it's as good a place to start as any. As much as she's been thinking through girl's names she's always liked she figures giving Cosima input is important. They have to agree. Cosima has to like it too. Even if it means settling on a name that is a compromise for both of them.
"Well… I mean, I never really planned on being a parent." Cosima gives her a sheepish look. "But I always thought nature-y names were cool. And unisex. So that's good."
"Unisex names do… well aside from a few outliers, they do not work well in French." Delphine finishes suddenly. "I mean… there's a few - but very few. And one of them is my great-uncle's name."
"OK… So whatever that name is out." Cosima nods. "Do you want a French name?"
Delphind finds herself nodding subconsciously before she means to. "I mean… it has to be pronounceable in French. But…. it also has to work in English… and you have German relatives…"
"OK… Let's not worry about relatives I barely see… just French and English." Cosima smiles at her. "What… what do you like Delphine?"
"I like…. Léna. I like… Iris… I like… Élodie. I like… Léonie… I also like… Rosalie… Celestine, Violette…Aurélie…Sybille… Some are… too much for a child raised in Toronto surrounded by anglophones. I know logically, that a name like… Emma or…Luna… would work better going between French and English."
Cosima nods taking it in. "OK… Put them on a list. The ones I can pronounce… Iris is out. Too different in English and French. Aurélie becomes orally. No. Celestine is too long. Violette is too…French."
"Agreed. It is out." Delphine nods. That makes sense. She opts not to react to the too French comment. She'd anticipated some pushback from Cosima. She half-thought of suggesting Claire, but suspects the Outlander reference would lead back to more irritating conversations she has no wish to revisit.
"Leonie too.. Just… too much." Cosima pauses. "Lena, Elodie and…Rosalie are OK. I like them enough. They can go on the list."
"OK. It's a start…" Delphine nods. "What do you want to put on?"
"Uh.. Like Hazel. Ash. Sage…. Ocean… Maybe?" Cosima seems intent on listing random nouns to Delphine's irritation. But perhaps her west coast love had a point. They could… figure out a compromise.
"Ocean is… a noun. Océane is a name. We… can put it on the list." Delphine suggests, watching as Cosima opens a note on her phone writing down a few names.
Cosima looks curiously back at her. "Do you care about meanings or just… sounds and associations?"
"Meanings matter… but… it all needs to be weighed out. I have a list of good names to use bilingually. Like Emma, Luna, Chloé, Lucie, Mila, Mia…" Delphine trails off, she doesn't necessarily want to choose one of those names but if it would be easier maybe they should . "I just… can't get excited about any of them." Delphine admits slowly.
"OK. So… not those names." Cosima is casual about it. "We have… until February, Delphine. We don't need to name the baby this second."
"I just… I want to." Delphine tells her. "I don't think it's good to wait. I want… I want to get a short list anyways."
"And we will." Cosima assures her. "If naming the baby is important to you right now… We'll throw names back and forth until something sticks."
"OK." Delphine acknowledges only then realizing the tea has been forgotten. "Do you… still want tea?"
"In a few minutes… But I really should go… shoot off an email to one of my advisors." Cosima stands. "I'll be back. I just… want to wrap up the diss edits for the night."
"I'll clean up here." Delphine offers, standing. She doesn't miss another soft fluttery kick from within and she smiles. For now, it is a private joy. Cosima is aware she can feel it. But… the baby is still not big enough to be felt from the outside.
She loads the dishwasher, and starts it running, an extra mug or two beside the sink on the counter was common enough. And she can handwash the rest. It gives her mind a break between work, and covid and the Ledas to concentrate on their baby. The new little life they would be investing so much in.
But she is lost in thought, so lost that she misses the sound of footsteps behind her. Cosima slides in right behind her, quickly taking their non-stick copper coated pot out of her hands and laying it carefully on a towel next to the sink. At first, she thinks Cosima is after company and a cup of tea, another mind to bounce her corrections off of. But it becomes clear in moments Cosima is suddenly after a different sort of connection.
"You busy?" Cosima teases at the back of her neck. Soft lips tease at the base of her neck. One kiss and then another. And she relaxes into it. Cosima's affection is more than welcome. The rest can wait, Delphine reasons to herself.
"Non." Delphine turns to smile and finds herself pushed up against the counter by an insistent Cosima. "I thought you had edits…"
"They can wait." Cosima groans, and eagerly captures her mouth. She finds herself smiling into their kiss until Cosima's urgency overtakes them both.
She lets her tongue play with Cosima's, grips her back enthusiastically and tries not to mind how their granite countertop is pressing into her lower back.
"Delphine…" Cosima moans and begins working a hand down her work pants. An easy enough feat, Delphine thinks. Especially with the new elastic band instead of a fly. Her hand grazes right over the bump, which Delphine is convinced is a little bigger each week already. And right into her flexible maternity underwear.
Cosima's fingers begin touching gently, stroking her exactly the way she likes it while her mouth moves to her neck.
"Oh… Cosima." Delphine exhales, she closes her eyes and lets Cosima have her. Flickers of pleasure smooth into a more urgent desire. She pushes herself into Cosima.
"You are so wet." Cosima murmurs between kisses. "I can't get enough of you."
It doesn't take long for orgasm to crash over her, but pinned between Cosima and the countertop all she can do is slump into Cosima's arms when it's over.
The truth was easy. The more aroused and enthusiastic Cosima was about their encounters - the more aroused Delphine herself became. The stimulus of Cosima's arousal, Cosima's pleasure worked. Every time.
"Well that was fast." Cosima teases Delphine, withdrawing her hand and drawing it immediately to her mouth. Cosima had mentioned a few weeks ago that she tasted a little different since she became pregnant. While she'd been a little insecure about it, it was clear from her current view of Cosima sucking off her own fingers that may not be a detractor at all.
"Do I… taste OK?" Delphine asks. She knows Cosima's cunnilingus fixation hadn't really shifted, but having Cosima enjoy her taste was… more important to her than she realized. Admittedly, she hadn't had to worry about that in a long time.
"More than OK. It's still really good. I am so not complaining. I can show you how much I want it." Cosima had so far refused to answer whether the change was an improvement or not. And maybe, it didn't really matter.
Even now, Delphine muffles a laugh into her wife's neck. She adores her.
"Get up on the counter… and I'll eat you out." Cosima offers.
"You'll hurt your neck." Delphine breaks away to give her head a quick shake. She cannot let Cosima do that again. It's not worth it.
"No I won't." Cosima is quick to argue. "Hop up."
"You did last time." Delphine tries to remind her wife. "You told me next time you decided kitchen cunnilingus was a thing to tell you you'd hurt your neck. I had to massage it for you. And ice it." That had been years ago, Delphine recalls. Not even a year after they'd moved into this condo.
"OK… sounds vaguely familiar… bedroom then?" Cosima smirks and holds out a hand. Giggling, Delphine lets Cosima lead her to bed. And it's changed, Delphine thinks. Cosima's … libido appears to be elevated. For… whatever reason. Whether it's arousal or… a deep desire to connect doesn't have to matter Delphine muses. The result… is the same.
They strip off their clothing and she lets Cosima follow through, sliding down her body to pleasure her again. Delphine clings happily to her wife, moaning openly until she crests again. She was right, Delphine thinks, smiling dopily. Nothing else is this good. Nothing compares to Cosima's mouth on her. Cosima keeps going intent on getting her to a third orgasm, and Delphine easily comes again.
"Wow…" Delphine giggles happily on the bed. It has been a while since Cosima had been that… enthused.
"Delicious." Cosima quips afterwards. "Hottest wife ever." Cosima moves up to snuggle her, tucking her body into her side, letting a hand drift down to cover the bump. Cosima doesn't speak, but she strokes the bump. There's a connection there, Delphine decides. Outside of the… genetic realities. There has to be. But maybe, maybe that is what this is really about.
She strokes Cosima softly, fingers teasing at her wife's sex. Delphine slowly works her wife to orgasm. Cosima shifts to allow her better access. She teases at her now sensitive breasts - which yield more pleasure than before. Cosima only stops trying to give when she approaches climax and begins to cry out and shake until she settles back against Delphine.
"Ma belle Cosima…"
"Mmm." Cosima hums contently, snuggling in. She strokes her face. And they need to connect, Delphine thinks. That is what this is. Unless Cosima is suddenly overcome with desire. She finds herself smiling at the thought, and Cosima just smiles back.
"Cosima…" Delphine stops to stroke her face. In the lamplight she sees more tendrils of gray in Cosima's hair than before. Maybe the stress of all this was getting to them both. Either way, she loves it. "I want to feel you inside me."
"Like… deep?" Cosima stops her gentle stroking. "Like… you want a toy… or my hand… Or just…?"
"You." Delphine moans back, knowing Cosima will take the hint. She usually does.
Fingers enter her easily, and Cosima works her up… not as if she really needs it before she grabs the lubricant and applies it liberally to both her hand and Delphine.
"Cosima…" Delphine whines knowing that Cosima will return to pleasuring her as soon as she's done.
Cosima enters her with three fingers, and then four in quick succession. Her body takes it easily and Delphine groans as Cosima begins working her whole hand in.
"It's… so easy." Cosima mutters in awe as she's rotating in. "Delphine… you're like… drenched. It is so hot."
"It is…" Delphine gasps, her head rolling back. This has always been the most difficult part, but right now… Now it is… mixed with some pleasure. And when Cosima is in, she grins at her.
"I love you." Cosima whispers as she begins rotating, and begins making love to her like this.
"Et je t'aime aussi." Delphine responds, arching her back as she gives herself over to the pleasure. To Cosima, regardless of her motivations. Again and again, the subtle movements give her such pleasure and she climaxes twice more before Cosima begins withdrawing and lays her body against her.
"Did you get enough?" Delphine asks when she finally regains the sense to understand that Cosima only came once. Their baby wriggles around inside of her, and she finds there's such contentment here. Once Cosima can feel the baby, Delphine thinks, that will be something indeed.
"Yeah. I am so satisfied right now. Oh god…" Cosima laughs manically for a moment and spoons in behind her, intent on holding her as long as Delphine will let her.
She falls asleep like that, and when she wakes in the morning Cosima's made her pancakes again. Intent on spoiling her pregnant wife.
Delphine rushes to leave work on time, she wears her N95 mask under a cloth one. And whatever any passerbys think she doesn't care. She has to take every precaution.
She barely makes it to the Rabbit Hole lab ahead of her expected patient. They are waiting in the comic book shop. Occupying spaces that could be used by paying customers. And Delphine moves quickly to get them downstairs and out of sight.
"Hello Charlotte, Art." Delphine greets them and quickly unlocks the door downstairs.
"Hi Delphine." Charlotte greets her brightly.
"Art… Do you want to wait outside?" Delphine asks, deciding that Charlotte is old enough to go downstairs by herself.
"Yeah.. I'll take a walk. This takes about an hour." Art nods, he too looks more gray haired and tired than before. Delphine can only imagine the strains on him with everything going on these days. He looks exhausted. Like everyone else.
"So?" Delphine prompts her young patient. She has long gotten used to the sisters looking so much alike. But Charlotte in particular occasionally reminded her of a younger Cosima. Though she lacked Cosima's… rougher edges and west coast slang.
"I got my first period. Two weeks ago." Charlotte tells her impatiently. "Maya had hers three years ago… But I mean. At least it happened finally."
"Everyone is different." Delphine quickly prepares the treatment. She inserts the IV catheter, and moves to get it set up. "Cosima said she was 14. I was… about the same."
"CRISPR again." Charlotte smiles. "I'm closer to 15 now…"
"Yes. But that is still months away. And we are making great improvements. There is also…" Delphine points to the second bag, "a concentrated telomerase treatment like I am giving your sisters."
"So I don't develop age-related problems." Charlotte remembers and she's calm. Her monthly treatments are important. And Charlotte accepts this.
"How is school?" Delphine looks up. Grade nine virtually doesn't sound like the most fun. And Charlotte was advanced, she was taking some courses ahead of schedule.
"I don't mind virtual. Maya is virtual too... I miss lab sessions though." Charlotte considers. "And like… the fun. Clubs and… tech crew. I was going to join band. But I'd have to learn to play an instrument. I wanted to learn alto sax. But… it all has to wait."
"We… could arrange for you and Maya to have a lab here." Delphine invents suddenly. She thinks she and Cosima could arrange something stimulating for the two teenagers to do. There was nothing she could do about music lessons and band.
"Maya is playing flute more and more… which is good. We… need hobbies. We binged SweetTooth on Netflix. I mean there's a pandemic in that too… so… not the best escape maybe. We're… looking for the next thing. Quarantine is very boring. But Art is pretty cool. I just… I miss seeing all the sisters. You're… my family." Charlotte seems sad, but not rebellious. She is not sure what it is about Charlotte that is more… resistant to what she sees in the other Ledas. Unless it is just her age or her…self-awareness.
"And yours?"
"Researching me . Researching paleontology and geology. As usual. I am developing an interest in genetics. What makes me me versus Rachel. I mean, I know I was cloned from her."
"Yes. But you are not Rachel. You're all Charlotte." Delphine gives the girl a small smile from behind her mask. Rachel Duncan was her own creation entirely. And while she'd offered Rachel the telomerase treatment, Rachel had declined to even answer her email. Maybe it was for the best. Either way, if it changed - she'd send Scott.
"How is the pregnancy going?" Charlotte asks, pointing at the bump. "Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?"
"It's going well… I feel the baby kicking off and on now. And don't tell anyone, but… we know it's a girl." Delphine whispers conspiratorially.
"Yes!" Charlotte fist pumps. "I bet Kira and I won! She bet you'd have a boy."
"Just wait a few more weeks to gloat. The …ultrasound will confirm the genetic testing." Delphine offers. It's enough truth. If not the whole truth. She's amused at the reaction. She wonders which girl had initiated the bet, and how much the wager was but decides not to ask.
"I will… I can keep secrets." Charlotte smiles and for a moment Delphine is reminded of a picture of a teenage Cosima Sally had shown her the last time they visited.
"Of course you can." Delphine smiles. "We… we are still working on a name for the baby, Cosima and I. But that… I think we will wait to tell until after the baby is born."
"You'll work it out… You have until February. Hey - you could name her after Marie Curie!" Charlotte throws out. "I've been reading a book about women in the sciences. Art got it for me. I think he knows I am going to be like you and Cosima."
"Non." Delphine chuckles. "There are many Maries. And I have so… many aunts and cousins… I have a cousin Marie-Aimée. Matante Manon is really Marie… And you may be a scientist, like us. But you will still be Charlotte ." She was always careful to differentiate the sisters, especially to Charlotte. It was important, Delphine reasoned, that Charlotte develop an identity entirely her own.
"It'll be something French though, right?" Charlotte asks. And Delphine wonders how her language studies are coming along. Charlotte was supposed to be studying French and she'd offer to help her practice.
"Yes. It has to work in English and French. It isn't easy. How… is your French class going?"
"It's… hard." Charlotte makes a face. And that is a change. Charlotte was thriving academically before the pandemic restrictions. She knows it's been hard on all of them.
"It can be… We should set up a Skype session. I can help you practice. Orally." Delphine suggests and knows before she looks up that Charlotte is smiling.
"Yes." Charlotte nods quickly. "How is Cosima? I miss her."
"Cosima… is trying to finish her dissertation."
"She failed, she said."
"She didn't pass." Delphine corrects. "She defends again in November. She'll be done before Christmas."
"Is Cosima getting her booster dose early?" Charlotte asks, her mind quickly changing gears yet again. "If she has to go to Minnesota."
"Yes. I am working on getting her a booster dose in October. Before she goes." Delphine mentions it casually. It may take longer than she wants, but she is working on it.
"Pfizer?" Charlotte asks.
"That is what she's had the last two times." Delphine shrugs. She would rather not mix different manufacturers despite good evidence it still works well. But for bureaucratic reasons and travel she suspected it would be a pain.
"I was reading that immunity is wearing off, that we'll all need boosters." Charlotte makes a face. "I mean, we have to. But… I wish it were longer lasting. And there's so many variants I'll probably learn the Greek alphabet."
"That is likely. When you're eligible, Art will book you in." Delphine smiles. Art had been very proactive about getting both Charlotte and Maya vaccinated as soon as they were eligible. She knows Alison is chomping at the bit to get Arthur and Donnie Junior vaccinated as soon as it comes available. Which will probably be December at this rate. She'll probably end up getting her own booster before the baby comes.
"Did you and Cosima read the articles about the mice bone marrow babies?" Charlotte asks suddenly, jumping from one idea to the next.
"Years ago. Yes." Delphine nods, trying not to react.
"They had two mothers. It would be so sick if you and Cosima were able to do that."
"Sick." Delphine snorts, that particular slang had never really amused her. She knows it's from Maya. Or Kira… and Charlotte has taken it on as part of her own lexicon. Some people would use that quite differently, Delphine thinks. And Charlotte may be too young to really remember or understand attitudes about same sex couples in decades past.
"Yeah but I mean, it's only been done in rodents." Charlotte nods. "Still… I think it would have been ideal. Right? Sorry. Not to say that your baby making wasn't… ideal. It's your and Cosima's baby. No matter what, right?"
"No matter what." Delphine nods with a relieved smile, eager to move on to the next subject. With Charlotte, that often didn't take long.
Once Charlotte leaves she tries to catch up. Her files. Her notes. Her emails. Her day job left precious little time for this at times. Which is why Cosima and Scott picking up as much as possible was so important.
Charlotte Bell (Bowles)
Menarche September 2021.
Delphine records it in the file, and thinks that that is about the best they can hope for. Charlotte's scarring would likely heal better than Cosima's with her age. And while she's unsure if Charlotte will be fertile, she will save all her notes about bone marrow for her. Charlotte could likely figure it out if need be. And she would still be able to help her. Even if she were in her 50s or 60s by the time Charlotte got around to asking.
She gets caught up comparing Charlotte's last results, an ultrasound and some blood work. It seems better than she anticipated, and she writes some notes in Charlotte's file on what they could try next.
Her phone dings, a few text messages from Cosima. Her wife had gone grocery shopping and was starting dinner. Wanting to ensure it was still warm when Delphine arrived home. There's another text, from her maman. And Delphine thinks she doesn't really want to talk to her mother. She'd told both her parents that she was pregnant, on a Skype call, about three weeks ago. And their shock and wondering exactly how this had transpired had annoyed her endlessly.
She rushes home after, knowing that she's running late after going through the sisters' latest test results. Telomerase was working, everything seemed promising. Scott, for his part, was agreeable to be doing the traveling portion. It could work. Delphine thinks. She jogs the last two blocks to their condo, and quickly changes her mask, disposing of the N95 before entering the building. Just in case, Delphine tells herself.
"You're home." Cosima grins widely at her, once she arrives home. "How was it? How is Charlotte?"
"She's good. Work was good. I just… got caught up with the files. I am sorry." Delphine winces. "I had to update files. And…check the results. Things are going well with the Ledas. I am pleased."
"Don't be." Cosima puts down the oven mitt, and steps towards her, her hips moving just a little more than necessary. Just enough for Delphine to notice. Their dinner appears to be some kind of casserole. And smells good enough that Delphine's appetite is piqued. A new recipe would be fun, and it seems Cosima had decided to take that on for fun.
"What is it, mon amour?" Delphine asks upon seeing the intensity on Cosima's face. Did something happen? She wonders. Has she missed something?
"You look… really good." Cosima tells her. And Delphine looks down. She's wearing plain black dress pants with a patterned maternity blouse. Nothing special. Nothing out of the ordinary for a work day. And really, not that different from yesterday. She is starting to look pregnant enough that people notice, colleagues and strangers alike. It is now more difficult to hide.
"Like this?" Delphine slips off her cardigan, it is also maternity and left open for the belly to grow. Which no doubt it will do more of.
"God…Delphine." Cosima bites her lip. A mimicry of one of her own habits.
Delphine drops her bag to the floor, and Cosima is on her in minutes. Her wife kisses her deeply, clinging to her. Cosima's arousal spurns more of her own, and she is pushed back to the couch. For a moment she thinks Cosima will jump on her, wanting to be held in her arms, but her wife seems at least a little…subdued by the fact she's pregnant.
"Delphine…" Cosima murmurs again, before climbing on top of her, deft fingers undoing her blouse. Cosima's lips pull down the cup of her bra as soon as it's exposed. And capture a nipple.
"Aah!" Delphine cries out and she lets her wife continue the pleasant torture.
"Does this feel good?" Cosima mumbles into her skin, continuing her worship of a single nipple. Her lips pull softly before sucking it into her mouth, careful to be gentle.
"Oui." Delphine agrees, knowing that this too will heighten Cosima's desire.
"Are you sore from yesterday?" Cosima asks, quickly working to remove her bra and reaching for her pants. Delphine grips at Cosima's clothes and removes the long red tunic before answering.
"Not really. I can… I can take you again, if you want." Delphine offers and she's answered in a raspy moan as Cosima claims her lips again and begins working her fingers into her inseam, providing a light torture against her intimate flesh. Through fabric it quickly becomes more of a frustration.
They cast garments to the floor and come quickly together on the couch. She rides three and then four of Cosima's fingers to her first orgasm before urging her wife up so she can return the favour. Making love to Cosima is worth it, Delphine thinks. Delightedly working her beloved with her hands, Cosima rides her eagerly. When they are through, Cosima cups swelling breasts in her hands and moans at this too. Maybe, Delphine thinks. It is more about desire than she'd initially thought. Maybe that is the reason for the change in Cosima's behaviour. Not that she would complain. On the contrary, she'll gladly take this attention, She'll enjoy it immensely as long as it lasts.
"Do you… want more?" Cosima murmurs at her. And Delphine suspects they'll have to put their dinner back into the oven for at least ten minutes to reheat once they are through. But that can wait. Right now she wants. And she needs. And Cosima will give it to her.
"Yes." Delphine agrees.
"Can I… use a toy?" Cosima asks, a little mischief in her voice. "I'll be gentle… I just… want to try something."
Delphine considers before responding. She is certainly aroused enough that it should feel good. But there's always that separation that irks her. "OK." She responds steadily, knowing it's been months since she's let Cosima have her this way.
Cosima kisses her softly before getting up and padding over to the bedroom. No doubt to find their harness and pull one of her toys out of her ridiculous collection. When Cosima returns, she's strapped herself into their o-ring harness, leaving her fesses bare. Which Delphine prefers. Even though the underwear style harness is easier to wash.
While she was expecting to see their blue feeldoe - the toy she would let Cosima use the most often - she sees a large red dildo. One she's fairly certain was never used by either of them. It was too big, Delphine recalls. An impulsive purchase on Cosima's part.
"You… still have that one?" Delphine sits up on the couch. She's surprised, and mildly concerned but tries not to show it.
"Umm I never threw it out. It was at the bottom of our toy box." Cosima shrugs. "Under my… many newer purchases."
Your toy box. Delphine thinks dryly but lays back the same. "So you… want to use it?"
"Yeah. I mean…" Cosima kneels next to her on the couch. "Think of it as an experiment. Pregnancy's effects on your body and… ability to take toys of… larger size."
"An experiment?" Delphine quirks one eyebrow, but decides to give in. She is mildly curious how it will go… knowing other things feel easier it may actually work. Their baby begins wiggling around again, likely due to her heart rate going up. At least she'll have no idea what is going on.
"I brought lube." Cosima holds up the small bottle.
Delphine finds herself trying not to laugh as Cosima slathers the toy in copious amount of lubricant before trying to mount her.
"So this is… for science." Delphine laughs, unable to help herself.
"Yep. Totally for science." Cosima teases, and begins to kiss her again. Wanting to get her back to a more… urgent frame of mind. It works. Cosima's hands caressing her body, teasing her back to arousal. And Cosima slowly begins to ease the toy in. It stretches her, but seems doable. Delphine thinks.
Cosima slides in a few more inches, then stills. "So?"
"It feels tight." Delphine mutters, waiting to adjust. "Just… get in. And we'll see." She is slightly sore, but not enough to bother her. After this… she suspects she may be moreso.
"Too much?" Cosima eases in slowly, until they're pressed together and she's feeling very full. The toy was on the larger side, but it seemed with her current increase in blood volume… she could take it. An interesting side effect. And while it just barely fits, it is doable. Delphine finds. It is a very tight fit, and she suspects that this is a one-time event.
"No… I can take it. Just… be gentle with me." Delphine prompts her wife, who immediately leans down to kiss her. The baby kicks, Cosima moves - even though she cannot feel it. Cannot tell that their baby is moving around now. And maybe that is for the best.
They start slow, Cosima begins to cant her hips, breaking the kiss only when absolutely necessary to move. They move together, and while they slowly gain speed, Cosima is cautious to remain very gentle. It gets easier, and then she begins to tighten around her. She wonders absently if the ease of achieving orgasm is related to increased blood flow as well.
"Oh…" Delphine cries out, clinging. Cosima's movements increase in frequency, her body sliding against her, and she grips firmly at Cosima's buttocks. Not wanting to let go. Or relinquish any connection she can get. Cosima's movements slow, and she's close enough, close enough to get there she thinks.
"I love you." Cosima breathes at her. "Oh god… Delphine… you're so.."
Delphine is beyond wondering what Cosima might say, she's too far gone. She contracts, keeping the toy trapped inside her and lets go. Aftershocks thud through her body, and Cosima slowly, slowly pulls the toy out of her. It isn't comfortable, Delphine decides. But it certainly was doable. Even if it wasn't quite her preference.
"Holy shit." Cosima cackles softly, before undoing the harness and dropping it onto the laminate floor. When Cosima turns she can see red marks from her fingernails on her buttocks. And Delphine lets a sheepish smile fall over her face.
Delphine knows what Cosima wants to hear, can tell she's looking at her hoping that strap-on sex hit the spot. And sometimes, Delphine admits, it does. "It was… pretty good. But… not as good as you , my love."
"It is me." Cosima mumbles as she kisses her cheek. "I am the one making love to you. No matter how we do it."
"I want your mouth on me. Now." Delphine tells her plainly, making her request clear, and Cosima doesn't hesitate, just drops her body lower and begins licking and sucking at her.
"Mmm?" Cosima hums into her, finding a familiar rhythm Delphine knows well.
"Yes. Like that." Delphine eases herself down and lets Cosima have her. The following orgasm is weaker, but still satisfying and Cosima pops her head up afterwards looking quite smug.
"OK… That was good." Cosima admits. "It hit the spot for me anyway. Are you hungry? I kind of am. Especially now."
"We… we will need to reheat dinner." And that should be soon. She is getting very hungry. And not just for Cosima. Though that is definitely an option for… dessert.
"We will." Cosima agrees casually. "Then we can take this all to bed…It's Friday night.. We have all weekend."
"We do. The… two of us. Or… two and a half." Delphine smiles at the thought. There were more than two of them now, even if the third… was not even halfway gestated yet.
"As if we could forget about you…" Cosima leans down to the belly and coasts her lips against it. "Baby." Cosima says softly. And it is so clear that Cosima isn't talking to her at this moment, but to their child.
"Notre bébé. Our baby." Delphine echoes with a nod. Cosima kisses her belly again, open mouthed. Lovingly. Her heart soars. It's more than enough
She wakes in the morning to Cosima, soft and warm against her. Before even fully waking she's being kissed. Her cheek. Her mouth. Cosima's eager, and so is she. Cosima tastes like sleep, but she cannot mind. She has Cosima. Pliant and smooth beneath her.
They hadn't bothered with pajamas, and it's easy to begin stroking. To begin touching. To work them both back up. Cosima rubs against her, her sex leaving a wet trail against her thigh. Delphine shudders and moans, eager to please Cosima. Eager to have everything. They touch each other softly, sleepily, each achieving orgasm before they rest back against the mattress.
"Oh god Delphine…" Cosima groans at her when they're through. "I cannot get enough of you…"
Three times in as many days. Delphine smiles, the frequency is much more than she's used to now. But… whatever the cause, she'll be enjoying it while it lasts. Maybe it doesn't have to matter if it is desire or connection seeking. Maybe she can just enjoy it and let Cosima be…libidinous for whatever the reason.
"Well.. how about a short break for breakfast and… errands. Particularly car shopping. And then we can come back to bed before dinner?" Delphine prompts wondering what the response will be.
"So.. you want to do this.. Today?" A thoroughly sexed Cosima looks back at her, and there's disappointment. But they cannot spend the entire weekend making love. As much as she might wish they could. If they orbit the bed all weekend nothing else will get done.
"Yes. The A4 isn't big enough, Cosima. We need to start looking at larger vehicles. With good trunk space." Delphine leaves out that she's started researching car seats, intent on finding a good quality one that was easy to use for their baby.
"I am not game for a minivan. Just saying." Cosima makes her demands clear. As per usual.
"Non… Not a minivan. A larger sedan or an SUV." Delphine reasons that is a logical choice. Particularly when thinking about putting a baby and everything the precious child will need into the car. Along with their groceries.
"OK… if we're going bigger we need to think hybrid. Need to think about skyrocketing gas prices, environmental impacts." Cosima states this calmly. "Like, along with decent trunk space - it's a must have."
"Speaking of the environment, am I correct in assuming we will cloth diaper?" Delphine looks at Cosima. She'd assumed they would, but was unsure if Cosima would prefer paying for a service or washing the diapers themselves. She supposes as long as they have good laundry facilities either is an option.
"Umm yeah. I need to do more research. But… I kind of thought we would."
"Service or… are you washing them?"
"Me. OK. Yeah… So that will be my job?" Cosima blinks at her. "Should we do a service with a newborn and then figure it out as they get bigger? Or… should I like… start buying two dozen cloth diapers?"
"Yes. I will do some. But I will need you to take ownership of this one." Delphine makes the expectation clear. She will of course weigh in on it, and do some basic market research. But needs something off her plate.
"Right. Yeah. Umm I'll look into diaper services and buying cloth diapers and we'll see what works." Cosima nods. "So back to the car?"
"Yes. We need good trunk space, for a stroller and groceries… other things. You want a hybrid… OK. Anything else?"
"Wide search criteria. We aren't limiting ourselves to Audis and Teslas and BMWs… We need to really research this. Plus…if we're buying a house or townhouse… we need to conserve some funds."
"Agreed." Delphine nods. Sounds reasonable enough. Assuming the vehicle is of good quality and reasonable to maintain.
"So … we're dealership hopping today?" Cosima props her head up, she lets the sheets fall down to her waist. "Like just test driving all the SUVs?"
"Yes. But I will let you ravish me again this afternoon when we get home." Delphine offers in a half-laugh.
"Hey. I am not that bad!" Cosima objects. "I just… I want to be close to you."
"You… seem very… amorous lately." Delphine teases her wife. She cannot resist it, and Cosima blushes a little, and then smiles back.
"I … I just… I don't know. I am …feeling it I guess?" Cosima tilts her head trying to think through her response. And Delphine decides it doesn't matter. This is hardly a problem. More of Cosima wanting her might be exactly what she needs too.