Delphine woke up the next morning to the familiar sight of Cosima lying on her stomach next to her. She grinned as she remembered the previous day. Cosima loved her.

I was a lot to take in. She felt strongly for the brunette, that much she knew.

Love. Of course, that's what it was. She loved this woman with all her heart. She just wasn't able to say it yet. She had felt it the moment she looked over that bridge and stared down into the water. Love felt the same as that moment had. Terrifying, yet freeing. She hadn't wanted to let herself fall if Cosima didn't feel the same way.

It was all so crazy, she thought to herself. How could this be? How could they have found each other, understanding one another so completely? And now, how could they be in love? It was like a dream she didn't quite believe was real.

Never in a million years did she think she would fall in love again. She thought she would be alone forever, unable to think about loving someone else after Jen.

But Cosima understood. Cosima, who would be there for her no matter what. Cosima, who was one of the sweetest, kindest people she had ever met. Cosima, who loved her.

Delphine leaned over to give Cosima a gentle kiss on the cheek. As she pulled away, she felt a hand on her side. Cosima groaned, trying to pull her back toward her. Delphine grinned and obliged, wrapping her arm around the smaller woman's back, gripping her hip and placing her face right next to Cosima's.

Cosima's eyes opened halfway and she smiled when she saw how close Delphine was. "Hi," she murmured before burying her face into the pillow.

Delphine got closer, capturing the soft skin of Cosima's neck in her lips. Cosima moaned, opening herself up to Delphine and moving in to hold her so the front of their bodies were pressed against each other. She buried her face in Delphine's neck, inhaling deeply.

"I love the way you smell," she whispered.

Delphine giggled, pushing her hands into Cosima's back more tightly. "I love the way you feel in my arms," Delphine replied.

Delphine felt Cosima grin into her skin. After a moment, she pulled back.

"Hey, so, I have this family brunch thing today. It's mostly my friends, but my parents host it. It has kind of become a tradition at my parent's house. We do it every couple months. No pressure, but would you want to come?" Cosima asked. "You'd meet my parents, obvs."

Delphine didn't even have to think about it. "Of course, I would love to come."

"Yeah?" Cosima showed her toothy grin.

Delphine nodded. "I'd love to meet your parents, see where your adorableness comes from."

"Adorableness? Is that even a word?" Cosima teased.

Delphine shrugged, laughing. "I should go home and shower and change though."

"Ok, I'll pick you up at 1?" Cosima inquired.

"Sounds good," Delphine answered, leaning in to give Cosima a quick kiss on the lips.

She gathered her things, slipping on her pants, and was out the door, grinning, feeling like she was on top of the world.

Delphine fidgeted nervously with her fingers as Cosima drove to her parent's house.

Cosima reached her hand over to rub the back of Delphine's neck. "They are going to adore you," she said, lovingly.

"Oh, I'm not worried," Delphine lied.

"How many times do I have to tell you?" Cosima asked. "Terrible liar."

Delphine giggled. "Ok, maybe just a little nervous."

They arrived at the house to see Felix, Helena, and Sarah standing out front. As soon as they got out of the car, two people who could only be Cosima's parents came out of the house to greet them.

"Cosima!" the woman called out, bringing her in for a hug. Delphine could see she was as full of life as Cosima always was.

"Mom, Dad, this Delphine," Cosima introduced.

"Good to meet you, Delphine," the bearded man stated, "Bill Niehaus." He reached out his hand to take hers firmly.

Cosima's mother pulled her into a tight hug immediately. "Oh, Delphine, it is so wonderful to have you here," she squealed. "Patricia, but everyone calls me Pat."

"Thank you for having me," Delphine replied, politely.

"Come on, everybody! I hope you brought your appetites!" Pat shouted, waving them inside.

Delphine caught Cosima's eye as the brunette took her hand, giving it a squeeze. "See? Nothing to worry about," she whispered, before giving Delphine a peck on the cheek. Delphine smiled and followed her inside.

They walked through the house as Pat led them to the back porch. Scott was already sitting, drinks in hand, along with Alison and Donnie. They said their hellos as Bill brought out some drinks for all of them.

"Cheers, everyone," he declared, "Here's to family. Let's welcome Delphine. It's her first family brunch, and hopefully it won't be her last. As long as we don't scare her away."

Everyone chuckled and raised their glasses.

Bill turned to Delphine. "It's a tradition for any new people to make a speech," he told her.

Delphine felt her anxiety shoot up in her throat.

"Dad, stop, leave her alone," Cosima jumped in before looking at Delphine, "He's totally playing with you."

Delphine took a deep breath, "Oh," she sighed.

"See, like father like daughter, always teasing," Cosima explained, placing her hand on the small of Delphine's back, rubbing gently.

Delphine smiled at the contact, announcing to everyone, "Well, no speech, but I just want to say thank you all for being so welcoming. It's very clear how much you all care for each other."

"Hear, hear, Delphine," Bill called out. "Now who's hungry?" He walked back inside, coming back out a moment later with Pat, both of them holding trays of food.

"Yes, Pat's famous lasagna!" Helena exclaimed.

They all dug in, sitting around, laughing, as Bill told stories about Cosima as a child. Delphine giggled as he told her about the time she almost burned the house down with her volcano science fair project.

"I was only seven!" Cosima whined.

"We forgave you. You were too cute to be mad at," Bill admitted, "Besides, we knew you were super smart and wanted to encourage your geeky science side."

"Side?" Delphine asked, jokingly, "I'd say she's pretty much all science geek."

Cosima lightly smacked Delphine's arm. "Hilarious," she giggled, "You get funnier every day." Cosima gave her a wink, and Delphine felt a rush of heat climb inside her.

As the day wore on, Delphine sat close to Cosima, and Cosima was always touching her. She felt special, she felt wanted, she felt loved.

"Hey, I'll be right back," Cosima told her. She leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek as she got up to head inside for a moment.

Delphine nodded and looked around the porch. Everyone else seemed to be deep in conversation. She saw Sarah come up to her, tapping her on the arm. "Hey, how's it going?" she asked.

"Oh, very well, this is wonderful," Delphine replied.

Sarah smiled at her. "Thank you," she said.

Delphine looked at her, confused. "For what?"

Sarah sighed before answering. "I've known Cosima a long time. I knew her before...before Elise. I've seen her go through a lot. Too much, for such a sweet person. She's been in a bad place for years. She was just starting to come out of it, and then she met you." Sarah looked at Delphine sincerely. "I think she met you at the right time. I can see in your eyes how much you care for her. And damn, she sure is into you." She giggled, before getting serious again. "So thank you. She deserves that, and I'm so happy that she has it. And don't ever tell her I was this nice. It'll ruin my reputation."

Delphine felt so in love with Cosima at that moment. She knew it was right. She knew she had found someone special, someone who deserved all the love she could give her.

"Thank you, Sarah," Delphine responded, "For saying all that."

"Hey," Delphine heard Cosima shout as she came back outside, "She bothering you?" she joked.

Delphine turned to smile at Cosima. "We were just chatting."

"Cos, I gotta head out," Sarah stated.

"Ok, yeah, we should get going too," Cosima answered.

Everyone started leaving, saying their goodbyes. Delphine thanked the Niehauses again, and got in the car with Cosima.

Cosima drove as Delphine gazed at her, placing her hand on her knee. She made a turn that Delphine did not recognize. "Where are we going, ma chérie?"

"You'll see," she smirked.

She pulled up and stopped the car. They were on an overlook and Delphine saw that she could see the entire city from where they were.

"Come on," Cosima told her.

Delphine got out of the car, walking to the railing. It was dusk and the sky was a beautiful mix of purples and pinks, yellows and blues. It was breathtaking. She felt Cosima's arms snake around her waist to rest her hands on her stomach. Cosima's lips fell on the back of Delphine's shoulder and she kissed lightly.

"This is one of my favorite spots," Cosima whispered.

"It's absolutely gorgeous," Delphine gasped. Her focus was on Cosima's warm breath on her skin, her dreads gently tickling her shoulder blades, her hips pressed into her back.

She turned within Cosima's embrace to face her, taking her head in her hands, pulling her in for a sweet kiss. Delphine let her lips linger as she felt Cosima's hands tug her hips closer.

She kept her eyes closed, releasing Cosima's lips, speaking so close, she grazed them when forming her words. "Cosima," she whispered, "I love you."

Though her eyes were closed, their lips were so close, she could feel Cosima's grin as it crept over her mouth, and she felt her glasses move slightly against her face from the upward movement of her cheeks. She felt Cosima's hands squeeze tightly around her hips and she felt a strong jolt course through her body.

"Will you come home with me?" Delphine asked.

"Yes," Cosima answered.

They arrived at Delphine's apartment and immediately, their lips were together again.

Delphine couldn't believe how much tenderness was conveyed through Cosima's touch. The way her hands caressed her face gently as they kissed, the way her hips moved to her, like she was holding her up, giving her a place to land if she were to fall. Her lips were giving Delphine feelings she never thought she'd feel again.

Cosima's hands found their way underneath the back of Delphine's shirt and she gasped when she felt the warm touch. Her hands snaked around to feel her stomach and she shuddered.

"Cosima..." she whimpered.

"I want to take care of you, baby," Cosima whispered, "Relax."

Delphine felt a rush through her body at Cosima's term of endearment. "Cosima, it's been so—"

"I know," she answered, bringing her fingers to Delphine's face, looking deep into her eyes. "I know. You don't have to say it. I understand. Will you tell me if you want me to stop?"

"Yes," Delphine replied.

Cosima removed her shirt, standing there in front of Delphine in her bra. She picked up Delphine's hand and placed her palm gently onto her chest, right above her heart.

"You feel this?"

Delphine nodded.

"It's for you," Cosima told her.

Delphine gazed into Cosima's eyes, seeing nothing but pure love there. She brought her hand to Cosima's face, running her thumb across her cheek, then down her jawline, her neck, her collarbone, exploring her skin. Cosima stared up at her the whole time.

Cosima then took both of Delphine's wrists, bringing the blonde's hands to lay flat on her stomach. Delphine let the pads of her fingers trace simple patterns on Cosima's ab muscles as the smaller woman twitched at the contact.

Cosima brought her mouth to Delphine's shoulder, kissing the skin she found there. Delphine removed her tank top to allow Cosima better access, and she moved her lips to the French woman's collarbone, then down to lay sweet kisses on her chest.

Delphine found the tenderness almost unbearable, as she felt tears flowing to her eyes. She closed them as to not let the drops fall.

Cosima looked up at her. "You ok?"

"Yes," Delphine answered with her eyes still closed.

Cosima brought her mouth to Delphine's neck, kissing just underneath her ear, whispering, "I love you."

Delphine smiled, opening her eyes. She took Cosima's face in her hands, pulling her toward her so their lips could meet once again. Her entire body felt like it could melt into Cosima, that she was becoming a part of her, that they would forever be intertwined after tonight.

Cosima reached around her back to unhook her bra, letting it fall to the ground. Delphine did the same. She let her hands run up Cosima's side, feeling the skin of her completely bare torso.

"You are so beautiful," Delphine cooed.

Cosima grinned, wrapping her arms around Delphine's back and bringing them closer so their bodies could press into one another.

Delphine let out a shaky breath when she felt them touch, revelling in the wonderful shivers it was giving her.

Cosima leaned in, kissing her neck just under her jawline. "Can I take you to bed?" she asked, sweetly.

"Yes," Delphine replied, taking Cosima's hand and leading her into the bedroom. Delphine was nervous, more nervous than she had been the whole time they were seeing each other. She removed her pants before sitting down on the bed. Cosima removed her own and sat next to her, taking Delphine's hands in hers and kissing them gently.

Cosima looked at her with concern. "You're shaking," she whispered, trying to still the hands she was holding.

Delphine looked away as she felt her tears returning.

"Delphine?" Cosima asked, "Hey, talk to me?"

"I'm sorry...I'm just…I didn't expect to react this way," Delphine choked, "I'm so nervous."

"It's ok," Cosima soothed, stroking Delphine's blonde curls. "We can stop if you want."

"It's not what I want," Delphine answered.

Cosima smiled. "You know, you're not the only one who hasn't done this in a while."

"Are you ok?" Delphine asked.

"Yes. Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"Good. Then I want you to relax and let me take care of you."

Cosima laid Delphine back on the bed, climbing on top of her. She allowed her body to put its weight onto Delphine's, and brought her lips to the blonde's mouth, kissing gently at first, but getting more greedy as she felt Delphine respond to her.

One of Cosima's legs slipped in between Delphine's and she moved her hips ever so slightly, kissing, running her fingers through Delphine's hair, holding her, making her feel wanted and safe.

Delphine felt the desire running through her, the desire that she hadn't felt in years. For all that time, she had felt empty. Something huge had been missing deep in the pit of her soul. Cosima was piecing that back together, slowly, bit by bit, bringing her back to the whole person she used to be.

Her breath began to quicken as she felt Cosima's leg press into her, where she hadn't had any feeling in years. She grabbed Cosima's hand, bringing it to her breast, giving her permission, telling her to let her feel again. She moaned as Cosima grazed her nipple, feeling the pulse all the way down.

Cosima took her time, kissing Delphine between her breasts, then down her stomach and on her ribs, until she could feel Delphine's hips want something more. She looked up at Delphine for approval before moving her hand down. Cosima's eyes were full of love and lust, and Delphine looked into them the whole time.

Delphine gasped as Cosima entered her, closing her eyes for a moment, feeling the fullness she had missed for so long. When she opened her eyes, Cosima was right there, right above her, telling her with her eyes that it was ok, that she would take care of her. She kissed her sweetly, Delphine grasping at Cosima's back, feeling her skin as she made Delphine whole.

Delphine could feel herself losing control, but she relaxed into it, allowing the pleasure to wash over her. She knew she was safe in Cosima's arms and she wanted to let go, surrender to this woman she had fallen in love with.

Cosima never stopped looking at her as she touched her, picking up her rhythm as she heard the blonde's moans get more frantic. She knew what Delphine needed and she was going to give it to her, she wanted to give it all to her, every piece of her soul. She wanted Delphine to know how much she loved her.

Delphine scratched at Cosima's back, arching her hips, groaning as she felt her release approaching. She looked deep into Cosima's eyes and she swore she could see stars in them. She shattered into Cosima's hand, shaking, trembling, gasping, and Cosima was right there, holding her tightly.

Her tears began to fall immediately and Cosima grabbed her, pulling her over on top of her so her head could rest on the brunette's chest and she could wrap her arms around the taller woman.

All of Delphine's tension was gone from her body, and she couldn't help but let her emotions fall through her tears. She cried into Cosima's skin and she never stopped holding her until her breathing slowed and she was quiet.

Cosima rubbed her back gently, whispering, "I love you, baby."

Delphine looked up at her through tear soaked eyes. "I love you," she choked, bringing her hand to Cosima's cheek. She was overwhelmed by this feeling, this feeling of safety, this immense feeling of peace. It was like the fear inside of her that had kept a hold on her, feeding her emotions for years, had gone. The space it had occupied was now filled with something else. It was filled with Cosima.

Delphine had no energy left. The day had drained her. She tried to speak, not really knowing what words she could say at that moment to express herself.

Cosima comforted her with her soft hands, whispering, "Just relax...sleep now...I've got you. You're safe."

Delphine's eyes closed as she exhaled deeply, her hand resting gently on Cosima's stomach. She felt Cosima give her one more tight hug before she drifted off to have the most restful night she had in years.

Delphine awoke to the feeling of light kisses on her back. Cosima was cuddled up against her, her hand gently resting on her side. Delphine exhaled, pulling Cosima's hand over her stomach and pressing it there as Cosima moved in tighter.

"Mmm," Delphine moaned.

"Sorry," Cosima whispered, "I didn't mean to wake you up. You just looked so cute, I couldn't keep myself from kissing you." She giggled into Delphine's shoulder blade.

"Oh, you couldn't, could you?" Delphine teased, sleepily.

"No, you're irresistible, babe," Cosima replied. "Also, we have to go to work today."

Delphine groaned and turned over to face Cosima, wrapping her arm around the brunette's naked torso. "How did you sleep?"

"Ugh, wonderful," Cosima answered. "I love sleeping next to you." She smiled, bringing her hand to Delphine's face. "Delphine, last night was amazing."

Delphine grinned. "You are amazing." She looked down at her hands, getting quiet. "I'm sorry I was so emotional. I was just...I haven't felt like that..."

"Please Delphine, don't apologize, my god, it was amazing, really...I felt so close to you. It was so raw, emotionally. I just want you to be ok. Are you ok?" Cosima asked.

"Yes," Delphine answered, "Thank you for being the sweetest." She pulled Cosima in tight, kissing her cheek. "How about I make you breakfast?"

"Well, I'll never say no to that," Cosima responded.

Delphine giggled, getting up and throwing on her t-shirt that was lying on the floor. "Pancakes?"

"Mmm, yeah," Cosima exclaimed. She got up, pulling on a shirt of Delphine's that she found on the chair next to bed. She walked over to Delphine, putting her arms around her waist and gazing up at her. "Gosh, if I wasn't already in love with you, I'd fall in love right now."

"Because of pancakes?"

"Yep, I fucking love pancakes."

Delphine laughed, grabbing Cosima's hand and dragging her toward the kitchen while she giggled at her own joke.

Delphine made breakfast quickly. It was a good thing Cosima had woken them up early. They needed to be at work in an hour and a half.

They wolfed down their breakfast. Unfortunately, it would not be a slow, leisurely morning.

"Shit, I have no clothes here. I have to run home," Cosima giggled. "I feel like a teenager again. Gosh, Dr. Cormier, you're making me so irresponsible."

"Oh yeah, your parents are totally going to ground you for staying out all night," Delphine teased.

Cosima chuckled, "Ok, I have to go. But I'll see you soon."

She gave Delphine a sweet kiss on the lips and she was out the door.

Delphine could not wipe the grin off of her face.