"So what do you want to do for your birthday?" Cosima asked.

It was the end of another long week and they were getting ready to leave for the day. Delphine couldn't believe her birthday was coming up in a couple weeks. She and Cosima had spent the last few weeks living in bliss, spending almost every night together. She never thought she'd be turning 40 and be this happy.

"Oh, I don't know, just spend it with you," Delphine answered.

"Aww, come on," Cosima replied, "It's the big four-O! We need to celebrate."

Delphine chuckled. "Yeah, I guess."

Cosima got up from her chair and walked over to the blonde, putting her hands around her waist. "I'll plan a nice dinner. We'll all go out. How's that?"

Delphine nodded. "Ok."

"Ok," Cosima responded. She leaned in to the taller woman's ear. "Now let's go home so I can get naked. You know how I hate clothes. My place or yours?"

Delphine giggled. "Mine?"

"Ok, I don't care," Cosima answered, "I just want to be with you. Always."

"Look at you, I didn't know you were such a romantic," Delphine teased.

"No? Really? I guess I have to do a better job then." Cosima wrapped her hand gently behind Delphine's neck, locking her fingers into her blonde curls. She moved agonizingly slowly toward her girlfriend, letting her lips graze Delphine's before allowing the kiss to happen fully, her tongue teasing at the entrance.

She backed away after a moment. "Ok, now you're just turning me on," Delphine joked.

Cosima giggled. "Ooooooops," she squealed as she walked away from Delphine to gather her things.

"Brat."

Cosima flashed her toothy grin as she took Delphine's hand. "Come on, baby, let's go home and I'll take care of that," she whispered.

Delphine smirked and followed her out.

40. She was facing the end of another decade of her life and again, she didn't know where the time had gone. Her thirties had been filled with such highs and lows; her life had gotten ever more complicated, more than she could've ever imagined.

She thought about where she was 10 years earlier, how she had met Jen on the very day she turned 30. How they had hit it off at her party, how Jen had asked her out, how she had been so sweet and sexy, and how Delphine had fallen hard for her in a matter of months.

She thought about all the good times, because she no longer was afraid to think about them. She had Cosima, and Cosima understood. She could talk to her about anything, and she wouldn't get upset, she wouldn't get jealous. She understood.

Cosima was set to pick her up any minute. Delphine sat in her apartment, fidgeting, nervous for some reason. It was Saturday night and her birthday technically wasn't until tomorrow, so she had one last night of being in her thirties.

She heard Cosima knock at the door, and she eagerly hopped up, swinging the door open to find her girlfriend holding a bouquet of lilies. Cosima walked in immediately, giving Delphine a sweet kiss on the lips. "Happy Birthday!"

"These are beautiful," Delphine cooed. "My favorite flower."

Cosima smiled. "You think I don't know that? What kind of girlfriend would I be?"

Delphine laughed, walking over to set the flowers in water before they left.

"Come on, I'm excited!" Cosima exclaimed.

"You're so cute," Delphine beamed.

They got in the car and Cosima started driving them to the restaurant.

"Oh crap," Cosima said, "Do you mind if we make a quick pit stop? I was over at my parent's house earlier and I forgot my wallet there. It's not too far out of the way."

"Oh, ok," Delphine answered. She thought it was a little odd, but didn't give it another thought as she stared out the window, humming to herself.

They arrived at the house. "Would you come in for a second? I'm sure my parents would love to wish you a happy birthday." Cosima told her.

"Aren't we going to be late for dinner?"

"It'll just be a moment," Cosima answered.

They got out of the car, walking up to the house. Cosima walked right in without knocking, which Delphine also found strange, but she shrugged and followed her in.

As soon as they were inside, Delphine heard "Surprise!"

She looked up to see everyone staring, beaming at her. "Oh! My god!" she smiled as she realized what had happened. She turned to Cosima, "You sneaky little…"

She couldn't finish the sentence because Cosima was smiling so wide, so pleased with herself.

Delphine sighed. "Thank you, this is very sweet," she said.

"I have one more surprise for you," Cosima stated.

All of a sudden, she saw a familiar form walk out from the kitchen. Delphine blinked a few times, not comprehending who was standing in front of her. She felt tears come to her eyes.

"Papa?"

"Oh, my Delphine," he answered.

Delphine ran toward him, wrapping her arms around him, hugging him as tightly as she could. She was crying now, unable to believe that he was there.

She backed out of the hug, kissing him on each cheek, the tears flowing down her face.

"Oh, Marie," Delphine said as she saw the woman standing next to him. She pulled her in for a hug before taking each of their hands in hers. "Oh, mon dieu, I can't believe you're here."

She turned to Cosima. "How did you...?"

Cosima just beamed, grinning ear to ear. "Surprised?" she teased.

Delphine pulled her in for a quick kiss. "This is amazing, mon amour."

She turned to her father and stepmother, "I would introduce you but it seems you've already met."

"Yes, Cosima has been so kind in helping us get here. And her parents invited us to stay in their guest house, so we'll be here for a couple weeks," Delphine's father told her.

"That is so wonderful," Delphine choked, wiping her tears from her face. She looked around at everyone. They all had giant smiles across their faces. "Thank you everyone, for all of this, for making me feel so welcome in your family. I don't think you could know how much it means to me and how it has helped me."

"We all love you, Delphine," Bill stated, coming over to put his arm around her shoulder. "Now, who's hungry?"

He ushered everyone onto the back porch. It was a beautiful evening, and the sun was just beginning to set over the hills, causing the sky to look like a freshly painted canvas. They sat, drinking and eating, laughing late into the night.

Delphine looked around at her old and new family, their faces bright with smiles as they enjoyed each other's company. She felt an overwhelming feeling of love in that moment. She had come so far. She thought about Jen and hoped she would be happy for her. She glanced over at Cosima, who was deep in discussion with her father. She grinned at that, her heart bursting with the feeling that they had met, and were getting to know each other.

Pat came out of the kitchen holding a giant cake with lit candles in it. The crowd started singing Happy Birthday and Delphine smiled and blushed.

"Make a wish," Sarah called out, and Delphine blew out the candles.

She didn't need to wish for anything. She had more than she could ever ask for, more than she ever dreamed she would get. She had not expected any of this. She never thought her heart would beat so strongly again.

They ate cake as Delphine's father told stories of her as a child, how she was so quiet as a kid, but how anytime she did say something, everyone listened, because it was always something important.

"I'm sure you were such a cute kid," Cosima smiled as she nudged Delphine's arm with her elbow.

"Oh yes, Cosima, you'll have to come to France and I can show you all her baby pictures," Delphine's father replied.

Delphine perked up, looking to see what Cosima's reaction would be to that invitation.

"Oh man, Mr. Cormier, I would love to come to France some day," Cosima beamed.

"Please, call me Alain," he responded, "And we would love to have you."

Cosima looked at Delphine, whose face was brimming with delight. "You gonna take me to France one day, baby?" Cosima teased, putting her tongue in between her teeth.

Delphine nodded, "I would love that."

Cosima squeezed her hand and leaned in to give her a peck on the cheek.

After a while, the party started to break up and Cosima and Delphine were left with their respective parents. Pat and Bill began to clean up while Marie and Alain rushed inside to help them, giving the two women a moment alone.

Delphine turned to Cosima as they sat next to each other on the porch swing. "Cosima," she began, "Thank you. This was an incredible birthday. I still cannot believe you got my family here without me knowing."

Cosima leaned in to rest her head on Delphine's shoulder, playing with their interlaced fingers. "What can I say? I'm sneaky like that," she giggled.

"You are the best," Delphine whispered.

Cosima's head popped up and she grabbed Delphine's face in her hands. "You deserve all of it. You deserve to be happy. I will do anything I can for you."

"How are you so sweet?" Delphine put her hand to Cosima's on her cheek.

"Hmm, I don't know, guess you'd have to ask my parents," Cosima answered, giggling.

Delphine looked into Cosima's sweet eyes. She studied her face, memorizing the curve of her cheek, the line of her lips. She was so in love with this woman. She brought her closer so their foreheads were touching. "Je t'aime," she whispered softly before allowing their lips to meld together in a kiss.

"Home?" Delphine asked.

Cosima nodded.

They said goodbye to their parents, telling them they would call them tomorrow to make plans.

When they arrived at Delphine's apartment, they removed each other's clothes slowly, taking every moment in.

Delphine's hands roamed over Cosima's beautiful curves. Her mouth explored every inch of her skin while Cosima gazed at her. This is what she loved. Cosima was so present when they made love, it made her feel so safe, like she could fall and Cosima would always be there to catch her.

Delphine admired the light muscles on her arms, the pulse she felt beating when she kissed her neck, the way she grasped at Delphine and let out little whimpers when she kissed her hips.

Cosima's body moved to her; it was in tune with her rhythm, and when she pushed inside of her and she moaned, Delphine felt a rush like no other.

Delphine kissed her passionately then, trying to feel as close as possible to this woman whom she loved so completely, so entirely.

Cosima's body responded to her touch and she could feel her let everything go as she surrendered to the ecstasy, gripping Delphine's back, pulling her in tightly to her chest. Delphine felt Cosima jolt underneath her, letting out one last long groan, and Delphine swore she could feel the tension in every muscle, followed by the sweet relaxation of her lover's body.

She held her for a moment until she felt Cosima flip her over, hovering on top with a hungry look in her eyes.

Cosima knew exactly what to do. She had learned Delphine's body; she knew how to coax out the delicious moans she wanted to hear.

Delphine was quickly pulled under by the overwhelming sensations coursing through her, and she allowed Cosima to have her, to take her. Cosima always knew how to make it last as long as possible, to tease her in just the right way until her body was screaming for release. Her hands were in total control. Delphine panted and moaned as she felt herself come apart under Cosima, and the brunette held her tightly as she rode it out.

Delphine closed her eyes as she relaxed while Cosima laid gentle kisses on her chest, letting her weight rest fully on top of Delphine.

Delphine stroked Cosima's back lovingly as she felt Cosima's breath slow on her chest.

"Hey," Cosima whispered after a moment, "It's midnight. Happy Birthday."

"Mmm," Delphine moaned. "Wonderful birthday…"

Cosima lifted her head, smiling at Delphine. "Baby? I...I want to say something."

"Ok...so say it."

"So, just something I've been thinking about, and really, I don't want you to feel any pressure or anything, I just want you to know," Cosima started. "We both know how difficult life can be. We both know that you never know how much time you'll get, but all I know is, whatever time I have left, I want to spend it with you." She paused before continuing. "I just want you to know that despite what we've been through, we can live it together, we can feel it together, we are able to share everything, our heartbreak, our pain, our sadness, but also our joy, our hope, our future."

Cosima reached up to put her hand on Delphine's cheek. "I am so lucky to have found you. I can't believe it sometimes. But it's true. You're here. You're real. And I want to make the most of it." She took a breath. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I want to wake up every morning with you. I want us to be together because what we have is special. I want you to move in with me...well, my place is kind of small...we could get a new place, make it ours...gosh, I'm just babbling now. Say something?"

Delphine looked into Cosima's sweet eyes as she stared back with such a kind intensity. She wanted all of that. She smiled, feeling tears coming to her eyes, unable to say anything except, "Ok."

"Yeah?" Cosima's face lit up.

Delphine swallowed, breathing deeply. "Yes, Cosima, I never thought I would find someone else. But I did. And you're right, I can't believe it's real sometimes. You are the sweetest, kindest, most sincere person and I love you with all my heart. You deserve happiness, mon amour, and I will try to give you that every day."

"You already have. More than I ever thought was possible," Cosima replied.

Delphine stroked Cosima's lip with her thumb before pulling her in to kiss her gently. Cosima laid her head back down on Delphine's chest, her mouth up against her soft skin, her finger playing with the locket that always laid around her love's neck.

"I love you," she whispered, closing her eyes.

Delphine squeezed Cosima as tight as she could. She thought about her life. She thought about her mother, and Jen, and all the good times they had together. She only wanted to remember those. She knew she would make more good memories and though they could never fully erase the bad ones, she wouldn't be alone. She would have someone by her side.

"I love you, too," Delphine whispered as she let herself relax and fully feel the love that surrounded her.

"There's Orion's Belt," Delphine pointed up at the three bright stars.

"It's such a beautiful night," Jen observed, lying next to Delphine in the grass, holding her hand.

"Do you ever think about how small we are? How insignificant? If anything we do really matters?" Delphine pondered.

"Well, sure, but all we can do is live our lives. In the best way we know how," Jen answered. "Live, love, make the most of everything we have, try to be happy."

Delphine looked over at her girlfriend. "Yeah, I know. It's scary sometimes though. How do I know I'm making the most of my life? Living it so I can be as happy as I can be?"

Jen turned on her side to face Delphine. "Honey, you are the most wonderful person I've ever met. You light up people's lives. You are special. I believe that if you put good things out in the world, you will get good things back. You will be happy because you are such a good person. I'm not saying life won't be hard, won't have its challenges, but Delphine," she paused, bringing her hand to Delphine's cheek.

"In the end, everything will work out the way it's supposed to. I believe that."