"Tell me again why we're getting dressed so early on a Saturday morning instead of staying nestled in that very cozy bed all weekend," Cosima complains as she pulls a sweater over her head.

"Because we're going out."

"But I like staying in."

"Too bad."

"Ugh," Cosima groans, "you're lucky I like you so much or—"

"Or what?" Delphine takes Cosima's face in her hands.

"Or nothing," Cosima concedes, "I'm powerless to your whim."

"Good answer," Delphine grins before kissing Cosima. "Now put on your boots."

"Ooh, are we going sledding again?" Cosima asks as Delphine parks the car. "That was fun."

"No, we won't be sledding today."

Cosima frowns and glances from the hills on their left to the mountains on the right and reads the posted sign, "Um, what are we doing here?"

"We're doing as the sign says."

"Delphine," Cosima looks at her pointedly, "you know I'm crazy about you, and would do anything you asked of me, but I will not do that."

"It'll be fun."

"No, it won't."

"Just give it a try, you may enjoy it."

"Delphine, I will never enjoy that. Let's go do something else. Anything else."

"But they're expecting us and I've already paid."

"Get a refund."

"It's non-refundable. You don't want me to waste my hard-earned salary from teaching you to ski, do you?"

"How much was it, I'll pay you back?"

"I don't want you to pay me back, I want you to get out of the car and do this with me."

"Why do you like torturing me so much?"

"Not torturing, think of it as pushing your boundaries."

"I like my boundaries the way they are."

"But if you hadn't pushed your boundaries and taken that first ski lesson, we wouldn't be together right now."

"Exactly!"

"Excuse me?" Delphine glares at Cosima.

"I'm totally kidding. That was the greatest day of my life, no day could ever compare, pushing boundaries is wonderful, let's do this."

"That's the spirit," Delphine smiles as she opens her door.

"Not so fast," Cosima stops her from exiting the car. "I'll do this with you, but tomorrow you have to do whatever I want to do. Deal?" Cosima holds out her hand.

Delphine looks from a smirking Cosima to her hand then back up. "Deal," she shakes, willing to take the risk.

"Awesome!" Cosima celebrates. "Now I just need to live through today."

"I think you'll live, come on."

"Bienvenue à Chamonix Expérience," a woman at the desk greets them as they enter the large cabin.

"Bonjour, nous sommes là pour la traversée de la vallée blanche. J'ai une réservation au nom de Cormier."

"Ah, oui, Delphine Cormier. Preferez-vous un guide qui parle Anglais ou Français?

Delphine looks at Cosima then back at the woman, "Anglais, s'il vous plait."

"Un moment," the lady steps away from the desk.

"Maybe we should go," Cosima says as she looks at the pictures covering the wall.

"Cosima, do you think I would let anything happen to you?"

"Not intentionally, but accidents happen."

"If you really don't want to do this, we don't have to."

"Really?"

Delphine nods, "Yes, I'm not going to force you to do something you're not comfortable with."

The receptionist returns with another girl, "Meggie sera votre guide aujourd'hui."

"I'm sorry, I think we're going to have to cancel," Delphine apologizes.

"No we're not," Cosima cuts in.

"We're not? But I thought—"

Cosima pulls Delphine aside, "The fact that you're willing to cancel, after we drove out here so early and you paid for and planned this whole day for us, just because I'm scared—" Cosima stands on her tiptoes and kisses Delphine. "You're the best and I'm not ruining this day for you. We're doing this."

"Are you sure?"

"Yup. Let's kick some glacier ass!"

"Looks like we're staying," Delphine laughs. She extends her hand to Meggie, "Delphine, and this is my girlfriend, Cosima."

They all shake hands. "It's a pleasure meeting you both."

"Yeah, let's see if you're still saying that after this excursion," Cosima responds dryly.

"Have either of you ever done a glacier walk before?"

"Yes" "Hell no!" Delphine and Cosima reply in tandem.

"Okay," Meggie laughs, "first we have some forms for you to sign and then we will review the equipment we'll be using today."

"Hold up," Cosima says as she reads one of the forms, "how many people have you lost doing this?"

"I've only had one person wander off, but search and rescue found them quite quickly."

"No, no, no, I mean," Cosima mimes a knife across the neck.

"Pardon?"

"Dead. How many people have died doing this glacier trek?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I don't have statistics on that, but if it gives you some solace, I have never had anyone die on my watch."

"That does, actually. How long have you been a guide here?"

"This is my first day."

"Your first day?" Cosima asks with a nod. "On second thought, Delphine, maybe this was a bad idea."

"I'm only joking," Meggie laughs, "I've been a guide here for nearly three years."

"We got the comedian glacier guide, I see."

"Yes, you'll find me performing Thursday nights at The Jekyll."

"Cosima, I think you've met your match in the cheeky department," Delphine teases.

"Apparently," Cosima agrees. "Okay, Meggie, I'm putting my life, and the life of my gorgeous girlfriend, in your hands. Don't let me down." Cosima signs the forms and hands them over.

"At least we won't be liable if I fail," Meggie smiles as she gives their releases to the receptionist. "Follow me."

They enter the spacious equipment room with clothing on one side and gear on the other. "First, you'll need to be properly attired. Are you both wearing thermals?"

"Don't leave my hotel room without 'em," Cosima responds and Delphine concurs.

"Wonderful, you won't have to borrow used ones. Now we'll get you both into windproof and waterproof trousers and jackets and fit you for mountaineering boots." She gets them properly outfitted before moving on to the technical gear.

"Whoa, we need all that stuff?" Cosima asks as Meggie gives them each an ice axe, harness, poles, a half dozen carabiners, helmet, crampons, and a rucksack.

"You do."

"Delphine, what have you gotten me into?"

"An adventure," Delphine smiles.

"That involves an axe? This is more like a horror movie."

They put on sunscreen, grab some snacks, fill up their water bottles, and head out.

"Once we get up to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi, you will put the crampons over your boots and we will do a quick lesson in using the equipment before beginning the walk."

"That summit?" Cosima points.

"Yes."

"And how are we getting up there?"

"Oh, this part you'll enjoy," Delphine grins as she takes Cosima's hand and they follow Meggie.

"Cool!" Cosima exclaims once they reach the cable car. "This looks like something I can handle. Meggie, you might wanna take your own cable car though, Delphine tends to get very amorous when we're being whisked up mountains."

"Oh, I'm the one that gets amorous?"

"It's fine, I won't look," Meggie laughs as Delphine pinches Cosima.

They board the car and Delphine and Cosima stand with their arms around one another's waists as they admire the view of the mountains on their ascent. Fifteen minutes into the twenty minute trip, Cosima glances up at Delphine, then at Meggie, who is turned away from them, and back at Delphine with a suggestive gleam in her eye.

"You're such an innocent little dandelion," Delphine whispers as she leans down for a kiss.

As the cable car reaches the station, Meggie turns just in time to see them finishing their make-out session.

"Delphine, you really need to learn to control yourself," Cosima complains as they separate and begin to exit the car.

Delphine shakes her head, "She's impossible."

"I can see that."

"Oh my god!" Cosima exclaims when she gets a load of the view from the summit overlooking the vast snow-covered mountainscape. "This is unreal."

Delphine pulls out her phone and snaps a few pictures of Cosima serenely taking in the scenery.

"You chose a great day for this walk," Meggie observes. "Visibility today is the highest it's been in weeks."

"How high would you say we are?" Cosima inquires.

"This summit stands at 3,842 meters."

"3,824 meters? That's like 12,500 feet. Damn we're high!"

Meggie lets them breathe in the atmosphere before beginning the equipment lesson. "Now we will need to put the crampons over our boots. They're very sharp, so be careful handling them. The spikes will give you increased traction on the snow and ice. Secure your helmets firmly over your snow cap and tighten the chin strap. For the less icy terrain, you will use your poles for stability. However, when walking on ice, or doing any icy alpine climbs, you will want to use the axe. Also, in the event of a fall down the glacier, the ice axe can help stop your descent."

Cosima raises her hand.

"Yes, Cosima?"

"First of all, what do you mean by climb, I thought this was a walk, and secondly, fall down the glacier?"

"The climbing is why you're wearing the harness. At a certain point on the trail, we will participate in a small climb where you will learn basic rope and axe work."

Cosima turns to Delphine, "The harness is for climbing? I thought it was for tonight."

"Cosima!" Delphine yelps and Cosima starts laughing. "I'm sorry, she's being a brat, as usual."

"It's fine, and quite amusing, actually. Shall we continue?"

"Wait," Cosima stops her, "what about the falling part? I'm very prone to that particular activity."

"When we get down a little further, we will practice self-arrest."

"Self-arrest?"

"It's a method of stopping yourself from tumbling down an icy slope."

"Okay, teach me that because I definitely do not want to tumble 12,000 feet to my death today."

They begin their walk down the snow ridge from the lift station to the glacier.

"This is Glacier du Geant."

"Oh," Cosima cuts in, "I remember learning about this at the alpine museum. This glacier is the largest provider of ice to the Mer de Glace."

"Yes, very good, Cosima," Delphine praises. "Isn't this incredible?"

Cosima nods, "It's so beautiful out here."

"Will you take our picture?" Delphine asks, extending her phone to Meggie.

"Yeah, better get a good one now before I slide to my death and this picture is all Delphine has to remember of her dearly departed girlfriend."

"You're so morbid," Delphine remarks as they pose for pictures.

"This is a good spot to practice self-arrest. I will demonstrate and then I'll have you give it a try. The important thing will be to have your ice axe firmly in hand when traversing extremely icy terrain, it will offer increased stability over the poles. Holding it like so, with your hand on the axe head, thumb under the adze, and index finger along the shaft, will also leave you better prepared in case of a fall. "

Cosima watches carefully as Meggie slides down the small embankment, rolls towards the pick of her axe and drives the axe into the snow, quickly bringing her body to a stop.

She returns and points to Cosima, "Now you give it a try."

"Um, Delphine, why don't you go first?"

"No, this is all you, I am actually already adept at self-arrest."

"Yeah, you are quite arresting," Cosima winks.

"I think the altitude is making you cheekier than usual. Is that a common condition, Meggie, high-altitude cheekiness?"

"This is the first case I've witnessed."

"Please, Delphine, I need a little more time to warm-up to this and seeing you do it will help."

"Okay, since you asked so nicely," Delphine taps Cosima's little nose and then gets in position to do the maneuver. She executes it perfectly.

"Nice job," Cosima compliments her when she returns.

"Thank you. Think you're ready to try?"

Cosima nods, takes a deep breath, grips the axe, drops to her butt, and begins to slide down the slope. As she picks up speed, everything goes out of her head and she turns too late, the axe just barely scraping the ground and she's unable to stop. When she reaches the bottom, she looks up the hill to see Delphine covering her mouth.

"Are you worried about me or laughing at me?" Cosima shouts.

"A little bit of both," Delphine admits with a barely suppressed chuckle as she begins walking down the embankment.

"You enjoy my suffering way too much," Cosima whines as Delphine helps her to her feet.

"You look like you're still in one piece," Delphine observes.

"Gemma was right."

"About what?"

"About how you're so great and I'm me."

"I've had a lot more practice than you've had. And you are great," Cosima looks at her skeptically. "You're great in your own special Cosima way."

"Yeah, yeah, flattery will get you everywhere."

Delphine plants a kiss on her lips, "Now go try that again and just be quicker and firmer with the axe plant."

"Quicker and firmer," Cosima repeats with a nod and they trudge back up the hill. "Sorry," Cosima apologizes to their guide, "I'm gonna do that again. Better this time. Hopefully."

"Cosima," Delphine calls out as Cosima readies herself at the edge, "why don't you talk to your friends first?"

"Huh?" Cosima looks at her with a confused expression and Delphine glances up towards the sky. "I thought you didn't believe in them?"

"I just think it couldn't hurt to ask for some assistance."

Cosima nods and turns back around, "Snow gods, please help me do this self-arrest thing, even though I have no idea why they call it that. Delphine believes in you now, so you better not let her down. Thanks." Cosima takes a final breath, centers herself, and drops. She slides down the hill, quickly twists her body towards the pick of the axe, and firmly thrusts the axe into the ground, stopping her downward momentum. "I self-arrested," Cosima shrieks excitedly.

"Yes, you did," Delphine smiles broadly as Cosima gets up and runs up the slope and into her arms for a congratulatory hug.

"Very good," Meggie praises. "I think we're ready to continue."

"I cannot believe we are actually hiking across a glacier," Cosima squees as they begin their walk. "This is freaking crazy, I've never seen anything like this."

"It is quite breathtaking," Delphine agrees as she looks around them at the alpine peaks surrounded by a bright blue, nearly cloudless sky.

"If I knew how many breathtaking sights I'd see out here, I would have come to Chamonix a lot sooner."

"Really?"

"Yeah," Cosima insists. "Well, for one breathtaking sight in particular."

"Oh stop," Delphine laughs. "We have a long walk ahead and not enough time for your shameless flirting."

They continue following their guide, stopping only to take photographs of the stunning vistas surrounding them.

When they reach a particularly narrow crossing, bordered on both sides by deep crevasses in the glacier, Meggie pulls a rope from her rucksack. "As a precaution, before we cross here, we will need to rope up. This is essential in the event of a fall into a crevasse."

"How far a fall is that exactly?" Cosima asks as she tentatively looks down into the depths.

"Let's just say it's quite a drop."

"Okay, rope me in," Cosima hold up her arms.

Meggie clips them in with 10m of slack between each of them. She leads the way, followed by Cosima, with Delphine pulling up the rear. She has them use their ice axes for stability as they cross the crevasse.

"Can we go slow?" Cosima asks.

"Yes, we will take this part nice and easy," Meggie agrees as they start to make their way across.

"Babe?" Cosima calls out as she steps carefully.

"Yes?" Delphine answers.

"If I fall, tell Scott he better finish my salamander observation."

"Okay."

"And ask him for my parents' phone number, I want them to hear the news from you. Tell them that you were with me and I was very happy in my final moments."

"I will."

"And Delphine?"

"Oui?"

"I don't want you to blame yourself. Even though this was your idea and we would have been much safer in bed, I don't want you to have to constantly live with the guilt that you're the reason I plummeted to my death. So let it go and learn from this experience. And the next time you plan a date, once you're able to move on from me in like 10, maybe 20, years, avoid anything having to do with the outdoors."

"Cosima?"

"Yes?"

"You might want to look up from your feet."

"Huh?" Cosima responds with confusion as she lifts her head curiously. Realization slowly washes over her, "I'm across. Holy shit! I did that." She turns to see Delphine approaching.

"Thank goodness, I wasn't looking forward to 20 years of mourning," Delphine remarks as they double high-five.

"20 years was just to move on, I expected a lifetime of mourning."

"Of course you did," Delphine laughs.

They undo the rope and continue further into the glacier untethered. After walking for a while, they stop when they come upon a steep, but low, icy wall.

"Now what?" Cosima asks.

"Now you learn to climb," Meggie answers as sets up the rope for their ascent. "We'll start by getting a feel for using and placing the ice axe. You'll swing it behind and then flick it in with your wrist as you plant it in the ice. You can hear a distinct sound when it makes a secure, solid landing." She has them practice with their right, then left hands. "Your hands and feet are both important elements of the climb as you'll want to maintain stable footing as you drive your axes in and out throughout the climb. Watch me and then I'll have you go up one at a time."

After she returns, she has Delphine go first. With her previous experience, and long limbs, Delphine scales the wall quickly and effortlessly.

Next is Cosima's turn. With her inexperience, and shorter limbs, she's a bit wobbly, slow, and unsure, but with encouragement from above and below, she makes it to the top unscathed.

"Look at you," Delphine compliments, "there's a real mountaineer in there."

"Ah yes, that's me, Cosima, Queen of Mont Blanc."

"That wasn't too bad, was it?" Meggie asks when she rejoins them.

"No, easy peasy," Cosima declares. "Where to next?"

"Now we will continue to traverse the glacier up to the Punta Helbronner lift station where we will then ride the funicular back to Aiguille du Midi."

"I don't think I've walked this much ever," Cosima states after trudging for another 30 minutes as she stops to catch her breath and take a swig of water.

"You want to stop and rest?" Delphine asks as she puts her arm around her.

"No, I'm good." Cosima insists as she passes her bottle to Delphine, who takes a swig before handing it back.

"Merci." Delphine points into the distance, "It's not too much further."

Cosima nods, "I got this."

"Good," Delphine grins before patting Cosima's tush, "let's finish strong."

45 minutes later, they arrive at Punta Helbronner.

"We made it!" Cosima raises her arms in victory before high-fiving Meggie and Delphine.

"Guess what," Delphine smiles.

"What?"

"We're in Italy."

"Shut up!" Cosima looks to their guide who nods her confirmation. "We walked from France to Italy? That's so cool." She leans on the railing and looks back over the glacier, "I can't believe I just did that."

Delphine wraps her arms around her from behind and kisses her cheek, "You did, and you were great. Thank you for agreeing to do this."

"It wasn't as bad or scary as I thought it would be."

"Oh, this was the easier trail, there's some others that are quite treacherous."

"Those I think I'll skip, thank you very much. And if you sign me up for one, we're done."

"Oh, we'll be done?"

"Maybe," Cosima wavers.

"Don't worry, I won't put you through that."

"Thank you."

"You ready to go?"

"There's one thing I want to do in Italy first."

"What's that?"

Cosima turns around so she's facing Delphine, "Kiss my French girlfriend."

"That's a request I will happily oblige," Delphine says as she leans in to welcoming lips. "Come, let's get on the next car."

"Actually, there's one more thing I need to do before we board that thing."

"There's a restroom inside the building."

"Thanks," she gives Delphine a quick peck, "be back in a sec."

"Cosima's just gone to use the ladies' room," Delphine says as Meggie approaches.

"May I ask how long you two have been dating?"

"A week," Delphine responds.

"One week? I thought for sure you were going to say at least a year."

"Vraiment? We only met two weeks ago, actually."

"You seem to know each other so well. I've guided couples out here that have been together for a decade, maybe longer, that don't have as good a rapport as you two have. And the newer couples are usually more tentative with each other, a little safer. And very rarely do they show as much genuine affection."

"I think it just comes naturally with Cosima, this connection we have, it's been there from the moment we met. She has this light that just shines from within and you cannot help but be drawn to it. Even when she's being une sale gosse, I can't resist her. I'm sorry," Delphine covers her face, "you asked how long we've been dating and here I am going on and on."

"No, please don't apologize, I think it's lovely."

"What's lovely?" Cosima asks as she returns.

"The view from the funicular as we travel back across the Vallee Blanche to the Aiguille du Midi," Delphine quickly covers. "Ready to board?"

"You know," Cosima observes as they step off the cable car in Chamonix, "we could have just ridden that thing back and forth and skipped the whole expedition part."

"Shut up," Delphine laughs. "You loved the hike."

"Yeah, yeah."

As they walk down towards the Chamonix Expérience building, Meggie trips on the stone path.

"Whoa," Cosima grabs her arm, saving her from falling, "that was close. Don't want you to break a hand or something after managing to guide me through that whole excursion."

"Thank you," Meggie blushes. "That was quite embarrassing."

"Nah, don't worry about it, you're talking to the clumsiest girl in the world. Delphine can attest to how often my ass has met the ground."

"It's true," Delphine chuckles.

"Hey, I didn't say attest and laugh at me," Cosima mock-protests.

"Désolé, you're right, it's not at all funny," Delphine feigns seriousness.

"It was wonderful guiding you both, you made for a very enjoyable trip today," Meggie says as they return their gear and prepare to leave.

Cosima gives her a hug, "Thank you for putting up with us."

"Yes," Delphine agrees as she embraces Meggie, "thank you for putting up with her."

"I heard that," Cosima complains.

"Au revoir," Delphine waves as she and Cosima exit the lodge and return to her car.

As soon as Cosima steps into their hotel room after dinner, she starts tearing off her clothes.

"Ow," Cosima grabs her back, "I haven't worked my body this hard since New Year's Eve. I'm really gonna need to limber up before tomorrow's activities."

"I'm sure you will," Delphine agrees. "A hot shower might help."

"For one or two? Cause there's no way I'm gonna be able to stand on my own in there right now."

"Actually, I have a better idea," Delphine grins as she heads into the bathroom, peeling off her own clothing along the way.

"Mmm, oh yeah, this was a much better idea," Cosima declares 15 minutes later as she's sitting in the tub between Delphine's legs, surrounded by bubbles, with strong hands massaging the knots out of her back. "That feels sooooo good."

Delphine runs her palms up Cosima's back using firm, circular strokes to work out the kinks, stopping at the top and kneading her shoulders and neck before returning down her back to repeat the technique.

Once she's loosened up, Cosima lays back against Delphine, "There's nothing you're not good at, is there?"

"I'm sure there's something," Delphine replies as she runs her lips along Cosima's neck and shoulders.

"No, I'm pretty sure you're perfect," Cosima insists as she contentedly closes her eyes and entwines her fingers with the hands across her belly.

Delphine rubs the side of her face against Cosima's, placing soft kisses to her cheek. "Cosima," she whispers into her ear, "if you fall asleep on me in here, we're gong to wake up as prunes. Or drown."

"It's fine," Cosima murmurs.

"No, come on. Up, up," Delphine helps her stand and get out of the tub, drying them both off quickly before guiding Cosima to the bed. As soon as Cosima's head hits the pillow, she's out cold. Delphine crawls in behind her, spooning her as she, too, is unable to fight exhaustion's pull into dreamland.

"Del-phi-ine," Cosima chants in a sing-song manner.

Delphine opens her eyes halfway, attempting to block out the sun's rays through the curtain, "Quoi?"

"Wakey-wakey, it's time to do what I want to do today."

"Order breakfast first," Delphine mumbles, "I'll need the sustenance."

"Okay," Cosima picks up the phone to place their room-service order. "This is going to be a great day."

"I'm sure it will be," Delphine says as she tries to get some more rest.

When there's a knock at the door twenty minutes later, Cosima wraps herself in a robe and answers the door. "Thanks, dude, you can place it on the table." She tips the server, then brings the tray over to the bed.

"Mmm," Delphine approves of the selection of food as they chow down.

When they finish breakfast, Delphine reaches for the belt on Cosima's robe. "What are you doing?" Cosima asks as she stills her hands.

"As much as I adore you in that fluffy robe, I think you'll need it off for this?"

"For what?"

"The sex."

"The sex," Cosima repeats in a French accent.

"Cosima!" Delphine reprimands.

"Sorry, sorry. Is the sex what you think we're doing today?"

"Is it not?"

"It is not," Cosima shakes her head.

Delphine covers her face in embarrassment,

"Oh my god," Cosima laughs, "is that why you said you needed sustenance?"

"Shut up," Delphine swats at her, "you're very voracious, I wanted to make sure we were properly nourished."

"As much as I appreciate you looking out for our sexual well-being like that, that is not what I had planned for our day. The night, perhaps, but not the day."

"Now I'm really intrigued."

"You should be. Now stop trying to undress me and put some clothes on."

"Cosima?" Delphine asks as they walk out of the hotel towards her car.

"Yeah?"

"If I'm driving, shouldn't I know where we're going?"

"Good point. Um, I know, I'll pull up directions on the phone and tell you when to turn."

"Okay," Delphine agrees as they hop in the Jeep.

"You'll take the next right," Cosima directs as they approach their destination.

"The next right?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. Why wouldn't I be sure?"

"The next right leads to la patinoire."

"La patin what?"

"Ice skating rink," Delphine translates.

"Oh, duh, that's where we're going."

"We are?"

"Yes, why is that so surprising?"

"Do you like to ice skate?"

"I've never been, you?"

"Yes, I love it. But why did you choose this activity if you don't even skate and hate the cold?"

"I don't hate the cold."

Delphine stares at her unconvinced as she parks the car.

"Hey, the cold and I are starting to come to an understanding. Besides, there's hot chocolate and you to keep me warm."

"We will," Delphine promises with a smile.

"Whoaaaa," Cosima yelps as she nearly loses her balances and grabs the wall. "Why is it so slippery?"

"You're on ice, Cosima," Delphine laughs. "Come on, take my hand."

"No, no, I'm good here with my new buddy, Mr. Wall," Cosima slowly shuffles her feet while hugging the wall with her left arm.

"But your buddy, Delphine, wants to skate with you."

"You can come join Mr. Wall and I if you please."

"I prefer not to share you with Mr. Wall."

"Then I guess Mr. Wall and I will bid you adieu."

"Cosima, pulling yourself around by the wall is not how you learn to skate."

"I disagree, look at me go," she starts pulling herself more quickly along the wall. "Oh shit!"

"Need a hand?" Delphine asks as she reaches out to help Cosima get up off the ice.

"I think I need two new feet more than a hand," Cosima grumbles as she lets Delphine pull her up.

"I've got you now," Delphine grins mischievously as she pulls Cosima by both hands away from the wall.

"Delphine, no," Cosima shrieks.

"Delphine, yes," Delphine nods as she skates backwards with a twinkle in her eye.

"You better not let go of me."

"Or what," Delphine teases as she loosens her hold on Cosima's hands.

"Delphine," Cosima warns as she tightens her grip.

"Don't worry, I won't let go." Delphine proceeds to skate Cosima around the rink. "How do you feel?"

"Okay, I guess."

"Want to try moving your feet?"

"Not really."

"Just move them like you had started to by the wall, but with a little more fluidity."

Cosima tentatively takes a few little baby steps.

"Put a little more stride and glide into it, watch me."

Cosima observes Delphine's technique, "Why is it you can do everything backwards that I can't even do forwards?"

"Practice," Delphine shrugs. "You'll be skating backwards in no time."

"Oh sure I will, but we'll call it falling on my ass. Hey, what are you doing?" Cosima yelps when Delphine releases her left hand.

"Let's try skating side by side. We'll move in tandem. You're going to point your right foot forward, then swing your left back and to the side. The back leg is what will push you along. Then we reverse the action, bringing the left foot forward and the right foot back and out. Do it with me." They start to move in sync, "Very good, Cosima. Now let's try to circle the rink together." They slowly skate clockwise around the rink, then pick up the pace with each subsequent loop. "You're doing great, chérie. You want to try doing it on your own?"

"No, doing it with you is so much better than doing it alone."

"Oh stop. I'm going to let go and I want you to continue moving your feet just as we have been."

"No, no, no, Delphine," Cosima protests as Delphine releases her hand. Cosima nearly loses her footing at the change, but regains it quickly and continues to skate around the circle with Delphine following closely behind.

"Um, Delphine?"

"Yes?"

"How the hell do you stop?" Cosima asks nervously as she begins to wobble.

"Merde," Delphine curses when she realizes the important step she left out of her instruction. She speeds up and grabs Cosima before she topples over. "I am so sorry."

"You got me in time, it's all good. But you better teach me to stop, just in case you're not close enough to catch me next time."

"Okay, there's two methods," Delphine begins to demonstrate. "You can either do the hockey stop, like we learned in skiing, where you bend your knees and drag your skates across the ice."

"And then fall on my butt. What's option number 2?"

"You can do a T stop, where you turn one of your blades into a T shape with the other blade and angle it away from the direction you're moving in."

"I think I'll try that one."

"Ooh, are you two on a date?"

"Oh god," Cosima groans when she looks down at the intruding voice. "Gemma, did you follow us here?"

"No, Mommy brought me here to skate while Daddy took Oscar snowshoeing."

"And where is your mother?" Delphine looks around.

"Bathroom. I pointed you out and she said I could wait with you until she came back."

"Great," Cosima fake smiles.

"Mommy coaches the Bailey Downs Ice Queens, I can ask her to help you learn to skate."

"No, thank you," Cosima replies, "I'm doing just fine."

"Really? I saw you almost wipe out over there, good thing Delphine was there to catch you."

"I did not almost wipe out. And when you're older, you'll discover the benefits of allowing the person you're dating to catch you once in a while."

"So you are on a date?"

"Gemma, what did we say about discussing our relationship?" Delphine asks

"Come on, it's the weekend, we can get real with each other."

"Has anyone ever told you you're a very strange kid?"

"A few," Gemma shrugs. "Has anyone ever told you sports aren't your thing."

"A few," Cosima mimics.

"Okay, both of you stop," Delphine referees. "Yes, Cosima and I are on a date. Period. End of story."

"I knew it!"

"Well, we are dating," Cosima points out, "that wasn't exactly a stretch."

"I bet there will be kissing."

"Now that you're here there probably won't be," Cosima groans.

"Okay, enough. Gemma, how about we make a deal?"

"I'm listening."

"Cosima and I will continue our date, which may or may not involve kissing, and you will not discuss it at all with the other kids tomorrow or ever."

"What's in it for me?"

"You are unreal."

"What would you like in return for your discretion?"

"Hmm," Gemma takes a moment to think. "How about a few candy bars?"

"A few?" Cosima shakes her head.

"A few candy bars it is," Delphine agrees and she and Gemma shake on it.

"Gemma," a voice calls out.

"Mommy's back."

Delphine waves to Alison at the other end of the rink.

"See you tomorrow. With my candy bars," Gemma adds before skating off.

"You just got extorted by an 8-year-old."

"Perhaps, but it allows me to do this," Delphine kisses Cosima softly. "Besides, the hotel doesn't charge me for the mini bar, I'll grab 3 chocolate bars out of there."

"They don't?" Cosima gapes. "And you're just telling me this now. I would've moved in with you a week ago if I'd known that."

"Why do you think I didn't tell you?" Delphine kids. "Come," she extends her hand, "skate with me a little more, then we'll take a break for some chocolat chaud."

Cosima takes the outstretched hand firmly in her own as they continue their skate date.

When they return to their hotel room hours later, Cosima plops down on the bed, "That was a lot of fun. Thank you for teaching me."

"It was my pleasure. And you learned so quickly, you were outpacing me there at the end. I'm still surprised you chose for us to go ice skating with your own free will, though."

"Honestly," Cosima sits up, "you were right."

"About what?"

"When I said that I get to choose our activity for today, I did intend for us to stay in bed all day, whether that involved the sex or the sleeping."

"I knew it! What changed your mind?"

"When we were driving home last night, we passed that rink and I thought, I bet Delphine likes to ice skate. And even though I'd never done it before, and knew there was a chance I'd make a fool of myself, I didn't care, I just wanted to make you happy."

"Cosima," Delphine squeals and takes her face in her hands tenderly.

"Plus, I figured there was gonna be some hot cocoa involved."

"Aha, the power of le chocolat chaud," Delphine giggles as she squeezes her cheeks before giving her a kiss. "I already told you, just being with you makes me happy. And as much fun as I had skating with you today, and am so flattered that you wanted to do that for me, I would have been absolutely ecstatic spending the day in bed with you."

Cosima pulls Delphine onto her lap, "How ecstatic exactly?"

"Why tell when I can show?"

"Showing is good," Cosima grins as Delphine's hands grip the hem of her sweater and begin to pull it off.