*Friday*

As 4 o'clock approaches, Delphine is staring out the window, watching the steady downpour. She wants to go to the park, but she's worried it'll be a waste of time, surely Cosima won't be selling ice cream on a day like today when the park is most likely empty. An unfamiliar ache settles into her chest. Is the thought of going a day without seeing Cosima that upsetting for her? She resolves to take a chance. She throws on her coat and grabs her umbrella before heading out into the rain.

When Delphine arrives at their bench, she notices that she is the only person around. There are no children on the playground today, as expected given the inclement weather, nor is there any sign of Cosima's truck. She hangs her head and turns to begin her walk back towards the hospital. Just as she takes a few steps, her now favorite sound interrupts the loud rainfall that surrounds her.

Delphine twirls in place and smiles as she sees Cosima's truck pull up to the curb. She runs towards it, arriving just as Cosima pulls open the serving window.

"Cosima, I didn't think you'd be coming today on account of the weather."

"I didn't think you'd be here either."

"And, yet, we're both here."

"Yeah, we certainly are. And it looks like we're the only ones. Hey, come inside, you shouldn't be getting all wet."

Cosima opens the door and Delphine steps in. "So this is the inner sanctum?"

"Yes, this is my fancy office space. It's a regular all you can eat ice cream buffet."

"I can see that."

"Please, have a seat, I'll grab our Eskimo Pies."

Delphine sits down in the passenger seat and Cosima returns a couple seconds later with their snacks.

"Let me get your money," Delphine says reaching into her wet jeans.

"No, no, please, this one's on me. I mean you came out here in the rain just for ice cream, it's the least I can do."

"Well, not just for the ice cream."

"No?" Cosima's eyes brighten.

"I promised to tell you about my night."

"Oh, right, the fundraiser. How was it?"

"Boring. That was quite possibly the stuffiest crowd I have ever had to spend three hours making small talk with. I've never heard so many people talk about their yachts, their multi-million dollar vacation homes, or their position on the waiting list for a Tesla in my life."

Cosima laughs, "But did you bring in the dough?"

"Yes, much dough was raised."

"Well, there you go, it wasn't a complete waste of time. How'd your department do?"

"Really good, actually. The hospital's CFO said it was the most raised for a single department in one night."

"See? What did I tell you? Nobody could resist you."

"I don't know about that. I guess I just made a good case for what we're doing."

"Your passion obviously won them over. I'm really happy for you."

"Thank you. What did you do last night?"

"Nothing too exciting. Just hung out with some friends playing Runewars, which is a really nerdy board game, so please don't ask me anything about it cause I'll die of embarrassment."

Delphine giggles, "Okay, but did you win the game at least?"

"Oh yeah, I mopped the floor with my opponents, pillaged all night long."

"That's great, I guess."

"Yeah, it is. So, uh, this weather, not so nice, huh?"

"No, I mean I don't mind the occasional rainfall, but I imagine it's not so good for you."

"Yeah, it definitely messes with business. But I'm happy that my favorite customer showed up."

"I'm your favorite customer?" Delphine asks. "The one you wouldn't let pay you?"

"I might not have taken your money today, but you're kind enough to keep me company on an extremely slow day, and that counts for a lot more than two dollars."

"I'm happy to be keeping you company, there's nowhere else I'd rather be right now."

Cosima's face lights up, "Cool, so as my #1 customer, I think I'm gonna have a t-shirt made for you. It'll say Icehaus's Favorite Customer followed by your photo."

"Wait, I have to wear a t-shirt with my own face on it?"

"Oh, yeah, that might be weird. Okay, scratch that, instead of your photo, there will be an arrow pointing up towards your actual face."

"That's better. Hey, I never asked, what's the story behind the truck's name, Icehaus?"

"Oh. My last name is Niehaus, so I thought Icehaus was a clever play on words. I know, it's dorky."

"No, not at all. Cosima Niehaus, huh?"

Cosima nods, "Yup. What's your last name?"

"Cormier."

"Mmm, Dr. Cormier, that has a nice ring to it."

"Thank you," Delphine blushes. "I like your name, too."

"Maybe we should swap last names. I think Cosima Cormier sounds super suave. Like a secret agent's name. Cormier, Cosima Cormier."

"I'd be Delphine Niehaus, that's a lot of n sounds in a row."

"Yeah, you're right. Let's both use Cormier then."

"Okay, but won't you have to change the name on your truck?"

"Yeah, probably." Cosima thinks for a few moments. "I've got it! I call it Cormier's Creamery."

"Cormier's Creamery," Delphine repeats. "I like it."

"Great, it's settled then, I'll file papers to legally change my name on Monday morning and repaint the name on the truck later that afternoon."

Delphine laughs, "You're crazy, Cosima."

"Yeah," Cosima agrees, looking into Delphine's eyes, "I'm very crazy."

They stare at each other for a few beats, just smiling, before the digital clock on the dash catches Delphine's attention.

"Unfortunately, it looks like my time for today is just about up."

"Hey, let me drive you back to the hospital."

"No, that's okay, the rain is letting up a bit and I kind of enjoy breathing in the fresh air before entering the sterile hospital."

"Okay, if you're sure."

"I am. Thank you, though. I guess I'll see you on Monday?"

"Totally, rain or shine, I'll be here," Cosima insists.

"Great. Bye, Cosima. Thanks for a fun week." Delphine gives Cosima a quick hug.

"Thank you. Have a good weekend," Cosima says as they break apart.

Delphine exits the truck, opening her umbrella on the way out, and begins her walk back to work.

"Dammit, Niehaus, what the hell is wrong with you?" Cosima asks herself before launching out of the truck and running towards Delphine. "Hey, Delphine, hold up a sec."

Delphine turns around, "Is something wrong?"

"No, I was just wondering if, um, do you have plans for tomorrow?"

"No. Why?"

"I was wondering if maybe you'd want to let me show you around town like we discussed yesterday. We could grab lunch at this killer sandwich shop and then I could take you on a tour of all my other favorite spots around the city."

"I'd like that," Delphine smiles.

"Yeah?" Cosima asks, surprised, and Delphine nods. "Awesome. How does noon sound? I could come by your place or we can meet somewhere, whatever you want."

"If you wouldn't mind picking me up at my apartment, that would be great. I live just 4 blocks from here, actually."

"No, I wouldn't mind at all. Here," Cosima pulls out her phone, "do you want to enter your info?"

"Sure," Delphine takes the phone and creates a contact for herself, adding her phone number and address, then hands it back to Cosima.

Cosima reviews the information and, a second later, Delphine's phone rings. She takes it out of her coat pocket. "I don't recognize the number."

"Um, Delphine," Cosima wiggles her phone.

"Ah." Delphine accepts the call, "Allô?"

"Hey, Delphine, this is Cosima, from the park."

"Hello Cosima from the park. How are you?"

"I'm alright, a little wet, but okay otherwise. I'm just calling so you'll have my number on your phone. I totally wasn't checking to make sure you gave me a real number or anything."

"No, of course not. I'm glad we have each others numbers."

"Yeah, me too. Well, um, I kinda have someone standing here with me, so I should probably stop ignoring her. Talk to you soon."

"Yes, let's talk again very soon. Bye."

They hang up and look at each other, erupting into laughter at the absurdity of that conversation.

"I really should get going," Delphine says as their laughter subsides. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yup, it's a date. Um, I mean, not a date date, but a date to hang out."

"I wouldn't mind."

"Wouldn't mind what?"

"I wouldn't mind if it was a date date."

"Y-you wouldn't?" Cosima stammers in surprise.

"Not if you wouldn't mind. I've really enjoyed spending time with you this week, Cosima, and, if I'm being honest, while I do quite like the Eskimo Pies we've been indulging in, I like you a lot more."

"Um, like, like like?"

Delphine giggles, "Yes, like like."

"Oh god, Delphine."

"Oh no, have I made a huge mistake?" Delphine asks with a terrified look on her face.

"No, no, that wasn't an oh god, you're insane, that was an oh god, I've been crushing on you since the moment we met and I can't believe you like me, too."

Delphine smiles, "I do. A lot. And, since we're being completely truthful here, I didn't take your photo to try to find you a date. I kind of just wanted it for myself. Wanted you for myself."

Cosima blushes, "Ditto. I maybe kinda look at your photo all the time when you're not around. I mean, not in a creepy way, but in a missing you kind of way. Ugh, that sounds so stupid."

"No, it doesn't sound stupid at all. I might do the same thing with your picture. And by 'might,' I mean I absolutely do the same thing," Delphine stops talking and stares at Cosima.

"What is it? Do I have chocolate on my face again?"

"No, there's nothing on your face," Delphine assures her. "I'd like to remedy that."

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Delphine drops her umbrella and grabs Cosima's cheeks, pulling her in for a kiss.

Cosima is shocked, unmoving, but just for a moment before she realizes what is happening and tangles her hands in increasingly wet curls, pulling Delphine even closer to her, deepening their kiss. They stand there, getting drenched, lost in exploring each other on a whole new level.

"I lied," Cosima mumbles when they break apart.

Delphine looks at her suspiciously, "Lied about what?"

"My favorite part of Spider-Man was actually the kiss in the rain," Cosima admits.

Delphine laughs as she leans back in for another kiss.

The next day, when Cosima arrives at Delphine's door to pick her up for their date, they end up not going out for their intended tour of the city. In fact, they don't leave the apartment the rest of the weekend.

And a year later, at their wedding in the park where they first met, Cosima and Delphine Cormier-Niehaus both agree that, for them, it was love at first bite.