Delphine releases her hold around Cosima's torso and pulls back, "What is it?"
Cosima rolls to face her, "What should we bet this time?"
"Are you kidding me?" Delphine asks incredulously.
"What?"
"You said it was important, I thought it was going to be something major."
"It is major. We haven't made a bet on this race yet."
"Do we have to make a bet?"
"Well, those bets have been pretty successful so far. First I got a date, then I got laid."
"Cosima!" Delphine slaps her arm.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. But not really. I mean, that did all happen. And it is kind of a tradition at this point."
"I guess so," Delphine relents. "Did you have something in mind?"
Cosima thinks for a moment before shaking her head, "I can't think of anything to top the last one. You should come up with it."
"Why me?"
"Because you're the one who suggested the sex bet, you're obviously way better at this than me."
"Obviously," Delphine rolls her eyes and lays flat on her back.
"Come on, Delphine," Cosima moves on top of her girlfriend, straddling her hips, "these bets motivate me."
Looking up into that eager face, Delphine shakes her head and gives in, "Fine, let me think."
Cosima looks down at her, watching the apparent thought process going on behind focussed eyes. Finally, after several moments, Delphine gazes back at her.
"Sooo? Whatcha got?"
"Okay, there's two parts to this," Delphine starts, "the first part is separate from the bet, but leads into it."
"Alright, go on," Cosima urges.
"You said you wanted to live near me and get your teaching certificate."
"Yeah."
"Well Ithaca College offers a master's teaching program with biology certification, I think you should go there. How much closer can you get than going to school in the same town as me?"
"How do you know they have a teaching program?" Cosima asks with a smile. "Have you been looking into it?"
"Maybe," Delphine grins. "What do you think? Would you consider going there?"
"Yeah, of course. And I may have also done a little online search and found out about their program, but I didn't know if you'd want me quite that close."
"Cosima, you're naked and sitting on top of me right now, if I didn't want you that close, you wouldn't be this close.
"You have a point," Cosima laughs. "Okay, I'll apply there, but there's no guarantee I'll get in."
"I don't think it will be a problem. Between your obviously stellar grades and the fact that you're famous now, they'd be fools to reject you."
"You're biased, but alright, I'll give it a try."
"Great!" Delphine exclaims giddily.
"What does any of this have to do with a bet?"
"Hold your horses, I'm getting to that," Delphine chastises. "Okay, so the bet is if you win the race, then we live together in Ithaca, you would move into my apartment."
"And if I don't win?"
"Then we live separately."
"What if I win the race and don't get accepted to Ithaca?"
"You can still live with me and enroll in another school or take an online teaching certification program or something. We'll figure it out. The important thing is that we'd be together."
"And if I lose the race but get into the school? I still move to Ithaca, but we live separately? That doesn't sound fun. How can I do this," Cosima gestures between them as she rolls her hips tantalizingly, "if I'm not living with you?"
"We'd obviously still spend nights together, but not every night. Some nights we might have a lot of studying to do, so I'd be at my place and you'd be at yours."
"That seems inconvenient. I don't think you've thought this through very well."
"You didn't give me much time to think, now did you?"
"No, I guess not."
"Do you have any better ideas?"
"No, but if I'm going to move to Ithaca, I want to be with you every night. It gets really chilly there, Delphine, I'm not used to such cold weather, I'll need you to keep me warm at night."
"Then win," Delphine states simply, before gently squeezing Cosima's ass, "or buy pajamas."
"Ugh," Cosima groans. "Fine, I accept the bet. Should we shake on it?"
"How about we kiss on it?"
"See? You always have better ideas than me," Cosima says as Delphine pulls her down into a sensual lip-lock.
—
"Cosima," Delphine purrs in her ear several hours later, "it's time to get up."
"No," Cosima groans.
"You have to get to the track."
"The race isn't until after 6 tonight," Cosima mumbles into her pillow.
"Yes but you need to get there at one for the luncheon, followed by press and photos."
"What time is it?" she grumbles
"9:30."
"I have plenty of time to sleep some more."
"Fine, just a little longer. I'll order us breakfast," Delphine picks up the phone while Cosima buries her head further into the pillows.
Thirty-five minutes later, the aroma of coffee brings Cosima out of her slumber. She sits up, rubs her eyes, gropes for her glasses on the bedside table, then sees Delphine sitting at the tiny dining table in the corner of the room by the window. She gets out of bed, pulls on a t-shirt and pads over, giving Delphine a kiss on the cheek before reaching for the plate cover, "What'd you get?"
Delphine stills her hand from lifting the cover, "I can't wake you up, but food can?"
"Hey, you wake me up plenty, but you also keep me up really late."
"So now you're blaming me for not being able to get up in the morning?"
"You do have a way of wearing me out. But, like, in the best possible way. Besides, I need to be well rested if I'm gonna win our bet today. And well fed. Come on, what's under there?"
Delphine pulls off the plate cover, "Eggs, bacon, and pancakes."
"Yum," Cosima plops down in the chair opposite Delphine and they start eating.
After a while, Cosima stares out the window contemplatively, "I can't wait until it's just me and you in Manhattan, waking up to a view of Central Park from our hotel room."
"Are we just going to enjoy the view or actually spend time in the park?" Delphine wonders.
"Both. Totally both. During the day we'll walk around the park and explore the city. At night we'll go to shows, eat at amazing restaurants. Then we'll return to our room, with full bellies, exhausted from all we've done. We'll climb into our fluffy, king size bed, snuggle up, and fall right to sleep."
"Fall right to sleep?"
"Yes, right to sleep. Then we'll wake up, totally refreshed, ready to hit the town and do it all over again."
"I see," Delphine nods as she takes a sip of her coffee.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You don't seem pleased with my plans."
"I am pleased. Very pleased. It all sounds quite wonderful."
"But?"
"But I think you've left something out."
"Have I?" Cosima asks as she takes a bite of her pancake.
Delphine nods, "Yes, you have."
"Park, explore, shows, eat, sleep," Cosima lists off. "No, that seems complete."
Delphine huffs and stabs at her eggs.
"I'm kidding," Cosima laughs as she gets up and goes over and sits down in Delphine's lap so they're face to face. "Trust me, we will take full advantage of that king size bed. I was thinking, since we probably will be tired every night, that morning sex would be a good way to wake up. Start the day with a bang." She leans forward and kisses Delphine, the maple syrup on her lips transferring to Delphine's and causing their mouths to stick together a bit.
Delphine pulls away, licking her lips, "That sounds great, but that's not what I meant."
"No?"
Delphine shakes her head, "I thought we'd visit The Museum of Natural History, go to the planetarium and look at the stars."
"I don't have to go to a planetarium to see stars, I see them whenever I look in your eyes."
Delphine starts laughing, "That was exceptionally cheesy, even for you."
"Hey, my lines are so not cheesy. Besides, you were totally messing with me, you weren't thinking about the planetarium, you were thinking about having your way with me in NYC."
"Having my way with you?"
"Yup," Cosima says confidently.
"Why wait for Manhattan when I can have my way with you right now?" Delphine asks as she wraps her arms around Cosima and stands up, removes Cosima's glasses, carries her towards the bathroom and turns on the shower.
"Delphine, is this just a ploy to get me ready to go to the track?"
"Maybe," she shrugs as she puts Cosima down, drops her robe and steps into the shower. "Does it matter?"
"Nope," Cosima declares as she pulls off her shirt and joins her under the warm spray.
—
After she gets Cosima out the door, where an annoyed Felix had been knocking for several minutes, Delphine finishes getting ready before meeting everyone else downstairs for lunch.
"Del," Krystal runs over to her as she spots her friend get off the elevator. "Oh my god, I have to tell you what happened last night."
"What happened?" Delphine asks with concern.
Krystal looks around before dragging Delphine to a quiet corner. "You are not going to believe who Felix made out with."
"Who?"
"Tony."
"Impossible! They can hardly stand one another."
"I swear on my favorite pink Louboutins that they kissed."
"Alright, I believe you. How'd it happen?"
"We were at this club, dancing, having fun, Felix was flirting with anyone and everyone like always. Then I see him inching closer to where Tony's dancing. I don't know if it was the alcohol or what, but Tony looks up at him and the next thing I know they're going at it. I practically spit out my martini right on the dance floor."
"What did they do next?"
"Once the song changed, they broke apart like nothing happened and never spoke of it again."
"Never spoke of what again?" Tony asks as he comes over to them.
"Oh, um, I was telling Del about these majorly creepy twin sisters who came into the salon one day for matching mani-pedis. It was so freaky that no one in the salon dared speak of it ever again."
"Uh huh," he give her a curious look before turning to Delphine. "Your folks are waiting in the dining room, they asked me to come out and check on when you two would be joining us."
"We're ready," Delphine declares and they start to follow him in. "Did you have a good time last night, Tony?"
"Yeah, it was fun. I hadn't been to a club since New Year's with Dreads."
"Oh yeah? What was Cosima like on New Year's?"
"Oh man," Tony starts eagerly before glancing up at Delphine, "um, she was a perfect angel."
"I'm sure she was," Delphine regards him skeptically.
"Well maybe angel isn't the right word, but she didn't kiss anyone at midnight, so you don't have to worry about that."
"I appreciate that, but it would be fine if she had. Just not future New Year's. I reserve her lips for all of those."
"That is like the cutest thing I've ever heard," Krystal coos as they reach their table.
"What's the cutest thing you've ever heard?" Marie asks.
"That Delphine reserves Cosima's lips for every New Year's to come."
"Krystal!" Delphine admonishes.
"That's sweet, ma petite," Marie smiles.
Delphine groans as she sits down.
"How was she this morning?" Pierre asks his daughter.
Delphine looks up at her father with a shocked expression, her mouth agape.
"Mon dieu, Delphine," he shakes his head, "I mean her state of mind. Regarding the race."
"Oh. She seemed to be in good spirits. I think she's ready to go."
"Good, I'm happy to hear that."
"I'd actually prefer to hear how else she was this morning," Tony says mischievously.
"Oh, Tony," Marie smacks his hand, "you are quite the imp."
Delphine rolls her eyes, "She was stubborn and didn't want to wake up."
"I don't think that's what he meant," Krystal helps.
"Yes, I know what he meant. Why does my love life seem to be a constant source of conversation? I think it's someone else's turn." She turns towards Tony, "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"We haven't heard about your relationships. Are you seeing anyone?"
"Nah, I don't like to be tied down, I prefer to keep my options open."
"Oh yeah? Any good options you'd care to share with us?"
"No, nothing at the moment."
"Is that so?"
"Oh, Delphine, leave the poor boy alone," Marie admonishes.
"I'm sorry, you're all always so focussed on Cosima and I, maybe I'd like to hear about your relationships for a change."
"Ours are not nearly as adorable," Krystal insists.
"Would you like to hear about what your father and I did last night?" Marie inquires.
"No," Delphine covers her ears. "Forget it. Let's talk about the weather, the price of gasoline, anything but that."
—
Cosima poses atop Leda as Benjamin, the official track photographer, snaps photos of them. "Lovely," he praises, "now why don't you come down and let's bring your trainer in here for some shots."
Felix comes forward and he and Cosima stand on either side of Leda as Benjamin takes a few pictures of the three of them.
"We're all set. Thank you. Good luck with the race."
"Thanks, man," Cosima smiles as she and Felix lead Leda back to the paddock.
"That was a nice luncheon they threw," Felix says.
Cosima nods her agreement.
"You feeling good about the race?"
"Yeah. I think Leda is in tip top shape and ready to run."
"Yes, I know she is, but are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know, you weren't your usual exuberant self while getting photographed. You're usually such a ham. What's going on in that head of yours?"
"I guess I've had a lot on my mind lately," Cosima admits. "Have you ever felt like there's something you want to say so badly, that you need to say with every fiber of your being, but you're holding back for some reason, maybe out of fear, but you know you should say it because it's all you can think about, there just never seems to be the right time to say it, even though you actually have plenty of opportunity to, but you don't, and then you feel like if you don't say it you're being an idiot and you just need to say it and put it out there?"
"I have absolutely no idea what you just said."
"Forget it."
"Cosima," she looks up at him, "when you go out there today, I want you to be completely clear-headed and focussed on the race, so whatever you need to say, I advise you to say it soon, don't let it weigh you down with worry or regret."
She nods, "I know, I know, you're right."
"Hey, hey," Tony shouts as he walks in, followed by the rest of the crew. "How ya doing superstar?" He gives Cosima a high five.
"I'm doing good, Tone."
"Cosima!" Krystal squeals as she gives her a hug, "This is super exciting. I knew the moment I met you, you were going to be a success, and look at you now."
"I don't know about all that, but thank you."
"Krystal is right, Cosima," Marie agrees, "you are a success, no matter what happens today."
Pierre grips her shoulders, "Cosima, I don't know if either of us saw this day coming when you came onboard with us, but here we are. I want you to know how honored I have been to have you on our team. You have brought so much to us this season. The wins, of course, which I cannot be more happy about, but I think I speak for all of us when I say that you've also brought this brilliant light into our lives, one I don't think any of us knew we were missing until you shined it down on us. Please know, no matter what happens, you have made all of us extremely proud and we consider you a part of not only the Cormier Farms family, but the Cormier family."
"Thank you," Cosima says as her eyes well up a bit at the sentiment. "It really means so much to me to have your support and I promise you that Leda and I will go out there and run as hard and fast as we can."
"I know you will, my dear," Pierre gives her a warm hug.
Before they leave, they all take a moment to express their affection for Leda, giving her gentle pats and kisses to her muzzle.
Once everyone else has left, Delphine approaches Cosima and grasps each of her hands in her own, "Hi."
"Hi," Cosima smiles up at her. "Looks like we're family now."
"Oui. Welcome to the family," Delphine tugs her close and gives her a tender kiss. "How'd everything go this afternoon?" she asks as they separate.
"Pretty well. For the most part."
"For the most part?"
"The lunch spread was great and the other jockeys were pretty cool, though they did razz me a bit about today's race and all the attention I've been getting. But Rachel," Cosima shudders, "I kept feeling her icy stare boring into the back of my head. If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under right now."
"I think her face is just stuck in a perpetual hostile gaze. Forget about her."
"Forgotten," Cosima promises. "So how was your lunch?"
"Good. Except for the fact that everyone now seems to be extremely comfortable talking about our relationship in casual conversation."
"What do you mean?"
"I made an innocent comment about you to Tony and Krystal and then Krystal relayed it to my parents and it's just so awkwardly bizarre to be discussing us with them. I mean, I appreciate their acceptance and all, but I don't really want to go into detail with them."
"What'd you say about me?"
Delphine blushes and shakes her head, "It's too embarrassing."
"Come on, now you have to tell me," Cosima presses.
"I said I reserve your lips for all future New Year's," Delphine says quickly, her face now a deep shade of crimson.
"What?" Cosima laughs. "You reserve my lips? And you say I'm the one with the cheesy lines?"
Delphine groans and looks down at her feet.
Cosima reaches out and tilts her chin back up, "Aww, baby, I'm kidding, that's so cute." She presses up on her toes, her mouth mere centimeters away from Delphine's, "These lips are all yours."
"Good," Delphine grins as she closes the distance, sucking greedily at Cosima's upper lip.
Returning to her soles with a huge smile, Cosima chuckles, "How'd New Year's even come up? It's only June."
"Oh," Delphine's eyes shine, "so you have to hear this. Evidently, last night when they were at the club, Felix and Tony kissed."
Cosima's eyes go so wide they look like they're about to pop out of her head.
"I know, right? It's unbelievable. Krystal told me about it and then I attempted to get Tony to own up to it, but instead he mentioned the last time he had been to a club was with you on New Year's Eve. Then he was very cute in insisting that you hadn't kissed anyone that night and that's when I said what I said."
"Tony and Felix?" Cosima muses. "That's crazy. I asked Felix earlier about how their night went and all he said was that Tony has horrid dance moves."
"Guess he has other moves that worked on Felix."
"Apparently," Cosima giggles. "I cannot wait to torture them with this information."
"No, Cosima, don't. Neither of them has mentioned it, maybe it was just an alcohol fueled error in judgement. Don't embarrass them."
"As if either of them wouldn't do the same to us. Especially Felix."
Delphine thinks for a second, "You're right, tease away."
Cosima rubs her hands together mischievously, "This is gonna be fun."
Delphine reaches for Cosima's hands, then pulls them behind her back and wraps her arms around Cosima's waist. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel great now that you're here with me."
"You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know, when we all walked in earlier, I sensed something was off, like you were somewhere else."
"Yeah, I was back in that shower with you," Cosima smirks.
"Cosima, come on, what's going on?"
"You know how I get before these races, I guess I'm a little nervous."
"Yes, but this seems different."
"I think it's the pressure, all the reporters asking me questions about making history and all that stuff. The fans and their enthusiasm. I've just never experienced any of this before. I'm kinda overwhelmed and, I don't know, this feels so final for some reason."
"Well, it is the final race in the triple crown. But no matter what happens today, this isn't the end. There's a couple more races this season and then you'll do it all again next year. And I'm sure more endorsement deals will be coming in. Your billboard out there is incredible."
"It's kind of weird, though, having my face looming over the stadium like that."
"I like seeing your face."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah," Delphine cups her cheeks and looks into her eyes. "I discover something new every time I look at you. Like the way your chin juts out just a bit right here," she kisses the bottom of Cosima's chin. "And how your right earlobe hangs slightly lower than your left," she gives the longer earlobe a little tug with her teeth. "And the way your lips chap when you've been talking non-stop," she licks along the ridges of Cosima's lips and then kisses her, nearly taking the jockey's breath away with the passion she puts into it.
"Delphine?"
"Yes?"
"I need to tell you something."
"Cosima, we need you and Leda lined up for the march to the track," a Belmont official beckons.
"Okay, okay, we'll be right out," Cosima tells the woman before turning back to Delphine.
"Guess it's time."
"Yeah," Cosima nods somewhat reluctantly.
"Hey," Delphine gives her a hug, "you're gonna do great, I can feel it."
Cosima sinks into the embrace, burying her head in Delphine's neck.
"What did you need to tell me?"
"Oh, um, I guess it can wait till later."
"You sure?"
Cosima nods, "Yeah."
"Okay. I better let you go." Delphine releases her hold on Cosima. "Good luck out there."
"Thanks." Cosima gives Delphine one last kiss before hopping up on Leda.
Delphine walks over to Leda, gives her muzzle a rub, then leans into her ear, "Take good care of my girl."
Cosima smiles at the exchange, then begins guiding Leda out of the paddock. Just as she crosses the threshold to the outside, her own voice fills her head, What are you doing, you moron, don't wait, just say it already.
Cosima quickly turns back around towards the blonde, "Hey, Delphine."
"Yes?" Delphine looks up questioningly.
"I love you."
Delphine is momentarily struck silent, her mind slowly processing the words.
"Let's go, Niehaus," the official shouts.
Cosima turns to the woman and holds up her index finger, "One sec," then turns back to face Delphine, who now has a smile plastered on her face.
Cosima smiles back, then turns and rides Leda towards the other horses.
"Mon dieu, what is wrong with you, Delphine?" she chastises herself as Cosima takes off. By the time she rushes outside, the riders have headed off in formation and Delphine reluctantly heads to the stands.
Krystal notices an odd expression on Delphine's face as she takes her seat, "What's up?"
"Nothing," she insists as the introduction of the racers begins.
In 1st position are Rudy and Castor, with Rachel and Neolution in 2nd, and Alison on Bubbles in 3rd.
The announcer then introduces the pair in 4th position, Cosima and Leda, and the stands explode in cheers and applause as they trot out onto the track. Cosima waves to The Clubhaus, who are particularly fervent in their enthusiasm.
Rudy turns towards Rachel, "And the crowd goes wild."
Rachel stares at him, tight-lipped, before diverting her gaze.
Up in the Cormier box, they're on their feet, Tony whistling loudly, while the rest clap enthusiastically. When Cosima's eyes find them, they all blow her kisses. She laughs and blows kisses back.
"It makes so much sense now," Pierre whispers to Marie, who smiles at her husband.
Cosima's eyes find Delphine's, the weight of Cosima's earlier words creating an added heft to their gaze. Delphine is the first to act, tapping her heart and beaming down at Cosima.
A wide grin forms on Cosima's lips as she brings her hand up to her chest and taps her own quickening heart.
Cosima and Leda head towards the starting gate as the rest of the field is introduced.
In 5th position are Beth and Damn Right, then Shay on Blue Barcelona, Hector and Double Down, Jesse on Pork Rinds, and rounding out the field is Raj riding Lieutenant Hardcastle.
Delphine starts ferociously gnawing on her lip as the last horse is loaded into the gate. Sensing her friends anxiety, Krystal reaches over and gives her hand a tight squeeze, Delphine squeezing back in a silent thank you.
The starting bell rings and they're off.
Rudy, Hector, and Rachel lead their horses to the front. Cosima gets Leda out of the gate a little slow and she and Shay find their horses battling for fourth. Trailing just behind are Alison, Beth, and Raj, while Jesse brings up the rear.
Racing up the stretch, Leda makes a move on the inside, pulling away from Blue Barcelona.
As they head into the first turn, Castor takes a slight lead on Double Down. Neolution follows in third, while Cosima continues to pace Leda behind in fourth.
Up the backstretch, Rachel digs her heels in and Neolution kicks it up a notch, taking over second place from Double Down. Sensing early fatigue in Hector's horse, Cosima encourages Leda to quicken her pace, passing on the outside to overtake Double Down for third.
"Yeah, girl!" Cosima exclaims. "You're doing great."
Rachel increases her pressure on Neolution, who manages to catch up to Castor at the head of the pack. Rachel flashes Rudy a smug smile as she overtakes him for the lead.
Observing the action up ahead as they round the far turn, Cosima cues a lead change and Leda immediately changes her footing as they ride hard towards Castor. "Big brother's losing steam, baby, you got this," Cosima coos. Powering forward, Leda edges past Castor as they head into the homestretch.
A quick glance behind her and Rachel sees Leda gaining on them. She cracks the whip and kicks her heels, pushing Neolution to go the distance.
"Let's go, Leda, we're so close."
"Yes!" Felix cheers as Leda continues to close the gap.
Delphine clenches her bottom lip so firmly between her teeth that she draws blood as she and Krystal tighten their grips on each other's hands.
"Come on, you got this," Cosima encourages as they move a length off Neolution's lead.
The Clubhaus erupts in the stands as Cosima and Leda catch up to Rachel and Neolution as they enter the final furlong. It looks like it'll go down to the wire as they race neck and neck, when, suddenly, Leda seems to find a new gear, pulling slightly ahead as they approach the finish line.
"Hell, yeah, Leda, you got this," Cosima cheers.
"No," Rachel shouts as she extends her riding crop outwards towards the hind legs of a passing Leda.
The impact causes Leda to buck wildly. "Whoa," Cosima shouts, attempting to calm her horse. The force of Leda's jerking movements are too great and Cosima is unable to hold on.
Delphine screams as Cosima is thrown off the horse, hurtling forward, her head hitting the ground hard, knocking her unconscious.