29th of December
Delphine lay in bed the whole day choked with the cold, Krystal chided her for running about in Lycra in the middle of winter in Toronto "I think they should make you take another test, because how fucking stupid are you. You could have gotten hypothermia or worse." Krystal raised her voice.
Delphine scrunched her whole face up as her voice became shrill which made her head pound "Can you please stop shouting" she asked which made the small Canadian raise her voice even louder as her voice became something only dogs could understand. She slammed her bedroom door which made Delphine wince, she knew that she was not really angry at her, well maybe now she was, but it was more with worry. Two minutes later she heard loud wailing coming from the living room, she groaned moving her legs off the bed, making her duvet into a cape as she shuffled into the other room. She collapsed onto her friend in heap as much as her friend struggled against the cuddle she accepted it.
"I'm an asshole. I am cold turkey asshole" Delphine apologised rocking her friend back and forth.
"You are an asshole, I worry about you Delphine. I wake up in the middle of the night to see lying on the bathroom floor shivering, totally out of it. I didn't know if you were sleep walking or having some sort of episode" Krystal cried.
"I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I'm okay, it's just a cold." Delphine soothed, not even thinking about that. "I shouldn't have talked to you like that, I am sorry. I don't know what I would do without you" Delphine sighed.
"Well for a start you would be dead." Krystal said with a deadpan face. "But I'm glad that you aren't even if you are an asshole, and look terrible, not to mention you are giving me all of your germs. Delphine, get your sticky germy body off mine. Delphine!" Krystal tried to shake the French woman off her but she proved to be too heavy with her long limbs.
Delphine lay on the couch the rest of the day, as Krystal sat on the other end sharing her duvet watching films as Delphine drifted in and out of sleep.
It wasn't until late evening Delphine went back to her room after her bath; she found her phone turning down the brightness. There were several texts from Cosima the first was around lunch time, and the last seventeen minutes ago, she opened up her phone to reply. She was half way through the message when her phone started vibrating.
"Hello" Cosima said
"Bon bébé du soir" Her voice was groggy and crackly.
"Holy watershed, you're sick. Do you want me to come over?" Cosima's voice rang out with worry
"No. I am fine, I am just going to go to sleep" Delphine coughed clearing her throat.
"Are you sure, well tomorrow then? I could come over around three. Sarah is meeting some people that she used to work with" Cosima spoke fast
"No, its okay Krystal is looking after me"
"Yeah but I'm your-" girlfriend Cosima thought. "Your friend too, I mean she does it all the time, she might want a break you know, plus I could totally make you soup, and you could fall asleep in my lap as I play with your hair. Then I'll you run you a nice warm bubble bath with like rose petals in it so you feel like princess." Cosima waffled on
"I don't want you to get sick too" Delphine mumbled, her heart pounding at the Cosima's scenario
"I won't" she objected again.
"Okay. You promise you won't blame me if you get sick?" the hoarse voice croaked out
"I promise. I'll see you tomorrow"
"Cosima, wait…" She cried out
"What is it?" Cosima's voice filled with concern
"Can you keep talking to me until I fall asleep?" she asked sheepishly
"Sure…okay so I watched this documentary the other day, did you know that gibbons are most threatened primates on Earth, they can swing a whole 15 meters in one swing, how crazy is that? They are the only primate that tends to walk bipedally, throwing their long arms in the air for balance." Cosima was sure the blonde was sleeping but she continued anyway another couple of minutes just to make sure she thought.
"They mate for life, which is rare in the primate world. They said that families and mated pairs will often sing complex songs to each other; they are just like us Delphine. Yesterday in that music shop was one of the happiest days of my life, you make me so happy it hurts. I just wish I had told you right at the beginning how I felt, now everything is complicated. Hey maybe Rachel will get some sort of memory impairment over the holidays, yeah your probably right. But a girl can dream right, and I do, Delphine, they are mostly of you with hardly any clothes on or me taking them off, but I swear not always, sometimes it's you waiting for me on the stairs as we walk hand in hand to your car as we drive home, you know like Dave and Cassie. You remember from neurology. That's what I want Delphine, your hand wrapped around mine. Making crazy science together, music, anything you want, I am yours because...I" Cosima spoke worrying her lip between her teeth as she considered saying those three little words...but something else caught her ear.
The brunette heard small whines coming from the phone, getting louder and louder, she stayed on the line listening closer "Oh geez Louise" she heard Krystal's voice over the mobile connection comforting the doctor. She stayed on the line until all she heard was radio silence before hanging up.
She could not help feel a pang of jealously as she hung up the phone, wishing that she was the one comforting her.
30th of December
Cosima chapped the door, lifting the brass knocker until she heard movement from the other side. She had stopped off at the store picking up various bits and pieces in hope that would make Delphine feel better.
"Hello…Cosima?" Krystal opened the door, she was dressed in sweats not her usual clothing her hair was clipped her in a bun, her face was clean without any makeup but she still attractive but Cosima was confused, did Delphine not tell her friend that she was coming.
"Hey, I've came to relieve you of your nursing duty" She smiled
"Oh, well come in." Krystal opened the door wide enough for her come to through, locking the front door as Cosima looked around the apartment.
"She's sleeping." Krystal sat down on the couch, gesturing for her to join her. "So what's all that?"
"Oh, I just got her some stuff. I had to get the bus so I went into town…I didn't know what soup was her favourite though." A little disappointed she said.
"Tomato and you have to rip up the bread first and then pour on the soup. She's fussy like that" Krystal said, not paying Cosima much attention.
"Anything else that I should know" Cosima asked trying to keep the conversation alive; it was almost like Krystal did not want her there.
"She is allergic to penicillin; her skin reacts badly to high ph. Soaps, like her whole body turns bright red it's not pretty." Krystal summarised, the brunette went to open her mouth but was sharply cut off "If you want to know more, then ask her yourself" she said irritably
Cosima sighed looking around the room, hoping Delphine would come out and save her but nope she sat in the awkward tension.
"Sorry. I'm tired and I know it's selfish but we were supposed to getting the house ready for tomorrow and getting shopping for the New Year's party tomorrow and I don't even know if it's going to happen because she's sick. I mean, what am I going to say to my friends?"
"Wow, relax, why don't you go to the shops…and I'll look after her" Cosima said hoping it would cheer her up.
"You would do that?" Krystal beamed, giving Cosima her full attention now.
"Yeah for sure…I mean what's the worst that can happen?" Cosima said
"Maybe I should just stay" Krystal shrugged
"Why, is there something I should know?" Cosima searched Krystal's face and the blonde searched hers, she knew there was something, the nightmares, the reluctance to leave Delphine alone with her.
"Cosima" the voice cracked but wasn't as hoarse as yesterday. Both girls were relived.
"Hey baby" Cosima immediately got up and squeezed her. Delphine was dressed in fleece pyjamas, her eyes dark and heavy, her skin flushed silver with a red tip on her nose as she sniffed, her lips tinged with a blue lining. Cosima's heart dropped into her stomach it was her fault that she was ill, she made her run to the store after all.
"Am I still hot stuff?" Delphine said with a crooked smile.
"Obvs" Cosima grinned. She placed her palm over Delphine's mouth kissing the back of her own hand. She chuckled shuffling over to the couch with Cosima in tow.
"Right well I better get going then" Krystal called snapping Delphine out of the trance that the small brunette always put her in.
"Where are you going?" Delphine addressed her friend.
"Since Cosima is here, I'm going to get the stuff for the party tomorrow. So can I get the list?"
"It's on my phone" Delphine grumbled straining her eyes as the brunette rubbed her back.
Krystal grabbed the phone, putting her pink trainers on that coordinated with her sweats
"I love you" Delphine called as the blonde walked out the door mumbling "Whatever"
The girls talked and she feed Delphine the soup that she bought her and made sure she took her tablets. Playing with her hair as she sat through endless animated films that Delphine picked but yet had fallen asleep to, Cosima smoothed out the furred brow that appeared on the blonde's face hushing her as the line disappeared.
Delphine lay on the couch plumped up with pillows as Cosima moved around her apartment with ease, she came out of the bathroom with a stethoscope wrapped around her neck and her long white lab coat.
"Did someone call for a doctor?" She grinned; Delphine put both hands on her face flushing bright red at the small girl, with a husky laugh erupting from her.
"Cosima, you are not an M.D"
"Shhh...Now what is the problem" she sat down at the edge of the couch fingers gentle brushing the soft skin of her forearm, pressing two fingers down on her wrist.
"My temperature is fine; I have a retro-orbital headache, fatigue, cough and tachycardia. Oh and nasal discharge. So what is your diagnosis Dr Niehaus?" Delphine smirked.
"Smarty pants. Well Miss Cormier, I'm sorry to tell you this but I think you have the flu"
Delphine mocked a gasp "Not the flu. Whatever will I do?"
The both laughed light heartedly.
Cosima caressed the blonde's arm until she laced their hands together, playing with the long fingers. "Just rest Delphine. I'll look after you" she hushed brushing the other finger down her cheek as her eyes gave in to the sleep.
"Pour toujours?" Delphine breathed. She hummed a response not entirely sure what Delphine whispered to her.
Cosima was uncomfortable in her current position but she did not want to let go of the hand that was still gently gripping her own. She looked around the place her empty soup bowl still sat on the coffee table with an empty glass, she unwillingly let go of the hand grabbing the dirty dishes.
Delphine still slept soundly on the couch. Cosima huffed and looked around she really didn't want to waste the time alone with her, but it was unfair to wake her. Instead she decided to run the bath, grabbing the bath salts, bubbles and soap it would be perfect for her to wake up too.
She went through to the blonde's room, opening her first drawer…nope not pyjamas, however something caught her eye as the drawer closed. She looked back through the door to check if she was still sleeping, she opened the drawer back up. Several newspaper clippings they were in French but she could still recognise her name and age. She sat solemnly in a classroom surrounded by much older children, her hair was white blonde and reckless, the dull grey uniform made her skin look pastier. The other picture was Delphine standing in front of blackboard solving a maths problem she just had solved; she was not in the next newspaper article but a young girl Chloe Fortin. She heard rustling coming from the sleeping woman; she dropped the pieces of paper back into her drawer, grabbing the first pair of cosy pyjamas.
"Delphine, wake up" Cosima said softly in her ear repeating the words as she stirred awake.
"What is it?"
"I ran you a bath…just like I promised."
Delphine groaned turning into the couch to shut her eyes again, she did not like to be woken up.
"Delphine, Come on. I've got to go soon, just let me bath you and tuck you in" she pleaded. After a long pause Delphine stretched her long limbs, moving them off the couch waddling over to the bathroom striping as she goes. Cosima trailed behind picking up her clothes; she sat on the floor as Delphine lay down in the bath. She shut her eyes as the lavender perfume surrounded the air.
"I was promised rose petals" Delphine said half smiling rolling her head to the side to see her cheeky girl next to her. Cosima reached her hand into the water splashing the doctor's face "Hey" she splashed back.
"Can I ask you something? What was it like being a child genius? Going to boarding school at such a young age?" Cosima said
Delphine's head began to swim, the memories of her past bleeding into the present. She saw red and the panic began. She counted mentally, breathing in and out as evenly as possible. Her knuckles turning white as she held on to the chrome handles.
"Fine" She said hoping the other girl did not detect her panic, as she tried to keep her face neutral.
"I think I need to get out…it's too hot" Delphine moved suddenly cause the water to spill over the edge of the bath, soaking Cosima. She snatched a towel from the railing drying her body.
Cosima pick herself up from the floor, it was the quickest she had seen the blonde move all day.
Delphine stumbled forward falling into the smaller girl. She had passed out. Cosima dropped her gently to the floor opening the bathroom window hoping the fresh cold air would help her. Delphine was wake within a few seconds again, disorientated.
Cosima moved her to her bed, handing her tablets and water. Delphine reassured she felt fine and it was just the steam of the bathroom. Cosima nodded as enclosed around her head resting on her chest, the blonde rubbing a dread between her finger and thumb.
"Are sure that you're alright?"
"Yes, stop fussing over me"
"You just fainted, Delphine I'm allowed to worry." She sat up staring at the blonde's dark gold speckled hazel eyes.
"Sorry. I just…"
"Boarding school was that bad huh" Cosima smiled.
"Something like that. Did you tell her?"
"No…she seemed a little preoccupied…to busy deciding on gold streamers or silver" Cosima said putting her back on her chest.
Their breathing soon synchronised, the navy sky light creating a welcomed darkness around the room. It was easier to speak in the dark. Faces and judgement invisible to the eye, which comforted Cosima as she contemplated asking again about Delphine's past.
"Thank you for today, I know that I am not a good patient…or a good friend. I know that I can be harsh at work especially but…I want to be better for you. You make me feel so much. I have not felt this way in a long time" The French accent spoke into the unlit room. Cosima mouth crept into a smile.
"But I'm scared." Her nails digging into the brunette's shoulder as she confessed her words into the night air
"I'm scared too Delphine. I've never wanted anyone the way I want you. I told you yesterday on the phone you make me so happy my cheeks hurt; I love the way your nose scrunches up when you laugh, how our bodies fit together perfectly. Your intelligence and beauty everything Delphine…what if I'm not good enough for you."
"Oh Cosima, don't dare think that. You are more than good enough…Cosima you are stupéfiant"
"You are amazing too" Cosima kissed under jaw her skin still clammy. "You need to sleep"
"Will you be here when I wake up?" Delphine echoed the words they very first night she had shared her bed. Cosima shook her head on her chest.
"No, I'll see you tomorrow…New Year's Eve. I hope your immune system works as hard as you because playing doctor is kinda dull, when it doesn't end in several orgasms."
Delphine hummed in agreement, closing her eyes dreaming of the adventures that awaited them.