They found a quiet spot on the deck outside overlooking the stone courtyard. The conversation was light and easy and Sarah alternated between watching the fireflies flit through the air and focusing in fascination on Cosima's open, expressive face as she talked. Cosima was fascinating and intelligent to the point that Sarah felt nearly intimidated from time to time, but somehow they found enough in common that the feeling of potential inadequacy never lasted for too long.
During their conversation, Sarah discovered several very important things about this woman. Cosima had had dreadlocks since the ninth grade and hadn't cut her hair since then. She was originally from California (which did a lot to explain her common use of the phrases "like" and "totally") but had moved up north to study evolutionary development, whatever that meant. Her wild hand gestures made up at least thirty-five percent of her communication. She preferred wine over any other kind of alcohol, though Sarah managed to persuade her to try three different kinds of shots before the night was over, and the more inebriated she became, the more pronounced was her snort when she laughed a bit too hard. And, perhaps most important of all, one of her favorite bands was The Clash.
Sarah nearly fell over as she gripped Cosima's arm tightly, "The Clash? You're not joking? You like The Clash?"
"Oh, yeah," Cosima said. "I grew up on those guys. And, can I just say, that London Calling - while good, totally a great song, don't get me wrong - is not their best one."
"Don't tell me," Sarah said, feeling abnormally exhilarated at this discovery.
"Lost in the Supermarket. Don't judge me, don't try to change my mind. Lost in the Supermarket, hands down my favorite song."
Sarah shook her head, genuinely awestruck as she stared at Cosima. "I think love you. That my favorite song, too."
Cosima giggled, swaying a little against the railing. "That declaration of love sounded more sincere than when Scotty Smith told me he wanted to marry me in sixth grade. Cute little guy." She sighed contentedly, looking out into the lantern-lit courtyard and for a brief moment Sarah just admired the lines of her face and neck, illuminated gently from below. Cosima started suddenly with a small gasp, and huge smile lighting up her face. "A photobooth!"
"What?" Sarah asked, startled.
"They have a photobooth here, I totally forgot! Come on!"
Cosima grabbed Sarah's hand, dragging her back inside and across the ballroom dance floor, weaving in and out of other guests. The photobooth was a small side room with a camera and camera man positioned in the center of the floor. There was a small basket of props beside the door and a few small chalkboards. Cosima stuffed a bowler hat onto Sarah's head, taking a furry coonskin cap for herself. She picked up two wooden mustaches on sticks, handing Sarah the smaller of the two.
"Hey, I can't use this one," Sarah protested. "I'll look just like Hitler."
"No you won't, silly. That's what the hat is for. You'll be Charlie Chaplain!"
"Oh, brilliant," Sarah grumbled as Cosima pulled her in front of the camera.
Sarah's sour mood evaporated as soon as the shutter started clicking and Cosima began throwing them into ridiculous and dramatic poses. At one point Cosima planted a long kiss on Sarah's cheek, and for a moment Sarah forgot completely about being silly and just stood there with a big, idiotic grin plastered across her face.
Then Cosima grabbed the chalkboards, telling Sarah to write something about Cosima while Cosima did the same about her. Sarah felt dazed, and she settled on scrawling "She's drunk" before posing for the next picture.
When Cosima had gotten her fill, they took off their hats and put the chalkboards back in place. As they left the room in fits of giggles, Sarah glanced down and saw what Cosima had written on her chalkboard in large, loopy letters:
"She's pretty."
Sarah felt the blush go all the way down to her toes.
Cosima insisted that no wedding celebration was complete without a dance. Ordinarily Sarah would have staunchly protested and insisted that her favorite part of dancing was sitting out, but the alcohol in her blood and the feeling of Cosima's hands on her waist convinced her that just one dance wouldn't be so bad.
Cosima danced like a snake, her hands twining over her head to the rhythm of the music. Sarah did her best to keep up with the beat, relying heavily on the natural sway of her shoulders and the familiar position of her hands in fists near her chest. The flash of the lights, the sinuous swivel of Cosima's body, the heavy thud of the bass in the floor boards flooded her already swirling senses. Sometimes the song would be slow and Cosima would drape her arms loosely around Sarah's neck, resting her head on her shoulder. The warm weight made Sarah feel remarkably at ease.
After a good number of songs, the DJ announced that the newly married couple would be leaving in five minutes. Cosima left to say goodbye to Delphine, then met Sarah outside the building. Everyone had lit sparklers for the sendoff. The crowd cheered as Delphine and Paul made their way down the path to the car, and Sarah smiled at the way the warm light of the sparklers reflected in Cosima's eyes.
Once the car had pulled away, Cosima slumped slightly against Sarah.
"Hey, you okay?" Sarah asked, supporting her weight.
"Hm? Oh yeah, just, like, really really tired."
"Do you have a room here?" Sarah asked. Cosima nodded blearily. "Come on, then," Sarah said, "Let's get you up to bed."
It took Cosima a while to find her purse, and an even longer while to find her the key inside the purse as they stood outside her room. Sarah was about to take over the finding of the cardkey herself when Cosima pulled it out with a flourish.
"Got it! Totally got it."
She fumbled a bit with the lock but finally the door swung open. Cosima didn't even bother with a verbal invitation, instead pulling Sarah inside behind her. Sarah didn't know whether or not to protest, but before she could make up her mind Cosima had turned around and kissed her.
It wasn't a bad kiss, considering Cosima's state of sobriety, but it wasn't exactly fireworks either. They stumbled a little towards the bed and Cosima broke the kiss by flopping down on the mattress in a fit of giggles.
"Alright, I think someone's ready for bed," Sarah said with a small eye roll, but she couldn't help but smile at the ridiculous grin on Cosima's face.
Sarah found pajamas in Cosima's luggage and helped the other woman undress. Her primary focus was in clothing Cosima as quickly and gently as she could, but she couldn't help but note in passing that Cosima had a beautifully toned figure. When her pajamas were finally on, Cosima slid dutifully beneath the covers, nestling into her pillow with a deep sigh.
Sarah grabbed the trashcan from the bathroom and placed it by the bed, just in case. She kissed Cosima's temple, running her hand across her hair briefly.
Sarah found that the couch converted into a pull-out bed, which really wasn't that uncomfortable. She took the liberty of exchanging her dress for another t-shirt in Cosima's bag and thanked the heavens that she had decided to wear underwear tonight. She didn't remember the details of the dream she had that night, but it was tinged with the scent of Cosima's perfume and echoed with her laughter.