Chapter 3-So Damn Domestic
"I want you to tie me up and take me" Delphine's lips pressed gently against Cosima's ear as she whispered to her. "I want to be under your control; I trust you with all of me."
Cosima gulped and nodded, snaking her arms under Dephine's shirt and up her back, toying teasingly with the strap of her bra before she leaned in to her lover's ear and whispered back "Do you want me to tie you spread eagle to our bed? Is that what you want, you dirty doctor?"
Cosima watched as Delphine's eyes fluttered closed, seeing the effect that her words had on her wife.
"Oui. I need to be wide open to you. Mon Dieu, Cosima, I am so wet. I want you so badly." Delphine's voice cracked, heavy with desire. Her eyes turned up to Cosima's.
Cosima smiled and leaned in, kissing Delphine softly, then aggressively bit her bottom lip. Delphine pressed deeper in to her, letting out a moan.
"You better stay wet for me, then" Cosima instructed.
Delphine nodded and Cosima took a step back, going to the bed and sitting on it before lounging back on her elbows. She watched Delphine, raising an eyebrow . "Strip for me" she instructed.
Delphine felt the heat rising in her body as she slowly unbuttoned the flannel shirt, revealing her black sports bra. She bit her bottom lip as she unbuttoned the khaki pants she'd worn to work that day. The doctor slowly slid them down her body, steeping out of them. She then used a hand to flip her unruly curls up and over her face as she stood up again. She watched Cosima admiring her body.
Cosima's heart was racing, watching Delphine disrobe. She wasn't even fully nude yet, but the girl was anxious with anticipation. Delphine was perfect. She was hard in all the right places, but mostly soft. She was so soft and so warm. Cosima watched as her hips moved so slightly while her wife fumbled with her own bra. Cosima got to her feet, walking over and taking the material from the blonde. She helped it off and over her head, watching as Delphine's perfect breasts fell to her body. She loved seeing them in their natural state. They were perfectly rounded and hung so nicely on Delphine's frame.
The Blonde's nipples were rock solid and Cosima couldn't take her eyes off of them.
"See something you like?" Delphine teased.
Cosima's eyes snapped up to Delphine's face "Huh?" she asked, confused.
Delphine chuckled and brought her face in to kiss it "I love the way you look at me. You make me feel so very beautiful" she confessed.
Cosima's heart melted and she smiled "That's because you are and you deserve to be treated like it" Cosima retorted, placing a hand over Delphine's heart.
"Well right now, I want to be treated like your dirty, dirty girl. Do you want to take control of me?" Delphine asked.
A smiled spread across Cosima's face and she bit her bottom lip in to her mouth "Fuck, I want to so badly."
"Then take me already" Delphine told her.
That was all the encouragement Cosima needed as she wrapped a hand around Delphine's waist, pressing it to the small of her back and pulling her in tightly. She kissed her wife hard, their lips crashing against each other in an intensity that made Delphine shudder in pleasure. Cosima yanked down the fruit of the loom's that were hiding Delphine's cunt and then pressed a firm hand to it, looking up at her for confirmation before continuing.
Delphine gave her a nod with a smile and Cosima pushed a finger inside of her. She immediately felt the blonde doctor's nails dig in her shoulder. Cosima pressed the single digit deeper then gently pulled it out. She made eye contact with Delphine as she brought it to her own lips, then rolled her tongue around it before sucking the entire finger in her mouth and sucking it clean. Delphine's taste was magical. It was smooth and sweet with a slight bite to it; much like Delphine herself. Cosima saw Delphine's knees go weak and took a step towards her, starting to back her up towards the bed.
"Do you want the silk rope or scarves?" she asked, sultry in her voice.
Delphine's chest heaved with breath; causing her breasts to slightly bounce "I want the bite of the rope" she informed her love.
Cosima placed a tender hand on her shoulder and gently pushed the blonde doctor on to the bed. Delphine let herself fall backwards. Cosima gripped the duvet and pulled it clean off the bed, placing it on top of the trunk at the end of their bed as Delphine positioned herself to lie on the pillows.
"You better get comfortable" Cosima instructed "because it might be a while before I'm done with you."
With that, Delphine piled up the pillows and laid on them as she watched Cosima go to her nightstand and search for the rope.
"Another night to order in?" Delphine noted
Cosima chuckled and nodded.
"Pizza or Chinese?" Delphine asked.
"Does it matter right now?" Cosima asked, encircling Delphine's left wrist with the rope, securing it to the bedframe.
Delphine shook her head.
"Good. Because if it did, I might have to punish you. The only thing I want you thinking about right now is how exposed your body is to me and the pulsing in your cunt" Cosima instructed, knowing that this was one of Delphine's ongoing fantasies.
Delphine nodded again as Cosima grabbed her left ankle and secured that to the bed as well. She then went for the right ankle and as soon as it was tied up, her eyes flickered to her wife's pussy. She gulped, feeling herself excite as she noticed the red puff of Delphine's swollen lips and the light glisten, marking her wetness. Delphine was itching for her. She could already imagine the sweet tightness of her lover's insides. She could already imagine the slick hardness of Delphine's clit in her mouth. She couldn't wait to tease her endlessly, have her begging for release time and time again.
The temperature rising caused Cosima to pull off her own shirt and pants, leaving her half naked and in her undies. She mounted Delphine's waist as she made quick work of tying up Delphine's right hand, making sure to sway her breasts in the blonde's face. She sat up when her work was done and looked down at Delphine.
"Happy now?" she asked
"Tellement" Delphine told her "Please touch me, Cosima."
Cosima smiled "Oh, Delphine, Delphine, Delphine, who's in control here?" she asked.
"You, you are in control" Delphine responded.
"That's right. So who decides when you get touched?" Cosima purred.
"You do" Delphine responded.
Cosima reached down to flick one of Delphine's nipples with her index finger, making the woman moan and buck her hips. "That's right, I am in control. And maybe I'll leave you here writhing while I, I don't know…read a book?" she threatened.
"You wouldn't!" Delphine exclaimed with wide eyes.
Cosima chuckled as she lowered herself to lie on top of Delphine "No, I wouldn't, but you thought about it" she noted.
Delphine's head shot back as Cosima took a rock hard nipple in to her mouth, rolling it around.
"Please Cosima! I need you" she panted
"You know I didn't think it would take this long for you to beg" Cosima expressed.
Delphine pouted and Cosima quickly covered her lips with her own, letting her hands explore the planes of Delphine's lithe body. As her tongue danced across Delphine's, she ran a finger gently up Delphine's slit, relishing in the sensation of the juices that coated it. She could feel the small puffs of air from Delphine's moans into her mouth. She found her lover's clit and just let her finger linger over it.
Cosima broke their kiss to lower her head to gently kiss Delphine's neck, her hand leaving Delphine's clit to coil backwards. She felt Delphine's body tense as she knew what was to come. Cosima let her hand go, giving Delphine's clit a little slap, making her lover jump, buck, and moan; her hips, pulsating now as Cosima's hand pressed against her, feeling the outpouring of liquid.
Cosima's eyes shot open and she sighed, rolling on to her back, squinting to make out the world around her. She was so very comfortable, feeling the weight of a familiar arm around her waist. She looked over and saw Delphine, fast asleep next to her and she smiled at the peace on her face. Cosima yawned and reached for her glasses, putting them on and taking a look around.
She lay in bed, unable to stop herself from smiling as she looked at the ceiling and bare walls of their new bedroom, from the comfort of their most recent furniture purchase: a king sized luxury bed.
It had been a week since they had left Iceland and with the generous salary DYAD had provided them, were able to put down a hefty down payment on a house close to the University of Toronto. After much deliberation (and much to Delphine and Cosima's delight), it was decided that Charlotte would live with them and attend the University, along with Cosima who would finish her PhD remotely, while using the University's lab. U of T was delighted to help such an esteemed student. In turn, Delphine had taken a temporary job as a family doctor at a local clinic.
Cosima sighed, thinking it all over in her head. Everything was turning out so well; although, the real test was still ahead. Today, she, Charlotte, and Delphine would tackle Ikea. She'd heard the horror stories of other couples who enter what they call the pit of relationship despair. She chuckled softly. It seemed so silly compared to what they'd been through. Still, they were in dire need of furnishings beyond the beds they had bought the day after they moved in. Cosima had lost everything at her old apartment that had been left behind when she had not shown up or paid the rent in 2 months. The same had happened to Delphine. They'd found out when they had called their landlords to look in to moving their stuff out. After that, they had to start from the ground up.
Cosima rubbed Delphine's arm softly, turning over the list of things they needed to buy in her head. As she was thinking, she noticed how wet her PJs were, her mind then jogged back to the dream. She felt the heat rise and leaned over, kissing Delphine's shoulder. When Delphine didn't respond, she aimed higher, going to kiss her face. As soon as her lips connected, Delphine sucked in a breath and yawned, her eyes squinting open to Cosima's face.
Delphine's first vision as she woke was of Cosima's warm, sweet face. She smiled and ran a hand through her hair.
"Ma belle! How late did I sleep in?" she asked.
Cosima shrugged and grabbed her phone, looking at the time "It's only 10" she noted.
"Only?" Delphine's eyes shot open "Half the day is gone!"
Cosima chuckled and kissed her softly "Want to waste more of it in bed with me?"
Delphine softened and kissed Cosima sweetly, cupping her cheeks "I would love to, mon amour but we have so much we need to do today. Tonight?"
"Okay, but there are no guarantees we won't rip each other to pieces before then. Might want to get me while I'm hot" she joked.
"Cosima, you are always hot" Delphine joked back.
"Touché. Well, how about just a taste, then?" she asked, running a hand over the crotch of Delphine's boxers.
The blonde inhaled sharply, swallowing and coming to face the desire in Cosima's eyes. She caved, reaching up and grabbing the back of Cosima's neck to pull her in to a deep kiss. Delphine quickly rid herself of the boxers, never breaking her lips contact with Cosima. They had been so busy this week that they had yet to make love to each other. In fact, they hadn't since before Delphine joined Topside. Cosima felt the weight of the 2 months without each other build up a pressure in both her mind and body.
Cosima's hands eagerly peeled off Delphine's top as the blonde reached to cup one of Cosima's breasts in her hand.
Cosima had always slept naked, loving the feel of the sheets on her skin. Delphine however, liked her lower body covered. Still, she left her top half nude in order to sleep skin to skin with Cosima. It had been this way ever since they had made the decision to move in together. Cosima prayed that this would continue, since she hadn't slept this well in years. She felt so at peace wrapped up in Delphine, feeling the doctor's bare chest pressed to her back. Delphine would rub her tummy in her sleep and it gave Cosima warm fuzzies just thinking about it.
The gasp that escaped her mouth as her girlfriend's hand made contact was so heavy and thick that she didn't even know it was hers. The sound waves echoed through Delphine's mouth and throat, only to escape back in to her own mouth in a quick series of vibrations. She shivered and her skin instantly turned to goosebumps. She broke the kiss and looked down at Delphine.
"Are you sure you want to?" she asked
Delphine nodded and smiled "Je suis certaine, especially after that warm up" she joked. "Are you?"
Cosima gulped and felt the pressure of months sit on her, felt the pressure of their trust issues, felt the pressure of the heartbreak, and the torment of the betrayal. She bit her bottom lip and hung her head, rubbing her palm against it, fighting the tears.
Delphine swallowed hard but rubbed Cosima's neck "It's ok Cosima. We can take this slow. We knew it would be hard."
Cosima shook her head and hugged Delphine hard "I just want it to be like it was our last time in the lab, but it can't. Too much had happened and… and I just…"
"Shh, it's okay. We'll get there again. I know I...I know things got very confusing and it doesn't help us now, but just keep talking to me and I promise to keep talking to you. As much as I love being with you like that, I don't want anything to do with it until you're ready. Until you feel secure and comfortable, and confident in us. I don't want parts of you. I want to love all of you all at once." Delphine confessed, kissing Cosima's temple. "Your emotional safety is just as important to me as your physical safety."
Cosima nodded and let her tears fall into Delphine's shoulder, taking comfort in her words. She was right. Any sex they had while she was still feeling this way would be empty, void of the deep, heavy emotions she felt for Delphine in her core. Any sex they had right now would make her feel icky. She didn't want to feel that way with Delphine ever again. She sniffled.
"How do you feel about it all?" Cosima wondered, whispering the question in to Delphine's neck.
Delphine put a strong hand on the back of Cosima's head and whispered in response "I think I need some time too. All this domesticity and moving in together and buying a house and having a child that we are responsible for is a lot. I think we both need the time to wrap our minds around it all, settle in, get to know each other again. Like I said, let's just keep talking to each other, ask any questions we have when we have …"
She was promptly cut off by Cosima "Did you sleep with anyone else?"
"No" Delphine stated without hesitation "From the moment you first kissed me until the moment by moment beating of my heart right now, you are all I think about. You and your sisters have been my priority and although my methods might not have always been the best, my intentions have always been for the love and protection of all of you."
"I know that now, but in the moment. God Delphine, I hated you. I felt so betrayed" Cosima stated, raising her hand as she talked. "And it destroyed me" her bottom lip quivered and her hand came down to rest it's finger tips against her forehead. "Then I thought you were dead and…I almost ended it. It was so confusing. I told myself I hated you because it was so logical, but I never stopped loving you."
Delphine took a deep breath, stroking Cosima's dreads "And Shay?"
"She was a distraction." Cosima admitted through tears. "I thought it would do me some good to get back out there, try to forget you" she confessed. "But it only made things worse. She was glaringly not you. It's not to say I didn't have feelings for her, but they just…they were on the surface. I had told myself that you and I were over. She was a compromise and it was a shitty thing to do to her, but at the time it felt like it was the right thing"
"I know that feeling all too well" Delphine noted, reaching for Cosima's hand and gently intertwining their fingers.
Cosima nodded, pulling out of the hug to leave a soft peck on Delphine's lips. She lay down, pulling Delphine to her as the blonde rested her head on Cosima's shoulder. Cosima wrapped herself around Delphine. They linked hands again, Cosima playing with Delphine's long, slender fingers.
"What do you want out of life, Delphine?" Cosima asked, it being a question that she'd been turning around in her head. It was something they had never really talked about.
Delphine smiled against her girlfriend's skin, a vivid image coming to mind. She closed her eyes.
"I want a family with you. I want to surround ourselves with love and people and books. I want to raise beautiful, wise children with you by my side. I want to see my parents again. Mon Dieu, I haven't seen them in…years. Maman is probably beside herself. I stopped calling and answering her calls. It just seemed easier that way with…what I was doing. " She smiled and sniffled back a few tears. "I want to do something to make them and myself proud. I want to teach. I don't really care what. But above all of this, I want to be with you, I want you to be safe and happy and feel loved and built up to your true strength. So the real answer to the question is: I want what you want. Whatever that may be"
Cosima shook her head "That's not fair to me or to you. If we're going to do this, Delphine, you need to stop putting me first. I need you to put yourself first. We'll help each other take care of ourselves, but we are our own people with our own desires."
Delphine's mind turned around that concept. It was contrary to everything she knew about love. Partners were supposed to take care of each other and sacrifice for each other. How could she put herself first?
"I don't think I understand that" Delphine confessed.
Cosima nodded "I know. Just think about it, okay?"
Delphine nodded, the wheels still turning in her mind.
Cosima kissed Delphine's cheek softly and sighed "I love you"
"Je t'aime aussi" Delphine returned.
"Well, we should probably get up" Cosima noted, giving Delphine another quick kiss before pulling herself up out of bed and to her feet. She padded over to their ensuite bathroom to empty her bladder.
Delphine watched her ass sway as she walked out of the room and took a deep breath before forcing herself out of their comfortable bed. She went to her suitcase and pulled out clothes for the day.
"We'll need to make sure we make a list of everything we need" Delphine elevated her voice so Cosima could hear.
"Yeah, I don't want to have to make like 8 trips" Cosima answered back. She coughed.
"We'll have to make sure to get Charlotte a good desk. She'll need something substantial for her studies" Delphine noted.
Cosima stared down at her hand, covered in blood. She swallowed hard, tasting copper.
"Cosima?" Delphine called out when her girlfriend didn't answer.
Cosima reached for the toilet paper, wiping her hand and mouth clean, and clueing in to Delphine's voice "Uh, yeah. For sure."
Delphine popped her head in the bathroom "Are you okay?" she asked.
Cosima nodded. She didn't want to worry Delphine. She'd had enough of being mothered by her lover and just wanted things to be normal again. Maybe this was just a lingering cough and was the blip at the end of it all. After all, she was cured.
"Yeah, just got lost in my own head. You know me" she covered.
Delphine smiled and nodded, going back to finish getting dressed.
Cosima finished on the toilet and washed her hands, brushing her teeth and splashing her face with water. Delphine came in and started on her makeup.
They did the dance of their morning routine with Delphine finishing first and descending the stairs to Charlotte standing at the kitchen island, nose in a book as she eats a yogurt cup.
[Author's Note: English translations in bold]
"C'est tout que tu as mangé ce matin? That's all you've eaten this morning?" Delphine asked the girl, opening the fridge and grabbing an apple. She leaned against the counter, taking a bite and crossing her arms.
Charlotte nodded "Je ne voulais pas vous dérangez. I didn't want to disturb you guys."
Delphine smiled and walked up to the girl "C'est ta maison aussi, Charlotte. Nous voulons que vous vous sentiez à l'aise ici. It's your home too, Charlotte. We want you to feel comfortable here." Delphine put a hand on her shoulder.
Charlotte looked up at her and nodded "Je sais, mais je ne suis pas habitué à être libre de faire ce que je veux. I know, but I'm just not used to being free to do what I want. "
Cosima came downstairs, unable to stop herself from checking out Delphine in those tight black jeans with the tucked in white button down. She bit her bottom lip and smiled, descending the last step.
"Char, glad you're up. Ready for a big Ikea day?" she asked.
Charlotte turned her attention from Delphine to her older sister and smiled "Do I really get to pick out my own stuff?" she asked excitedly
Cosima chuckled "Well yeah, it's hard to make something your room without you picking it all out."
Delphine turned and smile at Cosima, tossing her the apple she'd taken a single bite out of "We should grab breakfast on the road" she stated.
Cosima caught it and smiled, bringing it to her lips and taking a bite out of it "Yeah. Probably do some groceries soon too" she noted, chewing.
Charlotte winced at the apple bite "Je sais que vous vous aimez et tous, mais ack, il y a des fois que vous êtes déglace. I know that you guys are in love and all, but yuck, there are times you are disgusting. "
Delphine belly laughed and walked up to Charlotte, resting a hand on her shoulder "Un de ces jours, tu sauras comment il se sent. One of these days, you'll know how it feels."
"Sometimes I wonder if I'll forever be in the black when you two are together" Cosima sighed.
Delphine winked at Charlotte "Shall we go?" she asked, looking up.
Cosima nodded, heading to the door as she grabbed her purse off the banister and slipped her shoes on, a Canadian custom Allison had accustomed her to. Frankly she now loved slipping off her shoes and walking around barefoot in her home.
Delphine and Charlotte followed, Charlotte sitting on the second step of the stairs to pull her shoes on and Delphine grabbing her keys and wallet from the top of the cardboard box they were using as a temporary entry table. She was excited to get furniture in the space, and even more excited to not have to use the plastic utensils any more. Allison had offered to lend them a few things, but they declined, knowing that they would acquire their own things within the week. She was happy that it was finally happening.
Delphine ran a hand through her hair as Charlotte stepped out the door. She followed and locked it behind her.
Delphine climbed in to the driver's seat and started the car as Cosima pulled out the note pad and pen she kept in her purse and the three of them made a list of things to buy while they were out.
"Don't forget we've got everyone coming over tomorrow night for that housewarming party Allison insisted on" Cosima reminded her partner.
Delphine nodded "We'll have to pick up wine. I think it's a great idea, get Charlotte introduced to the rest of the family."
Cosima smiled and nodded. They were family, weren't they? All of them. She smiled, thinking of how great it would be for Charlotte to grow up in that space; how great it would be for her kids to grow up surrounded by loved ones. She looked to Delphine and smiled, resting a hand on her thigh.
"Yeah, you're right" she noted.
"I'll get to meet Kira?" Charlotte asked from the back seat.
Cosima turned her head around to see Charlotte in the back seat, a look of glee on her face. She smiled.
"Yeah. And Oscar and Gemma. Your nieces and nephew, I guess" she noted.
"Yeah, but I like to call them my cousins. I've wanted to meet them so badly" she admitted.
"Demain" Delphine promised.
Charlotte nodded and sat back in her seat. She stared at the back of Cosima's head, and then looked down to her braid.
"Cosima?"Charlotte asked
"Yeah?" Cosima answered
"Why is your hair like that?" the younger clone wondered.
Cosima took a deep breath.
Delphine paid close attention, never having asked Cosima that herself, but wondering the answer. She expected her girlfriend to tell the young clone that she liked it that way or that she thought it was cool. She didn't expect this answer.
"Well, honestly my dad never knew how to do anything else with long hair" she told her counterpart.
"Didn't your mom help?" she asked
"I didn't have a mom. I grew up with two dads. Dad and Papa. Papa was always at work early. He was a marine biologist who studied the tides' effects on marine life and so had to be up early. Dad always got me ready for school" she explained, basking in the memory of her parents.
"You have two dads?" Charlotte half exclaimed, half asked.
" Well, I had two dads. I've only got one now" she admitted, pain in her voice.
"What happened?" Charlotte asked
"My Dad was born in Haiti. To this day there's still a huge HIV outbreak there. He got infected before he came to the States. He met my Dad at a coffee shop" she smiled "He always told me that he knew the moment they locked eyes that this was the man of his dreams. Papa took care of Dad until he was buried. He worked hard. Dad always wanted kids. They had me through a surrogate. Papa loved me, but I was the apple of Dad's eye. I was seven when he died. Papa dedicated himself to science from that point. I remember thinking that he would die of a broken heart. I had a bag packed and everything in case I had to be on my own. But the science saved him and I let it save me" she took a deep breath "Dad always loved my hair and the last time I talked to him…" Cosima's eyes watered and she took a breath, feeling Delphine squeeze her thigh in comfort "…he told me that dreadlocks were a sign of power in his home village and that every morning when he groomed me, he poured all of his love and power in to my dreads, hoping it would be enough to get me through this world. He told me that he was so proud of me and who I had become; that I would do great things and be a powerful woman, that the world needed powerful women. And then he told me that he loved me. Ever since, I've been taking care of them just like he taught me. Every morning, pouring my own love for myself and feelings of power in to them."
"Cosima, I never knew…" Delphine whispered.
Cosima wiped away the tears "It's okay, I haven't told anyone about it in a very long time."
"Where's your Papa now?" Charlotte asked
Cosima smiled "He's retired, still living in San Fran. I call him once a month. He's been begging me to come visit and I feel bad but I just haven't had the time or the money" she admitted.
"I guess we both owe our parents a visit" Delphine noted, turning in to the parking lot.
Charlotte looked down "What happened to my mom?" she wondered, all of this talk about parents hitting a soft spot in her.
"Marion…" Delphine whispered as she put the car in park. She took out the keys and turned to look back at the young girl. "I am so sorry Charlotte, I had not even thought about her. I…I don't know what happened to her"
"Is she dead? If she is, just tell me. I just want to know" Charlotte asked of her new guardian. Although Marion was her adoptive mother, the only one she had known, she did not have many positive feelings for the woman. She had always kept the girl at arm's length, never being particularly warm. Yes, she was cared for by the best nannies and attended the best schools, but it was all meaningless without the love of a parent. Either way, she wanted to know. The woman was still important to her. If she was alive, there was a good chance that she would try to come and claim Charlotte; take her away from her new-found family.
Cosima looked to Delphine who seemed to be stumped for an answer "Delphine?"
"I don't know. All I know is that she went underground" she noted.
Cosima nodded and turned back to Charlotte "We'll find out. As soon as we get the house set up, I'll have a few weeks before school starts and will get Cal's help to hack every mainframe I need to in order to find out, okay?" she asked, reaching over to give Charlotte's good knee a little shake.
Charlotte smiled and nodded.
"But for now, how about we hop in and get some meatballs for breakfast?" Cosima suggested.
Charlotte chuckled and hopped out of the car.
Delphine rubbed Cosima's knee "Thank you"
"Anytime, Dr. Cormier" Cosima teased before hopping out of the car.
"So, can I get a big book case?" Charlotte asked
"Go wild" Cosima told her. "We're spending DYAD money today"
"Yes" The girl pumped her fists.
Delphine smiled, bumping shoulders with Cosima.
After 6 hours and 2 meals in Ikea, all 3 of them found themselves sprawled in the living room, the space covered in paper instructions, cardboard and allen keys- the notes and melodies of a French ballad in the background. Cosima rubbed her eyes under her glasses and put down the wrench.
"Fuck it!" she exclaimed in frustration.
"Cosima, little ears" Delphine chastised.
"I've heard it before" Charlotte mentions, turning her attention back to the front entrance table she was putting together.
"That's not the point" Delphine noted.
"C'mon Delphine, who cares if she swears? It's not a big deal. You know science has proven it's cathartic. All though nothing can provide enough catharsis to get me over the frustration of this fucking table!" Cosima exclaimed, kicking the wrench across the floor and sitting down "It must be defective"
Delphine took a deep breath "We clearly have very different parenting methods. And I told you to follow the instructions."
"Yeah, maybe we do. And I tried. All their pictures with the stupid fucking bubble dude don't make any sense. I'm not some master builder over here. Fuck, whose idea was it to buy everything from Ikea anyways?" She asked
"Language! And it was yours, Cosima. It'll be fun, like Legos you said. I think you just wanted meatballs" Delphien teased, much to Charlotte's delight.
Cosima's nostrils flared.
"Oh come on, Cosima. Just read the directions. It's easy" she said, taking the directions and looking them over.
"Don't belittle me" Cosima fumed.
Delphine looked up at her and cocked her head "Well if you had listened to me in the first place, we would have had someone come and put it together for us."
"This was supposed to be family bonding time" Cosima blurted angrily.
"Well your mouth isn't exactly family friendly now, is it?"
"Hey! You're not my mother. And if you think you can put it together, then fine. Go right ahead. I'm going to take a fucking bath. Yes, I said fucking. Deal with it!" Cosima stood up and stormed off.
"Cosima…" Delphine called after her, rolling her eyes, then putting her hands on her hips.
Cosima ignored her and stomped upstairs.
"Well that was dumb" Charlotte noted, setting the small table on its feet and getting to her own to admire her handy work.
Delphine shook her head and took over Cosima's job on the kitchen table "She can be so stubborn sometimes" she noted.
"Peut-être qu'elle n'est pas seule. Maybe she's not alone'' Charlotte noted.
Delphine gulped, knowing it was the truth. She looked at her watch and saw how late it was. It had been a long day. They had gotten most of the furniture together, including their entire office, the spare room, Charlotte's room, the bathrooms, and all of the peripherals. All that was left was the kitchen table, the coffee table, and the couch. Delphine looked around the room, surrounded by large bookshelves, just waiting to house thousands of volumes. She looked to the kitchen; now home to three barstools perched under the island. In the living room were the end tables Charlotte had put together that would bookend their new couch. They had covered a lot of ground and their home had started to come together. She took a deep breath, understanding Cosima's frustration after such a long, work-filled day. She grimaced as she realized that she'd indeed antagonized her overwhelmed and frustrated girlfriend. Maybe she was frustrated and tired herself.
"Nous devrions prendre une pause. Manger un souper. We should take a break. Eat some supper.'' Delphine noted to Charlotte.
Charlotte nodded "Peut-être commander du chinois. Maybe order some Chinese.''
Delphine smiled "Clever girl."
Delphine pulled out her cell and dialed the number. She hated ordering Chinese-Canadian food. She found it greasy and lacking in nutritional content, but it was Cosima's favourite. She could tolerate it and even had come to like a couple of the dishes. It would definitely work as a peace offering. She placed the order, hung up, and smiled at Charlotte.
"Trente minutes. Aide-moi à finir de construire cette table? Thirty minutes. Help me finish constructing this table?" Delphine asked of her ward.
Charlotte smiled and nodded "You should bring her a glass of wine too" she offered, holding up a piece for Delphine to tighten the bolt.
"I clearly need to keep you around for Cosima romance tips" Delphine praised.
Charlotte beamed proudly "I'm observant"
"Cheeky, just like your sister" Delphine retorted.
They made quick work of the table, and then started on the chairs. Delphine, with Charlotte's help put four of the eight they bought together before calling it quits on the Ikea building for now. Together they put the table cloth on, set the table, and Delphine lit candles, taking a bottle of wine out to breathe.
Charlotte looked at the table and smiled "I've never had a family dinner like this" she noted.
"We've had family dinners the past week and a half" Delphine noted.
"But those were out. I've never sat down at my table, at home, with my family and just…ate. My mother would always take her dinners late, after I was in bed and the few times we did eat together, she was always on her cell phone. It'll be nice." She noted
"Demain, je vais cuisiner pour toute notre famille et on va nous nous assoir à un bon repas ensemble. Tomorrow, I will cook for our whole family and we'll all sit down to a good meal together." Delphine promised the young girl "Et je te promets qu'au moins une fois par semaine, nous mangerons ensemble à la table. D'accord? And I promise you that at least once a week, we'll eat together at the table. Okay?"
Charlotte nodded "D'accord."
Delphine hugged her and planted a kiss on her forehead "You're one of us now and we're going to make sure…I'm going to make sure that you get the childhood you deserve. Now go wash up for dinner. I'm going to talk to your sister, try and call a truce."
"Good luck" Charlotte told her, giving her another hug before she limped up the stairs.
Delphine watched her go, happy to be able to provide for the youngster. She turned and poured a glass of wine for Cosima. She picked it up and headed upstairs. She turned towards their bedroom door and slowly pushed it open, stepping inside. She found the room empty so she continued towards the bathroom. Peeking inside, she saw Cosima in the tub. She saw the woman open her mouth to speak and held the glass of wine out.
"Red wine flag. I call a cease fire" Delphine attempted.
Cosima seemed to be okay with it since she just closed her mouth. Delphine walked over to the tub and sat on the edge, handing Cosima the glass. Cosima took it and downed the entire glass in one gulp.
"Guess I should have brought you the bottle" Delphine teased.
Cosima shot her daggers.
"I know, no time for jokes. I'm sorry Cosima. I didn't mean to belittle you. It's just been a long day" Delphine admitted.
Cosima nodded and took a deep breath "I'm sorry too. I tend to get quite worked up and emotional when I'm frustrated. I needed a moment"
Delphine reached down to play with the bubbly bath water and closed her eyes, taking a deep inhale "I remember smelling this on your skin frequently. What is it?" she asked.
"Rice milk and mallow" Cosima answered, handing her the bottle "It's my favourite."
Delphine smiled, turning the bottle over in her hand "Charlotte and I finished the table and a few chairs. Cosima, I think we need to pay special attention to her. She's missed out on a lot and I don't want her to miss out anymore"
Cosima nodded "We can't treat her like a little kid though, Delphine"
"But she is, Cosima she is only 8 years old" Delphine noted.
"She may be 8, but she's got the mind of a 30 year old. Besides, shielding her from the world isn't protecting her or helping her. I don't want to be Allison" she told Delphine.
"You are right. I have this idea of what a parent is and I think I was just acting that out. I'm a little lost in all of this" Delphine admitted.
"What was that? I'm right? Dr. Cormier, did you just admit that?" Cosima teased.
Delphine splashed her playfully "Goof"
Cosima laughed and reached for Delphine's hand, holding it "I give us props, we at least made it out of the store without a fight. That's more than most couples can say"
The doorbell rang and Delphine sprung up "I have to get that"
"We're not expecting anyone" Cosima noted, confused.
"Well I am, a certain Mr. Fung" she tossed out as she left the bathroom.
"Vixen" Cosima chided under her breath as she stood up to dry off before stepping out of the tub.
She dressed in a pair of sweat shorts, a loose fitting red t-shirt and put on her long striped cardigan over it all. She slid in to her slippers and headed downstairs. She stopped midway down to look around. It was home. Her eyes fell to the perfectly set table that Charlotte and Delphine sat at, pulling the food out of the paper bags. She looked to the kitchen, whose glass cabinet doors now peered in to cabinets full of dishes and food. Then her eyes fell on the living room with its large book cases soon to be filled. She smiled and descended the last few steps, walking over to Delphine and wrapping her arms around her neck, leaning in and kissing her face as she rested her chin on her girlfriend's shoulder.
"This is our home" she beamed.
"Do you like it?" Delphine asked
"I love everything about it" Cosima informed her, giving her a kiss on the temple before she sat down to the meal.
Delphine poured each of them a glass of wine and then Charlotte a glass of the sparkling lingonberry juice they'd picked up. Charlotte raised her glass.
"I propose a toast" she told her guardians who also raised their glasses. "To home, family, and the beginning of everything"
"Here, here!" Cosima seconded.
They all clinked glasses and sipped their beverages.
Dinner was filled with laughter and light teasing, along with a full re-enactment of Delphine and Cosima's fight earlier. It was a Charlotte production, where Delphine was played by an egg roll with chow mein hair and Cosima, a chicken ball. They all ate until they were stuffed. Cosima was the first to get up and clear the debris from the new fluffy rug on the living room floor so that she could lie down on her back, stretching out. Charlotte then followed. Cosima brought the girl to her and Charlotte happily snuggled up. Delphine then joined them, lying next to Charlotte. They laid there, silently digesting for a few minutes.
"Are you guys going to get married?" Charlotte asked.
Delphine and Cosima looked at each other. Delphine's face went soft, wondering what Cosima's answer would be.
"I think so" Cosima noted.
Delphine smiled at her and winked.
Charlotte, still staring at the ceiling asked another question "After you get married, are you going to have a baby?"
Cosima this time raised her eyebrows at Delphine who smiled.
"Yes. But not for a little while" Delphine too her turn and answered.
"Good. You will make great moms" Charlotte noted.
Cosima's heart melted in her chest and she held Charlotte a little tighter. Delphine felt tears in her eyes. It was the best compliment that she'd ever been given.
"Well right now, we have you to give all of our attention and love to" Cosima noted.
"I don't need much" Charlotte informed them.
"We plan on giving you more than you need" Delphine told her.
"Yeah. If it gets too much, tell us to stop but we're going to fill up that empty love meter of yours" Cosima told her, turning on her side to prop herself up on her elbow.
Charlotte giggled "I think it's pretty full already. Thank you for everything. For saving me, for today, for being here, for being you."
Cosima smiled and looked to Delphine who proped herself up as well.
"You are more than welcome but you know, there's only one way to seal up a nice, full love meter" Cosima noted.
"Yeah? How?" Charlotte asked with a giggle
"With big cheek kisses. You game?" she asked.
Charlotte giggled and nodded. Cosima and Delphine each leaned in to plant a big kiss on each of her cheeks. She felt safe and loved. She felt at home. She wanted to remember this moment forever; here, on the floor of this half-furnished living room with the smell of new textiles, wood, and Chinese food in the air.
It wasn't long before she was showered and tucked in bed, cuddled in to Cosima who was reading her a few chapters from Nancy Drew (Cosima's admitted favourite series growing up). They had stayed up late to put the rest of the furniture together, leaving only the art to hang in the morning. Cosima had suggested the blonde go unwind with a hot bath while she tucked Charlotte in.
The brunette felt Charlotte's body get heavy and limp mid-chapter so she bookmarked the page and just laid with her little sister a while longer. It was terrifying, knowing Charlotte was her responsibility but it was made okay by Delphine's aid. She wanted more than anything to not screw up this little girl. She kissed Charlotte's forehead and told herself that she needed to do everything in her power not to screw this up. She slowly got up and laid the young girls' head on the pillow softly before pulling up the blankets. She looked around the room. The large desk and empty bookcases fit with Charlotte's persona. There were also a couple boxes, filled with toys and dress up costumes, an easel, and a play table all ready to be enjoyed. It all made Cosima smile. She turned on the night light and turned off the main light, closing Charlotte's door as she left. She headed downstairs to clean up.
Delphine brushed her damp curls, having already pulled on a pair of loose fitting boxers she'd been borrowing from Cosima. She closed her eyes when she finished and took a deep breath. It had been a good day. Such a change from the life her and Cosima were living before she was shot. She looked at the scar in the mirror. It was an angry flash of light skin, raised in the pattern of an explosion. She remembered the feeling less than fondly and was happy to be where she was. She grabbed her toothbrush, squeezing some paste onto it, and started brushing her teeth. Cosima entered and stripped. Delphine leaned against the bathroom door frame, allowing the shorter woman to pass in to the room.
"Downstairs is cleaned up and dishes are done. Remind me to vacuum before people get here" Cosima told her, reaching for her own tooth brush.
Delphine nodded and smiled at Cosima.
"Wha'?" Cosima asked through the toothbrush in her mouth.
Delphine leaned over and spat out her mouthful of mint. "T'es adorable" she complimented before returning her brush to her mouth.
Cosima smiled and turned a deep shade of red. They made eyes at each other until Delphine was finished and rinsed her mouth. She braced a foot on her shin and crossed her arms as she leaned into the door frame, watching Cosima.
"I like that you asked Charlotte for consent before kissing her. I think it's important that we continue that"
"Oh, tottawy" Cosima nodded, her eyebrows stitching together. She leaned over and rinsed out her own mouth, putting her tooth brush away. Cosima looked in the mirror, taking off her glasses and pumping a few squirts of makeup remover in to her palm. She lathered it between her hands and the scrubbed her face with the lather. "I think it's so important to teach her about that now. That her body is her own and that she's allowed to say no" Cosima noted, closing her eyes to remove her eye liner.
The doctor nodded "I agree." Delphine's head cocked sideways and she paused for a moment. "Do you really want to marry me?"
"Of course" Cosima told her, rinsing off her face, and grabbing the hand towel to dry it off. She tossed the towel in the hamper and pulled out a new one, hanging it up. "I want to get settled first though, I think before we do anything, we need to get through tomorrow and have a nice long talk about parenthood. Before I marry you, Delphine. I want to be on the same page."
Delphine smiled and nodded "I've been thinking a lot about what you said; about us being our own people and I think I want to keep my last name"
Cosima smiled "Of course! But…would you mind if I took it?" Cosima asked "I've always loved it"
"Really? You would want to do that?" Delphine asked, shocked.
Cosima nodded and stepped closer "Yeah. I think Cosima Cormier sounds sexy. Besides, that would make me Dr. Cormier in a few months. That means our mail would come addressed to Dr. & Dr. Cormier"
Delphine chuckled and wrapped her arms around Cosima's waist as she approached. "I would love for you to take my name" she told her girlfriend.
Cosima hugged her, letting their bodies lay flush together. Cosima let out a soft cough, tasting the blood but refusing to let it escape her mouth. She swallowed it down. Delphine heard but chose to ignore it, knowing that if something were wrong, Cosima would tell her.
Cosima sighed "I'm so tired."
"I think it's bed time for both of us" the blonde doctor commented.
Cosima nodded "Remember when you carried me for a kilometer?" she asked.
Delphine chuckled "That was fueled by adrenaline. I doubt I could do it now"
"Darn" Cosima pouted. "Guess I'll have to walk to bed like any other human"
"I guess so" Delphine commented with a twinkle in her voice.
Cosima pulled out of the hug reluctantly "Join me?" she asked
"Right behind you, mon amour" Delphine responded.
Cosima let go and walked over, falling in to bed and turning on the reading light they'd mounted to the wall. Delphine turned out the light and joined her, sliding between the sheets to wrap an arm around Cosima's stomach and bring their bodies flush against each other. Cosima fidgeted with her pillow for a while until she settled and sighed.
"Goodnight Delphine" she whispered.
"Goodnight Cosima" Delphine responded.
Cosima turned her head sideways and leaned back as Delphine leaned forward, capturing her lips in a soft kiss.
A/N: I hope that the bold translation method worked out like I hoped it would. Please let me know your thoughts on it, and if there is a method you think would improve it. I thought that this chapter would get a little further than this, as we have yet to get to the main story element but I felt like this was a necessary part of the story telling. Either way, it's a sweet little chapter that gives a little insight in to some of my personal thoughts on character's backstories. I have no timeline for when the next chapter will be out, but I am hoping that it will be in the next week. Thank you for everyone reading reviews, commenting, leaving kudos, or even just reading. Thanks for sharing this little fantasy world with me. I hope you all enjoyed.