"Did you sneak extra vitamins into luggage?" Cosima asked, narrowing her gaze.
"I think the normal amount," Delphine lied.
"If my luggage is over the weight limit, you're paying," she scoffed.
"Deal," Delphine smiled, feeling victorious. She paced the apartment, inspecting everything. "And Alison will water my plants and grab the mail?"
"Yes," Cosima rolled her eyes. They had been through this a million times. She knew Delphine was focused and a planner, but they had never had a trip together so she hadn't realized how much. Delphine had been staying up to date on whether and flight changes. Cosima had shoved everything into her carry on only to have Delphine unpack it all. Delphine had folded their clothes perfectly, made sure their hygiene products were stored safely and the right size. She packed their clothes in the same suitcase, including things like towels and vitamins that Cosima never would have remembered.
She even packed Cosima's carry on full of vitamins, snacks, books and an iPad full of digital movies.
Cosima found herself wondering if Delphine would be the same as Alison if they had kids one day. The realization hit her hard. She had never considered wanting a family with anyone else, but she wanted Delphine to be a mother. And she wanted to be a mother, too.
"What are you doing?" Cosima asked.
"Packing a throw blanket. What if the flight is cold?" Delphine tugged at the hem of her dress. Even in flats, she was so much taller than Cosima.
"That's the only reason? Not a specific deal?" Cosima purred, stepping closer.
Because Delphine got anxious on flights, Cosima promised her that she'd find a way to ease her anxiety. Of course, Cosima knew Delphine would never sneak off to the bathroom, so she had a backup plan. She had convinced Delphine to wear a dress and take the window seat. The blanket sealed the deal as far as Cosima was concerned.
"We've got to go," Delphine whispered, carrying the luggage and the carry on.
"The flight doesn't leave for nearly two hours," Cosima groaned.
"Yes, but this is why you're late. You've to get through security and the baggage and the right gate..."
"Okay, okay. But I'm getting a soft pretzel when we get there," Cosima whispered, reaching for the bags.
"I'll carry the bags," Delphine smirked as she headed to the car.
They got through airport security with enough time to get Cosima a Mexican lunch, frozen yogurt and a soft pretzel to take on the train. "I don't know where you put it," Delphine laughed. "You and your sisters."
"I'm a medical mystery," Cosima smiled. She loved their inside jokes, knowing the none of the crowd would understand what she meant. No one except for Delphine.
"Do you want to switch seats?" Delphine asked, noticing the way that Cosima leaned over her to get a glimpse of the clouds.
"No, no."
"I don't mind the middle seat," Delphine tried.
Cosima let her hand slide under the throw blanket, gently squeezing Delphine's thigh. "Trust me," she purred, her fingertips brushing the thin fabric of her panties.
"I should have known," Delphine pretended to scold, but Cosima felt the blondes body shift, opening herself up for the brunette.
"Baby, why don't you put your head on my shoulder, hmm? We'll watch a movie," Cosima whispered in case anyone was listening to them.
The plan was more successful than Cosima had hoped. The position made Delphine's already quiet moans practically secrets. She let out a small puff of a moan sporadically, something only Cosima could hear. The excitement of being in public combined with Cosima's handiwork sent Delphine over the edge in a matter of minutes.
Cosima didn't remove her hand right away. She loved the feel of Delphine's body as it struggled to regain its composure and eventually as she fell asleep, her head on Cosima's shoulder.
By the time they arrived and got settled into their hotel, it was time for the happy hour.
"I checked, you can have a few drinks and it won't interfere with your medication," Delphine whispered in the elevator.
"I don't need a babysitter, Del."
"No, of course. I was trying to say to enjoy the evening," Delphine's lip formed a tight, straight line. Cosima and her had been getting along so well up until they had walked past the sign for the reunion. If Delphine believed in signs or omens, she would have been worried.
"Cosima Neihaus!" A voice called. It was a man wearing suspenders and a 70's perm.
"Brett, hey!"
"It's been so long! Dreads, pretty cool," he laughed, making the rock and roll sign with one hand. Delphine giggled politely, but inside she was laughing at him; not with him. Even at the same age, he acted like a stepfather trying desperately to look cool in front of his teenage stepdaughter.
"Not for me, still in school. PhD..."
"Not surprised." His attention turned to Delphine, who's deep purple dress made her hazel eyes pop.
"Brett, this is Delphine, my girlfriend."
Delphine shook his hand, pretending not to notice that his hand was sweaty and his handshake felt like a dead fish. "Enchantee, Brett." she smiled politely.
"Wow. She's just about as pretty as Taylor," he chuckled. "Wait til you see her."
"Taylor must be a friend?" She tried to gather information.
"Yeah. We lost touch long ago," Cosima said quickly, shooting Brett a glance she may have missed if she didn't know the truth.
"Shame. I really thought you and her would have stayed in touch all this time," he added. "Oh! Over there!"
Across the room, a tall and slender woman stood at the bar. She had ebony curls and dark brown eyes with red lips. Delphine felt a knot at her stomach. She knew that this was Taylor.
"She's a model now. Signed with some agency," he continued.
"Of course," Delphine couldn't resist. "Such a beautiful woman would have to be a model."
"I'm going to go say hi, get a drink," Cosima whispered. Delphine smiled at the man, preparing to leave with Cosima. "Delphine, why don't you stay here? It'll only take a minute and Brett's got so many stories he could tell you."
Delphine smiled falsely, but Cosima was gone before she even had a chance to reply. Brett's voice faded out as she watched Cosima from across the bar, blushing and talking to Taylor. She stood helpless, watching Cosima look at Taylor the way she once looked at Delphine.