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Chapter Text

Saturday was Cosima’s favourite day of the week because Saturday in the Niehaus-Cormier household was a chill day. It was all about kicking back and doing whatever they wanted.

On this particular Saturday, Cosima wanted nothing more than to recline back on her couch and watch some trash TV. 

Cosima grimaced at the television, her thumb hammering down on the remote control buttons, flicking through the same channels for the third time. 

‘I honestly don’t know why we pay for cable, there’s never anything to watch,’ Cosima huffed, settling for some mediocre horror movie that she had already seen. 

Delphine looked up from the books she was marking, she had the weekend to get through at least half of her students papers, but trying to do anything whilst Cosima was bored was extremely challenging. 

‘You could work on your dissertation, if you’re bored,’ Delphine responded tapping the pen against her lips in deep thought, before scribbling something down on the paper in front of her. 

Cosima’s eyebrows furrowed at Delphine’s suggestion and she turned her head to look at her. ‘God no, I need a day off from staring at my laptop…I swear the words lately look all jumbled together,’ she mumbled reaching over and snatching the paper from Delphine’s lap. ‘Wow, does this girl seriously dot her ‘I’s’ with hearts? I thought that was some 90s rom-com bullshit.’

‘Hey, come on. I have so much left to do Cosima, give it back,’ Delphine pleaded, shooting Cosima her best mock glare. ‘And yes, you’d be surprised at how many of them think it makes their writing look more cute and endearing.’

Cosima sniggered in amusement and rolled her eyes, handing the paper back. ‘Delphine, it’s Saturday, you are meant to be watching this shitty movie with me, not marking the papers of these science-wannabe students.’ 

Delphine glanced over at the tv. The movie had reached a pinnacle point of the killer breaking into some girl’s house and grabbing a kitchen knife. 

‘Rookie mistake… I mean who leaves a knife block in clear view like that?’ Cosima shook her head, sinking back into the couch. ‘I bet under that mask it’s her boyfriend…predictable and totally unoriginal,’ Cosima chuckled, her eyes glued to the screen. 

Delphine snickered inattentively and once again began marking her exam papers. She had been teaching at the university for two years and she had grown to love all her students, she wanted nothing more than for them to succeed and for them to go out into the world and do amazing things. But, it was hard to grade their papers with inspiring, thought provoking comments when Cosima was intent on distracting her.

‘Of course she’s gonna take a shower, she will hear a noise downstairs, jump out the shower then…bam!’

Cosima drew her hand across her neck suggestively and then gurgled dramatically as her hands imitated the spurting of blood shooting out from her neck. She clutched a hand around her fake wound and let her body slump back into Delphine’s space, her head landing in Delphine lap with a soft thud.

Delphine’s lips formed a tight line, she took a deep inhale through her nose and let her shoulders slump down in defeat. ‘Mon amour, I love you…but you are getting on my nerves,’ Delphine admonished fondly resisting the urge to smile as she looked down at Cosima. 

Cosima’s eyes crinkled happily as she met Delphine’s, and the corners of her lips turned upwards. There was nothing she loved more than making Delphine smile. It never took long. A sarcastic remark, a bad joke, or the way she butchered the French accent purposely. Soon enough, she was grinning, and so was Cosima. 

Delphine lowered her head to meet Cosima’s lips in a soft kiss. Their lips brushed together slowly, the familiarity of the caress making them both sigh contentedly into it. 

Then slowly they parted but kept mere inches away from each-other. It didn’t matter how many times they had kissed over the years, Delphine never got used to the way it made her heart swell or her breath stutter shakily from her chest.

Cosima’s eyes grew darker as they met Delphine’s, and she reached up to gently wrap her fingers around Delphine’s neck urging her down for another kiss, a deeper kiss. Where before their kiss had been gentle, a kiss of affection, this time it was laced with desire. 

It wasn’t long before Delphine’s paperwork was forgotten about, discarded carelessly on the floor as they shifted to stretch out along the couch. Their hands started trailing over soft curves and their mouths parted to taste more of each other, their bodies subconsciously beginning to rock together as they lost themselves in the moment.

Delphine’s mouth had started trailing heated kisses down Cosima’s neck when the sound of the front door rattling open startled them both. 

There wasn’t enough time for them to recover from their shock and correct their positions before Arthur and Donnie came bursting into the room screaming and whacking each other with toy swords. 

Arthur stopped swinging his sword as his eyes fell upon them and he pointed it at them accusingly. ‘You two were kissing!’

‘Ew! That’s yucky,’ Donnie added making a face of disgust as he joined Arthur to stare down at them. 

Muffled, hurried footsteps stampeded into the house and Cosima heard a familiar voice bellow after the twins, ‘Boys! I told you to bloody wait.’

Sarah appeared in a blur of moving dark hair and leather, a little breathless and her eyes bulging slightly out of her head in surprise to Cosima and Delphine’s position.

‘Uh, sorry guys,’ she offered, her hands instantly going to the back of the boys heads and rocking them forward in reprimand. ‘You can’t just barge into your aunts house, it’s rude and you might be interrupting,’ Sarah added, looking over the twins heads to quirk her eyebrow knowingly at them. 

‘But they were kissing!’ Arthur repeated in horror making Cosima laugh as he poked his sword at them again while him and Donnie started making smooching noises.

Delphine blushed fiercely in embarrassment and quickly sat upright, smoothing down her clothes, and reached for her paperwork to hide behind.

‘And I’ll kiss you two in a minute if you don’t go play,’ Cosima threatened with a smile, sitting up to grab at them both, and smothering their cheeks in kisses, making them shriek and squirm and run away. ‘I’ve left slime and Lego in the playroom for you,’ she called after them and smiled when they yelled back a joined, ‘thanks, Auntie Cosima!’

‘You’re early,’ Delphine said, not meeting Sarah’s eyes. ‘We never would have gotten so… carried away if we knew you were coming now.’

‘I did text you both but neither of you bloody check your phones, I have to meet Kira earlier than expected,’ Sarah responded in explanation, her lips curling in amusement. ‘Besides, it’s like 2pm on an average Saturday, I didn’t expect to find you guys so hot and horny.’

‘My wife’s a total babe, what can I say?’ Cosima smirked even as Delphine blushed an even deeper shade of red that made her reach back to swat reproachfully at Cosima’s arm.

‘I really do have to grade these papers,’ Delphine justified. ‘Which I was doing before someone got handsy.’

Sarah held up her hands in mock surrender. ‘Hey, no need to convince me, Dr Cormier… although from what I saw it was you on top, not Cos.’

‘Goodbye, Sarah,’ Delphine mumbled sheepishly, knowing Sarah had caught her out, and quickly gathered the rest of her papers to make her hasty retreat.

Cosima’s amused smile mirrored Sarah’s as they watched Delphine disappear from the room.

‘You’re such an ass,’ Cosima chided with a laugh.

Sarah shrugged, the sound of the boys bounding around upstairs drew Cosima’s attention and she stood up to throw her arms around Sarah in a quick, parting hug knowing she was going to have her hands full.

‘Cosima!’ Delphine called down in annoyance, and Sarah’s eyes widened once more in fear this time. 

‘You better go sort the little terrors out. Delphine sounds all scary headteacher-y,’ Sarah joked. 

‘Yeah,’ Cosima agreed with a smile, imagining Delphine’s icy stern gaze as she heard her chide the boys in panicked French and then, ‘please don’t touch that boys, it’s very expensive.’

Cosima opened her mouth to speak but was silenced by the sound of something shattering on the ground. The sound echoed for a moment before she heard Donnie let out a panicked sob. 

‘Yeah I definitely have to go,’ Sarah announced with a tight lipped smile. ‘Good luck, Cos.’

Cosima watched her sister shut the door behind herself, and she took a deep breath to steady herself before she made her way towards the stairs. 

While the boys shared Helena’s wild feral energy, there was significant differences between them. Ironically, Donnie took after his namesake being slightly more sensitive in nature, while Arthur was bullish and unrelenting. If Cosima had to guess what happened, she’d say there had probably been some pushing and shoving that had resulted in Donnie accidentally breaking something valuable, while Arthur shook it all off brazenly, not a care in the world  and leaving his brother teary and regretful. 

‘Don’t be such a sissy,’ Arthur teased, punching Donnie on the arm. 

Donnie wiped the tears from his eyes and walked into Delphine’s open arms. He threw his arms around her shoulders and she scooped him up into a comforting hug. 

‘Whoa, Rocky, no hitting your brother, okay?’ Cosima teased ruffling Arthur’s hair, whilst moving the shattered pieces of china to the side of the hallway. 

Cosima’s gaze shifted to Delphine. She felt her heart swell in her chest watching her wife hold Donnie. Delphine was a natural when it came to children and it only made Cosima love her more, if that was even possible. 

‘I’m sorry, Auntie Delphine,’ Donnie sniffed, prying himself from Delphine’s warm hug. He rubbed his face and gave her his best apologetic smile. 

Delphine cupped Donnie’s little face and brushed away the remaining tears etched on his face. ‘Ca va, fais attention chérie,’ Delphine cautioned leaning in to kiss the side of his head and soothing his worries. 

‘Hey, are you boys hungry?’ Cosima asked, already knowing the answer was going to be yes. The answer was always yes. Knowing the boys were coming over, Cosima and Delphine always made sure their fridge and cupboards were stocked up with their favourites, not that they were overly picky, they tended to share Helena’s love of horrifying combinations.

The twins heads quickly snapped back to look at Cosima, and they began nodding in sync. 

‘I’m starving,’ Arthur declared. ‘Can we have turkey and Jello?’  

‘No,’ Donnie cut in enthusiastically. ‘I want sardines and cheese!’

Delphine’s eyes locked with Cosima’s, her eyebrows raising in amusement and affection as the boys bickered back and forth. They were a total handful most of the time but Cosima knew she and Delphine wouldn’t have them any other way. They were weird and wild and unbelievably good natured and sweet at heart, they were everything Helena was and had learned to be mixed with a ridiculous dash of traits acquired from all the sestras, thanks to the time they’d spent with them all from such a young age. 

‘Hey, little dudes, how about I make some wicked bacon pancakes?’ Cosima offered.

‘With chocolate chips,’ Arthur demanded.

‘And whipped cream,’ Donnie grinned.

Cosima couldn’t help but smile affectionately as she led them away back downstairs, glancing momentarily over her shoulder at Delphine to see her sharing her bemused smile as the bit back fond laughs.

———

‘Flip it!’ Donnie encouraged, helping himself to the already opened bag of chocolate chips. 

The twins were sat at the breakfast bar watching Cosima prep the pancakes. They were beginning to get impatient and bored. To keep themselves entertained they snacked on the pancake toppings whilst arguing who was going to have the biggest stack. 

‘Yeah flip it!’ Arthur piped up.

Cosima’s face broke into a toothy grin. She poured the pancake batter into the pan and pretended to look around the kitchen for Delphine. ‘I can’t Auntie Delphine is around … she would kill me,’ Cosima tells them. 

The twins began laughing mischievously together as they slapped their hands on the breakfast bar countertop and chanted at Cosima to flip the pancake. 

‘Maybe she can’t do it,’ Donnie turned his head, giving his brother a smug look. 

Arthur crossed his arms looking at Cosima with a playful smirk. ‘We don’t think you can flip it!’ 

Cosima let out a scoff before turning her head to look at the two little boys. ‘You don’t think I can?’ she asked watching them as they shook their heads firmly at her. ‘Wow, okay, that totally sounds like a challenge. I don’t think you’re ready for this,’ Cosima chuckled and took the pan off the heat, positioning it in front of her. 

‘Yeah!’ The twins yelled in excitement, practically falling off their seats as they watched in anticipation. 

Cosima decided to go all out with her pancake toss. With steady hands she flipped the pan in the air not realising the batter hadn’t cooked properly. The soggy pancake flew out of the pan, hit the kitchen counter and slapped onto the floor at top speed. 

Donnie and Arthur erupted with hysterical laughter, throwing their heads back and pointing at Cosima.

Cosima couldn’t stop herself from joining in and broke into a laugh, she placed the pan back on the hob and reached over for some kitchen towels.

‘That one doesn’t count, the first one always goes wrong,’ Cosima told them, doing her best to mop up the soggy batter on the kitchen floor. 

‘Hey, what’s going on in here?’ Delphine asked walking into the kitchen. Her eyes began to dart around the room taking in the destruction. 

Flour dusted the countertops, and smudges of batter dripped down the bowl and onto her beautiful hardwood floors. Donnie and Arthur both had chocolate smudged over their hands and Cosima was standing sheepishly holding a wad of kitchen towel that looked to be concealing something else messy.

‘It was totally them,’ Cosima pointed to the twins. ‘They’ve made all this mess.’ 

Arthur and Donnie gasped dramatically, their hands to their mouths in mock disbelief. They both began giggling with laughter as Cosima was having a hard time keeping a straight face. 

‘Auntie Cosima threw the pancake in the sky and it fell on the floor!’ Arthur shrieked.

Delphine smirked, throwing Cosima a glare. ‘Is that true?’ she asked, pulling the carton of orange juice from the fridge. She grabbed the boys their special cups with their initials on from the cupboard and poured them a drink each.  

Cosima leaned in close to Arthur and Donnie. ‘Snitches, the pair of you,’ she joked and began to tickle them into uncontrollable laughter. 

Delphine moved towards Cosima and placed the pan back on the hob. She decided to ignore the mess; she would force Cosima into cleaning it up later. 

‘Think you can do better? Go ahead,’ Cosima waved a dismissive arm in the air and joined the twins at the breakfast bar to watch Delphine. 

Donnie leaned in closer to Delphine as the pancake started to cook. ‘Can you flip it?’ he whispered, his hopeful, wide eyes staring up at her as he waited for an answer. 

‘For you, boys? Of course,’ Delphine told him with a small, confident smile, and flipped the pancake perfectly, not just once, but twice. 

The twins clapped in unison as they watched Delphine begin to plate up the fluffy looking pancakes, their little fists clutched eagerly around their forks as they waited for their portions.

Cosima rolled her eyes affectionately. ‘Obvs they’re perfect. You probably went to a French patisserie class or some bullshit,’ Cosima teased tilting her head. 

‘Cosima!’ Delphine scolded in a low hiss, passing another pancake to Donnie in the hope that it would distract him from the profanity that had just escaped her wife’s mouth. 

Donnie was too busy eagerly squeezing the bottle of maple syrup onto his pancake to have been paying any real attention luckily. However, it didn’t look as though he had any intention of stopping until Delphine decided to take the bottle away from him. 

Arthur on the other hand never missed a trick, he was always observing, always listening and making note. Far too clever for his own good, and Delphine knew Cosima was about to pay the price for her minor slip up.

‘You said a bad word, Auntie Cosima,’ Arthur pointed out, his tone serious and reprimanding even as he spoke with his mouth full of food and stabbed his fork in her direction. 

His outburst quickly drew Donnie’s attention and he gulped down his mouthful of pancake so that he could join in the interrogation.

‘You have to give us a dollar,’ Donnie stated, immediately holding his hand out to Cosima and glaring at her expectantly.

Arthur smirked and held his own hand out. ‘He’s right, you owe us a dollar each.’

Cosima’s eyebrows furrowed and her mouth opened to argue but she was quickly cut off. 

‘Mon Amour, you did tell them you would give them a dollar every time you cursed,’ Delphine reminded her, flashing her a smile and handing her a plate.

It wasn’t her fault that the boys picked up on everything. The only reason she’d had to come up with the idea of rewarding them with a dollar was to stop them from repeating her cursing back to Helena. With little experience around children other than Kira it had been a habit which was hard to curb at first, but she’d gotten so much better considering the boys stayed over so frequently. This had just been a little mistake, that’s all, and Cosima knew she was going to have to pay up.

Cosima shot Delphine a scandalised look at her complete treachery, and then looked to the twins, shaking her head in mock disbelief. ‘I guess I’m giving you guys a dollar,’ she agreed flatly.

She went to take a bite of her own pancakes, hoping the boys would be satisfied knowing they were going to get their money, but instead they stared at her with their hands out expectantly.

‘Jesus, okay,’ Cosima huffed out, standing to find her purse and handing them both a dollar. ‘Rob me blind why don’t you.’ Donnie grinned at his note but Arthur pinned her with a cheeky smile. ‘What?’ Cosima asked him.

‘Mom says you shouldn’t use Jesus’ name as a bad word,’ Arthur said boldly. ‘It’s blast-moo-foos. You need to give us another dollar.’

‘Blasphemous,’ Cosima corrected, saying the word slowly so they could take it in, and then slapped another dollar into their smug waiting hands.

Delphine laughed at Cosima’s defeat, and walked around to press a kiss to the top of the boys heads before moving to offer Cosima a conciliatory kiss on the cheek.

——— 

Hours later, after endless playing, a couple of children's movies, and a few more handfuls of snacks, the boys finally began to lose energy, their little bodies crashing from a mixture of the day’s excitement and their sugar highs. They were currently slumped comfortably against Delphine’s warm body as they slept through the cartoons they had asked to watch. 

Arthur was asleep with his head in Delphine’s lap, his little lips parted as he snored softly while Delphine stroked her fingers through his wild hair. While Donnie was curled up against her side, nestled as tightly as he could get, his head lulled sweetly against Delphine’s chest as Delphine kept an arm wrapped protectively around him.

They looked so adorable and snug that Cosima couldn’t wait to join them when she was done in the kitchen.

The sound of the doorbell ringing startled Cosima from her thoughts and she hurried from where she was tidying up to answer the door.

Helena stood on the other side of the door, dressed casually, her bleach blonde hair as untamed as ever and a chicken drumstick clutched in her hand with a bite clearly missing.

‘Hello, Science Sestra,’ Helena greeted, chewing around a mouthful of her chicken.

Cosima blinked back at her in confusion. ‘Helena, hey. What are you doing here? Is everything okay? I thought we were having the boys over night?’

Helena took another bite of her drumstick and then pointed it at Cosima in a move so reminiscent of the boys that there could be no doubt they were Helena’s children.

‘Everything is fine,’ Helena answered. ‘I am here to collect boys. Sarah called and said you and doctor Delphine need some alone time.’

Cosima grimaced and shook her head, fucking Sarah and her big mouth. She was definitely getting her back for this one.

‘Nah, it’s all good,’ Cosima laughed, feeling a tad embarrassed. ‘Sarah was just joking I'm sure.’

Helena didn’t look convinced. ‘Sarah said boys interrupted you being dirty on couch. Do not be embarrassed. I will take boys home and let you get to the sex with your lady.’

Cosima glanced back at Delphine for help and watched as Delphine smiled at Helena and offered her a little wave.

‘Helena, why don’t you go home and relax, we love having the boys and they’re already asleep, we don’t want to wake them, do we?’ Delphine said lowly, loud enough for Helena to hear her and quiet enough that it wouldn’t disturb the sleeping twins.

‘That point is good,’ Helena replied, mulling the offer over. ‘They don’t stop bouncing off wall at home, and I have much relaxation to catch up on. I will come back in the morning for them.’

‘Awesome, you enjoy your chill time, we’ll see you tomorrow,’ Cosima replied, giving Helena a parting hug and watching her disappear back out of the the front door.

Cosima turned to join Delphine on the couch, never tiring of seeing her wife with the twins, it stirred something deep within her that she couldn’t quite explain. All she knew was that this is exactly what she wanted for many years to come; her beautiful, smart wife, her ridiculous nephews and nieces, her sestras who she loved more than any words could possible say. 

They were family in every sense of the word and Cosima couldn’t imagine her life without these moments.

Chapter Text

It was on days like this that Cosima really got a sense of how lucky she and her sestras were to have made it out of the whole DYAD situation unscathed. Well, mostly. She still often thought of Beth and felt thankful that she’d turned her world upside down, because without her Cosima wouldn’t have these amazing women in her life, and she knew it was all the richer because of them.

The sweltering summer sun was beating down over the Hendrix’s garden, the rays of warmth blanketing everyone’s skin in a thin sheen of sweat as they gathered to celebrate Alison and Donnie. Another wedding anniversary, another incredible milestone in their love’s endurance.

It was a thing to be marvelled at really, Cosima thought as she looked around the various members of her family, seeing unconditional love written across all of their faces, because Cosima knew that loving one of them - the clones, that was - had been remarkably taxing.

The sound of a glass being clinked with a fork drew Cosima’s attention, and she watched as Alison stood from the table, clearing her throat as she did so.

‘I want to start by thanking you all for being here,’ Alison said with a smile. ‘Celebrating means nothing without sharing it with my loved ones.’ She turned her attention to stare down at Donnie adoringly. ‘Happy anniversary, my darling. Another year, another round of madness to come… hopefully less alcohol and clone related and just more regular Alison and Donnie hijinks.’ Everybody laughed quietly as Donnie winked up at Alison in agreement. ‘But I’d like my toast to be about you, Donnie. You have stepped up and loved me and protected me during all of this ridiculously insane sestra drama. And as well as loving me, I know you love all of the sestras too, and would do anything for them, and that only makes me love you even more. So, everyone, if you would, raise a glass to the best husband a woman could hope for; to Donnie!’ Alison said raising her glass and making Donnie blush.

Everyone cheered and held their glasses up towards them and a murmured ‘aw’ rippled around the table as Alison bent down to kiss Donnie sweetly. Cosima caught Delphine’s eye and felt her heart flutter as Delphine’s face lit up with a beautiful smile that was reserved just for her. She knew she had a lot to thank Delphine for personally when it came to the role she’d played in their fight for freedom, but she knew she owed her an even greater debt for doing whatever she had to do to keep all of the sestras alive. 

She let her hand sneak across the table to rest atop of Delphine’s, stroking her thumb over Delphine’s soft skin, and leaned across to kiss her on the cheek.

‘What was that for?’ Delphine murmured as she turned to meet Cosima’s gaze, a rosy tinge settling in her cheeks as she stared adoringly back at Cosima.

Cosima leaned in to kiss her chastely, unable to resist. ‘Just because,’ Cosima whispered back with a smile.

‘Ugh, enough with the mushiness,’ Sarah quipped with a fond smile, interrupting them from sharing another kiss by throwing a balled up napkin across the table at them. 

Cosima flipped her off with a grin even as Delphine grabbed at her hand and lowered it.

'Hey, play nicely with your sister,' Delphine chided Cosima mockingly.

Sarah grinned victoriously as she stood from the table. 'I’ve had enough of all this touchy-feely stuff, between Alison and Donnie and you two, I’ve seen enough goo-goo heart eyes to last a lifetime. Come and have a drink with me, we can play a game of beer pong before Arthur and Donnie get competitive.’

Before Cosima could reply, Helena appeared at their side, a squirming Arthur Jr and Donnie Jr bunched in her arms. 

‘Babies have pooped, and I could use extra hands to wipe their little bottoms, who wants to help?’ Helena asked, wincing as she took a foot to the rib. ‘Hold still, you smelly rascals.’

Cosima quickly stood and joined Sarah, waving an apologetic hand at Delphine, as much as she loved her nephews, changing diapers wasn’t really in her skill set.

‘Sorry, meathead, we’ve got a game of beer pong to play,’ Sarah explained as she grabbed Cosima’s arm and pulled, sidestepping Helena and the twins who smiled toothily up at them and giggled naughtily.

Delphine sighed and rolled her eyes as Sarah and Cosima made a break for it and held her arms out to take Donnie Jr. ‘Let me help you, Helena.’

‘Thank you, Dr. Delphine,’ Helena replied, swiftly passing Donnie Jr over to Delphine’s waiting arms. ‘Donnie has a rash on his bottom too, so you can do examination, yes?’

‘I’m not a paediatrician, but I will take a look,’ Delphine said kindly, even as she sucked in a sour breath and made a face at the toddler in her arms. ‘Are you stinky?’ she asked Donnie Jr, making him giggle even more, and followed as Helena led them inside to her baby supplies.

———

The sun was beginning to set by the time Sarah claimed victory on their third game of beer-pong. It had been a close final game, but somehow Sarah seemed to get more accurate with her shots the more she drank whereas Cosima grew increasingly unbalanced.

‘Unlucky, Cos,’ Sarah said, throwing her arm around her sister’s shoulders and leading her over to the buffet table.

‘You got lucky,’ Cosima replied with a smile, accepting the fresh bottle of beer Sarah handed her.

Sarah quickly shovelled a sausage roll into her mouth, chewing with her eyes closed before washing the remnants down with a swig of her drink. ‘I don’t know how Alison does it,’ Sarah said, nodding her head over to their other sister. ‘It’s her anniversary and she’s organised it, prepared it and hosted the damn thing to perfection. These sausage rolls are bloody amazing.’

Cosima grinned, watching as Alison fluttered like a delicate bird from group to group of partygoers, checking in, chatting and laughing before swooping effortlessly to the next and repeating the same process.

‘Grab another beer; the non alcoholic one,’ Cosima said, gesturing toward the organised section of beverages. ‘I think it’s time we stole Alison away for a little while, she should be celebrating not hosting.’

Sarah grabbed the correct bottle of beer and nodded her agreement. Together they bracketed Alison’s body, and ushered her away from her guests, leading her over to the quieter side of her garden where the Hendrix’s hot tub was bubbling away.

Kicking off their shoes and socks, the three sisters sat around the edges, feet submerged in the pleasantly warm water as they sipped at their beers and chatted easily.

‘Can’t believe you’ve been married for over a decade, Alison,’ Sarah said disbelievingly. ‘You guys really do deserve a medal or something. It’s almost unheard of these days.’

Alison glanced over at Donnie, watching as he laughed with Delphine, Felix, Helena and Arthur. ‘Well, as you both know, it hasn’t always been easy, but he’s a wonderful man, and I’m very lucky to have him,’ Alison commented fondly. ‘True love really does come to those who work at it.’

‘It’s bloody hard though,’ Sarah responded as her hand went up to toy with the chain around her neck that held her own wedding band.

Cosima’s lips pressed into a thin smile, sensing her sister’s melancholy. ‘Sorry Cal couldn’t be here, Sarah.’

Sarah shrugged and sipped at her beer. ‘You guys know how it is, he goes where the work is,’ Sarah said glumly.

Another sacrifice made by the people who loved them. Cal’s off the grid existence had been transformed once Sarah and Kira had crashed back into his life, and now he was trying to keep on the straight and narrow by working as a security tech consultant. Despite him and Sarah getting married only the year previous, Cosima knew their love came at a cost. That cost being Cal sneakily ensuring that no big corporations were looking too closely into the clones, and especially Kira’s DNA, while under the cover of his profession.

‘I think you spoke him up,’ Alison said with a beaming smile, nodding her head toward the garden gate.

Cosima couldn’t help but mirror Alison’s smile as she watched Sarah’s face light up at the sight of Cal dropping his bags down and hurriedly making his way over to the hot tub. 

‘What the bloody hell are you doing here?’ Sarah greeted him happily, her eyes glimmering with unbridled love.

Cal simply grinned back and leaned in to kiss Sarah hello. ‘Couldn’t leave you unattended for too long, could I? You get into too much trouble,’ he joked, reaching out to stroke affectionately at Sarah’s face.

‘Cheeky,’ Sarah laughed and tugged him in by his jacket collar to kiss him again.

When they broke apart Cal offered a greeting smile to Cosima and Alison. ‘Happy anniversary, Alison. You and Donnie boy are kicking marriage ass and making us all look bad,’ he joked.

Cosima laughed and Alison beamed brighter. ‘Thank you, Cal. But oh my, you must just be so exhausted from your journey home, do you want me to get you a drink? Oh, and there’s plenty of food left over too. I can fetch you a plate—’

Cal held his hand up and waved Alison off. ‘Thank you, but I got it. You three go back to your sister time. I’m gonna go say hi to everyone else.’

They watched him go with another parting kiss to Sarah, joining the rest of their extended family easily, and sweeping Kira up onto his lap as he listened to her chat animatedly on about something.

‘He’s a good man, like my Donnie,’ Alison said as they watched fondly.

‘Yeah,’ Sarah agreed appreciatively. ‘We got really lucky, hey?’

Cosima took a moment to stare over at Delphine, her lips curling up into a loving smile as she watched Delphine’s head throw back in a laugh at something Donnie was saying. She managed to keep her movements measured though, her palm pressed protectively over Donnie Jr’s back as he slept peacefully against her chest. A wave of love rolled over Cosima at the sight of her girlfriend so effortlessly initiated with her family. It hadn’t always been that way, not back when Delphine had taken over for Rachel. Even Cosima had wrongfully doubted where Delphine’s loyalty had been. It seemed absurd to Cosima now, looking back, that she had ever thought for even a single second that Delphine had been anything but committed to her and her sestras. 

‘Speaking of lucky, you did pretty damn well too,’ Sarah said softly, nudging Cosima’s arm. ‘Delphine’s pretty amazing.’

‘Yeah she is,’ Cosima murmured in agreement, unable to take her eyes off Delphine chatting so animatedly with Helena that her sister had started barking with loud, obnoxious laughter. 

‘I always felt guilty about the way we treated her,’ Alison added, her lips pursed together thoughtfully.

Cosima glanced back at her sisters, recalling the darker times of their DYAD fight. ‘It’s my fault we doubted her,’ Cosima said quietly. ‘I was pissed at her for breaking up with me and pushing her away felt like the safest option.’

Sarah reached out to nudge her arm again, but this time she let her hand linger comfortingly on Cosima’s forearm. ‘Wasn’t just your fault, Cos. I told you guys to keep the book from her. Truth is, we all doubted her. Mrs S. is the only one who really got what Delphine was doing to protect us. Then she got shot for her troubles…’ Sarah trailed off regretfully. ‘The bloody cost of loving us lot, hey?’

Cosima felt her eyes shut at the memory, a sharp exhale escaping past her lips. Delphine’s disappearance had been crippling for her. She had felt so much guilt and regret for the way things had been between them, and so hopeful that things could be repaired only to discover that Delphine was missing. Finding out that Delphine might have been killed was even more excruciating then the pain her sickness was causing. At that stage her inevitable death had almost seemed like a blessing, after all how could Cosima possibly live when her heart had ceased to beat along with Delphine’s. Thank god Krystal had seen what had really happened to Delphine and given Cosima a reason to keep fighting, and a reason to keep living. She’d only felt whole again once she’d fallen back into Delphine’s arms, a miracle worth almost dying for.

‘You know, Cosima,’ Alison piped up quietly, breaking Cosima out of her thoughts, and nodding her head over to where Donnie, Cal and Delphine were sitting and chatting together. ‘Those three really are our better halves, but it’s just occurring to me that only one of them still has a bare finger.’

‘Yeah, Cos,’ Sarah added with a conspiring grin. ‘What’s up with that? I mean, look at her, Delphine’s a total babe and she’s into your crazy science shit, plus she cooks all that amazing French food.’

‘Not to mention she looks like she’ll be a natural mother,’ Alison added in a sing-song, gesturing over to where Delphine was carefully handing over a peacefully sleeping Donnie Jr back into Helena’s arms.

‘She’s total wife material,’ Sarah finished, staring at Cosima pointedly. 

Cosima laughed nervously and averted her gaze. ‘I erm, I guess I’ve never really thought about the whole marriage dealy-o.’

It was true, she hadn’t given it much thought. And it hadn’t even been intentional. They’d just been so busy vaccinating all of the remaining clones and buying their house and just living and loving and really enjoying each other for the first time that it hadn’t even occurred to Cosima that something might be missing between them.

‘But you guys can totally do that now, right?’ Alison inquired eagerly, wondering if Cosima’s hesitancy was the result of something more. ‘I mean it is legal and all?’

Cosima shot Alison an incredulous look. For someone so overtly involved in a variety of broadening groups and activities, Alison could somehow always manage to be slightly dense. Alison immediately held up her hands in apologetic surrender and muttered something about how she was joining the local LGBTQ alliance at once. 

‘Yeah, we can do the whole marriage thing, Alison,’ Cosima confirmed with a bemused grin, waving away any of Alison’s lingering confusion. 

‘So,’ Sarah chipped in playfully. ‘What’s the hold up?’

‘No hold up,’ Cosima responded with a small laugh. ‘I just don’t know if marriage is really my thing. I mean it has a whole buttload of religious undertones that I don’t really dig, and Delphine and I are really good, you know? We bought the house, we’re committed. Finally content after everything that went down.’

Sarah smiled and held her hand up. ‘Fair enough. I’m not really one to talk, I never thought I’d get married and yet here I am, Mrs bloody Morrison. Should have made Cal take my surname really.’

Cosima laughed in response and let her eyes fall back to Delphine who was now sitting forward and talking with Cal and Kira, her face lit up with such rare carefree joy that it only made Cosima fall in love with her even more.

‘Just FYI marriage pre-dates religion,’ Alison said matter-of-factly. ‘A lot of places do secular ceremonies these days too, so it doesn’t even have to be all about God, and I say this as a good Christian woman. If you two ever decide you do want to get married you’ve got options, and I personally think you’d be making a big mistake not marrying Delphine.’

‘Alison,’ Sarah’s chided, kicking her feet and splashing Alison with a few drops of water.

‘What?’ Alison shrieked, holding her hands out to protect her face. ‘I’m just saying, marriage isn’t just about the wedding day; it’s the ultimate act of love and devotion, it’s a heightened sense of commitment.’ Alison held out her hand and looked down at her ring. ‘I love seeing my ring and knowing that I belong to Donnie, and when I see his ring, it always makes my heart flutter knowing he belongs to me in return; we’re a family, you know? And that’s what makes marriage so worthwhile.’

Cosima laughed nervously again, feeling something indescribable knotting tightly in the pit of her stomach. She had always thought marriage wasn’t something in her deck of cards, but it was a subject her and Delphine had never really explored together. Cosima’s view on family and what that meant to her had changed dramatically over the past few years, and she knew she would confidently call everyone here, blood related or not, her family. She wondered if Delphine felt the same though. She wondered if Delphine even wanted to get married or if she was perfectly content with how things were between them. 

While she’d felt confident about her relationship with Delphine only moments before, Cosima suddenly felt a little disorientated, unsure if they actually were content or if they were just aimlessly getting by because they’d never dared to want more. More had always seemed so out of reach for them while she’d been sick and with their fight against DYAD ongoing, but now nothing was holding them back. They could want more.

‘Enough, Alison,’ Sarah scolded more firmly. ‘We’re making Cos uncomfortable.’ 

‘Sorry,’ Alison retorted quickly with an apologetic smile. ‘It’s my wedding anniversary, you have to excuse me for being all mushy today.’

‘It’s fine,’ Cosima waved them off and shrugged, knowing that she had suddenly finished her evening with a lot more questions and less answers than she started with. ‘Who knows what the future holds for any of us.’

And the truth was, Cosima really didn’t know. But her niggling inner voice was suddenly lingering, whispering a chanting chorus of ‘more, more, more’ in her ear that Cosima was finding increasingly difficult to ignore.

(And if she was being totally honest, Cosima wasn’t even sure she wanted to ignore it.)

———

Sleep refused to come to Cosima that night, and she felt herself tossing and turning restlessly as the hours drifted increasingly closer to morning, Alison and Sarah’s words echoing loudly in her head and making her question everything she thought she knew about herself and her relationship with Delphine.

She’d spent the better part of the night watching Delphine sleep, her delicate features even softer in her slumber, and Cosima felt her heart swell immeasurably as Delphine subconsciously snuggled in closer to her side. 

Nothing had ever felt more right in Cosima’s life then having Delphine by her side. No matter what she was doing or what she was going through, one thing remained a constant for her, and that was her uncontrollable desire to be with Delphine. She was the first person Cosima wanted to talk to when she woke up, the only person Cosima wanted to share news about her day with, and the last person Cosima wanted to see before she closed her eyes to sleep. 

Delphine was the centre of her universe and without her, Cosima knew her life didn’t make sense at all. She’d been without Delphine once before and that had been agony, and now that she had Delphine fully, Cosima had never been so happy. The question remaining that was unrelentingly plaguing her was would she be even more content knowing that she and Delphine had promised each other forever, no take backs, no matter what.

‘I’m sorry you didn’t sleep well, mon amour,’ Delphine said softly, setting a cup of coffee down in front of Cosima before returning to move about the kitchen as she prepared their breakfast.

‘Thanks for this, you’re the best,’ Cosima mumbled as she rubbed a hand over her tired eyes and then sipped gratefully at her coffee, desperately needing the caffeine hit.

Delphine returned to her a second later, setting down a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. ‘Hopefully this will help soak up some of the alcohol,’ Delphine said kindly. ‘You and the sestras are always so mischievous together, I’m sure you had way more then just those beers you told me about.’

‘No comment,’ Cosima smiled cheekily, appreciatively watching as Delphine began tidying up the mess she’d made in the kitchen. ‘Did you have a good time last night?’ Cosima inquired softly.

‘Of course, you know how much I love your family,’ Delphine replied, glancing back over her shoulder to meet Cosima’s eyes, a beautiful smile lighting up her face. ‘The twins are just so precious now that they’re babbling away, and it is always so nice to be with everyone all together, trouble free.’

The phrase ‘your family’ wasn’t lost on Cosima. It was how Delphine always referred to the sestras and the extended misfits that Cosima considered her home, and yet somehow this time, the words felt so wrong. They were Delphine’s family too, surely she knew that, Cosima mused. Only perhaps Delphine didn’t, maybe she hadn’t dared to be so presumptuous. Delphine had always been slightly on the outside of the sestras orbit, they’d mistrusted her and held her at arms length, so it was no surprise really that Delphine didn’t really feel like she entirely belonged. 

But what Cosima was coming to realise with more and more clarity was that Delphine did belong; she belonged with Cosima. And Cosima knew without a doubt that the sestras loved Delphine dearly now, Delphine was definitely considered family in their eyes, but maybe it was up to Cosima to make that clear to Delphine.

‘Is your food, alright?’ Delphine questioned breaking Cosima out of her thoughts and staring at Cosima in concern. ‘You haven’t touched it. Are you sure you’re feeling okay?’

Cosima smiled adoringly up at Delphine in response, the answer to what she wanted and what she needed to do suddenly crystal clear.

‘I’m totally, ridiculously in love with you,’ Cosima murmured softly, gazing at Delphine with an overwhelming sense of affection and appreciation. ‘Have I told you that lately?’

Delphine blinked back at her stunned for a brief second and then illuminated with a beautiful smile, the happy twinkle echoing in the bashful glimmer that settled in her dazzling brown eyes.

‘Je t'aime encore plus,’ Delphine replied softly, an adorable rosy blush settling high in her cheeks as she gazed back at Cosima reverently.

‘Not possible,’ Cosima quipped confidently, knowing that she needed a plan to show Delphine just how serious and devoted she actually was.

———

Sarah finally answered after the tenth ring, just making Cosima wait long enough that she was beginning to buzz with frantic energy.

‘Hey, Cos. What’s up?’ Sarah greeted with a lazy yawn.

‘I want to marry Delphine,’ Cosima blurted excitedly, her feet pacing the length of the hallway. 

She’d barely been able to wait for Delphine to leave for work before grabbing for her phone with the desperate need to share her revelation with her sister.

Sarah chuckled in response. ‘Of course you bloody do.’

Cosima laughed happily. ‘Oh my god, dude! I want to get married. To Delphine. Like right now. I need like rings and like a speech and… shit I need a proposal idea.’

‘Calm down, Cosima,’ Sarah laughed, swept up in her sisters contagious happiness. ‘Baby steps, yeah? First, let’s get you a ring. Want me to come pick you up?’

‘Hell yeah I do,’ Cosima retorted, her heart hammering wildly in her chest with eager anticipation. She’d waited long enough already. 

———

Cosima felt her hands shaking. She couldn’t recall a time she had ever felt so nervous. Her stomach was twisted in an anxious knot and yet beneath the heaviness, there was a uncontainable hopeful fluttering. She had never felt more ready to do something in her whole life.

She exhaled deeply, her hand patting her lab coat pocket to double check she could feel the ring box and feeling her lungs inhaling steadily as her fingers fumbled over it reassuringly. Sarah had arrived the previous morning with Alison in tow and together they had helped Cosima pick out the most perfect ring; a timeless round cut solitaire diamond ring in white gold. Breathtaking and elegant, just like Delphine.

Cosima glanced around her lab, everything was set up and ready, all she was waiting on now was Delphine and then she could finally start the next chapter of their lives.

Delphine emerged moments later, her glorious blonde hair falling mesmerisingly around her face, she looked so ethereal, so strikingly beautiful that Cosima felt her heart stutter and then swell exponentially at the sight of her.

‘Hey,’ Delphine greeted, not noticing Cosima’s slight faltering as she rushed forward to greet her with a kiss. ‘I got your message. What’s this project you need help with?’ she asked, shrugging out of her coat and setting it and her bag aside.

‘I erm… I have a few elements I was wondering if you could help me identify? I’m having trouble recalling some of them,’ Cosima lied with a smile, gesturing at the six microscopes she had set out in a row along her workstation.

Delphine quirked her eyebrow curiously, a bemused smile curling at her lips. ‘You can’t recall some of the elements?’ she echoed disbelievingly.

Cosima reached up to nudge her glasses back up her nose and shrugged sheepishly. ‘Okay, you got me,’ Cosima laughed with a smile. ‘I just missed hanging out with you in the lab. We haven’t worked on something together in like forever, so will you please just amuse me and play along?’

Delphine rolled her eyes playfully even as she smiled and moved to stand behind the first microscope. She waited for Cosima to come and join her but instead Cosima shifted around to stand in front of her, reaching to grab a piece of chalk and pointed up at the blackboard behind her.

‘You look, call out the element and I’ll write it down, alright?’ Cosima instructed, feeling a twitchy shiver ripple down her spine in anticipation. ‘I promise it will be worth your while Dr Cormier.’

‘You are being very cheeky today,’ Delphine teased affectionately with a small laugh even as she lowered her head to look through the first microscope. ‘Fluorine,’ Delphine voiced, lifting her head and watching curiously as Cosima wrote a big ‘F’ up on the board.

Cosima felt her heart racing as her gaze met Delphine’s and she swallowed thickly as she nodded her head towards the second microscope. ‘Keep going.’

Delphine’s brow furrowed questioningly but she stifled her growing intrigue and followed Cosima’s instruction. 

‘There’s nothing under this one,’ Delphine commented in confusion.

‘What are you breathing?’ Cosima responded with her famous cheeky grin.

‘Oxygen,’ Delphine replied slowly, watching in bewilderment as Cosima added an ‘O’ next to her ‘F’ up on the chalkboard. ‘Cosima, I’m not sure I understand the point of this.’

Cosima chuckled nervously. ‘You will, I promise. Just trust me.’

‘You’re lucky I love you,’ Delphine murmured as she moved to look into the remaining microscopes.

Soon, Cosima’s blackboard contained an ‘F’ for fluorine, an ‘O’ for oxygen, a ‘Re’ for rhenium, a ‘V’ for vanadium, and a ‘Er’ for erbium. 

‘Last one,’ Cosima whispered, waiting for Delphine to lower her head to look into the microscope before quickly adding a ‘?’ to the board.

As she heard Delphine gasp in surprise, Cosima dropped down to one knee and held open the empty ring box, watching with rapt attention as Delphine lifted her head to stare back at her in awe, the ring Cosima had placed under the final microscope now clutched carefully between Delphine’s thumb and forefinger.

‘Cosima…’ Delphine whispered, her voice stuttering out of her in disbelief.

‘I’m crazy in love with you, Delphine,’ Cosima murmured, forgetting the speech she had rehearsed immediately and simply going with the what felt right. They had always communicated best through their shared admiration of science and so speaking their love language to propose suddenly felt like the only possible option. 

‘And here’s the thing, you and I, we’re like a pair of molecules held tightly together, and our love is this wicked hydrogen bond, you know? It’s an undeniable interaction that totally connects us, and has twined us together. So I was just hoping you’d want to stay this way forever?’ Cosima gestured at the board behind her, and watched in reverence as Delphine’s mind pieced together the spelling of their elements, the whole activity immediately clicking in Delphine’s mind as her eyes flooded with overwhelmed tears at what she was witnessing. ‘Will you marry me, Delphine?’ Cosima asked with a hopeful smile, her heart beating wildly in her chest as she eagerly awaited Delphine’s answer.

‘Oui!’ Delphine exclaimed through a sob, her body rushing around the workstation that separated them and dropping to her knees to kneel level with Cosima. ‘Yes,’ she repeated breathlessly. ‘Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.’

Cosima laughed, her own eyes growing teary to mirror Delphine’s as she gently took the ring from Delphine’s grasp and lovingly slipped it down onto her finger.

‘I love you,’ Cosima sniffled as she stared down at the ring on Delphine’s hand, her thumb brushing over it in pure wonder.

‘Je t'aime,’ Delphine murmured, reaching up to cup Cosima’s face, their eyes locking passionately. ‘Je t'aime de tout mon coeur,’ Delphine smiled, leaning forward to pepper kisses over Cosima’s face, both of them sighing happily.

Cosima felt her heart grow full as Delphine’s mouth brushed against her own, teasing their lips together in a gentle kiss. Each caress felt like a promise, like the past and present and the future, it felt like love and happiness, and as the kiss deepened Cosima instantly recognised the overpowering feeling of belonging. This was exactly where she was meant to be, and Delphine was exactly the person meant for her; they were family, now and always.

Chapter Text

The evening was alive, crackling with a wild, untamed energy that Cosima knew would lead to a night she’d never forget.

The reason for their outing was Felix’s bachelor party, he’d finally gone and decided to get hitched. No more shameless nights with random strangers. Just him and Colin and Felix’s loft; which now had a much classier look about it thanks to Colin’s loving touch. 

The air of the club was thick with flashing lights and smoke as she made her way to the bar, squeezing past the throngs of sweaty bodies that crowded the dance floor. It had been awhile since Cosima had really been out clubbing, and she’d almost forgotten the way the music pulsed and thrummed like it was alive, the vibrations rippling through her body palpably. 

‘Shots, and lots of them!’ Felix yelled out as he followed behind his sisters. 

Cosima turned back to give Felix a nod of agreement, shots were a must to start any good night out, and this was definitely a night worthy of celebration. She reached the bar first and with a wave of her hand she easily managed to grab the attention of the barman. 

Sarah followed closely behind her, laughing over her shoulder at something Felix had said. Cosima could tell by the glassy shine to Sarah’s eyes that she and Felix had definitely been pre-drinking before Cosima had arrived to join them. They were giggling together naughtily as Sarah tugged Felix up to the bar by his ‘Bride-to-be’ sash.

‘I’m so glad you’re here,’ Sarah called out to Cosima as she wrapped an arm around Cosima’s shoulders, drawing their heads close so Cosima could hear her over the bass of the music. ‘It’s a shame Delphine isn’t here with us,’ she added and then quickly reached to grab the shot glass from the barman before he had even had a chance to place their order down on the bar. 

‘Yeah, this is totally not Delphine’s scene,’ Cosima chuckled. The image of Delphine amongst this tipsy, loud, and brash crowd making a smile curl at her lips as she recalled the look of utter discomfort that had materialised on Delphine’s face when Felix’s invitation had been extended. She was definitely more of a quiet cafe or upmarket bar kind of woman rather than a buzzing, tightly compacted, obnoxiously loud club type of woman.

Sarah knocked the vodka back with barely a wince and took another immediately. ‘Catch up, Cos,’ Sarah chided with a smile, elbowing Cosima playfully.

‘Alright, alright,’ Cosima laughed and reached for her own glass.

She downed her shot quickly in response, doing her best to catch up with her sister and winced as she knocked back her second, the liquid burning its way down her throat and settling warmly in her stomach. Felix grinned at her approvingly from her other side, winking and impressively threw back his own row of shots like they were nothing but water. 

Taking a second to let the alcohol buzz pleasantly through her system, Cosima darted her eyes around the club, taking in the sight of couples making out and grinding on the dance floor; groups of friends sipping cocktails and eyeing up potential one nightstands, and people just wanting to have a good time, get drunk and forget their worries momentarily. 

‘To the best bloody brother in the world,’ Sarah bellowed amongst the noise, holding up two shots. 

‘To Felix! I’m like super happy for you, dude,’ Cosima joined in, taking the drink from Sarah and clinking their glasses together in cheers. 

Felix wrapped his arms around the sisters, kissing the tops of their heads affectionately. ‘Thank you. I love you both, but we are nowhere near drunk enough yet for this to be proper a celebration,’ he flashed a cheeky smile at them both and waved the bartender over to them once more. 

———

An hour had passed and Cosima already felt exhausted after Felix had dragged her and Sarah to dance. Maybe she was getting too old for clubbing, she mused, as she sipped her nearly empty beer. 

Felix held his hand up, ushering Cosima over to the empty booth he’d commandeered the moment it was free. She squeezed past the crowd of people carefully, trying not to bump into anyone, the last thing she needed was a drink spilled on her white top. 

‘This round is all mine,’ Adele flashed Cosima a grin, gesturing to the drinks on the table. ‘I’m so sorry I’m late but you guys know me, I wouldn’t miss my brother’s stag-do for the world,’ Adele said as she flung an arm around Felix, kissing his cheek with affection. 

‘I’m glad you could make it, Adele. It’s good to see you,’ Cosima chirped, reaching in for a fresh drink. ‘Hey, did you check in with Kira?’ Cosima asked, she turned her head to Sarah. ‘I should really check in with Delphine.’

Sarah held a hand up, stopping Cosima from pulling out her phone. ‘No need, Cos. I just text Kira, she and Delphine have ordered in sushi and they’re watching some boring nature documentary to help with Kira’s school project. Kira said she was having a blast,’ Sarah said with a shrug and a smile. ‘Definitely doesn’t get her brains from me, I would never be studying on a Friday night.’

‘That’s because we were more interested in smoking out of your bedroom window while we waited for Mrs S. to fall asleep,’ Felix chimed in with a laugh, recalling the memory fondly.

Cosima grinned at the image of a younger, more rebellious Sarah, and an even cheekier Felix. Where she had been bookish and quieter in her younger years, it was easy to imagine Sarah and Felix even more wild than they were now. Kira, on the other hand, was a beautiful mix of Sarah’s wit and edge, and Cal’s quiet charm, injected with a dose of Cosima’s love for science, Alison’s love of order and calm, and Helena’s innocent heart.

‘What can I say, all that bloody book learning really isn’t for me,’ Sarah smirked, sipping at her drink. ‘Or you,’ she added pointing her bottle at Felix. ‘You were too busy practicing how to do your eyeliner.’

Felix fluttered his eyelashes and pouted dramatically. ‘Looking this fabulous is a studious undertaking, darling. It takes hours of practice for one to achieve perfectly drawn wings, I’ll have you know.’

Cosima and Adele laughed at the sibling banter bouncing back and forth between them, and only stopped when they felt the weight of burning gazes staring down at them.

‘Can we help you fellas with something?’ Adele asked, looking up at the group of three, buff, rather smarmy young guys who had unexpectedly shown up to crowd their booth.

The guy in the middle smirked tauntingly while his friends sniggered like school children. His blonde spiky hair was perfectly styled, the gold chain hanging around his neck was glimmering with obnoxiously displayed wealth, and his shirt was so tight that it looked like his muscles were desperate to burst free. The whole alpha masculinity vibe made Cosima roll her eyes. 

‘Yeah, what do you want?’ Sarah added, her tone flat even though Cosima recognised the twitch of irritation curling at the corners of her mouth.

The blonde guy pointed his bottle in Felix’s direction, completely ignoring Sarah. ‘Nice sash…’

Felix glanced down at his hot pink  ‘Bride-to-be’ sash and offered a tight, guarded smile in response. ‘Thanks,’ he said unsurely.

Cosima could feel Felix’s discomfort radiating off him. The atmosphere now thick with an undercurrent of passive hostility that had completely stolen the wind from the good time they had all been sharing only moments before.

‘Congratulations…’ the guy added purposely, with a menacing grin that was all snarling, perfectly white teeth. ‘Faggot.’

His companions laughed and echoed the sentiment, adding their own, horrible and unnecessary derogatory taunts.

Cosima saw Felix shrink back into his seat, and then watched as Sarah rose from her seat like a rocket, instantly squaring off with the ringleader.

‘Oi, you watch your damn mouth,’ Sarah practically growled. 

‘Or what?’ the guy challenged. ‘The fairy fag will be upset? Boo hoo, the disgusting little twink might have to weep into his pink sash.’

Cosima jumped up to grab hold of Sarah’s arm, trying to calm her before she escalated into doing something irrational, but before her fingers even made contact with Sarah’s jacket the moment seemed to whiz past in a swift blur. Felix’s voice felt muffled and distant as he begged Sarah to leave it, Cosima heard the word ‘homo’ being sneered and then watched in helpless slow motion as Sarah’s arm shot forward, landing a perfect, bone crunching blow to the guy’s nose. 

Suddenly the club security guards were rushing over to intervene and despite her best efforts to steady herself after the impact, Sarah’s balance was unfortunately off thanks to her intoxication, and as she drew her arm haphazardly back, Cosima couldn’t avoid catching Sarah’s elbow to her face.

‘An shit,’ Cosima winced as she stumbled backwards.

She felt a flash of pain as she raised her hand to cradle her eye. All air escaped her lungs as she felt a warm liquid trickle down her cheek. Cosima lowered her hand in shock to study the wetness and saw the streaks of blood. She’d never been in any kind of physical altercation before and despite knowing she’d barely caught more than an elbow to the face, she felt her heart beating in her ears as she tried to maintain her cool. 

‘Shite, Cosima, I’m..I’m so sorry,’ Sarah mumbled running a hand through her hair. She suddenly felt herself sober up quickly as she looked around at the commotion she had caused.

Cosima felt a comforting hand on her arm as she let herself be lowered into a nearby seat. The pain of her eye began thumping as Adele tried her best to hold a napkin to her face, clearing the cut in her eyebrow where Sarah’s elbow had split the skin and made her bleed.

‘It’s fine, I'm okay,’ Cosima waved a dismissive arm in the air as she felt her body steadying itself now that the adrenaline had warn off. ‘This will make a great story one day, and anyway that guy definitely came off worse, what a bigoted douchebag,’ she chuckled giving Sarah a sheepish smile.

Felix knocked back several shots, still reeling from the commotion. He quickly took the sash off and picked Cosima’s glasses up off the floor, they were broken but at least they weren’t lost. 

‘That was certainly... eventful,’ he joked, trying to lighten the mood. ‘Nothing like a bit of homophobia to end the party early,’ he knelt down in front of Cosima and winced at her eye. 

‘Is it that bad?’ Cosima asked tilting her head to the side.

Sarah and Felix shared a look of concern as Adele ushered people away, assuring the club staff that the situation was under control. 

Felix took Cosima’s hand in his own, his lip forming a tight line. ‘Let’s just say, darling, when taking the wedding photos you’ll have to stand at the back.’

Cosima sucked in a breath, her hand slapping down atop of Felix’s own. ‘Delphine is gonna freak out.’ 

‘We can tell Delphine you threw the punch,’ Sarah offered. ‘That black eye will earn you a few days as a hero with Delphine tending to your every desire.’

Felix quirked an eyebrow and smirked. ‘I do love a good game of patient and doctor.’

Cosima laughed and felt herself blush a little. ‘I don’t know about that. I think she’ll be pretty pissed. You guys know how scary her eyes can get when she’s simmering with anger.’

‘This should take the edge off,’ Adele scurried over to Cosima with a tea towel filled with ice cubes. ‘The barman told me those guys are always causing trouble. He waived our tab as an apology.’

‘Well, damn right,’ Sarah said. ‘Shouldn’t let those arseholes in here if they know they’re just going to cause trouble.’

Adele smiled tightly. ‘He said you’re barred too, Sarah.’

Sarah scoffed in disbelief even as Felix sighed dramatically and smiled. ‘I can’t take you anywhere.’

Cosima grinned at the exchange and felt instant relief as she held the cold compress up to her eye. This was definitely not the night she had planned, and she definitely knew her eye would look a lot worse before it got better, but at least they got free drinks. It was something she guessed.

———

Cosima pulled her phone from her coat pocket as she made her way towards the front door. She had decided it would be best to sneak into the house in the early hours of the morning, and explain this all to Delphine once she was awake and not so startled by Cosima’s unexpected appearance. Her phone flashed her the time of 4.00am, it should be late enough that Delphine was still fast asleep. 

Cosima inhaled a deep breath of fresh air and slipped the phone back into her pocket, and fumbled around in her coat pocket, searching for her keys. Her fingers connected with the cool metal a moment later, and she began to quietly and carefully put the key into the lock, not wanting the sound of her entrance to wake Kira and Delphine. 

Any alcohol that Cosima had consumed had been long forgotten, the adrenaline of the fight had sobered her up quickly and all she was left with was a black eye and a thumping headache. 

Cosima pushed the sunglasses further up her nose to at least attempt to cover the state of her face. She was hoping she would be able to sneak into the house and get a few hours sleep before dealing with the aftermath. Felix had insisted she borrowed his sunglasses for cover, and with her pounding headache she was actually grateful for them, especially as any light encouraged the pounding in her head to intensify.

The front door opened with a soft click and Cosima stepped inside hurriedly, and very slowly began closing the front door, making sure no noise could be heard at all. Once she had locked it securely, Cosima sighed a breath of relief as she set her coat and bag down in the hallway and began the next part of her quest to make it quietly to her bed.

A few seconds later however, Cosima froze in place as bright light suddenly filled the upstairs hallway, quickly followed by thudding footsteps emerging towards the top of the stairs. 

‘Hey, I had a feeling you’d be back later on this morning,’ Delphine smiled softly, appearing half way down the stairs, her blonde hair tussled from sleep but still looking perfect. 

Cosima paused for moment as Delphine stepped off the stairs and began walking towards her, a wave of panic crashing  over her as she quickly made sure the sunglasses were pushed as high up her nose as possible.

‘Yeah, I had a bad headache and I just wanted to come home,’ she explained watching as her wife crossed her arms and studied her movements. 

‘Why are you wearing sunglasses?’ Delphine quizzed, her voice laced with immediate irritation. 

They had been married a long time and Delphine knew Cosima inside out, especially when she was lying about something. 

‘Oh, yeah… these,’ Cosima let out a chuckle and pushed them further into her face. ‘My head was pounding and I thought they would help,’ Cosima explained, and then realised how ridiculous this idea was, knowing that lying to Delphine was definitely going to get her into even more trouble. ‘I’m gonna head to bed, get some sleep before Kira wakes up,’ Cosima said as she did her best to squeeze past Delphine, but she felt a firm hand grab her wrist and pull her back with force. 

‘Take them off,’ Delphine demanded quiet but firm, her accent had become thick as she held Cosima tightly in place with her gaze. Her head ducked down slightly trying to make sense of the situation, trying to meet Cosima’s eye under the ridiculously bright blue sunglasses. 

Cosima felt her breath lodge in her throat as she tilted her head to the side. ‘Delphine...’ she trailed off, trying to find the words to explain herself, but Delphine had quickly grown tired by the situation. 

Delphine reached out and gently pulled the sunglasses from Cosima’s face. The sudden movement caused Cosima to wince a little at the pain and she knew it was time to drop her act and tell her wife the truth. 

Delphine let out a gasp upon seeing Cosima’s very red and swollen eye. ‘Merde,’ Delphine uttered in disbelief, her eyes frantic with concern. ‘How did this happen? Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere else?’ Delphine’s eyes widened questionably, urging Cosima to start talking. 

‘I’m fine, Delphine...’ Cosima reassured, stroking her thumbs across the back of her wife’s knuckles, stilling her probing hands.  ‘Some douchebag at the club was being a  homophobic dick to Felix, and Sarah punched him and accidentally caught me as she drew back,’ Cosima explained casually as Delphine reached out to cup her face to get a better look at her eye. 

Delphine’s jaw tightened and her head shook in vexation. ‘You didn’t think to call me?’ she retorted, checking the whites of Cosima’s eye and making sure no further damage had been done.

‘I didn’t wanna worry you, and there was nothing you could have done anyway, it’s just a little black eye;’ Cosima responded back, her gaze holding Delphine’s reassuringly. ‘I promise, I’m okay,’ Cosima assured once more, turning her head and kissing Delphine’s palm tenderly. 

Delphine let out a shaky sigh of relief. ‘You’re going to have to ice that to take the swelling down,’ Delphine murmured, unable to pry her gaze from the bruising blossoming around the socket of Cosima’s eye. ‘Where are your glasses?’ Delphine’s asked, her eyebrows furrowed. 

‘Yeah, that’s the only crappy part, they kinda got totally mashed in the scuffle,’ Cosima confessed along with a tight lipped smile and a shoulder shrug. ‘I’ve got a spare pair though, it’s all good.’ 

Delphine sighed with a fond smile and took Cosima by the hand, leading her towards the kitchen. 

‘Sit,’ Delphine ordered as she opened the freezer to look for an ice pack. 

Cosima did as she was told, knowing not to argue with her wife, and pulled out a stool from the kitchen counter to sit on. Her headache was progressively getting worse, and tiredness was beginning to settle in, doubling her discomfort. Her hands instinctively rubbed at her face, and forgetting that her eye was sore for a moment, Cosima cursed and quickly pulled her hand away. 

‘Damn it,’ Cosima snapped as she watched Delphine approach her. ‘Thank you,’ she murmured reaching gratefully for the ice pack.

Delphine batted Cosima’s hand away and gently placed it on her swollen eye, her body moving to stand between Cosima’s legs as she tended to her wife. 

‘Are you mad at me?’ Cosima asked, her voice low and sheepish. 

Delphine’s free hand stroked Cosima’s cheek affectionately. ‘Non. I'm mad that you got yourself into a situation like this, but things could have been a lot worse,’ Delphine’s voice softened, and she felt relief wash over her that things hadn’t gotten more violent and that everyone was okay and safe. 

Cosima wrapped her arms around Delphine’s waist, her hands toying with the hem of her t-shirt as she pulled her in closer towards her. ‘Do you think this looks badass?’ Cosima jested, a cheeky smirk spreading across her face. 

Delphine let out a scoff and rolled her eyes fondly. She loved that no matter what, Cosima found humour in any situation, it was one of the many reasons why Delphine loved her so much and why it was difficult to stay mad at her for long. 

‘Qu'est-ce que je vais faire de toi?’ Delphine breathed, removing the ice pack from Cosima’s eye. Her lip twitched into a smile as she felt Cosima’s fingertips creep underneath her t-shirt and caress her bare skin. 

‘I could think of a few things,’ Cosima uttered in a hushed tone, her eyes growing darker as they met Delphine’s. 

Delphine lowered her head to meet Cosima’s lips, but just as Cosima urged her mouth closer, Delphine pulled away from her. ‘Mon Amour, it’s nearly 5am, you look exhausted and you’re struggling to see without your glasses,’ Delphine reasoned softly, planting a quick kiss to Cosima’s lips and gently stroking Cosima’s face. 

Cosima stifled a laugh and realised she had been squinting at Delphine and not because her eye was hurting. ‘Yeah maybe not so badass... maybe just an ass,’ she wisecracked, watching Delphine break into an involuntary broad smile. ‘You know...’ Cosima began, unable to stop a grin spreading to her face, ‘it’s starting to really hurt just here,’ her finger pointed to underneath her eye. 

Delphine raised an eyebrow and decided to play along. ‘Oh, really?’ Delphine placed a delicate kiss underneath Cosima’s eye. ‘Does it hurt anywhere else?’ she quizzed teasingly, her fingers playing with the baby hairs on the nape of Cosima’s neck. 

‘Just here,’ Cosima whispered shakily, pointing to her jaw, she noticed her heart had began to pick up pace having Delphine’s face so close to hers. Even after all these years together, having Delphine so willingly in her orbit was intoxicating.

Delphine began to trail slow heated kisses along Cosima’s jaw and up to her ear. She felt Cosima tug at her t-shirt, her breathy whines becoming a little desperate as Delphine dragged her lips down to Cosima’s neck. 

When their lips finally brushed together, it was in a soft but needy kiss, and Cosima felt Delphine’s hands stroking through her hair as their hips began to rock together simultaneously, desperately seeking out more of each other.

Delphine broke away panting first, steadily pulling away the reach of Cosima’s hungry lips. 

‘Aw come on, we didn’t even get to good part,’ Cosima quipped, her fingertips stroked Delphine’s soft skin. ‘I thought Dr Cormier would at least give me a quick examination,’ Cosima winked and instantly screwed her face up in pain. The tenderness of her eye becoming palpable once more. 

Delphine raised her eyebrows in amusement and reached for the ice pack, placing it tenderly back on Cosima’s eye. ‘You need to rest; doctor’s orders,’ Delphine commanded, her tone had become serious yet concerned again. 

Cosima rolled her eyes and huffed loudly. ‘Fine, you’re probably right,’ Cosima agreed holding her hands up in mock surrender. 

‘I am right,’ Delphine fired back confidently, flashing her wife a knowing smile. ‘Come on, let’s get you to bed.’ 

Cosima took Delphine’s hand and let her lead her upstairs to bed. She knew she needed a good night’s sleep.

———

A few weeks later, Cosima’s eye was fully healed, Sarah was no longer in the doghouse with Delphine and the entire family were cramped into Felix’s loft for dinner and drinks when Felix emerged from his bedroom holding a usb drive between his thumb and forefinger excitedly.

‘Everyone gather round,’ Felix commanded with a sing-song. ‘The time has finally arrived and Colin and I can finally present to you our glorious wedding snaps!’

A murmured cheer of happy anticipation rippled around the room as everyone moved to crowd the couch, watching as Felix plugged in the usb and grabbed the remote.

He flicked through them slowly, everyone ‘awing’ at the collection of beautifully staged photographs of Colin and Felix posing together, and then laughing at the wacky bunch of group shots Felix had demanded they take involving a variety of props; some fun and some rather explicit.

After skimming past a few of Alison and Donnie holding inflatable penises, Felix paused at a big group shot of them all.

‘This is my favourite,’ Felix smiled happily. ‘My sexy husband and my beautiful family.’ Cosima cleared her throat, drawing Felix’s eyes to her and raised her eyebrows pointedly. ‘Of course,’ Felix added, zooming in on the photo to locate Cosima in the lineup. ‘I’d like to give special thanks to Krystal for playing Cosima.’ Everyone toasted to their absent friend with a laugh as they took in Krystal’s perfect disguise; a tad heavy on the makeup and a little stiff with Delphine’s arm around her waist, but passable enough. ‘And to Cosima ‘black eye’ Niehaus…’ Felix trailed off, shifting over the photograph and zooming in on the distance behind the group to spot the real Cosima standing to the side, waiting patiently. ‘For being an absolute darling and not ruining these snaps with her black and blue bruising. Only such a loving sister would grant me such a wish on my big day by not spoiling my photographs.’

Everyone toasted to Cosima and cheered as Cosima blushed and waved them all off. ‘Yeah, yeah, you’re welcome,’ Cosima laughed.

‘Actually, there’s one photo that didn’t make it in the official batch,’ Sarah piped up, quickly working her fingers across her phone and airdropping a photo onto the TV screen for all to see. 

Cosima felt her heart swell with affection as she took in the photograph she’d been completely unaware of; there on the screen was Felix and herself slow dancing. Her black eye was barely covered despite her heavy layer of foundation, but it hadn’t really mattered, she and Felix had their arms wrapped around each other, their faces illuminated with beaming smiles as they laughed together.

‘I take it back,’ Felix said, turning to find Cosima’s eyes and reaching for her hand. ‘This is my favourite.’

Cosima shared his affectionate smile and squeezed his hand back lovingly; family really was everything.

Chapter Text

Delphine unexpectedly found herself with nothing to do. 

Having finished marking her students papers, washed the dishes and cleaned up the house, it was a rare moment that nothing needed to be done. Cosima was snoring peacefully on the couch, taking a much needed nap after staying up for most of the night. She had been engrossed in a new science-fiction show on Netflix and passionately insisted she binged watched the entire season that night. 

Delphine smiled softly as Cosima murmured something incoherent before she continued her soft snores. It was times like these when Delphine felt relief wash over her, Cosima was alive and healthy, and their family felt as though they were finally in a reprieve where they were able to repair all the hurt and damage that they’d suffered.

Delphine sat down on the couch next to Cosima’s head, her eyes wandered over Cosima’s features and she felt her heart swell in her chest. She reached out gently and stroked the outline of Cosima’s face with the back of her knuckles softly, leaning down to kiss her forehead fondly. Cosima stirred slightly at the contact and opened her eyes briefly. Even in her sleep Cosima repositioned herself so her head fell comfortably in Delphine’s lap. Cosima’s hand found Delphine’s and she held onto it, their fingers intertwined as her dazed eyes fluttered shut once more as she slumbered on. 

Delphine let out a small sigh, wishing she had made herself a tea before being trapped on the couch by a sleeping Cosima. She tried to reach for the tv remote but it was too far away on the coffee table, and if she moved Cosima’s head would fall back onto the couch. She didn’t have the heart to disturb her. Delphine’s eyes flickered around the living room instead, she noticed a pile of magazines Cosima had promised to throw out months ago just left on the side table, some coasters and a notepad and pen. 

Delphine grabbed the notepad and pen off the side, she let out a chuckle as she began to doodle on the paper. She didn’t have much artistic talent, drawing was definitely Cosima’s thing, especially when Arthur and Donnie came over to play; nobody created a cool comic strip quite like she did for her awe-struck nephews, who always wanted to dress up as the superhero Cosima had created.

35 minutes had passed as Delphine let her mind wander, and she became increasingly surprised that Cosima hadn’t woken up yet. She tossed the notepad aside, twirling the pen between her fingers and watching her wife sleep lovingly. 

Cosima shifted and her left hand fell palm up against Delphine’s lap. Delphine breathed a smile lifting Cosima’s hand and holding onto it. Her eyes gazed at the pen she was holding for a moment, and she unscrewed the cap once more, a naughty smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.

It was juvenile perhaps, but still Delphine couldn’t resist as she carefully let the nib of the pen connect with Cosima’s skin.

———

Cosima’s eyes finally fluttered open, her mouth felt dry and she let out a groan as she stretched her limbs. Her eyes adjusted to the sunlight pouring through the window, and she realised she had been sleeping comfortably on Delphine’s lap. 

Cosima reached out and grabbed the magazine out of Delphine’s hands tossing it aside. 

‘Hey,’ Cosima murmured, her voice raspier than usual from sleep. 

‘Hey, did you have a good nap, Mon Amour?’ Delphine asked, she affectionately stroked down the baby hairs sticking up on Cosima’s hairline. 

Cosima’s lips twitched up into a smile as her eyes gazed at her wife. As the years had past, Cosima was almost certain that Delphine had somehow managed to grow even more beautiful than before. She looked utterly radiant, and Cosima deeply inhaled the scent of Delphine’s perfume mixed with the smell of their washing detergent, and sighed happily as the familiar scent filled her nose; always so extremely comforting and embodying the feelings of love and belonging to the forefront of Cosima’s mind.

‘How long was I sleeping for?’ Cosima asked, rolling her stiff neck from side to side. 

Delphine glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘A couple of hours.’ 

Cosima’s eyes widened, it felt like she had only closed her eyes for a little while. ‘Shit, sorry... you’re probably like really uncomfortable,’ Cosima smiled apologetically and began moving off from Delphine’s lap. 

Delphine shook her head, and gently pushed Cosima back down. ‘No it’s fine, I was enjoying watching you sleep.’ 

‘You were watching me sleep the whole time?’ Cosima asked curiously looking up at her wife. ‘That’s a little boring... and a little bit creepy,’ she teased, prodding Delphine’s side playfully:

Delphine mirrored Cosima’s grin involuntarily. ‘Well, I read some of your Science Focus magazines from 2008, the ones you said you were going to throw away,’ Delphine raised an eyebrow challengingly.

‘Yeah… I couldn’t bring myself to throw them in the trash, our kids might wanna read them someday,’ Cosima quipped, knowing the magazines held no real meaning or value but still somehow unable to part with them. She was stupidly sentimental when it came to anything related to that time in her life, especially anything science related. ‘Why didn’t you just watch tv while I was sleeping?’

Delphine shrugged. ‘The remote was too far to reach, and I didn’t wanna wake you up, you looked so peaceful.’ 

Cosima smiled at the sweet response. ‘Well I’m all yours now and less grumpy,’ Cosima bantered as she raised her hand to take her glasses off and rub her eyes. ‘Hey, what’s this?’ Cosima held out her wrist, she tilted her head and glanced at Delphine. 

‘I drew on you,’ Delphine replied tentatively, hoping Cosima wasn’t annoyed as she held Cosima’s wrist and let her index finger softly touch the drawing. ‘It’s an Oxytocin molecule… obviously, you know that,’ Delphine trailed off sheepishly.

Cosima felt her heart swell in her chest, a smile broadened across her face as she sat up. ‘You know, some say oxytocin is released when kissing,’ Cosima hummed as her eyes fell to Delphine’s lips. 

Delphine’s eyes suddenly grew darker in response, she was certain her heart had begun beating wildly in her chest as she watched Cosima’s face get closer and closer to her own. 

Delphine automatically reached for Cosima, cradling her face as she pulled Cosima down on top of her. Delphine felt Cosima move herself between her legs as they repositioned themselves more comfortably. 

Cosima nudged Delphine’s nose with her own, ghosting their lips together playfully and immediately felt the pressure of Delphine’s fingers at the back of her neck urging her down closer. 

Their lips brushed together slowly to begin with, the kiss soft and sweet, but it quickly grew more desperate as Cosima began running her hand down along the curve of Delphine’s side. 

Delphine moaned into Cosima’s mouth, her hands cradling her face and her hips bucking up to seek out more contact. 

Cosima broke their kiss reluctantly, she could feel Delphine panting against her lips as they touched foreheads softly, like they always did.

‘Wait, does that say crazy science?’ Cosima squinted at her wrist near Delphine’s head.  

‘Yes,’ Delphine looked up shyly. 

Cosima continued to stare at the doodle on her wrist. ‘I’m Impressed, it’s actually pretty damn cool,’ Cosima smiled, her lips finding Delphine’s neck. ‘Didn’t realise you were so artistically talented,’ Cosima teased between kisses. 

Delphine moved her head to the side, granting Cosima more contact. ‘I’m not, I have other talents though,’ Delphine smirked wrapping her legs around Cosima’s waist. 

‘Other talents? Show don’t tell,’ Cosima hummed challengingly, leaning down to capture Delphine’s lips once again. 

———

A few days had passed and Cosima and Delphine had enjoyed a well deserved date night. Delphine had cooked them a homemade meal and Cosima contributed with buying the wine and setting the table. 

‘Do you want help doing the dishes?’ Delphine asked, her thumb stroking Cosima’s knuckles from across the table. 

Cosima frowned slightly, her eyes rolled. ‘We should have got takeout, no dishes required. This is meant to be a date night, not a chore night.’ 

‘We could just get a dishwasher,’ Delphine responded rationally even as she raised from her seat and began gathering up their plates. 

Cosima let out a scoff. ‘Yeah, but that’s another kitchen appliance and I thought we were helping the environment and saving water,’ Cosima argued as she grabbed their wine glasses, and began helping Delphine to the sink. 

‘If you stopped complaining and just helped, we would get it done quicker,’ Delphine smiled playfully and tossed a tea towel at Cosima. ‘I’ll wash, you dry,’ Delphine reasoned, turning on the faucet and rolling her sleeves up. 

‘How heterosexual of us, wife,’ Cosima bantered, nudging Delphine’s shoulder playfully. 

Delphine laughed passing Cosima a clean plate. ‘Has that not come off yet?’ Delphine questioned, nodding her head at Cosima’s wrist. ‘I didn’t realise the pen was so permanent,’ she smiled apologetically. 

Cosima broke into a grin and looked down at her wrist. ‘Actually the pen washed off a few days ago,’ she explained, making sure to purposefully catch Delphine’s eye. 

Delphine’s eyebrows furrowed, she put the plate she was holding into the sink, reached out and held Cosima’s wrist. ‘Why hasn’t it come off?’ She asked rubbing her thumb over the symbol. 

‘Well… I kinda made it permanent,’ Cosima explained. She wiped her hands on the tea towel. ‘I got it as a tattoo.’ 

‘What?’ Delphine muttered grabbing Cosima’s wrist again and bringing It closer to her eyes in disbelief.

Cosima let out a shaky breath. ‘I really liked it and I thought it was super cute that you drew it. Now you’re like literally inside my skin as well as my heart,’ Cosima quipped with a smile and shrugged her shoulders awaiting Delphine’s response. 

Delphine traced the outline of the tattoo with her finger, her eyes slowly meeting her wife’s. ‘Cosima… I…’ she began before trailing off. 

‘I know, I know. It was impulsive,’ Cosima blurted out quickly. ‘But I love you, and I’m pretty sure every time you’re near me the amount of oxytocin in my body is like totally unmeasurable,’ Cosima’s eyes flickered magnetically between Delphine’s eyes and lips, the pull between them irresistible as always.

Delphine said nothing, instead she pulled Cosima closer towards her, her arms wrapping easily around her neck as their lips met in a familiar caress. 

‘Does this mean you like it?’ Cosima murmured between kisses, her fingertips creeping underneath Delphine’s shirt. 

Delphine smiled against Cosima’s lips and nodded. ‘Yes, je l'aime tellement.’

‘Show me,’ Cosima hummed, arousal flaring low in her stomach as Delphine raked her eyes appreciatively over her.

When their lips brushed together again then, their kiss quickly growing deeper and more intense as their hands roamed appreciatively over each other’s bodies, Cosima knew the dishes would still be in the sink in the morning, and if the way Delphine was urgently guiding her towards the stairs was any indication, Delphine didn’t seem to care either.

Chapter Text

‘Cosima, can you pick the wet towels up off the floor,’ Delphine bellowed loudly as she came out of the bathroom. She gathered a few pairs of socks that had been on the floor since yesterday and angrily threw them into the laundry basket. 

Cosima padded through into the bedroom, holding a bowl of cereal, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she spooned a mouthful of cornflakes into her mouth. ‘Yeah, I’ll totally pick them up in a minute,’ Cosima replied soothingly as she lent against the door frame. 

Delphine let out a long sigh. ‘Fine. I’ll just do it myself,’ she huffed shaking her head as she made her way back towards the bathroom. 

Cosima paused and placed the cereal bowl on the side unit, she listened as Delphine spewed something in French whilst sorting out the wet towels. From the moment they had woke up Delphine had been in a bad mood and Cosima was definitely on the receiving end. 

‘Do you… wanna go get brunch? We could stop by our favourite place?’ Cosima suggested as she approached the bathroom with caution. 

Delphine hung the last towel on the radiator and squeezed past Cosima. ‘Non, I'm not in the mood, and the house is a mess,’ she countered back with irritation. 

Cosima squinted her eyes as she glanced around the room, noticing that everything was in its correct place. They had spent a couple of hours yesterday cleaning up and tidying as they always did on a Saturday, so they could relax on the Sunday and have a chill day. 

‘Hey... are you okay?’ Cosima asked delicately, she tilted her head to the side admiring Delphine, she felt her heart flutter in adoration as their eyes met. 

Delphine flashed Cosima a small false smile and nodded slightly. ‘Yes, i’m fine,’ she responded smoothing down the bed she had made and arranging the cushions. 

Cosima walked towards her wife and placed a hand on her arm. ‘Are you sure? You’re freaking out over wet towels,’ Cosima raised an eyebrow. ‘Sundays are meant to be our chill day remember,’ she pulled Delphine closer. 

‘Cosima, I have papers to mark, the kitchen needs cleaning, and I have laundry to do,’ Delphine explained firmly. ‘If you weren’t so messy it would make things easier,’ Delphine did her best to banter with Cosima, but her tone fell flat and a tiny part of her did mean it. 

Cosima let out a scoff and rolled her eyes as she pulled away from Delphine. ‘Messy?’ She repeated pushing her glasses further up her nose. ‘Is that what this is really about? Me leaving some towels and socks on the floor?’ Cosima quizzed, her eyes wide in disbelief. 

Delphine shook her head as she made her way towards the bedroom door. 

‘Is this about the test?’ Cosima whispered moving her body to block Delphine from leaving. ‘Delphine, you know it could take months for us to conceive, it’s not a guarantee,’ Cosima explained softly, she looked up at Delphine trying her best to comfort her wife. 

Delphine had done a pregnancy test in the early hours of the morning and it had read negative. Cosima could feel Delphine’s disappointment even though she had shook it off and agreed to try next month. 

‘Oui, I know that,’ Delphine countered back meeting Cosima’s gaze. ‘I have been feeling sick the last few days and you know I’ve had a few headaches,’ Delphine explained. 

Cosima ran a hand down Delphine’s arm. ‘Yeah but that doesn’t mean you’re pregnant.’ 

‘As a doctor I know that, Cosima,’ Delphine huffed as she pulled away from the touch. ‘Maybe I’m getting sick instead, who knows,’ Delphine added dismissively.

‘Dude, don’t take it out on me, we’re meant to be in this together,’ Cosima replied irritably, she’d had enough of Delphine’s bad mood, and she guessed it was contagious because she’d gone from feeling happy and chilled to down and agitated.

‘Dude?’ Delphine echoed in a scoff, her eyebrow quirked accusingly. ‘I think it’s best we have our own chill days today, don’t you?’

Cosima grimaced at the angry retort and reached out apologetically for Delphine once more, only to have her wife brush past her without looking back.

——

Cosima heard the loud vibration of her phone shaking against the coffee table. Her eyes fixated on the laptop screen as she let out a frustrated sigh at the inconvenience and bad timing. 

Her online board game had reached a vital moment and Scott was about to win the entire game if Cosima made one bad move. 

‘Scotty, I think you’ve been cheating this whole time, there’s no way you’ve got that many cards, dude,’ Cosima bantered adjusting the mic on her headset. 

The phone sprung to life once more and began violently vibrating on the table next to her. 

‘Cosima, I’m trying to mark papers,’ Delphine snapped letting out a long exhale through her nose. ‘Peu importe l'oublier’ Delphine grumbled as she gathered up her papers and angrily made her way towards the office slamming the door behind her. 

Cosima had no idea what her wife just said, but she knew she was definitely pissed at her, and to make things worse, Scott had just annihilated her again. 

‘Good game, man,’ Cosima congratulated as she heard Scott cheer triumphantly. ‘Can we rain check for a rematch, Delphine isn’t my fan today, and I think I need to go and do good wife stuff.’

Scott chuckled in response. ‘Of course. Tell Dr Cormier I’m sorry if I added to her bad mood.’

Cosima took the headset off and closed the lid of her laptop. She grabbed her phone and sank back into the couch as she read that the missed calls were from Sarah. 

Cosima quickly typed a text to her sister and hit send. She mustered up her energy and made her way towards the kitchen. This was meant to be a chilled Sunday watching movies together and relaxing, instead Cosima felt as though she was in the doghouse and she wasn’t entirely sure why. 

Cosima decided to make Delphine a cup of her favourite herbal tea and take it to her whilst she marked her students papers. Tea in the Niehaus-Cormier household made everything better, usually. 

‘Hey, I made you some tea,’ Cosima murmured, as she lent against the office door.

Delphine’s eyes glanced up as Cosima placed the cup of tea beside her, she also remembered to use a coaster this time. 

‘Merci,’ Delphine’s replied, her tone softer than earlier, which gave Cosima hope that she was in a slightly better mood. 

Cosima lingered at the door, ‘You wanna take a break from your homework for a little bit?’ she suggested watching her wife scribble a huge C at the top of a paper she had already wrote a few lines on. 

Delphine put the pen down and slumped back against the chair. ‘I really need to get this finished first,’ she reached out for the steaming mug of tea and bought it to her lips. The smell of the tea flew up Delphine’s nose causing her to instantly put the cup down and push it as far away as possible. ‘I can’t drink this, it’s turning my stomach,’ Delphine said softly, running a hand through her hair. 

‘Maybe you are getting sick,’ Cosima voiced in concern as she quickly made her way towards Delphine. She pressed the back of her hand against Delphine’s forehead and felt the heat radiating from her. ‘Can I get you some water?’ Cosima asked dropping to her knees and looking up at Delphine. 

Delphine felt a smile tug at the corner of her mouth, she reached out to cup Cosima’s face. ‘Yes, water would good, Mon Amour,’ she pressed a gentle kiss to Cosima’s lips. 

Cosima felt herself smile into Delphine’s kiss and a sense of happiness washed over her, she was obviously no longer in Delphine’s bad books, and this instantly sky rocketed her mood. 

‘Water coming right up,’ Cosima said with a smile, and then added, ‘a few more papers and then rest, yeah? You clearly need to be in bed. Sleep it off, you know?’

‘You’re right,’ Delphine relented with a sigh. ‘A few more and I promise I’ll go up and rest.’

Before Cosima could reply, a loud rapt echoed through the room and Cosima and Delphine’s eyes were both drawn to the doorway where Sarah now lingered unapologetically.

‘I bought the beers, did you order the pizza yet?’ Sarah bellowed holding up the pack of beers. ‘Helena is on her way over, she’s left the nuggets with Alison, she could do with a break,’ Sarah explained opening the fridge, unaware of the sudden tension between Cosima and Delphine. 

Cosima turned and waved a dismissive arm to Sarah. ‘Yeah… you… you order yeah? I’ll be there in a minute,’ Cosima called out and immediately turned her attention back to Delphine. 

Delphine’s jaw tightened in frustration and irritation, not only did she not feel good, she really didn’t feel like having guests over. 

‘I’m sorry, I couldn’t say no,’ Cosima whispered sheepishly. 

‘I’m not in the mood to entertain, you didn’t tell me your sisters were coming over,’ Delphine hissed in a hushed whisper, rubbing her forehead as she rose from the office chair. 

Cosima stood with her. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t realise you were gonna be feeling so bad, okay? Hey… what’s your problem with me today? I can’t do or say anything right,’ Cosima scowled holding Delphine in place, her hand wrapped around her wrist softly. 

Delphine sighed heavily twisting her wrist from Cosima’s grasp. ‘I told you, I don’t feel good,’ she began to gather her scattered papers again. 

‘Okay I get that… but you’ve been bitching at me all day,’ Cosima countered back, her eyebrows furrowed in frustration. ‘Have I done something wrong?’ 

‘Non. I’m gonna take a bath and go to bed,’ Delphine shuffled past Cosima and headed towards the door. ‘Have fun with your sisters,’ She grumbled turning the doorknob and walking out of the office. 

Sarah shut the fridge and turned around to find Delphine almost walking past her towards the stairs. ‘Hey, do you want us to get you anything?’ Sarah offered taking a swig of beer. 

Delphine did her best attempt at a smile. She was beginning to get a pounding headache and all she wanted to do way lay down and close her eyes for a little while. ‘No thank you, Sarah. Help yourselves to whatever you want,’ Delphine exchanged a tight lipped smile and head nod with Sarah before she made her way down the hallway out of sight. 

Sarah watched Cosima emerge from the office and into the kitchen, her eyes widened as their eyes met. ‘What have you done?’ Sarah asked holding back a smile of amusement.  

‘Man, I wish I knew. She’s been in a shitty mood since we woke up this morning,’ Cosima rolled her eyes and took the beer Sarah presented in front of her. 

‘Rather you than me. Delphine is scary when she’s mad,’ Sarah lent against the kitchen unit. ‘You know, she did look a bit pale though… too much time inside with those books of hers, yeah?’ 

Cosima nodded as she took a gulp of beer. ‘Yeah she’s not feeling good, I’m just gonna totally put her bad mood down to that.’ 

‘I remember being grouchy and tired and everything S did just pissed me off once,’ Sarah reminisced. ‘Turns out I was up the bloody duff.’ 

Cosima squinted her eyes, ‘Up the duff?’ She repeated in confusion. 

‘Pregnant. I was bloody pregnant with Kira,’ Sarah affirmed with a chuckle. 

Cosima shook her head dismissively, ‘No, we did a test at like 3am this morning, it was negative,’ she explained, recalling how nervous and excited Delphine had been, and setting her beer down on the kitchen counter top. ‘We are gonna try again next month though, it takes time, you know?’ 

Sarah let out another chuckle as she reached for her leather jacket. ‘Those tests are always negative to begin with. Come on, we’re going out,’ Sarah insisted nodding to Cosima’s coat. 

‘Out? Where? What about Helena?’ Cosima quizzed hurriedly as she grabbed her coat.

‘To get some supplies, and I’ll call Helena on the way, don’t worry,’ Sarah assured her sister and wrapped an arm around her as she led her out of the house.

Cosima couldn’t help but smile as she leaned into the warm comforting side hug from her sestra. Somehow Sarah always knew what to do.

———

The house was dark when Cosima returned, and she knew then that Delphine hadn’t bothered to leave the comfort of their bedroom. A part of Cosima was glad that her wife was resting, and another part was nervous for what she was about to do.

Armed with a box of expensive chocolates, a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a box of pregnancy tests, Cosima made her way up the stairs to their bedroom. She knocked gently, just once, to make Delphine aware of her presence and then slowly peered around the door.

‘Hey,’ Cosima greeted as Delphine met her eyes from where she was tucked up in bed reading. ‘Before you say anything, I just wanna say sorry, me and the sestras didn’t mean to be all up in your safe space while you’re feeling so crappy.’

Delphine sighed as an apologetic smile materialised on her face. ‘Non, I’m sorry, I’ve been a real monster all day. I just feel so off. I think you were right when you said I needed rest.’

Cosima accepted her wife’s apology at once, and nudged the door open with her elbow so she could enter the room more fully. Delphine’s eyes widened in surprise as Cosima approached the bed and extended the flowers out to her.

‘Cosima…’

‘Ah,’ Cosima waved her off. ‘You deserve them, even if you have been a little scary today. And here,’ Cosima added cheekily, passing her the box of chocolates. ‘Something to produce happy hormones incase you’re still feeling that urge to bite my head off.’

Delphine chuckled and accepted the chocolates with a smile. ‘Thank you, you’re very sweet.’

Cosima grinned in response, and then exhaled deeply before going in with her final, daring, last gift. ‘I also got you some more of these,’ she said, holding out the box of pregnancy tests for Delphine to see.

‘Cosima, we already know it will come back negative,’ Delphine reasoned. ‘You were right, earlier, I was a little… upset. But these things take time… and I think maybe all the anticipation has made me feel a little run down.’

Cosima nodded. ‘Hey, I totally hear what you’re saying, and you’re probably right, it’s just a bug or whatever, but I just have this like, really, weird and intense inkling, so will you just humour me and take one more, please?’ Delphine sighed and stared up at her wife with fond disbelief. ‘Look, we can eat the whole box of chocolates when you’re done, and I won’t tell anyone we exclusively had sugar for dinner.’

Delphine laughed at Cosima’s playfulness, always so willing to be goofy to make her feel better. ‘Fine,’ Delphine relented, throwing back the covers and standing up to take the tests from Cosima’s outstretched hand. ‘But one test, okay?’

‘Deal,’ Cosima agreed, flashing Delphine a thumbs up that made her wife roll her eyes and laugh as she disappeared into the bathroom.

Now, they just had to wait and see.

———

Cosima flipped the box over and over in her hands, her eyes drawn to the instructions written on the back. Three minutes to develop and produce a result her ass. Delphine had been in there for at least ten minutes now and Cosima was beginning to get antsy, maybe this had been a terrible idea, maybe all Cosima had achieved was upsetting her wife once again.

Just as Cosima was about to stand and knock on the bathroom door to inquire about Delphine’s welfare, the bathroom door opened to reveal a very puffy faced Delphine.

‘Oh, Delphine,’ Cosima murmured softly, feeling guilty for pushing her to take another test again so soon. She rushed towards her wife and let her hands reach out to rub soothingly up and down her arms. ‘It doesn’t matter, we will keep trying, and when the times right, this will happen for us, I truly believe that.’

Delphine shook her head. ‘No.’

‘No,’ Cosima echoed, her face screwing up in confusion. 

Delphine shook her head again and then smiled brightly as tears glimmered in her eyes before rolling down her cheeks as she looked down at the pregnancy test clutched protectively in her hands.

Cosima followed her gaze and felt her breath catch in the back of her throat as Delphine gently passed the test over into Cosima’s hands and watched in adoration as Cosima stared down in shock at the two pink lines. 

‘You’re pregnant,’ Cosima stuttered happily as she looked back up to meet her eyes. ‘Oh my god.’

Delphine sniffled gleefully, her face lighting up in a beautiful smile. ‘I’m pregnant,’ she confirmed, her hands reaching out instantly to cradle Cosima’s face as she drew their lips together in a tender kiss.

Cosima let their lips brush together softly, before pulling back to laugh in disbelief and excitement, her hand settling over Delphine’s stomach. ‘Wow, our baby is like, totally in there, growing and doing it’s own little baby thing.’

Delphine laughed and covered Cosima’s hand over her stomach. ‘It is,’ she said and leaned in to kiss Cosima’s cheek chastely. ‘Our baby would like to apologise for making me grumpy at you today, and it would also really like to eat those chocolates with you, in the bed while we cuddle and watch tv. Is that okay?’

‘That’s totally okay,’ Cosima laughed. ‘Our baby sounds like a genius already.’

Chapter Text

It started off with a plate. 

It wasn’t a particularly well loved item of crockery, nor was it that attractive in design, and Delphine had no real sentimental attachment to it, but they had bought it from their first trip to France together and now it was in pieces in the trash. 

‘I’m really sorry,’ Cosima winced moving towards her wife. ‘I thought I’d surprise you... go to the bakery and get your favourite, start the morning off right, you know? All I was trying to do was get a plate out of the cupboard and this one kinda fell out and I tried to catch it but... yeah. I’m a total idiot,’ Cosima rambled apologetically.

‘It’s fine, Ma Chérie,’ Delphine assured softly, even though she was mildly disappointed it had broken.

Cosima was clumsy and messy, and it was something she had gotten used to over the many years of being together. It was one of the more annoying traits Cosima had that Delphine had grown fond of despite its trail of destruction.

Delphine reached out and wrapped her arms around Cosima’s neck, drawing her in closer. ‘As long as you’ve cleaned it up, I'm not mad,’ Delphine smiled, pressing a kiss to Cosima’s lips. 

When Cosima didn’t respond to the kiss, Delphine pulled back and raised a questioning eyebrow at her wife. Cosima’s cheeks were flushed and her wide eyes were evidence that such destruction was probably still covering their kitchen floor behind her wife. 

‘You’ve cleaned it up, yes?’ Delphine asked as she took Cosima’s face between her hands and forced her to look up at her. 

‘Yeah... kinda. I totally picked up all the big bits but I was going to clean the rest up after I bought you breakfast in bed,’ Cosima explained with an apologetic smile, she pulled her wife in closer, her fingertips finding soft skin as she traced circles on Delphine’s back, trying to soothe away any developing irritation before it bloomed to life fully. 

Delphine let out a sigh and opened her mouth to speak but Cosima abruptly cut her off, already moving towards the dustpan and brush. 

‘Totally cleaning it up now,’ Cosima relented with a grin as she kneeled down to sweep the remaining china shards up. ‘You want some coffee?’ She asked once she had tossed the rest of the plate into the trash. 

Delphine nodded as she yawned, running a hand through her wild slept on hair, and sat down on the breakfast bar stool. It was still early and the sound of the plate smashing in the kitchen had startled Delphine from her peaceful slumber.

Cosima grabbed the paper bag from the kitchen unit and slid it towards Delphine. ‘A peace offering?’ Cosima jested, hoping the incident was now forgotten about. 

Delphine peered into the bag and felt an involuntary smile tug at her lips. Cosima had brought her absolute favourite. 

Delicious Mille-feulle with strawberries and mascarpone that reminded Delphine of summer holidays spent with her grandmother in Paris. It was the only bakery around their area that made these treats and Cosima had grown friendly with the lady that owned the quaint little shop, often receiving a free coffee or cookie in gratitude for her loyal custom. 

‘It would be nice if I had a plate,’ Delphine teased, carefully taking the treat out of the bag. 

Cosima tilted her head to the side playfully, her lips forming a tight line. ‘Kick me while I’m down, why don’t you?’ she bantered, rolling her eyes and taking a sip of the coffee she had just made. 

‘Hey, that plate was ugly anyway,’ Delphine confessed casually before she took an appreciative bite of her treat, and hummed her delight. ‘I’d forgotten all about its existence to be honest,’ she said as she swallowed and licked at her fingertips.

Cosima’s eyebrows furrowed. ‘I thought you loved that plate,’ she countered back in utter confusion. 

‘Non,’ Delphine countered, blinking in confusion. ‘I thought you liked it. You were the one who insisted that we bought it,’ Delphine said.

Cosima grinned and shook her head in disbelief, ‘I bought it for you as a souvenir, but if you thought it was ugly why were you pissed at me for breaking it?’ 

Delphine recalled the memory of Cosima’s first time in France, her wide-eyed appreciation and poor attempts at French to impress her had been utterly adorable. They’d spotted the plate in one of Delphine’s favourite little stores, and despite only merely looking at it, Cosima has become convinced somehow that Delphine had loved it. Wanting to do something nice for her wife, Cosima had insisted on buying it for her, despite the designer price tag, and every time it got pulled out of their kitchen cupboard since it had been a souvenir of a fond memory.

‘It reminded me of when I took you to France for the first time’ Delphine explained with a soft smile, warming her hands around the coffee mug. ‘You were very sweet that trip.’

‘I like to think my French has gotten better since then,’ Cosima quipped, slowly bridging the gap between them.

 She felt her heart flutter with adoration as the sunlight crept in through the kitchen blinds and bathed Delphine in a soft glow. With her blonde hair ruffled from sleep, Delphine had never looked more beautiful, and Cosima knew just how lucky she really was.

Delphine reached out, curling her fingers behind Cosima’s neck and pulled her in close. ‘Reviens au lit avec moi,’ Delphine whispered, her lips pressed tightly to Cosima’s ear. 

Cosima’s eyes fluttered closed for a few seconds. Her heart began immediately thumping wildly in her chest, as she turned her face slightly, ‘I definitely know that one,’ Cosima murmured shakily against Delphine’s lips. ‘Oui,’ she murmured, kissing her wife slowly.

Delphine brought her other hand up to cup Cosima’s cheek as their lips brushed together softly over and over again. She pushed off the stool carefully and sealed the tiny, remaining gap between them, aching to feel Cosima’s body against her own.  

Cosima felt her knees weaken at the contact, and a small moan escaped her as the kiss deepened further. She tugged at Delphine’s t-shirt, her fingers skimming over soft skin that only made her want more. 

Delphine hummed her approval at Cosima’s caress and without breaking their kiss, Cosima urged Delphine gently backwards, leading them towards the stairs and their awaiting bed. The plate already long forgotten about.

———

The lawnmower was a textbook definition of a disaster waiting to happen.

It was almost as old as Cosima, and they had borrowed it from Alison a few years ago and never returned it. Alison had never asked for it back, so it was kept in their garage for the majority of the time. 

Donnie and Arthur had come over to play whilst Helena took a much needed breather. Having two wildly energetic boys was exhausting and Helena took any opportunity she could to have some down time. 

Sarah watched the boys playing in Cosima and Delphine’s huge garden from where she was lounging on her deck chair. They were kicking a soccer ball around whilst Cosima cut the grass, and she took a sip of beer and turned her face into the sun, enjoying the warmth.

Delphine appeared a few minutes later with a tray of drinks and snacks for everyone.

‘They bloody love coming here,’ Sarah smiled up at Delphine, her eyes squinting in the sun. ‘Helena said they always ask to hang out with you guys,’ she added. 

Delphine sat down, her eyes averting to her wife trying her hardest to tell the boys to not get to close to the lawnmower. ‘We love having them, and then giving them back after a few hours,’ Delphine joked, taking a glass of lemonade from the tray. 

‘Damn right, I’ll drink to that,’ Sarah exclaimed back.  They shared a mutual laugh and clinked their drinks in unison. ‘Don’t get me wrong, Kira was an angel, but it’s definitely nicer when they’re a little older… actually scratch that, the backchatting sucks.’

Delphine laughed, and then waved over the boys in French, holding up two colourful cups of lemonade for them to have. They ran over quickly, and just like Helena, downed their drinks in loud slurps before saying thanks and hurrying off to play again.

———

Cosima could feel the sweat dripping down her back as she pushed the lawnmower along, attempting this now whilst the boys were here was probably not her smartest idea. But they wanted to play on the grass and it had gotten super long, and Cosima had promised Delphine weeks ago that she would cut it but has never actually gotten around to it. 

‘Hey, Auntie Cosima, watch this!’ Arthur yelled, kicking the soccer ball as hard as he could muster. 

Cosima could barely hear over the roaring lawnmower as the ball came towards her at full speed. It smashed into the side of the lawnmower causing Cosima to veer off to the left.

‘Shit!’ Cosima cursed as the machine collided with Delphine’s herb garden, crushing everything into the ground. The lawnmower took a tumble over a rock and overturned. Thick black smoke began billowing out it, covering Cosima in its smog before the power shut off. 

Donnie and Arthur gasped in shock, bringing their hands to their mouths in disbelief, whilst Sarah and Delphine rose from their seats in surprise at what they had just witnessed. Just as Delphine put her drink down, readying herself to make her way over towards the carnage, Alison walked through their back door along with Oscar and Gemma. 

‘Is that my lawnmower?’ Alison exclaimed in exasperation, eyes narrowed in on Cosima, the smoke, and her upturned machine.

‘Well… kinda,’ Cosima responded with a frown and a sheepish shrug. 

‘It either is or it isn’t, Cosima,’ Alison fired back.

Cosima waved her hand around to clear some of the rising smoke from her face. ‘Well, it was. Now it isn’t because it’s totalled.’

Alison glared over at her and shooed Gemma and Oscar away to go and play with the twins before approaching Cosima and bending down to examine the lawnmower. A few hums of contemplation later, Alison reached into her handbag and like Mary Poppins, retrieved a small DIY kit. Cosima watched in a mixture of amusement and respect as Alison unscrewed a few parts, tinkered around, and then assembled them back together once more.

‘Move,’ Alison commanded, and Cosima held up her hands in surrender and let Alison flip the lawnmower back over. She held Cosima’s gaze as she pulled the motor and smirked smugly as the machine came back to life as if nothing had ever been wrong. ‘This lawnmower has been a reliable member of the Hendrix family for years. It’s not totalled at all. You’re just a reckless operator, Cosima.’

Cosima let out a scoff and took a step forward towards the lawnmower to finish what she started. 

‘I don’t think so,’ Alison warned, and moved to block Cosima coming any closer to the lawnmower. ‘I’ll finish cutting the rest of the grass since you are clearly inexperienced with the handling of such tools,’ she stated, ushering Cosima away with a flick of her hand before she began carefully manoeuvring the machine off the crushed herbs.

‘Whatever, dude,’ Cosima grinned in defeat. ‘Have at it.’ 

Leaving Alison to it, Cosima walked across the garden over to where Sarah and Delphine were sitting with bemused smiles on their faces. She took the glasses off her face as she sunk down into the empty chair in defeat, and wiped them on her smoke infused shirt to clear the lenses. 

‘Don’t say a word...’ Cosima groaned.

Delphine handed her a glass of lemonade with a smirk and said nothing, she knew Cosima had meant well and the sight of her was amusing enough without words. 

Sarah couldn’t help but chuckle and waggle her eyebrows cheekily. ‘I guess bush knowledge is where your expertise ends, eh, Cos?’  

Cosima mock laughed, putting the frames back on her face. ‘Oh, a queer joke, good one,’ Cosima tapped Sarah’s leg playfully and grinned as her sister faked an injury in response. 

‘Seriously though, look how bloody happy she is,’ Sarah commented nodding her head towards their other sister. 

Alison was in her absolute element as she pushed the lawnmower across the garden. She had put on the protective gloves and goggles that Cosima had tossed aside, not bothering to use them, and already the grass was beginning to look neater as she worked the lawnmower across the yard in perfectly symmetrical strips. 

The three of them shared an amused look before breaking out into laughter. 

‘I’m just glad it isn’t broken, I’d never hear the end of it,’ Cosima commented, taking a sip of her drink. 

She turned back around a second later as she felt a soft tug on the arm of her shirt. She looked down to see little Arthur staring up at her with sorrowful eyes.

‘Sorry I kicked the ball at you, Auntie Cosima,’ Arthur apologised, hoping his cheeky smile would force her into forgiveness. 

Cosima rolled her eyes at herself, it was hard to stay mad at the boys when they were so cute and endearing. She bent down to his level, ‘it’s okay, little dude, you did me a favour and got me out of cutting the grass,’ she joked, pulling him in for a hug. 

Arthur held his nose as he half hugged Cosima and pulled away quickly the first chance he got. 

‘You smell like a barbecue,’ Arthur waved a hand in front of his nose, and all of a sudden all the children crowded around Cosima, pointing laughing and holding their noses. 

Cosima shot Delphine a helpless look and shrugged her shoulders dramatically in surrender. 

‘Mon Amour, why don’t you go take a shower?’ Delphine suggested, leaning closer to her wife. The closer she got to Cosima, the stronger the smell was, but Delphine did her best to ignore it as Donnie pulled on her hand begging her to play.  

Cosima nodded in agreement. ‘Yeah, I guess I better, I’ll be right back,’ Cosima leaned in to kiss her wife but felt quickly rejected as Delphine recoiled back. 

‘Sorry, it’s just… the kids are right, you are very, very smoky,’ Delphine confessed, taking a step back from Cosima. 

‘Wow, okay. First the whole plate breaking thing, and now the friggin’ lawnmower. What a shi—’ Cosima ranted only to be stopped by her wife slapping a hand over her mouth.

‘Cosima!’ Delphine hissed along with a warning glare. 

Donnie and Arthur were hot on Cosima’s trail though as she quickly got up and began making her way towards the house. 

‘You owe us a dollar!’ Arthur screeched in delight, jogging behind Cosima in an attempt to stop her. 

‘Yeah; you said a bad word! You owe us a dollar, that’s the rule, Auntie Cosima,’ Donnie jibed as he followed in hot pursuit, holding his hand out for his prize. 

Cosima did her best to ignore them and began to pick up her pace as she reached the door, but Donnie and Arthur chased behind her with screams and shrieks of excitement, and a few minutes later they shot out of the kitchen door with a dollar clasped in each of their hands along with one for Oscar and Gemma. 

‘What plate? What’s she on about?’ Sarah questioned, ignoring the madness unfolding before her and looking over at Delphine.

Delphine opened her mouth to begin explaining the story from earlier, when the lawnmower became silent. Alison removed the goggles and gloves and began marching towards Sarah and Delphine, it looked as though she hadn’t even broken out in a sweat. 

‘I’m reclaiming my lawnmower back,’ Alison announced, reaching for a glass of lemonade and sipping at it before making a face. ‘Is this store bought?’ Before Delphine could answer, Alison grimaced and set the glass down. ‘Where’s Cosima?’

‘I’m here,’ Cosima replied, fresh from her quick shower and dressed in a clean pair of clothes, her dreads still looped up in a bun. ‘What’s up?’

Alison jerked a thumb over her shoulder towards the lawnmower. ‘I’m reclaiming my property, since your inexperience is evidently dangerous,’ she explained, and before Cosima could even protest she held a finger up to shush her. ‘I will however return every month to maintain the lawn.’

‘Erm, thanks, Alison, but there’s honestly no need,’ Cosima replied with a smile. ‘We’ve been talking about getting a landscaper in, so maybe it’s just time.’ 

Alison looked both offended and mortified at the news as her hand went to cover her chest in disbelief. ‘No,’ Alison replied, shaking her head. ‘There’s absolutely no need to waste money, I will take care of it, okay? It’s just a little grass cutting, Cosima. A few plants dotted around here and there and this yard will look lovely. I won’t take no for an answer, okay?’

Cosima shrugged her shoulders, knowing the matter was already decided upon and that arguing anything different wasn’t going to get her anywhere.

‘Okay, thank you, Alison.’

Alison grinned and pulled her phone out. ‘Excellent, now I think I should come here, here and here,’ she said pointing to dates on her phone. ‘That way your lawn has the perfect amount of time to flourish without becoming messy.’

Sarah and Delphine sniggered as Cosima was forced to pull out her own phone and make notes of when her new gardener would be attending.

———

A few weeks later, a rumbling buzzing sound echoed in through Cosima and Delphine’s bedroom window, pulling them both from their lazy Sunday morning sleep.

‘Mon amour, please turn off your phone,’ Delphine mumbled, turning her face further into the warmth of her pillow, trying to ignore the noise the best she could.

Cosima grumbled in response and reached out to slap at her phone, when the noise persisted, Cosima squinted open her eye and leaned up to peer down at her phone, which as it turned out, wasn't the source of the noise at all.

She shoved the covers aside and stumbled towards the window, opening the blinds and staring down into their yard.

‘What are you doing?’ Delphine asked, peering sleepily at her.

‘It’s Alison,’ Cosima breathed, and then laughed when Delphine broke into a smile and groaned, reaching for Cosima’s pillow and covering her face.

Cosima shook her head in amusement and watched as Alison mowed their lawn on her new, bright pink, ride on lawnmower. Never one to do things by half’s, Cosima mused fondly, and pushed the window open.

‘Alison!’ She yelled down in greeting, and tapped her wrist, it was far earlier than Alison normally came over.

Alison stopped the mower immediately and looked up at Cosima apologetically. ‘Sorry, did I wake you?’

Cosima narrowed her eyes. ‘Dude, yes.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Alison apologised again, ‘but we did discuss last time that today is my only spare Sunday, remember? I have all of the plants and decking arriving today.’

‘Wait, what?’ Cosima questioned. ‘I thought you were just cutting my lawn every few weeks?’

‘Don’t you ever listen to me? You’re worse than Donnie sometimes I swear,’ Alison shook her head and beamed up at Cosima. ‘Never mind, you said you needed a landscaper, so here I am,’ she shrugged. ‘I’ve been taking a course at the community college and now I’m ready to give your yard a full makeover. I even have some recruits coming to help… oh, that must be them now.’

Cosima watched as Donnie and the kids came in through the garden gate followed by Arthur and Scott who were carrying pots of paint and trays of plants.

‘Hurry up and get changed,’ Alison called up. ‘I have a job assigned for you too, Cosima.’

‘Alison…’ Cosima groaned.

‘Chop, chop, Cosima, time is precious,’ Alison cut her off. ‘Oh, and tell Delphine I’ve put the ingredients and the recipe for a proper lemonade on the kitchen side.’

When Cosima laughed again and turned back to look at Delphine, her wife was glaring up at her in mock annoyance.

‘Your damn sisters,’ Delphine mumbled fondly.

Cosima laughed and moved to kiss her wife good morning. ‘Chop, chop, Dr Cormier, we’ve been assigned tasks and drill sergeant Hendrix will start bellowing off we don’t get to it.’

Delphine rolled her eyes and then smirked wickedly as she tugged at Cosima’s hand, drawing her back into the bed. ‘Let’s be naughty recruits together,’ she hummed against Cosima’s lips, and felt her heart swell as Cosima chucked against her mouth before deepening their kiss.

Chapter Text

When the front door slammed shut with a little more force than usual, Delphine knew her wife was going to be in a huff.

Cosima stormed into the kitchen in a blur of red; trusty red trench coat and beanie still part of her go-to winter wardrobe even after all these years. Despite the abruptness of her arrival, Delphine couldn’t help but feel her heart swell affectionately, a smile curling at the corner of her lips as she watched Cosima dump her bag down onto their kitchen counter with a thud.

‘Everything okay, Mon amour?’ Delphine greeted softly, waiting until Cosima met her eyes before raising her eyebrow questioningly.

Cosima seemed to pause then, her body calming and her frustrated frown ebbing away to reveal a sheepish grin. ‘Shit, I’m sorry,’ Cosima replied in response, grabbing her bag and removing it from their newly installed marble worktops. 

‘Bad day?’ Delphine asked, gesturing with her hands. ‘You’re all… wirey.’

Cosima chuckled at her description and reached up to pull the beanie from her head. ‘Wirey?’ she teased back.

Delphine mock glared at her. ‘You know what I mean,’ Delphine retorted with a smile. ‘You seem agitated.’

Cosima sighed deeply as she shrugged out of her coat and hopped up onto the stool her bag was occupying only moments before. ‘I got confused as a student, again,’ Cosima emphasised frustratedly. ‘I left my ID here and the stupid old bitch wouldn’t let me buy the wine to go with dinner. She, and I quote, said I ‘looked like a drop out, stoner wannabe… especially with that hair’,’ Cosima mimicked making air quotes. 

‘Well, she was kind of right, you are a part time stoner,’ Delphine teased.

Cosima scowled in response, her hand reaching up purposefully to toy with one of her dreads. ‘Serious question,’ she started slowly, finding Delphine’s gaze to study her reaction. ‘Do you think I’m too old to be rocking the dreads now?’

Delphine smiled and shook her head. ‘Non, I love them, they’re part of you,’ she replied lovingly, but quickly noticed that her answer didn’t seem to soothe away the deep furrow that was creasing Cosima’s brow. ‘I think the question you need to ask is, do you think you’re too old for them?’

Cosima hesitated a moment before answering. ‘I kinda think they’re totally timeless,’ she said with a shrug.

‘But?’ Delphine prompted, knowing her wife had more to process, more to say.

Cosima sighed again and tugged at her dread. ‘But I don’t know if they’re me anymore… does that make sense?’ Delphine nodded, and gave Cosima the space she needed to work through her feelings. ‘I think… I think I’ve like, kinda, outgrown them.’

Delphine smiled and stretched her arm out across the breakfast bar, bridging the space between them as she wrapped her fingers around Cosima’s hand. ‘If that’s how you feel, I think the new you, the you you are now, is out there waiting for you to find her,’ Delphine voiced softly, and then wiggled her eyebrows playfully when she added, ‘and I think she has really sexy, awesome hair.’

‘Awesome, huh?’ Cosima laughed happily in response, noticing Delphine’s incorporation of her trademark phrase. ‘You really think so?’

‘Oh, I know so,’ Delphine flirted. 

‘You just wanna be able to finally run your fingers through my hair,’ Cosima quipped, knowing how wild the gesture always drove Delphine and how frustrated she sometimes got when she remembered she couldn’t echo the caress.

‘Of course,’ Delphine hummed cheekily. ‘Any excuse to have another way to hold you close to me.’

Cosima felt a flush rising to her cheeks as Delphine eyed her darkly, her teeth toying invitingly at her bottom lip as she made her way around the breakfast bar, turning Cosima on her stool to stand purposely between her thighs.  

Her fingers reached out to trail gently along one of Cosima’s dreads, tugging gently as she tilted her head to capture Cosima’s lips in a hungry kiss. When Delphine’s hand shifted to slide around Cosima’s neck, nails scratching hotly at her nape, Cosima whined into their kiss, knowing she’d do anything to feel those same fingers slide up into her hair and scratch against her scalp.

If she wasn’t sure before, Cosima was definitely convinced now. It was finally time for the dreads to go.

———

Felix looked mildly shocked at her unexpected arrival at the loft the following weekend but he invited her in with a fond kiss to her cheek anyway. But it wasn’t until Cosima outlined the actual reason for her visit that he looked well and truly, monumentally flawed.

‘I’m sorry, Cos, love, you’re gonna have to repeat that because I think my brain just malfunctioned,’ Felix replied slowly, his eyes still wide and his mouth still agape as if he couldn’t process what she’d told him.

Cosima chuckled at his reaction and leaned forward to brace her hands on his knees so she could stare directly into his eyes. ‘It’s time the dreads went, dude,’ Cosima explained simply. ‘I need you to totally hook me up with a capable stylist. I need to be transformed.’

Felix stared mutely back at her for a drawn out moment before a wicked smile materialised over his face. ‘If it’s transformation you want, darling, then you’ve definitely come to the right place. Reinvention and expression through self projection is right in my wheelhouse.’

Cosima knew he was telling the truth. Throughout the time she’d known him, Felix had rocked more styles than it took people decades to lean into before discarding.

‘So…’ Cosima drawled with a hopeful grin. ‘Do you know someone who can help?’

Felix beamed back at her in response as he pushed to his feet and held his hand out for her to take. ‘Abso-bloody-lutely.’

———

Cosima stared back at her reflection nervously as the hairdresser and Felix traded a hushed exchange behind her.

She hadn’t really known what style she’d wanted to go with, all she’d given Felix to work with was a simple list of requirements; something cool, something easy to maintain, and no bright colours.

‘Valentina here is going to give you the hair glow-up of the century, Cosima,’ Felix exclaimed in excitement as he came to stand behind her, his hands gripping her shoulders reassuringly.

‘Dude, are you sure this chick knows what she’s doing?’ Cosima whispered up at him. ‘She speaks, like, zero English.’

Felix leaned down to rest his head on her shoulder and held her gaze in the mirror. ‘Darling, style, fashion, glamour… it’s all art. It transcends the human language. Valentina got the brief, she knows what she’s doing, you just have to trust her,’ Felix replied and then cheekily added with a wink, ‘and me.’

Cosima rolled her eyes, she knew better than to press Felix further. When Felix’s creativity took him, there was no arguing. His vision would be realised, and this time Cosima and her hair were his canvas.

‘Estas lista, chica?’ Valentina asked as she appeared behind her as Felix stepped aside.

Cosima inhaled deeply and nodded. ‘Si, let’s freakin’ do this, man.’

———

Despite Cosima’s initial reservation, when Valentina was eventually done, her feet surrounded by the chopped strands of Cosima’s dreads as she held up a mirror behind her for Cosima to take a look at her new hairstyle, Cosima felt her eyes burn with tears of shock and delight.

Felix fanned his hand in front of his face, his own eyes watery with awe and happiness for his sister. 

‘You look incredible, Cosima,’ Felix hummed encouragingly. ‘Delphine isn’t going to know what’s hit her when you walk in later.’

Looking back at her in the mirror for what felt like the first time in a long time was her, the real her, and as Cosima reached up to gently explore her new, shorter locks, she knew she’d made the right decision. Felix was right too, Delphine was going to lose her mind.

———

The house was quiet when she got home and Cosima was glad. It gave her a moment to breathe, a moment to spread her new wings in her own space, and conclude once more that she had definitely made the right decision. This new look screamed a more mature her while still encompassing that unique quirkiness that distinguished her from the rest of her sestras.

Now, all she had to do was wait to get her wife’s approval. Pouring two glasses of wine, Cosima waited anxiously for her return home from work. 

‘Cosima, I’m home,’ Delphine called moments later, the front door closing with a click behind her, and her heels tapping against the hardwood floor as she made her way into the kitchen.

‘Hey,’ Cosima greeted with a shy wave of her hand as Delphine’s eyes landed on her and immediately froze her in place, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open in surprise.

Although they had discussed the idea of Cosima cutting her dreads, she hadn’t actually made any concrete plans to do anything about it, not until earlier that morning when she’d awoken with the overwhelming urge to seize the day.

‘So…’ Cosima said slowly, her hand reaching up to rub nervously at the short hairs at the nape of her neck. ‘What do you think?’

Her new hairstyle was short at the back and on one side, with a tussled longer fringe pulled over to the other side. It was carefree and kinda messy looking, perhaps a little geeky too, but Felix had assured her nobody rocked sexy-geek-chic quite like she did.

‘You… oh my god, you did it, you cut your hair,’ Delphine rambled, dropping her bag carelessly to the floor and rushing to stand in front of her wife, her fingers hovering around Cosima’s face. ‘Can I?’ Delphine asked, wanting permission to touch, and Cosima nodded.

Delphine wasted no time threading her fingers through Cosima’s shorter locks, her nails scratching against Cosima’s scalp as she marvelled at her wife’s new look, eyes filled with awe and desire.

‘You like?’ Cosima murmured, trying to stifle down a moan as Delphine’s fingers toyed with the hairs at the nape of her neck before running back to thread through her hair, and urging Cosima’s face closer to her own.

‘Oui,’ Delphine breathed hotly. ‘I like it very much,’ she whispered, capturing Cosima’s lips with her own and kissing her passionately, her hands never leaving Cosima’s hair as she worked their bodies together hungrily.

It was all Cosima could do to grasp helplessly at her wife’s back and let Delphine have her wicked way with her.

‘Le nouveau toi est très sexy,’ Delphine husked into her ear as she trailed her lips up from along Cosima neck.

Cosima might not have spoken much French, but over the years she had definitely learned enough to know her wife more than approved with her new look.

Chapter Text

Delphine let out a long sigh as she trudged up the steps leading to the front door of her home. It had been a long day of teaching at the university and Delphine had been forced to get up even earlier than she normally would to attend an important meeting. All she wanted now was to have a large glass of wine and crawl into bed as she relaxed her weary mind and limbs.

As she entered the house she instantly spotted a birthday banner above the kitchen door and felt wave of dread ripple down her spine. In the crazy rush of her day, Delphine had almost forgotten that today was her birthday. The banner was suddenly a startling reminder that she had turned another year older and was feeling it deep in her very bones. She’d never been a fan of her birthday, found the prolonged attention a little uncomfortable, and with her exhaustion weighing down heavily on her shoulders, Delphine certainly didn’t want any fuss. That’s exactly what she had firmly told Cosima too when she’d broached the subject the prior week.

It had been at the same time that Cosima had asked her what she wanted for her birthday, and Delphine hadn’t been able to come up with anything. She already had everything she wanted, but Cosima seemed unhappy with that answer and badgered her with the same question everyday until Delphine had eventually relented with a simple answer of a quiet night in, some good food and wine, and an early night. 

Delphine’s eyes scanned around the kitchen and took in the mess scattered across nearly every countertop. It looked like Cosima had once again woken up late and rushed around leaving a destructive trail behind her. A half eaten slice of toast was left on the side next to a coffee cup, and she had even left the milk out. Delphine exhaled tiredly, knowing it had more than likely gone warm and off, and she’d be forced to head out and grab another ready for the morning.

Delphine ran her hands across her face in frustration, she took a deep breath before walking towards the kitchen counter and gathered the cups. Cosima had always been messy and not as organised as her, and although this was something Delphine had gotten used to over the many years of being married, and for the most part she always let it slide because she knew Cosima tried, today it prickled at her.

Delphine begrudgingly tossed the cups into the dishwasher, and knew her task wasn’t over yet as there was most definitely empty wine glasses in the living room from last night that Cosima wouldn’t have had time to collect. 

Delphine’s eyebrows furrowed with confusion upon entering the living room. Cosima’s coat laid carelessly draped on the back of the couch and down by its side was her work bag. Delphine glanced at the clock and noted the time, Cosima wasn’t due home for another hour, and yet it appeared she was already there.

‘Cosima?’ Delphine’s voice echoed around the room as she called out for her wife.

When no response greeted her, Delphine peered through the window wondering if Cosima was outside smoking, her usual go to activity after work, but she wasn’t there either. 

‘Cosima?’ Delphine called out again, her voice full of frustration as she climbed the stairs heading straight for the bedroom. If Cosima has taken herself off for a nap without even attempting to clean the kitchen up, she was definitely going to be pissed. 

Delphine reached their bedroom and flicked the light switch on as she entered, and found herself surprised yet disappointed that Cosima wasn’t in there. In fact, there had been no signs that anyone had been in their bedroom since that morning. 

Delphine noticed the bathroom door open slightly however, a dim light peeking through the thin crack. She pushed open the door and raised her eyebrows in disbelief as her eyes took in the sight before her. This was definitely not what she expected. 

Their messy bathroom which was to be cleaned on the weekend had been scrubbed within an inch of its life. The clothes on the floor has been picked up, the wet towels had disappeared, and all of Cosima’s makeup had been neatly put away. 

Delphine felt a smile tug at the corner of her mouth as she approached the bathtub. The irritation she felt just moments ago had completely disappeared as she picked up the small card perched on the end of the tub. ‘Get in’ it instructed, scribbled in Cosima’s familiar scrawl. 

‘Cosima,’ Delphine called out once more as she turned around and noticed all the candles that had been lit. She hoped Cosima hadn’t been foolish enough to light them and leave the house, no matter how romantic her intentions. 

She was just about to venture out of the bathroom when another note caught her eye. It has been stuck onto the back of the bathroom door and Delphine rolled her eyes fondly at how well her wife knew her. ‘I told you to get in’ it read, this time all in capital letters. 

Laughter bubbled up inside her as she shrugged, deciding to let go of the tough day she had at work, the messy kitchen and her frustration with Cosima’s lack of being neat and tidy, and simply do as she was told. The bath did look inviting, Delphine thought, removing the belt on her jeans. Perhaps playing along and seeing what else Cosima had in store for her would be exactly what she needed to redeem what was left of her birthday.

As she unbuttoned her blouse Delphine peered out into the bedroom, she still felt a little uneasy with the whole set up, especially with Cosima nowhere in sight. She wondered if this was a birthday prank, if Cosima was hiding somewhere ready to scare the shit out of her. It wouldn’t be the first time Cosima tried to surprise her by appearing when she least expected her too.

Delphine forced herself to shake her head and discard her thoughts, surely Cosima wouldn’t do something like that to her on her birthday. Without a further worry she tossed her clothes into the laundry hamper and stepped gratefully into the waiting bubblebath. It felt so good as the warm water washed over her body, and Delphine smiled and let a contented sigh escape past her lips as she slipped as far down into the water as the bathtub would allow. Brushing her hair off her neck so that it wouldn’t get too wet, she let her head rest against the edge as her eyes fluttered shut and allowed her weary body to finally relax.

A few peaceful moments passed before Delphine finally heard some movement coming from their bedroom. The soft strains of French music began filling the bathroom and Delphine let out a small laugh of delight. Footsteps were nearing closer and Delphine opened her eyes eagerly expecting her wife’s appearance. 

‘Happy birthday!’ Cosima grinned, pushing the door open with her knee. ‘Before you totally start stressing over the kitchen, I got it okay?’ Cosima assured as she made her way to the edge of the tub and squatted down to kneel on the floor beside her. 

Delphine felt her heart swell as Cosima handed her a flute of champagne and leaned in to kiss her lips softly. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered smiling against her wife’s lips. 

Cosima smiled and proudly held a cake up, ‘I made this for you,’ she announced confidently handing Delphine a fork. ‘Red velvet, your absolute favourite.’

Delphine raised a questioning eyebrow. 

‘Okay fine, I totally bought it... but don’t tell Alison. I’ll only get a lecture on how I should have asked her and that store bought is over priced,’ Cosima rolled her eyes and moved the cake nearer to Delphine’s lips. 

Delphine dug into the cake, she lifted the the fork to her lips, watching Cosima’s eyes darken as she licked her lips. She knew that look all too well. 

‘It’s good,’ Delphine smiled wickedly, handing Cosima the fork back. 

Cosima felt her eyes roaming uncontrollably over her wife’s body as she slowly reached out taking the fork back from her. She cleared her throat as she tried to keep herself in check, but it was so damn hard when Delphine looked so good.

‘So… birthday good so far yeah?’ Cosima drawled, taking a bite of the cake. 

‘Oui,’ Delphine responded, noticing her wife’s longing stares. ‘Although it would be better if you got in,’ Delphine hummed lowly, and reached out to wrap her fingers around Cosima’s neck as she pulled her in for a kiss. 

Cosima allowed herself to get lost in the softness of Delphine’s lips and the sweetness of the frosting still lingering in Delphine’s mouth for a long moment before she felt warm water splashing her, and quickly realised she had somehow stumbled halfway into the bath. Her body’s desire to become one with Delphine’s clearly having taken over any rational part of her mind.

‘No, no, we can’t,’ Cosima laughed, reluctantly breaking the kiss only to instantly begin trailing kisses up Delphine’s neck. 

‘Why not?’ Delphine whispered as she attempted to peel off a layer of Cosima’s clothing. 

Cosima let out a small sigh and bit her lip. ‘Because the sestras are coming over in like an hour,’ she winced apologetically. 

Delphine’s face fell flat and any amorous feelings she was having quickly disappeared. ‘I thought we were having a quiet night. Cosima, I told you i didn’t want any fuss,’ Delphine huffed, petulantly splashing water at her. 

‘I know. I know. We were… I’m sorry,’ Cosima tilted her head and pressed a kiss to Delphine’s cheek. ‘It’s just… They love you and want to celebrate you being old,’ Cosima watched as Delphine’s head snapped up, her eyes playfully glaring. ‘Older…’ Cosima corrected quickly, smiling and hoping the banter would soften her wife’s mood. 

Delphine’s sighed deeply in response. She knew how much her wife meant well, and she knew loving her meant loving all the sestras. She supposed she should be grateful really, the sestras loved her now just as much, but sometimes she really did just want a quiet night… alone with Cosima.

‘I love them too, I just wish you would have told me earlier. I need to get out this bath and look presentable,’ Delphine eventually replied, and reached for the bath plug as she looked over at the towel hanging on the back of the door. 

Cosima grinned and waggled her eyebrows. ‘I mean, I think you look totally presentable as you are,’ she flirted, letting out a wolf-whistle and flashed her wink of appreciation.

‘Out,’ Delphine barked out lightheartedly, and pointed to the door. 

‘Party-pooper,’ Cosima pouted playfully and laughed even as she threw her wife a towel. With one final, exaggerated look of adoration over her wife’s naked body that left Delphine blushing, Cosima parted with a smirk and closed the door behind her. 

***

Screaming swarms of children ran through the house as party poppers and balloons began filling Cosima and Delphine’s living room. 

Little Donnie and Arthur raced towards Delphine holding one side of a birthday banner between them. They were so excited to present it to her that they almost knocked Delphine down as they launched into her awaiting arms to hug her tight. 

‘Happy birthday Auntie Delphine!’ they said in unison hugging her even tighter. 

Delphine wrapped her arms around them tighter in return and kissed their soft little cheeks. ‘Merci, boys,’ she said as she ruffled their hair fondly before they pulled away to begin arguing over where to put their banner. 

‘I know you said no fuss but it’s your birthday and what better way to celebrate than with copious amounts of wine and cocktails,’ Felix declared as he strutted past, heading straight for the kitchen with Sarah following behind him. 

‘I tried to stop them all, but you know what they are bloody like,’ Sarah shrugged apologetically as she pulled Delphine into a light hug. ‘Happy birthday! I hope this one has been spoiling you, yeah?’ Sarah raised an eyebrow at Cosima and then embraced her. 

‘I might have a few things up my sleeve for later,’ Cosima replied, flashing a look at her wife. 

‘I think the party is enough of a surprise,’ Delphine quipped playfully as Sarah grimaced at Cosima’s open flirtation.

Sarah opened her mouth ready to fire a quick insult at Cosima when Felix appeared with a tray of drinks. 

‘Happy birthday, darling!’ Felix said as he leaned in and kissed Delphine’s cheek and handed her a very strong, freshly prepared cocktail. 

Delphine felt her cheeks flush, she hadn’t expected such a fuss but she felt completely surrounded by love, by her family. 

Alison marched in a moment later with Donnie trailing behind her holding an armful of gifts. ‘Happy birthday, Delphine!’ she greeted excitedly. ‘You look beautiful.’

‘Thank you, Alison,’ Delphine replied as she embraced her.

‘Totally,’ Donnie echoed. ‘You French really do age like fine wines, hey?’

Sarah and Cosima sniggered laughter at the comment and Alison nudged her husband in the ribs with her elbow, scolding him immediately, ‘Donnie!’

‘What?’ Donnie huffed. ‘I was trying to be polite and nice.’

Alison shot him a glare. ‘Shut up and give Delphine her presents,’ she ordered.

Donnie did as he was told, and Delphine struggled to juggle the armful of presents thrust into her arms as she looked over at Alison unsure what to say. ‘Alison… this is very generous. You really didn’t have to get so many gifts,’ Delphine replied.

Alison waved her off. ‘Nonsense. You only turn forty once in a lifetime. Besides, I read this article about all these things you should start doing at forty to maintain a healthy mind body and soul, and well… they weren’t on your Amazon wish list but I just thought fiddlesticks, I’ll get them for you anyway. Do you have a daily exercise routine? You know what, don’t answer. I know you’ll be saying yes soon enough anyway.’

Delphine’s mouth twitched into a forced smile of gratitude. ‘I’m sure I will love it.’

‘Of course you will,’ Alison beamed confidently.

Sarah narrowed her gaze at the present still clutched in Gemma’s arms. It was large and round and… ‘is that a bloody yoga ball? Please tell me you didn’t wrap a yoga ball, Alison?’

‘Sarah,’ Alison admonished. ‘Can we please not guess. You know I hate that. Presents are wrapped to create mystery. It’s the whole point.’

Felix smirked taking a sip of his drink, ‘Pretty sure that’s not what Delphine will want to be bouncing on later,’ he teased, nudging Cosima’s shoulder. 

Delphine blushed and shot Felix a playful, disapproving look, and she felt grateful for little Donnie, who tugged on her hand and begged sweetly to unwrap the yoga ball. 

She plucked the present from Gemma’s hand with a polite thank you and handed it over to the twins, smiling fondly as they carelessly ripped off the wrapping paper, much to Alison’s immediate horror, and began kicking it manically around like a football.

‘Boys, that’s actually not what that’s for,’ Alison chided as she hurried off to try and show them how it was meant to be used. 

Sarah shot Delphine an approving look as the boys dodged Alison’s attempts to catch them, screaming wildly as they chucked the ball to each other.

‘Who wants cake?’ Helena called out standing in the doorway holding a homemade cake clearly made by Alison. 

Alison gave up chasing the boys and hurried over, a hand clutched to her chest. ‘Helena, can you put the cake down please? Just over here is fine, everyone will get a piece,’ she ushered Helena over towards the kitchen countertops making sure the cake looked perfect still.

Delphine looked around at the commotion, a wide smile creeping onto her face as she watched her weird and wonderful family celebrating.

Delphine turned her head catching Cosima’s eyes, her heart swelled with appreciation and complete and utter love as Cosima mouthed I love you from across the room. 

‘To Delphine!’ Donnie yelled above the music Helena had put on. 

The whole family raised their glasses to Delphine and cheered in unison, wishing her a happy birthday. 

So maybe she didn’t get the quiet night in she originally had planned, and her bath was cut shorter than she anticipated, but knowing that the whole gang were here to celebrate her turning another year older, with nothing but love - even if it was crazy, unconventional love - was the best gift Delphine could have wished for. 

Chapter Text

‘Sarah, you can totally stop freaking out, okay? She’s here with us, she’s safe,’ Cosima assured, the phone pressed tightly against her ear as she paced the living room floor. 

Kira let out a deep sigh along with an irritated head shake, and pulled her phone from her pocket, steadfastly ignoring the 13 missed calls from Sarah. 

Delphine perched on the arm of the couch and reached out for Kira, placing a warm reassuring hand on her shoulder. 

‘Just let things cool off for a few hours, come by later,’ Cosima flashed a look at Delphine for encouragement and Delphine nodded in response. ‘Okay... just relax. Talk soon.’ 

Cosima ended the call and paused for a brief moment. She slipped her cell phone back into her back pocket and made her way toward the couch. 

‘Your mom was freaking out, she was worried you’d run away somewhere,’ Cosima raised an eyebrow whilst trying her best to be stern. Delphine was definitely better at it than she was. ‘Ignoring her calls isn’t cool, dude,’ Cosima sat patiently beside Kira awaiting a response. 

Kira slumped back into the couch dramatically and ran her hands over her face. Living with Sarah was extremely difficult at times, not only was she fiercely overprotective and intrusive, Kira felt like she wasn’t allowed to be a normal teenager like her other friends. 

Kira turned to Cosima and blew out an exasperated breath. ‘You have no idea what she’s like sometimes, I just wanted to go to the party tomorrow with a few friends,’ Kira explained desperately wanting Cosima to be on her side. ‘She didn’t even give me a chance to explain where it was or anything, she just flat out said no.’ 

Cosima nodded sympathising with her niece. She knew everything that had happened in the past had deeply affected Sarah and her relationship with Kira. The two falling out and being at loggerheads was nothing new, especially with how quickly Kira was growing into a young adolescent. Cosima sometimes wondered if Sarah wasn’t just worried about Kira’s remarkable genes, but also if she’d follow in her footsteps and be a wild child. Never had Sarah admitted to relating more to Mrs S. than she did now as she was coming to grips with the stress that came with parenting a teenager.

Delphine got up from the arm of the couch and smiled at Cosima before heading towards the kitchen to make everyone a hot drink, and giving her wife a moment alone to try and comfort their niece. 

‘Your mom has been through a lot, and she like, totally, loves you. So, so much. You have no ideas how much, dude,’ Cosima caught Kira’s eyes for a moment as she talked, trying to communicate the depth of Sarah’s emotions for her daughter. ‘And even though she can be super annoying and in your face at times, it’s only because she cares.’ 

Kira rolled her eyes at Cosima’s response, she felt like no one truly understood her and that even though she was fifteen she was still being treated like a baby. Sarah’s constant need to know where she was and who she was with, all of the incessant phone calls and text messages, left Kira feeling suffocated by her. Even though she knew it was out of pure, unconditional love it didn’t change the fact that it made Kira feel untrustworthy when she’d never done anything to earn such doubt. It just felt unfair, like it was her mom’s way or the highway. No room for discussions. It sucked.

‘I just wanna hang out with my friends,’ Kira whined. ‘Is that so bad?’ 

Cosima gave a tight-lipped smile, and although she understood where Kira was coming from, she was struggling to relate. Her parents had given her so much freedom as a kid and had complete trust and faith in her that she didn’t need to ask permission to go to parties or check in with them all the time.

‘No, kiddo, it’s not bad at all,’ Cosima reassured with a shrug that left Kira slumping even further back into the couch.

Delphine made her way back towards the living room holding a tray with three steaming mugs of hot chocolate, and Cosima immediately felt relieved for another opinion to enter the debate.

Kira couldn’t help the smile on her face as she took the mug from Delphine. It was her ultimate favourite and Delphine had gone all out, cream and marshmallows and even powered chocolate on top. If nothing else she could always count on her aunts to provide a calming, safe place for her to unwind and process.

‘Thanks,’ Kira smiled, wrapping her hands around the mug and enjoying the comfort of its warmth against her palms. 

Delphine sat next to Kira and turned to face her. ‘You know, when I was your age, my mom was very strict,’ Delphine began explaining, trying to get through to Kira in a way she could understand. ‘I hated it and just wanted to be with my friends or have parents that didn’t care as much.’

Kira nodded waiting for Delphine to continue, she knew her aunts were going to give good advice but also not tell her what she wanted to hear. That’s what she loved most about Cosima and Delphine. Their total honesty and transparency, and never treating her like just a stupid kid. 

‘But I realised she did it because she cared for me, and I knew I would have to compromise if I wanted to earn her trust. So, the next time you wanna go to a party or hang out with friends, write the location down and the time you plan to be back home,’ Delphine advised calmly. ‘Even if Sarah says no, go to the party but stick to what you’ve written down, you must answer your phone calmly if she calls, to reassure her, and you must be back at the time you said.’

‘Why?’ Kira questioned. ‘Won’t she just ground me for ignoring her or turn up at the location and drag me home?’

‘Non, she will appreciate the gesture,’ Delphine replied with a smile.

‘Yeah, it will help to build up some trust,’ Cosima added in, her eyes met Delphine’s as they shared a brief smile. ‘Show your mom you can be trusted to be sensible and grown-up, and then she will start seeing you for the young adult you’re becoming.’

‘Oui, rebel sensibly,’ Delphine raised an eyebrow at Kira along with a semi-serious, stern expression. ‘It’s the smartest way’.

‘Viva la revolution?’ Kira teased in a mock French accent that made Delphine smile.

‘Oui,’ Delphine grinned. ‘Sensibly.’

‘And,’ Cosima emphasised, ‘if you get really drunk and don’t wanna face your mom, call us,’ Cosima grinned as she rubbed Kira’s knee. ‘We will always come and pick you up whatever the time, we all just want you safe. Besides, I have a totally amazing hangover cure,’ Cosima beamed. 

Kira felt an involuntary smile tug at the corner of her mouth, the irritation and anger she felt earlier had somehow disappeared and being in her aunts' company made her feel like she was being listened to and heard. 

‘I get it, you wanna go out and party and be carefree,’ Cosima continued, smiling softly. ‘I remember being your age and just wanting to be with my friends, getting drunk off cheap booze and playing spin the bottle. It’s the best of times.’ 

Kira frowned in confusion. ‘Spin the bottle?’ 

Cosima paused for a brief moment and realised she was showing her age as Delphine laughed. ‘Yeah it’s erm… like this game where you spin the bottle and kiss whoever it lands on,’ Cosima mumbled, cringing slightly at how lamely 90s that was.

A silence fell between the three of them. 

‘It was cool back in the day, okay?’ Cosima glanced at Kira, tilting her head to the side as Kira shook her head and grimaced. ‘I’m still the coolest aunt, though, right?’ she winced playfully. 

Kira gave Cosima a tight-lipped smile in response, she paused for a brief moment before answering, ‘Well…’

Cosima gasped in offence and mock covered her heart. ‘Ouch!’

Kira laughed in response. ‘Sorry.’

‘I think you’re cool, Cherie,’ Delphine quickly interjected and reached over to touch Cosima’s knee affectionately. 

Kira couldn’t help but let out a chuckle again as Cosima grimaced and rolled her eyes, ‘Yeah, that’s not the save I was looking for. Plus, you’re biased.’ 

‘Only a little,’ Delphine admitted with a smile.

Kira grinned at their banter whilst taking on both her aunts’ advice. She knew she was a good kid, and whilst Sarah’s overbearingness was frustrating and annoying, she knew all the sestras loved her and cared more than she could probably ever comprehend. 

***

‘How many people have you kissed?’ Kira asked as she reached over to grab a second slice of pizza. 

Cosima couldn’t help but let out a laugh at the question, she briefly paused trying to come up with a reasonable number. ‘I don’t know, god, quite a lot I guess,’ Cosima answered, shrugging her shoulders. ‘I never really kept count.’

‘Did you always like girls?’ Kira probed on around a mouthful of pepperoni.

Cosima pushed her glasses further up her nose and leaned forward to rest her elbows on the table. ‘Yeah, like I always knew. You know, sexuality is not the most interesting thing about someone. You can love whoever you want,’ Cosima spoke passionately with her hands, her eyes glanced over at Delphine who in turn smiled in response. 

Kira nodded, turning her attention to Delphine. ‘What about you, Delphine? How many girls have you kissed?’ Kira questioned. 

Delphine sat up straight in her chair, she felt a flush rise hotly in her cheeks at the question and cleared her throat audibly. ‘Well… only Cosima... and…’ 

‘Who?’ Cosima squinted her eyes at her wife questioningly.

Delphine breathed out a puff of air and rubbed her forehead, ‘Sarah… but I thought she was you,’ Delphine confessed in a rush. 

Cosima’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected answer, and she felt an involuntary smile begin to creep across her face at the awkward pairing. ‘When? When was this?’ she asked, desperate to find out more. 

‘Remember years ago at The Dyad? There was an event and Sarah showed up dressed as you. Her disguise had me fooled for a few minutes and... I kissed her,’ Delphine bit her lip sheepishly, watching Cosima and Kira share an amused look. 

‘Wow... I just… wow okay. I did not know that,’ Cosima slumped back in her chair letting out a hearty laugh. ‘Why didn’t you ever tell me about this? I could have been teasing Sarah about this for years now!’ 

Delphine mirrored Cosima’s smile and shook her head, ‘I don’t know, I just seemed to have forgotten about it. Looking back now it was… awkward,’ Delphine admitted as she stood up and began collecting the plates, desperately wanting the conversation to change. 

Cosima watched her wife scurry into the kitchen, and just as she was about to tease her some more, the door knocked loudly with three taps. 

‘That’s definitely mom,’ Kira deadpanned, getting up from the table and walking towards the front door. 

Kira opened the door to find Sarah standing on the other side, and she managed to muster a small smile as she stood aside to let her in. 

Sarah ran a hand through her wild hair, before saying, ‘Look, you can go to the party tomorrow, alright? I was being too bloody hasty before.’ Sarah stood in front of Kira placing her hands on her shoulders. ‘I’m sorry, yeah?’ 

Kira sighed with relief and let the tension she was holding in her jaw relax. ‘Thanks, Mom. I promise you I’ll be home on time,’ Kira said as she stepped willingly into Sarah’s waiting embrace. 

‘I know, Monkey,’ Sarah murmured affectionately as she squeezed her tightly.

Cosima emerged into the hallway as the two broke apart. ‘Hey, we would have dropped her off, you didn’t need to come all the way out here and get her,’ Cosima said as Sarah pulled her in for a hug. 

‘I really appreciate you guys letting her stay,’ Sarah answered back earnestly. 

‘She’s always welcome here, Sarah, we love having her,’ Delphine said softly as she joined the three of them in the hallway. 

Sarah reached out and greeted Delphine with a hug as she replied, ‘Thank you’ 

‘Whoa… I know my wife’s a total babe but, hands-off,’ Cosima jested, looking over at Kira who was already trying her hardest not to laugh. 

‘Cosima!’ Delphine hissed lowly in a warning.

‘Am I missing something here?’ Sarah asked as she pulled away from Delphine and blinked back at the three of them in confusion. 

‘You didn’t tell me you and Auntie Delphine made out,’ Kira quipped, emboldened by the cheeky glimmer in Cosima’s eyes, and moved to grab her coat off the hook. 

‘Non, that is not what it was,’ Delphine quickly interjected, her eyes landing on Sarah’s awkwardly before she pinned Cosima with a glare. ‘At all.’

Sarah felt all eyes on her again, as her mind quickly scrambled to remember the memory from all those years ago. ‘Oh bloody hell,’ she mumbled as the memory fell into place. Her eyes widened as she gazed at Cosima and then at Delphine and then quickly back to Cosima. ‘Look, Cos, we didn’t… I mean it was only one kiss and—’

‘And I thought you were Cosima,’ Delphine cut in again, shrugging timidly at Sarah as the embarrassment of her mistake came rushing back to her once more.

Cosima and Kira couldn’t help but burst into hysterical laughter, not only the thought of Sarah and Delphine sharing a kiss but the awkward interaction playing out in from of them now, as a result, had them both wheezing with laughter. 

Sarah looked over at Delphine as they shared a disapproving glare at the two of them. Despite her efforts to remain serious, Sarah couldn’t help but feel a smile growing on her face and soon enough all of them were chuckling. 

‘Right, enough bloody madness. Come on, Monkey, let’s get home,’ Sarah said, wrapping an arm around Kira’s shoulder and guiding her towards the front door.‘Thanks again, you guys.’ 

Cosima snapped her fingers quickly to grab Sarah’s attention before she could scurry out the door. ‘Hey, before I forget, have you got Donnie a gift yet? Alison is throwing him a surprise birthday party next weekend remember?’

Sarah stopped abruptly and shook her head. ‘Shit, no, I haven’t. I have no idea what to get him either. I’ll have to ask Alison for some hints I reckon,’ she responded.

‘Maybe you could give him a kiss,’ Cosima jested, a devilish grin on her face. ‘Since you seem to like kissing other people's spouses and all,’ she bantered, not being able to resist. 

Sarah shot her a glare and immediately flipped her off. ‘Piss off!’ she bellowed, although the broad smile on her face gave her serious tone away. 

Kira laughed at the antics and shot her aunts a parting smile at the same time as 

Delphine grabbed Cosima around the waist and drew her back against her chest, covering her mouth with her hand before she could say anything else, she held her tight against her body.

‘Goodnight,’ Delphine said softly as she watched Sarah and Kira disappear through the front door, leaving her and her bratty wife alone once more.

Cosima nipped playfully at her palm, getting Delphine to release her and chuckled as she turned slowly in Delphine's arms, wrapping her own around Delphine’s waist and drawing her close. 

‘Sorry, but that was just the funniest thing I’ve heard in a while, I couldn’t resist,’ Cosima grinned as she looked lovingly up at her wife. 

Delphine rolled her eyes in response. ‘Are you finished?’ she asked, reaching out and cupping her wife’s face. 

Cosima’s eyes drifted from Delphine’s eyes, and then slowly down to her lips. ‘Maybe,’ she whispered as their lips brushed together in the ghost of a kiss. ‘But only if you can find a way to keep me quiet.’

Delphine raised her eyebrow at the teasing challenge and dipped her head to capture Cosima’s lips in a soft but deep kiss. She waited until she felt Cosima sigh happily into it, her body melting further against Delphine’s own before Delphine swiftly pulled away without warning.

‘Mm, you have the softest lips, Sarah,’ Delphine murmured against Cosima’s mouth, laughing when Cosima immediately stopped kissing her and pulled back with a playfully disapproving look on her face.

‘You did not just say that,’ Cosima chuckled.

Delphine touched her fingers to her lips in mock coyness. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry, mon amour, it’s just so easy to get confused, you know? Clone kisses are very similar.’

‘Woah, that’s so not true… is it?’ Cosima blinked, watching as Delphine grinned wickedly and shrugged as she began heading up the stairs. ‘Woah, no, wait a second, get back here, I think I need to prove that notion totally wrong,’ Cosima scolded as she reached for a quickly retreating Delphine. 

Delphine smiled sexily in response and crooked her finger, beckoning Cosima to follow. ‘Guess you’ll just have to kiss me lots more for me to draw a proper conclusion.’

Never had Cosima hurried after her wife so fast, and with the sound of Delphine’s laughter ringing in her ears, and the sweet taste of Delphine’s lips still lingering against her own, Cosima was more than happy to provide Delphine with more data to gather her conclusion. 

Chapter Text

Hi all,

I just want to start by saying whoever is still reading, enjoying and liking my fics, I truly appreciate it so much and enjoy seeing the comments and kudos even after nearly a year of no updates.

I’ve had numerous people ask me if there will be anymore updates or anymore Orphan Black fics.. sadly the answer is not right now. It’s not a permanent no.. but at this time there won’t be any updates for the foreseeable future.
My life is far too busy with work, my relationship and just doing life lol

I will keep these fics up on A03 for everyone to still enjoy and read at their own leisure.

Thank you to each and every one of you that took an interest in these fics, I had a blast writing them!

Peace out ✌🏽