Chapter Text
Dirt crunched underneath her feet as her hands came up to shield her eyes from the sun. The train ride felt long and she welcomed the fresh air as soon as she stepped out in it. Before her stretched a quaint town, a few shops lining a wide road with a handful of people walking between them. The air was cool and the pace was calm. Cosima surveyed it with a mix of appreciation and anxiety. She had meant to ask the few other people who got off the train with her for any form of direction, but they had disappeared before she had summoned her courage and beginners french. The land was flat and open, decorated with the occasional tree and bunches of flowers. It looked like a sort of post card one would find in any gift shop. She suspected she was on a main road, not seeing anything but countryside beyond the lone buildings.
As her eyes adjusted she quickened her pace towards the center of town. The history of the town could be felt in the air. This was a town built on community, generations of family, and most importantly a strong resistance to change. Cosima soaked in her surroundings as she passed each shop window. There was an old post office, the letters on the window etched but faded. A small market was busy at the end of the street. Chairs were littered in front of a cafe which sat next to a weathered hardware store. The other stores blurred together as Cosima explored the new scenery. She started to feel eyes on her during her second walk through, a noticeable stranger wandering through a town of familiarity. Cosima decided to switch tactics and stopped to choose where she would start first.
Relying on instinct as usual, her feet swiftly took her towards the quaint cafe. Coffee would help. It had never let her down. The warmth inside enveloped her and the rich scent brought a familiar sense of comfort which was sorely needed. She confidently strode over to the bored barista and recited her well rehearsed order. As expected the girl was less than impressed and slowly turned to start making the drink, leaving Cosima waiting anxiously. As she looked around for anything of interest, a newspaper splayed out on an empty table caught her eye. It wasn't so much the headline but the ad in the corner. Cormier Farms. Underneath in neat print was the address. Her eyes lit up.
She greedily grabbed the paper and brought it over to the barista who was just finishing up Cosima's coffee. Bouncing on the balls of her feet Cosima waited eagerly for the girl's attention. The barista unenthusiastically turned to Cosima robotically sticking out her hand for payment but was stopped abruptly by a newspaper seemingly dancing in the air. “Do you know where this place is?” Cosima asked urgently.
The barista froze mid transaction looking puzzled and stared at Cosima. Licking her lips quickly Cosima splayed the newspaper on the counter and pointed excitedly at the ad in emphasis “ehm... savez-vous ou...ehm.. this.” Cosima tried, almost desperately.
Sighing the girl took a moment to study the crazy american before glancing down at the newspaper. “Quoi?” the barista asked.
Biting her lip in frustration Cosima tapped her finger on the add, “where....ou?”
Still seemingly bored the girl gestured with her arm knowing that Cosima wouldn't be able to understand the directions in french. Although she wasn't sure she was getting it now since she had no idea what she was saying in return. “Down the road and go right?? Is that? Then what??” Cosima asked earnestly.
The girl repeated her silent directions and stared at Cosima.
“Down the road and go right??” The staring continued.
Sucking in a breath between her teeth Cosima nodded, slapped some euros on the counter, and grabbed her coffee. It had been decided.
She had a good feeling, not a lot of hope, but a good feeling none the less. Cosima made an immediate right out of the cafe and now clutched her coffee close to her chest feeling reassured by the familiar warmth. It wasn't long before she came upon a worn wooden street sign, one that made her pulse race. For a moment she stood in front of it, studying the faded letters and smooth edges. She turned to look down the dusty road that stretched before her. Vibrant sunflowers lined the left side of it. The gold so bright it reminded Cosima of the sun kissed curls she used to wake up to or find on her clothes. On the right wild flowers grew sporadically between what looked like apple trees, the combination creating a sweet smell that lingered in the air. No farm in sight. Cosima took a deep breath. Not all who wander are lost she thought. She smiled ruefully and started down the road.
The sun was hanging low in the sky, turning it a softer blue with swirls of orange swimming through it. Cosima's feet hurt and she could feel her anxiety start to return with every step. She had been walking for more than an hour and daylight was soon fading. There had been no farm house or any houses for that matter so far. Rows and rows of trees lined the countryside neatly and squash was starting to appear on the horizon. I have to be close she thought.
She was right. A large square house was creeping up the horizon, casting a shadow on the dusty road. It was plain but held a subtle charm to it. Homemade curtains hung in the windows and the shutters that bordered them displayed the hardships of storms past. There was a small round wooden table in the front yard that held a single blue mug next to a thick worn book. Someone is home.
Cosima practically sprinted up to the house, her aching feet forgotten. She stood in the front yard looking up into the windows for any sign of life behind them and found none. Taking a deep breath she walked up to the front door and with no hesitation at all she knocked. Silence. She waited, still scanning the windows and decided to knock again. More silence.
Her head hung in frustration and defeat. Cosima clutched at the door frame as she let out a frustrated sigh and bit back tears. I came all this way. Delphine where are you? She kicked the door frame and released it from her grip as she took in her surroundings once again. Eyeing a small path leading to the back of the house Cosima steadied herself and followed it. The path lead to an open patio. It was neatly kept and had a cozy feel to it but Cosima could only focus on the wine glass left on a table. Red wine. It was half full and Cosima was drawn to it instantly, immediately reaching out for it. She dared a sip before thinking and almost dropped the glass the second the wine touched her tongue. The flavor rich and bold, but the layers of spice subtle and hidden. Delphine's favorite. A shaky hand placed the glass back on the table as she quickly looked around.
There was an opening in the trees along the back of the patio where a pair of sandals lay at the edge. With her heart pounding Cosima made her way to the opening and slowly walked between them. The trees were older here and much taller than the ones she had seen along the road. The apples were deep red and had a shine to them that made you want to touch them just to see if they were real. Walking a few more rows in Cosima could see the tallest of all the trees ahead with delicious apples hanging from it's branches and instinctively headed towards it. The smell was sweet and as she reached her hand out to grab one she was stopped by a noise. Not a noise, but humming. She froze.
Her heart was racing and she closed her eyes willing it to slow down. Taking a deep breath she listened. The humming was close.
She slowly turned around, careful not to make any noise. With one last trembling breath she opened her eyes.
A gasp escaped Cosima before she could stop it and tears quickly blurred her eyes. But she knew that silhouette, those golden curls, and those hands that froze midair.
“Delphine” Cosima choked out.
Another gasp, “Cosima” Delphine whirled around. A basket of apples dropped from her hand and rolled lazily at her feet.
The women stared at each other, afraid any movement would shatter the moment and deem it unreal.
“I knew it was you... I knew it,” Cosima croaked with tears streaming down her face.
In an instant Delphine was wrapped around Cosima, burying her face into the woman's neck. They held each other, each desperate for the other's touch. Cosima breathed deeply, Delphine's familiar scent enveloping her causing her to hold on tighter.
“You found me...Cosima I'm here,” Delphine whispered softly by the brunettes ear before pulling back slightly to peer into those deep chocolate eyes. She moved her hands to Cosima's face and used her thumbs to slowly wipe away the tears on her cheeks.
Delphine pulled Cosima's face towards her and they both melted into each other. A kiss that embodied love, longing, and the promise to never let go.