Part Eight

The phone rang interrupting Esta from her soap opera. "Hello."

"Hi, Grandma," Sharki's voice said from the other end. "I'm still at Delaney's and it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to come over."

"That's fine dear. I figured as much when I woke up." Esta smiled. "Anything exciting happening over there?"

"Well," Sharki glanced at the bedroom door that was now closed. She figured she had a few seconds until Delaney came out after changing her clothes. "Something exciting did happen."

"Ohh," Esta crossed her fingers as she waited for her Granddaughter to continue.

Sharki smiled as she touched her lips. "Something happened between Delaney and I."

"You didn't toss her down the stairs again did you." The older woman teased.

"Grandma," Sharki groaned.

"I'm just jerking your chain." Esta giggled. "So tell me."

"We kissed." Sharki confessed a little louder than she wanted to. She glanced at the door to see if Delaney heard and when the door didn't open she sighed. "Her cat tripped us and we ended up on the floor and then it happened."

"That's great honey," Esta replied happily. "Did you two do the nasty yet?"

"Grandma." Sharki once again yelled.

Esta laughed out loud and nearly dropped the phone. "Lighten up will ya." She finally said after calming down. "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks Grandma," Sharki turned around when she heard the door open and Delaney stepped out on a pair of jeans and a sweater. She mouthed Grandma and Delaney nodded her head and sat on the couch. "Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes, dear I am good. I had some groceries sent over a few days ago." Esta stated. "You don't need to worry about me. Just have fun with Delaney."

"I will Grandma and I'll talk to you later on." Sharki said her good-byes and hung up. She shyly smiled over at Delaney who was watching the brunette stand around with her hands in her pockets.

Delaney patted the couch cushion next to her and she grinned when Sharki walked over and sat down. "What do you want to do?"

Sharki thought for a few minutes before she turned to Delaney. "Are you up for a short walk?"

"You want to go for a walk? In the snow?" Delaney asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yep," Sharki stood up. "I want to walk in the snow." She turned and offered her hand to Delaney. "With you."

"Okay," Delaney grasped the strong hand and pulled herself up.

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"You ready?" Sharki asked before she turned the doorknob in her hand.

Delaney nodded her head as she jumped up and down. "Let's go."

The cold hit their faces as soon as they stepped outside. They both smiled and carefully made their way down the steps. The snow came up to their calves making it hard to walk.

"This is so strange without anyone running into me or hearing the sounds of traffic." Delaney whispered as she looked around the deserted streets.

"It makes me feel we are the only two alive on the planet." Sharki commented. She looked up into the sky and watched the small white snowfall from the heavens. "So serene."

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They two women walked down the sidewalk leaving two trails of footprints behind. They saw people looking out the windows at them and smiled and waved.

"They probably think we're nuts." Sharki laughed as she guided Delaney around a corner to a small park she knew about. "You doing okay? Not too cold?"

Delaney shook her head. "I'm good."

"Great," Sharki squeezed the small hand she held. "You'll let me know if you get too cold."

"No worries, I will." The blonde replied with a grin. "Where are you taking me?"

"To a park that has trees and a small pond." Sharki informed her walking companion. "I thought it would be a good idea to sit on a bench and watch the snow fall."

Delaney stopped and looked up into Sharki's clear blue eyes. "Has anyone ever told you that you're a romantic?"

Sharki's face turned a slight pink color. "No," she blinked but didn't break the eye contact. "I never wanted to do anything like this with anyone."

Delaney stepped as close as she could and stood up on her tiptoes. She placed a soft kiss on Sharki's lips. "I'm glad it's me you want to do this with."

"So am I." The taller woman brushed a strand of blonde hair off of Delaney's forehead before she placed a kiss where the hair covered.

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The snow covered hill that was the entrance to the park was a picture of a post card from some hidden hideaway.

"Wow this is beautiful." Delaney whispered as she walked under the stone gate. That had several long icicles hanging down.

"I know. I try to come here once a year after it snows. I happen to come last year during a small snow storm and I felt so at peace as I sat on that bench." Sharki guided Delaney towards the bench she was pointing at. "I also felt alone."

Without thought Delaney swiped her a hand over the benches seat. "Well, you are not alone any more. I know we just met and though our first meeting wasn't all the great."

Sharki snorted, "Sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it. You already said sorry. Even though your Grandma made you do it I know you meant it." Delaney wiped a few flakes off of Sharki's shoulder. "And like I said we have not know one another for long, but I really like you and I can see you in my future."

They sat down and leaned into each other. They watched the snow slowly fall down to the ground making their winter wonderland even more beautiful.

Sharki broke the quietness with a simple question. "If you could have anything what would it be?"

"What do you mean?" Delaney asked as she moved closer to Sharki's warm body.

"You have won a huge amount of money. You can buy yourself anything." Sharki waved her hands around. "Everything in the world is at your feet. What do you want?"

"Well since your right about me being able to buy anything I've always wanted a nice house with a yard. A place to raise a family like the way my Grandma did." Delaney said as she thought of the house and yard she lived in with her Grandma and how much love she felt just by seeing it and stepping into the warm home.

"Why don't you do that?" Sharki looked down to meet Delaney's eyes.

A tear slid down the smaller woman's cheek. "I could, but I know it won't be the same. It will have a whole different feel to it."

Sharki nodded in understanding. She reached up and wrapped her arm around her companion's shoulders. "It will feel different. Nothing will ever be the same as it was at your Grandma house. You have to bring the love you had for your Grandma into it. You hang pictures and other mementos that remind you of your life and time with your Grandma." She reached out and held one of Delaney's hands. "It will be the home you want. You just bring the love with you."

Delaney couldn't fight the tears any longer so she let the fall knowing that the woman sitting next to her would hold her.

Sharki rested her chin on the top of Delaney's blonde head as she held onto the crying woman. She glanced over to the pond and spotted something swimming across the cold water. "Look over there." She whispered softly.

Delaney shifted her head and looked to where Sharki pointed. The sight of two gorgeous swans swimming together in silence made both of the women feels like they were seeing themselves.

A symbol of togetherness.