Chapter Text
Cordelia felt giddy and excited as she walked into the conference building, carrying bags filled with Tupperware and utensils. Her first big event! 3 months ago she was still working at that tiny bakery across the street and though she loved her job there, she had always wanted to have her own catering business. Two months ago she decided to finally make that dream come true.
Here she was. At a big conference for smart and fancy doctors so it only seemed fitting to provide them with fancy food. Cordelia had spent the entire week figuring out new recipes and experiments to bring to the conference as she had high hopes that this would really kickstart her business.
She had to admit though; walking into this building, being surrounded by all of these doctors made her feel a bit uncomfortable. Not only did she feel inferior, they also made it quite clear themselves. She got dirty looks from the few female doctors she could find, probably because she was wearing her apron that showed them she’s not a doctor. She could also feel the eyes of quite a few men on her. More specifically, her ass. She tried to ignore this as she was relatively used to men objectifying her (which is so sad) and didn’t want to ruin her first big job.
She made her way to the stands that were set up for her. She had a quick talk with the organizer of the event, who told her to just stall out the food and walk around. That sounded easy enough, she thought. So she unpacked all of her food, displaying it nicely on the stands. She also hung a tiny garland of yellow flags from the top of the main stand. This way it looked more like her: cheerful.
Cordelia could hear the presentations begin as she picked up some of the food to put on her tray. People would sometimes come over to have a look at the food and she would happily explain what they were but for some reason the people never actually wanted to try it. After having this happen multiple times she decided to take matter into her own hands and walk around the centre, going up to different types of people.
She walked up to two doctors in white coats. They looked nice enough, and besides, everyone needs food!
“Hi there! My name is Cordelia, from Cordelia’s Catering. Would you like to try some of my delicious, self-created recipes?” Cordelia beamed happily.
The doctors looked her over, and then her food.
“We’re in the midst of an important conversation.” One of them said after a while.
“Oh, I’m so sorry for disturbing. You can come over to my stands if you want anything later on!” Cordelia tried, growing more tired with every word she uttered out of her mouth.
The doctors just looked at each other and walked away, laughing.
Well that wasn’t very nice, Cordelia thought, turning around with a defeated look on her face.
Cordelia took a deep breath and sighed. This is only a minor setback. Not everyone will be like this, she thought to herself.
Right then she looked across the room and saw the most beautiful woman she had ever seen in her life. She had dark skin, beautiful dark brown hair and impeccable style. She looked more sophisticated than anyone Cordelia had ever met and this somehow allured her.
Shit Cordelia, don’t get your hopes up, she thought as she plastered a big smile on her face and decided to shoot her shot. Maybe this beautiful woman would eat her food?
She reached the woman and held out her tray.
“Would you like something?” She asked. “Cooked them myself.” She added with a smile, wanting to impress the woman for some reason.
It seemed to work as the Most Beautiful Woman She Had Ever Seen™ was at a loss for words.
After a few moments she stammered out:
“I-I’m kosher… But they look delicious!” And Cordelia smiled. She thought she had some kosher things back at her stand. Oh right! The apple scones were kosher!
She wants to be as inclusive as possible, though she hasn’t quite managed to cook actual Jewish cuisine yet. She thinks that might be a challenge.
“Oh that’s alright! I have some apple scones back at my stand. Those are kosher I think. If you want me to name the ingredients I will.” Cordelia said with a smile. She really hoped someone would finally try some of her food.
The woman smiled at her. That oh so genuine smile. Cordelia felt her heart flutter inside her chest.
“You don’t have to. I’ve had apple scones before.” She said. At that, Cordelia felt the business woman inside of her come out.
“Well I assure you, you haven’t tasted anything like mine!” She giggled and gestured for the woman to follow her over to one of the stands. She could hear the brunette chuckle as she followed behind her.
Cordelia quickly picked up a plate and placed an apple scone on top of it. She handed it over to the woman.
“There you go.” She said with a smile, as the shorter woman took the scone from her.
“Thank you very much, miss Cordelia.” The woman smiled and Cordelia’s breath caught in her throat. Not only had she read her apron, she actually thanked Cordelia for her food. Cordelia concluded that her expectations were way to low, but was also extremely grateful for this amazing woman in front of her. She was pulled from her thoughts when the brunette looked at her worriedly.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you in any wa-“ She started but Cordelia was quick to cut her off.
“No! No it’s fine. It’s just that you’re the only doctor here today who has thanked me for my food. Most of these people don’t even give me a glance.” She said, looking at her feet.
“Yeah they’re all jerks.” The woman said and took a bite of the scone. Cordelia laughed at that.
Cordelia anxiously awaited the brunette's judgement on the scone.
“Oh my god, this is so good!” She eventually said with a mouth full of scone, which made Cordelia giggle both out of amusement and relief.
“Sorry. That was rude. But really, these scones are amazing.” She said once her mouth was empty.
“You really like them?” Cordelia asked, somewhat shyly. The woman in front of her nodded sharply and took another bite.
“I’m so glad!” Cordelia beamed. She really was, so so glad, that someone finally ate her food and liked it!
“I guess I’m a better baker than I am a cook. But I still love to do it! You know, experimenting with new recipes, making them look perfect and making people happy with them! Except well, that doesn’t happen too often… but I still try!” Cordelia smiles.
“That’s amazing. All I can cook are grilled cheese sandwiches and omelets.” The woman chuckled. Cordelia raised her eyebrows and laughed.
“Is that what you live on?” She asked playfully.
“Yep. And coffee, that also helps a lot.” The shorter woman grins, making Cordelia laugh.
“That’s not very healthy for a doctor, is it?” She grins as well. “I’m going to teach you how to cook an actual meal, ok?” She stated.
“Oh are you now?” The woman smirks.
“Yes. Are you free this evening? After the conference?” Cordelia tried, deciding to shoot her shot.
“I happen to be free.” The woman said with a smile. “What will you be teaching me?” She asked.
Cordelia thought for a moment .
“Let’s start with something simple. Spaghetti bolognese, kosher of course. If you’re up for it?” She asked.
“Sounds perfect.” The woman said. She then looked a bit startled as she said: “I’m Charlotte, by the way. Doctor Charlotte Dubois.” And she held out her hand for Cordelia to shake, so she did.
Charlotte. What a beautiful name.
“Cordelia. But you already know that.” She stammered with a giggle, looking down at her apron.
After a while Charlotte let go of Cordelia’s hand and they both blushed. Cordelia thought to herself that she would really like to feel that more often.
The two women talked for a while longer about Charlotte’s job, Cordelia’s new business, entitled doctors and eventually love. Cordelia decided to subtly shift the subject to the doctor's love life.
“So, dr. Charlotte. Your husband must be very lucky to have such a successful woman by his side.” Cordelia said. She saw Charlotte grin at her. Did she see through her?
“Well, I consider myself to be quite lucky not to have a husband. I can barely deal with straight men as it is.” She chuckled. Did Cordelia hear that right? Or was she reading too much into this?
Though, the smirk Charlotte was giving her told her otherwise.
Eventually Cordelia decided to go with her gut.
“I totally agree.” She said with a giggle and she saw Charlotte’s face relax. So she was reading this right.
"Phew. For a moment there I thought you were straight.” Charlotte chuckled and Cordelia faked offense.
“Excuse me doctor?!” She gasped, but couldn’t help but smile.
It felt nice to talk about this with someone and not have to hide who she is.
Cordelia forgot about the fact that no one was trying her food, or that no doctor at the conference had eaten a single thing. She figured that since they were doctors they knew what was best for themselves and quite frankly, she couldn’t bring herself to care anymore. Charlotte liked her food, and that was enough.
They kept on talking until it was time for Cordelia to clean up her stands, which Charlotte offered to help with. Together they finished up and left the building, walking towards Charlotte’s apartment.
—
Their first dinner/cooking date soon became a weekly thing as the two women were clearly smitten with one another. Cordelia would come over to Charlotte’s appartement after work and each week she’d teach Charlotte a new recipe. Then they’d eat their creation together and talk until late into the night. Charlotte would then walk Cordelia home, because she didn’t want her going out alone that late. Cordelia loved these evenings. Just the two of them in the cold, outside air. Nothing to think about except each other.
This particular night was a rather cold one and they were both wrapped up in warm coats, hats and gloves. Cordelia caught Charlotte looking her over and she grinned.
“What are you looking at, doctor?” She asked.
“You.” Charlotte simply said and Cordelia felt her cheeks flush red, making Charlotte giggle.
They continued their walk in a comfortable silence. Suddenly Cordelia felt Charlotte’s hand brush against her own and she smiled, looking straight ahead of her.
Without a second thought Cordelia laced her fingers through Charlotte’s. She saw Charlotte smiling widely out of the corner of her eye, which made the butterflies in her stomach do somersaults.
They walked like that until they reached Cordelia’s appartement.
There they stood opposite each other, still holding onto the other’s hand. Cordelia looked at the woman in front of her a realized how happy she made her. It almost felt like nothing could ever be wrong as long as she was with Charlotte.
Suddenly Charlotte walked a little closer to her, still holding on to her hand. She placed her other hand gently on Cordelia’s waist and leaned in. Cordelia’s breath hitched in her throat as she felt Charlotte’s lips press softly against her own. She completely melted into the other woman’s touch and kissed her back soundly.
After they pulled away, Charlotte leaned her forehead against Cordelia’s, keeping her close.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for a while.” Charlotte said, her voice no louder than a whisper, making Cordelia shiver.
“I’m glad you did.” Cordelia whispered back and leaned back in to kiss Charlotte again.
Charlotte finally let go of Cordelia’s hand, only to wrap both her arms around her waist as Cordelia placed her hands on Charlotte’s cheeks. They kissed with more passion this time, their longing for each other more clear with every movement of their lips. Cordelia sighed into the kiss, cupping Charlotte’s face with her hands.
They broke apart only when they needed to catch their breath.
“You know… It’s a very cold night.” Cordelia started, still rather out of breath.
“Hmm… I would probably freeze to death if I walked home tonight.” Charlotte murmured, pulling Cordelia’s body against her own.
“Well… you’re lucky I have a very warm and cosy bed right here.” Cordelia grinned, running a hand through Charlotte’s hair.
“Lucky me.” Charlotte smirked and kissed her lover once more.