The Time Traveler's Wife

The Pandora's Box

April 2013

"Oh, crap," Laura curses as Carmilla reappears in the present.

"Uhm. Wow. Really knows how to make an entrance," another voice says.

Carmilla's still trying to focus and readjust, and it takes her a few moments to realize it's Danny.

And that the room is full of people, including Mattie.

And birthday decorations.

"Happy birthday?" Laura says weakly, running over and throwing a robe around Carmilla.

"Talk about a birthday suit," LaFontaine comments, earning a laugh from Kirsch and a disapproving look with a failed concealed chuckle from Perry.

Carmilla ties the robe's strings together and glances around, eyes wide.

"I'm sorry if you're mad," Laura apologizes in a whisper.

She gently pulls Carmilla onto the balcony, away from the others.

"I planned this party out weeks ago and it wasn't until I woke up this morning next to a pile of clothes that I realized you'd traveled and by then everyone was already on their way... And I felt rude sending everyone home, so we started decorating..."

Carmilla shakes her head with a chuckle. "I'm not mad. I can't believe you did all this for me."

Laura grins. "You're not mad?"

Carmilla crosses her chest, a sign of a promise she'd started doing after noticing Laura has a habit of saying, "cross your heart and hope to die."

"No, I'm not mad. Surprised, definitely. But I bet your friends never thought they'd see so much of me." Carmilla takes Laura by the hands and tugs her a bit closer. "How'd you get Mattie to show up?"

"I promise her there'd be wine. She brought her own bottle anyway..."

Carmilla laughs.

Laura leans in for a kiss on the lips. "Let's get you changed? We can kick everyone out whenever you want."

"How about right now?" Carmilla asks with a smirk.

"You're the birthday girl," Laura replies simply.

Carmilla squints into Laura's apartment. Kirsch is currently animatedly saying something to Danny that's being met with a disgusted look. Perry is rearranging decorations and not-so-subtly cleaning around everyone.

"I guess they can stay for a little bit," Carmilla says, booping Laura on the nose. "Otherwise you'd probably eat the whole cake yourself and I don't want to deal with that sugar high."

"I'd save you a slice," Laura insists sweetly.

Carmilla grins. "And who says chivalry is dead?"

They head back inside and soon enough, Carmilla is settling in beside Laura in a black t-shirt and ripped jeans.

"So everyone here knows about your time traveling?" Mattie asks, already halfway through a bottle of wine.

"If they didn't before..." Carmilla replies, making Laura laugh. "Aren't you gonna ask when I was?" she asks Laura.

Laura hands her a plate of chips and crackers and cradles two cups of soda in her lap with her hands. "When did you travel to?"

"May 1997," Carmilla answers, slowly looking at Laura.

After a couple seconds, Laura's mouth drops open and her eyes light up. "Oh my gosh!"

"What was May 1997?" Danny asks, chewing loudly on a cookie.