The Time Traveler's Wife

The Come Back

December 2016

"I know you're a grinch,' Laura says as she takes Carmilla's gloved hand in hers, "but you're telling me even from an aesthetic standpoint you don't find this winter village pretty?"

Carmilla rolls her eyes. "We could enjoy the exact same aesthetic in our warm, cozy apartment, which has fairy lights hung up."

Laura gives her an endearing look. "Maybe you get grumpy in the cold coz you insist on only wearing a leather jacket."

"No, I get grumpy in the cold because it's cold," Carmilla grumbles.

Laura laughs and stops, letting go of Carmilla's hand, which makes her pout. She takes her scarf off and wraps it around Carmilla's neck. "Better?"

"No, coz now you're cold," Carmilla replies, her pout growing.

"Better keep me warm, then," Laura says with a smirk. "I mean, what if I get hypothermia?"

Carmilla gives an overdramatic gasp. "Then who would buy the cupcakes?"

Laura kisses Carmilla's protruding lower lip. "Other people can buy cupcakes, y'know."

"I don't want anyone else," Carmilla whines. "I want you."

"Then it's me you shall get," Laura says softly, giving her a proper kiss. "And for braving the perils of holiday decorations, you'll also get some nice hot apple cider."

They wait in line and get two cups, and manage to locate a small empty table nearby to wait until the cider is at a drinkable temperature.

"Carmilla?" a voice asks from nearby.

Carmilla pauses, then her eyes widen and she stiffens.

"Carmilla?" the woman repeats, sounding out each syllable in a British accent. "Good lord, it is you. It's been... almost a decade."

Carmilla turns to face the source of the voice, gritting her teeth. "Hello, Elle."

Laura looks confusedly back and forth between them.

"And who is this?" Elle asks.

"This is Laura," Carmilla replies tensely. "She's my girlfriend."

Laura sticks out her hand, and Elle takes it. "Haven't been dating long, I guess."

"We've been together almost four years," Laura replies, glancing at Carmilla for some kind of queue as to what she can and can't say.

"She knows about my traveling," Carmilla says bluntly, taking both Laura and Elle aback. She addresses Laura. "Elle was my longest relationship before you. In high school."

Laura's eyes widen. "Wait a minute! Oh, you told me about her once."

Carmilla frowns. "What? No, I haven't."

"Oh, oops. I guess, I mean, you will tell me about her? Accidental spoilers?" Laura laughs nervously.

Elle scoffs, perplexed. "You mean, you've met each other out of order?"

Laura looks at Carmilla, who gives a small, reluctant nod.

She lowers her voice, realizing they're in public. "I've known Carm most of my life. Met her when I was six years old. She met me when she was twenty-two, but by then her future self had traveled back to see me like, a dozen times."

Elle's mouth drops open. "I thought the only person you'd ever traveled back to see is yourself."

Carmilla shrugs. "We've been just as confused by this as you are."