The Time Traveler's Wife

The Wedding

September 2017

"Good morning," Carmilla mumbles happily, walking up behind Laura as she sits at the kitchen counter. She wraps her arms around Laura's waist and leans her chin on Laura's shoulder. "Almost-wife."

Laura giggles and turns to kiss her on the cheek. "Good afternoon, almost-wife."

Carmilla gives her a sheepish look. "Who knows? Maybe married life will turn me into an early riser."

"I highly doubt that," Laura teases, laughing when Carmilla pouts. "Why fix what ain't broken?"

Carmilla grins. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Laura replies. "Just make sure you're on time for our wedding tomorrow."

"I promise, no matter what, I will show up on time at our wedding." Carmilla looks at the time on her phone and frowns. "Might not be on time for our rehearsal dinner, though."

Laura rolls her eyes with an amused snort. "Lemme guess. You didn't pick up your dry cleaning yet."

Carmilla's frown deepens. "I suck."

"No. You're amazing. But you'd be more amazing if you went to get your clothes for tonight." Laura gently shrugs Carmilla's embrace off and spins in her chair, handing her a thermos of coffee she'd already prepared knowing this would happen.

"Sometimes I think you've got time traveling abilities, too," Carmilla huffs and grabs her wallet and phone before heading out the door.

Laura shakes her head in amusement and continues typing up her article.

Ten minutes go by before there's a knock at the door. Laura gets up to open it, already chuckling. "It wasn't even locked, Carm," Laura says, turning the doorknob. "Although, I was wondering how long it'd take you to realize you forgot your ticket and the keys--" Her mouth hangs open upon seeing the two people at the door.

"That does sound like Carmilla," Lilita Morgan says, "doesn't it?"

Elle nods. "Yes. It does."

Laura continues to gape at them.

"Aren't you going to invite us in?" Elle asks.

"We're not vampires," Lilita comments to Elle, brushing past Laura. "Besides. I technically did get an invite."

Laura clenches her jaw as Elle follows Lilita in and she turns to face them, arms crossed. "The RSVP deadline was weeks ago so clearly you're not here to celebrate the joyous union of Carmilla Karnstein and Laura Hollis."

"Does Carm even know you invited her mother to the wedding?" Elle asks.

"No. Because her invite specifically said she would not be guaranteed a seat for attendance until we'd met and talked first," Laura replies. "And why the hell are you here?"

Lilita sighs. "I am not celebrating this madness for the same reason she's here."

"We're here to talk you out of this entire charade," Elle continues.

Laura stares at them. "You're kidding, right? The wedding is tomorrow and I love her. Nothing you can say will change either of those things."

"We understand that," Lilita says while Elle makes a gagging gesture. "We're here because you love her."

"What?" Laura asks, her confusion growing by the moment.

Lilita takes a seat on the couch. "Love makes you blind. Trust me." She clicks her tongue. "Miss Sheridan has told me you insist that waiting for my daughter during her travels is no concern to you."