The Time Traveler's Wife

The Mother

September 2019

"Hey!" Laura Hollis greets from the couch when she sees Carmilla reappear right where she'd left-- next to the fireplace.

"Hey."

Laura tosses a hoodie and a pair of sweatpants at her from across the room. "When did you go this time?"

"1995." Carmilla's voice is flat and she's clearly still in shock.

Laura's eyes widen and she gets up, walking slowly towards her. "Oh, Carm. I'm so sorry."

"Yeah, that was... odd," Carmilla says, gesturing for Laura to sit down beside her on their couch. "Which you know is saying something given... everything."

Laura opens her arms and Carmilla snuggles against Laura, letting out a long sigh and feeling the tension drain from her body.

"It sucked more than I thought it would. Seeing Mini-Me have no idea what just happened, or that her dad's dead. Trying to prepare her for the tough life ahead of her... How damaged she's gonna be when she finally meets you..."

"You weren't damaged when you met me, Carm," Laura insists softly, brushing a strand of hair from Carmilla's face.

Carmilla chuckles dryly. "You would think that, wouldn't you? You wouldn't be you if you didn't." She gives Laura a small peck on the lips. "Always seeing the best in me."

"That just means the best is already there," Laura says sweetly. "You just need a stubborn creampuff to show you where it is."

"I'm serious," Carmilla laughs softly. "Seeing that scared girl I was... Knowing the crap she's gonna have to face with her mother, and the time-traveling. You saved me. You're my hero."

"And you're mine," Laura replies.

Carmilla smiles and as Laura gives her a longer, deeper kiss this time. "So you've said." She frowns. "How long was I gone this time?"

Laura shifts awkwardly. "A couple... months..."

Carmilla's eyes widen in horror and she swallows hard. "I'm so sorry," she whispers, frustrated. "These stupid treatments aren't doing anything."

Laura giggles and gives her another peck on the lips. "We're gonna be okay, Carm. We're gonna grow old in this nice ol' house together. It's gonna be full of love and laughter. Time travel can't do anything bad to us."

Carmilla hums. "Promise?"

Laura nods. "Promise."

The doorbell rings and Laura laughs when Carmilla rolls her eyes into the void before she gets up to answer it. Laura looks out of the peephole before frowning and carefully opening the door.

"What do you want?"

Lilita Morgan scoffs. "Good day to you, too, dear."

"It's been two years and the last time I saw you, you called Carm and I weak for loving each other. And used a few other choice adjectives. Right before our wedding. So. Excuse me if I skip the pleasantries," Laura growls.

"Please tell me you didn't send my mother another invite to our home without discussing it with me first," Carmilla's voice laments from behind Laura.

"No, I learned my lesson last time. She just showed up," Laura replies without taking her eyes of Lilita.

"Right, of course." Carmilla turns her attention to her mother with an insincere beaming smile. "It's been swell, mother, but I need you to go, now. We've got business to attend to."