The Time Traveler's Wife - The Other Side

The Kiss

September 2012

A few days go by and Laura stakes out the spot in the park, studying in her car at night and napping on the park bench in the daytime. She isn't totally sure what the rules are for Carmilla when she travels back to her present, since Laura's only been on the receiving end of Carmilla's travels thus far.

But her traveling back to the same spot she leaves sounds logical, right?

She's gone back to her car to charge her phone when she hears a commotion behind her. Laura whirls and realizes Carmilla has reappeared in the same place she left. In broad daylight. Right out in the open.

She gets several horrified stares before Laura manages to swipe a large blanket she's been using and throws it over Carmilla.

"Aaaaand that was our act! The Mysteriously Appearing Naked Lady! You're lucky you got to see this at all—the chances of you seeing her doing it around the city ever again are slim!" Laura's panicked voice rings out. "Let's go, Naked Lady."

Carmilla follows in the direction Laura pulls her in, sighing in relief.

Laura opens the passenger door and helps her in. Carmilla pulls the cloth off her head and lets it fall around her shoulders.

"Man, you are lucky I've barely left this spot since you disappeared," Laura says once she gets into the driver's seat. She reaches into the back seat and hands Carmilla a pile of clothes. "Just as you left them."

"I'm, uh, comfortable in this," Carmilla mumbles lamely.

Laura looks at her skeptically. "Still trying not to freak you out but... I have seen you naked before. There's no way that itchy blanket is comfortable. I should know, I've been sleeping with it for the past few days. If you want I'll leave the car so you can change in peace?"

Carmilla stares at her. "You've just been parked here waiting for me to come back? For days?"

"Well, yeah. I'm not about to let my best friend get arrested for public indecency," Laura laughs. She opens the driver door and steps out.

"Just knock on your window when you're done," she says sweetly.

Carmilla nods and Laura closes the door.

Laura isn't quite sure when Carmilla just traveled to, but there was frosting on her nose. She pretends not to hear Carmilla's sniffles inside the car, and the tear-stained cheeks when she finally gets back into the car after Carmilla knocks.

They don't seem to be sad tears, though.

~*~

October 2012

"Hope you haven't lost your ability to bake some tasty cupcakes," Carmilla comments as she settles down on a blanket across from Laura in the park.

Laura laughs. Apparently Carmilla had traveled back for the first time to see Laura in November 1999, when the two of them visited Laura's mom's grave with a bunch of sandwiches and cupcakes in tow. "Just don't insult my sandwiches again."

"I make no guarantees," Carmilla replies. Then her eyes widen. "Wait, it's not your mom's anniversary, is it?"

Laura shakes her head with a smile. "No, but I've perfected the ability to cry and pout to get my way with you over the years."

Carmilla holds up her hands in mock surrender. "Consider me aptly warned."

Laura grins and unwraps her sandwich.

"So what have you got planned after being stuck in a car the past few days alone?" Carmilla asks.

Laura cocks her head to the side, smiling.