Chapter Text
Carmilla knocked on the door.
“I really wish my dad had let you keep that house key.” Laura sighed, opening the door.
“Merry Christmas to you, too, Creampuff.” Carmilla chuckled, stepping inside.
“I called you yesterday to say Merry Christmas.” Laura objected. “And you really don't strike me as the ‘merry’ type, are you feeling okay?”
“I'm merry when you're around.” Carmilla tucked a lock of hair behind Laura's ear. “In fact,” she leaned in to whisper in Laura's ear, “I'm downright gay.”
“Papa, Carmilla's here, we're going to my room.” Laura called, grinning.
“Door open. Merry Christmas, Carmilla.” He responded from the kitchen.
“Merry Christmas, sir.”
“We know.” Carmilla and Laura replied at the same time.
“I hate how he acts like we're going to do stuff, like you're corrupting me.” Laura groaned, sitting on her bed.
“Well, I did corrupt you.” Carmilla smirked, sitting beside her.
“You know what I mean.” Laura shoved her arm playfully.
“It took us about two weeks after you told him about you to tell him about us, and that was only about two weeks ago.” Carmilla pointed out. “From his point of view, I start being around you, the two of us alone for hours, then you tell him you like girls and two weeks later we tell him we're dating? I totally infected you.”
“Well, there's no cure for the gay, you're stuck with me for life.” Laura teased. “Death.” She corrected herself. “Undea-” Carmilla covered Laura's mouth, glaring at her. For wanting to be a journalist, she was almost as bad at keeping a secret as Carmilla was at lying. Laura frowned right back, pushing Carmilla's hand away.
“I'd really rather your dad not know all my secrets, Cupcake, I'm not sure he's decided not to kill me yet.”
“He didn't even fire you.” Laura objected.
“Best way to keep an eye on me. Anyway, I'm not here to talk about your dad, I'm here to give you your Christmas present.”
She pulled a long, thin box from her purse, the contents rattled slightly. Laura accepted it, gently shaking it and holding it to her ear.
“A necklace?” She guessed, smiling.
“Just open it, Cupcake.” She watched Laura's face as the girl took the lid off. Curiosity, surprise, and delight, Carmilla grinned at her girlfriend's reaction.
“Oh, I love it!” Carmilla nearly fell over as Laura launched herself at the vampire for a hug.
“I'm glad.”
“I have your present, too!” Laura bounced up, reached into her armoire and pulled out a very thin square present. “I hope you have a record player.” She smiled nervously as she handed Carmilla the wrapped present. Carmilla's grin widened when she tore the wrapping paper off to find herself holding a collection of violin jazz from the greats. “You like it?”
“It's perfect.” She pulled Laura's head down to kiss her cheek.
“I'm going to show Papa my new necklace.” Laura grinned. Smiling, Carmilla followed her to the kitchen.
“Papa, look what Carmilla got me for Christmas!” Laura passed him the box.
“Very pretty.” He commented with a small smile. “Carmilla, I have a gift for you, as well.” He stepped away from the stove and reached up to the top of the refrigerator. Carmilla pulled out her present for him at the same time.
“I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate or not, but…” she murmured. He chuckled and they traded wrapped bottles, Carmilla pulled off the paper to find a bottle of whiskey, Mr. Hollis a bottle of Italian wine.
“Ooooooh.” Laura commented, looking at both the bottles.
“Thank you, sir.” Carmilla smiled politely.
“Thank you, too.” Mr. Hollis turned to put the wine with his other liquor.
“I'm going to change into something that matches my new necklace.” Laura declared with a grin.
“I will wait in the living room.” Carmilla replied, mostly for Mr. Hollis’ benefit.
The phone rang.
“Carmilla, could you please get that?” Mr. Hollis called. She grabbed the handset.
“Hollis residence, who, may I ask, is calling?”
“Fangface?”
“Lawrence. Laura's busy right now, can I take a message?”
“Yeah, okay.” The girl sighed.
“Oh, hold on, I need to find pen and paper.” Carmilla smiled.
“Cut the crap, they're right by the phone.” Danny growled.
“They must have been moved, I can't find them.” Carmilla doodled flowers on the pad of paper that was right next to the phone.
“Look, Dead Girl, I was over two days ago to exchange gifts with Laura, and the paper and pen were right where they're supposed to be!”
“Are you sure about that?” Carmilla looked up as Laura reentered the living room, wearing a plum-colored button-up, brown corduroy skirt, and her new necklace. It fell just past her collar, and was made of light purple tear-drop shaped glass 'stones’ arranged in flowers, set in gold-plating.
“Look, will you just tell Laura-”
“Putting you on hold.” Carmilla told Danny distractedly, setting the handset on the side table.
“I love it.” Laura grinned, running her hand over the necklace.
“I love you.” Carmilla breathed, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around the girl. Laura giggled and went up on her tiptoes to kiss Carmilla’s cheek.
“Who’s on the phone?”
“The ginger giant.” Carmilla replied evenly. “She’s not happy.”
“She hasn’t really been happy lately.” Laura sighed and picked up the handset. “Hey Danny.” Carmilla could hear Danny's angry tone, even with Laura holding the handset to her head, and standing a few feet away. “We're exchanging Christmas presents. It's not a big deal. I'm sorry you had to talk with her, but- … Well I'm sorry for that too, even though I had nothing to do with it. And before you say anything, her putting you on hold for a few seconds was my fault, so I'm sorry a third time. Now that that's out of the way, what did you call about?” Laura's face brightened at whatever Danny said. “That's so sweet! Would tomorrow night be alright? … Sounds good. And you're cool to drive me both ways? Tell your family 'thank you’ for me, see you tomorrow at 6. Bye, Danny.” She set the handset in the cradle and turned to Carmilla, frowning.
“Would you PLEASE stop antagonizing my best friend?”
“I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.” Carmilla couldn't look Laura in the face.
“Neither one of you likes talking to each other, why would you pretend you couldn't find pen and paper? That means you'll have to talk to her longer.” Laura sighed.
“I understand how time works, Buttercup.”
“You are old enough to be the bigger woman- Do not make a height joke, Carmilla.” Laura interrupted herself. Carmilla shut her mouth. The human’s anger was adorable, but Carmilla had to at least pretend to be chastised. “Please stop needling Danny. I really want both of you to be in my life, and if one of you makes the other leave, I'm going to be heartbroken.” Laura hugged her. “Please?”
“Of course, Creampuff.” She promised, wrapping her arms around the girl. “No instigation.”
“Hey.” Laura turned her head to whisper in Carmilla's ear. “Can you even drink alcohol?”
“Yes.” Carmilla smiled.
Mr. Hollis cleared his throat as he entered the living room and the women reluctantly dropped their grasp.
“Carmilla, will you be staying for dinner? The chicken cacciatore is almost done.”
“No thank you, sir. I should be heading out. Bye, Cupcake.” She gave Laura a quick peck on the lips and headed to the door. It was a risk doing so in front of Mr. Hollis, but she and Laura were girlfriends, and it was the day after Christmas. “Bye, Mr. Hollis. Thank you both for the presents. Merry Christmas.”
“Bye, Carmilla. Merry Christmas.” Laura watched her out the front door, smiling and waving as she drove away.
