Author's Note: Chapter 37, prepare yourselves it's about to get interesting...

That's it: those 4 words.

...

Carmilla paced around the room, her palms sweaty and her hands shaking as she went over the words in her head. The brunette had woken up at just past 11am, the room was empty and all that Laura left her was a note that said "We Need To Talk."

Carmilla hadn't be this scared since before they started college. She shuddered just thinking about it.

'Get your hands off of me! That's my daughter! I need to see her!'

Carmilla lay in the hospital bed, through her sleepy eyes she could make out a figure coming closer but all she could do was flinch back. Her whole body trembling as that cold voice ran through her. The room began slipping away and suddenly all she could feel was pain. All she could see were the shadows of a high-heeled monster looming ahead.

Carmilla felt a strong hand around her wrist, she thrashed around desperately trying to escape the trapping sensation. She opened her eyes screaming when she saw brown eyes staring straight back at her. Then she heard the voice that definitely did not belong to her Mother. Her body slackening against the hand restraining her. Offering a weak smile to the concerned face of her older brother Will.

She vaguely remembers Will leaving the room and even in her state she could clearly hear his voice shouting at someone, and when she listened closely she could distinctly distinguish her Mother's voice shouting back.

'Let me past William, I need to talk to Carmilla.'

'She doesn't want to see you, she's made that rather clear.'

'Nonsense. I am her Mother, she needs to obey me!'

'She's in here because she was constantly trying to "obey" you! For once can't you just do the decent thing and leave her alone!'

'How dare you speak to me like that?! I raised you better than this, show me some respect!'

'You lost any respect I had for you; when you hurt my baby sister. Now go, we don't want you here.'

'I was trying to make her a better person, she was awful before me!'

'She was happy before you. You broke her and she's never going to be the same! I would never hit a woman but if you try to hurt her again I will not hesitate to floor you.'

Carmilla fell to sleep after that. She woke up to find Laura, Will and Sarah all sat around her bedside. Laura smiles at Carmilla before Sarah starts to speak. Carmilla watches her with wide eyes as she speaks softly. Will moves his arm to squeeze her own.

'You've been asleep for some time Carmilla and whilst you were asleep your Mother tried to break in. Mark came back to find her and this is when Will called the police. Sweetheart they want to talk to you.'

'What?! Why, I don't?' She felt Laura's hand rest on her thigh, her head turning to look into those soft brown eyes.

'I'll be right beside you the entire time Carm, I promise I won't leave your side.'

Her fist met the wall, flesh meeting stone as she cried out angrily. How could Laura do this? After everything?! She thought that they were happy. Her shoulders slumped defeated as she fell back onto her bed, curling around herself as she cried.

'Woah bro are you alright?' Carmilla turns to see a concerned looking Kirsch standing over her bed. Sitting up she fixed him with a glare.

'What the hell are you doing here Puppy?!' The amount of venom in her voice surprised him, stepping back he held up his hands in mock surrender.

'I'm under orders to come and check on you.'

'I revolk your orders, now leave me alone.'

'No can do angry hottie. Besides someone will have to sort out your fist.'

'Thinking of becoming a Doctor now are we?'

'Not unless you're ditching art to become a boxer.' She almost smirked at his come back, instead fixing him with another glare before shrugging her shoulders as she propped herself up against the wall. He smiled before rummaging around, relaxing when he found the first aid kit. Carmilla flinched as Kirsch dabbed her knuckles, he smiled apologetically when she winced in pain. He reached for an icepack applying the pressure to her bruised flesh.

'So, are you going to tell me why you were punching a wall?'

'If I do will you leave me alone?!'

'Probably not but tell me anyway?'

Carmilla sighed, turning to face his concerned stare as she spoke. 'Laura's going to break up with me.'

'What?! She loves you Bro!'

'I thought she did...'

'No way! Laura's totally smitten with you. Don't you remember when she gave that badass speech to the girl who called you disgusting?!'

Carmilla couldn't help but smirk as she remembered how proud she'd been of Laura. The blonde had grown so much more confident during their college years.

Laura smiled into their kiss, reaching up to tangle her hands in Carmilla's hair as the brunette deepened their embrace. They leant against their lockers, it was a good 10 minutes before their first lessons and Carmilla always liked to take the time to give Laura a real 'Good Morning' kiss. That day was no exception.

Laura pulled out of their embrace when she heard someone scoff behind them. Turning she saw a group of girls all stood round, glaring at the couple. Something inside of Laura snapped and she stalked over to the girls, fire in her stance.

'Is there a problem here?'

'Yeah, you're the problem!'

'Come on, Laura they're not worth it.' Carmilla tried to pull Laura away but the blonde persisted.

'I am not going to stand here and let people who are too close minded to understand something, dictate how I show my affection!' She turns to the girl, advancing on her as she speaks 'That's right, I am lucky enough to be with someone who loves me. We're in love and I get to kiss that beautiful face, I get to hold her and love her. She makes me feel special and no one can ever make me feel as though it's wrong to love someone.' She smirks moving closer to the girl as she practically whispers the next line. 'So you can go fuck yourself.'

'That was amazing Laura!' Carmilla grinned, leaning down to kiss Laura's cheek. Lacing their fingers as they walked off, happier than ever.

Carmilla frowned thinking how happy they were, compared to how broken she was now. Her eyes watered and she couldn't stop the tears from falling down her face. She frantically tried to wipe away the tears as Kirsch wrapped his arm around her. She must have been weaker than she thought, as normally she would shrug off any contact that wasn't shared with her girlfriend. Instead Carmilla buried her face in his chest, leaving tear stains all over his jersey. She sobbed harder when she felt Kirsch run his hand up and down her back, stroking her softly to let her ride out her emotions.

...

It was an hour later when Kirsch finally left the room, leaving a now calm Carmilla to read as he whipped out his phone. Looking around as he dialed the number, placing it to his ear as it rang.

Hey, it's me.

Hi, how is she?

She's okay. You need to hurry up, she's getting worried.

I will, just stall her please. Perry's coming to help you.

You got it little hottie.

'Carmilla, do you want a brownie?' Carmilla looked up to see Lola Perry hovering by her bedside, holding a plate full of freshly baked brownies. Carmilla snapped her book shut, hesitantly reaching for a brownie. Perry smiled warmly, placing the plate on Laura's desk before moving to perch on the edge of the bed.

'I spoke to Kirsch before. May I see your hand please?'

'All been talking about me have you?!'

'That's not true, he was worried about you. Please, I want to check for any infection' Carmilla softened slightly, extended her hand for Perry to examine. She had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop from wincing in pain as nimble fingers trailed over her skin.

'It looks well wrapped, no signs of scarring or infection. I can get you some cream, to help with any swelling if you'd like?'

Carmilla mumbles a thank you, suddenly feeling awkward she stands up moving to stand near the window, looking out as she speaks.

'There was only one time when I thought Laura would break up with me. I never thought it would be now.'

'Where the hell have you been?!' Laura practically screamed as Carmilla slowly walked into the room. Her whole body soaked with rain water, hair plastered to her forehead. Carmilla looked blankly at the blonde as she glared back at her.

'You can't just go wandering around at night! I was fricking worried about you Carmilla!'

'Why do you care?! You told me to go away so I did.'

'We had an argument that doesn't mean you can just run away every time things get hard!'

'Stop pretending like you care!'

'I DO CARE! That's your problem; you don't want anyone to care. Well I do. When will you understand that, damn it!'

'I'm tired, I'm not going to do this now.' Carmilla attempts to push past the blonde, Laura's too quick, grabbing Carmilla and pulling her close as she speaks her voice wavering as she does.

'You don't get to treat me like crap! I'm your girlfriend and I deserve an answer; now where the hell were you?!' Carmilla attempts to protest but after a fierce glare from Laura she slumps, defeated.

'I sat on the bridge over BroadBrook river. Today is the year anniversary of the day my Mother got sent to prison. The day that I was finally free and even though I was really happy, I still feel awful remembering it. It feels weird without her, I was so used to...it went on for so long. I just, I needed to let the rain wash away everything I felt. I didn't want to bother you, I'm sorry.'

Laura didn't say anything, instead she flung her arms around Carmilla's shaking body. Pulling her closer as Carmilla peppered kisses along her neck.

'That's it! If she wants to break up then so be it. I'm going to do it before she has the chance!' Before Perry can respond Carmilla is stood, charging out of the room with Perry hot on her heels.

'Carmilla slow down. Don't you think you should think this through?' Perry's pleads are ignored as Carmilla pushes past a group of students, continuing her journey through the corridors.

'Carmilla, please just wait.'

Carmilla quickens her pace, throwing the door to the lounge open as she storms inside. Several pairs of eyes followed her as she stormed over to the couch where Danny, Kirsch and Lafontaine are sitting.

They stand up just as Carmilla storms over. Carmilla doesn't waste a minute, grabbing them by the scuff of their collar and slamming them up against the wall. She ignores their struggles as she presses them further into the wall. Her voice turning into a harsh snarl.

'Where's Laura?'

'I...aaaaghhh I don't know...' their voice broke as they struggled under Carmilla's grip.

'Put Lafontaine down Carmilla.'

'I wasn't talking to you Xena. Stay out of this.'

'Carm, put Laf down. It's me you wanted to talk to.' Carmilla turns to see Laura slowly walking towards her. She quickly drops them and turns round, coming face to face with the blonde.

'You wanted to talk so talk! If you wanted to break up with me then you could have said something. You had to do it publicly didn't you, Laura?!' Laura jumped slightly at the harshness in Carmilla's tone. She felt guilty at how hurt Carmilla sounded.

She turned to nod at Danny a second later and the room was dimmed, filled with stars lighting the walls. Carmilla looked around the room, confused as to what was going on. Her eyes fell on their friends; each one sporting giant grins.

Finally Carmilla's eyes landed on her girlfriend. Her eyes widening as she took in the sight of Laura. Laura, crouched down on one knee, a small velvet box in her hand aa she smiled nervously up at Carmilla.

'Carmilla Karnstein, I have loved you since I was old enough to know what love was. I fall more and more in love with you each day. Carmilla...Carm, will you marry me?'

This is it: those 4 words.