Some distant family.

As she bounded into the kitchen, Laura was surprised to see her mother talking to a tall, dark-haired woman in a red dress. "...Such a long time," finished Christine just as Laura came in. Turning to her daughter, she smiled broadly. "Laura! Guess who came over while you were sleeping? It's my cousin Geraldine!"

The woman turned towards her, smiling, revealing a lovely sculpted face with a strong chin and aquiline nose and two sparkling blue eyes. "Hello! You must be Laura! Oh, such a treasure! Christine has told me so much about you..."

"Umm, hi," muttered Laura, feeling bashful all at once.

"And that's not all!" said Christine grinning ecstatically. She gestured towards the opposite corner of the kitchen. "She's brought her daughter here as well." Laura glanced over and saw a slight young woman whose black hair was worn in a pixie cut. "Meet your cousin Carmilla!"

The woman stepped forward, a slight smile on her face, and offered her hand. "Hello, Laura. It's nice to finally really meet you."

"Umm, likewise, I guess," muttered Laura, a strange feeling running through her mind.

"Do you think you could be a dear, and show Carmilla around the place?" asked Christine stepping behind Geraldine. She looped her arm around her cousin's waist. "Her mother and I have a lot of catching up to do."