Chapter 7: Development
Max's breathing was ragged. She gripped the bed sheets and pulled them closer. It was hot. Max let out a small 'nnngggg'. Chloe's hand ran up Max's stomach, Max's parents were at work so Chloe and Max were taking full advantage of the time alone. Max squeezed her thighs around Chloe's head slightly and grabbed a tuft of her blue hair.
"Jesus Chlo that was amazing!" Max said, catching her breath, "I don't know how you did half that." Max said to Chloe, pulling her up to lay next to her. Max traced Chloe's jawline, admiring her smiling face. She is so beautiful. And all mine, Max though smirking.
"Haha, well I figured after all the shit that my Mom said and your headaches I could provide some natural..aspirin." Chloe smiled larger and kissed Max's nose. Max giggled and began to trace Chloe's ab line down to her belly button. She was about to slip her hand into Chloe's underwear when Chloe intertwined her fingers with Max's.
Max glanced up at Chloe confused, "Do you not want me to touch you?"
Chloe smiled, "I wanted this morning to be about you babe," Chloe kissed Max on the lips, "Plus I kinda already finished when I was down there," Chloe blushed slightly, "You really fucking get me going."
Max laughed which cause Chloe to smile wider. "You are the perfect person for me Chlo. I love you." Max kissed Chloe's cheek and rested her head on Chloe's shoulder, taking in the smell on Chloe's skin. Max loved how Chloe smelt, like tobacco and mint body wash.
"I never thought I would ever hear those words from someone I was with to be honest," Chloe said slightly frowning. She reached her free arm around Max's shoulder and rubbed her back. "But I am glad to hear you say it."
Max looked up at Chloe's face and kissed her softly. "You are amazeballs Chloe," Chloe smirked at Max using her phrase, "The reason no one has said that to you was because you were too good for them...and they weren't me."
Chloe chuckled and squeezed Max into her embrace. "You are the cutest person I know Max," Chloe thought for a second, "And hella hot." Max grabbed her camera and tugged the sheet around her and Chloe's chest. Don't want these photos to be too revealing. She snapped a quick photo of them together and fanned the photo.
"Mmmmmm, so what does the smurf want to do today?" Max asked, admiring the way the sunlight cast rays behind them.
"The fuck? Smurf? All that artistic creativity and that's the best you got?" Chloe said ruffling Max's already messy hair. "I'm going to have to fix that." Max slapped Chloe's stomach in protest. "As for what to do, why don't we go get some chow then hit the mall."
"We should go someplace nice tonight," Max said twirling one of Chloe's bangs. "You know, like just us."
Chloe laughed, "Yeah I haven't really taken you on a proper date out on the town, well, since our town is kinda not there at the moment." Chloe traced Max's lower lip, savoring the softness. "Let's do it. If we are going to go somewhere nice though, we will need some better clothes than what we have." Chloe kissed Max's forehead, "Luckily we still have hella cash left over even after the tickets."
"Are you doing okay with Joyce still not talking to you?" Max asked, remembering when they had left.
Chloe stiffed slightly, "Fuck that whole thing. I honestly don't give a shit what she thinks." Chloe felt Max squeeze her side tighter, comforting her. "Speaking of parents, when do you think we should break the news to yours?"
Max sat up and kissed Chloe on the lips, the cheeks, and then the top of her head. "Tonight? Before we go out to eat?"
Chloe seemed surprised, "You want to do it that soon?"
Max shrugged, "No point in putting it off, not to mention if things go south we can at least have a nice dinner and maybe check into a hotel." She punctuated the last word by tapping Chloe on her nose, resulting in one of Chloe's famous smirks Max loved so much.
"Hell yeah."
Max and Chloe got dressed for the day and scarfed down a quick breakfast of potatoes and eggs. After talking it over, they chose The Melting Pot for a dinner since they could spend a decent amount of time there alone. After calling to make reservations for 8pm, Chloe hopped in the driver's seat of the spare car that Max's parents had left for them to explore Seattle.
"Man, this thing is a hella lot nicer than my piece of junk," Chloe said rubbing the leather steering wheel of the Ford Focus before turning the ignition and starting the car. "Doesn't feel like it's going to rattle apart either."
Max leaned over and kissed Chloe's cheek, intertwining her hand with Chloe's on the way back, "I still love the truck, specially when there is a certain blue-haired-punk behind the wheel."
Chloe grinned, and not wanting to release Max's hand, used her free hand to put the car in drive and head towards the i-5 interstate. Max's family's house was only 15 minutes from the heart of Seattle on a busy day and there was no traffic so they made it there in 10. After a quick walk to the local Starbucks for a caffeine fix, they hit the mall.
"Jesus," Chloe said shaking her head, "Why the fuck do you people need a coffee place on every corner?" She licked the whipped cream off the top of her frappuccino. Max just giggled and took a sip of her flat white. It was a Saturday afternoon and the mall wasn't too packed, probably because of the nice weather. Chloe and Max toured the mall once to show Chloe all that Seattle had to offer with their mall, and then went to work finding something to wear.
Max found a cute sleeveless dress that sparkled on the top half and attached around her neck, while the bottom half was a dark blue skirt that ended just above her knees. After finding a pair of dark blue high heels and a matching purse and belt, she was happy with her outfit.
"Chlo, what do you think of this?" Max asked doing a twirl outside Chloe's dressing room so she could take a look. Chloe popped her head out of her door and grinned. She let loose a loud whistle, "Damn babe, i'm gonna need a bat to beat all the guy clawing at your feet." Max scoffed but smiled nonetheless.
"Let me see what you chose," Max said reaching for the door. Chloe pulled her head back in and snapped the door shut.
"Nope, not till tonight Maxaroni," Chloe said from behind the locked door.
Max puffed up her cheeks, then deflated them with a sigh. "Fine you dork. Have it your way."
Per Chloe's urging, Max waited outside the store while Chloe bought her outfit. Max was sitting on a bench, aiming her camera and a light fixture when her phone went off. It was Kate!
Kate: Hey Max you got a sec to talk?
Max: Hey Kate! How have you been? I tried to find you before we left to Seattle but you weren't in the camp.
Kate: Oh, yes, I was um...out on a improv date with a guy from California..His name is Ben.
Max: Wow Kate that's awesome! I am so happy for you! We will have to meet up for a tea date when we get back to talk about it!
Kate: Yeah...Listen the reason I wanted to talk was I wanted to let you know that, while it is kinda conflicting with everything I was taught growing up, and I am still not 100% sure how I feel about it, I support you and Chloe being together. Sorry if this is a little bit awkward _
Max smiled as her thumbed tapped a response.
Max: Thank you so much Kate. You don't know how much that means to me. It is totally ok if you're not 100% comfortable with the idea, but I really appreciate that you are still supportive. You have no idea how much I needed to hear someone say that today.
Kate: Anything for you Max! I figured with the scene from the other day you could probably use a bit of encouragement. I have to go help Ben with some stuff. Say hi to your family for me and have fun in Seattle!
Max typed a quick goodbye as Chloe came out of the dress shop, bag firmly closed and covered with her jacket.
"Who ya texting?" Chloe asked plopping down next to Max and swinging her arm around her.
"Kate just texted me, saying she was supporting you and I together, even though she isn't 100% sure about it," Max said, stealing a quick kiss from Chloe. She saw a man walking by shake his head and keep walking. Why is it such an issue for people. Max thought.
"If Bible-Study Kate can be ok with us, why the hell can't my Mom?" Chloe said clenching her hands into fists. Max reached up her hand and forced Chloe's fist open to hold it. Chloe relaxed and set her head on top of Max's. "Fuck, I don't know what I would do without you Max."
"Lay in a bathroom bleeding." Max said playfully.
"Damn Max," Chloe said laughing, "Bringing out the hardcore stuff right off the bat...when are we meeting your parents?"
"They said they were going to be home at 5pm, so we still have some time to explore Pike Place Market until we need to head back." Max said noticing the 2:30pm time on her cell.
Parking was such an issue in Seattle that Chloe and Max just dropped their stuff off in the car and walked down to the market.
"There are so many people, Jesus," Chloe said avoiding bumping into yet another person absorbed into their phone. Max grabbed Chloe's arm and pulled her close to herself, resting her other hand on Chloe's arm as well. Chloe smiled and placed her hand on the top of Max's. The walk to the market didn't take to long, and Max took the time to enjoy the company and point out all the buildings to Chloe. They passed the large abstract library building. "This place is hella up your alley Max, I see why you liked it here." Chloe said awed at the architecture of the library.
"This place is does fit me pretty well, but there is no Chloe here to brighten up my days." Max said closing her eyes and resting her head on Chloe's shoulder. "Though there is a huge punk rock scene here we can check out while we are up here."
"Aw dude it's been forever since I've gone to a decent punk concert. That sounds amazeballs!" Chloe bumped her hip into Max, "We will definitely need to get you some new clothes for that as well though. You left Rachel's stuff back at home."
"Actually," Max said grinning, "While you were off looking at cd's in the record store, I snuck out and already bought a new outfit I saw while we were walking around."
Chloe grinned, "Oh man, this I am looking forward to seeing."
Max and Chloe toured Pike Place and picked up fresh donuts and sugar coated almonds before heading back to the car, their lips slightly sticky from the sweet treats.
…
"Hey Mom, Dad, we're back!" Max shouted from the front door taking her shoes off. Chloe tried to swipe Max's bag to get a look at the punk outfit, but Max swung it back and then around at whacked Chloe in the arm. "Next time it's the face you dork." Max said laughing.
"As long as it's being hit with your lips." Chloe said, then looked Max up and down, "Either pair."
Max dropped her mouth open at Chloe's lewdness.
"Speaking of lips, when do you want to try this talk with your folks." Chloe said turning her tone more serious. Max could see Chloe as nervous. She grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers. "It will be alright Chlo." Max said giving her a smile. "Let's set our stuff down in my room and then we can."
Max and Chloe darted upstairs to Max's room at tossed their bags on the bed. Chloe glanced at Max and took her hands. "It will be alright babe. It's just us being gay." Chloe said with a half smile, trying to give herself more confident than she felt she had.
"I know babe, and i'm ready," Max said and leaned up to kiss Chloe hard on the mouth, "No matter what, We still have eachother." Chloe kissed Max intensely on the lips before releasing her, but kept a firm hold of one of her hands
Max and Chloe turned and walked downstairs. Vanessa was in the living room reading a book and Ryan was going over bills on the dining room table. Max felt her stomach flip about a dozen times before taking a deep breath and squeezing Chloe's hand tighter.
"Mom, Dad," Max started, waiting for them both to look up. Ryan glanced at Max and Chloe and noted their clasped hands. Vanessa set her book down and took her glasses off, then folded her hands. "We need to tell you something."
Max took a deep breath, "Chloe and I are dating. Like, official as can be. I know you might not be okay with it, Joyce wasn't at all, but I need you both to know that no matter what I want to stay with Chloe. This is also the reason I want to go back to Arcadia Bay. I can't leave her, I am in love with her." Max said. Chloe stood besides Max, staying silent, knowing this was Max's show and not hers.
Vanessa and Ryan stayed still. Max looked from face to face trying to determine what they were thinking. Vanessa slowly rose from the couch and walked towards Max and Chloe. Max stiffed and could feel Chloe squeezing her hand tight. Vanessa stood right in front of Max and rested her hand on her daughter's face. A smile crept along Vanessa's mouth, showing the wrinkles forming along her face.
"Honey, we don't care what type of person you date. As long as they treat you right and you are happy." Vanessa embraced Max into a hug. Max was speechless at first, then started to cry into her Mom's shoulder, hugging her back. Chloe wiped a few tears away, trying not to break down.
Ryan walked over to Chloe and set a hand on her shoulder. "Not to mention we kinda already guessed there was more to you two than you were letting on." Chloe looked up at Ryan bewildered. "Com'n Chloe, we weren't born yesterday. The way you two look at each other, is the same way I look at Vanessa."
Chloe felt tears run down her face, not being able to keep them in anymore. Ryan squeezed her into a large bear hug, "Not to mention the air mattress wasn't touched and Max's bed was a mess." He said with a soft chuckle. Max and Chloe both blushed and laughed at the same time.
Max let her mom go and wiped her eyes, "Oh my dog I was panicking trying to image how you guys would take this."
"Max honey we love you and we trust your judgement. No going to lie, we had our suspicions before with the lack of boyfriends or boys in general in your life, but we wanted you to figure out what made you happy and not push any standards on you." Max squeezed her mom into another hug and felt her dad's arms embrace them as well.
"Come in here Chloe," Vanessa said releasing an arm. "You are part of this too."
Chloe shuffled her feet, but then squeezed into the Caulfield group hug.
Finally, Max thought, Things are going right.
