The confrontation with Kate haunted Max all the time. She still blamed herself for Kate's destiny. Rachel did make a point about her past actions having not exactly been her own, but those of a different Max Caulfield. How the hell could she still have been a member of the Vortex Club after having witnessed what they had done? Suddenly, Max could sympathize with Rachel and her dislike for her own counterpart that had made questionable choices as well. Much like her, Max hardly recognized herself.

Max and Rachel spent the next few weeks trying to prepare for their trip to Seattle. Max was anxious about it, yet was also forward to it. Her parents didn't seem very different, which made sense considering how far away they lived from Arcadia Bay. Still, Max hoped her worries were unfounded. And of course, then there was the very reason they were leaving in the first place. Rachel and she would become joined in marriage, at least in legal terms. As much she hated it, they would have to conduct some kind of elaborate ceremony later and get their families together. It still, however, meant a lot to her and she eagerly awaited the fateful day.

Rachel for her part could not talk about anything else anymore, with the exception of her theater class. During her final performance of The Winter's Tale at Blackwell, she wowed the audience once again. She had played her parts many times, but this time, she conducted herself so magnificently on stage that she made it into the local newspaper without even trying. Mr. Keaton, the drama teacher, personally congratulated her and told her that Blackwell would miss her stage presence once she would graduate. He seemed genuinely upset to lose his star student.

Spring Break and with that, the day of the trip to Seattle arrived. Max and Rachel had now been together for about 5 months. Despite that, Max always felt relief waking up in the morning to see Rachel right beside her. They carefully went over what they needed to bring. First, they had to obtain a license to get married, which entailed a waiting period of three days. This would give them plenty of time to spend with Max's parents before the big day. After that, all they would need to do is to find an authorized judge to have their marriage solemnized. They double and triple-checked their documents and made sure that nothing important was left behind.

Bidding farewell to the Ambers for the time being after sharing one last lunch together, Max and Rachel got into their car after having loaded their bags. Having sat down, Max felt like her stomach was full of butterflies. Rachel decided to drive first, but before that, she took hold of Max's hand and looked her in the eyes.

"You ready for this?", she asked.

"Yes. Let's do this."

They took off. The trip would lead them east to Portland, from where they would head straight north all the way to Bainbridge Island, where Max's parents lived. The island was connected to Seattle via ferry.

Leaving Arcadia Bay behind felt strange to Max. The last time she headed north, it was one of the worst days of her life. She still remembered how she debated how and when to tell Chloe that she was leaving. However, she underestimated her friend, as Chloe had already been aware, but didn't say anything as to not ruin their last day as kids. Now, she was leaving once again, but with the most important person in her life at her side. It felt so much better, unlike the last time, Max was actually looking forward to seeing Seattle again.

"I don't think I have ever driven this far before.", Rachel said.

"That's funny, you were the one who wanted to drive across the entire country to Texas remember?", Max pointed out.

"True, but just because it would have been a challenge, doesn't mean I wouldn't have done it. Though, you made a good point about flying instead. Once this is done, I will get us the tickets, both for the flights and the cruise."

"I wish we would already be done with all of this."

"What do you mean, Max?"

"I want for us both to set foot on that ship and just escape for a little while. Not having to worry about leaving our fate in the hand of a stranger."

"I know, Max. But we have to do this first. We will get there, I promise."

"Should be a piece of cake considering what we have been through."

"Hear hear."

The drive went mostly smoothly, although they encountered increased traffic through Portland. Max had been here a few times before. She remembered wanting to go here with Chloe. She still missed her dearly. They switched drivers after getting through the city.

After a drive of almost five hours, they finally arrived at their destination. It felt so much longer than that to them. They weren't used to traveling long distances anymore.

Max decided to greet her parents first. Similarly to before, she told Rachel to stay behind and wait for her signal. Rachel didn't see the need but didn't complain. Deep down, she enjoyed making an entrance any chance she could.

Max rang the doorbell and waited. It had been a while that she had seen her parents in person. Someone answered the door.

"Maxine! It's so good to see you again!"

Her dad Ryan gave her a big hug.

"Hey pops, its good to see you too."

Her dad turned to call for his wife inside the house.

"Vanessa, honey, they are here!"

Max's mom came to the door and embraced her daughter. Max wanted to cry at this point but resisted the urge.

"So, where is our guest of honor?", Vanessa asked.

"Rachel! It's time for your grand entrance!", Max called out.

Rachel took a deep breath and came out from behind their car that she was hiding behind. She had put on the best clothes she had in the morning, in anticipation of this moment. She wanted to make sure to make a good first impression. For once, she wasn't holding back on the makeup either but made sure not to overdo it.

"Here goes nothing.", she said to herself.

The first thing she noticed as how tall Max's dad Ryan was. He towered over everyone else. His rugged appearance made him look like the stereotypical lumberjack. She walked up next to Max while waving in greeting.

"It's nice to meet you.", she said in an attempt to ease the tension. She reached out with her hand to Ryan first.

"We are glad to finally meet you too, Rachel.", he responded, shaking her hand. His grip was fairly firm, but not crushing like she expected.

Next, she shook Vanessa's hand.

"How are you doing, Rachel?", she asked her.

"I'm glad to be here. It was a long trip, but I know it will be worth it.", Rachel said while glancing at Max. Max smiled at that remark.

"You guys must be hungry, you got here just in time for dinner to be prepared. My wife Vanessa is a hell of a cook, so have you got any requests?", Ryan asked.

Max answered first.

"I'm not too picky, but I got a terrible craving for chocolate milk."

"I think I will second that.", Rachel agreed.

Ryan chuckled.

"Well, in that case, you can get all the chocolate you like, we went shopping this morning to make sure you guys will have all you need."

"Thanks pops.", Max said with appreciation.

After everyone went inside Rachel volunteered to bring their bags to their room so that Max could take a moment to get reacquainted with her old home. It hadn't changed a whole lot, and still very much looked like she had left it behind. Ryan saw Max checking out the ambiance.

"Feels like yesterday we sent you to Blackwell, doesn't it?"

"I don't know pops, I feel like I've been there forever. It's good to be here though."

"Oh, we missed you dearly honey. I'm sorry about Chloe. It would have been great to see her too. I really wish we could have been there for you when that happened, but I got caught up with work."

"I understand. Sometimes, life doesn't give you a choice and you have to work with what you have. I want you to know that I don't hold that against you."

Max hugged her dad.

"That sounds like an awful mature thing to hear from you. Look at you, all grown up like that. And to top that off, you are getting married too! This is all happening so fast."

"I know, but trust me when I say this, it is what I want. What we want."

"I don't know Rachel as well as you do obviously, but I can tell she more than likes you. I see the way you look at each other and it's all too telling. That ring looks stunning by the way. What is the gem?"

Max blushed ever so slightly.

"It's a garnet. And yeah, Rachel is one of a kind. You guys will love her.", she said.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know her."

He then leaned in to whisper in Max's ear.

"Besides, she is very pretty too, but don't tell your mom I said that!"

Max giggled.

"I won't tell her."

"Are you guys talking about me?"

Rachel was back from putting up the bags.

"Oh, hey Rachel you are back already?", Max said trying her hardest to hide her embarrassment. It wasn't very successful.

"Yup, I put up all the stuff we brought up to the room. I must say this is a lovely home, Mr. Caulfield."

"Please, Rachel. You are engaged to my only daughter, I insist you call me Ryan."

"My apologies. I didn't want to presume."

"It's all good. You will find we are fairly laid back folks, just like our little Max."

"Little? Pops, I'm 18!", Max protested.

"And I'm your dad. You will always be my little one.", he said with a smile with his hands on her shoulders.

Rachel just observed the interaction between Ryan and Max. A part of her felt jealous that she didn't have this sort of bond with her own father anymore. He had done something that she could never fully forgive. Whoever said that time healed all wounds clearly hadn't been as emotionally scarred as she was.

They went to their guest room, which as it turned out, was Max's old room while she still had lived here a little over half a year ago. Much like her dorm room beforehand, she hardly recognized the place. More of those fashion posters and magazines and a jewelry rack that could probably pay for all of their expenses on this trip.

Rachel walked in and took a look around.

"Yup, this is what I would have expected from you before, but based on your facial expression you aren't too happy with what you are seeing.", she stated.

"You can say that again. This sucks."

"But hey, easy money am I right?"

"I guess, but I don't feel like dealing with that right now. Although I suppose it's something worth remembering in case we ever need quick cash. Of course, if you see anything you like, it's all yours."

"It's funny that your tastes differ so much."

"You mean mine and my previous self?"

"Yeah. You used to tell me that one day I should be on one of those covers.", Rachel said while pointing at the stacks of magazines.

Max thought about what to say to that.

"That would be one issue I would keep."

"Who knows? Maybe one day you will have to face that moment."

"Maybe, but until then I gotta get rid of all these though!"

"No argument there, most of these are hella old anyway. I never bothered reading these, by the time you get them, a new trend emerged somewhere else. I got my own style anyway."

"Rachel, you are your own style."

Rachel gave Max one of her trademarked "what is that supposed to mean?" looks.

"I meant that in the nicest way possible of course. You may have put me in your clothes, but that doesn't' mean that I can compete with you."

"Max, as much I love your flattery, you really need to stop putting yourself down all the time. I mean it."

"Do you wanna know what my dad told me?"

"I don't know, is it confidential?"

"Technically no, he only told me not to tell mom."

"Then you can."

"He barely knows you but already goes on about how pretty you look."

Rachel had to subdue a giggle.

"Well, I think I will simply take that as a compliment then. But I plan on proving that I can do more than just look good."

"That's not my point though.", Max pointed out.

"Max, am I understanding you correctly here? Are you... jealous of me?"

"I admit, sometimes I am. You always take everyone's breath away just by being around them, myself included. I can't help but envy that. Remember when we first met? I was so blown away I could barely say your name. And whenever we go anywhere, all eyes are on you. Even that old friend of yours Megan called me your arm candy. Do you remember that from a few months ago? It's obvious who really draws everyone's attention between the two of us."

Rachel had listened to Max quietly and let all of this sink in. She sat down on the bed and formulated her response.

"Max, I'm sorry that I made you feel that way. I thought you would appreciate me making an effort to impress."

"I do Rachel, I really want my folks to like you and deep down I'm sure they will, but still, I am jealous I won't ever be as beautiful as you are."

"Max..."

A tear ran down Rachel's face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you with this.", Max said apologetically.

"That's not it, it's the opposite as a matter of fact."

"What do you mean?"

"Max, you never called me that before."

More tears started flowing, Rachel couldn't contain herself.

"This is the first time you called me beautiful.", she cried in between sobs.

Max started to quickly search her memories and as it turned out, Rachel was right. She had never used that word before. She felt incredibly stupid. She remembered exchanging so many pleasantries with Rachel, but never once did she recall saying this. Rachel however, had called her so before. Now Max just felt guilty.

"You... did you assume I didn't think so?", she asked carefully.

"Max, I cannot read minds, as much I would love to. So, no. I didn't want to assume anything. Do you really mean that?"

"I do, Rachel. I really should have said this before, I realize that now. But I didn't want to come across as someone who just judges you for your looks. I care more about what's in here.", Max said while pointing at her heart. "But, if you wish to know and it matters to you, then yes, you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. I thought that the fact that I can never take my eyes off you was a hint."

Rachel regained her composure upon hearing Max's reassurance.

"I know it's silly, but that does matter to me. When you get judged all your life for it, then you start caring about it. It feels good to know you think so."

"I don't know what that feels like, but I can sympathize with what it's like to be judged."

"Do people judge you, Max?"

"They certainly used to a lot more before you gave me a makeover. I was only ever known as the scrawny dork girl that always wore the same boring clothes with a weird camera dating from the last millennium. If people didn't make fun of that, they made fun of just about anything else about me, even my freckles, ugh."

"I'm glad I helped you then, your new look suits you, you know?", Rachel complemented her.

"It's grown on me. But I will never throw away my hoodie."

"Nobody says you have to. I don't mind them by the way. As a matter of fact, I kinda like them on you."

"My hoodies?"

"No, silly, I mean your freckles.", Rachel said, now with a smile.

"Oh, please..."

"No, I mean it, they give you character."

"Ouch, that's a second-degree burn right there."

"Why?"

"That sounds like you are saying they don't suck, but they don't look good either."

"I swear to dog, Max, I meant that in a good way."

"You are stealing more of my lines? Hath thee no respect?"

"What can I say, I useth what I like."

"Oh, you are so dead."

"Oh yeah? Bring it on Maxter!"

Max went right up to Rachel who had remained on the bed and attempted to tickle her again, as she knew that this was still her greatest weakness. Before she could though, Rachel had grabbed hold of a pillow and held it in between them like a shield. Rachel used this opening to tickle Max instead, who as it turned out, was just as ticklish as she was. Before they knew it, a struggle began with both sides trying to tickle each other to death.

With all the yelling and laughing, they didn't notice that Ryan had come up to the door, that they had left wide open. He seemed rather embarrassed having walked into the situation. With the bed a mess of misplaced pillows, the blanket on the floor and the both them still on top of each other, they just stared at him like deer in the headlights.

"Uh... dinner is ready.", Ryan said rather awkwardly, before hurrying away again.

After a moment Max and Rachel just looked at each other, then they laughed hard.

"Did you see his face? I don't think I have ever seen him so embarrassed before!", Max exclaimed.

"That was priceless. You should have taken a picture of that!"

"Oh goodness, no! He would kill me for that!"

They went to dinner and checked out the meal that Max's parents had prepared for them. Vanessa had made a great looking plate of baked salmon filets, a local specialty. They also noticed two generously large glasses of chocolate milk at their seats. They started digging in.

"Have they got fish as good as this in Arcadia Bay by now?", Ryan asked.

Max gave Rachel a look. Clearly, she wanted her to get a chance to speak.

"Not anymore, unfortunately. The fishing industry is still declining.", Rachel answered.

"That's unfortunate. I was hoping things would get better after the Prescotts had shut down the shipyard all those years ago.", Vanessa said.

"The Prescotts are ruining the town if you ask me.", Rachel responded.

Ryan's face went serious.

"It's always been like that. They stick their greedy fingers into everything they can get hold of. I'm glad I don't have to deal with them anymore, I tell you what."

"I spoke with one of the fishermen and they say there is virtually nothing left in the bay.", Max said. She remembered that this applied to both timelines.

"You two should really consider going elsewhere in the future if I dare say so.", Ryan suggested.

"Before I met Max, that's what I wanted to do. I always dreamt of Los Angeles.", Rachel said.

"California? That place is downright unaffordable these days, and it's only gonna get worse.", Vanessa stated.

"I was born there."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to rip on your home state. It's just that when I hear what they pay for gas down there, my stomach turns around. Plus all those wildfires breaking out what seems like every five minutes."

"It's ok because you are right. The rising costs are one of the reasons my family moved to Oregon a long time ago. I hardly remember Long Beach anyway. I had this silly idea of making a break in modeling or something. But then I met Max and she managed to keep me a bit more grounded in my ambitions. But, I do miss my home sometimes."

"That's only natural, even we miss Arcadia Bay at times.", Ryan said. "But as you will see, Seattle is quite impressive."

"This food is terrific by the way.", Rachel remarked. She hadn't eaten seafood this good in a while. Not even the Two Whales could compete with this, at least not anymore.

They finished eating and had just gotten up from their chairs when Rachel stopped Max from leaving.

"I want to help out your folks, you can either assist me or wait in our room, your choice."

"With the dishes? Yeah, I guess we should make ourselves useful since we are here."

Rachel started piling on the empty plates when Vanessa noticed her doing so.

"Oh, honey, you don't have to do that. You are our guest."

"If we are going to be family soon, then I might as well do my part."

"Really, it isn't necessary. I insist."

"And I insist to help."

Seeing a stalemate in the making, Max decided to intervene.

"Mom, just let us help, please? I think we can handle a few plates and cutlery just fine."

"Ok, very well, Max. Your help is appreciated, Rachel."

After they had put away all the dishes and went back to their room, Max felt her phone buzzing. Someone left her a message.

"I like her already!" - Mom

She showed the message to Rachel.

"See? As much I enjoy being pampered on occasion, this wasn't the time nor the place for it. Your folks were nice making this awesome dinner, so I didn't feel right just walking away from it.", Rachel said, justifying her actions.

"You are right. I just hope you and my mom won't headbutt too often. You are both very strong-minded."

"Did you just call me thick-headed?"

"Maybe?"

Rachel's eyes gave Max a glare.

"Careful there Maxter, I know where you sleep tonight."

Almost on cue, Vanessa showed up at their door and knocked.

"It's open!", Max called.

The door went open.

"Max, would you be a dear and help me get the air mattress in here?"

"Air mattress?"

"Yes, we can only fit one bed in here."

Max could feel her cheeks flaring up.

"Uh...mom we don't really need..."

"I can help you with that!", Rachel interjected and took off to help with the mattress.

Max was stumped. Was Rachel not gonna share the bed with her anymore? What was that about? Was this because of what they had talked about earlier?

They came back and hooked up the mattress to a power outlet.

"There you go. This thing will fill itself up and stop when it's full. All you gotta do is hit this button and seal it when it's done.", Vanessa said.

"Alright, thanks, mom."

"Have a good night you two, get some rest from your journey. We will be in the living room if you need anything."

"Good night.", Rachel and Max said both at once.

With that, Vanessa had left the room and closed the door again. Max looked over to Rachel with a confused expression on her face.

"Are you not telling me something? Because I feel like I'm missing something here."

"I'm not kicking you out of bed Max, quite the contrary."

"Huh?"

Rachel went ahead and let the mattress fill up with air. Once it was done, she took off her shoes and she laid down on it.

"You see Max when your mom mentioned getting an air mattress, I had this great idea for an... experiment.", she said with a wink and putting her fingers together like a cartoon super-villain.

"Oh? What kind of experiment could that possibly be? I have no idea!", Max asked, pretending to sound as sarcastic as possible.

Rachel rolled herself over, leaving some room on the mattress.

"In that case Max, would you kindly lock that door?"

Max obeyed.

"Now, how about you kill the lights and come down here to find out?"

"I guess I will make myself available in the name of science."

Rachel responded with a rather victorious smile.