"Chloe, before we go in, are we going to tell your mom?"

"Tell my mom what? About us?"

"Yes. Of course. What else?"

"Max, Mom already knows. She knew even before you did."

"What! How?"

"Women's intuition, I guess."

"I see. I could do with some of that. Then maybe I would have realised myself long ago. What does she think about us? Is she upset or anything?"

"Max, stop worrying. Everything is fine. She's totally cool with it. But I'll handle it. It's all good. I've got your back, Max. I know how shy you are. But let's keep all the Twilight Zone crap under our hats, though. You ready to go in?"

"Nope. I'm having kittens. But we can't stand out here forever, can we? Besides, my belly is screaming at me. Lead the way."

As Chloe opened the door the delicious aroma of frying bacon wafted over the two girls.

"Morning Mom. We're back. Breakfast smells majorly good. Max has her carnivore on. I think you'd best dish up hers first. She's dangerous when she's hungry. She's a real animal." said Chloe, winking at her companion.

"Chloe!" hissed Max, but she was smiling.

"Hi girls. How are you two? Did you manage to sort everything out?"

"Yes Mom. We sure did. Max, stop hanging back chicken. Get your bony little sexy ass in here."

Max shuffled into the kitchen, fidgeting nervously with her hands held in front of her. "Er. Hi Joyce." She was blushing furiously.

"So, how did things go last night? Did you manage to talk things through between yourselves? Are you getting along with each other again now?"

"I guess you could say that. Things went totally awesome last night." said Chloe, smiling happily as she placed her arm around the smaller girl's waist. Max could feel her face glowing with heat.

"You mean…?"

"Yep. We're…you know…together."

Joyce forgot all about the food and embraced them. "Finally! That is just the best, most wonderful news I've heard in years. I'm so happy for you both." Tears of happiness began to pour out of her.

"Not as happy as we are. Hey Max?"

"Erm…yeah. I feel super. It's great." The blush was threatening to engulf her whole body now. Max was squirming on the spot.

"Look at you blushing. You're so sweet. There's no need to be shy, Max. This is just brilliant. You should be over the moon. I'm sure Chloe is and I know I am."

"I am. It's just…you know me."

"Aaaah. Bless. I'll just let David know the excellent news, then I'll finish fixing breakfast."

"Mom, are you sure you should tell him now? He'll go…"

"Relax, Chloe. We've already talked about this. Everything's fine."

"You have? He's not blowing his top?"

"No. He'll be as happy about it as we are. There's nothing whatsoever to worry about."

"Are you sure Mom? I mean…"

"Yes. I'm sure. Trust me, Chloe."

"Mom?"

"Yes dear?"

"I want to tell him. Where is he? In the garage?"

Joyce couldn't keep the surprised expression from her face. "Yes he is. Alright then. If you want to."

"I won't be long Maxo." Chloe briefly kissed Max on the lips before heading through the lounge.

"Max, would you mind helping me with the breakfast?"

"Of course Joyce."

"Are you ever going to stop blushing? I swear I could fry the eggs on your face if I wanted to."

"Um…"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't tease you." Joyce pecked her on the cheek. "Let's take your mind off it, shall we? You can be in charge of David's pancakes. Is that okay with you?"

"Sure. Thanks Joyce."

David had his head underneath the hood of the car. Chloe entered the garage with her hands in her pockets and ambled nervously around, scuffing the floor with her feet whilst aimlessly perusing the workbench. David turned around and wiped his hands with a rag from his pocket.

"Hi Chloe. To what do I owe this pleasure? You hardly ever come in here."

"Um. Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"You want to talk to me? Er, alright. Sure. Anytime." David leant on the car and gestured for Chloe to join him. She did so.

"David. I'm…sorry."

"Sorry? What for?"

"Everything. I've treated you terribly ever since you and Mom got together. I just want you to know that I don't think you're a douche. It's me. I'm the douche. I've been a total douche to Mom and you. I'm sorry."

David wiped tears from his eyes with his sleeve. "Chloe, you shouldn't blame yourself. You've had to endure far more than your fair share. It would have broken most people, but you kept pushing on regardless. I'm really proud of you for that. You're a remarkable person. I've been a douche to you. I'm sorry too. I tried to help, but I did just about everything wrong. All of this was completely new to me, and I was totally unprepared for it. I've made lots of mistakes. But I do care about you. I always have. I never intended to replace your dad. I know nobody can, least of all me. But I'll always be there for you. No matter what."

"I know. Thanks David. Erm…friends?" Chloe offered him her hand to shake.

"Nothing would make me happier, Chloe. Friends. Definitely." They shook hands. Silence fell for a while.

"There's something else I want to talk to you about too."

"Okay. What's the matter? I've always got time for you."

"Thanks. Max and me...Max is my girlfriend. We're an item. I just wanted you to know."

"That's fantastic! I hope she gives you all the happiness you deserve. Have you told your mom? She'll be ecstatic."

"Yeah. Mom knows. So you're cool with it? Totally?"

"Yes Chloe. I'm sorry about before…how I was. I just want you to be happy. Nothing else matters. And I can see that Max makes you really happy. Honestly, I'll support you both all the way."

"Thanks David. Well, I'd best get back in there. Breakfast will be about ready, I think."

"Thank you Chloe. Tell your mom I'll be through in a minute."

"I will. See you shortly."

Chloe made her way back to the kitchen. As she reached the breakfast bar a massive flour bomb hit her full on in the face, exploding all over her. She stood there in shock, flour slowly dropping off her and landing on the floor around her feet. Her jaw fell open. Max was doubled up in a fit of hysterical giggling. "Chloe needs more flour on her face." She grabbed a double handful from the bowl and turned back around to face Chloe, who made for the garden as fast as she could.

"Caulfield! I thought you loved me!" squealed Chloe as she retreated, laughing.

"I do. But I told you I was gonna get you back one day. Well, guess what? - today's the day. Here I come."

"Don't you dare! Mom, tell her!"

"No chance Chloe. You owe Max a whole lot of payback. You're on your own I'm afraid, Princess."

"Aha! You're all mine now, Price!"

Chloe fell to the grass and Max pounced on her, rubbing flour all over Chloe's face and head.

"Max! Gerroffme! I can't even see."

"Say 'pancakes' Chloe." laughed Joyce as she pointed Max's camera at her daughter's face. David looked on from the doorway, smiling.

"Mom!"

"Make her a star, Joyce!" giggled Max, barely able to speak.

"Now this one's definitely a keeper. I'm going to put this into the album right this minute."

"You are all so wicked to me. I'm so gonna make you pay for this."

"Hah! You can try, loser. Dude you look…beautiful." Max couldn't resist. She fell onto Chloe and they kissed lovingly.

Joyce and David watched from the doorway. They had their arms around each other. Both of them were smiling fondly.

"Ahem. You do have a bedroom for that for that sort of thing, you know."

Chloe came up for air. "Jeez. What is this? A free peep show? Could we have a little privacy if you don't mind, thank you very much! Honestly!" joked Chloe.