It's Thanksgiving afternoon. Chloe sets things in the kitchen. The parents are already on their way. The bluenette walks back to the living room.

'Max, the veggies are ready, the turkey's in the oven and I guess we're ready with everything, but could you…' she cuts off as she sees the brunette standing in front of the wall covered in photographs 'You alright?'

'I so hate doing this' she picks one photograph.

'I love this photograph. Our last day in Bay' she smiles.

'That's why I hate doing it. Taking off these photos. Like a fucking lie. To pretend I'm someone I'm not. But I want peace' she brushes off her face.

'You're not crying, are you?' she hugs her tight.

'I'm so fucked' she whispers.

'Not yet' she grins.

'Not now, Chloe! You have to play along!'

'Fine, fine. Grumpy… Set the table, and I'm gonna take off the ambiguous pics. Okay?'

'I'm so sorry.'

'It's okay' she kisses the top of her head 'We're gonna rule this shit. Mom and David sleeps in our… fuck it! My room, and your parents can sleep in… yours'

'Thanks for trying hard, Chlo'

'I'm with you' she lets her go 'Go, Max. Stay strong'

'I'll try. And thanks again' she kisses her cheek and walks to the kitchen.

After hiding the pictures the punk sits on the couch. The photographer sits next to her, laying her head on the shoulder. The bluenette gently takes her hand. Max breathes a deep sigh. She snuggles hard. Chloe kisses her forehead. They exchange a look then the brunette wraps her arms around the tattooist neck.

'Don't' the punk softly whispers, closing her eyes.

'I love you.'

'I won't be able to resist kissing you'

'Kiss me then'

'Do you really think it's wise? We may end up making out. And the parents can be here in any minute'

'I want you. Kiss me. I need to pretend I'm not in love with you as long as I can. Let me embrace these final moments.'

Max doesn't have to tell twice. The bluenette kisses her with passion. The brunette's hands gripping Chloe's shirt. They both breathe heavily when their foreheads meet.

'I could hella…' the tattooist is cut off by Max's phone.

'Fuck it' she grumbles as she receives the call 'Yeah, I'm… no, we're…' she sighs 'Okay, we're getting you. On our way' she stands up, hanging up the phone.

The bluenette already has the jackets. She smiles to encourage her girlfriend then they head to the parking lot to get the parents. When they get back to the flat and sit down, Vanessa speaks first.

'It's a nice flat, honey. But can you really afford this?'

Max gives the combination of the "I told you" and "Please help me out" looks to Chloe.

'It's okay, Vanessa. We share everything' the bluenette smiles.

'Is tattooing going that good?' Ryan asks.

'I design clothes and other stuff, too. I get some extra from the designs. Depending on how much we can sell. But I mustn't complain. I can save money now.'

'I'm so proud of you, Chloe' Joyce smiles 'You could feel kinda fulfilled now'

'Something like that'

'And how's school going, Max? Could you fit in?' David asks.

'It's cool. People are okay here'

'You kiddin' me, Max? She's getting popular here! She's with the smartasses and talk about things I can never understand' the blunette looks at her.

'No, I'm not that great.'

'Stop being so humble, Max!'

'Could we… eat? I'm starving' she gently kicks her girlfriend under the table to give a sign that she's getting ambiguous.

'Then help me with that big bird'

'It's okay, I'll get it' David stands up and gets the turkey.

'I have to admit that I'm proud' Joyce nods 'Did you two put this dinner together?'

'N-not me' the brunette scratches her neck 'Chloe's the iron chef here'

'Well, I had the best I could learn from. But you're on the way, Max! We cook together every weekend and she's getting better' she's sipping her wine.

'Well, that would be the better' Vanessa looks at her daughter 'That will make you a good wife. You know you can get men through their stomach.'

The bluenette catches her mother's frown and she already knows that the storm is ready to hit. She can only hope that Joyce doesn't say a word about them.

'Would you pass the corn?' the brunette mumbles.

'Speak up, Maxine!'

'Pass the corn, please.'

'There you go. But still… did you finally get a boyfriend?'

'N-no. I'm fine now. School's first. I don't have a… boyfriend' she quickly grabs her fork.

'Well, that's fine honey' Ryan smiles softly while he's reaching for the meat 'True love waits.'

'And what about you, Chloe?' Vanessa raises an eyebrow.

'Oh, I'm fine' she grabs her fork and nods 'I think I found my other half'

'See, Maxine, Chloe could be exemplary for you. She works and has a serious relationship'

'I'm fine, mom' she mumbles.

'Tell us about this significant other'

'Well, I think it tells everything when I say I found my other half. We were made for each other'

'Is he an artist like you?'

'We can…' the bluenette freezes for a moment 'say that.'

'I bet he's a great man'

'We help each other' she nods 'None of us is perfect. Both of us have flaws, but' she gently places her free hand on Max's knee 'we're always there for each other. We live for each other' she smiles softly when she feels the brunette's hand on her own.

'You have truly grown, Chloe' Vanessa nods approvingly 'I hope Maxine will copy your example soon enough'

'I'm sure about that' the punk gently grips the photographer's shaking leg.

'It's still unbelievable. I can still remember you being little tykes running around Arcadia Bay. Or just laze the weekend away after sleepovers' Joyce giggles 'You were inseparable.'

'Nothing has changed' Chloe shrugs smiling 'We just grew a little bit.'

'It would be great if you grew more. You're supposed to be adults. And as I can see, we can tell this about you, Chloe, but not about Maxine. You should take life more seriously. Get a boyfriend, get married, have children and all'

'Excuse me' the brunette stands up and heads to the bathroom.

'Was that really necessary?' Ryan looks at his wife.

'She will be fine, Ryan'

'Did you really have to go so hard on her?'

'She will be fine. Case closed'

After five minutes of awkward silence and eating the punk places the cutlery on her empty plate.

'I'm gonna go check on her' she stands up and walks to the bathroom, knocking on the door. 'Max? It's me. Let me in. Please'

The photographer opens the door.

'Come in'

'You alright?' the bluenette closes the door behind her.

'No' Max sighs, sitting at the edge of the tub, her head is in her hands.

'Listen, baby' she whispers, sitting next to her 'we're doing so fine. She hasn't figured it yet.'

'I'm so close to blow it into her fucking face!' she hisses.

'I know, I know' she gently kisses her forehead.

'But you're the star tonight'

'Don't say this. We're doing so great!'

'You're doing so great! She's eating me alive, like always. It's so fucking humiliating' she lays her head on the tattooist's shoulder.

'It's okay. It's okay. I'm with you, honey' she caresses her face.

'Kiss me. Please. I can't go on like this'

'We should go back'

'Please' she wraps her arms around the bluenette's neck, closing her eyes 'Just one kiss. Please'

Chloe kisses the photographer long and gently. As they separate and their foreheads meet, the punk breathes a sigh.

'It's not that easy for me either, Max. I usually keep talking about that how much I love you. And I can't do that now. It really is fucked up. But I'm doing it for you'

'I know' she gently cups her face 'I'm so grateful for this. I'm gonna show you how much as soon as possible I promise'

'Let's go. I'll go first. Don't make it obvious'

'I love you'

'I love you, too'

'One last kiss?'

The punk gently kisses the brunette then walks back to the kitchen.

'Is Max okay?' Ryan looks at Chloe.

'Yeah, she'll be back soon' she smiles 'So, why don't you check the photoalbum we got for you? It's full of nostalgic pictures from our childhood, so… you could just check it until I wash the dishes.'

'Should I help you?' Joyce looks at her.

'No, I'll be fine, Mom' she smiles 'Join the others. We'll be there soon, too.'

As the parents leave the kitchen the bluenette starts washing the dishes. She feels Max's head on her back in a minute.

'Don't do it. They could catch us.' she sighs.

'Sorry.'

'Finish your dinner so I can wash your plate.'

'Okay, okay' she grabs her plate 'I prefer the irresponsible and careless Chloe…'

'Pfffft, shut up!' she giggles.

'Seriously. You're like an adult, but way too serious. You haven't even said hella once this evening.'

'Because you love when I say hella' she smirks to herself.

'I hella love it' she whispers 'Especially when I'm on top of you and you keep telling me that you're hella loving what I do to you'

'Stop it' she hisses blushing.

'Couldn't resist' she giggles as she hands the plate to the punk 'I love it when you're blushing'

'Since when?'

'Forever.'

'I will remember this!' she laughs as she dries her hands 'Would you get a six pack and some wine?'

'Are they checking the photo album?' she leans in the fridge.

'Yeah' she steps behind the brunette and whispers in her ear 'You have no idea how much I want you'

'Do you?'

'Hella'

'Cool' she grips her shirt and pulls her for a kiss in the cover of the fridge door 'We truly should go, right?'

'So fuckin' hate you, Caulfield.' she tucks in her hair as she watches the brunette walking before her.

They sit in the living room.

'I truly love this pirate picture of you' Joyce smiles.

'Yeah. Seems like a thousand years ago' the photographer smiles 'But I clearly remember getting so busted the following day…'

'Because it was such a brilliant idea to get to the lighthouse without parents at the age of twelve!' Vanessa gives her a sharp look.

Before Max could react Chloe's phone starts ringing. She checks it and sighs. It's Matt.

'I'm sorry. I gotta get this one' and she's already on her way to the room 'Hey, Matt'

'Hey, Chloe? You busy?'

'Well, kinda, you know, it's the big night…'

'It was my big night!'

'Did she say yes?' she smiles.

'She did' he sighs.

'Congrats, man!'

'Thanks, Price. How's your evening?'

'It could be better. But I guess we're doing fine' just as she formed the words she hears shouting from the outside 'Matt, I gotta go, something's going on. By the way, do you mind if I take my parents to the parlor tomorrow?'

'It's fine, Chloe. Bye!'

'Talk to you'

She hangs up and rushes out.

'… because I will never be good enough for you Mom and you know it!'

'Hey, chillax, Max!' the bluenette lays her hand on the photographer's back who looks at her with misty eyes.

'You know what, mother? Do you know why I don't have a boyfriend? Because I'm in love with Chloe!' she takes her hand.

'Excuse me?' her eyes widen.

'We have been going out since March. And we're in love with each other! I will never marry a man! I will never be that kid you wanted!'

'Max, just calm down' the tattooist tries to calm her down.

'It was you!' Vanessa points a finger at Chloe 'It was you all along! You have always been a bad influence on Maxine!'

'You're not implying that my daughter is not good enough for Max, right, Vanessa?' Joyce stands up slowly and fiercely.

'Everybody calm down!' the punk shouts creating a moment of silence then Max speaks quietly, full of tears.

'You're so wrong. It was me. I visited her in the parlor in March after a long day. She was already packing but I wanted a piercing. Can you hear me? A nipple piercing! And I kissed her. And you can't imagine how happy I felt when she told me she loves me! You have no idea what we went through during the past year! She was by my side when I was a whiney bitch because I was full of deadlines and tests and of course I had to apply for college and she has not let my hand go! Not even once! She helped me with my portfolio and she moved here with me. Only for me! She tolerates when I'm stressed because of deadlines, she's always here when I'm sick or when I have the cramps. She's always had my fucking back! She's not leaving me and I'm not leaving her! We belong together and nothing can separate us! Nothing! Not you, not even the rest of the world! I will fight for her and give anything it takes! I'm her girlfriend and I love her from the bottom of my heart! And you can't separate us!'

'Ryan!' she's out of words and looks at her husband.

'What's wrong with it?' he shrugs 'At least we know Chloe treats her well. As I told you, honey' he looks at his daughter 'true love waits.'

'I had waited for so long. And I don't want to lose her. Ever.'

'I'm with you' he smiles softly.

'Ryan! This is nonsense!' the mother keeps on raging.

'What's so nonsense?' Joyce frowns 'Love? Because if there's something I can tell is that these kids truly love each other! I had your daughter in my home because she loves my daughter and she is a good influence on her! I saw them growing during the past year and I can tell that their love for each other also just grew! And what they have is true love!'

'You knew!'

'Of course I knew. Chloe was so nervous to tell me but I knew they were in love with each other before they got together. It's obvious.'

'It's… no!' she rages 'Ryan! We're going home! Right now!'

'Well, just go!'

'Ryan, I said we're going home! I'll wait you in the car! You have five minutes!' she leaves full of anger.

As the door bangs the tattooist gently caresses Max's back.

'You alright Mad Max?'

'I feel somewhat relieved' she sighs 'I'm so sorry, Dad…'

'It's fine' the man smiles 'You're still my daughter. My only, precious daughter. You should take good care of her!' he points at Chloe grinning.

'She truly does, Dad' she sniffles 'She does everything for me'

'I have to go' he sighs 'Your mother will give me the rant all way back to Seattle' he shakes his head 'But I don't care until my little girl is happy' he kisses her forehead 'Talk to you later!'

As he leaves, Max sits on the couch.

'Sorry for ruining Thanksgiving' she sighs.

'I don't mind' Joyce sits next to her 'If Chloe truly means that much to you, I don't care about ruining Thanksgiving. Do you feel any better?'

'It's off my chest. I feel so relieved.' she nods.

'Now that we got this out of the way, what's with that wall? Looks like a lot of photos are missing from there'

'We took them off. I didn't want my mother to blow the fuse. To find out about us like that. Because those pictures are pictures of us as a couple'

'Come on, show us! Don't you mind?'

'Sure, Joyce' she smiles as she dries her eyes and gets the photos.