It's a Saturday evening. Max and Chloe are almost finished cooking dinner. The punk glances at the brunette.

'You nervous?'

'A little bit.'

'It'll be fine, Super Max' she smiles.

'I know, I know. I hope so'

'You still have two weeks until spring-semester, I'm home for three days and Rachel's out. We're fine.'

'I wonder who she's dating lately. She's going out a lot. Is she okay?'

'Yeah. She seems to be happy.'

'Does Darren know?'

'Not yet. She haven't even introduced this new girl to me'

'Girl?'

'Rachel's very open-minded. She's not really into gender. She's into love and happiness'

'And what are you into?' she grins.

'You' she kisses her softly.

Knocking interrupts them and the brunette walks to the door.

'Hi, Dad'

'Hi, sweetheart'

'Did you come alone?'

'Yes' he sighs.

'You're just in time. Dinner's almost ready'

'Good, I'm starving'

'Hey there, Mr. Caulfield!' the bluenette waves.

'How many times do I have to tell you I'm Ryan?'

'Well, let me check…' she grins.

'Just call him Ryan, Chloe.'

'Okay, okay.' she sighs 'Sit down. I'm serving dinner.'

'So, tell me, Chloe' Ryan takes his place 'Is Max getting into cooking?'

'Definitely. Sometimes she even cooks alone. Now, that she has a little break from college but I have to work. Sometimes she brings me lunch to the parlor'

'But is it any good?' he grins.

'You will see.'

'Dad… you know why you're here, right?'

'Yeah' he picks up his fork 'We can talk'

'I guess you have some questions, too'

'I guess' he smiles softly 'Do you want to start?'

'So, Dad… how are you doing? I mean the two of you'

'We're fine.' he shrugs.

'Does she know you're here?'

'Of course she knows. What should I have told her?'

'No, it's okay. Didn't she want to come?'

Ryan hesitates for some seconds.

'It's very hard for her. She can't really understand this situation. I'm trying to explain to her, but let's be honest, I don't really know how it works. You know her, Max. She's very stubborn'

'A great excuse to neglect your daughter…'

'She's not neglecting you. She just has to process this, okay? I think she just doesn't understand this and afraid to ask some things. She's confused. That's all'

'She could ask me. Us. Dad, Joyce basically watched us getting together then she supported us all the way through.'

'We're not the same. She loves you. She just needs a little time.'

'Let's be honest, Dad' she puts her fork down 'Almost three months passed. She doesn't answer my calls, she doesn't look for me. She doesn't have a daughter anymore.'

'Don't say that, Max.' Chloe looks at her.

'She's right' Ryan nods 'Don't say that. Give her a little time'

'How much time, Dad? Listen' she glances at the punk who slowly nods 'We're getting married as soon as possible. I know it's still illegal, but we know love will win and we can get married. I got a promise ring and when the Supreme Court passes the law, I will really be engaged to this woman. I want you to be there when we get married. Both of you'

'Are you serious?'

'Yes. Aren't you happy?'

'Of course I'm happy' he smiles softly 'Just surprised. Everything's happening so fast with the two of you. Are you sure it's not early?'

'We love each other. By the time the law passes we could even be 25 year-olds'

'But how do you know, Max? How do you know she's the one? No offense' he looks at the bluenette.

'None taken'

'Dad…' she sighs 'She has always been there for me. She loves me more than anybody else. When I got back to Arcadia Bay… After we reunited I felt alive again. Before that I only tried to live. I forced myself to talk to people and it was hard. But when she's by my side everything is so easy. Dad, she's my other half, okay? I know that she's the one'

'You really are serious about this.'

'We are.'

'I guess your mother's biggest fear is that she'll never have a grandchild, you know?'

'But that's some massive bullshit! There are so many ways to have a child, you know? We can adopt, or we can get a donor, or…'

'So you want a kid'

'Of course! We both love kids! Dad… Being gay is nothing like it's been thirty years ago. We are fine. People are getting to understand that love is love. I know it's hard. But you know Chloe. Well…' she giggles 'She used to be a hell raiser, but she turns out to be a very responsible adult. And most importantly, she loves me. I'm happy with her. Doesn't it matter?'

'It's all what matters. It's just new to me and your mother, okay? Give us a little time.' he finishes dinner 'We're trying'

'Is she?'

'Max, don't even start, please.'

'Let's just sit down in the living room.'

'Okay'

As they sit down, Ryan sits looks at Chloe, hesitating a little before he asks her.

'How did your mother take it? Was it easy for her?'

'She knew we fell for each other before us' she smiles softly 'When we actually got together last March we waited two weeks before telling her but she already knew. She was all like "It was about time! I thought you will never tell each other." It was a little bit funny actually. But she supported us and let Max live in the house all summer long. I wouldn't trade those months. When she asked me to move with her… geez, I thought she wanted to break up with me.' she giggles 'I was so nervous and I had to deal with my own demons. You know, I have abandonment issues. Well, instead of breaking up she asked me to move here. I said yes. Then I told my mother and she still supported us. She never showed any signs of disapproval. She knows Max. I think it comforts her'

'And how do you think your father would feel?'

'Dad!' Max's eyes widen.

'It's okay' Chloe smiles softly 'I actually thought about this, but I don't know. You know we were really close. My happiness was his number one priority. So I guess he would be okay with it. I won't say he wouldn't be surprised but he knew Max and they truly got along. So I guess he'd be okay with it. With us.'

'Dad…' the brunette takes a deep breath 'What's mom's problem? That I'm queer or Chloe?'

'Max…'

'Dad, please!'

'Both' he says quietly 'That you're with Chloe just adds up to her rage'

'Dad, she's changed. She knows that. She actually acknowledged it! Why won't she give us a chance?'

'Time, Max. Give her some time.'

'How much time, Dad?'

'I don't know. I'll continue talking about this with her, okay?'

'I don't want to get married without you seeing the ceremony, okay? You're my parents. I know Mom can be… stubborn, but Dad, please.'

'I'll talk to her.'

'Thanks, Dad'

'So, may I have my questions?'

'The usual suspects, I guess' the tattooist grins.

'What?'

'Just ask, Ryan'

'So how does it work? I mean… how do you know you're… you know…'

'How do you know you're straight?' Max smiles 'It's the same I guess, but ask Chloe, she tried with guys.'

'Oh, nice, Maxi pad. But that's true. I felt the difference when I first kissed a girl. Until that point I didn't realize something was missing'

'Is it really that different?'

'Well' the couple exchanges a look 'Ryan, you're a straight man. When you kiss a woman you feel something in your body, your brain and mind. Now, if you kissed another man, out of interest, you wouldn't react the same way because you're not attracted to men. The hormones wouldn't start racing in your veins.'

'So there's not a single man you find attractive?'

'We can say that a man is handsome or looks good' the brunette nods 'but we're not attracted to them.'

'But how does a relationship work? I mean is that true there's a…'

'No' the brunette giggles 'None of us is a "man". There are different types of lesbians, that's true, but it's not necessarily goes like you might think. There are lesbians you wouldn't even think they're gay. Let's see our relationship. There's not a "man" here. Why would we need a man when we love woman, right? But I admit, Chloe's more muscular. But we share all the housework and everything else.'

'I think I got it. And what if…'

Max and Chloe try to answer Ryan's questions. When he got most of his questions answered he stands up tiredly.

'Thanks. I really don't want to be an ignorant asshole.'

'It's okay, Ryan. Feel free to ask anything, anytime.'

'I need to go.'

'Why don't you stay the night? Rachel's out, you could stay.' the brunette says.

'I promised your mother I'm going home tonight.'

'I'll walk you to the car. I'll be right back.'

'Bye, Chloe, and thanks for dinner!'

'Goodbye, Ryan! Have a safe drive!'

As the door closes the bluenette heads back to the kitchen to wash the dishes. She wonders what her own father would say. How would he take it? Of course she'll never know, but she can be grateful for her mother for being so supportive. She's almost done when she hears the door open and close, then she feels the brunette's arms wrapping around her waist.

'Hey, are you okay, Max?'

'Mm-hmm.'

'Your dad really is sweet. He's trying'

'I wish we could say the same about my mother…'

'Chillax. She'll get there. Seriously, give her a little time'

'How much, Chlo?'

'I don't know' she dries her hands 'Be grateful, okay? Both of your parents are alive' she faces her.

'I-I know' she lies her head on the punk's shoulder 'I'm sorry. I'm also sorry for Dad asking about your dad.'

'It's okay.' she smiles softly.

'Do you want to talk about it?'

'I'm not against it'

'Do you really think he would be okay with us?'

'He loved you, asswipe' she giggles 'I'm sure'

'I wish we could see him again'

'You did, right? Back in 2013. Tell me about him.'

'Are you sure?'

'Please, Max.'

'He looked great.' she smiles.

'Was he troubled because of me?'

'I… don't really know…'

'Max, please.'

'He was'

'Financial trouble? I was… a burden?'

'Don't say that! Your parents loved you.'

'There's something you're not telling me'

'What do you mean?'

'I see it in your eyes, Max' she sighs 'Please. You said you couldn't bear seeing me like that… Paralyzed. Is there something more about that?'

'Chloe…'

'Max, please… I want to know. Did I suffer much? Was I unhappy? I need to know what could've happened'

'Chloe…' she sniffles.

'Please, Max'

'Yes and yes. I created a mess in that alternative timeline. I saved your dad and didn't bail on you. I thought you'll be alright then, but… You ended up paralyzed and… the medical bills, your constant pain… You… no, please don't make me do this…'

'Max?' she raises an eyebrow.

'You were suffering, what should I have done? You asked me… I couldn't… I just…'

'Okay, enough' she hugs her tight 'I'm sorry I pushed you.'

'I love you, idiot. I did everything I could.'

'I know. Don't worry about this. Not anymore, okay? Look at us, Max. We're doing okay. We're together. I shouldn't have pushed you.'

'Someday… I'll tell you about it someday. But not today, please not today.'

'It's okay' she kisses the top of the brunette's head 'I really am sorry. I didn't want to push you, Max. I still have lots to learn'

'You're a great person' she kisses her on the cheek. But about this… Please, let me decide when to talk about these things, okay?'

'I really am sorry' she brushes off the teardrops on the photographer's cheek with her thumb.

'You changed so much' she laughs 'You're such a great person I don't even…'

'Shut it, right now! We're through this. I love you and I'm not gonna…'

The brunette kisses her softly. As their foreheads softly touch, Max smiles.

'I love you'

'I love you, too. Don't even try to escape from me.'

'I don't. You stupid punk.'

'But you know, one day you're gonna be the wife of this stupid punk'

'Oh shit, now I'm screwed…' she giggles.

'For life'

'Oh, please, don't do this to me, Captain Price.'

'Let's go out on Monday'

'An official date?'

'Yeah. With a movie, arcade, a dinner…'

'Some Powell's?'

'Even some Powell's, hipster' she laughs.

'Can you see this?' she points at the ring.

'Mm-hmm'

'You can never leave me now'

'Not that I want to'

'You can't even. You're chained to me for life with this ring'

'Good. I want to live my life with you anyway'

'Idiot.'

'But I'm your idiot'

'You're hella right'