The bluenette sighs as she buttons her white shirt.

'Is it really necessary? It's just a dinner with your parents'

'Exactly. It's a dinner with my parents. Your tie? The blue one… Yes, it will do' she hands it over.

'Holy shit' she looks at her girlfriend 'It's been a while I've seen you in this dress. You look hella hot' she leans for a kiss.

'We don't have time for this. We already should be on our way, Chloe'

'What, so I can't kiss my hot girlfriend?'

'Come on' she kisses her on the lips then starts fixing her tie.

'Don't be so tense. It'll be okay. See? I told you. She's trying. She wants to see you get married. You're still her daughter. She's just worried for you'

'Let's just go already'

The bluenette walks out with a sigh. They don't really talk during the trip. The punk feels the photographer's tension. As she parks she gently takes Max's hand.

'You okay?' she asks softly.

'Yeah, I guess'

'You seem hella nervous'

'I am. I can't break down here'

'Everything's gonna be fine. I'm with you. She's trying. We're good'

'You know we don't have to rub it in their faces'

'I know'

'I know it's hard, but…'

'I know, chillax. Can we go?'

'Just before that…' she closes her eyes and leans for a kiss.

Chloe kisses her long and softly. She gently cups the brunette's face.

'I'm with you. Let's go'

They get out of the car. As they slowly walk towards the door the punk gently grabs the brunette's hand. Right before knocking, they exchange a soft smile. Ryan opens the door, smiling.

'Hey there, had a safe drive?'

'As always, Dad. Did you tell her?' she whispers.

'What?'

'You know…' she points at the ring.

'No, not yet. You will, right?'

'Guess I have to'

'Now, come in already! You two must be tired'

The girls walk in and put off the jackets. They sit down in the living room.

'Your mother's in the kitchen. Should I…'

'I guess' the photographer mumbles.

'Calm her down' he grins at the bluenette 'We'll be right back'

As the man walks out, the tattooist takes Max's hand.

'Chillax, hey, what's up now?'

'I… don't know, I'm…'

'You won't break down, right? You can't. I'm with you, hey, listen to me'

'I'm… fine' she breathes a sigh 'I'm… fine' she repeats.

'I'm with you' she leans to her ear 'We're fine. Breathe. In, and out'

'Okay, okay… Away from me!' she giggles.

'What?' she grins 'You never told me this before'

'Seriously, back off, Chloe… We can't… Not now'

'Later then' she winks and kisses her on the cheek.

'Bitch' she laughs 'We'll see.'

'At least I can love you in your room'

'Shit, it's been awhile I've been here'

'So I may find out some of your nasty secrets…'

'Dumbass' she punches her in the shoulder playfully.

'But this dumbass…'

'I know, I know, this dumbass will be…'

'Good evening, ladies' Vanessa greets them with a forced smile.

'Hi Mom' Max jumps up fast, greeting her mother.

'Good evening, Mrs. Caulfield' Chloe clears her throat.

She has to. Like she would've gotten a portion of Max's nervousness. They sit back slowly.

'The dinner is almost ready. Until then, tell me, how are you doing?'

'We're doing fine' the brunette nods 'Spring semester has already started so I'm getting busy again. But it's okay'

'What about you, Chloe?' the man looks at her.

'Actually, really good. I earn enough with my designs so I only tattoo and pierce for some extra money. So we can spend more time together'

'Which is good because when I work on projects I can always use some help'

'So, did you pass all your exams?'

'Yeah, I did. All of them. I didn't have any retakes'

'Good, good. I can't remember seeing this dress'

'I wore it on an exhibition. Some of us could have a show towards the end of fall semester, and I guessed I can't just wear my T-shirt and jeans combo. So… I bought a dress'

'You already had an exhibition? And you didn't even tell?'

'We… were not in contact then, Mom…' she mumbles.

'Oh… Well, next time we may go, right, Ryan?'

'Of course! We have to be there next time'

'I hope you are hungry. We can have dinner soon. We will set the table. Until then, why don't you show Chloe around?'

'Yes Mom, I will' she nods with a forced smile.

As the parents leave the photographer sighs.

'Don't you wanna go out?'

'You really should quit smoking'

'I will… for a specific time…'

'What do you mean?'

'Well, you know…' she grins as she puts on her jacket.

'What?' she opens the door.

'I'll quit for like… a year. Almost'

'What the fuck do you mean, Price?'

'Asswipe…' she exhales the smoke 'I'll quit for the time of being pregnant'

'What?'

'You knew this. I wanna marry you. I want kids with you. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you. You knew this'

'Yes, but you… you never told this before. Like, this specific'

'Hey, don't freak out, I mean, I…'

'I love it' she lays her head on the bluenette's chest.

'Am I too fast?'

'You just tell these things so… casually'

'Meaning?'

'You keep on surprising me'

'I have to keep this exciting. Otherwise, you'll get bored of me and choose a smart-ass over me' she grins.

'Idiot' she giggles and kisses her on the cheek.

'So, will you take me to your room?'

'Yeah'

'Right after a bathroom break' she sighs as she drops the cigarette butt.

'Are you okay?'

'The trip took like three hours' she opens the door.

'Okay, okay' she puts off her jacket then takes the punk's hand 'Come on'

They walk up the stairs and turn on the left.

'And your room?'

'We'll get to that' she enters the bathroom.

'I guess I can handle this alone' she scratches her head.

'Yeah, yeah, sure, help yourself. I just wanted to ask you something. Something serious'

'Can't it wait? I'm about to pee myself'

'Just go on'

'You're terrible. At least turn away if your stupid question just can't wait'

'What's wrong with you?' she giggles 'We just spend Sundays naked almost all day long'

'It's different! Turn away, please?'

'Fine' she turns around.

'You wanna ask something serious' the tattooist sits down 'So serious you just wanna make it grotesque'

'You know me so well' she sighs.

'Ask'

'Are you really… sure about this whole plan?'

'Meaning?'

'Getting married, move to LA, have kids…'

'Yeah. Don't you like it?'

'I love it!' she stops herself from turning around 'But how can you be so sure when I'm just a mess?'

'Max' she takes her hand, turning her around 'You're not a mess. I love you. You're the light in my life, my wife, the mother of my children. Stop this bullshit already! I love you!'

'I love you, too'

'Don't you want this?'

'Of course I want this!'

'What's up?' she stands up and the brunette takes her place immediately.

'I… don't know. I love you, that's for sure'

'So?' she washes her hand.

'How can we be so sure that we can legally get married in Oregon? And if we can, when?'

'Max' she sighs 'Stop fussing. Love always wins' she winks.

'You truly believe in this…'

'I believe you changed my life. You're a miracle'

'You sentimental…'

'Stupid punk' she sighs 'I know all your thoughts by now' she grins.

'Do you?' she grins back as she stands up 'What am I thinking about right now?'

'That you're gonna drag me into your room for a make-out session'

'Pff…' she steps beside the bluenette to wash her hands.

'What?'

'You know me so well' she dries her hands.

'So…' she leans to the photographer's ear 'Show me your room, hippie'

Max shakes her head smiling, walking out of the bathroom. She stands at the door of her room, hesitating. The tattooist gently hugs her from behind, which makes her move. She opens the door and drags the punk in by her tie. They land on the bed, the brunette tucks into Chloe's hair. The punk smiles softly.

'Don't you want to kiss me?'

'Well…' the brunette grins 'Why don't you kiss me instead?' she closes her eyes.

The bluenette smiles as she cups her face, kissing her gently. She gets on top in seconds. As she kisses the photographer's neck she moans quietly.

'Can't you wait a little longer?'

'I'm craving you' she whispers softly.

'You'll get me. Right after dinner. I mean, right before we go to sleep.'

'I'll do my best'

'Promise?'

Knocking interrupts them.

'Dinner's ready' Ryan says.

'We'll be down in a minute' Max answers.

Chloe stands up, but the photographer grabs her hand.

'Promise?'

'I promise. I'll do my best' she smiles.

They head down to the dining room. They only talk about college but not much before finishing dinner Vanessa asks about future plans. Max looks at Chloe first, then at her father. She puts her cutlery down and pushes the plate away. She licks her bottom lip.

'So, you move back home after finishing college, right?' her mother asks 'Seattle is a great place to be an artist'

'Mom, you…' the brunette starts 'Please. You have to understand that it's not just a phase. I love her.'

'But you cannot be sure you live your whole life with her'

'That's… Okay, let's be real, it's possible. People do break up. But right now, I don't think it's going to happen. I just… feel it.' she sighs 'I got a promise ring for Christmas'

'A promise ring?' Vanessa's eyes widen.

'She promised me… she promised me she'll propose as soon as possible. For real. As it's still illegal in Oregon. But… we have plans for the future. Together.'

'Tell me about your plans. If you don't mind' she looks at Chloe.

'First of all, she has to finish college' the punk starts 'That's our number one priority right now'

'Good'

'And then we may move from Portland. Not sure where, but we thought about New York and Los Angeles'

'Isn't New York a little bit… far?' Ryan raises her eyebrows.

'I know, I know, but…' Max starts but the bluenette stops her.

'It is. But she could have great opportunities there'

'That's true' Vanessa approves 'But what if you'd still move to LA instead?'

'We thought about it more. It's closer to the parents, you know. And it also gives great opportunities, right?'

'And how do you plan this?'

'I'm saving money to move. It's going great for me recently, so it seems to be possible. Pretty possible'

'And what do you want to do in Los Angeles?'

'The same. Buying a little store and start my own business. So I can always be on the road with Max while I design some clothes and fulfilling orders'

'I'm not really sure of this…' the mother sighs.

'Vanessa, you can't say they are starving right now. And only a few months passed since Chloe started working, right? I think they're all right'

'But… Los Angeles is huge!'

'That's the point' the tattooist nods 'And actually, I ship clothes all over West Coast. I may start shipping all around the country. With time, of course,' she adds 'but people love my work, so I see potential in this. I wouldn't do it if I wasn't sure I would be unable to earn a living.'

'Okay, let's just say it won't work. There must be lots of tattoo parlors in LA, right?'

'Yes, but it's more than just a simple tattoo parlor' she smiles softly.

'You're right' the mother nods.

'Mom, listen' Max sighs 'I know it's hard for you. But… we believe in that we can get married soon. And when it happens, I want you to be there. Both of you. And when we'll have children, I want them to meet their grandparents'

'Children?' Vanessa looks totally confused.

'Max, you're overdosing her' Ryan clears his throat.

'What are your plans? Adopting?'

'No.' the brunette goes on 'We'll find a donor. We want the same father and that's the best solution. This way… they can be at least half-siblings, right?'

'How many children?'

'Two, at least'

'Do you think they will be… I mean, the world is changing, but…'

'They will be fine' Ryan smiles 'With parents as great as them, they will be fine. Look how they grew. Can you believe this? Even Chloe learned responsibility'

'I know, I know, I used to be a hell raiser' she giggles 'But I'm not 14 anymore, right? I learned what responsibility really means'

'Because you are motivated. You're doing it for her'

'Y-yeah' she blushes.

'Max' the father looks at her 'I guess she's doing a great job'

'Do I really look… happy?'

'You're tense as usual, but besides that, you look really happy. Don't you agree, Vanessa?'

'I… agree. Just give me a little time' she sighs 'I'm still processing. You two really have grown up. Maxine seems to be fine ever since your reunion. So if you two will remain together… It's fine'

'Thanks, Mom' the photographer smiles softly.

After dinner and a shower the tattooist smiles at Max.

'What?' she lays beside her.

'I'm proud of you' she snuggles tiredly.

'Are you?'

'Hella. You remained cool'

'You helped me a lot'

'Well, you'll be my wife some day. That's my task. To help you whenever you need help'

'Don't you think we should dye your hair soon? Your roots suck'

'That's not what I'm talking about!' she laughs.

'Sorry'

'But actually, I might stop dying my hair. I'll be a wife and a mother of two soon, right?'

'I guess so. I think I'm getting scared of this'

'We'll be fine' she sits up and kisses her cheek 'No rush. I promise'

'You're so excited about this'

'When you want to live the rest of your life with the person you truly love, you want everything to be perfect, right?'

'Hella right' she smiles as she kisses her.

'We're in this together, wifey'

'Together forever, you sentimental stupid punk.'