30 December.

Kristine feels like a big sister. I never felt like I needed one back when I was a kid, as I always had Chloe. And when she wasn't there, I had this diary. But she's been so nice to me, and really supportive and constructive, and I feel like I can talk to her. I can always talk to Chloe to of course, but she and I are so close, it's nice to have another perspective too.

The year is almost ending. Wowser. I don't think I can ever not remember this year. First, I move out of my parents' house, go back to where I was born, then I find out I have time powers, then I resume my relationship with Chloe, then I go through all that crazy stuff over the week, then I am making out with Chloe, and then I don't have time powers anymore. And now me and her are back here in Seattle. Wowser indeed. Maybe I have gone crazy after all…


Chloe read the diary with a smile. She saw Max scribbling away in it from time to time since they were in Seattle, but could never really understand where she was going with it. It wasn't something she was familiar with either, for Max didn't keep one in their youth. She was intrigued to read her perspective on things, but couldn't help but be a bit shocked at what she read about the other timelines. Things really had been hard for her. But there was also some touching stuff about Chloe in there. It shed some intimate light on how Max saw her, and how she experienced their separation and reuniting - so it wasn't all bad tidings.


Old year's was mostly low-key: a little holiday for the family. Not that Chloe minded being a part of a family again of course, but it wasn't as grandly celebrated as Christmas was. January wasn't very spectacular as well. Chloe had taken a job as barista in the coffee house where Max had risen to fame as an anti-homophobia activist, so it wasn't an entirely uneventful month. Since Max was a quasi-celebrity there, hiring the girlfriend in whose honor she'd ranted wasn't a particularly hard sell, and Chloe was happy to take on a new challenge until she and Max were off to school to finish their senior years after the summer. Money was not really a concern, as the sale of her paternal house in Oregon took care of any potential financial worries, but she was happy to have something to do just the same.

'Welcome back, Chloe! How was work?' And Vanessa welcomed her with a hug.

'Well, kinda like the other days, Vaness', Chloe replied, smiling when her in-law released her.

'I take it everything went well, then?'

'Yeah. Today went nice, but nothing really special. How was your day?'

'Same as you really. Nothing really special, but I guess today was productive. So nothing to complain, really.'

Vanessa worked as an artist at a local software developer specializing in video games, and Chloe remembered how impressed she was when Max's mother showed her a couple of sketches she was working on. In that moment, it also became quickly clear where her girlfriend's artistic talent came from.

'Oh, and Maxine's out taking some shots downtown. I guess she'll be back before too long.'

'Is she? She didn't tell me anything… kids these days!'

'Says the girl with the blue hair and the big tattoo!'

Chloe didn't really want to dye her hair blue again, but Max - irresistible as she was - insisted. And so her natural blonde once again subsided to the same bright color as it was during her final days in Arcadia Bay three and a half months ago.

'Alright, I'll concede! White flag and all.'

'Marvelous!' A short pause followed, and Chloe could notice there was something on Vanessa's mind as they entered the living room and sat on the sofa, which was still very red.

'Chloe, I think it might be time to consider talking to David Madsen again. It's been a couple of months, and I don't think we can avoid him forever. We'll be there to protect you if you want, in case he'll start to invoke some sort of fatherly claim on you.'

On moments like these, she couldn't stop thoughts entering her head about how much she had craved the Caulfields. How much misery would they have been able to prevent?

'That would be awesome. I love you, you know?'


After Max had showered, she went downstairs, where Chloe and her parents were already waiting.

'Hey Max.'

Max was nervous, for she was torn on David. In the other timeline, she'd seen how much Joyce's second husband cared about his stepdaughter. But in the real world, none of that happened. So when she heard Chloe and her mother wanted to bring David over to Seattle to catch up, she didn't really know what to think of it. She knew her parents weren't fond of him, and she hoped their conversation didn't went awry because of it.

'Hey. Are you okay?'

'I hope I am. It feels so strange to see him again.'

'I'm always with you, Chloe.'

'I know you are. It really means a lot.'

'Do you want us to do the talking?' Vanessa pitched in.

'Yeah. That would be great.'

The doorbell rang, and Ryan and Vanessa walked towards the hallway to open the door. While they were gone, Chloe stood from her kitchen table seat, and reached for Max's hand. They held each other's hand for a while, until both adults returned, David following in their wake.

'Hi David.'

He'd shaved his mustache. Otherwise, he looked exactly the same as when the girls left him in Arcadia Bay.

'Chloe… How are you doing?'

'Happiest I've been for years and years. Thanks for asking.'

Chloe wore her beanie again for the occasion. Max hadn't seen her wear one since the week of the storm, and she was surprised she put it back on. It made her look more like the dark and angry girl in that bathroom, and so was the look on her face. It was not a sight Max was happy to see.

The company sat down at the table.

'We're involved David. As in girlfriends, me and Max.'

David was visibly shaken by the announcement.

'But she's… You…'

Clearly, he hadn't seen the viral video, and Max felt a bit disgusted. Her parents didn't attempt to hide their anger as well, and the disapproval was clearly visible in their faces. Max didn't dare to look at Chloe.

'For your sake, I hope that it's not going to be a problem', Vanesa fumed.

'I'm sorry. I accept anyone who you're comfortable with, Chloe.'

'It's not yours to accept.' Vanessa was not easily soothed.

'I'm just happy to hear you have found love.'

'If you have a problem with her sexuality, I sugg...'

On some days, Max thought about whether her power would return again some day. However, there was not a single second Max had wished she could still rewind, and neither did she now. But it surely would have helped in situations like this, as things were quickly going from bad to worse. Her mother was rapidly snapping, and Chloe was evidently content with the defense she was getting. If this meeting were to be saved, something needed to be done as soon as possible. Max, thinking on her feet, acted quickly, intervening before her mother was able to finish her explosive sentence.

'David, I can understand it's a bit much to process right now. But please, can you try for Chloe? It would mean a lot to her, and I'm sure it's what Joyce would have wanted.'

Everyone at the table was staring at her now.

'You're right. Again, I'm sorry if I appeared to be unaccepting. I'm happy for you Chloe, I truly am. I miss Joyce, and I haven't seen you for a while too. I hope you can forgive me.'

'I miss my mother, David, just as much as you miss your wife.'

The tension eased.

'Chloe, I miss you too. Can we talk about you coming back to me? I've been living in Portland since the house was sold, and I've found some work in private security.'

'We're not going there. Chloe stays.' Vanessa was brief, but decisive.

'Can I ask a question to my stepdaughter, please?'

'If she was intent on moving in with you, she probably would have done so already', Ryan pitched in.

'Please?'

Chloe looked at her in-laws for help, but she figured there was no escaping David on this one. She had to answer him herself.

'Listen David, I'm very happy here. I want to stay.'

'I'm sorry to hear that, but if that's what you want…' He took the disappointment remarkably well.

'Can we at least work something out so we can see each other on some regular basis? You and Max can come over to Portland if you want?'

'I think the girls like Seattle just as much, David.' Vanessa once again tried to take control of the conversation.

'I'm talking to Max and Chloe here, miss Caulfield.'

'You can come over, David. We'll see if we want to go to Portland.'

'Yeah. What Max said.'

David realized this was as good as it was going to get, and settled accordingly. They catched up on the last months next: how he stuck around in Arcadia for a while, helped the police arrest Mark Jefferson, the art teacher turned psycho murderer. When Chloe sold the house, he bought an apartment in Portland, and had been living there since. Pertaining the arrangements for future contact, it was established David could come over at least once a month, so they could keep in touch in a regular fashion.

After David had said his goodbyes and went home to Portland, Max sat down on the couch, happy that the reunion was over. Chloe, whose dark expression on her face had left with David, was in the kitchen, cooking dinner with her mother in-law.

'Hey sweetheart. How are you doing?' Max looked up to her father, who moved to sit beside his daughter.

'Great, dad', she smiled.

'Wonderful. How did you think that went?'

'Considering the history involved, I think it went really well.'

'You really saved the discussion there, honey. Your mother was out for blood.'

'She was just trying to protect Chloe, which I want too of course. I just don't think yelling and getting angry was the best way to achieve something constructive.'

'Look at you, being more mature than your own mother. I'm proud of you!'

'Thanks, dad.'

Father and daughter heard yelling from the kitchen next, and deduced dinner was likely ready to be served.

'Come on, Max. Let's see what our chefs have cooked for us!'

'It's probably better than our steak.'

Ryan chuckled, and lay an arm around Max's shoulder.

'What are you talking about? Your steak was delicious, my dear! I'm already looking forward to the next one.'


After Max and Ryan were done with the much-improved dinner and it was time to go to bed, Chloe and Max found each other lying in Max's one-person bed, which was still was probably to small for two adults to sleep in. Yet, they did just that for months on end now.

'Intense and exciting. Hella like Chloe Price.'

Max looked like she saw water burn, and frantically searched her memory for a clue as to what her girlfriend was alluding to. Finally, the penny dropped.

'I hoped you at least enjoyed reading it!'

'Oh, I think you should become a writer, Max. Hella beautiful prose.'

She looked at Chloe, holding her breath.

'There's nothing in there I don't want you to know. You can have all-access to me.'

'Can I now?' She moved closer.

'Any day of the week.'

They were awkwardly locked in eye contact for a while, until Chloe backed out and rolled onto her back. Tonight, she would sleep and dream about whatever was on her mind, happily and peacefully. Perhaps even about David Madsen.