"My parents want to come check on me too. You could get the full boyfriend trial by fire, if you'd like." She smiles. He can also tell her that he'd like to avoid that, and she won't hold any hard feelings over it. Maggie is half-dreading her parents' arrival because of what she knows she'll have to do when they arrive, but she's so relieved at the thought of them coming.

When she continues, Maggie sounds braced for battle. "I need to... tell them all of the things I've been keeping secret for the past year."

Then she adds softly, with a wry grin, "You weren't ever an intentionally kept secret, Lance, but I haven't mentioned you yet. They aren't as scary as Shaun and Georgia unless you hurt me. And the CDC is available as a convenient target for all of their anger and worry."