Maeve's words make Steve furrow his brow and nearly cry again, and not only because they're sweet and supportive, but because it's just even more evidence to him that she would be a good mother. He doesn't know why she can't see that, but he knows that he can't convince her. It's like Hopper said. Why would he want to have a family with someone that he has to convince?

It doesn't matter right now, anyway. It might never matter, so he knows that he needs to put it aside. He needs to focus on their relationship, right here and now, and stop thinking about something that may, or more likely may never happen. It will only drive a wedge between them.

"Thank you," he says instead, giving her a thin, wobbly smile and studying her face, tucking one strand of hair behind her ear. "I am really sorry that I hurt you. I feel stupid about it. I really didn't mean to."