"I've heard they're messy," Having a kid and raising one are two completely different things, and Steph only has experience with the former. Babysitting for neighbours and taking care of the local kids isn't the same thing, either.

What Kate says makes her frown a little, she hates that this is another thing taken away from Kate by some asshole in a darkk alley, "You've got time. You can work things out at your own pace." She won't say you'll get better because there's nothin wrong with Kate, and Steph wouldn't suggest there is.

A lot of their previous conversations about dating make more sense with this context added, but Steph doesn't feel the need to comment on that.