I firmly believe this is a type of canon. It's the echo thing from Countdown or something. It's DC. They'll think of something. The only that made me sad about Steph coming back was the idea they weren't being UMHR's together.
I love the idea that they did have a relationship and in a way, a playful one. Probably drove him up the wall, but it was to be expected.
The poetry in this is one of my favourite aspects. It's beautiful in it's own way.