On Monday morning, before going into the office, Eve was waiting in the treatment room at her gynecologist’s practice for a new birth control implant. As her doctor was on vacation, she didn’t have the chance doing it earlier. 

„Good morning, Eve.“ The doctor said friendly, coming inside. 

„Hi. Ehm, could we hurry up a little, please? I got a meeting in one hour.“ She replied. 

The doctor raised one eyebrow and sat down opposite of her.

„Eve, I need to inform you, it’s too late for having a new implant.“

Eve gave her an irritated look.

„Why that?“ 

„Because you’re pregnant.“ 

Eve stared at the doctor, with her mouth wide open.

„Say.That.Again.“

„You’re expecting a baby. I just got the result from your blood sample.“ 

Eve processed hard. This just couldn’t be true. This must be a giant misunderstanding.

„HOW THE HELL COULD THAT HAPPEN?!“ She suddenly blamed the doctor. 

„Well, I suppose you didn’t use any other kind of contraceptive after removing the implant?“ 

„I didn’t, because you told me it would take months until my body get used to the new situation! You said it’s unlikely getting pregnant quickly after having that implant for so many years like I did!!!“

„Unlikely didn’t mean it was impossible.“ 

„FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!“ Eve screamed. 

The doctor stayed calm. It wasn’t the first time she witnessed an emotional outburst in her practice. 

„Listen, Eve. Let me check how far you are and how the baby is doing, okay?“ She suggested. 

Eve grabbed her face with both hands.

„I can’t believe this is happening to me…“

Eve was deeply exited when the doctor was doing the ultrasound. Both women where staring at the screen above their heads.

„Oh.“ The doctor said surprised. 

„Oh what?!“ Eve said nervously. „Don’t tell me there’s more than one. If there’s more than one I’m gonna lose my shit…“ 

The doctor smiled.

„Relax, I just see one baby. But it’s already bigger than I expected. So it happened pretty soon after removing the implant.“

Eve was shocked and didn’t know how to reply. After measuring the babies size, the doctor continued talking.

„You’re six week pregnant.“

„Please don’t tell me it’s too late.“ Eve stammered. 

„Too late for what?“ The doctor asked. 

„Too late to…“

Eve didn’t dare finishing the sentence. 

The doctor finished the ultrasound, before responding.

„It’s not too late. There’s enough time left to make a decision.“ 

Eve sighed relieved. 

„May I say something?“ The doctor asked.

Eve nodded. 

„You’re 38 years old. I’m really very surprised you got pregnant that fast. I have countless patients in the same age who wished being in your position. As we removed your implant few weeks ago, I had the impression you are ready for having a baby. I don’t know what made you change your mind in the meanwhile, but pease try to see this pregnancy as a blessing and not as a burden.“

Eve just stared at her without responding. The doctor printed the ultrasound pictures and gave them to her. Eve looked at them for am moment. She still couldn’t believe that there was a tiny human being in her belly. It felt completely surreal. 

Being lost in thoughts Eve went into the office and entered the lobby.

„Hey, Eve. Are you okay?“ Sarah asked carefully. 

She knew about the latest gossip about Josh and Jen. Then she noticed Eve wasn’t wearing her engagement ring anymore. 

Eve looked back at her. She was aware of, that Sarah was perfectly informed about the current events. 

„Don’t enjoy it too hard.“ She replied.

Then she continued walking. 

„Eve.“ Sarah said to make her stop.

Eve turned around and gave her an annoyed look.

„What, Sarah?“

„I’m sorry.“

„For what?“

„For what happened to you.“

Eve raised her eyebrows.

„That’s hard to believe.“ 

„I really mean it.“

„If you say so…“

„Look. You’ve been very fair to me after Rachel left the firm. You could have fired me but you didn’t. I really appreciate it. And I really regret being an asshole.“ 

Eve was surprised about Sarah’s apology. She didn’t expect that. She forced a short smile before she finally turned around and left the situation. 

„Darling. Here you are.“ Mateo said nervously, when Eve entered their office. 

Eve ignored him and let herself fall at her chair. Mateo stood up and stopped standing in front of her.

„Please say something. You can yell at me. It’s okay. But please say something.“ He begged. 

Eve looked at him for few seconds. Blaming Mateo for helping Josh the prior night seemed ridiculous at this point. 

„I’m pregnant.“ She said instead. 

Mateo’s stomach immediately dropped. 

„Holy.Fucking.Shit.“ He stammered. 

„Yap.“

„But you said it’s unlikely…“

„I know what I said, Matty. The doctor was surprised as well, that it happened so fast. But it happened…“

„Jesus… so… how do you feel about that?“ 

„This is a disaster. This is the worst case scenario…“ 

„Does Josh know?“ 

„Hell, no. I can’t talk to him about that.“ 

Mateo was deeply irritated. 

„Why not?“ 

„Because… I… I don’t want that baby…“ Eve almost whispered. 

Mateo sat down at her table, processing what she just said. 

„Eve… no… this is a big mistake…“

„You said it yourself, Matty! I can’t take care for a baby when I’m running a firm! Remember?“

„I remember. But now as it happened, I just can’t let you do it… I just can’t.“

„Why not?!“

„Because I am convinced you will regret is some day.“

„Why should I regret it? I never wanted kids, even when I was with Josh! And now he’s gone! Tell me one good reason why I should keep it!“ 

„Eve, for god’s sake. This is your flesh and blood. There is new life inside of you. How can you even think about this option?“

Eve started crying. She was desperate and completely overwhelmed with the whole situation. Mateo felt sorry for her. He stood up and grabbed her hand to make her stand up as well. Then he hugged her closely. 

„I’m with you. I promise we will make this work. You make enough money now to get any help you need to give that child a good life. We can rebuild your prior office into a nursery, if you want. There are so many options. You are the boss here. You’re making the rules.“ He said, while hugging her. 

The same day Justin showed up at Josh’s house without prior notice. He entered the code at the gateway and parked his car in front of the garage. 

„What are you doing here?“ Josh asked harshly, after opening the front door. 

„I want to talk.“ Justin replied. 

„No.“ 

„C… come on. We’re brothers…“ 

„Oh?! Are we?! Do brothers act like you did?!“ 

„Let me in, C…“ 

Josh was still mad at Justin. He was angry enough to punch him once again. But he didn’t. Instead he stepped aside and let Justin enter his house. 

Josh went into the kitchen. Justin put of his sneakers and followed him. Then he sat down at the kitchen island while Josh was making some coffee. 

„Can I have coffee as well?“ Justin asked. 

„No.“

Justin sighed. 

„Look… you need to forgive me at some point.“

„Really? Do I?“ Josh said cynically, taking a sip.

„Yes.“

„You kissed my girl while I was at that damn boat watching that fucking race. What kind of asshole act like this, hm?!“ 

„I’m not denying being an asshole. But I’m also your best friend. And I always will be.“

„Don’t be too sure about that.“ 

„C… I know it sucks. I completely understand that you hate me right now. But still I want us to be good again. Please give me the chance to make things right.“ 

„How you wanna make things right?“

„I can help you to get her back.“

„I don’t need your help.“

„Please. C. Give me a chance…“ 

Josh looked at him for a moment. 

„We went through a lot of shit in all these years. But we never crossed that line, Justin. Never. Why now? Explain to me what the hell made you act this way.“

„I don’t understand myself. I never cheated on Jess before. I swore to myself never screwing things up with her. But we started falling apart a long time ago. And I was ignoring all the screaming signs. I didn’t want to admit that we have serious problems. Finally, instead of working on it and finding a way out of this, I just felt pity for myself. The whole situation was deeply frustrating. And then Eve showed up in your life. Seeing you having everything I was longing for depressed me. I truly felt happy for you, but I was jealous as well. That girl was admiring you like you were the center of her universe. And you deserved all of it. I knew you deserved it so much finally having someone who was made for you. But I wanted it, too. At the beginning I just played with fire. I never meant to cross the line and hurt you. But Cuba… it gave me the rest. Jess was so cold and dismissive. I felt brutally lonely and helpless. I longed for some attention badly. That’s why things happened when I was alone with Eve in the water. I just took what I needed without thinking about any consequences.“ 

Josh listened carefully. In some way he felt pity for his friend. He was in the same situation with Jen, before they broke up. Sometimes there was no other way out of a crisis.

„I’m gonna ask you a question now and I need you to be honest, T…“ Josh finally replied. 

„Of course.“

„Is this all just about wanting what I was having or do you have serious feelings for Eve?“