„Tom was very extroverted. I would even say, he was arrogant. A classic narcissist, but a very loving one.“ Eve explained. 

Josh was surprised about the way she described him. 

„A loving narcissist?“ 

She smiled.

„Yes. I know it sounds weird, but that’s what he was. However I liked his self-confidence. He never doubted himself. He made me always feel save and protected. No matter which difficulties we’ve had in life, he managed them. I could rely on him at any time.“

Eve looked at Josh, wondering what was going on in his mind now. But she didn’t ask. Instead she continued talking.

„Tom didn’t have many friends because he didn’t care much about people. Once he said, having me was all he needed in life and I truly believed him. I felt special. After all these years we’ve spent together I didn’t doubt for a single day something changed about his feelings for me. His love was reliable. It was a safe place for my heart.“

Eve made another break, looking at Josh.

„This sounds perfect, Eve.“ He said, trying not to sound jealous. 

He wondered, if he was able making her feel the same way Tom did. 

„No one’s is perfect, Josh. Tom wasn’t either. He was bossy and could be insulting sometimes. He always said the truth, not matter if I was ready to hear it or not. Of course there’s nothing wrong about honesty, but he couldn’t filter it. We argued a lot. It was never about serious stuff, but we’ve had different opinions about many things. He always tried to convince me from his point of view. This could be very frustrating.“ 

„I’m kind of relieved he’ve had bad habits, too.“ Josh confessed. 

Eve just smiled at him.

„So… how come your mother adored him so much?“ Josh wanted to know next. 

„He was very charming. Despite the fact that he didn’t care much about people, he knew exactly how to deal with them. And he knew it would be smart having my mom on his side. That’s why he put some extra effort into winning her heart. Once he was inside, there seemed to be no way back. My mom is a narcissist as well, by the way. Maybe that’s why they get along with each other so well.“ 

„But blaming you for his death? This is insane, Eve…“ 

„She called me murderer, Josh. She did that, when I was crying my eyes out, lying in my patient’s bed.“ 

Eve’s eyes filled with tears. She didn’t expect this kind of reaction, but the truth was, she never processed what her mom did to her.

„Oh honey. I didn’t mean to make you cry. Please forgive me.“ Josh said concerned and pulled her into his arms. She hugged him tightly, trying very hard to pull herself together somehow. 

„I understand now. You have every reason being upset. I’m sorry I was pushing you…“ He whispered, while still holding her close. 

After a while they released each other. Eve wiped away her tears.

„Lucy says, I need to open myself up and make peace. The thing is, my dad is having Alzheimer’s. It’s pretty bad. I know it wasn’t fair breaking up contact with him as well, but there was no other way. I don’t wanna see my mother. But I am scared I might miss the chance seeing my dad once again before he dies.“ 

Josh cupped her face gently and looked into his eyes. 

„I support any of your decisions, my love. Just tell me how you wanna deal with it and I promise to make it work for you.“

„I meant what I said about long distance flights, Josh. It’s not good for the baby.“

He smiled calmly. 

„But we could take Eric’s jet and make a stop in between.“

„Josh, no. I can’t ask for this. It costs a fortune.“

He was still smiling. 

„You make good money. I make good money. Where’s the problem, Eve?“ 

„I don’t know… it’s just so… snobby.“ 

Josh chuckled. 

„Is this really a problem?“

She rolled her eyes, finally giving in. 

„No, it’s not.“

„Good. Now take your time and think about that option. And if you feel ready doing that, I’m gonna manage the rest.“

At the same time Justin was lying at Josh’s sofa, just wearing underwear and watching Netflix. He woke up late, skipped breakfast and ordered Pizza instead. Eve and Josh asked him to join them in Orlando, but he refused the offer. He was happy for his friends, that they found back to each other, but right now it was too much for his nerves, seeing everybody freaking out about Eve’s pregnancy. 

As the doorbell rang, he hurried into the kitchen, grabbed some cash and opened up.

„Shit.“ He thought, as he saw Lance’s car in front of the gateway, instead of the delivery service. 

„Nobody’s home.“ He said through the intercom. 

„You know I have the code and a spare key. I just rang the bell to give you the chance dressing yourself.“ Lance replied.

„What makes you believe I’m not dressed?“

„Are you dressed?“

Justin rolled his eyes and opened the gate and the front door. Lance parked his car and entered the house. Justin was already back at the sofa and continued watching his series. Lance went into the living room and stopped standing in front of Justin. 

„Go out of my way! That’s a key scene, I need to see that!“ Justin complained. 

Lance took the remote control out of Justin’s hand and switched off the telly. 

„You suck so much.“ Justin said annoyed. 

„It’s you who suck. But I promised C not to bully you.“ Lance answered.

„Then why you’re here?“

„Checking, if you’re still alive.“

„Obviously I am. Now go home and leave me alone.“ 

„Why you’re so pissed off, T? I didn’t do anything, yet.“ 

„You switched off my series.“ 

Lance sighed and let himself fall next to him at the sofa. Then he started Netflix again. 

„Here’s the deal: You finish looking that shit and then we talk.“

Karen and Roy were out of mind when they heard the happy news. It was something they definitely didn’t expect to happen that early. But of course there was big hope for another grandchild as Eve and Josh announced their engagement. Tyler and Heather arrived short before dinner and freaked out as well. A lot of happy tears have been cried, before everybody finally processed Eve’s pregnancy. 

After dinner Lucy and Joey showed up as well. Roy was keeping Cuban cigars for special occasions and asked Joey and his sons to smoke them together in the backyard. Everybody made themselves comfortable at the outdoor table, with their cigars and some strong Bourbon. 

„I got questions.“ Roy said to Josh.

„Dad… you still know how sex works, right? Don’t let him explain.“ Tyler teased. 

Josh rolled his eyes, while Joey started grinning dirty. Roy ignored Tyler’s sassy comment. 

„I want to know what happened to your idea adopting a kid one day. Is this off the table, as you’re expecting an own baby now?“ 

„I don’t know, dad. We didn’t talk about that topic. I mean, Eve knows that I had this idea in my mind for a long time, but she never told me how she feels about it.“

„Why that?“

Josh sighed, before he answered.

Look. I’m grateful she became pregnant, as this was something she didn’t plan for her life, before we met. I can’t ask her for another kid. This wouldn’t be fair.“ 

Roy and Tyler exchanged surprised glances. 

„She didn’t want kids?“ His brother asked. 

Josh nodded.

„What made her change her mind?“ Roy wanted to know. 

„The fact that she loves me, dad.“ 

„Well, if this is her motivation, don’t lose hope for another one.“ Tyler replied. 

„Still, I’m not gonna force it. Having an own child is a blessing. I can’t ask for more.“ 

„Hear, hear!“ Joey said and raised his glass. 

The rest of them did as well and took a sip. 

In the meanwhile the women were relaxing together at the sofa, having some wine, accept Eve. She was sipping some tea instead. 

„So. The wedding.“ Heather started talking with a big smile in her face.

Eve immediately smiled back.

„What’s with the wedding?“

„When? Where? How? I’m dying to get some details!“ 

„We all do.“ Lucy said, with a cynical tone.

„I know that we lost some time since the engagement, without any progress. But we’re working on it.“ 

„Means?“ Karen asked curiously. 

„Josh suggested New Year’s Eve and I really like the idea. But I will be very pregnant at this point, so traveling somewhere is not an option.“

„So, you’ll plan the wedding in L.A.?“ Heather asked. 

„Yes, or somewhere close.“ Eve answered. 

„That’s all you got?“ Lucy replied.

Eve didn’t understand why Lucy acted this way and gave her a stern look. Lucy looked unimpressed and took a sip of her wine. 

„You need to find a location very urgently. It won’t be easy at the turn of the year.“ Karen said next.

„We hope Eric can manage that. But we didn’t ask, yet.“ 

„What are you waiting for? You’re really running out of time.“ Heather said. 

„I know. But we got this. Don’t worry.“ 

Lucy stood up and went into the kitchen to fill up her glass. Eve used the chance to talk to her friend in private and followed her. 

„Lu. Is everything alright?“ She asked carefully, while Lucy was opening the fridge.

„I know what is going on.“

Eve frowned.

„Okay. Then spill.“ 

Lucy took the bottle of white wine out of the fridge and filled up her glass before she answered.

„You want to do that alone.“

„Doing what alone, Lu?“

„Oh please, don’t play the fool, Eve. You want to marry him all alone. Without any of us.“

Eve bit her lip and looked at her friend for a moment. Lucy was knowing her well. She knew, that having a big party was not how Eve imagined a perfect wedding day. 

„Is this a bad thing?“

Lucy gave her an angry look. 

„You already married Tom all alone, without even telling anyone what you’ve been planning! I forgave you once for acting this way. But be sure, I won’t forgive you twice!“ 

„Could you please relax for a moment? I didn’t mention in front of Josh that I would like to marry all alone somewhere, because I don’t think he’s the kind of person who would like doing that.“ 

„But he owes you. That why he’ll give in, if you ask.“

Eve frowned again. 

„Why would you say that?“ 

„You are having his baby, Eve. He knows this wasn’t your original life plan. That’s why he will give in, not matter if he likes the idea or not.“ 

Eve sorted her mind for a moment. Lucy might be right with her theory. 

„But I won’t ask.“

Lucy scoffed. 

„If you don’t plan to ask, I wonder why you still don’t have a location, yet. We didn’t talk once about the wedding preparations, since you got engaged. How long will you wait with all of that?“

Eve sighed. 

„I’m not good with those things and you know it. I have no idea what I want because this is not what I want.“ Eve defended herself. 

„Okay, that sentence made no sense but I guess I know what you’re trying to say.“ Lucy replied. 

„I would love having that day just for us. Is this a crime, Lu?“ 

Lucy calmed down a little. Of course she understood Eve’s point of view. But she was too selfish not being a part of her best friend’s big day for another time. 

„It’s not a crime, Eve. It’s just not fair to any of us.“ 

Eve just looked at her friend, not knowing what to say next. Then Lucy continued talking.

„Look. If you feel unable planning that wedding, let me do it.“

Eve stared at her like seeing a ghost.

„What???“