Josh and Eve were leaving Germany the next day. Of course she wished having more time left to visit some friends, but she knew how expensive it was keeping Eric’s jet at the airport. 

„Honey, let’s have a quick coffee in that café over there, before we leave.“ Josh suggested, when they arrived at the airport. 

„You can have coffee on board, love.“ She replied.

„But we’re not in a hurry.“

Josh took her hand and went with her to the small café. Then he ordered two Cappuccinos and sat down with her at a free table. 

„Baby, I did something…“ He suddenly said, being a little tensed. 

„This sound serious.“ She replied. 

He took a deep breath.

„It’s something you won’t like to hear but… I talked to your mom yesterday night.“

Eve’s heart dropped. 

„About what?“ 

„About making peace.“ 

„Why?“ 

„Because I want you to be good again.“

„But she doesn’t want this, Josh.“

„I guess, I changed her mind.“

„What makes you believe that?“

„Because she came here to talk.“ 

Eve gave him another irritated look.

„Where is she?“

„At the entrance.“ 

Eve was sitting with her back to the entrance. She turned around and saw her mother looking at her. Kristin started walking in her direction slowly. Josh stood up in the same moment. 

„Where are you going?“ She asked nervously. 

„I’m waiting for you in the jet.“

Josh bent down and kissed her forehead. Kristin arrived at their table in the same moment. Josh, smiled calmly, kissed Kristin’s cheek and hugged her goodbye. Eve couldn’t believe what she was witnessing. She stared at them in disbelief.

When Josh was gone, Kristin sat down in front of her daughter. 

„How the hell you’re doing it?“ Eve asked.

„Doing what?“ Kristin asked back. 

„Making my guys liking you!“

Kristin smirked. 

„It’s because we look the same. They love me, because they love you.“

Eve didn’t know how to reply.

„What is this about?“ She asked instead. 

„Your fiancé came to our house yesterday night while you’ve been asleep. He asked me to make peace. That’s why I am here.“

„Did he tell you we’re leaving today?“

„No, but I called your friend Lucy this morning. She told me there was not much time left. Then she gave me Joshua’s number and he helped me to meet you.“  

„You’re having his number now… fantastic news…“ Eve said cynically. 

Kristin suddenly turned very serious.

„I came to tell you, that I am regretting what happened after Tom’s death. Please don’t make this harder than it already is.“

„Do you really mean it, mom? Or are you just pleasing your new darling Joshua?“ 

Kristin sighed. She decided ignoring her daughter’s passive aggressive behavior and continued talking. 

„I wished I didn’t say those things to you. I know I am responsible, that you blamed yourself for a very long time. I didn’t support you in any kind and let you all alone with your grief. Believe me, I’m aware of all mistakes I made. You might believe I turned into a heartless monster without any conscience but the truth is, I was overwhelmed with the whole situation. My inexcusable behavior was the result of my helplessness. I wasn’t strong enough dealing with such a deep tragedy. I know I failed as a mother. And I know that all the pain I caused will never make you love me again. But that’s okay. I understand and I accept the consequences. But still, I love you. Nothing will ever change that fact.“ 

Eve looked at her mom for a moment, processing what she just said. It wasn’t the kind of apology she expected, but hearing her mother admitting all her mistakes was a big deal. Suddenly she felt a big relief inside her heart, followed by a deep urge to let all of her negative feelings go. 

„I love you, too, mom.“ 

Eve was surprised about herself that she just said that. But she needed to admit, that it felt good. 

Kristin stared back at her in disbelief. Tears started dropping at her cheeks. 

Eve stood up slowly and went around the table. She stopped next to Kristin’s chair. Kristin stood up as well and fell around Eve’s neck. 

„My beautiful little girl…“ She sobbed, while holding her daughter close.“ 

Eve hugged her back. Tears of pure release left her eyes, while inhaling the familiar scent of her mother’s perfume. They held each other close for a moment.

Then Kristin released Eve slowly and cupped her face with both hands. 

„Joshua is wonderful. I can see that he loves you with all of his heart and that he makes you very happy. Probably even more than Tom did.“ 

Eve smiled. Kirstin released her face slowly, still looking at her. 

„Josh is a complete new level, mom. I mean, look at me.“ She said, pointing at her belly. 

Kristin smiled back.

„How the hell he convinced you?“

„It’s just happened. And now I can’t wait holding his baby in my arms.“ 

„This will be a very handsome little boy.“ 

„I know.“ 

There was silence between them for a moment. Then Kristin continued talking. 

„It’s time. You need to catch your flight. Actually, I was surprised you can fly to America from this small airport.“ 

„Oh, ehm… it’s because we came by private jet.“ 

Kristin raised her eyebrows.

„Looks like there’re a lot of things I still don’t know, hm?“

„Ya, the last eight months were… eventful.“ Eve replied.

„I hope we will catch up, soon.“

Eve nodded. Then they hugged each other once again and said goodbye.

Eve was still processing, when she entered the jet. Josh was looking at her in deep excitement. He didn’t know, if she was angry with him and hoped very much, that Kristin didn’t screw things up again. 

Eve let herself fall into the seat opposite of him, giving him a stern look. But she couldn’t stay serious and started grinning short after. 

„She says you’re wonderful.“ 

Josh smiled back and his tension eased down. 

„Well, ehm… did you disagree?“ 

Eve shook her head. Josh smiled even harder.

„Thank you, honey. Thank you for everything.“ Eve said next.

„Come here.“ He replied, opening his arms. 

She stood up and sat down at his lap to hug him close.

„I’m very happy, if I could help you working things out.“ He whispered in her ear. 

She released him slowly and kissed his lips.

„I love you, Josh. You are beyond wonderful.“ 

Josh and Eve landed in New York six hours later to stay one night. They did the same on their way to Germany to keep the risks for their baby low. A driver picked them up at the airport and brought them downtown. 

„I can’t wait taking a long bath and then cuddle up into one of this ultra soft bathrobes.“ Eve said, sitting next to Josh at the backseat. 

„I knew you would like the St. Regis.“

„It’s unreal. I’m thrilled that we stay there another night. You must know, I’m spoiled for life now.“

Josh smiled adoringly at her. 

„Hey ehm… when you mentioned the bath, you meant having it with me, right?“ 

„Of course. You’re indispensable.“

„Am I?“

„Yes, as it would be inappropriate asking the butler for a feed massage, don’t you think?“ She teased. 

Josh put his arm around her shoulders, pulled her closer and bit her neck as he always did, when she acted sassy. Immediately she started giggling. 

„I’m fine with a feed massage. But be aware of, this will lead to sex.“ He whispered in her ear. 

„Honey… at the end of the day… everything leads to sex.“ She whispered back.

„You have no idea how happy I am about that fact.“

„But times will change very soon, Mr. Chasez.“

„I’m pretty sure we’ll find a way to survive the hard times.“ 

„You’ll be so exhausted from lack of sleep, that you won’t even notice which day we have.“

„Jake will be the perfect baby, I have no doubts.“ 

„Let’s just hope he’ll love sleeping as much as his daddy does.“

After sleeping late, Eve and Josh enjoyed a long brunch in the hotel restaurant before returning to the airport. 

„All that delicious food made me tired again.“ Eve yawned, short before take off. 

„I don’t mind closing my eyes for a while, as well.“ Josh replied. 

Eve smirked. Both made themselves comfortable in their seats opposite of each other and fell asleep within seconds. 

„Excuse me, Mrs. Miller.“ We just landed.“ Eve heard the flight attendant saying. 

She opened her eyes slowly and realized that she slept the whole flight. Josh was still asleep, snoring silently. She unbuckled her belt, stood up and touched his cheek gently. 

„We’re home, baby. Wake up.“ 

Josh opened his eyes and stretched himself. Then he looked at his watch.

„Hm… that’s weird. We should be in the air for another hour.“ 

„Maybe the pilot took a shortcut.“ Eve joked. 

Josh looked out of the window and frowned. 

„This is not L.A.“ He noticed. 

Eve looked at him irritated. 

„You’re sure, honey?“ 

„Trust me, it’s not L.A.“

The flight attendant was busy opening the door.

„Excuse the dumb question but… where are we?“ Eve asked her in deep confusion. 

„Oh.“ The flight attendant replied. „This is Las Vegas, Ma’am.“