Eve visited Josh after work. Jake was asleep in his stroller, when they entered his patient’s room. As always Eve dressed her shoes off to lay down next to Josh for a while.
„Hi.“ She said calmly and kissed his lips.
Then she placed her hand on his chest to feel his heart beating.
„Funny things first today.“ She announced with a big smile in her face.
„We’ve had a video conference with Rachel, talking about figures. Currently she’s in Bali, living the best version of her life. However, at some point her boyfriend came into the room. She didn’t notice, as she was wearing headphones. Obviously he wasn’t aware of, that she was having a business call, because when he appeared in the background, he was just wearing very tight briefs and having a massive boner. Mateo choke on his coffee badly. Rachel was abnormally embarrassed when she noticed what just happened. And I didn’t know how I should ever recover from my laughter. It was hilarious.“
Eve imagined Josh laughing hard about the story. She was missing to hear him laugh so much.
„Okay, now the spicy stuff. You remember that gift I received from Lucy in Mexico? Finally I decided giving it a chance. And it was surprisingly good…“
Eve got disturbed, as the door suddenly opened up. In the next second Justin entered the room.
„Hey.“ She said surprised.
„Oh. Sorry, M. I didn’t expect you still being here.“ Justin replied.
He came few steps closer. She sat down, smiling at him.
„Ya, it was a long day in the office.“
Justin smiled back and looked into the stroller.
„Mama, if you let him sleep now, he won’t be tired for bedtime.“
„You’re right. But I just wanted to have an undisturbed moment.“
„I can make a walk with him, if you like?“
„No, it’s fine. I guess I should go home now and let the two of you catch up.“
Both smirked.
Eve stood up. Then she gave Justin a kiss on his cheek.
„What about Spaghetti Carbonara tonight?“
„Sounds good. But we need new Parmesan.“
„Okay, I’ll make a quick stop at the grocery store.“
„Oh, we run out of popcorn, as well. And I need shower gel.“
„The one you always use?“
„Yes.“
„Got it.“
„I’ll give you a call when I’m on my way home.“
„Good.“
When Eve left with Jake, Justin sat down at the chair next to Josh’s bed. He looked at him for a moment, before he started to talk.
„We need to have a serious conversation, dude…“
Justin made a pause, not knowing how to start his monologue. He thought it was ridiculous talking to his unconscious friend. But still he felt the urge sharing with him what was going on in his head, after his conversation with Lance earlier that day. Out of a sudden his eyes filled with tears.
„I love your girl so much, that it kills me from inside. Still, I wish nothing more than you waking up. I would do anything to bring you back to her, because you are the only one who can make her happy the way she deserves. But I just can’t. I can’t bring you back and this kills me even more…“
He made a short pause, wiping away his tears.
„The question is, will you give me your blessing to make her happy my own way? I remember what I promised you. I think about it every day. I don’t want to take her away from you. But she suffers so much, still hoping for a miracle to happen. If there was a chance to take away her pain and give her a good life, would you let me try?“
Eve was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Jake was awake, sitting in his baby bouncer and watching his mommy. Suddenly her phone rang. She believed it was Justin, to tell her he was on his way home, but it was Lucy instead.
„Hi.“ Eve answered her phone.
„Hi, what’s up?“
„I’m cooking and you?“
„I’m definitely not cooking.“
Eve smiled.
„Hey listen, can we still talk for a minute?“ Lucy added.
„Of course, did something happen?“
„Actually, yes…“
„Then spill.“
Lucy made a short break.
„I really don’t know how to begin… so I guess it’s the best just telling you… that… Joey and I… are engaged…“
„OH MY FUCKING GOODNESS!!!“ Eve immediately screamed.
„Are you… good…?“
„YOU’RE GETTING MARRIEEEED!!!“ Eve cheered again.
Lucy was deeply relieved, that Eve reacted this way.
„Thank god… I really was afraid telling you…“ Lucy confessed.
„Why on earth you were afraid?! This are amazing news, Lu!!!“
„I know, but… it’s not fair that good things happen to me, while you are… not okay…“
„Lucy, this is the biggest nonsense I’ve ever heard!“
„It’s not nonsense, Eve. This summer you and Josh should have your wedding party. My conscience is giving me a really hard time because of this…“
„There is no reason feeling this way. Thank to you, I already had the wedding of my dreams. Having this party is not that important to me and you know it.“
„Still I can’t feel happy as I should because all this things happened to you…“
„Honey, please don’t do this to yourself. Just because my life is a giant shitshow, doesn’t mean I can’t feel happy for you.“
„Are you serious?“
„Yes, I am. Please don’t worry.“
„Okay. Thank you for being happy for me.“
„Of course! Now tell me everything!“
Lucy explained how Joey proposed during a romantic candle light dinner and sent her a picture of his engagement ring.
„Do you already have a date?“
„We didn’t pick the date, yet. But we would like to plan the wedding in September or October at the latest.“ Lucy said.
„So soon?“ Eve said surprised.
„Ehm… yes… are you okay with that…?“
Eve was thinking about Josh. If he wouldn’t wake up, he would miss the wedding of one of his closest friends.
As Eve didn’t answer, Lucy turned nervous.
„Eve…? Are you still there?“
„Yes… yes, of course.“ She replied. „I was just surprised it will happened that fast. But I’m incredibly looking forward it. Please don’t worry.“
Some time passed by. Eve was at the office, working on a new project, while Sarah took care for Jake and made a walk with him in the park. Mateo was downtown, meeting a client. Being engrossed in her work, Eve frightened as her cell started ringing. It was Josh’s doctor.
„Yes?“
„Hello Mrs. Chasez.“
„Did something happen?“
„No.“
„Then what is it?“
„We need to talk.“
Eve’s heart skipped a beat.
„No, we don’t.“ She replied coldhearted.
„Mrs. Chasez…“
„I have nothing to discuss with you, doctor. Unless you find a way to wake up my husband.“
The same night, Eve brought some Chinese food, as it was too late for cooking dinner. When she entered the house with Jake in his baby seat, Justin was sitting at the kitchen island in front of his MacBook and surfing in the internet.
„Hi.“ Eve said and came closer to kiss his cheek.
„Hi…“
Justin looked tensed. He closed his MacBook and watched her putting out the food containers out of the plastic bag.
„Let me bring Jake into bed before we eat.“
Then she put Jake out of his seat and brought him upstairs. When she returned into the kitchen, Justin continued staring at her.
„You’re acting weird tonight. Did something happen?“ She asked irritated.
„You tell me.“ He replied.
Eve sat down next to him at the kitchen counter and frowned.
„I have no idea what you’re talking about.“
Justin thought how to start the conversation, without making her freak out.
„I was at the clinic this morning, visiting C. That’s when I met his doctor.“
Eve rolled her eyes. She immediately felt annoyed.
„Just do me a favor and shut up.“ She said, sounding more bitchy then she intended to be.
„Since when we talk to each other like this?“ Justin asked, feeling offended.
Eve got a bad conscience.
„I’m sorry.“
„Why you hung up without listening to the doctor?“ Justin wanted to know next.
„You exactly know why. And he does as well.“
Justin closed his eyes for a second and took another deep breath.
„How long will you live like that, Eve?“
„Forever, if necessary.“
Justin grabbed his face, trying hard not losing control of the situation.
„You can’t wait forever for him to wake up.“
„Why not, Justin?“
„Because it makes no sense.“
„Oh.“ She said cynically. „Since when you and I are not at the same page anymore?“
„Eve, please listen to me. It’s been almost a half year. Are you aware of, how incredibly small the chances are for him to wake up by now?“
Eve scoffed.
„Well done, Justin. If your plan was ruining my night, you officially reached your goal.“
Her eyes filled with tears. She stood up, went into the living room and let herself fall at the sofa.
Justin sighed. He knew there was no way this conversation would end up well. He went into the living room and sat down next to her.
„Please listen to me.“ He said as calm as possible. „This situation is breaking my heart as much as it breaks yours. But it’s time to let go.“
Eve shook her head, while tears were running down her cheeks.
„I’m fine with the situation, Justin. At least I can see him and touch him and telling him how my day was. It’s not how I imagined my life with him, but if this is how things are, I am okay with that.“
Now it was Justin who was shaking his head.
„This is not a life, Eve. Do you believe this is what he wanted for himself? Being in this unbearable condition forever?“
Eve started crying badly. Justin pulled her into his arms and held her close.
„I can’t. I can’t live without him. Don’t you understand…?“ She whined.
„That’s not true, sweety. You’re are already living without him for a very long time. You just don’t want to face the truth…“
