On their way back to the Hills Eve and Justin didn’t speak for a while. Then she suddenly looked at him.

„What’s wrong?“ Justin said confused. 

„Shouldn’t you promote your new album?“ 

Justin raised his eyebrows. 

„My best friend is in coma, M… I can’t move on like nothing happened.“ 

„I’m aware of that fact, but I didn’t know you can just refuse doing it. I mean, aren’t there any contracts you have to fulfill?“

„Don’t worry about that. I’m making the rules. Luckily the times are over when I had to listen to my management.“ 

„I’m sorry.“

„For what?“

„I know you worked hard to make that album.“

Justin made a short break, before he continued talking. 

„There’s another reason why a promotion makes no sense a present…“ 

„Which one?“ 

„The rumors about you and me.“ 

Eve completely forgot about the paparazzo doing pictures from Justin and her after their lunch.

„Was there an article in the L.A. Sun?“ She wanted to know.

„Yes. They’ve been claiming you’re expecting my kid. As you’ve been hiding your pregnancy successfully to this point, it was a giant sensation for them. The article was pretty ugly, to be honest.“ 

Eve didn’t have the strength to work up into this. Those problems were ridiculous, comparing to what she was going through right now. 

„Did you made a counter statement?“ 

„I did and we even sued the magazine. But the damage is done. It was easy to calm people down after the first rumors about you and me. But now there are pictures. People worked up into this pretty bad.“

„So, what now?“

„Nothing. I did what I could. At some point they’ll get bored and leave us alone. It’s just a matter of time." 

„But your reputation…“ 

„I’ll be fine. Scandals happen sometimes. But I’m sorry for you, Eve. I wished I had the chance to stop the article from being published. But I just didn’t have the chance to react in time.“ 

„I don’t care about my reputation. All I want is my husband back.“

„Did you and Josh talk about getting public, concerning your marriage and the baby?“ Justin wanted to know next. 

„Yes, we talked about it with Eric. Josh agreed to share the news on social media after Jake’s birth.“ 

„Really?“

„Yes. Eric explained his fans would find out anyway. Josh understood it would be just fair, if the news came directly from him.“ 

Few minutes before they reached home, Eve fell asleep. Justin parked his Jeep in front of the house. Then he caressed her cheek gently. 

„M?“ 

She didn’t wake up. Justin decided to let her sleep. He left the car, opened the front door and then returned to the passenger door. Carefully he opened it and put Eve onto his arms. 

„What happened?“ Kristin asked irritated when Justin entered the house.

„She’s just sleeping. I didn’t want to wake her up.“

He went upstairs into the master bedroom and laid her down carefully. He put off her shoes and covered her body with the blanket. Then he sat down next to her for a moment, stroking her hair. 

„I’m so sorry, my love. I wished I could make things undone.“ He whispered. 

He didn’t know that Kristin followed him. She was standing in the doorway and watching him for a moment. Then she returned downstairs. 

„Good night, Kristin. See you tomorrow.“ Justin said, before leaving. 

He found her at the sofa, enjoying a cup of tea, while Jake was sleeping peacefully in his crib. 

„Justin, do you have a minute?“ She replied. 

„Ehm, sure.“ He said surprised. „What are you having on your mind?“

„Please sit.“ She answered, pointing at the sofa. 

He did what she asked for, waiting for her to talk. 

„I know.“ She finally said.

„You know what?“ He asked confused. 

„That you love my daughter.“ 

Justin immediately flushed. He didn’t know how to reply. 

„I’m happy, you’re not trying to deny that fact.“ She smirked. 

„Kristin…“

„Since when?“ She interrupted him.

Justin sighed.

„Dunno… it was a process…“

„Does Josh know?“

„Yes.“

„Was he okay with you and her seeing each other? I mean, you’ve been having lunch together before her water broke, right?“ 

„Look.“ Justin said, making a short pause. „The situation between all of us wasn’t easy at some point. But before they got married, I promised C that I could handle things. And he believed me.“

„Can you really handle things, Justin?“ 

„Yes, I can.“ 

„Good. Because one day my son in law will wake up.“

It was Saturday night. Another week passed by. Eve was sitting at Lucy’s yellow sofa, sipping her first glass of wine after giving birth.

„I can’t believe that I’m really saying it after all what happened when Tom died, but I’m grateful that my mom is here. She’s such a big help with Jake. I have no idea how I would have managed all of this without her.“ Eve said to Lucy.

„I’m really happy you two made such a great progress.“ Lucy replied, sitting next to her. 

„Josh made a great job with bringing us back together.“

Lucy smiled calmly. She decided changing the subject, not wanting to talk about Josh for a change. 

„It’s really nice having girls night with you, like back in those days.“

„Yes, it is. I must admit I really need this little break. Jake is such an easy baby but still, I can’t wait to sleep the whole night without any interruption for a change.“ 

„How is Mateo doing on his own with the firm?“

„He says he’s okay. But for some reason people love doing house makeovers at the beginning of the year. We have plenty new clients. It’s not fair letting him deal with all of that on his own. That’s why I need to come back soon.“

Lucy raised her eyebrows.

„But what about Jake? You decided staying home with him for a while. What made you change your mind?“ 

„I need distraction, Lu. Being at home the whole day makes me insane. All I do is thinking about Josh and the unbearable fact, that he still didn’t wake up. 

„Okay, I understand. But your mom is going back to Germany next weekend. So what will happen with Jake when she returns home?“ 

„I’ll take him with me. My old office just needs to be redesigned into a nursery. It was Mateo’s idea, when I learned I was pregnant.“ 

Lucy turned a little uneasy. She put her glass at the coffee table and looked into Eve’s eyes. 

„Talking about going back home…“

„I know.“ Eve interrupted her. „It’s okay. I can’t expect you staying in L.A. forever just because of me.“ 

„I really have a bad conscience, Eve. But my boss wants me back on the spot next week.“

„I understand. Please don’t worry.“

„But I do worry. When I go back and your mom go back, who will take care for you? Mateo is busy with your firm and Justin…“

Lucy didn’t finish her sentence. 

„What about Justin?“ Eve asked irritated.

Lucy sighed. 

„Don’t get me wrong. He’s amazing, helping you anywhere he can. But, I don’t know if it’s a good idea you and him seeing each other that often.“ 

Eve rolled her eyes.

„Are you trying again to convince me that he’s in love with me?“ 

„I’m shocked that I still need to convince you.“

„Lucy, I’m tired listening to this.“

„Okay, nevermind. But if you continue seeing him on a daily base, just do me a favor and keep in your mind, that he might not be so caring, just because he wanna be a supportive friend.“ 

„I really wished I could stay with you.“ Kristin sobbed.

She was at the airport with her daughter. Jake was in his stroller, giggling happily. After checking in, Eve escorted her to the security check. Then it was time to say goodbye.

„You need go back to dad. His sister can’t take care for him forever. I understand that.“ Eve said calmly. 

Kristin nodded. Then she came closer and hugged Eve tightly. 

„I just wished I would leave under different circumstances. I wished Josh would be awake by now.“

„You know what his doctor said. Brain recovery needs time. He will wake up, if he’s ready.“

Kristin released Eve and kissed her cheek. 

„Just don’t lose hope, okay? Promise me that.“

„I promise, mom.“

Eve went to the hospital after bringing her mother to the airport. She visited Josh every day for few hours, usually having Jake with her. She knew all nurses by name in the meanwhile. Sometimes they took care for the baby to give Eve a moment alone with her husband. When she was undisturbed, she laid down in his bed next to him carefully. She used to place her hand on his chest to feel his heartbeat. Then she talked to him about Jake and random things which he missed. 

After her daily visit, Eve met Lance and Michel at the entrance, who were just on their way to see Josh.

„Hi dear, how are you?“ Lance asked calmly and hugged her. 

Michel did as well. 

„I’m okay, thank you.“

„And how is this little man doing?“ Michael said next, smiling happily into Jake’s stroller. Jake smiled back, making funny noises. 

„It’s scary how fast he’s growing.“ Eve replied.

„Don’t tell us that. We needed to replace all clothes for the twins within one week. It’s unreal.“ Lance chatted. 

Then there was silence for a moment. 

„Eve, I’m sorry we weren’t around lately. But we’ve been having many obligations with current projects.“ Lance apologized. 

„Please don’t worry. I understand that life goes on. Besides, there’s nothing you could do right now. Josh’s condition is still the same. All we can do is being patient.“ 

„Honey, still we want to be there for you. As we’re in town in the next weeks, I promise we’ll be around more often.“ Michael said. 

Eve smiled.

„This sounds nice. Thank you.“