„Hi.“ Eve said, while Jessica was staring at her surprised.

„Hi.“ 

Jessica came few steps closer. She looked at the sleeping kids, before giving her attention back to Eve. 

„Justin is picking up Silas from the zoo. He didn’t expect you to be here that early.“ Eve said.

Jessica needed a moment to figure out how to reply. Of course she knew from Justin what happened to Josh. Her face looked very tensed. 

„I’m so sorry for what happened, Eve. Please believe me, I wanted to send you a message. But every time I started typing I felt like… I don’t know…“ Jessica started explaining. 

„It’s okay.“ Eve replied.

„No, it’s not. I should have done something. I should have expressed my compassion because it’s truly breaking my heart…“

Eve tried hard not starting to cry. She didn’t expect Jessica being so kind, after all what happened in Cuba. 

„You really don’t need to apologize.“

Jessica came closer. Than she fell around Eve’s neck and hugged her tightly. Eve immediately responded. 

After releasing each other, Jessica started smiling. 

„I want you to know, what happened in the past doesn’t matter to me any more. I’m over it.“ 

Eve smiled relieved and nodded. 

„Now let me see your baby.“ 

Jessica went to Jake’s blanket and knelt down in front of him. 

„Nice to meet you, beautiful little man. You’re looking like your mommy…“

She watched the baby sleeping for a moment. Then she stoop up, looking at Eve.

„I met someone.“ She suddenly said, with a happy grin in her face. 

Eve raised her eyebrows, smiling back at her. 

„Somebody famous?“

Jess shook her head. 

„Just a random guy from Montana. But it’s good. He really makes me happy.“ 

„Does Justin know?“ 

„Yes. We talked about it before signing the papers.“

Eve’s heart dropped again. 

„You mean…?“

Jess nodded. 

„We’re officially divorced since last week.“ 

Before Eve could say anything else, Justin and Silas suddenly appeared. 

„Mommy!“ Silas shouted and run into his mother’s arms. 

Phin woke up in the same moment. Then he stood up and hugged Jessica as well.

„You’re early.“ Justin said. 

„Ya, sorry for this. But our flight got rescheduled. We’re leaving for Montana a little earlier as expected.“ Jess explained. 

„You know you can have the jet anytime you need it, right?“  

„I’m grateful for the offer, but no.“ 

„Okay. So, time to say goodbye. Come on, give me a big hug.“ Justin said to his sons. 

Both rushed into his direction. 

„Goodbye daddy!“ 

When Jess left with the kids, Eve stared at Justin. He knew that look in her face. Obviously she was having something on her mind. 

„So… you and Jess are okay again, hm?“ He asked. 

Eve nodded. 

„Some problems became completely trivial, after what happened to Josh.“ 

„Absolutely. But that’s not the reason, why you’re giving me that eager look, right?“ Justin replied. 

Eve sighed, before answering. 

„I just realized I was a shitty friend recently.“

„Why would you say that?“

„Because very obviously you didn’t feel like telling me about the latest events in your life.“

Justin gave her a calm smile, already knowing what she was trying to say. 

„It’s like you said, M. Some things became trivial.“ 

„Getting divorced isn’t trivial, Justin.“

„This papers just made official what happened long time ago. It’s really not a big deal. That’s why I didn’t talk about it.“

„I don’t believe you.“

Justin came few steps closer. Then he cupped her face.

„Stop worrying about me. You hear me? There is no reason doing that.“ 

„But…“

„M… that’s my last warning.“

Eve rolled her eyes.

„Fine.“

„Good girl.“

Then he kissed her forehead and released her face.

„Time for a little snack, don’t you think?“

Exactly one month after being away from work, Eve returned into the office. Mateo tried hard convincing her to stay at home with Jake for a little longer. But she explained that she needed her work as a distraction. 

As Eve and Eric decided not sharing the news about Josh’s accident with the public world, no one in the office knew about the tragedy. Just Sarah was informed about what happened, as she visited Eve at home few days after giving birth.

„It’s good to have you back.“ Mateo said, as he entered their office half our later. 

He hugged Eve close and kissed her cheek. 

„Thank you, Matty. You did an amazing job with Jake’s nursery in my prior office.“

„This wasn’t me, darling. All credit belongs to Sarah. Looks like she’s working on her next promotion.“ Matty explained.

„Oh, really?“ Eve said surprised. „It’s beautiful!“

„I know. I gave her some small projects while you’ve been gone and I must say, she did pretty well.“ 

Sarah entered the room in the same moment. 

„Morning, boss! Good to have you back!“ She cheered and hugged Eve close. 

„I just learned you designed Jake’s nursery. Good work, Sarah.“ Eve praised her. 

„Really?“ Sarah asked, flushing a little.

„Yes, really.“ 

Eve was engrossed in reading emails as her cellphone started ringing. She saw the number of Josh’s doctor in the display. Immediately her heart started racing.

„Hello?“ She answered the call with shaky voice. 

„Mrs. Chasez, good morning.“ The doctor replied friendly. 

„Did something happen?“ She asked nervously. 

„No, don’t worry. Everything is… unchanged. I just called to ask you for a meeting this afternoon. There are things I would like to discuss, concerning the further treatment of your husband.“ 

„Further treatment?“ Eve asked irritated. 

„I really would like to talk to you in person, if you don’t mind?“

„Yes, of course.“ 

Mateo listened to her conversation.

„What was this?“ He asked curiously, when she hung up. 

„The doctor wanna discuss Josh’s further treatment.“ Eve said.

„What does that mean?“

„I have no idea.“ 

Mateo was concerned after the doctor’s call and decided going with Eve to the hospital. Something was telling him, that she would need mental support. 

„You want me to join you inside?“ Mateo asked when they arrived. 

„This would be nice, thank you, Matty.“ Eve answered. 

The doctor was already waiting. They entered his office and sat down opposite of his desk. 

„Thank you for coming.“ He started to talk.

„Please, just say what you have to say. I’m nervous.“ Eve said impatiently. 

„Of course.“ The doctor replied. 

It wasn’t easy for him to have this kind of conversation. He knew how fragile Eve’s mental condition still was. After looking at her for a moment, he finally started to explain.

„Your husband’s accident is four weeks ago, Mrs. Chasez. But unfortunately his condition is still unchanged. I am obligated at this point talking to you about the next steps. As your husband doesn’t have an advanced health care directive, it’s your responsibility to decide how long you wish to continue life support measures.“

Mateo immediately turned pale. He knew this conversation wouldn’t end good. 

Eve stared at the doctor with pure disbelief. 

„Did you really just ask me, when I want to let my husband die???“

The doctor realized as well, that the situation might run out of control. Still he needed to clarify things.

„Look.“ He continued talking. „We’ve been positive after his surgery that his brain may recover after some time. But as we did the latest EEG this morning, we didn’t see any kind of improvement. You must understand, that the chance to wake up from a deep coma like his, decrease with every further week.“ 

„Does it mean, you believe he won’t wake up anymore???“

„It’s not that easy, Mrs. Chasez. The truth is, we don’t know. Every patient is different. But if we look at the statistics, we need to face the fact, that his chances to wake up are under five percent.“ 

Eve’s heartbeat reached a critical condition. She didn’t know what to feel first. She was terrified about what the doctor just said. But at the same time she felt deep anger.“ 

„Breath, darling. Breath.“ Mateo said and squeezed her left hand. 

„I’m still waiting for explanation what exactly you expect me to do right now!!!“ Eve almost yelled. 

„We need to know, if you wish to stop artificial nutrition.“ The doctor answered. 

Eve stared at him like seeing a ghost. 

„YOU WANT HIM TO STARVE TO DEATH?!“ 

„I know this sounds cruel, but I guarantee you, that it’s not. Due to his unconsciousness we can assure you, he wouldn’t suffer in any kind. His natural death would happen two or three weeks…“ 

„DON’T YOU DARE FINISHING THAT SENTENCE! DON’T YOU DARE!“ Eve screamed. 

„Mrs. Chasez, please…“

„NO!“ She interrupted him again. „THE ANSWER IS NO! YOU ARE NOT LETTING HIM DIE!“ 

The doctor sighed. Mateo was in deep shock. He never saw Eve freaking out like that. She raised herself and rushed out of the room. 

Mateo looked at the doctor, being completely overwhelmed by the situation. 

„This was a natural reaction. She needs time to process.“ The doctor said calmly. 

Mateo nodded. Then he stood up and left his office as well. He found Eve in her car, crying badly. Slowly he opened the driver’s door. 

„Darling. Please come outside.“

Eve exited the car. He pulled her into his arms.

„Look… there’s no need to worry. If you want them to keep Josh alive, they will.“