„Hey Matty, what’s up?“ Justin asked, answering his phone.

„I need you in the hospital.“

„Why?“ 

„Because Eve is lying in Josh’s bed, crying for almost two hours. I’m not able handling the situation on my own.“ 

Justin arrived in the clinic half hour later. He found Mateo in the hallway, sitting at a chair next to Josh’s patient’s room. 

„Thank god.“ Mateo said and stood up, when he saw Justin coming closer. 

„What happened?“ Justin asked nervously. 

Mateo sighed. 

„Josh’s doctor talked to her about stopping life support measures.“ 

„WHAT???“ Justin shouted out loud. 

„Justin, calm down. I didn’t call you to make you freak out, as well.“ 

„How should I calm down, Matty??? This must be joke!!!“ 

„Unfortunately it’s not.“ 

Mateo explained to Justin what happened in the doctor’s office few hours ago.

Justin listened carefully. Than he took a deep breath and grabbed his face. 

„I can’t blame her for freaking out. This is insanity…“ 

„I know. But we need to calm her down somehow. The nurses are concerned about her condition. I’m afraid, they’ll bring her out of the room against her will and give her sedatives, if she doesn’t stop crying.“

Justin took another deep breath and nodded. Then he opened the door and went inside. Mateo followed him. Seeing Eve like this broke his heart. She was lost in her pain, not noticing him and Mateo coming closer. 

Justin stopped on the side of the bed where Eve was lying. Then he sat down at the edge and touched her arm gently.

„M…“ 

When Eve heard his voice, she immediately turned around and raised her upper body. Then she fell around his neck, still crying. 

„I’m with you, sweety.“ He whispered gently, while hugging her back.

Mateo was surprised about the fact, that she responded to Justin’s presence. He tried the same to comfort her, but without any success.

„They… they want…“ Eve stammered. 

She wasn’t able to speak in full sentences. 

„I know. But this is not gonna happen. I promise you, this is not gonna happen…“ 

Eve nodded and started to calm down slowly. It took a while until she completely stopped crying. Justin was holding her patiently the whole time. Finally she released him and looked into his face. Her eyes were red and swollen. He caressed the back of her head and gave her a calm smile. 

„You feel little better?“ 

She nodded again. 

„Can we go home now?“ 

„Yes…“ She whispered. 

„Hey, ehm… where’s Jake?“ Justin wanted to know, glancing at Mateo. 

„We left him with Sarah, as we planned to return into the office after the meeting with the doctor. She got things under control. I called her half hour ago.“ 

„Good. Then let’s pick up Jake and bring you home afterwards.“ Justin replied, giving his attention back to Eve. 

„This was too much for my nerves, Justin. I never felt so helpless.“ Mateo said, sitting at the sofa in Eve and Josh’s house. 

Both men needed a moment to rest. When they arrived at their house, Justin took care for Jake. He fed him, changed his diaper and made him fall asleep. At the same time Mateo helped Eve making herself ready for bed. It wasn’t that late yet, but she felt completely exhausted, not being able keeping herself awake any longer. 

„I’m close having my own mental breakdown, Matty.“ Justin confessed. „I’m watching her suffer since four weeks. And instead of making any progress, things are just getting worse.“

„Do you think she needs some professional help?“ Mateo asked carefully. „I mean, if those situations happen, she’s not able taking care for her baby. This is very concerning.“ 

„All she needs is her husband waking up.“ Justin replied. 

There was silence between them for a moment.

„I’m impressed how you deal with her, by the way. It looks like you’re the only one, who can bring her back to normal.“ Mateo said next.

„It’s because she knows, that I feel the same way. I understand her pain.“ Justin explained. 

„Maybe you should move in here again.“ Mateo suggested. 

Justin stared at him.

„Honestly, I had the same idea, but I didn’t want to make the suggestion on my own.“ 

„Well, you should. I would feel much better, if I knew that you’re around, in case she’ll break down again for some reason.“

Justin nodded. 

„I’ll stay the night and talk to her in the morning.“

„Good."

Eve felt like having a hangover, when she woke up. Her eyes and her head were aching. She noticed, that Jake’s monitor wasn’t standing at its usual place on her bedside table. She got a bad conscience knowing, that Justin has taken care for her baby once again during the night. 

Slowly she stood up and went into the bathroom. She needed to take a shower urgently, but she just couldn’t motivate herself. After peeing and brushing her teeth, she dressed into a random white shirt and grey sweatpants. Then she went downstairs. 

She heard Justin talking to Jake in the living room. He was lying at the floor next to her baby and played with him. Eve’s heart was melting when she saw both of them interact. 

„Your mommy is awake.“ Justin said to Jake, as he noticed her coming closer. 

Eve sat down in front of them at the floor and smiled. Justin raised his upper body and sat in front of her.

„Thank you.“ Eve said calmly. „Honestly, I don’t know how I should ever pay you back for everything you’re doing for me and Jake.“

„It’s my pleasure, M. And therefore I’m moving back in here. Don’t even try to contradict.“

Eve raised her eyebrows.

„But…“

„No, Eve. This is not negotiable.“ 

„Justin…“

„I said, don’t contradict.“ 

„This is too much. You have your own life. You have own kids you need to take care for.“

„Don’t worry about this. I’m gonna make this work for all of us.“ 

She stared at him for a moment, knowing there was no way changing his mind. At the same time she felt a deep relief. Being alone in that big house was making her feel miserable. The imagination having Justin around was giving her some kind of inner peace.

„Thank you.“ She finally said. 

Justin smiled and came closer to kiss her forehead. 

„I’ll bring my stuff later that day.“ 

„How is my bestie doing today, Matty?“ [Lucy]

„As you know, yesterday was a nightmare. But she got herself under control again.“ [Mateo]

„I’m still worried. Maybe she can stay with you for a while?“ [Lucy]

„It’s not necessary. Justin is moving back into their house.“ [Mateo]

„WTF?! Who’s brilliant idea was that?!“ [Lucy]

„Mine. Why are you freaking out?“ [Mateo]

„BECAUSE THIS IS JUSTIN!“ [Lucy]

„Believe me, he’s the only one who can handle her right now.“ [Mateo]

“Matty, did you forget about their history?! [Lucy]

„It’s history, Lu.“ [Mateo]

„Still, I don’t like what is happening.“ [Lucy]

„Both of them are in deep pain about what happened to JC. I don’t see any reason being worried.“ [Mateo]

„Okay. But if something happens, I’ll blame it on you. [Lucy]

In was Saturday morning. Justin was sitting at the kitchen island, finishing his breakfast. He was just wearing boxer briefs and a random black shirt. Eve was upstairs, changing Jake’s diaper. Then the doorbell rang. With full mouth Justin raised himself to open up. 

„Hi.“ He said to Eric, still chewing.

Eric frowned and scanned Justin from head to toe.

„What is going on here?“ 

„I moved in again.“ 

„Are you kidding me?“

Justin let Eric inside and returned into the kitchen. Eric followed him. Justin sat down at his stool and continued eating.

„T… answer my question.“ 

„I’m not kidding you.“ 

„Do you think this is a good idea? Living with your best friend’s wife, while he’s in coma?“ 

„What are you trying to say, Eric?“ 

„I’m trying to say, it’s not healthy what you’re doing.“

„Dude, listen. She’s got still mental breakdowns without prior warning. That’s why she can’t be alone with Jake. It’s not working.“ 

„Then why she isn’t with Matty?“ 

„Because Matty can’t handle things.“

„But you can?“

„Yes, I can.“

In the next moment, Eve returned downstairs with Jake on her arm. She was wearing a white tanktop and pink sweat shorts. Her hair was just put together into a messy bun. Eric noticed, that she lost more weight that she should.

„Hi, Ricky. What brings you here that early?“ She asked surprised and gave him a peck on his cheek.“

„I need to talk about some things to you.“ Eric answered.

„Which things?“

„I will explain. But first, coffee.“ 

Eric went to the coffee maker and started it. Eve returned to her stool and continued eating her breakfast. When his coffee was ready, Eric sat down at the kitchen counter as well and took a sip. Eve and Justin were waiting for him to talk.

„Eve. I told you that I talked to Jay’s clients and asked for new deadlines.“ 

„Yes, I remember.“

„Most of them were understanding, although I didn’t tell them what has happened to Jay. But time passed by and the deadlines are coming closer. When I announce another delay they will ask questions.“ 

„I see. So, which options do we have?“ Eve wanted to know.

„Honestly, I just see one. We should inform them about what happened to him.“

Eve immediately turned uneasy.

„But when we tell them, the news will spread like a wildfire, Eric.“

„I’m aware of that. But if we keep them in the dark and didn’t bring any results, his clients gonna take legal steps at some point. And we can’t let that happen, either.“ 

Eve looked at Justin. He looked back at her and noticed, that she was overwhelmed with the situation. 

„I can do some ghostwriting, if you want.“ He suddenly suggested. 

She opened her eyes wide.

„Really?“ 

Eric sighed. 

„T… come on. It’s nice that you wanna help, but you are not Jay.“

„I know the way he writes. Trust me, I can do this.“ Justin replied. 

„But that’s a full time job, Justin! When do you wanna do all of this, hm?!“ Eric asked.

„As I canceled my promotion tour, I got time.“ 

„Are you really sure? Please don’t believe I expect this.“ Eve said next. 

„He’s my best friend, M. I would do anything for him and you know that.“ Justin answered. 

Both looked at Eric now. He rolled his eyes and sighed again.

„Okay, fine. Let’s give it a try. But don’t screw this up, Timberlake. It’s Jay’s reputation on the line.“