The same day in the afternoon Eve visited Josh in the hospital, as she did every day. 

„Hi Monica, how is he doing?“ Eve asked the nurse, who was just taking care for Josh. 

„Good, my dear. Just gave him a fresh shave.“ Monica said. 

„Where?“ Eve asked. 

„Everywhere.“ Monica replied naughty. 

Both women giggled. 

Monica was in her early fifties, having short blond hair and a curvy body shape. She was Eve’s favorite nurse. Making inappropriate jokes became their thing. 

„You want me to take care for that handsome little man for a while?“ Monica suggested and smiled at Jake, who was lying in his stroller.

„This would be nice, thank you.“ 

When the nurse left with the baby, Eve put her sneakers off and laid down next to Josh. She kissed his lips carefully and made herself comfortable next to him. 

„I talked to Eric this morning. We decided still keeping quiet about what happened to you. Justin will take care for your clients. I trust him with this because I know, that you would do as well. So please don’t worry about your work. We got this under control, okay?“ 

Of course Josh didn’t respond. But Eve imagined that he heard what she was saying. 

„Oh, something funny happened, as well. Justin was playing with Jake, lying at the floor and holding him above his head. Out of a sudden Jake puked some milk straight into his face. It was terribly disgusting. But I couldn’t stop laughing.“

The door got suddenly open. Eve raised herself a little and saw Josh’s doctor entering the room. Since their last conversation, Eve didn’t see him again. If she was honest, she was still mad at him for asking, if she wanted to stop artificial nutrition.“

„Mrs. Chasez, it’s nice to see you.“ He said calmly, coming few steps closer. 

Eve sat down, wondering why he was there.

„I didn’t change my mind, if this is what you came for.“ Eve said harshly. 

„I didn’t expect that.“ He replied.

„So, what do you want?“ 

„I want to know how you’re doing.“

Eve scoffed. 

„I’m living my dream, doctor. Raising my kid without his dad is exactly how I imagined my life.“

„Why are you so cynical, Mrs. Chasez?“ 

„Is this a serious question?“ 

„Yes.“

„Do you think it’s easy waking up every morning, not knowing, if I will ever talk to my husband again? I am pissed off, because life is fucking with me for the second time! I already lost one husband out of a sudden and it took me years to get over it! I do not deserve something like that happening to me once again! I do not deserve that!!!“ 

Eve’s eyes were swimming. The doctor was still looking at her and gave her a moment to calm down. 

„I didn’t know you went trough this before.“ 

„Now you know. So please do me a favor and think twice before you try once again to convince me to let him go.“ 

The doctor nodded. 

„Please don’t see me as your enemy, Eve. It’s not my intention to give you a hard time.“ He said, before leaving the room. 

Another month passed by. 

Eve just returned from her lunch break with Sarah and Mateo. Jake was making a nap in his nursery. Eve tried to answer few emails before he would wake up. Working and taking care for her baby at the same time was more challenging than she expected. But luckily Sarah was helping her a lot. And even Mateo got used to the new situation and enjoyed making a break once in a while to look for Jake. 

Suddenly Eve’s phone was ringing. It was Justin.

„Hey 007, what’s up?“

„I need help.“

„Of course. What happened?“

„Jess is in town. She needs to see her agent to discuss her next project. She asked me if I could take the boys for few hours. I agreed before checking my schedule. The thing is, I have a deadline to keep. One of Josh’s clients is giving me a hard time. I need to finish his song but the boys just don’t leave me alone.“

Eve smirked. 

„I’ll be there in a half hour and take them to the park.“ 

„Thank you, M.“

„I thank you, T.“

Justin was at his place, as he preferred working in his own studio instead of Josh’s. In the afternoon Jessica showed up to pick up their kids. Justin didn’t change the code at the gateway and didn’t ask her to return the keys, yet. 

„Hello? Justin? Boys?“ Jessica shouted, after letting herself in. 

„Will be there in a sec!“ Justin shouted back. 

Jessica went into the kitchen. As she was thirsty she opened the fridge to get a drink. Justin entered the kitchen a moment later.  

„Why you have no food in the fridge?“ She asked confused, with a bottle of water in her hand. 

„I don’t need food.“ Justin replied. 

„Are you on special diet?“ 

„No. The thing is, currently I’m not living here.“ 

Jessica raised her eyebrows. 

„So, where do you live instead?“

„I’m staying with Eve.“

„Why you’re staying with Eve?“ 

„Because she needs company.“

Jessica needed a second to process. Then she shook her head.

„I don’t like that.“

„And I don’t care. We are divorced, remember?“

She sighed. 

„This is not about me.“

„Then what is this about?“

„Eve is your best friend’s wife.“

„And she got mental issues since his accident. All I do is helping her to get through this, Jess.“ 

„You really think that, hm?“

„Actually, I don’t like your tone.“ 

„Justin. I’m not telling you what to do or not. This is your business. But I don’t believe for a single second that you just try to be a caring friend.“

„Believe what you want.“ 

Jess rolled her eyes. 

„Where are the kids?“ She wanted to know next. 

„Eve took them into the park.“

„Why?“ 

„Because I have work to do.“

„Which work?“ 

„I’m writing for C’s clients.“ 

Jess scoffed. 

„That story is getting better with every second. You live in his house, with his wife and doing his job. What comes next? Adopting his kid?“ 

„You know what? This conversation is over. I need to finish my stuff.“

Then he turned around and left he alone. 

The same night Eve and Justin were sitting at the sofa in front of the telly, as they always did. 

Eve was engrossed in watching the series they just started and eating some popcorn. Justin gazed at her for a moment, being lost in thoughts. Then he grabbed the remote control and stopped the series.

„Don’t tell me you need to pee during the most thrilling scene!“ Eve complained with full mouth. 

„Can we talk?“ He asked. 

Eve looked at him confused. 

„If this about the junk food and ice cream I gave to your boys to keep them under control, I’m not apologizing. Three kids at once in public were a new challenge for my nerves.“

Justin smirked. He thought it was cute that she believed he might be angry because of this.“ 

„It’s not about junk food and ice cream.“ 

„Then what?“

He took a deep breath.

„Do you have the feeling I’m trying to replace C?“

Eve frowned. 

„Why would you say that?“ 

„Jess made some comments when I told her what’s going on. Now I wonder if you think the same.“

„This is ridiculous. All you do is helping me getting through this unbearable situation day by day. I am grateful to have you, Justin. Without you I would have already lost my mind.“ 

Further weeks passed by.

„Eve, I know we talked about this more than once. And I completely understand your point. But I just need to try once again…“

Eve interrupted Mateo, giving him a very annoyed look.

„Is this about my birthday tomorrow?“ 

Mateo nodded with an innocent look. 

„I’m not celebrating my birthday without my husband. Can we please just pretend it’s an ordinary day?“

„But it’s not.“

„Matty, please. For once, just let it be.“

It was Friday night. Both of them just finished their work and said goodbye to each other in the parking garage.

Eve visited Josh in the hospital, as she did everyday after work. His condition was still unchanged. She spent two hours with him before going back home. 

On her way she was thinking about her last birthday, which she’ve spent with Josh and all their friends in Cuba. He made such a big effort to make that day special for her. This year things couldn’t be more different. 

Justin wasn’t home yet, as she arrived. He was still busy in his studio. Eve fed Jake and made him ready for sleep. As the baby was finally in bed, she dressed into some comfortable clothes. Then she went into the kitchen and stared into the fridge, thinking about if to cook something or not. In the same moment she heard Justin entering the house. 

„M?“ He shouted, while taking his shoes off. 

„Kitchen!“ 

Justin showed up few seconds later with a family pizza box in his hand. Eve looked at him. Her face immediately lightened up, as she saw the pizza. 

„I love you!“ 

Justin raised his eyebrows.

„Does it mean we share one bedroom tonight?“ He asked sassy.

Eve smiled and rolled her eyes.

„I love you for bringing pizza.“ 

„Actually, I don’t care about your motives.“ 

„Stop it.“ She said, still smiling. 

She came closer, gave him a peck on his cheek and took the box out of his hand. She placed it onto the kitchen island and opened it up impatiently. 

„Oh yes.“ She said, licking her lips. 

Then she took a slice and tasted it.

„So good…“ 

Justin crossed his arms.

„Really?“ You can’t wait until I put out some plates out of the cupboard?“ He complained half seriously. 

„Since when we need plates for pizza?“ 

Still giving her a skeptical look, he came closer and took a slice as well.