The same morning Eve and Justin enjoyed their breakfast together at the patio. She was sitting opposite of him at the outdoor table and grinning suspiciously. Justin frowned. 

„I know that look on your face,“ he said, taking a sip of his coffee. „What did you do, hm?“ 

She smiled harder. 

„You and I are going out tonight.“ 

„Oh really? And where, if I may ask?“ 

„It’s a surprise.“ 

He smiled back at her. 

„Okay. Can I dress into something casual or should I put a little more effort in my outfit?“ 

„More effort sounds good,“ she replied. 

At the same time Eve’s cell started ringing. Her stomach dropped, as she glanced at the display.

„Who is it?“ Justin asked.

„It’s Jess.“ 

„Okay… I better leave the situation,“ he said and stood up in the next moment. 

„Wait, what? Don’t you think we should do this together?“

„Nope. She’s your friend,“ Justin replied, disappearing inside the house. 

„You are such a chicken!“ she yelled. 

„Call me names, I couldn’t care less!“ he yelled back. 

Eve deeply sighed, before picking up.

„Hey, Jess. Are you back in town?“ 

„Hey, Eve! Yes, we returned this morning. You wanna come over tonight having some wine and catch up?“ 

„Ummm… actually I already got plans…“

„Okay, no worries, maybe tomorrow then?“ 

„Tomorrow sounds good. But I have to tell you something which can’t wait…“

There was silence on the other side for a short moment. 

„You and Justin,“ Jess finally said. 

Eve’s excitement reached it’s peak.

„How do you know it was this?“ she asked carefully. 

„Eve, come on. It was just a matter of time. Honestly I was surprised it didn’t happen earlier.“ 

Eve didn’t know what to say. She felt completely uncomfortable having this conversation with Jessica.

„Wait,“ Jessica said next. „Are you believing this is bothering me?“

„Um… dunno…“

„Jesus, Eve. I’m with another man since three years. Why do you think this is a problem?“ 

„Because you and Justin have been together for so long.“ 

„Yes, although he loved you.“

„I don’t like when you say that, Jess.“

„But it’s the truth. Now stop making a big deal out of it. Everybody expected you and him coming together at some point. And I can honestly say, that I’m happy for you.“

„Really?“ 

„Yes, really.“ 

Eve sighed relieved. 

„Thank you, Jess.“ 

„You can tell me the whole story tomorrow. Now I need to catch up some sleep urgently. The flight was brutally exhausting,“ Jessica continued talking. 

„Hey ummm, does Silas know you came back today?“ 

There was another pause.

„What do you mean?“ Jess asked irritated. 

Eve needed to sort her mind. She expected, that Jess already knew. 

„I thought you two were in touch.“ 

„No… I didn’t hear from him since five years… how come you think… wait… oh my god, Eve… are you saying… are you saying my son… my son is back…?“ Jess stammered. 

„Yes. He’s back. I’m sorry Jess. I thought you knew.“

„Oh my god… oh my god!!! Where is he???“ Jessica said in deep excitement.

„At Justin’s house, I believe. Or with Nash.“ 

„Why the hell no one told me?!“ 

„We assumed Silas told you himself.“ 

„I need to go!!! I need to see him right now!!!“

While Nash and Silas where eating some cereals in front of the telly, the doorbell suddenly started ringing over and over again. Both exchanged irritated glances. 

„Do you think Phin wanna punch you again?“ Nash said half seriously with full mouth. 

„Open up and we’ll see,“ Silas replied. 

Nash put his bowl aside and went to the front door. Few seconds later a deeply excited Jess rushed into the living room. Silas stopped chewing and put his bowl at the coffee table.

„Mom.“

He stood up. She stopped standing in front of him and fell around his neck. Both hugged each other tightly. 

„I can’t believe I am holding you… I can’t believe it…“ she sobbed, while tears of pure relief dropped onto her cheeks. 

Silas was aware of how much he must hurt his mother, as he disappeared. His bad conscience was still killing him. 

„I’m so sorry, mom. I know I put you through hell.“ 

Jessica released her son slowly and cupped his face with both hands. 

„Don’t do that. We lost so much time. I don’t want to fight. I’m just glad you came back. I’m so glad you’re good.“

Then she hugged him again tightly. 

Nash was watching them and decided it was better to leave them alone. He took his cereals and disappeared in his bedroom. 

Jessica and Silas released each other again. 

„Why you didn’t tell me you were back?“ 

„I didn’t want to stress you about it and make you coming back earlier from your job to see me,“ Silas explained. 

„I was stressed for five years being without you. You really should have given me a call.“ 

„I’m sorry.“ 

Both sat down at the sofa. She still stared at him in disbelief, processing hard that her first born finally returned home after such a long time. Again she touched his cheek gently.

„Tell me everything, Si…“