August, 2045

It was next morning after Silas left for Germany. Justin was awake early, while Eve was still sleeping peacefully in his arm. He didn’t sleep well, thinking about Phin’s heartbreak. It was giving him a tough time seeing his younger son suffering because of a girl. He knew exactly what Phin was going through right now. If someone understood how it felt like being someone’s second choice it was Justin. He went through the same brutal pain back in those days, when Eve left him for being with Josh. It was ironic, that Eve’s daughter was making his sons crazy, like Eve did to him and Josh twenty years ago. 

Justin turned his head slowly, looking at Eve for a moment. He thought about how they first met and how he slowly fell for her, the better he get to know her. Since then he never succeeded getting her out of his mind again. He wondered, if same things would happen to Phin with Lisa. The imagination, his son would never recover from their relationship was bothering him. Still, he didn’t blame Lisa for how things ended. She was still so young, having the right doing mistakes. Justin was also aware of, that Phin would have never got hurt this way, if he and Eve didn’t interfere so hard in Lisa’s love life five years ago. When Silas didn’t run away, Lisa would still be with him, that he knew for sure. Trying to make things right for Silas and Lisa was the only right thing to do at this point. 

Justin grabbed his phone from the bedside table. Then he started typing.

„How are things?“ [Dad]

„Just landed in Frankfurt.“ [Si]

„Good luck.“ [Dad]

„Dad?“ [Si]

„Yes?“ [Dad]

„What, if it’s too late?“ [Si]

Justin smirked.

„It’s not too late. Trust me.“ [Dad]

„Baby… why are you awake so early?“ Eve asked, still being half asleep.

He kissed her head and put his phone aside. 

„I just checked on Si.“ 

She smiled, with her eyes still closed. 

„It’s sweet how much you care. You are a great dad.“ 

Justin scoffed. 

„I’m not.“ 

Eve raised herself a little bit, to see his face. Then she cupped his cheek. 

„Don’t be too hard to yourself, my love.“

He kissed the palm of her hand and smiled calmly. 

„Do you know how happy you make me?“ 

She smiled back and kissed his lips softly. 

„Making you happy is all I want,“ she replied. 

He kissed her again. 

„Coffee?“ 

She smiled even brighter and nodded. Then she made herself comfortable again. Justin left their bed and went to the bathroom, before going downstairs to the kitchen. 

He found Jake sitting at the kitchen counter, looking kind of depressed. 

„What’s wrong?“ Justin asked, switching on the coffee maker. 

Jake looked at him and deeply sighed. Justin raised his eyebrows, waiting for some information. 

„It’s… I don’t know…“ Jake said. 

Justin came closer and sat down next to him at a stool.

„Is this about Phin?“ he asked carefully. 

Jake nodded. 

„He will get over this tragic situation somehow. It just takes a little more time,“ Justin tried to comfort him. 

„Are you sure? Yesterday I went to your place and it was really concerning…“

„I know,“ Justin interrupted him. „The house stinks like a zoo.“ 

„I know he’s suffering. And I’m there for him to listen or do whatever he needs but…“ 

„But you’re worrying about your album release,“ Justin finished his sentence. 

Jake nodded.

„Eric told me to bring Phin back to his senses."

Justin rolled his eyes.

„Podwall is staff, not your boss. Remember that.“ 

Jake gave Justin a desperate look. 

„Just tell me what to do, uncle T.“ 

Justin cracked a smile. 

„Trust me, Phin knows about his responsibility about your album. He won’t let you down, no matter, if he’s over Lizzy or not.“

„What makes you sure about that?“ Jake wanted to know. 

„Phin and I… we’re very similar people.“

Jake smiled. 

„Ya… it’s creepy how similar you are.“

Justin smiled back.

„However, that’s why I know that he can do this, despite how he feels right now. This release is as much important to him as it is for you. To disappoint you or himself is not an option.“

Jake nodded, feeling little better. 

„So… you say I shouldn’t ask Eric to delay the release?“ 

„Absolutely not.“ 

Jake smiled again at him.

„Thank you. I’m really happy to have you around. Everything you did for mom since dad died… you made things easier for all of us. I just want you to know that.“ 

Justin’s heart was melting hearing Jake say that. He stood up and pulled him into a deep hug. Jake hugged him back tightly. 

„I lovey you, Jakey. I love all of you.“ 

„I love you, too, uncle T.“ 

Both released each other. Jake looked at Justin again. 

„Hey um… I think you should propose to mom.“

Justin raised his eyebrows. The last thing he expected was Jake suddenly pushing him to marry his mother. 

„Is there a reason I don’t know for rushing things?“ 

Jake gave him a sassy grin. 

„You’re old.“ 

„That’s how you thank me for comforting you?“ Justin talked back. 

Jake chuckled. 

„Just listen to what I say or Lizzy will have your name before mom does.“ 

Justin frowned. 

„What do you know, Jake?“ 

„Nothing.“