For we don't realize

Our faith in the prize

Unless it's been somehow elusive

How swiftly we choose it

The sacred simplicity

Of you at my side

(Vienna Teng – Eric's Song)

The back door was active.

Eve walked through and found herself in Paris, in the Luxembourg Garden. It took her a while to find Jacob sitting on a bench by the Medici Fountain. She sat down next to him.

"It has been a couple of emotional weeks," she said.

"You're right," Jacob agreed.

"And I have been quite a mess."

"To be fair, we both were."

"And while being a mess, we hurt each other. In some cases literally. I think I can try not being a mess now. I want things to go back to normal. Well, our normal, not normal normal, you know."

"I know."

Jacob hadn't really said anything yet, he just nodded to everything she said. Eve was wondering what was that supposed to mean.

"And one day I want to try us. Together."

He looked at her and smiled like this was exactly what he expected her to say.

"I would like that too," he said.

"I mean, Flynn's death is still fresh and it still hurts and I am not ready to be with someone else yet, but when the time comes, it would make me very happy if you would give it a shot."

"Eve," he said gently. "Do whatever you need to do. Take all the time you need. Heal. I am not going anywhere."

"Thank you." She got up and offered her hand to him. "Why don't we start with you showing me Paris?"

He smiled, a little cheeky, a little happy, and took her hand.