Sometime later, Scarlett's family joined them in the backyard and they all played games and chatted merrily. Except for Scarlett and Jerlina, everyone else got drunk.

Jerlina helped Scarlett in taking care of the leftovers and cleaning the kitchen. Then Scarlett decided to stay in her parents' home and Scarlett's brother helped bring Bobby there.

Both Jeremy and Bobby were too drunk to drive. Jerlina decided to drive Jeremy home but Dr. Kruger asked her to stay the night here since it has gotten late already.

"I can drive...

" Jeremy said with a slur.

"Go to bed,

" Dr. Kruger patted his back.

"Yes, mom,

" Jeremy hugged her.

"I love you, mom. So much.

"

"Me too, Jerry. I love you,

" Dr. Kruger said with a chuckle and patted his back.

"Jeryl...Jerly...Jerlina...

" he started giggling as he slurred.

He walked towards Jerlina holding out his hands,

"My wife, my love... here... let me...

" he puckered his lips and tried to kiss her.

Maybe he was seeing double, he couldn't quite catch her lips and Dr. Kruger ended up laughing.

"Put this drunkard to bed. Use the second room to your left down the hallway.

" She walked out to the patio.

Jerlina carried the man who weighed a ton on her shoulders as he shamelessly leaned on her.

"My love... love me... kiss me...

" he kept on mumbling.

Dragging him up the stairs, Jerlina reached the room and helped him lie down. She removed his shoes and unbuttoned his shirt.

This guy doesn't like to wear clothes to bed except for the boxers. He told her that he started to wear boxers at home only after she started living in his home.

"Good night kiss...

" he pulled her down and she ended up on his chest.

"What a silly boy you are,

" Jerlina bit his earlobe and that only turned him on.

"Not boy... man,

" he wrapped his arms around her waist and smiled goofily.

"Of course,

" Jerlina chuckled and kissed his lips.

His arms wrapped around her waist and their kiss deepened. Jerlina ran her finger through his hair as she loved to do that and he liked it when she did it.

He flipped her on the bed and he came on top of her. His hand slipped inside her dress and traced up through her thighs.

"Joel...

" she hissed in his ears as she warmed up.

It is like this every time he touches.

"Hmm,

" he kissed her neck and her toes curled.

"I'm still...

" she gasped as his hand reached her underwear as his kisses trailed to her chest.

"...periods,

" she managed to tell him the important detail.

"Ah,

" he sighed.

"Yes.

"

He plopped on his belly beside her and faced her. Jerlina was disappointed too as the warmth over her left her. She lied facing him and stared at him.

Both of them looked in each other's eyes for some time.

"I'm sorry...

" she poked his cheek and he held her hand.

"Third date,

" he kissed her finger.

"We can do it after our third date.

"

"Oh?

" Jerlina looked at him. His lips were soft against her finger and she traced her finger over his lips.

Third date?

So there is going to be a second date? Where will he take me?

"Grr,

" he growled and bit her finger making her laugh.

"Stop, don't provoke me...

" his blue eyes fixed on her.

It was more of a pleading than an order. Jerlina nodded.

She lied beside him silently and watched him fall asleep. Maybe because he was drunk, he fell asleep sooner than her.

Jerlina got thirsty and there was no water in the room. She decided to get some and got to the kitchen. The house was empty and was calm.

She drank enough and got a bottle for the room in case Jeremy needs it. It was then she noticed Dr. Kruger was still on the patio, sitting on the garden chair with a glass of wine, staring at the sky.

She looked so lonely.

Hearing the door open, Dr. Kruger looked at her and Jerlina smiled.

"Jerlina!

" Dr. Kruger smiled and waved her hand.

"Aren't you asleep yet?

"

"No... I came to get...

" she showed the bottle.

"Want to join me for some time?

" Dr. Kruger asked and Jerlina walked to her with a smile.

"Sure.

"

Both of them stayed silent for a while. Jerlina saw the half-empty wine bottle and the doctor sipping the wine slowly. More than savoring the wine, it seemed like she was in deep thoughts.

"Jeremy looks happy,

" the doctor broke the silence.

"You think so, doctor?

" Jerlina's lips curved to a smile.

Is he happier than before? Is it because of me?

"Yeah... I see you are getting along with him,

" she looked at Jerlina.

"Yeah,

" Jerlina rubbed her nose with the back of her hand.

Just some days ago she was crying and complaining to the doctor about Jeremy and a lot has changed between them now.

"I learned a lot about him and...

"

Jerlina didn't hesitate to speak about the changes in her heart. If she can complain about Jeremy to the doctor, she can speak about this too.

And this is Jeremy's mom!

As she spoke, she could see the happiness in the doctor's face. The people around Jeremy love him so much and it made Jerlina jealous at times.

"I'll be waiting for the day you heartily call me 'mom',

" the doctor raised her glass and Jerlina bowed her head with a smile as she felt shy.

The day she calls the doctor 'mom' will be the day she accepts Jeremy as her husband.

But hasn't I already? Am I moving too fast?

Well... We are still dating, right?

There was silence for some time.

"If you don't mind me asking, I heard that the journalist met with you?

" Jerlina broke the silence.

Daisy was so mad that the doctor's mood got ruined after she met with that journalist.

"Amanda?

" Dr. Kruger raised her brows and sat hugging her knees on the chair.

Jerlina nodded. The journalist's name is Amanda Prescott and she was related to a senator. Her father is also an influential figure in the business world. She is someone who doesn't need to work, but she had an odd interest in Peyton.

"What do you think of abortion, Jerlina?

" Dr. Kruger asked placing the glass on the table.

That's a hot topic!

Jerlina wondered why the doctor asks about it suddenly. Her hands immediately went to her abdomen as she got reminded of her miscarriage.

"I...

" Jerlina gulped.

"I won't ever think of abortion... But everyone's situation is different and there are a lot of nuances... It's...I can't judge,

" she really didn't have any opinion about it except that she won't do it.

Dr. Kruger let out a chuckle.

"You're answering just as I expected...

" She took in a deep breath.

"I had an abortion, when I was a resident, with my husband's support, of course. And I regret it to this day.

"

The doctor looked at her with her eyes filled with tears and Jerlina's heart skipped a beat.

What?