Consider it fixed

Steve's eyes grew wide for a split second after Maria's offer of making him the final decision maker in the situation with Jake, before immediately softening as every trace of his former glare had melted into the look that was currently on his face. A look that was filled with love for Maria. How suddenly had the argument started and how quickly had it been resolved. He loved how Maria was able to take account for her actions. Wanting to solve whatever mistake she has made and recognizing her wrongs as quickly as she commits them, albeit sometimes with a bit of assistance from others. He kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose, before placing a gentle kiss on her lips as he gently whispered the following words, "Consider.", "It.", "Fixed." before each kiss.

Now it was Maria who was confused but fortunately Steve was happy to explain. He said, "You realizing that this was a mistake has fixed whatever was between us. As for the situation with Jake, let me think about it for a bit and let's keep matters as they are for now." Maria nodded and was happy that at least she was no longer quarrelling with Steve. Whatever decision Steve would reach after thinking things over regarding Jake, she would be fine with, just as she was fine with him taking his time with it. It isn't like Jake would contact her today or tomorrow and any contact that would take place until Steve had decided, would show them what approach would be best. For now she would just include Steve in whatever was discussed between her and Jake, and see how things go from there.

The situation with Maria and Jake had made both of them a bit upset with Noah. They saw him as the factor that connected the people in that situation and blamed him for it existing in the first place. So, when they left Steve's office and headed over to Noah's in order to say goodbye for the day, neither of them could resist make a snippy comment. Maria focussed hers on him missing the doctor's appointment and Steve jumped on the bandwagon with a related comment of his own.

She threw open the door and entered by saying, "Why don't you close that laptop and spend more time with your wife. If you weren't ready to take on the responsibility of being a dad, why did you get my dear Laila pregnant. Instead of her leaning on you, she is busy trying to unburden you." Noah was confused what Maria was talking about, but didn't like what she was insinuating.

With a frown on his face he asked, "What the heck are you talking about??"

"Just like I said, take on the responsibility of a dad and stop letting your pregnant wife unburden you like that. What is she going to hospital visits alone for likes she is a single mom instead of a married woman??"

Noah's glare disappeared, leaving only his confusion. "W-what do you mean? When did Laila go to a doctor's appointment alone?"

Maria scoffed, "Tsk, are you telling me you don't even know when the final trimester of your own baby starts? How are you not even aware of something so small yet important?? She went today and was even so considerate to have the doctor record everything so you wouldn't feel left out and miss an important experience. To think she would have a husband who doesn't even know when her third trimester starts and when her visits to the doctor are planned."

Steve saw this as his moment to contribute to the conversation and said, "I think I should change your name from wife doting husband to wife forgetting husband."

The room turned ice cold and Noah's face looked even colder. He didn't waste his breath on retorting what they had said, but just said the words, "Get out. Right now." through a clenched jaw. Seeing how angry Noah was, Maria and Steve knew that they shouldn't push any further and the words they had said until now had been enough to get rid of their own frustrations regarding him. They quickly walked away as Noah sat in his anger for a minute. Wondering what to say and who to direct his anger to. Himself or at Laila for making this decision on her own without consulting him.

After taking a few seconds to calm himself down at least a bit from the point he was at, he closed up his laptop and started heading home. He didn't plan on leaving this early and plenty needed to be done, but this takes priority. As he walked out and closed his office door, Max looked at him with surprise as he too knew the appointments and tasks that he had planned for this day. But before he could ask, Noah said, "Clear my schedule. I will be heading home. I will apologize to everyone tomorrow."

Without looking back, Noah walked off and headed to the elevator. Off to have an important conversation with his wife. Using the ride over to calm himself down even further to make sure he wouldn't say anything he would regret.