Persevering Love - C.E.

Sleep

Y/N's POV
For the past few days after our session, Chris and I have been a little shaky. It's been so difficult to be mindful of my own feelings yet still be understanding of Chris as well. I've tried to be more open and thoughtful of what's been going through his mind. I know it was tough during the time I was away filming, although I was rightfully upset at least for the time being, I get that it wasn't easy.

"Y/N, can you help me with this?" Chris asked, snapping me out of my own thoughts. He was standing in front of our bathroom mirror, trying to put on a tie. We were getting ready for this black-tie birthday bash for one of Chris's old buddies, Matt, back from college.

I was dressed in a simple burgundy Valdrin Sahiti gown which was sooooo gorgeous and I had my go-to red bottoms on as well. I quickly helped Chris with his tie and he then put on one of his silver watches and was ready. Since none of us would be home, we asked Chris's mom to watch Theo for us while we're gone. But this time, she decided to come to us so we don't have to pack a bunch of stuff for him. We both came down the steps to see Lisa playing with Theo on the couch, causing a smile to creep onto both of our faces.

"Well isn't this better? That way, you guys don't have to pack all of his belongings into one bag and I get to enjoy your big house." Lisa laughed as we did too. "Do you need anything else from us, Lisa?" I asked before we made any moves out the door, "No honey, I'm just fine. You kids go along now. Theo and I are gonna have the most fun, right baby?" Lisa asked with enthusiasm as Theo excitedly nodded. "Alright ma, thank you again." Chris smiled and kissed her forehead. "Don't even mention it. Now go before you guys are late." She encouraged. We took that note and made our way out. I then hurriedly walked over to the driver's seat and got in.

"I thought I was driving?" Chris smirked as he opened the passenger door. "Well you thought wrong." I smirked back and put the key into the ignition. He smiled and got in, allowing me to drive off.

Chris's POV
While Y/N was driving, I was silently scrolling through my phone on social media. Then suddenly I got a text from an unknown number saying, "It's almost showtime. Tick....tick.". For the past few weeks, I've been getting creepy texts like this and every single time I block them. But a new number texts me back. I've been trying to just ignore them though, it must just be some creepy fans that somehow got a hold of my number. I pushed away my negative thoughts and started up a pleasant conversation with Y/N until we finally arrived. The place was huge. It almost looked like a gala event. Everyone was dressed in their best attire and the place was full of vibrancy and chatter.

With Y/N on my arm, I guided her around until I found some familiar faces. "Chris! You made it!" Matt exclaimed as he pat my shoulder and brought me into an embrace. "Of course, I couldn't miss your birthday bash man!" I answered with a huge grin. "Oh man, I appreciate it. And I appreciate you bringing your little lady too! Y/N! How've you been?" He asked as he gently gave her a hug as she did the same. "I've been well! How are you? I haven't seen you since the wedding!" "Ugh, I know! You guys have been so busy with your celebrity lives having dinner with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt that I wasn't sure if I would fit into your schedules." He joked, "Actually, it was with Beyoncé and Jay-Z...." She commented calmly before everyone bursted out laughing. "Oh my god, I forgot how funny you were sweets! I'm so happy you guys were able to come." He grinned. "Of course." Y/N and I answered. "Well go enjoy the party guys! Mingle! Drink! Maybe do both! Go crazy!" He laughed before walking off and talking with some other people.

As the birthday man said, we did just that. We grabbed a glass of champagne and I introduced Y/N to some of my friends that she's never met before.

**Two Hours Later**

Lisa's POV
A small yawn escaped the lips of my grandson as we sat together watching one of his favorites, Daniel Tiger. "Aw, are you sleepy my boy?" I asked Theo and he nodded. "Okay, how about we take a little bubble bath and then go to bed? How does that sound?" "....Good." He responded sleepily. I smiled warmly before turning off the tv and picking him up as we made our way upstairs. I drew some warm water and soap and waited for the bath to get full. Soon enough, it was warm and sudsy. I placed Theo inside and his face immediately lit up as he saw the bubbles and played with them. I continued to bathe him for awhile until he was all cleaned up and I took him out. I got him dressed in his pajamas and got a warm bottle of milk for him to drink.

Once I placed him in his bed, his eyes fluttered shut and he was fast asleep. As soon as I did that, I heard the doorbell ring. Now who in heavens could be possibly be at the door at this time? I quickly draped his blanket over him before hurriedly walking down the steps and over to the door. No one was there. That's odd. I began walking back over to the steps until I heard the bell ring again, except more constant this time. I look through the peep hole and there was a big poster being held up by someone I couldn't see saying, "Bye Bye" in all caps. "What?" I whispered to myself. My first instinct was to grab my cellphone that was inside my pocket but before I could, I was knocked over the head with something metal and I hit the floor.

My head was aching and my body felt frozen. My eyes fought to stay up with only one thing on my mind, Theo. I tried to lift my head back up but I soon felt pressure being placed on it, causing my head to head back to the floor. "Not so fast mama Evans." A mysterious voice of a man spoke. As much as I tried, I couldn't see who was speaking. But the voice sounded so familiar. And all I could hear is constant clicking up the stairs, like a pair of heels. I began to fight more and more as I knew they were headed for Theo but, the unknown man with me started to tie my hands behind my back and ductape my legs together along with my mouth. I tried screaming, pleading, doing anything just so they wouldn't touch Theo. But there was no use.

I soon heard Theo's cries getting louder and louder as he somehow got closer. "Got him." A woman spoke to the man. "Will you shut him up?! We have to get him out of here quietly." The man responded. "I'm trying!" The woman spoke. Again, another voice that sounded so very familiar. I felt the mysterious man's presence get closer to me and I tried to headbutt him. All he did was laugh. "Sleep." He simply said as I furrowed my eyes in confusion. Suddenly, a thick gas invaded my senses and the last thing I could see was a pair of feet leaving the house, taking Theo with them.