Life is the Long Game

Chapter 74

*time skip*

Maya's POV:

Today is Valentine's Day which means it's also Josh's birthday. I finished school earlier than him today, so I'm planning a nice evening for the two of us at home, but first I have to go and get some things sorted.
I walk out of the building that I had to complete my first errand in and hail a taxi, as we are driving through the city we pass the alley where I last saw Kelly and where I began to loose my baby. I still miss her so much, and I know Josh does too, but I think we're coping well. Then a thought dawns on me... Kelly got away. She's still out there, the reason my daughter isn't in my arms right now is living life all happy and jolly, it isn't fair so I'm going to make sure she gets put away forever. I decide to put these thoughts to the back of my mind for now though as the taxi pulls up at the address I asked for, I pay him and climb out to get the groceries and a last minute secret gift for Josh, and a few other things I need, including Shawn Mendes's new album Illuminate (and yes this is a necessity!), before returning home.
Since I finished early and I've completed all my errands, I've come home and set up a special dinner for him, with my newly purchased album playing in the background, I'm just setting the table when I realise I forgot to get some dessert for afters, I mean I did get him a cake, but I want us to have a proper meal with an formal dessert first. I'll call Josh and get him to pick some up on his way back from school. I pick up my phone and dial his speed dial.
J: Hey gorgeous!
M: Hi birthday boy!
J: You okay?
M: Yeah, it's just, I forgot to get some dessert for after dinner, are you able to get something?
J: Yeah sure, I'm just about to leave.
M: Okay, let me know when you're coming back from the store.
J: Of course. I love you.
M: I love you too.
I hang up the phone with a smile on my face. I go into our bedroom and dig out Josh's birthday presents as we did Valentine's presents this morning with breakfast out, and this evening we are celebrating his birthday. I got Josh a new watch, and I painted him a picture of the two of us, there's also the surprise gift for him too. I arrange the gifts on our bed aesthetically. I then change and apply fresh makeup.

I go into the living room and put on the TV, waiting for Josh to come home, I decide to binge watch Full House on Netflix as its one of my favourite shows, but I soon zone out into a world of thoughts of how far Josh and I have come, from that first Christmas at the Matthews', Game Night, seeing him on the subway with a girl, and that night at the NYU party where I put him in his place about how I felt, to when I tried to kill myself because everything was so hard but Josh never left my side and then confessed his love for me, the proposal, my relapses, Kelly and then to our wedding, our first time, our first child. I can't believe we've been married over a year already. I'm so proud of how strong we are, I feel that nothing will ever tear us apart.
I'm brought back to reality by the sound of my phone ringing, it's Josh, I smile to myself as I answer it.
M: Hot Husband.
J: Sexy Spouse.
M: You on your way home now?
J: Yeah, I'm just coming out of the store, I'll be back soon.
M: Okay.
J: Ow. Sorry.
M: What? Are you okay?
J: Yeah, I'm fine, I just walked into someone and it hurt that's all.
M: You know I think you may be as klutzy as your niece.
J: Ha, Ha, funny.
M: Anyway, hurry home, I've got a surprise for you!
J: Oooh, what is it?
M: You'll have to get home and find out.
J: Okay, I'm nearly at my car.
M: Okay, drive safe.
J: I wi-sorry dude.
M: Did you walk into someone again?
J: P-possibly.
M: Are you okay?
J: Uh, yeah, I'm sure I'm f-fine.
M: Okay, well come home safe.
J: Yes wife, I-I will.
M: I love you.
J: I love y-
*thud*
What was that? I think to myself.
M: Josh?
I begin to panic not hearing anymore sound.
M: Josh! Talk to me! What's happening?
J: M-Maya, call c-c-cops, I-I l-love you...
His speech is slurred and mumbled, I'm scared.
M: Josh? I love you. Josh?
My voice cracks as I talk and I hear a crunch from the phone and then the line goes dead.
What has happened to my husband?
I immediately call the cops.
"Hi, my name is Maya Matthews, something has happened to my husband, he was on the phone to me, and then he was in pain and there was a thud and his voice was slurred and weird and then the line went dead! He was at the store, our local store, his car should still be there!" I ramble.
"Ma'am what's your address? And your husbands registration plate?"
I give them the details.
"Thank you, an officer will be round shortly."
"Thank you." I hang up and go change out of my uncomfortable outfit, and rush over to Riley's.

I bang on the door, tears rushing down my face.
"Woah-Maya you okay?" Lucas asks answering the door. I shake my head no.
"Something has happened to Josh." I sob, collapsing into his arms.
"Did you call the cops?" He asks.
"Yeah, they're on their way."
"You should stay at home, me and Riles will be over in a moment with Amelie, okay?" He tells me and I do as he says, and they arrive moments later, Riley rushes over to me, hugging me tight.
"Something has happened to him Riley, something bad, he told me to call the cops. I'm scared, I can't loose him." I sob.
"I'm scared too. But we've got to be strong, okay? You can do that, right?" She says to me, sobbing as well.
"For Josh."
"For Josh."
Soon after, there is a knock at the door. I go and open it.
"Mrs Matthews?" The officer asks.
"Yeah, have you come about my husband?"
"Yes, I'm officer Jay Halstead, this is my partner Erin Lindsay." He introduces himself.
"Come in." I say, encouraging them to sit down.
"T-this is Riley, Josh and I's niece, and her fiancé Lucas, and that's their daughter Amelie sleeping over there." I say, my voice shaky. They all shake hands with one another.
"Mrs Matthews." Erin begins.
"It's Maya please."
"Maya, before our arrival we went to where you said your husband last was, and the evidence seems to point towards a kidnapping."
I let out a loud sob, and breakdown, I can hear everyone saying things to me but I'm ignoring it all, my Josh is missing.
He can't leave me, I love him too much, and he promised. We need him. He can't leave us...