Live Like A Dream

Flashbulbs, Fights and Food

The driver pulls up outside of a fancy restaurant in downtown L.A.
Paparazzi have already surrounded the entrance waiting for the couple's arrival.
"How did they even know it would be us? I booked the table under a fake name." Jared growls.
He unbuckles the baby carrier then releases a sleeping Athena from the seat.
"Is there not another entrance, around the back?" Jared calls over the seats.
"No sir, this is the only way in." The driver replies.
Jared sighs in frustration and turns to Evelyn.
"Wait until I tell you to get out of the car. Keep the baby close to your chest." Jared tells her.
Jared climbs out of the car and flashbulbs erupt snapping several shots of him. He holds his hands up in defence.
"Whoa whoa stop! I'm just here to spend a private birthday with my family. Please no photos! You can takr as many as you like of me but not my fiancee or child." Jared stops and allows their shots.
"Okay, you've got what you wanted. Enough now!" He shouts and the flashes stop. Jared opens the door and retrieves the baby carrier, he nods at Evelyn and she climbs out of the car clinging tightly to her daughter, shielding her face.
They take a few steps toward the venue and the car drives off. The flashbulbs start again.
"Stop!" Jared screams in rage. Evelyn screams and the baby starts to cry. A photographer had ran up to her and was photographing her inches from her face, the flashbulbs distressing Athena. Jared is filled with rage. He pushes the photographer with all of his strength with the baby carrier. He falls to the floor, the lens breaking away from his camera.
"Get inside!" Jared screams at Evelyn who runs in panic into the empty restaurant.
Jared stares down at the man on the floor.
"What the fuck man?" He screeches up at him trying to collect the pieces of his camera as the flashes go into a frenzy.
"What the fuck? Shes not even a fortnight old and you're in her face with a camera!? You're lucky I don't kill you!" Jared spits.
Shannon runs out of the restaurant to his brother and pulls him away from the situation.
"Cool it!" He warns Jared.
Jared runs into the restaurant to find Evelyn sitting at the beautiful table he had organised in the rented out restaurant. She sits beside Lexi who is holding the screaming baby.
Jared grabs Evelyn and pulls her into his chest silencing her sobs. He turns to Lexi.
"Is she okay?" He asks with worry.
"Shes fine Jared, just a little frightened." Lexi rocks the baby.
"Its okay Cupcake, Shannon's  making them leave. Are you okay? I'm so sorry that I scared you both." He tells her.
"You didn't scare me, they did, they were in Athena's face! I didn't know what to do." She weeps.
Shannon returns and pats Jared's back gesturing him to follow him to the men's room. Jared kisses Evelyn's head and follows his brother.

In the men's room Jared paces back and forth in rage.
"He says he's going to press charges." Shannon informs him.
"Not if I don't first. I could have killed him Shan. I've never felt rage like that before." Jared splashes his face with water from the sink.
"You were protecting your family." He hugs Jared.
"I've ruined her birthday, all I wanted was to make everything perfect for her." Jared sighs.
"You still can." Shannon reassures him and they return to the table.

Athena and Evelyn had both stopped crying at this point and Lexi had fixed the running mascara on her best friend's eyes.
"I can't believe you're here." Evelyn smiles.
"Jared flew me and Mike out this morning as a surprise for you! He said we can stay at your place for the weekend!" Lexi replies watching her husband holding baby Athena.
Jared sits down next to Evelyn and takes her hand.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't think that would ever happen." His voice breaks with guilt.
"Can we just forget it and enjoy the day?" Evelyn grimaces.

The restaurant was decorated beautifully. Rose gold balloons spelling out 'happy birthday' hung above the long table seating the guests Jared had invited to surprise Evelyn. The guests took turns holding Athena until she fell asleep and Jared lay her in her carrier seat.

After the meal Constance, Shannon, Terry, Alex, Emma, Lexi and Mike all sang happy birthday as Jared carried in an extravagant red velvet oversized cupcake with candles on top. He placed it in front of Evelyn and kissed the top of her head.
"A big cupcake for my cupcake." He smiles.
As he sits down the manager of the restaurant arrives with two men in police uniforms. Jared sees them and curses to himself. "You have got to be fucking kidding me."
"Mr Leto? Mr Jared leto?" One of the men asks.
"Yes?" Jared rolls his eyes.
"We need to take you down to the station and speak to you regarding an assault." He explains.
"It's my fiancee's birthday, can we do this later?" Jared pleads.
"I'm afraid not sir. If you'd like to follow me." The police reply.
"If I'm not under arrest I dont need to follow you anywhere." Jared pouts.
"Sir if you do not come willingly we will place you under arrest." The man sternly states.
Evelyn's heart jumps into her throat. Tears prick her eyes as he stands and gathers his things.
"I'm so sorry Cupcake, I'll call you." Jared kisses her.
"I'm coming with you!" She stands.
"No, you enjoy the rest of your day, I'll meet you back at home." Jared sighs as he follows the police.
Evelyn pulls her coat on. Shannon stops puts his arm around her stopping her leaving.
"Emma call Miles!" Jared shouts as the police lead him out of the room.
"Who's Miles?" Evelyn asks Shannon, she shakes with fear.
"His lawyer." Shannon replies.
Evelyn sinks back into her chair, overwhelmed with worry.
"I need to go! I need to be with him!" She starts to shout.
"You need to stay calm Evelyn. Come on I'll take you home." Shannon tries to calm her and picks up Athena.
Terry and Alex excuse themselves and head home. Emma left frantically calling Jared's lawyer and tries to control the press on the matter, twitter was already buzzing with video footage of Jared assaulting the photographer.
Shannon looks outside for any more paparazzi, luckilly they had all been scared off earlier. Shannon runs to his car parked outside and straps Athena's carrier into the back seat. He then becons Evelyn, Lexi and Mike to get into the car.

The drive home is silent. Evelyn bites her nails with anxiety. They pull into the driveway and Evelyn marches into the house with Athena. She paces up and down with the infant on her hip as Shannon prepares coffee for everyone. He hands Evelyn a cup.
"I cant drink that, I need to get down there with him." She mutters as she bites her nails.
Evelyn hands Shannon Athena and storms into the bedroom, emerging moments later changed into a sweatshirt, jeans and sneakers.
"I'm going down there." She states.
"Evelyn it wont do any good, they're just asking him some questions and they'll let him go." Shannon tries to reason with her.
"Then I'll be there when he gets out. Lexi, I'm sorry to ask but can you watch Athena?" Evelyn asks.
Lexi takes the baby from Shannon.
"Of course, go do what you need to do babe!" Lexi tells her.
Evelyn thanks her and storms to the door.
"Shan you driving me there or am I calling a cab?" She calls.
Shannon rolls his eyes and follows her, pulling his car keys from his pocket.