Chapter 1

"Flight 473 you're cleared for landing on runway 6-7 South."

"Roger. Thank you." Houston looked over at CJ and smiled. "You know what we're gonna hear don't you?"

"Well, let's see. It's probably going to be something that includes the phrases 'it's about time' or 'finally'. "CJ returned his smile. "It's okay though, because they're right. We both should have fessed up a long time ago."

"Guess we were just chicken, huh?" He landed the plane and they taxied to the private hangar. "Looks like the rental company dropped off the car for us." They left the plane and headed for the red Mustang convertible that was sitting in the hangar. Houston put their luggage in the back and opened CJ's door for her.

In her best Southern belle accent she said, "Why thank you, sir."

Matt took the opportunity to take her in his arms. He gently brushed the hair from her face and kissed her, a soft sweet kiss that took her breath away. After a couple of more intense kisses he stepped back from her and said "Guess we better get going. We've got an announcement to make you know."

As they drove toward Novelli's Restaurant, Matt was thinking back to when he had first met Vince Novelli. Vince had been a lieutenant on the LAPD then. He and Matt had butted heads a few times before they figured out that they could actually help each other. Once they knew that, they were best friends. Vince's mother, Rosa, most commonly referred to as Mama by almost everyone who knew her, was also a close friend, almost an adopted mother to both Matt and CJ.

The Novelli clan had packed up and moved to Hawaii after Vince was shot during a case that he and Houston were working together. He had been medically discharged from the LAPD. Matt and CJ missed him and Mama dearly, but knew that they were happy in Hawaii and so they visited every chance they got.

"What do you think they'll do when we just waltz in there and drop this bomb on them?" Matt looked over at CJ. She smiled. "Knowing Mama, she'll start to cry, then laugh and say I told you so. Then she'll try to feed us."

They pulled up to the restaurant a few minutes later. "Something sure smells good." Matt opened CJ's door for her and they walked inside. Vince was behind the counter with his back to the door.

"Be with you in just a minute." He turned around. "Houston, CJ! What are you guys doing here? Hey, Mama, get out here! We've got company." He made his way around the counter and gave CJ a big hug and shook Houston's hand.

"What, what, what! Vincenzo, you know I'm busy trying to…" She looked up from wiping her hands on an apron and was surprised to see two of her favorite people. "CJ, Houston! Why didn't you call? We would have picked you up!" Hugs and kisses were exchanged. CJ kept her left hand hidden. "I guess you came here to get something to eat, eh? Neither of you look like you've eaten in ages. Come on back here and sit down."

Matt looked at CJ and smiled. "Well, Mama, actually you might want to be the one to sit down. Here." He pulled a chair from a nearby table and sat her down in it. "Mama, Vince: CJ and I are getting married. And Vince I'm going to need a best man."

"And we're going to need someone to cater it. But we need somebody really good who makes a killer pizza. Know anybody?" CJ laughed as she held out her left hand. There was a beautiful gold ring there with a perfectly cut diamond surrounded by emeralds.

The Novelli's were in shock. Neither one said anything for a few seconds. Then Vince started laughing. "Well it's about damn time!" Matt and CJ started laughing. Mama jumped up and hugged first CJ, then Matt. Then the tears started. "Finally! I was afraid you two would never wake up. I've been praying for this since I met the two of you." She blew her nose into a handkerchief that Matt handed her. He took her in his arms. "Now Mama, if I had known you would cry I never would have told you." He winked at Vince.

"What? Of course you had to tell me. Mattlock Houston, I might just put you across my knee for that!" She lightly swatted his arm.

"Now go easy on him, Mama. He just got that arm out of a sling about three days ago. He had a little disagreement with a seven foot tall wrestler." CJ jokingly shielded Matt who pretended to be scared.

"Yes, I know. We heard all about it on the news. Houston, you looked like a circus performer up there on that cable." They were talking about the case Matt had helped Lt. Hoyt with almost a month ago, in which an 11-year old girl had been kidnapped by two of her drug-dealing uncles in an attempt to persuade a third uncle who worked for a pharmaceutical company to give them access to narcotics.

"Guess some things will never change. So, you're looking for a best man, huh? Who did you have in mind? Tony?" Vince was referring to his youngest son, who absolutely idolized Houston.

"No, I was thinking somebody older. Like you." Matt smiled at his best friend. "You know, somebody I can count on for backup."

"I would be honored. When are you planning to have it?" Vince shook Matt's hand again.

"Well, I thought we might let these two beautiful ladies work that out. I'm ready whenever she is." He leaned down and planted a kiss on CJ.

Mama started crying again. "Now Mama, you can't keep doing that. We don't want to have to call it off." Matt loved teasing her.

Mama stood up and shook her finger in Matt's face. "Oh, no you don't, mister! You two are getting married! And that's all there is to it!" Everyone had a good laugh.