Authors note: Hi everyone, hope everyone is still enjoying the story, this is extralong had somethings that I wanted to expand on and well couldn't keep it short. So I hope you all enjoy and remember I'm only borrowing characters of one of my favorite 80's shows and how I would have wanted things to go. All errors are mine.

Chapter 84

Walking to the hospital entrance I had one mission in mind.

Find my girl and check in on our little man.

Well maybe steal a kiss from my girl, hold her for at least 15 minutes with no interruptions and then check on our little guy. I smiled, my girl, why had I waited so long to make CJ mine? It took almost losing her for me to get my act together.

Hoyt had followed me in his car and we separated at the parking lot. He was getting ready for the press conference that I had agreed to appear at, told him I needed to check on CJ and Jake he said he'd come find me once they were ready.

I kept walking to the entrance. I could kick myself for all the time we lost, but it just made me appreciate her more, thinking back to when we were younger.

I wasn't ready to settle down right out of college and decided to follow Will to Nam. Losing Will the guilt was soul crushing, she was there when I was at the bottom of the bottle pushing her away. I hated myself for failing him and I was not the man she deserved. I had to find myself again but the stubborn woman would not give up on me.

She had always been the light at my darkest moments. When me and daddy had our falling out I made her choose between us and she decided to take that leap of faith with me and go out to the land of stars and helped me build my business. She was there for the lean times and she was there to kick my butt when I wanted to give up and go back to Texas. She told me that she was not a failure and if I wanted to go back then I could go back alone. She had not severed her ties in our hometown and chose me over daddy to return with her tail between her legs.

She had confessed to me that she hated that I had made her choose between both of us. That she had been happy in Texas but followed me out of love. She had contacted Daddy on her own. She apologized and asked if he could find it in his heart to forgive her. They had been talking without my knowledge for years till she thought I was ready to have him back in my life. She was the bridge that got me and daddy talking and finally burying the hatchet. She told me that life was too short and I would regret this if anything happened to him or vice versa.

He had been CJ's biggest cheerleader saying when I was going to do right by her. If she ever found out that she had been one of the reasons we had a falling out she'd never forgive me. It was the past, Daddy and I talked it out. I had been out of line but he took part of the blame saying he should have not said what he did. What had hurt him the most was that not only had he lost me he had also lost CJ. I remember him telling me when we had our talk that she had chosen me over him and if I was not willing to return the love she had for me I had to let her find someone that would cherish her. I couldn't wait for him to see us together. I needed to call him and give him an update on what had been going on and to hear him tell me I told you so.

Her talk was the kick in the pants I needed. I pulled up my boot straps and put my head and heart into building my empire. Once we were successful I told her what I wanted to do with the Private Investigation side. She was my biggest advocate, she knew why I was doing it and encouraged me to fulfill my promise to help those that couldn't help themselves.

The years flew by. Houston Inc. flourished and the perks that came with it well I wouldn't say I wasn't sitting at home alone but that was the past. CJ was there for all of it and I honestly thought we would be friends and never cross that line till these last years. Maybe I was older or maybe I was just tired of all the string of starlets and models that came and went. My distractions as she had labeled them.

They were great to have on your arm but when it came down to it they never could compare to CJ. She is the total package and I was not going to screw this up. I'd hurt her. I knew now that we had been honest with each other. She was still weary and I could tell she was not fully on board.

I didn't blame her, I had thought I was in love a couple of times before I even had a fiancé that had been murdered and the person that got me through it was her. The whole Elizabeth thing was still fresh and I believe this was CJ's final straw, she said she was jealous and I just brushed it off saying I'd feel the same way when she found her happily ever after. I had almost made the biggest mistake in my life.

Now that I had time to process it I had loved that Elizabeth needed me to protect her and to be her rock but I was blurring that love with what true love really was. I thought she was the woman of my dreams and had almost married her and CJ would have let me. She said she wanted me to find happiness and if it was Elizabeth she wouldn't stand in my way. Knowing now that it would have broken her heart she just wanted me to be happy.

Little did I know at the time she would have left Los Angeles and gone back to Texas for a fresh start leaving me, Uncle Roy and Will behind. I knew things would change but to lose my best friend was not something I would have dealt with well. She had told Will that it was for the best that she didn't want to be the reason me and Elizabeth would argue regarding me doing PI work and her heart wasn't in it any longer.

I saw it now how Elizabeth was starting to hint that we had a unique relationship and if she didn't know better we were acting like husband and wife and she should put a stop to all the time we spent together. I brushed it off saying CJ was my best friend and that she should make an effort to include her. She tried but slowly she stopped me from participating in events with CJ and the rest of my family, saying she was my family now and the others should come after her. The one time she made me not invite CJ when Daddy had come to visit showed me that she really wanted me to exclude her from anything to do with my family.

Daddy asked for her and Elizabeth explained CJ was not coming. He asked why and Elizabeth said that she was to be my wife and she wanted time alone with Daddy and me, CJ was just a friend of the family and should be treated as such.

Daddy was angry and decided to make it an early night. Before he left, he warned me that I should really take a hard look at who I was marrying and to see if losing CJ over Elizabeth was worth it. I tried to defend Elizabeth saying she needed time. He just said he hoped that I was doing the right thing.

He had gone to CJ's after that and decided to go back to Texas without letting me know, something had taken place at CJ's that I was not privy to. To say she was upset with me was putting it mildly, but things changed that day she stopped being around, taking in more pro bono cases and spending time with her girlfriends. My wedding day should have been something special but when Daddy said he wasn't coming that I was making a mistake it got me angry and when Vince had found out what had been going on between CJ and Elizabeth he decided not to support me. Stating exactly what daddy had asked, did I really know who I was marrying and if she couldn't accept my family then I'd better be ready to accept the fall out.

I never had to find out what the fallout was, our wedding was crashed by a crazy man and had taken Elizabeth as a hostage. I saved her but she could not deal with my line of work and decided that I wasn't worth the risk, maybe I wasn't her prince charming and it made me reevaluate if she was the woman I had been seeing in my dreams.

CJ was absent when I was going through my heartbreak. Uncle Roy, Will and Too Mean had been there for me to talk to. Taking me fishing up at my cabin than a trip to Vegas. Daddy invited me to the Ranch. He invited CJ but she declined stating it was better if only I went so Daddy and I could have some time alone.

Vince was the next to call and invite me to Hawaii. He invited her also and she accepted this invite but Carol and Maureen decided to tag along. The first night we all had dinner at Momma Novelli's she was so happy to see CJ and her sisters she made plans with them to go around the island and that was the last I had seen of her till we went back. I made sure I sat next to her on the way back home and had a long heart to heart talk with her and telling her how much I had missed her. She listened and smiled saying she was sorry for not being there for me but thought I had better get used to not having her around. She was thinking of going back to Texas and this was a good test to show me that she was not needed.

Hearing she was going back to Texas made me see red, she was leaving me and I didn't like it. She explained she wasn't needed at the agency any longer. I had Uncle Roy, Will and Too Mean that she had been removed from the leg work and was only running the office stating Chris could do that. I remember grabbing her hand and saying she was the heart of the business that it would not be the same and I needed my partner. I apologized to her if I was the cause of her leaving and to please stay I needed my best friend.

The look she gave me I realize now that was the wrong thing to say, what I should have done was tell her she was the person I should marry. It was always her. But I had my chance now to show her that I was all in no barriers that I was going to sweep her off her feet. She didn't have to kiss frogs anymore. I was her prince charming.

I walked through the doors and Cappy came up to me.

"Hey Cappy what's going on?"

He motioned to Ripley to watch the door and directed me to the NICU.

"Ms Parson's in the NICU with baby Jake, Tiny and Wick are stable still not conscious but they will both recover from their injuries. Momma is with them as are 3 guards. Putting them in the same room makes it easier for us to keep an eye on them. Any news from the pier? Have they caught that son of a bitch yet?"

I shook my head no and filled him in on what I had left behind, they were going to start canvasing the pier and the neighborhood around the boardwalk going door to door with flyers and to post them everywhere. We would be getting answers soon and the press conference would only put on more pressure to find Sabrina Finch. He asked about Star, saying he had a niece her age and it killed him to think that Boyd was still out there and to know he had tried to hurt her was a bitter pill to swallow.

"We want justice and I hope you won't stand in our way. I don't know you that well Mr. Houston but he messed with one of our own and I'll be damned if I hand this low life to the police so he can get a slap on the hand. No, that will not be happening."

I agreed with him and that made him stop in his tracks. I told him what Luca had told him about me and he said not much that he had heard of me and my reputation around the boardwalk and with law enforcement. I stopped before going into the NICU seeing CJ rockin Jake.

"I want justice also, anyone comes after my family I will destroy them and Star is my family. No one gets away with threatening or hurting any of them." I pointed into the NICU. "She is my life as is that boy in her arms. I will burn down this city till I find the son of a bitch that threatens to harm her. So I understand, trust me and I appreciate you letting your friends know this. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty."

He sized me up and patted my arm. He pointed out Fynn and Avery; they were each standing guard by the door. "They will not let anything happen to her, We've all been threatened by Popeye and Luca, if anything happens to any of the ladies in our care we will become fish food so you don't need to worry about their protection no one will get close to them not on our watch."

I shook all of their hands and made my way into the NICU. I really wanted to go to CJ. I needed her.

I stood and watched her with Jake and it took my breath away. She was going to make a great momma. I heard her tell him the story of when she saved my ass with the bully in school. I just stood there and listened and Jake was enthralled. Buddy I know exactly how you feel. She could be reading a grocery list and I'd listen.

She got up not noticing me yet. The nurses must have heard the story and while clapping silently for her she curtsied, I covered my mouth not wanting to laugh and she found out I was watching her. I loved seeing her like this free of worry and so happy. She tucked Jake in his blanket and was about to walk over to the nurses station when I made my presence known.

I teased her about her telling that story and she turned and ran into my arms. She had missed me as much as I had missed her. She felt good in my arms and I was never going to let her go.

"Houston, you're here."

I just held her and murmured how much I had missed her and how much I needed this right now.

"God I wish we could just get away from all of this, just you and me. No phones, people or any type of danger that keeps me away from you."

She agreed with me but reminded me that we'd never been in this type of situation and this situation had brought us both together.

"As much as I like that I don't have to hide how I feel about you any longer, fate brought us here, just think if I hadn't gone to Vegas, Jake wouldn't be here. You'd never have met Star, We wouldn't have all these new family members to help us out. We wouldn't have come together and confess what we both want right?"

She said the last sentence in a whisper. She was still having doubts about how I feel about her, well that would have to change. I cupped her face and kissed her making sure she knew exactly where we stood.

When I pulled back she was breathless and leaning against me.

"Now tell me how you really feel about me, cowboy." She placed her head on my chest and wrapped her arms around me

I smirked, "I can always give you a repeat performance of Ms. Parson's, they do say practice makes perfect." She tilted her face up, I leaned down to kiss her again this time she was more daring that my knees buckled. CJ was turning out to me more than I could have imagined and I couldn't wait to see what more she could show me.

She pulled back and I was still trying to regulate my breathing and she whispered, "Did you almost faint Mr. Houston I could have sworn your knees buckled there for a minute."

She let me go and started to walk away. I snapped out of it and grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into my chest. "Don't start something we can't finish CJ, you said 1 month and I am a man of my word but tempting me is not part of the agreement, okay."

She giggled, "It's a month and a half and I don't know what you're talking about, I just kissed you and if you can't handle that maybe I need to find someone that can do you think…."

I turned her around and tilted her chin up to me, "I can handle more than you think darling and if we had more time I'd find a closet to show you exactly why I am the only man for the job."

Vegetables

I kissed her again and would have continued but a voice behind us stopped the fun.

"Jeez get a room Cowboy and Sis what the heck is going on I thought he was giving you mouth to mouth there for a second."

Laughter followed the comment and I looked over CJ's head to see Maureen, Chris and Carol watching with their arms crossed and shaking their heads.

I was about to answer when she turned around and winked at me.

"You two have nothing to complain about. You've had your guys with you all morning. Here to hold your hand, steal a kiss and to have someone to lean on. Chris you can complain but not too much you wanted us to get together for some time now so sorry not sorry. I'm just getting my fill since I know he's going to have to leave me sooner than later so I don't want to hear peep from any of you, well maybe Chris since her boyfriend is no longer in the picture. So if you don't like it close your eyes."

She had her hand on her hips and I just smirked at her sisters and Chris. I love a woman who could stand on her own. I came up behind her and put my arm around her waist. She leaned back and Carol and Maureen were quite not a word passed between them, and Chris just grinned at us.

Uncle Roy was walking toward us with Nurse Sheila. I heard CJ murmur great here comes the battle ax again. Carol and Maureen snickered and turned to see Uncle Roy and the battle ax. I squeezed CJ and she whispered, "God give me patience with this woman, she is finding any little reason to kick us out of the NICU. I hope Uncle Roy smoothes her feathers and is more acceptable."

Uncle Roy came straight to us and Nurse Sheila was all smiles at him but once she saw us the frown came back and she turned, "Thanks for the company Roy I need to get back to work. Mr. Houston, lovely that you remember you have a responsibility here and not let your friend take on all of the child's care."

"The child has a name, it's Jake and I can take care of him all alone just fine. I don't understand why you have to be so negative. We are all here for Jake. I hope if I need your assistance with his care you will help not because it's your job but you have an ounce of compassion for that little boy with no one in this world but us. Because so help me if anything happens to him because you won't help me take care of him you will answer to me."

Yup my girl was done being nice.

Nurse Sheila's eyes were wide and she took a deep breath. "I resent you telling me that I am not helpful doing my job. I am following orders from my superiors, this is not my area and I am only filling in because the nursing staff that was in charge didn't know how to follow orders and let their emotions interfere with doing their jobs. If they had been professional and detached themselves from what is expected of them they wouldn't have been suspended. So before you start thinking you are better than me let me remind you that I am in charge of this department and even though you had your Uncle to try and butter me up I still believe you are not the right people to assist that child and from what I've heard the mother is MIA so he will eventually be sent to the state for his care and wellbeing. You will get bored of taking on this responsibility as Mr. Houston has already shown since he has been absent most of the day so all I have to do is wait you out and order will be brought back to the hospital and hopefully the staff that worked here will be replaced."

CJ squeezed my hand and was about to speak when someone behind us spoke up.

"Really Sheila? Is that what you think about me and Roxy? Sometimes people should know when to retire, you've been ranting the same speech for years now. You were the one that wanted us to still wear dresses instead of scrubs. That is the old way, the new way is to interact with your patient, especially babies. You need to step back because these people here do not deserve to hear this nonsense. If you would have asked them they would have told you they are in search of Jake not the child's mother. He is a private investigator as is Ms. Parsons, she saved him from dying in a trashcan Friday night, he wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. I made the decision to keep his care with her since she had been the only voice he had heard. I don't regret it and I stand by it as does all my staff and Roxy's. The kangaroo study shows that a bond is developed within hours of a child being born if you were open to read and listen to the research you would know this, but no you'd rather do it your way and if you think they are going to walk away from the responsibility of taking care of Jake, than you are the old fool everyone thinks you are. So gather your things and get out of my department. We've all been reinstated and you are no longer needed here."

We turned to see Nurse Emma, Roxy and their morning and evening teams standing behind them with arms crossed and ready for battle. The administrator came between Emma and Sheila and he explained that the NICU was returning and she had been relieved.

Sheila glared at us and left. The Administrator came to us as did Maureen, Chris and Carol.

"I am sorry for that, we will talk to Sheila, we all want what's best for Jake. We understand there will be a press conference within the next hour. We just want to ensure everyone is happy and that the hospital will be featured as cooperating. So is this acceptable Ms. Flaunders? The nurses have been reinstated, no charges will be filed on any of your friends and you have access to Jake."

I looked over to Maureen, she waited a minute. I knew she was just letting the poor man sweat a little but nodded her head, "Emma, Roxy is this all your staff?"

They nodded.

"So there will be no reprimands given to any of the staff here at the NICU correct? That was one of the stipulations I had requested and the access to Jake with the agreement we will follow all of the child advocate's guidelines. Your cooperation at the press conference and your kind offer to host it here. I will need to confer with Mr. Houston but we will have the itinerary of what exactly will be said and of course we will ensure the hospital will be cast in a good light, since we are working so well together now."

I smiled. Carol had been doing her magic and now everything was falling into place. The Administrator looked relieved and thanked her for her time and said he would be in his office and would await her call. He left and we went to give Emma and Roxy a hug.

I grabbed Emma first and whispered my thanks to her and Roxy was next. CJ and her sisters did the same. Uncle Roy went over to Maureen and gave her a hug.

"You are a force to be reckoned with. I am happy you and Will are finding yourselves. You will be good for him. He needs a strong woman in his life. He is a very fortunate man."

Maureen blushed and stammered. I went to give her a hug. "Been working that magic CJ always is talking about. Thank you, doesn't even cover what you've done for us. Uncle Roy is right, Will is lucky to have you."

Emma and Roxy agreed as did all of their staff, "She fought for us and we are here again with no write ups and we get to do what we all love to do. Take care of our babies. So what press conference was the suit talking about? Did you find Jake's mom?

Everyone was crowding close and Luca's guys started to form a circle around the girls and I raised my arms to get everyone's attention. I needed to make this short and sweet. I needed to talk to my family to let them know what was going on.

"We have a lead on Jake's mom but she is still MIA. The press conference will focus on Jake and his mother. We will be offering a reward for any information on her whereabouts. We have a name and a picture."

I pulled it out of my Jacket pocket along with a flyer I had taken from Star. CJ grabbed the picture and I handed the flyer to Emma and she read it out loud to everyone. Everyone started to talk and Cappy let out a long whistle and motioned for me to continue.

"We are setting up a hotline that will route all calls to my offices, we will need volunteers. I am asking if you all can spread the word and if anyone is willing to help."

Chris raised her hand stating she would be in charge of getting the volunteers situated at the office Uncle Roy said he'd take her over to the office to get things set up. Roxy and Emma turned to their team and all of them raised their hands when asked if they wanted to help. I turned away and they all wanted to help Jake and I knew we were just hours from finding out what happened to his momma. If he only knew how many people cared for him, he'd be beaming with all the positive energy and joy. Roxy's team had to start their shift but Emma's where the night shift they all decided to go to my office to help, Emma left saying she was going to get more volunteers and to make sure we had plenty of food and coffee they weren't leaving till we found Sabrina.

Everyone had their tasks but I looked around for CJ. She wasn't around. I was about to panic when Ripley caught my eye and motioned to the NICU and I saw her next to Jake. I went towards the door and he said he had us covered. I walked in and listened to her talking to a sleeping Jake.

"I told you he'd find her. I'm going to put her picture right here next to you so when you open your eyes you will see your mommy. If you really look at it it's a picture of you too. Jake you're in her tummy and I bet she can't wait to see you."

I came up behind her and put my arms around her. "You okay? You scared me there for a minute when I couldn't find you."

She nodded. "You did it, you found out who his mom is and I want to know everything, you just gave me the short version but I think we all want to know what you found out. This press conference is a good thing. Maybe she'll watch it and come back for him or maybe someone knows where she is or…"

She whimpered. I knew what she was thinking. We couldn't think of that possibility. We needed to believe she was maybe scared and made a huge mistake whatever the reason we would help her.

Whether she knew it or not she was now family and family stuck together.