Author's note:

Hello all I hope you are enjoy the story added some characters and I hope I keep them straight yeah I should have just kept to the known subjects. As before all errors are mine and I am just borrowing my fav. 80's tv show characters. Enjoy and tell me what you think.

Chapter 46

I was nervous. I was biting my nails and Mamma pulled my hands away from my mouth. I mumbled sorry but she just hugged me and went to talk to Tiny.

I couldn't believe this was happening.

I look at all of them in one room. My two adopted families have come together in the same place. I never believed this could happen and it has. How life changes from one day to the next and I knew my mom & dad were looking down at me from Heaven and had a hand in this.

I had been at my lowest point a couple of days ago wondering if I should just let go. But everything had happened for a reason I was now facing my two worlds and they would either join together or collide.

This almost went south really fast. With Popeye holding CJ in a choke hold and Boss Man holding a gun to Momma G's head it was too much I couldn't bear being the reason they would hurt each other. My nerves got the best of me and I tried to breathe but my body shut down. The last thing I remembered was asking them both not to hurt my families and then darkness.

I opened my eyes and they were all staring at me. Oh brother, I was in so much trouble. I tried to make light of what happened and then the Emiliana Star Estrella apology tour started.

I had to apologize to each and every one of them. I knew they all cared, even Popeye. I'd wait until the end to tell him I was sorry for not telling him the truth. He was so much like Boss man. A person's word was their bond. They took everything at face value and a handshake was as good as a binding contract. They both had that code and I had been using the gray areas to my advantage but not any longer. I had to come clean.

I was scared they would be so angry at me for keeping things from them but in my defense, it was my way to ensure that I didn't get hurt. I had been down this path trusting people only to be burned or worse left behind.

I wrapped my arms around myself. I was terrified once I told them everything that they would not look at me the same, my white lies would come out today and I was both scared and relieved. They would know the truth and I'd face the consequences and hope I hadn't set myself up for a fall.

"Hey sweet pea, what's with the long face?"

Luca spoke and I shook my head. That was his nickname for me. I didn't know why he called me Sweet Pea until he showed me the cartoon Popeye the sailor man, Sweet Pea was the baby Popeye took care of. I asked if he was Brutus. He laughed and he was always in a good mood. I continued and said if that was true Tiny was Wimpy so that made momma Olive Oyl.

He said I had gotten the Tiny part right but he was more handsome than Brutus and Momma G couldn't be Olive Oyl. That would be Popeye's girl and ours didn't have one.

"Nothing Brutus, just trying to take all this in. Are you still mad at me?"

"Yes and no, you should have come to us Star, I'm going to find Boyd and when I do well he won't be messing with little girls any more. I'm more pissed off at myself for letting him go. But it's only a matter of time."

"I'm sorry I just didn't want to cause waves, I thought Boyd was your friend and I swear I tried to get along but he just was too creepy for me. I was scared to be around him. He wasn't a nice man."

"He wasn't my friend, someone asked if we could give him a job since he was a vet and needed a hand. But I had a bad feeling about him but I gave him the benefit of the doubt, yeah he was a loner but most guys that served are like that. I should have gone with my gut. I should be the one apologizing Sweet Pea."

I whispered, "Not your fault."

I swallowed the bile that was coming up from my stomach. Not a nice man, more like a predator. I'd seen that look before when no one was watching and I'd catch him staring at me. I always made sure Tiny, Momma, Luca or even Popeye was around whenever I had to work the same shift Boyd was going to be working.

A hand grasped my upper arm and I pulled back, scared that it was him I gasped.

"Whoa Sweet Pea what's going on, did he do more than you're telling me?"

What could I say that he had trapped me in the storage room and tried to get something from me to be able to leave the room? That he had tried to kiss me by the trash bins in the back when I had gone to take out the trash? Or how this morning he was angry that I had hurt him last night after he had found my crash spot and I had to run for my life.

He pulled me into a hug. Why?

Did I just say all that out loud? Oh no. I tried to pull away but he wouldn't let me.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry I thought I could handle him but he made me feel like I was asking for it. It's what he said to me he said that I was giving it to Popeye so why not him? That he couldn't see any other reason that he kept me around since he didn't like kids like me."

I started to let my tears fall. I was going to tell him first than the rest of my family. It was easy talking to him. He wouldn't stop me with questions and maybe he'd help me tell the rest of my family this secret.

"Brutus I tried to avoid him, that's why I was missing so many days you guys gave him more shifts and I just couldn't deal with him and when Momma left to tend to her sister and you got that security job and weren't around as much. Then Tiny had too much on his plate and Popeye was angry at me as it was for missing so many shifts. I knew it was a matter of time till he told me to leave and not come back."

That was my fear that I'd let them down so much that they'd think I was a flake and would tell me to leave. I'd then be alone again.

"The night of the storm was my last straw. Boyd found me and had a knife. He tore my coat off me and I had some hot coffee I had gotten to keep me warm and threw it in his face and kicked him between the legs. He fell to the floor yelling at me that I was going to pay. I ran back to the Bar but it was closed. I tried to hide but knew this was where he'd come to look first. I was lost and so tired that I gave up. I didn't want to be here any longer. Brutus I had reached my limit and I was thinking some really dark thoughts."

"Damn I'm sorry. Oh Sweet Pea, why didn't you come to us."

He could never understand what I was feeling that night that I'd thought I'd be better off dead than alive.

"I had a family that was taken from me. I swear I was born under a dark cloud that's followed me all this time, why would God put me through all of this. I was done. I didn't want to live anymore. I wanted my real family so I decided that I would join them so that no one would care if another runaway was found on the beach. I had no hope left. I was tired and had no fight in me. I was even thinking of having Boyd find me to do the job. I had hit rock bottom."

He kissed my forehead and wiped my tears. I held him tightly

"You don't have to say anymore." I shook my head.

"I was going to go to the beach and swim out and when I was too tired just let go. It would be peaceful and quick. But I saw the commotion on the pier and thought I'd check it out. I knew what I was going to do and a little distraction wouldn't hurt. I walked down to the pier and saw the crowd. The rain had slowed down and I asked what had happened. Someone said a baby was found in the trash can by a big dog and his owner said that the baby was being rushed to the hospital and they didn't know if he was going to make it."

Little did I know it had been Boss lady, Beast and Jake that had caused the commotion on the pier that my curiosity of wondering if the little guy was going to make it got me through that night, I didn't even know them and they had affected my decision to end my life.

"I stood around with everyone else, avoided the police and started to ask more questions trying to figure out where the baby had been taken and if it wasn't too far to go visit. I don't know why I felt it was something I needed to do I stood with the crowd but it started to dwindle I had sat on a bench and slept a couple of hours and went back to where the police were conducting their investigation, one of them offered me a cup of coffee and a donut I went to sit by the beach and thought about the night before how I had almost gave in and vowed I wouldn't get that low again I'd find a way to get out of here and move on to a safer place."

"Do you want to sit down Sweet Pea or…"

"I want to finish. So I came back to see if anything else was going on and I saw Beast, I followed him and got the courage to go up to his owner. He was nice but there was something about him so I had my guard up. It turned out to be Boss Man and he took me to breakfast, offered me a job and then took me to his beach house where he introduced me to his family. They made me feel safe and like I belong even after I threw a tantrum and accused him of wanting something from me. You should have seen how mad he was but he made me trust him and I took that chance I don't know why and I know you would say that was a dumb move, but I said I wanted a change and I swear I felt this was it. Brutus it's not that I didn't trust you guys I did but I was afraid. Momma was the only one I could talk to about girl stuff and she wasn't around. Boss Lady, Carol and Maureen treated me like one of the girls, I even got invited to my first sleepover. Did you know I've never been to one? I came back to the Bar. I owe all of you for giving me the chance to feel like part of something. But eventually I would have told you about my other family. They asked me to help them find Jake's momma, that's the baby that was found by Boss Lady and Beast. Brutus, she gave him my little brother's name. That can't be a coincidence right? It just feels right and Boss Lady is gonna let me stay with her, I get to have my own room but I'm scared that something bad will happen and I won't be allowed to stay with her. She has a lot going on right now and they took Jake from her but Maureen, she's a lawyer I'm sure she's already figured out a way to get him back. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest now to tell the rest of our families."

There was still so much more I had to say but, I'd wait till we all sat down together. I felt so much lighter, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I heard sniffing and realized that it was too quiet. I looked up at Brutus. He had tears in his eyes but was looking over my shoulder. I stiffened and slowly turned around.

They all stood there looking at me. They had heard me talking to Luca. Boss man was holding the Boss lady. She was crying. I could tell by how her shoulders were shaking. Will had Maureen who was not doing any better, Momma was being held up by Popeye and Uncle Roy, Too Mean held Carol. Tiny was sitting down hugging Beast not looking at me and I knew why.

I let out a cry and stepped back and whimpered I was sorry.

I start to shake, no they shouldn't have heard all of that I was going to sugar coat it I was going to make sure they didn't cry or feel sorry for me. But it was too late.

"Sorry you have nothing to feel sorry for." Popeye blurted out I could tell he was trying to control his anger when Boss Man chimed in.

"He's right it's not your fault that others tried to take advantage of you and I thank god you came up to me on the pier to pet Beast."

I felt my knees go weak but an arm held me up and Brutus whispered in my ear to breathe, I was safe no one would ever harm me again.

I nodded and tried to smile but it was all too much.

"Well that was the end part of my story. Do you want to hear the beginning? I already bared my soul so might as well tell it all I was going to be more selective of what I said but I not anymore I feel free now and I don't have to cover anything up I told you my stepfather's name I'll tell you everything that's happened to me these last 10 months. If you want to hear it."

I held my breath and looked down. I saw two sets of feet come close and I looked up it was Popeye and Boss man.

Popeye pulled me into his arms and I lost it. I cried and held him tight and he murmured to never ever keep anything from him that he might be a grouch but when it came to me he would drop everything to ensure I was safe.

"She told you the bastard's name? Oh you will be sharing that with us. I've been after that name for almost 6 months."

"She did but you have a long line to stand behind. We all want a piece of him and we will be having a conversation with him. Trust me he will rule the day he touched her."

"Another person to put on my varmint hunting list. When do we start Popeye?"

I started to shake my head violently, remembering how he had threatened my mom and the damage he had done to others that had tried to help us get away.

"NO! He's crazy you don't understand he will kill you and not care I can't let you do this I should have just kept my mouth shut I don't want to be responsible for your deaths please just forget his name boss man, Popeye."

"No he has to worry about me, Mr. Houston just give me the name I don't think you want to get your hands dirty, I have no problem with this. The man will cease to exist no one will miss his sorry ass."

I pulled away from Luca.

"Did you not hear what I just said? He's crazy you don't understand, he manipulates and always gets away with what he does. He's controlling and he will make it his mission to hurt you or those around you. He did that to my mom. He threatened her with me and Jake saying he wouldn't hurt her but would take it out on us. We ran once and…"

I started to hyperventilate remembering what he had done to me in front of my mother. He had broken my wrist with a snap of his hand. I remembered the pain and the ER visit. It was only me and mom. He had kept Jake as an insurance policy to ensure we would be back and we would lie to cover up what he did. The other times Mom's friends tried to help but would end up in disaster and then I hit puberty and the leering started. My head was spinning. I didn't want to go down that path again. I wanted it to stop.

I heard Boss Lady, "Come back baby please what happened in the past can't hurt you we won't let him win. Please what did he do to you, Houston, Devin help me get her back!"

I whispered, "CJ?"

"There's my girl, it's okay we won't go after him. Right gentlemen?" She held me tightly and I held on Carol, Momma and Maureen hugged me too.

I had to get us off this subject. I had to think of a way to convince them that going after him would only cause more pain.

"I'm hungry, can we finish this later please."

Uncle Roy spoke up, "You heard my niece let's have some food and sit down and get to know one another. You young lady will be sitting next to me."

"And beside me I have to make sure you eat it looks like you've lost weight and I will be taking that up with you three later. Come on Sweet Pea, let's eat." Momma chimed in.

Uncle Roy put his arm around me and led me to the table, gave me a kiss on the forehead and sat me down Momma G grabbed my hand.

"No more lies or keeping anything from any of us okay. I should have taken you in a long time ago but you are so stubborn, everytime I thought you where going to agree you bolted. I understand now and I still love you darling. Don't ever forget that. We are in this together."

I smiled and kissed her cheek and Uncle Roy's and everyone else started to sit and talk and soon Luca was telling stories that had everyone laughing.

This was my family and I would hurt anyone that tried to take them away from me.